Hearing noise inside Hades' castle isn't unusual. Bagama't walang nagsasalita---o tuwing walang  kaluluwang nagmamakaawa---paminsan-minsan ay naririnig pa rin ng mga alipin ang ilang mga kaluskos na nagmumula sa mga kusina. Sometimes, they can hear voices inside the empty chambers. At night, footsteps and occasional knocks haunt the receiving area.

Ngunit ang ingay na umaalunig ngayon sa loob ng magarbong kastilyo ng "hari" ng impyerno ay wala sa mga nabanggit.

Today, the century-old castle's halls were buzzling with the sound of metals clashing against each other. The smell of blood and sweat with a mixture of all the other "uncommon" odors in between. Umalingawngaw ang pagdaing ng mga lobo kasabay ng pagyanig ng lupa sa paglalakad ng ilang cyclops.

Bodies were crashing against the marble floors.

Blood stained the pale curtains.

And Hades smiled amidst the chaos.

Huminga nang malalim ang hari at pinagmasdan ang kanyang hukbong abala sa pagsasanay. He watched as the paranormal creatures clashed and crashed against their opponents. Nakadungaw siya mula sa terrace ng isang tore, malinaw niyang nakikita ang kaguluhang nagaganap sa ibaba. His dark eyes skimmed the witches and vampires. Hades' lips gave a satisfied smirk.

"Creatures of the Underworld can be easily manipulated. Paminsan-minsan, may pakinabang rin sila, hindi ba, aking pinakamamahal na reyna?"

Beside him, Persephone stood silent while watching the "training" down below. Her eyes were golden brown, like newly harvested rice during the summer season. Sumimangot ang reyna at inayos muli ang kanyang damit na yari sa itim na satin.

"I don't trust their loyalty, my king. Sumusunod lang naman sila sa'yo dahil ikaw ang kinikilala nilang hari ngayon. These creatures can betray you, once Luci---!"

"DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME!"

Napapitlag si Persephone nang sumigaw ang asawa. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang mapansin ang pag-iiba ng timpla ni Hades. His eyes grew wild with anger. His lips in a permanent scowl. Nang mapansin ng lalaki ang gulat at takot sa ekspresyon ng kanyang reyna, agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin at huminga nang malalim.

"I am well aware that they can betray me once that bastard takes over the Underworld. Kapag naupo na sa kanyang trono si Lucifer, tuluyan na akong kakalimutan ng kahariang ito. I'll be forgotten... and that hurts more than a blade to the chest."

Napalunok si Hades. Kapansin-pansin ang emosyong gumugulo sa kanya. Ito mismo ang kinatatakutan ni Hades.. ang kalimutan ng lahat. Mula nang maging proxy siya ni Lucifer upang pamunuan ang Underworld, halos gabi-gabi na siyang binabangungot. Oo, sa ngayon nasa kanya pa ang kapangyarihan---siya pa rin ang kinikilala nilang hari. Ngunit sa oras na angkinin nang muli ni Lucifer ang kanyang trono, ano nang mangyayari kay Hades? He will be nothing. Hades will lose everything.. that is his deepest fear.

That's why he's desprate.

Desparado siyang maangkin nang tuluyan ang trono. Desperado siyang kilalanin bilang tunay at nag-iisang hari ng imperyong ito. Desperado siyang manatili sa kanya ang lahat.

That desperation is also the reason why he accepted Boswell's deal before. And right now, that same desperation is the reason why he made an alliance with the Deadly Sins.

Kailangan niyang talunin si Lucifer.

'I'll show the Underworld who their real king is.'

Naikuyom ni Hades ang kanyang mga kamao. Naramdaman na lang niya ang paghaplos ng kanyang reyna sa kanyang kamay. Persephone smiled reassuringly at him. Puno ng pagmamahal ang mga mata ng reyna para kay Hades. And again, Hades finds himself falling in love with this woman.

"Hindi mo kailangang matakot na mawala ang lahat sa'yo, mahal. You might lose everything, but you will always have me. We will win this war together."

She intertwined their fingers. It made him feel a lot better. Kalaunan, kumalma na rin si Hades at marahang hinalikan ang reyna. Ngunit hindi pa rin nito maalis ang pangamba sa kanyang puso. Now that Lucifer and his Horsemen knows about the rebellion, they might try to harm Persephone in order to "tame" him.

Love is really a shitty weakness.

Deep down, the message is clear. Hades is more afraid of losing his queen.

*

'Bakit ba ngayon ko lang naisipang ibalik 'to?'

Kahit na ilang buwan na siyang namamalagi dito sa mansyon ng Seven Deadly Sins, hindi pa rin maiwasang kabahan ni Snow White sa presensiya ng panganay. Nonetheless, Pride always has this way of intimidating people---just like what's he's doing right now. Kung sinasadya man nito o hindi, ayaw na itong alamin ng dalaga.

Pride sat at the head of the table inside the dining hall. Tahimik niyang pinagmasdan ang bagay na inaabot sa kanya ni Snow. His eyes bore into hers. A serious and stern look.

"Care to tell me why you have the keys to every room inside my mansion, princess?"

Napalunok si Snow at marahang inilapag sa mesa ang mga susi. A hundred keys all bundled up in a single metal loop. She almost forgot she still has this.

Isandaang susi para sa isandaang mga silid sa mansyong ito. Of course, the sins have a duplicate copy of keys for their bedrooms and special rooms, but this is the complete set of keys to unlock every door of the Seven Deadly Sins' mansion. Dahil si Pride ang panganay, ilang siglo nang nasa pangangalaga niya ang key set na ito.

'Yup. I'm dead.'

Napalunok ang dalaga. Kung hindi pa siya nagising sa malakas (at galit) na boses ni Pride kaninang umaga habang hinahanap niya ito, baka tuluyan na niyang nakalimutang nasa kanya pa pala ito. And so, here she is---standing in front of an angry sin.

Snow White mustered up all the bravery to meet his eyes. She's not afraid of him! No, not one bit...

Err.. maybe a little.

Napabuntong-hininga ang dalaga. Kung hindi lang mahirap paniwalaan ang sasabihin niya, malamang hindi siya kakabahan ng ganito. 'Tsk! Damn this situation.'

"Noong gabing sumakit ang ngipin ni Gluttony, naka-lock ang mga pinto ng dining hall. I was about to wreck it down when I spotted this set of keys on the floor. Naisip kong mas magagalit ka kapag sinira ko ang mga pinto kaya't ginamit ko na lang 'yong susi."

Pride was still frowning at her.

"At paano naman mapupunta sa hallway ang mga susi ng mansyon?"

"I-I have no idea.."

Patay.

"Princess, a set of one hundred keys to this damn mansion can't just pop out of nowhere."

Umirap si Snow. "Baka naman nahulog mo 'yan doon sa hallway?"

Kumalansing ang mga susi nang iangat ito ni Pride. His bored expression told her that that scenario is impossible. "I keep this inside my room. Under my pillow. Last month ko pa huling ginamit ito. Paano naman ito mapupunta sa hallway?" He challenged her. Mukhang bad mood nga ngayon ang kasalanan.

'Minsan, ang sarap talaga niyang ihagis sa Tartarus! Tsk.'

Naikuyom ni Snow ang kanyang mga kamao at akmang sasagot na sana nang biglang sumingit sa pagitan nila si Llyria. The new maid was smiling while she poured tea inside a cup. Ni hindi ito lumingon sa kanila nang mahina siyang magsalita, "Maybe she stole it? Hindi malayong natunugan ng dati niyong katulong kung saan nakatago ang mga susi.."

Pride glared. "Llyria."

"Malamang may masama siyang intensyon, kaya't kinuha niya ito mula sa---"

"Llyria!"

Natigil sa pagsasalin ng tsaa ang dalaga at kiming ngumiti kay Pride. She smiled sweetly at the sin and placed the tea cup in front of him as if he isn't glaring at her. Tila ba hindi nito narinig ang pagbabanta sa boses ni Pride habang inaakusahan niya si Snow. Llyria's fierce eyes held a certain mischief that Snow White doesn't like.

Marahan siyang yumukod sa harapan ng binata, hindi pa rin natatanggal ang matamis na ngiti sa kanyang mukha.

"My apologies, Mr. Pride. Of course, I wouldn't intentionally speak ill of your bride.."

Napasimangot si Snow. 'So, hindi mo sinasadya? This is bullshit.' Pinigilan niya ang kanyang sarili na sumagot. Matapos ng ginawa sa kanya ni Morticia, napagdesisyunan ni Snow na habaan ang kanyang pasensiya. Sometimes not saying anything at all helps a lot. Plus, she wouldn't want to be trapped inside a bottle again. Malay ba natin kung mangkukulam rin pala itong si Llyria? Baka kung ano pa ang magawa sa kanya. Tsk!

Pride stared at their new maid for a while, as if assessing her. Kalaunan, napabuntong-hininga ang panganay. He waved a hand in dismissal.

"Just go and do an inventory of the books in the Library of Lost Souls. Hindi na naaasikaso ng tamad kong kapatid ang pagtatala ng mga aklat doon."

Panandaliang dumako ang mga mata ni Llyria kay Snow. A poisonous smirk played on her sweet red lips. "With pleasure, Mr. Pride." Ilang sandali pa, lumabas na siya ng dining hall. Umalingawngaw sa kanyang pag-alis ang tunog ng kanyang mga yabag sa abandonadong pasilyo. Her footsteps echoed until only silence was left in its wake.

Sa hindi malamang dahilan, kinabahan si Snow. But before she could even make up an excuse to follow Llyria, Pride's eyes darted back at her.

"So, you're saying that these keys just 'mysteriously' appeared in the hallway?"

Napabuntong-hininga si Snow. "More like 'magically' appeared in the hallway. Kung tutuusin, hindi naman imposibleng mangyari 'yon, hindi ba? This mansion is full of magic and mystery. I wouldn't even be surprised if those keys are alive. Baka naglakad sila papuntang hallway para makatakas sa'yo."

Oops.

'Geez. So much for not talking, Snow! Tsk.' Saway niya sa sarili. Mabilis na niyang itinikom ang kanyang bibig. Fuelling Pride's bad mood is the last on her list of chores today... Pero mukhang huli na ang lahat.

The eldest cardinal sin stared at her. His expression unreadable. Lalong kinabahan si Snow nang sumilay ang isang pilyong ngiti sa mga labi ni Pride. Before she could even make an excuse to leave, his voice demanded her attention.

"I should punish you for showing such disrespect, princess."

"W-What the---?"

"Come closer."

'Shit.'

Inilahad ni Pride ang kanyang kamay. Nang kunin ito ni Snow, namalayan na lang niyang hinila na siya nito papalapit. Pride pulled her close until she was directly in front of him. Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalaga nang ipinaupo siya niyo sa kanyang kandungan. In just an blink of an eye, Snow found herself on Pride's lap. Pumalag siya't akmang lalayo nang mahinang natawa si Pride. "Am I making you blush? You're redder than an apple, Snow White."

Her name on his lips.

'Double shit.'

Pinilit ni Snow na pakalmahin ang kanyang sarili. Pero sadya yatang nagrerebelde ang pintig ng kanyang puso. She was almost sure that Pride can hear her nervous heart right now. 'Damn this!' Of all the sides the almighty Pride has, this is one of her least favorites---the naughty side. Before she could even utter a protest, his eyes locked on hers. Noon lang napansin ni Snow ang pagbabago ng paligid.

The dining hall suddenly warped into a dim bedroom.

The smell of roses intoxicated her as the soft glow of candlelight made Pride's features even more attractive---if that's even possible. Napasimangot si Snow sa binata. "Another one of your illusions?"

"You know me well."

Napalunok ulit siya. "I-Ibig sabihin ba nito hindi ka na galit sa'kin?"

"Hangga't hindi pa ako nakakaisip ng lohikal na dahilan kung bakit napunta sa hallway ang mga susi, I'll just pretend your theory of the 'walking keys' is correct. Baka nga gusto na akong layasan ng mga susing 'yan."

Snow White smirked. "Bawasan mo na kasi ang pagsusungit para hindi ka na layasan."

"Layasan na ako ng lahat, 'wag lang ikaw."

"Pride.."

Pride's lips followed. Snow White soon found herself melting in his kisses. Mabilis na pumulupot ang mga kamay ng binata sa kanyang baywang. Snow White tangled her hands in his hair and pulled him closer as they shared the sinful kiss. Nanindig ang kanyang balahibo nang bahagyang hinaplos ni Pride ang kanyang mga hita. Hindi na siya nakapagreklamo nang marahang kagatin ni Pride ang kanyang labi. Her whimpers of pain was immediately drowned out by his sensual lips..

Punishment, indeed.

'He's gonna be the death of me.'

Nabigla na lang si Snow nang tinabig ni Pride ang tasa ng tsaa sa lamesa. The tea cup crashed down the floor, but they made no complain. Mas naging agresibo ang mga halik ng kasalanan nang maihiga na siya nito sa lamesa. Snow White felt the cold table behind her, sending a chill up her spine as Pride traced his fingers over her collarbone.

He smirked.

"You should be terrified, princess."

He kissed her again, and kissed her some more until his lips started worshipping her skin. Pride's lips went down until---

"RATED SPG ALERT!"

Agad na naglaho ang ilusyong ginawa ni Pride. Agad nilang nilingon ang direksyon ng pintuang kung nasaan ang kambal. Snow White immediatetly got off the table, embarrassed as hell. Naiilang siyang lumayo kay Pride at pinagpag ang kanyang bestida.

Sumimangot si Greed. "Nakakagulat."

Ngumisi si Envy. "Nakakainggit."

Pride glared at them.

"What the fuck are you doing here, twins?" Asik ng panganay.

Greed and Envy laughed in chorus. Kalaunan, nagkibit balikat si Envy, "What are YOU doing kissing our bride at the table, brother? Kung may magiging agresibo man sa atin, inaasahan kong si Wrath 'yon. Seems like our Chione is bringing out the naughty side in all of us." At dumako ang kanyang mga mata sa dalagang hindi makatingin sa kanila. Snow White cursed under her breath, still blushing hard from Pride's "punishment".

Hindi nakaimik si Pride. For the first time since she stepped foot inside the creepy mansion, the eldest sin seemed speechless.

"I-I forgot to clean Cerberus' dog house!"

Mabilis na sabi ni Snow at sinimulan nang ayusin ang tea set na iniwan ni Llyria kanina. Mabuti na lang at malayo ito sa harapan ni Pride kanina kaya't hindi ito nasama sa natabig. But before she could even get out of the dining hall, Greed held her arm.

"Aw! Don't be ashamed, Mademoiselle."

Inakbayan siya ni Envy.

"It's fine, Chione. We understand that mortals have hormones." Sabay kindat sa kanya nito.

'W-What the fuck?'

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

Naiinis na lumayo si Snow sa kanila. She took in a deep breath and glared at them. "Wala ba kayong ibang naka-schedule na gawin ngayon bukod sa asarin ako?"

Nagkatinginan sina Envy at Greed. "Wala! HAHAHAHA!"

Napabuntong hininga na lang ang dalaga. Maya-maya pa, kinuha ni Greed ang takure sa dala niyang tray. "Watching a live porn show made me thristy! Hahaha!" Lumawak ang kanyang ngiti at ipinitik ang mga daliri. Lumitaw ang isang tea cup mula sa kawalan. Isinalin ni Greed ang tsaa sa tasa at nilagok ang inumin. A satified expression graced the sin's features.

Envy rolled his eyes and did the same.

"Psh. Gaya-gaya ka na naman! Walang originality!"

"Don't be a greedy bastard! Hindi mo pagmamay-ari ang lahat, Avarice!"

"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO FUCKING TELL YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT?!"

"GANTIHAN LANG! YOU SOLD MY FAVORITE JACKET LAST WEEK, YOU MORON!"

"DAMN TWIN!"

"STUPID SIN!"

Sa huli, nagpaligsahan silang ubusin ang tsaa. Umalingawngaw sa dining hall ang kalansing ng chinaware at halos matapon na ang tsaa sa carpet. Sa kabilang bahagi ng silid, hinihilot na ni Pride ang kanyang sentido. Mukhang sumasakit na rin ang ulo niya sa kambal. Napabuntong-hininga si Snow White. 'Kahit yata magkaroon ang apocalypse, hindi pa rin magbabago ang dalawang ito.'

Ilang sandali pa, napansin ni Snow ang isang pamilyar na amoy. Kumunot ang kanyang noo, pilit inaalala kung saan ito naamoy noon. She closed her eyes and inhaled. It was sweet and tangerine.. It smelled a lot like...

"Lemons?"

Mabilis na kinuha ni Snow ang teapot. Wala na itong laman, ngunit amoy pa rin ang lemon dito. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang mapagtanto kung ano ito. Bumalik sa kanyang alaala ang ibinigay na bote sa kanila noon ng tindera sa Tartarus. "Lemon tea?"

Bago pa man siya makabalik ng kusina upang kumpirmahin ang kanyang hinala, natigil ang pag-aaway ng kambal.

"GAAAAH!"

Kinabahan si Snow.

She knows pretty well that drinking suspicious liquids can lead to a complete disaster. Nang lingunin niya ang direksyon ng kambal, kamuntikan na niyang mabitiwan ang hawak niyang takure. "Shit.." Her eyes widened when she realized that Greed and Envy are gone.

Pinalitan ito ng isang di-pamilyar na binata. The man clutched his head and cursed in pain. Tila ba nanghihina ito..

"S-Sino ka?!"

Nag-angat ng tingin ang binata.

Snow White's jaw dropped when she saw his face...

Magkaiba ang kulay ng kanyang mga mata. One eye has a tint of gold, while the other is vibrant green. Sa unang tingin ay hindi ito napansin ng dalaga, pero ngayon unti-unti na niyang nakikilala ang pagkakahawig ng buhok nito kay Greed. His sweater was forest green---like Envy's. The man also had the charming prince-like aura of Greed but he has this friendly smile that reminded her of Envy. At nang lapitan siya ng misteryosong lalaki, napagtanto ni Snow na hindi ito isang estranghero.

She knows him. And it only became worse when he spoke..

"Why do you look so shocked, Mademoiselle Chione?"

Tuluyan nang nabitiwan ni Snow ang hawak niyang takure. It crashed down with a deafening noise. Suddenly, she recalled what Ms. Lemon Tea told them before. Kapag nainom daw nila ang lemon tea, magkakaroon sila ng mas matibay na "bond" o "connection" sa isa't isa. She thought it was figurative.. but now, she realized it isn't.

At ngayong nakatitig si Snow sa binatang nasa kanyang harapan, naging malinaw na ang lahat.

"Envy and Greed merged bodies."

---

You have said
    all the things
    I need to hear
    before I knew
    I needed to hear them.

    To be unafraid
    of all the things
    I used to fear,
    before I knew
    I shouldn't fear them.

---"A Thank-You Note", Lang Leav