Sorry for all the errors!

#TSC21: The Fallen Name

Artemis Elizabeth's POV

"Meron talagang kakaiba sa inyong dalawa." I stated while looking at Honoka and Harper. There's really something fishy about these two. I swear. They've been so out of it lately.

"Imagination mo lang 'yun, Art." Honoka said while switching the channel of the television.

"Weeh?"

"True, Art. There's nothing wrong with us." Harper told me while looking at her phone.

Sus, wala raw.

"Weird mo kaya Harp. Lagi kang nakatingin sa phone mo tapos ngingiti-ngiti. It's getting creepy, you know? Are you hiding some kind of evil plan? Ano bang meron sa cellphone mo?" I asked Harper with a knotted forehead. I sat next to her and tried to peek at her phone, she hid it quickly.

"See! You won't even let me look at it!" I said accusingly while pointing a finger at her. She chuckled lightly, not even nervous. Para bang walang tinatago. Agh. Harper, really! "Meron talagang mali, nararamdaman ko." I said while pouting.

They both giggled at me. "Therefore, I conclude that Art's getting paranoid." Harper mentioned while laughing at me, I crossed my arms at her, she didn't even flinch. "Yeah right." Honoka agreed, I sighed at them.

"I'll eventually find out about it, you two." I told them without batting an eyelid.

"You'll be surprised, hon." Harper teased. So, meron nga silang tinatago.

Isa pa 'tong si Honoka. Ayaw magbigay ng chocolate sa 'kin. 'Yun na lang daw nasa fridge ni Luna. Samantalang hindi naman n'ya kinakain 'yung chocolate box na dala dala n'ya no'ng isang araw. Weird talaga 'nun. Is she waiting for it to expire? That's the first time she didn't wanna share chocolates! That's a big deal given how kind she is.

"Where are your Kuya Kambal, Art?" Tanong ni Harper, diverting the topic.

"With Ate Amythee and Kuya Akira. They are at the Tower. Maybe finding ways to climb up on the ranking." I uttered then went to the kitchen to get some snacks.

"I saw Biblee, Pierce and Thorn earlier, they said they are going to sign up about some sports club." Kwento naman ni Honoka sa 'min. Kaya pala kaming tatlo lang nandito sa bahay ni Luna. 'Yung may ari ng bahay?

Dunno. Hindi namin alam kung na saan. We were actually used to it. Luna's a mushroom. Bigla-bigla na lang nalitaw, bigla bigla na lang nawawala. We have nothing against that though, she's already kind enough to let us stay in her house. Hindi naman niya kami gwardya para bantayan siya.

"Hey, did you check your schedule? It changed. Hindi na tayo magkakasama sa mga klase." Honoka pointed out while checking out her phone. I opened mine too, to check about that. Then it really showed a different timeline.

"We are not classmates, anymore?" Harper questioned, her brows are furrowed.

"Think so. Baka ganun din sila Ate Amythee." I stated softly.

"But why?" Honoka queried.

"Maybe school system kind of thing." Harper retorted gently.

"Ano gagawin n'yo mamaya?" I asked them.

"Gonna look after the kids." Honoka replied while raising her hand a little.

"I'll be with Pierce and Akira later, they want me to join them in the Tower." Harper declared while sitting crossed legs on the sofa.

"You?" They mentioned in unison.

"I'll go to the firing range. I need some kind of practice. Might go to car racing track too."

"Great! So, off to different paths today!" Honoka exclaimed.

"Looks like it." Harper and I both agreed.

Since they are not gonna come with me, I went upstairs to change. Better go there before my Kuya Theon and Kuya Cleon arrive. Baka kasi hindi ako payagan 'nung dalawang 'yun. Kaya ko naman sarili ko pero kung ituring ako 'nung dalawa pa ring baby. Hay.

Andyan naman si Athena, kahit medyo siga 'yun, prinsesa pa rin 'yon, saka si Ais na bunso namin. Pero ako raw kasi unang prinsesa nila kaya ganun. Ewan ko ba. Valid reason ba 'yun? Samantalang 'nung mga bata kami kung ibalibag nila ako kapag naglalaro kami. Psh. Pakitang tao talaga 'yun sina Kuya.

"Hey, gotta go!" Paalam ko kay Harper at Honoka.

"Take care, Princess!" They told me giggling, I waved at them.

I took the shuttle bus to go at the firing arena. This is not the first time I'm going in there. I was with Kuya Cleon the last time, and sometimes I also see Kuya Akira in there. Next time, I'll bring Ate Amythee in here.

Mom told us that it'll be a great help if Ate Amythee slowly recovers from her fear about guns. It's also an irony because Katniss told us that Ate Amythee's strength is with guns. Siguro pinapangunahan lang talaga ng takot si Ate kaya hindi niya pa naiilabas 'yung capabilities n'ya.

Guns are actually my hobby. Magaling kasi si Dad when it comes to this, pati na rin si Mom. They actually taught us in our early age about this and I'm glad they did, because there are some classes where we excel because of this skill.

"Gandang commoner, ano?" Medyo napalayo ako sa kinatatayuan ko sa bus 'nung makita kong nakatingin sa 'kin 'yung dalawang middle tier. I don't like the looks that they are giving me. Sarap dukutin ng mga mata.

"Hey, miss. We'll give you some aurous, just tag along with us." I snorted secretly when I heard them say that. Tag along nila mukha nila. Psh. Mukha ba akong interested? Instead of giving them the satisfaction of attention, I ignored them.

"Psst." Kinuhit pa ako 'nung isa. I'm pretty sure disgust is written all over my face. There are some commoners near me, they didn't try to help, they just all looked away. Is it a privilege to do these kinds of disgusting things because they are in a higher rank? Well, if that is, this system is really messed up.

One of the guy advanced in front of me. Shivers. That's what I felt, I gulped secretly. The bus is still moving. I'll go out the next bus stop. I'd rather walk than be with these nasty scumbags. Before they could say anything, the bus stopped, I immediately opened the door and went out.

Luckily, I was just right next to the door. I started to walk when I felt a hand grabbed my arm. Damn! Sila pa rin! Bakit ba ayaw nila ako tigilan? Wala ba silang pupuntahan? Gusto ba nila ng away?

I'll call my twin brothers if they want destruction! But I can give them war if they don't stop. I know how to fight too!

"Pa-hard to get ka pang commoner ka ah!" The guy with multiple rings on his fingers said. Nandidiri ko silang tiningnan.

"Pipi ka ba!?" Sigaw naman 'nung isa na may gold na kwintas.

I was taught by my father to stay quiet in this kind of situation. Just let my fists talk, that's it. I balled my fists and I positioned myself to punch them. They laughed because of my stance in the situation.

Before I could land a punch on their faces, one scream ended it all.

"Hey! I was waiting for you!" One guy run next to me while waving. The two golden nasty beings stepped back and run away from us. I looked at them in confusion. What was that? Napatingin naman ako do'n sa sumigaw.

I thought he was going to stop in front of me, but he just passed by me. I scanned the area to look at if there are other people besides me, that he was pertaining to, but found nothing. Ako talaga 'yung sinigawan n'ya kanina, pero bakit hindi niya ako pinansin ngayon? Weird.

Kaysa alalahanin pa 'yun, naglakad na lang ako hanggang sa makarating sa firing range. When I got there, there are few elites present and some middle tiers. Walang commoners. We are allowed in here, it's just that commoners don't really try this place.

I gave my ID in the station. That's our pass in this place.

They gave me a card after. I directly went to the practice area first. 'Yung lugar kung sa'n pwede ka magpractice ng pag-shoot at precision. Mamaya na lang ako pupunta ro'n sa parang actual na may barilan talaga. They have some kind of virtual reality in here.

Pumunta ako sa kwarto kung saan nakalagay 'yung mga baril. Pumili ako ng isang brief case at isang box na lalagyan ng mga bala. After that I proceeded to the shooting booth. I put down the case in front of me and assembled the gun quickly.

I stretched a little and wore the glasses and ear covers. Hinawakan ko nang maayos ang baril at inasinta ang bagong lagay lang na target. I concentrated and looked at it straight. Vital points. 'Yun ang titirahin ko. Bata pa lang kami tinuro na 'yun ni Dad sa 'min.

I pulled the trigger consecutively fast while moving the barrel of the gun a little to change the bullets' direction. After three shots, I lowered down the gun to see if I hit the target right. I smirked automatically when I saw that it was all right on the spot.

"Still good." I whispered to myself.

I loaded some bullets again and another target was prepared for me. When it was all settled, I aimed again at the target. Now, I'll try one direction. All three bullets in just one place. Isang butas lang dapat ang maiiwan sa papel na target.

I targeted the middle or the one with the highest score. I positioned myself correctly and aimed at the middle, I slowly closed my one eye. When I think that everything was perfect and locked in place, I pulled the trigger with both of my eyes closed.

One.

Two.

Three.

Three bullets fired. I slowly opened my eyes to see if I succeeded.

"Great." I praised myself. Yeah! Just one whole on the score target. Lahat ng bala pasok sa iisang butas. I couldn't help but smile proudly. Easy peasy. Dad was more awesome when it comes to this.

I tried other kind of tricks and such when I noticed that someone was looking at my direction. Napalingon ako sa katabing shooting booth. And there I saw a guy looking at me keenly. I raised my brow and pointed the gun at him.

He was surprised because of how I acted and he automatically raised his both hands in surrender. One side of my lips slowly rose. I put down my gun, glasses, and ear covers. I went to him.

"What are you looking at?" Marahang tanong ko. It's him. 'Yung dahilan kaya hindi natuloy 'yung muntik nang away kanina gawa 'nung mga lalaking walang modo. The one who yelled yet pretended that it wasn't for me.

"Those skills... aren't of a commoner." He stated with eyes almost glowing. His voice was so soft. Like he's a saint, an angel. Not capable of harming people or even lying. I slowly shook my head to erase those thoughts.

I shrugged my shoulders at him. "You are the guy earlier." I pinpointed. He laughed nervously.

"A-Ah," He stuttered and avoided my gaze. His side profile was perfect. Sharp jaw, pointed nose, lips curved into perfection, fair skinned and his hair's blonde but the roots were black. This kind of look isn't of a commoner, too.

"Why did you do that?" I asked carefully, using a soft tone. I don't wanna scare him or anything. I just want some answer. It's not a big deal, right?

"I-I just wanted to help in some way, but I don't wanna get into trouble." He explained briefly and pointed the gun at his target, he gazed at me first. He realized that we were not wearing protective gears. He couldn't fire.

He sighed and went to my shooting booth to get the glasses and ear covers. Isinuot niya sa 'kin 'yun kaya naman nagulat ako sa ginawa n'ya. He smiled at me awkwardly. Then he also started to put on his, and started to shoot at the target.

After that we both removed it. "That kind of skill... not a commoner, eh?" I said, mocking what he said earlier. I saw how his side lips rose and his dark orbs smiled. "You guess." He answered casually.

Mysterious.

He gives off various kind of aura. He seemed angelic, then suspicious, next, he'll be playful but then he still looked kind of shy and innocent. Parang si Pierce at Thorn, kahit mukhang heartthrob at playboy, sobrang babait naman.

He's also a little awkward. Parang hindi alam pa'no aakto sa harap ko. Or it is just me?

"How about we try some kind of game in here?" Biglang tanong niya sa akin. "In that room, the targets are moving. It could be used by two people. Higher score, the winner." He suggested with a small smile on his lips.

I didn't answer right away. I tried to weigh it first on my mind. But in the end, I agreed. Wala naman kasing mawawala 'di ba? And he seemed kind. I could also defend myself if something unreasonable and unpredictable happens.

Nang makapasok kami sa room na 'yun, initsa n'ya sa 'kin 'yung ear cover at glasses.

"Name?" I asked without looking at him and walking to my position.

"Would it matter?" He asked while getting some guns on one side of the room.

"Why would it not?"

"This is not the first time we saw each other."

"Doesn't answer my question."

"Wouldn't you wanna know where I first encountered you?"

"What does it have to do with me asking for a name?"

He chuckled because of my answer. Baka rito rin sa firing range n'ya ako nakita. Sa classroom, sa bahay ni Luna, sa Tower, sa library at dito lang naman ako nagpupunta. 'Tsaka ano naman kung naencounter ko na s'ya dati? May magbabago ba?

"I helped you two times already."

"And didn't receive thank you, twice?" I asked taunting him. Hindi kasi kami mahilig mag-thank you na magkakapatid. I don't know, minsan lang kapag trip. People always tell me na mana ako kay Mom kasi sweet ako at saka mabait.

That's true for the gang. But for other people, I'm just someone cold. Someone unreachable. Someone who seemed like a princess. Ganun naman kasi lagi, para raw akong prinsesa. Ewan ko ba dahil sa mahinhin ako? Maybe.

"Yeah right." Natatawang sagot n'ya.

"I helped you at the library. You couldn't reach a book. I gave it you. You didn't even looked at me you just turned your back and proceeded to your friends." He told the tale about our first encounter.

I shrugged my head. A typical reaction from me.

"Let's just play if you are not gonna state your name." I told him and wore the protective gears and started to assemble another gun. I also pressed the button for the targets to start moving. The targets are smaller in size than earlier.

They are like tiny birds flying hysterically, that's why if you are not precise enough, you will not hit any of the targets. I started to fire and aim at my targets. One bullet, one target. Simple as that...

Mabilis kong ginawa 'yun at walang tigil. Kahit pa nagalaw ang mga target mabilis kong nakikita sa isip ko kung saan ko ipuputok ang baril at doon sila gagalaw patungo kaya matatamaan ko sila.

After some minutes, I stopped. I ran out of bullets... and of course, targets.

Napalingon ako sa gilid ko at nakita ko na nakatayo na ito ng prente at naka-cross arms. Para bang inaantay n'ya lang akong matapos. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil do'n.

Ibig sabihin tapos na s'ya bago pa ako natapos!? How?! Ang bilis ko kaya! Does that mean he's faster? Oh my greek gods?

He slowly walked towards me and I saw how he combed his fingers through his hair. He's handsome! He's manly! He's drop dead gorgeous, okay? And his aura! It's jaw dropping! Every girl would bow down to this creature!

Just who is he? Earlier he's just an awkward innocent knight, now he's a marvelous and dashing prince! It's like there an invisible cape, shining sword and a titled crown on his head! Is that the reason why those two guys ran earlier?

"Finally, a living flesh and blood of the main bloodline." It's like the peaceful atmosphere dropped to become this intense. He scooped my waist and leaned near my ear. I held my breath unconsciously!

Halaaa!

"Main bloodline?" I managed to ask even though I was taken aback by everything that he does!

"The Fallen Mortem shall rise..." Kinilabutan ako! Parang libo-libong butalhe ng kuryente ang dumaloy sa ugat ko! Naitulak ko 'yung lalaki dahil sa bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. I looked at him sharply, hiding all the nervousness in my nerves.

"Just who are you?"

"An enemy." He said while smirking.

I smiled sarcastically at him. "I'll take that."

"But can be your armour, direct Morbelque descendant."

That was the moment I was stoned in my position. Parang umakyat sa akin 'yung kaba hanggang sa kinulong 'nun 'yung puso ko. Morbelque? That's our last name, our family name. Pa'nong alam n'ya?

"Who are you?" I made sure that my tone isn't as nice or friendly, I made sure it sounds like a command. An order from someone high. Someone royalty. Someone like a princess.

"They often call me Second,"

"Second?"

"But for Artemis, it can be Caerus."

"You know me..." I stated.

"Pretty much," his playful smile painted on his face.

"How did you know me?"

"Because you are a... Morbelque."

Gusto ko mang magtanong tungkol sa pagiging Morbelque ko—namin, hindi ko na nagawa kasi hindi ko alam pero parang may kinalaman 'to sa sinasabi rin no'n ni Sven 'nung umuwi kami sa bahay. He also called Kuya Theon, young master, and that's also because of our family name.

Just how powerful is Dad?

Hindi ito ang unang beses na may narinig akong ganung klaseng tanong, na may narinig akong ganun kaseryosong bagay tungkol sa apelyido namin.

"The ashes of the fallen empire shall rise, Artemis... and it shall be in the hands of the real ones."

After uttering those words he left me alone in the room thinking about the things he said...

Ito nga ba talagang nasa harapan ko ang dapat kong tanungin kung sino siya...

O dapat ko na nga bang tanungin ang sarili ko... kung sino ba kami... kung ano ba talagang meron sa salita o sa pangalang Morbelque.

* * *

The next days...

Naglalakad kaming tatlo nina Honoka at Art papunta sa isang klase namin. Confirmed. Naiba nga talaga mga schedules namin. Inaalam pa ni Biblee kung anong dahilan pero wala pa kaming balita kung ano.

Nakakamiss sina Kuya na kasama sa isang room. Kapag kasi kami lang mga babae, minsan trip kami ng mga kaklase namin na pagtripan, utusan, asarin at kung ano ano pa. Agh. Ayoko na maging commoner!

Araw-araw na buhay namin parang impiyerno!

Habang naglalakad kaming tatlo nang matamlay bigla na lang sumulpot si Luna sa harap namin.

"Haluu!" She greeted with 100% energy. Lucky her, she still have energy, while us... Drained na kami dahil sa pagiging commoner namin.

"Ang taas ng energy mo." Malamyang sabi ni Harper.

"Straight ka na magtagalog, Harper! Pagod ka na 'no? HAHAHA." Lakas talaga ng pang-asar nitong si Luna.

"Shut up, Luna!" Nanghihinang sabi ni Harper.

"Tingin ka sa picture muna o kaya itext mo dali, mag-recharge ka ng energy!" Natatawang sabi nito.

"Agh!" Reklamo ni Harper pero ginawa rin naman n'ya 'yung sinabi ni Luna. Picture? Text? This is what I've been talking about! Buti pa si Luna may alam, ako wala. Psh. But it's okay, I know they'll tell me sooner or later.

"Honoka, may nagpapabigay." Ang laki ng ngiti sa mukha ni Luna 'nung nagbigay s'ya ng isang card kay Honoka. When Honoka looked at it, Harper and I also took a peek at it.

"What's that?" Tanong ni Harper.

"Black card." Sabi ni Luna.

"Ano 'yun?" Honoka queried while inspecting the card.

"Makakabili ka ng kahit ano sa Food Town or Food Alley gamit 'yan."

Natigilan kaming tatlo sa paglalakad at saka nanlaki ang mga mata! FOOD! Lahat! Kahit ano! Heaven! Nagtitigan kaming tatlo at sabay sabay na napangiti. Gosh! This is what I deserve after days of betting and playing cards in the Tower!

"But who gave such a grand card?" Harper brows shot up when she asked Luna the question.

Nginitian kami ni Luna ng peke tapos ay pinanlakihan ng mata si Honoka. "Tanong n'yo kay baby Honoka." Natatawang sabi nito. "Paniguradong alam na alam n'ya kung sino." She even wiggled her eyebrows.

"Who?!" Sabay na tanong namin ni Harper.

"Hmm..." Honoka teased us by putting the card on her cheeks and looking at the ceiling like slowly thinking or remembering who. Harper and I leaned closer to her, but when she saw an opening, she ran off.

"Honoka!" Harper and I called her but she did not look back.

"Bawal ko talaga sabihin. Sorry." Nakangiting sabi ni Luna 'nung tingnan namin s'ya. She also posed for V-sign or peace sign. We both sighed and chased Honoka instead.

Fortunately, the four of us (Honoka, Harper, Luna and I) are in the same class. When we reached Honoka, she's already sitting at one of the back seats. Pinag-gitnaan namin ni Harper si Honoka at si Luna naman tumabi sa kabilang gilid ko.

"Don't ask who, okay? Both of you will not lie, more like don't know how to lie to my Kuya Akira. Please." She pleaded with both hands together. "Don't worry, it's gonna be my treat from now on. Buy and eat anything you want, it's on me, clear?"

"Crystal!" Harper and I both answered with thumbs up.

Honoka gave us her sweetest smile.

Ilang saglit pa dumating na 'yung teacher namin. Ah, si Mrs. Kiseki na naman. Kawawa na naman 'to sa klase. Pero kapag kasi teacher namin 'to, hindi na kami 'yung napagtritripan kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ba dapat maramdaman.

While Mrs. Kiseki is having a hard time dealing with our classmates who are trashes, Luna touched my arms with the tip of her finger. She caught my attention because of that. "May nagpapabigay rin." She whispered then placed a paper on my table.

My forehead knotted. "Who?"

"Hindi ko nga rin alam kung pa'nong nagkakilala kayo 'nun eh, hindi naman 'yun namamansin basta basta." She said but her gaze remained on our teacher in front of the room. "Patay ka kay Gabby, besh. Mag-ingat ka." She mumbled chuckling then she faced me and winked.

Hindi ko naintindihan 'yung huli n'yang sinabi kaya hindi ko napinansin at patagong binuksan 'yung papel.

Meet me at the Forest River. 6pm.

Lalong napakunot noo 'yung noo ko sa nabasa ko. "Did you read what's inside?" I inquired, she shook her head.

"Hindi, baka magkaro'n ng World War III, ano?" Luna's answer just made me more puzzled, but at least she did not open it.

Sino ba 'to?

But one person popped into my head. Him. It's him. Sigurado ako.

Nang matapos ang klase na 'yun dumiretso kami sa bahay ni Luna, samantalang nagpaalam sa amin si Luna naalis lang s'ya kasi may gagawin s'ya. We did not ask her the details. Her business isn't ours to mind.

Inantay namin 'yung mga chikitings na dumating sa bahay tapos naglaro lang kami kasama sila. Wala pa rin ang mga kuya at ate namin. Nasan na ba 'yung mga 'yun? Masyadong busy sa mga bagay bagay.

When the clock strikes to 5:30pm, I told them, I'll just be out for some air. However, I decided to go at the meeting place.

Malapit na ako sa lugar na sinasabi ni Caerus. Sobrang layo pala 'nun. Late na kaya ako? Maghintay pa kaya 'yun? I didn't know it was that far! I expected a forest kind of place, yes. But not like this na parang wala na talagang tao.

Hinanap ko 'yung phone ko sa bulsa at napatampal ako sa ulo ko 'nung mapansin na wala 'yun. Damn. Hindi ko napansin. Naiwan ko nga pala sa salas.

But I'm already here... so I decided to continue.

Masukal at medyo madilim na. I prepared myself to become alert. This is a good place to practice shooting. Kaya n'ya siguro ako pinapunta rito. Napangiti ako dahil sa naiisip ko. I let my eyes wander in this vast and great place.

When suddenly I felt something wrong.

I stopped on my track. My eyes begun to search for something odd. I felt someone at the back. Marahas akong lumingon do'n. Tapos ay sa kabilang banda. Meron din sa kanan! Damn! What's this?!

Guns. Pointing at me!

My eyes grew wide when my ears heard some kind of trigger. Pinakiramdaman ko ang hangin at ang buong paligid. Left. I dodged. And the moment I landed on the safe zone, I saw how one bullet buried itself on the land.

Damn! This is not a good joke.

Right! Something on the right felt wrong. I heard a click. I rolled down to north and hid on the big trunk of a tree. From my peripheral vision, I saw how the leaves flew because of the intense power from the bullet.

I need to get out of this place, fast! Or else!

'Nung tumahimik ang buong lugar at wala akong naramdaman ay kaagad akong tumakbo nang mabilis. Pero dahil mga tuyong dahon, naging maingay ang paligid at naibigay ko sa kanila kung nasaan ako.

Sunod-sunod na bala ang naramdaman kong halos kaunti lang ang layo sa akin. Mas mabilis akong tumakbo ngunit hindi ko napansin ang isang malaking ugat sa harap ko dahil sa kaba, naging dahilan 'yun kung bakit ako nadapa.

I tried to stand and run again but it was hard! Napatingin ako sa likod at kitang kita ko kung paanong malapit na malapit na sa akin 'yung mga tira! Kaagad akong pinuwersa ang sarili kong tumayo.

Nang magawa ang bagay na 'yun ay kaagad akong tumakbo ulit pero ramdam ko na hindi ako lubusang makakaiwas sa kasunod na putok ng bala.

Kahit kaunting iwas lang para daplis lang ang mangyayari. Iyon na lang ang naisip ko.

I was ready for some damage and for the pain when someone from behind jumped to protect me from the shot.

"Fuck!" I heard him cursed, and I saw how the clean white shirt on his arm became crimson. My eyes flew wide open.

"Don't mind it, let's get out. Now." He said and he almost carried me in one arm just to run in full force.

I was just staring at his perfectly sculptured face and his bleeding arm while running. I don't know how we managed to escape at the forest but we are out! There was no more shooting! But I stayed alert and looked at the surroundings.

"Don't worry. They won't dare to come out." He uttered almost out of breath.

Kitang kita ko 'yung pagtaas baba ng dibdib n'ya 'tsaka 'yung pawis n'ya. I slightly extended my arms to see his injury but he hissed in pain. Kaagad kong pinunit 'yung laylayan 'nung damit ko at saka ko hinila 'yung braso n'ya para itali 'yun at matigil ang bleeding.

Hindi ko pinansin kahit parang ayaw n'ya na gawin ko 'yun. Tinitigan ko lang s'ya nang masama kaya hindi na siya nakipagtalo.

"Just go home already..." Mahinang sabi niya.

"Pagkatapos mo akong papuntahin do'n!?" Asar na sigaw ko sa kaniya.

"I tried to call you and Luna, to stop you in going there but both of you were out of reach!"

"Why did you even want me to go there in the first place?!"

"Because you'll love how it's a good place to practice shooting!"

Natahimik ako. Yeah, I actually liked it at first, 'nung hindi pa nangyayari 'to. Tss!

"Then who are those people?" I asked instead.

"I was in the middle of hunting them when you came... I had no choice but to save you first." Iiling-iling na sabi nito. Kasalanan ko pa pala kung bakit hindi n'ya nakita kung sino?

"Tss!"

"But I have an idea who did it."

"Who?"

"Fakers."

Asar na sabi niya. "Huh?" Hindi ko naintindihan gusto n'yang iparating.

"Nah, hindi mo pa pwede malaman sa ngayon." He said while sighing.

Hindi ko na lang pinuwersa alamin. Wala naman kasi magandang ihahatid 'yung ganung bagay. Instead of arguing, I went to his side to support him. I let his one arm around my shoulder. And I draped my one arm around his waist.

Sobrang muscular n'ya.

"Pupunta tayong Hospital o Clinic man lang." I said while we were walking.

"No." He told me. "Just bring me to my car. It's there." Tapos itinuro n'ya 'yung isang kulay itim na kotse sa may gilid ng isang malaking wall. We started to walk in that direction.

"Hindi pwede, may daplis ka. It can lead to infection." I said firmly.

"No."

"Ayaw mo sa Hospital o sa clinic? Sa amin—I mean sa bahay na lang ni Luna." I suggested, I heard him sigh in defeat.

I drove his car up to Luna's house. I parked the car on the next block para hindi halata na may ibang tao sa bahay ni Luna. Wala sila Kuya kaya naman nakahinga ako ng maluwag. I guided him to the back door.

When we entered, Honoka saw us.

"Oh my pickles!" She exclaimed.

"Shh!" I hushed her.

"What happened?" She asked calmly despite of seeing blood and a guy with me. I also noticed that I really had the same reaction as hers. Just calm but always curious but if they don't want to give an answer we let them be.

"Help me in bringing him in our room. Make sure the kids don't notice." I instructed. She agreed.

Mabuti na lang nasa entertainment room sina Harper at ang mga bata kaya mabilis kaming nakaakyat sa itaas. I helped him sat on the bed.

"You don't need to do this." He said in a firm tone.

"Ayoko ng may utang na loob." Mahinahong sagot ko. I heard him sigh.

"I'll get the first aid." Honoka volunteered, I nodded silently.

Nang maiwan kaming dalawa, nanatili ang katahimikan. Inintay ko lang si Honoka. Though there's this feeling that I need to talk to him, but I did not. I just slowly paced back and forth. Then Honoka arrived with things that I need.

"Here." She uttered gently.

"Thank you."

Kinuha ko 'yung mga hawak n'ya at sinimulang linisin at gamutin 'yung sugat. Mabuti na lang at hindi malaki. Habang ginagawa ko 'yun ng tahimik at halos patapos na rin habang nanunuod lang si Honoka, biglang pumasok sa kwarto si Harper.

"Oh my royals!" She screamed nervously.

"Hide!" She added in haste. Napakunot noo kami ni Honoka.

"Do you know that Theon and Cleon will kill us if they see a guy in your room? And to top it off, a freaking bloody guy!" Nagmamadali n'yang sabi kaya naman kaagad akong napatayo.

"Hide!" Asar na sabi ko kay Caerus. He stood up hurriedly and walked to the closet to hide but hindi s'ya kasya! Sa ilalim ng kama? Lalo hindi kasyaaa! At makikita rin kaagad!

"Sa bed dali!" Honoka proposed in a hurry.

Kaagad kong pinahiga sa kama si Caerus at tinakluban ng kumot at mga unan.

"Humiga ka rin Art! Magpanggap kang masama ang pakiramdam, bilis!" Sabi ni Honoka at si Harper naman ay sumilip sa baba. I heard noises, confirmed, they are here! I could hear my Kuya Cleon mischievous laugh!

"Sa'n si Art?" Even Kuya Theon's voice echoed.

Humiga ako sa kama kaagad at saka nagtaklob ng kumot.

Damn! Bakit ngayon pa!?

"Okay na?" Harper said glancing at us. Honoka and I both nodded.

I felt like I am committing some kind of crime from my Kuyas! Why did they have to arrive now? What a wrong timing it is! And why did I have to hide this guy like he's a sin?! Agh! What is this?!

"Harper! Where's Art and Honoka?" Malapit na sila! Si Kuya Theon 'yung nagtanong.

"Ah, Honoka's taking care of Art, Art's not feeling well." Best actress goes to Harper!

"Kuya..." I murmured the moment he stepped inside the room and Kuya Cleon followed.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked sweetly. Agh. I felt guilty for lying. I looked at Honoka. Gladly she placed the first aid and bloody clothes on the drawer. No evidence in sight.

"Ahm, just a headache." I reasoned out.

"Aww, kulang na yata sa pagmamahal ng Kuya." Kuya Cleon concluded. I rolled my eyes. I felt someone under the blankets keeping himself from chuckling. Kinurot ko s'ya sa ilalim ng kumot! Manahimik ka!

"Bakit ang daming pillows dyan?" Sabi ni Kuya Theon sabay tingin sa gilid ko. Hindi lang pillows 'yan, Kuya. Baka makapatay ka kapag nalaman mo nasa ilalim n'yan.

"A-Ah! Kasi kanina naglalaro 'yung mga bata dito. Pinaalis namin kasi baka lalo sumakit ang ulo ni Art." Dahilan ni Honoka! Saved by her!

"Let's clean it up? To make her space more comfortable?" Kuya Theon bakit ba ang bait mo? Agh!

"No need, mamaya na lang Kuya." I told him.

"Nga naman, Theon. Kain muna tayo. Kumain ka na Art?" Kuya Cleon asked.

Favorite na kita ngayon Kuya Cleon! Ngayon lang!

"Oo. Kumain na muna kayo dali." Taboy ko sa kanila.

"Okay. Sure kang okay ka lang?" Medyo hesitant pa si Kuya Theon naiwan ako. Itinulak s'ya ni Harper.

"Let's go dali!" She said and went with my twin brothers.

Honoka also gave me a signal that she'll go with them and slightly closed the door. Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag 'nung nawala sila.

Buti na lang! Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko dahil sa kaba!

I removed the pillows and comforter.

"Hey," I said.

"I should go." He replied, I nodded mutely.

"Thanks for this." He added with a slight smile and opened the window.

"Don't tell me!"

"No choice!" He said while chuckling and he ended up jumping out from the window!

Agh! Sana kanina pa niya ginawa, imbis na magtago!

I looked out the window and saw him winked at me. I just crossed my arms at him. Can't believe I lied to my Kuyas at dinamay ko pa sina Harper. Not a good one. I'll try to tell them the truth about this event sooner.

Napahinga na lang ako sa kama matapos ang nangyari ngayong araw.

Morbelque?

Fallen?

I need to ask Dad about this...

Or maybe even Sven, if Dad wouldn't tell me.

Because the words he uttered kept bothering me...

The ashes of the fallen empire shall rise, Artemis... and it shall be in the hands of the real ones.

* * *

To be continued...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! <3