Sorry for all the errors. Enjoy reading! ♥️

#TCS32: Bet on Me

Amythee Hope's POV

"...they are now Elites."

Eh?

Ehhhhlites?

EHHHHLITES?!

OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!

"They are the new Elites."

"So you better watch out, because they are..."

"The new Improbus Ille Imperium."

Minsan hindi ko talaga gets kung nakikipaglokohan lang ba sila o hindi. Alam mo 'yun? Iba rin kasi mag-joke mga tao rito eh. 'Yung tipong laging nakakaloka pero in the end hindi naman pala totoo.

Jusko!

"Huy, ang sama na ng tingin sa 'min, bawiin n'yo na 'yung joke or prank n'yo." Mahinang kuhit ko kay Luna. Bigla namang natawa si Luna 'nung sabihin ko 'yun. May nakakatawa?! Meron? My gosh! My head, my head! It hurts!

"They are now elites?" Bago pa man makapagsalita si Luna bigla na lang may sumabat sa crowd. Syempre biglang tumutok do'n sa babae 'yung mga camera kaya nakita namin s'ya nakita sa screen. Napalunok kami kasi kalmado pero sobrang maawtoridad 'to kaysa sa mga nasa middle class.

This one is an Elite. She has a long dark green hair and a dark eyeliner and thick mascara. Her lips are painted crimson. She's the real deal. She's really a high tier. Every eye focused on her, and the atmosphere was full of silence and intensity.

"But their progresses are unannounced all throughout?" She added in a mocking tone. Hindi s'ya nakatingin kay Katniss, nakatingin s'ya sa amin—sa direksyon namin.

I saw a glimpse of doubt yet tease on her eyes, and it made my fist clenched automatically. It's just so freaking weird and funny. How people in here were so hideous because we were commoners and now that we are not, they can't seem to accept it.

"Is there some kind of cheat or maybe a connection helping them?" She did not even blink, and her accusations caused different kinds of murmurs and whispers. I bit my lips angrily. She's hitting two birds with one stone. First, creating suspicion. Next? Taunting us.

Katniss faked a cough, everyone suddenly became mum and they all looked at her with respect.

Pinagpatuloy n'ya 'yung mga sinasabi n'yang pangalan para sa challenges na magaganap, kahit papano nawala sa 'min 'yung atensyon panandalian. Ni hindi man lang n'ya binigyang pansin 'yung mga pinagsasabi sa 'min.

"Totoo ba kasi na Elites na kami?" Biglang sinagi ni Biblee sa kabilang gilid si Luna para kunin ang atensyon nito.

"Yes. Why don't you believe Katniss? Duh? She's a crown, why would she state a lie?" Luna retorted simply at us.

"May point ka naman..." Cleon commented.

Natahimik kami at ngayon lang parang nagsink in sa 'min 'yung nangyayari. Woah? So, it's really true? Not a joke? But how?! Pa'no kami naging Elites? Ni hindi  nga man lang namin nalaman na Middle Class na kami, tumalon na lang sa Elites.

All we did was went every day to the tower to earn aurous. Yes, some prizes we won might be huge but I think, it wasn't enough to make the ten of us part of the Elites? Damn, that Elite girl really planned a doubt seed inside my head.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako at saka tiningnan si Katniss na nagsasalita sa unahan. You just can't take your eyes of her. Ramdam mo 'yung power n'ya at 'yung mataas na rango n'ya sa school na 'to.

Kung s'ya nga na gan'yan kabata at ang huling Crown gan'yan na, pa'no pa 'yung mas nakatataas? Damn, can't wait to meet them.

Hindi nagtagal natapos si Katniss sa pagsasalita pagkatapos ay bigla na lang s'yang bumababa mula sa stage. After she completely vanished, the students who looked so disciplined became the definition of chaos.

Some are celebrating because they've got a chance to step up their states, yet some are disappointed because they were not called, but all of those commotions were stopped when someone suddenly went up the stage.

Wow, the disrespect!

"You fucking cheaters!" One guy yelled on the top of his lungs and pointed at our direction.

"Piss off!" Mahinang bulong ni Theon dahil sa tinawag sa 'min 'nung lalaki.

"Elites? Ha-ha-ha! Who would believe you morons?" He continued while encouraging the crowd to express disapproval. The student started to utter booo.

Napasampal na lang ako ng mahina sa noo ko. Ano bang gusto nila? Kahit naman kami nagtatakha kung pa'no kami naging Elites eh. But we did not stoop down to that kind of level. Hello? Instead of booing we'd rather have confirmation on how this thing happened.

"I... I think, I know now, why we are now part of the Elites." Biblee suddenly voiced out looking at the guy at the stage who are ridiculing us.

"Huh?" Mahinang imik ni Thorn.

"Let's go." Tanging sagot ni Biblee.

"Saan?" I asked while looking at my sister whose hands are crossed and looking like ready to fight.

"Sa unahan." She answered seriously. "Sa stage." She even clarified.

"Anong gagawin natin do'n?" Pierce questioned confusingly.

"Ano pa?" Bigla na lang sumabat si Luna at saka kami tinulak para pumunta sa unahan, halos lahat yata kami kunot-noo maliban kay Biblee.

"Let's go and prove them that we are indeed part of the Elites." I swear! Biblee just gave me shivers and goosebumps with how confident yet nonchalant she aforementioned that line. I gulped when she started walking to the front.

The crowd who were busy sneering at us, created a way for the ten of us to pass through. Every eye followed our movements. It's like everybody's waiting for our mistake, our downfall, our defeat. Sorry, but I'd like to disappoint you all.

"Go pasaways!" I smiled inwardly when I heard Luna's cheer from the back.

All the scorn and shouts of protest did not matter at all, as long as that one jolly person is cheering for us. That's all we need.

Hindi nagtagal nakarating kami sa unahan. The ten of us went up on the stage calmly. Habang halos asar na asar nakatingin sa 'min ang halos lahat. Ang mga commoners naman ay nag-iiwas lang ng tingin.

"What do you want?" Mahinahong tanong ni Theon sa lalaki.

Tumawa ito na tila ba parang nagbibiro si Theon sa sinabi nito. The laughter made my blood boil. These people... really? Sobrang kinulang sa manners. Hindi ko rin talaga alam pa'no nakapasok sa school 'tong mga 'to.

"What do we want?" He jeered.

"Fight me, right now, right here!" The crowd started to cheer when he stated that with full of confidence. I saw Biblee smirked on my peripheral vision.

"Iisa ka lang, sampu kami..." Pierce stated hesitantly.

"Gago ka ba? Sympre, isa lang din sa inyo kakalabanin ko!" Kaagad na sagot nito.

Napakibit balikat na lang kami sa sinabi n'ya. Okay. It really does not matter to us who will be his opponent, because all we want is to stop this nonsense and for them to respect us. Because like Katniss and Luna stated, we are Elites.

"Who?" Nakapamulsang sambit ni Akira habang parang inaantok na sa mga pinagsasabi 'nung lalaki.

The guy smirked evilly like he already has the upper hand because he will be the one to choose. Para namang may magbabago kung siya ang pipili. Wala rin.

"You." Bigla kaming napalingon lahat sa direksyon kung saan nakaturo ang index finger 'nung lalaki. We followed his movements and on how he stepped forward to confirm that it is him whom he wanted.

The guy laughed like maniac. "Ikaw nga." Masayang masayang sambit nito na para bang panalo na kaagad s'ya. "Weakling." He even murmured while urging the students to cheer for him.

Bumababa kaming lahat maliban sa dalawang maglalaban para hindi kami sagabal sa stage. Syempre nanatili kami sa unahan malapit sa stage, mabuti na lang hindi kami pinaalis 'nung ibang Middle Class na do'n dapat sa kinatatayuan namin ngayon.

They are all focused on the battle unfolding in front. The screens also displayed both of them.

"What game are we playing?"

"Kalmado eh, ampunin n'yo na nga Keep Calm Trio." Biglang biro ni Cleon habang tinitingnan kung ga'no s'ya kakalmado.

"Plus one naman talaga namin 'yan." Natatawang sagot ni Art sa kapatid.

"Go Thorn!" I cheered while smiling at ease.

Si Thorn ang piniling kalabanin 'nung lalaki. Akala ko nga si Honoka or si Biblee ang pipiliin eh, kasi sa kanila nakatingin, pero mukhang ayaw n'yang mapahiya dahil sa babae s'ya mananalo. Kaya si Thorn ang pinili. Psh! As if mananalo s'ya.

"You may choose the game that you want us to play." Thorn said gently.

"Sigurado kang ako ang papipiliin mo ng laro?" The guy asked with a scoff.

Tumango lang si Thorn. "You might accuse me of cheating if I choose the game." He added shrugging his shoulders.

Wow, Thorn looks so good that he seems glowing! Napatingin ako sa paligid at ayon, they are swooning over Thorn. Who wouldn't? He's the son of Alyx and Anthony Sy. The self-proclaimed most beautiful deities. Although, it has always been a joke between our families.

There's no doubt that they have the most perfect face among us.

"Don't regret it later." The guy muttered sarcastically.

Thorn smiled brightly instead of returning the mock. Hanggang do'n ba naman mala-anghel pa rin? Aish! Minsan talaga gusto ko ng gawan ng halo at pakpak 'tong lalaking 'to eh. Para hindi magkamali ang mga tao.

Anghel po 'yang kinakalaban n'yo, 'wag n'yo kantiin kasi 'di kayo papatulan.

"Let's play Concentration."

"Pftt..." I couldn't help but suppressed my laughter when I heard the guy's proposal. Really? Of all games? Concentration?

"Hayop! 'Yun talaga ang pinili, lampaso 'yung akala mong Elite na 'yan!"

"Fucking shit, that game is his specialty!"

"Woah, this is gonna be a one-sided game!"

Napalingon ako sa mga side comments na naririnig ko. Really? I mean, they are being biased here. How are they so sure that it'll be Thorn's loss? When that guy, that angelic guy right there, is the freaking King of Mind Games among us?

He's the perfect person for this game!

Memory game? That's one of his forte! We could not even defeat him in that game in Salvos Castra! Si Biblee lang naman ka-level n'ya sa gan'yang game, dahil sa bilis at talas ng memorya ni Biblee, pero si Thorn? Angel? Maybe.

Maybe not.

"We are gonna bet 1 million aurous for this game, are you in?" Tanong 'nung lalaki.

"Okay."

"Tss! Siguraduhin mong may aurous kang ibabayad!" Halos pasigaw na imik nito.

"Nasa Elites nga kami 'di ba?! Sympre meron!" Biglang sigaw ni Cleon do'n sa lalaki, kasi alam naman namin na hindi iimik 'tong si Thorn ng pang-asar. Might as well help him in taunting this almighty guy.

Biglang naglabas ng isang box ng card 'yung lalaki.

"This is brand new." He informed Thorn. The latter just observed the box and how the guy opened it. Maging ako ay nakatitig lang din, kahit bago pa 'yun, pa'no kapag dinaya na lang n'ya si Thorn bigla?

Maganda na rin 'yung aware at tutok kami sa nangyayari, kahit alam namin na kayang kaya ni Thorn 'to.

He skilfully placed the cards on the table. May table na talaga ro'n kanina, ginamit din 'yun ni Katniss para sa pinaglagyan n'ya 'nung dala dala n'yang listahan kanina ng mga pangalan ng mga haharap sa challenges.

The screen showed the table and the cards that's shaped like an arc on there. Napakunot-noo ako sa nakita. That's not an ordinary card! It only looked ordinary because the back side is the normal kind of design, but the part where you are supposed to see the jack, queen, king and such is different!

"What the?" Mahinang bulong ni Akira.

"Tss! Pumayag kasi na si Fred ang magdedisisyon ng game, ayan tuloy."

"Aren't they aware that when it comes to Concentration Card Game Fred is a top notch?"

"Fools! How can they be Elites with this kind of strategy?!"

I clenched my teeth when I heard those comments from the people near us. The game is not yet even starting yet they are already thinking that way? Psh! We did not pass through a hellish training for this kind of mockery!

Kahit na nakakagulat talaga 'yung cards na inilabas 'nung lalaki, naniniwala pa rin ako na kayang kaya ni Thorn 'yan. Those cards might give him a hard time, but pretty sure, he'll get used to it. Sino ba naman kasi nag-imbento ng card na 'yun para sa 'concentration game'?

The cards are consisted of colour and words. 'Yung tipong "Blue" ang nakalagay na word pero nasa yellow naman ang colour 'nung word. Syempre nakakalito talaga 'yun mememoryahin mo pa para manalo ka sa concentration. Psh!

It's hard memorizing then you'll add that trick? Yeah, looks like the hierarchy here is not really a bluff. Oh, well. Sina Sven pa nga lang, sobrang hirap na talunin.

"The rules are simple, if you flip more cards with the same face, you'll win, if not you lose. Clear?"

"Okay."

"It's a little different from the normal concentration game. You must flip the same and exact face, not just the same word or background or colour. It needs to be identical. Are you still up?"

"Yes."

"Let's start?" That Fred guy uttered with a devilish smile.

"Okay." The ever-angelic Thorn spoke softly.

Sinimulan 'nung Fred na magscatter ng card sa kabuan ng table. When he finished placing the cards, he put his arms up in surrender. "You can alter it if you want." He suggested to Thorn.

Thorn just moved few cards with his fast yet gentle hands. Not even lifting anything. Pinagpagan pa n'ya ang mga kamay n'ya ng matapos.

"Go first." Fred instructed, Thorn just shrugged and chose a card in the middle and flipped it.

Green word in a Blue colour. He chose another one a little far left and flipped it. Red word in a Yellow colour. Dahil hindi magkaparehas ang napili ni Thorn binaliktad muli ang mga card na napili n'ya.

We are all quiet and so into the game when we heard people around us.

"I'm betting."

"Fred's win, landslide."

"Same here."

Huh? Napansin ko na parang nagscan sila sa mga ID nila para mavalidate 'yung bet. Woah, ibang klase talaga mga tao rito! Akala ko tutok sila sa game, pero pati 'yung game ginagawa nilang sarili nilang laro.

Hindi ko na sana papansinin 'nung bigla na lang humarap si Biblee sa kanila.

"Magkano pusta n'yo?" She asked innocently.

"Biblee." Madiing saway ko sa kapatid, nginiwian n'ya lang ako at nagpatuloy sa pakikipag-usap sa mga Middle Tier dito.

"Why? Wanna place one too?"

"Yeah." Biblee answered nicely with a beam.

Biblee was allowed to join on their bets. "Thorn will win, in the second round." She stated, and I felt a cold air and when I looked at Biblee's eyes it seemed dead, plain and no-life eyes. Dang, this turned into a serious matter.

Kinilabutan ang ilan sa bilang inasta ni Biblee.

"There will be no round two at all..." Narinig ko pang sabi 'nung isa, pero hindi s'ya pinansin ni Biblee at bumalik sa panunuod.

It was Fred's turn he turned over two cards, not even the same, kahit sa binaliktad kanina ni Thorn. Ilang ulit din silang paulit ulit nagbabaliktad ng card. Marami rami na rin kaming nakitang card, at sobrang kakaunti lang ng natandaan ko. Sobrang confusing kasi talaga!

Mas marami pa akong maalala at matatandaan kung 'yan 'yung normal na baraha, kaso hindi, sobrang nakakalito.

Nang si Thorn ulit ang magbabaliktad ng card, halos hindi na ako huminga dahil sa ginawa n'ya.

He wandered his hand on air, stopping midway three times into different directions creating tense atmosphere. He did that purposely. But, I was not sure what for. After a while he upturned one card.

HALA! Kaparehas 'nung binuklat kanina ni Fred!

Muli pinaglaruan ni Thorn ang mga manunuod at pinatagal n'ya sa ere ang kamay n'ya. He stopped on the exact card that will make him earn points but moved his hand on the next one beside it while looking at Fred with a smile—a freaking demure smile!

Who in their right mind would do that?!

My heart suddenly started beating fast. Wooh! Ako kinakabahan kay Thorn!

"This one?" His voice suddenly echoed while the throng was quiet. "Or this?" Then moved his hand on the right card. I held my breath. Kunin mo 'yan Thorn!

'Wag kang pasuspense masyado! Mahina puso ko!

He slowly then moved his hand on the wrong one, and when he was about to flip it, a small smile rose on Fred's face, making Thorn smirk too! And in a freaking span of millisecond, which made me soooooo nervous, he changed the card to the right one and turned it over.

"Woah!" Akala mo'y sobrang inosente n'ya at nachambahan n'ya lang 'yung pagpapalit n'ya ng card! WOW! Grabe anak ka nga ni Tita Dyosa! Shit!

This is the main reason why Katniss questioned us before, if we were sure—if Pierce and Thorn—are really holy! Because they are just kind, but not holy at all! Sabi ko nga kay Pierce, mabait lang sila, at hanggang do'n lang 'yun!

"One point." The crowd exclaimed different reactions when it was Thorn who gained the first point.

He flipped the next one so fast and chose another one in a snap and earned another point! Woah!

"Yes!" Mahinang bulong ni Honoka 'nung nakakuha na naman ng isang puntos si Thorn.

"That little Saint of ours, ain't a saint after all." I even heard Harper said while grinning.

"Such a Fortaleza. Great actor, eh?" Natatawang sabi naman ni Art sa dalawa.

He earned freaking seven points in less than one minute! How could he? That's not luck at all! That's memory! Pa'no n'ya na memorya 'yung ibang hindi pa naman namin nakikita 'yung face? At pa'no n'ya na memorya lahat 'yun!? Sobrang nakakalito kaya 'yung cards!

Hindi mo malaman kung alin tatandaan mo, 'yung word ba o 'yung kulay?

Damn, mind trickery getting so good!

The next card he flipped was a pity. Natigil s'ya sa seven points dahil hindi na magkaparehas 'yung binuklat n'ya. Now, it was Fred's turn.

I felt a different kind of air when it was his turn. It was as if Thorn would never get a turn now. But how?! Dayaan na 'yung mangyayari kapag nangyari 'yun! It's not luck at all when someone knows every position of the card!

My hand was at my chest because of edgy atmosphere, when Fred consecutively got eight points! Damn, he already surpassed Thorn so fast! But I couldn't really doubt him, because he just memorized some of the flipped cards earlier.

They exchanged so much and I think... I think all the cards are the ones that was opened earlier.

Nakahinga lang yata ulit ako ng maluwag 'nung maka-ten points s'ya at si Thorn na ulit! Marami rami pa namang card. Hindi ko malaman ilang card ba 'yun. Nasa isang daan siguro, dahil fifty pairs. What a headache to memorize all those.

I looked at Biblee who has her arms crossed and focusing on the game. That head of hers. Did she memorize all the cards or not? Or maybe did she find a trick or a cheat in the game? Damn! Excitement is killing me! I wanna know too!

Thorn started to flip cards and he knows what he's doing! He continuously earned points but it was stopped when he turned a different one.

"Sayang!" Mahinang bulong ko sa hangin.

Thorn have fifteen points and Fred have ten points currently.

"Game over, dude." Natatawang sabi ni Fred na nakapagkunot noo sa 'kin.

"Bakit?"

"Every card on the table have been upturned already." Biblee explained. "Thorn gambled his last choice by flipping the last two cards that was unflipped throughout the game. Now, every card has been revealed."

Parang bigla akong nanlumo.

Bumagsak 'yung balikat ko. Bumagsak 'yung puso ko.

Para bang kada flip 'nung mga cards, bigla na lang umuunti 'yung oras ko. Ganun sobrang nakakadrain 'yung pakiramdam. Parang ako 'yung naglalaro kahit hindi.

Hanggang sa maubos 'yung card at lahat ng natitirang puntos ay napunta kay Fred.

Nanuyo 'yung lalamunan ko.

Thorn... Thorn... Thorn lost?

No.

This can't be happening!

"Where's my win?" Mapanuksong sambit ni Fred. Thorn who looked so defeated, bowed his head.

"I don't have enough, money." Napanganga yata kaming lahat 'nung sinabi ni Thorn 'yun. What?! That's... that's... I mean, we don't know! We don't even know the amount of aurous we have! How could he say that?

"I lost. I'm sorry, but please give me another chance..." Mas lalo kaming nagulat 'nung bigla na lang humingi ng second round si Thorn.

"Gago ka pala?! Hindi mo nga ako mabayaran, tapos hihingi ka ng kasunod na round?!"

"Wala akong sapat na aurous, pero gugustuhin mo naman siguro ng slave hindi ba?"

WHAT THE HECK!? Anong pinagsasabi nito?!

"Thorn—" Pipigilan na sana ni Pierce si Thorn 'nung biglang humarang si Biblee.

"Shh." I saw how Pierce swallowed when Biblee interrupted him. The whole gang was frozen in their place because of it. I was also taken aback because of the eerie feeling surrounding my sister. She's like a... different person.

"Slave, huh?" Fred suddenly considered things.

Thorn nodded. "Just one more round, if you win, I'll be your slave."

"BET ON ME." Dagdag pa ni Thorn sa napakaseryosong paraan. Na halos magtayuan ng mga balahibo ko sa batok, at para akong kinuryente panandalian. Damn! Kumukulo ang kalamnan ko dahil sa sinabi n'yang 'yon!

Fred smiled devilishly. "Playing the same game?"

"Yes."

What?! Gusto ko na sanang mag-alma pero hindi ko magawa, kasi sobrang seryoso talaga ng mga nangyayari. Pati 'yung mga paki-elamera na mga Middle Tiers walang masabi sa mga nangyayari.

"Okay."

Shit! Napapikit na lang ako ng madiin dahil sa naging resulta.

"Fool." I heard Biblee uttered when the next round started.

They used another new set of card. It's still the same card colour set but brand new. Si Fred pa rin ang nag-ayos 'nung mga card. At hindi man lang pinaki-elaman ni Thorn 'yun kahit sinabihan s'ya na okay lang naman.

Nang matapos 'yun nagsalita si Fred. "Your turn, first and be ready to be my slave."

Thorn smiled brightly. "My turn first..." He trailed then started to flip one card. Napalunok kaagad ako ro'n at 'nung ilipat n'ya 'yung kamay n'ya para sa kasunod na card.

At... napasuntok ako sa hangin dahil kaparehas 'yun 'nung una n'ya binuklat.

"You bet on me?" He suddenly put his one hand at his back and used his other hand to turn over another card.

"That's your biggest mistake in this game." I was frozen on my spot when I heard his deep voice say that. Paniguradong hindi lang ako, kung hindi lahat ng taong nandito.

Sobrang takot at kilabot ang naramdaman ko. Damn, that's Thorn. That's the monster that was sleeping inside an angel.

"Now... it's game over." And he flipped another card that earned him another point.

The shock on Fred's face was the expression of being terrified, he could not even reply or look straight at Thorn who's continuing upturning every card right. I saw how his eyes and hands shook because of Thorn.

Damn it!

Thorn's not even looking at the card while he's turning everything upside down in a quick speed! At ang nakakakilabot?

Lahat tama! Lahat sakto!

Holy! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!

Parang biglang dumaloy ng sobrang bilis 'yung dugo sa buong katawan ko na hindi ako mapakali! Grabe! As in grabe!

At ang nakakatakot sa lahat?

His eyes! Thorn's eyes! The glint on it!

Parang may ilaw na pula sa mga mata ni Thorn dahil sa sobrang intense ng nangyayari. At kung paano ito tumitig kay Fred nang sobrang talas! Kitang kita naming lahat kung paanong pagpawisan ng malamig si Fred.

Lalong lalo na 'nung paunti unting nauubos ang card at hindi man lang nagsimulang makatira si Fred!

I held by breath during the last six cards. Wow! As in wow! He flipped everything perfectly! Walang kamali mali. Simula una hanggang huli! At halos hindi na naitikom ni Fred ang bibig n'ya sa nangyari.

Bumagsak at napa-upo ito sa kinatatayuan nang matapos ang laro ng hindi man lang s'ya nakakatira. Kitang kita ang takot at hirap ng paghinga nito habang nakatingin sa nakangiting si Thorn.

Freaking defeat! The defeat with no return at all!

A buzzer made people pulled back into reality!

"Yehey!" Masayang masayang sigaw ni Biblee at saka tumakbo papunta kay Akira para makipag-apir. Natatawang nakisama si Akira sa kapatid ko, pero ako? Hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nangyari!

Grabe, Thorn. Grabe. That's was... so... frigging... evil!

Nagyakapan ang trio namin at masayang nagtatalon nang kaunti sa pagkapanalo ni Thorn. Habang si Pierce, Theon at Cleon ay nakangiti na dahil sa nangyari. Ako naman ay bigla na lang hinigit ni Honoka para mag-celebrate.

"He won!" Art said happily. I nodded in delight. But the image of an evil Thorn is still not out of my mind, and it was... terrifying.

Could totally understand why Fred collapsed on his feet the last seconds. Thorn made him bow down with that glint on his eyes! Goodness, I never thought even in my dreams that an angel could do that!

While we were celebrating, I felt danger. Like someone eyeing at us with a deadly intent. At mukhang hindi lang ako ang nakaramdam no'n dahil napahiwalay rin sa yakapan 'yung trio dahil do'n at nagulat kaming lahat sa bilis ng pangyayari.

Damn, Akira grabbed me and threw me up in the air, and Harper also jumped high to the stage and grabbed the table to throw it on Akira's direction! Dang! If Akira, did not even threw me up, I would have been hit by Harper's power table throw!

Ginawang shield nina Akira 'yung upuan na 'yun sa mga matatalas na blades na umatake sa amin.

Hindi lang do'n natapos ang lahat, sina Pierce at Cleon ay bigla na lang gumalaw at sinabot gamit ang mga daliri nila, ang mga malilit na akala mo'y normal na needles.

I landed on the stage and grabbed a chair nearby to throw it up making a small ball like bump into it to divert it into a different direction.

The trio on the other hand helped in pushing the Middle Tiers so they will be out of danger and hazard from the sudden attack.

Bigla ring sumabog 'yung chair na hinagis ko pataas! Damn, I was right! Maliit na pasabog nga 'yung maliit na bola na 'yun! Kung hindi ko hinagis 'yung upuan para mas pataasin pa 'yung pagsabog ng bola, eh di sana lahat kami ngayon na malapit sa stage nasabugan na!

Mabilis namang kumilos si Thorn at Akira para saluhin 'yung kaunting debris ng upuan na hinagis ko.

At nang pagkasambot nila sa mga 'yon ay may malakas na masakit sa tainga ang bigla na lang tumunog sa buong lugar. Parang mic na napatapat sa speaker. Sobrang ingay at nakakainis sa pandinig!

Halos mapaupo ang lahat dahil do'n habang takip takip ang kaniya kaniyang tainga. Ako naman ay napatitig sa may stage dahil may naramdaman akong kakaiba ro'n at tama nga ang hinala ko. Someone purposely did the noise.

The deafening noise suddenly stopped and everyone was still in pain because of it, when I heard footsteps.

Halos do'n lang ako sa sapatos napatingin hanggang sa makarating s'ya sa gitna ng stage. My mouth automatically hanged open when I saw who it is!

"Emma." He mentioned in a warning tone, and almost everyone looked at one direction. A girl. An elite! The green haired earlier who questioned about our new state!

That Emma girl suddenly bowed down and kneeled on one knee and every Elite followed, then the Royals, and everyone! Lahat sila lumuhod at nagbaba ng ulo! Kami lang yatang sampu ang gulong gulo pa.

Si Fred nga ay bumababa agad ng stage 'nung dumating s'ya at lumuhod at nagbaba rin ng tingin.

"Bow down!" Halos galit na pabulong na sigaw sa 'min ng mga katabi namin. Dahil magulo ang lugar ay halos hiwa hiwalay kami ng barkada na gumaya sa kanila, pero lumuhod lang kami at hindi tumungo.

We are still looking at him, and he smirked at us loudly.

"Rise." He instructed and everyone obeyed like robots.

Tumayo na rin kami at saka nagtatakhang nakatingin sa kan'ya.

"What you did Emma, was nothing but a wrongful action, challenges will commence in a few days, but not today." He stated in a very very very authorative voice.

"I am truly sorry, I apologized for my actions." That Emma once again bowed down. So s'ya pala ang may pakana ng mga blades, needles at bombs na 'yun? Para sa'n? Para makita ang kakayahan namin?

Psh! Nakita na nga nilang natalo ni Thorn 'yung si Fred tapos gano'n?! Mga tao talaga dito, talaga naman!

"Why are you questioning their state?" Mapanganib na tanong nito, ni walang biro sa tono.

No one dared to answer.

"Never question a decision by a Crown." He added strongly. I felt an air of guiltiness. Grabe! Ganito pala talaga nagagawa ng mga Crowns!

"Their state was appointed by me, the Third Crown. So, do not show disapproval from our evaluation!" Galit na galit na tukoy nito.

"Now, that you saw a glimpse of what they could do, challenge them in an official battle in the upcoming days and not here, in a ceremony!"

"May angal pa kayo?!" Malakas na tanong nito. Lahat ay umiling at nagbaba ng ulo.

Woah, Kalix. Woah. Hindi ko akalain na si Kalix pa pala ang nagbigay sa amin ng posisyong Elites. Just what did we do rise up high in the hierarchy? He's not gonna explain it so might as well, find it our ourselves.

"Now, you are all dismissed."

At sa mga salitang 'yun halos lahat ay kumilos para umalis sa field, sobrang bilis! Sobrang organized ng pag-alis nila! At ang ending? Kami na lang ang natira, kaya naman nagkibit balikat na lang kami at saka nag-akmang aalis 'nung harangan kami ni Kalix.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko rito.

"Here." May inabot s'yang envelop at saka umalis ng walang pasabi.

Grabe! Akala ko lumipad s'ya! Kasi sobrang bilis n'yang mawala!

Dumiretso na lang kaming lahat sa bahay ni Luna at saka nagtungo sa salas at umupo sa sofa, nang binuksan ko 'yung laman ng envelop at halos mapanganga ako sa nakita!

"Oh. My. God." Kaagad napalapit sa amin ang buong barkada.

"Hala!"

"Shit?"

"Oh my royals!"

Kaya pala! Kaya pala Elites na kami!

Lahat ng napalanunan namin no'n 'nung nagtratraining pa lang kami inilagay ni Luna ng patas sa accounts namin at idagdag mo pa 'yung mga panalo namin sa Tower! Nag-accumulate 'yon ng sobrang laking pera!

Tapos lahat ng training namin kasama ang gang ni Sven?! Documented lahat 'yon! At dahil sa napakaraming talo nila dahil sa amin, napatunayan namin ang skills namin biglang Elites! Idagdag mo pa nakaya na rin naming makipagsabayan kayna Rebel, Luna at Sven!

My gosh! That's why he approved us of being Elites!

That training was also devised to make us move up in the rankings!

Grabe sobrang planado pala talaga no'n!

They did so many things for us... mostly, we are not even aware of... now...

This time...

We will prove to them that we are worthy of the name and their efforts.

"Improbus Ille Imperium..." Biblee trailed. Lahat kami napatingin sa kan'ya.

"Ano bang meron sa pangalan na 'yon at 'yun ang tinatawag sa 'tin?" Tanong naman ni Art habang nakakunot noo. Biblee smiled mysteriously.

"It's a legend in here." Akira started.

"There are ten people who are consist of the gang called Improbus. They are the most powerful. Two of the members are even the heir and the heiress of the the Gangster and Hoodlum Empire."

"Woah..." I exclaimed. I heard of it from the rumours here. The Empire. The one who owns this school. Are we even worthy of that name?

"Do you know who they are?" Tanong ni Honoka.

"Oo." Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata namin sa sinabi ni Biblee.

"SINO?!" Halos sabay sabay na imik namin.

Hindi umimik si Biblee, bagkus tumingin kami sa isang direksyon at halos nabato kami sa kinatatayuan namin 'nung makita kung sino ang nagsipasukan sa may pintuan.

"Hey, kids!"

"SURPRISE mga dyosa at mga gwapings kong mga babies!"

"Namiss n'yo ba kami?!"

Biglang iniluwa no'n sina Nanay, Tatay, Tita Dyosa, Tito Gwapo, Tita Annicka, Tito Skyler, Tita Shana, at Tito Jacob.

"Them..." We turned our heads to Biblee in synch, still in awe and in shock.

"You... you are kidding us..." Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko.

"Ask them."

"Ask what?" Sabat naman ni Nanay.

"Th-The... Improbus... I-Ile Imperium..." Nauutal na tanong ko.

"Ah, you discovered already?" Natatawang sagot naman ni Tita Shana.

"Oy! Kilala na tayo ng mga bata!" Tawag naman ni Tita Alyx sa mga Tatay namin. Lahat kami hindi makakilos sa kinatatayuan at halos malaglag na ang mga panga sa sahig.

"Talaga? Mabuti naman. Sa tagal ba naman bago nila malaman." Natatawang sabi naman ni Tita Annicka.

"Akala ko hindi n'yo na malalaman eh," Si Tita Shana naman.

"Should we introduce ourselves?" Chill na tanong ni Tito Jacob.

"Oy! That's cool! Tara daliii!" Excited na sabi ni Tita Alyx.

"Korni n'yo talaga." Awat ni Tito Skyler.

"KJ ka lang!" Sabay sabay na simangot nila kay Tito Skyler.

"Hey, sorry for the late introduction, children."

"We are the old Improbus Ille Imperium, and we are pleased to hand the title over all of you..."

***