Hello, crowns! I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter, and comment down your thoughts! 🤍

Sorry for all the errors and thank you so much. Always take care and keep safe. ✨

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#TCS74: Wheel of Danger (I)

Miracle Silhouette's POV

The four who was first to arrive in the next room of the wheel were all silent, and staring at the phone. Each room have different challenges for the blindfolded command, and the only one that would show up in the screen would be the ones who are they going to call.

They wouldn't be able to watch the room for someone they wouldn't call. They are only two rooms they would see. The room that they were in, and the room that they would contact. That was why they needed to be careful, and smart about this, being reckless and wanting first place, could cause them disadvantages.

The names of the ones who arrived or those who were already there popped in the screen with the numbers of their room. Kaya naman napatingin si Biblee, Law, Art at Cleon do'n. I saw them gulped, and halted from looking around the room.

The room was huge, but not as huge as the first room of the enemies, and the shooting range. Sa kwartong 'to, may glass wall, at door. Papasok ka sa glass door at do'n mo haharapin ang challenge na kailangan mong gawin, habang maririnig mo sa speaker ang sasabihin ng napiling mong mag-i-instruct sa 'yo.

Sa labas naman ng glass wall na 'yon ay parang office style na maliit na space. A single circular table, and one chair with the phone and the LED screen that would produce hologram for them to see the challenges and the traps so they could command the people of their choice.

The bangles on their wrist, would blind their vision through the contact lenses that they were wearing. Kaya hindi na kailangan ng literal na blindfold. Hindi nila makikita ang paligid at pagsubok dahil nasa mismong contact lens ang magpapadilim sa paningin nila para hindi sila makapangdaya.

"They all look conflicted, and Law... seemed like he would wait for Harper," Akakios mentioned. I pressed my lips together seeing my brother sigh repeatedly, and stare at the screen while walking back and forth, waiting for someone that he would call, or someone that would call him.

Maiiwan kaya si Law? I mean, the pasaways were aware that he was the strongest in here. And I was sure although Harper would want to help him, Law wouldn't let Harper sacrifice things.

Would they allow the strongest to get left behind?

Napatingin naman ako sa room kung nasaan si Cleon. He was staring in the air. "Art... or Biblee... or Sloane?" Kita ko ang inis sa mukha n'ya nang sabihin n'ya 'yon. I chuckled, when he yanked his own hair.

"I need to think..." he murmured, and read through the rules about this game again.

The wheel. The phone. The monitor. And their commands, and choices. The thing about the challenges, the one who would call them would be the one in control. This was also a test of trust. Would they trust that person who would command them?

Hindi lahat ng challenges sasang-ayon sa kalakasan mo. Paano kapag kahinaan no'ng tumawag sa 'yo ang challenge mo? Magagawa pa rin kaya nilang sundin 'yon?

Some hurdles would be like quizzes that would require vast knowledge and intelligence. The best luck would be Biblee, Cleon, Justice, and Luna. They would breeze through it. But what if it someone like Theon, Rebel, and Sloane got it? I knew they were all smart in their different ways, but... they usually go with their instinct, and their physical strength.

Mayroon naman mga trials na may kinalaman sa long range, at hindi lahat expert sa long range. The short range would also be included. And those agilities, and flexibilities to adapt in dodging certain pitfalls, and tricks.

I wonder how this would unfold. Maiiwasan ba nilang magkaro'n ng sakripisyo? O isusuko nila ang isang tao na sa tingin nilang kakayanin ang sarili n'ya, at hahayaang maiwan sa larong 'to?

I looked at Art, and she looked serious with her knotted forehead. She was reading the rules repeatedly as if it would change because she was repeating every word. Napahilot din s'ya sa sintido at tiningnan ang pangalan ng kapatid n'yang si Cleon sa screen.

"Biblee... she has a reward because of the first round, and the reward will be given to her based on her decision. Are you going to inform her about it now?" I looked at Isolde who was monitoring other people trying to complete the shooting range room.

"Caerus, Justice and Luna entering the blindfolded command room," informed Akakios, and I smirked, when they finished almost a minute after another.

Isa-isa ring lumabas ang pangalan nila sa screen, at do'n ko nakita na napatingin si Art sa pangalan ni Caerus, samantalang nalilito ang tatlong kapapasok lang sa building na 'yon. They were all reading the rules, and I saw how Luna and Justice considered each other the moment they read the rules. They looked at each other's names.

Luna... she freaking looked like she would sacrifice herself just for everyone to advance to the next round, the moment she sat on the chair and held her hand while sighing. Pero mukhang hindi hahayaan ni Justice mangyari ang bagay na 'yon.

Justice looked at the phone. He was holding it, and looking so conflicted. Parang gusto n'ya nang tawagan si Luna kaagad kasi alam n'ya ang takbo ng utak ng isang 'yon. Luna was always too selfless and being selfless wouldn't always help you in these kinds of times.

I pressed a button that would activate speakers in Biblee's room. Nakaupo lang si Biblee at mukhang nahihirapan din pumili kung sino ang tatawagan. Five minutes had already passed, and none of them tried to pick up the phone and dial numbers. They were all stuck.

"Hello, Biblee!" I greeted and she automatically looked around, and focused her eyes on the camera that she saw. Her forehead knotted, but she still waved. I chuckled, and she heard it, that was why she jumped a little from her position.

"Ate Miracle?" nagtatakang tanong nito. I nodded even though she couldn't see me.

"Feeling hopeless?" pang-aasar ko sa kanya, nakita ko ang pagsimangot nito at pagnguso. I heard Akakios chuckled, shaking his head while looking at Biblee.

"Am I the only one hearing you?" Ang bilis talaga makatunog ng isang 'to. Mas lalo s'yang nagtaka dahil hindi ko man aminin sigurado na kaagad s'ya. Tinitigan n'ya pa 'yong alalay n'yang nasa isang tabi lang at nakaupo. Wala tuloy imik 'yon. Mukhang takot sa kanya.

"Kung may sasabihin ka man sa akin Ate Miracle, good news o bad news? Kapag bad news, kay Cleon mo na lang sabihin, sanay naman sa bad news 'yon." Akakios, Isolde and I chortled when we heard it from her.

"No. I'm here to inform you that you have gain a reward," diretsong saad ko sa kanya. Wala naman kasing silbi kung magpapaliguy-ligoy ako. Baka maubos lang lalo ang oras nila, hindi ko naman kinakausap si Biblee para bigyan s'ya ng parusa.

"Really?!" hindi makapaniwalang sigaw nito.

"Yeah, and it's up to you, if you want to use it now, or save it for later," I told her directly, and her bunny teeth showed, but she kept mum, like she was thinking of everything, from this point on, and the core room.

"May time limit ba para sa pagde-decide ko?" she suddenly asked skeptically.

"Your time's ticking Biblee, in three, two," Akakios joked, and joined in the conversation. Isolde shook her head while grinning, but she was continuously monitoring those in the shooting range to make sure of their progress.

"Wait! Grabe ka naman Alas!" sigaw ni Biblee nang natataranta, Akakios beamed like he won because he managed to tease Biblee.

"Baby, Biblee's teasing must be so traumatic for you," natatawang sambit ko no'ng pinaggalaw ko ang upuan ko para makapalit kay Akakios at ibulong 'yon sa tainga n'ya para hindi marinig ni Biblee.

Akakios chuckled ever so softly. I automatically grinned contentedly after hearing it. Parang lahat ng tensyon nawala kaagad at parang biglang sumabog ng mga flower at glow effects. I pinched his cheeks, and he cheekily gave me a peck on the cheeks.

My eyes widened. "I'm kidding, Biblee. There's no time limit, but you have a time limit in that room." Hinampas ko si Akakios sa braso, at tumawa lang 'to sa reaksyon ko sa ginawa n'ya. He pushed my chair so I could go back to my position.

"Akira, Pierce, and Harper entering the room with one to three-minutes gap," Isolde announced in a whisper, and the screen popped in their names. I saw how Law stood up from his seat, and on how Biblee's eyes widened with Akira's name.

"I'm gonna use it! I'm gonna use the reward!" biglang sigaw ni Biblee at mukhang nae-excite pa. Natawa naman ako ro'n, nakita lang ang pangalan ni Akira, talagang nag-iba kaagad ang ihip ng hangin.

"Then you should be granted by one." I smirked, and manipulated things in her room, as I turned off the speaker so she would not hear us in this room. Nakita ko naman kaagad na tinakot n'ya 'yong alalay n'yang tatayo sana mula sa kinalalagyan nito.

On the other hand, Akira, Pierce, and Harper looked confused, and conflicted with learning about this room.

I activated Biblee's reward, and she was confused at first because it was dead quiet, but then suddenly...

"Ano ba! Unahin ko na ba si Kael? Baka iligtas ako no'n!" Biblee's eyes widened when she heard Luna's groans and rants. Naglalakad pabalik-balik si Luna sa room n'ya at nag-aalinlangan kung tatawagan n'ya na si Justice kasi baka unahin s'ya no'n.

Pero gusto n'ya ring magpahuli at h'wag tumawag sa kahit sino dahil balak n'yang isakripisyo ang sarili n'ya kaya sobrang hindi n'ya alam ang gagawin ngayon.

"Luna! Yoohoo!" Biblee called, but no one answered because Luna couldn't hear her. I smirked. What would she do now? Napatampal s'ya sa noo nang ma-realize n'ya na hindi s'ya nakikinig nito. She lazily sat on the chair again.

"I should call Aurora before she could even call me." Law looked determined when he stated that and put his hands on the phone. But didn't dial Harper's number.

Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Biblee nang marinig si Law. "Hala! Pareng Batas! Sandali! Teka, masyado naman kayong speed pati rito! Device a plan muna, potek!" Nataranta na kaagad si Biblee dahil sa narinig kay Law.

"Law... would call me, right? Then... I shouldn't call him. He needs to save me," maarteng linya naman ni Harper habang naka-cross arms.

"Hanep!" Biblee reacted, and couldn't help but laugh because of Harper's way of thinking. "Sana all, confident na tatawagan ng bebe nila!" Halos matawa kaming tatlong nandito sa control room sa mga pinagsasabi ni Biblee.

"Damn it! Sloane for sure wouldn't call me, Art would never care about me, and my twin is whipped for Amythee! Potek, is the pogiest going to be the sacrifice?!" Cleon yanked his hair while shouting out his sentiments.

Tawang-tawa naman si Biblee sa narinig n'ya. Biglang naging comedy sa kanya ang lahat simula nang marinig ang mga pinagsasabi ng mga nasa room na 'to. Talagang may papalo-palo pa s'ya sa lamesa habang pinapakinggan sila.

"Kawawa ka na Cleon, walang nagmamahal! RIP in advance!" Biblee laughed loudly. Halatang tuwang-tuwang nang-aasar kay Cleon.

Kaya naman napatingin ako kay Akakios no'ng makita kong nakangiti 'to. He winked at me, when I saw his mischievous smirk. Looked like we were thinking the same thing. He freaking manipulated the comment from Biblee so it would play in Cleon's room.

Napatayo si Cleon sa gulat nang marinig ang boses ni Biblee. "Hoy! Walangya 'tong batang 'to! H'wag ka sana sagipin ni Akira! Uunahin no'n si Honoka!" Turo pa ni Cleon sa kamera, umaasang makikita s'ya ni Biblee, pero 'yong isa tawang-tawa lang sa naririnig.

Natigilan din s'ya no'ng narinig si Cleon. "Hoy! Rinig mo ako!?" Napatayo s'ya sa sobrang gulat, at napatingin-tingin sa paligid. Pero halos lumampas ang trenta segundo at wala s'yang narinig, napaupo s'ya na parang lantang gulay.

Then she pointed out the camera. "Ate Miracle at Alas ah! Lakas n'yong maka-issa prank sa akin ah!" Nagkatinginan kami ni Akakios, at sabay natawa habang iniiling ang ulo sa naririnig kay Biblee.

"Hey, you should focus." Napatikhim kami ni Akakios nang marinig ang seryoso at nagbabantang boses ni Isolde.

"Rebel, Gabby, and Sloane entering... five-minutes gap each." I nodded with the information she told us.

"Should I save Kuya Cleon? Or Caerus?" Art murmured, and Biblee clapped her hands with what she heard, she couldn't believe that she was hearing it from Art.

"Luna... I'm sure she's gonna save everything for the last. I should call her immediately before she could succeed..." Justice really looked so concerned with Luna. Hawak n'ya na rin ang telepono kagaya ni Law.

But they would abandon it and sit down in frustration because they were sure that rushing things would ruin things. However, if they postpone it for so long. I wouldn't be surprised if the sacrifice that would happen would result into a mess. At baka hindi lang isa ang maging sakripisyo kapag naubusan sila ng oras.

They should be reminded that they all have a time limit—one hour time limit, and their time's ticking. Lalo na ang bilis na natapos ni Law. At 'yong mga nahuhuli, wala pa man sila sa room nila, tumatakbo na kaagad ang oras nila.

That was one of the rule in the wheel of danger. Being first was good—you have that whole one hour without a second going into waste, but being the last? That would put you in a disadvantage. Kung papasok sa room at thirty minutes na ang nakalipas, kailangan mong bilisan sa kasunod na room, dahil wala ka ng oras.

"Just Gabby... I just need to call Gabby..." Pierce kept murmuring, and Biblee rolled her eyes playfully. She expected that from Pierce. "There you are!" Pierce exclaimed the moment Gabby entered the room and her name popped on the screen with her room number.

Pierce immediately grabbed the phone, and looked at the number of Gabby's room on the screen. I saw how Biblee panicked because of Pierce and because of Gabby, and her horror came true, when she heard a beep.

"Now, the game's finally on action!" Isolde smirked, the moment Gabby's phone rang. And that was immediate. The moment she finished reading the rules, she received a call from Pierce. Gabby's eyes widened because of the repeated rings from her telephone in the room.

"Sandale, Pierce! Grabe! Sandale!" sigaw ni Biblee sa screen, at halos tumalon-talon na sa room n'ya dahil halos gusto n'yang maabot 'yong screen, umaasang mabago ang isip ni Pierce, pero huli na ang lahat.

Biblee's alalay was even giggling on one side because of her reactions, and her rants. Kahit naman kami natatawa na lang sa pinaggagagawa no'n. Pero alam kong iniisip n'ya pa rin ang gagawin n'ya sa mga nangyayari ngayon.

Si Gabby naman napalunok, pero marahan pa ring naglakad papunta sa teleponong tumutunog.

"Please..." Pierce kept begging that he would soon connect to Gabby's phone and screen. Biblee was panicking a little, but she closed her eyes, and heaved a sigh.

"It's okay, if they succeed, I would see how the game will work from now on, and I'll be able to form a plan..." Biblee murmured to convince herself. And sighed heavily, before walking back and forth.

Gabby bit her lower-lip as the ringing of the telephone in her room kept going. And she closed her eyes momentarily, and picked it up.

"Pierce has been connected into Gabby's room."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng mga taong nasa third room sa wheel, nang marinig ang announcement na 'yon mula kay Isolde.

"Gabby!" exclaimed Pierce, he looked so relieved that Gabby answered the call.

"You idiot!" Gabby lashed out. Natigilan si Pierce at mukhang hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. Biblee guffawed. "Buti nga sa 'yo!" dagdag pa nito sa malakas na boses.

"I was the one who's supposed to call and instruct you! Why would you ruin my plan?! I am absolute! I'm not going to be some sacrificial lamb! I'm going to dominate this one, why'd you have to ruin it?!" Natawa ako sa mabilis na sigaw ni Gabby kay Pierce.

"G-Gabby?" Pierce was blinking numerous times because he couldn't believe that Gabby—the person who was always so sweet and shy to him suddenly burst out her frustrations.

"Masyado kang mabait! Kinakabahan ako sa 'yo! Baka kunin ka na talaga ni Lord! I don't know how to contact San Pedro so you'd not be allowed to enter there!" ranted Gabby in frustration, while messing with her hair.

Halos mamatay na katatawa at kapapalakpak si Biblee sa naririnig n'yang usapan ni Pierce at Gabby. Pierce chuckled with what he heard from Gabby. Namula naman ang mukha ni Gabby sa inis.

"And you have the audacity to laugh?!" she yelped at him.

"No... I knew you are going to think like that... that's why, I couldn't even think of a plan, I just want to beat you with your plan and game. That's why I called hurriedly. I want you to proceed, and that means proceeding safely, okay?" I couldn't help but smile when I heard that from Pierce.

"But—but!" I cackled more because Gabby was so speechless with Pierce.

Finally, the unpredictable and dangerous Evans met her match.

Biblee was making faces because of Pierce and Gabby's conversation. Tahimik na tahimik sa ibang room, kahit may ilan sa kanilang napapaungol sa pagkaasar at sa pag-aalala. They were all tensed because of the announcement between Pierce and Gabby.

"Do you trust me?" Pierce asked Gabby in a mellow and confident tone.

Gabby gulped, and pinched the bridge of her nose. Still couldn't believe that someone aside from our family was willing to sacrifice a lot of things for her. She was always stuck in the idea that other people—would cause her harm, that was why her mechanism was to always protect herself on her own.

"Do you trust me, Gaebryelle?" Pierce repeated in a serious yet comforting voice.

Gabby sighed, and nodded while biting her lips. "Yeah, I trust you... Isaiah."

Kitang-kita namin kung paano ngumiti si Pierce nang marinig 'yon kay Gabby. And I didn't know why, but my heart was at ease, and happy. Like even Pierce made me feel what it was that Gabby was supposed to feel.

Safety. Assurance. And sincere intensions with love.

"Then scan your bangle on the top of the telephone. So, I could connect to your room, and instruct you with the challenge." Gabby nodded and followed what Pierce was saying. One side of my lips rose.

Game on.

"Amythee, Honoka, Katniss, Theon, and Thorn finally entering the third room. They have three-minutes gap each." Napatango-tango kami ni Akakios no'ng marinig namin 'yon kay Isolde. They were all in the same room now.

"15 minutes gap between Law and Thorn." So... Thorn lost fifteen minutes already, huh? And it had been fifteen minutes since the idle and thinking of whether calling or not. Medyo maraming oras na rin ang nasayang no'ng mga nauna sa room na 'to.

"Grabe! Sana all, may pagano'n! Akira, hello! Uso magsalita!" Biblee pouted, and talked at the screen looking at Akira's name. Napatingin tuloy ako sa ginagawa ni Akira. Nakaupo lang at tahimik na nakatingin sa screen.

His face was emotionless. He was really like Tita Shana in a lot of ways. There were times that Tita Shana would confuse everyone because you couldn't really see what she was thinking. But I was sure... despite that poker face. He was waiting to see his sister's name, and proceed in calling Biblee.

But he knew better. That Biblee wouldn't want to go first, because she would need to plan, and think of things. Kilala ni Akira si Biblee, alam n'ya kung ano ang bagay na makakabuti rito, kaya nananatili 'tong walang imik at kibo.

The names of the last people to enter the room flashed one by one on the screen with their numbers. I saw how Akira smiled in relief when he saw his sister's name. But he remained tapping his fingers one by one on the table, while tilting his head.

Nanatili ring tahimik ang ilan, mukhang nag-aabang sa magiging resulta sa mangyayari sa laro nina Gabby at Pierce.

Gabby was finished in preparing to be connected in Pierce's room. Nakikita na ni Pierce ngayon ang kwarto kung nasaan si Gabby at kahit walang telepono, naririnig na ni Gabby sa speaker nito ang boses ni Pierce.

The hologram in Pierce's screen revealed the pitfalls, and all those hurdles that Gabby would face. He was looking at it keenly, and manipulating the angle of the room to see things clearly, especially if there were hidden traps.

Gabby was stretching, and titling her head from side to side to prepare for the challenge.

"Ready?" she asked Pierce.

"Just a moment." The seriousness in their room, and connection heightened more.

It affected Biblee because unlike earlier, she was suddenly dead quiet in listening to their conversation. Probably preparing herself to see what kind of challenge they would face.

"Hey, Gabby," Pierce mentioned, and Gabby's expression was so determined.

"Do you see boxes or tile-like lines on the floor of your challenge room?" tanong nito sa kapatid ko. Nasa starting line na si Gabby at nasa loob na ng glass wall. Purong puti ang kulay no'n pero may mga kulay brown na guhit-guhit sa sahig kagaya ng sabi ni Pierce.

"Yes," answered Gabby.

"Then please memorize how big and how much you can calculate in moving around those." Kaagad sinunod ni Gabby ang sinabi ni Pierce, she absolutely got the hint that the challenge would be like jumping and walking through those tiles to land on the safe square.

"Tell me when you are ready." Pierce's voice was laced with concern and he looked worried.

Gabby's challenge was about the tiles. She needed to step on the safe tiles in order to succeed safely, and if she ever miscalculated—different traps and pitfalls would make it harder for her. The traps could shuffle, and Pierce would have a hard time in solving for a solution in every step Gabby would take.

Idagdag mo pa na kapag nag-step si Gabby sa hindi safe na tile, kailangan s'yang sabihan ni Pierce ng mga instruction para hindi manganib ang buhay nito. The trust and the instinct in this game would test them, and the stakes were also high.

Biblee stood up from her sit, and took something from the person she brought. Kaagad s'yang nakakita ng maliit na notebook, pati na rin ng ballpen, kaya naman mabilis s'yang umupo ulit para may isulat.

I saw how she wrote down Gabby's number, and Pierce's. Gabby's number was #004, and Pierce was #010.

I smirked when she also started writing down about the tiles and all. But to her surprise... someone suddenly dialed a number.

"Ano ba! Mga atat!" asar na sigaw nito, at kaagad n'yang narinig kung kaninong boses 'yon.

"Answer, Luna..." Justice voice echoed, and Biblee's mouth hanged open. And the moment Luna saw and heard her phone ringing she looked devastated. Napatampal na lang 'to sa noo, bago tumungo ro'n.

Not answering the call was prohibited. And it would really be a waste of time to keep pondering about what would happen. They needed to move because time's also ticking for everyone and not just for one person.

Luna picked up the phone.

Further, Gabby and Pierce started the game. Gabby's sight was automatically blocked, and she was now in pitch black. Pierce's concentration was on another level, the way he studied the risks, and the safety path for Gabby was unbelievable in a short amount of time.

Sa kabilang banda naman nakita ko na parang nakahinga nang maluwag si Justice kasi sinagot ni Luna ang telepono.

"Hey..." Luna murmured with heaviness when she answered Justice's call.

"Justice has been connected into Luna's room," Isolde announced, and everyone sighed, and held their heads. Trying to think of what they needed to do. Lalo na may dalawa nang nagsimula ng laro na 'to.

"Why do you sound like it was your death when you picked up the phone?" Justice tried to joke around, but Luna's face was darkened and serious.

"Why did you call me this instant?" seryosong tanong nito.

"Because I knew that you would be willing to become someone who would never escape this room," Justice informed her the obvious. Napapikit si Luna nang mariin dahil naunahan s'ya ni Justice.

If she called Justice first, then her plan would succeed, she'd be left out. But Justice would probably get mad at Luna, and their relationship would sure be affected. Knowing Justice, he was easy going but he wouldn't let this one slide. That was why Luna had been so hesitant in calling him. She knew Justice and the line that she should be careful in crossing because of him.

"Kael..." Luna couldn't even say anything, she sighed, and Justice cackled at her lovingly.

"Wala ka bang tiwala sa akin? Lalabas ako sa wheel na 'to nang kasama n'yo sa core room." Justice even shrugged his shoulders, with a smile on his face. But rather than a confident smile, it was a relieved smile.

"And who would call you? Your siblings would probably save their princesses, not you." Irap ni Luna sa kanya. Natawa naman si Justice.

"Trust me in this, Erina. Just wait for me, later. I love you, okay?" Justice chuckled softly.

Biblee who was busy writing things and trying to solve things on her own, suddenly stopped and looked at the side as her lips twitched because of what she heard. She looked so disgusted! Baliw talaga 'yon kahit kailan!

"Nahiya 'yong asukal, my gosh!" she even wiped the invisible sweat on her forehead.

"Do I even have a choice? Make sure you'll be with me later, okay?" Luna finally smiled while talking to Justice.

She was touched with Justice's decision. All her life... she was the one understanding and doing great things for other people. At ngayon si Justice—ipinaparamdam sa kanya 'yong mga bagay na ipinaparamdam n'ya sa ibang tao buong buhay n'ya.

"Yeah, I'll be with you. Trust me. I'm Justice. I just need Biblee's help for this to be possible." Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Biblee nang marinig si Justice.

"I don't know if someone would hear this aside from you and I—or maybe Ate and her people—but watch the game first Biblee, and I'll wait for the right time," Justice told Luna as he smirked, like he was so sure that Biblee was hearing it, as he smirked through the camera.

Napangisi rin ako sa kapatid. I was sure he knew. He knew about the hidden quest, and the reward they might get. He was Justice. And that was enough for me to know that he was starting to uncover and devise a plan for them to win this game of mine.

Luna and Justice started to act after talking, and Biblee was smirking after hearing that from Justice.

Luna scanned her bangle, and went to the glass room. Justice became intensely focused on the obstacle that Luna would face in her room.

Biblee also wrote down the number of Justice and Luna's room. Justice #016 and Luna #005.

Unlike Gabby's room, Luna's room was consist of different battles and not tiles. Makikipaglaban si Luna nang mano-mano sa mga magiging kalaban n'ya, at kapag natapos do'n kailangan n'ya namang harapin ang dart shooting challenge.

She would need a total of 50 points in the dart game. At iilan lang ang dart na magiging available para sa kanya, kaya naman kailangan ni Justice magsabi ng mga coordinate na eksakto para malaking point kaagad ang makuha ni Luna, at hindi masayang ang mga dart n'ya.

Pagkatapos ng challenge na 'yon, may isa pang kakaharapin si Luna. The game of lasers. May mga laser na lalabas mula sa pader at ceiling. Kailangan n'yang iwasan ang mga laser na 'yon at hindi matamaan. Random na lalabas ang laser lights, kaya kailangan n'yang mag-ingat at kailangan galingin ni Justice ang pag-i-instruct nang mabilis para hindi manganib ang buhay ni Luna.

Justice hard expression was so noticeable because of the challenge that Luna would face blindfolded. It was already hard when you have your eyes open, and seeing pitch black? It was making things more complicated.

"This is going to be multiple challenges, Luna. Please, listen carefully, and don't doubt my intensions," Justice declared, and Luna simpered as she nodded, while titling her head from side to side, getting ready to go inside the challenge area.

Biblee, on the contrary, was listening to Gabby, Pierce, and the other murmurs that the other people were doing. She suddenly looked so stressed because of what was happening. It was taking everything in her to keep up.

"Stand still, Gabby!" Pierce exclaimed when Gabby tried to move around when she was in the corner of the line from the tile, almost touching the danger tile from one side. Gabby froze, and put up her one foot in the air.

"Move a little to the left, just half an inch, and after that, take a step diagonally from where you are standing." Gabby was listening to him with a high concentration. Ni ultimong pag-angat ng paa sobrang ingat.

"Yeah, you are doing good, Gabby..." Pierce was so focused on his screen and they were already almost a quarter done from doing the challenge. I smiled, because they haven't stepped on a trap tile.

Grabe kaeksakto at grabe 'yong pagiging maingat ni Pierce kay Gabby! His patience, and his concentration! Wow! Although, it was a little slow, since he wasn't used in instructing through a screen, it was still commendable.

"Slowly put down your right foot, no, a little left more, yeah that's good! You can put it down now; you are at the centre of the square." Gabby excitedly stepped inside the tile, and grinned widely as she gave thumbs up para makita ni Pierce 'yon.

Inaral naman kaagad ni Pierce ang kasunod na move na sasabihin at gagawin n'ya. There was no safe zone on the next horizontal line of tiles. Gabby needed to skip forward from it. At magiging mahirap 'yon, dahil kailangan sakto ang magiging talon n'ya.

"Gabby, the next safe zone will be a little farther, and you might accidentally step on a trap while trying to be safe. And if that happens, please listen carefully, and don't just rely on your instinct, okay?" Gabby nodded enthusiastically with a huge smile on her face.

Napangiti naman si Pierce dahil sa ginawa nito.

"I should call her now, right?" Napatigil si Biblee sa pagko-concentrate dahil sa narinig n'ya sa speaker ng isang tao na hindi naman naglalaro ng challenge ngayon. She was busy listening to Justice instructing Luna on how to fight in the combat battle, and Pierce and Gabby's tiles trial.

"She might be really afraid now... I need her safe." Napapikit nang mariin si Biblee nang marinig ang bagay na 'yon.

At katulad nang inaasahan, narinig n'ya ang pagtunog ng dial, at tunog ng isang telepono. Nagulat ang nakatanggap ng tawag at halos kitang-kita ko ang nalilito, namamangha, at parang nakahinga nang maluwag na ekspresyon sa mukha n'ya.

She went to the phone's location. And closed her eyes tightly, as she lifted her phone up to answer it.

"Theon has been connected to Amythee's room." Napangisi kami nina Akakios nang sabihin 'yon ni Isolde.

Napatayo si Biblee mula sa ginagawa, at nagulat ang ilan sa mga nananahimik at nag-iisip na mga pasaway, Crowns, at kapatid ko! They were all surprised on how fast Theon acted this time. He was usually the last one who would do it.

Dahil sa ginawa ni Theon, kaagad dumiretso si Art sa telepono.

Biblee was wide-eyed, with the announcement and the thing that she was hearing from the other people's rooms! Especially when she heard that Pierce and Gabby were suddenly having a dilemma, because Gabby jumped to a danger zone!

Gabby's safe tiles were diminished, and additional pitfalls were added! Hindi lang 'yon, may bigla na lang pumasok na kalaban sa gilid o labas ng challenge area n'ya at kaagad s'yang inasinta ng mga baril!

Pierce remained calm and told Gabby the predicament that she was in. Gabby needed to move around and dodge five bullets that would be aimed at her, without moving out of the tile she was in! Kapag umapak s'ya muli sa maling tile, mas lalong magiging mahirap ang kakaharapin n'yang pagsubok.

Hindi lang baril, maaring may lumabas na mga pampasabog, at maari ding biglang lumindol sa kinalalagyan n'ya, at mahihirapan s'yang ibalanse ang sarili n'ya sa loob ng safe tile kung nasaan s'ya ngayon.

Pagkatapos si Justice sobrang kalmado lang sabihin kay Luna ang mga kailangan n'yang gawin. Justice was used in doing these things, and Luna was also accustomed to these instructions or giving directives. That was why things were going smooth in their team.

Kahit pa sabihin mong sobrang delikado makipaglaban sa mga may armas, at malalaking lalaki, 'tapos wala ka pang makikita. Luna was relying on her instinct, other senses, and Justice's voice. And they were doing really great and they were advancing fast!

Nalilito tuloy si Biblee sa pakikingan dahil sa naririnig n'ya.

This game wasn't just going to be about trust, skills, and intelligence. There was another ingredient for this. Luck. That would be the biggest thing that they would need right now.

Would they be blessed with it? Or would it run out eventually?

"Hey, are you okay?" Iyon kaagad ang bungad ni Theon nang sagutin ni Hope ang tawag n'ya. Theon's voice sounded worried, and Hope looked like she was near in crying because Theon called her, but also because she was guilty that Theon would be saving her first.

Si Biblee naman kaagad nilista ang number nilang dalawa. Hope's number being #012 and Theon was #008.

"I should have called you first..." Hope answered regretfully. "I'm sorry, I was hesitant... I was thinking of Biblee, too." Natawa si Theon sa sinabi nito.

"I knew you'd be torn about it. You should be safe first, and I'll definitely help Biblee." Kahit papaano tila nawalan ng tinik sa dibdib si Hope nang marinig 'yon kay Theon. Her eyes glowed, trying to prevent tears.

"Thank you, Theon..." she whispered sincerely.

"Anything for you, love," Theon answered with a smile plastered on his face.

He looked confident and his eyes were sparkling like he would do anything to make sure Hope was not going to be left behind.

"Wow! Theon, wow!"

"Her side comments are entertaining," laughed Akakios while pointing at Biblee, who have her arms stretched out in the air while rolling her eyes, because of what she had heard from Theon.

"Love raw! Hoy, naghihiwalay 'yong mga love ang tawagan!" dagdag pa nito na nakapagpatawa sa amin nina Isolde. Napapailing tuloy ng ulo si Isolde, hindi makapaniwala sa naririnig n'ya kay Biblee.

"Is she always like that?" tanong nito sa amin.

"Most of the time, but you'll also be amazed by her wits. I have a feeling that she's going to turn this game around." It was Akakios that answered Isolde's question. Napangisi si Isolde, at tumango-tumango naman ako para sumang-ayon kay Akakios.

I saw Biblee's intelligence in the Witch Hunt that happened from before. I wanted to see her again like that, her playful personality mixed with her awesome way of thinking about plans and tricks. She was more than someone who makes other people laugh easily.

"I'll wait for you at the core room?" Hope smiled while talking to Theon at the phone.

"Then... make sure you'll stop hesitating and show them what you've really got? I'd really love if you'll prove them wrong." Hope nodded multiple times because of Theon's sweet words of encouragement.

"I believe in you, Amythee. I believe in you..." he added with the purest voice.

"Can you also please be safe, Theon?" Theon nodded, too, and chuckled gently.

"Let's do this together?" sabay na sabi nila sa isa't isa, kaya naman mas naging magaan para sa kanilang dalawa ang lahat.

If they were having a sweet and pure moment, Biblee, on one side, was rolling her eyes, and looking so disgusted while hugging herself hearing how her Ate and Theon talk. Parang na-culture shock na gano'n mag-usap 'yong dalawa kapag sila lang.

"Biblee's so comedic!" Akakios exclaimed smiling.

"Cringe na cringe s'ya sa naririnig n'ya sa kanila. Pero kapag s'ya 'yong bumabanat at kung ano-ano pinagsasabi, ni hindi n'ya man lang alam ang salitang hiya at cringe," I mentioned laughingly.

Akakios's sweet laughter echoed, as well as Isolde, but when Isolde stopped, she faced me with one eye brow raised.

"Nagsalita." She clicked her tongue at me.

Mas lalong natawa si Akakios no'ng mapatigil ako sa pagtawa. Bwisit! Bumalik sa akin 'yong pang-aasar ko. Napairap na lang ako sa kanila, at saka muling itinuon ang paningin sa nangyayari sa kanilang lahat.

Lo and behold, interesting things were unfolding.

Luna was bleeding. Gabby was hurt.

And... Art was dialing a number, and it was Caerus's phone that rang. Caerus's eyes widened because of the ringing, and he looked so surprised with glare getting intense, and at the same time angry.

Damn, Art was faster than Caerus.

Caerus sighed heavily while gritting his teeth as he picked up the call.

"Art has been connected to Caerus's room."

Natigil si Theon at Cleon sa ginagawa at pagkakaupo nila sa narinig. Halos sabay napamura ang kambal, at agad na nag-alala si Hope kay Theon. Mabuti na lang focused pa rin si Theon, kahit mukhang nag-aalala sa kapatid.

Hindi nag-aksaya si Biblee ng panahon at mabilis na isinulat ang room nila. Art's #015 and Caerus's #001 was automatically listed on her paper.

"Artemis Elizabeth," matigas na bati ni Caerus. Medyo nagulat si Art dahil no'n n'ya lang narinig kung gaano nagtitimpi ng inis at galit si Caerus. She was slowly witnessing the power of the Second Crown.

"H-Hey..." medyo nautal na imik na Art.

"I should be the one calling you, lady. Why did you have to ruin it?" tangis-bagang na pagsasalita nito. Art gulped with how serious it was. Caerus pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to calm down, for him not to scare Art.

"Not because you are a Crown, you can talk to me like that, young man." I smirked when Art retorted that full of confidence, and without blinking. Caerus was taken aback with how fierce she sounded. He even heard the sound of her smirk.

"You think, you are the only one with a plan? Welcome aboard, Second Crown. You are talking to a Morbelque."

Caerus's frustration, and angry expression slowly turned into an amused one. Couldn't believe he was hearing the calm and sweet princess was talking down on him.

"Really? What kind of plan, Artemis? Not everything would go according to it," Caerus taunted with a simper.

"Try me, Caerus." Art was not backing down, and Caeurs licked his lower lip with how Art was sounding from the other line.

"I like that, a fiery Morbelque. Let's do this," cackled Caerus.

"We'll do this." Napangiti sila sa isa't isa at nagsimula na ring maghanda para sa magiging laro na gagawin nilang dalawa.

Akala ko 'yon lang ang makikita at masasaksihan ko, pero napangisi ako nang biglang tumayo si Honoka. She was looking so conflicted about her Kuya, and Rebel, but looked like the expensive mademoiselle, made her choice now.

Rebel was also standing up to pick up the phone to call Honoka.

But the twist of fate played with them.

Rebel was supposed to be calling Honoka when he lifted the phone—not knowing that Honoka was faster in a blink of an eye. Rebel answered the call—kahit kinuha n'ya naman talaga 'yon para tawagan si Honoka at hindi para sagutin ang tawag nito.

When he heard Honoka's voice. Horror crossed Rebel's face.

"Honoka has been connected to Rebel's room."

Biblee wrote down the numbers again, with eyes circling widely because of what she had heard. Honoka's number was #003 and Rebel's #014.

Kitang-kita ko rin kung paanong nanlaki ang mga mata ni Akira at kung paano 'tong tumayo nang marinig ang announcement na 'yon. I saw how he cursed because of the sudden news. Even the others who were quietly thinking of who to call, or planning things were shocked with the opposite names being announced.

"Damn it, Reign!" Iyon kaagad ang bungad ni Rebel. "Fucking shit!" he groaned, messing with the back of his head in irritation. Unlike him who got so worked up with the unexpected mistake of answering Honoka's call, the lady was giggling tenderly.

"You are going to be the death of me, Reign!" he muttered sternly, with his gray orbs turning a shade darker.

"Hey, I told you, right?" Pero si Honoka tatawa-tawa lang sa bungad sa kanya ni Rebel. "I'm not your ordinary princess. Now, Rebel... let's do this?" Her smile of contentment and happiness were so evident with her gummy smile.

Rebel moaned in frustration. "I should be the one saving you!"

"I don't need saving, Rebel. Let me do things for you, too." She chuckled at him, and although, couldn't accept what just happened, Rebel sighed, a little defeated.

"You need to be with me later, Reign. If not, I'm gonna destroy this fucking building," he told Honoka while gritting his teeth. Honoka nodded with a thrilled expression, because Rebel was slowly backing down. Mas nasusunod na 'yong gusto n'yang mangyari.

"We got this, Rebel!" Honoka exclaimed.

"Yeah, we'll do this, Reign..." Rebel closed his eyes tightly as his nightmare was slowly becoming real. He couldn't stand the fact that Honoka would be left behind while he would advance because of her help.

Biblee was focused in Gabby, Pierce, Luna, Justice, Hope, and Theon. While still listening to Honoka and Rebel's conversation.

Things were getting more tangled. As someone picked up the phone again to dial another number.

"Answer this, or you'll freaking die in my hands!" Natigil tuloy si Biblee no'ng marinig 'yong boses na 'yon.

I laughed when Law jumped near the phone when it rang. "Fucking shit!" he exclaimed because Harper was calling him. He was so sure it was going to be her. "Damn it! Why are they doing this?" He scratched his nape.

Harper was waiting for Law to answer it. And when he did, she smirked victoriously.

"Harper has been connected to Law's room."

Harper was #007, and Law was #013. Biblee was cackling while writing it down.

"Keep Calm Trio, becoming We-Will-Save-Our-Man-Trio." She even hummed teasingly on her own.

"Good thing you answer, I'm going to kill you if not," maarteng bungad ni Harper. Law laughed nervously, but he looked so irritated, that he was the one who received the call, instead of calling her.

"Why did you call, Aurora? I was devising a plan!" Law grunted at her.

"Uhuh? Raising your voice at me, young lad?" Harper raised her brows with a commanding tone. "You should be thankful I called you, Raphael." Pinagkadiinan pa nito 'yong pangalan ni Law, kaya naman asar na napairap si Law.

"You should have waited a little more, Aurora. I am going to call you!" Law roared at Harper. Pero wala man lang epekto 'yon kay Harper.

"I'm not someone who waits, Raphael. I'm someone who commands, so you should deal with it." The sounding smirk of Harper, made Law smile playfully, he bit his lower lips sexily.

"And you should know that if you become the sacrifice in here, I would turn this island upside down." Napangisi kaagad si Harper sa narinig kay Law. Imbis na maasar at hindi tanggapin ang nangyari na, kaagad inaayos ni Law ang sarili n'ya.

"I don't like getting hurt, Aurora. If you are going to put me in danger intentionally while instructing me, you should think again, mademoiselle." Harper chuckled regally with what she heard from the other line.

"Was that a threat?" she demanded.

"No, that was a command."

"It'll be a pleasure to obey, but I would still have the last laugh, Raphael." Hindi talaga nagpapatalo 'to si Harper kahit kailan. Napangisi lang si Law sa nariring kay Harper. Halata mong hindi na nag-aalala, bagkus na mamangha pa.

"Well, let's see if the ever daring Aurora would be triumphant in this royally twisted game," Law challenged.

"Leave it to me, being royal runs in my veins," Harper declared as they both started in doing their assigned responsibilities.

Akakios chuckled hearing their conversation. "Is she really a royal like me?" tanong nito sa akin. Natawa ako at umiling. Well, she's royal in every way. Not just in blood.

Mas lalo akong na-excite sa mga nangyayari. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na malaman kung sino ang magiging tagumpay at sawi sa kanilang lahat. At higit sa lahat, hindi na rin ako makapaghintay na makipaglaro sa kanila.

"These confident little kids are not aware... that they would soon be royally fucked in this twisted game, right? How... exciting..." Isolde murmured with a taunting smirk, as the tension in the room rose up rapidly.

Further, Luna consecutively targeted the darts, and completed it without facing drawbacks, but she was bleeding from her arms because of the fight earlier.

And as Gabby was near in finishing her tile-challenge but with blood flowing down her legs, because of the traps that she faced.

Victory and defeat... there was only a thin line that could decide it. Would they make it?

"Hey." Napatingin kaming lahat nang biglang magsalita si Biblee. "If we win this game without a sacrifice... would there be another reward?" she asked with a smile on her face. An innocent smile, but with eyes glowing in something between threat and confidence.

I shrugged. The greatest reward that they would hear would be...

And the victorious ones are them... but I wouldn't let that happen easily. Because this whole game was designed for them to face defeat and from then on... their demons would awaken.

The Morbelque would stand tall again. As the ashes would begin to ignite.

And the Improbus Ille Imperium? Upgraded better than before.

Ain't that the real win-win situation?

***