#TCS78: Twisted Core Room

Amythee Hope's POV

Pakiramdam ko ilang taon na ang nabawas sa buhay ko dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon. Everything was just so intense and pressuring, there was no room for us to give up. Surrendering would only mean forsaking our life, and I was sure our life wasn't ours anymore the moment we stepped on this island.

After the core room, I became more zealous to improve and grow. I didn't want to be the reason why some of them were holding back. I didn't want to become their weakness—because they were worried for me, and my reactions.

Hindi na pwede na ako 'yong humihila sa kanila pabalik at pababa. Everyone had been growing, and I was only the one who had been so hesitant because I felt like I was walking on a thin ice because of the sin I committed. Sabihin man nilang wala akong kasalanan, hindi mawala-wala sa puso ko na may mali pa rin ako.

Kaya ngayon imbis na patuloy kong sisihin ang sarili ko, mas gugustuhin ko na lang bumawi sa lahat-lahat at patunayan kay Miracle na hindi s'ya nagkamali na magpakita ulit sa amin. To make sure that all her sacrifices, and experiences wouldn't go to waste. I wanted to change the weak Amythee to became a stronger one so I could fight and be with them.

"Biblee and Theon are going to be at the core room with me, right?" mahinang bulong ko sa sarili habang tinitingnan ang kasunod na kwartong tatahakin ko.

The next room from the blindfolded was like a tank. There were a lot of keys on the floor, may mga magkakamukha, pero mayroon ding hindi. Kaya malilito ka. Habang naghahanap ka rin no'n, biglang mapupuno ng tubig ang kwarto na 'yon.

It was like a game of speed, and luck. You needed to find the right key to open the door to the next room. And as someone who was born unlucky, I couldn't find the key while the water was slowly filling everything up.

I swam to the bottom of the floor when the water became too high, I searched the key for the next room with a heart beating so fast, but trying to remain calm, and level-headed. Crying and panicking over this challenge wasn't going to help.

And when I was almost out of breath because the room was filled with water, and no one would ever save me, nor I couldn't gasp for my breath, I picked up a shining key underwater, and that was when I managed to open the next room.

Halos hindi ako makahinga at paubo-ubo no'ng mga pagkakataong 'yon. I thought I just escaped death, but I was in for another death defying game. I was like I was taken off another year in my life.

This time, the room—didn't look like it was a room. It was a surrounding that looked like you are on the top of one building, and you needed to cross the other building, only using a tin steel that connecting the two buildings.

Damn, it looked real. The setting looked real. I tried to drop a blade, and it fell from so high! Kapag ilalagay mo 'yong kamay o paa mo, mararamdaman mong tunay 'yon. Hindi ilusyon 'yon, nababagsak ka talaga sa kamatayan mo kapag nahulog ka ro'n.

I just closed my eyes, and go in to it with blinded courage. I just wanted escape that room already. Iba rin ang hangin sa room na 'yon. Muntik na akong malaglag no'ng nasa kalagitnaan na ako sa pagtawid. 'Yong puso ko! Pakiramdam ko talaga nalaglag 'yong puso ko!

Kaya naman tumawid ako nang halos pikit-mata at nagmamadali, hindi ko lubos maisip paano ako nakapunta sa kabila! Oh, my gosh! I was teary-eyed and was jumping up and down to go to the next room without stopping to catch my breath.

The next room was probably called the room of fear. It was designed like that for me. Lahat ng kinatatakutan ko nando'n. Starting from bugs that made me squeal, and run for my life, to the fear of losing my family. Grabe, kahit mga illusion at picture lang 'yon, para akong mamamatay sa sakit.

Iba pa rin 'yong makita mong umiiyak at halos wala nang buhay 'yong mga magulang mo. I kept thinking that it was not real. That it was just a game. But, there was something inside me that thought of the possibility that what if it was real... hindi ko yata kakayanin. Kaya naman mas tinatagan ko ang loob ko.

I wanted my precious family safe, right? Then... I should protect them. I should get stronger for them.

'Yong takot ko sa baril, at mga alaala namin ni Silhoue noon, marahang nabura sa puso ko sa pagharap sa room na 'yon. I took a lot of time, and courage inside it, but it was worth it! Because when I finished that room, I felt like I survived the room that would kill everything in me, and I was back to life, in a new light.

Sugatan, basa, at mukhang hirap na hirap man ako, alam kong kakayanin ko pa rin. Dahil sa dulo ng madilim na daan na 'to, alam kong may makikita akong ilaw, at alam kong sa huli... magiging worth it lahat nang hinarap namin.

When I was going to the next room, there was a small area where you would see the structure of the next room.

The next room was a circle inside of this whole place. Para kaming nasa wheel, at sa gitna no'ng wheel, isang malaking arena na bilog. It was huge, and we would go in the next room after we were ready.

It was the core room already. The door that would lead to the core room was in front of me.

At siguradong do'n ko makikita kung may nangyari bang sakripisyo o wala. "Biblee, and Theon..." I closed my eyes, and solemnly wished for their safety—and everyone's safety. I'd see them in this room, right? And we would fight together as one.

The core room... was like a jungle with abandoned buildings and dark surroundings. Gabi at mukhang sobrang mapanganib sa lugar na 'yon. Sobrang laki rin no'n. Mukha kang nasa isang arena, at hindi basta-basta ang kakaharapin mo.

The images showed how eerie it was in there. It was designed like no one was going to help and save you to the dangers that was prepared in there. Pero gugustuhin ko pa rin lumaban kami nang sama-sama. Dahil 'yon lang ang paraan para matapos namin ang bagay na 'to nang humihinga kaming lahat.

Inayos ko ang sarili ko. Nakikita ko na may ilang mga bilog na dots sa arena. Mukhang marami na ring nauna sa loob ng core room, bago ako makarating dito. They were scattered, and no one was able to meet yet. Sobrang layo kasi nila sa isa't isa. Halos lampas sampu na ang nasa loob no'n. The looked like they were hiding in one area.

I closed my eyes, and inhaled a huge amount of air before exhaling. "You can do it, Amythee!" I cheered for myself, and I gritted my teeth. Kaagad akong tumayo nang maayos.

Inayos ko ang buhok ko. I tied it in a high ponytail, and I removed the tshirt that I was wearing, nagsando na lang ako, and fixed the pockets in my jeans to put the guns that I still have in there. I also put all the knives that I still have in my pockets, and I prepared to enter the arena.

"We'll show them, we'll show them that you can do it, Amythee!" I gritted my teeth, and held the knob for the next room. Nang buksan ko 'yon isang parang capsule ang sumalubong sa akin. Napakunot-noo ako, pero biglang sumarado 'yon.

Hanggang sa ang alam ko na lang parang umandar 'yon nang sobrang bilis, hanggang no'ng umangat ako mula sa lupa, nando'n na ako sa loob ng isang abandonadong building. Sobrang dilim, at sobrang nakakakaba ang paligid do'n.

Everything was so... sinister. It was like death call was in the air.

Nakakapanindig balahibo. Wala ka namang makikitang kalaban o kahit ano, pero pakiramdam mo may nakatingin at nagmamasid sa 'yo. Napalunok ako bigla. Parang lahat ng tapang na inipon ko simula kanina, bigla na lang naglaho sa isang iglap.

The air around the area was too dangerous. It was like in one wrong move, everything would explode. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman 'yong kakaibang pressure at takot na marahang bumabalot sa buong katawan at sistema ko.

I was rooted on my spot while looking around, I didn't know if it would help if I try to find others. It was like I would never even see anyone from them, because if I go around looking for them, the feeling of sudden crossing death was too high.

It was a feeling of being hunted.

That you were a prey in this whole arena, and the hungry predators were searching for you. It was that feeling. I didn't know what would happen. And I wasn't sure what I would expect in this arena. What were the rules? What game was this?

Hunting the hunted?

It felt like it was that game.

Kung saan bigla na lang namin makakasalubong sina Miracle at Alas. Pagkatapos kapag nahuli nila kami siguradong wala na kaming takas. Talo na kaagad kami. Miracle and Alas seemed passive, and a little keen in our individual trainings.

Madalas wala silang sinasabi o ginagawa, pero sa likod no'n, pakiramdam ko hinuhukay nila ang pagkatao namin. The once invisible and angelic Miracle were gone in my eyes, because her blank expression was really scary and it would make you quiver in fear.

Alas... I didn't know, but he was nothing but a kind person in our eyes. He was probably the kindest. Mas mabait pa kay Pierce at Thorn. Sobrang gaan n'ya sa pakiramdam kausap at kasama. Minsan pakiramdam ko tuloy sobrang sama kong tao kapag nandyan s'ya sa paligid.

Madalas matutulala ka rin sa kanya. Minsan nga gusto ko kaagad kiligin kapag tinitingnan n'ya ako. Pakiramdam ko kasi sobrang ganda ko kapag ngumingiti s'ya sa akin, pero ginagawa n'ya lang naman 'yon kasi napakabait na tao no'n.

Parang gusto mo bang alagaan si Alas. He was also always attentive to us, and whenever he speaks? You would listen. Para kasing minsan kasalanan 'yong hindi ka makinig sa kanya. Damn. He was one of a heck.

He was so attractive! Even Theon and the boys find him magnetic. He was always shining in our eyes. Parang imbis na awayin mo, gugustuhin mo na lang pagsilbihan o hindi kaya kaibiganin. Dagdag pa na sobrang gwapo no'n!

He was so ethereal! 'Yong tingin n'ya gamit 'yong mga mata na sobrang dilim, pero parang kumikintab, 'yong mga ngiti n'ya na halos mawala 'yong mga mata n'ya, 'yong tindig n'ya! Grabe! Minsan pakiramdam ko kailangan ko s'yang luhuran o kaya tumungo kapag nakikita ko! Hindi ko alam bakit gano'n ang epekto n'ya.

Naramdaman na rin namin na nakakatakot s'ya no'n kapag nag-uusap-usap kami nang sama-sama kasama 'yong mga matataas na tao—mga taong tinitingala na namin—pero tinitingala s'ya no'ng mga 'yon at punong-puno ng respeto.

That was why... I didn't know what to expect. I thought it would be Miracle that would hunt us... and the one who make us feel the danger. Pero... parang nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin dito. Wala man si Alas sa paligid...

Pakiramdam ko nandito s'ya at tinitingnan kami habang nakangiti. Hindi 'yong ngiti na palaging ipinapakita n'ya sa amin, kung hindi 'yong ngiti na hindi mo gugustuhing makita mula sa kanya.

Shivers travelled to my spine, because of what I was thinking. I hugged myself, because it felt like it was suddenly so cold in this place. Lumakad na rin ako, pero sobrang ingat na hindi makagawa ng kahit ano'ng ingay at pumunta palabas ng building na 'to.

Kung hindi ako aalis do'n, takot ang kakain sa akin. Kaya naman no'ng makalabas ako ro'n, halos makita ko ang langit na may buwan at maliliwanag na bituin. The wind blew again, and there was a deafening silence in the atmosphere.

Naglakad ako nang tahimik at sobrang alerto sa paligid. Umakyat ako sa may building sa kabilang eskinita, pero wala pa rin akong nakakasalubong na tao. I went to the rooftop of that high building that I saw.

I went to look at the ground and the other places that my sight would reach. It was empty. No one was around. That was why it felt so scary and terrifying. It was like someone would target you with a dead shot from afar and you would be clueless that it would be your death.

"Biblee... please, where are you? Akira must have helped you, right?" bulong ko sa sarili at nagiging desperada na para hilingin na hindi naging sakripisyo ang kapatid ko. Hindi pa naman imposible mangyari na magpahuli 'yon.

Ilang sandali pa matapos ang pagtanaw ko mula sa rooftop, may napansin akong pigura na nagtatago sa may poste ilang kanto ang layo mula sa building kung nasaan ako. I used the one item I got earlier—the binoculars—to see who it was.

I was careful not to get noticed, too, and my eyes widened when I saw Rebel! Oh, my gosh! He was probably looking for Honoka! I wanted to call him. "Rebel, thank goodness you are safe!" bulong ko sa sarili.

Mukhang sa talas ng pakiramdam ni Rebel na may nanunuod sa kanya, kaagad s'yang lumingon sa direksyon ko. He smirked the moment he realized it was me, and waved his hand, and gave me a signal that he would go to where I was.

Nakita ko si Rebel na halos patakbo pumunta sa may daan papunta sa building kung nasaan ako. He was so fast, and quiet. Hindi ko alam, pero mukhang tensyonado rin si Rebel sa mga nangyayari. I hid on the side, and waited for him to arrive.

After a few minutes, I heard footsteps, I had my knives on my hands just to make sure. I didn't want to lower my guard. I didn't know anything that would commence in this game.

"Amythee?" Rebel suddenly called with a worried voice. Kahit hindi ako magpakita mukhang naramdaman n'yang nagtatago ako, at no'ng nakita n'yang handa akong makipaglaban sa kanya, napailing s'ya at saka itinaas ang kamay.

"I'm not the opponent," he hissed at me, and rolled his eyes.

"Really?" tanong ko.

"Yeah, in this game the enemies are Ate, Alas and those men with weapons and arms going around," kibit-balikat na sabi nito. I stared at his eyes, and he also gazed at me intensely, napabuntonghininga ako at ibinababa ang mga kamay kong may kutsilyo. Inilagay ko ulit 'yon sa bulsa.

"Kanina ka pa nandito?" I asked him, and he nodded.

"Probably one of the first five. We were given instructions. It was one of our benefits." Napakunot-noo sa narinig mula kay Rebel.

"You have benefits?" hindi makapaniwalang sambit ko. He smirked and coolly nodded his head. May balak pa yatang magyabang 'tong pinsan kong 'to, nakakaloka.

"Here." Then he showed me his watch and it showed a hologram of the area. And the red spots in there, pero walang kasiguraduhan kung sino. Kaya pala s'ya nando'n sa poste na 'yon. He probably knew about my location beforehand.

"I thought you were Reign," imik nito.

"What are the instructions?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan. Alam ko naman kasing hinahanap n'ya si Honoka, pero hindi ko rin naman alam kung nasaan s'ya dahil kakarating-rating ko lang din sa loob ng game na 'to.

"That you need to survive this game, while the hunters are Miracle and Alas." Napatango-tango naman ako ro'n, pero parang may gumapang na kuryente sa buong katawan ko.

"Two against eighteen?" I asked, Rebel smirked.

"I'm telling you Amythee. You don't know who Alas is... he could probably deal with all of us combined with just him alone—without Ate's help." Napaatras at napalunok naman ako sa kinatatayuan.

Damn. Insane.

"So you are saying that we will never win this game?" Parang nanginig ang kalamnan ko sa tinanong ko sa kanya. He nodded while shrugging his shoulders. Pinagbagsakan yata ako ng langit at lupa nang pagkakataong 'yon.

"There's no chance that we'd win with Alas around. That's why I'd rather have Reign with me. At least, although we'd lose, I'll make sure she's safe," direktang sambit nito hindi nagbibiro. Tinalikuran n'ya ako at naglakad para tingnan ang paligid at 'yong map na meron s'ya.

There was no one near us, and there were like fifteen dots around the area, all scattered, some were moving while most were stagnant. Halos apat lang yata ang gumagalaw. Mukhang lima lang 'yong may benefit.

"Wala ka bang tiwala sa atin ng sama-sama?" tanong ko kay Rebel at naglakad na rin papalapit sa kanya para pagmasdan ang buong paligid. The wind blew, as Rebel laughed softly, yet sarcastically.

"Ang laki ng tiwala ko sa lahat, Amythee. Kaya ito ang sinasabi ko. I don't do bets in a losing game," balewalang sambit nito. Hindi mawala-wala ang kilabot sa katawan ko habang naririnig ang mga salitang 'yon.

"Why are you all afraid of Alas?" hindi ko pa rin yata kayang paniwalaan na kaya n'ya kaming saktan o kung ano man. He might show us his authority... but still couldn't imagine him being brutally cruel. If it was Miracle, that would be no question.

"Alas..." Rebel trailed with smirk on his face.

"I get why you can't believe me. But... my guts tell me otherwise, Amythee. The silence and danger in this whole arena. Would you believe me that it was like this... because of his presence?" Napasinghap ako sa narinig.

"The atmosphere earlier when I went in wasn't like this... there was no danger in the air. Maybe it was uncanny because of the setting... but suddenly after a while, the atmosphere changed. Like a game changer entered the place."

Ni hindi ako makapagsalita no'ng marinig ko 'yong sinasabi ni Rebel. Naninindig lang ang balahibo ko sa batok at braso. Pigil hininga na rin pala ako, pero hindi ko man lang napansin. Sobrang tensyonado bigla.

"H-How are you sure that it was him... pwede namang si Law..." nauutal na banggit ko.

Rebel looked at me, and smirked. Kinilabutan din ako sa kanya! Grabe! Ibang klase talaga ang mga tao rito!

"No red dot activated when I felt that in the air," he informed me with a serious expression, and I couldn't help but blink several times, while feeling that the time had stopped inside my head, because of the impact of what he said.

"I didn't know what happened... but seemed like someone provoked Alas. He was usually letting Ate Miracle handle things the way she likes. Pero iba talaga 'yong nararamdaman ko ngayon. Madugo. Magulo. At walang kasiguraduhan ang mangyayari ngayon..." Rebel stated, while looking at the dark sky, as the moon was slowly covered by passing clouds.

"Don't you smell it?" Rebel questioned in a really low tone. Making me jump on my position because of fear.

"What are you saying..." halos ibulong ko ang mga salitang 'yon.

He walked near me face to face. His expression was blank. His eyes were dead with darkness of his gray irises. He stopped when he was standing in front of my sinking self.

"The smell of death, Amythee... it is so palpable in this night. You better be careful... Trust no one..." And with those words, my breathing stopped, and my heart hammered louder than before. Rebel moved back, and walked towards the door to go down in this place.

"It's up to you if you want to come with me, or find Theon." Kaagad akong nagising sa kinatatayuan ko no'ng marinig ko 'yon, kaya naman mabilis akong tumakbo papalapit sa kanya. Grabe kasi 'yong takot na biglang dumaloy sa katawan ko dahil sa sinabi n'ya!

"Sasama muna ako," imik ko sa kanya.

"I'm going to try to find Reign first." Tumango ako sa kanya. Baka sakaling mahanap din namin si Theon o si Biblee. Mas mabuti nang may kasama na alam 'yong mangyayari sa lugar na 'to, kesa naman magsolo ako, baka ikamatay ko nang wala sa oras.

Naglakad kami ni Rebel pababa sa lugar na 'to at ipinakita n'ya sa akin 'yong lugar kung saan may malapit na red dot. He didn't speak and became discreet when looking around the whole place. His alertness also made me feel like I needed to step up my game.

That was why I suddenly tried to move quickly yet quietly to make sure that I wasn't going to become burden. Although, I was with Rebel, I know I should feel secure because I knew his abilities weren't a joke, but I was still panicking inside.

Ang bilis pero sobrang tahimik ng mga galaw ni Rebel, at halos hindi ako makasabay sa kanya, kaya naman may agwat na 'yong layo namin, pero hindi pa rin naman ako naiiwan. Halos ang layo na no'ng narating namin habang papunta sa gusto n'yang puntahan.

Ilang saglit lang tumigil s'ya at muntik na akong mabangga sa likod n'ya dahil sa ginawa n'ya, kaya naman kaagad akong sumilip sa tinitingnan n'ya. Dahil madilim hindi mo kaagad 'yon makikita. Titingnan ko sana gamit 'yong binocular ko, pero nagulat ako sa bilis ni Rebel.

He was suddenly gone beside me! He suddenly grabbed the person's wrist and enclosed her in a hug! I felt like my cheeks heat up, when I saw his silhouette kissed the person's forehead without hesitation. He was so sure about the person he just grabbed!

"Thank goodness you are safe!" he exclaimed in a whisper, as he held Honoka's hand.

I went to them, and heard Honoka's relieved sigh when he saw Rebel's face. "I told you! I can manage on my own." Ngiti ni Honoka kay Rebel habang tumatawa nang marahan. Napatampal na lang ako sa noo.

Grabe 'tong si Honoka! Parang walang nararamdamang takot sa paligid. Mukhang masaya pa at nakita si Rebel. She even checked Rebel's state. Pinaikot-ikot para tingnan kung wala bang nawawalang parte ng katawan at sugat.

Rebel looked like a soft person around Honoka. I couldn't trace the person who was with me earlier who had that gray aura around him full of dangerous intent. He was now looking so pleased that he had his arms around Honoka.

"Are you okay?" he asked her.

"Hmm," tumatangong sambit ni Honoka kay Rebel.

Then she saw me, and removed Rebel's hand around her. "Hi, Ate Amythee!" Kaagad akong ngumiti sa kanya. Ewan ko, pero pakiramdam ko mas naging magaan ang pakiramdam ko sa presensya n'ya. The Keep Calm Trio effect.

"How did you find me?" Honoka queried Rebel with a puckered forehead.

"This." Ipinakita ni Rebel 'yong parang map na may mga red dots at ipinaliwanag 'yong mangyayari sa lugar na 'to. Honoka's eyes widened, and she looked at Rebel then back at me. She jumped a little.

"Let's find Kuya Theon!" she immediately suggested.

Rebel sighed. "That's my plan after finding you." Napangiti si Honoka sa sinabi ni Rebel.

"I don't want to move in huge groups Amythee, mas gugustuhin ni Ate na target-in ang mga grupo kaysa sa mga iisa. Kaya mas mabuting hanapin natin si Theon at sa kanya ka sumama," seryosong pahayag ni Rebel kaya tumango ako.

Honoka punched him lightly, when Rebel grabbed her waist. "Tss, you just want me to be alone with you." Natawa ako kahit papaano nang marahan sa narinig kay Honoka. Sinimangutan lang s'ya ni Rebel.

"And probably that, too." Kinindatan ni Rebel si Honoka, kaya naman natawa kaming tatlo nang mahina ro'n. The heavy atmosphere was still around, but it was more bearable than earlier, that was why we went to find other people.

Magkakasama kaming tatlo. Honoka was keeping up with Rebel's fast and almost invisible self, while I was trailing at their back. As far as I know, every after individual training Rebel would want to spend time with Honoka, I thought he just wanted to do it, but seeing them together, Rebel must have trained Honoka more.

She wasn't the same Honoka from before, she looked completely different now. Kahit sabihin mong mapapakalma at nando'n pa rin 'yong expensive aura n'ya, iba pa rin talaga 'yong improvement na nakikita ko sa kanya.

Ilang saglit tumigil kami sa isang tagong lugar. Rebel was suddenly alerted, when he saw two men with huge machine guns on their shoulders. Napalunok ako. Kagaya ng sabi ni Rebel, may iba pa ring tao rito na maaring magpahamak sa amin.

Hindi lang si Miracle at Alas. Killing or defeating those men in here would give you some kind of reward and benefit. But... I was thinking that it was just a trap. A trap so we'd be tempted to kill or beat those men, the real enemies weren't really them they were just puppets to Alas and Miracle.

When they were out of sight we proceeded again. And we arrived at one building.

"Someone will be in here, I'm just not sure who," Rebel told me and we nodded. Kaagad naging alerto si Honoka sa tabi ni Rebel. They both went to search in one area, and I went to another. The location was just this building but it was never specified what floor, so we still needed to search.

I was in the dark looking for someone, when suddenly someone from the back grabbed me, and my eyes widened. I almost screeched if not for the lips the suddenly brushed against mine! My knees wobbled, when I was pushed to the wall.

"There you are, I was looking everywhere for you..." he whispered near my bare ear. His warm breath was making me shudder.

"Theon..." I whispered, and I felt him smirk in the dark. Pero kahit gano'n para din akong nakahinga nang maluwag kasi nandito s'ya at ligtas. He wasn't sacrificed or anything! Nanghihina akong napayakap sa kanya bigla.

"Afraid?" he asked, and his hand travelled to the back of my head to caress it.

"Hindi na... nandito ka na eh," biro ko sa kanya, at natawa naman s'ya nang mahina.

"Are you with someone?" he questioned, and I nodded. Napabuntonghininga s'ya, pagkatapos mas hinila ako sa maliwag na lugar. He checked if I was fine, and when he saw some bruise, cuts, and bleeding wounds, he clenched his jaw.

"I'm okay." Inunahan ko na s'ya kasi siguradong hindi 'yon papayag na ganito ang hitsura ko ngayon. He removed his jacket, and helped me wear it. Nakasando lang kasi ako, he was now in his white bloody shirt.

"Sinong kasama mo?" Saktong dumating si Honoka at Rebel, at kaagad ngumiti si Theon no'ng makita sila.

"Hey, are you both okay?" The two nodded at Theon's query.

"We should go. You can take care of Amythee, Theon." Nag-apir lang si Theon at Rebel bago yumakap sa akin si Honoka.

"Mag-ingat kayo," paalala ko ro'n sa dalawa at tumango sila, bago kami tuluyang humiwalay sa kanila. Theon was holding my hand when we went out of that building and went to another street watching out for enemies.

"Kanina ka pa rito?" tanong ko kay Theon. He nodded and told me that he was looking for me too, but he couldn't find me anywhere. Wala s'ya no'ng parang map ni Rebel kaya siguro hindi rin alam kung saan pupunta para mahanap ako.

I explained the game about him. He nodded, not letting go of my hand. Naglalakad lang kami at naghahanap ng pwedeng pagtaguan o ng mga armas para sa magiging laban. I didn't know why but I couldn't brush off the feeling that something would happen fast, and we won't really know about it.

"Inaalala mo si Biblee?" biglang tanong ni Theon, habang nakatago kaming dalawa sa isang corner dahil may natanaw kaming naglalakad ulit na mga lalaking magkakasama na may mga armas at malalaking baril.

I nodded, and looked at those men.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Theon. If we wanted to have a good fight with the hunters. We needed those items. We needed to have something. Kaya naman mabilis kaming naghiwalay ni Theon at mabilis akong lumabas para gawin nilang target.

Theon moved secretly but rapidly. Kaya bago pa nila magamit ang mga baril, tumba na kaagad sila. They couldn't move nor fight back when Theon targeted their sensitive spots, that made them lose consciousness in an instant.

He smirked as his face was illuminated by the shining moon from above. I felt goosebumps because he seemed like a different person. He took the huge guns from them, and gave one to me. Kaagad kong sinuot 'yon sa balikat ko, at naglakad ulit kami.

We went to another area, and because of how huge this place was, we never even had the chance to meet anyone. They were probably on their own or in a group. I didn't know, I only wish for everyone to be safe.

Especially with this unsettling and dangerous feeling in the air.

Pumasok kami ni Theon sa isang abandonadong building na may basag-basag na bintana. Hanggang sa halos mapatalon ako sa kinatatayuan nang may bigla kaming narinig.

"All the targets are now in the arena." My eyes widened with the announcement from Isolde.

"The real game will commence in three, two, one..." And with those words, a loud gunshot or bomb echoed in the whole place with the signal that it was the start of hell. A short but terrifying hell that we would face.

Bumilis ang paghinga ko sa kaba. Lalong-lalo na no'ng naramdaman kong nagtaas ang mga balahibo ko sa braso sa hindi malamang dahilan. I held Theon's arms, shaking because of the sudden feeling in the atmosphere.

Hindi ko maipaliwanag. Sobrang halo-halo ang nararamdaman ko. Pero isa lang ang sigurado ko.

The smell of death was really in the ambiance! Damn!

Napaatras ako sa kinatatayuan. Hinila ko si Theon para tumakbo at magtago. Halos naninikip ang dibdib ko sa matinding kaba at takot na bumubuo ro'n. Theon was probably feeling the same intensity, too because of his cold hands.

We went to the inner part of the building and hid in the dark. Sa sobrang katahimikan, pakiramdam ko naririnig na rin ni Theon ang puso ko sa lakas ng pagtibok no'n. Hindi kami nagsalita parehas pero grabe 'yong tensyon sa buong lugar.

Hanggang sa nagulat kami no'ng bigla kaming may narinig.

"Let's finish this game in thirty minutes." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa kakaibang kilabot na hatid ng malalim na boses na 'yon.

It was Alas's voice! And that voice of innocence, although it sounded so pure. It was announcing a terror you could never imagine.

"And there will be uninvited guests in this game. You can hunt them, and we will hunt you." Napapikit ako nang mariin no'ng marinig ko ang boses ni Miracle na mukhang natatawa pa sa sinabi n'ya.

My heartbeat double because of the hidden meaning of those words. Halos pigil hininga kami ni Theon parehas nang pagkakataong 'yon. We were just frozen on our spots, even though the announcement was done.

Hindi ko alam kung ilan minuto kaming nabato ro'n. Basta walang tatalo sa matinding kabang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Matapos ang ilang sandali, naramdaman kong kumilos si Theon para hilahin ako patayo.

"Let's go." Napakunot-noo ako sa sinabi n'ya.

"What do you mean?" nalilitong salita ko sa kanya.

"We'll face them. If we are going to be hunted like preys, then let's fight and give our best?" Marahan akong napangiti nang sabihin n'ya 'yon. Hindi ko alam pero pakiramdam ko mas okay 'yong sinabi n'ya.

Gusto kong manalo. Gusto kong manalo sa larong 'to, kahit ang daming nagsasabi na hindi mangyayari 'yon, gusto ko pa rin.

"Let's do this," I murmured, and we both went out of that building planning in going to the center arena of this place.

Hindi ko alam kung iisa ba kami ng iniisip ko, kung alam na nilang mangyayari 'to pero pagkarating namin sa pinakagitnang building nagulat ako nang makita ko si Rebel at Honoka na naglalakad din papunta ro'n.

And my eyes widened when I saw Gabby who was dragging Pierce to go inside that centre building. Gabby even waved at me while laughing.

Kaming anim ang unang pumasok sa building na 'yon, at pagkatapak na pagkatapak namin sa lugar na 'yon, para may gravity bigla. It was like I was being pushed down to the floor because of the amount of heaviness and pressure in the air.

Halos manginig ang buong kalamnan ko sa kakaibang pakiramdam na mayroon sa loob no'n. Nauubusan ako ng hangin sa hindi malamang dahilan, at para akong kinukulong sa mga takot ko.

When I thought... I escaped that distorted night in my head, I suddenly felt the claws of the devil pulling me back.

I held Theon so tightly, as I felt my whole body shake because of the fear rising in my system. Napapikit ako nang mariin at natigil sa pagpasok sa building na 'yon dahil para akong mabibingi sa narinig ko sigaw.

The pleads that happened. The gunshot that I fired. The dead eyes of Silhoue. Her whispers that she was helping me while stabbing me. The terror I felt. It was all coming back at once! Kinakain ako, at hindi ko alam kung bakit nangyayari 'yon!

The pressure was too strong! I felt my eyes sting so bad! Halos nanginginig ako at napaluhod kung hindi ako nahawakan ni Theon. I held my head. It hurt so bad! Everything in my eyes were spinning, and were black and red!

"H-Help..." I begged almost breathless, and the stinging pain in my eyes result to tears.

Halos magmakaawa ako kay Theon, dahil sa matinding takot sa puso ko. Paulit-ulit 'yong mga tingin ni Miracle sa akin no'n. 'Yong ngiti n'ya habang sinasaksak ako. 'Yong mga tawa at sigaw no'ng Empress na nagpahirap sa amin...

"Why?!" I shouted so loud. I thought I managed to escape this nightmare! I thought I saw the light through the end of the tunnel?! Why was I being dragged back?!

"Aaaah!" I ringing and the sharp sounds of pain and cries echoed inside my ears! Gugustuhin ko na lang mabingi kaysa marinig 'yon. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. Para akong nakakulong ulit sa dilim.

Walang marinig—kung hindi mga pasakit. Walang makitang iba—kung hindi ang gabing 'yon!

"Shit, shit, shit! Amythee!" Theon's voice was muffled; I couldn't even see him. It was dark. I was out of it! I wanted the nightmare to stop, but it was out of my control! Parang hinihiwa ang buong katawan at loob-loob ko.

"Aaaah!" I shouted, begging, and beseeching for it to stop. It was a torture. It was nothing but a torture.

I wanted to wake up! But I couldn't! For the first time, I felt so hopeless!

Kung dati ayaw na ayaw kong makakaalis sa dilim na 'to kasi kahit masakit, gusto kong magbayad sa kasalanan ko kahit hindi ko alam 'yong buong pangyayari, pero ngayong nagkakalakas na ako para labanan 'to, bakit... pakiramdam ko talo na kaagad ako?

Bakit pakiramdam ko... kahit ano'ng takas ko hindi pwede? Bakit?! Bakit gano'n?!

"Please... wake me up... please... help me... Please..." halos mawalan ako nang boses sa pagmamakaawa pero walang tulong na dumating. I was there alone. In the dark. In the coldness. Habang pinapanuod nang paulit-ulit kung bakit bigla akong nakulong sa lugar na 'to.

This place was so unfamiliar. It was a cage like place. Unlike my nightmares before. The nightmares that would take me to that mansion, to that tears of the red moon, and to Miracle's empty eyes.

Pero ngayon... hindi ako... hindi 'yong bangungot ko ang nagkulong sa akin sa lugar na 'to.

I was suddenly grabbed by a demon... the moment I entered that place. The heavy gravity that was pulling me down. It was the reason why I was here in this place. Why I couldn't stop crying, why I couldn't hear or see anyone aside from this prison that was locking me in.

I stood up from the floor that was filled with blood. Sinuntok at hinampas ko nang ilang beses ang pader na gawa sa madilim at itim na tila usok. Kada hampas ko ro'n napapaupo ako. Marahan akong pinapatay sa sobrang bigat no'ng nararamdaman ko.

I wanted to open my eyes to what was really happening and not this trauma! I wanted to fight it! But it wasn't my mind that was causing this! It wasn't me who trapped myself inside this smoke of bane and torture!

I was pushed and incarcerated in this place by someone!

"Theon... please... help me. Biblee... please... anyone... please..." I was shaking in fear as I hugged myself. Hindi ko na alam ang nangyayari, pero hindi ako makaalis. Sa unang pagkakataon sa buhay ko wala akong makita kung hindi 'yong mga takot ko.

I was seeing the real thing that happened to Miracle and I. I was watching it in every corner of the smoke room. Kahit anong pikit ko, nakikita ko s'ya! Hindi ako makatakas! Hindi ako makawala! It wasn't my will that was shaking to fight this off!

The power and the aura that was confining me in here was too much! It was too strong and heavy!

Kaya pala... kaya pala gano'n ang sinabi ni Rebel... kaya pala sinabi n'ya na h'wag akong magtiwala sa kahit na sino. Na pati sarili ko hindi ako magagawang tulugan sa panahon na 'to.

Ngayon alam ko na 'yong bigat ng salita ni Rebel. He wasn't warning me to make me tremble. He wasn't kidding when he told me it was a losing game. He wasn't taking things lightly when he indirectly told me that what I would experience was beyond anything that had happened to me. And most of all...

He wasn't overestimating Alas.

Kinilabutan. Pinagpawisan. Nanlamig. At halos nawalan na ako nang hininga.

Alas.

The power he holds... it wasn't just the physical strength. No. It wasn't just the strategy, intelligence, and technique.

Now... I was experiencing what real defeat and what real fear felt like.

It wasn't seeing someone suffer because of you. It wasn't being dragged by your nightmares when something triggers it. It wasn't the helplessness that you'd one day see your family crumble. And it wasn't when you decided to give up...

It was... him.

It was him that I suddenly feared with everything in me.

Akala ko sa buong buhay ko, 'yong naranasan ko kasama si Miracle at 'yong akala kong namatay sina Nanay at Tatay sa laro ni Gabby 'yong tatakot at magbibigay sa akin ng sakit na ganito katindi. Hindi pala...

Because now... I discovered that real fear was nothing but Akakios Laurentius de Castelian.

Hindi ko man alam ang nangyayari sa buong paligid, dahil nakakulong ako sa bangungot na ginawa at pinaramdaman sa akin ni Alas... siguradong hindi lang ako ang nakakaramdaman ng ganito.

The reason why Theon couldn't help me at all in this situation was probably because of Alas, too. His aura. His pressure. His intensity.

Rebel was right... we were in for a losing game.

Napaluhod na lang ako na nanghihina sa mga tuhod ko sa gitna nang lugar na hatid ni Alas sa akin. The bloody floor, and the replaying nightmares were around. I closed my eyes while tears kept streaming. I only saw myself again shooting Miracle with a gun on my hand.

My head was pounding so hard. Sobrang sakit ng ulo at puso ko. Sumisigaw ako, pero walang boses na lumalabas sa lalamunan at bibig ko. I was heaving so hard, catching the remaining breath in me.

Wala na akong pag-asa. Walang-wala na. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman 'yong tunay na pagkatalo.

Ah... so this is what defeat feels like?

I thought you'd feel bitter, sad, and dow about it.

Pero ngayon alam ko na 'yong tunay na ibig sabihin no'n. Tumakas. At matapos. 'Yon na lang. 'Yon na lang ang gugustuhin mong maramdaman matapos mong maramdaman na talo ka na. Pagiging desperadong matalo... para matapos na.

Talo ka na nga sa laban.

Talo ka pa sa pinakaloob ng sistema at damdamamin mo.

How fucking cruel. How fucking terrifying. How fucking twisted.

Niyakap ko na lang ang sarili ko habang lumuluha at nakikita ang mga bagay na ayaw kong makita. Bigla ring dumugo ang palad ko. Hindi ako nakaramdam ng sakit o kahit ano.

Humihiling at gustong ko na lang tumakbo papalayo, pero hindi ko magawa. I was stuck. I was helpless, powerless, and defenseless.

Nanatili ako sa lugar na 'yon. Hindi ko alam ang nangyayari sa labas ng lugar na 'yon sa matinding takot, kaba, at bigat sa damdamin. Parang kada segundo may sumusuntok sa puso ko. Hindi ako makaalis sa pagkakaluhod.

Kasalanan din yata kapag ginawa kong tumayo. Ayoko nang madagdagan ang mga kasalanan ko. Ayaw ko nang sumuway sa lihim na ipinaparating ng awra na 'to. Kasi isang pagsaway pa, alam kong buhay ko na 'yong kapalit.

I just waited inside that fear, and nightmare I didn't create, and I could never escape. It was so agonizing... but there was really nothing that I could do but wait until the owner of this cage free me. Grabe lang. Hindi ko akalain na ganito si Alas.

I could never imagine that he was capable of this.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal sa loob no'n. Hindi ko rin alam ang nangyayari sa labas. Pero nang matapos ang halos ilang minuto—hindi hihigit sa trenta minutos. Bigla na lang nagkaliwanag ang mga mata ko.

My eyes widened when I saw everyone.

Everyone was here.

Kneeling on their knees.

We were in a circle. Magkakalayo mula sa isa't isa. Pero nakapabilog sa buong lugar, at sa baba no'ng lugar na parang entablado, makikita mo si Alas at Miracle na nakatayo sa may gitna. Miracle was sitting on her throne, smirking.

And Alas was standing with hands pocketed.

I looked at everyone. They looked so defeated. None of them were saying anything. It was dead quiet. Nakaluhod. Pati si Law at Harper. Nakaluhod hawak-hawak ang sirang espada at naginata nila. Their head were bowing down. They were both dripping with bloods.

Sina Honoka, Rebel, Justice, at Luna... nakaluhod din, at nakatungo. Kagaya nina Harper at Law pare-parehas silang duguan, animo'y nakipaglaban din pero walang nagawa. All of them looked so defeated.

Gabby, Pierce, Thorn, Katniss, Art, and Caerus were all kneling down with bowing heads. They all looked quiet, serious, and their faces screamed terror. Hindi humihinga o gumagalaw sa pwesto nila. Kilabot at kakaibang takot na naman ang gumapang sa buong pagkatao.

Sloane, Cleon, Akira at Biblee... tahimik, walang galaw, at mga may bahid ng pagkakatalo sa labanan dahil sa mga dumudugong sugat. Nakaluhod din silang lahat at patay ang ekspresyon sa mukha. Higit pa sa ekspresyon ng pagkatalo ang nakikita ko sa kanila.

I looked at my side, and I saw Theon... with a blade on his hand... and it ws dripping with blood.

Kakaibang kabog sa puso ko ang kumain sa akin. Ano'ng nangyari? Bakit kami nakapaikot sa buong lugar at nakaluhod. Bakit mukha silang namatayan lahat at takot na takot? I looked down again, and Alas was standing looking at us critically.

His face's expression was blank. And his eyes were screaming a killing intent.

Do'n pa lang alam mo na kaagad nakaluhod kami lahat, hindi dahil ginusto namin, pero dahil 'yon ang nararamdaman namin na kailangan gawin para makaalis ng buhay sa lugar na 'to.

I grunted, and hissed because of the pain I was feeling.

The painful cut on the side... of my stomach, and arms? And my one palm was bleeding, too. Napatitig ako sa sarili, muntik nang matumba sa pagkakaluhod dahil no'n ko lang naramdaman ang sakit mula sa katawan. The pressure almost made me want to bury myself instead.

Hindi ko magawang tingnan ng diretso si Miracle and Alas.

I cowered in apprehension because of the aura from Alas. 'Yon pa lang mararamdaman mo, gugustuhin mo na lang mahimatay kaysa manatiling nararamdaman 'yon. Wala naman s'yang sinasabi o pinapahiwatig na kahit ano. Pero takot na takot ako para sa buhay ako.

Nanginginig ang buong katawan ko! Nangangatal ako! Ano'ng nangyari?! Bakit humatong sa ganito ang lahat?!

We were the targets, and they were the hunters, right? But we went to their den to show them we could try and defeat them together with one heart and mind. It was all in vain. Because the moment we stepped on this place, we were all doomed.

Pumikit ako nang mariin. Walang ibang maramdaman kung hindi kakaibang sindak.

Ni awa, pag-aalala, o bigat... hindi ko maramdaman. Takot lang talaga. 'Yon lang.

Hindi ko akalain na posible 'yon. Pakiramdam ko hinding-hindi ko na makikita si Alas na katulad ng dati, hinding-hindi ko na magagawang kiligin sa tawa o ngiti n'ya, hinding-hindi ko na makikita 'yong kinang sa mga mata n'ya.

He was now nothing but a fear incarnate in my soul, heart, and mind. He was a living nightmare.

"Now... this is called game over, right?" Miracle suddenly voiced out laughingly in the midst of all the tension. I felt goosebumps and electricity all throughout my body.

Everyone, including me nodded with bowing heads.

"We accept... utter defeat," Law declared with a full low tone. Napalunok ako kasi 'yong kataas-taasan sa amin ang umamin no'n.

While I was bowing... I heard Alas's chuckle. It was so soft. It was so baby-like. But... it made me shudder more. Halos matumba na ako sa pagkakaluhod sa matinding panginginig at takot sa kanya. Naiiyak ako sa matinding takot.

"That was a good game," Alas mentioned, he was probably smiling. I couldn't even look at him.

"And now, you are all going to start training under us to be able to defeat the Senses. You understand?" The heels of Miracle clicked on the floor. Sumilip ako nang kaunti kung nasaan sila. I saw Miracle walking to Alas.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hindi apektado si Miracle no'ng nararamdaman namin. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Halos umiyak at magmakaawa na kami sa sobrang pressure, pero s'ya... masaya pa.

"And congratulations... you would only need to crush... four senses. For one was already... dead."

The moment Alas mentioned that, my eyes automatically widened, and when he released another aura that made me groan in pain. A scene replayed in my head, as the I saw the corpse of one Senses in front of Miracle and Alas.

At parang no'n lang luminaw ang lahat sa akin...

Ang dami... ang daming katawan at dumadanak ang dugo mula mga hagdan pababa sa entablado kung nasaan si Alas at Miracle. Napapalibutan sila ng mga taong walang malay at umaagos na dugo, pero ngayon ko lang nakita... dahil sa matinding presensya ni Alas, na hindi ko magawang makapag-isip ng mga nakikita o nangyayari sa paligid dahil sa kanya.

That was when things replayed inside my head.

When I blacked out. Theon carried me on his arms up to this huge floor. He was nervous, and was worried about me. Inilagay n'ya ako sa isang tabi at pilit na nagmakaawa para magising ako mula sa pag-iyak at pagkakatulala.

"Love... please... Amythee... wake up, wake up, I love you. I love you so much." Niyakap n'ya ako at nagmakaawa s'ya sa akin, pero hindi ako nagising. Hindi n'ya maintindihan ang nangyayari. Pero kita ko 'yong takot sa mga mata n'ya.

Hanggang sa naramdaman n'ya 'yong killing intent ni Alas. Natigilan s'ya, hindi makahinga. Sa isang iglap. Nakaluhod na s'ya nanginginig. Nakatingin kung nasaan si Alas at Miracle. Sa gitna at baba no'ng lugar.

Theon gulped and trembled. Wanted to fight the strong pressure that was weighing him down, but couldn't do it. He was trying, but it was useless. He couldn't deny that he was being drowned by fear and helplessness, too.

Nagdatingan din ang iba at kagaya ko at ni Theon, unang apak pa lang nila sa palapag, wala na. Iba na 'yong mga hitsura nila. They all looked like they were going in a war, but when they saw the scale of the war, they were utterly on their knees, begging for their lives.

Maging ang mga Crown walang magawa. Natigilan sila lahat sa kinatatayuan. Hindi makakilos, hindi alam ang gagawin. Alas was down there with Miracle. Naghihintay na lumapit sila sa kanya, pero hindi namin magawa.

It was just you'd rather choose your death, at least you could control it in your own way, not the way Alas would control your demise.

Pinanghinaan na kaagad sila, wala na kaagad magawa. Hanggang sa biglang may mga sumisigaw na mga taong ang dumating. 'Yong mga naglalakad na may mga armas, biglang silang sumugod sa amin, pero isang snap lang mula sa mga daliri ni Alas, natigilan silang lahat.

They were on their knees. They were all trembling. Niisa wala kang makikita na makakatayo o makakalaban.

Miracle stood up and held Alas's hand, and suddenly the air became lighter. May binulong si Mircle, at natawa si Alas.

That was when every man who were enemies, started back on their feet to fight everyone. Kahit papaano nakakilos sina Theon at ang iba sa amin. They managed to fight. Gamit ang machine gun, Theon' targeted non-vital spots of the people who tried to harm me, or went near me.

He fought off everyone with brute force, and unbelievable determination. Kita ko sa mga mata n'ya 'yong kakaibang apoy. At matitigil s'ya sa paglaban, kapag bigla akong magsasalita ng pagmamakaawa, at kapag sisigaw ako.

Dahil do'n nauungusan s'ya ng mga kalaban. Pero wala s'yang tigil. Lahat ng lalapit sa akin, tumatalbog, lahat ng mga nagtatakang barilin ko, bigla na lang napapapunta sa sahig. Biblee helped Theon with Akira to fight off adversaries, while I was in my blackout.

Kita ko kung paano naging madugo ang lahat. 'Yong kislap sa mga mata nila sobrang kakaiba. Walang alinlangan ang pakikipaglaban nila. Akira was fighting those who were coming in his way with brutality. He was making them paralyzed, and impaling their eyes.

Biblee was not minding if she was hitting and shooting people who were targeting me and her on their critical spots. Most of them became unconscious, and will never be able to fight back anymore. Kita mong kaya nilang pumatay, pero may pumipigil pa rin. It was probably me... because I was begging and crying.

Kung hindi siguro ako nag-blackout sa matinding pressure, siguradong hindi hahantong sa ganito. They were probably careful of showing me their ruthless side, because it might deepen the blackout and trauma that was happening at the moment.

Halos malaglag ang mga kalaban patungo sa baba kung nasaan sina Miracle dahil sa tindi ng labanang nagaganap. Lahat may kalaban, lahat kahit halos lumuhod na sa nararamdamang intensity at aura, kinakaya pa rin.

Everyone was bloody, brutal, and merciless.

Law, and Harper went down to Miracle and Alas, after being bathed by blood of the enemies.

Alas went to Miracle when he saw those two planning something. Miracle chuckled, but she just went back to the throne, and Alas just shrugged and pocketed his hands waiting for Law and Harper.

I thought an intense battle would commence. But I was wrong.

Halos paikutin ni Harper ang naginatang hawak n'ya at si Law nilalaro ang espadang hawak sa mga kamay. Hanggang sa bigla na lang silang sabay na sumugod kay Alas sa magkabilang side nito. I thought Alas would evade those powerful forces.

But no. He just moved his one hand out of the pocket, and put his forefinger on his lips as a sign of hush. And I saw a little smirk on his face.

Mas lalo akong natakot dahil do'n, kasi awtomatikong tumigil si Harper at Law sa pag-atake.

They were suddenly on their knees.

Not just them!

But everyone was suddenly on their knees!

Kahit 'yong mga kalaban! Parang bumagsak bigla ang lahat! Parang tumigil ang oras! Kilabot! Sa loob man o sa labas ng pagkakakulong ko, sabay na kilabot ang naramdaman ko!

Alas walked to Harper and took her naginata. She looked so angry, but her face suddenly turned pale because of Alas's aura. Alas inspected her naginata, and playfully put it on Harper's neck! Lahat hindi huminga sa pagkakataong 'yon.

Law managed to stand up despite of the strong aura we were feeling. He was the only one was was able to do it! Everyone was watching them. And they all looked so helpless with what was happening. Napaiwas sila ng tingin. Everyone knew it was going to be an utter failure.

Law tried to slash Alas. Pero hindi man nakatingin si Alas, at nakapamulsa pa rin ang isang kamay, gamit ang naginata ni Harper, naputol ang blade ng espada na hawak ni Law. Nanlaki ang mga ni Law mata sa takot sa ipinakitang lakas ni Alas!

Alas, using Harper's naginata, cut a sturdy sword cleanly in half—in one sweep!

Hindi man lang s'ya hinarap ni Alas... hindi man lang s'ya tingnan pero alam ni Law na wala na s'yang laban.

He slowly dropped on his knees. Couldn't believed the first ever one-sided downfall he experienced!

May sinabi si Alas kay Law at Harper, at sa unang pagkakataon nakita ko na sumuko 'yong dalawa. Katulad ng naramdaman kong pagkatalo.

That was the moment they finally realized what real fear felt like... and what fear looked like.

Dahil sa nangyari kay Law at Harper wala nang nagtangka na lumapit at makipaglaban kay Alas.

They all focused on defeating the enemies that were down on their knees, when Alas's aura was toned down for the fight to continue.

At nang pagkakataong 'yon...

May biglang dumating. Dalawa 'yong dumating.

At do'n ko nakita ang panlalamig sa mga mata ni Biblee at Theon. Parang tinakasan ng kaluluwa 'yong dalawa.

Biblee was the first to move, she suddenly targeted Alain, and Alain was so happy to see Biblee. It was one of the Senses. Thou shalt not speak. The X on his mouth was unbelievably fearsome, but Biblee was not backing down.

She fought him in a sword fight. Akira helped Biblee immediately when he saw that others wanted to attack Biblee while she was fighting Alain. They worked effectively like a team, but Alain was stronger than they could imagine.

Halos matamaan si Akira at Biblee sa mga galaw nito. Sobrang intense ng mga pangyayari at mga kilos nila. Magugulat ka sa bilis at magiging pigil hininga ang lahat sa ipinapamalas nila. They were monsters in fight and combat.

Hanggang kinalaban ni Theon si Donovan. Thou shalt not touch. Donovan's hand of weapons showed and he used it against Theon. I saw how Theon suddenly looked like so determined than you could ever see him.

He was the one who moved forward and continued to attack Donovan nonstop.

Unang beses.

Unang beses kong nakita si Theon na ibang-iba ang awra. He was surrounded by a dark aura. Kita ko rin kay Donovan ang matinding gulat. Hindi n'ya akalain na maaring gano'n kalakas, at katindi makipaglaban si Theon.

He was fascinated to see the Morbelque side of Theon.

"The Morbelque! The real Morbelque!" Donovan shouted with an evilish laugh.

Theon's eyes darkened, and his moves, and fights made Donovan bleed and flustered. Hindi s'ya makapaniwala sa mga nasasaksihan. Para s'yang baliw katatawa dahil sa ipinapakitang lakas at determinasyon ni Theon.

However... Donovan was part of the Senses. Theon received too much damage from him while they were fighting. He was struggling with Donovan who was so used to fighting and who was ruthlessly cruel.

Halos gumapang na si Theon sa harap ni Donovan, para kalabanin 'to. Inapakan pa ni Donovan ang kamay ni Theon. He shouted in pain, and was trying so hard to overcome the challenge. But Donovan's eyes drifted to me.

"Oh... my... little... doll... is... crying... again," Donovan stated those words creepily, as he stepped towards me with a macabre smile.

He went near me, he touched my face. I shouted trembling, not because of him, but because of what was happening inside my blackout. He thought it was because of him. He became more excited with my screams.

He almost touched my lips and wiped my tears, but Theon came while shouting, and with bleeding lips and mouth. Nahawakan at naibalibag n'ya si Donovan nang sobrang lakas. Pero mukhang mas ginanahan lang si Donovan sa mga nangyayari.

He immediately got up, and crushed Theon on the floor again. Sinakal n'ya si Theon, at halos mawalan na ng hininga si Theon, pero nagawa n'ya 'tong masuntok. Halos tumalbog si Donovan, at dumugo ang labi n'ya.

Sumugod ulit si Theon sa kanya, pero nagawa ni Donovan na barilin si Theon sa may bandang braso. Theon dropped on the floor because of it. And Donovan took advantage of the predicament, and went to me.

Lumabas ang isang blade mula sa kamay n'ya. He suddenly cut me in the stomach, and I bled. He smiled at me, while touching my face. "Hello, my little doll... did you miss me?" he laughed like a mad person when I stared at him in emptiness.

Nahiwa rin ako ng blade na mula sa kamay n'ya no'ng hawakan n'ya ako sa braso. He was conversing with me.

He looked so obsessed with me, and if I wasn't locked up in a cage. I would really kill this man with my own hands.

Nandidiri at natatakot ako sa tingin at ginagawa n'ya sa akin.

Tinggal n'ya 'yong mga armas sa kamay n'ya dahil dumudugo ang braso at tyan ko dahil do'n. He caressed my face and played with my hair. Halos ilapit n'ya ang mukha sa mukha ko, at muntik nang magdikit ang mga labi naming dalawa kung hindi lang dahil sa biglang pagkakasuntok ni Donovan papalayo sa akin.

I saw Theon's face looking so desparate. He held my face and wiped my tears.

Bugbog-sarado na ang hitsura n'ya pero ramdam na ramdam ko 'yong nagdidilim na awra n'ya. His eyes were soft looking at me. But the moment his eyes left mine. I knew Donovan was going to be doomed.

Kaagad s'yang sumugod kay Donovan. Pinaibabawan n'ya 'yon at pinagsusuntok nang walang awa. Donovan was laughing hysterically at Theon. "I touched your little Amythee... oh no, I touched my little doll!"

"Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!" Theon gritted with anger, and he continued to punch Donovan without mercy. Hindi mo na makikilalang si Donovan 'yon dahil sa duguang mukha dahil sa mga suntok ni Theon.

"Let me kiss my little doll!" naghi-hysterical na sigaw ni Donovan. Pagkatapos biglang gumati ng suntok kay Theon. He managed to change their positions. Sinuntok n'ya si Theon nang sunod-sunod sa magkabilang pisngi.

"Watch me, Morbelque! Watch me... make your Amythee become my little doll!" At kaagad ginamit ni Donovan ang blade na lumabas sa mismong mga daliri n'ya at sinaksak 'yon kay Theon nang walang awa.

Theon coughed blood, and his breathing almost... stopped.

Halos pumikit-pikit na 'to habang pinagmamasdan ang mga paa ni Donovan papalapit sa akin.

"Not... my... Hope... you fucking bastard!" Theon whispered in full eyes of a demon.

Donovan's back was on Theon so he didn't know how Theon struggled to get up holding his bleeding stomach to walk while stumbling just to save me from the hands of Donovan. Donovan managed to hold me again.

I felt his breath on my ear, and how he slowly licked it down to my neck.

Hindi ko alam ang ginawa at nangyari sa akin. Basta ang alam ko, hinawakan ko 'yong patalim o parang kutsilyo ni Donovan, hanggang sa matanggal ko 'yon sa daliri n'ya.

I saw the pain in his eyes, while I was staring at him blankly. My hand bleeding, but it never stung.

And Donovan was grabbed by Theon, and Theon's eyes were full black in my vision. And he took the blade that I got from Donovan, not caring if it made his hand and palm bled. I grabbed the top of his hand, and he didn't stop me.

He slowly and impaled Donovan's hand with his own blade. I held Theon's hand tightly. Not knowing what was really happening, but maybe my unconscious self wanted to kill Donovan with my own hands because of what he did to me.

Theon's eyes were too dark. He was so mad. So mad. That he ruthlessly stabbed Donovan's stomach, and arms without stopping, without blinking. Consecutive pierces of the blade cut deep in Donovan's body and it was making Theon's palm bleed, too, while my hand was holding his hand.

Tumalsik-talsik ang dugo sa mukha at katawan naming dalawa pero wala kaming pakialam. At patuloy lang sa walang-awa at pag-aalinlangang pagsaksak.

Hanggang sa... hindi na makatawa o makaimik si Donovan.

Maybe it was because I knew he was dead with those stabs, I removed my hands from Theon's hand and sat like a lifeless marionette staring at the perished bloody body of Donovan, while Theon was still stabbing the life out of him.

All... I knew was that... I was smirking witnessing all of it with a blank face and eyes.

Theon took one last pierce in his heart as he twisted the blade, with eyes of satisfaction, and a contented smile painted on his face... when he saw Donovan lifeless in his hands.

Hindi ko na alam ang kasunod na nangyari pagkatapos no'n. Basta ang alam ko nando'n na kami sa bilog at nakaluhod kay Alas at Miracle habang tinitingan sila sa baba ng entablado.

Then I looked at Theon on my side, instead of looking so defeated because we lost the game—we lost the Wheel of Danger and its core room.

His face's emotions looked so different from everyone's defeated expressions. He might be afraid because of Alas's aura but...

He was smirking...

Smirking with dark eyes, while looking at the blade on his hands.

Then, I discovered what really happened in this game.

In this losing game... there was only one victor.

That was when I realized...

A demon was finally out in its glorious cage with terrifying eyes of evil... that night in the core room.

A real Morbelque was born—no, a real Morbelque was at last... awakened from its sleeping ashes.

***