#TCS85: Death Explosion

Solstice Snow's POV

When the clock struck at precisely the time where we needed to fight again, we gathered first in the living room of the place. Everyone was already there when Justice, Luna, Cleon and I arrived. We just moved out of the room from where First called through the monitors.

"Change of plans," Justice mentioned while putting both his hands in his pockets.

Everyone looked at each other with a knotted forehead. They looked a little confused with why Justice suddenly said those words. It was suddenly filled with murmurs, and it was only halted when Luna cleared her throat.

"First told us about the situation in the morning, and they managed to find that the Senses were communicating with a powerful gang in the underground city, thus the nonstop pour of the enemies in the Empire." May ilang napalunok dahil sa diretsang sinabi ni Luna.

"They are in connection with the Grim Monarch, which was the Empire's enemy way before when the Mortem wasn't erased in the history yet. Now, there are casualties in the morning because of this force..." dagdag naman ni Cleon. I sighed because it was so heavy.

The students who we were seeing... the commoners who were once trying to befriend us because they knew the feeling of being the in lowest rank, and being the easiest prey. Ilan sa kanila 'yong nasawi kahit gusto lang naman nila maging malakas at mag-aral sa lugar na 'to.

It pained me in the heart. Why... why was it happening? Why were innocent people shedding blood?

"Now, First wanted to stop this madness and bloodshed in a snap. He didn't want to prolong it. It's an eye for an eye. They killed innocent students, First will strike back at them. And we are going to follow his instruction," Justice added with eyes looking so serious.

The tension rose in the air. Everyone was suddenly feeling the cold chills that Justice was trying to convey. The heartbreaking news that broke our hearts that made us feel down was erased in the blink of an eye, because of Justice's authority.

"Yvo, Nicasia, Caerus, and Sven are going to do the intel." Their eyes widened, especially Akira and Harper who were supposed to do it. But they kept their mouth shut with an intense focus of listening to the directives.

"Caerus and Sven are going to team up for the instructions inside the Empire. Caerus mainly the coordinates, enemies, attacks, and what's going on. While Sven will focus on protecting, inspection, explosions, and situations about the enemies." Napatango-tango kaagad sila sa sinabi ko.

"Yvo and Nicasia are going to instruct you about the attack we are going to commence tonight at the headquarters of the Senses outside of the school," I added straightforwardly, and I saw surprise in their eyes, and how their jaw hanged open a little.

"We are leaving the school premises?" kunot-noong tanong ni Art.

"Not everyone but some of you," mabilis na sagot naman ni Cleon.

"Sino-sino?" pagtatanong naman ni Honoka sa amin.

"Harper, Art, Biblee, Cleon, Katniss, and Rebel are all going out to the headquarters of the Senses to do the raid. This is a dangerous one, so please tell me if you are not up for it..." walang pasakalye na pahayag ni Luna habang nakatitig sa napakaseryosong paraan sa kanilang lahat.

"The rest—Theon, Akira, Honoka, Amythee, Pierce, Thorn, Justice, Sloane, Kalix—and me are all staying in here to protect the students and to fight those adversaries in the Empire," Luna added seriously and everyone nodded.

"I have no problem with it," matapang na sagot ni Art at nagkibit-balikat.

"Me too! I'm in!" Katniss remarked excitedly.

"The Senses are going to be present in our raid? Or in that location?" Harper questioned critically.

"Most probably," answered Cleon with a sigh.

"Then that's good. I'm set in doing the raid," nakangisi at taas noong pahayag ni Harper sa amin. The aura she was carrying was not just about confidence, but also about skill.

"Any concerns?" I queried curiously, nakita ko naman sa mga mata ni Ate ang pag-aalala. I smiled at her and winked. There was no need to worry about me. Ako pa ba? Si Biblee 'to.

Lalaban ako ng patayan at pagkabuhay sa hukay lalong-lalo na hindi pa kami kasal ni my loves Akira ko, ano. Hindi mapipigilan 'yon ng kahit anong organization at pati na rin ng Senses.

Sila ibaon ko, eh. Patay na patay nga ako kay Akira, 'tapos idededo nila ako. Ilubog ko sila sa lupa, eh.

Nang walang magsalita tungkol sa pagtatanong at concerns nila, tumango na lang kaming apat nina Luna, Justice, at Cleon. Pagkatapos nagpaliwanag din kami nang ilang mangyayari ngayong gabi at kung ano ang dapat nilang i-expect saka-sakali.

When we were done, I went to Ate to hug her.

"Ingat ka, Ate, ha," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Ikaw ang mag-ingat kasi ikaw ang pupunta sa lugar ng mga kalaban ano," nakasimagot n'ya sabi sa akin. Natawa naman ako ro'n at saka ko itinaas ang noo ko sa kanya.

"Ano ka ba Ate, hindi mahirap 'yan. Mas marami pa akong hirap na kinaharap ano," I told her while crossing my arms and pouting. Her brows met in a thin line because of confusion with my words. I flipped my hair at her.

"Mas mahirap ligawan si Akira kaysa makipaglaban—" Hindi ko na natapos 'yong sinasabi ko dahil bigla na lang may humawak na palad sa noo ko at hinila ako paatas na parang papalapit sa may dibdib n'ya.

"Ingay, baka mahuli kayo sa raid sa pagiging maingay mo." The moment I heard his voice and felt his warmth, I already knew who he was.

"Don't worry about this rabbit, worry about those enemies whose ears will bleed because of her." He laughed softly after uttering it, I almost punched him if he wasn't holding my forehead with one hand like he was hugging me from the back using it.

Tumango naman si Ate na mas parang naniwala pa kay Akira habang tatawa-tawa.

I was about to protest. Sinisiraan talaga ako nitong bibi loves ko eh! Palagi na lang. I put both on my hands on my waist, and turned to face him. And I was taken aback when he was looking at me with nothing but seriousness and dark eyes.

Napalunok tuloy ako saglit. Akala ko kasi ngiting tagumpay ang sasalubong sa akin, kasi naasar na naman n'ya ako eh.

I sighed and went to hug him instead of punching him. I felt him rested his chin on my head before circling his arms around me. I smiled automatically when I felt him tightened the hug, and kissed the top of my head.

"Lakas magsabi na h'wag mag-alala kay Ate, 'tapos s'ya naman 'yong mas nag-aalala." I chuckled at him, and he also did the same. Not denying it, and not breaking the hug. I could hear his heart beating so fast.

Oh, ha! Dahil sa akin kaya ganyan 'yan. Iba talaga epekto ko! Haba ng buhok ko. Crush ko lang dati, ngayon gusto na akong asawahin! Iba talaga nagagawa ng dugong Biblee Evans-Yoon. Lakas ng kamandag! Rawr!

"Don't be stubborn, and make sure you'll be safe..." he whispered near my ear, and I nodded at him.

"Hmm, ikaw rin ha? Sasabunutan ko talaga, kahit kalbo pa, kapag ikaw ang may galos mamaya!" I threatened while smiling widely, and I heard him chukled. Mas nagsumiksik s'ya sa may leeg ko at natawa ako.

"Return to me in one piece," he added sincerely.

"Dapat may regalo ako ha," sagot ko sa kanya. Kahit hindi ko kita ang mukha n'ya dahil nakayakap kami sa isa't isa alam ko na kaagad na nakakunot-noo si Akira sa sinabi ko, pero paniguradong may pilyong ngisi sa labi.

"And what gift?" he murmured curiously.

"Kiss ko," tawa ko sa kanya, kaya naman bigla na lang s'yang napahiwalay sa akin at mabilis na pinitik ang noo ko.

"Aray!" reklamo ko sa kanya at hinawakan 'yong noo ko! Grabe! Ang sakit! Para akong nauntog sa pader! Baka mawala 'yong mga stored information ko rito! Dami pa naman n'yang mga cute moments n'ya do'n, ano ba 'yan!

"Sus, pipitik-pitik pa, eh, pabor na pabor naman 'yon sa 'yo, ikaw pa nagturo sa akin paano humalik—" His eyes widened but soon smirked as he suddenly gave me a peck on lips, not caring about the eyes that might be watching us.

"Shut up," he mentioned with a playful smirk.

"Pabor din sa akin na mag-ingay kapag ganyan nakukuha ko ano! Pati mga picture ko, tuwang-tuwa ka eh—" He grabbed the small of my back to pull me closer to him, and gave me another smack while shaking his head.

"Please take care," he said with eyes sparkling in calmness, and I was hypnotized. Napatango-tango na lang ako sa kanya.

"Oh, my royals! This room is full of laggam na! We are in a war, you know! Let's go, people! Stop being malandi!" Sabay kaming napatingin ni Akira sa isang banda at nando'n na si Harper malapit sa pinto at naka-cross arms.

I looked around, and some of us were not talking about the mission but instead with their partners. I chuckled, and I saw Rebel not minding what Harper said, and he was giving Honoka feathery kisses on her cheeks and face.

"Wala lang si Law, eh," tawa ni Cleon kay Harper.

"Tss! I'll make wala and bura you to the world, you want?!" asar na tugon ni Harper at tinutukan ng naginata na dala n'ya si Cleon.

"Chill, duchess." Sloane was the one who suddenly went in front of Cleon to face the naginata.

"Guys, let's go. It's time. Let's not waste it," Pierce mentioned in a serene tone. And we all nodded as we started to go out with brave hearts and one mind.

Law and Gabby haven't returned yet after what happened. My mind was a blur at that moment because all I could remember was how scary Gabby was when she suddenly faced Gretta, and Law's authority.

I couldn't afford to think back in those moments because it would only give me chills and we had a lot to face afterwards. Kaya naman mas do'n na lang sa mga mangyayari ngayon ang kailangan namin isipin at saka na lang balikan ang lahat kapag tapos na kami.

We waved one last farewell to everyone and the rest of us who were going to the raid went to the van prepared for us.

Sumakay ako ro'n at katabi ko si Rebel at Art. Pinaggigitnaan nila akong dalawa at katapatan namin si Harper, Katniss at Cleon. The moment we were in, the van started to travel, and there was a mini table in front of us.

Then we all heard a beep.

"Yvo connecting." We all heard in our earpiece, and even saw Yvo in our contact lenses.

He was at the monitor room with a Nicasia who was chewing a bubble gum and trying to fix the monitors and tech equipments near her.

When she was done, she blew the bubble gum, and looked at us with eyes smiling. I felt the creeping feeling in my skin because although Nicasia looked so playful she seemed so different.

She gave off that powerful but mysterious aura around her. Definitely, the twisted Crown. I heard that she was the reason why the Hierarchy was devious and flourishing at the same time. Those weird and death defying games in there were all her idea, and her creation.

"Nicasia, at your service," she mentioned with a chuckle.

"What's the plan?" Harper asked in a calm but eager tone. She looked so fiery today because she had always wanted to wrap a hand on the neck of the Senses.

"There will be an army and people whom you'd face at the place. It is like an old hospital building." We listened to Yvo's voice. Grabe! Ganda ng boses, 'yong tipong papakinggan mo talagang maigi at susundin lahat ng sasabihin n'ya.

And he was not just about authority, he was really about intel.

"Katniss, Harper and Rebel are going to the front to be baits," Nicasia popped in while trying to look at things on her monitor, and then a scene was showed in our eyes from the lenses.

"It should be high class baits, please," maarteng sabat ni Harper kaya nagkatawanan kami saglit.

Pagkatapos ipinakita sa amin ang lugar kung saan kami pupunta.

It was dark, and there were like a drums of fire in front of the building and gates. Para nga s'yang dating hospital na hindi na ginagamit. 'Tapos sa pader na nakapaligid sa building na 'yon, may mga parang maliliit na bahay kung saan may mga hitman, at mga tila delikadong mga lalaki na may mga machine gun.

Damn, we were really going to their den, huh? Makes me excited but nervous at the same time.

May ilan din na naglalakad sa paligid. My forehead automatically knotted because it was like they were in a military kind of thing because the way they were walking was so calculated and specific. Halata mong dahil sa higpit ng seguridad nila medyo mahirap makapasok, at halos imposible na rin kung wala kang plano.

"Harper, Katniss and Rebel are all destructive and flashy, they will get the attention of those who are patrolling and their alert system. You will be helped by some gangs under Saint, and Kalix. They are already there waiting for you," napatango-tango naman kaming lahat sa sinabi ni Yvo sa amin.

Nicasia started giving us the proximity and coordinates of the place. Everyone was eerily silent listening to her. It was so detailed, and she was even pointing out through the monitor about the place, so all of us would be familiarized.

'Yong tipong may mangyari man na wala sa plano, alam namin kung saan kami pupunta para maging ligtas kami.

"Art, Biblee, and Cleon will take the chance of getting in through their west gate. You will only have one to five minutes to enter, because they will soon replace those who will go to fight Rebel, Katniss and Harper," Nicasia informed us earnestly.

"You will need to climb through their walls. Dapat makababa at makaayat kayo sa loob ng trenta segundo, lalo na may automatic alert system sila na umiilaw kapag nakita kayo sa spotlight na umiikot sa buong lugar," Yvo added with a smirk and while nodding.

Ipinakita kaagad n'ya 'yong simulation sa pagpasok namin sa loob. Parang kulungan 'yong lugar may malaki at bilog na ilaw ang umiikot sa paligid at may mga lugar ang sniper at hitman at siguradong patay ka kaagad kapag nailawan ka no'n.

Marami pa namang tao sa lugar na 'to kaya't hindi imposible na mahuli ka kapag hindi mo inayos at sineryoso ang mga time limit na ibibigay sa 'yo.

Yvo showed us the map and the markers he put on where we'd go after entering discreetly in the place.

"You need to enter this building." At ipinakita n'ya 'yong building na kailangan namin pasukin. It was like a small building that was connected to the huge hospital like main building. Napatango naman kami kaagad.

"From that room there will be a ventilation pathway. You will need to crawl in there to go inside the main building, and that's where you will follow this path." Ipinakita sa amin ni Yvo 'yong simulation ng marker sa may map ng buong lugar.

"Saan kami pupunta?" tanong ko.

"Now that's a good question." Yvo snapped his fingers together, and pointed out the red dot on the map.

"This is the fan on the hallway the electric and system room. This is where you need to go. You need to make this room explode." My eyes widened because of their detailed plan. Kinilabutan ako.

So... this is the real Crowns, huh?

"Boom! Make the core room explode, and their system will shut down, and their electricity will be cut," Nicasia added in a playful tone, and even mimicked and gestured a bomb explosion.

"However, this room is heavily guarded, and also have a high technology security. So, you need to target those who are in the different hallways near the room quietly from different angles of the ventilation."

"Cool!" Katniss exclaimed with a smirk.

"I am still working on the process of unlocking that room. You need a whole hand print of someone who have access in that room," Yvo mentioned to us, and our forehead knotted. Damn, what a security, huh?

"Katniss, Harper, and Rebel are going to be tasked for this. You need this man." Kaagad lumabas sa screen mula sa lenses namin ang isang lalaki, pagkatapos may isa pa ulit, at isa pa. Tatlo sila. Mukhang sobrang lilinis at hindi kagaya no'ng malalaki at maraming tattoo'ng mga tao na nakikita namin.

They all looked like they were professors or some kind business men.

"This man will be the boss of the snipers. He would be in the main house of the hitmen." Ipinakita ulit ni Yvo ang unang picture. "Make sure to get the handprint of this man and we'd pass this handprint to Biblee's team."

"Time limit?" Rebel licked his lower lip, and his eyes were too dangerous and in the darker shade of gray.

"Maximum of twenty-five minutes, since Biblee's team will have a long way to go to this room."

"That'll be plenty, right, Harper?" Binalingan ni Rebel si Harper at kaagad namang tumango 'to sa kanya.

"Yeah, I'll make sure, I'll be the one to get it. Don't be extra, Rebel, huh? This is my mission," maarteng saad ni Harper. Rebel smirked while nodding.

"All yours," Rebel mentioned nonchalantly.

"I can help, too!" Katniss cheerfully volunteered.

"You can deal with all the nasty flies out there. You love bloodshed, right?" Harper told Katniss with a smirk.

"Sure... bloody fight. I'm in!" masayang sagot ni Katniss.

Nakakaloka talaga 'tong si Katniss! Sobrang inosente ng mukha, pero sobrang brutal naman sa labanan! Talagang papatay kung papatay! Sobrang galing pa sa swords, at mga kutsilyo! My gosh! Pati mata nag-iiba ng kislap kapag gano'n!

"The next handprint that we'll need is this one..." Nicasia declared, and the picture was changed to the next one. This time it was a man with a cut eyebrow. Sobrang tapang ng mukha nito at distinct.

"This is the man from the Grim Monarch who's backing up the Senses. This man is controlling the system of the Monarch that is connecting to the Senses. We'll hack their system, and they will have no choice but to stop cooperating with the Senses," Yvo explained.

"Wait, ain't that going to create more war?" tanong ni Katniss. Napatingin kami lahat sa kanya. "I mean if we provoke the Monarch, it might strike back at the Empire because we are messing with them."

"Worry not," Nicasia answered confidently.

"Well make it look like that the Senses are the ones who backed out, and stabbed the Grim Monarch in the back," she added with an evil chuckle.

I saw how Katniss, Harper, and Art's lips slowly painted a devious smirk.

"Badass," Harper commented with a sneer.

"I know right!" Nicasia exclaimed in a thrilled voice.

"And lastly, this man's handprint." Kaagad inilipat ang picture at 'yon namang isa ang ipinakita. Napakunot-noo kaming lahat nang makita 'yon. It was like a younger man. Maybe mid-twenties or early thirties.

"Who's he?" Cleon queried with a puckered forehead.

"The who have access about the system that would soon open after we shut down their system. This man will take everything back like nothing happened after our attack. And we don't want that." Kakaibang kilabot ang umakyat sa dugo ko sa sinabi ni Yvo.

Damn, the Crowns really planned all of this meticulously. I was seeing why they were so freaking worthy of their title and why they were the ones who were protecting and making things in order in the whole Empire University.

"After we strike this place, and their system. They'll have hard time getting back. And that's when we could take the Senses alive and chew out information from them." We all nodded our heads as everything was becoming clearer about this plan.

"The Grim Monarch will soon spread things about the Senses and the Mortem. The whole underground will be thrown into chaos as there will be gossips of how they are nothing but fakes." Napangisi naman ako sa narinig kay Nicasia.

"They are really fakes, in the first place," Art mentioned in an irritated tone while rolling her eyes. Cleon chuckled at her sister and nodded to agree.

"Yeah, they were asking for it when they used our name in vain." Cleon stated those words with eyes gleaming with danger and warning.

"That's why we need this mission to be successful, because we are going to create a huge explosion in this and we'll soon lead to the crumbling down of their name with nothing to go back from," Yvo declared with a smirk.

"The Senses might be present in this place, right?" Harper suddenly questioned.

"Yeah, why?" Nicasia replied while tilting her head on the side.

"Can I kill them with my own hands if they will not speak of any information? I don't want to deal with their nonsense and do them some favour. I am holding their life; they shall never demand back... or I'll stop them from breathing in this world."

I pressed my lips together because I felt the seriousness of Harper's words. She wasn't kidding nor displaying her authority. She was dead set on making them her sacrifices.

And it honestly gave me goosebumps on how I could feel that Harper was a daughter of the Apocalypse Sei. Someone so powerful, and someone so high.

Yvo's chortle echoed in our ears, it was calm and he was also shaking his head. "I'd love seeing the Senses dead." His eyes suddenly became serious when he fixed his glasses and as he sat up straightly.

"But... ain't it fun to torture them first before accompanying them to the door called death?" He shot up one of his brows and his smile gave me thousands of shivers. Darn.

"That's a good suggestion..." Art nodded her head with a smirk.

"But if you have no choice because it will endanger more lives or it might endager your own life..." Nicasia chimed in with a stoic face and expression.

"Kill them," Yvo and Nicasia both demanded powerfully. And I felt my hair on the back of my neck stood up.

"I'd love that..." Harper smirked evilly.

"Now, are you curious about something in this plan?" Sa isang iglap parang bumalik 'yong mabait at soft na Yvo at mapaglarong Nicasia. It was like they didn't order a vicious decree and enunciated a murder.

"How did you know about all of this?" Rebel, who was so frighteningly quiet, suddenly spoke with his hands clasped together and his chin resting on it.

"Kalix, Saint, and Law communicated earlier in the morning and we planned it together." Napanganga yata ako saglit dahil do'n. Kaya pala wala pa rin si Law.

"As expected of my Law, huh?" Harper commented with a smile.

"You planned this in a short span of time?" hindi makapaniwalang sambit ni Katniss.

"It wasn't really us, it was Saint and Kalix, we just revised, and took all the information together to arrive at the plan you all have heard." Napatango-tango naman kami ro'n.

Si Saint pa ba? At saka si Kalix? They were probably also collecting knowledge and information about the Senses since we started training. And now that Saint assigned us in this mission, it was only right that we'd do our best to make it successful.

"There's something..." Harper murmured with sharp eyes.

"If this information and everything had been in Saint's hand in the first place, why only now? We could have done this the first night of the war," she added critically. And I nodded to agree with her.

"Yeah, that's true," Katniss seconded.

"Senses are still Senses. They might lead us to a trap, you know? We don't want to endanger you. The Empress and the Emperor of the Council, damn, I don't want to face their wraths," Yvo explained shortly with a shrug.

"Why did you proceed now?" tanong ko naman.

"Because a fucking pillar of the Senses collapsed, and they are probably having internal conflicts now, that's why this plan would be effective as hell, if you win it," Nicasia mentioned directly with a simper. Pagkatapos itinapon n'ya 'yong bubble gum n'ya sa trash can. Shoot kaagad 'yon.

"Who collapsed?" Art curiously asked.

"Thou shall... not... see."

Ako mismo ang kinilabutan nang husto sa sinabi ni Rebel sa mababa at malalim na tono. Damn! The goosebumps that I was feeling in my body wasn't because of what he stated, but because of how he stated it, and how he knew about it.

Ni hindi na nakapagtanong ulit si Art at natahimik si Harper at Katniss dahil sa tensyong hatid ni Rebel.

I was sure Luna, and Justice didn't mention anything about it. Pero alam ni Rebel. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin no'n. The Evans... the Evans were all on a different league, and they weren't cooperating with us in this war...

They were playing their own game. And the rules? Only them knows.

And I'd rather not be curious of it. Why? Because curiosity in this time would only lead to fear and death.

Yvo and Nicasia further told us about the plan. I was feeling more assured because they were all telling us about the whole map and what we could expect in every obstacle. It was really detailed and you'd not get lost in their explanation.

Ilang saglit pa habang nasa byahe, narinig namin ang driver na malapit na raw kami sa lugar. Cleon, Art and I needed to get out of the van before we arrived near the proximity, and we needed to go there our own. We would signal them to start moving when we arrived at the west area—kung saan kami papasok.

While Katniss, Harper, and Rebel would stay in the van. The van was a replica of the van that the gang mostly use to go in the headquarters, and it would be bulletproof kaya mas magiging ligtas sina Harper kapag sumugod sila ng naka-van.

They'd be stopped in the front gate and before they could enter, the adversaries would discover that they weren't part of them. And that was when action on their part would start. Rebel and Katniss would fight them, and Harper would also do it, while searching for the head sniper. At para makuha ang handprint ng taong 'yon.

At habang nangyayari 'yon magsisimula na rin kami.

"Let's do this?" biglang sambit ni Cleon no'ng tumigil ang sinasakyan namin.

"It should be... let's win this," Harper started with an evil grin as she placed her hand on top of Cleon's.

Art chuckled at Harper. "Yeah. We'll explode this whole place with a smirk on our faces." At inilagay na rin ni Art ang kamay n'ya sa ibabaw ng kamay ni Harper.

"Cheers for the bloody night!" Katniss exclaimed with a joyful beam as she put her hand on top of Art's. Napailing-iling ako habang natatawa. Sobrang lakas din talaga nitong si Katniss, eh. Hindi basta-basta.

"Aalis tayong lahat ng buhay rito, at magiging invited kayong lahat sa kasal namin ni Akira." Sabay-sabay silang natawa sa sinabi ko, at bigla akong binatukan. Inilagay ko sa kamay ni Art ang kamay ko.

"Joke lang! Pero seryoso na ulit ako. Let's do this... so the Senses would find out that they are messing with the wrong people." Ngumisi kami sa isa't isa dahil sa sinabi ko. Pagkapatapos napalingon kami lahat kay Rebel.

He was just staring at us with dark eyes. He looked like he was thinking of something deep. Kumabog nang husto ang puso ko nang may maliit at marahang ngisi ang puminta sa mukha nito.

"Don't be a burden," he told us and it freaking gave all of us horripilation!

Sobrang ikli pero sobrang mapakapangyarihan no'ng mga salitang 'yon. He didn't put out his hand on our hands together. Our hands collapsed together and we took it back because Rebel was really giving off that dark and dangerous vibes.

Para s'yang bomba. Sobrang itim ng awra, at pwedeng isang kalabit lang sumabog. Hindi ko alam kung bakit gano'n. It was like he wanted to do something but there was a warning that was stopping him from doing it.

I brushed off the feeling and went out of the van, sumunod si Cleon at Art sa amin. We prepared our guns, and knives and other equipments. Harper smiled at saluted at us, Katniss waved her farewell with an eye-smile, but Rebel remained expressionless.

Hindi kami nag-aksaya ng panahon, mabilis kaming umalis at tumakbo nang patago para makapunta sa west area.

The place was like an alley of an eerie subdivision and old town, kaya naman madaling magtago sa mga eskinita na nando'n. Kumilos kami na parang hangin at mabilis. The place was a little far from here. We wanted to be safe, para hindi talaga silang manghihinala na may iba pang papasok maliban kina Harper.

The dark night and the orange and dim street lights were making me feel cold, and the tension and silence in the air would cause you a restless feeling of danger. However, inside of me, I felt like I was looking forward to this, para akong nae-excite pa.

Sa hinaba-haba ng pagtakbo at pagtatago namin, nakarating din kami sa lugar. It was more on the empty and spacious lot, so there were only a few buildings around. That was why we went on hiding at the far small post on the west side.

Kaagad nakipag-communicate si Cleon kina Yvo at Nicasia para sabihin na nasa posisyon na kami.

"Okay, Katniss, Harper, and Rebel are on the move now." Napangisi ako nang palihim nang marinig ang bagay na 'yon. We hid more carefully, especially when we saw the guards who were guiding the place.

The silence was so deafening when we were waiting for the right moment.

I felt like I could even hear the sound of the engine from the vehicle that was carrying Katniss, Harper and Rebel. The excitement and goosebumps in my system was so palpable. Every nerve in my body was so active.

Halos bumagsak din ang puso ko sa lupa no'ng may marinig akong beep. I thought it was from us, but it wasn't! Grabe 'yong tensyon at kaba sa hangin! My goodness!

"There's a suspicious vehicle in front." Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo no'ng marinig namin ang bagay na 'yon mula sa radyo no'ng mga nagbabantay sa lugar na 'to. 'Yon siguro ang dahilan kung bakit may nag-beep at naging mas alerto sila.

"The vehicle stopped but it is not putting down the windows for inspection," narinig pa naming usapan nila sa radyo. Rinig na rinig ko na 'yong tibok ng puso ko dahil do'n.

One. Two. Three. I counted mentally inside my head. They were all on alert. Siguro bigla nilang pinalibutan ang van na 'yon at tinututukan ng mga baril dahil hindi 'yon nakikipagkoopera sa kanila.

"Fire!" My eyes widened when a voice thundered, and just like that we heard nonstop bangs from different kinds of guns, and machine guns. Nakakabingi ang tunog na 'yon at halos pigil hininga na ako dahil sa inaalala kong nando'n sina Katniss, Harper at Rebel.

Ilang saglit pa nagkaro'n ng kaunting katahimikan, pero matapos ang ilang segundo, sunod-sunod na sigaw at putok ng mga baril ang narinig namin.

And I almost jumped from where I was standing because of a loud explosion.

"To the front!" Napasilip ako at nakita kong tumakbo ang mga nagbabantay sa side na 'to papunta sa unahan.

"Now's our time," Art whispered with a simper.

"Be careful," Cleon added looking around to make sure that there was no one but us.

"Move now, Cleon." Mabilis sinunod ni Cleon ang narinig n'ya kay Yvo. Mabilis naman kaming naging mas alerto ni Art no'ng tumakbo na si Cleon papunta sa pader at gate na kailangan nyang akyatin.

I could see the light from over the wall that was circling around the area. "This is nerve wrecking, shit!" I murmured to myself, and Art nodded with a serious expression. Cleon stopped at the top, and went down a little to hide from the spotlight that suddenly shined to where he was trying to climb up.

"Shit! That was close!" kabado at pasigaw na bulong ni Art.

Nang mawala kaagad ang ilaw na 'yon mabilis nakaakyat si Cleon papunta sa loob.

"Move now, Art." Hindi na nagsalita si Art at mabilis s'yang tumakbo kung saan pumunta si Cleon. She climbed over the wall effortlessly. Her body was so light to look at 'tapos mukhang sisiw na sisiw sa kanya 'yon.

Art stopped near the top when the light shined again near her direction from the inside. At nang makalampas 'yon mabilis s'yang nakaakyat at mukhang naka-landing na rin sa loob ng lugar na 'yon.

"Now your turn, Biblee." Narinig kong imik ni Yvo, at ngumisi ako at sinunod ang sinabi nito.

I climbed over the wall, and when I was so near in jumping over. "Stop, the light's passing." Pigil hininga ako sa mantinding gulat no'n. "Go!" I was alerted once again, and went over the wall on the cue that was given.

Napangisi ako no'ng lumanding ako sa tuhod at mga paa sa lupa. Pinagpagan ko nang kaunti ang sarili ko at mabilis na tumakbo papunta sa may mga halaman, at nagtago ro'n bago tumakbo papunta sa gilid ng building kung saan kami papasok.

I saw the window from where Art and Cleon entered. I hid when the light passed by again, and moved to enter the room, the moment I heard Yvo's instructions. The beating of my heart was getting faster and faster.

Damn, I didn't know it'd be this thrilling, and nerve-racking!

Nang makapasok ako sa bintana, mabilis kong sinubukan na iayos ulit 'yon na para bang hindi mukhang tinanggal at pumasok kami mula ro'n.

"Ten seconds, Biblee. You need that fixed!" Yvo's voice declared directly.

I hissed because it felt like the window was stuck! I couldn't get it in its proper place! Mukhang narinig din ni Art at Cleon ang sinabi ni Yvo, kaya naman imbis na dumiretso sa may ventilation fan kung saan kami papasok, tumakbo silang dalawa papunta sa akin.

They both helped me in fixing the window. "Fuck, damn it!" Cleon gritted his teeth.

"Damn three seconds or you'll be doomed," muling babala ni Yvo sa mababa at malagong na boses.

Nataranta ako bigla dahil do'n at pwersahang hinila ang binata at nagulat ako no'ng mag-click 'yon nang malakas! It was back on its original place, but we made a sound! My eyes widened and my heart hammered in nervousness.

Hinila kaagad ako ni Art patago sa isang malaking cabinet, at biglang bumukas ang pinto sa kwarto kung nasaan kami. The lights were suddenly turned on. And from the little space I could see two men looking around and trying to search the place with their eyes from the door.

I pressed my lips together and didn't even breathe because of the electrifying and thrilling feeling inside of me.

Hanggang sa bigla na lang may nag-beep. "Go the front! We are getting attacked by a great force!" Dahil sa bagay na narinig no'ng dalawang lalaki sa radyo nila, mabilis namatay ang ilaw sa lugar at nasarhan muli ang pinto.

I breathed out a huge amount of air soundlessly, and held my breath! Damn, that was—oh my, gosh! Kung may sakit lang ako sa puso talagang mahihimatay ako sa matinding kaba at takot do'n! Mabuti na lang ang sakit lang ng puso ko ay pagiging patay na patay nito kay Akira, my goodness!

I put up a peace sign on Cleon and Art because of the trouble that I created, but they just shook their heads, and smiled at me. Lumabas kami sa pinagtataguang cabinet, at kumilos nang tahimik at maliksi si Cleon.

He removed the ventilator fan, and signalled Art to go inside. He helped his sister carefully and silently. Pagkatapos sinenyasan n'ya rin ako. I climbed up, and Art held my hand to help me. It was so tight and narrow inside, but we managed to enter.

Art started to crawl on her knees on the path that Yvo and Nicasia showed us earlier. Cleon from behind also followed after returning the fan on its proper place.

"Great one! You survived that," Nicasia chuckled at us, and I shook my head while smiling in relief.

Grabe rin 'yon! Nakakaloka! Ang hirap pala talaga ng tahimik!

Yvoridge's instructions were all clear and easy to follow. Kaya naman halos tahimik kaming gumagapang sa path na sinasabi n'ya. It was hard to move because it was narrow, and we needed to have some gap between us to make sure that were not too heavy for this, and we were going making any noise.

Ang hirap din huminga sa lugar na 'yon at ang init! May mga nadadaanan din kaming fan kung saan makikita mo 'yong hallway, at talagang makakakita ka ro'n ng mga may armas na mga lalaki, at sobrang dami nila. May ilan din na mukhang tumakbo palabas dahil sa ginagawa ni Katniss, Harper at Rebel do'n.

I didn't know how far we've come but I was sure it was a great distance because of the time.

Hanggang sa biglang nagsalita si Yvo. "Stop. You are going to go in different areas to gun down some enemies in the hallways. Make sure to kill them all silently. And Cleon, put them in a room quickly."

Tumango-tango naman ako dahil do'n.

"I could only put the camera in that hallway in rewind, for a good ten to twenty minutes. Make sure you are all done in that time span," dagdag pa nito sa napakaseryosong paraan.

"Roger," I answered and smirk.

Artemis and I would gun down enemy with a poison instead of a bullet. It would kill them in an instant, but we needed to target a vital spot or their veins to make it effective as soon as it shoots at them.

At lalabas si Cleon mula sa ventilator para kunin ang mga bangkay nila at ipasok sa isang room na walang security at camera. At kailangan matapos ang oras na 'yon mapasok na rin namin ang room na para sa electricity at system nila.

Dahil mahuhuli kaming lahat gawa ng security camera nila.

Art and I went to our positions. Inayos ko ang pagkakaposisyon ko. Dumapa ako, at inilabas ang baril ko at mga bala na poisonous needle. I saw three armed men patrolling together in the hallway, they were all carrying huge machine guns.

They were all on alert like they were on a military facility. Hindi lang silang tatlo, mayroon ding dalawa, at marami pang paliko-liko at palakad-lakas sa hallways na 'yon. Bukod pa 'yong mga nakabantay sa mismong double doors kung nasaan 'yong kwarto na kailangan namin pasukin.

"Art take out that lone man in the corner, and Cleon take that man in the room, and change to its clothing," Yvo instructed. Napangisi ako sa narinig, mas mabilis makakapaglinis si Cleon at makakalaban din s'ya kapag mukha s'yang kakampi. That would be a nice one.

"In three, two, one, target locked. Commence." And the moment I heard that, the lone man that I could see from the reflection of the metal from where I was, fell on the floor immediately. And Cleon who was near in that place and ventilator showed up so fast.

Grabe sa pagiging tahimik at bilis si Cleon. He was able to move out of the ventilator and return the fan. Then dragged the guy that was down on the corner and went with him in the room without anyone seeing.

Sakto rin kasi na nakatalikod 'yong mga nagpapatrol, at nasa ibang hallway 'yong iba. 'Yong nagbabantay naman sa pinto, malayo at hindi kita ang pangyayaring 'yon.

After a while Cleon moved out from that room wearing what the man was wearing. I smirked. What a success. "Art and Biblee stand by, we'll start." Naghanda na ako at mas nag-concentrate sa mga nakikitang kalaban.

"And fire." The moment we heard the cue, I fired the two men who was walking together.

Then when they were on the floor, I targeted those who saw it. Art was also on the move. Magugulat ka na lang na may mga natutumba na lang. Damn, her accuracy and quickness were really no joke.

Kita ko ang mga nangyayari sa iba't ibang hallway namin na malapit sa room ng system at electricity dahil sa lenses.

I focused on the neck part of the other opponent who was activating his radio, and targeted his vital spot. And in one snap, he was on the floor. I couldn't help but smirk. I heard Yvo gave coordinates in a really fast manner.

Hindi ako nagpahuli at walang tigil na pinag-aasinta ang mga sinasabi n'yang mga kalaban. I could see how we were alarming those who were patrolling, and those who were around the area because of the sudden and consecutive collapsing of their alliances.

Kaso bago pa sila makahingi ng tulong nababaril na kaagad sila ni Art, at ni Cleon. Cleon was even using their clan's technique in knocking some of them down. And it was eerily dead silent while all of these attacks were going on.

Parang walang panganib, parang walang nangyayaring atake, at parang sobrang normal ng lahat. Walang dugo, walang putok ng baril, at walang alarm na tumutunog, pero napakarami nang patay dahil sa mabilis at walang palyang kilos namin.

I saw from my lenses how Cleon was carrying two men on his shoulders and putting them on the room. They were all lifeless, and Cleon was doing the clean-up, and fighting those who were turning in that hallway, and those who were trying to alert anyone.

'Yong mga bantay ro'n sa pinto, patay na rin. At halos wala na ring bangkay sa hallway sa bilis at ingat ng mga kilos na ginagawa namin.

Damn, Art was really fast. Pero syempre hindi ako nagpatalo.

I continued targeting those who were in my hallway, and those who were trying to go in the hallway of Art and Cleon. Hanggang nakakita ako nang isa na mukhang napansin ang pagkakahimatay no'ng isang lalaki. He almost fired the gun, if I hadn't pulled the trigger to kill him.

Halos sunod-sunod ang bagsakan ng napakaraming kalaban.

I was filling up the gun with nonstop poison needles, and I couldn't help but smirk. Minsan sumasala ang mga pagkakabaril ko pero kaagad ko namang nababawi kaagad 'yon. It was so satisfying to do it.

Lampas bente na rin siguro ang nagagawa naming pabagsakin ng walang tigil. Halos magtetrenta na rin siguro 'yon. At nakakatuwa dahil wala pa ring nakakahalata kung nasaan kami dahil sa bilis at pagiging asintado namin ni Art.

"Five more enemies, and you can move out of the ventilator." I heard Yvo, and he told me the coordinate of those foes who were going our way.

When I saw them, I pulled the trigger of my gun without hesitating. The guy immediately dropped, but the man with him tried to shout and catch him. Because he was moving frantically, the needle impaled on his eyeball.

I saw how he almost cried in pain, mabuti na lang bago s'ya nakasigaw, nagawa ko s'yang barilin sa vein n'ya sa may leeg, kaya naman hindi na s'ya nakagawa ng ingay at lumagpak sa sahig kasama ang kasamahan n'ya.

Cleon went to them and put them inside the room. "You can now move out, Biblee. That was cool," Nicasia spoke cutely, and I smiled with my teeth, and made thumbs up.

Inalalayan din ako ni Cleon no'ng pababa ako sa masikip na ventilator fan. He was also the one who fixed the ventilator for me. After that I went the room where some of the dead people was placed.

Kaagad akong kumuha ng suot nila. Syempre namili ako no'ng hindi katangkaran para hindi naman ako mukhang sira sa sobrnag laki no'ng damit, mas mukhang suspicious 'yon.

Pinatungan ko lang sinuot ang mga damit na 'yon. At kumuha ang mga bala at mga baril at machine gun. Hanggang sa may narinig na naman akong malakas na pagsabog, at parang umalog 'yong lugar.

"That's Katniss, Harper and Rebel and the gang that they are with outside." Napatango naman ako sa narinig. I tied my hair and put on a cap, and I was ready to go out with a new look that was like an alliance of them.

"Nakikipaglaban pa rin si Harper sa lalaking kailangan natin ng handprint. Give her five minutes, she's almost has him fooled." Napangisi ako kaagad. It was Harper that we were talkin' about, she'd sure deliver not just good but great results.

When I turned to the corner of the hallway, Cleon was outside of the room that we needed to open. He was putting something on the door lock. Probably helping Yvo as an intel so the Crowns would be able to open it quickly once we have the handprint.

Ilang saglit ang din biglang lumabas si Art mula sa isang hallway. When we saw each other we both smirked and high five-d.

"That was fun," I mentioned and she nodded. "That was thrilling." We both chortled at each other.

"Prepare. We are now in action. We have the handprint." Napangisi ako nang sobrang lawak at kinuha sa bag ko ang mga pampasabog na dala namin. Gano'n din ang ginawa ni Art, kaya naman naghintay kami habang nag-iingat.

We were aiming the guns from both ends of the hallway. Cleon was busy doing the hacking and working so the handprint would work without alerting anyone in the whole system.

And in a snap, I smirked when I heard Yvo's chuckle from the earpiece.

"And we are continuing on track," he declared while gritting his teeth in exhilaration.

Art and I didn't waste any second, the moment the door was opened, we threw in our explosives, and the people inside of that room would not even notice it, and they would just explode without warning.

Kaagad ni-lock ni Cleon ang kwartong 'yon at naglakad kaming tatlo paalis sa hallway na 'yon nang malaki ang ngisi sa labi. Cleon opened his both palm to us, and we sneered as Art and I hit it in happiness.

"Five, four, three..." Yvo started the countdown.

Habang naglalakad kami papalayo sa lugar na 'yon biglang sumabog nang malakas 'yon at namatay ang lahat ng ilaw, kuryente, at system nila. Nag-activate rin ang night at dark mode ng lenses sa mga mata namin.

We hid on the corner of the hallway form both sides. Kapag may naka-survive sa pagsabog na 'yon sa loob, aba'y hindi lang sila superhero, immortal na rin sila. Syempre gawa ni bibi loves ko 'yong pampasabog. Literal na nakakamatay 'yon.

"Is it clear?" I asked Yvo because no one was able to go out of the room. It was wrecked. Literally wrecked even the walls and the door exploded.

"Clear. No one survived, and the whole system is destroyed. You have twenty minutes to kill the third man from the pictures we showed you. He was in the basement of this building. There was a small room system in there. Proceed before he starts to counter things back."

Mabilis kaming tumakbong tatlo papunta sa lugar na sinasabi ni Yvo.

"Katniss, Rebel and Harper are winning from the front and outside. But they are having hard time finding the second guy. Stay alert, you might also encounter him," Nicasia informed us directly and we nodded.

Tumakbo kaagad kami pababa at sobrang dilim talaga at halos green na lang ang nakikita ko sa lugar. At kagaya ng inaasahan, nagsimulang mag-warning si Yvo at Nicasia tungkol sa mga kalaban na kakaharapin namin.

In one turn at the corner, there was a mob of guys with guns and different weapons going to attack us. I took advantage of the dark surrounding, and pulled on who was near me. Mabilis ko s'yang hinawakan sa leeg at ginilitan.

Dahil sa ginawa ko na-pull n'ya ang trigger ng machine gun sa pagkabigla bago s'ya mawalan ng buhay, kaya naman may ilan s'yang natamaan ng bala sa mga kasamahan n'ya. Pero natunton nila ang kinalalagyan ko dahil do'n.

They aimed guns at me, and I used the lifeless body of the man in front of me to shield me from their bullets. They weren't able to see me yet because I was smaller compared to the man. They thought I was killed but surprise...

I aimed the machine gun I was holding at them, and pressed the trigger to shoot them without stopping. Wala akong pakialam kung ilang bala ang nalabas at ginagamit ko. I was just aiming at their directions randomly, and blood was flowing on the floor.

Nang bumagsak silang lahat, mabilis kong kinuha ang mga baril nilang may bala pa. Nagtago ulit ako sa korner at mabilis na pinaputukan ng baril ang mga kalabang susugod sana ulit. I hid once again on the wall because of the numerous bullets aimed at me.

Hanggang sa bigla silang natahimik. I took out a grenade, and pulled out the pin. Pinagulong ko kaagad 'yon sa direksyon nila at sumabog 'yon. Sinabayan ko pa 'yon ng paglabas sa pinagtataguan ko at pinagbabaril ko rin 'yong mga nakita kong nakaligtas sa pagsabog.

I ran downstairs at the emergency exit. "Enemies approaching on the stairs!" Yvo warned.

Hindi ako tumigil dahil sa narinig ko, bagkus mas ginanahan lang ako. I readied the two machine guns I was holding from my hands. At sumilip ako sa baba kung saan galing ang mga kalaban. Mabilis ko silang pinaulanan ng bala.

I also fired the gun from upstairs to those opponents from there. It was easy to do.

Bumababa ako na halos madulas dahil sa pagdanak ng dugo mula ro'n. I also checked the identities of those who were in here, but no one was the second nor the third guy. May mga biglang dumating mga kalaban na walang baril.

"Let's do some stretching, shall we?" bati ko sa kanila.

At bago pa sila makapagsalita, kaagad akong nagbigay ng roundhouse kick sa mukha ng isa sa kanila. I landed back standing on the stair, and he fell from it. Mabilis kong kinuha ang balisong sa bulsa ko at pinatama ko 'yon sa noo n'ya.

It was on my advantage because they didn't have a night and dark vision like I have from the lenses.

I fought them with pure strength and force. I held on the railings of the stairs, and used my feet to circle around the air, and kicked them repeatedly on the chest, hanggang sa mahulog sila. I also jumped around, and tried to stumble them down.

It was harder on their side because of the darkness. I saw one man who was going to attack me with a punch. "Aaaaah!" he shouted as he aimed, but I caught his attack, and put him on my shoulder to throw him down on the stairs on the side opening.

Nahulog mula sa pinaglaglagan ko sa kanya. May dalawa na naman na sabay sanang susugod sa akin na parehas may kutsilyo sa kamay. I held my both hands on the railings, and swirled around to kick the knives on their hands in an upward motion.

Tumalsik ang kutsilyo nila pataas at bumagsak kung saan sa dilim. Bago pa sila makaamba ng suntok sa akin ay mabilis kong kinuha ang kwelyo nilang dalawa at mabilis ko silang sinakal bago itinapon at ibinalibag pababa sa hagdan.

Two enemies from up stairs were both yelling to attack me. "Aaaah! Tangina mo!" sigaw nila pero kaagad kong lumambitin sa may railing, at umikot para tilapirin sila mula sa pagbaba ng hagdan.

I stood back up on the railing while looking the two of them roll over the floor.

I took my gun out and fired it before they could stand back up. I jumped to the lifeless body of a guy from below, and walked down the blood stairs. And I automatically aimed a gun on the door of the emergency exit when someone in there showed up.

Mabuti na lang nasabihan kaagad ako ni Yvo kung sino 'yon. It was Art and Cleon. We nodded at each other and went down as we fought off more enemies.

"The third guy is in the basement! The second guy is facing Harper," Yvo announced to us, and our eyes widened.

Damn! If we don't catch the third guy, their system and the electricity would be up again. And it would soon become our disadvantage.

Dali-dali kaming tumakbong tatlo pababa. Pero nang makarating sa first floor kaagad kaming napalibutan ng mga kalaban at sniper sa paligid. There were red dots around the place. We gathered together and put our back together.

"I'll eliminate the snipers," Art mentioned hurriedly.

Dahil madilim, nagawa naming itago ni Cleon si Art nang hindi naalerto ang mga sniper. Halos lima ang mga red dots na nasa pailigid at halos hinahanap kami. We hid and Art readied her sniper's gun.

Cleon helped Art deviced a plan about the snipers. While I thought of something that could get us to the basement in a really really fast way. 'Yong tipong nasa basement na kami kapag napatay na ni Art lahat ng mga sniper.

I looked at the place. It was full of lifeless bodies from the fight we had earlier.

I checked my bag, and I smirked the moment I saw what was inside. Damn, Akira! I love you!

Inilabas ko kaagad ang bombang ginawa ni Akira, at saka ko inilagay 'yon sa gitnang bahagi kung nasaan kami. Cleon was fighting off some enemies who were trying to aim at Art. Dahil sa pagiging tahimik ng technique ng mga Morbelque hindi n'ya naalerto ang mga sniper na naghahanap sa lugar kung nasaan kami.

"What are you doing, Biblee?" Yvo asked, I could imagine his knotted forehead and the way he was fixing his glasses.

"A trip to the basement in a jump," I answered with a smirk.

"Hey, Art can you finish the snipers in five minutes?" tanong ko.

"Lesser," she retorted confidently, and I simpered evilly.

"Cleon fight off the enemies silently and put their bodies here," I instructed Cleon, and he nodded. He was smirking the moment I told him that, mukhang alam n'ya na kaagad ang plinaplano ko.

Cleon fought off the adversaries in a silence. Magugulat ka na lang patay na 'yong mga kalaban n'ya sa isang tira n'ya lang. Kaagad at tahimik n'yang dinadala 'yong mga bangkay sa ibabaw no'ng bombang may time limit.

Art also started firing and aiming at the snipers.

Mabilis din akong tumulong kay Cleon para ilagay sa ibabaw ng bomba ang mga bangkay na nagkalat sa paligid. I smirked when a pile of dead bodies where being gathered at that one place like a pyramid.

Umuunti na rin kaagad 'yong mga naka-aim na sniper sa amin. Hanggang sa maubos sila.

"That was fast," sambit ko kay Art.

"Easy," she mentioned shrugging, natawa naman kami ni Cleon do'n.

"Let's go," I told them, after we finished gathering bodies in that place and we went to the hallway, a little away from here I gathered the pyramind of the dead with a bomb.

"Three," I started the count down.

"Two," Art followed looking at that place.

"One," Cleon added with a smirk on his face.

"Boom," the three of us remarked at the same time looking on how the bomb exploded—not upwards, but downwards. Mas lalo akong naging ngising tagumpay dahil sa nangyari.

"That was badass," I heard Yvo from the other line.

"Well, you are not the only intel in here," I mentioned with a proud smirk, as I high five-d with Cleon and Art. Naglakad kami papunta sa pinagsabungan no'n at nakita ang malaking pinsala na nangyari.

The floor exploded because the explosion was aimed downwards due of the kind of bomb that I used and the bodies suppressing it. Hindi gano'n kalakas ang pagsabog sa lugar namin dahil sa mga katawan, at mas sumabog s'ya pababa.

Sira ang sahig sa pabilog na paraan at bumagsak pababa do'n ang mga katawan. Kaya naman walang alinlangan na tumalo si Cleon pababa. Sumunod na rin si Art at tinulungan s'ya ni Cleon do'n.

I also jumped from there and landed on my feet while kneeling down on top of the dead bodies.

"The third guy is inside that room, frantically trying to restart the whole system," Nicasia voiced out and we all nodded as we entered the place.

"Then... he'd frantically face his death..." Cleon retorted with sinister smirk and aura.

Nagtaasan ang mga balahibo ko dahil do'n.

Naglakad kami papunta sa pintong tinutukoy ni Yvo. There were enemies coming according to Yvo, so we readied our explosives and guns from both sides of the hallway to protect Cleon.

Hinagis ko kay Art ang dala kong pampasabog, at kaagad n'yang nasalo 'yong at pinagulong papunta sa direksyon kung saan magmumula ang mga kalaban. At gano'n din ang ginawa ko sa kabilang direksyon.

And the moment Cleon figured out on how to hack the lock, and opened it, the explosives blew up those who were trying to attack us, and I smirked as the fire spread in the place.

"Die while burning... it'll be a great torture before descending to hell," I murmured as I saw the adversaries screamed in pain as they were being slowly eaten by the fire.

The three of us entered the room, and the guy we were looking for was in there with a monitor.

He looked at us with wide eyes open, couldn't believe that we were able to go here. We'll we did took a wonderful route to finally get him.

Our tactics should not be in vain, right?

"Fuck!" the man shouted and he took out the gun to aim it at us.

Natawa lang kami ni Art at umupo sa mga swivel chair na nando'n habang si Cleon ay naglakad papunta sa lalaking 'yon nang walang katakot-takot.

Pinaputukan s'ya ng bala, pero isang tabingi ng ulo n'ya naiwasan n'ya na 'yon. His aura was becoming darker each step he was taking to face the man who was being cornered in the room. I just watched the dangerous and baleful seen unfolding in front of me.

"Fire the gun, you have it until the bullet runs out," Cleon mentioned in a spine-tingling tone.

The man obeyed Cleon like a good follower. He fired it consecutively aiming at him. But Cleon was just evading each bullet easily. He wasn't really moving that much from where he was standing, he was just titling his head, moving his shoulder backward slightly, and moving one step from his position.

I pressed my lips together prevent chuckle.

"And once... it's empty... it's your time." The horripilition crept in my skin with the tone that he was using.

Nakita ko kung paano nanginig 'yong lalaki dahil sa matinding takot at kaba na hatid ng pagkakatitig ni Cleon sa kanya. Cleon was stoic, and full of killing intent who wouldn't shake in fear with the dark aura around him?

"Knock... knock..." Cleon mentioned those while knocking on the wood.

"Die!" the man shouted while he was in the corner of the room trying to get the empty gun to work again.

"You should have known the rules of this game..." Kinilabutan talaga ako sa pagkakasabi n'ya ro'n habang naglalakad s'ya papunta sa lalaki.

"What rule?!" the guy yelled frustratedly.

"Kill before getting killed... and the one who lives will be the winner. And guess what? The loser... will die rotting in hell."

Damn! That was so sinister!

"And the moment your gun ran out of bullets, you became the loser in this game. Why? Because of this..." And Cleon took out a gun from his pocket and put the nozzle of it on the forehead of the man.

"And let me tell you a something before you descend in hell."

"The one who brought you death is the one you should have served. You want to serve the Mortem, right? Then... you shall receive... death in my hands."

"Now that's the real mortem." He chuckled in a petrifying manner as he fired the bullet on his forehead as the blood splattered on his hand and face.

You don't mess with the real Morbelque, Senses.

Because... you'd only face death.

***