#TCS87: The Sinner of their Generation

Harper Aurora's POV

The eyes that showed so much tension and fear was definitely satisfying to witness. I was hiding a smirk because of the trembling Gretta. I wanted to play with her, and for her recognize who I was, and why she'd be honoured to look at me as she faced death.

I wanted to fight and make her my enemy. Someone like her would be so worthy of fighting me. She'd experience the greatest descend in hell with my help. Ain't that going to be so fabulous? She would never wish for more because of my kindness.

As much, as I was quivering in showing her how I wanted to end her life, I pulled myself back. This woman's life wasn't mine to take; it was going to be the Morbelque's call. They were the ones whose name was going in vain because of these morons.

If they wanted to be a part of the Mortem, they should have applied to Artemis. I would help her choose fashionable and worthy ones. The ones who could understand and follow decrees from a royal. That would be so great!

But they were so dense. Why did they have to be so tanga?

Why would they want to rebuild Mortem without the real owner's permission? It was bound to be over from the beginning; they should have expected that. They were literally digging their own graves. Tss.

After killing the other unworthy bastard with my precious and glorious naginata, I placed the edge of its blade on Gretta's face. And I was so pleased when I saw how her lips shook lightly, and how her eyes glowed with horror.

It was like I was illuminating someone who she was fearing for her whole life. I smirked. I was really so great that I became a reminder of someone who was more scarier than death, huh?

Whoever that person was... he'd be granted to royally see my presence. Oh, wait... what if it was one of the Evans? No wonder... and if it was my Law. I gritted my teeth. If Law was the one who made Gretta feel this way, then I would really love to kill her myself.

She was not allowed to see my Law! I didn't permit it! Especially with her red, and black eyes!

But because I should be a good role model, I shouldn't let my personal feelings affect my judgement. No matter how much I resent her, I wouldn't kill her, because she would be so unworthy.

If she was takot because of Law, then she should bow down to me. I am the woman of the Law she was dreading for.

I played with my naginata, and spoke. "Stand up, lowlife. Your life wasn't mine to take, but I would do you a favour. I'd usher you to your death, and I'd give your life in the hands of the goddess of hunt..." I gave her my oh-so-beautifully-evil simper, and I saw how she gulped in nervousness.

And after what I stated, I felt some presence coming from the door. I stood up straightly, and saw that Cleon, and Biblee entered the room looking so... disgusting with their bloody clothes, and all those things.

Ew, they should really take lessons on how to avoid bathing in commoner's blood.

Then, I saw a shadow slowly nearing and when she entered, the blinding lights engulfed her creating a silhouette like image from her form. And as she slowly walked towards us, her eyes shined with confidence.

I twisted my naginata on my hand, and put it beside me. It was taller and bigger than me, and it was making me look so great. I saw how Art smirked when she saw me and my great naginata.

Damn, her aura. Especially when she looked at the middle-class life that was sitting on the floor who was so cowardly. Art's eyes were glowing with an intent to kill her, and I saw how she immediately took a gun from her pocket.

"Thou shalt not... see," she mentioned coldly, eyes never leaving the woman of the Senses.

"W-Who?" the woman asked with twitching lips.

I stood back up a little letting Art have her way. Art was lucky that the Senses were their family's enemy. And I don't like taking things that weren't mine to deal with. They could have the Senses all they want... instead, I want a general from the Domain to be worthy of playing with my naginata.

A royally blessed—courtesy of Alas—naginata should never be used carelessly.

"The one you should follow... the real descendant of the Mortem," Art introduced herself eerily, and I saw how Gretta almost gasped, and didn't breathe because of what she heard.

Art took her gun, and put it on Gretta's forehead. "Stand," she commanded without any hint of joke. I felt goosebumps on my arms, but I was smirking with the scene that I was looking at.

Gretta stood up with wobbling knees, and she was looking at Art with a straight face, but her eyes were looking so horrified of her. Like she was realizing why Art was so worthy of being the Morbelque.

"K-Kill me," Gretta stuttered, and Art's forehead knotted. She cocked the gun on her side forehead.

"Two out of five pillars," murmured Cleon with a smirk while he was looking proudly at Art. Biblee was smiling, too, with what she was witnessing. You'd see that we were only waiting for Art's momentum.

I saw how Art's finger was slowly nearing on the trigger of the gun. It was so near. We were holding our breaths with what was happening and the intensity of the situation. Her aura was full black, and the air was so heavy in the room!

I was waiting for the loud echo of death from Art's gun, but I was suddenly stupefied because of the next thing that happened.

My eyes widened, and I heard Katniss gasped.

"Oh, my gosh!" Biblee exclaimed, and Cleon was suddenly alerted.

There was a loud echo of the gun in the room, but it wasn't from Art's gun. Nabitawan ni Art 'yong gun nahawak n'ya because someone targeted her gun with a bullet!

"Shit!" I heard Art exclaimed because of what happened.

"Rebel!" Biblee shouted in surprise!

It was Rebel who suddenly fired the gun on Artemis's hand. That was why she couldn't kill Gretta!

Rebel stopped it from happening! I grunted under my breath and faced Rebel, I was about to protest, but his deadly aura suddenly made me shut up.

Oh, my royals! What was he thinking!

"Don't kill the enemies so fast when they are begging to be assassinated," he warned dangerously. I gulped secretly, he sounded so authoritative and serious. There was no playful hint from him.

"Instead, torture them more..." he whispered, and he suddenly pointed out the gun outside and fired it again.

"Let's go, our mission's done." Katniss immediately followed the hidden message from Rebel's words. She searched for something inside her pockets, and when she found a rope, she tied Gretta's hand from the back.

Gretta's nanginginig in fear because of Rebel. And her eyes were blank-looking. She looked patay na because of takot with Rebel's gunshot, and with his aura.

When it was all prepared, Cleon went to Art. "Are you okay?" he asked and held Art's hand to see if she was not harmed. I also stride to them, and Art nodded quietly, probably shocked with Rebel's action.

She was so near in killing Gretta because of anger towards the Senses, but suddenly Rebel fired the gun at her. Who wouldn't be surprised? We were clouded by emotions because of the Senses, and we forgot that we needed them alive to get to the bottom of this.

I sighed. Evans were really Evans, huh? What if Rebel didn't arrive on time? We could have really made a mistake.

When we went outside of the room, Cleon and Katniss were on both sides of Gretta, making sure that she would not cause a commotion, and I was at the back with Art and Biblee. Then I glanced in front.

Looked like Rebel fired the gun outside because of one person. Kinsley. He was now holding Kinsley whose arms were bleeding because of Rebel.

"A van was prepared for all of you. You'll be back at the Empire University before morning." I nodded when I heard Yvo's voice.

"Why not a limousine? We succeed, you know," I mentioned while rolling my eyes. I fixed my naginata so I'd be able to put it on my back again. I heard Nicasia and Yvo's chuckle.

"Grabe 'yong request n'ya parang galing tayong masquerade ball!" Biblee commented with my words.

"Of course, we deserve the best, duh?" I answered her.

"Seriously? Your conversation is really something..." laughed Nicasia.

"Well, you should know now, you should prepare the best for me," I replied while shrugging my shoulders.

"Right," Yvo remarked with a chuckle.

"Okay ka lang, Art?" pagtatanong ulit ni Biblee kay Art.

"Yeah, don't worry. I should have known better," Art said then gave us a smile. I nodded at her, and we continued walking to follow Rebel.

I couldn't help but be amazed on how the place was unrecognizable. Everything was just crumbling down, and it was really bloody. It was like there was a storm that passed in here, and catastrophe happened in a snap.

No other people were breathing aside from us, and the atmosphere was eldritch.

"Grabe... ito pala talaga ibig sabihin ng destruction," bulong ni Biblee while glancing at the surrounding. It was a wreck. The amount of bloodshed was unbelievable, and the whole building seemed like it would not hold out for too long.

And because of how walls were collapsing we took the shortcut to get out of the place.

Then my eyes widened when we went out of the place.

"Oh... my... angels..." Art murmured implausibly.

"Ito talaga 'yong kaninang lugar na pinasukan natin?" Biblee added, couldn't believe it, too. I mean who would believe that it was the place earlier.

It seemed like a shattering earthquake happened in here. It was devastating and a little smoky because of the explosives. It was also macabre because of the lifeless bodies around—some had only a body part and not a full person. Grabe, ewwy.

"Royals, I really need a beauty bath after this," I mentioned while hugging myself.

"Nagsalita 'yong pinakamalinis at parang hindi nakipaglaban," Biblee mocked, and I flipped my hair at her. Art chuckled with us.

Then we arrived at the gate after walking in that bloody path. And my eyes widened when it was a limousine that suddenly stopped in front of us. Rebel, Cleon, and Katniss suddenly looked at me because of the vehicle in front of us.

Some of the underling people from the gang of First and Third opened the door for us.

Then Rebel injected something on Gretta and Kinsley. After a few seconds, they suddenly dropped like dead bodies. Rebel signalled the underlings to put them both in the compartment of the limousine, and they locked it meticiously.

When the business with the two Senses were finished, Rebel went inside so we followed.

"Spoiled," Cleon declared when we were all inside the limousine. I rolled my eyes because of him.

"I thought it was supposed to be a van?" Art queried with knotted forehead.

"Well, the duchess might nag for not giving her the royal limousine, when she was victorious in killing the two men that we needed." Nicasia's voice answered with a teasing tone from the earpiece.

"Tss, that ass Law," I heard Rebel murmured.

"Aw, my Law really loves me, huh? Don't kontra, Rebel! I'm gonna sumbong you to Honoka!" I told him. Rebel scoffed, and took a towel to remove bloodstains from him. Cleon, Art, and Katniss followed, but I remained looking at them.

I smirked proudly. Duh, I didn't need to clean, because I was already glistening neat! They should really take lessons on how to be sparkly and fashionably fresh in wars. Should I ask Luna on how to make it a business? Hmmm. Or maybe I could tell it to Law.

Rebel scoffed at me. "And should I sumbong to my dearest brother—what you did tonight?" he told me mockingly with a triumphant grin.

My eyes widened, and when I glanced at Katniss her jaw dropped. "I'm out of that. I just ate a cake," she added while putting her hands up in surrender.

"You!" I was so gigil in pointing at him!

That should be a secret from Law because he would kill—the one who was with me, although he was already murdered. He'd make him suffer in afterlife. Which would be great, but I didn't want Law dealing with those lowlifes!

I crossed my arms and pouted. I wanted to try different things in fighting you know! The offensive and flashy battle kind wasn't the only skill I have. I should use other things up on my sleeves, because sticking to one ain't so royal.

"Tss, if I know you are holding a grudge at Kinsley, and you'd want to kill him if possible!" I retorted back, and he gawked at me because I knew of that although I shouldn't have known.

I smirked and crossed my arms. Duh? I am Harper Aurora Wolf-Villamor. That would be an enough reason to justify why I knew those things. I am not just beauty, and flawless, I am brains, too. Tss!

That was why Law was so lucky to have someone like me! Duh, this was Harper Aurora already!

"Alam mo?" hindi makapaniwalang question ni Cleon.

"How?" Biblee seconded. Katniss was remaining mum with a smile, because I knew, she also knew about this. Probably, all the Crowns knew about this.

"If there is one person who can control the Law, then think about it..." I simpered at them, and they all laughed while shaking their heads.

"Great work, guys! The underling gangs will be the one to clean up the mess." Yvo's voice suddenly informed us while we were talking and laughing to each other.

"Ano'ng nangyayari sa school?" biglang ask ni Cleon.

"There are still endless pour of enemies and the building where the students are evacuated are being targeted, but worry not. They are dealing with it really well." We all nodded with the great news that was delivered to us.

"Now we all have the Senses in our hands, we plucked the roots, but we need to clean their remains," Nicasia added with a soft but uncanny chortle.

We travelled and rested from the mission that we had. Biblee looked so tired that was why she was quiet, and her eyes were slowly closing. I sat beside her more closely and let her borrow my elegant shoulders.

Katniss also looked sleepy, and Rebel asked her to exchange seats with Art.

"Hey, sorry about earlier, I needed to do that to stop you," Rebel stated gently while looking at Art.

"No, sorry because I was hasty and didn't think rationally in that situation," Art answered in a mellow tone. They beamed at each other, and Cleon patted Art's head. Art sighed, she also looked drained.

Rebel let Katniss nap on his shoulder like she was also her little sister. And Cleon hugged Art in his arms, letting her sleep on his chest. I couldn't help but smile and tap Biblee's hand because of the situation.

I just felt so accomplished with it. It was so nice to rest after being victorious in our mission.

Yvo and Nicasia told us to rest too because it was really a long night of destruction for the six of us. We raided the enemy's den, and we were successful in that... we deserved this. I closed my eyes slowly because it was becoming heavy, too.

Tomorrow... I would surely bring out my best again. No matter how small, or big the battle would commence, I would make sure that I would never be a burden to anyone.

Law's so powerful, and sometimes it felt like it would be unimaginable to catch up to his prowess, but I would never back down, I'd keep getting stronger every day and one day, we'd stand on equal grounds.

I wasn't doing it for him, instead, I was doing it for myself. So, I could also protect my precious people... and my family.

There were strong people... because they kept advancing forward to make sure that they'd be competent. Not just because they were born strong.

I DIDN'T know how long the travel was back to the school, I was just so worn out and sleepy. "Hey, Aurora..." My forehead knotted when I heard that soft voice. Hmmm? I attempted to open my eyes but it was blurry so I just closed it again wanting to go back to dreamland.

"Tsk, after what you've done, you are just going to sleep on me?" I heard a chuckle but I didn't mind it. I snuggled closer to Biblee.

But Biblee seemed to become taller, and leaner? I felt myself slowly lifted from where I was. I thought, I was dreaming but when I opened my eyes again, I saw a handsome man... an ethereal man.

Oh, wait... this was my man.

"Law...?" I murmured absentmindedly, and I felt him kissed my forehead.

Then the realization dawned on me! Oh, my royals! We had arrived at the school, and because I was sleeping, he took me out of the car and carried me like a royal duchess. Oh, he should! He really knew what to do!

I rested my head on his chest. I inhaled his scent. I heard him cackled softly again, because of what I did.

I saw Biblee being carried by Akira. She was sleeping—not so royally—her mouth was hanging open, and Akira was laughing softly at her. "Pagod na pagod 'to ah?" Akira told us while glancing at us.

"The mission's exhausting. After all, that's the adversaries's lair." Rebel was the one who answered. "Where's Reign?" he added while looking at the building.

Rebel and Law looked at each other with a hidden message. And Rebel just waved his hand at us, and went in to the building where we were staying. I shook my head because I knew he'd go looking for the lovely Honoka.

"Hey, put me down," I whispered at Law.

"No, let me carry you," he answered and I didn't complain. Duh? This was already a blessing. I was sure he already knew what I did earlier, and I need to be a good girl today—yes, today lang so he'd let me off the hook.

Cleon move out of the van, carrying the sleeping princess of the Morbelque. Then two people approached them.

"Sloane," Cleon greeted, I saw how Sloane looked so relieved because Cleon looked fine.

Caerus took the sleeping Art from Cleon. "Take care of her," Cleon instructed Caerus, and Caerus smirked. "I will. She had a tough night, huh?" natatawang sambit ni Caerus. Cleon nodded, and smiled at them.

Sloane went in front of Cleon and suddenly turned him around frantically, as if checking if there was a single bleeding and cut. I chortled gently because of the situation. "Asan? Wala kang galos ha!" sambit nito.

"Ako pa? Wala 'tong tiwala. Ikaw lang nakakasapak sa akin, ano! Be honoured!" Cleon told her proudly.

"Aray!" I laughed softly because Sloane batok-batok Cleon! Geez! He deserved that! "Grabe s'ya! Imbis na yakap at halik, talagang sapok ang hatid sa akin! Panalo kami, 'no! Wala man lang reward?" Cleon asked directly.

Sloane hissed and flicked her brows at him before she spun Cleon around again checking thoroughly.

"Tuwang-tuwa ka ha? May atraso ka sa akin," banta ni Law. I diverted my gaze, and hugged his chest and hid my face on there.

But then, I was still glancing at Sloane. I saw that Sloane heaved heavily in relief. I thought she was gonna nag Cleon more, but she suddenly grabbed the back of his neck to give him a peck on the lips. Cleon looked shocked but then so satisfied with it.

He hugged Sloane tighter, and almost lifted her up just to kiss her more.

"Law!" I protested when my vision suddenly went dark because Law covered my eyes with his face!

Then he moved away his face while carrying me, still cackling with my reaction. He went inside the building and First was there.

"Deal with the Senses, they are at the compartment," Law demanded firmly, and First nodded with a smile.

"Yeah, rest up. Some of the royals, and crowns will take over from here," Saint replied, and ran outside to deal with the Senses. I heard Cleon and Sloane catching up to us.

"Where's Katniss?" I asked because I didn't see her.

"Kellon carried her. Thorn was there, too. Nauna si Katniss na kunin no'ng dalawa," explained Law, and I nodded.

We went to the elevator with the sweet Cleon and Sloane. And when we arrived at the floor where we were staying in, we parted ways. At the living room, Justice and Luna were together discussing things with Theon.

"Where's Amythee?" Pierce asked Theon.

"Akira asked her to clean up the sleeping Biblee a little. They are at that room." Then Theon pointed out the room, Pierce nodded.

"Where's Gabby?" I asked Law, but he ignored the query. Looked like Gabby still wasn't here.

"Luna." We simultaneously looked at the one who called her. "Can you take care of Katie?" My forehead knotted because of Kellon's words.

"Katie? Si Katniss?" asked Honoka who just came out from the kitchen.

"Yeah, I need to go and deal things with the Crowns. And she's still a little bloody, but she's currently knocked out," he furthered explained. Luna stood up from her seat and nodded. Kellon pointed out the room where he left Katniss.

"Hey, Thorn, take care of Katie, too." Thorn nodded at Kellon.

"Yeah, don't worry," he retorted with a smile.

"I'll proceed," Kellon mentioned and signalled something at Law. I sighed, and didn't question what was going on. I don't pry on these kinds of things. I knew better. I might be maarte, but I wasn't pakielamera.

"Punta muna ako kay Kat," Luna told Justice, and Luna went to the said room. Thorn remained in the living room with Justice.

"Where's Rebel, Honoka?" Law asked Honoka.

"He's taking a bath. I'll go to Art muna. I should clean her, too. Caerus asked me earlier," Honoka stated tenderly. "Harper, you should rest, too. You might be tired from the raid." Then Honoka kissed my cheeks a little, and excused herself.

Law just nodded, and he followed Honoka's message. He opened a room, and the door to the bathroom. He finally lowered me down from carrying me to the bathroom's ceramic top. Because it was a little high we were evenly levelled.

"Tired?" he asked me, I smiled at him and nodded.

"Royally exhausted," I answered, and he chuckled gently.

"You look a little out of place from your comrades, not a single drop of blood, huh?" I crossed my arms at him, and flipped my hair. He should be proud of me!

"How about you? How's your night?" I asked him delicately.

"Hmmm." Looked like it didn't go well, huh? After he suddenly vanished with Gabby it seemed like he was dealing with a lot of stuff.

"I am kind of preventing myself not to explode with anger and take all the Senses down. I don't want another trouble for this week," he told me meaningfully while grinning mischievously. I pressed my lips together, and cleared my throat.

"Uh..." I am suddenly natameme! I didn't know what to say!

"Uh?" he mocked while licking his lower lip. I was napatitig tuloy sa luscious lips n'ya! So tempting! Tss!

I sighed and bowed my head. "Okay, how about I make bawi na lang to you, so you don't get angry na?" I murmured with a pout.

"And what bawi?" he challenged, then I raised my head to see him tilting his head, and mocking the way I was speaking. I glared at him, and he held his head high. I couldn't retort to that! He was really keeping his rage from what I did!

I took his hand that was on the edge of the countertop, and put it on my waist.

"Aurora!" he roared while gritting his teeth.

"What?! You are galit because I let that lowlife do this, right?!" I told him in irritation.

He sighed and his grip on my waist tightened. Then he sighed after thinking something deep while my forehead was puckered in confusion. "You know, just take your beauty bath, and you should rest up and sleep," sukong sabi n'ya.

"Tss!" I went down and pushed him, a little.

"The tables turned fast, huh? Ako dapat galit," natatawang sabi n'ya pero hindi ko s'ya pinansin.

"Bahala ka! I was supposed to make lambing! But you ruined it!" I shouted at him, and he was laughing at me.

I pushed him out of the bathroom while still cackling.

Then I took a warm beauty bath after, and went directly to the closet room that was connected here to get pajamas. After fixing my beauty skin care, and hygiene, I went out of the bathroom after drying my hair with a blower.

I thought Law already left, but he was sitting on the edge of the bed while in deep thoughts. When he felt my presence, he glanced at me with a beam. "Come here." He signalled for me to go to him.

I smiled at him, and walked slowly towards him. He was still in his polo and slacks. I was about to sit down beside him, but I shrieked when he seized my wrist to make me sit on his lap sideways. "Law!" I shouted at him, but he shut me up with a smack on the lips.

"Akala ko babawi ka, asan na 'yong bawi?" he joked and I laughed at him. But then stop to look at his eyes in a mellow manner.

"Sorry... I'm sorry. I knew you'd be mad with my actions, but I did it anyway," I told him sincerely, and his eyes softened.

"Am I being too high maintenance, and selfish? Maarte na ba ako masyado para sa'yo?" I asked seriously, and caressed his cheeks. He hugged my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"I don't care." He looked gave me a peck on my side neck.

"As long as you are my Aurora, I don't care. As long as you are growing as a person in different aspects, and you are mine, I don't care." I smiled in relief because of his honest tone.

"Please don't be pressured with me..." he whispered faintly, and held my hand. "I can sometimes feel that you are overexerting things..."

There was different tug in my heart because of his words. "You are already the best in my eyes, because you are you..." I pressed my lips together as a flow of emotions swept my heart and mind.

Iniharap ko ang mukha n'ya sa akin. I caressed his face with my hands. And I gave him a peck on the lips. "I'm sorry for causing you troubles," I mentioned sincerely, and he chuckled gently.

I gave him another feathery kiss. "Thank you for continuously choosing me."

And I kissed him again. "I love you... Raphael Law Evans... Not because my mother wanted you for me. Not because you are the best person suited for me. Not because you are the strongest... but because... I love all of you."

"If this is your 'bawi' and 'lambing' then you really succeeded," he laughed softly, and I pouted at him, I was about to punch him on the chest because he was so panira with my sweetness, but he caught my hand, and he suddenly closed the gap between the two of us.

I felt how he slowly claimed my lips like it was his addiction but at the same time his fragile desire. I delicately circled my arms around his nape, and his hand travelled to my waist, pulling my closer to him while I was still on his lap.

"I love you... Harper Aurora," he mentioned in between the passionate kiss he was giving me.

With my eyes closed I brushed the tip of our nose together, and his lips once again touched mine to make it his. I returned his kiss with the same intensity and love. I could hear his heartbeat, and I couldn't help but smile with it.

Because of my smile, he suddenly claimed my lower lips, I held the back of his head to make it deeper.

He could probably hear my heartbeat, too, and how I was getting weak with his delicate touch. And I was happy and contented with it.

No person could harm this man... my man, my lifeline, my Law... as long as I live.

I was catching my breath when he freed my lips from his kiss. Pinagdikit n'ya ang noo naming dalawa. "Always keep safe in your battles, okay? Don't make me worried and mad. I could do impossible things for you..."

"Yeah. And you should, too. You are mine. And what's mine should never be hurt without my permission, okay?" We both chuckled at each other, and he kissed my forehead tenderly, before tucking me in.

When I was settled, and was ready to sleep, he stood up. Pinatakan n'ya ulit ako ng halik sa noo. "Sweet dreams, Aurora." I nodded at him, eyes getting heavy, but I was blissful. And all I heard was the door closing as he left me to rest in the room.

***

Luminous Erina's POV

Days and nights passed quickly because of the intense battles that were happening inside and outside of the Empire University. Hindi porke na nasa amin na ang lahat ng Senses magiging madali at maayos kaagad ang lahat.

May mga underling gang pa rin sila na naniniwala sa kanila, at sumusugod at naghahanap ng pwersa para kunin at bawiin sila muli sa amin. The Senses were all being locked up in the torture room.

The Crowns, and the Pasaways would go in there to torture all of them. Layla and Alain wasn't being tortured but they were locked up. Nakakuha ang Crowns kay Layla ng mga imposmasyon no'n kaya naging matagumpay ang raid nina Katniss.

Pero hindi sapat ang impormasyon na nakuha ng mga Crowns sa kanya. She was still keeping mum about why they were formed, and why they chose to mess with the name Morbelque, and the Mortem.

They could have created their own name, but why would they mess with the long gone and erased name in history? It was like the one behind them purposely choose the Mortem to commence a bigger execution of plans and things.

Bukas, magiging isang linggo na simula nang magka-gyera kami laban sa Senses.

Sobrang naging madugo pa rin ang laban no'ng mga nakaraang araw. Lives were still lost. But the Crowns were doing their best about it, and the damage control in the school. They had a lot on their hands, and with the Pasaways help they were doing great.

Ang daming nasirang building sa school, kahit hindi abandonado at luma ang mga 'yon. Pagkatapos sa underground city na hawak at kung saan lider sina Saint, mukhang nasugod din. Kaya naman may ilang Crowns at grupo nila ang lumabas, at sina Sven at group nito ang nag-deal sa loob ng school.

It was messier in the underground cities than the school. Things were thrown into chaos. Sobrang nahati ang napakaraming bagay dahil nga pinalabas ng Crowns na ang Senses ang trumaydor sa Grim Monarch.

Grabe rin ang labanan nila. Dadanak nang napakaraming dugo, mawawalan ng buhay, at mga matinding pagsabog. Some underground cities wouldn't be recovered forever because of the damage and the war that happened in there.

The Grim Monarch was searching for the Senses. Syempre hindi pwedeng hindi sila makakaganti sa kanila, pero dahil ayaw nga sila ibigay nina Saint, naging mas madugo ang lahat. Mabuti na lang talaga planado ni Yvo, Kellon, at Nicasia ang bagay na 'to.

Yes, the fight against the Grim Monarch was inevitable but they managed to stop more bloodshed because the Empire made a deal with them. Ibibgay namin sa kanila ang ulo ng mga Senses. Ayaw nilang maniwala no'ng una.

Pero bagkay ni Donovan ang hinatid nina Caerus sa kanila kaya naman wala silang nagawa. Kung hindi makipagkasundo. They had no power to create another war against the Empire. They knew that they would lose immediately.

That was why they gave us the Senses.

Pero hindi natigil ang lahat do'n. Napakaraming nakisali at naging panggulo sa underground city dahil naniwala sila sa pekeng Mortem. They wanted to face the real Mortem. They were aiming to make the real Mortem appear before them.

Goodness, the headache of dealing outside and the underground cities were a mess. Kaya naman pati Pasaways lumalabas na para lang makipaglaban sa mga underground city. Pero hindi hinayaan ni Saint na lumabas ng school ang mga Morbelque.

The others who were left at the school dealt with the gang who was under the influence of the Senses, and they were students at the Empire. Kung may nakuha man kami kay Layla at Alain na sobrang laki ng pakinabang ito 'yon.

We managed to eliminate students who were under the Senses' command.

And because of that we managed to stop some explosions in the Empire. Pero hindi lahat, kaya marami rin talagang nasawi sa mga nangyari.

Even Thorn, Pierce, and Theon got some damage while dealing with the explosives that were planted inside the school. Napapikit na lang ako nang mariin no'ng biglang nagkagulo talaga sa gitna nang linggo dahil sa nangyari sa kanila.

Damn, Amythee went ballistic because Theon almost burned and exploded to death. Her anger couldn't be controlled.

"Let's clean the school, and make sure things will be okay now," Kael told me and I nodded. Nasa monitor room kami dahil nagga-guide kami sa mga Pasaways tungkol sa mga huling laban at paglilinis sa school.

The atmosphere in here were becoming better after days and nights of nothing but explosion and bloodshed.

"Yeah, I don't want another Pierce, Thorn, and Theon situation," sambit ko kay Kael, ginulo n'ya ang buhok ko.

"Amythee went really mad because of what happened, she killed innocent ones. She needs more training mentally," iiling-iling na sabi ni Kael. Sumang-ayon naman ako ro'n.

"Deep down, Ate must have been recalling the trauma with Ate Miracle that's why..." bulong ni Biblee sa amin at tumango naman kami. The trauma of Amythee and Miracle wasn't going to be erased fully.

Parehas man gumaling, may maiiwan pa rin talagang sugat sa kanila. And Miracle was stronger in this aspect, because she was using her own scar to become stronger, while Amythee's scar was still hurting her.

They might be free from its chains, but it would still affect to who they were now.

"Grabe si Ate no'ng nalaman n'yang walang malay si Theon dahil sa nangyari," Biblee mentioned as she hugged herself remembering that night.

"I know, she suddenly became so blank and expressionless. Her aura dropped from an angelic to someone who you would never want to mess with," dagdag ni Cleon habang umiiling kapag naalala ang tagpong 'yon.

"Pahamak n'yo lang si Theon lagi, kapag kailangan n'yo ng evil Ate ko," tawa ni Biblee kaya nabatukan s'ya ni Cleon. Kaming apat ulit ang intel sa monitor room, at nasa underground cities sina Yvo at Nicasia.

"Nako, kung si Akira ang napahamak?" biglang pang-aasar ko.

"Maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan! Api lang ang walang ganti!" sigaw bigla ni Biblee at tumayo sa swivel chair n'ya, nagkatawanan kaming apat habang umiiling dahil do'n. Jusko talaga 'to si Biblee.

"Weh?" asar ni Cleon.

"Ano ka ba! Hindi na uso ang damsel in distress, ang uso ngayon, save your prince charming!" Biblee declared while wiggling her brows.

"Prince charming ka dyan, eh, prince harming naman si Akira," Cleon laughed.

Bigla s'yang nabatukan ni Biblee ng napakalakas. "Oo, 'tapos under ka kay Sloane kaya wala kang karapatan magsalita!" sagot nito kaya naman tawang-tawa kami ni Kael sa naririnig sa kanila. Mga baliw talaga.

"Amythee's strong but she needs to learn to control her emotions," Kael mentioned while nodding his head, while seeing Amythee fight enemies right now, then he gave her some directives, umupo ulit si Biblee para gawin ang resposibilidad n'ya.

Kahit madalas talaga loko-loko 'to si Cleon at Biblee, kapag nasa harap ng computer, at ginagawa ang pagiging intel hahanga ka rin. They were growing these past few days, and their growth was insane.

They developed authority, and intensity. Kung noong una sumusuway at nagiging matigas pa ang ulo ng ilang Crowns at Pasaways sa sinasabi nila, no'ng mga nakaraang araw makikita mong napapasunod na nila sila.

Sloane won't take orders unless it was from Saint or someone higher than her. But she learned how to listen and follow the intels without any question. Her unpredictable whims were slowly being controlled by Cleon when it comes to battles—well, under pa rin si Cleon kapag hindi na labanan.

But that was a great achievement. Napasunod mo sa gusto mo si Sloane? Damn. That was insane.

Biblee's craziness would also be gone when she was serious with her instructions, she was learning not to cross boundaries in her cute and talkative personality to her being an intel. Their minds, and their plans were being more intact as each time passes.

Damn, Miracle and Alas were really accomplishing great things, huh?

This was their plan from the beginning. To make sure that the Pasaways knew what was the difference in training and in real situations. Hindi lahat aayon sa plano, hindi lahat magiging maganda ang takbo, they would be under pressure of all the circumstances. And they were handling it well.

Kagaya no'ng nangyari kina Pierce, Thorn, at Theon.

"Amythee's growth is good, too. I think she realized her weakness, and how emotions ruled her after what happened to Theon," imik ko sa kanila na sinang-ayunan nila.

Amythee was near the perimeter when the explosion happened. 'Yong tatlo kasi ang naka-assign sa pag-dismantle ng mga bomba sa buong school na tinanim ng mga estudyanteng parte sa Senses. At nagkataon na 'yong bombang na natagpuan ni Theon ay nakakonekta sa dalawa pang bomba.

Sasabog ang dalawang bomba na nakakonekta ro'n sa nahanap ni Theon kapag nag-disassemble s'ya kaagad. Biblee was the one who discovered that kind of bomb, kaya napigilan n'ya kaagad ang gagawin ni Theon no'n.

Kaso dahil nasimulan ni Theon kalikutin ang bombang 'yon, kailangan mahanap 'yong dalawang nakakonekta sa bombang 'yon kasi nagka-timer. That was why Pierce and Thorn immediately went to search around that bomb.

Biblee handled the pressure of the timer that was less than ten minutes and found the other two using her intel skills. That was damn nerve-wrecking. Because if it was the first day, sasabog 'yon at hindi n'ya pa rin nahahanap 'yong dalawa.

Pero dahil sa bilis ng growth n'ya, nagawa n'yang hanapin 'yon at tamang ngisi lang kami ni Kael dahil kahit sumabog ang bombang 'yon, hindi kami makikialam sa kanila. We would pretend, yes, but it was up to them to deal with that mess and the tension.

Although, Biblee was successful, looked like the enemies expected that Pierce, and Thorn would deal with the other bombs, kaya nakipaglaban pa sina Pierce at Thorn no'n para lang ma-dismantle ang bomba.

Because of the enemies' interference, the bombs exploded. It was a suicide mission for the foe. Mga demonyo. Wala na silang pakialam sa buhay nila, at hinayaan nilang sumabog ang sarili para lang ibaon ang kutsilyo nila sa mga bombang 'yon.

Biblee was fast in instructing the three of them, that was why they survived the fatal explosion, however, they didn't manage to escape the damage from it. Kung wala si Biblee biglang intel no'ng tatlo malamang sa malamang bangkay na sila ngayon. Biblee's mind and wits were admirable given that they were in that situation.

She managed to find them good spots to hide, and she managed to trick some adversaries to go to the explosion. Grabe lang. Dalawang plano 'yong ginawa n'ya ng sabay kahit sobrang pressured s'ya sa oras at mangyayaring pagsabog.

Dahil malapit si Amythee at alam n'ya ang location ng lugar ni Theon. Na-realize n'ya kaagad na nasa panganib 'yong isa. Biblee couldn't lie to her sister so she told her the situation. Amythee found Theon half unconscious.

She looked serious and calm when giving first aid to Theon, while Biblee was contacting a group of our alliances from a gang to help in transporting Theon to a safe place. Mabilis nagawa 'yon at nawalan ng malay si Theon dahil sa natamong sugat, galos, at pinsala sa pagsabog.

And that was when Amythee snapped. She became so mad about the situation, at lahat ng mga kalaban sa area na 'yon, pinatay n'ya ng walang awa at walang tigil. She attracted a lot of foes because she looked out of it.

Little did those opponents know, they were facing a monster. Grabe 'yong tipong patay na 'yong kalaban n'ya, bigla s'yang uupo sa dibdib nila at pagsasasaksakin sa iba't ibang parte ng katawan. I thought it was random stabs, but no... all those stabs... were the places were Theon received damage.

That was so freaking eerie! She remembered every cut, and damage that Theon had when she only tended and glanced at him in a short amount of time.

Pati nga 'yong mga underling gang na kakampi namin, hindi n'ya pinalampas, basta nandon ka sa lugar na 'yon, papatayin ka n'ya. She was losing it!

"Buti na lang nakaisip ka kaagad ng solusyon no'n, Biblee, ano?" tahimik na sambit ko bigla habang nakikita si Amythee sa screen.

"Saan?" Her forehead knotted.

"When Amythee lost it." I shrugged at her.

"Ah, yeah, Ate... would never calm down, unless she sees what she wanted to see... kahit pa peke," nakangiting sambit nito at bumagsak ang balikat.

"Yeah, good thing you send me to her," tumatango-tangong sang-ayon ni Cleon. Biblee was smart enough to send Cleon to Amythee.

Why? Because Theon and Cleon looked so alike.

"Buti pinagpanggap mo ako bilang Theon para pakalmahin si Amythee, kahit medyo late," dagdag ni Cleon.

Bago makapunta si Cleon kay Amythee, she discovered a bomb, and she gathered all the dead bodies of the enemies and alliances, then she made them explode in the same place. Grabe 'yong pagkain sa kanya ng galit no'ng pagkakataong 'yon, sobrang demonyo at brutal n'ya!

It was only when Cleon arrived when she stopped the mad bloodshed. She thought Cleon was Theon. She thought he was now okay. And Cleon took the chance, para i-target ang vital spot ni Amythee.

"Grabe kung hindi ko s'ya nagawang tanggalan ng malay kaagad no'n, baka ako napagbuntunan ng galit n'ya," natatawang sambit ni Cleon.

"Patay ka kay Theon, kapag nalaman no'n na niyakap mo si Amythee habang nagpapanggap na s'ya!" loko ni Kael kay Cleon.

"Nahalata nga kaagad!" reklamo ni Cleon.

"Si Ate pa, patay na patay kay Theon 'yon! Mabilis makatunog 'yon!" tawa ni Biblee.

"Kaya nga, grabe rin kaba mo no'n eh! Alam na alam mo talaga countdown kung kailan makakahalata si Amythee!" I told her, and we high fived at each other.

Kung ibang tao 'yon hindi mahahalata 'yon pero, sobrang bilis ng uptake ni Amythee sa bagay na 'yon. Mabuti na lang talaga kalkulado ni Biblee kung gaano kabilis makakahalata si Amythee, kaya naging tagumpay sila.

And Amythee was sent with Theon. Luckily, when she regained consciousness, she was calm, and she realized the mess that she created.

"Si Pierce rin no'n, ano! Nakakagulat!" Biblee exclaimed. "Grabe, h'wag na h'wag n'yo sasaktan at gagalitin ang Santo, kilabot!" Napayakap si Biblee sa naalala n'ya.

"I know! He seriously, reminded me of someone!" I agreed with a beam.

"Right. Pierce seriously took a turn in his growth," tumatangong sambit ni Kael.

Pierce didn't have that much damage unlike Theon. Nasugatan lang sa binti at braso, kaya nagawa pa ring makipaglaban kahit gano'n, pero may ilang hiwa si Pierce at damage dahil do'n. It was Honoka who helped and gave him first aid.

Kilabot din ako sa dilim ng awra ni Pierce no'n. He was freaking mad because he was hurt!

"Who does Pierce remind you?" curious na tanong ni Cleon sa akin.

"The aura he had was so similar to someone... he is so similar to Saint—when Saint is mad," I answered honestly, and it gave me shivers thinking of it.

Mas naging malakas kasi si Pierce nang matapos s'yang bigyan ng first aid ni Honoka. Imbis na maging mahina dahil sa pinasala, naging mas brutal at nakakatakot s'ya.

"He was a walking killing machine! Grabe ni walang nakakalapit sa kanya, dahil namamatay na kaagad sila!" manghang-manghang imik ni Biblee. It was like she was thinking of how a literal angel could be that cruel.

He freaking owned the place with his mad bloodshed! He was unbeatable, and his aura in the place was so red! 'Yong tipong kapag nasa isang laro ka, hind kapapasok sa isang certain coordinate at perimeter, dahil sa matinding panganib na mararamdaman mo.

"You'd feel that you would be hunted, and haunted. And you would need to run away or kill yourself on your own," Kael declared with keen eyes, looking at the monitor where Pierce was currently fighting.

Tumango naman kami kaagad para sumang-ayon. "Grabe, ramdam ko pa rin 'yong kilabot!" Biblee added with shivers.

Pierce became so quiet, and eerie in dealing with his enemies. 'Yong tipong babaliin n'ya na lang ang leeg nila at mga buto nila.

"That was so... Saint," I told them, and I could feel their curiosity with the First Crown.

Gano'n si Saint. Kapag nalalagay sa mapanganib at tila agrabyado na sa sitwasyon, mas magiging brutal at mas lumalakas. Kabaliktaran ng dapat mangyari. They both had that aura, that even though you shot them dead, they would hunt you to your death.

Sigurado akong naging gano'n si Pierce dahil kay Elly.

Elly who wasn't here because she was facing her punishment. Miracle didn't really kid when she told us that there would be a consequence if we ever disobey their decree.

Pierce knew that whenever he'd be hurt, Elly would turn to a monster who would never think of her well-being, and that was why Pierce didn't want to get hurt again. To make sure Elly would never turn sinister and face punishments because of him.

"At least wala si Gabby, baka kung ano na naman magawa ni Gabby kapag nalaman no'n na nagalusan si Pierce," iiling-iling na sambit ni Cleon, at tumango kaming lahat sa sinabi n'ya.

Napabuntonghininga na lang ako kasi grabe rin talaga 'yong naging epekto kay Pierce nang narinig at naramdaman n'ya no'n kay Paeng at Elly. No pain could ever top that intense encounter that he was a part of.

"'Tapos grabe si Katniss! Pakiramdam ko hindi s'ya si Katniss no'n!" sambit pa ni Biblee, at natawa ako sa kanya.

"And because of Thorn, people discovered why Katniss is reigned as the youngest Crown," nakangiting saad ko at sumang-ayon sila.

Si Katniss na mismo ang nag-first aid at tumawag ng tulong para maialis si Thorn sa lugar at 'yon at madala sa medic building ng school.

"I never thought the skills that we are seeing in Katniss isn't her real adroitness," Cleon mentioned critically.

Kael and I smirked at them. "Katniss would never use her hidden strategies, skills, and techniques. But some of it showed its glory from that night," explained Kael firmly.

Katniss was a person who was so good with sword, no other Crown—maybe Saint—could top that skill of hers, but this time, she threw away her sword, and she faced them without any weapons, and with just pure prowess.

Katniss showed one of her hidden cards... she used the forbidden skill.

The copier Katniss glowed that night.

"The legend that Nanay look up to—in terms of skills was freaking alive in my eyes that night!" Biblee exclaimed. "Grabe, goosebums pa rin, look!" Pagkatapos pinakita n'ya sa amin 'yong goosebumps n'ya, nagkatawanan kami.

It was originally Catherine Servilla's trump card, but it was a hidden card for Katniss. 'Yong skill na isang beses mo lang makikita ang move ng kalaban, pero makokopya mo kaagad. At kapag nakopya n'ya na ang galaw na 'yon.

Hindi na sa 'yo ang move na 'yon. It was going to be entirely hers. With a different agility, and strength.

"And she owned that card," I declared, and they nodded to agree. Why? I was seeing the original from her dangerously silent moves. Para kong nakikita si Catherine Servilla no'ng pagkakataong 'yon, grabe 'yong lakas ni Katniss. And to think... that she was so young. She'd grow more.

After a while we went back to communicating with the pasaways and some crowns in the school, to finish our duty in cleaning up the left enemies in the school, and patrolling to see if there were more bombs in the whole school.

Halos wala ng mga panganib at kalaban, pero wala pa ring kasiguraduhan ang lahat kaya't nanatili kaming alerto sa lahat.

Ilang oras din ang lumipas matapos no'n, at napaunat-unat na lang kami nang matapos ang oras para sa amin.

"Hey... tomorrow..." biglang sambit ni Cleon no'ng matapos s'ya sa pagiging intel. The atmosphere in the room suddenly felt ponderous.

Kael and I focused our gazes on him. Biblee cleared her throat and glanced at him curiously.

"Why?" tanong ko, at s'yang bumasag sa katahimikan.

"We'll deal with the Senses tomorrow, right?" Tumango kami sa sinabi nito.

In the morning... the Royals, and the Elites would finish the clean-up, and would finish the damage that the school went through. They would move to make the hierarchy back on its place, and for the school to function again.

And in the night... it would be the Senses ticking time. If they weren't going to give us information, it would be better to kill them. The truth maybe concealed now, but with the sun and the moon reigning on the sky in the light and gloom, the verity would show itself in their presence.

No one would be able to escape, and no secret could be buried with the Empress and the Emperor watching them.

We had their signal. And the end must come to an end.

"What will happen with the Senses tomorrow, are we going to just kill them? Literally just slash their necks?" tanong ni Cleon. Napalingon si Biblee sa amin, mukhang gano'n din ang gusto itanong.

"No," I answered seriously.

"We'll play a game." Napalunok si Biblee at Cleon sa sinabi ni Kael habang may mapaglarong ngisi sa labi. Kinilabutan ako sa ngisi ni Kael. It only reminded me of his father—of Tito Nate.

A dangerously confident playful smirk. Chaos. 'Yon ang ibig sabihin no'n.

"What game?" sabay na tanong ni Biblee at Cleon, nagkibit-balikat si Kael, at tumayo sa kinauupuan, bago inilagay ang dalawang kamay sa bulsa n'ya. I also stood up, and I walked beside Kael, leaving Biblee and Cleon puzzled.

Sumunod din naman kaagad 'yong dalawa sa amin. At dahil do'n nakarating kami ibang palapag at lugar. Pumunta kami sa salas kung saan kami namamalagi ngayon.

We waited for everyone to arrive. They cleaned themselves first from the bloodshed, and after that they all gathered to the living room because they knew something important would soon take place.

Nandito na ang halos lahat—may inaantay lang kami—at ayan na nga dumating na sila.

"Hey," Saint greeted with a smile.

"Reunion, eh?" Nicasia kidded, and she giddily went to sit on the empty sofa. Saint followed to sit beside her.

"Now it feels like the war is really ending with this meeting," natatawang sambit naman ni Yvo. He sat near Theon and Amythee. And he fixed his glasses. I smirked at him, and he did the same.

"Let's get this thing done," Kellon mentioned and he went in front of Katniss who was with Thorn and Pierce.

"Scoot over, Katie," he commanded, and Katniss pouted. Inakbayan lang ni Kellon ang kapatid na mukhang naiinis sa kanya.

"Am I really needed here?" napapakamot sa likod ng ulo na imik ni Sven, bago umupo sa isang bilog na upuan sa may dulo, solo lang s'ya ro'n. Pero malapit lang kina Biblee, Akira, Cleon at Sloane.

"Yeah, you are a Morbelque after all," sagot ni Theon dito. Sven boredly looked at him, and raised his one brow, as if he was taunting him.

"The audacity of someone who couldn't accept he is one, huh?" he mocked without batting an eyelid.

"Tss!" Theon hissed. Napailing-iling lang si Sven at ginulo ang buhok n'ya.

"Shall we proceed?" tanong ni Saint, at tiningnan si Paeng, na nakatayo sa likod kung saan nakaupo si Harper, both his hands were pocketed, and he was looking so serious.

Suddenly, the atmosphere dropped into a negative degree when Paeng cleared his throat. I gulped secretly, and I saw dread on the faces of everyone because of Paeng's aura. Even Harper flinched a little because of how powerful it was.

I could feel the urge to bow down a little and to never glance at him because he was showing his authority in this place.

"We'll play a game tomorrow... with the Senses," Paeng declared as he inclined his head to the side, with a small smirk on his lips.

"And that game would mark the end of the Senses..." Kael added in full seriousness. If Paeng made us feel scared and heavy, Kael made us feel the coldness and harshness of winter.

I saw some hands trembling because of their aura. Damn, it wasn't even that much, they were only showing authority, and not scaring anyone, but this was already the result. Ang hirap huminga, at grabe ang kabog ng puso ko.

"Not just that..." Eon walked to go beside where Honoka was sitting alone. "This game will only involve some of you, but others will just be spectators. The terror of being in the game, and the horror of only watching the dreadful game. You'll experience it."

Fear crept in my skin when Eon's eyes focused on the Morbelques in the room. They were across us. At nasa likod ng sofa si Caerus malapit kay Art. His eyes were burning in its coloured dull silver. It was like his dead eyes suddenly glisten to become fiery, and that cause the air in the room to become so black.

Para kaming biglang nakakarinig ng pag-tictoc ng bomba. At kapag may kumalabit do'n sasabog ang lahat.

The triplet's eyes were nothing but dead, but it was giving us so much pressure.

Paeng's golden and heavy authority. Kael's cold and silent storm. And Rebel baleful and ticking aura.

That was all we need; we were in the realm of being in between hell and heaven. It was the scary uncertainty. It was the fearful deadly aura, making it so hard to breathe, and to even want to be alive with them.

Even Honoka, me, and Harper were not safe from their intensity.

"Tomorrow will mark the day..." Eon started with a smirk while his thumb was wiping his lower lip.

"If the Mortem shall burn its dead history to aflame again..." Kael continued while looking intensely at the Morbelques, while slowly clasping his hands together to rest his chin there.

"Or if its remains shall stay buried and be burned to return to its ashes..." Paeng declared with eyes glistening with a deadly challenge.

I felt goosebumps, especially when I saw how Theon, Cleon, and Art's dark eyes looked a little hesitant because of the words from the triplets.

"If you choose to rebuild the Mortem, you shall face... the ruthless history to why the name became dead and buried for a long time..." Sven mentioned looking at the Morbelque in a dangerous forewarning.

Paeng smirked because of it, and I saw how Saint nodded, too.

"Are you ready to discover why your father is a sinner?" Paeng asked cliking his tongue tauntingly.

Kakaibang kilabot ang yumakap sa katawan ko. I shivered a little, and everyone was probably feeling the same way.

"Dad?" sabay-sabay na tanong nina Art, Cleon at Theon.

"Yeah, your father. The quiet evil. The deadliest liar. And the... sinner of their generation," Paeng told them without hesitation as the glint of his dull dangerous grey eyes made them flabbergasted.

***