#TCS89: The Buried Name

Miracle Silhouette's POV

The whole atmosphere was really something you'd never want to experience again. It was something that would make you feel so weak. It was like after the storm you were seeing the crumbling result of everything that was happening.

I couldn't help but shake my head watching how the Pasaways looked so affected and down with the bitter pill that they needed to swallow, all of their eyes were wavering and were being afraid of what would happen next.

The triplets and Luna's face were also dark and unreadable. I was sure inside their heads, they were mad and worried at the same time, but they couldn't really do anything. And that would be the most frustrating part.

You could do something about it, you could stop it, you could kill the Senses and everything would be over, but they couldn't. They wanted but they could not. Wasn't that also a torture for them? Everyone in here were suffering in any kind of mental and emotional damage.

But they needed to face it. They needed to overcome it. And only then they could face us with courage, and with hearts stronger and steadier.

If you ask me... they had it coming.

They wanted us to show ourselves and be with them, right? That selfishness, that want, and that desire put them in this hellhole. If they couldn't escape it then would they ever be worthy of us? Would they ever be worthy of everything?

"Don't you think your bond will falter because of what you are doing, Miracle?" seryosong pagtatanong sa akin ni Isolde. I was about to answer but the soft chuckle from Akakios made me stop and let him speak.

"No, their bond will become stronger because of this... but there should be a prerequisite to this..." he mentioned critically. I felt goosebumps all over my body on how much Akakios had the grasp of the whole situation, although I didn't tell him about this plan and game beforehand.

He already had too much to handle with Master Gideon and the whole Domain, and their preparation. I should handle the Pasaways.

"Prerequisite?" nagtatakang tanong ni Gabby.

"Trust." Napangiti kami sa isa't isa ni Akakios nang sabay naming sabihin 'yon.

"You really put that much trust in them, huh?" Isolde retorted laughingly. I smiled faintly at her, then focused my eyes on the Pasaways whose shoulders were dropped, and the expressions on their faces screamed defeat.

"Because I wanted to put that much trust in them, and it is up to them if they will waste it or not. If they waste it, they will never be ready for this world no matter how much time will pass, but if they pass it... then they'll become more stronger and our bond would be more intact and less breakable," I explained softly.

I felt Gabby shivered because of my words, and Isolde looked like she was at ease, and more confident about me. Akakios held my hand, and kissed the top of it. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Eviralle... will be lucky to have the two of you." Natigilan ako bigla na parang binuhusan ng tubig dahil sa sinabi ni Isolde, pakiramdam ko sobrang may kung ano'ng emosyon ang sumibol sa puso ko.

"Ate... thank you... for giving your trust to us... I'll take care of it, from now on," Gabby mentioned wholeheartedly.

Payapa akong napangiti sa kanilang dalawa, at napakurap-kurap para pigilan ang luha na namumuo kasi pakiramdam ko bigla akong naging emosyonal dahil sa kanila. I felt like all the things that I had been devising, and all the things that I was dealing with were worth it because of those simple words.

"You are not going to be alone in this harsh journey anymore, Silhouette. You have me." I held Akakios's hand tighter. As long as I am holding this hand... as long as I am beside him, I'd never back down, and I'd always be ready for all the hardships that I would come across.

Akakios is my living wish.

Napatingin ako sa baba at nakita ko kung paanong umiilaw ang spotlight sa kanila na para bang namimili kung sino ang susunod, kaya naman muli akong nagbigay ng konsentrasyon sa nangyayari do'n.

The tension in the air didn't go down with time, instead it became more powerful. It was becoming more dark, and intense every given second. Everyone except us was getting the electrifying feeling of being excited and being nervous.

Then the spotlight stopped at one of the Senses. I looked at the ones across us and saw that the Crowns were fervently watching each of it. They were also certainly shocked by all the revelations they were hearing.

I could see disturbance in their eyes, and even jaw-drops earlier with what they were hearing. Who wouldn't? Especially when it concerned our parents. Kita ko 'yong tingin ni Saint sa amin ni Gabby. He looked so conflicted and surprised because of it.

Of course, Momo and Dada were once his parents.

My heart hurt in heaviness. The first time I learned about the things that made my Momo suffered from before in the hands of her friends, and those whom she wanted to protect, I was the one furious because of them.

How could my Momo... forgive all of them?

If I were in her shoes... I wouldn't... I wouldn't have had the courage to forgive them, even look at them in the eyes.

I wouldn't be able to continue. Hindi kakayanin ng sikmura ko ang nangyari sa kanila. Lahat ng lihim at kasingungalingan na hinarap nila.

Betrayal. Sakit na hindi hatid ng kalaban, bagkus hatid ng mga kaibigan at pinagkakatiwalaan.

Now... I understood completely why Momo was about to give up on us during those dark days... on why each night that she was crying and why she wanted to hold Tita Gloom's hand, even though she was already in paradise. I discovered why she came to that decision...

And I'd be forever thankful for Luna, and for her parents for saving us. For being there for us. For showing us a new path. What would be able to do without them? Would we be saved? Would we be standing tall in front all of them ever again... without them? Certainly not.

Also, I'd probably suffer more if they were to hurt Luna... if they hurt our Luna. Saktan na nila lahat. Saktan na nila ako. Traydurin na nila lahat. Traydurin na nila ako... h'wag lang si Luna.

If my Momo had Tita Gloom. I'd forever have Luna, because of her... I am Miracle.

I sighed, and focused again on the game. Because the ones who were left would be the ones to who'd have to face the bitter reality that they couldn't swallow, and would be too hard for them to swallow.

Soon... the horror of the Pasaways became alive.

The spotlight stopped once again on the other side. And looked like the Senses expected who it would be. She stood up before the spotlight stopped on her. This time... it was Layla who was selected to go on that frightful stage.

She picked up some weapons on the side. She chose knives, guns, and explosives. She confidently went to the stage with a bowed head. I felt that Gabby's focus was more on studying her because of her confidence and lack of fear.

Layla doesn't fear death. She was more afraid of Alain's death. If they weren't foes, I'd admire how much they value each other—that was what you call an unbreakable bond and selfless determination.

After Layla was on stage, I looked at Akakios automatically.

"Why am I choosing again...?" naka-pout na sabi n'ya, napahalakhak ako nang mahina dahil do'n, he looked so cute because he knew he was a part why they were experiencing things like that. Aw, the purest one.

"You... Gabby? Who would you choose?" I asked her.

"How about Cleon, and Amythee?" nakangisi n'yang sagot sa akin. I smirked because of her choices. I thought he'd choose Theon and Hope. Her pick was interesting so... I went with it. And like what Gabby selected, the spotlights were now on those two.

Nakita ko ang pagsunod ng mata ni Theon no'ng tumayo si Hope. Then I glanced at Sloane from across and saw her chinky and charismatic eyes darted at Cleon, who stood up from his seat to get weapons.

Her lips were pressed together, and her brows were meeting in a thin line. She looked mad, but I think, she was just worried about him. Sloane presumably knew more things than we knew about Cleon.

The two picked up the same weapons like Layla, and they went to the stage. Nauna si Cleon, at kita ko ang panginginig ni Hope nang makaayat s'ya sa stage at tumabi kay Cleon. She sighed and tried to look tough and confident but did not succeed.

Layla's eerie and soft laughter echoed while looking at Cleon and Hope. She was ridiculing them by that simple act. Cleon's eyes didn't really exhibit any irritation or signs that he was affected; he was just studying her actions.

However, Hope looked a little aghast because of it. I liked how Cleon didn't really help nor assured Hope at all. This wasn't a team battle; it was an individual and your own battle. And it looked like Cleon correctly understood that... something that the others couldn't comprehend.

Theon looked a little disgruntled at Cleon because he wasn't really helping Hope.

"Isn't weird to say that... I like how Senses are sneering at them?" natatawang imik ni Gabby. Tumango ako sa kanya, magkapatid nga kami.

"I agree with it, they are perfectly doing their roles," Isolde added, kaya namna natawa kami parehas ni Akakios nang mahina.

Pagkatapos magtitigan ni Cleon at Layla, bigla na lang sila sumugod sa isa't isa. Layla used the knife that she had on her both hands, Cleon automatically bent backwards to dodge the attack and cut-through that Layla was aiming for.

Halos umikot s'ya sa gilid mula sa pagkaka-bend para lang target-in ng suntok si Layla sa gilid ng tyan n'ya pero kaagad na nag-tumbling si Layla dahil nakita n'ya ang atakeng 'yon. They faced each other again and they were smirking like teasing each other that they should attack first.

Layla put up a defensive stance, and she glared at Cleon sharply. Cleon didn't waste that opportunity and he was the one who strike first. Mabilis n'yang inangat ang binti n'ya para gumawa ng roundhouse kick kay Layla.

Layla bent backwards to duck on the attack, but Cleon was aiming for that, and he immediately lowered his body to do a spin using his leg to trip Layla. Pero mabilis din si Layla, dahil nakatalon kaagad s'ya dahil do'n, at mabilis nag-aim ng landing papunta kay Cleon.

Cleon switched to a defensive stance, and immediately grabbed the hand of Layla that was going to attack him. He was about to twist Layla's hand, and put her on his shoulders and back so he could haul her on the floor, but he didn't succeed, because Layla read that move, and she jumped in a circle to remove his hold.

Lumayo sila sa isa't isa matapos ang laban na 'yon. Pero magkasabay rin kaagad na sumugod sa isa't isa. You could see fire in their eyes and how heated their battle was. Halos hindi mo makita kung paano na sasalag ni Cleon ang mga atake ni Layla gamit ang kutsilyo.

Ni pati mga sipa sa isa't isa mabilis nilang naba-block at hindi sila nagpapatinag sa tindi ng aura na pinaparamdam nila. They weren't kidding in the serious one-on-one fight that was currently happening, and I couldn't help but smirk because it was so satisfying to watch.

Cleon was trying to land their technique on Layla... but Layla was blocking it with her everything, she was able to keep up. Parang wala lang sa kanya ang pagsalag sa supposed to be pinakamalakas na atake ng mga Morbelque.

I was sure although they weren't speaking and they were using actions to convey their thoughts. Cleon got the message. That he was still a newbie in their technique, that even Layla could counter it immediately. He was feeling the gap of the knowledge and why the Senses were called the fakes.

Peke man sila, hindi sila gano'n katanga para hindi malaman ang mga Morbelque.

Cleon's dark expression became darker, and he was looking at Layla with so much annoyance, and I knew he was ticked off because of how Layla wasn't speaking like the first ones, but she was showing him his insecurities already.

Cleon tried to compose himself, and tried to fight Layla again, this time with knives on his hands, halos matakpan ng mga buhok n'ya ang mga mata n'ya sa dahil nangyayari at dilim ng paningin n'ya.

He was the first one to attack again. He struck through Layla to cut through her defence, but Layla was fast to counter him by a simple move that he wasn't expecting. Sinalag lang s'ya ni Layla gamit ang isa pang kutsilyo.

And when Cleon was preoccupied with their clash, and their shuddering hands because of pure strength, Layla took the opportunity to kick the other knife on Cleon's other side. Nanlaki ang mata ni Cleon nang lumipad sa ere 'yon, nahawakan s'ya ni Layla nang mahigpit sa isang kamay.

Layla gripped on Cleon's hand, and the knife fell down from it. Mabilis na hinila ni Layla si Cleon, at walang alinlangang ibinalibag sa sahig.

"She uses her head, she's a good one..." imik ni Isolde habang tinitingnan si Layla.

Muntik na saksakin ni Layla si Cleon, pero nagawa ni Cleon pigilan 'yon, nakuha ulit n'ya 'yong dalawang kutsilyong nalaglag. He jumped back up, and the two moved away from each other. I could see Layla's jeering grin, and Cleon's glaring glance at her.

"That's all?" Layla smirked at him.

Cleon scoffed. "Why? Because... I am afraid of not being remembered and being a push over?"

Layla peered at Cleon because of his words. She didn't expect that from him. Nilaro ni Cleon ang kutsilyo sa kamay n'ya, pagkatapos naglakad s'ya saglit habang hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Layla. He sighed while shaking his head.

"Blurt it out... my weakness, my insecurity, my scars," he stated bitterly with nothing but torment in his eyes. Nasasaktan sa sariling salita, pero nagpapatuloy. He was inflicting pain on himself, rather than Layla doing it for him.

"Yeah, Layla... your eyes are right," natatawang sambit nito.

"Oh really? Trying to ease the pain that you'll hear... kaya inunahan mo na?" Layla laughed at him sarcastically, and Cleon was struck right through her words.

"Do me a favour... Cleon. Expose your own self, so I would not need to utter it," Layla mocked like it was nothing that it wasn't her that would expose Cleon. Natigilan si Cleon dahil do'n at nakita ko 'yong sakit na dumaan sa mga mata n'ya.

Sometimes... it wasn't other people who were our greatest enemy and our greatest fear. The harshest criticism and most destructive insult weren't from the mouths of others... instead... it was all going to be inside our heads.

We, ourselves, would always be our biggest downfall.

And Layla realized that when Cleon thought that he could turn things around by admitting his own shortcomings, and unsaid insecurities. He thought Layla wouldn't be able to control him, but it back fired.

But liked how Cleon recognized that the Senses weren't just hitting them with physical battles, but also the mind ones.

"I hate it... I hate that... I am me," Cleon admitted with great defeat.

"Aren't I annoying? Trying hard? And someone who would always try to insert himself in the picture... just because I am afraid of being forgotten, and not being—even an option—to be chosen?" nakatungong sambit ni Cleon sa pahina nang pahina na boses.

"If I don't annoy and irritate you... do you think you'd be able to see me?" Natahimik lalo ang lahat sa sinabi n'ya.

"Palagi na lang ba ako 'yong iintindi sa inyo... kayo kailangan n'yo ako iintindihin?" napaiwas nang tingin ang lahat dahil do'n, natigilan si Art at Theon sa kinauupuan, hindi akalain na 'yong kapatid nilang palaging masaya, ang dami palang dinadala.

"Sometimes... I even feel useless as an intel... you don't like following me around..." bagsak na balikat na dagdag nito. Napabuntonghininga ako ro'n at napatingin kay Sloane. I saw how hurt she was, and how she wanted to comfort Cleon.

That was why... that was why Sloane was following Cleon, and why she decided to give him her full trust. Because Cleon must have told her a lot of things, and his struggles. I suddenly admired their relationship. They were indeed strong.

"Sometimes, I even feel inferior because of my own siblings. Aren't I despicable? I hate it. Being compared. Pero ano'ng magagawa ko? Kambal kami, eh. Kapatid ko sila eh." Ramdam ko 'yong bigat nang dibdib n'ya habang sinasabi n'ya 'yon.

"Don't act like saints, I knew that you had compare me to them..." mahinang dagdag pa nito.

"Why do you like to compare? We have our own strengths... we have own our minds... we might look alike, but we are completely different. I don't envy him, instead... I feel selfish because of it, kaya magparaya na lang..." he told everyone with realness.

"Really... Cleon? Isn't it because you lack drive and greed? Why blame it to being compared? Weak-hearted," Layla ridiculed with a soft laughter and challenging glance.

Sapul. Cleon was hit directly in his sensitive spot. The spot he kept denying, although he wanted to erase all thoughts of that. Layla was really doing her role, despite of Cleon's attack of exposing himself instead of her. She was still targeting bullseyes.

"Cleon fears abandonment and being compared, huh? But his true weakness isn't that... but his lack of drive." Isolde remarked while looking intensely at what was happening at the stage.

"Maybe that's why he became the only happy and goofy Morbelque, because he wanted not to be compared to them, and he was stuck in the fear that because of it... he would be left out by them, " malungkot na dagdag ni Gabby tungkol sa insecurities ni Cleon. I nodded at her to concede.

Yeah, everyone's relationship was complex in their own way.

"That's why... Cleon chose to be an intel, and why it looked like he couldn't perfect his real skills, because he was always understanding others, so there would be no envy and comparison in them..." Akakios added with great understanding with what Cleon was weak and insecure about.

Sa totoo lang kung papipiliin sa mga Morbelque. Si Cleon talaga ang pinakamalapit ang technique sa main bloodline ng Morbelque. He was going to be so good in front attacks, and destructive forces, and not those that always use the brain.

Kaso mas pinili n'yang mas pagbutihin ang pagiging intel at utak ng grupo, kasi established sa kanila na madaldal s'ya. S'ya na 'yong nagparaya, kahit sa loob ng puso n'ya... mas gugustuhin n'yang maging 'lider' at mamahala ng buong gang nila.

Damn, what a conflict he was facing.

"Cleon would be a good leader... he knew what it's like to be abandoned, and not to do what you really wanted because it will result to a clash. He's selfless but also knows his priorities. May paninindigan," Isolde further explained and I agreed with it.

It was a weakness for him because he couldn't admit it, and he couldn't really do what he wanted. Plus his fears.

"I'd be bad if this continues... clash of power... two leaders..." Gabby murmured looking at the whole picture.

"That's the reality. And Cleon conceded for Theon. What a brave one," pahayag ko. "However, Cleon shouldn't abnegate easily. He could have fought for it... and the skills will decide."

"Who's going to win?" natatawang imik ni Isolde.

"Him," sabay na sagot namin ni Akakios. Nagkatinginan kami at parehas napailing-iling sa isa't isa.

Unlike Theon, Cleon was more polished in skills because he was using other skills to fill his greed. Effective na intel si Cleon at dahil do'n effective rin s'yang leader. If he ever decided to refine his main skill, that would be an advantage to him.

Layla laughed at the situation, and the complexness of everything. I was sure she was trying to mock Cleon and heckle him.

"Get it... Morbelque. Get the crown." She smirked at him, and Cleon looked at her with a surprised expression. For it was the first time that someone ignited his hidden greed.

"This is dangerous for a hierarchy," Isolde warned.

I shook my head. "No, it will solidify the hierarchy, you don't want half-assed will and strengths. That will be dangerous in facing the Domain," I informed her and I heard her sounding smirk to accord with me.

Napatingin si Cleon kay Theon, at nakita ko ang dilim sa mata ni Theon. No one would yield this effortlessly. And it would be intriguing progress for the two of them. At least, if they crash, they'd be able to settle and accept things without their pride.

Layla started to walk forward, and she was supposed to attack Cleon, but she clutched Hope, who was watching and hearing everything unfold with uncertainty. Dahil sa gulat at hindi pagiging handa, nagawa ni Layla gawing bihag si Hope.

"Eh...? Repeating the same mistakes as Biblee?" natatawang imik ni Isolde.

"They are really sisters," Gabby added while looking at the scene. Cleon's guard was suddenly up because of it.

Hope's mind was probably hazy, and a little lost with everything. Pinangungunahan na naman ng takot kaya gano'n na lang ang reaksyon n'ya. Hindi ko s'ya masisisi. She already had a lot in mind because of the previous ones, and it was going to be her turn.

She closed her eyes, and gathered her strength. Mabilis s'yang kumilos at mabilis na gumalaw para atakihin si Layla sa makakaya n'ya. She tried to removed herself in the situation while Cleon was there to move if something goes wrong.

Akala ni Hope makakawala s'ya at mababaliktad n'ya ang posisyon nila ni Layla, pero hindi n'ya nagawa. "Stop struggling..." Layla told her in a mocking tone. Hindi nagawa makasagot ni Hope. And she tried to trip her over, and take the blade out of her hand, but she ended up injuring her arms.

"Pretending to be strong and not to breakdown? Why...? You don't want your frailty to be exposed?" natatawang tanong ni Layla.

"My weaknesses are already exposed from the beginning!" Hope gritted and held Layla's arms tighter, Layla wasn't really affected by it. Itinulak n'ya lang papalayo sa kanya, at muntik nang matumba si Hope no'ng pinakawalan s'ya nito.

"Why? You think your only weakness is what you did to your cousin when you are young?" Layla guffawed at her. I pressed my lips together. That really wasn't a good spot to touch for both of us. Because I knew deep in her heart, Hope's still blaming herself about what happened.

She was still sorry because... she was one of the reasons why I came to such a fear and decision of ending everything when we were young.

"She need to accept that... that's the only way for her to stop blaming herself..." Isolde mentioned with a sigh. "People really have different ways of facing things that happened to them," she added meaningfully while staring at me.

"You are selfish, Amythee. You are envious," Layla didn't play with words, she stated it directly and it struck Hope's heart without leaving a space to breathe. Kita ko 'yong paghugot n'ya nang hininga at pagtutubig ng mga mata n'ya.

"You think of your own personal gain. You are the weakest link here. And you can't accept that!" Layla's voice thundered with accusation, and Hope was shaking her head while crying as she slowly bowed down, Cleon looked at Layla sternly.

"But people... can change..." bulong ni Hope kay Layla.

"Not... that fast," Layla countered with confidence.

"Aren't you ashamed of it? Being envious of Miracle? Why... because of Theon?" natatawang sambit ni Layla.

"You probably wished for her not to show up and return again because it might affect your relationship with Theon from before, huh?" Layla taunted with so much power. I felt goosebumps on my body because of it.

Akakios looked at me with concerned eyes. I held his hand and squeezed it a little, wanting him to know that I was okay, and I already knew of it beforehand.

"What a dangerous... thought..." natatawang imik ni Layla sa umiiling at umiiyak na si Hope.

"You are unstable! Don't be proud that you could switch as someone evil and strong." Napatingin si Hope kay Layla dahil sa sinabi nito sa kanya.

"Why? Are you proud that you did everything for Theon? Let me remind you... you killed your alliances... you diminished your force. That's the dumbest thing you could ever do!" halakhak ni Layla habang iiling-iling, tila hindi makapaniwala sa ginawa nito.

"Stop... stop... stop... please..." Hope whispered repeatedly, Layla just shrugged.

"You don't beg your enemies... what a fool," dagdag ni Layla sa naririnig na sinasabi ni Hope.

"That's hit on where it hurts the most," Isolde commented looking at the situation. I heaved a sigh and agreed. "I didn't like that Amythee killed some of the underlings because of her clouded mind. That's dangerous in facing Domain. She needs to find a way to become stable," she added.

"That's a weakness of Amythee. She's often ruled by emotions, and she often jumps to her own conclusion. It's going to be frustrating in the long run..." Akakios pointed out while watching them keenly.

I nodded at him. "That's true. That's why she needs to realize it," I told them, and they nodded to agree.

"Imagine... killing your own alliance because of emotions... what if it is a weak version of ourselves in there? She'll create another trauma for herself," Gabby spoke absentmindedly, comprehending the things that the Senses were opening to their eyes.

Hope would become a double edge sword. Her strength wasn't to look down upon. I knew that... she proved that. She was powerful in skills and fights. But when it came to mental and emotional... that was her weakness.

"She needed to grow out of that... now that it's pointed out... they need to overcome it," Isolde said critically, to which all of us concurred with.

"Stop uttering like you know everything... Layla..." Hope retorted. "You have no right."

Tumawa nang malakas si Layla dahil do'n. Nakita ko sa mga mata ni Hope ang sakit, pero nakita ko rin ang determinsyon na baguhin ang mga sinabi ni Layla. I smirked. I wanted that determination to show... for her to become stronger.

Because this team wouldn't be complete without her. But no one would also wait for her.

"Really... then let me ask this back to all of you... not just for you... but for all the so-called new Improbus Ille Imperium..." I suddenly felt my heart beating so fast, and hard because of the way she mentioned it. It was so calm, but ghastly.

"Do you even have the right to stand before... the Evans?" I felt all the chills in my body because of that question. I gulped and smirked because of it.

I saw how the triplets' face looked a little shock, but it turned stiff. I even felt how Gabby was petrified by the direct question that was thrown in them.

Hope's eyes screamed torment, even Cleon's eyes avoided Layla's gaze, and how he looked conflicted. Pati ang mga pasaway na nakaupo lang sa gilid, kita mo 'yong sakit at matinding pagkabigla sa kanila. I was sure they were thinking a lot of things.

"You searched for them... for what? For you to be complete, and for you to become a family again?" natatawang sambit ni Layla, it was like she was deriding them.

"Wow... talk about selfishness," I gripped, and bit my lower lips.

Damn, Layla really managed to push a button, and take things to where there would be no return. I didn't even tell her things about this... but she managed to arrive with this conclusion.

I heard Isolde sighed. "It's a touching reason if you look at it in a different angle, but I couldn't deny that it's also selfish... in a way..."

"Did you even consider them and their thoughts about it? I was sure... you arrived in that conclusion for all of you to be happy. But are they going to be happy? You became burdens, you know?" Layla chuckled dangerously.

Kita ko kung paano nasaktan at paano nahirapan ang lahat sa malaking bomba na sumabog sa kanila. We told them a lot of things... that we weren't planning to show up in the first place if they weren't going to be ready for all of these.

"We want to make them happy, too... because we could be complete..." Hope murmured sadly.

"Patawa kayo..." Layla mocked while shaking her head.

"You don't even realize why this thing is happening right now..." she murmured with heads bowing down, then glancing at me with her dull eyes. I looked at her with my chin up, and with a smirk.

Layla was really smart, huh?

If she wasn't an enemy, I'd gladly take her to become my subordinate.

Before she could even talk more... it was suddenly times up.

Bigong bumalik si Cleon at Hope sa kinauupuan nila dahil do'n, samantalang ngiting tagumpay na naman ang Senses dahil sa mga nagawa nila. I tilted my head to the side, and looked at the Crowns.

They looked like they were a little worried about the Pasaways.

Because of the baleful and intense pressure in the whole atmosphere, plus the dejected emotions that the Pasaways was feeling, I didn't waste any second, and the spotlight shined on them again. The Pasaways were terrified, but the Senses were excited with it.

Even with not much physical battles, the mind games were really fueling the Senses' strengths and confidence about defeating them and having the last laugh about it.

Ilang saglit pa tumigil ulit ang spotlight sa isang tao. Napangiti ako dahil sa kung sino 'yon. Akakios shifted a little on his seat and glimpsed at me. As if asking if I were okay, I nodded and smiled at him.

Alain took different weapons on the side and went to the stage again. He was smiling evilly, and stretching his neck from side to side while waiting for the next opponents that he would taunt. He was really enjoying to see them crumble.

"Looks like it's Art and Theon's turn, huh?" Akakios mentioned, and just like that... the light shined upon those two.

Napabuntonghininga ako. I readied my heart for it. The heaviness in the atmosphere was palpable, but my slowly pounding heart was holding so much weight than they could ever imagine.

Art and Theon went to the side to get guns and knives. They also both walked up to the stage while facing again.

Art smirked at Alain, and without any hesitation, she fired the gun at him. She was so accurate that if Alain wasn't a fast thinker, and quick in dodging he'd be dead on the spot because of the situation that suddenly unfolded.

"You just all need to die," Theon told them, but Alain shook his head with a ridiculing simper plastered on his face.

Mabilis sumugod si Theon kay Alain, at mabilis na inatake gamit ang Morbelque technique. He was using it with so much power, while it should had been discreet. He was angry and there was a part in him that couldn't wait anymore. He really wanted to end this.

Alain's fast prowess showed, he was evading and countering the technique in a lighter manner, and he was even jumping up and down, and dodging back and forth to avoid the bullets from Art's nonstop attack.

"This guy..." Isolde mentioned clicking her tongue. "He's skilled, what a pity."

Natawa na lang ako nang marahan sa sinabi nito. Bago ko ibinalik ang tingin ko sa nangyayari sa unahan. They were still fighting with each other. Sumugod na rin si Art no'ng mapansin n'yang wala nang bala 'yong isang baril n'ya.

Alain also used the gun to fire at Art while fighting Theon. The fast-paced battle was amazing to watch. Nakakasabay si Alain sa lahat ng suntok, sipa, at mga atake ni Theon, samantalang nagagawa n'ya ring makipaglaban kay Art na tinutulungan si Theon, at bina-back up-an sa mga atake nito.

They looked a little frustrated because Theon couldn't land a hit, but Alain was able to land some on him. Art was also getting some damages with Alain's strike with his knife and gun. The way he was using so many weapons were amusing, but he wasn't backing down on the combat.

After the intense fight and combat that was occurring... they moved away from each other. Natawa si Alain sa kanila at pinahiran ang labi n'ya na dumugo dahil nakasuntok si Art sa kanya ng isa.

Napapailing s'ya sa magkapatid at saka biglang tumawa nang malakas.

"Replacing your inadequacies with confidence... not going to work..." ngisi ni Alain sa kanila.

"You all need to shut up! Face us with your skills!" Art roared with eyes burning in anger, but also lifeless.

"Fights aren't just about skills, lady..." natatawang imik ni Alain sa kanya.

"I second the motion!" mabilis na sagot ni Gabby. Nagkatawanan naman kami dahil do'n. "Parang mas kampi ka sa Senses?" I laughed at her. She pouted, and crossed her arms.

"Well they are really irritating and I hate their guts... but somehow, they aren't really wrong in this fight and situation," kibit-balikat na sagot ng kapatid ko.

"Malaking suntok lang talaga sa kanila 'yong sinasabi ng Senses," imik ni Isolde.

"That's true," Akakios concurred softly.

"And fights aren't just about taunting enemies," sagot ni Theon kay Alain. Tumango si Alain at naningkit ang mga mata para sumang-ayon sa kanya. I cackled because of Alain's reaction. If only they could be like that and not easily being pissed.

"Because you don't know how to taunt?" natatawang pang-aasar ni Alain kay Theon.

"The fuck?" Theon mentioned unbelievably.

"Oh, wait... you don't even know how to talk that much, and you keep denying things, too. Those around you will only face doom, and pain," Alain shrugged. Pinapaikot n'ya rin sa kamay n'ya ang blade na hawak n'ya.

Theon hissed, and cackled like he wasn't affected with it.

"A foundation, huh? What a weak one," laughed Alain, and Theon's forehead knotted.

"What foundation doesn't know how to accept things, and doesn't know to communicate properly?" Natigilan nang husto si Theon sa sinabi ni Alain sa kanya. Nagdilim ang paningin n'ya handa nang umatake, pero pinigilan s'ya ni Art.

"Wait... I also noticed it a little, but Theon's patience, and silence... do lead to misunderstanding and even confusion." Napatango-tango kaagad ako sa sinabi ni Akakios.

The greatest example of it was Hope's misunderstanding. Minsan kasi talaga masyadong tahimik at seryoso si Theon, parang hindi rin s'ya gano'n kadaling tumanggap ng opinyon, at sinasabi nang iba, kasi nasanay s'yang s'ya 'yong pillar no'ng wala si Law.

He left himself struggle alone, and he somehow became too independent. Which led to different misunderstanding, and he wasn't even aware of it. Ni hindi n'ya alam na nasasaktan na si Hope, dahil may mga ipinakita naman talaga si Theon na mga bagay na hindi klaro, kaya tumalon sa mga konklusyon si Hope.

"Speaking too much can cause a rift... but saying nothing... causes misapprehension," Alain added with a shrug.

"That's actually perilous in battles and fights against the Domain. You have the trust of the whole team... but the team doesn't know your position because sometimes you rely on them, but sometimes you don't include them in the final decision," Isolde commented skeptically.

"That's true... tapos minsan mahirap din malaman tunay na iniisip ni Theon, kasi iba rin 'yong ginagawa at sinasabi n'ya," Gabby declared in a whisper but it was powerful enough.

Mabilis akong tumango sa kanya dahil do'n. All of us in here were realizing things, the Crowns expressions showed nothing but open-mindedness in everything, and even Gabby was thinking of these kinds of things... the only variable that needed to open their minds would be the Pasaways.

Alain smirked at Theon, because he really hit his nerve on the spot. Kitang-kita ko ang pagnginginig ng kamao ni Theon dahil sa panggigigil sa lahat nang nangyayari.

"And didn't you hear it? Your twin... makes a better leader than you if he only has the drive and confidence... don't you feel threatened?" nang-iinis na imik ni Alain sa kanya.

"Don't act high and mighty... you have a long way to go." He scoffed at Theon, and I couldn't help but smirk. If Cleon lacks drive, Theon has the drive but he wasn't using it properly.

Theon inhaled and exhaled a huge amount of air, trying to calm himself down.

"Continue to become too slow and undecided in things... you'll be left behind, because you keep denying things. Bagay nga kayo ni Amythee." Halakhak ni Alain ang pumaibabaw sa buong lugar dahil do'n.

Nangilabot naman ako dahil do'n habang nadadala sa tawa ni Alain. I didn't even inform them about Amythee and Theon, but looked like Layla and Alain really caught on things when her sister, Layla faced Hope and Theon back then, huh?

The Senses were really having the fun in teasing and challenging all of them with the truths. I hoped they'd finally open their minds to all of it.

Theon was about to shout all his frustrations Alain, because he was so irritated that latter kept pushing his buttons.

However, Alain suddenly put his forefinger on his lips. "Shhh..." he mentioned, as a little smirk rose on one side of his lips.

The uncanny air became more fervid and sharp because of Alain's simple action, especially, when he glanced at Art in his peripheral vision.

"The Morbelque..." he murmured at her, and I felt shudders.

"Dang, that is an insane presence!" Isolde exclaimed as she shifted on her seat because of the tension that Alain suddenly brought.

Pinipigilan pa rin ni Art si Theon na sumugod kay Alain, pero parehas silang natigil lalong-lalo na no'ng biglang sinabi 'yon ni Alain habang marahang humaharap kay Art mula sa pagkakatingin nito sa peripheral vision.

"What do you mean?" mapanganib na amang ni Art kay Alain.

Alain cackled gently but chillingly. "That you are not sensitive to others, and you don't care about others' feelings that much... don't you?"

Natigilan at napalunok si Art dahil do'n. Art's often concerned about others' well-being just because. And sometimes there's a hesitation for her to help them. That was why she excelled at guns, and she didn't like doing the 'saving' and the 'helping' of the victims.

"Too burdensome for you?" ngisi ni Alain sa kanya. "What a selfish one you are..."

"You are weak to others... you don't like being bothered by them, and you are raising your head too high. You'll fall deeper," pang-aasar nito kay Art. Her jaw clenched in discomfort because of it. Punang-puna ni Alain, ang pilit na itinatago ni Art.

There were times that she would like to help... or more like she was thinking that she would like to help, but she'd often end up going on her own way, and not do any kind of assisting thinking that they could do it, anyway.

"That's not good..." bulong ni Isolde dahil kita mo sa eskpresyon ni Art na nasasaktan at naiinis s'ya sa katotohanan na 'yon. "If you are to fight the Domain. You need to help, in every way you can... and you need to be a part of the team wholeheartedly." Napatango-tango naman ako dahil do'n.

"If one breaks apart... it'd be a life to risk," Akakios declared directly.

"But you know... what?" biglang imik ni Alain kay Art. "I see you as a Morbelque because of that..." he added crucially.

"If Cleon could be a great leader for the Morbelque... and Theon is the foundation of the Morbelque... then Art would be the anchor and the top of the Morbelque. I tell you, her presence alone screams the ancestors of the Morbelque..." mahinang imik ni Isolde, hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Art.

"What do you mean, Tita Isolde?" nagtatakang tanong ni Gabby kay Isolde.

"Morbelques are quietly cold and they have this trait...the lack of feeling." Even I felt goosebumps, and Akakios gaped at Isolde with her answer.

"That's Art... she often exudes lack of feeling when fighting and sometimes even when she's with the whole gang." Tumango-tango naman kaagad ako ro'n. Sometimes that trait was masked by her stoic and cold composure because she was treated like a princess.

Art and Theon looked so hurt because their hidden insecurities and weakness were being open to everyone. And they felt useless because of it. I sighed, if they continuously think of that... then... did I trust them wrongly?

"You need to shut up, thou shalt not speak..." Art warned Alain dangerously, being so pissed and hurt by the things they were pointing out.

"No... I'm not even at the climax, Morbelque..." Napayakap si Gabby sa sarili n'ya sa tindi no'ng kilabot na hatid no'ng sinabi ni Alain. I felt a rush of electricity inside of me because of it. Damn! This was really it!

"You think that's your only... sin?" natatawang imik nito.

Then, I opened the spotlight on Cleon. Napatingin si Theon at Art sa kapatid dahil do'n. Saint stood up to signal Cleon to go in there. Sinunod kaagad ni Cleon si Saint kahit nagtataka. Cleon went next to Art.

The three of them were facing Alain. And Alain had that playful snicker on his face.

"Welcome... Morbelques..." And with Alain's words... someone entered the venue, too.

"Mom? Dad?" nalilitong tanong ng magkakapatid. Nanatiling nakatayo si Tita Annicka at Tito Skyler sa isang tabi at nakatitig sa mga anak nilang nando'n.

Everyone was frozen on their spot because of it. I saw how Isolde and Gabby gulped, and how the Crowns looked so nervous, and cold because of everything. Malamang sa malamang pinagpapawisan na ang lahat nang malamig, maliban sa akin at kay Akakios.

"You... are... cruel," Akakios murmured at me seriously.

"No, they are..." I answered with a heavy heart.

"Do you know another sin that the three of you should carry?" Alain started at them creepily. Art's lips were throbbing, Theon and Cleon held her, they looked ready to fight for their sibling.

Tita Annicka and Tito Skyler looked worried but with eyes almost full of tears.

"Harper's father inflicted a lot of pain to Princess, Lian, Shana, and Alyx..." Alain started with a smirk, and Harper looked so broken because of his words.

"Thorn and Pierce's mother abandoned their friends to death, and their father became a bystander to a murder... they didn't really suffer... instead Princess suffered on their stead." Parang suntok sa dibdib ko marinig ang bagay na 'yon.

Momo... Dada...

Kita ko rin kung gaano kaapektado, ka-guilty, at kalungkot si Pierce at Thorn. Kanina pa nila hindi magawang iangat ang mga ulo nila. Their eyes were assumably teary.

"Akira and Honoka's mother planned an arson, and almost burned her own friends to death... and their father aided in keeping the truth from everyone... letting Princess and Nathaniel suffer more because of their actions..."

A heavy grip made my heart hurt. Napahawak ako sa kapatid ko, at kinagat ang ibabang labi ko dahil sa tindi ng emosyon sa puso ko. Sobrang nakakapanlumong isipin ng lahat... 'yong mga taong ngumingiti sa 'yo... sobrang laki ng ginawang pagkakamali sa mga magulang mo... na buong buhay mong tinitingala at hinihiling na h'wag nang masaktan.

Because... they don't even deserve it.

"Amythee and Biblee's father aid in killing someone so precious for your mother, and your Tita Princess... making more tearful encounters and heartaches."

Kita-kita ko na halos matumba at mapaluhod silang lahat dahil sa nalalaman nila sa mga nagawa ng mga magulang nila sa mga magulang namin. They all looked at the triplets in so much tears and guilt.

Justice was hugging Luna tightly who was crying at him because of what she was hearing. Kita ko 'yong pagpikit at pagkurap ni Rebel at hirap sa paghinga ni Law.

"Don't tell me you didn't know this about your parents... you say they are the kindest and the angels in your eyes, right... guess what... you are living in lies."

"Shut up! That's not true!" sigaw ni Biblee kay Alain, at saka tinakpan ang tainga n'ya sa naririnig.

"I will kill you!" Theon shouted at Alain in so much anguish.

"Why? Guilty? Couldn't face the Evans anymore?" natatawang sagot ni Alain.

"You are not going to break us!" Cleon roared in determination, in which Alain laughed more victoriously.

"You are going to regret all of this!" Art seconded in a screech, trying to stay compose and strong, but her eyes were slowly showing how she was so hurt.

"Shh... don't act high Morbelques..." Alain mentioned in a menacing tone.

"Because... your greatest weakness will be your high and mighty Mortem that you three all wanted to revive in so much determination." Biglang nanlamig ang buong lugar at naging sukdulan ang tensyon nang tingnan sila nang sobrang sama ni Alain.

"What did you say Artemis the Morbelque? The name shall rise from its ashes?" Alain mocked her. "Then... you shall make sure of it!" he added with a thundering voice that made them tremble a little.

"I will really make sure of it!" sigaw ni Art pabalik nang sobrang buo ang loob.

"Really?!" tuwang-tuwang sagot ni Alain.

"And we will take you down for you sinned against our name!" dagdag pa ni Cleon nang sobrang pangigigil na gusto nang suntukin si Alain, pero hindi n'ya ginawa.

"This will be your last day tarnishing the Mortem!" Theon told Alain with power.

Alain bowed his head, and while slowly rising it he was laughing like what he heard from the three was the greatest joke of the year.

"Really...?" Alain mocked dauntlessly.

The three siblings looked so stoic with it.

"Then be proud in carrying the Mortem's name... who killed Empress Gloom Smith."

Kakaibang katahimikan ang gumimbal sa buong lugar dahil sa walang pakundangan na sinabi ni Alain sa kanila habang napakatapang at napakaseryoso ng mga mata. Nabuwal sa Artemis sa kinatatayuan at napaupo sa sahig dahil sa nalaman n'ya.

Theon and Cleon looked like the world was dropped down on them. They couldn't breathe at all.

"What... are... you... saying...?" nahihirapang tanong ni Cleon. Habang hindi makapagsalita si Theon.

Bigla akong tumayo sa pagkakaupo ko at sabay-sabay silang napatingin sa akin.

"Your father... Skyler Zeus Morbelque and their bloodline attacked the Empire and that resulted in a grave danger in the first heiress of Hoodlum... which led to her fake death. Empress Gloom Smith... my Momo's twin..." My heart ached so much while telling it to them.

Biglang napailing-iling ang kambal sa sinabi ko at sunod-sunod ang pagpatak ng luha ni Artemis sa naririnig habang pilit na gustong takpan ang tainga. Tito Skyler couldn't even look at his children, and Tita Annicka was looking at them while shedding tears.

"And... because of the endless revenge of the Mortem and Tito Skyler to the Empire. He..." nanginginig ang mga kamay ko sa pagsasalita. Akakios stood up beside me to hold my shivering hands. I gained more power to do it.

"He... made... Momo watch... brutally on how... Empress Gloom Smith... died."

Napatingin si Cleon sa mga magulang n'ya at no'ng makita n'ya ang pag-iyak ni Tita Annicka, at pagluha ni Tito Skyler, bigla na lang s'yang napaupo sa sahig kagaya ni Art, parang mababaliw at hindi makapaniwala sa nalaman.

And then there was 'thud' that echoed. Theon was kneeling on his knees, while tears were streaming down his face.

"Momo... died that night, too. That night she was made to watch how her twin sister died while she was helplessly weeping... couldn't do anything about it... because Tito Skyler has her."

"Noooooo!" Art yelled while crying so much, and punching her chest. "That's not true! That's not true!" patuloy na sigaw nito.

Hanggang sa bigla s'yang napatakbo papunta sa mga magulang n'ya. "Please... tell me... Dad... that's not true... please..." Artemis went down on her knees on her father's feet. Pinagkukuskusan ang mga kamay n'ya para magmakaawa sa ama.

Akakios grip on me tightened.

"If only... if only... Tito Skyler helped them... then my Momo's twin wouldn't get that vicious death... and Momo wouldn't lose her memories while trying to take her own life because of the nightmares it brought her..."

"Please... stop... please... stop..." Halos nababaliw na imik ni Theon habang sinasabunutan ang sarili habang nakaluhod.

"I'm... sorry..." Tito Skyler's voice echoed in the whole venue, and Artemis stopped crying while Cleon punched the floor.

"I was blinded by revenge... I'm sorry..." paulit-ulit na sabi ni Tito Skyler sa kanila. Habang lumuhod si Tita Annicka para yakapin si Art na sobrang nagbe-breakdown at umiiyak. Halos hindi na makahinga si Art sa sobrang palahaw ng iyak n'ya.

Halos magwala na s'ya dahil do'n. Imagine... her father that she admired so much... could do such a ruthless thing to my Momo.

Habang nangyayari 'yon biglang tumayo si Theon sa pagkakaluhod n'ya at nanlaki ang mga mata ng lahat no'ng bigla n'yang sinuntok si Tito Skyler.

"Theon!" Tita Annicka yelled in pain.

Tito Skyler slowly faced Theon after that strong punch, and he put a thumb on his bleeding lip.

"I... We are..." nauutal na imik ni Theon.

"Sinners..." dugtong ni Tito Skyler sa sinabi ng anak habang may pagak na ngisi sa labi n'ya.

Cleon stood up from where he broke down. "Then... we should... pay for our sins..." he murmured in a really dangerous tone as he looked at Tito Skyler. The anger in his eyes were screaming in an intensity.

Alain started to move and take the chance to kill the Morbelques... however... Alain stopped because a blade was threatening to slice his neck.

The Senses went to Alain, and they were ready to fight everyone because of the mess that was happening, but in one look from someone... the Senses halted and became alert.

Why? Because Caerus made them feel why he was hailed as the Second Crown.

"Hey... Morbelques..." Caerus suddenly called, and the air became heavier than earlier.

"Do you want to repent for your sins?" he asked without a hint of joke and only full of sinister intent.

Napaharap si Cleon at Theon sa kanya. Napalingon si Art na patuloy umiiyak sa yakap ni Tita Annicka sa kanya.

"Then... stand up and don't go on crying and punching your father." He smiled at them darkly. His eyes were a little covered by his hair, but the glisten on it screamed power and furious intent.

"Do you know what your father did to repent for his sin? He... destroyed the Mortem. He destroyed his own name." I felt a creeping feeling in my skin because of what Caerus stated in all seriousness and vigour.

"Then you should do something, too..." he added perilously looking at the Senses.

Nakuha ni Caerus nang tuluyan ang atensyon ng magkakapatid dahil do'n. Napangisi ako at muling umupo sa kinauupuan ko habang pinapanood silang lahat. Akakios was looking at the scene with a small smirk on one side of his lips.

Art slowly rose from crying, Theon slowly went to where Caerus was, and Cleon looked at Senses in front of him in so much alarm and rage he would soon pour in.

"Don't accept your ashes if you are that furious..." ngumisi si Caerus habang marahan n'yang inaalis ang espadang humiwa nang kaunti sa leeg ni Alain. Lumakad si Art papunta sa kanilang tatlo, kahit umiiyak pa rin at nanginginig.

"Instead... use that wrath to fuel your desire to remorse for everything that already happened. You cannot change the past because you have no control in it. But you can decide for the future," Caerus stated powerfully and with gritting teeth.

"Use that drive... and all of you shall obtain the right to destroy and slaughter the Senses who are trying to revive your buried name."

***