Ramdam ko ang pagsikip ng dibdib ko bago ako tuluyang kainin ng gate paalis ng Mictlán. Habol-habol ko ang hininga ko nang makabalik ako kung saan ako nanggaling, sa likuran ng templo.

Phew. That was a close one. I thought Mictecacíhuatl would eat me alive.

But, it's-

"¡estúpida!"

I felt a hard strike on my nape that caught me off guard. There I saw Jairo with his usual expression, mad and pissed.

"Jairo! You made it!" I chuckled, he didn't.

"I was about to go back to Mictlán, you idiot!"

"Hmm? Why?" pagtataka ko. "Didn't I tell you that I had it under control?"

"You did not! You offered your soul for a trade!"

Natawa ako sa sagot niya. "Come on, I'm the best merchant in the land of the living and the dead. 'Di ba lugi naman ako roon?"

"How would I fucking know? Your mind is messed up! Malay ko sa naiisip mo!"

I laughed. "Well, the important thing is I'm here. Though, I don't think I could step in Mictlán even after I'm dead . . ."

He clicked his tongue. Jairo's expression then changed. "Tsk, you thought of him too, right?"

Natigil ako sa pagtawa nang may maalala sa sinabi niya. His silhouette appeared on my mind.

"Yeah . . . he's the only cabrón loco (crazy fucker) I know who could do that," sagot ko. "But I wonder why?"

I looked at Jairo. "Do you think he still holds a grudge for what you did to him? That's why he's doing that to your father's devotees."

Lumabas ang matutulis na ngipin ni Jairo. "It's been almost a decade, why now? And he's a pussy, he won't do that. That coward wouldn't start a war against Huitzilopochtli."

I shrugged. "Hmm, point taken." I sighed. "I guess we need to meet him to find out . . ." Umangat ang tingin ko sa langit.

"I wouldn't want to see them . . . masyado silang makulit," ani ko. Even I, lose my energy at times.

Khal Eztli.

Son of the king of Chimalee, an island hidden in the Pacific. He's one of the dozen children of the late king, Acalan Eztili—son of the goddess Chicomecōātl. Ang ama nila, ang hari, ang anak ng diyosa at ng isang mortal. 

A semi-demigod. It wasn't surprising Khal got his ass wiped by Jairo 10 years ago. He should've seen it coming. He's a prince infamous for being fucked up with some fetish he had. He liked experimenting on creatures, even humans. Hindi lang siya napakakaelaman dahil anak siya ng hari at apo ni Chicomecōātl.

He's the third prince among, I don't know, Acalan was a womanizer.

"We have no choice but to go there. I should've killed that loco hijo de puta (crazy motherfucker) before."

I chuckled. "You have another chance now."

𓆚𓆚𓆚

"Y-You're already going?" marahang hinawakan ni Azti ang braso ko, nagtutubig ang mga mata.

The next morning, Jairo and I told the others our plan and our next destination. We were supposed to leave as soon as possible but looks like Azti wouldn't let that happen.

"P-Pero-"

"Azti, sinabi ko sa 'yo hindi ba? Hahanapin ko ang kapatid mo. Kaya 'wag kang mag-alala, pagbalik namin, kasama na namin siya, prometo, (I promise)," ani ko.

She pouted and sobbed. "H-Hindi ba 'ko pwedeng sumama?-"

Someone cleared his throat. "Bawal pabigat," mabilis na kumento ni Izel. Nang tumingin kami sa kaniya ay nakakurba ang labi niya sa isang ngiti na para bang walang nangyari.

"Don't worry, Azti. We will come back, we promise," pagsali ni Celi na tumabi sa akin at tumapat kay Azti. "You don't have to come, Lady Zalli is strong. We'll be okay," she smiled.

Napasinghot si Azti sa sinabi niya bago dahan-dahang tumango. "Please be careful . . ."

I nodded and smiled. Kinuha na siya ni Elena mula sa pagkakapit sa 'kin. "We will." I winked before turning my back on them. "Don't forget what I asked you to do, Elena!"

Even though I'm not looking, I knew Elena nodded. I waved my hand, Celi waved hers while facing them and following me, Izel just walked, and Jairo gave a quick wave.

"Adios!"

We left the devotees' village early in the morning. We still need to make a quick stop to go to Chimalee.

"Lady Zalli, what did you ask Elena to do?" Tumabi sa 'kin sa paglalakad si Celi.

I closed my right eye and put my point finger on my mouth. "It's a secret," I answered her. For some reason, she started blushing.

At the corner of my eye, I could see Jairo wincing.

"We're going to Chimalee, right captain? Paano tayo makakapunta roon? Are you going to ask your father to give us a ride?" Izel commented with a monotone voice. The sarcasm is evident.

I glanced at him and showed a smile. "My father is quite busy doing his duties. How about ask your parent instead?"

Izel showed his bland and sour smile. "Oh, I thought he would make time for his only child."

Hilaw akong tumawa. "I wouldn't want to disturb my father just for that. Ikaw? Baka magbigay sila ng onting oras para sa 'yo. Try mo."

Both of our smiles didn't disappear. We were trying to piss each other off but it looks like it was Jairo who got pissed.

"Deja de charlas estúpidas. (stop the stupid chit chats.)" Magkasalubong ang kilay niya 'kong tinignan. "Anong balak mo? Ilabas mo ang silbi ng pagiging negosyante mo. There's no flight to that stupid hidden island," giit niya.

I chuckled. "That's what I'm about to do." I winked. "Abuse my connections."

𓆚𓆚𓆚

"Hola! Amigo!"

I cheerfully greeted Jago as soon as I saw him in the lounge. Lumiwanag ang ekspresyon niya at hindi inaasahan ang biglaang pagdating ko.

"Ahh! Amiga!" He greeted me with a hug. "Welcome to the Philippines, my friend!"

I felt his masculine body under his high-class suit. He's a big man, but I'm still 2 feet taller than him. Underneath his suit are the tattoos I once saw before. A man in his early 50s, a man no ordinary person could meet.

A big name in the underground market. A friend of mine, an enemy of most. 

Jago.

He laughed. I could only hear riches. "I thought you didn't like my gift. I went here every day to meet you, pero hindi ka pa rin pumupunta. I already fixed the papers, you wanted the continental, right? They're already yours."

Making a busy man wait for me. He really treasures our business relationship.

"Ah! Gracias! I'll take care of those babies." I chuckled. "Anyway, Lo lamento (I'm sorry), Jago. I had a family emergency. As you can see . . ." Lumingon ako dahilan ng paglingon niya rin.

Kita ko ang paglunok niya nang malalim nang makita ang naglalakihang mga kasama ko. Kaagaw-agaw pansin ang mga kulay ng buhok ay mga tinta sa katawan. He'll know at first glance, they're my kind.

I don't do business with mortals. They aren't as rich as the demigods, especially the gods. But I made exceptions to some. I do make connections to the government and nobles, but not as close as Jago.

It shows how much he's worth.

I have known him since he was just craving for the lifestyle he had now. And he knows me for who I am.

"Oh . . ."

Nakangiti ko siyang inakbayan. "I actually have a favor . . . can you help me with that, amigo?"

He looked at me seriously. "Anything for a close friend of mine. We aren't just business partners, amiga. You know that."

I smiled. "Gracias, amigo. I know I can count on you."

𓆚𓆚𓆚