𝘞𝘈𝘙𝘕𝘐𝘕𝘎: 𝘚𝘜𝘐𝘊𝘐𝘋𝘌 | 𝘚𝘌𝘟𝘜𝘈𝘓 𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘈𝘚𝘚𝘔𝘌𝘕𝘛 | 𝘔𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕 𝘖𝘍 𝘐𝘓𝘓𝘌𝘎𝘈𝘓 𝘚𝘜𝘉𝘚𝘛𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘌𝘚

𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝟑𝟗 | 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐒 & 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒

𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀

"What is this, Atlas? Why do you have something like this?" Garalgal na sambit ni Adonis habang nanginginig ang kamay niyang tinaas ang isang plastic na puno ng puting butil. Hindi niya inalis ang kaniyang tingin sa kaniyang kapatid na ngayo'y nakatulala na lang sa kaniyang harapan.

"Why are you going through my things without my permission? Nangingialam ka na ng gamit ko ngayon?" Atlas looked away.

Adonis gripped the thing that he was holding and tried his best to calm himself. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon ay madalas siyang magwala. Ngunit dahil ang kaharap niya'y ang kaniyang kakambal, naisip niya na lang na mas mabuting idaan ang lahat sa usapan. He should give him a chance to explain, he should listen to him for he doesn't want him to feel unheard.

"I am asking you, Atlas. What is this?" Naging matigas ang bawat salitang sinambit ni Adonis. He sighs once again before facing his twin. At the same time, Atlas stares at him with furrowed eyebrows.

"Huwag kang mangialam ng gamit k—"

Adonis cut him off by throwing the vase off the table. ''Answer me while I am calm, Atlas! What is this? Please tell me that I'm thinking the wrong thing!''

Atlas flinched when he saw their expensive vase in broken pieces on the ground. Napasabunot na lang siya ng buhok dahil ang maglinis na nga lang ng kanilang bahay ang ginagawa't gagawin niya sa buhay ay dudumihan pa ito. He stare back at Adonis. He knows he's just acting tough despite the stingy feeling that he feels because of tears forming at the corner of his eyes.

''You won't talk?'' Padabog na binagsak ni Adonis ang hawak niya sa mesa't napahilamos ng mukha dahil sa inis. He breath out and points Atlas with his shivering hand.

''Atlas. I leave early in the morning, work three jobs, go home to you. Alam mo bang ang pang-tanghalian ko sana sa trabaho ay iniiwan ko lang para sa iyo! Did you know that I would rather starve to work than to see you starving! And this.'' Muli niyang hinablot ang pakete na puno ng pinagbabawal na gamot. ''This is how you will repay me?! Do you even know that you can get a public execution because of this?!'' Nanggigigil niyang saad at halos pumiyok na siya sa panginginig ng kaniyang buong katawan.

''Nagtratrabaho o pumupunta sa kabila? I don't even know what type of job you do. Kung manunumbat ka lang naman pala sa lahat ginawa mo sa akin ay sana pati ako ay pagtrabuhin mo rin!''

Adonis' eyes widened while staring at Atlas. ''Did you shout at me? When did you learn to shout at me?'' His voice completely broke as tears began streaming down from his eyes.

''When?'' Napasabunot ng buhok si Atlas. ''How about you?! When are you going to tell me that you belong to the a secret organization?! Hindi mo man lang sinabi sa akin? Kinakahiya mo ako kasi hindi ako nakatapos katulad mo?! Na wala akong trabaho!'' Atlas' voice broke too.

Adonis' body is shivering as he steps closer to his twin. ''W-what at are you saying? I never said something like th—''

''It's because I went to the other side with your friends! Did you know? Naghihingalo si Will Luthor at Top!'' Atlas exclaimed. Napahilamos na lang siya ng mukha.

''Y-you went to the other side?'' Garalgal na saad ni Adonis at nang makalapit siya rito'y hinila niya ang kaniyang kuwelyo. ''What did you say a while ago, Atlas? I think I heard the wrong thing, huh? What did you say?'' His voice became low as he whimpered.

He even went to the other side? How could he keep this from him?

''Kinakahiya mo ako,'' Atlas whispered back as his tears stream down. ''Ang sabi ko kinakahiya mo! Hindi, ba?! Kaya nga nasa bahay lang ako't hindi lumalabas! Nahihiya ka tuwing nakikita mo akong kasama ka ng ibang tao—''

Adonis cut him off by punching him in the face. Tumilapon si Atlas sa malamig na sahig habang hawak ang pumutok niyang ibabang labi.

''Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo? I sacrificed everything for you, even my dreams to study in that prestigious Academy. Since the night I rushed you to the hospital, I forgot about myself. Sinantabi ko ang mga pangarap ko't mas pinili ka. Alam mo ba 'yon?'' Adonis pointed him again. Lalong nanginig ang kaniyang kamay at halos hindi niya makita ang kapatid dahil sa panlalabo ng kaniyang mga mata dahil sa luha.

Atlas' eyebrows furrowed. ''Y-you didn't take the entrance test?'' Nanghihina nitong sambit. He knows that it's his twin's dream to study in that Academy.

''Did you know that I sold my tuition fee to pay your hospital bills? Your right kidney, are you aware that I'm the donor of it? I could even give you my eyes, heart, and every part of my body and yet you—'' He broke down, covered his mouth, and whimpered. Nanghina ito't napasandal na lang sa mesa habang nakatulalang nakatitig si Atlas sa kaniya.

"I offered you my whole life. I could even sell my soul just to provide your basic needs. And I am not ashamed of our lives. Hindi kita kinakahiya. I don't want you to suffer the same stress and fate as mine, yet this is how you..." Adonis whimpered more as he felt his chest clenched more. Atlas whimpered beside him too.

"So you saw the woman, huh? You went from the other side?" Napahilamos ng mukha si Adonis. "I know Will Luthor but I don't know a man named Top. Is he the one who gave you this? Huh?" Muling tinaas ni Adonis ang paketeng naglalaban ng pinagbabawal ng gamot. When Atlas didn't give him a response, he threw that damn thing in front of his face.

"Talk, Atlas. Talk, please." Adonis greeted his teeth. Napasuklay na lamang siya ng buhok dahil kahit ano'ng piga ang gawin niya sa kapatid ay mukhang wala itong balak sabihin lahat.

Atlas looked away as he wiped the dried tears on his face with his old shirt. He had been thinking that it was his fault for leaving Will Luthor alone in the forest, and he had returned with him wounded.

"Oo, nakita ko ang babae," he paused. "Hindi kami nagkausap. Sila Will Luthor at Top ang nakausap niya." Hindi ito magawang tumingin ng diretso sa kaniyang mga mata habang patuloy ang pag-ayos ng luha sa kaniyang mga mata.

"You didn't answer my question, Atlas."Adonis took a deep breath to calm his nerves. His whole body was still shivering. "Where can I find Will Luthor and the man named Top?" Napasabunot siya ng kaniyang buhok. Everything is frustrating already.

"Top and Will Luthor is in your hideout near the black forest," Atlas whispered and the moment he did, Adonis turned his back without responding. "Wait—"

Adonis gave him one icy glance, and the moment he saw his face, he immediately pursed his lips. Dumako na lang ang dalawang mata ni Atlas sa kaniyang mga paa. This is the first time they fought, only if Atlas spoke the truth and Adonis revealed everything about their work. However, both of them are consumed by their pride and weariness from this world.

"I... I am sorry." Atlas cleared his throat. "And I'm not using an illegal substance. I'm using it only for medicine." Napalunok ito at tumingin sa baba't sininghot pa ang tumutulo nitong sipon. Adonis stopped himself from chuckling because, in his eyes, Atlas would always be a baby.

Adonis' gaze softened as he gently ruffled Atlas' hair, which made his twin cry even more. "Let's talk when I'm home. I will just go to Will Luthor to check his condition. Sa susunod ay mas mainam na pumunta ka na lang sa pampublikong gamutan kaysa pinagbabawal na gamot."

"Where are you going, Adonis? Iiwan mo uli ako mag-isa?" He asked. Isang buntong hininga naman ang tinuon nito sa kaniya't umiwas ng tingin.

"I think I should be the one who should follow you around. You already crossed the other side, huh? Did you mingle with the woman?" Mahina ngunit may diin nitong sambit. Lihim namang napalunok si Atlas nang makita ang tila magdidilim na mga mata ni Adonis.

"I just helped the woman," he answered in a low tone.

Adonis' eyebrow raised. "Help?" The world rolled down on his tongue. "Did I hear it right? Did you help the woman? For what? What benefit you'll get? Nothing, right? Only suspicion."

"Hindi lang naman ako ang tumulong sa kaniya kun'di pati si Will Luthor." Pagsabat ni Atlas. Just as Adonis had finally calmed down, Atlas delivered a pointless rebuttal. Napasuklay na lamang siya ng kaniyang buhok. Mabilisan niya itong tinapunan ng tingin.

"I only have one thing to say, Atlas. One thing." Adonis leans closer to him as he greets his teeth. Nalukot na lamang ang noo ni Atlas dahil bakas ang panggigigil sa boses nito.

"Everyone from the other side is our enemy. They won't do any good for us. Can you imagine how that woman would react if you confessed that you're from Kazva? She would probably just run away from you. Don't get too attached, it's for your own sake," he muttered, his voice filled with a mix of caution and concern.

Atlas couldn't help but let out a big gulp, his throat tightening as he absorb his words. Naiwan itong nakatitig sa kaniya't aminin niya man o hindi ay mas 'di hamak na mas madaming karanasan at alam si Adonis tungkol sa kabila.

"Is it true? The woman looks like a kind one," he can't help but ask when Adonis turned his hack at him and gave him one last glance.

"It's for you to find out. Go again to the other side and confess everything to the woman," he scoffs at him. "You can't know a person with just little interaction. 'Wag kang masyadong matuwa. I warned you, Atlas. This is for your own sake."

Naiwang nakatulala si Atlas habang si Adonis nama'y pumunta sa kanilang pamilihan. Even though it's nighttime and the moon is full, the public market hasn't improved. It's still the same as before. The market is busy with people, but it's not a rich or successful place. Instead, it looks poor and worn out.

His gaze diverted to everyone around. Sa isang tingin pa lang ay bakas sa mukha ng mga tao rito ang pagod. The tired vendors display their few items with a feeling of resignation. Almost everyone is pushing a worn-out wooden or rusty car full of displayed goods. The market doesn't have the energy or success you might expect, even with the bright moon above.

Ito ang buhay niya, ito ang buhay nila, at kung ikaw ay tanga, ikaw ang kawawa at mahihirapang mabuhay.

"Seems like a lot of things happened when I'm out," bulong nito sa sarili habang nakasandal sa isang lumang puwesto. The stall is abandoned because the old vendor went bankrupt.

Naiwan na lang siya nakatitig sa puwesto ng naglalakong matanda. Ngunit hindi lang ito basta maglalako, ang matandang may-ari nito'y isang malapit na kaibigan sa kaniya. As Adonis took a puff of his cigarette to relieve stress, memories of the past flooded his mind, specifically of the old vendor named Santiago.

Adonis and Santiago had a close bond. Despite being crippled, Santiago managed to make a living for his son, who had a mental disability. Imbes na maawa sa matanda'y pinagnakawan pa ito ng mga taong hangal ang bituka. Hindi na lang magtrabaho nang may makain.

After doing to the market, he decided to pay Will Luthor and the guy named Top a visit. Lalo lang nanghina ang kaniyang kalamnam nang makita kung paano halo maghingalo ang kaniyang kaibigan mula pagkabata na si Will Luthor. While the guy named Top struggles to breathe too. Nakita niya ang paglabas ng itim na ugat mula sa balat nito.

There, Adonis discovered that maybe this guy Top has a slight power to the darkness that's why the full moon is making him weak. For the full moon cleanses all evil power. There, he confirmed that Top will be useful to him and he hopes that they have the same agenda.

"Someone left me, a guy named Zander," Will Luthor looks away. Purong puti ang suot nito't nakatingin lamang sa pader. "I don't blame him for leaving a crippled man in the forest, Adonis. Mas mabuti pang ako ang mapahamak kaysa siya."

"Don't say that." Adonis placed his palm on top of Will Luthor's hand. "A guy named Zander, you say? I guess he is also the woman's companion. If there is someone to blame, it's the woman."

Will Luthor's forehead knotted. "T-the woman? You talked to the woman?" Nalukot ang noo ni Adonis nang mapansin ang magbabago mula sa boses ni Will Luthor nang banggitin niya ang babae.

"Yes. The woman told the man named Zander to leave you." Naging diretso lamang ang tingin ni Adonis sa kaniya't kitang-kita niya ang pagtataka sa mukha nito. He clicked his tongue because he is becoming irritated.

"The woman told the man named Zander... but... I know she will never do that..."

"Why? Do you know this woman? You only met her once," matigas na sambit ni Adonis. "Listen to me, the woman told me to leave you in the forest."

There were a long silence after that. Will Luthor looked away and told him that he wanted to take a rest. Alam ni Adonis ang ibig sabihin kapag ganito. Hindi naniniwala si Will Luthor sa kaniya hanggang sa bibig mismo ng babae manggagaling ang katagang ito.

"Please leave me for a while, Adonis. I want to be alone," Will Luthor whispered in a low time. Isang buntong hininga ang tinugon ni Adonis bago tumayo mula sa kaniyang upuan.

Out of all the people Adonis knew, Will Luthor has the strongest philosophy. So he knew it would take him a long time to convince him that the woman was evil...

Adonis' mind has been filled with thoughts after his encounter with Will Luthor and hearing what Atlas said. Iniisip niya kung pano't ano ang mga nangyari kung bakit ito napunta sa kabila. He blew the smoke out as he took another puff again. Simula nang magtrabaho siya, tiyak na malalaman ng kanyang kambal ang tungkol sa pagtawid niya mula sa kanila.

Yet their peaceful life has been in chaos since his twin stepped into the boundary of that continent and met the woman.

Ngunit katulad nga ng kasabihan. Walang sikretong hindi nabubunyag. Muli niyang hinithit ang kaniyang sigarilyo at itinapon ang upos nito sa tamang tapunan. In this event, he goes straight to one thing and prays. Katulad ng dati niyang gawi'y nagtungo siya sa isang liblib na lugar at pumasok sa isang luma't abandonadong kuweba.

"Tulungan mo po kami." Adonis kneeled down in a crystal, where a man in his strange clothes can be seen sleeping inside. Nanatili siyang nakaluhod habang taimtim na nananalangin dito.

Since then, Adonis has been waiting for his awakening, for he believes that this strange man is Kazva's Dark Prince.

"A woman has appeared in this world, and I believe her existence will bring chaos. What shall I do, Your Highness? Nawa'y tulungan mo po kami." His voice echoed in the empty cave, bouncing off the walls and filling the air.

The cave was abandoned and quiet, so his words traveled far. Ang totoo'y siya at siya lang naman ang nakaka-alam ng kuweba na ito kaya sa katunayan ay maari niyang isigaw at ilabas lahat ng kaniyang hinnanakit sa mundo ngunit mas pinili niyang magdasal nang taimtim.

He closed his eyes, and the moment he opened them, he saw a glowing black fire emerging from the flames. Namilog ang kaniyang mga mata't 'di makapaniwalang tumayo mula sa pagkaluhod at hinakbang ang kaniyang mga paa papalapit dito.

"What is this, Your Highness?" Hindi makapaniwala niyang sambit habang pinagmamasdan ang itim na apoy.

The fire in front of him slowly got smaller until he saw a strange knife floating in the air. In front of him is a black knife adorned with sparkling diamonds and delicate pressed rose petals. Sa isang tingin pa lang ay naintindihan na ni Adonis kung ano ba ang dapat niyang gagawin.

"Are you telling me to kill the woman, Your Highness?" Mahina nitong sambit habang nakatingala sa itaas. When the black fire appeared, he saw it as a signal of approval.

So the Prince of Darkness wants the woman to go away too? He will make sure it happens. He will make her vanish, completely disappearing from this world.

Sa kabilang banda'y habang hawak ang bote ay nawalan ng malay ang dalagita't napahiga na lang sa kalsada. While she fall asleep, a group of men approached her. Kapwa nagkatinginan ang mga ito at binuhat ang dalagita sa isang liblib ng lugar.

"Damn, she smells so good... I bet she tastes good too!" One of them said. Nanggigigil nitong hinaplos ang maputi't makinis na hita ng dalagita habang ito'y walang malay.

"I've been eyeing her for month. That fucking royal is lucky! I bet he fucked her guts off the other night!" Tugon ng isa't at hinawakan ang dibdib ng dalagita Nagtawanan ang mga ito habang abalang pinagpipiyestahan ang dalagitang walang malay.

"Since the High Priest died, this woman's group has been in a huge mess. I heard Uno never did his job right. He used to be a perfectionist, right? His dog, Zander did his job for him! I bet they fucked this woman hard as a reward! I'm jealous! What you say, Sayge?" Liam smirks at Sayge.

"Fuck you, Liam! You told me that you'll help the woman! Stop touching her!" Akmang hihilain na sana ni Sayge ang kuwelyo ni Liam nang pigilan siya nila Alastair at Brandon. Mahigpit na hinawakan ng dalawa ang magkabilaang braso ni Sayge.

"You'll fucking disgusting! You are all useless! You used to have women ancestors! Aren't you ashamed?!" Sayge started kicking them. Halos matanggal na ang suot niyang botas at natigilan siya nang sikmurahan siya ni Brandon.

"You're fucking noisy. I thought you only bark beside your boss, Damian." Brandon spits on Liam's face. Muli siyang nagtawanan nang nakitang natumba ito't umubo ng dugo.

"This dog is ruining the mood. We are just getting started. Why don't you join the fun? Look..." Brandon starts unbuttoning the Tiara's shirt. Sunod na sumipol sila Austin at Von nang makita ang malulusog na bundok ng dalagita.

"Damn!" Von bit his lip. "I wanna suck those buns like a baby." Puno ng pagnanasa nitong sambit at hinawakan ang malulusog na dibdib ng dalagita.

"I wanna play my dick on those buns so it won't come to waste. How about you, Sayge? What did you do with this woman? You have that mark on your neck. Share mo naman! Is she good? I bet this bitch fucked amazing she brought you to heaven!" Von chuckles sarcastically. Pinalupot niya ang isang kamay kay Sayge na ngayo'y nanghihina na sa sahig.

"I guess Sayge is possessive because he wanted to fuck this bitch alone, eh?" Alastair commented as he started to remove Tiara's skirt. He clicked his tongue because she wore a long skirt.

"This bitch loves to wear long skirts yet a lot of men already touched her! Fucking useless long skirt—" Von's words were cut off when he felt a ball of wind approached him. Tumilapon siya sa mga naglulumang istante't nadaganan ang mga ito.

"Who the hell are you?!—"

"How dare you lay a finger on her!" Isang malakas na suntok ang pinakawalan niyo sa mukha ni Von. Alastair and Brandon tried to punch the man back but another set of men punched them.

"Stop it, Travis! You are already killing him!" Flame placed his shoulder yet Travis did another punch to Von's face.

Putok na ang mga labi nito't pati na rin ang kaniyang mga mata. Nanginig ang mga kamay ni Travis nang muli niyang itaas ang kamao't natigilan siya nang hawakan ito ni Val.

"You are killing him, Travis. Can't you see his face? It's unrecognizable," Val whispered. Mugto ang kaniyang mga mata't halatang kulang din sa tulog. Travis stopped while holding Von's collar.

"Flame, please cover Tiara's body. Be careful not to wake her up," Flame nodded and followed what he was told. When he saw Tiara's exposed breasts, he looked away, covered them, and carefully carried her in his arms.

"Please help Sayge too," Val whispered. Nagtungo naman si Flame upang tulungan si Sayge na naiwang nakabulagta sa sahig. Meanwhile Val started convincing Travis to let go off of Von's collar. Alam niya kasing nandidilim ang paningin ni Travis dito.

"How could they do this to her... she is just asleep.. how could they... Tiara doesn't deserved this, Val." Lalong nanginig ang mga kamay ni Travis kasabay ng panlalabo ng kaniyang mga mata habang hindi inaalis ang hawak sa kuwelyo ni Von.

"Can't they see that we were still mourning Father Cohen's death? And yet... they... did this to Tiara and..." Travis's tears started streaming down his face.

Their muscles trembled as they pondered what else these men had done to the young girl. How could they commit such cruel acts against this innocent woman? Wala itong malay at imbes na tulungan ay talagang magsasamantalahan pa nila?

How dare they do this to her? If they could have killed those guys, they would have done it in an instant. Yet they can't because these men are Damian's followers, and Damian is Father Cohen's younger brother.

Little did they know that someone from afar was watching everything. Nakatayo lamang sa dilim at nagmamasid sa bawat galaw nila. He followed their footsteps and made sure not to appear too suspicious. The moment the woman woke up from the red-haired man's arms, Adonis immediately drew his knife. He calculated how he would stab the woman on the spot while she was surrounded by the men.

Hindi maintindihan ni Adonis kung paano nagkakaganito ang mga lalaking nakapalibot sa babaeng ito. She doesn't even look that pretty for him. This is all because of that damn woman, you say? He will make sure to make justice by his own hands the moment he meets the woman face to face.

Nanatili ang tingin niya mula sa malayo habang pinagmamasdan ang kaibigan ng dalagita. A smirk formed on his lips when he saw them all weeping while carrying a man's body out of a room. The woman ran to the man's body but he was stopped by a man, telling him to cover her naked body.

"Travis! Help us! Uno is..." Zander yelled while his shirt was full of blood.

"What happened to Uno?" Garalgal na tanong ng dalagita. The woman covered her mouth and whimpered as she clung to Travis while Zander was panting in front of them.

"Uno is..."

She drank all day after the High Priest died yet she didn't dare to check on her depressed friend? Napailing na lamang si Adonis habang pinagmamasdan silang lahat. He grips his knife tightly. He loves to see her suffer more.

Adonis will do everything in his power to ruin and destroy her more.

𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘥...