TWO

DOOMED.

☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

TO BE honest, she didn't see this coming.

It all began right here at Central University.

Dito nag-umpisa ang lahat ng mga misteryo. Para sa karamihan, tila isa lamang itong karaniwang unibersidad na may cashier's office sa ibaba, at isang cafeteria na laging masigla at punung-puno ng mga estudyante. Mayroon ding mga computer laboratory kung sa'n laging may nagaganap na klase. Malawak ang campus, napapaligiran ng mga damo at may malaking field sa labas.

Nasa ibaba lamang ang opisina ng dean. Madali itong lapitan kung mayro'n kang reklamo. Nasa itaas at dulo ng hallway ang daan patungo sa College of Medicine, at isang hakbang lang ang layo nito.

Sa unang tingin, wala namang makikitang kakaiba sa lugar na 'to.

Pero nagkakamali sila.

Many people seldom take a moment to observe their surroundings, yet if you linger here a little while longer and truly listen, you'll begin to sense the magic in the air. The gentle hum that fills the old library whispers stories of the past, while the shadows appear to dance, lingering longer than they ought to, as if sharing secrets of their own.

Doon nagsimula ang pagbabago.

Beyond the aged wooden shelves there lies, a realm anew, where silence sighs. A veil between two worlds it stands, and a threshold crafted by unseen hands.

Wilhelmina often glimpsed her professor in the dim, shadowy corners of the library. There, he sat hunched over ancient scrolls, his quill dancing across the parchment with a fervor that seemed almost ordained by the gods.

It was as if he was destined to be ensnared in the whispers of forgotten knowledge, lost in his fervent scribbling and piecing together secrets of the past.

Akala niya noon, isa lamang ito sa kathang isip. Pero isang gabi, natagpuan niya ang isang dokumento. They were known as the Fate of the Golden Pages, a mystical tome where the threads of destiny wove together. Within its gilded pages, her destiny was inscribed, waiting to unfold.

She has been reborn as Giovanni, a being born of divine heritage, a Demigod.

Wilhelmina grasped that her strength extended far beyond her own abilities. She was intertwined with the Graces, the Fates, and the Horae—cosmic entities who intricately wove the very fabric of existence.

Kaya naman nagkakandarapa sa kanya ang mga logosmiths. Hindi siya basta estudyante lang, nasa kakaibang mundo siya at doon siya dapat naroroon. She who wields the fates, her destiny entwined, and a prize they pursued, with hunger unconfined. Like wolves in the shadows, drawn to her spark, not merely a girl, but a force in the dark.

And thus, Atropos had woven the threads of her destiny.

She was destined to become the Cursed Archduchess, a title steeped in deep sorrow and shadowed by an ancient curse.

As foretold by the ancient prophecy, a figure would emerge with hair as red as the deepest crimson. The strands cascaded behind him like a river of blood, each movement a haunting grace. In his grasp, he wielded a death scythe, a powerful emblem of his dominion, bridging the realms of light and shadow.

What lies beneath the shadows of this prophecy?

Sino ang may tapang na isumpa siya sa isang kapalaran na puno ng kadiliman?

Willhelmina clung to the hope that this might all be just a fleeting dream, yet she soon realized it was a sinister tale from which she couldn't awaken. In the shadowy realm of Twilight Vale, every thread of destiny is woven with a cost.

And if you believe this was simply an ordinary university—

You're merely deceiving yourself.

A shadow loomed over the kingdom, for it was foretold that an unwitting soul would rise to usher in its downfall, an ominous harbinger of doom. But was this prophecy genuine? Who could be cruel enough to curse her to such a dreadful demise? Doubt gnawed at her. The fate that awaited her felt like a twisted dream, one she desperately wished to awaken from.

She recalled the man saying, "The darkness will claim the souls of all those who initiated their fury."

In shadows cast by whispered lore, a tremor gripped her heart once more. Those ancient words, like chains entwined, bound her soul, her fate defined. A Demigod, a title she'd not sought, yet the hands of fate her path had wrought. If doom's embrace was her untold fate, what meaning lay in such a weight?

Kaya't kailangan niyang itago ang katotohanang ito. Kung sasabihin niya ito sa iba, death will be there to greet them.

Kaya't kung sa tingin mo'y isang prestihiyosong paaralan ang Central University, nagkakamali ka.

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She never desired to follow that path, consistently donning the mask of the good girl, dutifully acquiescing to the whims and desires of those around her. Like a pawn on a chessboard, she moved at their pleasure, her own wishes and aspirations often overshadowed by their demands.

Isinuot ni Willhelmina ang bag niya sa likod, nang bigla na lang niyang nabangga si Lyrica. Pagkakita sa kanya ng babae, agad itong ngumisi sa kanya. "Ew! Umuwi ka nga sa harap ko, loser!"

"Bakit 'di mo na lang isara ang mata mo? Ang dami mong arte. "But knowing you, I was certain that you always had plenty of time to bark, dog. Arf, arf." With a playful grin, Willhelmina flailed her arms in a circular motion, embodying a dog's antics to provoke her even further.

She added a series of exaggerated yips and growls, her voice rising and falling as she mimicked the sounds of a canine, clearly enjoying the lighthearted teasing. Tutal inis na rin siya, kaya tama lang 'to. Gusto na niyang makipag-asaran ngayon.

"Ano'ng sinabi mo? Paki-ulit nga! Ang taas ng ere mo, pero wala ka namang Gucci o Prada. Kung ganun, ano'ng pinaglalaban mo? Take a look at your reflection in the mirror, ang pangit mo! That's why he chose to abandon you," Lyrica said with a sharp edge to her voice, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing as she hissed the words, a hint of disdain lacing her tone.

"At least I'm not someone who's always dreamed of being a social media star," Willhelmina retorted, raising her eyebrows in mock disbelief. Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she regarded the girl with a mixture of amusement and disdain.

"Are you saying that I'm toxic?!" Lyrica growled, her fists clenching as she prepared to reach for Wihelmina's hair. But just as the tension escalated, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure approaching. She froze, momentarily distracted, as he walked past them, oblivious to the storm brewing between the two girls.

"Gago—"

Patuloy pa ring iniiwasan ni Saku ang dalawa. "Hello? Nandito kami! Hi, kumusta ka? Ayos lang kami! Sige, ako na lang ang sasagot sa dapat sabihin ng isa r'yan! Miss na miss niya kasi kami! Hangin tayo dito beh, hangin!" ani ni Nana habang inirapan si Saku, na talagang nadismaya sa kanyang reaksyon.

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What frustrated Willhelmina the most was the way they treated him as if he didn't matter at all—like he wasn't even one of them. Unfortunately, that seemed accurate. She could sense that they were effectively ignoring him, reducing him to just another face in the crowd, and that realization struck her deep. Damn it!

She couldn't resist scanning him closely. Saku was nervously fidgeting with his fingers, and his hunched shoulders suggested a weight he was carrying. He looked even paler than the last time she had seen him. Was he really okay? Definitely not.

Was he taking care of himself? His face bore the marks of exhaustion. The research papers he clutched seemed to echo his prioritization of others over himself. It was frustrating, wasn't it?

"Sinasabi ko sa 'yong babae ka, h'wag mo lang akong dinadaanan dito! At kung hindi mo naiintindihan 'yon, edi tanga ka!" Willhelmina shouted at her, causing her face to flush. She gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes, her anger evident in her expression. It was as if a flame had ignited within her, burning fiercely for those few moments.

"Kung mang-aaway ka lang din, sana tapusin mo na, loser!"Willhelmina hurried past them, raising her middle finger in response.

He was taken aback and found himself at a loss for words.

࿇ ══━━━━✥☭✥━━━━══ ࿇

A chilly breeze began to waft between them. The clouds overhead were transitioning from white to a deepening shade of gray. The vibrant city, once alive with color and radiant lights piercing through the darkness, felt as though it was dimming, as if a storm were on the horizon.

Dark thunderheads erupted across the sky, rumbling like two giants locked in a fierce battle. The ominous clash reverberated, instilling a palpable sense of danger in the air. Suddenly, menacing bolts of lightning streaked across the sky, adding to the intensity of the scene.

It could have been a combination of his emotions—his anxiety and denial swirling together to create an inner turmoil. Or perhaps it was akin to two opposing forces colliding, much like how contrasting flavors can lead to chaos. He found himself unable to resist it, didn't he? The way he admired her beautiful face, it reminded him of the woman he had once loved.

Perhaps that was indeed the truth all along.

Without realizing it, his gaze was now fixed on hers. Her long, curly black hair resembled glowing raven feathers in the moonlight, with pink highlights shimmering alongside it. Her lavender, upturned eyes and delicate, pointed nose, complemented by S-shaped eyebrows, nearly took his breath away with their beauty. Her skin, almost as white as a pearl, gave off an air of innocence that made her stand out even more.

She wasn't the kind of person to overdo bright colors, but that was what made her unique. He felt drawn to her in a way that he longed to feel at that moment. She was really beautiful.

"Ate!" The other girl suddenly let out a scream, "H'wag kang pakielamera rito!"

"Ano—"

Before the situation became complicated, they called Saku as usual, treating him like a servant, just as he expected. 

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

He gazed at her, then, with some distance between them, placed his hands on her shoulders and forcefully shoved her away, tapping into every ounce of strength he had. "Stay out of this."

"What—"

"Enough complaining; I really don't want to listen to it, especially not from you." It was a lie. She should have noticed the way he looked at her. But he had no option.

"Hindi ko akalain na ganun ka-desperado para sa popularity, huh? Nag-aala lang naman ako sa 'yo pero ikaw pa 'tong galit!" Willhemina shouted, her face flushing as her voice rose unexpectedly. She struggled to keep up, while Saku stood tall, exuding confidence and making it clear that no one, not even her, could deter him. His stubborn pride was unmistakable.

Hindi siya tumigil. Dahan-dahan niyang hinawakan ang buhok niya habang mariing bumubuntong-hininga, halatang pigil na pigil ang inis. Namumula na ang mga mata't pisngi niya sa galit. At syempre, kahit gustong-gusto ng lalaking 'yon na gampanan ang papel ng isang villain, hindi siya basta-basta magpapatalo. Hindi siya titigil hangga't hindi niya makukuha ang mga sagot na kailangan niya.

He realizes he was just pretending, which only heightened her frustration further.

As she closed her eyes, the memories surged back to her with startling clarity. She could recall every detail vividly—how Lyrica constantly craved attention and how she would push her around when no one was watching. Lyrica had a knack for drawing the spotlight to herself, and that habit always annoyed her.

Hindi do'n nagtatapos ang lahat. Ang mas lalo pang ikinainis niya, sa kasamaang-palad, napilitan si Saku na manigarilyo dahil sa pamimilit ni Lyrica, kahit ayaw naman talaga niya. He was always a good boy, focused solely on his studies, but now he has become someone entirely different. This scenario infuriated her even more.

And if she needed to lecture him until he got it, then by all means, she would!

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"The truth is that people like that always want to show to themselves that they're better than you, to the point where they don't even realize how far they've gone to make themselves feel superior to you. People like that don't care."

She should keep quiet, but she can't help herself. It's not her responsibility to save him; she just wants him to gain clarity. Napakagat na lamang siya sa labi at napatingin kay Saku. Sa hitsura niya pa lang at sa malamig niyang mga tingin, may isang damdamin na nagtutulak sa kanya na mag-isip na mayroong mali sa sitwasyong 'to.

Doubt crept into her mind as she pondered the outcome, wondering if she was overly invested in the situation. To him, she might seem like a meddler, perhaps even intrusive, but her urgency had taken on a boldness of its own.

The moment had arrived—it was now or never. Regardless of the risks, she understood that she had to unleash all the feelings that had been simmering within her, waiting for the chance to break free.

Willhelmina tightened her hold on her white uniform as she abruptly turned her gaze toward him, locking her eyes with his. She clenched her fist and took a deep breath before speaking. "They just see how fucked up you are, and they don't care whether you're drowning. Is it a good idea to distance yourself from those who only want to make use of you?"

Everything was unfolding rapidly, making it incredibly difficult for her to keep pace. She attempted to grasp the fragments of the situation, yet they slipped through her fingers like sand—the instant the storm crashed into her.

He didn't speak again. Was he affected by her words? Unable to meet her gaze, he quickly turned away from her. His body felt weaker than it should have, and sweat dripped from his face as the impact of Willhelmina's words struck him like a thousand shards, slowly piercing his insides. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to bear the weight of what he was feeling at that moment.

As he was preparing to leave, Willhelmina felt something strange surrounding him. Her eyes widened in shock as she noticed the seal, which emitted a radiant glow throughout its ink. The magical energy was so powerful that it seemed almost impossible to escape its grasp.

Each light appeared to pull her in, sapping her energy until she felt completely numb. Then, all at once, she became aware of her limbs and knees, which felt as if they might give way at any moment.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Ramdam niya ang panginginig sa buong daliri niya, at dali-dali siyang naghanap ng mahawakan, yet the sensation continues at agad siyang kumilos nang mabilis at napahawak na lang sa dibdib niya. The air around her throbbed with energy, a sensation piercing her skin as vibrations filled the atmosphere. An unfamiliar magic began to reveal itself.

The energy surged within her, causing every part of her body to numb. She could feel her heartbeat racing, while her chest tightened, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. The air grew heavier, and with every breath, the weight she carried began to feel like an unbearable burden.

Even though she is currently experiencing weakness, napagpasyahan ni Minami na gagawin ang lahat upang pigilan ang lalaki. She resolved to put some distance between them, taking a few steps that brought her body closer, her gaze locking onto his.

She could still feel her heart racing, but for a few seconds, the pace slowed as she focused on her breath, trying to calm herself. At this moment, she was able to look at him confidently, without any hesitation.

"Hintayin mo ako, Saku," that was everything she could express, and her tone suggested there was more to come. "I swear to you, I won't let blood tarnish your hands."

She paused, her words hanging in the air. The atmosphere between them grew heavier, an undeniable weight that felt impossible to escape. For a moment, her lips parted slightly, as if she were poised to speak. Her heart raced as she tried to steady herself. Meanwhile, he remained completely still, his expression and posture unchanged. Perhaps it was this stillness that hinted to her he was truly listening.

His gaze is fixed on her, but he shows no warmth, no sign of acknowledgment for her words. The abrupt silence only amplifies the tension, emphasizing the emptiness that surrounds them.

In that moment, she felt a sharp pang of hurt. It seemed as though her words held no significance for him, deepening the pain she was already experiencing.

However, that didn't deter her. Instead, And she moved closer to him, her cheeks flushed with a soft blush, and heat enveloped her entirely. "Isipin mo na may isang babae na matagal nang may pagtingin sa 'yo at gustong banatan ka!"

That's not what she was supposed to say. Her role in the fates—stopping Hades—is far more important than these distractions. And yet here she is, blushing like a fool. Is this still about the war, or is it something else? She has a lot on her plate right now, doesn't she? Is she allowing her feelings to get in the way?

Her breath hitched for a moment, as if a long-forgotten sound was colliding with the steel in the air. Her gaze was fixed on him, and a heavy pressure settled around her, intensifying with each passing second. Not now. The ominous shadows loomed, and she felt as if fear had completely engulfed her.

Her fingers fidgeted at her side, yearning to reach out to him before it was too late. He couldn't be the one to start this—not when fate was trying to intervene. She wouldn't allow him to slip into darkness this time. No.

Before she could utter a word, he finally found the strength to intervene. "Please," he pleaded with her. "Layuan mo na lang ako."

Saku's eyes revealed all the emotions swirling within him at that moment. There was a hint of fear, and the lingering hesitation remained, as if waiting to dissipate. She feared that it might already be too late.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

She couldn't bear it any longer. His exhaustion was starkly evident, etched into his features like a silent plea for rest. Why did he insist on pushing himself to the brink?

That question slithered into her mind, intertwining with a growing mix of frustration and concern that pressed down on her like a heavy cloak. Yet, even as those feelings coiled around her, she realized they paled in comparison to her primary worry—him.  She couldn't roll her eyes at him as she surveyed him from head to toe. Willhelmina simply couldn't help but worry—how could she not, given his situation? What confused her even more was why he continued to surround himself with people who didn't care about him.

By this point, Willhelmina was aware of everything, even if he remained silent. What confused her, however, was why he felt compelled to surround himself with people who didn't love him. What was the benefit of staying close to such people? Why did it matter that Lyrica didn't care about him? Was her opinion really that important now? To her, it wasn't. All that mattered was that she was there for him.

Willhelmina wanted to shout that she and Nanako are still there for him. She hopes he understands that the quality of friendship is far more important than quantity. It's better to be with friends you can trust rather than those who might betray you in the end. She felt an overwhelming urge to shout at him, to hurl something in his direction—anything to make him pause. Yet, he remained unfazed, continuing to stay with them, which frustrated her even more.

All she could do was watch him from a distance, burdened by a loneliness that felt too heavy to bear. It served as a constant reminder that he had already made his choice, and she was powerless to change it.

Sure enough, there he is, pretending as if it doesn't matter. Pero alam ni Willhelmina ang buong katotohanan. Kaya kahit na siya'y natatakot, she casts aside all her fears and confronts this head-on.

"I'm just doing this for you."

He will make his own choices, just as he always has. Malakas ang koneksyon niya kay Lyrica dahil siya ang nag-aasikaso ng kanyang scholarship upang makapag-aral ng pre-med sa pharmacy.

All Willhelmina could do was clench her fists as she struggled to find the words she wanted to say to him, overwhelmed by a wave of disbelief. Her eyes were weary from tears, and she could only watch him walk away, the weight of silence pressing down on her, amplifying the unsaid words echoing in her mind.

She longed to shout and demand answers, but the air around her felt even more suffocating, trapping her feelings inside.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"Sana lang, hindi niya pagsisihan ang pag-cut off niya sa 'tin! Ugh, that guy!" Nana spat.

"He has his reasons, Nana," Willhelmina sighed, "Your words..."

Willhelmina folded her arms and scoffed at her. "Maybe you should consider not being such a good person all the time. It's not wrong to act out of kindness, but there is a distinction between being kind and being nice." She shot Willhelmina a piercing glance, while Willhelmina responded by raising her eyebrows and rolling her eyes in reply.

Si Nana ay nahihirapang pigilin ang tawa kaya't dinala na lang niya ang kanyang daliri sa mga damit niya. Sandaling napatingin siya kay Willhelmina at hindi siya makapaniwala sa nangyayari. Sa malayo, parang pinapanood lang niya 'to habang kitang-kita ang hitsura ni Willhelmina na tila walang pakialam, bahagya niyang inangat ang labi at iniabot sa kanya ang isang malumanay na ngiti.

Naalala pa niya noon nang may isang matapang na manliligaw ang dumating, at sure na sure siya na mapapasagot niya si Willhelmina and what was the outcome of that? Willhelmina responded swiftly and directly. She politely bowed her head and quickly told him she wasn't interested in him at all.

Nana frowned, her brows knitted together in thought. While she understood her own reasons for being involved, there was something deeper that kept her engaged. Most girls might have already fallen for the charming words that many boys resort to, but not Willhelmina. She stood firm, unyielding, and she clearly didn't fit the mold of everyone else around her.

Nana couldn't shake off the memories that surfaced; she hadn't anticipated seeing this tougher side of Willhelmina. It was surprising to realize that beneath her appearance lay a strength intertwined with a sense of rejection and an elusive mystery, creating an atmosphere that was both calming and strangely unsettling.

Nana couldn't help but be captivated by her. 'Pambihirang babae ka,' she pondered, and a tide of emotions began to wash over her.

"Pero iba ka, teh! Naalala ko pa ngayon, ha! Ang dami mong iniiwasang lalaki. Pa'no ka magkaka-jowa niyan, ha!?" sigaw ni Nana.

Willhelmina expressed, "I'm not fond of those kinds of guys."

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

She wonders why she ever became friends with Nana, especially since she can be quite foolish at times.

"Sige na, sige na! Baka mamaya bugahan mo pa ako ng apoy, girl," Nana giggled. "Speech and Communication kami ngayon. Yari!"

"Sa daldal mo, masasagot mo 'yan. Pilosopo ka e." Willhelmina retorted sharply, and afterward, she rolled her eyes.

Willhelmina shot her a playful grin and then stuck out her tongue, a gesture that expressed her own defiance. Yet, she remained unfazed, her posture radiating confidence. Her gaze didn't waver; even when faced with Willhelmina's teasing, she acted as if it didn't affect her at all. This time, she wasn't going to play along. She had put in too much effort to let anyone think she might be slow—or even if she wasn't. It remained a mystery.

Nana shot her a sideways glance, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth, parang naghahamon pa siya sa mga oras na 'to. Her mind struggled to grasp the reality of the moment. Kupal talaga, she pondered, and a surge of frustration began to simmer within her, ready to spill over at any moment.

Napabuntong hininga si Minami at umiling habang nagsimula siyang maglakad pauwi sa kanilang college department. Now her pace quickened as she neared their department. She couldn't afford to waste any more time, and her heart raced when someone suddenly grabbed her arm, catching her off guard.

She inhaled deeply, a tension visible in her lips, bracing herself for the scream. Just then, she noticed the familiar red aura of the person who had just pulled her.

It was Saku.

His expression was one of frustration, and you didn't make any effort to appease him. No one could please him. He stepped closer to her, fixating her with a glare.

━━━━━━━༺༻━━━━━━━

author's note: heartfelt appreciation to shrimpcage. Grabe, ang galing mo! Kuha na kuha mo si Saku sa drawing mo. Introducing our anti-hero from the first series of Betrayal's Game Series.

He's one of the male leads and is extremely strategic in his actions, so stay alert! Ang lakas talaga ng face card ng lalaking 'to!

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"About earlier, ano'ng sinasabi mo kanina na ililigtas mo'ko? What game are you playing, Mina?" he snapped. "H'wag na tayong maglokohan dito."

Panic engulfed her, a turbulent storm that twisted her insides. Had she, in her recklessness, altered the very fabric of the past? The realization struck her like a thousand jagged shards piercing through her mind, leaving her reeling in its wake.

Ano'ng sasabihin niya? 'Di naman siya pwede magkamali sa sasabihin niya since he might execute her, right?

Napalunok na lang siya at halos mamula ng tuluyan.

She's doomed.

☠︎︎༒︎☠︎︎

𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄 𝐃    𝐖 𝐈 𝐓 𝐇   𝐇 𝐀 𝐃 𝐄 𝐒

Betrayal's Game Series #1

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