NINE.

KEYS OF THE OTHER WORLD.

☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

WILLHELMINA STOOD in silence, her gaze fixed on the man before her. Despite their proximity, an invisible chasm yawned between them, one that neither of them could bridge. His unwavering determination revealed a path diverging from her own, a journey she was not meant to share.

Words eluded her, leaving her feeling powerless, as if she were a mere spectator, helplessly watching the war transform him before her eyes.

A curious glimmer in her eyes, she leaned forward and asked, "So, what's our way into the Spirit Sanctum?"

The Cerberus emitted a low growl, foam gathering at its lips as its fur bristled with agitation. Its bright eyes gleamed with intensity. "Sir," it snarled, "you can't possibly be considering bringing the girl along, can you?"

Saku's eyes narrowed towards them and his stares become even more dangerous as it seems, "Sinabi ko ba na puwede niyong akong sagutin?"

A surge of dark violet energy sparked and danced within his palm, spiraling outward to envelop him in a shimmering cocoon.

The dogs recoiled not simply in fear of his magic, but from the immense power radiating from him—an aura so profound that it overshadowed their very terror.

It was a force unlike any other, one that no soul could hope to resist. A heavy silence enveloped the room, so profound that not a word was exchanged, nor a breath taken.

In that moment, they all understood with an unsettling certainty: he was no ordinary being.

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"I suppose not," he responded, and everyone immediately fell in line with his rules. Alam nilang kapag lalo mong hinahamon si Saku, mas nagiging mapanganib siya.

From that moment forward, the howling started.

The Cerberus howled, its voice a thunderous cry, And darkness spread like ink across the sky. Shadows crept through the city's veins, and a heavy mist cloaked the streets in chains. Wilhelmina stood, perplexed and alone, wondering how Saku had found the unknown.

What beckons them here, what challenge lies near? For this trial would stretch them, fill hearts with fear. But cunning he'd wield, a sharp mind to defy, in this web of night, he'd learn how to fly. Whatever the trials, whatever the pain, he'd dance with the shadows, break free from the chain.

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From afar, a group of enigmatic figures emerged, cloaked in dark robes that billowed like shadows come to life. Their hoods obscured their faces, rendering them undistinguishable in the dim light. In their hands, they clutched ancient tomes, each one brimming with untold power.

An ethereal swirl of magic danced around their forms, a mesmerizing aura that hinted at the formidable forces they wielded as they surged forward, intent on their unknown purpose.

"Antus, Le are vera," one among them simply spoken.

The words echoed with an age that seemed to stretch back through the mists of time. They held the weight of a forgotten incantation, as if woven from threads of magic long abandoned.

A prickling sensation crawled along Wilhelmina's spine, an unsettling awareness that unseen eyes were fixed upon her. She couldn't help but shiver at the thought, the chill of the unknown wrapping around her like a cloak. Hindi lang sila mga bantay; sila rin 'yung mga nakakita at posibleng may pakana ng lahat.

"Perfect. The challengers have finally made their entrance," Saku murmured.

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"Just a moment," Wilhelmina said, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What exactly do you mean by that?

Hindi na siya sumagot. Nakatuon ang kanyang atensyon sa mga nilalang na 'yon—mga nakatalukbong at tahimik na nagmamasid sa kanila. Napansin din ni Willhelmina ang pagngiwi sa kanyang mukha. Kitang-kita na hindi lamang inis ang kanyang nararamdaman kundi mayroon ding takot.

Perhaps he shares that fear as well.

She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze."Kung nandito sila, ibig sabihin, narito rin ang mga logosmiths."

"And just like that, one of your dreams has become a reality."

His expression deepened into shadow, a darkness she had never witnessed before. For the first time, she realized he was no longer hiding his true feelings. Dahil ba sa away nila kanina, kaya napaisip si Willhelmina na kung kaya naman pala niyang magpakatotoo, bakit hindi niya ito gawing mas madalas? Why can't he find a moment to speak the truth for once?

He reached for his pack of cigarettes, the familiar motion almost automatic. As he lit one up, he stared into space, his expression vacant. Wisps of smoke curled and danced around him, creating a hazy veil that seemed to offer him a momentary escape from reality.

She let out a soft sigh, then she looked at him and asked, "What's bothering you so much? What's really going on?"

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"Back off, will you?" he retorted, his tone sharp. "That kind of attitude makes you an easy mark, and you don't even realize it. Don't even think about testing me, Mina."

"It certainly will not!" she retorted, her voice sharp as she faced him.

He let out a derisive laugh, shaking his head at her. "Oh, look who's talking—the one who was kidnapped from the abyss!"

She struggled to grasp the reason behind their argument. It seemed trivial on the surface, yet she sensed an underlying issue that troubled them both, something they were not willing to acknowledge. Her intuition was sharp, and she could see that their discord ran much deeper than the words exchanged.

"Talaga ba?" she simply stated, her arms crossed defiantly across her chest. "Kung puro attitude ka lang din diyan, sa tingin mo ba maniniwala ako na wala kang tinatago?"

He gazed at her with an intensity that hinted at a scream trapped within, an unspoken turmoil boiling just beneath the surface. And then, in a moment of surrender, he shattered.

"Alright then! You want the truth? Those challengers have arrived to test our destinies, to determine if we are worthy of belonging to the Twilight Vale. Yes, that's right. Perhaps they've come to use me as an executioner, tasked with ending your life. Do you really believe I wanted any of this? Do you think I chose to become the villain in this tale?" He gritted his teeth, a hiss escaping his lips as he glared at her.

His voice trembled, a fragile quiver she had never witnessed in him before.

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"You're mistaken," Willhelmina replied, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her clothes. "Each of us has a choice. You don't have to allow them to manipulate you—not any longer. And tell me, why do you believe you're the only one bearing this weight?"

He gazed at her, taken aback by the unexpected fervor of her replies.

"What are you trying to say?" he asked, his voice barely rising above a whisper.

She took a step nearer to him, her gaze steady and unwavering. "What I'm trying to convey is that I'm right beside you. Nana's by our side, and Rino is here with us too, kahit na sa tingin mo'y iniwan ka na ng lahat, nandito lang ako para sa 'yo. Though others may decide to walk away, know that I will always remain by your side."

Willhelmina rose from her seat, edging closer, her voice quaking with emotion. "Saku, please," she implored. "Don't shut me out. Don't exhaust yourself trying to be there for those who continually let you down."

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As he gazed into her eyes, he found no trace of judgment lingering within them; instead, a profound shift stirred deep within him.

"Why do you always behave this way?" he murmured, his chin quivering ever so slightly. "So generous... even toward someone who has wronged you. Even after I—"

I understand," she replied gently. "I know what you've done. Yet, I can't bring myself to shut you out; I'm still here. That's just who I am, Saku. I can't help but be kind, even when some people don't appreciate it. All I want is to offer my help, because that's part of what I am."

With a tender touch, she grasped his hand, a warm smile breaking through the veil of her tears that streamed down her cheeks. "You're not the monster you believe yourself to be," she whispered softly. "You built those walls because you're in pain, but I want you to know that I'm right here with you. I won't ever walk away.

He loathed that she could see right through him. Ang kabaitan na 'yon—hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit patuloy pa rin siyang nagtitiwala sa isang katulad niya. Mula pa noong bata sila, laging sinasabi sa kanya na may kabutihan siya sa kalooban.

However, times have changed. He has transformed into someone quite different—a man who seems to have lost his sense of concern after enduring the trials he faced.

He straightened his back, took a breath to steady himself, and averted his gaze from hers. "What brought you to the abyss in the first place?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Nanatili si Willhelmina sa kinatatayuan niya. Sa dami ng tanong, bakit 'yun pa talaga ang napili niya? At this moment, she found herself nearly frozen in place, her cheeks a deep shade of crimson, a testament to the intensity of the conversation.

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"That's just—" she began, but the words caught in her throat, leaving her visibly flustered.

Hindi niya puwedeng sabihin 'to dahil 'di pa siya handa. Not in this place, please. She had already revealed everything to Nana, even letting slip that she was in love with him. Mas lalo siyang namula dahil sa mga tanong na 'yon.

"What's going on?" he asked, directing his gaze towards her.

"Well," she stammered, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of crimson. As she twirled a lock of her hair nervously, her gaze shifted to the side. "I had a bit of a spat with Nana, and I ended up telling her about the guy I like.

"You—what did you say? Could you repeat that?"

"Please don't ask!"

Saku pivoted on his heel, his palm meeting the cool surface of the wall as he exhaled a heavy sigh. Thoughts churned in his mind like a tempest. Who was he, really? The one she held affection for? Who could that person possibly be?

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Sinara niya ang kamao niya at hindi siya mapakali. And now the lightning danced across the sky, with striking black thunderbolts that dared to fly.

Willhelmina gazed upon her feet, her heart began its frantic beat. With trembling fingers, her hair twined, a surge of fear seized her mind. As she sought to flee the scene, Saku's grip brought her back, serene. His eyes, a beacon, firm and true, in that moment, they held the world, anew.

"What does he look like, anyway?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he cast a discontented glance at her. A petulant pout formed on his lips, revealing the hint of irritation that colored his expression.

Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of crimson as she confessed, "To begin with, his initials are S... and D."

"What do you mean by 'SD'? If he's really that incredible in your eyes, I want to see it for myself first!"

Willhelmina, feeling a flush of embarrassment creep across her cheeks, stamped her foot in frustration before turning on her heels and dashing away.

"Ayoko, at hindi talaga pwede! We're still on the mission!" she exclaimed, her voice full of determination. "After the test, if I have a change of heart, maybe I'll consider it!"

For the first time in ages, she felt a surge of life coursing through her veins. It was as if the chaos of war had simply faded away, leaving only the pure, untainted moments of childhood behind.

In that fleeting instant, it was just Willhelmina and Saku, lost in the joyous simplicity of being kids once more. Walang propesiya. Walang kapahamakan. Sa kanila lang umiikot ang lahat.

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A broad smile lighting up her face, she dashed beneath the ancient stone archway, laughter bubbling up joyfully inside her. Agad na sumunod si Saku sa kanya at nakakita ng isang tindero ng sorbetes sa paligid. Hindi niya pinalampas ang pagkakataong 'yon at lumapit siya para bumili ng dalawang ice cream—isang strawberry at isang mango.

"O, paborito mo 'to," sabi niya habang inaabot ang mango ice cream sa kanya, habang siya'y kumakain ng sarili niyang ice cream.

"You really ought to eat," he urged gently. "You have a tendency to push yourself too hard. Don't forget to take a break now and then."

"Oo na!" sigaw niya kay Saku na may ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

Willhelmina savored a bite of her mango ice cream, the vibrant flavor bursting onto her taste buds. As she licked the creamy delight, a rhythm began to develop; she tapped her foot in time with her enjoyment.

Giggling softly, she delicately navigated her fingers around the cone, careful not to let it crumble under her excitement. The coolness of the creamy treat seeped through her hands, a refreshing sensation that added to the bliss of the moment.

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Once she finished eating, she swiftly wiped her hands clean and rose to her feet. To her surprise, Saku reached out, taking her hand and intertwining his fingers with hers.

"Come on," he said to her.

"What..."

From a distance, a faint whisper floated towards them—a voice they struggled to place, familiar yet elusive.

Suddenly, a gentle pulse of light emanated from his pocket.

At syempre, napansin din ni Willhelmina ang bagay na 'yon.A peculiar glow flickered in the distance, resembling an enigmatic beacon calling out from the shadows.

At alam niyang sa mga pagkakataong 'to, mayroon na naman siyang itinatagong lihim sa kanya. Ulit. 

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He always possessed a deeper understanding of the Twilight Vale than most.

In shadows dark, where fates entwine, now she pondered, lost, on how to shine; with six entwined in destiny's thread, yet deep within, a spark was fed. A memory flickered, a glimmer of light, a key from the Phateon, hidden from sight.

It whispered of realms where souls may soar, unlocking the passage to what lies in store. To journey through cycles, to realms unknown, to the First Domain, where seeds of life are sown. With courage alight, she chose to defy, to seek the key and not let dreams die.

And it was Saku who possessed it.

He didn't have to toil endlessly to attain that power; what he truly required were the right connections and the hidden secrets he was determined to uncover.

At ang katanungan dito ay, bakit? Ano ba talaga ang tinatago niya?

At iyon ang kailangan niyang malaman. She arrived in this place with a determination to challenge her destiny. Yet, why had she not seen it before? Those keys.

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He spoke softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "These are known as the Keys of Boundaries," he revealed. "They possess the ability to unlock any seal, domain, or realm. Yet, such power comes at a steep cost—one that demands a life in return. It's the reason the logosmiths are toying with our destinies."

He cast a solemn gaze in her direction.

Her breath caught in her throat as the truth washed over her. "Please, don't tell me you twisted your destiny into something far darker."

"Are you seriously talking about Hades' Key of Death?"

She gazed intently at the object hovering in his grasp—a key, intricately carved with a skull, entwined by a sleek black serpent. Around it swirled dark orbs, casting an eerie glow, while a decayed apple tumbled into his palm, its presence unsettling. In that moment, a surge of dark magic began to unfurl, enveloping the air with an otherworldly energy.

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Sigurado siyang may kakaibang enerhiya mula ro'n. Kaya naman, hindi siya makapaniwala sa mga nakikita niya ngayon.

"You were aware the entire time, weren't you? You knew I would be in peril, and yet..." Her voice trembled with emotion as her brow furrowed and her eyes pierced into his.

A sly grin crept across his face as his gaze shifted, transforming into something icy and distinctly sinister.

"I guess I haven't brought it up before, have I? You're just my pawn, Archduchess."

He's such a jerk! I can hardly believe it!