ELEVEN.

THANATOS' HELP.

☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

WITHIN THAT haunted realm, a temple decays, twisted trees entwine in a spectral ballet, branches extend like skeletal hands, grasping at shadows in dark, desolate strands. The air hangs thick with a whispering dread, echoes of terror resound, softly spread, In this eerie embrace, where silence prevails, nature's haunting chorus unveils its dark tales.

Willhelmina scanned the void, her eyes lost in the night, in shadows thick, the world was out of sight. With a sudden shiver, she fell back in fear, she clutched Saku's clothing and her heart whispered near. She drew in a breath, heavy and deep, and gazed at the silence, where secrets might sleep.

He stole a glance in her direction, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as he observed her reactions. "Feeling scared?" he teased.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"Hindi, ah!" Wilhelmina's voice rose in a fervent shout, the intensity of her emotions making it seem as if she were turning against her very own words like never before. Hindi siya komportable na aminin 'yon, lalo na't alam niyang madali para kay Saku na basahin ang isang tao sa isang tingin lang.

Saku decided to hold back his playful banter. With a sly smile, he cast a glance over his shoulder at the monstrous figures lurking behind them. "No need to fret," he assured her, "we've got this under control."

Behind them lingered mystical beings, bound by his enchanting spell, silent as shadows, in graceful obedience, they fell. With each step they took, like whispers in the night, they followed in stillness, lost in his shimmering light.

"May alas tayo," sagot ni Saku sabay ngisi sa kanya.

Wilhelmina pressed her lips in thought, a timid nod in response, her heart fraught. Retreat was no longer in sight, she's plunged into shadows, embracing the night — this journey's just dawned, a vast unknown, in the depths of the void, she stands all alone.

And now she felt the stirrings of the fight, a dawning flame where shadows once took flight. In her heart, a whisper fierce and strong, she sensed the clash of right against the wrong. Hindi lang simpleng realm ang kanilang pupuntahan sa puntong 'to. Mas delikado pa ang kanilang paroroonan.

Willhelmina bit her lip, her fist clenching tightly as a surge of determination washed over her. At that moment, she resolved, This isn't the time to retreat.

Saku turned to her, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "If you're eager to learn something," he said, a playful smile tugging at his lips, "don't hold back. Just ask."

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

With a soft sigh escaping her lips, she placed her hands firmly on her hips, her brows knitting together in a sudden wave of concern. Wala na siyang ibang pagpipilian. Kailangan niyang magtiwala sa kanya, kahit na alam niyang mahirap 'tong gawin. Beneath the surface, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his nature than she had yet uncovered.

"Why would Thanatos help us?" she queried, her voice edged with skepticism. "Did you not realize? Your father is intent on bringing about the end of the six realms within the Twilight Vale."

Saku remained perfectly still, an unwavering figure in the dim light. "Since you're already aware of the path that lay behind you," Saku began, a hint of gravity in their voice, "there's something important you must understand. There was a reason behind his desire to see them disappear."

"And what happened next?" she inquired, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

"The logosmiths went too far, crossing boundaries that should have remained untouched. They were not content with their knowledge of Mount Olympus; their greed for understanding led them to wreak havoc—invading the realms of Zeus and Poseidon. They even dared to steal Zeus' thunderbolt," he murmured, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And what they did to my father... it was beyond anything permissible."

"What happened with Hades?"

"Suddenly, the logosmiths emerged from the shadows of the First Domain, as if he had been conjured from thin air. I've heard whispers that scientists are grappling with a profound crisis in their world, a struggle that drives them to seek power. And now, as you step into the House of Hades, you must brace yourself to confront my father in battle."

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

To step into the House of Hades, one must embark on a perilous descent into the depths of the abyss, which will eagerly drag you down into its shadowy embrace. It is within this seemingly endless chasm that your journey truly begins, for becoming ensnared in its darkness is the key to unlocking the mysteries of the temple. This sacred space is reserved for only you, and within its ancient halls lies one of your greatest trials yet.

The sacred altar dedicated to Hades has been shattered, paving the way for the ominous Doors of Death. As you navigate through the treacherous rockfall, you'll likely find yourself cut off from your companions. This descent leads to Alastor, the formidable archdemon of high rank. Thus, it becomes a delicate matter to assert that no outsiders are permitted to enter this realm.

Kung gano'n, wala talagang pwedeng makakapasok sa lugar niya nang basta-basta? Pero bakit nga nakapasok ang mga logosmiths do'n?" tanong ni Willhelmina habang kumurap at tiningnan ang lalaki.

Saku's voice took on a somber tone. "Because when the gods feasted on ambrosia and drank nectar, and reveled to the tunes of Apollo's lyre; of course, from time to time, they also quarreled between themselves, mostly over the fortunes of mortal beings. Sa tingin ko, doon nagsimula ang uhaw ng mga logosmiths sa kapangyarihan mula sa Mount Olympus."

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

In shadows deep, the archduke's schemes did weave, and his secrets, cloaked, like twilight's gentle grieve. With magic veiled, away from the prying eyes, he spun his dreams beneath the starlit skies. Yet now, a spark ignites within her heart, and as fragments fuse, the truth begins to start.

Like whispers soft, the puzzle's form appears, revealing tales concealed throughout the years. Lahat ng mga obsession at mga desisyon ng kanyang ama na naghatid sa kanya sa panganib.

"They infiltrated Olympus," Saku revealed, his voice steady yet heavy with gravity. "Now, their dark energy seeps through every corner of the Twilight Vale. They've stolen something of great value from Hades himself. And as you can imagine, his wrath is not to be trifled with."

࿇ ══━━━━✥☭✥━━━━══ ࿇

Wilhelmina folded her arms, eyeing him with a mix of skepticism and intrigue. "A true scientist wouldn't behave that way unless instructed by someone. Who in their right mind would provoke the gods into war?"

With a tight fist and a sharp breath, Saku seethed, "It's the one hidden behind the mask. The self-proclaimed deity who toys with our destinies, reshaping our lives as if we were mere pawns in a deadly game."

He gazed upon her, and a blaze began to spark within his eyes.

"This is merely the initial phase. The realm of Chaos awaits."

Wilhelmina raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "You're speaking as if you're a savior now. It's amusing, considering you were trying to stop me before. What prompted this change in you?"

Saku offered her a sly grin. "Who can say?"

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Consequently, they ventured further into the realm.

May isang anino na sumalubong sa kanila. Isang aninong tila kakaiba, na may kasamang panganib na nakatago mula rito.

Willhelmina found herself utterly immobilized, her body frozen in place as dread washed over her. In that chilling moment, Thanatos stepped forth, a figure cloaked in shadows, shrouded in a swirling mist of icy air.

As the temperature began to shift, the air thickened with an oppressive weight, and shadows deepened into an almost tangible darkness. This gloom was imbued with the haunting echoes of long-lost souls, their fragmented whispers drifting through the night like remnants of forgotten dreams.

Sa totoo lang, hindi natatakot si Willhelmina sa kanyang nakikita; sa halip, nakaramdam siya ng takot na bumabalot sa kanya. And with that, a thrilling ripple coursed through her entire being.

As she sat frozen in place, a whirlwind of thoughts swirled in her mind. Why had fate thrust upon her the mantle of an Archduchess? The question nagged at her, and with each passing moment, her restlessness grew.

She glanced around, overwhelmed by the opulence that surrounded her, and let out a deep sigh.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

If only she had understood the path that led her here—if only she could escape this gilded cage. She would have fled from this destiny long ago!

Yet it appears that the point of no return has been reached.

Pinakalma muna niya ang isip niya, hanggang sa huminga siya nang malalim, tapos dahan-dahang siyang naglakad papunta kay Thanatos.

Habang lumalapit siya, parang may malamig na hangin na dumaan sa paligid—may kakaibang presensyang naramdaman niya. As Thanatos pivoted, the temperature plummeted even further, each chilling degree an echo of the dark power he wielded.

The hood obscured his features, leaving her unable to discern its shape. It felt as if nothingness enveloped his face, a shadowy void that held no secrets and revealed no hints.

"At last, you've come," he said, his voice wrapped in a gentle warmth.

Yet beneath the surface, a chilling shadow lay, as if the soothing tones were mere echoes of a deeper cruelty—like the soft whispers of sleep that beckon at dusk, comforting yet carrying an undeniable promise of farewell.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Saku moved forward, instinctively shielding Willhelmina with his presence. He gently grasped her shoulders, drawing her closer as he turned to confront the looming figure of Thanatos, the god of death.

"Thanatos," he questioned, a perplexed look crossing his face as he instinctively narrowed his brows. "Why have you led us into this abyss? What is your true intention?" His voice emerged from a hiss, thick with suspicion.

"And it seems to me that trust is a fragile thread between us," Thanatos remarked, tilting his head slightly. As he spoke, the dark energy swirling around him shifted in sync with his motion, creating an unsettling dance on his features.

He shook his head gently, a shadow of disappointment flickering in his eyes.

"Of course," Saku retorted, his voice sharp as a blade. "You attempted to take the life of Poseidon's own son, and now you stand before us, challenging our resolve. This doesn't feel like assistance; it feels more like a clever ruse to manipulate us."

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

Hindi nagtitiwala si Saku sa sinuman, at hindi niya kailanman ginawa. Sa isang tingin lang, agad niyang nahuhulaan sa tinig ng isang tao kung siya'y mapagkakatiwalaan o hindi.

He found himself captivated by them, observing the rhythm of their breaths and hanging on every word they uttered. It was in these subtle moments that he honed his judgment, able to discern the genuine from the insincere.

This keen insight was his survival skill, a necessary compass in a world full of pretenses.

Thanatos took a step forward, enveloped by a swirling tide of dark magic that clung to him like a shadowy shroud. The black markings etched on Saku's neck began to pulse with a strange intensity, as if recognizing the presence of Hades' companion.

It was a manifestation of his curse—an unbreakable bond that chained him to his Fate.

"Paano ko masasabing dapat akong magtiwala sa 'yo?" Saku let out a fierce growl, positioning himself defensively, determined to protect Willhelmina at all costs. "You worked with my father, didn't you?!" he accused, his voice laced with intensity.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"Indeed," Thanatos replied, a contemplative tone weaving through his words. "In certain ways, I find myself akin to him. Like him, I gather what has been shared—the whispers of the departed."

It's hardly shocking anymore, considering that Thanatos was the daemonic representation of death in Ancient Greek mythology this also suggests that daemonic here is used with its classical meaning, which refers to benevolent or benign nature spirits.

Thanatos was believed to be merciless and indiscriminate, and both mortals and gods hated him. However, he could sometimes be outsmarted.

Thanatos was told by Zeus to chain King Sisyphus in the Underworld, as it was time for him to die. Sisyphus managed to chain Thanatos in his own fetters, thus protecting all mortals from dying while the god was chained.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

In the end, god Ares, angry that at the wars he waged no one died, freed Thanatos and gave Sisyphus to him.

Tales such as these were meticulously preserved within ancient scrolls, safeguarded from prying eyes. These sacred records were passed down through the generations, ensuring that the history of the gods endured through the ages.

However, Saku began to grow increasingly cautious around him.

"You were the one who aided my father in bringing ruin to the Twilight Vale, weren't you?"

Saku's brow furrowed, his jaw tight with tension as he shot a cold glance in his direction.

Just as the air thickened with an unspoken conflict, Willhelmina swiftly reached out and took his hand, breaking the moment. Malinaw sa kanya kapag ganito ang asal ni Saku.

"Hold on a moment. Let him speak." Willhelmina interjected.

Saku pressed his lips into a tight line, his heart racing as a flurry of thoughts invaded his mind, each one vying for his attention. Anxiety coursed through him, prompting his hands to fidget restlessly.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

In a moment of distraction, he ran his fingers through his hair, only to feel his glasses slip down his nose with a soft clack.

What's there to explain? he thought, clenching his teeth in frustration. They've already sealed our destiny, as if it were written in blood. And now, you expect me to listen?

A chill coursed through him, seeping into his bones. The anguish felt unfiltered and stark, a raw reminder of betrayal and solitude that clawed at his heart.

The trust he once placed in others had crumbled, leaving him adrift in a sea of despair.

Every emotion bore down on him, heavy and relentless, as he grappled with the weight of it all. Masyado siyang nasaktan sa nangyari, at doon nagsimulang mawala ang tiwala niya sa lahat.

"Please, tell me, Mina. Paano ko sila mapagkakatiwalaan?" As he spoke, his voice wavered, breaking like fragile glass. He shut his eyes tightly, surrendering to the rush of emotions as tears flowed freely, each one a tiny testament to his pain.

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

"Pinagkatiwalaan ko silang lahat kahit sobrang hirap para sa'kin tapos ganito pa 'yung isusukli nila?! Is this all I ever received?" he cried out, his voice echoing with pain.

"Each and every one of them turned their backs on me! Betrayal was my only companion from the very beginning!" He clutched at his chest, the weight of his anguish palpable in the air.

With a gentle shift, he turned aside, his hands rising to cover his face as tremors coursed through him. Overcome by emotion, he let forth a heartfelt cry.

Hindi naman nakakabawas sa pagiging lalaki kung iiyak ka, di 'ba? — Ito ang mga bagay na patuloy na naiisip ni Saku ngayon.

It's simple to pass judgment on others, but men shouldn't be made to feel this way. It's mistaken to suggest that men aren't allowed to cry or feel pain, because they do. They have every right to experience those emotions.

Let's not judge anyone who is struggling with their mental health. Honestly, it's time to stop judging others based on their feelings about mental health. Emotions are valid, but your actions may not be. That's how it should be.

"Always alone..." he murmured, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. "I thought pushing you away would protect me, but now, it torments me — the way I treated you in our childhood. I was consumed by fear, Mina. Fear of what others would think, and in the chaos of it all, I lost sight of those who truly cared for me..." His voice faltered, raw with emotion. "I'm so sorry."

●▬▬▬▬๑۩۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

With a heart full of compassion, Willhelmina extended her hand to him, free of judgment. Gently, she lifted her fingers, brushing softly against his tears, her smile radiating warmth and understanding.

"Please, don't let yourself turn into a villain," she breathed softly. "Not again. Hindi ka nag-iisa dahil nandito ako para sa 'yo. Huwag mong dalhin 'to nang mag-isa; isama mo ako sa lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman mo, Saku."

With tears glistening in her eyes, she leaned closer, her voice gentle and reassuring. "I've promised you, haven't I? I'll find a way to save you. So please, put your faith in me completely."

Pagkatapos, tumingin si Willhelmina kay Thanatos at pinunasan ang kanyang luha habang sinamaan siya ng tingin.

"If I must challenge fate, then I will do so without hesitation. I will protect him with everything I have."

One truth resonated in her heart: she had to intervene with the Fates before conflict erupted. Every fiber of her being was committed to save Saku's life, a vow she had made and one she was determined to keep. No matter the cost, she would see it through.

☠︎︎༒︎☠︎︎

𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄 𝐃     𝐖 𝐈 𝐓 𝐇    𝐇 𝐀 𝐃 𝐄 𝐒

Betrayal's Game Series #1

Kindly avoid mentioning the works of other authors in this story, as it can be seen as disrespectful. This is the sole guideline I have to share. ♡'･ᴗ･'♡

࿇If this story resonates with you, consider sharing it to connect with another reader who might enjoy it as well. Your click matters, and sharing could bring joy to the author. If you feel seen here, let's support one another! Help me spread the word about my story. By sharing it, you'll also have a chance to preview my next chapter!࿇

Votes and comments are greatly appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to read!