𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝟎𝟏: 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭 (𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃)

𝟒𝟏: 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡

     Umagang umaga at kaharap na naman nila ulit si Mathias. His face remained as neutral as ever. Parang hindi pa niya pinapakita anong nararamdaman niya. He knew what's going on with Mathara.

     He's been there. She just needed a reason to return to him, to the organization.

     Ronin and Mathara weren't tied down, yet they couldn't run. Isipin mo palang ang dami ng tauhan ni Mathias sa loob, mahirap na.

     "You just lost to your own little game, Mathara," he finally broke the silence. Nilalaro niya ang isang maliit na kutsilyo sa kanang kamay niya habang ang kabilang kamay ay nakahawak sa kanyang tobacco. 

     Nakaupo ito sa kanyang paboritong upuan. They are in that mansion's living area, magkaharap at parehong nagmamasid sa mga kilos ng paligid. Nandoon din si Jaxon at Logan sa likuran ni Mathias. 

     Ang mga tauhan nito ay nakakalat sa paligid. Wherever your eyes landed, you could see his men armed with rifles.

     They seemed to be merely watching, waiting for any wrong move to trigger a shot.

     The morning was cloudy, casting a gloomy and gray hue over the surroundings. It was like a scene painted in black and white. Everyone was clad in black suits, while Mathara stood out in a white shirt and baggy black pants. Ronin, on the other hand, wore a simple black shirt and matching pants.

     "I told you, wala pang nananalo laban sa akin," Mathias continued talking.

     Nakatitig lang si Mathara sa kanya. She didn't look luxurious at all, unlike how she used to. Instead, she appeared like a mess. Magulo kasing naka-bun ang buhok nito. Ni wala ding make-up sa mukha.

     She seemed to be a different person to her father. Para bang nawala na ang anak nitong si Death Devil.

     "Bakit ba ayaw mo akong hayaan? Can't you see? Ayaw ko dito," she countered in annoyance.

     Natigilan si Mathias sa paglalaro nung maliit na kutsilyo sabay saksak nun sa mesang nasa harap. It didn't scare his daughter at all. The Death Devil is still there and he felt like he needed to wake it up again.

     Sa kahit anong paraan.

     "I can't believe how you manage not to remember everything. Sa lahat ng nangyari, walang nagtrigger?" Mathias let go of the knife and pushed himself back into the chair.

     Mathara crossed her arms.

     "Ano pa bang dapat kong maalala? Naalala na kita, sila, si Arriety." Umikot ang eyeballs niya. Hindi niya kayang intindihin si Mathias.

     "What about him?" Napakunot ang noo ng dalaga sa sinabi nito. Sinong him? She followed his gaze to where he was looking, at Ronin.

     Mas lalo siyang naguluhan. Anong meron kay Ronin?

     "Total, hindi mo pa maalala, why not patayin mo na siya ngayon? You wanna play games, right? Sige, mamili ka. We will continue our duel, or ikaw ang papatay sa kanya. Magpapatayan parin naman kayo." 

     Mathara gritted her teeth, sensing the gravity of Mathias's intentions. He is dead serious and it was clear that he truly desired Ronin's death.

     Pero anong ibig nitong sabihin? Bakit sila magpapatayan ni Ronin?

     Wala ding naiintindihan si Ronin. "Lalaban ako ulit," he bravely offered himself. Mabilis siyang hinila ni Mathara palapit sa kanya.