•••••Raven’s POV•••••

I slowly opened my eyes as a familiar scent reached my nose, and I felt my warm hand on my right cheek.

“Thank goodness! Are you okay, Raven?” I immediately recognized whose voice it was.

“Hands off!” I swiped his hand away from my face and forced myself to sit up straight on the hospital bed.

Unfortunately, my head started to spin again as I did that.

“Don’t move. Sasakit na—”

“Pwede ba, Ethan? Drop the act that you still care about me. You said it yourself na nahihirapan kang maging kapatid ko, so what is the point?” I asked as I looked daggers at him. Though, I knew my eyes were already went back to normal.

“You may be right,” He was sitting on a chair beside me, and he sighed very deeply. “but I never said anything about giving up on you. I’ll still protect you kahit na ilang beses ka pang magalit sa’kin.”

I rolled my eyes at him and crossed my arms. He was very impossible to deal with. He would never comprehend a thing about me.

“If you want to protect me, let me go back to Blandon High.”

“I won’t allow that,” he said. “Bibigyan kita sa lahat ng gusto mo, except that.”

I felt anger flowing through my veins again. It was very exhausting getting mad at the same person everyday. It was as if he was making fun of me; like, he enjoyed teasing and seeing me mad at him.

“You are not helping me at all. You make me sick.” I was still glaring at him, and I knew he was just trying his best to neglect it. “What I said to you before I lost consciousness... I meant every single word of it.”

“I know,” He just simply nodded very calmly. Who knows if he was just trying to act strong or stupid. “pero hindi pa rin kita hahayaang makabalik do’n sa Blandon High.”

I scoffed. I never wished to have a brother like him. Sometimes, I just wished that they never adopted me.

“You know, akala mo hindi ko alam?” He was quite surprised. “You bought Shimuya Super Malls right after you found out I came there with Blade, did you not?”

His eyes widened in surprise that made me laugh bitterly. I have always known Ethan. He would spend billions of money just to give me what I wanted. Sometimes, bumibili siya ng kompanya at ipapasara ito, eventually kapag nagsasawa na siya.

Ethan is very prominent all around the world. However, his side I consider shady is still hidden from the media.

“Seriously, how cheap can you be? I did not say anything about me wanting to have it for my own.”

“Who knows what happened around you that time, Raven. I just bought that petty mall for your own safety,” he said. I raised a brow at him. “I know that mall isn’t much unlike the ones in other countries. Pero sa susunod na pupunta ka do’n, si—”

“Na ano? That you can control everybody there? That I will be safe? That I can do whatever I want? That I can reserve it all to myself without other people kapag pupunta na ako doon?” I scoffed again. “Pathetic. Now, since you think I am safe here with you, what if I escape from this room and country? Are you going to hire anyone again to shot a tranquilizer dart at me?”

Nagulat ulit siya sa sinabi ko. I even saw him blanched. He was about to say something, but I stopped him. Somehow, I did not want to hear any nonsense coming from him.

“Forget it. You can never comprehend me.”

He released a tired sigh. Alam kong pagod na siya dahil ang mga mata na niya mismo ang nagsabi sa akin. However, I did not feel any pity towards him.

“I’m your brother, Raven.” He flashed a smile at me. “We adopted you legally, kaya gagawin ko talaga ang lahat para sa’yo. Magalit ka for all I care, pero dito ka lang sa tabi ko. I’ll never let anyone hurt you. You understand me?”

“Cringe. Just get out of my sight.” I averted my gaze from him.

We fell into deep silence for a moment, it was becoming unbearable. I wanted to cry. I wanted to withdraw my hatred towards Ethan. But I could not do it. I could not do it no matter how hard I try.

“If that’s what you wish.” Naramdaman kong tumayo siya kaya napatingin ulit ako sa kanya.

Papunta na siya sa pintoan. I waited for him to completely go out. When he reached for the doorknob, I thought he was going to open it, pero hindi. He just stood there, as if ayaw pa niyang umalis.

“What are you standing there for?”

“I...” His voice was breaking. “I love you, Raven. Always remember that.”

My heart automatucally pounded so fast, and my eyes widened in surprise as I looked at him completely leaving me alone in the room. He went out after he said that, and his voice was literally breaking.

“Did he just... cry?” tanong ko sa sarili ko. “What was that just now?”

Napakalakas pa rin ng tibok ng puso ko. Mas lalo pa itong bumilis nang biglang mag-ring ang phone ko. I quickly looked at my bedside table where my phone was and picked it up.

I thought Ethan confiscated you.

Tiningnan ko kung sino ang tumawag sa akin. I was quite surprised to see that it was Blade. I answered the call.

“Blade.” Alam kong tataas na naman ang boses niya kaya medyo inilayo ko sa taenga ko ang phone ko.

“Raven! Salamat naman at sumagot ka na! Nasa’n ka ba, ha? Bakit ba hindi mo sinasagot mga tawag ko? Tinawagan mo si Maura tapos ako, hindi? Takte naman, Raven! Nag-aalala kaming lahat sa’yo, e! Bakit ba bigla ka na lang na MIA?”

He was just like Maura, asking me consecutive questions without even sparing some time for me to answer them.

“First of, I am fine, Blade. Please, calm down.” Even if his worries exaggerated him, hearing his voice made me elated for some reason.

Guess, I just missed the jerk.

“You know I can’t resist you when you say ‘please’ to me, Raven.” I heard a deep sigh from the other line. “I’m just exhilarated to hear your voice, Raisin.”

I missed him calling me that. He was the only person whom I allowed to nickname me.

Tumayo ako at tinungo ang bintana. The view of the city lights was so clear to me. I could see everything from up the window of my hospital room. It was very flawless to look at.

As much as I hated to admit it, Ethan knew I would love to see this.

“You already know where I am, do you not?”

“Yeah, sinabihan ako ni Maura,” he answered. “Japan is such a wonderful country. It may be just an understatement, but sadly, Japan’s the last place where I want to be.”

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya, pero hindi na lang ako nagtanong pa. Nang marinig ko ang boses ni Blade, kumalma na ang tibok ng puso ko. However, I still had this uneasy feeling that something might happen tonight.

“Hey... Is there something you want to tell me?” I asked him.

“Marami, Raven. Sobrang dami. A lot has changed and happened since you were gone. Hades is gone. Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin siya ma-contact.” Sa mga salitang lumabas sa bibig ni Blade sa kabilang linya, nakaramdam ako ng guilt sa loob ko. I was not able to do anything for them. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang gagawin ko o kung may magagawa pa ba ako. “Raisin, you don’t know how much I wanted to get you there. Pero alam mo? I prefer if you just stay there. It might not be a safe place for me, but it might be for you.”

I averted my gaze from the city lights and focused my attention to the man I was speaking to. Hindi na siya ang usual na Blade base sa boses na naririnig ko. He was so serious as hell. Nakakapanibago.

“What do you mean, Blade? Ano ba talagang nangyayari diyan?” My free hand started to tremble, so I clenched it. “Kahit hindi tayo nag-uusap sa personal, I know your expression is gloomy. It is like your face is raining.”

I heard a heavy sigh on the other line again.

“Jugg Fuentes has a team now. Sinali siya ng Headmaster sa The Black Diamonds dahil kulang sila ng isang member,” he paused. “Not just that, Blandon High has another student again.”

Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

There is a new student again?

“Still, I do not fathom why you said it is safer for me in here. I can not seem to find a connection. Just tell me what the hell is going on in there, Blade.”

Hindi ko na nakayanan pa ang panginginig ng kamay ko kaya umupo na lang muna ako sa hospital bed. Some impossible scenarios suddenly came flashing into my mind, so I shook my head, trying to neglect it all.

“Natatandaan mo ba ang Death’s Parade? It’s an occasion where the mentors are allowed to kill their students. Not just the mentors, but students can also kill the person na kinamumuhian nila even if it’s not part of their mission. Everyone’s free to do what ever the hell they want. N—”

“No rules, I know.” Naramdaman ko ang pagbago ng kulay ng mga mata ko.

“The headmaster announced that the Death’s Party will start tomorrow. According to Sniper, wala siyang alam tungkol sa plano ng Headmaster. He was surprised, too,” he said, voice very low. “and, Raven...”

“Diretsuhin mo ako. Tell me without any hesitations.” I gritted my teeth. I needed to conceal my anger.

There was a deafening silence right after that. Naramdaman ko ang pagtulo ng dugo ko sa sahig dahil sa labis na pagkakuyom ko ng aking kamao.

It took more than two minutes before I received another answer from Blade.

“The headmaster has arranged a fight between The Black Diamonds and us.” Suddenly, I felt his anger. “Raisin, kahit hindi sabihin ng Headmaster, alam namin na gusto ka niyang patayin. Kaya as much as possible, please, huwag ka na lang babalik dito. Ayaw ka naming masaktan lalong-lalo na nga...”

“Especially what?”

“The new student is not part of the team. However, she’s formidable. Ramdam na ramdam ko ‘yon unang kita ko pa lang sa kanya. When she was introduced in front of the students, she declared na ikaw ang misyon niya sa Blandon High.” My eyes widened in surprise and my heart went wilder even more. “Raisin, hindi ko alam kung sino ang ka-team niya, pero she wants to kill you.”

As the last statement echoed in my mind, a sudden chill sent right through my spine. But instead of getting scared, I could not help to plaster a smirk on my face.

“Alam naming babae siya pero hindi namin siya kilala kasi nakasuot siya ng mask. Kaya si—”

“Tell whoever that bitch is that I accept the goddamn challenge.” I heard a gasp on the other line. However, I chose to neglect it. “I’m not going to run from a challenge, Miyahara. So, what if I face both The Black Diamonds and that bitch? Wala pa ring mawawala sa akin.”

It has been a long time since the last time I felt this elated and excited to face a battle against someone.

“I’ll be there by tomorrow. I have to, Miyahara.”

“The way you talk... Pero, Ra—”

“Don’t make me repeat myself. By tomorrow, I promise I’ll be there to participate,” I said. “Until then, wait for me. Okay?”

He was about to say something, but I ended the call. After hearing everything what Blade said, it made me feel even more comfortable. It made me crave for blood even more.

Biglang may kumatok sa pintoan kaya napatingin ako dito. Bumukas ito at pumasok si Ethan.

“What are you doing here again?”

“I came to check up on you, of course,” he said as he walked towards me. He gazed down when he noticed my hand. “What the... Bakit may dugo ang sahig? Bakit dumudugo ang kamay mo? What happened?”

I opened my palm and showed it to him. My wounds regenerate faster, so I was never really worried about it.

“Not something that I can’t handle.”

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. Kaagad na hinawakan ko ang magkabilang braso niya. He was surprised by my sudden action and when he saw my eyes.

“Y-Your eyes...”

“I need to get out of here now!” I insisted. “There’s a battle I need to win in Blandon High.”

“A battle? Ano bang pinagsasasabi mo?” Kinuha ko ang kamay ko sa magkabilang braso niya. Napayuko ako.

“It looks like The Black Diamond’s, a team lead by Sniper wants my head. There’s someone from his team that I want to talk to again.”

“Who?”

“A motherfucking jerkass named Jugg Fuentes.” I raised my head and smirked at him. “You know it’s never wise to run away from a challenge, right, Asano?”

Nagulat ako nang bahagya siyang lumayo sa akin at biglang naging alerto.

“Your aura has changed... Raven, don’t tell me you had a conversation with that creature again?”

“Creature? Do you mean Hashira? So, what if I did? Is there any problem?” Sweat started to seep on the side of his face.

Weird. Biglang naging weird ang feeling ko. I have never felt something like this before. My body felt so light again, like when I was with Hashira in my dreams.

“Raven, look at me. Find the master that Ethan speaks of.”

What Hashira said suddenly flashed into my mind.

“Asano, listen. Hashira also told me to find the master you speak of,” I said to him that made him flinched. “I couldn’t think of anything else but that person whom you called ‘Master Kazen’.”

Seeing the surprised look on Asano’s face, he left me no other choice but to read his mind.

Biglang sumakit ang mga mata at ulo ko nang ginawa ko iyon. Asano was way stronger than I think. He was battling against my mind-reading ability.

How did he do that?

Other than that, hindi pa rin ako sanay na gamitin ang powers ko.

I went deeper into his mind but the more I did it, the more na lumalakas rin ang resistance ni Asano. Even though I was struggling, I still saw a piece of his memory.

It was just a piece, but it was crystal clear to me.

May kausap siyang isang lalaki na may kulay dark red na cape. Nakatalikod ito kaya hindi ko makita ang mukha niya. I tried to focus on that memory even more hanggang sa narinig ko ang conversation nila.

“Master Kazen, you’re not wearing your mask today.” My forehead creased when I realized the place they were in was familiar.

It was our house!

“It’s fine. Anyway, how is she, Sakumo?” My eyes widened in surprise when I realized how familiar his voice was.

Wait, Sakumo? Ethan’s name is Sakumo?

“Raven’s fine, Master.” Asano smiled at the person he was talking to. “Your sister is fine.”

Bigla akong bumagsak sa sahig kaya naputol ko ang pagbabasa sa utak niya. My eyes widened in surprise as I was gasping for air.

On the other hand, I saw Ethan despite my blurry vision, looking at me with gloomy eyes. Lumapit siya sa akin. He crouched down at gamit ang natira kong lakas, hinawi ko ang kamay niya na gagamitin niya sana upang buhatin ako.

“D-Damn you... All this time kilala mo? Kilala mo ang totoo kong kapatid?” I felt my tears seeping on my face. “All this time... iba pala ang totoo mong pangalan?”

Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong umiyak sa sahig. My heart became heavier, and it became even more uneasy for me to breathe. Gusto ko lang umiyak ng umiyak.

“I’m sorry, Raven. Now that you’ve read that part of my memory, that simply means you have become stronger than me, and you can go back to Blandon High now,” rinig kong sabi niya hanggang sa unti-unti ko nang isinara ang mga mata ko.

All I felt was nothing else but pain and sorrow. I just wanted to go to sleep. I felt so drain because of what I just did.

I have a brother? And that man named Kazen is my biological brother? And Ethan’s identity is fake all along?

My mind was aching even more. However, before I truly lost consciousness, the last words that Ethan said went into my head.

“Win the fight, Raven. Don’t let Hashira control over you. You’ll soon find the answers that you’re looking for. When you’re ready, meet Master Kazen... Your true brother.”