Note: You can play the song to add some spice while reading. Enjoy!

It was the day of the festival. The three of them wore the traditional clothes of Rivetia. It was a blue long skirt for her and a white long sleeve for her top. It was the same for the two, the only difference was they were wearing pants. Almost all of the people wore the same outfits. Some were holding flowers and others were holding the trident imitations. There were bands playing on the streets and magicians on their little caravan doing tricks. All of the food stalls were open. Souvenir shops were everywhere. The whole city was alive and lively. All of the creatures here right now were smiling.

Chanel couldn't herself but to smile and be amazed by the people of Rivetia. Their dedication and efforts were shown by how successful and big this festival was. If only she was not in a mission today, she would definitely join the people and celebrate.

To think she would bring shocking news to the people if they successfully stole the trident made her feel guilty. But they needed it. So, what was needed to be done, shall be done.

"Are you ready?" Night asked.

Huminga ng malalim si Chanel at ngumiti sa binata. "Ito na naman tayo. Syempre kinakabahan na naman ako, pero pinaghandaan natin 'to."

Night nodded. They indeed planned very carefully since the mission was a little bit tricky.

"Parang gusto ko na lang dito tumira," bulong ni Chersh. She saw sparkles in Chersh's eyes. He was amazed, just like her.

"Too beautiful, isn't it? But I doubt that this is the only image of Rivetia," wika ni Chanel. The three of them went to a stall and bought some street foods. They again continued walking towards the main plaza, where they would see the events of the festival today.

Night could only smile. The city may look beautiful right now, but this wasn't the only image that this city had. Chanel was right about that.

"Nothing is perfect, Chersh. So anong baho ng lugar na 'to?" Chanel asked Night.

"Rivetians hate one thing," Night answered and looked at the two.

"And what is it?"

"The Imkars."

Chersh gasped as he heard about one of the previous strongest demon races in Hellas before. But right now, they were banished from the main cities and lived far from civilization. No one knew if they ever survived the Dark War since the Rivetians made sure that they would eliminate their race here in Hellas.

"What about them?" tanong ni Chanel.

"That's another story to tell, angel. For now, let's focus on the task and we'll have story time whenever you want later."

Chanel suddenly blushed at Night's word. She remembered what he did to her yesterday. She took a deep breath and nodded. Of course, her head should be in the task and not with some unnecessary stuff.

They went to the main plaza to check the schedule of the events today. The structure of the place was in big circular shape. An arena was already prepared in the middle, chairs were arranged at the sides, and the throne where the prince will sit was also now done. This was where all the big events will happen today. Chanel's eyes stopped at the third event. It was the duel of the knights. Everyone was free to join. Even the prince himself will join. This was the perfect chance to do their next heist.

Huminga siya ng malalim at tumingin kay Night. Both of them nodded at each other and wore their cloaks and hoods. They went separate ways and started their individual tasks. Chersh checked all their escape routes, Chanel stood in the corner counting all the soldiers she would see, and Night prepared for the duel.

Time passed by and it was finally the duel, the most awaited event for today. As to why they needed to join the duel, one of the prizes for the top fifteen contenders will have a chance to pull out the trident. Chersh and Chanel couldn't fight, so Night was the only perfect candidate to join.

More and more battle in the big arena. A lot of contenders suffered injuries and wounds. At last, it was Night's turn. Chanel stood in the corner, a perfect spot enough for her to watch him. He was wearing a mask and a black cloak. He also used magic to conceal his true identity. The man he was going to fight was big and muscular. He wore nothing on his top and kept on flaunting his biceps and abs to the ladies. The ladies watching on the other hand were drooling. Chanel could only smirk.

"Let's see what you got."

By that time, the prince finally came so the duel between the muscular guy and Night was halted. A loud trumpet was again played and was followed by a loud announcement that the prince had come.

"Prince Azariel, ruler of Rivetia, commander of the Serpents."

Kumunot-noo doon si Chanel. Commander of the Serpents?

"The children of Rivetia greets our prince. May the sea bless you and guide us well." All of the people chanted back and held their hands high as if they were praying. She was the only one who didn't do it. Her eyes remained at the prince who now sat on the throne and smiled in front of them.

Unbelievable... Chanel thought. Why all of the princes had this beauty? Razerus was in fact really handsome. And the prince in front of her was also at par of his brother. He wore a blue suit, his long straight white hair shone under the sun, and his ocean enigmatic eyes stood out the most. It was the same color that the people were wearing right now. The color of Rivetia, the sea, the ocean... White and Blue. And he looked exactly like it.

His beauty was breathtaking.

She followed the gaze of the prince and it landed on Night. He was staring at him. She looked back at the prince was almost startled when their eyes met. But when she blinked, his eyes were already somewhere else and he was smiling again. For a moment, Chanel froze.

What the hell was that?

"Let the duel recommence!" The announcer shouted at the top of his lungs.

Chanel once again was nervous. She didn't know whether they could get the trident and escape safely this time.

***

Chanel silently watched the duel. Her heart beat fast, she was freaking sweating because of nervousness. Night acted as if he was having a hard time. The muscular guy laughed when he punched Night on his right cheek. Night continued acting and stumbled on the floor. Chanel couldn't help herself but to close her eyes every time Night was punched on the face.

Why would he let him punch him on his face?

Kumunot-noo si Chanel nang makita niyang tumayo ang binata mula sa pagkakatayo. He stretched his neck. Night ran to the guy, jumped, and kicked him on the chest. Hinawakan nito ang buhok ng lalaki at hinila papatayo. Using his fingers, he slowly made a gesture as if he was cutting his neck using a knife. He then whispered something on the guy. She saw how frightened the guy was and immediately announced his defeat.

Many were disappointed. But Chanel's eyes drifted again to Night and back to the prince who silently watched. No expression could be seen on his face. He just eyed Night as if he was a threat. The duel continued and Chanel waited on the corner until the top fifteen were announced. Night made sure he got in at least at the last rank before he pulled himself out from the duel and announced his defeat, acted as if he couldn't win against his opponent.

The duel continued until they finally announced the winner. It was no other than the prince himself, of course. No one could defeat him. He was that good in close combat. Chanel took a deep breath as the citizens of Rivetia walked to the location of the trident.

They marched up to the palace. The gates were opened. The palace was called the Serpent Kingdom, where the prince resides, and where the trident was guarded. Chanel looked around. Statues of serpents were lined up at the side of the road, eyeing her as if it were all alive. Tumingin siya sa kanyang harapan upang maiwasan ang nakakatakot na mga statues sa gilid. There was a huge rock in the middle of the field. And there it was, the infamous trident, the greatest weapon of the God of the Sea.

Chanel wondered why the God of the Sea never tried to get the trident back from the God of the Underworld. May isang salita nga ba ang mga diyos? The God of the Sea could go here anytime he wanted to get his trident, but he never did. So why? Bakit hindi niya binalikan ito upang kuhanin muli?

The citizens watched in amazement and dismay as the contenders one by one tried to pull out the trident from the rock. But no one could ever pull it out. Like what was said in the legend, only with pure heart and soul could pull the trident.

Then finally, it was Night's turn.

Night explained who could pull out the trident. She didn't believe him. She never believed him.

"You don't trust me, angel?" He asked.

Chanel shook her head. How could he come up with that idea? Where did he get this information and confidence? Why was he confident with his plan?

She took a step forward and made her way through the crowd. Her heart beat faster than ever. She clenched her fist as she tried to stop it from trembling. It was as if the time slowed, she could see Night slowly walked towards the trident. She then continued walking, with faster steps this time. When she was out of the crowd, she gave her best to run.

She could hear the angels singing from the sky, voices of the citizens in a muffled sound, and soldiers shouting at the top of their lungs.

Her eyes were pinned down at the trident, but what made her shivered was the unbothered look of the prince. He stayed seated on his throne with a confident look that even if Chanel ran up to the trident, she could never pull it. No one in this damned place could ever pull the trident, that was what the prince believed.

"Once you pulled out that trident from the rock, there's no going back."

"Meron pa ba akong babalikan, Night?"

Hingal na hingal na huminto si Chanel sa tapat ni Night. He looked at her and nodded. Chanel nodded back. Night held the trident. The sound of her heartbeat and breathing was so loud she felt like she was going deaf. She then also put her hand on the trident and held it tightly.

The prince finally stood up, shouted angrily to the soldiers, and was confused like the others.

"Are you ready?" Night asked.

Tumango si Chanel. In the count of three, they both gave their very best to pull out the trident from the rock. And finally, it was the moment they were waiting for.

The eyes of the crowd grew big as they heard the screeching sound of the metal against the rock. Gasps of the people rung throughout the whole place as they watched how the two pulled the trident without any difficulties.

"Get them!" The loud and angry voice of the prince was what they heard next. Night and Chanel looked at each other, still dumbfounded from what they just did.

"Let me borrow this for a second, angel," Night said. Madali siyang bumitaw sa pagkakahawak sa trident. Night held the trident with so much ease and that confused Chanel. He took down all the soldiers one by one. Using his left hand, he took her hand and pulled her to escape.

They ran out of the palace. The guards blocked the gates but Night easily took the guards down and even broke the gates. They ran through the big city and followed the escape routes that they prepared beforehand. Chanel was so shocked to see a swarm of people marching in the street. Night and Chanel slowed down and walked with them. Chanel was so damn confused as she looked around her. All of them were holding a trident, the same thing that they just stole.

Now she remembered the shop they visited yesterday. This was the props was for. She looked at Night, still astonished with what she was seeing.

They then went to a dark alleyway and met with Chersh there. The little fellow was also holding a trident.

"This confuses me more," Chanel commented.

"Then it is effective," sagot ni Night sa dalaga.

Before they could even say something or make a move, someone came to stop them. It was no other than Prince Azariel himself. Nanlaki ang mata ni Chanel at Chersh sa gulat. Night stepped in front of them to hid the two on his back. Prince Azariel was fuming while he held the hilt of his sword tightly.

"Give the trident back," he demanded.

"Why? You, yourself, said whoever can pull the trident out from the rock shall be the owner of it. Are you going back on your words?"

Prince Azariel smirked.

"You didn't see this coming," Night continued.

Dito mas lalong nainis ang prinsipe. "You stepped inside my territory and stole what's mine."

"Who said this is yours?"

Azariel laughed and didn't say anything. Metals clanged as the two exchanged blows at each other. Walang kahirap-hirap para kay Night na gamitin ang trident, while Azariel proved his strength once more. The buildings surrounding them crumbled as powerful blows from their swords landed on it. Night was protecting them, making sure that they would never receive a scratch.

"Night..." Chanel whispered. Her mind was already panicking. She tried to think of another way to escape from Azariel.

The two continued battling in the middle of the city, destroying everything that comes in between them.

"Chersh, do you want to know how foolish I can be?"

Kumunot-noo si Chersh. When he realized what Chanel was planning to do, he immediately shook his head and stopped her.

"Nababaliw ka na ba?"

Tumango si Chanel. "Lalo na kapag dumating pa 'yong mga sundalo para hulihin tayo."

"Shit, Chanel!" sigaw ni Chersh.

"Sorry, but let's proceed to plan B."

Chanel immediately grabbed the trident that Chersh was holding. She walked to Night and held his hand. Nagulat si Night sa sunod na ginawa ni Chanel. She pointed the trident to the prince.

"Now, Night," she cued. Light burst out from the trident and went to Azariel. Tinamaan sa dibdib ang prinsipe at tumalsik papalayo sa kanila. Chersh gaped and Night froze for a second. Even Chanel was shocked by what she just saw.

But this was not the time to be amazed so she immediately looked at Night.

"Plan B," Chanel immediately told him. Night nodded. The three regrouped and immediately ran away from the prince while he was still unconscious. Chersh stole one trident from a stranger and ran again together with the two. Before the three could leave the city, they stopped and looked at each other. They then shuffled the trident with each other.

"Doon!" sigaw ng isang sundalo nang makita sila nito. Dozens of soldiers ran to them.

Lumunok si Chanel.

"Stay safe," wika niya sa dalawa at madaling tumakbo. Naghiwa-hiwalay ang tatlo upang mailigaw ang mga sundalo mula sa totoong may hawak ng trident.

She was praying that none of the two would get caught and harmed. Wala na siyang pakialam kung siya ang mahuli, makulong, at mapatay. Katulad nang sinabi niya noon kay Night, wala na siyang babalikan pa.

"Do you know whom you should be scared of?" Chanel asked him.

Night looked at her.

"Whom?"

"To a person who doesn't have anything to lose."

Chanel stopped as she reached the dead end. Outside the city of Rivetia was nothing but ruins. It was just an endless land. Rivetia was surrounded by four cliffs. Below those high cliffs was the River of Death. At the end of each River was a strait that connects the River of Death and Sea of Death.

And here she was, standing at the edge of the cliff as she took a look at the depth of it. God, this was so high. The moment she jumped here, there was no certainty whether she would survive the fell or not. Who knew what was down there? She looked back and saw those soldiers who were in pursuit of her. To her surprise, she saw Prince Azariel leading his army.

Why is he here?

She couldn't understand. She held tightly to the trident she was holding as she prepared herself for the worst outcome.

The horses stopped in front of her and the prince smiled at her. The real trident... Did he think she was holding it?

"Now, now. You have nowhere to run."

She didn't say anything and remained silent.

"Come here and give the trident to me," he ordered.

Chanel slowly walked towards Azariel and handed the trident to him. Azariel then took a good look at the trident and even looked at her again. Nagulat siya sa sunod na ginawa ng prinsipe. Itinapon niya sa tabi ang trident na ibinigay ni Chanel at bumaba sa kanyang kabayo. Naglakad ito papalapit sa dalaga at muling nagsalita.

"Who cares about the damn trident if you are here?"

She couldn't understand what the prince just had said. Why would he give up a powerful weapon just for her? His smile grew big. He forcefully took her hand and pulled her closer to him. He removed the hood that Chanel was wearing so that he could see her completely.

Her red hair flew down naturally and her amber eyes illustrated nothing but fear. The woman was too beautiful and one of a kind. Just as he thought, the moment he laid his eyes on her, he knew who she was and where she came from.

Azariel laughed.

"A lamb lost in a den of wolves. Why did you come here? What's your purpose?"

Kumunot-noo lalo si Chanel dahil wala siyang maintindihan sa mga sinasabi ng prinsipe. Before she could say anything, a strong force directly hit them in between. Napaatras si Chanel at tumalsik papalayo sa prinsipe. The same thing happened to the prince, soldiers, and horses.

Nagpagulong-gulong si Chanel sa lapag hanggang sa tuluyan niyang maramdaman na siya'y mahuhulog na sa bangin kaya't agad siyang humawak ng mahigpit sa bato. She couldn't look below as she fears the heights and how her bones would rip into pieces if she hit something down in the river.

Isang kamay ang biglang humawak ng mahigpit sa kanyang kamay. Nang umakyat ang kanyang tingin ay laking gulat niya nang makita si Night. He immediately ran to save her as they all know that no one could survive the deadly cliffs of Rivetia.

"A-anong gina—"

Iisa lamang ang nasa isip ni Chanel at iyon ang trident na hawak-hawak ngayon ng binata.

"Let go," Chanel demanded. "Let go and run, Night."

Night tried to pull her out of the cliff but he almost slipped his hand when he suddenly felt a pain on his right shoulder. Blood dribbled from Night's shoulders down to her face, but he still tried to pull her out. Prince Azariel was smiling from ear to ear as he prepared for the next arrow. Napasigaw muli si Chanel nang muntik na naman siyang nabitawan ni Night nang muli na naman itong makaramdam ng pagtama ng palaso sa kanyang braso.

Night grunted as he felt the pain throbbing badly on his shoulder. Two arrows hit him. How could he survive this? This was a nightmare for Chanel.

"Let go... Let go, Night."

Umiling lamang ang binata.

"Let go!" pagsusumamo niya rito. Her throat hurts and her vision blurs as tears clouded her eyes.

"You have to let go..."

"I won't..."

Chanel then finally decided right then. It was now or never. She needed to save him and they needed to get away from this place and Azariel. Chanel did what she had to do.

"This is a pretty dumb way to die, Night, but you're coming with me." After she said those words, she hugged him and pulled him to her. She then embraced him tightly as they fell down from the cliff.

"What will we do if we ever get caught? Or if we're driven to a situation where we could no longer escape?" Chanel asked the two.

"Let's go with plan C," Chersh answered.

"What's going to be our plan C?"

"Follow our intuitions," Chersh again answered and smiled.

"That could also lead us to our death."

"Chersh is right, angel. Just follow your intuition. That's what helps us most of the time."

"How will I know if it's the right decision?"

"You will never know if it's right or wrong unless you try."

Chanel chuckled. "Then, let's see where my intuition will take us."

A huge splash arose from the river as her body hit the water. She held him tightly and tried to swim to save both of them. She needed to swim, but the immense pain she felt from her back and her head from a sudden intrusion of fragments of memories in her head as she fell, made her feel hazy.

I need to swim, she reminded herself.

She looked at Night who was now not moving.  She tried to move but she, too, lost unconsciousness. Her body trembled as the water went inside her lungs and their bodies slowly submerged in the deep. Chanel wanted to embrace the young man and not to let him go, but as she succumbed to the darkness her hands slowly slipped away and drifted much deeper into the deadly water.