THIRD PERSON

In the secret chamber of the Ancestral Mansion, the underboss, Roan Altamirano, watched a woman pulling a dagger from the body of a man she just stabbed. She walked confidently, holding twin daggers in the dim corridor.

Kumuyom ang kamao nito habang pinapanood siyang walang bakas na kahit ano mang takot sa mukha. She had reached the fourth-floor already, and all she had were minor cuts and bruises on her face. From the first floor to the third floor, she undoubtedly fought with all her might just to sedate them.

Hindi makapaniwala itong suminghal sa kawalan. If she refuses to kill them, how will she pass? The Mistress of Salvatore's Family could not afford to be this kind and merciful.

Considering her background, it was understandable why she was skilful in handling guns and fighting. The training she had in military camps made her adaptable to changes. Being able to fight their elite team of fighters inside the mansion proves her ability.

However, he doesn't trust her. He believes she has hidden motives for marrying into the family. Walang babaeng lumaki sa marangyang pamilya, may maayos na trabaho at may tahimik na pamumuhay ang gugustuhing sayangin ang buhay niya para lang pumasok sa magulong mundo na maglalagay sa kanya sa bingit ng kamatayan.

This woman is desperate for something, and only marrying the consigliere is her only choice.

"It's already past midnight. I hope she's holding just fine," pasabunot na bulong ni Leticia sa sarili habang balisa sa kinauupuan niya sa loob ng sasakyan.

"Look," Keegan pointed to the mansion with his lips. "She cleared the first up to the third floor," he said.

Ito ay sa kadahilanang ang una hanggang ikatlong palapag ng bahay ay mayroon ng ilaw. It means she cleard the the first three floors. Ang tanging madilim na palapag na lang ay ang nasa pinakatuktok ng mansyon.

"No one has ever been on the fourth floor, Keegan. We all know the twin blades are there." Ang winning against them is wishing for the impossible. "She won't survive it, Keegan. Kage is just putting another innocent life at risk!" Napabuntong-hininga na lang ang binata.

They can't do anything at this point. They can't just barge into the mansion to help her, either. "Roan, that bastard is inside, right? Make him unlock the doors!" apila pa nito. Napailing naman si Keegan.

"Since when did the underboss take orders from anyone besides the Don?" sarkastikong sagot nito na ikinagulong lang ng mata ni Leticia.

Right, he's another stubborn idiot.

Sabay na napalingon ang mga ito sa ikaapat na palapag nang marinig ang nakakabinging sigaw ng isang babae. Nabahiran kaagad ng pag-aalala ang pagmumukha nila sa pag-aakalang ang sigaw na iyon ay galing kay Sachal.

"Why the hell are you shouting, Saori?" A woman with long, hime-cut white hair appeared in the darkness. "Kaori nee-chan!" irit naman ng babaeng may kaparehong hairstyle nito, ang pinagkaiba lang ay kulay itim ang buhok nito.

"Ano ne. . ." Nginuso nito si Sachal na nakakunot ang noo habang nakatingin sa kanila. "Kanojo wa totemo utsukushīnode, korosu no wa zan'nenda. . ."

[Translation: She's so pretty, it's a pity to kill her.]

"Ō?" The white-haired woman stared at her from head to foot. Sa kabila ng gulo ng buhok nito at ala basahan na puno ng dugo nitong suot ay hindi nga maitatanggi ang kagandahan nito.

"Tashika ni," she agreed, tilting her head sideways. "Shikashi, josei ga utsukushikereba utsukushī hodo, yori kikendesu."

[Translation: But the prettier the woman is, the more dangerous she is. ]

Pinasidhan din sila ng tingin ni Sachal. Both appear Japanese twins based on their physical features and uniforms—Saori, the black-haired younger sister, and Kaori, the white-haired older sister. Both of them have a long sword on their back—a katana.

"I must say, it's been years since a bride stepped foot on this floor." Kaori mused as Saori smiled at her from the back. Just by looking at their facial expressions and body language, Kaori had a cold and strict demeanour, while Saori seemed like a sweet and bubbly sister. Not so dangerous, maybe?

"My sister and I have been guarding this floor since we were eighteen! Amazing, right?" Saori clapped her hands happily before hopping forward to gain Sachal's attention.

"So there's only two of you left?" Diretsong tanong niya rito. Nagkatinginan naman ang dalawang kambal.

Five people guard the fourth floor, and there should be three more men, but it looks like she dealt with them already.

"I see. You're not the type to beat around the bush." Tatango-tangong wika ni Kaori. She likes straightforward people.

However, isn't she arrogant? Does she really think she can defeat them, seeing her sorry state?

"I've never seen a bride wishing for a quick death that bad," inosenteng nguso ni Saori. "It'll be a waste to waste such good genes. I can only promise you to keep your body intact." She assured, playfully unsheathing the katana in her left hand.

Saori values attractive people, and hates ugly ones—because she judges people based on their appearance. Kung may hitsura ay sisiguraduhin niyang maganda rin ang pagkaka-execute ng pagkamatay nito. Kung pangit naman ay kulang na lang maging senaryo sa horror film ang kahihitnan ng bangkay nito.

"But before that, I need to ask something." Saori leaned in closer to her ear and whispered, "Do you watch anime?"

"Nope." Sachal proudly answered, popping the 'p'.

"But my twin watch hentai a lot." Dahil sa naging sagot niya ay nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Saori.

"Oh wait, I remembered him also watching Boku no Pico and Yosuga No Sora." Saori's friendly facade disappeared. She now has the same look as her twin, cold and angry.

"There are many animes worth watching! Your twin is an uncultured swine! Go watch One Piece!" Hindi niya alam kung bakit parang galit na galit si Saori. She doesn't even know what those animes are about.

"This is why you should not judge people based on physical appearance, Saori. Just by looking at how attractive she is, her twin is an undeniably handsome man." Pahikab nitong turan bago iwasiwas ang mahabang blade ng katana na hawak.

"But look at her twin's anime preference? He's a perverted vermin!" Sachal couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Do they judge people according to their anime preferences? How weird.

Napapikit ng mata ang dalaga nang sumilaw sa mata niya ang blade ng katana. The twins were holding such blades and what does she got? A pair of daggers. Hindi niya alam kung paano siya mananalo laban sa kanila.

She initially thought she could finish the rest of them pero mukhang malakas ang dalawang kaharap niya. Even if the fourth floor was only surrounded by dim lights, she could still have noticed their presence. Pero ni hindi niya nga napansin ang pagalapit nila sa kanya kanina.

She's already tired from all the fighting she did. Hindi na rin niya mabilang kung ilang daplis at sugat ang nakuha niya mula sa tatlong lalaking nauna niyang kalabanin dito sa fourth floor. The stab wound on her abdomen isn't helping either. She needs to rest for a few minutes.

She'll have to distract them. "Wait, you're pure Japanese, right?" Tumango naman ang mga ito.

"I'm a Filipino." She bit her bottom lip when she noticed they didn't seem to care. "Just so you know, your people colonized our country. If you're a little sorry, give me a few minutes' break." Nagtitigan naman ang magkambal na para bang nag-uusap gamit ang kanilang mga mata.

Buong akala niya ay tatawanan lang siya nito at susugurin pero nagulat ito nang ibalik nila ang hawak na katana sa lalagyan bago ipagkrus ang braso upang tingnan siya.

"Okay. Tell us when you're ready." Pinaghalong pagtataka at pagkatawa ang naging reaksyon ng dalaga habang pinapanood ang mga itong maglakad palayo sa kanya.

What the fuck is that? Likas ba pagiging uto-uto kapag may lahing hapon?

"How many years did you say we colonized your country?" Pahabol na tanong ni Kaori.

Napaangat siya ng tingin, only to see them looking back at her. "Three years." Sabay silang napakibit-balikat sa naging sagot niya.

"Then you have three hours to rest." Iyon na lang ang sinabi ni Kaori bago muling maglakad palayo. Saori remained standing, pointing her finger at a particular room. "That's the secure vault on this floor. You can tend your wounds there and maybe change your clothes. Good luck later!" She cheerfully beamed before running to her sister.

ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.

Hindi mawala ang ngisi sa labi ni Kage habang pinapanood ang asawa niyang lumabas ng secure vault. She was wearing a black body suit tucked in a tight black cargo pants. There were few hand guns in the holster around her waist and thigh.

She bit the rubber band through gritted teeth while trying to tie her hair into a high ponytail. Mula sa fourth floor ay bumaba ito papuntang second floor kung saan naroon ang malawak na kusina. She only had an hour and a half left before fighting those twins.

"What is she doing?" Hindi mapigilang tanong ni Ezio, kahit si Himeros ay hindi rin maiwasang mangunot ang noo.

Pinanood lang nila itong hinahalughog ang kusina na para bang may hinahanap. She turned on the stovetop and placed a pan. Binuhusan niya ito ng sandamakmak na cooking oil bago iwan at muling umakyat ng third floor.

She then went to the storage room and took gallons of sulfuric acids from bathroom cleaning materials, splashing them on the walls and the ground.

"Wow, did you also teach her to be an arsonist?" Bullet whispered, realizing what she intended to do.

Samantalang hindi naman maiwasang magtaka ni Sachal dahil habang umaakyat-baba siya sa mansyon ay wala na ang mga nagkalat na katawan sa corridor. Kahit ang naiwang talsik ng dugo sa elevator kanina ay wala na rin. Everything was cleaned up as if nothing happened.

Siguro ay sa tuwing nagpapahinga siya sa secure vault ay may naglilinis ng mga katawan na iniwan niya. That's the only reason they could do it without her noticing.

Well, it's a good thing for her. Sa gayon ay hindi na siya magdadalawang isip na pasabugin ang buong mansyon dahil wala ng ibang tao rito bukod sa kanya at sa dalawang kambal na natitira.

"Twenty-five minutes remaining." She stopped midway when she heard the man from the speaker speak.

Mali pala siya. Hindi lang siya at ang magkambal ang narito kun'di pati rin ang lalaking announcer na nakikita lahat ng galaw niya.

"I'll deal with you later," she whispered before walking up the fourth floor again.

"Modottekita no ne, kawaii o nēsan?" Muntik na atakihin sa puso si Sachal nang bumungad sa kanya si Saori. Nakatulakbong ang mahabang buhok nito sa kanyang mukha.

[Translation: You're back, pretty sister?]

"Sugu ni kowagaru no ni, dō yatte ikka no madamu ni nareru no, onēsan?" dagdag pa nito. Napabuga na lang nang malalim na hininga ang dalaga.

[Translation: How can you become the madam of the family if you're easily scared, sister?]

Paanong hindi siya magugulat e pwede na siyang pumalit kay Sadako?

"Fuzakeru no wa yamete kudasai, Saori," saway ng kapatid nitong si Kaori. "Let's get this done with so we could rest. The sun is almost up."

[Translation: Stop fooling around, Saori.]

"Hai, hai!"

Sachal felt a strong gush of wind coming towards her, and that's when she noticed Saori and Kaori's blade pointed in her direction. On cue, she took two long daggers in her belt and split her legs before raising her hands to stop their blades with her dagger.

"Ō? Tanken de katana o tomeru?" Nakangising turan ni Kaori bago siya panlakihan ng mata. "Subarashī!"

[Translation: Oh? Stopping a katana with a dagger?]

If she was late on dodging that, her head would have been rolling on the ground by now.

Nang mapansin niyang bakas pa rin sa mukha ng mga ito ang pagkamangha ay buong lakas niyang tinulak ang mga ito habang magkasanggaan pa rin ang blade ng patalim nila. She rolled to the left and pulled two hand guns on her thigh holster before firing it in their direction.

In response, Saori and Kaori deflected the bullet by swiftly slashing the blade in the air—just like a professional baseball player hitting a home run. Rinig na rinig ang tunog ng paglagating ng bala sa talim nito pabalik sa direksyon kung nasaan naroon si Sachal.

"Are you a former soldier? Your adaptability is commendable." Pagpupuri sa kanya ni Kaori matapos nitong iwasan ang balang bumalik sa kanya.

They made the first move, and she could counter and attack them as if she had carefully predicted and planned her moves beforehand.

Even though they were enemies, Kaori appreciated her daring attempt to overpower them despite knowing they were stronger than her. But, well, she expects no less from a bold woman who manages to reach the top floor.

"Why are you asking questions to a soon-to-be-dead person, onesan?" Saori snickered, pouting her lips—dragging her blade into the floor.

Napakagat ng labi si Sachal nang muling kumirot ang sugat niya sa tagiliran. Sa sitwasyon niya ay limitado na lang ang galaw niya. She could only withstand a few attacks from them. She's sure she will collapse if she reached her limit.

So the only thing she could do was to stall time. "Before I die, I want to ask you something." Hingal itong napatayo.

"If you committed a crime and must be locked up in this mansion, what did you do?" Napatingin si Saori sa kapatid. Her eyes were asking permission if she was allowed to answer that question.

Sa pagkakataong ito ay si Kaori naman ang humakbang papalapit sa kanya. "We committed a massacre with Lovi," she answered.

 Massacre?

"Who is Lovi?"

"A child in the shadows."

Whoever he was, it doesn't matter. She just has to keep the conversation going. "Why did you agree to murder people?"

"Because it was a command we cannot disobey," Diretsong sagot ni Kaori.

"So, ever since that, you never stepped outside this mansion?" They nodded.

"If you let me go, Saori, I will provide you the latest manga from One Piece." Nagbago kaagad ang expression sa mukha nito. Nakitaan niya ito ng pagkatuwa sa mga mata.

"It's still not finished?!" Hindi makapaniwala nitong bulalas bago mapatakip ng bunganga. "How about AOT? How many seasons is the anime adaptation?"

"About 4 seasons." Parang bata itong tumili-tili habang sinasapak-sapak ang braso ni Kaori na para bang nakalimutan nitong nasa gitna sila ng labanan.

"I can't believe you just fell for that, Saori." Kaori sheathed her blade and crossed her arms before rolling her eyes in disappointment, seeing how her younger sister could be easily bribed just by some mangas and anime.

"She's bribing you to buy her some time."

"Buying time for what? She'll die anyway! Come on, don't be mad!" Napailing na lang siya.

"We will die with her." Bumunghalit ng tawa si Saori.

"Die with her? Why are we—" Hindi pa man nito natapos ang sasabihin ay biglang nakarinig ng malakas na pagsabog ang mga ito mula sa second floor.

Bahagyang natawa si Sachal, dahilan upang mapatingin ang mga ito sa kanya. Instead of looking at the twins in front of her, she look straight into the nearest CCTV camera.

"You control everything in this mansion, don't you?" Inagat niya ang hawak na baril habang may ngisi sa labi. "If you plan to stay hidden, you will burn together with this house," pambabanta niya.

A static sound was heard from the speaker. "You will have to die first before my body would burn." He answered. Her head did a slight tilt to look at the twins.

"You will have to command them not to kill me if you want to stay alive." She countered with confidence.

"What do you mean?"

"The first, second, and fourth floors have 201 steps. Only the third floor has 191 steps—so I know you are hiding in a secret room somewhere." Hearing her say that, the man behind the speaker clenched his fist.

"Considering I destroyed almost all CCTV cameras on the third floor, you had no idea the corridors and walls were covered with a flammable liquid. Luckily, few tools in the secure vault can be used as a detonator." May dinukot itong maliit na device sa bulsa niya.

Winagayway niya ito sa harap ng camera na para bang nag-aasar. "We will all die here."

Roan gritted his teeth. Napatayo ito sa harapan ng napakaraming screens mula sa mga CCTV cameras sa buong mansyon. His hands were balled into fists, his knuckles almost digging into the table.

Buong akala niya kanina ay malakas lang talaga ang trip niya kaya panay ito sira ng mga CCTV cameras. He didn't pay much attention because he was sure she would not survive. He didn't realize she was only destroying them with specific locations and hidden points. That way, he will have his guard down.

Cunning bitch!

"You only have five minutes remaining from external disturbances." Pangagaya ni Sachal sa sinasabi nito tuwing malapit na matapos ang oras niya sa secure vault.

Sa gitna ng paghihintayan nila ay napatakbo palapit ng masyon si Keegan at Leticia nang makita ang lumalagablab na apoy na kumakalat sa second floor. The first floor was slowly being devoured by the fire too.

Samantalang si Kage naman ay kagat labing napahawak ng noo upang takpan ang mukha niya. He was grinning from ear to ear. He had never seen Roan so defeated. He wasn't expecting her to agitate him that much either.

Watching everything she did, he was utterly captivated by her commanding presence. He wouldn't deny the kind of sensation he feels. Kinikilig siya.

Sachal Aviatrice Coronia Salvatore, the woman that you are. 

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ