I sigh, but didn't reply. It's a huge hurdle for me—swallowing my pride and asking Renz what? What would I ask him? For him to return to me? I already asked him that, and he rejected me already. Then how about cooperation? Can I really, honestly cooperate with him? With that bitch hanging around his arms? Can I really do it?

"If you can get them to cooperate and you fixed your troubles with them, then I might think about becoming a hunter," Aian says, peering at me.

"You scheming jerk," I say. I want to curse at him, but I know he has a point.

"Jade," Aian goes serious again. "You need to gain their trust, even if that means you are to watch them making out," he sneers at the thought and I frown at him. "Come on, there are other men out there. How about those men you danced with during the feast?"

"I don't even remember their names."

"How about the Rajah? I noticed the way you look at him."

"I'm certain he does not remember my name."

"Then how about Migo?"

"Are you kidding?"

Of all people, Aian should know exactly what's my relationship with Migo is. It is familial love. Nothing more, nothing less.

"I'm not kidding, but damn, did they already tell you what will be your first task as a hunter?"

"That's the other problem," I say. This time I look away from Aian. His expression is the last thing I want to see before I tell him of my recent blunder. "I asked what will be our first task."

"And?"

"Bagwis looked at me like I was asking a stupid question. I feel more and more stupid on this island as the day passes."

"Well, what can I say? That's a novel experience you should embrace."

I scowl. "Like what I am saying, it is becoming harder to socialize and gather information. There are things I don't know how to ask and things I cannot ask. I don't even know if it exists or not. Now that we will be separated, it becomes even harder to gather information about this place. Maybe we'll have more luck if we go to the Mainland, but I don't know how to ask that."

"Hold up, Jade. You're already thinking way too far. We are not even sure why and how we ended up here."

I think for a while. The machine is simple. It's not supposed to bring us to either the past or the future. The machine is only a series of walkthroughs to the past, a kind of surveillance to the unreachable parts of the planet like an underground activity of an active volcano. The only difference is that it was created to be more realistic. Its rendering is more powerful.

'Are we probably hallucinating?' I think.

I pinch myself, and the pain is far too real. What's happening is definitely not a hallucination. If we recreate the machine, will we be able to return to our world? But where are we going to get the materials? After walking around the island, asking around, my investigations proved to be useless. If we are to recreate the machine, we need to go to the Mainland to gather the required materials, assuming that it's not as ancient as this island. Else, we create everything from the start, and we'd be lucky if it will only take years. No, we can't do that, I don't think we have the time for that.

I stand up and watch over the castle grounds of the inner castle.

"So, all I need is to forgive the two and you would give up your dreams of being a shut-in?" I ask.

"I never said forgive. It's to cooperate," Aian says. "And also, a Sandig is not a hikikomori."

I raise my brow at him. "Forgiving and cooperation go hand in hand for me."

"Not for everyone," Aian answers.

"How do you even talk to Laya?"

"I open my mouth and make some sound."

I sigh and look away, there's only one thing left to do now. Subconsciously, my eyes scour over the gardens, then I see him, the Rajah. He's walking together with Isagani and Bagwis. Even in this distance, Bagwis is noticeable, his hair is cut too short, even for a warrior. His body is covered in tattoos that even without clothes, he'd still be covered with not a single skin exposed.

Yet, my eyes linger over the Rajah. He's as good-looking as ever. Being the leader of the island, he's a lot cleaner to look at than a warrior and yet, his rugged looks remain. Today, he's not wearing a sash but is only wearing a white shirt and pants that were longer than what the others were wearing. He's wearing a chain of bracelets, a necklace, and hoop earrings.

"How could he wear that many accessories but still look so manly," I whisper then covers my mouth when I realize I'm thinking aloud.

Aian is immediately beside me. "Oh, swooning over the Rajah." Aian looks at me and smiles. I know I'm blushing and he's enjoying my embarrassment. The usual sadistic Aian will not let this slip. "So, your heart is divided into two men now?"

"That's not it!" I deny.

"What is it then?" he prods on.

He's teasing again so I take a deep breath before I answer. "You know how one admires a handsome actor? That's it."

"So, you desire him?"

How could he twist that around? I take another breath and says, "Who wouldn't? I bet guys desire him as well."

"I don't. Migo definitely doesn't desire him."

"You seriously don't?" I ask. "Just look at him!"

Aian laughs and curses, all at the same time. "Damn, you're no fun. You're too honest to tease that I feel like I'm the one getting teased instead."

I laugh with him and hug his arm to mine. "Can't you see how pleasing he is to look at? I'm sure that if he's in our time. He might be a famous action superstar. Or probably a famous politician. He might even win the presidency!" I exclaim.

Aian flicks me in the forehead and says, "Before you drool all over the place, let's come down to find Migo. He's covering up for you again, ain't he?"

"Not really. See?" I point at Rajah Sinagtala. "Bagwis is with the president," I laugh at my own joke.

"I—What the--"

Suddenly, the flapping of wings interrupts us. I look at the source of it, "Argentavis," I exhale before Aian pulls me down and covers my head, while we look at the huge bird. It's dark blue and at least two meters in size. It sees us and starts to swoop down on us. Suddenly, a volley of arrows rains on it. Not one hits it fatally, but it's enough to leave us alone.

When it's gone, I look at the source of the arrows. It's from the other tower, and Laya's on it giving the two of us a thumbs-up, but I'm not sure for what. I turn to Aian for answers.

"And that, my dear, is my first task for becoming a Sandig."

I pale again, every time I get comfortable, this island will surprise me. "So, Laya..."

"Used you as another perfect bait for it. It's safe for the meantime though. That argentavis won't come back for a while, at least, that's what Laya told me."