I massage my head in frustration as I mull over the events in the past few weeks. We are at the vantage point that overlooks the shore, where Migo and Jade defeat that crab. Migo is sitting in front of me. Now that only the third challenge remains, Laya starts to trust us with the guarding of one of the Kuta. Besides, it's safer to talk here, a place where we can be sure that no one can inadvertently listen in.

"Aian, we--"

Migo starts but I raise my hand to stop him. I can understand the repercussions of everything that he shared. Jade and Rajah Sinagtala are in a secret relationship. Something that Jade will not confess, not even to Migo. Worse, the Rajah is only fooling around with her, based on what Migo is saying.

Damn it! I should have known about it the instant I'd seen the looks the two had exchanged. Even Bagwis ordered Laya to investigate it.

But the real problem is how to tell Jade that the Rajah is only playing her? Migo is wise in asking my advice first. What will Jade do if she knows? Will she create a scene in front of the Rajah and the Mainland visitors? That scenario is not too far-fetched, given how impulsive Jade can be. Ugh. That might get us all killed!

"We need to make ourselves more useful than Renz and Cielo," Migo continues. "To save ourselves."

F*ck! There's more? "Save ourselves from what?" I ask.

"I don't know, she said she's not allowed to tell me."

"Is this Mayumi?" I ask.

Migo nods and continues, "She mentioned to make someone high-ranking to like us, to vouch for us."

"And in doing so, we will put Cielo and Renz's lives in danger? Do you really think Jade will agree to that? Do you remember how long she and Renz had been in a relationship?"

"I know. But we need to choose who matters to us the most."

Ugh, cruel. Migo can be cruel, but he's right. If we want to save ourselves, we need to sacrifice others. But is there really no way around it? Can we just stop whatever this is that's about to happen? What is this danger anyway? If only I knew, it will be easier to plan against it.

Will Laya tell me if I ask? And if Jade is in a relationship with the Rajah, will he tell her? No, that can't be if he's not serious with her. That can also put us in danger.

Will it be some kind of culling? Reaping the useless weeds, tying them in bundles, and throwing them on fire? That type? In that case, the five of us are the useless weeds, but they are going to cull the most useless first. And that's what Migo is telling me. We need to decide who will sacrifice for the other useless weeds. And that sacrifice will give us ample time to understand the system here.

If we talk about the most useless, it will be Renz, but Jade will become a problem if we go through that path. She still loves him despite that heartbreak. If it's not Renz, then it will be me. Or rather Jade and Migo, since they are always injured and can't help the other hunters in their workgroup.

However, if the Rajah is playing Jade, and he needs to find a wife soon, he will dispose of Jade first because her presence will be a complication. Damn! All this sacrifice thing leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. I hate thinking about it!

"Is there really no other way?" I ask. My head hurts. Now, this paradise is unfurling itself to me.

"As I told you, it--" Migo stops when suddenly Renz invites himself into the Kuta.

Migo looks at me, suspicious. I shrug my shoulders. I did not ask Renz to come. There's no way I'd invite him when I am still reeling from everything Migo told me.

"Someone told me that this is your favorite place," Renz starts.

Out of all the time, he chooses this time to talk to me? This guy, how could he be so socially challenged! Because of him, now I need to tread this situation lightly, else Migo will create another scene.

"Let me guess, it's Laya?" I ask.

Renz nods, and I have done everything to control myself from shooting off. Of course, it would be the talkative Laya! I walk to the side of the vantage point and look around. Is Laya somewhere nearby? Did he see me and Migo talking privately here and want to stop our conversation? Is he an ally? Or a spy for the Rajah?

"Yes, look at this place. So quiet," I say sarcastically and glare at him. "What do you want?" I ask. I don't need to check myself for rudeness. Besides, I only invited Jade and Migo here.

"How long?" Renz asks, ignoring the sarcasm in my voice. "How long will it take for us to return to our time?"

"Years, if we're lucky," I reply. Then I smirk, "Probably never."

There's a pause. I don't understand why he's asking. The last time, Jade told me that Renz mentioned that he loves it here.

Instead of replying antagonistic, he only asks, "You're working on it right?"

I frown. What is wrong with him? Is he on edge like every one of us?

"We haven't found a clue, yet," I answer properly this time. "But it's very slow. Every system they have here is ancient. Whether it's food preparation, technology, recording dates, time, everything."

Renz keeps quiet so I continue, "What's the reason you're in a rush to return home?"

"Cielo," Renz answers.

"What's wrong with her? Did she get a disease or something?"

"No, it's not that," he pauses. "I don't want her to get pregnant here."

I raise an eyebrow. So the perverted Migo is right. The hot-headed, impulsive imbeciles are really romping it out here. Couldn't they wait until we return to our own time? I snort. Now, that's another thing I don't know how to tell Jade. Ugh! I just want this day to end. I won't survive this day if all this revelation continues.

"What's wrong if she gives birth here?" Migo asks. The first time, he directs a sentence to Renz.

"Have you seen any babies here? In the town? Even a toddler?" Migo and I didn't, so Renz continues, "I visited different stores. They don't sell baby things. Diapers, milk, cribs, even clothes. It's all unavailable."

While I am thinking how strange that is, my eyes shift towards the opening of the Kuta. Jade is there, listening. There are tears in her eyes and her expression is that of pain. Seeing that, I don't need to ask what part she's been listening to.

When she notices that I am looking at her, she runs away and climbs down the Kuta.

"F*ck it all!" I groan in frustration.

"Are you listening?" Renz asks. He's probably surprised because what he just said does not warrant that kind of reaction. Then, his eyes shift to where I am looking, but Jade is nowhere to be seen already.

"I am," I answer. My attention returns to Renz and suggests, "You better put a lid on your naughty, nightly activities. I'm sure you are aware that this is not a place to start building a family?"

"I know that, but if--"

"No IF's, Renz," I threaten. "I told you, we are in an unfamiliar place. Stop getting too comfortable."

I stand up and tap his shoulder. "Now, this place is getting crowded. I should find another quiet place to waste my precious time," I say and leave.