Keys 1: The Villain Hero

Chapter 4: Rival

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"You can obsess and obsess over how things ended-what you did wrong or could have done differently-but there's not much of a point. It's not like it'll change anything. So really, why worry?"

― Jess Rothenberg, The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Chapter 4: Rival

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"Long time no see, Aries."

Hindi ko pinansin ang baril na nakatutok sa'kin. Naging alerto ako at malikot ang mata. Isang pagkakamali lang at ito na ang huling sandali ng buhay ko. Hindi siya mangingiming kalabitin ang gatilyo ng hawak niyang baril para lang tapusin ako. But no, I won't let him do that. Don't forget, this is Aries he's dealing with. I give him a smirk. Kalahati lang naman ng mukha ko ang natatakpan ng mask. Kailangan lang ito para hindi ako makilala ng mga estudyante at para sa mga close encounter na ganito. When you got a chance to see my face it means your dead.

"I didn't expect that Shadow will send you as early as now." I said without a hint of worry in my situation.

He laugh. "Calm as ever. Your life is in my hands now yet your so relax as if your not in danger."

"I live with it. Danger is me."

"Really? You know, I'm wondering what you're doing here in CAU. My Lady has make sense now. You're not here if not."

Inikutan niya ako habang dinidikit sa sentido ko ang baril. I didn't move an inch. I'm waiting. Waiting for the time he let his guard down even for a second.

"What are you talking about?"

"Interested, are we Aries?"

"What do you want?"

"Everything and you."

I saw hatred and envy in his eyes. In a a situation like this, you shouldn't let your opponent see any emotions. If you do, your dead. That can be an advantage of your opponent and your weakness. Cause it only means you let your guard down in front of him. And this is what I'm waiting for.

"Still trying to cope up my level? You really think you can do it? I surpass you for how many times, Ghost."

Lihim akong napa-ngiti ng lalong naningkit ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ko. Totoo naman lahat yun ah. Nauna lang siya sa'kin ng isang linggo. Dahil lagi ko siyang nalalamangan kumalas siya sa Dark Circle at napunta sa Shadow. Ilang beses na din kaming nagpang-abot sa mga mission. I never let him win. He's one of the enemy ever since. Pumasok lang siya sa DC para kumuha ng impormasyon at ako ang nakatuklas sa totoong pakay niya kaya ganun nalang ang galit at inggit niya sa'kin.

"Then, I will kill you right now." Galit na sabi niya at itinaas ang hawak na baril.

I got a chance when he's about to pull the trigger. He let his emotions overflow and that's my advantage. I duck. Pinatid ko ang paa niya, nawalan siya ng balanse at bumagsak. In one swift motion I disarm his gun. I let him stand up. Now, we're both barehanded. Wrong because I still have my weapons in me.

"I told you. You can't kill me that easy." I give him a mocking grin. "Did you forgot? The first one to show emotions will lose."

"I'm not the same since the last time we fought."

Muntik na akong di maka-iwas sa pagsugod niya. Mabilis siyang kumilos. Mabuti nalang mabilis din ang reflexes ko kaya nagawa kong iwasan ang mga suntok niya. Pero hindi lahat. Pinahid ko ang dugo sa labi ko. Ngumisi siya. I just stare at him blankly. Shit! Masakit yung panga ko na tinamaan ng suntok niya. Ako naman ang sumugod. I need to get back the pace of the fight. He's focus on how to counter my punches. I grinned. Inambahan ko siya ng suntok. But instead of punching him I kick him in his knee. Napaluhod siya. I was about to kick him again when he throw a dagger. Napahawak ako sa mukha ko na nadaplisan. Damn it! They can hit me wherever they want but not my face. Now, I'm mad.