Machiavellian

Chapter Eleven

Trial by blood

CYRA

"How did you figure it out?" I asked Francis.

Hindi niya ako pinansin at nagpatuloy lang sa paglalakad. Napabuntong-hininga ako. That made him glanced at me. "You tell me something first. About who you are. Then I'll tell you how did I knew."

I immediately shook my head. Not a soul, will I ever tell Sage and Cyra's existence. Even if he already knew we're not the same person, I will never tell him who I am. For his sake and most of all, ours.

Tumahimik na ako at umiwas ng tingin sa kanya. He scoffed before pushing the door open, where it leads to the next phase. Sumalubong sa amin ang malaking bulwagan, at ang dalawa pa naming mga kasama.

It's just them left. There's no Fisherman anymore. Or Claire.

It's just the four of us left.

"Welcome!"

Napatingin ako sa itaas. May dalawang taong nakamaskara ang lumabas mula sa balkonahe na nasa gitna ng bulwagan. Even though they have masks, I can still tell that they are looking down at us with grins on their faces. The proctors. But, why two of them?

"In this hall, you shall experience two phases."

Napasinghap ang dalawa pa naming kasama. I felt Francis stiffened beside me as well. Two phases... The third and fourth phase in the trial will be executed as one. Tahimik akong napatango sa sarili at pinagmasdan ang paligid.

Numerous cups on the table. Weapons hanged on each side of the hall. And a large, plain floor where there are markings on each corner...

I think I already know what this is.

"We no longer be involving ourselves in these two phases since there's only four of you left. Instead, we will allow you to help each other... You will be put in pairs all throughout the phases. But only one pair will remain and will triumph at the end..." The voice said. It did not sound like a man nor a woman. It simply sound like an echo of two voices mixed together. Mistulang sa pagkakataong ito ay pagtatakpan na ng mga proctor ang kanilang mga sarili. Bakit?

"This is how the phases will go, since you are in pairs, you will pick one of you to go to the center floor, and fight. Fight against your opponent from the other pair. Fight until one of you gets out of the circle. Whoever wins will get the chance to continue to phase four, which is by drinking the liquid inside one of these cups..."

They pointed at the cups above the table in front of us. "We shall discuss about the cups later on, once one pair wins."

"In the previous phases, you are challenged mentally and emotionally, now you will be challenged physically. Select whomever you wish to be your partner, and then plan ahead for the fight. Goodluck to all."

Both proctors stepped away from the balcony and sat on the chairs prepared for them, watching us from above like kings. Interesting. Why distance themselves now from us?

Napatingin ko sa dalawa pa naming kasama, at ganun rin sila sa amin. Nagkatinginan kaming apat. The girl was chasing her breath while looking worriedly at me. Then, she averted her gaze to the man beside her. Binigyan siya ng tango ng lalaki bago kinuha ang kamay nito.