EIGHTEEN
YEARS passed fast. It has been 9 years since Thanara and Raven moved to Aset. Raven would fly back to Tuwes from time to time because of his duty as a Major General, alam na rin ni Thanara ang tungkol sa trabaho ng tatay niya.
When Thanara was 12, they let her join her friends' training but not as heavy and strict as theirs. It was hell of an experience for a kid like them. Academics and mind exercises in the morning then physical attributes at night. Sabay na hinahasa at ini-improve and critical thinking at physical capabilities nila. Hindi na nakakagulat na noong mga bata pa ang magpipinsan ay talagang may napapaiyak at halos umayaw na.
During those years, there was a drastic and fast change in them. They became smarter. They became good fighters. They became good strategists. They learned lots of languages. When the vel-Pablo and Cansadov cousins turned twelve, they were sent on light missions, like spying and data collection.
Aciel become better in controlling her emotions, sa kanilang magpipinsan ay siya ang pinaka kalmado at pinaka nakakatakot. They say she's the calmest and the most merciless. Andy was still the same soft girl she was but she sticks very much with the organization's rules and no one can break her word. Kapag sinabi niya, kailangang mangyari. Si Azie ang may kasungitan, but she's merciful unlike the calm and merciless Aciel.
Allux remained jolly and loud, but they said he's like Aciel when on a mission, calm and merciless. Aace was also calm but he's merciful, he would give you chances to prove yourself worthy of mercy. Zav became more of a playboy, a carbon-copy of their Father they said. But don't be on his bad side, dahil gaya ng Ate niya... mayroon siyang isang salita.
The Mondecores siblings stayed the same. Mga masusungit tignan pero mabait naman. They're the most loyal, kung ano ang sinabi sa kanila ay 'yon ang gagawin nila. They would achieve it, no matter what. They're the most competitive.
"Ayaw kong kalaban si Aciel," nakakunot ang noong sabi ni Shan. Agad siyang umalis sa pagkakaupo nang umupo sa harap niya si Aciel para makipag laro ng chess. "She'd defeat me with just a few moves!"
"Play with me," kalmadong sabi ni Aciel. "Ngayon na nga lang ulit kita makakalaro oh."
"It's because you all are always on missions. Palagi kayong may tasks," sabi ni Shan saka umupo rin naman sa harap ni Aciel.
"Inggit ka lang kasi 'di ka pa pinapadala sa kahit ano," Aciel smirked as she took the first move.
"Have you told your Father about your plan on joining MAKEN?" tanong ni Kaei.
Napalingon si Thanara sa gilid niya. "Not yet," sagot ni Thanara. "So? Elite Team huh?" Ngumisi siya.
Napailing naman si Kaei. His bangs on his forehead shook. Ang mga asul niyang mata ay pinagmamasdan sina Aciel. "I know I don't need to feel pressured but being on the same team as Aciel... it's pressuring."
"She's the team leader, right? Is she scary?"
"There's no team leader among us youngsters, si Tito Aisaac ang leader," umiling si Kaei. "As for Aciel, she's just chill because she knows that if she does the action... it's already a mission accomplished."
Napatango tango si Thanara. The sole reason she wanted to join MAKEN, siya lang ang hindi miyembro ng organisasyon sa kanilang lahat!
"Dad will go on a mission in four days, I'll tell him about my plan when he gets back." Lumingon si Thanara sa katabi. She even has to look up because Kaei is tall. "Will he let me?"
Kaei glanced at Thanara too. Nang magtama ang tingin nila ay agad nag iwas ng tingin si Thanara. "I don't see any reason for him to disagree."
"I'LL BE back after a few days," Raven said as she kissed Thanara's forehead. He's going on a mission again. This time related to the Perseus Mafia. After many years of being on the organization's watch list, the Mafia is finally proven to be doing illegal stuff. Sisimulan na nilang linisin ang mga kalat ng Mafia bago trabahuhin ang pagpapabagsak dito.
