Shipwrecked Hearts

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Gulliver's Grave started to rise from the depths of the underwater. I immersed myself with the view through the tempered glass, it was said that the glasses won't easily break as they were designed to withstand the pressure. Apparently, this submarine-ship was built to have a safer travel.

Pinagmasdan ko ang paglutang ng barko, the roof slowly disordered. The squealing of the metals and other materials resonated as the submarine shift into a big ship. "I can never get used to this." Meliodas said as he watched the movements in awe.

Nang naging barko na ang sasakyan ay agad na tumama sa aking mukha ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. Tumungo ako sa barandilya ng barko at saka tinignan ang mga kulay na tila nakapinta sa asul na karagatan. They were the ships of Maximo. Sa gitna ay nakita ko ang isla at ang s'yudad nito, sa pinakatuktok naman ay ang palasyo—it was so far, but it still looks so big and grand.

"We're home." Maximo said, suddenly appearing from my back. He intertwined our fingers together and gave me a smile. "It's good to be back."

"Yes, it is." I replied.

Nang nasa harbor na kami'y bumaba kami. Mula sa gilid ay nakita ko ang Siren Steel, it was anchored there. My crew must be worried sick of my whereabouts. I assumed.

Saktong pag-apak ko pa lang sa isla ay bigla akong sinalubong nina Nick at Charles, halata ang mangha sa kanilang mukha. "Kira," yumuko sila, halata ang kahihiyang nakabahid sa kanilang mukha. "Pasensya na kung napahamak ka dahil sa amin. Sana patawarin mo kami." Biglang naglinya ang lahat ng mga nasa crew ko at yumuko. "Patawarin mo kami." Sabay-sabay na saad nila.

"Ano ang ginagawa n'yo?" Gulat na tanong ko, "I mean, okay, I was kidnapped but it wasn't your fault, guys. Kaya huwag kayong humingi ng tawad sa akin. None of us expected the drastic turn of events. That Eli is a traitor, and so was Marco and Pearl. Of course. We'd put our guard down since they were once our comrades, but they've shown their true colors. What we can do to somehow stop such history from repeating itself is to be vigilant." I explained.

Agad naman silang humarap sa akin at sumaludo.

I felt Maximo snaking his hands on my back, towards my waist. "Well said, like a true queen." He winked at me. "Speaking of traitors," tumingin siya kay Meliodas, "I know you're worried about your brother but you know the law. Marco and his crew will be charged with their crime respectively depending on its gravity. He will pay."

"He's nothing to me now but a traitor." Matigas na sambit ni Meliodas.

"But he's still your brother, the only family left."

"Hindi ko sana sinabi sa kan'yang iyon noon. Knowing that crazy ass." Bumuntong-hininga si Meliodas.

"Said what?" Maximo pressed.

Tumingin si Meliodas sa akin, akmang magsasalita siya nang unahan ko siya. "Kaya lang siguro nagawa ni Marco ang mga iyon dahil ang tatay ko ang pumatay sa kanilang magulang."

"Knowing that means you were the one eavesdropping." Meliodas accused to me.

"I won't excuse myself, it was inevitable for me to hear what you two were talking about last week." Sagot ko naman sa kan'yang.

"Why did you hide such a valuable information to me?" Maximo scowled.

"Because it didn't matter anymore. We were devoted to you and your crown. Or so I thought." Yumuko si Meliodas, "I am very sorry, Maximo. For my wrong judgment."

"Nah. Next time, don't hide anything from me." He looked at me, "you too, Starfish. I don't want people keeping secrets from me." He said it in his baritone.

"S-Sorry." I bit my lips.

"Don't bite your lips. I'm tempted." He looked away.

"We'll further discuss this matter tomorrow. I will hold an assembly. But as we've just arrived and we got 2 trillion from the auction, wherein the expected was supposed to be 100 billion only, this deserves a celebration tonight inside the palace hall. Let's all not spoil the fun."

Agad namang naghiyawan ang mga tao sa paligid.

"We earned that much thanks to you." Maximo whispered to my ears, "great job, Starfish." He praised. I can feel my cheeks warming up. "Let's go to the palace." He insisted and I nodded.

We walked up to the streets, as expected—there were lesser people. Talaga nga namang sa gabi mas may buhay ang Jolly Roger. Lahat ng nadadaanan namin ay yumuyuko sa amin bilang respeto.