✔The Knight's Madness

QUADRAGINTA

Gusto kong magwala. 

No, screw that. Gusto kong sumugod sa Limekiln's at pasabugin ang buong lugar habang ginigilitan ko ng leeg ang mga taong nasa likod ng kalokohang ito. But of course, I'm not gonna do that because I'd either end up losing control again or falling into their trap.

"Goddamn it."

Inis akong naupo sa paanan ng kama ni Kleo. Hindi pa rin maalis ang tingin ko sa mantsang iniwan niya. As much as I want to deny that it's her blood, nakumpirma na ito kanina ni Muffin Man. Huminga ako nang malalim at  napayuko, burying my head in my hands. Trying to make sense of what was happening.

'Bakit?'

Hindi ko pa rin maisip.

Maiintindihan ko kung bakit nila gagawing target si Evil. He's the one leading us, and he knows enough to be a threat to the boss and his tournament. Pero si Kleo? Tangina, wala siyang kasalanan! Hindi na siya dapat nadamay rito...

"They're trying to break you."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang magsalita si Puppet Master. Nakasandal siya sa bukana ng pinto habang pinagmamasdan ang gulo ng silid. He frown upon seeing the hole in the ceiling. Dahil walang bintana sa kwarto ni Kleo, mukhang ito na lang ang naisip nilang paraan para makapasok.

I thought about his words, realizing he had a point.

'They knew the only way to get to me is through Kleopatra Claveria.'

Guilt left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Then we should rescue them tonight. Hindi ko alam kung paano nila na-kidnap si Evil, but I have no doubt that my brother will be pissed off when he regains consciousness. Pwede nating gamiting diversion 'yon para wasakin ang tournament."

Nang akmang lalabas na sana ako ng silid, bigla akong pinigilan ng Puppet Master.

"That's what they're expecting you to do, Everick. Sa tingin mo ba wala silang nakahandang 'welcome party' para sa'tin kung susugod tayo ngayon? We need to wait."

I broke free from his grip and scowled, "Waiting will only get her killed! Paano na lang kung mapagdiskitahan nila si Kleo?!" Wala akong problema kay Evil. He's an immortal and he can handle himself. Pero ang inaalala ko ay kung ano na lang ang mga posible nilang gawin kay Kleo, especially since she's just a mortal. Her life isn't as valuable to them.

How can he fucking expect me to sit here and wait?

"Ito ang dahilan kung bakit si Evil ang leader natin."

Hinanap ng mga mata ko ang pinagmulan ng boses. Just in time, Joker walked into the room, noticeably without Marquessa in tow. Seryoso niyang nilibot ang kanyang mga mata sa kwarto ni Kleo, at dinagdag, "I'll bet Señor Fluffy that those bastards are expecting us to be reckless fools, brother. Kapag inatake natin ang venue nila ngayon, we'll be at a disadvantage."

"But Sadako is---"

"Safe. Kung ginagamit nga nilang pain si Miss Creeps, then they'll keep her alive until she's of no use to them."

Damn.

As much as I hate to admit this, but Joker's making sense. Pero hindi ibig sabihin nito ay napapalagay na ako ngayong nasa puder siya ng mga kaaway namin. Kleo is at her weakest, both physically and emotionally.

"Pero paano natin malalaman kung kailan tayo dapat kumilos?" I asked, struggling to keep calm.

Ngumisi si Joker at nilagpasan ako. Tahimik namin siyang pinanood nang ginamit niya ang tungkod niya para abutin ang isang black envelope sa bukana ng butas sa kisame. I caught the envelope in midair and narrowed my eyes at its familiar appearance.

"I think they already left you another invitation, Knight. Just like the one you turned down before."

"Tsk. Paano mo naman nalaman ang tungkol doon?"

But instead of answering me, he just shrugged and exited the room, but not before mentioning, "Papunta na rito ang espiya natin. Tinawagan siya kani-kanina si Kesa. Raff confirmed that he saw the secretary's niece negotiating with someone on her phone earlier this evening."

Hindi na ako umimik.

Puppet Master watched as I ripped open the envelope. His expression was unreadable and I don't know whether I should be alarmed or not. Noong panahong 'yon, hiniling kong sana may mind-reading powers din ako kagaya ng kapatid ko.

"What's the invitation for?"

Binasa kong maigi ang nakasulat doon. And believe me, it took a lot of self-control to not shred it to pieces.

"It's an invitation for the next match this coming Saturday. The last match for the first round this season."

"Match? Sa pagkakaalala ko, tapos nang lumaban ang lahat ng participants nila... Sino namang lalaban sa Sabado?"

I sighed and flipped the invitation to show the elegantly written name on the card.

"Ako."

---

She believes in forgiveness,
He believes in resentment...
but time cannot wait that long;
So they danced through embers
and never realized,
that both of them are wrong.

---Kleopatra Claveria