Chapter 45: Terms
"And they say never dance with the Devil.
So as the music started, I took his hand."
—
Malaki ang ngiti niya dahil alam na interesado ako sa mga sasabihin niya. "I will kill Pandora, leave this vessel and go back to Hell."
Tumaas ang kilay ko. Diretso ang tingin niya sa akin, walang kurap ang mata. He must be doing some magic voodoo but I'm still unsure.
But his offer...It was tempting, I swear.
"And the Box?" tanong ko
"I already lessened so much of your problems, solve the problem with the Box yourselves."
My lips parted. "You're kidding, right? The Box itself is the reason for this War."
He shrugged his shoulders. "You've got the Heavens to your side. Kaya niyo 'yan," he said and waved his hand.
Kinuyom ko ang kamay ko. Umaakyat ang galit sa dibdib ko.
Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng mga ideya ang nasa isip niya kaya hindi muna ako nagsalita. Matalim ang tingin niya sa akin habang magkakrus ang mga braso sa dibdib.
"What do you want in return?" tanong ko.
Lumapad ang ngiti niya. Tumayo siya mula sa pagkaka-upo at inilapit nang sobra ang mukha sa 'kin.
"My sword. Bring it yourself to Tel Megiddo... alone."
Umismid ako. "How can I be sure this is not a stupid plan of yours to ambush me?"
Sa isang iglap ay naalis ang matalim na tingin ng mata niya. Naging mabilog na lamang 'yon. "The Devil doesn't lie."
I'm quite amazed with his fast shifting.
"But there is a reason why you are a devil," lakas loob na sabi ko. Bakas sa mukha niya ang gulat. "If this is an agreement, I want us to meet halfway."
He smirked. "Tricking the trickster?"
"Outsmarting an idiot."
His smirk easily faded. "What an attitude. You do know I could kill you right now, right?"
"No," tamad na sagot ko. "Not yet. I know you still need me. I just don't know why." I squinted my eyes as if it could help me look past his face and to his evil mind.
Nakabawi rin siya agad at ngumisi.
"I won't give it to you," sabi ko agad. "We can stop the war especially without your help."
"I know you would say that," may himig ng panghihinayang ang boses niya. "Nahahawa ka na sa Protectors na nasa Church. Mighty, heroic—all synonymous to stupidity."
"Alam mo naman pala, why waste time then?"
I know he's got better ammunition because his smile turned into another form of terrifying. I haven't even realized the person in front of me is actually Lucifer until now.
"Do you want me to drop my real condition now?"
Kagat ko ang labi ko. Hindi ako makasagot ng pabalang. Hindi ko gusto ang pwedeng maging kahulugan ng ngiti niya. Kahit ano pa iyon.
"Give me the sword...." Sinadya niyang ibitin ang sinasabi. "...and I will give you your father."
"How did you....."
"Pandora found him doing a recon in White City. He's safe for now, if you're worried."
"You're lying."
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