The Blindness Spell
Kaito and Calista's Point of View
Kaito stood in the hallway, watching Alexis stumble away, leaving a trail of crimson on the pristine carpet. He didn't chase him. Instead, he simply whispered a name into the cold air.
"Calista."
In an instant, his assistant appeared by his side, her expression neutral.
"Calista, catch that man before he reaches the lobby," Kaito commanded, his voice dark and dripping with irritation.
Calista glanced at the trail of blood and then back at Kaito, who was still disheveled from his "meal." "I'll take care of it, Kaito. Put some clothes on," she said firmly. She turned toward the elevator and raised her hands, her palms glowing with a pale, ethereal light. She began to chant in a low, rhythmic tongue:
"Dinggin ang aking ngalan, Bigyan ng laman at katuparan ang aking sumpa. Sumpa ng pagkabulag, lukobin ang kanilang mga mata upang hindi makita ang katotohanan."
(Hear my name, Give flesh and fulfillment to my curse. Curse of blindness, shroud their eyes so they may not see the truth.)
Downstairs, Alexis burst into the lobby. He was naked, bleeding, and screaming for his life. He scrambled toward the reception desk, his hands leaves red smears on the polished marble.
"HELP! CALL THE POLICE!" he shrieked, grabbing the receptionist's arm.
But the woman didn't flinch. She continued typing on her computer, smiling politely at a guest standing right next to Alexis. To everyone in the lobby, Alexis didn't exist. He was a ghost in a room full of people.
"What's happening? Why can't they see me?" Alexis sobbed, his legs finally giving out from the blood loss.
Suddenly, Calista appeared in front of him, looking like a calm, concerned citizen to anyone who might be watching.
"Miss... can you see me?" Alexis whispered, his vision beginning to blur.
"I see you," Calista said, her voice devoid of emotion. "You're losing too much blood. Come with me; I'll take you to the hospital."
"Thank you..." Alexis breathed, his eyes rolling back as he slumped into her arms, unconscious.
Calista didn't take him to a hospital. She flicked her wrist, and in a blink of an eye, the lobby was empty. They vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of the struggle behind.
Kaito's Mansion
The air inside the mansion was heavy and still. Kaito paced through the grand hall, his breathing shallow and his skin an ashen gray. His two loyal guards, Maverick and Daisuke, watched him with growing concern.
"Kaito-sama, are you alright?" Maverick asked, stepping forward. "You don't seem to be yourself."
"He's right," Daisuke added, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "You look ill, my lord. What happened in the city?"
Before Kaito could answer, a shimmer of light appeared in the center of the room. Calista stepped out of the shadows, her face tight with anger.
"He looks like that because he was sloppy," Calista snapped, her eyes flashing.
"What do you mean, Calista?" Daisuke asked, confused.
"I mean he messed with a half-human, half-fairy," she said, crossing her arms. "He grew arrogant. He sucked the blood of a creature he didn't bother to identify. Luckily for Kaito, that boy didn't even know his own lineage. If Alexis had known how to use his power, he would have turned you into ashes in an instant. All your sacrifices, all those centuries of waiting... wasted in a single night of greed."
"How dare you speak to me like that!" Kaito roared. He tried to summon his power, his eyes glowing a fierce, jagged red as he began to shift into the Black Kitsune.
But as his first black tail began to manifest, his body betrayed him. A sharp, searing pain exploded in his chest, and the darkness claimed his vision. Without a word, the powerful Kitsune collapsed, his body hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
"Kaito-sama!" Daisuke cried out, rushing to his lord's side.
The Guardian's Mercy
Akihiko's Point of View
Aki and Baekhyun stood side-by-side, weapons raised to deliver a final, dual strike against the Sarangay. But before their blades could connect with the beast's hide, a shimmering translucent shield erupted between them.
From the golden mist behind Marco, a figure stepped forward.
"Greetings, Baekhyun. And you as well, Akihiko," Minjoon said, a calm, practiced smile on his face. "I assume you two are here for Ethan?"
Baekhyun froze, his eyes widening in total disbelief. "Minjoon? What... what are you doing here?"
"I'll answer everything in time," Minjoon replied, ignoring the shock in Baekhyun's voice. "For now, you must follow me inside. This borderland is far from safe."
As they turned to follow Minjoon through the golden gates, Minjoon glanced back over his shoulder. "It's good to see you again, my old friend," he added softly.
Aki's fox ears twitched. He was an investigator by trade; he could practically taste the sudden, thick awkwardness radiating from Baekhyun. There was a history here—one that felt heavy and unfinished.
The Gossip of Biringan
The Gate
As the trio disappeared into the city, Marco the Sarangay grunted, leaning against the gate.
"Old friend?" Marco snorted, wiping blue blood from his shoulder. "That's a polite way of putting it. Those two were lovers back in Korea. It was a chaotic mess, and apparently, they even rekindled things when Minjoon arrived here in the Philippines."
Suddenly, a tiny, glowing figure fluttered down from the archway. A Lambana, her dragonfly wings shimmering with gold dust, landed on the Sarangay's horn.
"Seriously?" the Lambana squeaked, her voice like windchimes. "How do you know all that?"
"Secret," Marco grunted, a smug look on his bull-like face. "Let's just say I have a very reliable source."
The Purification Chamber
Inside the White Dove Headquarters
As they walked through the halls of the headquarters, the air felt sterilized and magical. Several members of the White Dove stopped to stare at Baekhyun, their eyes filled with judgment for the rogue Bellator.
Minjoon didn't miss a beat. "We don't have the right to judge," he said, his voice dropping into a cold, protective tone. "Close your eyes and get back to work, or I'll report this directly to Miss Cristine."
The members quickly scattered. Eventually, they reached a heavy door radiating a soft, white aura.
"We're here," Minjoon said, stopping. "Ethan is inside. He's undergoing a purification process, so he's been advised not to leave the room. So... who wants to see him first?"
"Me!" both Aki and Baekhyun shouted at the exact same time, their hands shooting into the air.
Minjoon smiled, but to Aki, the expression looked painted on—fake and hollow. He noticed that Minjoon's gaze lingered on Baekhyun a second too long, while Baekhyun pointedly stared at the floor, unable to meet his former lover's eyes.
"Very well," Minjoon said, pushing the door open. "Let's go."
Inside the room, the air was still and sweet. Ethan sat in the center, lost in deep meditation. Floating just inches from him was a woman in a flowing red dress, her presence both beautiful and intimidating.
A Secret in the Shadows
Jin Ae's Point of View
After a hearty dinner at the hostel, the three girls gathered in their room to plan the days ahead. The mountain loomed outside their window, a dark silhouette against the moonlight.
"Are you guys sure about this?" Jin Ae asked, her voice laced with genuine concern. "You could go back to Manila tomorrow. I'm worried about what we might find up there."
"Girl, stop," Monday Catherine said, not looking up from her journal. "We're here to support you. The mountain is literally in the backyard—we aren't turning back now. Right, Jasmine?"
Jasmine didn't answer immediately; she was staring intensely at her phone, a silly grin plastered on her face.
"Are you texting Lennard already?" Jin Ae teased.
"Yes! Why not?" Jasmine chirped, finally looking up. "I'm single, he's single... it's basically destiny. He's perfect."
"Whatever you say, Romeo," Jin Ae laughed. "Anyway, are you ready for tomorrow? I've decided we're not climbing yet. I want to explore the town first, buy some extra supplies, and visit that famous restaurant everyone's talking about. I've seen influencers posting about their dishes—they look incredible."
"I am so in!" Jasmine said, her excitement for food briefly eclipsing her crush on Lennard. "Let's go, let's go!"
"Monday? You in?"
"Of course," Monday Catherine answered, her pen scratching against the paper.
"What are you even writing in there, Catherine?" Jasmine asked, trying to peek.
"Just my diary," Catherine lied, closing the book quickly.
"Alright girls, let's get some sleep," Jin Ae said, turning off the lamp. "Tomorrow is going to be a big day."
None of them noticed the way the shadows in the corner of the room seemed to linger just a second too long. A dark secret was buried in this town, and they were walking right into it.
The Unmasking of a Red Flag
The Purification Chamber
The heavy silence of the meditation room was shattered the moment the door opened.
"Ethan! Thank God you're safe!" Aki shouted, rushing forward and throwing his arms around Ethan in a crushing hug.
"Aki... I'm okay... can't... breathe..." Ethan wheezed, patting Aki's back.
"Sorry, sorry," Aki said, stepping back but keeping his hands on Ethan's shoulders. "We were so worried. Don't worry about your Lola; she's safe with our Ninong."
"Thank you for looking after her," Ethan said, his eyes softening. "How is the city?"
"Ethan," Baekhyun interrupted, stepping into the light with a hopeful smile. "I'm so happy to see you again."
The walking red flag, Aki thought bitterly, his jaw tightening.
Ethan turned toward Baekhyun. He moved as if to hug him, but Baekhyun abruptly stopped and extended a hand for a stiff, formal handshake.
"A handshake? Seriously, Baekhyun?" Aki scoffed.
"Enough pretending," Minjoon snapped, his voice cold as ice. He stepped forward, his eyes boring into Baekhyun's back. "Is that really why you're here? You almost died at the gate just to see the 'Sigbinan,' and now that he's here, you give him a handshake?"
"What do you mean?" Baekhyun asked, his voice wavering.
"Ethan," Minjoon said, turning toward the confused young man. "Baekhyun and I were in the same idol band in Korea. We lived together for six years. I only came to the Philippines on a mission from my leaders... but we were still together."
"Minjoon, stop!" Baekhyun hissed.
"No," Minjoon continued, his voice rising with suppressed rage. "The night we stayed together at the hotel, I read your messages to Ethan. At first, I was angry at Ethan—until I met him. Now I see he was just another victim of your lies. You told him you were single, didn't you? Maybe you were in the Philippines, Baekhyun... but in Korea, you belonged to me."
Ethan felt like the floor had vanished beneath his feet. "Baekhyun... is this true?"
"Ethan, let me explain—"
As Baekhyun stepped toward him, Aki moved like a flash. His eyes bled into a bright, predatory yellow, and his ears began to shift into their pointed, vulpine shape.
"Stay away from him," Aki snarled, a low growl vibrating in his chest. "Don't you dare touch him, you bastard!"
"Aki, relax!" Ethan cried, grabbing Aki's arm to hold him back. He turned to Baekhyun, his heartbreak turning into cold fury. "Explain what? That you were using both of us? How dare you!"
Ethan turned to walk away, but Baekhyun grabbed his arm. The contact was the final straw. Ethan swung around and delivered a sharp, stinging slap across Baekhyun's face.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Minjoon," Ethan whispered, his voice trembling. "I had no idea."
"It's alright, Ethan," Minjoon said gently. "I know this man's greed knows no bounds."
Suddenly, Inspector Cristine appeared in the doorway, her presence radiating power. "What is going on here? Minjoon! I told you—no negativity near Ethan during the purification!"
But it was too late. The emotional shock hit Ethan like a physical blow. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the floor.
"Ethan!" Minjoon screamed, lunging for him.
The Witch Hunter's Hunger
Kaito's Mansion
Back in the forest, Kaito was a shadow of his former self. He writhed on his bed, his skin grey and his veins pulsing with the toxic fairy blood.
"I need... the blood of a witch," Kaito rasped, his voice cracking. "A young witch. Now!"
"Do you think witches just grow on trees?" Calista snapped, though her eyes showed her fear. "The Bellators are hunting them into extinction. Humans are terrified of them. Finding a young witch in this climate is nearly impossible."
"I don't care!" Kaito roared, a surge of pain racking his body. "Find me one, or I won't be the only one who dies!"
TO BE CONTINUED...