FLAW: FIFTY-EIGHT

**TRISHA POV**

Dao and I successfully retrieved the files last night," Sky began as a blueprint appeared on the large screen in front of us.

"This is the machine they were talking about," Dao introduced, pointing to the machine flashing on the screen.

"Does that thing really have the capability to restore the sheet?" Trevor doubted.

"According to the concept paper, yes—"

"If that's the case, then they were telling the truth!" Justin interjected, cutting off Sky.

"Almost," Dao corrected, grabbing our attention. "What they told us is partly true."

"What do you mean?" Wernie asked in confusion.

"Dao's conspiracy is also true," Sky claimed. "That is, this machine is not only built for restoring the sheet but also for creating a vortex to the other side," Sky informed, startling me.

"They want to go to the other side?" Calli asked, bewildered.

"It seems so," Sky replied.

"But why?" Trevor also inquired.

"For this." We all looked at the screen as Sky displayed a black cube.

"Energy Shell?” Maica read. “What's that?"

"It's like a battery but can hold a tremendous amount of energy capable of powering a city," Sky explained. "However, for now, it's empty."

"Empty?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow at Sky. "Why is it empty?"

"The main reason why they want to cross into the other side is to charge these shells with its energy. Knowing that monsters and demons exist on that side, it means they'll get a strong energy source," Dao explained. "If you're asking where they'll use the shells, there's only one answer—"

"Weapons," Alex interjected, staring blankly at the new screen. The monitor showed various designs of advanced arsenals, including tanks and artillery guns. All of them were designed like the cube—black and futuristic.

"What are those for?" I inquired.

"Unfortunately, we didn't find an answer to that question, but Dao and I speculated some potential possibilities."

"And what are those?" Trevor asked.

"It could be business, defense, or worst, world domination," Dao listed.

"World domination?" Calli asked in disbelief. "They want to take over the world?" she clarified, to which Dao nodded. All of us were speechless when we learned about Glias's possible plans. They were just an ordinary criminal organization that wanted to spread crime throughout the country.

"That's a reckless idea. It's the world against them!" Justin pointed out.

"Not if you have the needed weapons," Sky rebutted, referring to Glias's weapons. "Remember that these weapons are powered by the Energy Shell, which can contain massive energy. They can take down an entire country with just a single blast of this weaponry.”

"Sky is right. That might be worse than a nuclear bomb," Trevor recalled.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked, causing everyone to look at me, especially Alex. I looked at him, and fear and concern were evident on his face.

"We can't fight Glias in our current state. We're outnumbered; besides, they have our colleagues under their control," Alex grimly replied.

"Speaking of our colleagues, we also found out that chips were implanted in their brains to control them," Sky announced, surprising Alex even more. He looked at the screen displaying a blueprint of a computer chip. "If we're going to fight them, we have to deal with them first," Sky suggested, which everyone agreed with.

"It's a computer chip! I'm sure Dao can handle it!" Trevor exclaimed confidently, but Dao shook her head, causing her smile to fade.

"I can't bypass the chip, but I can bypass the remote control. But I need to connect manually," Dao informed.

"We need to get the remote control before releasing our colleagues," Sky concluded.

"But to do that, we need to infiltrate their hideout," Wernie reasoned.

Justin supported this, "Which is a death sentence.”

Silence filled the room once again. Each one of us was thinking about the best course of action to get remote control and free Alex's friends without risking their lives. But in reality, we were already risking our lives from the start. Ever since we got involved with Alex and Sky, we became part of Glias's recognized enemies.

But we didn't regret it.

Yes, we put our lives in danger, but we weren't just risking our lives for nothing. We risked them to save the world from the clutches of Glias. From destruction. Some of you might think it's too much for college students like us to handle, but not for everyone.

We couldn't just wait for someone else to take action; we could take action first. Besides, everyone is against Glias, and we realized they needed to be defeated before things got worse.

But we didn't regret it.

******

We were in the living room of Dao's house, having snacks. Until now, we still hadn't believed in Glias's possible plan. Still speechless and shocked.

"Wait, I think we forgot to discuss something," Calli interjected. We all looked at her, waiting for her to continue speaking. "Didn't they say they need Alex to expedite the creation of the vortex, but why haven't they captured Alex yet?" she asked, puzzled.

"Do you want them to capture Alex?" Justin implied sarcastically, earning a glare from Calli.

"That's not what I meant!" Calli hissed and then angrily bit into the bread she was holding.

"Calli has a point," Trevor agreed. "If they really wanted their plan to proceed quickly, they should have just resorted to the easiest way," Trevor elaborated, silencing the room once again. It was really deafening.

"Do you have some speculations, Dao? I know you've thought of something," Wernie teased.

"Actually, I have. A live show," Dao replied.

"A live show?" Wernie asked in confusion.

"They didn't capture Alex yet because he has another role in their plan," Dao stated, but we still didn't understand. "If they succeed in accessing the other side and obtaining energy from there, they'll try it for a dry run. And they will choose him as their sparring partner. And as I said, it's a live show. Everyone will see their fight, and if and only if Alex is defeated, other countries will be forced to surrender to them."

"Knowing that a powerful man like Alex loses, they'll immediately think that Glias is too strong to fight against, resulting in the downfall of every country," Sky concluded. I really liked how these two think! They're like they have one brain. They're thinking the same thing.

Suddenly, Alex stood up, catching our attention. He left and headed outside the house. Based on his aura, he's worried and scared.

"Why did you have to ask that, Calli?" Justin exclaimed.

"Sorry," she apologized and then looked down.

"It's not her fault. It's mine," Sky defended and stood up to go to Alex.

***

**ALEX POV**

"Knowing that a powerful man like Alex loses, they'll immediately think that Glias is too strong to fight against..." Of all the things Sky said to me, this one stuck the most. It even defeated his "I Love You." The fear and agitation I feel now are just too intense.

I never felt this scared in my life. It's my first time, and it's making me crazy. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't even say a word. My body was trembling, and my heart was beating faster than usual. And… I couldn't breathe properly.

"Hey," a familiar voice called out to me. Based on its tone and pitch, I knew it was Sky. He stood beside me while looking at me. I didn't bother to look at him because I didn't want him to see the face of the loser. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier," he apologized, but I just shook my head.

"You're just telling them the truth, so I understand," I replied.

"The truth? Are you declaring yourself the loser?" he asked, and I could feel the annoyance in his voice.

"If only I could," I replied. I was surprised when he suddenly turned me to face him. I could see how angry he was. Even though he was wearing a straight face, I could feel his anger in his words.

"Listen to me," he ordered, causing me to look him in the eye. "You're not the loser you think you are—"

"Sky," I interrupted him. "You won't be able to persuade me with your pep talks."

"Pep talk? This is not a pep talk. This is a recognition!" he corrected, surprising me. "Pep talks are just for kids, and you don't need it anyway because I'm done pep-talking you! What you need is recognition, especially for what you've done. If you think you're a loser, how did you win all your fights? If you think you're a loser, why are you still alive? If you think you're a loser, then we should be dead by now," Sky enumerated, surprising me. I felt the sincerity in his eyes, which made tears fall from mine. He cupped my face and looked at me intensely. "Alex, you're not a loser. Not even once. I know you're scared to face the fight but remember, you're not alone. We're here to fight too — with you."

"But what if I fail? What if I really lose?" I questioned between my sobs.

"If you fail or lose, then it's okay," Sky wiped my tears off my cheeks. "At least you did your job. At least you gave them hope," he added and kissed my forehead—a mark of love. Sky pulled me close to him, and it ended up in a hug. He hugged me tightly while I cried on his neck.

I can't believe how lucky I am with this guy. He's the solid proof that I'm not a loser. Winning this guy is more than enough. Sometimes I wonder why it's me. Why not girls?

We stayed in this position for a few minutes, and I liked it. It's been a long time since we cuddled. If only we could stay like this all day.

"Are you okay now?" he asked.

"Hm," I replied in my husky voice. I pulled away from him and smiled. "I want to be strong, Sky. I want to win," I prayed, making him smile.

He cupped my face again while staring intensely into my eyes. "Then, let's get stronger together," he said and gave me a quick kiss.

We were startled when the ground suddenly shook. It followed one after another as if a bomb exploded. We quickly rushed to the others hiding under the dining table in shock and fear.

"What's happening?" Maica asked fearfully.

"I detected multiple energy shifts along the Pacific Ring of Fire! It looks like the volcanoes along the ring are erupting simultaneously!" Dao reported, showing us her laptop. Several red dots flashed on the screen, forming an arch. Dao seemed to be correct. All the volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire erupted simultaneously. "This means one thing! They successfully created the vortex!" she added, which scared me. They succeeded.

What now? I can't face him with this experience. I need to get stronger!

The cell phones of the Enigma club rang one after the other, and I guess it was their parents calling. They answered them one by one out of panic. They shouted and screamed until I couldn't understand what they were saying.

Then, we heard screams of distress and fear outside. Sky and I looked at each other and quickly headed outside the house. When we got outside, we were shocked by the dark cloud caused by the consecutive explosions of the volcanoes.

Ashes fell from the sky like snow in winter. But something caught my eye. Countless monsters of various sizes and forms soared in the sky. They were flying types, but I estimated there were also terrestrial monsters.

This is the day I didn't want to happen. But witnessing this right now told me it had already begun.

"Armageddon," Sky exclaimed.
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