PREVIOUSLY:
Ethan and his companions successfully escorted Raven to the ruins of the Convent of the Sisters of Light. Meanwhile, Jin Ae has set her sights on her eleventh victim—Caleb Martinez, the handsome and dangerous owner of a high-end city bar.
"Thank you, Caleb," Jin Ae whispered, her eyes locked onto his.
THE CONTINUATION
"Hey, Ana, I have to go. My friend just arrived outside," Caleb said, breaking the tension. "It was a pleasure chatting with you. I truly hope to see you again soon."
He held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, then took her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles before disappearing into the crowd. As Jin Ae watched him walk away, the mask of "Ana" slipped. The way Caleb had looked at her—the warmth in his eyes—triggered a memory she had tried to bury.
"Ambrose," she whispered to the empty air.
FLASHBACK: 12th Grade
Before the curses, the blood, and the clans, there was just high school. Jin Ae, Jasmine, Catherine, and Ambrose were inseparable. But beneath their laughter, a messy web of secrets existed: Jin Ae was hopelessly in love with her childhood friend, Ambrose, while Ambrose only had eyes for Jasmine.
"Ambrose! Are you busy tonight?" Jin Ae called out, spotting him crossing the school grounds.
Ambrose stopped and grinned. "Why? Where are we going?"
"Did you forget? Today is my birthday!" Jin Ae teased, walking up to him. "We're having a small celebration. You must come, and don't you dare be late."
Before he could answer, Jasmine and Catherine approached them, already mid-argument.
"What is he doing here?" Jasmine asked, nodding toward Ambrose. "I have something important to tell you, Jin Ae."
"Enough, Jasmine," Catherine sighed. "It was your fault anyway. He was just protecting himself from you."
"See?" Ambrose chimed in, pointing at Catherine. "Even 'Monday' is defending my rights as a victim of your barbarity!"
"Barbarity? Really?" Jasmine snorted, playfully punching his shoulder.
"Are you two fighting again?" Jin Ae asked with a weary smile.
"He started it!" Jasmine insisted.
"No, she started it. She's a monster!" Ambrose retorted.
Jin Ae watched them bicker, a familiar pang of jealousy hitting her heart. They always debated—even when the school debate season was long over. It was their "thing," a spark that Jin Ae wished she had with him.
"Alright, that's enough," Jin Ae interrupted. "I want all of you at my party tonight. We prepared food and drinks. Just a small, simple celebration."
"A 'small' party, huh? I know you, Jin Ae," Catherine said skeptically. "I'll try to be there, but I have to finish my assignments before Miss Jeong scolds me again."
"No! My besties have to be there," Jin Ae pouted, her eyes welling up with fake tears. "Or else I'll be so miserable on my special day."
"Okay, fine! I'll go," Catherine laughed, giving in. "But you promise—just a small group? No huge crowds? You know I have agoraphobia."
"Of course, Monday. Just us and maybe a few relatives," Jin Ae promised with a broad smile.
THE CHOI MANSION
Hours later, Jasmine and Catherine stood at the gates of the Choi Mansion, staring at a red carpet, flashing cameras, and a line of luxury cars. Famous celebrities and local politicians were everywhere.
"Out of 100% of the things Jin Ae promises, only about 5% is ever the truth," Catherine deadlocked. "The rest is pure fiction."
"That's fine, we're already here," Jasmine said, spotting a familiar figure. "And don't even think about running home—Jin Ae already saw us!"
Jin Ae came running toward them, glowing in a designer gown. "I'm so happy you're here! I was just about to get upset."
"Jin, our clothes aren't suitable for this," Jasmine whispered, gesturing to their casual outfits. "It's embarrassing."
"Oh my gosh, my driver totally forgot to deliver the outfits I picked for you!" Jin Ae lied effortlessly. "But come on, the dresses are in my room. Quick, follow me!"
She pulled her friends through the mansion and into her massive suite.
"Those two boxes on the bed are for you. Open them, quick!"
Catherine looked at the boxes, then at the bustling party downstairs. "You said it was a simple party, Jin. You know I can't handle crowds."
"Monday, listen to me," Jin Ae said, her voice softening. "I knew if I told you how big it was, you wouldn't come. I told a white lie because I want you to fight your phobia. Besides, we're right here with you. You're safe."
"Enough talking," Jasmine said, opening a box to find a stunning gown. "Let's try these on. They're beautiful! Thank you, bestie."
"Only the best for my girls," Jin Ae smiled. "I know you're both going to look incredible."
FLASHBACK: THE CHOI MANSION (Continued)
Outside on the grand lawn, the air was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and the chatter of the elite. Ambrose stood stiffly by his father as he was introduced to a circle of influential politicians.
"My son will be the next Mayor of our town," his father declared proudly. "As soon as he graduates senior high, I'm sending him straight to law school."
Ambrose shifted uncomfortably. "Dad, excuse me... I'm going to go find Jin Ae."
He stepped away quickly, leaving the parents behind. Mr. Choi beamed at the boy's father. "We may not even need to arrange a marriage for my granddaughter. It seems the children are finding their own way to keep our clans united."
However, Ambrose's mother, Felicity, frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea. These children have minds of their own. We shouldn't dictate their lives."
Jin Ae's mother, Ara Choi, nodded in agreement. "Felicity is right. They are still so young."
Mr. Choi and Mr. San Segundo shared a sigh. To change the subject, Ambrose's father asked, "And what about your grandson, Mr. Choi? Where is he?"
"He's still in Seoul," Mr. Choi replied, leaning back. "Correct me if I'm wrong, dear, but isn't he in K-pop training? Gosh, I'm too old for that. The world keeps evolving, but I'm still happy listening to Elvis."
The two men began to hum an old Elvis tune, but Mrs. Choi broke the tension as the maids arrived, carrying a massive, glistening roasted lechon.
"That's enough singing," she laughed. "The star of the night is here!"
Inside the mansion, Ambrose was heading toward the stairs when the bedroom door opened. He froze. His three friends were descending the staircase, but his eyes locked onto only one.
"You look... incredible, Jasmine," Ambrose breathed, unable to look away.
Jasmine gave him a playful, confident smirk. "I've been beautiful for a long time, but thank you for noticing."
Jin Ae and Catherine watched the exchange from the step above. Jin Ae's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She nudged Catherine. "Hey, let's go eat. I'm starving. Right, Monday?"
Catherine caught the hint immediately. "Yes, let's go."
"Wait!" Ambrose called out, realizing he'd ignored the others. "You look beautiful today too, Monday. And you as well, Jin Ae."
"Thanks," Jin Ae said, her voice light but sharp as she brushed past him, giving him a playful shove. "But Jasmine is right—the three of us have been beautiful for a long time. You're just slow."
"Hey! Why are you such a bully?" Ambrose laughed.
"Good for you!" Jasmine added, laughing as she chased after Catherine and Jin Ae toward the buffet.
Once they were settled at a table, Catherine leaned closer to Jin Ae, her voice low. "You like him, don't you?"
Jin Ae didn't look up from her plate. "What are you talking about, Monday? No. We're just friends."
"I don't think so," Catherine pushed gently. "I know you, girl."
Jin Ae finally looked up, her expression a mix of sadness and resolve. "I can't. I won't hurt Jasmine. She's like a sister to me... you both are. I promise, I'm okay."
Catherine sighed, wanting to say more, but she could see the walls Jin Ae had built around her heart.
BACK TO THE PRESENT
The peace of the memory shattered.
At the edge of the village, Erlinda stopped in her tracks, her eyes snapping toward the mountains. She growled, realizing the ruse.
"I don't have time for this—it was a trap!" she hissed to her followers. "Raven is already at the church. Move! To the Church of the Sisters of Light, now!"
She vanished into the trees with her disciples trailing behind her like shadows.
Watching from the brush, Mang Jose and Lochia realized their plan to stall her had failed. Erlinda was too smart.
"We have to warn them," Lochia said urgently. "We couldn't trick her for long."
With a sudden shimmer of moonlight, the two of them transformed into powerful birds. With a heavy beat of their wings, they took to the sky, racing the darkness toward the church.
THE RUINS OF THE LIGHT CONVENT
Inside the shattered remains of the church, Raven and Ethan finally reached a heavy door deep within the structure. To their surprise, it remained perfectly intact, secured by an ancient padlock.
"How do we open it?" Ethan asked, scanning the area for a lever or a crowbar.
"It's strange that the lock survived the earthquake," Raven mused. "But I have the key. Sister Marisa gave it to me for safekeeping." She slid the key into the lock; it turned with a heavy, satisfying click.
As the door swung open, a cold, heavy air rushed out. Ethan hesitated, a sense of dread pooling in his stomach. "Are you sure the book is in here?"
"Yes, Kuya Ethan," Raven replied firmly.
They stepped inside and stopped dead. In the center of the room, a medium-sized hole had been torn into the floor, pulsing with a rhythmic, sickening red light.
"A portal?" Ethan whispered, his hand going to his weapon.
"It looks like the curse is bleeding out from here," Raven said, her face pale. "It has to be sealed." She looked around the room, but aside from the glowing hole, the walls were lined with nothing but ancient, dusty books.
"The book, Raven—where is it?"
Raven closed her eyes and raised her hand. Suddenly, a thick volume bound in weathered leather flew from a high shelf, landing perfectly in her palm. she flipped through the pages rapidly, her eyes widening. "Impossible..."
"What is it?"
"It says here... to reverse the curse and close the portal, I need the blood of four beings—two of light and two of darkness."
Before Ethan could respond, the room began to vibrate. The low, melodic sound of chanting filled the air, like dozens of voices praying in perfect unison.
"The nuns," Raven whispered. "The ones I told you about... they were trapped in the prayer room during the earthquake. This is that room. It was hidden and shielded by their constant prayers."
Ethan immediately cast a spell to open his Third Eye. The room transformed. The shadows retreated, and he saw them—the translucent, glowing souls of the nuns, still kneeling in a circle around the altar.
"Kuya? Are you okay?" Raven asked, noticing Ethan staring at the empty space near the altar.
"I can see them," Ethan murmured.
"Where? I can't see anything!"
"Give me your hand," Ethan said, reaching out. "I'll show you what I see."
BATTLE AT THE THRESHOLD
Outside, the atmosphere was chaotic. Erlinda and her disciples had arrived, but they were met with a wall of fur and fangs. Baekhyun, Akihiko, and Kaito stood their ground, blocking the path. Just as the first wave of attacks began, Mang Jose, Lochia, Jasmine, and Catherine skidded to a halt beside them.
"Go inside and help Ethan!" Baekhyun shouted over the roar of the wind. "Some of Erlinda's men have already slipped past us—they're moving underground!"
"Got it, Kuya!" Jasmine cried. She and Catherine raced into the church.
Lochia stepped forward, her eyes glowing with defiance as she faced her twin. "Our kind cannot enter the inner sanctum, Erlinda. Not even your Abwak disciples. Whether they fly as crows or burrow through the earth, that room is sacred. You know the rules as well as I do."
"But if that's true, how did Raven get in?" Akihiko asked, confused. "She's an aswang, too."
"Have you forgotten?" Kaito reminded him, his eyes never leaving the enemy. "Raven took the vows. She walked the path of the Beateryo to follow her aunt."
"Only my granddaughter has the purity to enter and exit that church," Mang Jose added proudly.
Erlinda's face contorted with rage as her Abwak—the crow-shifting aswangs—shrieked from the trees, waiting for the command to strike.
TO BE CONTINUED...