Agercia Series 1: Her Finest Betrayal

AGATHA and her father were in the yard having a hand-to-hand combat battle while her mother cooked dinner in their kitchen.

She was only ten years old when she was taught by her father in the field of combat. Her parents let her do what she wants to do but in return, she has to learn to defend herself. Agatha's parents want to give her a normal life but it is very difficult to give if they are hiding in the dark and preparing for the coming danger.

Agatha was defeated for the third time and could never surpass her father's fighting prowess. "I'm tired Dad, We've been fighting for two hours but it's hard to beat you " she complained.

"You shouldn't howl, you can't say that when your opponent tries to kill you Agatha" her father exclaimed.

Agatha did nothing but frown "But Dad, no one wants to kill us, right?. Fighting is just your hobby, that's why you just want to teach me right?" she asked her father, convincing herself that no harm awaited them. She is afraid to think that if something bad happens to them, what is important to her is safety and good life with her family "Please Dad let's rest first-"

She stopped at what she was about to say when suddenly a small explosion came from inside their home. She was about to run inside the house when her father stopped her "M-mom-"

Her father grabbed her arm and took her to a secret passage to the basement to hide. Agatha didn't know what was going on, she was very worried because her mother was still inside the house.

"Just stay here, I'll just find your Mom" her father pleaded to stay inside and not come out until he says so.

She nodded and tried to hide her fear. "Go ahead Dad, I'll be fine."

She was left inside the basement and waiting for her parents to return. She is restless and feels doubly anxious because her Father has not yet returned. "Mom, Dad Please be safe" she murmured.

Agatha didn't want to disobey her father but after almost five minutes had passed, they still hadn't come back with her Mom. "I s-hould defend my family" Agatha took a deep breath and dared to go out of the basement to look for her parents. Though her knees were trembling with fear, she tried to muster up her courage.

Agatha heard two loud gunshots that caused her to fall in fear to the floor. "D-dad" she stammered. She saw her father falling to the floor with her mother who was already covered with blood.

"R-run" she heard her father say.

She did not want to leave them so instead of running she slowly approached her parents who were lying on the floor.

"I said go-" her father's low growl.

The armed men who shot and harassed their home suddenly disappeared. She didn't even see the shameless man commit this folly "D-dad" she stammered and looked tearfully at her father as well as her lifeless mother.

Her hands trembled as she caressed her father's face "D-dad, I'll call an ambulance and police... Please hold on" she pleaded. She looked at her mother again and her sobs grew louder "M-mom! Wake up!."

"A-gatha, R-run- and d-don't come back to this place. P-romise me you will live normally... Promise me that you will never hold a knife."

"Dad! Please don't leave me!."

Kahit nanghihina ang ama ni Agatha ay sinubukan niyang abutin ang pisngi ng kanyang anak "Run Agatha before they come back to clean up his mess."

"No Dad!, I can't leave you like this" she uttered.

"They will also kill you- so save yourself while there is still time" her father pleaded.

Agatha wept as her father suddenly gasped for breath and gradually closed his eyes "Dad!!, Dad! wake up!! Dad!Please wake up!" she screamed and cried hysterically. Her body trembles and anger builds up in her heart, "I-m sorry Dad, b-ut I won't promise anything" she cries as she holds her parents hand tightly.

Agatha knew that they had been hiding something for a long time. Reasons why they have to hide and move to another place over and over again.

"They are monsters!" she screamed and panting in tears. "Mom! Dad! I can't handle this" she whispered.

Agatha kissed her parent's forehead for one last time and apologized for what she intended to do. She staggered as she stood up and bowed to give them her farewell. She took a deep breath and wiped her wet cheek. "I'll be back soon" she promised.

Agatha decided to burn the whole household along with her parents' bodies. "Sorry Mom and Dad, This is the only thing I can do to save my life. Forgive me, I promise I will avenge your death."

She was in front of their house and watched the blazing fire. She hugs herself and pours out all the pain and anger through tears "So this is hell" she uttered.

It was raining hard and the road was very dark. Agatha was walking on tiptoe, weak and near fainting. She was on her way to Bella's house, her only friend and steward of their property.

Agatha was too close to the door of the house but she no longer reached to knock. She had lost a lot of blood so she lost consciousness.

"Agatha?!" Bella shouted and quickly approached the unconscious Agatha.

When Agatha woke up, she was looking for her parents but she remembered the nightmare that had happened. She almost broke all the furniture in the room. Fortunately, Bella came right away to stop her.

Bella hugged her tightly as she cried hysterically and gasped for breath. "Stop it, your wound may bleed" Bella pleads with the friend.

Agatha doesn't know what to do, it drives her crazy every time she remembers what happened to her parents. She didn't know what to do because no one could help her but herself.

Her friend tried to calm her down when Bella's mother, entered the room. "Anak-nandito lang ako para sayo. Hindi ko man alam ang mga nangyayari pero handa akong damayan."

Hindi makapagsalita si Agatha. Sa bawat tanong ni Aling Cecil ay puro pagtangis ang kanyang sagot. Gumuho ang mundo niya ng tuluyan... bawat segundo ng buhay niya- unti-unti siyang dinudurog ng kanyang konsensya. Hindi niya alam kung paano bumangon mag-isa ngayong walang natitira sa kaniya kundi ang galit at puot na lulan ng kanyang puso.

"Hindi kita pipilitin na mag kwento anak-"

"I have been dead since I knocked on your door," Agatha said suddenly then looked at Bella.

"I died in the fire and my body was burned along with my parents- remember that. You don't know me and we have never met. Leave this house and don't come back-" utos niya sa mag-ina.

"A-ano bang pinagsasabi mo?" Bella asked confused and worried about Agatha.

"I'm dead!- my parents are dead too. Yan ang paniniwalaan ninyo- dahil lahat ng buhay natin ay malalagay sa panganib kapag nalaman nilang buhay pa ako" Agatha said firmly "L-eave and forget about me."

Bella no longer asked and nodded "Mag Ingat ka" . They need to trust Agatha, that's all they can do to help her.

"Saan ka na ngayon pupunta?" Aling Cecil asked.

"I don't know, it's up to where destiny will take me," Agatha said then tried to stand up.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Aling Cecil asked contrary to what Agatha would do "Nanghihina ka pa."

"I'm not leaving, You two are the ones who have to leave right now... Trust me."

"Pero Paano ka?" Bella asked.

"I will look for him... the person who killed my parents... Dad mentioned 'his', so I'm sure he was a man " Agatha replied then forcibly drove the two to leave the place "Make sure you don't show up anymore- we're not connected.... You'd better forget about me."

She was left alone and locked up herself for a few days and wondered what steps to take. She doesn't have anything to hold on to, it's as if she's groping in the dark to find information. She was traumatized by what had happened and the only flesh of her dream was the death of her parents. She felt that there was no morning to come and no light to shine for her.

Every day she blames herself for doing nothing to save her parents. She became weak, cowardly and defenseless... She regretted it every second of her life. She would have helped her father deal with those monsters. May posibilidad na buhay pa ang kanyang mga magulang sa ngayon "I'm such a coward and worthless daughter!" she said and struck herself repeatedly.

Ilang araw na rin siyang hindi kumakain at naliligo, aalis na sana siya sa bahay na iyon ngunit hindi niya alam ang susunod na gagawin.... Mas delikado kung kikilos siya agad.

Agatha leaned over as she stared at the door and wondered if she would be able to get out of her hiding place. She saw a piece of paper tucked under the door... even though she was scared and nervous, she picked up the envelope and read it.

There is an implied knight logo with a crossed sword on the back of the envelope and at the bottom is written a word "Triad" she murmured.

THREE YEARS PASSED when she received the card from the Triad and now she is starting to do her plan. She spent three years preparing for her return. And by the time she set foot in the territory of Agercia, she would have prepared her best dish revenge for the person who is in arrears with her.

"Ara, get in," said the woman with the black posture.

She took a deep breath before entering the quadrangle. She will risk her life for her goal, she has only one reason to live. To give the appropriate compensation for the life lost of her parents.

Agatha passed away, a long time over a year ago with the burnt bodies of her parents. And now she is a different person, She is Ara the numb with a cold heart of pure revenge.

Ten people were inside the quadrangle and nine-person she had to be knocked down. She had to keep breathing after this fight to enter Agercia and only then will her vengeance begin.

"You have time to end this rivalry, the one who remains standing will be the one to pass and enter the organization" said the woman sitting at the top of the battlefield.

Everyone took their weapon that they can use. Someone gets a katana, machete, and other types of swords. While Ara took the easiest to carry.

The holder of the game was stunned when Ara picked up a dagger. "That woman is intriguing, let's see how she can defend herself with a dagger " the game master commented then caressed her chin.

Just a few minutes ago, only four people were standing and fighting including Ara who's holding a dagger covered in blood. Ara quickly slammed the katana using her dagger then tripped the opponent hard. When the woman fell, she immediately hit her on the back with her elbow so that she could not stand anymore. She grabbed the woman's head tightly and attacked her neck to make her unconscious. She didn't want to kill just because of the contest to get into the organization. She only attacks and deflects but she doesn't kill her opponents.

She is already weak because of the wounds she sustained but there is another opponent left. She saw how big the body of the man holding the machete was. She gulped and positioned herself while holding tightly her dagger.

She looked at him sharply, ready to attack the opponent. She targeted his hand holding a machete with her dagger. She intended to fight with force and not with a knife. The man did not expect Ara to throw the knife into his hand so he never had a chance to dodge. When the man dropped his machete she quickly ran towards the opponent to attack him. The man grabbed her thigh so she stepped on his knee and jumped to attack the man's nape with her elbow. She gripped his neck tightly and turned to knock the man upside down. When she had a chance she immediately punched up his jaw hard and targeted his snout until he fainted.

Ara stood up though she was struggling due to the bleeding wounds, she picked up the dagger she had used and returned to the table. The game master and the people who witnessed the battle were shocked by what they just watched. Ara was able to win with just a small knife, she knocked down five people, and surprisingly she didn't kill even one.

"I t-hink we already have a winner," the game master's announcement. The spectators shouted and applauded, while Ara couldn't even smile at her victory. "Mga halang ang kaluluwa" she whispered.

Now that she has won the battle, she can enter Agercia and begin her revenge plan. She was assigned to be Sandra/protector of the first Archon. Upon her entry into Agercia, her plan flows smoothly.

Today she will meet the First Archon, the person she will need to protect and only now does she feel anxious. She joined Agercia to find the killer who killed her parents and now she will be able to fulfill her aspirations with the help of the organization.

She feels anxious because of the dangers she will face, she doesn't know the destiny waiting for her and it scares her to death. Behind the door in front of her was the person she was meant to encounter, the First Archon. She knocked three times, a mestizo man with brown eyes opened the door for her.

"You're here, come in and wait for Lord Miller," the man with brown eyes said. "By the way, I'm Than t-h-a-n" Than spelled his name "As in Tan, not Dan, I'm The butler," he said then winked at her.

She immediately accepted his outstretched hand "Ara, the new Sandra. Nice to meet you."

The man smiled and invited her inside "You mentioned earlier the name Lord Miller, so the Archon is male and not female-"

"Why? Is there a problem with my gender?" biglang nagsalita ang lalaki kasing lamig pa ng yelo ang boses.

Ara immediately turned around and suddenly bowed when she saw the First Archon "Patawad po Lord Miller."

The first Archon laughed weakly "You will be my Sandra?. Can you protect me?. So a girl will protect me... seriously?"

Ara was insulted by Archon's question "A woman" she corrects "A woman will protect you."

"Hmm fine, prove to me that you are worthy to be part of my team," said the First Archon.

"My Lord-" sabat ni Than.

"What? She's a Sandra , she must be able to handle me" the Archon exclaimed.

Ara stood up straight and looked at the Archon "I will" Ara's dangerous answer.

The Archon's eyes narrowed because of Ara's answer, he rudely threw a dagger at his new Sandra.

Ara immediately caught the dagger without flickering. There was no emotion on her face and her gaze was only focused on the First Archon.

Than, the butler of the first Archon couldn't believe it. When he saw Ara cached the dagger effortlessly. "Impressive" Than commented.

"Not bad," the first Archon said then stood up on the seat "Let's go, we still have work to clean up," the Archon said then walked out of the office with his butler.

Ara was left inside and let out a deep breath and suppressed annoyance. She can't annoy the First Archon because her plan depends on her work. She has already passed the entrance of Agercia. She can't make a mistake just because of her ego.

She followed the first Archon and his butler Than, on the first day she dived and immediately embarked on a dangerous mission with the first Archon.

"Zyl, track the target" command of the Archon.

"He is near the bay, They are only 12 kilometers away from us, I think they are in their base. Will I call backups?" Zyl said.

"No, we can handle it. They are just like pests that are easy to kill" the Archon exclaimed.

"Ahm, I already called the team?" Zyl said skeptically.

"You really don't know how to obey!" Archon replied.

"Get me fire Zandro, ganun lang kadali" Zyl annoys the first Archon.

"You dumbass!." he hissed.

"You will attack their camp and then only two people will fight with you at babae pa ang isa, nababaliw ka na ba? you crazy asshole!" Zyl said.

"Don't mind them, they are friends so they talk like that" Than said to Ara.

"I noticed, they are both lunatic-" she whispered.

"What did you just say?!" simultaneous shout of the two men.

"Nothing?" She denied it when she saw the first Archon's sharp gaze.

"That's fine, he is really a lunatic!" Zyl replied.

"What?!You're a lunatic!!... just do your work motherf*cker!." The two didn't stop arguing so Ara just sighed and started asking herself if she entered the right team. Lately, the Archon has been very cold and rude to her so her first impression was a scary and heartless man but now it was different from what she thought.

The two only stopped arguing when they reached the enemy's camp. "Don't die," Archon said before getting out of their car.

Everyone took guns while Ara just took a pair of daggers and hid the gun in her waistband. "Seriously? a dagger? You will die if- "

"Mind your own business," she said and immediately proceeded into the building.

"Woah!! Your Sandra is weird!" Zyl said to Zandro.

"Yeah she is, She just caught the dagger that Lord Miller threw in just a snap earlier" Than added.

Ara just rolled her eyes when hearing in the earpiece what Zyl and Than were saying.

"I'm in place" Salem interrupted.

Ara thought she was the only woman on the team, there were others. The speaker's voice was female so she was sure that the sniper was female.

"Lead the way," Zandro said.

"Isn't it dangerous if your Sandra only uses a dagger?" Salem said when she noticed Ara's hold.

She answered the sniper's question when a man suddenly appeared, she quickly bent to avoid the man's attack and when she was behind him she immediately stabbed him in the neck. "No" she answered sparingly.

Salem was slightly silent on the other line before speaking again "You're scary, I'm starting to like you. Let's have a drink later" Salem's invitation.

She grinned and didn't attempt to answer when the other opponents came out. When she got inside she realized that they had raided a drug laboratory.

SHE TRIED to be more careful in her every move. The First Archon and his team were just around. There were also cameras all around the mansion. She found out from her observation.

Sa iisang bubong lang sila lahat nakatira, ang butler na si Than at ang tracker na si Zyl pati na si Salem ay matagal ng naninirahan sa mansyon ng unang Archon at walang eksaktong oras ang kanilang mga trabaho. She then wondered how each of them would have a normal life if this is the situation they entered into.

"What's up" it was Salem.

Salem sat down next to her and handed her a glass of wine.

"You're an alcoholic?. You always have alcohol in your hand" he said then drank a shot.

"Kesa naman sayo na laging dagger ang hawak," Salem said sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes then gave Salem a half smile "Let's mind our own business. By the way, where's the first Archon?."

Salem drank first before answering her question "In the capitol, he is a congressman of this province and the first Archon in the organization."

"Congressman?" She asked in shock.

"Looks like you don't know anything yet, I'll introduce them all to you because you'll be with them for a long time or maybe for the rest of your life."

"Cong. Zandro Miller that's how people know him, but a First Archon to us. The parents of the First Archon died and no one knows what the cause was, theoretically dahil walang kasiguraduhan kung iyon nga ang tunay na naganap... Lord Miller was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. He loses consciousness in any situation so you are what he needs the most, a protector."

"Since when was he diagnosed?" Ara asked.

"Since his parents died."

Ara was slightly silent, she didn't expect them to have the same fate. "All right, I'll watch over him."

"You should because you're his Sandra. Moving forward, You already know the butler Than, he was from Spain and part of a Noble family. If you ask why he's a butler, all I know is that's an honor to their family. Don't ask why because I don't know either. While Zyl is a businessman here in the Philippines, he is the owner of Megan's Resorts and Hotels."

"What about you?" She suddenly asked.

"Me?, I'm no one. The first Archon just found me somewhere. He saved me from the brink of death so I serve him in return and gratitude. How about you?" Salem asked her back.

"I'm no one just like you, I have no ownership. I joined Agercia for a reason."

"Ano naman yon?" Salem asked in curiosity.

"I'm looking for someone" she answered sparingly.

"Who are you looking for? "Zyl interrupted and sat on the ledge of the balcony and sipped coffee.

"Person who is in arrears with me, he has to pay his debt" she answers honestly.

"He must be good at hiding. Look how scary your eyes are now," Zyl said then sipped his coffee again.

"Come on, Ara has an angelic face so he shouldn't be afraid" Salem laughed with a smirk.

"The word revenge is unbearable, it can change you into a monster so be careful. I'm just reminding you, the organization can't help you especially if you do badly. Its purpose is to provide sanctity and peace... not revenge." Zyl's cold response gazing at the dark sky.

"I'm aware" she answered sparingly and suddenly the atmosphere became quiet as no one attempted to speak again.

"You guys must be resting, our day has been too long," Zandro said who had just arrived.

Ara immediately stood up and bowed to the first Archon. "You don't have to do that, we're equal here as a team so you don't have to lower yourself," Zandro said then left them all on the balcony.

"You heard him, Treat us normally and we will all be good," Salem said then proceeded to leave to go to her room.

"Zandro is a good person, just don't abuse him. A friendly reminder" Zyl added then left her on the balcony.

Ara took a deep breath then decided to go to her room. She tried to fall asleep but she couldn't help but fall into deep thought so drowsiness wouldn't visit her either. She could not move inside the mansion because all her movements would be known by the tracker because of the CCTVs installed everywhere except in her room. For now, she has nothing else to do but protect the first Archon to earn everyone's trust.

"I doubt your protector will be trusted," Zyl said while watching the mansion's monitor.

"As long as she's not doing anything wrong, we have to try to trust her, just give her a chance," Zandro replied. "The organization gave her to us, wala na tayong magagawa."

"I check her background, her parents died when she was a kid and that's it... Wala na akong ibang nahanap kundi ang battle record niya sa Agercia. She knocked down five people to get into the Organization. And her only weapon was a dagger, she didn't even kill anyone... Let's just say she's got good attention that's why she didn't kill them but her strength as a woman is very disturbing." Zyl said.

"So what? Isn't that what we need in our team?" Zandro asked questioningly then sat down and faced the monitor. "You're just being paranoid."

"She said she's looking for someone so she joined Agercia. Isn't that a bad hint that she's here for revenge?" Zyl added.

"What sets her apart from us as well as other members of the organization?. We know that there are members that are still greedy for power so we should focus on them rather than judging her."

"And now you're defending her."

"I'm just giving her the benefit of the doubt" Zandro's defense of his new Sandra.

A few nights ago he noticed that his Sandra was always sneaking out of the mansion. And now he intends to follow her in case she leaves the mansion again. And he wasn't wrong, Ara sneaked out again so he followed where she was going.

Ara felt someone following her, she walked down the dark road and went to the park. She waits for the one following her to attack but it doesn't make any move. She walked quickly into the dark part of the park then immediately hid. When she saw the man following her she quickly moved behind him and stabbed his knife into the man's neck.

Ara sees the First Archon sprawled on the ground, she realizes that she is not the man being followed but the First Archon.

Ara immediately approached the First Archon then checked if he was still breathing "He's breathing" she whispered. She immediately called for help to clean up the body of the man who had attempted to take the life of the first Archon.

"What are you doing outside in the middle of the night?" Zyl shouted angrily at Ara who is silent and just let Zyl yell at her.

"Inatake si Lord Miller ng kanyang karamdaman kaya nawalan siya ng malay. I think Ara just saved Lord Miller from the man who wanted to kill him." Than interrupted.

"Don't blame her, she doesn't know what happened. Ara just did her job" Zandro suddenly said.

"Gising ka na pala," Salem said thoughtfully.

Zandro looked coldly at Ara "You" he pointed his index finger at his Sandra "Come into my office."

Ara immediately followed Zandro inside, she was nervous and didn't know how to explain.

"Why do you always sneak out of the mansion every midnight?" Archon's direct question to Ara.

She was a little taken aback and thought about what to say before opening her mouth"I feel suffocated" she answered honestly "So I go out at night to breathe some fresh air. I didn't tell you to follow me, My Lord. "

Zandro felt cold when he was suddenly called My Lord by Ara. He was very intrigued by his new Sandra. "I want to get to know you better, how did you become like that? What happened to you?." Zandro asked Ara a series of questions. "We don't know much about you, why don't you introduce yourself to them," he added.

"I've introduced myself to them, and there's nothing much to know about me. I'm doing my job the best that I can." Ara replied wisely "Isn't that enough?."

"How can I trust you if I know nothing about you," Zandro asked afterward.

"My Lord, I don't have to explain myself... I've already shown what kind of person I am, it's up to you whether you trust me or not."

When Ara left Archon's office, she immediately went to her room. When she got inside, she immediately went to the bathroom and underwent a cold drip of water from the shower. She was almost caught when she sneaked out, she had to be even more careful because her every move was guarded. After she took a bath she took out her cell phone hidden in her vault and typed in a number to call.

"Keep your men away from me," she says on the other line.

"What are you waiting for before you do an action?. You killed my men I sent to watch over you. I don't want you to fight alone, Ara."

"I will kill them all whenever you interfere with my decision. Papa, please trust me. This is not the right time to do an action."

She immediately dropped the call when suddenly someone was knocking on her bedroom door. "Ara?!, We have an emergency meeting. Lord Miller was waiting in the conference room" it was Than.

"All right, I'll just get dressed" she replied. Ara immediately put on a vest for protection and then put on black long sleeves and wear denim jeans. Alam niya kase na sa ganitong pagkakataon ay sasabak na naman sila sa panibagong mission.

After getting dressed she went to the conference room. Zandro is already there as well as the whole team. She sat down next to Salem and the Archon began to speak.

"This is a very urgent mission I just received. I know you all haven't slept yet but we don't have time to rest. This is a new mission given from above. She is the daughter of an Agercia member who has been missing for three years. She's my godmother's daughter. She's important to me so do everything you can to save her."

They all stood up and bowed then took all their weapons. "You should use this," Zandro said, then handed her a high caliber gun. Ara accepted the gun but she still did not let go of the dagger that she always used in fighting.

Their car stopped opposite an abandoned building. No one moved and waited for Salem's signal. "I'm already in the area. In my estimate, there are about ten people at the entrance. If we make noise, there will be a riot... Ara, Ikaw ang unang pumasok, I'm on your back."

"Enright" Ara replied then quickly entered the entrance. Next to enter was the First Archon. As expected Ara finished the guards with just her dagger. Even before the First Archon reached Ara, she knocked down the guards at the entrance.

"Good job Ara" she heard Salem compliment into the earpiece.

"You're godd*mn crazy Salem" Zyl replied "Are you enjoying watching the show?."

Salem meant for Ara to come in first because she knew what Ara would do. "Yep, you nailed it, Zyl. I didn't even use a bullet because Ara finished them right away. Look how talented she is. She makes my job more easier."

"Work and don't chatter" Zandro interrupts.

"Yes, boss," Salem exclaimed.

The whole team followed them inside and the riot started. There were so many guards inside and she could almost hold her breath at the number of attackers. "Shit! Is she that important" she thought.

She was gasping with exhaustion so she used the gun given by the First Archon. She saw a male attacker behind the First Archon so she immediately shot him without even blinking. "Gotcha!" she exclaimed.

Ara is across the room so she slammed the door of the remaining room on the fourth floor of the building. She immediately saw the target that needed to be rescued. But there were still three men on guard so she quickly knocked them down. The First Archon was behind her and ran towards the woman.

Zandro immediately released the woman from the shackles and tried to wake her up. "Agatha? Wake up?!" he said.

Ara was stunned when she heard the name of the First Archon mentioned. "What did you just say?" she couldn't help but ask.

"Agatha?!" the First Archon said again and then immediately carried the woman.