Chapter 53: The House Without Stairs
As days turned into weeks, the bond between Flora and Andoy deepened as friends. Three times a week, Andoy would pick Flora up from the university; they shared simple meals at local eateries or spent their Sundays wandering through the city's landmarks.
From the thrill of amusement parks to the quiet serenity of Ocean Park, their moments were filled with laughter and stories. With every meeting, the joy in Flora's heart grew. Though she knew these moments were fleeting—shadowed by her duty as a sugo of the diwata—she could not deny the warmth she felt whenever she was with Andoy.
Two months after Flora introduced Andoy to Romeo as a friend, Romeo began to notice the frequency of their meetings. Despite being consumed by his mission against the rebels, he couldn't help but keep a watchful eye on her from a distance.
From the sanctuary of his black car, he followed them in secret, ensuring Flora was safe and comfortable. Despite his high rank as a General, a part of him remained restless. He didn't like seeing Flora so happy and free with Andoy—yet he had no legitimate reason to intervene. He saw that her smiles were genuine and that Andoy harbored no ill intentions. In his heart, he knew he could not dictate her life, no matter how fierce his protective instincts were.
Still, his worry never truly faded. Sometimes, when he lacked the time to watch her himself, he would dispatch his subordinates to ensure her safety.
One morning, while in his car with Abby and Peter, Romeo saw them again. Flora and Andoy were walking together, their hands entwined, lost in a fit of laughter.
Abby and Peter were stunned. "Wait, is this real? Our little sister is with another guy?" Abby asked, her voice a mix of shock and a hint of envy.
"Who is that guy? Why do they look so close?" Peter added, disbelief etched on his face.
Romeo answered quietly, "He's Flora's friend. An ordinary Filipino. He isn't doing anything wrong, so don't worry."
Abby frowned at Romeo's calm tone. "General, seriously? You're okay with this? Shouldn't you be the one by her side? He might take her away from you!"
Peter slammed his hand down, his eyes filled with determination. "General, just give the word! I can get him out of her way if you order it!"
Romeo sighed, irritated. "Stop this nonsense. As long as Flora is happy and safe, I see no reason to move against him."
But Abby was relentless. "But General, look at them! They look like a couple! Aren't you even a little bit jealous?"
Romeo shook his head. "Abby, why are you so persistent? Flora is an adult; it's only normal for her to have suitors."
Abby didn't back down. "General, if you let them keep going on dates and shopping together, they'll end up together! You'll lose your chance!"
Romeo gently pushed her back. "Would you please sit properly? Why are you forcing me on Flora? I treat her as a sister!"
Abby suddenly shouted, "General, you're the only one saying that! Flora has liked you for a long time! Even when we were kids, her admiration was obvious. But because you are our General, she chose to admire you as a soldier!"
Peter nodded. "Abby's right, General. Flora loves you deeply. Even if you call each other siblings, you aren't blood-related. One day, either you or Flora will look for a partner—we'd rather it be you staying by her side for life!"
Romeo shook his head, visibly fed up. "Even you, Peter? I care for Flora, but that is far from wanting her as a wife."
"General," Abby pressed, "you're the only one who can give her a good life! Do you really feel nothing for her?"
Romeo looked out the window, his eyes trailing Flora's joyful laughter. Deep down, he felt a sharp pang—an unexplainable irritation. "The truth is... it irritates me to see them together. I don't know why, but it bothers me because I should be the one with her. I'm used to her company. Because I'm comfortable with her, I get annoyed when she chooses that man over me."
He quickly added, "But I have no right to stop her. She's at an age where she can decide for herself. Someday, she will leave us and build her own life."
"That's not true!" Abby countered. "You've always done everything for her. Flora would choose you over that guy any day!"
Romeo looked down. "I'm not saying I dislike Flora as a woman. But I don't think I'm the one for her. I can't give her the happy life she desires."
"But General," Abby argued, "we've seen how you care for her. When peace finally comes, we want Flora to be there with you—cared for and happy, just as you've always made her."
Romeo sighed heavily. "I am willing to care for her even if I am not her husband. But Abby, there are three reasons why I cannot choose her. First, I prefer to see her as a younger sister. Second, she is too kind and gentle; she doesn't belong in the world of a soldier. And third... because she's older than me, and she never lets me forget it!"
He flicked Abby's forehead, signaling the end of the conversation. "Stop thinking about it. No matter what happens, I won't take Flora as my wife."
As the car pulled away, Romeo watched Flora one last time. In his heart, he knew he had promised her a happy life, but he felt his time with her was limited. He didn't want her to experience the pain he had known. A soldier's life was short and uncertain. Even if it hurt to see her with Andoy, he would endure it so she could find someone who could give her a reason to keep living, even after Romeo was gone.
Days passed, and Romeo's mission against the Katipunan continued. They successfully tracked several weapon caches and captured fifteen Filipinos. However, only four were armed, casting doubt on whether all of them were truly rebels.
"General, we caught fifteen, but only four had weapons. I don't think they're all rebels," Peter reported.
"They joined for the money; they are still accountable," Romeo replied.
"If we turn them over to Manila, the punishment will be severe," Abby added.
Romeo stared out the window. "Contact the Governor-General of Laguna. Request an appointment."
Abby grew concerned. "General, bringing captives to Laguna is risky. The order is to take them to Manila. The Viceroy might see this as defiance. He wants a public execution as a warning."
Romeo knew the weight of the decision. He wanted to crush the rebellion, but he felt pity for those caught in the crossfire of poverty. After a moment, he ordered the car to be prepared.
"Where are we going?" Abby asked.
"To visit a friend," Romeo replied.
They traveled to a town in Laguna, stopping before a massive mansion. Romeo stepped out alone, followed by a confused Abby and Peter.
"General, I feel the presence of a sugo of the diwata inside," Abby whispered.
Suddenly, a woman in an elegant Filipiniana dress emerged. It was Maria Clara, one of the subordinates of the sugo. She approached with a smile that carried an air of authority.
"It is good to see you again, Maria Clara," Romeo greeted. "I wish to speak with your master."
Clara chuckled. "I'm glad you remember me, Romeo. However, my master has no interest in speaking with Spanish soldiers."
"I am not here to negotiate for Spain," Romeo said firmly. "I am here to ask for help for the Filipino people."
Clara's eyes turned sharp. "My master never helps without a reason. It is dangerous for her to intervene. I cannot let you through."
She bowed slightly. "My master has no responsibility to help you. Please, General, do not involve her in your problems."
Romeo looked up at the blue sky and laughed bitterly. "No responsibility? Ha!"
Suddenly, a massive surge of energy erupted from his body, making Abby and Peter tremble. "I was ready to die back then, but she saved me and pushed me onto this path," Romeo said. "I have carried this burden because of a meddling person who acted like a hero in front of me."
He stepped toward the gate. Clara warned, "If you enter, my master will consider it an act of insolence."
Romeo ignored her and walked past.
"You are brave, little General," Clara murmured.
As Romeo took another step, magic circles appeared on the ground. The earth beneath them vanished into glowing pits.
"General!" Abby screamed.
They plummeted into a different dimension—a void filled with thousands of doors.
"Magic Cube!" Abby shouted, transforming into her sugo form. Magic circles appeared, forming floating cubes for the team. "Is everyone okay?"
"Where are we?" Peter gasped.
Romeo looked around calmly. "This is the power of Juli, the subordinate of the sugo of Laguna. The House Without Stairs."
They entered a massive drawing room with 7-meter-high ceilings. On the ceiling, the number 9999 was inscribed.
"A dimension maze?" Peter asked.
"Yes," Romeo explained. "Every door leads to a different room. We have to find the room where Juli is to get out."
"Wait, if this is room 9999, we have to search thousands of rooms?" Abby cried.
Peter remembered the stories. The sugo of Laguna was said to be the strongest in the Philippines. Spanish generals had tried to capture her before, only to be trapped for days.
"While we're trapped, Laguna's people are free to attack. Stay sharp," Romeo warned.
After an hour of searching, they were exhausted. In the tenth room they entered, the number on the ceiling was 7690. The rooms were shuffling.
"Enough games!" Romeo roared, transforming into his sugo form. "We aren't here to waste time! Fight us now!"
He kicked open a door and froze. A powerful presence radiated from within. There sat Maria Clara, a man named Cris, and a young boy named Basilio.
"I appreciate you showing yourselves," Romeo said.
Cris smiled. "Even if we show ourselves, it doesn't mean we will take you to our master. She is currently having lunch."
Cris explained that the house had over ten thousand rooms that shifted every five minutes. "You could walk in circles forever."
"I am here for the sake of the Filipinos," Romeo said. "I am not Laguna's enemy."
Cris's smile turned bitter. "You've killed thousands of Filipino rebels whose only wish was freedom. Because of your loyalty to the Spanish, you can never be an ally to our master."
Romeo suppressed his irritation. "What must I do to speak with her?"
"As her guardians, we must protect her. Since you ignored Clara's plea, you have violated the rules," Cris replied. Chains tipped with blades slithered out from his clothes.
"I'll give you a chance, young General," Cris pointed to the door behind him. "Our master is in the next room. You may speak to her... if you can get past that door."
"So we just need to get through?" Romeo asked.
"Yes. But it won't be easy."
Romeo sighed. "I didn't want to fight, but this is better than searching ten thousand rooms."
Suddenly, Basilio vanished. Before anyone could react, three of Romeo's soldiers collapsed. Basilio had moved like the wind. He reappeared behind Romeo.
"Big brother, don't be mad, but you're no match for us."
Romeo swung his knife, but Basilio vanished like mist. The boy reappeared above, launching a kick. Romeo blocked it but was sent reeling.
He's strong, Romeo thought.
As Romeo retreated, his floating knives attacked, but Basilio dodged. Suddenly, a spectral tiger leaped from a magic circle and bit Romeo's arm. Romeo stabbed it, but he stared at his wound in shock. He was bleeding despite his diwata protection.
"We are made of diwata power," Clara explained. "We can bypass any protection if the source is weaker than ours. You must use physical objects or your own power, not just your aura."
Cris's chains lashed out. Romeo blocked them, but Cris was too fast. He closed the distance and landed a heavy punch that sent Romeo flying into a wall.
"General!" Abby screamed.
Peter, enraged, transformed. Sand erupted from his body. "1st Sand Art: Hand of Wrath!"
The sand fist surged toward Cris, who dodged and leaped at Peter. Peter grew into a sand giant, but Cris bound Peter's arms with chains and punched through the giant's head.
"Peter!" Abby cried. She cast her spell: "First Cube Art: Super Cube!"
Red magic cubes swarmed Cris. The blades of his chains couldn't dent them, forcing him to retreat.
Their abilities are insane, Abby thought.
Distracted, she didn't notice Basilio behind her. A hand touched her back. "No... impossible. He's too fast!"
Basilio appeared beside her, then above her, holding her head. If he breaks my protection, I'll die!
Before Basilio could strike, a hail of knives flew at him, but they passed through him as if he were made of air. Romeo leaped in, pulling Abby away. "Don't let them hit you directly!"
Romeo and Cris clashed again, their speed shattering the floor and ceiling.
Abby watched them, feeling a deep sense of despair. Basilio appeared in front of her again, his hand on her neck. "Ate, have you ever wondered what it feels like to lose your head?"
Abby froze. She looked at Romeo, but he was locked in struggle. Peter was busy fighting off spectral animals. No one could save her.
"You know, I can turn anything I touch into a bomb," Basilio whispered. "And I've touched you many times today. Don't interfere with my brother Cris's fight."
Abby's mind panicked. Why can't I move? Is this the end?
"You have no way to protect yourself," Basilio insulted. "You're the weakest in the group. Just stay quiet. You can't help them anyway."
The weakest?
A memory surfaced. Abby at eighteen, training late into the night. A thirteen-year-old Romeo had found her.
"I want to be strong like the others," she had replied, ashamed.
Romeo had held her bruised hands. "You aren't weak, Ate Abby. Your power is in the Magic Cube. You have your own way to help this team."
Back in the present, a surge of energy erupted from Abby. Her fear vanished.
"I might be weaker than the others, but I will do everything for the General!" she screamed, grabbing Basilio's arm.
Basilio was stunned. "I told you to be quiet!"
Abby slammed her forehead into his. "Blow me up then! But I'm not letting go!"
"2nd Cube Art: Cage of Cube!"
A massive black cube encased them both. "I'm taking you with me!"
Basilio felt a flicker of genuine fear. He couldn't phase out of the black cube. He looked at her face—the face of someone willing to die.
Nearby, Romeo and Cris continued their devastating duel.
"I will be useful to General Romeo," Abby whispered, clutching Basilio tight. "I'll help him win, even if it kills me!"
End of Chapter.