-chapter eighteen-

THIRD PERSON

A sharp and wooden chakram cut throught the field, slicing the calm winds and destructing the calmness. It landed on Sapphire's hand, the girl giving out a grin.

Sa tabi niya ay ngumiwi si Oliver. Pinanood niya ang dalaga na sumayaw-sayaw sa buong field habang pinapalipad ang chakram. He rolled his eyes and continued on meditating to charge his energy. Buti na lang nakita niya si Caspian kanina at nakakuha siya ng tips mula sa pinsan.

It's recommended that they practice on their energy first. Dapat maging malakas ito para ma-endure nila ang paggamit ng magic sa mahabang panahon. Kaya naman, contrary to popular belief where Oli should be firing bullets like crazy, nakaupo siya sa damo at limang puting bilog ang pumapalibot sa kaniya. The aura from each circles stretched to each other, enveloping him in a magic field.

Ilang segundo lang nangyari iyon dahil nawala ulit ang concentration niya. Oliver sighed, irritated. Napakahirap talagang pataasin ang energy lalo na't ang bilis niyang madistract.

Sapphire crossed her arms, staring at the other. Lumapit siya sa katabi at bumulong, "Ihagis ko kaya sa kaniya ang chakram."

Dierran, Wes' friend, laughed. "Baka patayin ka niya."

"Saan naman? Sa pagmamahal?" inikot niya ang mata. "Huwag na lang."

"No. I meant, he might really use his gun on you this time. Oli has a short temper despite his pleasant personality." Dierran chuckled.

Sapphire only hummed. Kita naman. Akala niya nga noon si Kairo ang mabilis magalit, pero puno lang pala ang isa ng kalokohan. Itong si Oliver kasi parang gusto laging makipag-away, lalo na 'pag nakikita si Marcella.

Sinulyapan ni Sapphire ang katabi na nakangiti habang pinapalit-palit ang nagagawang hangin sa kamay. Isa pa 'to, ang weird din. Sobrang masiyahin at 'di nawawalan ng ngiti sa labi. Minsan gusto niya na lang tanungin 'to ng harap-harapan kung nag-Jollibee at ubod ng saya.

Sapphire sighed and let her chakram fly again. She picked Wind as her mastery force. Tinutulungan nito ang paglipad at direksiyon na pupuntahan ng chakram. Being able to control wind means she can make the chakram fly anywhere she wants.

Hindi niya alam na naihagis niya pala ang chakram sa banda ng babae na nagt-train din. Nagulat ito't medyo nawalan ng balanse. With wide eyes, the girl turned around to look at them.

Medyo natulala pa si Sapphire nang magtama ang mata nila. Her blonde hair looked a little curly. She had an air of a rich girl around her. Napangiwi agad si Sapphire doon. The girl seemed like one of those popular girls in school who have mean personalities.

Dahil nga bigger person siya, yumuko si Sapphire at humingi ng tawad. Kahit ayaw niyang aminin, medyo may kasalanan naman talaga siya dahil ginulo niya ang pag-practice ng isa. Pero, siyempre, 'di niya na 'yon sasabihin kasi may matinding galit siya sa mga popular girls..

So it was such a surprise when the girl sweetly smiled at her and waved her hand dismissively. Tumayo ito't naglakad palayo habang sinisimulang i-braid ang buhok. Sapphire stared at the girl, both surprised and with a strange feeling.

The chakram felt cold in her hand.

The water in his hand was cold.

Theo can say that much as he tries to create a blob of water for the fourteenth time. However, once again, it fell on his hands and went back to the river in a rather disappointing way. Theo sighed and crossed his arms, wondering what's wrong.

Since he was busy thinking, his eyes drifted towards the pair who was busy training. He stared at Wes, the guy's sleeves were ripped out because of his partner's attacks. Pinipilit nitong gumawa ng ice shield habang umaatake rin sa kasama.

His partner wasn't also on the best condition, with some cuts on his shirt and a bleeding cheek. Oddly, kinuha na nito ang suot-suot na salamin. He initially thought the boy wasn't really physically strong to handle someone like Wes, pero may natutunan daw ito sa kaibigan na naglalaro ng sports.

Theo's eyes drifted to the small crowd that formed. Marami sa kanila ay babae na panay ang titig sa braso ni Wes. Theo think that must be challenging, having people's eyes on you, but Wes didn't look too affected. Blanko pa rin ang mukha nito at pokus lang sa laban.

As Theo attempted to create another blob of water, Wes successfully formed ice around the side of his stomach, just in time to shield himself from Baste's knife attack. They both stared at it before straightening up.

"You did it." tugon ni Baste at pinunasan ang dugo sa labi. Wes punched him hard on the stomach.

Wes hummed. "Took a lot of time."

Sebastian did not bother to argue, kahit na gustong-gusto niya. Kung si Gavin lang 'to, nahampas niya na ang ulo at sinabihan na 'anong took a lot of time? hindi pa nga tayo nakaka-isnag oras dito!'. He bite his tongue and told himself it's not Gavin.

Wes stared at him. "You're good at reading attacks."

Hindi alam ni Sebastian kung compliment iyon o hindi, pero ngumiti na lang siya.

"My sporty friend likes to practice with me." simpleng sagot niya.

Siyempre, Renèe would rather play dolls with Finn than kick balls with them. Pero kung nasa mood 'yong dalawa, hirap din sila ni Gavin. Paano ba naman, kapag nasa mood sila, 'yon ay dahil iritado sila o galit. To save their ego, Gavin and Sebastian just let themselves believe that they gave them a win.

"Hm." Wes nodded. "You have interesting friends."

Sebastian couldn't help but agree. They're one of the amazing things in his life. But with this game he's locked into, would he be able to see them again? In the real world?

He knows Finn plays this game, pero wala pa siyang lakas para kausapin ang dalaga. Lalo na't 'di nito alam na naglalaro din siya. He saw Gavin, but they haven't had a chance to talk again.

He's worried for Renèe. Kung nasaan ba ito at hindi niya pa nakikita. For some reason, he has a feeling that they're all here. And that's purely because- because they played games for-

Naputol ang pag-iisip niya nang biglang gumalaw ang kinatatayuan niya. The earth grumbled like it was interrupted from its peaceful sleep. Kumunot ang noo niya't napasulyap siya kay Wes na nagkibit-balikat.

"Those must be the Earth-magic users."

True enough, ang nagpasimuno nga ng gulo ay isang player na nagma-mastery sa Quakes. Gavin just wanted to test what happens if he uses almost all of his energy. Hindi niya in-expect na lilindol sa buong bayan, 'no. Kaya naman sobrang hiya niya't sunod-sunod siyang nagsorry sa mga players na malapit sa kaniya.

Who wouldn't even apologize when everyone around you are spouting curses like they were rapping?

Gavin has no confidence in his precision, but he does believe in his strength. Kaya nga niya pinili ang Earth magic. Narinig niya kasi sa mga NPC kanina na usually may mga personalities daw na nagco-compliment sa magic force na kukunin.

Fire-users are those with burning determination and fiery rage. Pwede din daw na maliit lang ang temper ng mga tao na sumasali doon. Water-users are usually calm and good at analyzing. Air-users are filled with fun and are easy-going. Dark-users are mostly quiet, sly, and observant. Ang mga Earth-users naman ay concise at single-minded.

The NPC then stated that picking a force that suits your personality would contribute large benefits to mana energy. Magiging madali din ang pagtrain dito dahil compatible ang user at ang magic.

Gavin must be so compatible with his chosen magic that he was able to quake the world for a few seconds. Sana lang walang magalit sa kaniya.

Although, may nagalit nga sa kaniya.

Eura, who wanted to light up the last candle in her line of candles failed because of Gavin's earthquake. Dahil nga nasa bulkan sila, at nagpapatintero lang sa hindi maiinit na parte, the coals moved and slightly burned her feet.

Sa unahan ay taimtim ang pagtitig ni Marcella sa kaniya. She saw the exact moment Eura dipper her feet in the lava and how it touched a coal. Nakita niya ang impit nitong sigaw at pagkagat sa ibabang labi. The quake did surprise her too, but she had more stable balance than the other girl.

Alam niyang konti na lang at sasabog na na parang bulkan 'tong si Eura.

Marcella wasn't wrong.

"Putangina, gago, anong baliw na ipis ba ang pumasok sa mumunting utak ng tao 'yon at antanga at ambobo niya para gumawa ng earthquake, amputa. Kapag nakita ko lang ang hinayupak na 'yon, talagang ipapakain ko sa kaniya lahat ng nakaturok na kandila dito, hayop!"

Marcella raised a brow. Eura was never a girl with a clean mouth, rather she's one of the best trashtalkers in game. Kahit sinong lalaki pa 'yan, hahamakin.

Caspian sighed after hearing the girl's outburst. Gusto niya lang naman magtrain sa tahimik na lugar pero parang hilig ng kasama niya na maging rapper. He stopped meditating for energy and stood up, pocketing his hands. Maghahanap na lang siya ng tahimik na lugar.

Unfortunately, his escape wasn't easy. Dahil humakbang sa harap niya si Marcella.

"You know Finn, don't you?"

Hindi sumagot si Caspian. He knows Finn by her name and appearance, but he doesn't know her enough to nod.

"You're on the same alliance as her." Marcella added when he didn't answer.

Tumango si Caspian. "We work independently."

Mukhang nakuha ni Marcella ang ibig niyang sabihin. Their alliance was made purely to complete the fourth city, but they're not expected to nose in other's business. They're also not expected to team up and can move independently.

Marcella sighed and stepped away. Sinundan ng tingin ni Caspian ang dalaga. He still can't understand her passion in taking Finn, nor can he get why his cousin is deeply angered by Marcella. Kung titingnan naman kasi, wala namang pakialam at gustong makalayo ng hinahabol nila. Kaya bakit pa maghahabol?

Caspian discarded the thought as he walked on the forest, the sun now slowly moving down as noon passes by.  Mabuti na lang at may maliit na gubat sa ilalim ng bulkan. He just needs to meditate for now, and he'll beging his mastery tomorrow.

There was nothing unusual with the forest. The wind remained calm, dancing the leaves on trees and grasses. The rays streaked through the forest, lighting up the rocks or edges of trees. There was nothing unusual, but Caspian can't help but look around.

The forest was normal, but there was something in the forest that looked strange.

Napabaling si Caspian sa kaliwa nang may madetektang presensiya doon. Dahan-dahan niyang inilabas ang kamay sa bulsa, a variety of needles now forming in his palm. Pinanatili niya ang mata sa taas ng kahoy kung saan niya naramdaman ang presensiya.

What is it? Some beast? A player?

It moved again and Caspian spinned towards it. It transferred on the tree to his left. Kinuyom ni Caspian ang kamao at lumabas sa pagitan ng daliri niya ang mga karayom. He's so ready to attack. So ready when⁠—

The object moved again. Now, it made Caspian turn around, following the presence he's detecting.

Just then, the rays perfectly peeked through the tree and hit Caspian, stretching his shadow. Caspian who had his head turned, saw the exact moment it happened.

Nagtama ang mata nila at natigilan si Caspian sa paghinga.

The assailant he was nervous of was no one but Finn, who stepped into his shadow and looked at him, eyes slightly wide and strands of hair falling from her bun.

-chapter end-