-chapter eighty-seven-

THIRD PERSON

"What the fuck."

Malakas at malutong ang pagmumura ni Eura. The rest of the Reaper's Oath couldn't blame her for such reaction. Ilang pawis at dugo rin ang inalay nila para tulungan ang ibang alyansa, and they will just be slapped by this new announcement.

"Tangina, anong klaseng rule 'yan?!" hindi na napigilan ni Eura ang tumayo at samaan ng tingin ang langit. "Gago, kung gano'n lang din naman pala, ba't pa tayo nagpakahirap sa first 24 hours 'no?!"

"I think they want to give the alliance at the bottom hope? Like if zero ang teritoryo nila. It can also improve the spirit of competition between alliances. These games always want entertainment."

Eura snapped her irritation at Sapphire. "Wala akong pakialam kung mabored sila sa pesteng upuan. Our lives aren't made for entertainment. If they wanted to see competition, then they could have looked for more pleasing alternative! Dapat ba talagang gano'n?"

"You're just having that sort of reaction dahil ayaw mo sa alyansang nasa ilalim. What if it's another alliance? What if it's yours? 'Di ba ay magtatalon ka rin sa sayaw dahil may chance kayong makabangon o wala kang pakialam because it's just another alliance gaining a territory?"

"Well, Sapphire, ha. Okay lang naman sana kung bibigyan sila ng chance para magsteal ng territory, pero ang ibigay sa kanila ang kahit anong territory na gusto? Kahit ikaw pa ang hinayupak na nandiyan, hindi talaga ako magtatalon sa tuwa dahil puta, hindi nakakatuwa."

"Eura, if you're too concerned about the territory, then after they have it, just steal if afterwards? It's that simple." kontra naman ni Sapphire.

"Gaga! Simple mo mukha mo! Mukha bang simple lang ang buhaghag na buhok at pagod na katawan ko? Aba't baka magkasabunutan na talaga tayong dalawa dito!"

"Tanga ka! May twenty-four hours pa para mabalik ang territory. Kahit ano pang teritoryo 'yan, if we work together, wala ding magagawa ang nakuha nilang chance ngayon!"

At nagsimula na nga ang pagsigawan ng dalawa.

Napatingin sina Louise at Fern sa kanilang guild leader. Kairo had to take some measures just to make sure this quiet plan of his succeeds. Kahit ang taong ayaw niya ay kinausap niya para tumulong. They have made sure that June will have a hard time in the bottom sector, helping those who cannot hold a candle and those who could by support. Tumigil pa sila sa paghahanap ng territory kanina para iscout ang mga miyembro ng Blood Vanguard at Death Crows, so they know who guards who and what their skills are.

All for the success of Kairo's initial plan.

Alam nilang dapat hindi sila masyadong magpa-apekto. Sapphire was right. They have many hours left to turn it around to, and they have a lot of manpower to make it possible. But this wasn't their style. Reaper's Oath prefer to make their plans simple and secretive. They always make sure that it would be clean, only encountering small problems because they have it all analyzed. So this was a huge blow to their ego and hardship.

It's like their plan just crumbled down in front of their face.

The commotion Eura and Sapphire were making brought June towards them. Kanina ay sobra ang pag-aalala at pangamba ng dalaga dahil talagang na-overwhelm sila sa biglaang pag-atake. She was coming back from Marcella's base when she saw that their territory was under attacked. Kaya nang makita ang announcement ay sobrang saya ang naramdaman niya.

While she may be fate's greatest enemy, her luck is really good. Kita mo nga naman at sinipa nila siya sa ilalim, but it only resulted to a free territory for her.

And now, she knows the identity of her assailants.

Hindi niya nakita ang mga mukha nito kanina. Nakasuot kasi sila ng masks at balot sila sa itim na tela. They were also so quick to really get a good grasp upon. Kaya ngayon na nasa harap na niya ang nakakairitang asul na buhok ni Eura ay mas lalo siyang nasiyahan.

Eura and Sapphire both went quiet as she neared them. June met Sapphire's eyes for a quick second before landing on Eura. The latter had her face set on a frown, staring straight at June. But deep inside, she knew about the little interaction both girls have.

June's eyes flickered from them to the numerous players behind. Isa sa mga nahagip ng tingin niya ay si Kairo na nakatayo sa gilid ni Finn. His face was covered with shadow, but there's a serious tension radiating from her.

"Would you look at that." she started off with a smirk. "I initially thought it was some bird, but looks like it's a pack of foxes."

"Not surprising." sagot ni Eura. "Lagi namang mali desisyon mo sa buhay. Kaya nga siguro nandito ka sa ganitong posisyon ngayon."

"Position? What position? Having the best of luck that even the game rules sides with me? Ang sakit siguro sa pakiramdam na ang tinulungan niyong maibaba ay siyang nagkaroon pa ng chance na ganito-"

June wasn't able to finish her sentence when Eura loudly yawned in her face. Talagang hindi pa siya nagtakip ng bibig.

"You're gross." komento ni June.

Eura grimaced. "Luh, nakita mo na ba sarili mo? Wala nang mas malansang basura kaysa sa'yo."

"Ohhh, burnn." Louise exclaimed.

"Grilleddd~" Sapphire added.

"Toasted." Fern said in a monotone voice.

"Fried?" at nakisali rin si Gavin.

"Tumahimik ka, pogi." Eura barked. "Ikaw prituhin ko eh."

"Mali ba? E'di deads?"

Hindi na lang pinansin ni Eura ang hinabol ni Gavin. Parang puputi na kasi talaga ang buhok niya sa mga kasama't kaaway. Ang primary cause ay siyempre si June, at ang taong makakapagpa-itim lang dito ulit ay si-

"Finn." tawag ni June sa babaeng nasa likuran pa rin. "I see you've help them in this little plan. I wonder, did you tell them about your version of truth at ganito ang galit nila? Shouldn't it be you since you're the one who killed Depo-"

"Tumahimik kang baliw ka. Never ever say Ate Depore's name with your foul mou-"

"What's going to be foul is your body if you won't quit speaking, blue." June threatened, pointing an ice-pick at Eura. "Kanina pa ako naiinis sa iyo."

Aba, akala nitong June na 'to eh hindi rin naiinis si Eura sa kaniya. Isang tingin lang alam nang rich brat agad eh kaya masama na talaga pakiramdam niya. She was about to bark some additional insults, dahil ang takot niya sa ice-pick ni June ay parang isda sa tubig, but a hand was placed in her shoulder.

And based on the quick beating of her heart and the soft, but warm hand, Eura could easily deduce who it was.

That and the fact that she couldn't feel any presence even though there's someone standing right behind her.

"Finley. You helped them? Manipulated them?" June asked, shifting her gaze towards Finn. "It's understandable. Gavin would believe anything you say, as well as the other players here. And Kairo is too whipped to ever accuse you of a crime."

The rest of the Reaper's Oath members glanced at their leader, feeling nervous themselves about June's last sentence. Sigurado silang hindi pa nakapagconfess itong lider nila dahil kahit anong pagkaconfident nito ay tiklop lagi siya kay Finn. At mukhang mauuna pa ang babaeng 'to sa pagsabi kay Finn tungkol sa totoo.

Umiling si Finn, na hindi napansin ang ibig sabihin ni June. "Only told them the truth. And this wasn't their plan."

The playful nervousness they had earlier quickly changed into confusion. Even Kairo who was quiet all this time couldn't help but stare at Finn. Anong ibig niyang sabihin...?

"It's mine." Finn declared, almost blowing everyone's brains. As if her cuteness wasn't enough to destroy their very existence. "Because I hate you."

Most of the players in the are had their jaws dropped. Hindi dahil inako ni Finn ang planong hindi niya naman ginawa- Finn lying like this is unbelievable! Marunong pala siyang magsinungaling? They know her to be quite frank and honest that this is completely shocking. But aside from that, did Finn just loudly tell June about how she hates her?

Siguro nga ay totoo 'yon, but Finn normally internalizes her feelings. To say it out in the open with everyone to hear, her own feelings at that, baka nasa heaven na sila at joke-joke lang itong RWO?

June was also surprised, but rather than staring in silence, tumawa siya. A loud and bright laugh that almost scared everyone in that place.

"You hate me?!" malakas na tumawa si June. "For the first time in forever, talagang sinabi mo na ang nararamdaman mo ha? You weren't lying, were you?"

Finn didn't answer. She just stood there and stared at June. And while the rest wanted to cheer Finn for her badassery, they couldn't help but hear the heartbreak in June's voice. Or in this whole scene.

"See, Finn, it's simple and freeing to tell your emotions, huh? It feels like you're ready to do anything. And I'm really glad you said that, na hate mo ako. Dahil ngayon, at least I wouldn't really feel guilt or mind hurting you. Dahil kagaya mo, I do really h-" June abruptly stopped before her face hardened. "I really, fucking hate you."

Finn nodded.

"I hate you." mahinang ulit ni June at tumalikod. "So don't be too surprised about what will happen next."

Then, she left.

Nasa Guilty Raid pa rin ang teritoryo nila at hindi pa na-announce kung anong piniling territory nina June. The first couple of minutes has already started for the second half of the game. Most of the alliances were on their feet, a bit nervous about having their territory stolen. Si Marcella lang din siguro ang hindi masyadong concerned since June is her ally.

Silence resided in the Guilty Raid's territory as Finn stood emotionless in the same place. Parang ang sensitive ng topic nila ni June kanina kaya hindi nila alam kung sino ang unang magsasalita. Thankfully, Eura's face is thick and she has a dysfunctional sense of shame kaya ito ang humarap kay Finn at nag-exclaim na,

"Finn, bakit mo sinabing ikaw ang may pakana? Baka ikaw pa ang atakehin ng June na 'yon!"

The quiet rogue looked at Eura and gave a slight nod. "Mm."

"Mm?! Anong mm?!"

"I know. 's alright." she answered.

Before Eura could ask about it anymore, bigla na lang nawala si Finn sa harap niya. Inikot niya ang tingin sa paligid, at gano'n na rin ang ibang mga miyembro na nagulat sa biglang pagkawala ng babae. But Finn was nowhere to be seen. Not in the streets and not in the buildings.

It was like she just vanished completely.

"Kairo!" Eura turned to their leader. "Anong gagawin natin? Paano kung siya ulit ang atakehin ni June?"

"Finn can take care of herself and... that was her plan." sagot ni Kairo. "She used herself as bait so we wouldn't get caught. Kung papaniwalain niya si June na siya ang nag-utos nito at sumunod lang tayo dahil sa kaniya, she wouldn't feel the need to watch over us. At magagawa pa rin natin ang plano."

"E'di nice at wow pero paano siya?! What are we supposed to do if Finn is in danger?"

"I'm here. I'll make sure she's okay." Sapphire interjected.

Sinamaan naman siya ng tingin ni Eura. "Hoy, may kasalanan ka pa pala ha! Alam mo bang inambush 'yong territory mo sa South at nagpapahinga ka lang sa West? Malapit pang mamatay si Finn doon!"

Sapphire sighed tiredly. "I know! And I feel bad that I wasn't able to do anything din 'no, but what was I supposed to do?! Hindi ko alam na na-ambush na pala sila do'n and I couldn't move because we were under observance as well-"

"That's alright." Kairo cut her off. "You can just guard over your main territory. There's nothing to worry about Finn. She's strong and she has Maki and Oliver by her side."

Kairo's last sentence made Eura and Sapphire's eyes go wide.

"Si Oliver? Hindi na ba galit 'yon? Kakausapin niya na si Finn?!" Eura excitedly asked.

"Nakita niyo kung saan nagtatago si Oliver?" ang tanong naman ni Sapphire.

Umiling si Kairo. "Finn found him."

"Gano'n ba." mahinang bulong ni Sapphire sa sarili. Eura shot her a curious look and was ready to ask when she added, "Aalis na ako. Kailangan ko pang siguraduhin na hindi tulog si Theo at magplano ng gagawin."

Sapphire left with a numerous pair of eyes following her. Hinarap naman ni Eura si Kairo na nakakunot ang noo. There was something about earlier that was bugging her. Parang intentionally na hindi pinapasok ni Kairo ang babae sa usapan nila. Maybe he's annoyed with her personality?

Pero kung personality-wise, sigurado si Eura na siya ang pinaka-nakakainis. At kung nakaya siya ni Kairo, lalo na 'pag dumagdag si Depore sa kalokohan niya, then Sapphire actually looks a lot tamer.

"Bakit ka nagsinungaling?" tanong ni Eura dahil full of liars ang paligid niya ngayon. "Hindi naman si Finn ang nakakita kay Oliver ah. 'Di ba sila ni Wes ang naghanap do'n?"

"She doesn't need to know."

"Bakit nga?"

"I don't trust her." Kairo answered. "Anyway, let's get back to the first step of our plan. Acquiring one territory isn't such a large feat. Kailangan lang natin itong mabawi."

"Gamit ang? Ibang alyansa ba o tayo na?" Fern asked.

Kairo smirked, looking at the leaderboards above. "Let's take it as our own now. Baka maunahan pa natin sina Marcella and it would be good. Hitting two bird with one stone."

"Pero 'di ba may bro promise kayo ni Wes na dapat magstay tayo sa second place-"

"Tumahimik ka, Eura, o lalagyan ko scotch tape ang bibig mo."

Eura pouted at the sideways as Kairo barked orders at other members. Nagsi-alisan na ang mga kamiyembro niya at nauna na rin si Kairo. Though most of them noticed that he wasn't going to one of their bases, rather to the South District. Hindi na lang nagsalita ang nakapansin at baka masupalpal na nga sila. Nag-aapply pa naman sa pagiging tsundere ang kanilang lider.

"NAGFREEDOM OF SPEECH PA TAYO KUNG LALAGYAN MO RIN NG SCOTCH TAPE BIBIG KO!"

Louise and Gavin both jumped when Eura shouted without notice. Kahit ang mga Guilty Raid members na nagpapatrol ay wirdo silang tiningnan.

"Hoy, nakakagulat at nakakahiya ka. Tumahimik ka nga." saway ni Louise. "Nasaan na ba si Fern at nang makaalis na."

"Totoo naman kasi eh." nakangusong reklamo ni Eura at tinaasan ng kilay si Gavin. "'No ginagawa mo dito, p're?"

"Bakit hindi ako ni-mention ni Kairo kanina? Finn can also depend on me. I am her bestfriend! Bakit ba nila nakakalimutan 'yon!"

"Hindi nakalimutan ni Kairo 'yon, bro. Talagang ayaw ka lang niyang makita kasama ni Finn." Eura said with sympathy, patting his shoulder. "Tara't magpatrol na lang para makalma ka."

"Hindi ako nagpapanic kaya 'di ko kailangang kumalma."

"E'di para tumahimik ka, amp. Ba't ba ikaw bestfriend ni Finn e ang dramatic mo? Dapat sa mga kagaya kong chill siya."

"Luh. Feeler ka."

Napailing na lang si Lousie sa sagutan nilang dalawa. Talagang nag-away pa sila kung sino ang dapat na bestfriend ni Finn at sa pagkadramatic, when both of them are the same.

Twenty minutes have passed and yet no announcement was still made. Most alliances were troubled and nervous because at any given time, ang pinaghirapan nilang teritoryo ay pwedeng mawala. Finn was on her way to the South District, pagkatapos niyang silipin ang main territory nila.

And let's just say that most of her suspicions were confirmed after visiting.

But that's when the announcement happened.

[The Lone Wolves territory in the South District has been transferred to the ownership of the Death Crows, as per the game rules. The Lone Wolves and other alliances will also be free to steal that territory for the next twenty-three hours.]

Finn has already expected that. Her earlier provocation was to make sure that any blame will be removed from the Reaper's Oath and towards her instead. Alam niya ring ang unguarded territory nila sa South ang pipiliin ni June dahil malaki ito at malapit sa teritoryo ni Marcella.

It was the player count that made her terrified. It was the number decreasing by one.

Nauwi sa mabilis na takbo si Finn papunta sa South. She knows. She knows that there are a lot of causes for that one death, but she couldn't feel the fear that seeped through her.

June doesn't have any guilt towards killing or cutting people close to her. Her history of murders can serve as proof for that. And the recent events have put Maki on a spotlight together with Finn. And Maki has shown attitudes and behaviors that he will always stand by Finn's side.

At si Maki rin ang nagpaiwan sa territory nila kanina para magbantay.

Finn gulped, her heart beatiny erratically. Nadadapa na siya sa bilis ng pagtakbo.

But what she witnessed made her heart drop. Parang naulit lang ang nangyari kay Caspian noon, kung saan nakikita niya ang nangyari pero wala siyang magawa.

But now, it was the cousin in his place.

It was Oliver standing in front of June and protecting Maki, with blood staining his clothes and a sharp dagger in his stomach.

-chapter end-