-chapter fifty-five-

FINN

"Finn!"

Binawi ko ang throwdagger na nakasaksak sa clone, letting it fall on the ground. Lumingon ako kay Gavin dahil siya ang tumawag sa'kin. He was holding an apple in front of me.

Ano na naman kayang kawirdohan ang naisip niya?

"Isa ka ng mansanas sa tingin ko." anunsiyo niya habang tinataas pa rin ang mansanas. "Alam mo ba ang ibig sabihin no'n?"

Umiling ako.

"You're the apple of my eye!"

Ang tahimik na agos ng ilog at huni ng mga kuliglig ang tanging tumugon sa sinabi ni Gavin. Dumaan ang hangin sa pagitan naming dalawa nang ilang segundo na at hindi pa rin ako sumagot. I don't know how to respond to that so I just kept quiet.

If I remembered it right, apple of my eye means that they cherish the person above anything else.

I nodded at Gavin. "You, Ree and Baste are mine too."

Isang malakas na buntong-hininga ang narinig ko bago ibinaba ni Gavin ang mansanas. Parang natalo ang mukha niya pero mayro'n pa rin namang ngiti sa labi niya.

A loud giggle took my attention, making me look at the nearest tree. Depore was sitting in the tree branch, swinging her legs and laughing cheerily. Nakabukas ang kanang palad niya at nilalaro niya dito ang isang dark chasm.

"Owshii. Better luck next time, bro~"

Depore jumped from the tree branch, landing on the ground with a small smirk. Gavin sighed and shook his head. Nakakunot lang ang noo ko sa buong interaksiyon nila. What did Depore mean by saying 'better luck next time'?

Nahagip ng mata ko ang kill-count board and didn't see Gavin's name in the Top Ten. Baka iyon ang ibig sabihin ni Depore. Better luck next time and makakasama siya sa rankings?

Lumapit ako kay Gavin at tinapik ang balikat niya. "Help you?"

"Ha? Help me saan?"

Itinuro ko ang kill-count board sa taas. Gavin frowned at it and at me. "Anong problema sa square na 'yan?"

"... Enter?"

"Enter? Enter saan? Kung hindi lang naman sa puso mo, huwag na lang."

I pointed at the squared-box at the sky again, ignoring the latter statement. Gavin's mouth is like a machine that frequently spouts cheesy pickup lines so I'm used to it.

"Wait... you mean sa rankings?" kunot-noong tanong ni Gavin na tinanguan ko. Umiling siya. "I don't wanna be part of it. Bakit mo naman naisip 'yan?"

Gano'n ba? Ano kaya 'yong ibig sabihin ni Depore sa better luck next time?

The woman who spoke up went in another fit of giggles. Napakamasayahin talaga ni Depore na kahit ang mga bagay na hindi ko naiintindihan ay tinatawanan niya lang.

She grinned at me. "What about me, Finn? Am I the apple to your eye too?"

"Mm. Cherish you too."

Depore squealed, hugging me. Mas maliit siya sa'kin kaya hanggang sa dibdib lang ang ulo niya. Kaya nga minsan ay nakakalimutan kong mas matanda siya sa'kin.

"Mabuti naman at tapos ka na sa mission mo, Finn." Depore turned serious. "Although, I don't know who that June person is at bakit siya pa ang nagnumber one. Biglaan lang tumaas ang rank niya kaya nakakapagtaka."

I only gave a slight nod, acknowledging what she said. Tumingala ako sa kill-count board na nasa itaas. The final set of rankings was really a shock for us all.

[Kill-Count Board]
1. Julianne Evonne - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 1:14:33)
2. Finley Lilliane - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 2:33:12)
3. Marcella Maia - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 1:48:47)
4. Kairo Shantel - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 2:22:14)
4. Jan Oliver - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 2:22:14)
6. Glory Mae - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 2:24:12)
7. Dierk Van - 1M/FINSIHED (Time: 1:55:17)
8. Weston Hilles - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 2:00:01)
8. Vince Caspian - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 2:24:13)
10. Eunice Yra - 1M/FINISHED (Time: 2:26:27)

"Hindi ko talaga alam kung paano na lang tumalon 'yang Julianne Evonne sa taas." nakasimangot na komento ni Depore. "Do you think she cheated?"

"Malaki ang posibilidad na ginawa niya 'yon." malamig na sagot ni Gavin.

Hindi ko maisipang isipin na baka nga ginamit lang ni June si Dylan para dito. As the most unstable person in her group, he's most likely to rampage and kill other players. Kapag napatay niya ito, the steal will offer her a large boost.

"Tch. Mga tao nga naman at mga gagawin nila para lang malagay sa taas." umiling-iling si Depore at humarap sa'kin. "Huwag kang magalala, Finn. Hindi ka man number one sa ranking board na 'yan, number one ka naman sa puso ng maraming lalaki dito."

I blinked at that, hindi alam kung anong isasagot. "Thanks...?"

Malakas na tumawa si Depore at hinampas ang likod ni Gavin na kaagad umaray. "Mahirap 'yan, p're, pero worth it."

"Grabe. Bakit ba parang tunog teammate kita? Lalaki ka ba noon? Mamaya sasabihin mo sa'kin ano pinakadabest na motel sa city- aray!"

Muling dumaing ng malakas si Gavin nang batukan siya ni Depore. I couldn't help but lightly chuckle at that. The men here are very strong, but sometimes they really have no power over the ladies. Mapapisikalan man o 'di kaya sa verbal.

"Kung tapos na kayo, pumunta na tayo sa kabilang city. Nakita ko dalawang kaibigan niyong nauna na. Akala mo parang nagho-honeymoon palagi ang dalawang 'yon." inikot ni Depore ang mata. "Kaya huwag kayo magpaka-sweet sa harapan ko dahil naiingit ako."

Oh, right. I forgot that Depore's engaged to Kairo's brother.

"Wala kang lovelife ano?" Gavin teased as we walked towards the gate.

Depore scoffed a laugh. "Nganga ka sa kasal ko."

"Kailan? Fifty years from now ba?"

"Mga batang 'to, wala ng katiting na respeto! Para kang si Sapphire na walang takot sumagot-sagot!"

Kumunot ang noo ni Gavin. "Sapphire? Sinong Sapphi- Ah! 'Yong babaeng guardian ng palatulog na lalaki!"

Was Gavin talking about Theo?

"Basta si Sapphire. Wala naman atang ibang babae dito na kasing-ugali niya. I mean, aside from Eura, pero parang biniyayaan ang babaeng 'yon ng kakapalan sa mukha. But I like your friend, Finn, 'yong blonde na nakabraid."

"Renée?" I asked.

Tumango-tango si Depore. "Oo, siya. Mabait e, kahit mukhang maldita."

I smiled at that. Renée is usually seen as a spoiled and mean girl at first because of her clique, pero siya ang pinakasweet na babaeng nakilala ko. She's almost a mother figure to me, always ready to protect and shield me at all cost.

I'm very lucky and blessed to have them.

We stopped in front of a tree with a large hole by the trunk. This was the gate towards the eleventh city at pwede lamang ma-access ng mga taong natapos na ang mission nila. It almost looks like the hole that Alice fell into when she was chasing the rabbit, mula sa isang kilalang children story din.

"Dito tayo dadaan?" tanong ni Gavin at yumuko para tumingin sa loob. "Ang dilim naman. Wala akong makita. Ito ba talaga ang daanan?"

"Bakit hindi mo itry?" Depore responded and pushed Gavin inside.

Mabilis akong lumapit sa kahoy nang marinig ang sigaw ni Gavin. Puno iyon ng takot at gulat. Depore chuckled, following next with an excited yelp. I took a deep breathe, getting ready to enter too when a figure stepped out from behind the tree.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Wes.

He placed his hand on the trunk as he looked down at me. His hair is tousled, probably because of the frenzy clones killing he had to do. Medyo magulo na rin ang shirt niya at dalawang butones na nito ang bukas, revealing a silver necklace.

"Walang gate dito, Marcella." he loudly announced while staring straight at me. "Maybe Finn has already arrived at the next city."

I tilted my head. Nandito naman ako, ah. Is he covering me from Marcella?

Now that I focus on it, may mga naririnig nga akong boses sa likod niya. I could briefly hear Dierran's convincing voice and Marcella's demanding one. Tumahimik ang dalawa nang magsalita si Wes sa kanila.

"Have you contacted Aqua yet? Bakit ba ang tagal niyang matapos? We need to go to the next city."

"Alam ko, pero mas mabuting magsama tayo ngayon. You know how that June girl managed to climbed up so fast." Dierran said. "She probably killed Dylan dahil agad itong nawala sa rankings."

"I am not afraid of her."

"Eh kami, Mars, oo!"

"Anong...?" I mouthed at Wes.

He only gestured towards the tree, as if telling me to go already. Tinawag siya ulit ni Marcella mula sa likod at tinanong kung bakit hindi pa siya gumagalaw. Wes gave me a final glance, before eventually walking away.

"Let's try those woods. Baka nando'n ang gate." narinig kong saad ni Wes.

"I'm pretty sure it's just located here though." I heard Marcella argued. "Doon banda 'yon eh."

"When I checked wala. Baka nagmo-move ang gate."

Tinatago ba ako ni Wes mula sa guild leader niya? Kaya ba sinabi niya kanina na hindi ako guguluhin ni Marcella sa city na ito?

I stared at the trunk Wes leaned on earlier. He has always been strange, always competing with me in games without any serious motive. Lagi din siyang tumatabi sa'kin noon kapag may dungeon at naiirita kapag may ginagawa daw akong 'amazing'. Hindi ko lang siya pinapansin ng mga panahong 'yon but he's very weird.

Ngayon naman ay kagaya pa rin siya ng dati na sumusulpot lang kahit saan. I've always known Wes for his loyalty, but his hesitation to Marcella is bugging me. Siya ang lider niya pero bakit parang mas sa'kin pa siya kumakampi?

I let out a sigh. Finn, huwag mo na lang munang isipin 'yon. Ang mahalaga ay pumunta ka na sa kabilang city para matapos na ang game na 'to.

I prepared myself for a fall but all I got was a slide. It was dark and it felt like I was inside some cave, ngunit nagtagal ay naramdaman ko ang agos ng tubig na sumabay sa'kin. I frowned, wondering where the water came from and why. Will the next city be an underground one or will we be transferred to a ship?

Napapikit ako nang sumalubong sa'kin ang matinding liwanag. I felt myself stagger forwards when the slide came to an end, bumping into someone and eventually losing my balance.

Ngunit bago pa ako mahulog ay may sumalo na sa'kin.

I slowly opened my eyes to see Caspian holding me by the wrist and preventing me from falling into a... cliff! Napasinghap ako at napakapit sa braso niya para maayos ang balanse. Malapit na 'yon.

The slide was situated just beside the edge of the cliff, kaya maling hakbang lang ay pwede ka ng mahulog. Although there's a sea below, there are layer of rocks at the bottom that you could also land on. Dumedepende lang talaga sa luck.

Caspian's hand was hot as it held my waist, helping me stand. The shock of light in my eyes, the loss of balance and the surprised welcome of heights is currently messing with my mental state. When I felt better, I found myself staring at a pair of intensely, worried brown eyes.

"Finn." Caspian's voice was deep. "Are you okay?"

Tumango ako at bumitaw sa kaniya. "Thank you."

"It's alright. You bumped into Eura so you lost your balance. I told them they shouldn't be playing near the slide." paliwanag niya.

Doon ko narealize kung nasaan kami ngayon. It seemed like a mountain, kung saan may pool na nakalagay sa taas at may dagat naman sa ilalim. It was shaped like a 'c' just without any gap. Nasa top left ang slide kung saan malapit ito sa cliff and there's the pool at the right side - palm trees decorating the four sides and beach chairs around them. There were small and large floaters in the pool.

Sa ilalim naman ay ang white-sand beach kung saan nakikita ko nang naglalaro sina Eura. Sa gilid ng beach na ito ay ang rock formations na tinatamaan ng malalakas na alon - the one that's at the bottom of the cliff.

Anyone would think that this is just a normal island, frequented by tourists as a beautiful vacation spot, kung hindi lang sa pulang langit na mayro'n ito.

A screen popped in front of me, welcoming me to this city.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Hello, Rogue! Because you have finished the ten cities, this is your reward! Congratulations, your summer has arrived!

The waters, the sand, and the swimsuits are what makes our summer. But this amazing spot would be useless without any fun games, right? As such, your mission for this round is to complete a treasure hunt!

We all know that guilds and quests are important in the game. Golds are too! What would you use for upgrading your items without them? In this city, you must earned the required 100,000 gold!

This will eventually be converted into the game currency - penns. The penns that you have earned in the course of the game can be cashed out once you have completed it!

Goodluck, rogues~ Happy hunting!

▪︎▪︎▪︎

A treasure hunt? Well, mabuti naman at hindi pala sila gano'n ka-hayok sa dugo para palabanin kami muli. But then... was it really them who killed us or it was our choice to kill?

Sa lahat ng cities na nadaanan namin, they never told us to kill each other. Deaths were only issued as a punishment and it was the player's choice to kill. They gave the offer at the tenth city but it was only a choice. Hindi kami napressure na sumunod dahil enough naman ang time para matapos ang mission.

It was our greediness and fear that led us to losing about half of the players.

"Are you alright?"

Napatingin ako kay Caspian nang itanong niya 'yon. Hindi ko talaga alam kung anong isasagot sa kaniya. Am I okay? Am I not okay? I've closed off my emotion for such a long time, only allowing myself a taste of relief and happiness, that I don't know the difference between the two.

"Hindi kita nasamahan sa last city, at hindi ko alam kung anong napagdaanan mo doon, but take them off your mind for now, Finn. You're not meant to shoulder the world's problems. Let yourself be happy for now."

But I am happy whenever I'm with you all. That I could confirm.

"Mm." tanging isinagot ko na lang.

"Okay~ Ako'y sisingit sa inyong drama dahil gusto kong makausap si Finn at makabonding! Mamaya na lang kayo, okay?!" Depore said, dragging me.

Nakita ko ang pag-irap ni Caspian sa babae pero nang makita niyang nakatingin ako ay ngumiti siya. I wave a small goodbye and he nodded, turning around to walk towards the pool, dahil hinihila ako ni Depore papunta sa beach.

I noticed how a group of girls stopped chuckling to themselves to stare at Caspian as he passed by. Sinubukan nila itong kausapin at kunin ang atensiyon pero nagpatuloy lang si Caspian sa paglalakad na parang walang narinig. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na nakalow ponytail na pala ang buhok niya at nakasuot siya ng beach shorts at t-shirt.

That's when I also realized that I'm wearing a swimsuit myself. Kaya pala naramdaman ko talaga ang kamay ni Caspian kanina sa balat ko. But how did I manage to change my clothes in a short while? Isa ba itong feature ng game?

Napatigil ako sa pag-iisip nang tamaan ng tubig sa mukha. Eura grinned from the water, eyes mischievous as they landed on me.

"Stop thinking so much and have fun, Finn! Enjoy this summer vibes!"

Napangiti ako at sumunod. I guess, it's alright if I relax for now.

-chapter end-

[Note: 'Yong time stamps po nila ay based sa oras na nakompleto nila ang pagpatay ng 1000 clones. Since they all entered the city at different times, iba't-iba din ang oras na mayroon sila. The kill-count board, however, is ranked by the players who finished the mission first.

June entered later pero nagkaroon ng boost from Dylan's death, while Finn entered first and used most of her time hunting player killers than clones.]