-chapter forty-four-

FINN

Mabilis na kaming nakaabot sa bayan ngayon. For some reason, walang gabi sa bayan na 'to dahil ilang oras na ata kami dito at ang taas pa rin ng sikat ng araw.

Theo jumped off the horse, fixing the wide-brimmed hat in his head. He faced us, a small smile appearing.

"See, my plan was good. We've arrived without taking too much time."

Sapphire rolled her eyes, giggling. "Grabe, 'di ko inasahang magagamit natin ang katamaran mo."

"Could you quit pointing it out every hour?"

Theo's passion for convenience always helps. Kanina'y naisip niyang gamitin ang mga kabayo sa stables, which actually took my curiousity kasi may mga kabayo palang inaalagaan ito? That made travelling faster and saved us from exerting more energy.

"Wala ka bang idea diyan para matapos natin ang laro nang hindi na nagaaksaya ng panahon, Theo?" Gavin jokingly asked.

"Mayro'n." biglang sumeryoso si Theo. "One way to complete the game is by dying."

Napangiwi sina Gavin at Sapphire doon. Theo must be joking again. His attempt at humor is really bad. Kung hindi ito dry, dark naman.

"'Yong wala ring patayan sana, lods."

Nagkibit-balikat si Theo. "Nagtanong ka eh."

Wes turned to them, the deserted town behind him. Although, hindi na siya gano'n ka deserted ngayon, dahil may mga tao nang naglalakad sa kung saan-saan. They must be players like us, knocking on doors and hoping that someone would explain the story to them.

"Belle's in hiding. Para mas mapabilis tayo sa paghanap sa kaniya, let's split up. We'll enter inns and check houses. Sabihin niyo sa bawat quest character ang pakay niyo para payagan tayong makita ang babae." Wes nodded his head towards me. "Finn has the mirror so she'll stay here. If you find Belle, either convince her to come to Finn or fetch Finn to Belle."

"What if Belle decides to escape kapag bumalik tayo kay Finn?" tanong ni Renée.

"That's why we'll go in pairs. There are eight of us, without Finn, there's seven. Sapphire, go with Theo. Sebastian with Renée and Gavin with his alliance leader."

Sebastian frowned. "Paano ka?"

"Dierran is here. I'll go with him."

Oh, right. Wes and Dierran has always been close. Kung nasaang game si Dierran, gano'n din si Wes at vice versa. Siya din lagi ang nagiging guild leader ko since he's very approachable and responsible. Aside from Marcella, Dierran's one of the best leaders in game.

"Sino 'yon? Friend mo?" Sapphire asked curiously.

"Yes. He's dependable." simpleng sagot lang ni Wes at tinanguan na sila. "Let's stop wasting time and find Belle now. One of the factors in this quest is its time. We need to complete it before the rose dies."

"Luh, okay, sige. Super intense mo naman, parecakes." saad ni Sapphire at tinapik si Wes sa balikat bago umalis, dragging Theo.

"Pupuntahan ka na lang namin 'pag nakita na si Belle, Lily." Sebastian bidded his farewell. "Let's go, Ree."

"Mag-ingat ka dito!" Renée waved her hands.

I watched them disappear in an empty street. It should be the other way around. Dapat silang mag-ingat dahil hindi namin alam ang temper ng mga quest characters dito. There's also the threat of player killers on the loose.

"Okay ka lang ba dito, Finn? Aalis na kami. Hindi man ako magaling sa larong 'to, pero malakas naman ako!" magiliw ang tono ni Gavin, ngunit may pagaalala sa mga mata niya.

"Mm. 'm fine." sinulyapan ko si Kairo. "Go."

Mukhang hindi pa rin nakukumbinsi si Gavin sa sinabi ko. "Talaga, Finn? Okay lang naman siguro na maghintay muna kami dito-"

"Your leader is not waiting for you." Wes interjected.

Mabilis na napalingon si Gavin sa likod niya. Kairo was already disappearing on the left side of the town, uncaring for the partner he left behind. Kaya nga sinabihan ko na si Gavin na umalis kasi namataan kong naglalakad na paalis si Kairo.

He has the weirdest mood. At one point, he smirks and acts like the sly fox he is, and suddenly he just goes cold and irritated.

Isang malakas na mura ang nasambit ni Gavin bago kumaway sa'kin at tumakbo palayo. Wes gave me a once-over before walking away. Doon ko narealize na sunod-sunod pala ang pag-alis nila. Couldn't they just leave on the same time?

I was standing just at the entrance of the village. The center street, caged in by buildings of houses and inns, is situated in front of me. Kita mula dito ang sentro ng bayan kung saan nakatukod ang plaza at mayroong fountain na nakalagay. We didn't reach thag far last time dahil may nakasagot naman agad sa tanong namin.

The wind blew a dust of leaves over my feet. Isang kalabog ang nagpakuha ng atensiyon ko. I glanced at the side, only to see a rat crawling out of a garbage bin, the lid falling off and making the sound.

Akala ko kung ano na.

Tahimik ang buong lugar, save for the occasional loud whispers of investigating players. Lumipas ang ilang minuto na wala pa ring dumadating kahit isa sa kanila kaya naman tinatanong ko na ngayon ang sarili kung uupo ba o mananatiling nakatayo dito.

That's when I saw a girl in a blue dress, brown hair tied neatly, ducking out of a backdoor and falling into a run. From the height to the way she dresses and acts, napakapamilyar niya.

Then, naalala ko kung ang babaeng unang nagpakita sa memorya doon sa library. The first few scenes before Belle arrived at the castle. She looked exactly like that!

I stared at Belle then glanced at the town, before looking over at Belle and the town again. Hindi pa sila nakakadating kaya nagdadalawang-isip akong umalis, but that's our target this time. So it should be okay if I go, right?

Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko.

With my mind settled, I chased after Belle. Umalis siya mula sa village, ngunit hindi siya patungo sa kastilyo. Instead a wide meadow appeared before my eyes, a calming wind humming and letting the grass dance to its song. Flowers bloom in between them, daisies and lupines smiling under the heat of the sun. I felt myself halting and staring for a few seconds, entranced by how healing the place was-

How peaceful it feels.

I wouldn't mind rolling around the grass and relaxing if this game was only a normal one. If this did not possess danger that could hurt the people close to me.

If this game did not only bring death, maybe I would enjoy every breath in it.

The loud shutting of the door got my attention. Bumaling ako sa tunog at nakita ang isang cottage sa dulo ng meadow. It was built under the shade of a large tree, its leaves acting as a shield from the sun. Isang wooden na rocking chair ang nasa labas, just below the front porch. Napakagandang tumambay at magbasa nga dito.

Bumukas muli ang pintuan at nakaharap ko si Belle. Like how the stories and the memories foretold, she was a beauty. Long brown hair, hazel eyes that held fierceness, full lips and rosy cheeks. Together with her bold and brave personality, as well as the selfless care she has for others, it was inevitable that people would fall for her - why Gaston, the self-proclaimed handsome man, would want her as her wife, and the Beast to fall in love.

It's only a pity that such beauty has to face tragedy.

"Anong maipaglilingkod ko sa'yo?" seryoso niyang tanong. "Sinundan mo ba ako rito?"

Tumango ako at ipinakita ang salamin. "Need to tell you something."

Hindi ko alam kung narinig ba ni Belle ang sinabi ko dahil nakapokus siya sa salamin. Hurt and longing ache crossed her widened eyes. It probably reminded her of the Beast for whom she loved despite his appearance, or the reminder of how her beloved killed his father.

"Saan mo naman nakuha 'yan? Ang alam ko'y nasa kamay na 'yan ni Gaston!"

Which actually made me question a bit. How did Gaston managed to get the mirror from Belle?

"You gave this to Gaston?"

Belle's surprised face morphed into an angry one. "Give the mirror to Gaston?"

Her voice trembled in so much anger and she kept on staring at the mirror. Ibinigay ko ito sa kaniya.

Belle, despite her sharp eyes and furious tone, held the mirror delicately in her hands. Para itong isang dyamante na hinding-hindi dapat mabasag. If the beast has angered her so much, why would she hold his possession so dear?

"The mirror... was a gift. He gave to me when I had to leave, para lang makita ko siya o maalala."

Nagulat ako nang marinig ang pagmamahal sa boses niya. Was this really the Belle to whom the village named as a scorned woman?

Iniangat niya ang tingin sa'kin, ang mga mata'y may nagbabadyang luha. "Kaya bakit ko ibibigay ang napakahalagang bagay sa taong iyon? Kahit ano pang mangyari, hinding-hindi ko kayang mahalin si Gaston kagaya ng pagmamahal ko sa beast. Hinding-hindi ko rin kayang ibigay sa kaniya ang salaming ito." an aching fury flashed in his eyes, almost burning in pure hatred. "Kaya paano niya nakuha 'to? Sa anong paraan pa ba makukuha ng isang tao ang bagay na higit iniingatan ng iba?"

My heart dropped. That means Gaston stole the mirror from Belle. Beast took Gaston away when they attacked the village, and the reason why Belle did not go after Gaston wasn't because of any strange reason. It was because she never did love him, nor has any plans to, and that he committed a grave sin.

Gaston... He's really someone who would strive for his desire no matter what means he would take.

Hindi ko mapigilang isipin kung paano ang city na 'to ay nagpapakitang hindi mo kailangan magkaroon ng pangil o namumulang mata para maging masamang halimaw. Some monsters hide under the flesh of human skin. Sa pag-aakala mong tao sila, hindi mo maiisip na kaya nilang gumawa ng mga bagay na parang walang konsensiya.

Maybe we're really standing in the middle of the two lines, occasionally stepping outside depending on our environment. Because monsters can have good heart, and the desire of humans makes them bad.

Is it really necessary to label one as good and bad through race and appearance, when it depends on the person if they choose to walk that pathnor not?

"Belle." tawag ko sa kaniya nang ilang sandaling mamayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin. "Your father."

"He's dead." malalim siyang huminga. "The beast killed him."

Agad kong inilagay ang kamay sa taas ng salamin para pigilan siya sa pagtakip nito sa kaniyang mukha. Hazel eyes landed on me questioningly. Sinagot ko iyon ng isang iling.

"Beast didn't."

Belle blinked. "Didn't? Kill my father?"

Tumango ako.

"I saw it with my own eyes. Nanonood ako sa nangyayari sa salamin dahil ayaw nila akong palabasin at-" nagulat ako nang bigla siyang humikbi. "-at n-nakita ko kung paano b-bumaon ang kamay ng aking... kasintahan sa katawan ng aking ama. The mirror never lies. It will only show me the truth."

"Mm. There's more." itinuro ko ang salamin. "Ask again, Belle. Ask what really happened."

It's better if I show her.

Belle hesitated but she opened her mouth to order, "Show me how my father died."

The mirror swirled, scanning and looking at thousand of memories, just to find what Belle asked for. Hindi nagtagal ay huminto ito at isang labanan ang kasalukuyan naming napapanood. The images started to move, retelling a scene of the old, water-like glass flowing.

Doon ipinakita kung ano talaga ang nangyari. The mirror was not only following the whole battle of the Beast, but was only following Belle's father now. How he ducked and ran around to avoid being caught in the war between humans and furnitures. How he found the Beast and was actually looking for help, but Gaston saw him first.

How he was pulled by a grinning Gaston and his vision blurred, an excruciating pain shooting up his spine, as claws dug inside his body.

How Belle's father fell on the ground, bloodied and almost dead, and Gaston's laughter could be heard from the background - loud, mocking, and hateful.

How the Beast looked utterly horrified to have killed his lover's father and how regret and pain was etched in his face.

How Gaston took that opportunity to scar the Beast's back and once again mock him for being weak.

Finally, how Gaston used that situation to hurt Beast in the most gruesome way possible.

Ang ipaglaban ang dalawang nagmamahalan sa isa't isa. Isang malaking sampal sa dalawang parte.

A plan well-crafted and well-manipulated. A scheme truly for the evil ones.

"'m sorry." tanging nasabi ko nang mapaluhod si Belle sa sahig, ang mga luha'y patuloy na umaagos sa kaniyang mata.

It was a hard slap. The truth that she believed in was actually just a manipulated one. Ang paglaban niya sa kaniyang minamahal dahil nasigurado siyang ito ang pumapatay sa minamahal niyang ama.

It was a stinging pain. How she was easily controlled to Gaston's will. Kahit na hindi talaga siya bumigay dito ay pinaniwalaan niya ang sinabi nito.

And I couldn't say anything apart from apologies for her situation. An apology for not being able to help in soothing the pain and that such things must happen on her.

"Not too late." paalala ko sa kaniya. "The truth was given so you could act. To answer regrets and soothe away the pain."

"The beast would never again want me in the castle for I have led an army into it."

That was just an army of villagers, though. At mas nasaktan si Beast doon hindi dahil sa atake, pero sa namumuno nito.

"Fear makes more regrets. If you let it win, you'll never step forward. Doesn't matter if he accepts, but that you know and regretted it." itinuro ko ang puso niya. "Happy ever afters don't exist without taking risks."

"Gusto mo bang bumalik ako doon at humingi ng tawad?"

Umiling ako. "Ask yourself. Anong gagawin mo pagkarating doon?"

Like every fairytales where the female lead gets their motivation and energy back, Belle stood up, determined. She wiped away her tears and nodded to herself, gripping the mirror tightly in his arms.

"I'm going to get my happily ever after." Belle answered with a brave smile.

I smiled back, watching her run towards the meadows and eventually following. Maybe the quest was to show us that there was beauty in tragedy, lies in truth, and finally a happiness in this forsaken world.

Maybe, sometimes fairytales don't end with a kiss or a tear, but a determined self who will willingly push away fear.

Nakita ko ang quest party na nakatayo sa pwesto ko kanina. They looked panicked and rushed, glancing at the road towards the castle. I also noticed that some of them were missing, hindi ko alam kung hindi pa nakakabalik o naunang umalis. Because of their strange and frantic behavior, hindi nila naramdaman ang pagdating ni Belle.

"Something happened?" tanong ko nang makalapit dahil hindi nila ako nararamdaman.

"Susmaryosep!" sigaw ni Dierran at napahawak sa puso. Nandito na pala siya. Nanlaki ang mata niya nang mapalingon sa'kin. "Anong- Ikaw si Finn, 'di ba? Paanong hindi kita naramdaman?"

"Mm." I pointed at myself. "No presence."

"Nakakagulat ka naman. Akala ko kay Wes at sa leeg niya lang ako magaalala, sa'yo din-"

"Finn." Wes cut him off. "You found Belle."

The news of having Belle would me is supposed to be a good one, but they all looked like the game just shut down and now we're trapped here forever-

Hala, no, Finn. Erase that. Huwag na huwag mong iisipin 'yan.

"Mm. Ano... ba nangyari?" tanong ko ulit.

Kairo heavily sighed, scratching his head. Iniwas din ng iba ang mga tingin nila.

"Gaston..." Kairo started, muttering a small 'tch' to himself. "Some player let him out. Now he's really killing the beast. Pinipigilan siya nina Oliver at Marcella. Theo's on his way too." he glanced at Belle who paled at his words. "We need to get going too."

-chapter end-