-chapter one-hundred-seventeen-

THIRD PERSON

"Maxine... please, huwag mong gawin 'to..."

The quiet corridors in the fourth floor of the school was filled with pleads and whispers. Kasalukuyang kaharap ni Zhai at Kizeah ang isang clone ng malapit na kaibigan nila. They quickly fought it, thinking it was just the same clone from the tenth city, pero laking gulat nila nang masabayan nito ang bawat galaw nila na parang kilalang-kilala.

It feels like they weren't facing a clone but the real player.

Kaya naman nang maisip na baka nga totoo ang mga clones na ito, hindi na nakagalaw silang dalawa. Maxine was always the strongest out of them three, and she only died because she sacrificed herself for them at the Rock Island. At ngayon... ngayon, hindi nila ito kayang patayin.

Napapikit nalang sila sa mata at hinintay ang matinding sakit na darating, ngunit hindi iyon nangyari. Instead, they felt cold liquid in their faces and a body falling to the ground. When they opened their eyes later on, they have to hold on their screams of terror.

Their dear friend, Maxine, was dead on the ground and it was her blood that was sprayed on their faces. Ang pumatay sa kaniya ay si Kairo na agad nilinisan ang dagger niya. Wes stood behind him, ice-cold fury seeping from his body.

"Get up." utos ni Kairo bago sila tinalikuran. "Don't be fooled. They're just clones."

Sandali lang silang tinitigan ni Wes bago sumunod kay Kairo. Zhai and Kizeah stared at the two retreating figures. It's such a strange sight to see them cold and ruthless when they were begging for Finn's attention a while ago.

Sa kabilang dako naman ay pinipilit na pababain ni Dierran si Oliver dahil sa nakita niya.

"Ano ba, ano ba, bakit ka nagmamadali?" reklamo naman nito.

"Basta, bilisan mo na lang para mauna na tayo doon sa ilalim-"

Dierran tried to push him down the stairs again but Oliver was unmoving. Nakatutok na ang mata nito sa kung ano man ang nasa likod niya. Kaya sigurado na rin si Dierran na nakita na nito ang hindi dapat. Shit, hindi na talaga siya nawawalan ng problema!

"I-Insan..." mahinang banggit nito at akmang maglalakad palapit nang pigilan siya ulit ni Dierran. "Si insan 'yon."

"He's a clone. He's not real. At alam nating magsisimula siyang umatake kapag nakita tayo so please just keep walking forward. Hayaan mo na ang iba na makipaglaban sa kaniya dahil paniguradong hindi mo kakayanin-"

Naputol ang sasabihin ni Dierran nang umulan ng needles sa banda nila. Oliver was just in the right mind to deflect all the needles with his air magic, pero nagulat pa rin siya nang biglang sumugod papunta sa kanila si Caspian. The gentle and quiet cousin he always adored was gone and replaced by this monster that wants him dead.

"Insan-" he knows he shouldn't be calling out to him like he's not a clone but Oliver couldn't help it.

Dierran raised his dagger to stop the fire needles that Caspian threw. Ngunit distraction lang pala iyon. Habang abala si Dierran ay dumaan ang clone sa gilid niya at tinulak si Oliver sa hagdan. Summoning five needles, fire coated its sharp tip and he rushed forward to stab them at the stunned Oliver.

Mabilis na gumawa si Dierran ng pader sa pagitan ng dalawang lalaki. But it soon burst into flames at Caspian's magic. Mahina siyang napamura. The clones here is different from the tenth city, perpektong nakukuha nila ang pakikipaglaban ng mga players. Caspian is one of the players with the highest magic energy kaya kaya nitong gumamit ng sunod-sunod na ultimates nang hindi man lang napapagod. He was, after all, the mentor of Finn who has one of the most powerful magic power.

But then, Oliver is also one of the top male players.

Another round of fire needles came his way and a rush of air deflected them. Oliver kicked his cousin off, forming a large space between them. Kinuha niya ang baril at sunod-sunod na nagpaputok sabay nang pagtapon ni Caspian nang panibagong mga needles. When the needle and the bullet met, a loud explosion happened.

Napaubo-ubo si Dierran sa usok na nagawa no'n. He was thrown back from the impact, cursing at the cousins behavior. Lalapit na sana siya para tulungan si Oliver nang makitang hawak-hawak nito sa kwelyo ang pinsan.

"Oliver! What are you doing?!"

"They act like the real players, right?!" sigaw nito pabalik. "Then, if I just say the right words, maybe I can turn him to our side."

"Hindi mangyayari 'yon. They're clones. They don't possess human feelings."

Kahit na iyon ang sinabi ni Dierran ay hindi niya mapigilang mapansin ang pagtigil ni Caspian nang hawakan ni Oliver. He could have injured him already. He could have used one of his fire needles to attack, pero nanatili lang itong nakatayo.

"Insan." tawag niya ulit. "Insan, ako 'to. Si Oliver—"

Oliver's attempt was cut off by an outburst of magic power that happened outside. Agad na kumalas sa pagkakahawak niya si Caspian at lumapit sa bintana. He followed, his heart dropping at the sight of Kairo and Finn fighting on the ground.

It was a nightmare. For Kairo.

He was so ready to face off any hunters but he wasn't prepared to see Finn. Na-activate niya na ang underworld nang sumugod sa gate nang biglang may humawak sa likuran ng t-shirt niya at inihampas siya sa lupa. He cursed in pain, before pulling his double-bladed dagger, turning around to strike it at his assailant. Pero nahinto sa ere ang atake niya nang matitigan ang mga matang binabaliw siya araw-araw. They were so close that Kairo couldn't breathe properly. Not with those brown eyes, those twin buns he missed so much, and her innocent face clouded with cold fury.

"Finn..." he breathed.

Then she stabbed his stomach.

He should be fighting back. Damn, he should be killing his opponent for injuring him this badly. But this clone moves and fights like Finn that he doesn't have the right mind to fight back.

Luckily, Wes dragged him up with a glare. Sa bagong-dating na lalaki pumunta ang atensiyon ni Finn. Two, wide shadow-like wings appeared from her back, growing further into sharp claws. Sa isang iglap ay papunta na ito sa kanila. It was so sharp and flowing with magic power that it was impossible to survive it.

There was a flash of movement before a shadow cocoon caged them in.

Bumukas ang sa may likuran nito at nakita nila si Maki na sini-senyasan silang umalis na doon. Akay-akay ni Wes si Kairo nang sabay silang tumakbo pabalik sa eskwelahan. Kairo hissed a curse as he fell on the floor, clutching his wounded stomach. Nandoon pa rin ang kunai ni Finn at parang ayaw niyang alisin. Kaya si Maki na lang ang kumuha no'n at nagbigay sa kaniya ng healing potion.

"Her clone is guarding the gate." Wes muttered, watching the fight outside. "Alam nilang iyon ang magpapaproblema sa atin. For Kairo who is the strongest underworld user, it's a disadvantage."

Napasulyap si Maki sa labas. They were just observing how Kairo will leave nang lumabas ang clone ni Finn. Halatang naestatwa ang lalaki at hindi na kayang lumaban pa. Wes tried to help him, but he couldn't move too. Kaya naman si Finn na lang ang lumapit at sumagip sa kanila. Bigla na lang itong tumakbo at pinrotektahan ang dalawa gamit ang shadow cocoon bago tinapunan ng dalawang kunai ang kaniyang clone.

And Finn fighting her clone is the most dangerous and beautiful thing they ever witnessed.

Shadows exploded and vanished outside. Umulan ang mga daggers at kaniya-kaniya silang gumawa ng shadow cocoon para maprotektahan ang sarili. It was so breathtaking — watching the Sparrow fight herself. Magkaparehas ang bawat galaw, atake, lakas, at bilis.

The clone jumped back before throwing five daggers that Finn successfully intercepted. Dahil sariling weapon niya rin ito, mabilis niya itong nahawakan at binalik sa clone. It disappeared at the wall of shadows that the clone formed.

Sa isang iglap ay nasa harap na niya ang clone. A large shadow fist appeared just above her enclosed hands at akmang susuntukin na si Finn nang magpakawala siya ng ultimate. Shadows burst from her body, making a chaos of dancing darkness in the schoolgrounds. Lalo na nang gamitin din ng clone ang ultimate niya.

"Fuck." Wes cursed, the powerful clashing of shadows enough to make them step back. "That amount of power is insane."

"Tell me." Maki responded with a dry tone. "So this is what happens when two, true Finns fight against each other."

"No. One of them isn't the Sparrow and it will show."

True to Wes' statement, a clone is just a clone, no matter how perfect it was replicated. Dahil nang mawala ang mga aninong sumabog sa buong eskwelahan, Finn's clone was already on the ground. Ilang kunais ang nakasaksak sa katawan niya, kaya't naliligo na sa dugo ang itim na damit nito. Finn was still standing, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

Ngunit nang akala nilang tapos na, siya namang pagpakita ng mga black chasms sa paligid ni Finn. The dark ball was familiar, with electricity sparkling around it.

Sabay-sabay na narealize nang mga nanonood na players kung ano 'yon. Eura suddenly stood up, and was about to rush outside if Gavin wasn't holding her tightly.

"Finn! Umalis ka diyan! That's Ate Depore's explosions!"

Her warning was too late because the series of explosions already happened. Nawala na si Finn at tanging anino lang ang natira sa puwestong 'yon. A short girl with white twintails then appeared, another explosive dark ball appearing from her palms.

"Pinipigilan talaga nila tayong makatulong kay Finn." saad ni Gavin.

"Finn can take care of the clone. Tayo na lang kay Depore..." Oliver announced, rushing down the stairs. "I mean, tayong walang emotional attachment sa kaniya."

"Mukhang babawiin mo na 'yan ngayon." sambit ni Eura habang nakatitig sa labas.

Outside, another person has joined the battle and it made them remember of the famous trio at the Magus City. A flash of fire needles rained down from the sky towards Finn. The attack was accompanied by a face that she once saw in the city of nightmares. Even if it was an illusion, they were allies. In this city where the clones are life-like, they are enemies.

Finn stared at the clones that blocked her way. Depore, one of the players with the highest magic power; Caspian, a player with the largest magic energy; and herself, a balance of both. Hindi na siya magugulat pa kung biglang lumabas sina Theo at June at magkaroon sila ng reunion dito.

She gripped the dagger in her hand, and after inhaling deeply, she met the three people she treasured halfway and started the fight.

"Hmm." Sapphire hummed, watching the exchanged of attacks and magic below. "I thought this would break her. But she's fighting against them."

"Bakit mo ba 'to ginagawa sa kaniya, Sapphire? Hanggang ngayon ay pinapahirapan mo siya kahit na wala siyang ginawang masama sa'yo." Marcella asked.

Ngumiti lang ang babae. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Theo's clone hiding in the guardhouse. With a flick of her fingers, the clone started moving towards Finn.

"And why did you push her yourself? You're not that forward when it comes to Finn. Why the need for the show?" dagdag nito.

"Ang dami mong tanong ngayong magkaibigan na kayo ha. You have really changed Marcella but," Sapphire grinned. "How would your lovely sparrow react when she finds out you're the reason for her pain?"

Kumunot ang noo ng babae. She took a small step forward, in a way of intimidation but Sapphire only shot her a playful glance. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"I mean, I only take orders from someone you know. And that someone is doing all this for you. Because they want you to win."

Hindi makapaniwala si Marcella sa narinig. Was it her organization that did this? Inutusan nila si Sapphire na gawin ang lahat ng 'to?

"It's a pity that it was Finn, though." nawala ang tuwa sa mukha ni Sapphire. "I like her, you know. I want to be her friend, but right now, I have a job to do. Hindi naman talaga si Finn ang target eh. It could be anyone who can endanger your spot. Ang mahirap lang ay siya si Sparrow at si Sparrow ang mismong threat kay Marcella Maia."

"Well, tell whoever you're working for that it's not needed anymore." Marcella's authoritative voice reverberated in the quiet room. "I don't care if I win or I lose, so stop this already. Stop hurting her."

"I don't take orders from you. So I apologize but I can't. And to answer your other question, kailangan kong gawin 'yon dahil alam kong ikukulong niyo 'ko. I can't enter that dream gate unless you defeat the quest because I am not a true player. Dapat ay umalis na ang lahat ng game master sa city of nightmares, kaya doon rin ang skip. But ta-da, I'm still here because I saved you from that nightmare shit."

Humalukipkip si Sapphire at pinanood ang laban sa ilalim. Even with Theo joining and his ice spikes shooting from the ground, Finn was still fighting. Napakabilis ng bawat galaw nito, at sumasama ang anino sa kada atake niya kaya kahit ang sabay-sabay na pag-ultimate ng mga clones ay nakaya niyang depensahan.

"You used those four so they can't move and help Finn, like how you carefully planned her friends' death and broadcasted it to everyone so she would be left alone."

"How far can she go without breaking?" ang tanging tugon ni Sapphire sa mga tanong ni Marcella.

"Well, you made a wrong decision, Sapphire. You shouldn't recycle plans. They've already passed this challenge, so her friends will not be blinded again. They're stronger now. And they won't let their sparrow fly alone again."

Sapphire was about to ask what she meant when Marcella jumped from the third floor of the building to the schoolgrounds. The sky was filled with a mixture of needles and daggers, coated with shadows and fire. The whole place was surrounded with the black chasms. A warning coldness seeped through their bones, a clue that another round of ice will shot through the ground.

Ngumisi si Maki. "Buti na lang at wala akong kilala sa mga dating kaibigan ni Finn. Yakang-yaka ko silang suntukin at patayin nang walang pagda-dalawang isip."

Summoning his axe, and with Marcella's brilliant flame beside him, they were ready to support Finn. A transparent bubble formed around the black chasms, in order to prevent it from exploding around the schoolground. Gavin and Dierran had their hands on the ground, brows furrowed in concentration to intercept Theo's attacks.

And a chain of massive attacks almost destroyed the school.

The players with air magic thrusted their powers towards the air, in order to prevent the needles and daggers from raining down. Theo and Caspian both charged towards Finn, who was breathing heavily. Blood dripped from the wounds in her thigh and her other hand was shivering from releasing too much power. Ngunit bago pa makalapit ay nasa magkabilang gilid na niya si Marcella at Maki. Marcella fought with Caspian again, fire against fire, while Maki used his axe to deflect Theo's attacks.

Depore's dark explosions were muted inside Wes' water cages. Bago pa siya sumugod para umatake, Dierran was already in front of her.

Shadows flew past the players who were too lost in battle. In a blink, Finn saw the tip of a familiar kunai. Mabuti na lang at may humawak sa kaniya at iginiya siya sa tabi kaya naiwasan niya iyon.

"Finn are you okay-?" she heard Gavin's worried voice behind her pero nasa isang bagay lang ang atensiyon niya.

"Sparrow."

"Kitten."

Sinulyapan niya ang dalawang tumawag. Namutla ang bawat manlalaro nang makita ang mga bagong-dating. Iba't-iba ang laki at taas nila. May mga kasingtaas ng higante at may dalang napakalaking axe, mayroon ding kamukha ang isang elf at may hawak na bow and arrow. There were also those who looked like hideous monsters, with slimy tentacles and numerous eyes.

"Hunters." sabay-sabay nilang nasambit.

Three pair of eyes were fixed on Finn, the two who called her name earlier and her own clone. Ngunit ang dalawang lalaki lang ang nagsalita.

"Run," they said.

And ran, they did.

But they didn't reach far when the hunter's mallet slammed the earth, making the ground break apart.

-chapter end-