Scam pala 'yong 12 chapters HAHAHAHA.

Thank you for reaching the last chapter of this book! Mahaba-haba siya dahil inisa ko na lang. There's another chapter but it will be under a special POV, so ito talaga ang last chapter according to the events in RWO. Nakaabot na kayo dito, rogues! Salamat sa suporta at pagmamahal na pinakita niyo sa mga nagdaang pahina.

Just a heads up! Please never spoil this chapter for others. Kung nabasa niyo na ito, huwag niyong ipagsabi sa iba kung anong nangyari sa dulo. Let's not ruin other's people experience in RWO at hindi ako magda-dalawang isip na burahin ang ending kung may isang spoiler na lumabas. Plisplis. Hindi nagjojoke :P

-chapter one-hundred twenty-three-

THIRD PERSON

When fighting the boss, the most horrendous monster in the game, several sacrifices must be made.

It's a known rule. Kapag naman kasi kaharap niyo ang isa sa mga pinakamapanganib na halimaw, na siyang magiging tagapaghatol kung mabubuhay kayo o hindi, hindi na bago ang kamatayan.

But then... Finn has already made a few sacrifices. She has lost and been defeated more than she won. She's not willing to lose another. No, she had enough.

And the sight of Gavin in that wall, bleeding and with his eyes closed, she just completely forgot all that pain in her body and charged again. Siguro ito naman ang berserk na tinatawag ni Sapphire, kung saan kahit na dapat paubos na ang energy niya ay nagagamit niya pa rin ang magic power. Hindi nga lang niya alam kung saan na ito naco-convert ngayon, but it may as well be depleting her life. If the mana's gone, it targets the HP of a player then.

Dahil sa naisip ay mabilis niyang inatake ang dragon ulit. If she has limited time to finish this battle, then she will die trying.

Unbeknownst to her, a few people also understood the berserk function. Na kung hindi na energy ang kino-convert nito, baka ang life naman ng player. And since their beloved player is currently fighting like her life depends on it, they worked themselves in action too.

While Finn was busy fighting the dragon, the boss moved, raising his sword to deliver a powerful strike at the Sparrow's direction. Ngunit bago niya pa ito magawa ay sunod-sunod na binaril ni Oliver ang likod niya to offer a distraction. When the boss turned around, Kairo's blade met his neck, and he slid down the man's back, the sharp dagger cutting through skin. Isang nakakabinging sigaw ang pinakawalan ng boss dahil sa sakit bago ito nakilagpalitan ng atake kay Marcella na agresibo siyang sinugod.

There were arrows and bullets flying around. Different types of magic danced along the large room, damaging and distracting the boss movements. Dumagundong ang buong silid nang muli nitong itaas ang espada at pinag-iikot-ikot. A stampede of bulls came rushing around, almost killing some of the players from being tackled to the ground.

Rumagasa ang pag-alon ng tubig sa kung saan mang direksiyon lumabas ang mga bulls. Wes stood in the center of the room, his brows furrowed as he concentrated on throwing the water to its appropriate subjects. Dierran, with the help of Louise and Fern, jumped up, summoning a wall of rocks beneath his feet to throw the boss' sword away. Sunod na dumating ang napakalakas na suntok ni Gavin na siyang nagpaatras sa kalaban.

Pagkatapos ay isa-isang gumawa ng shields at barriers ang mga manlalaro nang bumuga ng apoy ang dragon. It was so hot and wide that the flames covered the entire room.

After Maki whisked the fire away with the force of his wind, he looked around the place. "Si Finn!" sigaw niya.

Then his eyes landed on the largest shadow cocoon that they've seen. Nang mawala ang mga aninong umiikot-ikot dito ay agad na sinugod ng babae ang dragon. She appeared at every direction, throwing her kunais or cutting the scales with her special dagger. She was thrown off to the nearest wall by the dragon's tail or its other wing, but the shadows would catch her and she would retaliate by an equally powerful attack.

Parang wala na ito sa katinuan at pag-atake at depensa lang ang alam na gawin. Kaya nang umapoy ang buong katawan ng dragon ay hindi ito napansin ni Finn at muli siyang sumugod para sa isang pag-atake.

"Sparrow, don't! Stop!" Wes shouted as he ran towards the girl, trying to stop it.

But he knew he would be too late. So in his panic and desperation, he used his ultimate and summoned a flood of water into the room, effectively washing the flames away.

"What the fuck!" Kairo cursed from somewhere. "Are you planning to drown us?!"

"Hindi naman masyadong marami ang tubig, ah!" depensa ni Eura na malapit na abala pagpatay ng apoy na kumapit sa damit niya kanina. "Huwag mo sabihing 'di ka marunong lumangoy?!"

Kairo glared at her direction, and was about to tell Eura that it's not the time for jokes. Lalo na at ang babae naman ang 'di marunong at nakasakay lang sa likod ni Gavin, but the waves became rougher and harsher.

"Now, what do you want to do, you stupid Salvallon?!"

"I'm not doing anything, damn it!"

There were shadows swimming around the water like sirens that promises danger and death. Hindi naman ito masyadong malalim at kaya naman nilang lumangoy, but the thought of swimming the whole time would make them more exhausted. Wes knew that and was about to summon the water back earlier, only to be surprised that it wasn't in his control anymore.

The lights around them flickered out and on as Kairo struggled to contain his emotions. Si Gavin na humahapdi na ang sugat at malapit ng malunod sa bigat ni Eura ay siyang nagsalita,

"Wait, kumalma tayo! Hindi ito ang tamang oras para mag-away!"

"My goodness! Tama si Gavin, Papi Kairo! Please lang, hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin sa mga anino kaya huwag mo namang padilimin!" Maki added.

Marcella frowned at the mention of shadows. Sinundan niya ang pinupuntahan ng mga ito at dumapo ang mata niya sa dragon na pinapalibutan ng anino sa ilalim ng tubig. They were almost like predators circling its prey, biting and threatening. Then she found the dragon's horns glowing in blue, and suddenly realized that the monsters is at fault for the harsh waves.

"The dragon!" ang tanging nasabing babala niya bago siya inulan ng atake ng boss.

Marcella gritted her teeth as she tried to answer the fight with her own determination. The flames were weak at the sight of water so she had to raise her sword high. Ngunit biglang tumataas ang kinatatayuan niyang lupa at doon niya napansing pinataas pala nina Dierran, Gavin at ibang earth magic users ito. The earth elevated halfway the height of the whole room, making room for her to fight almost head to head with the boss and caging the monster inside.

Then, it broke.

Water and shadows swimmed through the cracks until electric currents danced along the crevices and the ground broke. Aagos na sana pabalik ang tubig nang bigla itong nawala. The dragon's piercing cry filled the air as Finley struck its forehead with her silver dagger, piercing through the heart and killing the monster. Bumaba sa 40% ang HP ng boss at nahulog si Finn nang mawala ang dragon.

The rogues who were free started to run and catch her, but she landed right at Wes' open arms.

Kairo halted, spitting a foul curse before turning around and spilling all his anger to the boss.

Nakatitig lang si Wes sa babae. Hinahabol nito ang hininga habang nakapikit. Her hand keeps on opening and closing, as if trying to control the shadows. Hinayaan ni Wes ang sarili na maging makasarili sa oras na 'yon at inayos ang buhok na tinatago ang mukha ni Finn. He gently pushed the strands back, wiping the sweat and blood off her face. Nang gumalaw ito ay dahan-dahan niyang tinulungang makatayo, ang kaniyang mga mata ay hindi pa rin maalis sa babae.

"Lilliane." mahinahong tawag niya. "Can you still fight?"

Isang mahinang tango lang ang isinagot ni Finn. She tensed when she felt something ran against her feet, and she raised her horrified eyes at Wes.

Like the mindreader that he is, agad ring naintindihan ng lalaki ang nais niyang iparating. He glanced towards Marcella, shouting, "Marcella! Laser waves from the ground up!"

"Stab the eyes!" Kairo shouted just as the first wave of purple laser shot through the whole room.

Their cries of anguish filled the place as their legs were almost sliced apart. Sinubukan ni Marcella na sumugod at tumalon ngunit biglang bumigay ang tuhod niya. Thankfully, Oliver who was busy hissing at the cut in his leg, caught her in time.

Nagkatinginan si Eura at Maki. Itinaas ng babae ang flamethrower niya at ngumiwi dahil hindi naman ito pwedeng isaksak sa mata. Then, Maki also shook his head, summoning a rush of air that quickly disappeared. He was reaching his limit too.

Halos mabato sila sa kinatatayuan nang marinig ang malakas na pag-daing ni Finn. Another round of laser shot through the room and it made the wound on her thigh bleed more. Kaya't paluhod siyang nahulog sa lupa.

The next set of events weren't even planned but their cooperation was unbelievable. Kairo ran through the rest of them, ignoring the throbbing pain in his leg. Pumwesto si Gavin sa may harap ng boss at kahit sumisigaw sa sakit ang kamay niya ay inilagay niya ito sa harap. He grunted when Kairo stepped on his hand and he helped him jump up the giant. Oliver sent a rush of air that propelled Kairo upwards so he could stab his dagger on the boss' eye. Muling sumabog ang laser sa paligid bago tuluyang nabulag ang boss.

Kairo lost his balance as their enemy staggered, and he was about to fall when Wes got hold of his shirt, the both of them sliding down the man's body with the help of water. Just as their feet stepped on the ground, ten minotaurs appeared.

Nagkaniya-kaniyang laban ang mga rogues sa mga minotaur. Those who weren't able to contribute much in the battle between the boss and the dragon, helped in fighting the minotaurs away and defending the injured. Anyone who could see the battle would realize how far they've grown. From a couple of rogues who would push anyone just to survive, their cooperation is now very evident.

Sapphire thought that the last boss would be a battle of desperation and survival, but the rogues in here right now stopped thinking about themselves. Their mindset of 'It's okay if they die, as long as I survived' is long gone. And right now they were fighting so all of them could live. So they could all escape.

Tumaas ang kilay niya nang bumugso ang apoy sa espada ni Marcella. A dark aura was also emitted at Kairo's weapon and drops of water floated around Wes. Halos kasing-gaan na ng hangin ang baril ni Oliver at mabilis niya na itong naipuputok. A tornado cut through two minotaurs before flame burst out from the Maki and Eura duo.

Multiple power switches are happening. The players are going berserk as the HP of the boss dropped to 25%.

Mahinang natawa si Sapphire at umalis sa silid na 'yon. She coughed, waking up in a busy control room. Marahas niyang kinuha ang nakasaksak na gear at umalis sa kamang kinahihigaan.

Nakita niya ang lalaki na nakahilig sa railings at nanonood. She approached him, resting her hand on the railing. They were on the second floor of the control room at abala ang mga taong nasa ilalim kaharap ang iba't ibang computer. The creator sat in the center of the room, in his own cubicle, rubbing a hand over his mustache while watching the two hundred monitors that are displayed in front.

Two hundred monitors. With about a hundred and more, static and dark, and a few running in a vivid display of a battle against the game boss.

"I thought it was impossible," natatawang tugon ng lalaking gumawa ng mismong laro. "They have exceeded my expectations. Multiple rogues going berserk, huh."

"They're desperate." komento ng lalaking katabi niya. "That desperation to leave the game and pass through the gate is what keeps them up. It's amusing how they will kill to survive back then, but now rather than each other, they would kill the world."

"The secret to winning this game is cooperation, after all." tumayo ang creator at nilingon sila. "But you ruined it. Pag-uusapan pa natin ang nangyari mamaya."

"I didn't." the man smirked. "Those were their true nature. We only introduced twists. Sa simpleng salita, tinapunan lang namin sila ng buhay na posporo, pero sila ang nagpasiklab ng apoy. They ruined the game themselves with their own passion, dreams, and ambitions."

"But you still helped them." the creator's gaze landed on Sapphire. "You manipulated the whole game and that is against my rules. I wanted it to progress naturally."

Kibit-balikat lamang ang isinagot ng babae. "It was more interesting this way. We get to see their heart bleed and we know how easily the audience can be swayed. The emotions they poured and the tears they've spilled are all part of making this game a masterpiece."

"You killed a player. You pushed her." tukoy nito sa nangyari kay Carly kanina.

"The spotlight should either be on the queen or the sparrow. I will not let any other girl be the cause of their death, especially a weakling like her." ngumisi si Sapphire. "She could never be my star. The game wouldn't be interesting if Finn died."

Umiling lamang ang nakakatandang lalaki sa isipan ng dalawa. Muli niyang tiningnan ang laban na kasalukuyang nangyayari. His eyes stayed on a certain male who had the whole battle in his palm already. Konti na lang at matatapos na rin ang laban nila.

Sa loob ng game ay halatang-halata na ang tensiyon. Wes has told them the plan, which is to rain down their ultimates on the boss. It was a suicidal move, since they already used it at the last city, but they need to finish their enemy before it can summon any more dangerous skills.

Bago niya tinanguan si Kairo para gawin na ang plano ay sinulyapan niya si Finn. Her shadows were flickering, minsa'y magpapakita at biglang mawawala. For a moment, he wished that she was some overpowered hero, so the mental and emotional burden wouldn't drag her down as much as she is physically hurt. It worries him deep down, and he can't let her get out of his sights. Not like this. Not when they're on this situation.

Nang makalapit si Maki kay Finn at tinulungan itong tumayo ng maayos ay sinenyasan niya si Kairo na mauna. The boy glared at him first before flexing his wrist and clicking his neck.

"Summoning Underworld."

The rogues were almost breathless at the sudden darkness. Parang hinihigop sila ng dilim na iyon. Biglang bumuga ang napakalaking apoy mula sa flamethrower ni Eura. The second sign.

The players who possessed the magic of shadows chained the boss hands to his back. And as the air of this underworld were like poison to them all, binilisan nila ang sunod-sunod na ultimates.

The boss gave a pained groan when a dozen of rocks burst from its body, impaling him. Sumunod ay ang limang malalaking air slicer na halos ihati ang katawan niya.

"Tornado." Maki and Oliver both summoned a storm of air that shattered the boss.

Pagkatapos ay sunod-sunod na dumating ang atake ng apoy at tubig. Water left the boss mouth as he was drowned on land, and a ice grew from the rocks that impaled him, piercing through the thick skin. Sunod ay ang pag-apoy ng buong katawan niya kaya bumaba sa 10% ang kanihang HP.

Just then, the ground crackled as electric currents ran through. Ngunit bago pa 'yon ay bumusilak ang napakagandang apoy mula sa espada ni Marcella at sumugod siya sa boss.

"Flames of Hell." she muttered, letting go of one of her powerful ultimates, that it almost broke through Kairo's underworld.

Bumalik ang liwanag sa silid at nahulog si Kairo na umuubo at habol ang hininga. Blood dripped into the floor as he coughed, and he could feel Louise and Fern sliding next to him, asking in a panicked and concerned voice if he's okay.

"Is the fucking boss gone?" he asked with his hoarse voice.

"3% HP left," Fern's composed voice was trembling. "And he seems to be preparing for a powerful attack."

Napamura sa isipan si Kairo dahil kahit na naubos na nila ang ultimate ay hindi pa rin patay ang boss. Even if he's on berserk mode, he's already tipping on the edge of death. He figured that as his breathing went harsher and difficult and at the way his vision swimmed.

In a fight between life and death, they might just be the losers.

It was the last city already, but it seems like they couldn't survive it too.

But then a low voice sent shivers on their body.

"Dancing Shadows of Darkness."

The whisper were like shadows that creeped through their body, haunting and menacing. There was a flash of movement beside them, but the action was a mere ghost of air that touched their cheeks.

Until the sparrow flew towards the boss, attracting the shadows from all around the room. As Finn hit the boss, a surge of darkness burst through, creating an impossible damage.

"Rain of Daggers."

Halos tatlong dosena na throwdaggers ang namuo sa ere. They surrounded the ceiling of the room, each of them were directed towards the boss. Hindi pa nakaka-isang segundo ang pananatili nito sa ere nang bigla itong lumipad papunta sa boss. It pierced through the body and Finn delivered a strike on the neck, which glowed and summoned a number of snakes that covered its whole body.

Another burst of shadows made the sparrow a victor.

Bumagsak ang katawan ng boss kasabay ng pagkahulog ni Finn sa lupa. Nakayuko ang ulo niya't tinatago ng buhok niya ang itsura. Her hands fell limply at her sides and she almost looked like a doll of a puppeteer that was thrown.

Sinubukang lumapit ng mga kaibigan ni Finn sa kaniya nang biglang bumukas ang gate. Light filtered through the opened doors, bringing hope to the despaired rogues and life inside the destroyed room.

But for the fallen sparrow, the touch of light did not burn away her sorrows.

The cries of victory filled the place and tears were spilled in joy as they completed the game, but the sobs that left a certain girl were heavy and tainted with pain.

Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo kahit na nakayuko pa rin, at kahit na masaya ang mga kaibigan niya sa pagtapos ng laro ay hindi nila mapigilang mag-alala sa kaniya.

They have won, but at what cost?

She completed the game, but what was the price?

Kapag lalabas na siya dito ay tuluyan na niyang iiwanan ang memorya ng mga taong nakilala niya't naiwala sa larong ito. Their role in her life would forever be a memory that would either make or break her. And she will face the world without those people she's been depending on for years.

In the midst of victory, the Sparrow remained the loser.

"Finn." nanginginig ang boses ni Maki nang tawagin siya.

"Oh my gosh!" Eura was almost crying. "Oh my gosh, Finn!"

Hindi niya alam kung bakit siya tinatawag at wala pa siyang balak harapin kung anong kalayaan na nasa harap niya. Kalayaan na hindi makukuha ng mga kaibigan niyang namatay sa larong ito.

But then the familiar weight of a hand tapped her shoulder and she heard Gavin's voice. "Finn. Tumingin ka sa harap mo."

Kahit ayaw niya ay pilit niyang tumingala sa kung saan ay nasisilaw ng liwanag ang mata niyang sanay sa kadiliman. At dumapo ang kaniyang mata sa mga pigurang naghihintay sa may pintuan.

And suddenly, the sparrow who fell to the ground after losing its wings, felt the sky once again.

A surprised gasp left her mouth as she studied every face in front of her. Kasabay ng pagkahulog niya sa sahig at paglipad ng kaniyang puso ay ang napakalakas na hikbing pinakawalan niya. Bumuhos ang mga luha niya at hindi na niya mapigilan ang pag-atake ng sunod-sunod na hikbi.

"Oh, ano 'yan, baby Finn! Dapat magsaya ka dahil nakita mo ulit ang maganda kong mukha, hindi umiyak!"

"Lily, we're okay. Come here."

The sparrow cried like a child, pouring out all the pain and sorrow that she suffered and also spilling the relief of seeing their faces.

A gentle hand cupped her face and wiped away her tears. "Stop crying, love. You are safe. We are safe."

Hearing their voices and feeling their arms around her, Finn's sobs were uncontrollable.

Finally, the wounded sparrow could roam the happy skies.

-chapter end-

Congratulations, reader! You have completed the game! Thank you so much for arriving here.