-chapter seventy-eight-

FINN

Death, no matter friend or foe, would never be satisfying.

I staggered back, eyes wide and chest heaving. Death is pretty normal in this game and the player count keeps on decreasing at every city. Ngunit ang makita silang mamatay ng ganito. The brutality of it and even just the thought of a candle losing its light.

No one could ever be used to it.

May it be the thousand death I've witnessed, or the millionth. The sadness and horror will never fade.

"Sparrow."

Naestatwa ako nang marinig ang boses. Dahan-dahan kong ini-angat ang tingin kay Wes. Dierran stood beside him, looking just as shocked as us. They were on the third floor of the next building. Mukhang kakarating lang din nila dito. Ang nakakabahala ay ang napakalaking sugat na nasa kaliwang braso at binti nila.

Wes noticed what I was staring at and he shifted his position, hiding the injured arm.

"Ah. So that's the cursed bond, hm?" Kairo asked, rather unaffected by the turn of events.

The cursed bond? Ibig ba niyang sabihin ang nakuhang benefit ni Marcella where all the members in her alliance will be bonded by life? The pain and rewards a member will get shall also be shared by others, albeit in a small manner. And because Amnesia, one of the prominent members in the alliance, died, so shall Wes and Dierran be heavily injured.

"When I tortured one of your members, parang hindi naman kayo masyadong naapektuhan. So does it only activates when one of you dies?" Kairo raised his brow. After a few seconds of silence, he added, "C'mon, I'm just curious."

"That or if an important member is severely injured. Lalo na sa leader. Nakabase mostly sa importance ng member ang apekto." sagot ni Dierran. "The player your tortured mustn't be that close with Marcella."

"May close pala si Marcie. That's shocking." Kairo chuckled.

Talaga nga sigurong makapal ang mukha ni Kairo. Either that or his capability of reading the room is sometimes dull.

Si Wes, na hindi pinapansin si Kairo, ay nakatitig pa rin sa'kin. He jumped to the roof we're occupying and stalked straight to me. Ni hindi man lang niya sinulyapan ang kasamang namatay.

Muli namang hinatak ni Kairo ang braso ko bago pa makalapit si Wes. The Vanguard's strategist stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing at Kairo's hand.

"Where are you taking her?" seryosong tanong ni Wes.

"Fern." Kairo called out, ignoring the other's question.

Isang babaeng may maiksing buhok ang biglang nagpakita. She has a couple of wounds and a cut on her lip. Mukhang napasabak din siya sa isang matinding laban. She greeted Kairo with a nod before walking towards Gavin and helping him up.

"Let's go." Kairo ordered with a pull.

"Wait, sandali, Kai. Saan mo dadalhin si Finn? Ako na sasama sa kaniya, ako naman dito BFF niya-"

"Stop." Wes cut Gavin off, holding a hand between Kairo and me. "She's not part of your alliance so why take her."

"Precisely because she's not part of my alliance and this territory is hers?" nakangising sagot rin ni Kairo. "Ano nga ba ang tawag dito. Hmm. Prisoner of war?"

Pero wala naman tayo sa war para maging prisoner ako.

Oh, is Kairo pertaining to the game's official name, perhaps? Ang ipino-point out niya ba ay ang 'Wars' na nasa Rogue Wars Online. O pwede na ring sa mismong game sa city na 'to na 'Territory Wars'. That's very clever of him.

"Well, the three of you are witnesses to my comrade's death, so shouldn't I be the one issuing such command?"

"Oh?" hinatak ako ni Kairo papunta sa likod niya, as if shielding me away from Wes. "I doubt you're concerned. You didn't even glance at the corpse."

Wes' hand grasped my other arm, dragging me out. I could only blinked as both hands tightened their grip. Parang ako tuloy ang rope na kailangan nilang hilahin para manalo. Although, I do hope hindi nila gagawin iyon dahil baka mabali ako.

Sinulyapan ko si Dierran para sana humingin ng tulong, pero agad niyang iniwas ang tingin nang magtama ang mata namin. Nagtaka ako kung bakit mukhang may amusement sa mukha niya. Is he happy to watch a childish game?

Sunod kong tiningnan si Gavin na agad namang nakuha ang mensahe ko. He nodded with confidence and smiled at me for reassurance.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, Finn. Akong bahala sa'yo-AAAAH!"

I watched blankly as he shouted when said Fern drag him off the roof. Because Gavin was wounded and couldn't properly walk, wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang bigyan ako ng nakakaawang mata habang tinatakbo siya palayo ng babae.

I love being reunited with him, but why does he keep doing stupid things whenever we meet?

Why can't I ever have a sane day, even just for once?

"Glancing doesn't matter when I personally witnessed what happened. Shall I ask you in for questioning?"

"Why do you need to question us when you've personally witnessed it? Hindi pa ba sapat ang account mo at kailangan mo kaming dalhin? You must keep things like this quick and clean."

Isang mabigat na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ko nang magpatuloy ang pag-aaway nila. "Wait-"

"You're such an expert in making things quick and clean, huh. Is that why you're so indifferent around death?"

"'Diba dapat tanungin din kita niyan? I expect you to be shedding tears now, not engaging in a verbal battle with me."

Every time they talk, they have to pull me in their direction as if to prove a point. Nakakainis na at sumasakit na rin ang braso ko sa nangyayari.

"Let go of her, Kairo." Wes threatened, voice going low and jaw clenched.

"You let go. I got her first." Kairo returned the threat, eyes dark and glaring.

"Bitawan niyo 'ko." mahinang banta ko rin.

In an instant, I was released.

Minasahe ko ang sumasakit at namumulang wrist. I let out a sigh, giving both of them a warning look. Kung may problema sila sa isa't isa, pwede bang sila na lang maglaban at huwag na akong idamay? I just want to play Territory Wars, not witness their own war.

"Finn, don't forget our conditions." paalala ni Kairo pero wala akong maalala na kondisyon.

Is he... Is he finally out of his mind? Anong condition ang pinagsasabi niya eh pinigilan niya lang naman ako buong magdamag.

"I need to talk to you, Sparrow." ani Wes.

I blinked, tilting my head. "Bakit?"

Wala naman akong matandaan na may dapat kaming pag-usapan.

"What?" Wes appeared surprised by my question. "Anong- I just need to talk to you."

"Para sa'n?"

Wes only stared at me in response, mouth open but with no words coming out. Sa kabilang banda ay mahinang humalakhak si Kairo.

"Baka ibig niyang sabihin is 'want'. He wants to talk to you." Kairo remarked teasingly.

Ano ba ang pinagkaiba no'n? Iisa lang naman ang resulta - na mag-usap kami. 'yong tanong ko naman kasi ay kung ano ang pag-uusapan namin.

"Well then, what condition are you talking about? Aren't you just making excuses too?"

Kairo only smirked at Wes. "That's between the two of us. It's our secret."

I don't know the secret, though.

Dahil wala naman akong kailangang pag-usapan kay Wes at hindi ko alam ang kondisyon na sinasabi ni Kairo, pinili ko na lang na umalis. As I've expected both their hands reached out to stop me, ngunit agad akong tumalon pababa para maiwasan iyon.

Then, I ran.

The windows and doors were a blur as I passed them by. Naririnig ko rin ang paghabol nila sa'kin, with Wes calling out my name and Kairo ordering me to stop. Hindi ko sila pinansin at pinanatili ang mabilis na pagtakbo.

Well, if they want to talk to me, then they should just catch me first.

I turned a corner and was met with a gate at the end. It's a narrow alley in between two tall buildings and there are no open doors and windows here. There are also no barrels, bins, or wooden boxes to use as a support to jump to the other side. A large padlock was attached to the gate. At kung 'yon pa ang bubuksan ko ay maaabutan na ako ng dalawa.

"Finley!"

Sabi na nga ba.

With no choice left, tinalon ko ang gilid ng pader at ginamit 'yon bilang suporta para makalipat sa kabilang banda, narrowly avoiding the shap spikes at the top of the gate. Nilingon ko ang dalawa pero parang natulala pa sila sa ginawa ko. But then they snapped back into the chase when I ran again.

Sandali akong huminto para itumba ang wooden boxes na nakalagay sa gilid at harangan ang dalawa. Kairo's twin-bladed dagger cut through the boxes and managed to hit the side of my cheek. Hindi naman malaki ang sugat dahil daplis lang ito ngunit mahapdi pa rin.

All of a sudden, Wes fell from the sky, arms out to reach for me. I took a quick step back and crouched to avoid him. Sinipa ko ang paa niya para sandaling mawala ang balanse, ngunit mukhang nabasa niya iyon dahil agad niya akong hinatak pagilid. I pushed his hands aside and kneed him in the stomach, causing him to grunt in pain.

Kairo, who caught up to us, pulled me towards him. I raised my arms to elbow him but he easily stopped it with his hands. Then, I attempted to kick him in the knees, but he inserted his feet between mine and forced it apart. Hindi tuloy ako makagalaw.

"Stop moving." nahihirapan niyang sambit dahil sa walang-tigil kong paglaban.

Damn it. I need to break free.

"Bitawan mo siya, Kairo." Wes ordered, walking up to us.

Nakakita ako ng pag-asa sa kaniya. Nang makalapit ay agad kong hinatak ang collar niya papunta sa'kin. Wes' eyes widened as our faces got close. Mabilis akong yumuko kaya tumama ang ulo nilang dalawa, causing Kairo's grip to loosen. Then, I used my feet to trip him off and pushed Wes off with my hands. Gamit ang mga shadows ay nawala ako sa pwestong 'yon at lumabas sa rooftop ng katabing building.

I breathed out a sigh of relief, my eyes narrowing at the two figures below. Hindi na nag-usap pa ang mga ito at tumakbo sa magkabilang direksiyon nang makitang wala ako.

Napasimangot ako. If they were serious about the fight and weren't trying to hold themselves back, siguradong hindi ako dali-daling makakaalis. But they both refused to hit me or use their magic.

Napaupo ako't tiningala ang langit. Kahit na pula ito ay ang asul na kulay ang nakikita ko. I can see where the clouds are positioned and I can hear the water running down the stream. Gano'n rin ang huni ng mga ibon at ang bawat paggalaw ng mga hayop sa damuhan.

For a moment, I lost myself in a city that made me relax.

"Finn. You look exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Why don't you take a rest for a while, hm?"

Suddenly, I wasn't in the rundown buildings and dangerous alleys. Nasa gitna ako ng isang gubat at nakahilig sa isang pamilyar na puno. The familiar voice beside me quickened my heart beat. It formed a series of emotions in me - sadness, grief, false relief, and especially comfort.

Dahan-dahan akong bumaling kay Renée. "Ree..."

"She's right. You shouldn't push yourself."

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang marinig ang panibagong boses. Hindi ko na napigilan ang namuong luha sa mata nang dumako ang tingin ko kay Caspian. He looks calm as ever, with that same caring smile in his face.

"Caspian..."

"Sino ba ang hindi nagpapahinga? Si Finn? Ay nako, nako, masama 'yan. Magkakawrinkles ka ng maaga kapag nai-istress ka lalo."

And my heart stopped when Depore's loud voice rang in the air. Parang mawawalan ako ng hininga nang makita ang masayang mukha niya.

"So you're always stressed out?" Caspian asked.

"Walang respeto!" humalukipkip si Depore. "Sinasabi mo bang marami akong wrinkles?!"

"I didn't. You did."

They started arguing and Renée's warm-hearted laugh served as an audience. Light filtered through the leaves and the calm wind passed by, dancing mellowly with the grass. It was so relaxing. It was a place filled with comfort. It was a place that I want.

Napakaganda at perpekto na alam kong hindi siya totoo.

As if on cue, the lovely forest around me shattered back into the crimson world that I have entered. Nabasag ang masasayang mukha ng tatlo at napalitan ng mapait na player count sa taas. The trees and rivers morphed back into the abandoned buildings and destroyed streets.

"Hah." I scoffed, burying my face in my hands. "What should I do?"

Should I really continue to be indifferent and ignore them all? Should I seek revenge to the people who did me wrong? Should I just be the bigger person and forgive them all?

My thoughts were interrupted by a couple of voices. Kilala ko ang mga ito ngunit hindi ko talaga mapunto kung sino. Wala naman akong kasama dito sa rooftop at wala din akong nakikitang players sa malapit na gusali. I was about to look for the voices in the streets and floors when someone approached me.

"I found you."

Hinarap ko si Kairo. He brushed his hair and tipped his chin back while letting out a sigh. From here, I could see the multiple piercings in his ear and the tattoos that peeked out from his unbuttoned shirt and rolled-up sleeves.

"Hindi ko alam kung gusto mo talaga ang hinahabol ka, but I'm not complaining." he tilted his head, the cocky smirk back in his lips. "Shall I chase you all around the world? And would I have you as my price in the end?"

Hindi ako nakapagsalita nang ilang segundo. I was just staring at him, unblinking and unmoving.

I don't understand a word he said.

I glanced at the height of the building as I backed myself closer to the railings. Talagang sobrang taas niya at kahit siguro na ako pa ang pinakamagaling na player dito ay hindi ako makakasurvive. Ngunit baka mayroong chance if I use my shadows.

Hindi ko tuluyang naisagawa o naisip man lang ang plano dahil nasa harap ko na agad si Kairo. He placed his arms on both my sides, caging me with his body. Rough, calloused hands caught mine and he pinned them to the railings.

"Saan ka naman sana pupunta? I took the trouble to look for you everywhere and you're gonna run away?"

"Kairo." sambit ko sa pangalan niya. "What do you want from me?"

Tila natigilan siya sa tanong ko. His eyes gave away what his body and actions refused to express.

"Do you want me dead? Torture me until I want to die? Kill someone close to me as revenge? Harass me all my life?"

Every time I ask the question, humihigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko.

"Ano ba ang kailangan mo? I- I know I have my faults and I'm involved in Ate Depore's death." I whispered the last part, "But I didn't kill her."

Kairo froze.

"I didn't kill her, Kai. I-I can never kill her. I can never stab her. But I know, I know and I apologize because I was part of the reason why she was killed." I gave a small shake of my head, swallowing deeply to stop the tears from flowing. "No, I am the reason why she was killed. But I could never kill her."

He remained silent.

"Pero... Pero tatanggapin ko ang galit mo. Because I know how much it destroyed you. So- So you can hurt or kill me, but please don't touch anyone else. Don't touch Baste. Don't touch Gavin."

It sounded more like a plea.

Halos limang minuto ang lumipas na hindi pa rin ako sinasagot ni Kairo. His body remained stiff and his hold was still strong, but he was scarily stoic.

Nang akala ko'y hindi na siya magsasalita ay isang mahinang tawa ang narinig ko.

He raised his head so our eyes could meet, and with releasing my other hand, he softly stroked the small cut in my cheek.

"I know, kitten."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. His eyes moved from me to the talking pair floors down. Dahil malapit nga lang dito ang building na kinaroroonan nila, Sapphire and June's voice were slightly audible.

"I know who it is."

-chapter end-

soft kaifinn scenes next update <3