-chapter seventy-four-

THIRD PERSON

A third enemy, huh.

That reminds Finn of the person June once hinted. Someone who ordered her to imitate the sparrow back at the Beast's Castle. Was Kairo implying himself with no knowledge of the third person, or does he know?

Alam niyang galit si June at Marcella. Ang una ay naniniwala na kailangan nilang magpalit ng buhay, while the latter is threatened by a non-existent crown. Both of them are already dangerous alone, so if someone was pulling the strings behind, it will only make the game difficult.

Nilibot ni Finn ang paningin sa paligid. A series of smiling or either serious faces, all a little familiar to her eyes. Hindi niya alam kung sino sa kanila ang tinatawag na enemy ni Kairo, at hindi niya rin alam kung ilan dito ang pumapanig sa kaniya o hindi.

She feels like she's in the middle of hungry crows - their crimson eyes burning straight at her.

And if Finn can't rely on anyone but herself, all she needs to do is be vigilant. To harness her weapon and keep an eye out for everything.

May that be a friend or a foe.

Kasalukuyang nakatayo si Finn sa harap ng isang zodiac door. It was the same as the previous one. Isang napakalaking pintuan na gawa sa iron at unang tingin pa lang ay sobrang bigat na. But when Finn placed her hand on the center and gave it a light push, kaagad itong nabuksan.

Finn walked inside, the small light peeking through the space between the doors. Tuloy-tuloy lamang ang pagpasok niya na hindi niya napansin ang isang manlalaro na sumunod.

The large doors closed with a loud thud, briefly shaking the floor they're standing on. It was different from the dam earlier. Much, much different.

There was a fraction of a forest, a sea, a lava ground, and a waterfall section around them. In the center, where Finn was standing, was the grassland, all green and neatly-trimmed. Finn shifted her eyes from the waves that splashed over the rock, to the quiet crackles of fire, the soft chirping of birds inside the forest, and the quiet hum of waterfall on her other side. Hindi niya alam kung anong klaseng zodiac ang titira sa ganitong klaseng realm.

"For sure, it's not gonna be Leo."

Kaagad na napalingon si Finn sa narinig na boses. A dark-haired man stood behind her, casually leaning on the door. Hindi niya ito kilala.

"The zodiac, I mean. Hindi si Leo ang nakatira dito. It's another zodiac. What do you think it is?"

Finn did not answer, since hindi niya rin naman alam. Kanina pa itong mga tao na lagi siyang tinatanong ng mga bagay-bagay. Mukha bang may sagot siya sa lahat?

"So you're really very quiet as the rumors say? Or do you just pick the people you want to talk with?" he slightly tilted his head as if to study her. "Do I just have to wait until you acknowledge me?"

"Need something?"

"From you?" he asked, making Finn nod. "Nah, nothing really. Sinundan lang kita because this seemed to be the most interesting path. I believe I'd have fun here."

Well, kung ang definition ng lalaking 'to na fun ay makasama ang isang taong ayaw magsalita, e'di bahala siya diyan.

Tinalikuran ni Finn ang lalaki at sa halip ay tumingin-tingin sa paligid. Knowing what zodiac she'll be fighting is more important than this boy's presence.

"So, shouldn't we introduce ourselves to each other?"

Only the chirping of the birds answered him.

"Okay. I'll go first. Name's Maki, short for Mark Ian. Ikaw?"

It took a few seconds for her to answer, "Finn."

"Hm. A fitting name. Parte ka ng alliance ni Theo, hindi ba?"

Tumango si Finn. Medyo nagwo-wonder na siya kung saan na ba ang zodiac at hindi pa nagpapakita.

"We're allies, then!"

Natigilan siya't agad na binalingan ang kasama. Ka-alyansa niya ang lalaking ito? Mayroon pa palang maingay doon maliban kay Oliver at Sapphire? For someone this noisy, Finn haven't heard or seen him.

"If you're wondering why you've never seen me, that's because I hide too well. I'm a good assassin." Maki proudly said with a wink.

"That cat your pet?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Maki sa tinanong ng babae. Finn sure is a beauty but she's very hard to talk to. Hindi lang si Maki nakikipagusap sa isang pader, dahil parang hangin lang rin ang kaharap niya. Unless he really looks at Finn, it's easy to lose her.

"Pet? Wala namang pet-pet dito." sagot niya.

Finn raised a hand and pointed at whatever is behind him. There was something alarming about her face that made Maki scared. Naririnig na niya ang bawat tibok ng puso sa sobrang kaba.

It's not the possibility of a ghost that scares him, but rather ang makita ang pusa sa likod niya! Maki really, really hates cats.

Nang makonpirmang may isa ngang spawn of the devil sa may paanan niya ay nanigas siya. Finn observed him, curiously. The cat gave a soft 'meow', nuzzling its cheek on Maki's boots. Ngunit parang pinapatay na si Maki sa itsura nito — pale and almost ghastly.

The black cat was rather cute though. It's a pity that it was their enemy.

"Finn. Kunin mo 'tong pusa. Ayoko sa kanila." nanginginig na ang boses ni Maki.

Si Finn, na nautusan, ay sinunod naman iyon. She pulled out a dagger and threw it near the cat's legs, making the small animal yelp back in shock.

Sinamaan siya ni Maki ng tingin. "Balak mo ba siyang patayin?! Kawawa naman!"

"Sabi kunin." Finn deadpanned.

"Kunin! Kunin! Hindi hagisan ng kutsilyo!" Maki hurriedly scooped the cat up, inspecting it for any injury.

Finn just watch him fuss over an animal he supposedly hates. Hindi naman niya ito tinamaan. Tinakot niya lang.

"Kitty, okay ka lang ba? Takot ako sa'yo pero I would never harm you like that!" pagdedepensa ni Maki sa pusa.

There was no response from the small animal, but the way its claws lengthened were enough sign for Finn. Pulling two daggers out, she took a quiet step back.

"Bitawan mo."

"Ang alin?" kunot-noong nilingon ni Maki si Finn. "Ang pusa? No way. Kailangan nating magpaliwanag at humingi ng pasensya!"

The cat's fangs grew, as well as it's current size. Hindi sigurado si Finn kung mapapatawad pa nga ba sila nitong pusa na ito.

"Hindi ba kitty— ay gago!"

Mabilis na nabitawan ni Maki ang pusa nang makita ang napakatalas na ngipin nitong handa nang kagatin siya. Claws dug to the ground when it was dropped, and it was five times larger than it was earlier. The quiet mewl it had turned into a low growl, making both rogues hold their defenses up.

"Hindi siya pusa?"

Pagod na napabuntong-hininga si Finn sa ability ni Maki na magpoint out ng obvious.

"Zodiac." she still patiently answered.

"Si Leo?! Pero hindi naman ito ang lungga niya, ah?"

Tumango na lang si Finn kasi sinasagot lang din naman ni Maki mga tanong niya.

The zodiacs who normally takes the form of an animal are easy to differentiate. The ram, bull, crab, leo, scorpion, capricorn, or even maybe pisces. Feline animals only consisted of leo at dahil hindi nga ito ang lungga niya, no other zodiac animals would fit into a place as differently sectioned like this. Eliminating those possibilities left Finn with only one option.

Gemini. The twins who resembles different personas and may copy anything they like.

It also explains why there are various settings in this realm. Ito ay upang mabigyan ng advantage ang zodiac sa paglalaban. They can transform into anything and everything right here. Kaya sinabi ni Wes kanina na mas mahinang kalaban ang zodiacs kaysa sa hydra o dragon, and the only reason they were able to kill and injure that many people was because we were fighting in a biased place, one that supports them and disadvantages us.

"It's gone!" Maki informed, stepping a little closer to the zodiac's previous spot.

Wala na nga ito. It was almost like it just vanished through thin air. Maki frowned, inspecting the area and wondering what kind of zodiac sign were they fighting.

Defeated dahil hindi naman siya nabiyayaan ng magagandang brain cells, he turned to Finn. "May idea ka ba?"

Only to be surprised when two Finley were standing in front of him. Kaparehong itsura, kaparehong paggalaw at kahit ang boses nito nang sumagot ay magkaparehas,

"Gemini."

The two Finn's glanced at each other, face as expressionless as ever. Not even a slight change in her facial feature that showed her surprise at being copied. Parang expected na nito na makokopya sila.

Maki sighed, realizing how troublesome their enemy is. "Hindi pa tayo sobrang close na besties para malaman ko mga secrets mo, kaya paano ko malalaman kung sino ang totoo." pagrereklamo nito sabay kamot sa ulo.

"Fight." the left Finn suggested.

Maki stared at her. Kuhang-kuha niya kahit ang katipiran ng babae sa pagsasalita. But is Finn the sort of person who'd ask someone to fight with her if things become confusing? Hindi niya naman kasi talagang kilala ang dalaga para malaman ang mga bagay na ito. Sure, he has seen her in battles, but he has never experienced her fighting style to guess it.

'Argg. Ano ba 'to!' Maki complained inside his head. 'Nako, ba't pa kasi kaming strangers ang pinagtapat sa charades na 'to.'

May the guidance of the strategist Wes be in his favor, sikretong hiling niya sa taas.

Bago pa mag-assume si Maki na ang kaliwang Finn ang peke ay tumango na ang kanan, akmang pagsang-ayon sa suhestiyon ng naunang Finn, "Can help."

Maki stared at her for a full minute before dropping to the ground, pulling his hair in a stressed manner.

"Grabe namang test of friendship 'to! Siguraduhin mo lang na dapat besties na tayo at the end of this round!" naiiyak na pahayag ni Maki. "Asan na ba kasi 'yong mga manliligaw mo at sana sila na lang pinaglaro ko. I bet they'll be happy to see two Finns."

"Manliligaw?" both Finns tilted their heads as if to ask a question.

"Ay, oo nga, sorry. Kalimutan kong hindi ka aware."

"Aware?"

"Ichi-chika ko na lang sa'yo 'pag nakalabas na tayo dito, kung sino man ang Finn sa inyong dalawa."

Maki took a deep breathe, taking out his weapon. Isa itong axe, small enough for him to twirl it in his hand. It isn't exactly the best type of weapon for speedy battles but it's power and sharpness is enough to compensate. After all, this very weapon helped Maki reach until this city without any help from others.

The reaction was almost instantaneous when he presented his weapon. Sabay na tumakbo ang dalawang Finn sa kaniya, throwing four identical daggers his way. Maki raised his axe, hitting the incoming knives and sending them to other directions. However, those weren't used for a main attack, it was a mere distraction.

Maki crouched down, sensing two incoming kicks from his either side. Twirling the axe in his fingers, he slashed them at his attacker's legs, only able to make a small cut before they both jumped away. Sabay na napatingin sa sugat ang dalawa.

Maki raised his hand at the almost-accusing stare. "Hindi ko 'yon sadya. And what am I supposed to do when I don't know who is who?"

Mukhang wala nang balak sumagot ang kaliwang Finn dahil kaagad itong sumugod. She threw two of her kunais simultaneously before coming in with two succeeding punches. Naiwasan ni Maki ang dalawang iyon, but he was backed up to a waiting knife behind him. It stabbed the side of his stomach, making him stop and gasp.

Nagtama ang paningin nila ng umatakeng Finn. There was a shift in the blank eyes as soon as she saw the stabbed area.

Maki cursed out loud when the Finn behind her pulled the dagger out. Ang Finn naman na nasa unahan niya ay itinaas ang kamay para umatake. Maki watched the trajectory of the dagger, it's height and direction, before ducking.

He was expecting a kick in his stomach upon seeing the other's raised knee, at hinanda na nga niya ang sarili mula sa sakit, nang hindi ito dumating.

What he saw was Finn adjusting the kunai in her hand and throwing it again towards the impostor.

The fake Finn, responsible for stabbing Maki, had to take a step back when the kunai landed directly at her heart. She gave a small cough, blood painting her lips. When she held the kunai in her hand and pulled it out, Maki visibly shivered. Lalo na nang makita ang ngiti na mayroon ito.

Malapit siyang mapasigaw nang biglang nahati sa dalawa ang Finn. Their faces morphed into someone far younger, almost childlike, appearance.

"We studied you very hard~ But so impossible! So impossible!" they sing-songed, voice high-pitched. "Very hard to read."

"Yes. Yes! Very hard! You make far too many out of the ordinary decisions~"

Maki glanced at Finn. "So ikaw nagsuggest na maglaban tayo?"

Finn only nodded.

"When we meet someone, they usually persuade friends!"

"Persuade, persuade! Not fight!"

"Fighting helps. Won't harm." pagsang-ayon ni Finn.

"Like it! Like it! We are entertained!"

"Yes~! So we'll give up! Victory! Victory!"

Nalaglag ang panga ni Maki sa narinig. He spared Finn a glance and saw her confused too.

"Sa-sandali, anong give up? Give up saan?"

"In this battle, of course~" the twins answered.

"'Yon na 'yon? Akala ko ba kailangan kayong patayin?"

"Different zodiac! Different!" the left one replied happily. "Gemini is ten times harder than others!"

"We have the benefit for this city!"

Nagkatinginan ulit si Maki at Finn. The benefit? So this could be a special treatment from the zodiac because they hold the benefit? Their way of being killed must be transforming into that. Kaya rin siguro mayroon silang will to transform freely.

Iyon at— Finn roamed her eyes around the Gemini's realm. It's capability to copy and fully disguise itself is really troublesome, lalo na't dalawa lang sila. There's no doubt that they would change into Maki or something even more powerful. Their ability to fully imitate a person is terrifying, because they would know every habits and story. Fighting wouldn't only amount to strength and agility, but will need a great deal of strategy.

"Ano sa tingin mo, Finn? Kakalabanin pa ba natin?"

Finn's gaze fell to Maki's wound. Isa pa ang sugat na 'yan. She already expected that the zodiac would fight to the point of killing — not as it's goal but because of her history with the other players — pero hindi niya naman inexpect na magiging sobrang pamilyar ng sugat. Mabuti na lang at naunawaan ni Maki ang ibig niyang mensahe.

Umiling si Finn.

Maki nodded at that, shifting to look at the waiting twins. It's reasonable. Mas mabuti pang iwasan na ipahamak ang sarili kaysa maging hero. It's a win-win situation after all, they won't leave heavily injured but has a benefit on their hands.

"Decision made! Decision made! We had a fun time~"

The twins clapped their hands together and a bright light enveloped them. Sobrang nakakasilaw nito na kailangan pang pumikit ni Finn at Maki. When they opened their eyes, a floating egg appeared before them, replacing Gemini's previous spot. Napatingin ang dalawa sa isa't isa.

"Is this the benefit?" Maki asked, carefully walking close to the egg. "Ganito ba ang itsura nila?"

"No. Should be flags."

"So hindi ito ang benefit?"

Pagod siyang tiningnan ni Finn. "Don't know."

Maki hummed for a moment before shrugging, "Well, I don't think they lied. This is maybe some sort of a special benefit. So-" he gestured at Finn to step closer. "-when are you going to take it?"

Tinitigan siya ni Finn bago ang lumulutang na itlog. "Don't want it?"

"I don't think I should take it when it was your attitude that made them give up." kumindat siya. "I know how to give credit where credit is due."

Finn stared at him, all hesitant. Bakit kaya siya tinutulungan ng taong ito? He was also giving her a civil treatment, unlike the hostility the others give her. Ngunit, bakit sa lahat ng city na napuntahan nila, ngayon lang nakipag-interact ang lalaking 'to?

Does he have a plan? At kung mayroon man, then what is he planning?

"Kung hindi mo kukunin, ayoko rin. We'll just leave without the benefit then." Maki said with a shrug.

Finn sighed, walking towards the floating egg. She's not entirely sure about it but maybe it can be of help. So with little doubt in her mind, she reached out to grab it.

Maki instantly stepped back at the sudden surge of power that happened in the realm. The grass danced violently at the powerful gush of winds, pushing Maki away from Finn. Lumilipad na rin ang buhok ng dalaga dahil sa hangin at sa nagka-crack na itlog nagmula ang kakaibang pwersa. It build up to the point that the waves clashed and the waters splashed violently, until the egg eventually cracked.

And a long, silver dagger lay in its wake.

-chapter end-