-chapter seventy-one-

THIRD PERSON

Three of the zodiac realms was currently opened.

The Gate of the Water-Bearer, the Gate of the Crab, and lastly, the Gate of the Bull.

Ang grupo ni Marcella ang humarap sa Cancer, habang ang alyansa naman ni Kairo ang nakipaglaban kay Taurus. Sa labas ay nagmumukhang normal lang ang syudad ngunit ibang usapan na pagkatapak ng realm.

The Cancer sign wasn't a human with claws or crab features, it was a literal crab. Isa itong higanteng alimango na may sobrang laking pincers, na panay ang pagbukas-sara. The sounds that accompanied it's each movement were high-pitched and squeaky. Because the realm was filled with sand, fighting the Cancer proved to be troublesome.

"It will appear five seconds from now." anunsiyo ni Wes na binabantayan ang paggalaw ng crab. "Those positioned in the East and South, stay on alert."

The players stationed there visibly gulped, holding on to their weapons in the suspense of waiting. Hindi na sila pwedeng gumalaw o umalis pa dahil nagsalita na ang strategist. Baka sila pa ang mapunta sa dulo ng sword dagger ni Marcella.

June frowned, watching the 'group leader' stand in the center, waiting for her kill. Sigurado na ang lahat na kay Marcella mapupunta ang last hit, dahil ka-alyansa niya ang majority ng kasama at may Wes pang tumutulong sa kaniya. It makes June's blood boil because she's only going to be taking credit from her group's hardwork.

"Akala mo kung sino." bulong niya sa sarili at palihim na umatras.

Sa mahigit dalawampung minuto na nagamit nila sa paglaban ng crab ay walang maayos na kontribusyon si June. Nanatili lang siyang nakatayo sa tabi at nanonood. Aside from the fact that Finn's not here for her to torture, Marcella basically has everyone in her palm.

Wala talagang maniniwala sa kaniya dito kung may plano man siyang itrap sa kaniyang patibong, not like if Finn was present and people would blame her without reasons.

So, really, it sucks. June has to watch Marcella get the credit of killing the Cancer. Nakakainis, nakaka-init ng ulo. It's all thanks to Marcella and her followers.

"Tch." June rolled her eyes, watching as the crab's pincers gets cut off by Marcella's own weapon and earning cheers. "Kung alam niyo lang na 'yan ang rason sa pagkapatay ng isang player."

A small, sinister smile appeared in her face. "You wouldn't be cheering like that now if you knew."

"Anong binubulong mo sa sarili?"

Napatalon si June nang marinig ang boses sa gilid. It was too close for her comfort so she had to take three steps away. Her eyes landed on one person she finds very annoying, base on how goody-two-shoes he is.

"Wala ka na do'n." may pagkamaldita niyang sagot kay Dierran. "Why are you here and not helping your friends fight?"

"Actually kakahampas lang sa'kin sa wall na 'yon." sagot ni Dierran sabay turo sa pader na may malaking crack. "Iniinda ko pa 'yong sakit sa balakang mga five seconds bago bumalik. What about you? Bakit nandito ka sa gilid at hindi tumutulong sa laban?"

"My muscles hurt from fighting the dragon."

Dierran's brow rose. "Nakipaglaban din naman si Marcella pero bakit hindi siya nagpapahinga ngayon?"

June's frown deepened at the comparison. Kailangan ba talagang ikompara siya doon sa reyna-reynahan nila? Comparing her and Finn was already too much, isasama pa ang Marcella na 'yan.

"Well, hindi naman siya ang gumawa ng hardwork, 'di ba? I mean, she just inserted her blade to the dragon's throat. I was the one who held the monster down and made up the plan!"

Tinitigan siya ni Dierran ng ilang sandali bago nagtanong, "Ikaw gumawa ng plano kung paano patayin ang dragon?"

For some reason, that acknowledgement made June's heart swell with pride. Yes, it wasn't her but Finn, pero hindi ba't kaniya naman ang kung anong mayro'n si Finn?

"Yes. Bakit?"

Dierran didn't move or speak for almost five seconds that June thought he was stunned or something. Sasabihin niya na sanang ipagkalat ito para marami pa ang magpasalamat sa kaniya nang biglang tumawa ang lalaki.

"W-What?" June stuttered out, offended at the reaction.

Hindi sumagot si Dierran at tumawa lang. He cleared his throat, giving a final wave before muttering na babalik siya sa laban, pero nang sulyapan si June ay tumawa siyang muli. Na para bang may nakakatawang sinabi si Dierran o may kung ano sa mukha niya.

After checking that her face was clear of anything hilarious, June's anger just went deeper. Kasama na talaga ang lalaking 'yon sa lista ng mga taong ayaw na ayaw niya sa buhay.

Sa ibang realm naman ay may naiinis ring babae dahil sa isang lalaki. But she wasn't fuming while resting, Eura was cursing every person alive while being chased by Taurus.

"Putangina mo talaga, Kairo! Tangina, mamatay ka nang gago ka! Hindi ko alam kung bakit nakulangan ka sa braincells at ako pa talaga, sa ganda at sexy kong 'to, ang ginamit mong fucking bait sa bastardong toro na 'yan!"

Gavin flinched each time a curse left her lips, while the rest of her alliance seems used to the profanities. Sa tingin nga nila ay mas mild pa ito sa ilang beses na mas masahol pa ang narinig nila.

"May nabasa akong research na mga magaganda at sexy, like you as you happily described, ang gusto ng mga toro."

"Don't fucking test me right now, you a-ah!"

Everyone watched as Eura tripped on a rock, planting herself face-first on the ground.

Humalukipkip si Kairo. "Tayo-tayo din 'pag may time. Nagiging negative na ang non-existent charms mo."

Eura mumbled something incomprehensible as an answer. Bumuntong-hininga si Kairo sa pagiging childish ng kaibigan. Hindi ba nito nare-realize na kasalukuyan siyang hinahabol ng toro at papunta ito sa kaniya ngayon?

"Eura, you need to get out of there or you'll be squashed to death!" sigaw ni Sapphire.

"Mas okay nang mamatay kaysa malamang hindi ko na makakausap si Finn." malakas na sagot ni Eura.

She knows her answer caused silence but she gives zero fucks. Mamamatay na nga siya ngayon, hindi ba pwedeng mamiss ang isang taong tinuturing niyang kaibigan?

"Well, mas hindi mo siya makakausap kung mamamatay ka ngayon." tugon ni Theo.

"Tumahimik ka, tulog lang alam mo!" Eura huffed and sat up, crossing her arms. The bull raging towards her was more evident now. "Ba't kasi ang aarte ng mga tao at ang daming drama. Alam niyo ba kung ilang oras ko nang hindi nakita ang pagnguso ni Finn?! My life lost its purpose!"

Kairo rolled his eyes, keeping an eye out for the bull. Ngayong nagsimula na ang dramatics ni Eura, mahihirapan na silang tapusin ito. They have to wait until the girl is finished with whatever drama she's cooking.

Unfortunately, the bull isn't one to wait patiently.

Kairo threw a warning glance at Louise's way, na tinanguan naman ng babae. Sinabi niya ang plano kay Fern na kinausap ang ibang kasama nila. They were not just letting the bull chase Eura aimlessly. Siyempre, may plano sila.

A runed-square lit up when the Taurus' feet stepped inside. Umilaw ang edges nito at lumabas ang iba't ibang markings na gawa ng magic ni Fern, isa sa mga malapit na kaibigan ni Eura at parte ng alyansa nila. It shot up towards the sky, effectively caging in the bull and Eura. Ang blue-violet wall na mayro'n ito ay hindi magigiba ng kahit anong atake.

Which is actually necessary dahil ilang segundo ang nakalipas ay napasa-ilalim na ito ng malaking apoy.

The flame kissed the glowing walls, blazing brightly inside. It started at a simple roar of flamethrower that later exploded into a fire that covered the whole cage. The bull's agonizing scream filled the whole realm as it was slowly reduced to ashes, leaving a golden ash in its wake. Si Eura na immune na sa sariling apoy ay ngumiti lang at nagpeace sign sa mga kasama nila.

"Kailangan mo ba talagang maging dramatic?" pagod na tanong ni Louise sa kaibigan. "Kahit na mag oscar acting ka pa, hindi naman mare-realize ng toro 'yon."

"Kaya ka 70 sa Arts mo, Loui." Eura fired back as she strutted out of the cage. "Minsan sa life, kailangan mo ring malaman ang acting. YOLO."

"Walang connection pero hindi na ako nagugulat seeing as it's you, Eura." Kairo commented. "Still, I hope you would stop worrying people around you."

Inikot ni Eura ang mata. "As if naman worried ka."

"Uh... ako, worried." tugon ng nakataas-kamay na Gavin. Nang ilang pares na blankong tingin ang makuha ay unti-unti niyang binaba ang kamay. "Share ko lang?"

"'Di ka sure?" humalukipkip ang babae. "Anyway, these zodiacs are surely weak. O baka naman super strong lang ako? Haha! I knew I should be listed as one of the strongest gamers in the country!"

"I don't think the public wants to commit a crime."

Sinamaan ng tingin ni Eura si Theo. "Hindi tayo bati, snorlax. Bakit mo naman ginagawang krimen ang paglagay ko ng pangalan? Ito ang ebidensiya ko!"

"A low-grade zodiac is your evidence?" Kairo asked, raising a brow. "Baka ibig niyang sabihin na lying is a crime. It is a bit shameful to have your name up there."

"Ikaw din naman ah pero wala kang may narinig sa'kin, tch."

Gavin smiled as his alliance, once again, fell into their endless bickering. Mukhang hindi na talaga ito mawawala sa buhay nila. Although, mas nasanay siyang siya at si Sebastian ang may kaaway, but having Eura is a different story. Para kasing kaaway na ng babae ang lahat ng tao sa mundo, maliban kay Finn.

His mood dropped when he remembered her. Wala siyang maalalang may ginawang masama si Finn. Hell, he's beyond certain that she will never do those crimes she's accused of. Kaya hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit bigla na lang tumalikod sa babae ang buong mundo. And he doesn't know why Sebastian has not said anything.

Naniniwala ba talaga 'tong makakaya ni Finn na gawin ang mga bagay na 'yon? The Finn who would mourn even at an ant that she accidentally squashed? The Finn who is so silent but loves so loudly you'd be blind not to see?

Alam niyang powerless siya, but maybe he could have made a difference if he was awake that time. Maybe... things wouldn't have gotten this out of hand?

Tumingala si Gavin sa langit. Sana, kung nasaan man si Finn ngayon ay maayos lang siya.

Outside the city, the gate of a realm opened. Kasabay ng pagbukas nito ang pagdaloy ng tubig sa labas, water leaking onto barren ground. Wet pair of boots stepped out, followed by someone dripping from head to toe. Ang signature twin buns niya ay nakalugay na at basa. Nawala ang kunai sa kaniyang mga kamay nang tuluyan siyang makalabas.

Doon nagpakita lahat ng sugat niya.

Finn staggered forward as the cuts simultaneously appeared in her body. Small and large slashes that opened up, spurting blood towards the ground, mixing red with the clear water. Coughing blood in her hands, Finn almost cursed out loud from the blinding pain that attacked her body.

Aquarius was a low-grade zodiac but these monsters weren't meant to be fought alone. Kahit siguro si Finn pa ang pinakamalakas na player sa buong mundo, hindi siya makakalabas doon na walang sugat.

Not to mention that she almost spent a half of her time trying not to drown.

Napanguso siya. Napakaunfair naman kasi ng laban na 'yon. Why is she up against a zodiac that rules the water when she can't breath under it?

"Cold." she breathed out, shivering as the chills started.

Laking gulat niya nang maramdaman ang malaking coat na dumapo sa likod. Nanigas siya sa kinatatayuan, all senses on alert as she detected a dangerous presence from behind. But that danger only seemed to adjust the coat that was draped over her.

"Sparrow."

Boses pa lang pero alam na ni Finn kung sino iyon. Hindi niya na din kailangang lumingon para kompirmahin.

"Warm yourself if you're cold."

Huminto si Wes sa harap niya. It's been so long since Finn equally stared at his ever intense eyes. Lalo na ganito kalapit.

It's a bit embarrassing since she was so vulnerable the last time they really exchanged words. And now, Wes must be very certain that she's the worst human alive.

Finn stepped back, narrowing her eyes. "Anong kailangan mo?"

She did a quick scan to see if Marcella and her goons were around, ngunit muli siyang natigilan nang humakbang palapit si Wes. He closed the middle buttons of the coat, enveloping Finn in it.

"Even your errand boy would be irritated to see you bleeding and shivering. Do us a favor and take care of yourself."

Wes pushed the wet strands off her face, tucking it in her ear. For the first time in a while, a smile was subjected towards Finn.

"And stop flaunting your mark, Finn. Paano kapag nakita ito ng iba?"

Nanlaki ang mata niya. Briefly, a question flashed in her mind. Has the world really turned its back on her?

Or was it just the monsters, showing their true colors?

Finn can be the most wanted person alive with the heinous of crimes, and a loyal heart would never waver nor betray its master.

-chapter end-