-chapter sixty-five-

THIRD PERSON

Layla did her best to take care of Finn, but she had a family to care for and a work to focus on too.

Matagal na siyang divorce sa kaniyang asawa, pero bumibisita siya sa bahay nito para sa mga anak nila. Whenever that happens, she leaves Finn with Geneva, Gavin's mother.

It was different that day.

"We're actually out of town this weekend too, Layla. Tumawag kasi si Mama at gusto niyang bumisita kami sa kanila. They're expecting us."

Layla sighed. "I guess Rea can take Finn for the weekend. Kung pwede ko lang siyang dalhin ay gagawin ko. But it's complicated."

"I doubt Rea will mind. She adores Finn a lot. Mabuti din ito para kay Ree dahil puro boys na lang ang kaibigan niya."

"Isn't Renée very popular with the girls though? Narinig kong paborito siyang kaibigan ni Tasha, iyong anak ni Fernando."

"Siguro, pero alam mo naman ang batang 'yon. While she can act friendly with them, she doesn't really like them enough to be friends." Geneva gave a light chuckle. "Masyado daw maarte at maingay."

Finn was playing board games nang pag-usapan nila 'yon sa sala. Dahil hindi niya naman talaga alam kung anong ginagawa sa laro ay nakinig na lang siya sa usapan nila.

Finn does remember Renée. Siya ang babaeng palaging nakabraid at nakaribbon ang buhok. She hangs out with Gavin, along with that bespectacled boy. Nandoon din siya nang ayain ni Gavin si Finn na maging kaibigan. Pero... hindi pa rin talaga sila nagkakausap dahil nahihiya si Finn sa kaniya.

Si Renée ang tipo ng taong kumikinang. Finn's not like her - a plain Mary who can't even talk well. Isa lamang siyang bato sa tabi ng isang dyamante.

So... why was Renée very happy to see Finn?

"Mag-ingat ka, Layla. Thank you na din sa paghabilin kay Finn dito ngayon. All Ree could talk about was her after they hang out at the beach..."

Sinama ni Rea si Layla papasok sa kusina, leaving Finn in front of a wide-eyed Renée.

"Dito ka ba matutulog?!" Renée excitedly asked.

Finn gave a small nod, taking a step back when the other girl leaned forwards. Renée wasn't really the over-excited type sa mga pagkakataong naobserbahan siya ni Finn. She speaks in a soft and demure manner, always having a small smile in her lips.

"Pwede tayong matulog nang magkatabi!" natutuwa nitong saad. "We can play dolls or anything you want... Naglalaro ka ba no'n?"

Finn could only blink at her. She did have toys at home but they were either board games or stuffed animals. Hindi talaga siya gano'n kahilig sa barbie.

"Come on. Let me show you my dolls! Mommy, Finn and I are going to play!" paalam ni Renée sa ina na sumang-ayon naman.

Renée dragged Finn upstairs, humming a happy tune under her breath. Their house was really big. Parang mansion na ito. Gavin's house was much smaller and modern dahil ayaw ni Geneva na sobrang laki ng bahay niya. Ang dalawang pamilya na ito ang may pinakamalaking bahay sa street namin.

"Is it alright to call you, Finn?"

Tumango si Finn.

"Ano ba full name mo? I'm Frances Renée!"

"Finley... Lilliane."

"Woah! That's so pretty. Ang sarap mong tawagin na Lily~" binuksan nito ang isang kulay pink na pintuan. "Here! Let me show you my room."

Renée and Finn had opposite upbringing and lives. Hindi naman mayaman ang pamilya ni Finn at practical sila, gano'n din si Layla na tinuringang kuripot sa kanilang magkakaibigan. She doesn't know if it's because Rea really goes all-out with her money or she just has too much of it.

Ang kwarto ni Renée ay ang pinakamalaking kwarto na napasukan ni Finn. Gavin wanted his room to be small, dahil ano naman daw ang gagawin niya sa malaking kwarto, maglalaro ng basketball? Sebastian and Finn had smaller rooms too, and they're contented with that. Pero ang kwarto ni Renée ay parang sala na nila.

While Finn admired her room, she wasn't envious. Sinabihan na kasi siya ng Mama niya before na kung ano mang mayro'n ang ibang tao na wala siya, hindi dapat siya mainggit, instead she should persevere to achieve it too. Laging sinasabi ng Mama niya na hindi masamang magambisyon, basta alam din kung paano makontento.

Kaya kahit na pinapamukha sa kaniya ng ibang bata na mas swerte si Renée ay hindi siya nagpapa-apekto. Finn believes she's lucky too. To live and have them as her friends.

"Nakakainis sila, Finn! Hindi ko na sila bati!"

Padabog na umupo ang nakasimangot na Gavin sa tabi niya. Napahinto si Finn sa paggawa ng sand castle para tingnan ang kalaro.

"Mm?"

"Sila Baste at Ree, nakakairita! Hmp!" mas lalong humaba ang nguso nito. "Hindi na natin sila bati dahil hindi nila tayo sinasama sa laro nila."

Hindi pa rin gets ni Finn kung anong ibig nitong sabihin.

"... Laro?"

"Oo! Magpapakasal daw sila, pero silang dalawa lang!" umirap si Gavin. "Nang-iiwan sila kaya ayoko ko na sa kanila!"

Finn blinked at Gavin. Renée, who heard his rants, smacked him hard in the head.

"Dalawang tao lang pwedeng magpakasal, idiot! So it's just me and Baste, of course. Ikaw na lang guest namin."

"May plano ba kayong hindi ako imbitahin?!"

"May utak ka pa ba, Gavin, o bola na lang ba nasa loob ng ulo mo?" Baste fired.

"Tse!"

Gavin frowned, muttering about how he's left behind, before his eyes landed on Finn. Kuminang ang mga mata nito at alam ni Finn na walang saysay naman pumasok sa isip nito.

"Alam ko na!" Gavin exclaimed, taking her hand and making the toy shovel fall on the sand. "Tayo na lang magpakasal, Finn!"

Pagkatapos sabihin ni Gavin 'yon ay bigla na lang siyang itinulak ni Renée palayo. She shielded Finn like Gavin was some monster. Pilit pa ring iniintindi ni Finn kung anong nangyayari.

"Hinding-hindi ako papayag na papakasalan mo ang sister ko!"

"She's not your sister! Finn's an only child!"

"E sister ko siya, pakialam mo! 'Tsaka, paano mo naman aalagaan si Finn e wala kang trabaho?!"

Gavin pointed at Sebastian who was chuckling. "Bakit? Iyang si Baste wala din namang trabaho ah!"

"Mommy said he'll have a good job in the future!"

"May kompanya din kami! Kaya kong alagaan si Finn!"

"Can... take care of myself." pilit na pagpigil ni Finn sa away nilang dalawa.

Renée grinned. "Oh, 'di ba, she can take care of herself so you don't need to marry her!"

"Finn..."

Bumaling siya kay Gavin nang marinig ang mahina nitong boses. He looked so frustrated that he's almost on the verge of crying.

"Bakit kayo pwedeng magpakasal tapos kami ni Finn, hindi?! Ang unfair niyo!" sigaw ni Gavin sa dalawa.

To stop the situation from getting worse, Finn ran towards Gavin and held his hand. Tumigil ang lalaki sa pagsinghot at pagsama ng tingin sa dalawa para ibigay ang atensiyon sa babae.

"Mm. Marry you."

Gavin loudly sniffled. "Talaga...?"

"Mm."

Malaking ngumiti si Gavin pero agad din itong nawala nang hawakan ni Sebastian ang t-shirt niya at malamig na ngumiti si Renée sa kaniya.

"We need to see if you really deserve to marry our beloved Lily, hm?" Renée sweetly announced.

Siguro dahil silang dalawa lang ang babae sa grupo kaya mas naging malapit sila sa isa't isa. They treated each other like sisters, although Ree sometimes become a nagging mother. She's always ready to fight someone who ever treats Finn the wrong way. Nakakatulong dito ang popularity niya sa school.

Since Finn was born, she had two guiding lights. Her Mama and Papa always ensure that she follows a path of fairness and kindness. Tinuruan nila si Finn ng mga dapat gawin at dapat isipin. To believe in God and give our pain, gratitude, and achievements to Him. To always persevere and fight for what we rightfully believed as long as we can.

The story of the sparrow always tells her to fly even with small wings, to try even with the tiniest voice, and to act even in the smallest ways.

Nang mawala silang dalawa ay naging puhunan niya ang artbook at mga iniwan nilang salita. Like her Mama said, God will take away things only to reward it with something more amazing.

Finn lost two guiding lights but had four amazing pillars and supporting people.

When one of her pillars broke down, Finn met someone who made her smile.

When her joy decided to became her pain, Finn met a comforting noise.

When the students rejected her, Finn had gamers who watch and enjoy her streams.

When Finn thought she'd lose the platform she created, she gained people inside a dreadful game.

When Finn thought she could survive, the chains she forgot existed pulled he4 down. The pillars in her life crumbled one by one. The anchors that controlled her in the dangerous waters were destroyed.

When Finn thought the sparrow flew freely, it was actually just content in her little cage.

Now, it was a cage of a thousand eyes.

"Narinig kong siya din 'yong pumatay kay Dylan. Alam niyo, 'yong bestfriend ni Sparrow."

"Hindi 'yon bestfriend ni Sparrow! Sabi ni June, pinapakalat lang daw ni Dylan na gano'n para makapaghiganti kay Sparrow. Pinatay kasi nito ang nobya niya."

"Eh? Pero nakita namin silang magkasama!"

"That was June imitating Sparrow. Alam niyo na, para magalit at atakehin sila."

"Nako, una pa lang medyo nagsususpetya na ako kay Sparrow. She's too good. Usually mga gano'n, mga manggagamit."

"Hindi naman 'yon totoo, e. Hindi porket sobrang bait, manggagamit na. Ayaw nga no'n magaccept ng gifts."

"Omg! Hindi ba't may usap-usapang baka si Finn si Sparrow?"

"Nako, sana naman hindi. Dahil kapag gano'n, talagang ang sama na ni Sparrow. Kasi ang pangit ng ugali ni Finn."

"Oo nga. Sobrang yabang na ayaw kang kausapin. Snobber pa akala mo naman kung sinong maganda."

"Hahaha! Talaga! Ayaw ko talagang lumapit sa kaniya, lalo na't mamamatay tao siya."

Nasa ilalim na sila ng city. Nagising na lamang si Finn na nasa gitna ng mapanuring mata nila. Hindi niya alam kung kailan siya nawalan ng malay at kung anong nangyari. All she knows was that she needed to protect something... someone, but then she lost consciousness.

Now, she was standing just outside a dome. Sa harap ng dalawang malalaking doors ay sina June at Marcella na malungkot ang mukha. There were players surrounding Finn, talking amongst themselves. Replaying what happened earlier, with lies and additions.

Finn gave them no mind and only focused on one thing. Nasaan na si Renée?

Pilit siyang tumayo. Thankfully, her injuries seems to have lessened now. Hindi niya alam kung bakit o paano, pero wala ng masakit sa katawan niya.

Finn's eyes traveled around the place, looking for a specific girl. Did she fall but managed to survive? Perhaps, she was lucky enough to land on a winged beast that flew her down here? O baka joke lang 'yong sinabi kanina na tatlo lang ang makakababa?

Because Finn did not use the stairs and she's certain Renée didn't either. Kung nakick-out siya doon for having the most injuries, then... she shouldn't be here, right?

"Grabe no? Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala. After killing Depore- Finn is heartless!"

"Nakita pa daw ni Marcella na pinatay niya si Caspian. Noong kalaban nila ang clown tapos tinutulungan ni Marcella si Caspian, nang biglang lumabas si Finn!"

"Alam niyo, feel ko dahil 'yan sa inggit niya kay Marcella. Akala niya siguro kung sino na siya doon sa draw nila! Like, duh, Marcella is and will always be a queen!"

"Oo nga. May nagsabi nga na mula pa daw sa second city hinaharass ni Finn si Marcella."

"Nagcheat pa siya sa laban nila ni Amnesia!"

"Sus. Nakikipagflirt nga 'yan kay Wes. Ang landi kaya ng babaeng 'yan."

"Right~ Kairo even trusted her but she just killed Depore. If-frame niya pa sana kay June!"

"Kay June na... ininsulto niya lang doon sa floating island kanina. Tsk. She even went berserk."

"Seriously, she's very powerful but she's a monster. I can't believe she even killed her friend."

"Kawawa si Renée."

Parang tumigil ang oras at mundo kay Finn nang marinig iyon. Her heart dropped, eyes widening at that. Binalingan niya ang nagsalita pero umatras lang ito at binigyan siya ng disgustong tingin.

"What..." sambit niya sa hangin.

"I can't believe it too, Finn."

Umangat ang tingin ni Finn kay June na malungkot ang boses. The great actress even had a perfect, nervous face.

"Pinipigilan ka namin ni Marcella na bumaba kasi sobrang dami ng sugat mo... nang bigla ka na lang magberserk! Parang- parang nasapian ka kanina!" June's voice was trembling. "Tapos... Tapos habang wala kang kontrol sa sarili mo, naitulak mo si Renée."

"She's really uncontrolled."

"Tangina. Ayokong lumapit sa kaniya o sumama man lang. Baka ako pa sunod na mamatay."

"Dapat sa mga ganiyan, nilalagay sa mental."

"Hindi ka man lang ba nagwonder kung bakit wala si Renée dito? At kung bakit nakasurvive ka sa taas?" Marcella asked.

"Maybe she didn't think of it because it was her plan in the first place!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"Omg. Grabe, talaga? Akala ko pa naman bestfriends sila."

"Hindi mo mata-tiyansa ang ganid ng isang tao. Kaya nga niyang patayin si Caspian na nagturo sa kaniya."

Finn blinked at the two. Oo, wala siyang maalala, pero alam niyang kahit mawala pa lahat ng paa at kamay niya ay hindi niya magagawang gawin 'yon. Even if she's blind and deaf, even if her mind couldn't remember her friends, her heart would never forget the melody they bring.

A melody that sings comfort and security inside of Finn. How could she... even think of battling her angels?

"We never expected you to be like this. Aren't you tired of this endless jealousy, Finn?" June said, stepping forwards. "Marcella only wanted to help Caspian, pero bakit mo sila sinugod at inatake? Bakit mo sinabi kay Wes na ako ang pumatay kay Depore e wala nga ako sa lugar na 'yon? We tried to stop you from going mad but why did you kill Ren-"

"Shut your damn mouth."

Umihip ang malamig na hangin sa city nang marinig ang madilim na boses ni Finn. Whispers began again and June faked a gasp, placing a hand over her chest.

"I'm only telling you the truth! Hindi mo kailangan maging aggressive sa'kin. Finn... I am your frie-"

"You were never."

"Renée-"

"Don't speak her name.

"Ang pangit talaga ng ugali niya."

"Tch. Ito pa ang pinoprotektahan mo noon? E parang kung sino naman pala magsalita!"

"Hindi pa sana ako maniniwala pero sa nakikita ko ngayon... it's very believable."

"She's the worst."

"A monster."

"Bakit pa ba siya natin kasama dito?"

"Mas better siguro kung siya na lang ang isacrifice natin 'pag needed."

"She doesn't deserve to live."

Eura stopped biting her nails and loudly sighed. "Finn's just digging her grave! Kailangan natin siyang pigila-"

"Do not move."

Sinamaan ng tingin ni Eura si Kairo na nagsalita. Suminghal siya. "Naniniwala ka ba talagang magagawa ni Finn 'yon kay Ate Depore?!"

Hindi sumagot si Kairo, but when Eura took a step forwards, he gave her a warning glance. Minura ng malakas ni Eura ang lalaki bago lumapit sa walang-malay na Gavin.

Maliban sa kaniya, no one made a move to walk towards Finn.

Oliver couldn't think straight after hearing his cousin's death. Para sa kaniya, ang pinsan niya na ang pinakaimportanteng tao sa kaniyang buhay. Theo and Sapphire did not move as well, a certain pressure of the crowd making them stay and watch.

Sebastian has locked himself in his own world after hearing what happened. Hindi niya alam kung ano talagang nangyari kaya takot siyang mag-react, lalo na ngayong parang hindi maayos ang isip niya. All he could think about was the fact that Renée's gone.

Dierran chose to stay beside a sleeping Wes. Matigas ang tingin niya kay Marcella na blanko lang nakatayo sa harap ng lahat. The girl was afraid, because Wes can be a solid witness. Nakita nito ang nangyari sa floating island at mas loyal ito kay Finn kaysa sa kaniya.

Hindi alam ni Marcella kung anong magiging reaksiyon ni Wes, kaya she's glad the strategist was injured so she only needed to make him lose consciousness. Enough to make him forget a bit of his hazy memory.

And so, Marcella is very glad.

Because the girl at the center of the city was being targeted with harsh words, disgusting glances, and insulting stares.

"June." tawag ni Marcella sa babae. "Hayaan na natin siya. We need to finish this city first. So we can protect everyone."

"Yes... but I'm worried that Finn is..."

"That's who we should admire, guys. Itong dalawa na ang gusto lang ay protektahan tayo sa masasama kagaya ng Finn na 'yan."

"Tch. Mabuti pa 'to si June. Kahit na hindi masyadong kilala pero ginagamit ang best sa kaniyang ability para tulungan tayo."

"Right, unlike Sparrow who is actually here with us but wouldn't even bother to help. Gusto niya lang ay clicks at views!"

"Mag-u-unsubscribe talaga ako pagkatapos nito!"

"Go Marcella at June! Suporta ko kayo hanggang sa huli!"

June kept a sad and concerned face kahit na gusto niya nang magdiwang. Mabuti na lang talaga at naensure niyang mga kampi sa kanila ang nakakita sa laban kanina. So no outsiders saw Renée sacrifice herself so Finn could live. Konting convincing lang at pag-iba ng salita para umayon sa kanila ang mundo.

While Finn who knew how to fight now would taint her image more and lose everyone's trust.

Gustong-gusto matawa ni June. This is the price of becoming the hero. Ano ngayon ang feeling na ang mundong pilit mong pinoprotektahan ay siyang gigiba sa'yo, Finn?

Tumigil sila sa harap ng pintuan. The dome needs three, strong players who can kill the dragon. Marcella and June already decided to fight. Kairo refused to help them, and the others were too preoccupied to lend a hand.

"Shit. Kailangan pa pala nila ng isa."

"Ampucha. Nasaan na ba kasi ang bobong sparrow na 'yon? Wala talagang kwenta."

"Ang galing kung makatutorial sa labas pero wala naman palang maipapakita dito!"

"Hahaha! Baka namatay na nga pala 'yon sa nakaraang cities!"

"Finn. Why don't you help us?" Marcella asked, turning around.

"Ang bait talaga nila. Kahit na ganiyan si Finn, hindi pa rin sila natatakot."

"That's my queens! They're strong!"

When did everything go wrong?

Finn never wanted the spotlight, but people pushed her towards it, labeling her as greedy after. Hindi niya na alam ang gagawin at iisipin sa mga naririnig at naiisip. Her fists aren't even unclenched, only closed loosely.

Finn tried so hard to protect them so why...

Why is it easy to turn their backs on her?

Finn's lost and lonely, broken and a mess. There was no one to ground her now. There was no one to tell her that everything's alright in the end. Is it... really okay for a small bird like her to wish that she could fly them all to safety?

When no one here even believes in-

"I believe you."

Natigilan siya nang marinig ang boses na iyon. Finn couldn't see him but his words replayed on her mind,

"I will always be by your side."

"I am loyal to you."

Those words did not replace the pillars that broke down, or did not shine enough to light her path. It just stayed there - like a constant reminder whenever she's close to giving up. Nanatili lang ito sa kaliwang parte ng dibdib niya, na parang mga kadena. Hindi para pigilan siya sa paggalaw, kung hindi para pigilan ang puso niya sa pagkasira.

"Finn, darling~ A sparrow protects its home with all it has. Kahit na maliit ang pakpak niya at hindi kasinglaki ng mga agila. Dahil minsan, hindi naman sa kung gaano kagarbo ang gawa na nagiging maganda ito, kung hindi sa kung gaano kabuti ang puso ng isang tao."

If the world turns its back on you, it doesn't mean that you should to.

After all, you can just face them yourself and slap them with the hard truth.

Magtatanong na ulit sana si Marcella kung anong nangyari nang biglang maglakad si Finn palapit sa kanila. The sea of people parted for Finn to walk. Ngunit ang kanilang pagtabi ay hindi dahil sa respeto o admiration, but because the female rogue disgusts them.

"You're going to help us?" June smiled. "Thank you!"

"You need someone to stop you from dying." Finn frankly said.

"Ang arogante mo naman!" sigaw ng isang manlalaro. "Kung hindi lang mabait sina Marcella, ayaw ka din naman namin diyan! Mas mabuti pang si Sparrow ang lumaban. Kahit na iniwan kami no'n, malakas naman siya!"

"Oo nga! Hindi kagaya mo na mamamatay tao! Baka mawalan ka pa ulit ng isip at mapatay mo ang mga reyna namin!"

Finn faced them, eyes cold. "You must be roaches to have rats as queens."

"Putangina, anong sinabi mo?! Aba! Ang yabang mo naman! Wala ka naman sigurong binatbat kung hindi ka nauunahan ng magic mo!"

"Marcella! Hanapin na lang natin si Sparrow at gawing sacrifice ang babaeng 'to!"

Finn stared at the two boys whose faces were scrunched in an ugly manner. Parang napapangitan pa ang mga ito na makausap siya, but Finn did not even voice out her repulsion to talk with them.

"Too bad, then."

"Anong too bad, huh?!" singhal ng lalaking may balbas.

Finn's cold smirk and dark eyes would haunt them forever.

"Too bad I'm your Black Sparrow."

-chapter end-

This is where the first part of Rogue Wars Online ends~ And this is where I will take a two-weeks break before I go back to updating again. Hindi ko alam if may utak pa ako.

The book ending is worth it. I promise!

See you~ (屮｀∀´)屮