-chapter sixty-four-

THIRD PERSON

"When are you going to give up?!"

Padabog na humarap ang batang lalaki sa kanina pa sunod ng sunod sa kaniya. The seven-year old girl only stared at him with her brown eyes, a flush in her cheeks because she had to chase him.

"Talked with your..." hinabol ng batang babae ang hininga. "... grandpa?"

"I won't help you! Isa pa, Grandpa doesn't just talk to me. Kailangan ko makausap sina Mommy."

Tumango-tango ang kausap. "Then. Talk with Mommy?"

"My mommy!"

Pilit na pinigilan ng batang babae ang nabuhay na inis sa isip niya. Hindi niya naman sinabing sa kaniya. May Mama na kaya siya at masaya na ito kasama ng Papa niya sa heaven.

"Mm. Yours."

"Hmp." the boy crossed his arms. "They still won't help. Your kuya cannot be helped anymore."

Parang binagsak at tinapakan ang puso ng batang babae sa narinig. Hindi maaring mangyari 'yon! Ayaw niyang makita ang malungkot na mukha ni Gavin kapag aalis din ang Kuya nito papunta sa heaven.

The girl shook her head. "We don't know that. Can be treated."

Unti-unting nawala ang simangot sa mukha ng batang lalaki nang makita ang mukha ng kausap. She always had a  blank face and an emotionless voice, so seeing her crestfallen face was new.

May rason siya kung bakit hindi niya pa rin sinasabi ang babae ang totoo. Nakausap niya na ang kaniyang pamilya tungkol sa hiling nito, pero... ang sabi nila ay masama na daw ang lagay noong naka-admit na lalaki.

Nanlaki ang mata niya nang hawakan ng babae ang kaniyang kamay. They were much smaller than his - softer and more fragile.

"Ask them? Please?"

Mabilis na binawi ng lalaki ang kamay at umatras. He glared at the girl. "Alright! Can you stop asking me that all the time? Mahirap din kayang makipag-usap sa kanila."

"'m sorry..." nakayukong wika ng babae.

"Tch. Hindi ka na nga tumitigil sa pagtatanong, 'di ka pa humihinto sa mga sorry mo." umirap ang batang lalaki.

Dahil ayaw ng lalaking magsorry siya, "Thank you." ito na lang ang tanging nasabi niya.

"Hindi ko pa nga natatanong." he replied, annoyed, before he remembered that the girl left her lunch to chase him. "... Gusto mo bang kumain?"

Tumango ang batang babae, isang malawak na ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

That wide and innocent smile, ten years ago, was now replaced by a cold smirk.

It's quite frightening to realize how experiences and certain situations affect our whole personality. Kung saan ang dating masayahin ay napupuno ng lungkot. O ang dating mapagpasensya ay napangunahan na ng galit.

Is it really them showing their true colors? Or is it them finally embracing that they're only human?

Why are bad people celebrated for being good, while good people are attacked for finally realizing their limits?

Must there be truly a line between humans and monsters, as well as kindness and anger. In this game where true colors are hidden in beautiful paints, who really is the villain and the hero? In this game where survival is priority, why would you protect others?

Is it for your own salvation... or is it to preserve your morality?

"Napaka-arogante mo na Finn." June said in a mocking tone. "Ako din, magtatanong. That's it? I couldn't even feel your punch. I was just playing with you."

Finn, who felt the disgusting taste of metal in her tongue, decided to spit the blood out. Gusto niya lang naman mawala ang lasa sa bibig, pero parang mas dumagdag ito sa pagka-arogante niya.

Konting tao na lang ang nanonood sa kanila dahil mas abala na sila sa pagdesisyon kung sino ang bababa. Those who remained watching were people who care... or those who serves under the two so-called queens.

"Hm."

Nagulat ang dalawa nang makitang may mga aninong pumalibot sa kaliwang paa ni Finn. They couldn't help but wonder how deep her magic energy is. Dapat malapit na itong maubos ngayon! Lalo na't kanina pa ginagamit ni Finn ang magic niya.

How can she still summon the shadows when she's been maintaining Renee's shadow cocoon for the whole battle?

Its... impossible.

"Your play is weak." dagdag ni Finn na ni-spin ang throwdagger sa kamay. "I worry about your real fight."

"Yes. You will worry about yourself." Marcella replied.

"I might get bored."

Mapaklang napatawa si June sa sagot ni Finn. Really! Mabuti na lang at hindi sila masyadong rinig sa ibang mga players. Those who can hear them were people who will undoubtedly take their side, kaya kahit isumpa pa nila si Finn sa pinakailalim, hindi mapapahamak ang imahe nila.

And Finn who keeps on fighting back verbally would taint her image more.

Mukhang nabasa ni Finn ang isip niya dahil gumala ang mata nito sa malalapit na floating islands.

"You rely on rumors. Are you kids?"

"If your image is broken, no one would help you." sagot ni Marcella sa tanong ni Finn.

Alam na iyon ni Finn. Ang gusto ng dalawa sa unang-una palang ay ang mawala lahat sa kaniya. They would start with those she considers as family. They wanted to weaken her, but got the exact opposite.

So now they throw her into a ditch and make the people leave her there.

But Finn's already use to being alone.

Tinaasan niya ng kilay ang dalawa "Talk a lot. Can't fight well."

"We don't need to fight you anymore. We just have to stop you from using the stairs." nagkibit-balikat si June. "Since you like playing the hero, why don't you try sacrificing yourself now?"

It was another thing that Finn found out after fighting them. They don't want her to use the rock stairs dahil malaki ang posibilidad na matapos niya ito. While Renée may fail or worry Finn, further breaking her emotionally.

Kung mags-stay naman si Finn sa floating island, once the timer runs out, she will be kicked off for being the most injured. If she falls from this height... Finn's not entirely sure if she can make it.

"My strategist would be against this." ani Marcella. "Fortunately, he is out of commission."

"I guess you have no choice but stay here?" June asked, smiling happily.

"Okay." walang-pakialam na sagot ni Finn.

"You're agreeing?"

"No." umiling siya sa tanong ni Marcella. "Just don't care."

Sa totoo lang, punong-puno na si Finn sa kanilang dalawa. Kung plano ng dalawang makipaglaban sa kaniya, bakit ba kailangan pang makipag-usap? They kept on talking earlier and see, ni hindi man lang siya napatumba. If they just converted their words into skills, they could make Finn go down in her knees.

Napahinto si Finn sa naisip. She tried to step back and shook her head, mentally, dahil sa naiisip. Ano ba 'yon. She sounded so arrogang that it's almost embarrassing.

But... if Depore was here, she would encourage Finn. Lagi no'ng sinasabi na kung may ipapamagyabang, aba bakit hindi. A little arrogance for those who deserves is not that bad, as long as you know your roots too.

Biglang nawala sina June at Marcella sa harapan niya. Finn blinked and they were already charging towards her, both weapons raised. Huminga ng malalim si Finn at dahan-dahang itinagilid ang paa. She lowered her body, shifting her weight to her knees and ignoring the discomfort, while waiting for the two to get closer.

Then, she hand-chop them in their stomachs, causing gasps and coughs. Hinawakan ni Finn ang kamay nilang dalawa at pinagpalit ng posisyon, making her arms cross against each other. Naramdaman niya ang paparating nilang mga blade sa likod, kaya bigla siyang yumuko at hinatak ang dalawa sa isa't isa.

The daggers that were supposed to land on Finn's back were redirected into each of their shoulders, cutting through their clothes.

June clenched her teeth, glancing at Finn down below. Bago pa makagalaw ang babae ay sinipa niya na ito sa mukha, sabay kinontrol pataas ang lupang tinatapakan nito, causing Finn to be pushed away.

Renée, inside the shadow cocoon, watched as Finn staggered. Pagkatapos ng malakas na sipa ni June ay nanatili na lang siyang nakatayo at hindi na gumagalaw. Finn's shoulders and chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. Hindi nila alam kung anong expression ng babae dahil nakayuko ito, black hair curtaining her face.

Hinawakan ni June ang sugatang braso niya at tumuwid ng tayo. They all watched as Finn remained in her position longer than intended, never moving at all.

Aakalain na nilang patay siya kung hindi lang sa mabibigat na hininga.

The next thing happened instantaneously.

The throwdagger that Finn was holding dropped to the ground. It created an almost-haunting sand, as the blade connected with a silver stone. Nakuha noon ang atensiyon ng mga nanonood at ang pag-aalala ng ibang manlalaro.

At the same time, the shadow cocoon around Renée started to weaken, until it fully disappeared. Napasinghap siya nang tuluyan siyang mahulog sa lupa, at agad na dumako kay Finn ang atensiyon.

Finn still wasn't moving.

And her breathing seems to have slowed down.

Marcella narrowed her eyes at that. Isang minuto na siguro ang nakalipas at kahit ang magic ni Finn ay unti-unti nang nawawala. Could it be...

"She must be burned out." Marcella noted. "Her body is... finally giving up.".

While her heart, mind, and soul may know no limitations, there's only so much Finn's body could handle.

"Pft. Siya din naman ang matatalo sa huli, bakit pa kailangan maging gano'n kayabang." June rolled her eyes. "Once you're born weak, you'll never be strong."

Marcella disagrees to that, but she kept her comment to herself. Hindi niya gusto ang babaeng ito dahil sa mga dirty means, but she won't let her emotions get in the way of their deal. Marcella knows professionalism, and if it affects her career, she knows how to adjust it.

"Finn!"

Napatingin ang dalawa kay Renée na tumatakbo papunta kay Finn. May nagbabadya nang luha sa mga nito. She feels utterly useless, like a large rock that Finn had to bear even at her state. Kung kasing-lakas lang siguro siya nila Eura, Finn wouldn't be like this.

But, no, Renée had to be weak. She had to be caged and protected, because she has no clear strengths.

Ngumisi ang nanonood na si June. "If Finn's gone and since I could never replace her, then I should just... get rid of you too-!"

Sinigaw ni June ang huling parte at sumugod kay Renée. Umiling si Marcella sa attitude ng babae. Para talaga itong bata na mabilis magalit o mainis. June also acts like a privileged and entitled brat, who thinks everything belongs to her just because she was born with money.

Not to mention, she seems a little crazy.

However, before June could reach Renée, tension filled the entire floating island. Napahinto silang tatlo sa kakaibang pressure na nagmumula sa lupa. It feels as if something was sucking them in... grounding them. There seemed to be invisible chains that seeped from the ground to cover their ankles.

"What the-"

The floating island was submerged into a chaos of shadows.

Darkness exploded from the ground, growing higher and engulfing the whole island. Para sa mga nasa labas ay parang itim na mga apoy ito, kung saan may mga lumilipad at sumasayaw na mga anino. For Marcella and June, they seemed like ghouls who screamed for revenge against them.

Marcella summoned another large fire, countering and erasing the presence of the shadows. But they had another problem, now-

A rain of black daggers became their enemy.

June was about to glance at where Finn was standing earlier, pero bigla na lang itong lumitaw sa harap niya, feet raised high to offer a kick. June countered it with her own arm, but before she could retaliate, nawala na ang dalaga.

In the floating island, a flashing, black rogue was seen fighting two players. It was a battle of blades. It was a musical show where the sound of daggers hitting each other was the main piece, while the three players exchanging blows were the actors.

Marcella could perfectly defend against Finn's strikes. Her attack speed and power seemed to have decreased. Pero... malapit na talagang ito mawalan ng malay kanina. Finn's body was already failing so why could she still fight?

Hindi niya ba talaga alam kung paano maggive-up?

A certain spin and powerful kick threw Finn out of the island.

Renée screamed her name, running towards the edge. Hinabol naman ni June ang hininga at pinalakpak ni Marcella ang kamay. She exerted more force than necessary but it was needed. Hindi na kailangang tumagal pa ang labang ito.

Finn must have gotten berserk earlier.

"Finally. Nakakapagod din ang babaeng 'yon-"

June's words died when two shadow-like hands appeared in the border of the island. Pagkatapos ay lumabas dito ang isang babaeng tuluyan ng magiging masamang panaginip nila.

Finn used her shadows to prevent her fall!

"That's fucking insane." sambit ni Dierran na nakita ang buong pangyayari habang bumababa.

Finn's eyes were hazy, na parang wala na ang utak niya dito. Her face was blank and she was breathing through her mouth. Hindi siya nakatingin kay Marcella at June, pero parang handa ang buong katawan niya na lumaban.

Na parang wala na dito si Finn pero may tumutulak pa rin sa kaniya para lumaban.

"Finn..." Renée whispered, caressing her beloved sister's cheeks. Kahit na hindi sila magkadugo ay tinuturing niya nang pamilya si Finn. "Stop this already."

"No."

Umiling si Finn. Hindi niya alam kung sino nagsasalita pero hindi siya makakapayag sa sinabi nito. She made a promise to herself and to those who lay their lives to save her.

It wasn't really about giving up, but as long as Finn could fight, she would.

So she flew.

To battle.

Renée had a hand in her heart as she watched Finn fight with her life. It always broke her - why the purest girl she knows have to suffer this. Bakit si Finn pa na pinagkaitan ang kailangang saktan?

If Finn promised to protect those around her, Renée promised to make her sister smile forever.

If Finn promised her life for her family, Renée promised that this girl would never feel sadness with her again.

All she wants if for Finn to smile without worrying about the future, is it so bad to wish that?

Tatlong minuto na lang ang natitira bago kailangang ikick ng island ang pinaka-injured na player. That is Finn, without doubt. Finn, the selfless girl who must have been just letting time take over and accepting her fate.

Renée has seen everything. She was lucky to be born in a wealthy family with loving parents and friends. She was admired wherever she goes. Her lockers were full of chocolates and letters.

Napangiti si Renée habang pinapanood niyang lumaban hanggang patayan si Finn. Marami na siyang naexperience at nagawa. Renée can actually say that she was happy with her life.

So what would a sister do when she finds her younger sibling in danger?

She saves them, of course.

But what if said sister was too weak to fight?

Sometimes, the strength doesn't come physically. Sometimes, there's strength into making a choice.

And if Finn would let her feathers fall for her loved ones.

Renée would let herself fall for Finn to survive.

"You deserve everything, Lily."

Renée's whisper resonated in the air before her feet lost its balance and she found herself-

Falling into the clear, blue sky.

-chapter end-