Finn and isang mata- sorry, Theo pala. Parang butler ang bebe.

-chapter thirty-eight-

FINN

The first time I witnessed death.

It was my own parents.

"Finn, it's alright. Bago mo pa maisip na wala kami sa tabi mo, makakabalik na kami." Mama said, glancing at me in the backseat. "Ayaw mo na ba ulit na makalaro si Gavin?"

Umiling ako dahil masayang kalaro si Gavin. Lalo na kapag nandoon din ang kapitbahay nilang si Renée, a joyful girl with braided locks, na hinahatak ang isang nakasalaming lalaki na si Sebastian. I'm not really close with them yet, but they're very welcoming whenever I stay there.

"But..." ngumuso ako. "Miss you."

Mama stared at me for a minute, before leaning in and pinching my cheeks. I whined at Mama and I heard Papa's chuckle from the driver's seat.

"Isa talagang krimen ang nguso mo, Finley!" nagbibirong saway ni Mama. "Why must my daughter be so cute? Paano na lang 'pag lumaki ka! Kailangan ka talaga naming bantayan."

"No suitor of yours will ever escape our prying, Finn." istriktong dagdag ni Papa. "Kahit si Gavin pa 'yan, hindi siya masasalba."

I don't really understand what they're implying but it must be about my safety.

It was always about my safety.

"They can't argue at us, darling." saad ni Mama at mahinang hinampas ang braso ni Papa. "They'd probably pale at your face."

Papa smirked, proud. "Kaya para malaman natin kung seryoso ang suitors mo, Finn, ask them if they're willing to face two commanders of war."

Sino ba ang tinutukoy nila?

"Gavin?" tanong ko.

"Nope. If ever boys become interested in you, Finn. Dapat ipakilala mo muna sa'min." sagot ni Mama.

"Like Mama and Papa?"

Mama nodded, smiling.

"Marriage is for adults." kontra ko, dahil gano'n naman si Mama at Papa. "'m a kid."

"Kaya nga. When you become like Mama, introduce us to them first, okay? We want to know the boys brave enough to court you."

"And-!" biglang singit ni Papa. "If they're also willing to protect you."

"Mm! Protect each other like Mama and Papa!"

Ngumiti si Papa mula sa rearview mirror. Mama also chuckled, eyes shining in joy, as she reached out to give me a light hug. It feels perfect whenever the three of us are together. It feels like home.

"So as we protect the people for now, you need to behave in Tita Layla's house, ha? O kay Geneva kung magsi-sleep over ka do'n."

Tumango ako sa sinabi ni Mama. She went back to discussing about some adult things to Papa. Hindi ko masyadong maintindihan kung ano 'yon. Ngunit tungkol iyon sa sitwasyon sa labas.

Mama and Papa were supposed to spend an entire month with me, but then something urgent happened and they need to go. Iyon ang paliwanag nila sa'kin. Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit minsa'y wala sila, it's because the two of them has a duty to attend. Malaki ang responsibilidad nila sa bayan.

I admire them for that. For always protecting people they love and care about.

I also want to protect people like that.

"Mama. Mama!" tawag ko't hinatak ang sleeves niya. She faced me with a smile. "Do you have that story about the sparrow, Mama?"

Nanlaki ang mata ni Mama at naging malungkot ang mukha niya. "Hindi ko nadala, Finn. But I have your drawing here." she handed me my notebook and I excitedly took it. "You don't need to read the book to remember the story. Lagi mong maaalala ang istorya, kapag inintindi mo ang aral na hatid nito sa'yong puso. And what did the sparrow wants to show?"

"Embrace simplicity." I counted. "Enjoy little things in life. Size... doesn't matter in accomplishments?"

Tumawa si Mama't tumango-tango. Her hand covered my own which has three fingers up, counting the lessons I remembered.

Mama smiled fondly. "Higit sa lahat, pinapaalala ni sparrow na sometimes you don't need to have the loudest voice in order to be heard. If you can't voice it out, Finn, show it through your actions."

"Yes, Mama."

Words are only necessary for clarification and for better communication. But sometimes, when words gets confusing and untrustworthy, it's better to take action. To show rather than tell.

"Aww! Ang bait-bait talaga ng baby namin! Hindi ba, Finnian?"

"Siyempre naman." sang-ayon ni Papa.

Tinitigan ko ang drawing. I remembered the time I made this. Mama and Papa were beside me, helping me shape a bird and pick the right colors. It was a gift for my fourth birthday. An unforgettable moment.

"Mama, can we draw another bird-"

There was a flash of light. Magtatanong na sana ako kung anong nangyari nang biglang lumitaw si Mama sa harap ko. Mahigpit niya akong niyakap, her hand clutching the back of my head as she tucked me on her chest. Like I was a baby bird whose being covered in her wings.

The car screeched loudly, turning around and crashing into something. Natapon ako paharap at isang impit na daing ang napakawalan ko sa matinding sakit na biglang dumaloy sa katawan.

The impact made me lose focus for a few seconds. Or was it minutes.

Then I felt something trickled down my head. Tumingala ako para makita kung ano 'yon.

I was rendered speechless by what I saw.

"Ma... ma."

Mahina kong tinawag ang pangalan niya. I raised my hand to touch her face. She didn't show any reaction at all. Her forehead was bleeding, as well as her neck.

My head throbbed. Wala akong makita sa unahan pero namataan ko ang crack ng salamin. I couldn't see Papa.

"Papa." I called. "Mama is... Mama's bloody."

Hindi ko alam kung ilang segundo ang lumipas, o kung minuto man. Nanatili lang ako sa kinauupuan, schocked and speechless. I stayed there, trembling in fear, dull pain, and the growing cold. Nandoon lang ako't tinatawag ang pangalan ni Mama at Papa.

Naghihintay ng sagot.

"Dalian mo, Regor! Ang sama ng pagkakabangga nila sa truck."

"Tumawag na lang tayo ng pulis o ambulansiya. Baka wala ng buhay diyan."

"Paano natin malalaman kung 'di natin titingnan... Regor! Bilisan mo diyan! Bilis, bilis, may bata dito!"

"Ha?! Oi bata... bata?"

There were voices, noong una'y malayo ngunit unti-unting lumalapit. I could hear the door opening and the voices grew louder. I felt myself being pulled out, away from my parents. I saw someone's face in front of me but I could only blink at them, unable to process any words.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal ako nakatayo sa gilid. There were sirens and the people increased in numbers. But all I could see was a crushed car, glass broken and front destroyed. All I could see was two bodies being ushered out. They were bleeding and injured, but I couldn't see them closely because someone shielded my eyes.

Nang muli akong namulat, nakita ko ang isang papel sa gilid. A small bird perched atop a tree, humming happily, was drawn on it.

"Finley! Finley! Kaibigan ako ng Mama niya. Anong nangyari? Saan sila? Hindi ba masyadong critical ang lagay nila? They've endured the life outside, so a car crash won't be that difficult to survive right? 'Diba? Sandali, mamaya mo na ako sagutin, nasaan ang bata?"

My head throbbed painfully. Someone started hugging and checking me. I could hear gentle voices asking me if I'm alright. Am I alright?

Is Mama and Papa alright?

I could feel people around me, closing on me, squeezing me until I can't breathe. Parang noong niyakap lang ako ni Mama. Nang tingnan ko sila ay hindi ko mapigilang makita ang dugo sa mukha nila.

A gasp left my lips and I stepped back, afraid.

Suddenly it was all too much and I found myself losing consciousness.

The second time I witnessed death.

It was Gavin's brother.

Unti-unti kong minulat ang mata. The first thing that welcomed me was a victorian ceiling, filled with grandiose chandeliers and lightings. Dahan-dahan akong umupo at nakita ang mga bendahe sa katawan. There was one on my left cheek, another on the back of my neck, a few on my arms and wrist, then the remaining on my legs. Ramdam ko rin ang bigat ng bendahe sa likuran ko.

I looked around. I'm in a bedroom, I think? Kasi nasa malaking kama ako tapos may vanity table sa gilid. Long gold curtains covered the probably large windows in the left side of the room. At sa tabi ng kama ko ay isang lalaki na may tinatali sa likod ng ulo niya.

When he glanced back to check on me, I remembered what happened.

"Theo!" sigaw ko't kaagad na lumapit sa kaniya at pinaharap.

My face fell when I saw the patch covering his left eye. The guilt was slowly eating me. I hesitatingly raised my hand to touch or pull the eyepatch up, but Theo's cold hands stopped me.

I should have checked if all the furnitures were dead or knocked out. Theo wouldn't be injured if I did my best.

"Hindi mo kasalanan ang nangyari sa'kin." matigas niyang saad.

Why do people like to cover my faults or mistakes? Why do they have to say I didn't do anything wrong when they were injured because of my own helplessness?

"Finn, your face is very easy to read right now." hinigpitan niya ang kapit sa pulsuhan ko para makuha ang atensiyon. "Listen closely and listen well. Ang nangyari kanina, hindi mo kasalanan 'yon. Hindi ikaw ang humatak sa'kin para protektahan ang sarili sa halimaw na 'yon." Theo held my eyes seriously. "I did. I was the one who pushed you away to take that attack. It was my choice so it was my fault."

"If I checked-"

"You're not damn omniscient, Finn. May mga bagay ka talagang hindi mapapansin dahil tao ka lang. At walang mali do'n."

I still can't bear the fact that someone's hurt because of me again. Hindi ko na lang iyon sinabi.

Theo chuckled, petting my hair. Napayuko ako ng konti dahil sa ginawa niya.

"Have you rested enough? If you still feel tired, matulog ka ulit. It's alright now." Theo smiled when our eyes met. "You're with me. You're safe."

For some reason, I believed Theo's words. Hindi ko nga lang talagang magets ang tungkol sa 'alright' niya. How could he say that with one of his eyes missing?

How could he be so calm? A player would be blaming me for losing a victim right now, like how they did when their life was threatened. It's a natural reaction, to direct the fear into anger.

I watched as Theo brushed his hair and parted them to cover the patch. Mabuti na lang talaga't medyo mahaba ang buhok niya. Although I noticed some changes. He must have cut his hair before I woke up.

"Your eyes."

Theo raised a brow at me, tilting his head. "Hm?"

"Hurts?"

"Like hell." sagot niyang nagpaputla ng mukha ko. Theo laughed and shook his head. "It's alright. Doesn't hurt so much now or nasanay na ako sa sakit. Huwag ka masyadong mag-alala, Finn."

Siguradong mas sobra ang sakit noong kakatusok pa lang. How did he even clean the wound? Kinailangan niya din akong bantayan at dalhin sa maayos na lugar because I just fainted on him. It must have taken a toll on Theo, going around with one eye missing and a handful of me.

"Look," itinuro niya ang kabilang mata. "Isn't this why we have two eyes? What's life if we don't bother getting an eye poke every once in a while, right?"

I gave Theo a long stare. "Not funny."

Theo studied my expression for a while then akwardly chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Sorry. I was trying to cheer you up. I'm really okay, Finn. How many times do I have to tell you that for you to believe it?"

Until you got two eyes back perhaps.

Pinili ko na lang ang hindi sumagot. I cleared my throat, catching his eyes. "Theo. Thank you."

His face broke into the fondest of smiles. "Yeah. You're welcome."

It's funny how I always meet Theo in the worse situations. Ang una naming pagkikita ay nang hinahabol ako ng isang Winged Beast sa Armory at nakita ko siyang nasa dulo ng gusali. I even stole his supposed to be weapon. Then, we met again at the Metropolis where he let me join his alliance so that I could proceed.

Sunod ko siyang nakita sa Magus City kung saan tinulungan niya rin akong makaalis sa nag-aaway na Sapphire at Eura. He led me to the notice board where I met Sebastian. And now, I'm meeting him again. On a castle with beasts and living furniture, and he just lost his eye in saving me.

Whenever I meet Theo, it's always him helping me.

"You're the second player here." he said, breaking my train of thoughts. "The city's going into another refresh before it accepts another player."

"Refresh?"

"Yes. This."

Theo took a music box out. He turned it around until a clunk came in. Then words seeped out from the gap and they floated into sentences in the air.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

If you are reading this, then you have successfully completed the Grand Maze. Congratulations, rogue! Your quick wit and intellect was greatly admired in the last city.

Now, let's listen to a story of a beast and a beauty, whose worlds are completely different but exquisitely similar. You've developed skills in the last city, rogue, but are you ready to show them now?

Location: Ninth City, Castle of the Beast
Number of Players: 2
Refresh for Next Player: 00:03:24

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Why would they need a timer for dragging players in? The portal must be moving because of the restart. Hindi lang alam nina Wes iyon dahil siguro'y hindi talaga nila ito ni-try.

Pero... if I'm the second player in here, then Theo got in here first?

I glanced at him. Tutok na tutok siya sa binabasa kaya hindi niya agad napansin ang titig ko. Theo frowned at me, blinking at the attention.

"Yes, Finn?"

"You're first."

Napaawang ang labi niya, mukhang naiintindihan ang tinutukoy ko. "Uh, yup. Just followed the trail of leaves because they were suspicious and, boom, first on to be chased in this city." he said the 'boom' dryly.

"No lion?"

"Well." kumunot ang noo ni Theo. "Hindi ko alam kung leon 'yon. Siguro? Mas malaki na mukhang tao? I mean, the claws are too big for a lion and that's almost equivalent to a monster-"

"No." putol ko dahil mali ang pagkakaintindi niya. "The maze. No lions?"

"No? I was in this pathway which had swinging axes or something. All you need to do is dodge, which can be pretty dangerous because you can get sliced, or you can slide down." nagkibit-balikat siya. "There's this narrow gap between the blade and the ground, which can be used to slide down the path. Hindi naman ako gano'ng kalaking tao."

It sounds familiar. Is that the same pathway Caspian went in?

I hummed. "Si Sapphire?"

All of a sudden, Theo sported a tired look on his face. "Hindi ko nga alam. We got separated. But one time, I heard her voice through the maze's wall, siguro sobrang lapit lang nila sa'kin, at may kaawayan siya. Bigla na lang may sumabog. Akala ko nga kung napano na siya but then I heard her cursing after and they were engaged in a long fight."

Pasabog? Hindi ako masyadong mapakali doon. Those who like to explode things are very short-tempered.

"Magiging okay lang 'yon." Theo reassured. "Matagal mamatay ang masamang damo."

"Sapphire's not bad."

"Kung hindi gano'n, e'di baka may kapit 'yon sa demonyo o may siyam na buhay. Finn, I once saw her fight Oliver. Natalo siya, of course, but she gave that man hell."

I slightly smiled at that. Sapphire is a force of nature. She's very difficult to tame.

"Putting that aside, ano sa tingin mo ang kailangan nating gawin, Finn? We're in the beast's castle with living furnitures who won't take a break from eating us alive." Theo said. "Do you think this is another maze?"

The city description did not really provide anything about the mission at all.

"Find the door out? Perception? Which room's the safest?" I shared my thoughts.

"Hindi posible. Kung gano'n, maraming fakes. There are dangerous rooms, rooms like this, and a room for escaping?"

"Mm. Maybe to rest?" tukoy ko sa kwartong kinaroroonan namin. "Explains time gap, I guess."

"Gives us enough time to find the door in our own? Pero may beast namang humahabol sa'tin kapag nasa hallways tayo." Theo slumped down and frowned. "Is it really that simple?"

The room fell into silence while we were both thinking. Totoo nga. Sobrangs simple at dali lang kung ang isa sa mga pinto ang daan palabas, kahit na may beast pang humahabol. Were they trying to prove betrayals in the midst of crisis? Na may isang magpapabait while the other leaves?

I reread the description again. I noticed something this time.

"Story, Theo. Are we following the fairytale?"

"Hm?" umayos siya ng upo. "Are you implying that the 'listen to the story' part is some hint?"

Tumango ako.

"Which part of the story did the beast go on a rampage and the furnitures fought back?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako sa tanong ni Theo. "Didn't watch."

"It was probably when Belle left the castle and the humans attacked."

"No humans here." nanlaki ang mata ko. "Tayo ba?"

"I don't know." bigo niyang sagot. He whispered 'showing' under his breath. "If the answer is that we fight back to show off our skills, then won't we be destroying the story? The siege lost against the beast and his magical friends."

Bago pa ako makasagot ay tumunog ang music box. A calming and serenading sound resonated in the air, and the longer it went the familiar it was. Kahit na hindi ako nakapanood ay alam ko kung ano ang kanta.

I frowned, wondering why the music was currently playing. I was about to voice out my curiosity when Theo looked at me like he already knows the answer.

And he did.

"This is not just a survival or a competition city, Finn. Ipapakita natin ang natutunan sa walong city na nadaanan by completing the story."

"Completing..." I echoed.

"The story's a quest, Finn. We're going to complete the quest if we want to get out of here."

-chapter end-