-chapter thirty-

THIRD PERSON

Renèe deeply misses Finn. Gavin and Sebastian would be nice too.

Siguro nga ay gugustuhin niya na ang kung sino makalayo lang sa dalawang magwo-world war na siguro.

"Oh please lang, Ate Depore." Sapphire mocked. "You've been leading us since earlier pero nawawala pa din tayo. No, no, I think hindi lang tayo nawawala. Bumalik pa tayo sa dating puwesto natin!"

"At paano mo naman malalaman 'yon, aber?" mataray na tanong ni Depore. "Sa vines na pareho-pareho lang naman? Sa sobrang linaw ba ng mata mo, nakikita mo na kung saang banda ng putanginang maze na 'to ang may mas maraming lamok?"

"That's funny because there's no mosquitos here, unless you count yourself."

Renèe sighed from behind them. Requirement ba na maging stubborn at palaban ang mga gamers? Na sa sobrang competitive nila ay lagi na lang nag-aaway?

Renèe's actually quite used to friendships breaking out or trusts falling off. The girls who cling to her at school has no better thing to do but spread rumors and destroy other people's reputation. It's a battle of pride and popularity.

Which is actually pretty useless if you ask Renèe. The materialistic things are pretty temporary after all.

"Sabi ngang ako na ang pipili ng dadaanan natin ngayon! Did you forget how you failed that one riddle which almost got us killed?" singhal ni Sapphire.

"Napakaboring mo naman kung plano mong tapusin 'tong city na walang pinapasabog." Depore rolled her eyes and glanced at Renèe. "'Diba? You agree with me?"

Renèe only smiled and offered no response. Bakit naman niya gugustuhing magpasabog kung pwede niyang matapos ang city na 'to nang walang gulo?

"See. She does."

"She does not! Hindi agreement ang ngiti!"

"Ang ingay mo. Sana naman ikaw na ang pinakamaingay na tao dito, please lang." Depore sighed. "At dahil hindi tayong dalawa ang pipili, si Renèe na lang."

"Hm. Mabuti pa nga. At least mas okay na kaysa sa'yong hindi siguro alam ang kaliwa o kanan."

"Hindi ako mangmang."

Renèe just leaded them to a pathway she believes is more sensible, quietly ignoring their arguments. There are sixteen cities more to complete. Kailangan niya nang masanay sa reckless behavior at walang-pahingang away ng mga 'pro-gamers' na 'to.

These reckless behaviors are often accompanied with words. Statements declared that offer no genuineness. Pure lies that was triggered from one's lust rather than love.

An arrogant promise that was never meant.

The assassin swung his scythe, throwing Finn to the nearby wall. However, Finn stuck her feet on the wall, spinned, and used it as a leverage to attack once again. Four throwdaggers appeared between her right hand, and she used it to claw the assassin's face, barely ripping the cloth that covers it and making blood drip from the wounded cheek. Agad din itong umusok at gumaling, ngunit kitang nawala ang pokus ng assasin nang ilang sandali.

So they can't really deal damage but they can hurt the physical body. It affects their movements, causing it to slow or stagger. Sometimes even lose their focus.

If it's an in-game character, then there must be a chip somewhere, right? If they destroy it, it'll break and stop moving.

Oliver and Finn attacked in turns. Kapag natatapon palayo si Finn ay susunod ang mga pagbaril ni Oliver. He threw the gun up as he quickly took an ammo from his thigh holster, inserting it on the gun when he caught it back. Umikot siya't muling pinaulanan ng bala ang assassin, this time with much more power causing the other to stagger backwards. Pagkatapos ay mabilis niya itong sinuntok.

Mabilis na tinulungan ni Finn si Joanne para makatayo pero hindi ito umalis sa kinauupuan. She looked traumatized and terrified, that she has no more strength to walk.

Pilit na pina-akbay ni Finn ang dalaga. "I'll help you."

Hindi ito sumagot. Nakatitig lamang ito sa harap kung saan matinding nakikipaglaban si Oliver. Finn nudged her again, trying to get her attention.

"Need to leave." she urgently said.

Sinulyapan siya ni Joanne. "H-Hindi mo ba siya tutulungan? Bilisan niyo na't patayin niyo 'yan!"

Finn looked at Joanne blankly, dropping her arms. She doesn't like the tone of her voice. If she has strength to shout orders, then can she just use it to fight?

"Hoy! Look at Oli!" Joanne screeched. It sounded irritating to Finn's ears. "He's in danger!"

Ang ingay niya, Finn thought.

Nang lumingon siya ay biglaang nawala na ang iritasyon sa katawan niya. The assassin caught Oliver's fist and a red circle once again formed around them. Joanne and Jackson both let out terrified shouts.

▪▪▪

Answered riddle detected. Commencing necessary action in 3... 2... 1...

▪▪▪

Then, the assassin attacked Oliver.

Well, he tried to. Oliver quickly held his gun behind him, na parang napredict niya na ang susunod na mangyayari. The barrel fought against the heavy blade and with a surprising force, Oliver managed to push it away. Mabilis siyang lumayo sa assassin.

Both Finn and Oliver came to a realization. Finn's sworn statement is now being activated too. Oliver is one of the targets as per Finn's promise of protection.

Sa isang iglap ay nasa harap na ni Oliver ang assassin. Parang nagteleport lang ito sa harap niya sa bilis. The assassin slashed his scythe, ready to cut Oliver into half, when a wall of shadow appeared between them and a wave of air gushed out from Oliver to throw the assassin back.

Agad na kinuha ni Finn ang kamay ng lalaki. With her hand firmly grasping his arm, Finn slammed the assassin on the ground and elbowed his chest, but he caught her midway and pushed her to the side.

Muli itong tumakbo papunta kay Oliver. Ngunit bago pa ito makalapit ay isang daang bala na ang lumabas mula sa kung saan. It penetrated the assassin's body, keeping him unmoving for a while.

The attack caused Joanne to shriek.

The shriek caused the assassin's focus to move to her.

The assassin bolted, rushing past through a standing Finn.

Two steps after passing the female rogue, an arm appeared around the assassin's neck and he was, again, slammed to the ground by a seemingly-exhausted Finn. Nakita ng babae ang pagbaba ng health nito.

Looks like her vow to Oliver ensured that she can now hurt the assassin. But it also means that it will hurt her.

Finn felt a hand grabbing on the back of her shirt and then, suddenly, she was sent flying to a wall. Nasa harap niya na bigla ang assassin, who slashed the scythe, aiming for her neck. Finn ducked down and kicked his stomach. Oliver smoothly went in, giving out heavy punches to keep the assassin away.

Oliver watched as Finn staggered on a wall, chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Sunod-sunod na pagputok ang pinakawalan ni Oliver sa assassin para hindi ulit ito makalapit. It has no damage but it can stall.

Finn was really quick on her feet. In no time, she was up and running again, kunai appearing in between her fingers to throw, defend, or pierce. She moves in lightning speed, almost undetected with her quick movements and low presence. Along with the shadows that she mastered, she's basically the element of surprise.

Matagal nang iniisip ni Oliver ang tungkol sa presensiya ni Finn. Noong una pa lang silang nagkita, mahirap nang maramdaman ang babae. Hindi niya alam kung dahil ito sa unique attributes niya o dulot na rin ng pagiging tahimik niya at paglayo sa mga tao.

If Finn's stealth is ever increased, she'll become the best assassin.

Muling dinepensahan ni Finn ang atake ng assassin. A strong kick was delivered into the assassin's stomach and he was sent flying to the other wall. Finn glanced back at Joanne, whose face was already wet with tears. Mahina niya itong tinapik kaya napatingala ito sa kaniya.

"Bakit ba 'di mo na lang patayin? Please?" naiiyak na tanong ni Joanne.

Umiling si Finn at inignora ang hapdi sa pisngi. "Impossible with your active promise. You need to fight."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Joanne. A horrified look crossed her face as she watched the assassin get back on his feet. With its covered face and scary weapon, did this girl really expect Joanne to fight against that monster?!

"H-Hindi ko kaya! Hindi ko siya kayang labanan! Mamamatay ako!" naghihisterikal nitong sigaw.

"Use your weapon." sagot ni Finn. "You have to save yourself."

"Sinabi ko na ngang hindi ko siya kayang labanan⁠—!"

Joanne fell into a shriek when the assassin bolted towards her. Dahil sa sobrang pagpanic ay itinulak niya si Finn doon sa assassin at tumakbo papunta kay Oliver. Joanne clung to Oliver's arms, who immediately pushed her away.

"Finn⁠—!"

Oliver shouted, alarmed and worried. He was trying to talk to the damn boyfriend about his noisy girlfriend when he saw Finn being pushed in the corner of his eyes.

"Tumigil ka nga sa kakasigaw at tumulong. Ang ingay-ingay mo." Oliver growled at Joanne. "O 'di kaya ay pagsabihan mo 'yang nobyo mo na gumalaw-galaw. Tanginang mga pabigat."

Joanne shivered in fear at Oliver's harsh words. She glared at the frozen Jackson. Bakit ba kasi kailangan pa nitong magsabi ng gano'n?! Nagmamayabang pa kasi ang gago, wala naman palang matutulong.

Oliver already has two guns out, ready to hurry and save Finn. Ngunit natigilan siya nang makitang nasa gitna ng matinding paglalaban ang dalawa. Although his aim is excellent, the two fighters are too quick for his eyes to read. Kailangan niyang maghanap ng tamang timing.

Finn, on the other hand, was admittedly shocked when she was pushed towards danger. Pero wala na siyang magagawa kaya itinaas niya na lang ang kamay para depensahan ang sarili sa papadating na atake. The blades of the scythe and kunai clashed as they battled against each other, creating friction.

Then, all of a sudden, they were under a crazed fight. Sparks of blade hitting each other was evident as the kunai and scythe met in the middle. The weapons sometimes hits their skins, cutting the piece of clothing they wore and drawing blood. Nagpatuloy ito hanggang sa isang bala ang humiwa sa hangin at tumama sa noo ng assassin.

It fell on the ground with a loud thud.

Joanne almost died in relief when she saw the assassin fall down. Isang malaking ngiti ang sumilay sa labi niya at tumalon-talon siya sa tuwa. Tumakbo siya palapit kay Finn para tingnan ang assassin.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Patay na siya, hahaha! Patay na nga! Grabe 'yong kaba ko do'n kanina⁠—"

Joanne's celebration ended quickly when the assassin jumped up and tried to choke her. For some reason, she was really fast. In hiding.

Dahil biglang nasa likuran na siya ni Finn at ang kamay ng assassin ay nasa may leeg ng babae, only hairs away from choking Finn, because she was strongly gripping him to a stop.

Oliver quickly tore the assassin away, punching him on the ground and tucking Finn behind him. Sa mabibigat na hinga ng dalaga ay sigurado siyang pagod na ito. Her feet is still not fully recovered from the burn.

"What the fuck are you fucking doing?!" Oliver exploded. "Finn is not your fucking shield, damn woman!"

"AYOKO NGANG MAMATAY!" Joanne screeched.

"Then fight back like her! Paano ka ba nakarating dito, putangina naman! Alam kong nagpapabuhat lang kayong dalawa, pero 'di ba may matches? Paano kayo nakalusot do'n?"

In the corner of his eye, Oliver saw the assassin twitch. Ilang sandali lang ay babalik ulit sila sa laban. Although he and Finn can deal damage now, it's not that big. Lalo na't dalawang aksiyon ang dinadala ng assassin.

If Jackson won't fight like he's laying out his life, they can never really kill the assassin.

Finn's promise is not too urgent. Kailangan niya lang protektahan si Oliver sa buong laban dahil sa buong stay nila sa city ang promiso niya. It will only break if they both complete this city or Finn fails to protect him.

Finn took a deep breathe and Oliver let her lean against him, taking her weight with no complaints. He selfishly let his hand grasp Finn's arm. Just to steady her, pangungumbinsi niya sa sarili.

Kumunot ang noo niya nang makitang pumula ang mukha ni Joanne. Oliver is too impatient to deduce her reactions.

"Well?" he demanded.

"Hindi naman talaga ako lumaban." mahinang sagot ni Joanne. "I... I slept with them. They let me win..."

Oliver groaned in utter disappointment. Kaya ayaw niya sa dalawang 'to, noon pa lang. Maliban sa manggagamit sila, they're also pretty useless.

Just his fucking luck that they had to cross paths.

Eura can't believe her luck.

Technically, being in a team filled with intelligent men is a blessing. Lalo na sa city na ito kung saan kailangan talagang gamitin ang utak. Although Eura is not dumb, she's not overly smart as well, so she appreciates the help. O ang pagbubuhat sa kaniya sa larong 'to.

So, yeah, Eura is lucky.

That is if she just ignore the fact that this intelligent group is comprised of Caspian, the most silent person on earth; Wes, the most boring person on earth; and lastly, Kairo who takes being sarcastic as a personal job.

"Alam niyo, hindi na ako magiging subtle dito at paprangkahin ko na kayo-"

"Eura. You are never subtle. In fact, you're the most oblivious person alive, heavily influenced by your really loud voice." pagputol ni Kairo dahil nga wala na siyang ibang nagagawa kundi ang sirain ang magandang litanya ni Eura.

"Pwede bang tumahimik ang 'di naman kinakausap. Like, you're contributing nothing but pollution in the air."

Umirap si Eura nang iniwas lang ni Kairo ang tingin at mas pinagtuunan ng pansin ang mga langgam sa lupa. She flipped her hair, silently wishing that this boys would at least look like they have lives. Bakit ba kasi siya sinwerte na minalas at nakasama niya sila?

Eura watched Caspian and Wes answer another riddle. Parang wala lang ito sa kanila. Kairo just stayed behind, looking for a way out. Siyempre pinigilan siya ni Eura dahil hindi niya kayang makasama ang dalawang lalaki na hindi ata nabiyayaan ng bibig. Kairo may be sarcastic but they've been friends for years and it's better than dead silence.

The wall shifted to the side, opening to another path. Wes and Caspian walked ahead, with a following Kairo behind. Napabuntong-hininga si Eura. Is no one really going to talk but her?

Doon niya naalala na may sinasabi nga pala siya kanina bago sumulpot si Kairo. Eura needs to continue it just to rant and probably encourage them to talk and make up some plan, but getting their attention now is pretty hard. Parang na-immune na ang mga ito sa ingay niya.

That's why Eura had to resort in some... tactics.

Eura gave a dramatic gasp, turned her head to the side and shouted, "Finn!"

Three heads simultaneously snapped towards her in lightning speed. Pinigilan niyang matawa sa mga mukha at mata nilang may hinahanap. When they found out she was lying, Eura was subjected into three, different disappointed glares.

"Yes?" she innocently asked. "Naalala ko kasi si Finn kaya naman nasabi ko ang pangalan niya. Napalakas pala? I didn't know."

Kairo rolled his eyes, used to Eura's lies. Mabigat namang bumuntong-hininga si Wes at binigay ang atensiyon sa babae.

"What do you want?"

Eura was about to bow down to Finn for the wonderful help even in her absence. She once again realized how blessed she was for having simps with her.

"Well, ano na ba ang gagawin natin? Talaga bang maglilibot-libot lang tayo dito para hanapin ang exit na non-existent naman siguro? Paano natin malalaman kung malapit na tayo, aber? Paano pala kung papunta lang tayo sa wala at nagmerry-go-round lang, pero this time hindi na merry? Round and round na lang! Ano 'to, ferris wheel?!"

"There's a clue."

Eura gaped at Wes. "May clue naman pala, ba't 'di mo sinabi. Share share naman kapag may time, kapatid."

Wes rolled his eyes. Dahil nga kaguild niya sina Dierran at Finn, nakasama niya na din once si Eura. Hindi niya talaga maintindihan kung paano ito naging malapit kay Sparrow na hindi nagsasalita. Is Finn really just that patient?

"It's the riddles. The harder they are, the closer we are to the center." sagot ni Wes. "You saw it too right? Kanina, simpleng mga tanong lang ang nakasalamuha natin. They don't also have heavy consequences. So the harder the riddle or the heavier the weight of the action, the closer to the exit portal."

Tumango-tango si Eura. Iba nga naman magwork ang matatalino. Hindi niya man lang naisip na may kinalaman ang riddle. Akala niya arte-arte lang 'yon.

"And you said it's the center because of the crystal, right?" Kairo supplied. "Mula sa kinatatayuan natin when we entered this city, the crystal wasn't too far nor too near. Hindi naman ito para lang sa aesthetic at may purpose ito kaya malaki ang posibilidad na nandoon ang exit portal. Judging by the distance, it can't follow the generic end of the maze exit layout, but rather a portal in the center."

Napatingin si Eura sa kaibigan. Grabe, hindi niya naisip na nagagamit din pala utak nito. Hindi niya rin napansin ang distansiya at ang kristal. Again, akala niya design lang ito.

Wes nodded. "The other hint was the wind. Caspian noticed it earlier. As long as we follow the direction of where the wind blows, makakalapit tayo sa center."

"The portal requires magic and it comes from the crystal. Since it constantly suck in things to teleport them somewhere, air is present around it. Magic also stabilizes the whole maze which means it needs a source. It's the crystal."

Napatingin si Eura kay Wes at sunod ay kay Caspian. Hindi rin iyon pumasok sa isip niya. Akala niya may hangin lang kasi siyempre, kailangan din nila ng oxygen. Para pala 'yon sa magic at hindi sa sariling kapakanan niya.

"So the vines are there to offer us a hint. It tells us the direction of the wind by observing where the leaves are facing." dagdag ulit ni Kairo.

Eura looked at her friend, mind blown. May ganoong purpose din pala ang mga dahon na 'to? Akala niya para lang magkaroon ng buhay ang pesteng maze kaya ginawa 'to. Alam mo, konting greenery para naman marefresh ang mind ng mga manlalaro.

"Wow." Eura gasped out and made a tinkering gestures on her head. "Your mind, wow. Grabe magwork. Siguro sa sobrang talino niyo, lumuluhod na at umiiyak si Einstein 'no?"

"They're basic observations." Wes deadpanned.

"Sorry naman at bobo ako. Pasensya na, godbless."

Kairo rolled his eyes and grinned at the two. Well, now that he heard their theories and found them similar to his, the annoyance in his bones have calmed down.

"So, paano natin 'to ipapa-alam sa ibang manlalaro? I don't think you'd let your alliance or friends get lost in this huge maze, hm?" Kairo asked, smirking at Wes. "Especially your leader. Masama 'yon sa bond link niyong lahat 'di ba?"

Isang masamang tingin ang iginawad ni Wes kay Kairo. Paano niya nalaman ang tungkol do'n? The whole alliance kept it a secret because it'll be bad if someone who opposes them knew it. How dangerous the Revolution Flag on the fifth city did to them.

"Don't worry, I won't tell." Kairo whistled. "That's insane though. If one in your alliance dies, the others suffer as well, huh? Easy way to injure Marcella."

"You're also injuring twenty more so I advise against it." Caspian commented.

Bumuntong-hininga si Eura nang makitang sumeseryoso na ang usapan. If it gets any deeper, a fight may break out.

"So ano na?" singit niya sa usapan ng tatlo. "Baka naman trip niyong gumalaw kasi may isang daan pa palang manlalarong kailangang makaalam, 'no? Mag-isip na lang muna tayo ng solusyon dito at 'tsaka na magpatayan."

Well, Eura may be too loud but at least she got her priorities straight, the three boys thought simultaneously. Wes inhaled a deep breathe before nodding.

"I have an idea."

-chapter end-