-chapter thirty-six-

FINN

I'm thankful that they watched my videos, but at the same time I feel very nervous.

Hindi naman siguro sila magsususpetya sa'kin dahil alam ko ang Sparrow cage na 'yon? When I was using my private account to scroll on Tweets, the whole gaming world was discussing that technique. Sinubukan din nila iyon para matapos ang location at minsa'y ginamit nila sa ibang mga laro. They celebrated Sparrow for thinking that.

Na hindi ko inexpect kasi akala ko maiisip din nila iyon. Hindi ko nga alam bakit tinawag nila ang cage mula sa pangalan ko. It was a normal trapping technique, originally used through needles and strings. It's not that amazing.

I watched other people try the same technique. May mga kulang sila o hindi mabilis ang pag-assemble nila pero okay na din. Maybe maiisip lang nila na avid fan ako ni Sparrow at hindi talaga ang gamer?

Eura lightly slapped my back. I forced down a pained hiss. Masakit ang likod ko dahil mula kanina pa ako tinatapon-tapon.

"Finn, hindi ko akalain na super fan ka ni Sparrow at ang galing mo sa secret technique niya! I'm so proud!" tumango-tango pa siya. "Kahit wala siya dito, her spirit still remains!"

I guess Eura did really believe my response nang magtanong siya kung may natanggap akong e-mail sa BBG. After I received the e-mail, wala akong pinagsabihan. That must be why it never occured to them that Sparrow would be here.

Not that they need to know.

"It's so cleanly copied," Kairo was walking closer, his stare burning. "That you'd think the Sparrow was the one making it."

Sinagot ko ang titig niya with my usual blankness. Kanina pa siya ganito. I know he's sly but he sounds like he knows something that I don't, or he's teasing me with something that he knows. Either way parang may pinapahiwatig siya sa'kin.

Naningkit ang mata ko nang taasan niya ako ng kilay. It couldn't be... he's not another Wes case right? Kilala niya bang ako din si Sparrow?

"We'd think so, but it's not true." Oliver said, hands crossed behind his head. "'Diba nga hindi daw siya maglalaro nito?"

"Sparrow never said that. Hindi niya sinabi sa videos at hindi niya rin kinonfirm ang balita."

"Dude, I talked to Sparrow. Ang sabi niya wala siyang natanggap na e-mail." Eura countered.

"Maybe she lied to you or she got it after." bigla akong binalingan ni Kairo. "Ain't that right, kitten?"

Nagkibit-balikat lang ako dahil hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot.

Oliver made a dismissive noise. "If Sparrow really was invited, hindi ba't malalaman mo 'yon sa Highest Paid Streamers room?"

"Eh. Ako lang at ang bitter na babae ang nando'n." tukoy ni Kairo kay Marcella siguro. "Ang boring nga kasi nagearphones siya para hindi mapansin ang pang-iinis ko. Badtrip ka rin, Oliver. Akala ko nando'n ka."

I raised a brow. Magkaibigan pala si Oliver at Kairo? Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung maayos ang relasyon nila o hindi. Minsan ang bait nila sa isa't isa, minsan naman parang gusto nilang patayin ito.

"I wanted to try a mysterious effect." Oliver slightly frowned. "Nandoon din kasi si insan at ayaw no'n makisalamuha sa ibang tao. Nasa mga top players kami na gusto confidential na room ata."

Right. I remember. They're the two mysterious guys who came to my defense.

"Wala ba si Sparrow do'n?" tanong ni Kairo. "She's very private so baka naman naglaro nga siya, doon nga lang."

Eura scoffed but let Kairo in his fantasies... o reality. Kumunot naman ang noo ni Oliver at mukhang nag-iisip siya ng malalim.

"Wala nga." dumako ang mata ni Oliver sa'kin. "Pero si Finn nando'n."

Sa gilid niya ay inikot ni Kairo ang mata at mahinang bumulong ng, "Bobo."

Thankfully, Oliver didn't notice him or another war will commence.

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong inakbayan ni Eura. "Woah! Nasa top players ka na gustong magsikreto, Finn? Sinasabi ko na nga bang experienced player ka!"

"If she isn't, then she couldn't be on equals with Marcella, right?" tugon ni Oliver.

"Okay, hindi tinatanong, okay."

I was about to tell them that we need to move when Kairo leaned towards my personal space. Napaatras ako dahil sobrang lapit niya. Up close, Kairo's silver eyes are even more threatening.

"Kitten. You're Sparrow's fan, ain't ya?"

I guess I can be a fan of myself. Tumango ako.

"So you watch all her videos?"

Tumango muli ako. Ako din gumagawa no'n.

"Do you like her?"

"Mm."

"Is that why you're very good when using her techniques?"

"Maybe."

"Do you watch her videos all the time? Sobrang galing mo kasi, kitten, at sobrang similar ng galaw niyo."

I gave Kairo a critical stare before hesitatingly nodding my head.

"So you're one of Sparrow's avid fans?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Bakit ba paulit-ulit na lang si Kairo?

"What do you want me to say?" I genuinely asked.

I was surprised when Kairo suddenly leaned back, a wide grin on his mouth. He gave a low chuckled before finally stepping away.

Kairo looks amused. "You're still cute even when pissed, kitten. Pero huwag kang magalit sa'kin. Baka 'di ko kayanin."

Pero hindi naman ako galit?

"Oh? Galit si Finn? Patingin nga ng galit." Oliver excitedly said, appearing in front of me. Sumimangot siya nang makita ang blanko kong mukha. "She doesn't look mad. Why did Kairo say you were mad?"

"Assumes too much."

"Assumero ka naman pala Kairo e!" rinig kong sigaw ni Eura.

I let out a tired sigh. Oliver stepped aside, laughing at whatever Eura was saying to Kairo. Tinitigan ko ang kulay pulang kristal na nasa dulo at nagsimulang maglakad.

Ngunit sa isang hakbang pa lang ay tuluyang nawalan ng lakas ang paa ko. Exhaustion hit me like a charging train, bursting inside my body and weakening it instantly.

Looks like my body's at its limit already.

A pair of strong arms snaked towards my back, holding my balance. Napahawak ako sa braso ni Oliver at nanlalaking mata siyang tiningnan. He regarded me with a soft smile.

"I'm sorry."

Oliver cocked a brow, like he wasn't expecting what I said.

"What are you sorry for?" he sounded worried but there was fondness in his voice. "For saving our ass? For doing your best? For protecting me?"

Wala akong naisagot doon. Mukhang hindi naman naghihintay si Oliver ng sagot dahil tumalikod lang siya't lumuhod. I stared at his back, hindi alam kung anong gagawin.

Oliver must have noticed my reluctance because he glanced back. "Sakay."

I blinked. Tumahimik 'yong dalawang nag-aaway sa likod.

"You did well, Finn, but you're exhausted. Let me help you. Let me carry you. It's my turn to protect you."

My eyes widened at that, remembering the earlier promise I gave him.

"Trust in me, hm?" nang hindi pa rin ako sumagot ay dumadag siya ng, "Just until we reached that side."

Mahina akong tumango. "Until there." ulit ko.

Gavin and Baste are the only boys who has ever carried me on their back. Sebastian does it whenever I get tired, and Gavin when I hurt my knee. There was also that time when Renèe playfully carried me on her back while we ran on the seaside. Natumba kaming dalawa no'n but it was worth it.

Spending time with them will always be worth it.

"Masakit ba ang paa mo?"

Oliver's voice broke me off my thoughts. He had a careful grip on my legs, just to ensure that I won't fall, while my arms are around his neck. Tumango ako sa may balikat niya, so that he could feel my answer without me needing to talk.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa tainga ni Oliver na unti-unting pumupula.

"You and Caspian are alike." I couldn't help myself from making such comment.

"Hm? Kami ni insan?"

"Mm." I lightly tapped his ears. Oliver froze. "Ears turn red."

Napaawang ang labi ko nang talagang namula na ang tainga ni Oliver. It was so red that I almost got worried.

"Oho? Nako, nako, saan ba may merkado diyan at may mabebenta ata akong kamatis ngayon- aray!"

Eura, who popped beside Oliver, was silenced by a flying ball of leaves. Malakas siyang nagmura at sinamaan ng tingin ang sumusunod sa'min, si Kairo.

"Anong problema mo, Kai?!" singhal niya.

"Wala." came an annoyed grumble. "Naiinis ako sa mukha mo."

Eura still looked irritated. Ngunit bigla na lang umilaw ang mukha niya na parang may narealize. Eura succumbed into a loud laughter, which weirded me out.

"Ba't ka naman natatawa diyan, Eura?" Oliver asked.

"Hm?" Eura chuckled evilly. "Wala lang. Ang ganda kasi ng araw ko."

"Walang araw dito, ungas." Kairo's blunt reply.

"Hindi ko na 'yon kailangan. Gumaganda na araw ko 'pag sobrang pangit no'ng sa'yo."

"Wow, talaga? I'm honored to have helped you, your highness Eura." Kairo's voice was mocking. "Talaga nga namang wala kang kasiyahan kung hindi ang ibang tao."

"Wow! At sa milyong tao sa mundo, sa'yo ko pa talaga narinig 'yan?! Ha! Kairo, talk to my hand!"

"Tatahimik na lang ako buong buhay kung ikaw lang naman kausap ko."

"Oh, talaga? Then why are you not fucking quiet right now? Slapsoil!"

"Huwag mo kong matrashtalk o ano, Eura, kasi magaling din ako diyan."

"Parang mga bata." reklamo ni Oliver nang magsimula ulit ang away ng dalawa.

Even though they're exchanging harsh words toward each other, I couldn't help the smile on my face. They're only having a playful banter, one that Sebastian enjoys with Gavin or Renèe with the two boys.

It's all very nostalgic.

What would it take to bring back those precious memory?

"What the fuck!"

A loud shout made me glanced back. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makitang sumasara na ang pathway na pinanggalingan namin. When the maze shifted to close it off, it travelled towards us.

The walls in the pathway were closing on us.

"Fucking hell." Kairo growled out a curse, slapping an open-mouthed Oliver and Eura. "Fucking run!"

Inayos ni Oliver ang pagdadala sa'kin bago tumakbo. I held him tighter, so that he wouldn't worry about me falling. Sa likod namin ay si Kairo na nakaabang para sumalo kung mahuhulog ako. Eura was spouting profanities under her breath.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry sa fries na nahulog ko at hindi na pinansin!" nagsimula nang magdasal si Eura. "Bilisan niyo!"

"Bilisan mo rin!"

Napapikit ako't napahigpit muli ng kapit kay Oliver nang tuluyang sumarado ang pader. Thankfully, Eura jumped outside the pathway and Kairo pushed us forwards making us fall to the ground. Laglag panga kaming napatingin sa pinagmulang daanan.

When will this maze stop trying to kill us?

"Yeah. It does that."

I turned around hearing a familiar, low voice. Wes was standing just before the portal, crossing his arms. Tinitigan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa, as if scanning, before raising a brow at a groaning Oliver below me.

"Ang sakit ng likod ko. Tangina mo, Kairo." reklamo nito.

Kairo huffed and helped me up, making me lean on the wall that closed off just a second ago.

"You're damn welcome too." he replied.

"The four of you are the first group to arrive after us." anunsiyo ni Wes.

"Us?" Eura asked, frowning.

"Us."

Wes confirmed, pointing at his left. There I found Caspian, tending to his bleeding chest. The wound was a long slash that started from his left chest and ended on his right stomach. He was shirtless, since he was trying to bandage his wound with his torn shirt.

"Insan!" sigaw ni Oliver at kaagad na tumakbo roon para tumulong.

If I only had the strength to stand up, I'd walk over there too. To help Caspian as he have helped me when I was drowning in injuries. I hope he'll be okay.

"Kairo." seryosong tawag ni Oliver. "Patulong dito. Mayroon ka pa noong healing potion? Bakit mo ba kasi binibigay 'yong sa'yo, insan?" biglang saway nito sa kaharap. "Ayan tuloy at wala ka na kung kailan kailangan."

Caspian only stared at him. He couldn't answer with a crumpled shirt on his mouth to stop himself from biting his tongue. Oliver's applying some medicinal herbs to his wound, which possibly stings with the way Caspian's face crumples in pain. He was drenched in sweat, muscles flexing at every pained grunt.

"Lagyan niyo na lang ng bandage. I have some painkilling potion here." Wes offered.

"Ano ba ang nangyari?"

"An ambush. A flying slicer just appeared out of nowhere. I was able to help him avoid it but the sharp edges still cut through his skin."

Caspian threw the cloth in his mouth, staring at Oliver. "It doesn't hurt a lot. The wound is shallow, we just need to close the bleeding. So please stop poking around it. Pinapasakit mo lang."

"Makakatayo ka pa ba?"

"Yes. I injured my chest and not my feet. The problem's that my movement is now limited."

Wes nodded. "Kaya hindi muna kami pumasok, aside from potentially meeting my guildmates though. Pero hinihintay ko munang maayos ang sugat niya."

I'm thankful that even though these people share a heated glared most of the time, they're still willing to help each other.

"That's good. Baka sabay na tayong makapasok diyan, insan. We're also waiting for Finn to regain her energy."

At the mention of my name, Caspian seemed to perk up. "Finn's here? Saan?"

Oh, that's right. They can't feel me.

"Nando'n." sabay turo ni Eura sa banda ko. "Her body fell to exhaustion. Three rigorous fights without much rest."

Caspian stared at me for a moment, worry in his eyes. Binigyan ko siya ng isang tipid na ngiti at tumango, pinapakitang ayos lang ako. He's on a worse condition between the two of us.

Napabaling sa kaniya si Kairo. "Wow, rigorous. Big word coming from you."

"'Yang big word mo magiging big sapak talaga."

"Be careful." Wes said, watching the two players fight it out. He's tapping the air, probably opening his inventory because a vial just appeared in his hand. "The portal moves around. Hindi naman ito pupuwesto sa likod niyo dahil nase-sense nitong players kayo, pero be aware of your surroundings. Especially if you're fighting."

"Papa? Ikaw ba 'yan?"

Wes just ignored Eura and headed towards me. I blinked at him as he crouched down and presented the vial he's holding. Anong... kailangan niya?

"For your energy."

As usual, Wes can read minds. Kinuha ko ito at uminom. It was bland and hard to swallow but the effect was slowly happening. Nararamdaman ko ang konting pagbabalik ng enerhiya.

"Thank you."

Wes hummed, recognizing my gratitude. His hand fell on my lower leg and he gave it a light squeeze, which made me wince.

"You overworked them." seryoso niyang tugon. "Stop pushing yourself to the extremes, Finn."

"'m not." umiling ako.

"You are." kontra niya. "And you're making me worry."

I tilted my head. "Don't need to."

Wes pulled the bottom of my pants up, exposing the bite wound that the lion made. He took a healing oil and bandage from his inventory, then started treating them.

Here, I could see Wes clearly. His dark hair now tousled because of the endless fights. A slight frown was marring his features; brows furrowed, eyes sharp with concern, jaw clenched, and lips pursed. With our close proximity, I couldn't help but notice the small cut in his cheek.

"You can say that." he responded to what I earlier said, eyes darting up. "But I will always worry."

Wes eyes are black, like his hair and similarly to how dark the intensity of his stare is.

Para maiwasan ang sasabihin niya ay inangat ko ang kamay. I touched the cut in his cheek, as lightly as possible.

"May sugat ka." tanging nasabi ko.

Wes only raised his brow before taking hold of my hand on his cheek. Natigilan ako at napatitig lang sa kaniya.

"Sasabihin ng mga tao na bakit ako magaalala sa iba. Don't I have a queen to serve already? I do, Sparrow. I have one." he continued. "And it's not the one I am forcely linked. If that bond doesn't exist, no even if it exists now, I will always be by your side."

Napaawang ang labi ko sa sinabi niya. A-Ano bang sinasabi niya? I could feel my chest constricting, heat creeping up my neck and cheeks.

"I only have one queen. And it is you, Finley."

I opened my mouth to say something only to close them again. Hindi ko alam kung anong susunod na sasabihin.

"Oh my gosh! Grabeng blessing ito sa mata ko, sis!"

I pushed Wes away after hearing the shout. For an exhausted me against him, he fell back pretty easily, turning to face the person who shouted.

Isang babae ang nakatayo sa may gilid at laglag-pangang nakatingin sa'min. Her face is already red and I worry about the assumption that's running in her head.

"Ano bang sinisigaw-sigaw mo diyan, Lena?! Kitang sugatan si Tracy dito tapos parang tanga ka diyan! Tulungan mo nga kami!"

Another girl appeared, dragging someone whose legs are bleeding. Isa bang babae ang lumabas at mukhang naiiyak na sa nangyayari sa kaibigan.

"Trish, magiging okay lang kaya siya?" tanong ng ikaapat na babae.

"Pipilitin natin, Diana, oo." sagot ng pinagtanungan niya.

Eura immediately came to their assist because none of the boys moved. Gusto ko ngang umalis na si Wes sa harap ko at tumulong. I still feel strange from earlier.

I nudged Wes away trying to stand. My energy's already coming back and I can already force myself to stand. Wes stepped away, eyeing me critically.

"Anong nangyari?" Eura asked.

"Nahulog po ako, Ate..." sagot ng nasugatan na Tracy ata.

"Saan?"

"Sa'yo po-aray!" hinampas siya sa ulo ng nagngangalang Trish. "Grabe. Sugatan na nga, namaltrato pa. Where's the justice-"

"Oh my gosh! Mag-ingat ka, Ate Cute!"

Napatingin ako doon sa Lena na sumigaw, ngunit bigla ko na lang naramdaman ang malakas na pwersa sa likod. It was a powerful gush of wind that's sucking me into something. Wes' eyes widened and I heard them shout something, then my balance completely broken and I found myself falling-

Falling on a hard floor.

With a furious beast above a mirror, watching me hungrily.

Before I could move, the beast jumped down, rose petals falling together with him.

-chapter end-