-chapter twenty-nine-

FINN

"Don't you think we're going too fast?"

Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi ni Oliver at mabilis na tumayo. He followed, patting the dirt off his pants and grinning. For some reason, naiinis ako sa mukha niya.

"I never imagined that I'd be stuck in this city with you." nakangisi niyang dagdag. "Paano kaya kapag nalaman ito ng pinsan ko?"

I looked at him upon hearing the word cousin. Naiwan ko nga pala si Caspian doon sa last city dahil sa biglaang pagdami ng tao. I hope they won't look for me and just advance. Even though we've spent a lot of time in the Magus City, we still have to live and survive individually.

Besides, kahit na sabay kaming pumasok dito, maghihiwalay din naman kami. I went in the portal with a bunch of people but I found myself alone in the maze.

The game must have been dividing players and teleporting them to random spots.

"Talaga bang hindi mo ko kakausapin sa buong pagstay natin dito?"

My thoughts were cut off by Oliver's voice. Taimtim ko siyang tinitigan. He's noisier than Caspian and teases much more than Kairo. Hindi na nawawala ang ngisi sa mukha niya at lagi na lang may hirit. I don't really mind his presence but I don't welcome it warmly too.

Bumuntong-hininga si Oliver at humalukipkip. He gave me a disappointed look.

"One day I'd get you to talk to me." he promised.

"Mm." tumango ako.

Umirap si Oliver at naunang maglakad. I followed him since this pathway only leads to one direction. My mind unconsciously drifted to the earlier events.

There were three pathways. It's not strange but it's suspicious. Suspicious dahil baka may parte doon na papunta sa city gate. Most mazes follow a one-way path that consists a lot of turns, or choosing between two paths. Whenever the pathways increases to three and five, one of them would lead closer to the exit.

Isa pa ang leon. There's something strange about it.

"Why didn't you fight it?"

I tilted my head at Oliver's question.

"'Yong leon." pagklaro niya. "Akala ko kakalabanin mo. You're one of the rare players who can keep up with Marcella, a lion's not that hard."

Pero hindi naman leon si Marcella.

"You too." sa halip na sagot ko.

Oliver glanced back. "Anong ako?"

"'Di mo nilabanan."

Oliver stopped walking and blinked at me. Dahil doon ay naabutan ko siya. Huminto din ako para hintayin ang sagot niya. Malaki ang posibilidad na si Oliver ang tumatakbong anino kanina. Seeing that the pathway in the middle has a dead end and there was no bodies and Oliver saved me, hindi naman siguro ibang tao 'yon.

"Pft." he chuckled. "Something just seemed strange about that lion."

"Mm."

Kaya rin hindi ko na ito nilabanan pa. The lion, albeit being a dangerous predator, exudes a threatening aura. Kung normal na leon lang 'yon ay nagawa ko nang kalabanin.

"I tried fighting it, pero walang nangyari. That lion couldn't be killed." Oliver's eyes became serious. "Hindi ko alam kung sobrang bilis ng recovery nito o talagang immortal. It's also very quick and it even copied one of my moves!"

Hindi ito namamatay? Kaya siguro hindi ako naging komportable nang makita ito at kung bakit mas pinili ng utak ko na tumakbo. My instinct must have realized engaging into a fight is useless.

Aside from its probably-high recovery rate, its intelligence is also enhanced. Kasama sa natural instincts nito ay ang almost-human perception. This assumption is further proven by Oliver's statement, kung saan nacopy ng leon ang move niya. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung anong move ang sinasabi niya.

If the lion posses such traits, then it must have an important role in this city. Right?

Isang pagpitik sa harap ko ang nagpabalik ng aking atensiyon. Oliver frowned at me from where he was standing. Isang pader na may digital screen ang nasa likod niya. I was unconsciously following him since a while ago that I didn't notice we've arrived in a corner.

"You don't need to talk to me, but at least huwag kang magbakasyon sa ibang planeta." aniya. "Baka mamaya madapa ka pa at magkasugat."

Palihim akong napangiti do'n. Oliver and Caspian really are cousins. They occasionally share the same behavior.

Tumango ako sa sinabi niya at lumapit sa digital screen. Vines covered the edges and a bright, blue screen appeared before me. I briefly wondered why such device exists in this medieval world setting or maybe RWO is a mixture of both.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang basahin ang nakalagay. Naramdaman ko ang paglapit at pagtayo ni Oliver sa likod ko. There was a phrase or a poem...?

No. It's a riddle.

▪▪▪

What can you keep after giving it to someone?

⁠▪▪▪

"Ang dali." Oliver scoffed and cleared his throat. "My word." he answered.

The two of us frowned when nothing happened after a minute. Tama naman ang isinagot ni Oliver.

Isang hand scanner ang lumabas. Oliver pressed his hand into it but nothing happened again. He tried answering with his hand pressed, pero wala pa ring nangyari. Oliver cursed loudly, now frustrated.

Nilingon ko siya. "Are you lying?"

"Lying? Saan ako magsisinungaling?" inis niyang tugon. "Is this game really that godly that it knows if I'm lying or not?"

The answer Oliver gave was correct but the wall isn't opening. Kung gano'n, siguradong may gusto itong ipagawa sa'min, 'di ba?

At first, I thought it was the genuineness of the answer. Kaya tinanong ko kung nagsisinungaling ba si Oliver sa sagot niya. It was a test of emotions and whether he really meant it or not. What he pointed out was also reasonable, can this game have access to our emotions that it can perceive truth from lies?

But if it's not the meaning and intent, then what is⁠—

Is it... through action? Hindi lang ba namin dapat sabihin ang sagot pero gagawin din 'to?

I turned to Oliver with deep resolve. Mabilis kong kinuha ang kamay niya. My hand covered his warm ones and he widely stared at it, mouth parting in surprise. Oliver's face is very expressive. Napakadali niyang basahin.

I took a deep breathe before letting our eyes meet. "In return for saving me from the lion, I will ensure your safety in this city. Oliver, I give you my word."

He stiffened. "A-Anong pinagsasabi mo-"

Oliver's voice was cut off by the sound of something moving. The wall started to shift aside, opening up for another pathway. Sa digital screen ay nakalagay ang 'You passed!' at may mga confetti pang sumabog.

So the answer should be aided by a genuine action.

"What the-" reklamo ni Oliver na nakahawak sa tainga. "Kailangan ba talagang gano'n? Bakit ang dami pa nitong arte."

"Mm." tumango ako. "It's surprising."

"Surprising talaga. Damn it, you should warn a guy next time." Oliver seems to be covering his ears now.

When the both of us passed the opened wall, it shifted back to its place, trapping us into another path. I inwardly sighed. The maze doesn't just consist of confusing paths, the mission of finding the gate wherever it is, the danger that lies within the walls, but it also needs the mind to work on riddles.

Just what attribute or function does this city symbolizes?

"Oliver." mahinang tawag ko sa kaniya.

"Oli." he corrected. "Bakit?"

"What happens if I break my word?"

Sandali siyang napaisip sa tanong ko. I've been thinking about it for a while now. If it needs us to act the answer, then would there be consequences if we ever fail to do so? O talagang kailangan lang naming gawin 'yon?

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Hindi mo ba susundin ang sinabi mo?"

Umiling ako. "Gave you my word."

"Then, let's not experiment on what will happen. Baka kung ano pang kapahamakan dulot no'n." nakangiwi niyang tugon.

I quietly admired him for that. For a guy who likes to tease and looks pretty reckless, he's actually very careful with his decision. He doesn't let himself be seduced by curiousity. Hindi ko 'yon inexpect sa kaniya.

Akala ko nga sasabihin niya kung gusto kong i-try para makita anong mangyayari.

"Hoy, bakit mo ko tinitingnan na parang dalawa na ang ulo ko?" saway niya.

Hindi ako sumagot at naunang maglakad. Although he proved that safety matters more to him, minsan talaga ay wala pa ring sense ang sinasabi niya. I don't respond to him most of the time because I don't get what he's saying.

We took a left turn and I noticed two pathways at the end. Mukhang kailangan ulit naming mamili.

"Pero, woah, mukhang dapat sasamahan mo na ako buong magdamag. Baka mapahamak pa ako e'di hindi mo na ako mapo-protektahan." he rambled on, pouting.

I glanced at him sideways. Hindi ako naniniwala sa sinabi niya. He's one of the top players in this game. Although I promised to protect him, it's not like he'll let anyone wound him.

O balak niya ba akong maging bodyguard?

Oliver laughed. "Hindi ko talaga inasahan 'yon. Did I really do a good job saving you that you returned the favor?"

"Mm." I nodded, staring as he scratched his ears again. "Mother told me."

"Ha?!" nanlaki ang mata niya. "A-Anong mother told you? Sinong nanay? Sa'kin o sa'yo?"

Bakit naman napunta sa usapan ang nanay niya?

"Mine."

Oliver grinned. "All yours."

I blinked. He looks proud.

Then, I nodded. "Yes. My mother."

Mas lalong lumaki ang ngisi niya. "Sabi ni Mama mo sa'yo ako?"

I frowned. Kanina pinasok niya ang nanay niya sa usapan, ngayon naman ang sarili. Why is he so full of self-love.

"You're saying nonsense."

"Uh-uh." umiiling niyang sabi at winasiwas pa ang hintuturo. "We're having a conversation."

Kanina pa naman kami nag-uusap. Bakit ba ang hirap niyang kausapin?

We just had a decent conversation and now he's destroying it. Binilisan ko ang pa ang paglalakad at gusto na sana siyang iwanan doon. He matched my pace in no time, laughing at himself.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm having fun teasing you. Ano na sinabi ng Mama mo?"

I ignored his other remark and focused on answering his question. I believe I owe him a reason for suddenly saying things like that. I guess he feels very uncomfortable with what I said.

"Forget the good you've made and remember the kindness you've received." I smiled, remembering her sweet voice.

Oliver was silent. Nang ilang minutong hindi siya nagsalita ay kuryoso akong napasulyap sa mukha niya. His grin was replaced with a serious face. Parang ang lalim ng iniisip niya. His eyes met mine when he noticed me looking.

"Your mother seems very kind."

I beamed. "Mm!"

Itinaas ni Oliver ang kamay para guluhin ang buhok ko. He gave two light pats after ruffling it. I gave him a curious gaze, confused at his changing behaviors. Ngunit iniwas niya lang ang tingin.

"Tara na."

I pursed my lips, following the pace he set. Napakaweird talaga ng mga taong nakilala ko dito sa laro.

"Mahaaal! Baka may biglang tumalon na halimaw dito! Tulungan mo ko, ha~?"

"Siyempre naman, mahal ko! Haharapin ko ang kahit ano para lang sa'yo!"

"Hehehe. Ako din, mahal. Kaya kita love na love eh, mwaa~"

Natigilan kaming dalawa ni Oliver nang marinig ang papalapit na boses. A pathway stretched from our right and two figures are walking down the lane. Isang matangkad at medyo may kakisigan na lalaki ang mayabang na naglalakad. Nakadikit sa kaniyang braso ang isang babae. Pilit itong tumitingala sa lalaki at may matamis na ngiti sa labi.

"Oh come on." Oliver groaned, annoyance slightly evident in his tone. He grasped my wrist and hastily dragged me. "Bilisan mo, Finn, bago pa tayo maki-"

"Oi! Si Oliver 'yon ah! Pare, oi, wait!"

Napahinto ako nang tawagin ng lalaki si Oliver. He waved his hand and rushed towards us. Nagmukhang puso naman ang mata ng babae nang dumako kay Oliver. Meanwhile, the object of attention looks like he wants to escape.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya para bumulong. "Friends?"

"Nope." Oliver scoffed. "Nakasama ko sila noon at akala nila buong laro na kami magsasama. Tch."

I tilted my head. "Don't like them?"

Inikot ni Oliver ang mata at humarap sa'kin. Agad siyang nanigas nang makitang napakalapit ng mukha naming dalawa. His grip loosened and with a quick glance below, he made space between us. Tumango siya bilang sagot sa tanong ko.

"Oli, p're! Mukhang tinatadhana nga tayong dalawa at nagkita uli tayo!" saad ng lalaki nang huminto sa harap namin. His eyes flickered towards me. "Oh! 'Di ba ikaw 'yong nakalaban ni Marcella? Ang galing mo do'n!"

I nodded. "Thank-"

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" putol ni Oliver sa pagpapasalamat ko. "Magkasama pa rin kayo?"

"Hehe, kami na ni Joanne ngayon, p're!" the guy showed their intertwined hands before glancing at me again. "Ako pala si Jackson, pangalan mo?"

"Fi-"

"Doon kayo galing 'di ba? Wala na bang daan do'n?"

Napanguso ako sa pagputol ulit ni Oliver sa'kin. I gave him a small glare, huffing quietly.

Umiling si Jackson. "Wala na p're. Mga hunting traps na lang nandoon kaya nga dito kami pumunta." he looked at the two paths we have to choose from. "May napili na ba kayo diyan?"

"Wala pa." nilingon ako ni Oliver. "Ituro mo ang dadaanan natin."

I only stared at him.

Malakas na tumawa si Jackson. "Nagtatampo ata sa'yo, p're. 'Di ko inasahan na magiging nobya mo ang-"

"Hindi!" kaagad na sigaw ni Oliver at mabilis na sumulyap sa'kin. "She's my friend."

"Asus. Ako pa niloloko mo, e, expert ako sa love-love na 'yan. 'Di ba, mahal?"

Joanne giggled. "Siyempre naman, mahal ko!"

Nauna na akong maglakad dahil baka kung kailan pa matatapos ang usapan nila. After all, someone in that conversation doesn't want me to talk so I'll just go and distance myself from them. I can fight and survive on my own.

Narinig ko ang pagsunod nila.

"Ano bang pangalan niya, p're? Nagda-date kasi kami ni mahal nang maglaban sila ni Marcella kaya hindi ko nakita."

"It's..." Oliver paused. "Fil."

"Phil? As in Philippines? Parang ang lalaki naman."

Mali ang sinabi sa'yo. It's Finn.

"Filipinas."

"Ha? Pero dapat matigas 'di ba? Pi-lipinas dapat."

"Mahal, F ata at hindi P kaya Filipinas ang pronunciation."

"Ay, oo nga 'no! Mahal, ang talino mo talaga!"

There was a giggle and when I looked back, the couple were already hugging each other. Sa tabi nila ay si Oliver na mukhang nagdurusa.

I went through the right pathway since we were in the left a while ago. Hindi ko alam kung saang banda ng maze kami but my current plan was to find the center.

The maze either has a circle or a square shape. The exit portal can also be located in the center or the other side. May possibility na nateleport kami sa pinakadulo ng maze, like a starting point, at para matapos ay kailangan naming makaabot sa kabilang dulo. This is the style of mazes in most games. An entrance, then make some cross and turns while avoiding the monsters as you try to find your way towards the other end.

Ang pinagkaiba nga lang ay hindi namin nakikita ang lay-out ng maze ngayon. The difficulty is also increased by the shifting of walls, which means the direction are changing. Kasabay no'n ay ang mga riddles na baka kung saan-saan nakalagay. This is why I doubted the common maze lay-out and gambled on the second one.

Some games have their exit portal in the center of the maze. We were transported blindly into this city and there's a high chance that we arrived at the edges of the maze. If that's correct, then our goal is to find the center because the exit portal is located there.

Kaya nga rin siguro gumagalaw ang mga walls. The players can just assume that and walk in a direction straight from them and eventually arrive in the center after some confusion. Dahil may plano ata ang game developer na i-trap kami dito, they are aiming to erase our sense of direction by making the walls move around.

Nakakapagod.

As soon as the four of us stepped into the path, the wall shifted and covered the road we came from. We were then engulfed in a blue light with floating digits and letters. Lumapit sa'kin si Oliver at biglang may lumabas sa gitna naming apat.

Words floated above a shining orb and another riddle appeared.

▪▪▪

What can you break without picking it up or touching?

▪▪▪

It's almost the same as the one we answered earlier.

"Simple. It's a promise." Oliver announced. "We need to do it though."

"Walang problema. Ako na, p're!" Jackson said and touched his lover's cheek. "Mahal ko, pinapangako kong itataya ko ang sariling buhay para lang sa'yo."

I blinked. That's... some heavy promise.

Joanne squealed and started giggling in excitement. She peppered the other man's cheek with kisses. Sa likod nila ay muling inikot ni Oliver ang mata niya.

I stepped back when the red quickly replaced the blue light around us. Napalitan na rin ang mga salita na lumabas sa orb.

▪▪▪

You passed! Action detected and heard. Commencing promise in 3... 2... 1...

▪▪▪

Joanne screamed when a person appeared from nowhere. Balot na balot ito ng itim at may dala-dalang scythe. A torn cloth served as its mask and its eyes was covered with some silk too. I don't know whether it was a real person or an in-game character. Nang humakbang ito ay biglang nawala ang pulang liwanag.

Then, it attacked.

Straight towards Joanne.

Muling sumigaw ang babae at itinaas ang kamay para depensahan ang sarili. Since I was standing the closest and could see the assassin's next move, I intercepted his attack with four of my kunais. Despite being small daggers, I managed to move the scythe's blade away. Then, I delivered a kick on the assassin's stomach.

He was sent flying towards the nearest wall. Nang muli siyang sumugod ay binaril ni Oliver ang dinaraanan niya at mukhang kinukuha ang atensiyon nito. The assassin did not spare him any glance and continued on slashing his blade towards Joanne's direction.

I summoned kunai after kunai, trying to keep up with his aggressive slashing. But my next reaction was too slow and the scythe's handle hit my stomach, throwing me out. Joanne screamed loudly when the assassin moved towards her again. Mabilis siyang tumakbo at nagtago sa likod ni Oliver.

Bakit hindi niya pinapalabas ang weapon para lumaban? Can't she stop screaming and fight?

Oliver fired non-stop at the assassin. Nang hindi ito tumigil ay may pinasabog siya sa harapan nito. But the assassin only stopped and acquired no damage.

"Damn it. That bullets deals massive damage. Bakit walang epekto?" I heard Oliver mutter from the shadows that I've summoned.

Umakyat ang mga anino sa katawan ng assassin sa sandaling pagtigil nito mula sa atake ni Oliver. I latched into its back, two of my kunai pressed on its neck. Nang tuluyan ko itong isaksak ay walang kahit anong nangyari.

The assassin elbowed me, making me fall on the ground. Hindi na ito umatake pa ulit at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad, the shadows ineffective on its feet. Umuwang ang labi ko. Ano ang nangyayari? My attacks won't hit or deal damage, and he's not even attacking me.

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makitang papunta siya kay Oliver. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makitang hindi gumalaw ang lalaki sa kinatatayuan at parang may hinihintay lang. The assassin raised his scythe and used the handle to push Oliver to the side.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. Oliver rushed towards me and helped me up.

"It's not attacking us." komento niya.

"Mm." tumango ako. "Can't attack too."

"Kung gano'n. This must be to verify if the promise will be fulfilled."

A small gasp escaped me as my eyes drifted to the trembling Joanne. Ang kaniyang magandang mukha at matamis na ngiti ay napalitan na ng mga rumaragasang luha.

"Ahhh! Tulungan niyo ako! Tulong! Paalisin niyo siya! Ayoko pang mamatay! Ahhh!" sunod-sunod na sigaw niya habang umaatras.

Joanne's knees buckled and she fell in the ground, face crumpled in fear and tears. She scrambled back, fingers digging on the ground as she looked around for anyone to help her with. Dumako ang tingin niya sa'min.

"KAYO DIYAN! TULUNGAN NIYO AKO! BAKIT NAKATAYO LANG KAYO?! PAPATAYIN NIYA AKO!"

I swallowed down the lump in my throat. I want to help. I really want to help you. I'm also trembling in the fear of not saving you.

But there's nothing I can do.

Kahit anong atake ko ay hindi siya mawawala. Kahit anong depensa ko ay itatabi niya lang ako.

This is the execution of a promise.

It's the promise between you and your lover.

However, Jackson is only standing there, frozen with fear. He's staring with his hand hovering above his weapon.

He's not moving to save Joanne.

-chapter end-