-chapter twenty-six-

FINN

"Finn! Sa-Sandali nga lang!"

Sinubukan akong patigilin ni Gavin pero hinigpitan ko lamang ang kapit sa kamay niya. Napapasulyap ang ibang manlalaro sa gawi namin. My steps were even more hurried, wanting to escape from their questioning looks.

It looks like I'm kidnapping someone in broad daylight and amidst public eye.

"Finn! Bakit ba hindi mo na ako pinakikinggan at ba't ang lakas mo dito sa laro?" pagrereklamo ni Gavin.

We rounded a corner, walking towards the left exit of the arena. The sun greeted us as we stepped outside. The place was quiet, as it was only a large grassy field in front of a small forest. May mga ibang manlalaro din dito pero malayo sila sa'min. I continued to drag Gavin, searching for a quiet and isolated place, when a pair of black boots appeared and made me stop.

Inangat ko ang tingin upang makita si Sebastian na nakasimangot sa'ming dalawa. I heard Gavin groan behind me.

"Finn." Baste said, voice in a scolding manner as he crossed his arms. "Where are you dragging him? Hindi ba't may laban kayo?"

I nodded. "Finished."

Sebastian's brow rose. "Oh? Sino nanalo?"

"I surrendered."

Gavin huffed as Sebastian fell into laughter. Itinuro niya ang kaibigan namin. "Ba't mo din kailangan sabihin sa kaniya 'yon, Finn? Oi, Baste, kaya kong manalo kung gugustuhin ko 'no!"

"Sure, sure." Baste responded, teasing. "Siyempre naman, Gavin. Kahit walang may nahi-hit na target ang dagger mo ay mananalo ka pa rin."

Gavin glared at Baste like he wants him dead right then. I sighed inwardly, seeing their childish banter. Mula sa labas hanggang dito, they still act the same.

There was a soft giggle from Sebastian's back. Natigilan ang pagbabangayan nila nang lumabas sa likuran ni Baste si Renèe. As usual, her hair was braided and a sweet smile was present in her lips. May dala-dala siyang pamaypay.

I smiled. "Ree."

Renèe's gaze flickered towards me. Kuminang ang mata niya nang lumawak ang ngiti. She ran towards me, arms wide open. Bago pa ako maka-react ay napapaloob na ako sa isang mahigpit na yakap.

The familiar warmth that spread around us made me succumb to the comfort. Sinagot ko ang yakap niya at itinago ang mukha sa leeg. This always brings back memories, both bitter and sweet. It's a behavior Ree and my mother both posses, hugging me whenever I feel down or alone, as if they were shielding me from the harsh world.

For the past few days, I can't help the growing fear in my mind. Kahit na anong pagiging kalmado at rasyonal ko, hindi ako komportable sa sitwasyon namin. We are being held prisoners inside a device that shows a different sense of reality. We are walking in a world that offers us death without any second thoughts.

No matter how people here follow their own arrogance or keeps up a strong facade, it doesn't erase the fact that we're not in our homes and we cannot easily escape. All we can do is fight and strive that we can survive.

All we can do is chase time and complete the burdensome cities.

All we can do is live.

Since we didn't come here just to beta the game, instead we're thrown in a game of survival.

Kaya naman, oo. Hindi nawala ang namumuong takot sa'kin makalipas ang isang linggo. Not just because of the threat of danger and the unknown surroundings, but the fear of losing my home.

"Group hug!"

Rinig kong sigaw ni Gavin at biglang sumikip ang paligid. Ree complained at the two when they started squeezing into the hug, too. Malakas na tumawa si Gavin sa sinabi niya at sumunod si Baste.

I smiled and a light chuckle escaped my mouth. I'm glad that it's not just the place that makes my home, but the presence of my three favorite people in the world. Having them beside me is already enough.

I could never ask for more.

"Sandali nga lang!" Ree shouted. "Pwede bang umalis na kayong mga lalaki kayo? Papansin much? The sisters are hugging and you're not part of our feminine bond, 'kay? So, shoo, alis!"

Lumuwag ang yakapan at binitawan na ako ni Renèe. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko nang muling magtama ang mata namin bago niya pisilin ang pisngi ko.

"Ree, s-stop." I mumbled amidst her squishing.

She frowned. "Kahit na nagpapa-lowkey ako all this while, I can still hear the rumors of an adorable rogue. Ilang puso na naman ba ang ninakaw mo, Finn?"

Mahina kong hinampas ang kamay niya kaya natatawa niyang tinigil ang pagpisil. With a pout, I caressed my bruising cheeks.

"None." sagot ko.

Sebastian tsked. "Huwag kang maniwala diyan. I just recently met a boy who sticks to Lily like glue."

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Sebastian. What lies is he spouting? Wala akong kilalang gano'n.

"No." I argued.

"Yes." Baste stuck his tongue out. "Binibilhan ka pa nga ng pagkain 'di ba?"

Pagkain? Si Wes?

"Woah, talaga! Jackpot 'yan, Finn!" Gavin exclaimed, placing an arm around my shoulder. "Pero dapat ipakilala mo muna sa'kin. Your partner must be someone deserving!"

"At paano naman malalaman kung deserving o hindi?" mataray na tanong ni Ree habang nakahalukipkip. "Kung ikaw ba 'yon?"

Gavin scoffed. "Ha! I'm amazing and handsome, ano bang pinagsasabi mo? Pero dapat mahal na mahal nila-"

"Amazing? Handsome, makakapasa pa. Pero amazing?" Sebastian asked with disdain. "Nakalimutan mo na ba ang hindi matapos-tapos na lindol dahil hindi ka marunong magcontrol ng magic?"

"Okay. That's not even my fault! Do I look like I know a single thing about games?! Nalagay ako sa newbies room!"

"Hindi ko kasalanan kung nalagay ka sa newbies room at hindi mabilis gumana 'yang utak mo."

"At least buong city nakakaramdam ng ginawa kong lindol! That just implies that I'm powerful as fuck!"

"Ew." Renèe stepped in, covering her mouth with the fan. "Boys and their stupid arguments. Ew."

Sebastian and Gavin's glare turned to her. "Bakit? Hindi ka rin naman magaling sa mga ganito ah."

Renèe smiled and gestured to her face. "Why would I need to work hard when I have people doing that for me?"

Ngumiwi ang dalawang lalaki. Sebastian looked the most displeased.

"And you have the nerve to complain. At least we're using our own skills." reklamo niya.

"Hmph." Renèe flipped her hair. "I'm also using my beauty, right?"

Bago pa lumala ang bangayan nila ay pumagitna na ako. It's not just a matter of skills, after all, but also the difference in their personalities.

"Someone can teach you."

Mahina lang ang pagkakasabi ko no'n pero agad na natigilan ang tatlo. Their irritated eyes were quickly replaced with curiosity.

"Talaga? Sino?" interesadong tanong ni Ree.

"Is this one of your suitors?" Baste muttered.

Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya dahil hindi naman 'yon totoo.

"Caspian." I answered.

"Sabi ko na nga ba ang manliligaw mo."

I frowned, shooting Baste a quick glare. "Not that. Teacher."

"Anong tinuro niya sa'yo? Kung paano siya mahalin?" nakangising tanong ni Gavin.

Hindi ko din siya pinansin dahil hindi ko maintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin. Why are they both so noisy all the time? It makes me think that they don't want help at all. Hindi pa nga nila nakikilala si Caspian, sinasabihan na nila ng masama.

"Controlling magic." sagot ko. "He was the one who taught me."

Renèe closed her fan with a loud slap. Ngumiti siya nang makuha niya ang atensiyon ng dalawang nagrereklamong lalaki.

"Well, we should train under this good teacher! Ipakilala mo kami sa kaniya, Finn." nakangiti niyang tugon.

I happily nodded.

Sigurado akong tapos na ang laban ni Caspian ngayon kaya naman dumiretso ako sa gubat. Hindi ko pinansin ang tahimik na pag-uusap nila kapag ako ang nauuna. They're probably pulling a new prank or something. Nagtanong pa ang tatlo kung bakit sa gubat kami papunta kaya naman sinabi kong doon kami laging tumatambay.

"You're staying alone in a forest with a boy?!" Sebastian roared when we arrived.

I stared at Baste, blank. Bakit siya biglang nagalit?

"Not alone." I replied, glancing at Ree and Gavin who were also disapproving. "I have-"

"Ano bang sinisigaw-sigaw mo diyan?!" wika ng panibagong dating at hinampas ang ulo ni Baste. I blinked when Depore appeared. "Ang ingay mo, tangina. Nakaalis tuloy 'yong kunehong kukunin ko sana. Badtrip."

Sebastian stared in awe at the girl. I know he's too shocked to form a proper sentence right now. Dahil iyon sa isang bata ang may ganang manakit sa kaniya at magmura. Kaya naman lumapit na ako sa kaniya bago no'n.

"This is Depore. She's older than us." pakilala ko. "The three of us stays here."

"What? Dahil lang sa ganito ang itsura ko, bata na agad ako? Tse!" Depore frowned. "Sino ba kayo?"

I smiled. "They're my best friends."

Before I could say anything further, Renèe has alrrady clung to my arms. Nakangiti siya't nakatingin kay Depore. As always, her face looks too beautiful and sweet to be disagreed on.

"Thank you for taking care of our Finley, Ate Depore." magalang niyang tugon. "I hope you can continue guiding her since... I don't think we can always stay beside each other."

My smile faltered. Oo nga pala, ngayon lang ito. I'll be comforted with the thought that they'll always be here and I can talk to them anytime, but we're still walking in different places albeit in the same path. Iba't ibang alliance ang kinaroroonan namin, at sigurado akong ang alliance nila ay strikto at kailangang laging magkasama.

Their rules are not like ours. They're a pack while we're a bunch of rogue. Kaya naman hindi kami pwedeng magkasama.

Mukhang napansin ni Renèe ang pag-iba ng mood ko dahil ginugulo niya na ang buhok ko. She lightly chuckled.

"Of course, we won't forget our lovely Finn. Gavin can't run away from you anymore." she winked. "Kung ayaw niya magpakita, siguraduhin niya munang patay na ako para hindi ko siya mahatak papunta sa'yo."

Gavin huffed from behind. "Why do you always love to threaten me?" I felt him pull me towards him. "Hindi na nga ako aalis, okay? I'll stay with Finn if she wants."

"You're from Kairo's guild, right?"

Tumango si Gavin sa tanong ni Depore kaya napangisi ito.

"I don't think you can see Finn as much as you please." dagdag niya. "Kairo won't permit it."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Kairo has his share of bad, but why would he do that?

"Bakit naman?" nakasimangot na tanong ni Sebastian.

"Well..." Depore's eyes landed on me. "Unless someone really asked for it then-"

"Finn?"

Napaikot ako nang marinig ang boses ni Caspian. He was holding a branch up as he stepped into the clearing. As always, may dala-dala siyang pagkain. Naningkit ang mata niya nang dumako sa tatlong nasa likuran ko.

"Caspian." nakangiti kong bati. I gestured at the three. "My childhood friends."

Caspian stiffly nodded at them. "Hello."

Sa gilid ko'y nakita ko ang pagtaas ng kilay ni Depore at ang bumababang interes niya. When I looked at the three, I was a bit curious. Renèe has her eyes narrowed in a suspicious manner. Parang binabasa naman ni Sebastian si Caspian, at blanko lang ang mukha ni Gavin.

When they saw me staring, their eyes widened. I tilted my head, silently asking if something was wrong, but they didn't answer. Ngumiti lang silang tatlo.

"Oi, Caspian. Hi, musta p're?!" Gavin grinned.

"Hello, Caspian. How do you do in school?" Sebastian asked.

"So you're our lovely Finn's teacher. I must say you're quite handsome, but what do you think about our adorable munchkin here?" Renèe sweetly beamed.

"Uh."

Sumulyap sa'kin si Caspian na parang nanghihingi ng tulong. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit biglang naging ganito silang tatlo. Does this have something to do with what they were whispering earlier?

But before that, I still have something to tell him.

"Caspian, can I ask you for a favor?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Hm. Okay? Ano naman 'yon?"

I inwardly smiled. I knew he wouldn't refuse, although he's known for snobbing other players who wants to know how to manage their magic. Siguro wala lang siya sa mood nang magtanong sila kaya hindi sila pinansin ni Caspian?

Although I've heard some rumors that he's harder to approach than Wes.

Ipinaliwanag ko sa kaniya ang sitwasyon. Caspian was a bit hesitant but he did explain to the three how to control one's magic and power. While he taught them, I stayed sitting in a tree branch with a smile in my lips. Caspian really looks like a teacher now with three curious and expectant students.

It was during their practice to minimize the power used in a magic that Caspian asked his questions.

"Is he the one you talked to Oliver about?"

Umangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya mula sa pagpapalaki at liit ng shadow. I nodded, seeing as he was talking about Gavin.

"You'd do such things for him."

Tumango ulit ako. "He's my best friend."

"You like him?"

Once again, I nodded.

Of course, I like him. Bakit naman ako makikipagkaibigan sa taong ayaw ko?

Umalis na si Caspian sa tabi ko nang tawagin siya ni Baste para magtanong. From then on, he was much more silent than before. Hindi nga siya sumama sa dinner namin dahil sasabay daw siya sa pinsan niya. I was hoping to treat him as a thank you, but I should probably do it another time.

Right now, nothing's more precious than sitting in one table with the three people I treasure so much.

The next day, the Magus Arena went on as usual. As expected, marami ang hindi nagpalipas ng araw at sunod-sunod na lumaban. No one can stay in this city any longer. We need to move now.

Especially that this match isn't very friendly at all. May mga players na malala ang lagay dahil sa mga sugat na natamo.

It's very dangerous, not having your magic in control. In some instances, players can't handle their magic power and wound their opponent more than necessary. O kung minsan naman ay arogante ang dalawang panig at walang magsusurrender, so it usually ends with heavily wounded players.

Hindi ba nila alam na pinapatagal lang nila ang pagstay nila dito kung gano'n? They have to wait until they're healed to battle again.

Minsan naman, it's because the match is so unbalanced. The gap in power and level often makes them injured.

Kairo stood in the center of the arena, a displeased look in his face. Mula kanina pa siya nasa depensa. For the past minutes, all he did was dodge his opponent's attack. Then when he reached the center he stopped.

Tumigil na rin ang hinihingal niyang kalaban at tinititigan na lang siya. Watching it from the sidelines, I can't help but shake my head. That was a wrong move. When he realized the other was only on defense, he should have stopped.

Because Kairo was only tiring him out. Now, I doubt he has enough strength to resist any large-scale attack Kairo may make.

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang mabalot ng itim ang buong ring. Sparking violet lines appeared in the chaotic black field. The next thing we heard was a scream before the darkness was gone.

Kairo still stood at the center, but his opponent who was previously standing in the farthest right was on his knees. His head was hung low and he dropped to the ground when blood spurted from his arms and legs. Biglang dumating ang mga kasama niya para i-heal siya nang ma-announce na winner si Kairo.

I looked away and walked down, heading towards the right side where I should enter for my next match. Seriously, Kairo is too harsh and cruel in his matches. No one, who ever fought with him, was left standing in the ring. Lahat sila'y nakatamo ng malalang sugat.

Kaya nga siguro hindi nakakagulat na si Kairo ang pinakaunang taong nakatapos ng tatlong consecutive wins. He goes out of his matches unscathed.

Dumaan sa'kin ang naghihinagpis na nakalaban ni Kairo. I sent a silent prayer as he went on his way with his alliance. Dapat talaga nagsurrender na lang agad sila nang malamang si Kairo ang kalaban nila.

I sighed and looked forwards. I shouldn't think about their match right now since I'm walking towards my own. And it's not even a match that should be seen happily.

Dahil ngayon ang makakalaban ko ay si Marcella. The girl who keeps on waving a death flag towards me.

-chapter end-

Current Alive Beta-Testers: 152/200
Beta-Testers Able To Proceed: 1
• Kairo - 3 consecutive wins