To commemorate for the 10k reads, may special chapter po ako for you. Hehe. I think you're familiar with this game if you've watched No Game No Life. Enjoy!

RWO Girls. Mwehe. Made sa picrew, mwehe.

-special chapter-

THIRD PERSON

Theo was sleeping somewhere in the Beast's castle. Alam niyang may quest pa silang kailangan tapusin, pero pinagpapalanuhan pa naman nila Wes, Finn, at Sebastian ang gagawin. With those three brain working, siguradong tatango na lang siya't sasang-ayon.

So instead of tiring his head from thinking and nodding, why not sleep?

Theo reasoned with himself that its okay. Finn's health is slowly going back to a hundred percent and his eye still stings. Kung kailangan ang galing niya sa pakikipaglaban, magigising lang naman siya.

Or that's what Theo thought, but it's actually quite the opposite.

Dahil for the past ten minutes, Sapphire has been trying to wake him up.

"Gawa ba ang lalaking 'to sa bato? O prinito 'to bago niluwal? Kahit ata ihulog ko 'to sa kastilyo, matutulog pa rin  'to." reklamo ni Sapphire.

Of course. He'll be dead by then, sa isip-isip ni Finn.

"Ano bang kailangan mo sa kaniya, Sapphire?" Renée softly asked.

"Para magising at tumulong! Aba, hindi naman pwedeng pasenyorito lang siya dito habang nagpaplano kayo."

Wes stared at her blankly. It's not like they continued their plan when Sapphire arrived. Sa lakas ng boses nito pagkapasok at sa walang tigil na pagrereklamo tungkol sa natutulog na Theo, tinigil na lang nila ang pagpaplano.

"Yo! What's popping?"

Napatingin silang lahat sa nagsalita. Oliver peeked through the side, a wide smile on his lips. Tinaas-baba niya pa ang kilay dahil sa very cool daw na pagpakita niya sa kanila. Beside him, Caspian entered the room without saying anything not even regarding his cousin.

"Grabe. Is this utter silence sa kagwapuhan ko?" Oliver confidently said, placing his hands on his waist and standing at the middle of the doorway.

"Alam mo, hindi ko alam kung talagang bobo ka lang o wala kang salamin. Saan ba ang gwapong tinutukoy mo?" Sapphire fired.

"Siyempre hindi mo makikita 'yon dahil hindi naman gumagana ang mata mo." Oliver winked. "I only accept praises, kaya mga basher umuwi na kayo."

"Uuwi pala kaming lahat nito."

Oliver glared at Sapphire, annoyed at her constant remarks. Magsasalita na sana ulit siya nang may tumapik sa likod niya.

"Uh, p're, pwedeng padaan?" Gavin's voice appeared from behind. "Hinaharangan mo 'yong daanan."

Oliver narrowed his eyes at the man behind him. Kung hindi siya nagkakamali, ito ang-

"Gavin!" Finn called happily. "Foods?"

Everyone watched the joy that filled her face when she noticed Gavin arrived. With a slight roll of his eyes, Oliver stepped aside, letting the said man to enter the room. May mga dala nga itong prutas kagaya ng sinabi ni Finn.

Caspian watched as Gavin sat beside Finn comfortably, letting the female rogue look at the fruits he got. He briefly thought about himself buying Finn foods too. Ang hirap nga lang at nandito sila sa ganitong lugar. Maybe they have a kitchen here?

Sa unahan nila'y ngumingiti si Renée at may binubulong sa dalawa. Gavin only rolled his eyes at it and pushed the basket of fruits towards Finn, who smiled gratefully at him.

"Saan mo naman 'to nakuha, Gavin? Sigurado ka bang walang lason 'to?" Sebastian asked.

Sinamaan siya ni Gavin ng tingin. "Sa gubat lang 'yan, tanga. Tsaka maayos 'yan. Hindi ko naman bibigyan si Finn ng pagkaing makakasama."

"Asus. Hindi mo 'yon knows."

"Baste, kating-kati na akong ihulog ka sa kastilyo."

"Ba't 'di mo gawin, unggoy."

Caspian watched the whole interaction. There was a sense of familiarity and comfort between the four of them, na talagang sanay na sanay na sila sa ugali't isasagot ng isa't isa.

Wes also watched the whole interaction, but he was more fixated into thinking of the most expensive and delicious foods to gift Finn. One that can outdone the array of forest fruits her childhood friend gave her.

Oliver gave a small, annoyed sigh, leaning on the wall. Iniisip niyang isa talagang halit sa buhay ang mga childhood bestfriends. Bakit ba sila nabigyan agad ng advantage? Dapat sa starting line lang sila lahat nagsisimula. Kasi nga starting 'di ba.

On the other side, Theo's still sleeping.

"Oi, prutas! Nice~" Sapphire skipped over to the four friends, grinning. "Pahingi naman-!"

"Finn! Nandito ba siya? Nandito ba si Finn?"

Their heads snapped to the door where Marcella appeared, flushing. Nakataad ang kaniyang sword dagger at nakatutok sa babaeng nakatwin-buns na kumurap lang sa kaniya.

"I challenge you into a duel!" sigaw ni Marcella. "Hindi ko hahayaan ang draw na nangyari sa'ting dalawa. I'm the powerful one!"

Napatingala si Wes at Sebastian sa kisame, nahihiya sa inaakto ng kanilang alliance leader. Umirap si Oliver dahil expectrd na niyang mangyayari ito. Marcella's too competitive to let a draw go by.

"Ano ba 'yan, ang ingay naman dito. Kung maglalaban kayong dalawa, pwede bang sa ibang city na lang. Balak niyo bang sirain ang buong kastilyo?"

Depore entered the room, rolling her eyes at everyone's antics. Sumunod sa kaniya si Kairo na nang-iinis na ngumisi kay Marcella.

"Ouch, Marcie. Were you just burned by my sister-in-law?"

"I'm going to burn you."

Marcella summoned a flicker of flame and threw it towards Kairo. Mabilis namang yumuko ang lalaki para iwasan ito kaya tumama ito sa dingding, kung saang may natutulog na Theo sa ilalim. They all watched as the fire caught the curtain and Theo was still sound asleep.

Until there was an explosion.

Napatalon si Renée sa kinauupuan niya sa malakas na pagsabog, habang napangiti naman si Depore dahil iyon ang ingay na gusto niyang marinig. The explosion resulted to what Sapphire desired the most - Theo waking up.

"Ay, sandali! Five minutes lang!" Theo blurted out, hand reaching out to turn off his alarm clock.

Ngunit ibang button ang napindot niya.

Blue light surrounded the whole room, making everyone alert and ready on their feet. Hindi nila alam kung may bigla na lang lalabas na halimaw o ano. Everyone had their daggers out, save for Theo who's still rubbing his eyes.

"Ano 'yong napindot mo?!" Sapphire asked, shouting on his ear.

Theo sleepily opened his eyes, wondering why there are a lot of people in the room now and why everyone has their weapon out.

"Ano bang pinagsasabi-"

He was cut-off by Eura whose voice was already heard even though she's still at the hallway. Mabilis itong tumatakbo papunta sa kwartong alam niyang tumatambay si Finn. Hindi niya maintindihan kung paano niya nalaman 'yon. Basta she knows.

"Guys, shit! So kanina nasa ilalim ako tapos may napakinggan akong chika nitong dalawang babae na mukhang malalakas." sunod-sunod na lumabas ang nga salita sa bibig niya nang makapasok sa kwarto. "So ganito 'yon, mabuti na lang talaga at nakinig ako kasi ang gara noong chismis. Alam niyo bang mayro'n daw extra-"

Eura wasn't able to finish her very long and very messy sentence because the whole room was engulfed in a bright light. Napapikit sila dahil sa nakakasilaw na liwanag at nang muli nilang imulat ang mata ay nasa ibang lugar na sila.

The earlier room in the Beast's castle was no more. Instead, they were transported in a dark room with a table in the center.

"-city." pagtatapos ni Eura sa sinabi niya at napatingin sa paligid. "Omg! Ito na ba 'yon? Oh my gosh, I am so amazing. Like, ako ang naging way para mag-open up 'tong extra city na ito-"

"Huwag kang hangal." Depore cut off. "'Yong lalaking laging tulog ang may sala."

"Ate Depore!" ngumiwi si Eura. "Kamusta po ang life at bakit nandito kayo? Wow, ate. Konting-konti na lang pwede ka nang sumali sa The Voice Kids."

"I made a terrible mistake. Nakalimutan kong nandito ka Eura. Ang ingay ng bunganga mo."

"Siyempre, ate! Blessing 'tong bibig ko kaya bakit 'di ko gamitin?"

"Ay wow!" Sapphire interjected from the other side of the room. "Sinasabi mo bang hindi blessing ang bibig ni Finn?"

Finn shifted in her feet. Bakit na naman ba siya napapasama sa usapan? Tumatahimik lang naman siya sa gilid ah.

"What, Sapphire? You think Finn is not a blessing." ani Eura na magaling magpa-ikot ng usapan. "Omg, grabe ang confidence mo ha. For your information, lahat ng kay Finn ay isang malaking blessing. Tanungin mo na lang ang mga lalak-"

"Lalaklakin mo ang isang katerbang lason 'pag pinatuloy mo 'yan." putol ni Kairo sa kaniya.

"Lalakarin mo ang buong mundo nang nakaluhod if you dare continue that." dagdag ni Oliver.

"Lalak. Patumapalak. Palak is ginto. Tangina ang sakit nang likod ko." Theo rambled on as he got up from the floor. "Sana naman next time may unan na."

"Okay. Okay." Eura rolled her eyes. "Mga hindi majoke. Kaya kayo magiging single forever e. Tingnan niyo nga si Wes at Caspian, wala man lang sinabi."

"Kailan lang ba sila may sinabi?" Depore complained. "Hindi ka naman si Finn para pagtuunan ka nila ng pansi-"

"Finn! Huwag!"

Because everyone was too caught up in arguing with each other, Finley, who kept on getting dragged in their banters, decided to push the small button at the center of the table. Sa tabi niya ay si Marcella na mukhang ini-inspekta kung anong ginagawa niya.

The table lit up and words appeared in the hologram shown.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Hello, rogues! Welcome to this extra city, a special place to rest and have fun!

This city does not offer any flags nor can it affect any of the attributes you have in the main game. This one is purely built to strengthen your bond and test friendships.

You are going to play Materialization Shiritori! This is very simple. The next player needs to come up with another word that starts with the last letter from the previous player. Each player only has ten seconds to come up with an answer or you will be punished accordingly.

Example:
Rain > Nile River

Be warned that this game can materialize any words you say. That means that your words can change the city's setting, other player's outfits or make things appear.

You will be able to complete this city after a hundred rounds! You do not have to worry about your other allies for the extra city moves a bit slower in terms of time.

We hope you have a good time, rogues! Please sit on the chairs so the game can start! The timer will show above the player's head, to tell everyone who is meant to be answering.

Enjoy!

▪︎▪︎▪︎

"Bakit ba ang daming arte ng creator na 'to?" reklamo ni Oliver. "May pa shiritori-shiritori pa sila. Hindi na lang 'to ginawang beach."

"As much as you want to complain, Oliver, we need to sit down now. I am not certain any of you really wants to find out what this punishment is." kalmadong saad ni Marcella at umupo.

"Tama siya." pagsang-ayon ni Sebastian. "As much as we can, let us refrain from taking punishments and harmful words."

Dahil sa sinabi ng dalawa ay napaupo ang lahat, albeit some complaints was, of course, heard. Muling umilaw ang kinauupuan nila nang makompleto silang lahat at biglang may lumabas na timer sa ulo ni Eura. Sapphire then fell into a loud laugh.

"Parang sasabog ka na anytime Eura ah!" natatawa niyang saad. "Okay pa ba tayo diyan? Pero sandali bakit parang mas mahaba sa kaniya? Bakit fifteen seconds, akala ko ba ten lang?"

Isang batok ang natanggap niya mula kay Theo. "Kasi unang player siya kaya siyempre mas malaki oras para makapagprepare."

Though they doubt Eura needs time to prepare base on the mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Eura, hinay-hinay lang." paalala ni Kairo. "Ang sabi nga nila ay huwag pumili ng harmful words."

"Pero hindi naman ito harmful gaya ng iniisip mo, Kai. I'm sure everyone would enjoy this." sagot ni Eura.

Renée had a few seconds to realize that almost every girl in this room is scary beyond doubt. Mali siya na akalaing sobra na si Depore at Sapphire ngayong alam niya na ang personality ni Eura.

Eura grinned, glancing at Finn who was beside her. "Bunny ears."

Almost everyone had to bite down the urge to attack Eura. Talaga nang nawala ito nang lumitaw sa ulo ni Finn ang bunny ears, just the same color as her hair. Wes almost didn't blink, and Theo felt his sleepiness go away. Galit naman si Oliver at Gavin sa sarili dahil wala silang dalang phone. Caspian reminded himself to remain strong, citing laws after laws in his head. Meanwhile, Kairo already has blood dripping from his nose.

The ears twitched and almost everyone looked away. Lalo na nang dahan-dahang tinaas ni Finn ang kamay para hawakan ang bunny ears.

"Finn, answer right now. You only have a few seconds left." the sane Sebastian said, trying to save Finn from being punished and distract everyone from ogling on his child.

"Stars." mahinang sagot ni Finn.

Kumalma naman ang lahat nang mawala ang maduming kisame at napalitan ito ng nagniningning na mga bituin. Count on Finn to save the day without meaning to.

Caspian slightly nodded his head, pleased that Finn is here. Mahirap na ang lagay niya sa girl trio na may planong i-expose silang lahat ngayon. His eyes landed on Renée, one of Finn's childhood friend. She's also sweet and reasonable, so her word will be harmless, for their safety and hearts.

Ngunit mukhang iba ang plano ni Renée.

"Swimsuit." she said, a sweet smile on her lips.

Renée's having a lot of fun seeing everyone's different reactions, kaya bakit naman hindi siya sasabay?

Everyone's clothes were stripped off and was replaced by a swimsuit that reflected their hair or eye color. One particular person immediately stole their eyes.

Bunny ears, adorable brown eyes, small lips set on a pout, and a freaking red costume. Who could not take their eyes off Finn now?

Sebastian face-palmed, realizing that Renée always has fun in gouging out reactions. Kahit na ilang beses nang nakita ni Gavin si Finn dahil lagi silang naliligo sa dagat ay hindi niya pa ring maiwasan na matulala.

Wes almost looked like a statue now. Hindi na ito gumagalaw, baka nga hindi na rin humihinga. Marcella has to nudge him to confirm that her strategist is still alive.

The cousins both have their fists clenched; Oliver praying and saying sorry, while Caspian just wants to cover Finn up. Theo faceplanted his face on the table, refusing to look at Finn. Kairo, who wiped his earlier nosebleed, needs to wipe another.

Sebastian gritted his teeth watching the others. Sinamaan niya ng tingin si Renée. "I can't believe you'll do that."

"Eh. It's my job as a mother to dress Finn up." nakangiting sagot ni Renée at tinaasan siya ng kilay. "Ikaw. What's your job as her father?"

Sumimangot lang si Sebastian. He's just going to answer for the game now since his time will be up.

"Trench coat." aniya.

Nang lumabas ito sa harap niya ay kaagad niya itong ibinigay kay Finn, na tinagilid lang ang ulo sa kaniya, hindi maintindihan bakit siya binigyan ng coat.

"It's cold, Lily."

Finn seemed to accept that answer because she threw it on, buttoning it up too. Nakahinga ng maluwag ang buong kwarto doon.

"This is inequality ha! Person inequality ito. Nakaswimsuit din naman kami pero walang trench coat." reklamo ni Eura.

When Finn was about to hand her own coat, dahil malapit lang sila at mukhang pinaparinggan siya ng babae, Eura flushed and shook her head.

"Ano ka ba, Finn." bulong niya. "Nang-iinis lang ako."

Tumango si Finn at umayos ng upo. Hindi pa ba sila napapagod sa pang-iinis sa isa't isa? Kanina pa 'yan ah.

"Thunder." Gavin's voice cut through the table when he answered.

Bago pa makareact ang mga tao ay isang nakakagimbal na kulog ang namayani sa buong kwarto. Some people felt their heart lurch to their throat, some people jumped in their seats in surprise, and there are also people who-

"Aba't gago kang putangina, nag-iisip ka ba, tanga?! Pwede bang magbigay muna ng fucking warning, ano? Paano pala kung may heart attack ako, e'di nasa maduming sahig na ko't kumukuha ng huling tanginang hininga? Utak din minsan, ambobo amputa."

Renée laughed as a stream of curses escaped Eura's mouth. Napangiwi naman si Sapphire dahil mukhang nagrap na ito sa bilis ng sinabi niya. Gusto niya sanang ijoke na magjoin na lang ito ng fliptop battle pero ayaw niyang mamura.

Meanwhile Gavin sat apologetically in his seat. Para siyang batang sinaway ng magulang at ngayo'y naghihingi ng paumanhin. For some reason, Gavin feels like this wasn't the first time she was cussed by Eura.

Wala naman kasi siyang magagawa. Iyon lang ang pumasok sa utak niya na nagsisimula sa T!

"Kumalma ka nga, Eura. Mas maingay pa pasabog ko diyan." Depore sighed. Ang aarte ng mga batang 'to. "River."

Biglang umiba ang lugar na kinaroroonan nila. Now they're at some sort of a forest with a river at their side. Dahil hindi naman required na umupo talaga, naglakad-lakad sila sa gubat. Finn, Wes, Caspian, and Marcella remained sitting at the table since they're fine with watching. Naghanap naman si Theo nang pwedeng matulugan na malayo kay Sapphire na nakikipaghabulan kay Eura sa tubig. Renée was sitting on the riverbank, watching them with fond eyes. Sa tabi niya ay si Sebastian at Gavin na mahinang nagbabatuhan.

Humalukipkip si Depore at sinamaan ng tingin si Kairo at Oliver. Kairo was trying to climb a tree but Oliver was stopping him, holding his leg.

"Hoy, kai-ngit." tawag niya. "Ikaw na sasagot."

Kairo smirked, a brilliant idea appearing in his head. "Rhino."

A rhinoceros then appeared, charging straight to Oliver who immediately ran in fear. Napabuntong-hininga si Caspian sa pinsan niyang mukhang five years old.

"Gago ka, Kairo! Cheater ka! Ocean!" he said, because Renée reminded him that he's the next one to answer.

In a blink, the forest was gone and they're in the middle of the fucking ocean. Si Theo na natutulog ay malapit nang malunod kung hindi lang siya agad nakalangoy.

Sapphire gave him a disappointed look. "Ayan kasi."

The rhino Oliver was running from was already sinking in the deep, blue waters. Sa isang banda ay sumisigaw si Gavin dahil umaakbay sa kaniya ang Eura na 'di marunong lumangoy.

"Amputangina niyong lahat!" sigaw nito.

"We can't stay here." Marcella commented. "We'll freeze to death. I don't think we can keep swimming for long too."

"Ayan kasi't di nag-iisip. Bobo." sabay sama ni Kairo ng tingin kay Oliver.

"Hmph." sumimangot ito't hinanap ang kaniyang pinsan. "Insan, paano 'to?"

Caspian just stared at his cousin, already used at his antics. Mabuti na lang at siya ang susunod na sasagot.

"Naval ship."

A large ship then appeared, pulling them into it. Eura sighed happily, stretching her arms. Pagod namang lumapit si Gavin kay Finn. Ang bigat din ng babaeng 'yon.

"Alright?" Finn asked, worried because he looked exhausted.

"Grabe mga kaibigan mo dito, Finn. Ang wild."

"You're one to talk." Sebastian cut in.

Wes glanced at Marcella who was next to answer. She seemed to be thinking deeply about her next answer. Baka naman may plano itong ihulog si Finn sa barko o ano.

Pero ang sinabi lang nito ay, "Pool."

In the middle of the naval ship, a pool appeared. Nanlaki ang mata nila dito. Napakaweird na makita ito sa ganitong klaseng barko. Lalo na't si Marcella pa ang nagsummon nito!

Speaking of Marcella, she was already chilling on the pool.

"So... bakit ito ang napili mo, girl?" Eura na feeling close sa lahat.

Marcella narrowed her eyes at the girl but decided not to argue with Eura's stubborness. "Nakaswimsuit tayo. Isn't it just appropriate?"

"Tama ka diyan." ani Sapphire na biglang tumalon sa pool. She stuck her tongue out at Eura. "Hindi pala makakarelate mga hindi marunong lumangoy."

Eura scowled at the girl. Renée appeared beside her, smiling. "Want me to teach you?"

Eura believed an angel just ascended to help her.

"Library."

The pool remained even though they were transported in the library. Hindi na nagulat ang lahat sa kinaroroonan nila. This is so Wes that they can't even find it in themselves to argue.

Ang mga naboringan sa lugar ay naisipang maligo na lang sa pool, while some decided to look at the books. Particularly Finn who seemed interested in the shelves in front of her. Sa tabi niya ay si Wes na nakikitingin din sa libro.

Tinapik ni Sapphire si Theo na nilagyan ng libro ang natutulog na mukha. Theo slowly pulled the book down, blinking sleepily at Sapphire.

"Oh?"

"Ikaw na." sagot ng babae at umirap. "Ano ba, gigisingin ba kita palagi? Wengya. Nagsisimula sa Y kasi nasa library tayo."

"Hm. Yawn." aniya sabay hikab.

Dahil sa sinabi niya ay napahikab din ang lahat, gawa ng sistema ng game. Theo chuckled seeing that because it looked so stupid. Ngumiti siya sa lahat.

"Should we just go and sleep?"

Eura grimaced. Naalala niya naman 'yong sinabi ni Finn noon dahil diyan.

Sapphire crossed her arms, looking down at her alliance leader. "Ah, gano'n? Gusto mong matulog? Sige. Nightclub."

Theo groaned as the loud music bursted through his ears. Ginamit niya ang librong hindi nawala para itakip sa mga tainga niya. He rolled around the side of the dancefloor, cursing Sapphire in his head.

The pool remained in the center of the nightclub, and the lights that keeps on dancing around made it look like a pool party. Oliver, Kairo, Eura, Gavin, Sapphire and Depore all danced around the pool, laughing and splashing water. Ang mga wild ones.

Eura's eyes shined in mischief when it was her turn to answer. "Beach."

Muli namang umiba ang paligid. Coconut trees littered the place and the stars were already gone, replaced by the glaring sun. May mga folding chair na nakahilata sa gilid at napakaganda ng kulay ng dagat. Since they were still wearing swimsuits, may ibang dumiretso na sa dagat at naligo.

"Hat." Finn answered because it was her time already. Inayos niya ito sa ulo nang dumating.

"Turtles!" Renée then squealed when they appeared, from large to baby ones.

"Snack!"

"Kangaroo!"

They continued spouting words, determined to get to the hundred round without any trouble or problems. Napangiti si Finn nang makitang kahit na nag-aaway paminsan-minsan ay talagang nagsisiya sila.

Maybe this extra city was made to give them a break before they return to the hellish world.

Finn stilled when somethjng crawled on his feet. Her smile grew wider as she crouched down to pick up the small turtle.

The sun was high and striking hot. The blue sea touched the sands through its waves. Folding chairs with people relaxing on it was present under the shade of coconut trees. Some people were building sand castles, some were in the water splashing each other and others are chasing each other around.

Amidst the loud shouts and banters, a girl was sitting alone in the side of the beach, a turtle running on her palm.

It was peace. Albeit a fake one.

But it was enough to temporarily distract them from the true horrors of this game.

-chapter end-