-chapter one-hundred-
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1. AO Blood Brawls

2. SOLACE

3. Slayer Vs. Astro

4. ANG GANDA AT ANG ANGAS NIYA!

5. Glitch

THAT DAY, napakaclear ng langit. Clouds scatter across the sky and painted the blue sky. Ngunit, hindi sapat ang napakagandang weather sa ibang players na nagbabaga sa inis.

"Ano ba ang problema ng mga goblins na 'to?!" sigaw ng isang warrior habang tumatakbo palayo. Hinahabol siya ng isang Level 13 Night Goblin. "Ang lakas ng damage niya!"

"Oo nga." sagot ng mage na kasama niya. Nakahandusay ito sa lupa at ang 5% HP niya ay nagb-blink sa taas ng ulo. "Hindi man lang siya madamage ng highest level skill ko. Pero Level 13 pa lang naman ang mga goblins na 'to!"

"Oh, shit!" 

Pumikit ang warrior nang akmang ihahampas na ng goblin ang axe nito sa kaniya. Napakababa na ng HP niya kaya paniguradong mamamatay na siya sa susunod na atake nito. Ngunit ilang segundo na walang nangyari, iminulat niya ang mga mata.

Nabuhayan siya ng loob at akmang luluha na nang makita ang isang kilalang berserker at kasama nitong merchant. His savior! Mabilis nilang napatumba ang goblins. The yellow-eyed guy looks at him.

"Go aid your friend and get out of here." anito.

Mabilis siyang tumango at hinigit ang kaibigan niya paalis. Grabe! Malas na hindi nila natapos ang quest pero swerte naman at nakameet siya ng isang celebrity!

Apocalypse tched and scoops up the loot that appears. Kaparehas lang ito ng rewards na mula sa normal na Level 13 Night Goblin. Although, the difficulty level this monster has is almost the same as the Level 30 ones.

"This has been happening for a while." Art says, yellow tail flicking. "Low level monsters either fighting like high-level ones or rewards being higher than required."

While the Blood Brawls rages in the Southern Continent, players with lower levels or has no interest in the event are left complaining about the glitches and problems found. The game admins always assures that they will look into it, pero nangyayari pa rin ito hanggang ngayon.

"Ano kaya ang nangyayari?"

Art's ears twitches in disinterest. "Rather than asking that, why don't we wonder about another problem."

"Ano?"

"Are you sure about staying in our guild? Aren't you some lonesome legend who travels the Arth with his selfish interests?" the fox's tone is playful.

Napasimangot si Apocalypse. "I'm not! Besides... I guess playing the game with good companions is entertaining. The slayer's monstrous strength also comes from her friends, after all."

Art stares down at the fighter from the tree branch he perched himself in. The slayer, hmm. She truly made a name. Introducing herself in the Game of Governors, acquiring two cities, winning both the Workshop War and the Blood Brawls. Her strength is impeccable, and her beauty can move mountains. No wonder everyone she meets and fights with looks up at her in admiration, interest, curiosity and inspiration.

Art is also not an exemption for that. 

So is Halcyon who is currently staring at the slayer. He's not the only pair of eyes to stare, pero siyempre hindi iyon pansin ni Solace.

"You're lame, leader. Did you really lose like that?" tugon ni Cross, ang mage nila.

Zharr, the ranger, chuckles. "I bet he couldn't focus in the match at all. Minsan kasi napapatunganga na lang siya!"

Sinamaan sila ni Halcyon ng tingin. It's hard. The slayer looks so delectable and beautiful while fighting that it's hard not to stare. Pasalamat kasi at wala sila sa posisyon niya. If they can only imagine the strength he had to summon to resist and fight.

Bumuntong-hininga siya at binuksan ang forum kung saan nasa top ng stories ang recent na match between Solace and Astro. The match was truly breathtaking and amazing. Talagang dapat ito sa finals.

Astro confirms it. Satisfied na satisfied siya sa nangyaring labanan. The slayer gave her all and he did too-

"You held back." Filter says with his all too-knowing stare.

Iniwas ni Astro ang tingin. "I did not. I-"

"You did, though." Ceres cuts in, whistling. "You're usually ruthless in matches but you held back in cutting her neck."

Sinamaan ni Astro ng tingin ang pinsan. Minsan na nga lang ito magsalita, tama pa.

Astro sighs loudly. "Yes, I could have cut her neck but I didn't dahil napatay niya na ako. That was already a checkmate. Aside from that, I really did gave my all. Ngunit I couldn't be that ruthless since I just finished a fight with Leon. That man is bloodthirsty as hell. Mabuti nga at hindi siya ang nakalaban ni Solace, I don't think I would have that much confidence in her winning then."

The said man being talked about is currently devouring his meal. Mendeleev looks at his teammate in wonder. Saan kaya nito nilalagay ang kinakain at parang hindi nabubusog? Tatlo lang silang nakaupo sa table ngayon but the plates are filled with bones.

"Are you frustrated?" Leev notices Maria giving him a warning stare. Inignora niya ito.

Hindi siya tinitingnan ni Leon at nagpatuloy lang ito sa paglagay ng baboy sa bibig. He looks like a sulking child.

"Well, it's a pity you didn't get the chance to fight with the slayer." naalala ni Leev ang kakaibang atake na ginamit ni Astro upang manalo lamang. "But, you can just look forward to fighting her again. I heard they'll be participating in the Grand Quest."

Ah, yes. The Grand Quest. A quest to collect all keys in order to challenge the King of Arth and take the whole kingdom for yourself. A new era will start after that. Who will lead each of the five continents? Who will be the kings of the kingdom?

"Will it really be kings or will queens arise?"

Napatingin ang Demon King sa lalaking nakaupo sa harap ng ilog. Nakatingin ito sa batang lalaki na naglalaro kasama ang mga wolves hindi malayo sa kanila.

"What do you mean, Aegnus?"

"Just..." napatingin ito sa langit. "A rebirth is coming. Maybe then, you'll be freed from those chains."

Mahinang napatawa ang Demon King. "That's only a heart's wish."

"Wishes did not stop that girl from going forward."

"That's true." nagsimula itong maglakad patungo sa bibig ng Yami no Danjon. "But, for me, wishes are nothing more but a heart's dream. He'll come here soon."

Tumayo si Aegnus at pinagpagan ang damit. "Looks like I will be expecting someone, then."

Napatigil ang Demon King sa paglalakad. "Someone?"

"Yes. Someone who still hasn't told me their wish."

Napangiti ang Demon King bago ito tuluyang nilamon ng dilim.

A candle lights up the dark. A man with his red and white robe walks down the stairs. Dust flies off the book he took. A story. Of once upon a time.

Inilagay niya muli ito sa mesa at lumapit sa napakalaking bintana. Hinawi niya ang kurtina ng balcony at lumabas. The wind blows. Sumabay doon ang abot sahig na puti niyang buhok.

Multiple screens began to appear around him. Pinapalabas dito ang kasalukuyang nangyayari sa loob ng laro. The quests that are being completed. The location of different players. The monsters decreasing only to regenerate once again. The name of players being resurrected in the Cathedral. What is currently happening in the Blood Brawls event.

Naningkit ang mata niya nang makita ang isang kilalang babae. She's sitting in the floor, weakened, with a sharp samurai blade in her throat. The golden sword that he wants to wield so badly is piercing a boy's heart. A screen pops again, declaring the event's winner.

Hinawi niya ang palad at nawala lahat ng ito. Smiling, he leans his hands on the balcony railing, the vast plains of Arth in full display. This is all his. This is all his hardwork. He's not going to let any brat come and destroy it. But... finally.

She will come here, falling in his trap. And he will finally hold that sword.

"That's my sword!" sigaw ni Arthur at pumadyak-padyak. "She can't use that! It's mine."

"It doesn't even recognize you as it's owner." sagot ni Hiraeth.

May ngiti sa mukha niya habang pinapanood ang huling laban ng elf. He can't reason with the other players who looks at the battle with amazement and adoration. The elf truly looks ethereal while fighting. Kahit na puno ito ng pasa, napakaganda pa rin nito.

Arthur stares at him. He can go outside Hiraeth's body for a few minutes. It's a relief for them both because their head only hurts when together. Arthur tried killing the boy, only to know that he can't do shit because he's just an astral projection.

"So why did you run away when she saved you?"

Natigilan si Hiraeth. Vesta, Solace's friend, did her best in protecting him, even risking her own life. However, he doesn't have it in him to face the elf. Not after knowing her plans.

"I'm only a burden." aniya. "She shouldn't bother with me and have fun in game."

Inikot ni Arthur ang mata. What stupid thinking. "Shouldn't you be grateful that she's doing all that to save you? That means you're important for her!"

Malungkot na ngumiti si Hiraeth. "Save me? There's nothing left to save."

Iiling na sana si Arthur at iinsultuhin ang kasama nang may mapansin siyang kakaiba dito. Biglang nanlaki ang mata niya at malakas niyang tinawag ang pangalan nito.

"Fuck!"

Napatingin ang pito kay Feyre na malakas na sumigaw. Bigo itong lumuhod sa gitna ng kalye habang hawak hawak ang stick. Basa ang mga mata nito at ilang sandali na lang ay mahuhulog na ang luha.

"Ate Feyre is malas!" malakas na tumawa si Minerva habang winawagayway ang mahabang stick na nakuha niya.

Tinapik ni Hex ang balikat ni Feyre. "Well, looks like it's your turn to treat us for a feast, pusa." biglang naging delikado ang ngiti nito. "Ngayon, mababalikan na kita sa lahat ng ginasto ko sa'yo."

"Wah! This is not fair! Sigurado akong nagcheat kayo!" naiiyak na tugon ng rogue at kumapit sa binti ng warrior nila. "Sol! Tulungan mo 'ko!"

"I'm sorry, but our friendship ends here." malungkot na sagot sa kaniya ni Solace.

"Hindiiiiii!" malakas na sigaw nito sa ere kaya napatingin ang ibang players sa kanila.

The players around them chuckles and shakes their heads. The Oddcredibles are well known for their strength and... insanity. Talaga ngang iba-iba ang personality nito kapag nakikipaglaban, pero pagkatapos no'n ay parang mga baliw ito. Ngayon ay kinakaladkad nila si Feyre na nakahiga at panay ang sipa.

Tumigil lamang ito nang may mapansin. Solace is not walking normally and is staggering at times. Nanlaki ang mata niya nang bigla itong matumba.

"Solace!"

"Papa?"

Napatitig ako sa pagod na likod ni Papa. He's sitting in front of three computers, each showing different screens. The first one has a series of letters and numbers, the second one shows a vast land, and the last one shows... animals? Around him, cables and outlets littered.

"...Papa?"

Hindi pa rin ito sumagot. Ibinaba ko ang mata at naisip na lamang na lumabas. I avoided the cords and cables on my way out.

Pinulot ko mula sa sahig ang teddy bear na bigay ni River. They're twins too, he said. Kaya naisip niya itong bilhin. The male bear for me, to remind me of him. The female bear for him, so that I will always be besides him. So that we will always be beside each other.

Although, I can't bring River Bear inside Papa's room. Magagalit siya sa'kin. If he gets angry at me, he will put something in my head and I will be alone.

Ngumuso ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Tumigil lang ako nang makita ang pamilyar na sapatos. Slowly, I raised my eyes to meet the raven boy ones. We never really spoke much to each other before. Hindi din siya palakuwento.

He held his hand out and I clutched my bear tighter. Sinulyapan niya iyon sandali bago ako tinitigan.

"Do you want to play hide and seek?"

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-chapter end-