-chapter one-hundred-three-
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SOLACE

NATAPOS NA ang Blood Brawls. Luckily, nasa rogue category ang key. So now, we're only missing one. The Central key. The Crowned Lion of the Heart.

Iyon nga lang, napakahirap nitong hanapin.

Humiga si Feyre sa tabi ko at malakas na bumuntong-hininga. "Limang araw na nating hinahanap ang Hadea Cliffs na 'yan! Bakit ba walang may nakaka-alam kung saan 'to!"

"Well, it did say that we'll get lost in finding it." sagot ni Hex.

"Tch. Ilang araw pa ba ang dadaan," tinitigan ni Feyre ang puno sa harap namin na umiiba ang imahe. "These glitches have been increasing."

Malumanay akong tumango. When the Blood Brawls ended, nawala ang concentration ng mga players sa event at nakita nila ang nangyayari sa game ngayon. After that, the word 'Glitch' has been frequenting the trending list. Iba't ibang klase ng problema ang nirereklamo ng mga player.

Nalaman ito ng company and they assured the players that they're looking into it and fixing it. Ngunit dahil patuloy pa rin ito ngayon, Life Industry's reputation has decreased.

For those who knew the true reason, we're in a pinch.

"Wala talaga." saad ni Voldmir at bumaba kay Cerberus. "We've already searched the whole forest. Ginamit ko din ang mist para malaman kung saan banda ito, but no result."

"Gano'n din po us ni Ate Vesta!" dagdag ni Minerva. Nakasunod sa kaniya ang bigong si Vesta.

I sighed. Ibinaling ko ang tingin sa ilog. If the current problem is not solved soon, delikado ang pwedeng mangyari. It'd be alright if the game kicks us out and not suck us in. Kapag gano'n, maybe we'll be able to get out without a scratch or any damage in our brains.

Ngumiwi ako nang makita ang isang isda na tumalon at biglang naging pating pagbaba sa tubig.

"WELL, IT is truly a nuisance." pagsang-ayon ni Acrasia. "Isipin mo, normal ka lang na nagq-quest tapos biglang tataas ang level ng quest mo! O di kaya you're just walking and the cliff decides to fall on you! Of course, people will be angry."

"But to lash out like this..."

Tiningnan ko ang malaking poster na nakalagay sa harap ng Life Industries. Masasamang salita ang nandidito at kino-call out ang pagka-inattentive ng mga game administrators. They also quoted these on bold letters, 'If you can't fix your game, don't make any more!'

Dahil ito doon sa announcement na may bagong game supposed to be launching. It's quite the same as Arth Online, pero wala na sigurong multong nagpoposses doon. Eternium: The New World ang tawag dito. I haven't heard this from Cord.

Speaking of, that guy hasn't appeared for about four days now.

"Well, marami din kasi ang galit sa kompanya na 'yan." ani Rase. "Although, the minds behind the posters are most probably-"

"Losers?" Acrasia supplies.

"Haters. Mga taong may extreme jealousy sa kompanya or those who were fired. The company si very strict and expects a lot from their employees."

"Pero, that will hurt them." malungkot kong sabi. "Lalo na't kitang-kita ito ng lahat. This will be a large issue."

Kaya baka hindi na rin nagonline si Cord. He must be busy with this. The mission is clearly on my hands now! Kailangan kong makita ang key.

Ibinaba ko ang tasa ng kape. The three of us decided to go for a coffee date dahil walang pasok. Tamang-tama naman at ang bagong bukas na gusto naming puntahan ay nasa distrito lang ng kompanya.

"Alam niyo ba kung nasaan ang Hadea Cliffs?" tanong ko sa kanila.

Napaisip si Acrasia. "Hadea Cliffs? Hindi ba nandiyan ang Crowned Lion of the Heart?"

Tumango ako.

"Is that your last missing key, Rev?" tanong ni Rase.

"Oo. Pero ang hirap nitong hanapin. I think we've already searched the whole Central."

Ngumiwi si Acrasia. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can help much. We've never been to your continent before dahil si River naman lagi ang pumupunta sa'min. So, I don't have any idea."

"Same with me. Hadea Cliffs is available in the map information but there is not much information. Hindi din nakalagay ang location nito." nagkibit-balikat si Rase. "Other player's findings can't also help us since wala pa namang naghahanap niyan. Most are still on the Northern or Western keys."

I whined and slumped on the table. Tumingin ako sa labas at ngumuso. Paano ba 'to? I thought I can finish it easily and save Hiraeth. Napakaover confident ko.

Every time we log in, hinahanap namin ang cliffs. Pero parang kriminal ito na nagtatago sa mga pulis. Hindi na nga namin alam kung ano gagawin namin makapasok dito at ang hirap pa niyang makita. What if we encounter a Level 100 monster inside? That would be terrifying.

I've heard the name even before, when I was still attempting to win the Game of Governors. Pero ang alam ko lang ay napakadelikado nitong lugar. Kaya nga hindi kami dumaan dito-

Eh? Dumaan do'n? Which means alam ba namin kung saan ito? Ano 'yon, nakalimutan lang namin?

Napatuwid ako ng upo nang makita ang dalawang pamilyar na mukha sa labas ng cafe. Rase and Acrasia looks at me, confused.

"Okay ka lang, Rev?" tanong ni Acrasia.

"I'll be back. Just need to say hi to some friends." paalam ko at naglakad palabas.

The door chimes when I pushed it open. Ngumiti ako kay Hex at Priamos. They smiled upon seeing me too. May hawak na ice cream si Priamos at nakahawak siya sa tshirt ni Hex.

"Your day-off, Hex?" tanong ko.

Tumango siya. "Priam has a school event and our parents had a conference so I had to go in their stead. Kaya din siya hindi naka-online kahapon."

"I danced at my school, Ate Sol!" masaya niyang tugon.

Ngumiti ako. "Really? Were you good? Just call me Ate Reverie when we're outside."

"Yes! Everyone clapped!"

"That's good," napatingin ako kay Hex nang maalala ko ang itatanong. "Oo nga pala, hindi ba't when we left Gaea, hindi tayo dumaan sa Hadea Cliffs? Naalala mo ba kung saan banda tayo hindi dumaan?"

Hex blinks. "Malapit ata 'yon sa City of Ghosts. Back then, fellow players also told us to avoid going through there dahil nandoon daw ang Hadea Cliffs. Although they don't look quite sure."

Tumango ako. "And we didn't bother to check there dahil beginners city siya."

That was an error on our part. Ahhh, feel ko tuloy hindi ako pwede dito. Can I really finish this successfully?

"Hinahanap niyo po ba ang Hadea Cliffs?" tanong ni Priamos. "Hindi po ba alam 'yon ni Kuya Rio kasi no'ng last doon niya pinapunta sina Kuya Halcyon?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Huh? Huh?! Alam ni River kung saan ang Hadea Cliffs?! At nakatapak na si Halcyon doon? Hindi ko naalala 'yon.

"Pinapunta niya do'n?" sabay na tanong namin ni Hex.

"Opo! Ginamit niya po si Nirvana para iteleport si Kuya Halcyon doon."

Oh. I kind of remember that now. That's why they went with us in the Lunaria quest.

Bumaling sa'kin si Hex. "Well, you should ask your brother for help, Rev. We can use Nirvana to instantly arrive at the cliffs."

Tumango ako at nagpaalam na sila. I shared the good news to Acrasia and Rase who gave me their support. Hinintay naming magalas-kuwatro bago umuwi.

"If the quest is hard and you need any help, just contact me." kumaway si Acrasia at pumasok na sa kotse nila.

Ngumiti ako at nagcommute pauwi. My friends are very supportive of my goal. I feel so lucky to have them. For the Oddcredibles to even risk their time to help me. For the friends I made in game to help me each call. Mabuti na lang at talagang nagstay ako sa game. Dahil marami akong nakilala at nakaibigan.

Ininat ko ang braso at tiningnan ang kasalukuyang umiilaw na mga gusali. I wouldn't have these good people if I ever rejected the game. Now, I even feel thankful that River tricked me into playing the game. Siguro nalaman niyang magiging masaya din ako sa laro.

And to think I'd also meet Hiraeth. The guy who scared the hell out of me in our first meeting and is now the person I'm helping. Hindi ko nga inakala na makikita ko pa siya ulit. Pero lagi lang siyang nagpapakita sa harap ko. Everytime I'm alone or lost. He's always there whenever I need help.

So why not lend him a little hand when he's also lost?

Binuksan ko ang pinto ng apartment. The house security system is still placed but we have a doorknob now! Kahit na laging nagrereklamo si River dito ay ginagamit niya naman.

Hinubad ko ang sapatos at inilagay ang bag sa sofa bago pumunta sa harap ng family picture namin.

I smiled. "Hi Mama. I'm back."

Napahawak ako sa noo. A couple of days ago, I was admitted to the hospital because I lost consciousness for hours. Mabuti na lang at nang sumakit ang ulo ko ingame, I immediately logged out. It was also lucky that River was in the house that time.

The doctor said my suppressed memories are slowly coming back. There must be a trigger, they said. Ngunit, mas curious ako sa taong nasa ala-ala ko. Aside from Papa and River and Mama, there's that kid whose face is blurry. I can't quite recognize him.

Not to mention I've been seeing Papa making a game. At na parang ayaw na ayaw kong pumasok sa kwarto na 'yon dahil nakakatakot. That, the mall, and the accident.

Napalingon ako sa pinto nang bumukas ito. Napangiti ako nang makita si River at Irusu na pumasok. May payong silang dala at medyo basa ang damit. Umuulan na ba sa labas? Parang ang ganda naman ng panahon kanina.

"Kuya! Ru-Ru!" masayang bati ko sa kanila.

Irusu frowns. "Please don't call me that again, kung ayaw mong tawagin din kitang Riri."

"Jokes on you, that's River's nickname." I stuck my tongue out at him.

Nakita kong kumunot ang noo ni River. He's probably suspecting my actions.

"River's nickname is Vivi." ngumisi si Irisu. "Kasi vivi ko si-" itinapon ko sa mukha niya ang pinakamalapit na unan.

"What do you want?" tanong ni River.

"Ako? May kailangan?"

Umirap siya. "You only call me Kuya when you need something."

Ngumiti ako na parang nahuli. Mahirap nga talaga kapag ang kausap mo ay isang tao na kasama mo sa sinapupunan. I can't even lie to him. Well, he's always the better liar out of the two of us.

"Riverr," lumapit ako sa kaniya. "Alam mo ba kung nasaan ang Hadea Cliffs?"

Kumunot ang noo niya pero hindi siya sumagot.

"Hadea Cliffs? Are you looking for it para sa quest?" tanong ni Irusu na prenteng nakaupo sa sofa at binuksan na ang tv.

"Yep! Ang key doon ang huling key na kailangan namin. Kaya River, make Nirvana teleport-"

Napahinto ako nang makita ang walang-expresiyong mukha ni River. Ha? Bakit galit siya?

"B-Bakit?"

He steps away from me. "Are you still trying to save that boy?"

"Yes. I already told you that. Nandoon ka rin no'n."

"Then, I won't help you."

"Bakit?" tumaas ang boses ko and I can see Irusu turning the tv off. "Sandali, Iv, why are you so angry?"

"I told you to already stop it. That boy can't be saved. You're only putting yourself in danger."

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa sinabi niya. He was there. He knows Hiraeth can be saved.

"Do you really believe that killing the king will save him?"

"It will wake him up! Cord has a plan, okay? When the game gets destroyed, we're all going to log out and Hiraeth will be kicked. Dahil hindi naman siya isang NPC. Arthur will be out his body!"

Isang napakasamang tingin ang ibinigay niya sa'kin. "That's why I can't let you save him. Saving that boy means..." iniwas niya ang tingin at tumalikod. "I will not help you, Reverie."

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang tawagin niya ako sa buong pangalan. River's really mad. He never calls me by my full name when he's not.

"Fine! I don't need your help too!" nararamdaman ko ang medyong pagbabasa ng mata ko. "I can find it myself!"

River turns to me and smiles without humor. "You can't anymore, Ev." may itinapon siya sa'kin. "I just destroyed your game."

Bigla siyang lumabas ng apartment. Nanghihina akong napatingin sa isang parang mini hard disk drive na nasa kamay. The name of the game is written there. Ito ang nasa loob ng headgear. Now... Now it's broken into two.

I felt a palm on my shoulder but I didn't turn to see who is it. I only heard Irusu's voice.

"I'll go after him, Rev. I'll also talk to him about this. I'm sure he has a reason for doing this."

Nang makaalis siya ay tuluyang nawalan ng lakas ang binti ko.

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-chapter end-

masamang pagtawa.