-chapter one-hundred-four-
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"You can't anymore, Ev. I just destroyed your game."

IRUSU SIGHS, opening the rooftop door. Napakalakas ng ulan at hangin dito sa taas. Marahan niya itong isinara at dahan-dahan na nilapitan si River. His back looks sad in the pouring rain. Nakatingin ito sa malawak na siyudad. 

Irusu leans his back on the railing, facing the rooftop rather than the city. He gives River a sideway look. "You're gonna get sick."

"Bakit mo siya iniwan?" tanong ni River at humalumbaba.

She's not standing under the rain like you are, Irusu thinks. Besides, "She needs to cry. She can't if I'm with her."

River hums. Napabuntong-hininga si Irusu. Magkaparehas lang talaga 'tong magkakambal. Kahit siya ay hindi alam kung ano ang naiisip nila. Both of them are so unpredictable, and when it comes to their own emotions, they are very closed off. Well, Irusu is an exemption to that for years now.

He's witnessed a lot of their fights, but this one seems to be a lot more serious.

"You didn't have to go and destroy her game. I don't know why your hatred to the boy is so deep but-"

"I don't hate the boy." mahinang sagot ni River. "Ginawa ko nga 'yon para din makita nila uli ang isa't isa, pero⁠— pero I didn't know she'll do anything and everything to help him."

Napangiti si Irusu. They both exert huge amount of efforts for their goals. "Isn't it  beautiful to see friends helping each other?"

Mahinang tumawa si River. "It looks beautiful," biglang sumeryoso ang mukha niya. "but the consequences are ugly."

Hindi na sumagot si Irusu. Ilang minuto silang tahimik. The heavy droplets of rain and the vehicles passing by became their noise.

How fitting, River thinks, the rain comes whenever you need to hide your fears, tears and worries. Tumayo siya ng tuwid at nagsimulang maglakad papasok ng building. Irusu follows after him quietly.

It amazes him how Irusu can follow and feel people's emotions. He speaks at the right time and keeps quiet whenever you need. Alam niya palagi ang dapat gawin. River's lucky to have him.

When they entered the apartment, wala na si Reverie sa living room. Mukhang pumasok na ito sa kwarto dahil medyo maingay na doon. River stares at the ceiling, longer than necessary, before heading to the kitchen to cook.

"She's probably fixing the chip you destroyed." Irusu comments, sitting on the counter-stool.

Tumango si River. Reverie got their father's skills. Magaling ito sa pagkalikot at paggawa ng mga bagay-bagay, especially electronic devices, his father's specialty. Maliban sa ina nila na sikat sa food industry, the name Greene was also popularized because of their father. But his gift also became their ruin.

River places the plates in the tray. Itinulak niya ito papunta kay Irusu na agad kinuha. "Bilisan mo."

"Like you won't be listening outside, Kuya." biro ni Irusu.

Binatuhan ni River ng masamang tingin ang lalaki. Ngumisi lang ito at nagsimulang maglakad pataas. Every time they have a fight, Irusu becomes their middleman. That includes delivering foods and messages. Hindi kaya ni River na hindi paglutuan ang kakambal, pero ayaw din nitong makipag-usap sa kaniya, so they use Irusu as their sword and shield.

Kumatok ng tatlong beses si Irusu sa kwarto ni Reverie. When no one answered, he slightly pushes it open. Nakita niya ang dalaga sa kama na inaayos ang headgear. Ang iba't ibang tools ay nakahilata sa paligid niya. A laptop is on and some books are open.

"Tough luck?" tanong ni Irusu at inilagay ang tray sa study table.

Reverie glares at him. "He even destroyed the gear! Ano ba ang problema niya? I can't fix it! I don't have the right tools and this chip is so fucking hard to replace!"

Irusu successfully, malapit na sana 'yon, evades a device being furiously thrown at him. Sinulyapan ni Reverie ang tray na dala. Ang mga pagkain na 'yon...

"Did River make that? Ayokong kumain nang gawa niya."

Irusu smiles. "May away kayo 'di ba? I made that."

Iniwas ni Reverie ang tingin. Narinig niya ang pagbukas at pagsara muli ng pintuan. Lumapit siya sa tray. Of course, Irusu didn't make that. The two of them are very bad at cooking.

Ngumuso siya habang kumakain. You dumb twin. I hate you so much, she thinks, eyeing the money River placed and remembering the damage in her headgear. Kailangan lang ireplace ang outer layer ngayon, because she already fixed the cables inside. It's similar to the first device her father made as a test. Galit na sinubo ni Reverie ang pagkain. That dumb River!

Meanwhile, inside the game, certain players are anticipating their guild leader to come online.

"Ang weird." anunsiyo ni Feyre. Inihampas niya ang dagger sa lupa ng tatlong beses at inilapit ang tainga dito. "May bad feeling akong nase-sense."

"Kung ikaw ba naman ang pag-uusapan, siyempre, bad feelings lahat." komento ni Voldmir.

"But isn't it strange po? Apat na hours na tayo nagwa-wait but Ate Solace is not here yet po." kuryosong tanong ni Minerva.

Malakas na bumuntong-hininga si Feyre at humilata. Sinimangutan niya ang asul na kalangitan. Palaging online si Sol mag alas syete. Pero ngayon, mas late pa siya kay Priamos na kailangang maubos ang buong mesa bago mag-online. She's frustrated and bored. They haven't found that troublesome cliff yet at punong-puno na siya sa glitches na nangyayari.

"It is weird." sang-ayon ni Hex. "We met her earlier this afternoon, and I thought we're searching for Hadea Cliffs today."

Biglang napaupo si Feyre. "Sandali⁠— Nagkita kayo?! Don't tell me nagdate kayo kaya ka hindi pumasok sa traba-" isang batok ang natanggap niya.

"Tanga. Hindi ba't sinabi ko nga na sasamahan ko si Priam sa school event niya. We met in coincidence."

"Hadea Cliffs? May clue na ba kayo kung nasaan?" tanong ni Vesta.

Tumango si Hex. "Mabuti na lang at naalala ni Priam na tineleport ni Rio noon si Halcyon sa Hadea Cliffs. Kaya plano ni Sol na humingin sana ng tulong sa kambal niya."

"Rio didn't come online."

Napatalon silang anim nang may biglang nagsalita sa likod. Lumingon sila at nakaharap ang mga party members ni Rio. Napakaweird din nitong mga 'to. Parang mga kabute kung magpakita. Like leader, like members nga.

Yuji adds, "Irusu isn't too."

"Baka po may nangyari kaya hindi sila nakalog-in?" tugon ni Priamos. "Hindi naman po sila mawawala agad-agad!"

Kumikinang ang matang napatango sila sa sinabi ng bata. He looks so adorable comforting them with those words while munching a large burger.

"Pusa, gayahin mo ang 2nd year highschool na bata." tukso ni Hex sa katabi.

Feyre only glares at him and throws a rock, hoping it will scratch him, total priest naman siya kaya gamitin niya healing powers niya. Pero laking inis niya lang nang mawala ang bato. Pesteng glitches 'to!

At nasaan na ba si Sol?!

Ang taong hinahanap ni Feyre ay kasalukuyang namomroblema sa sirang headgear niya. Sikat na ang araw sa labas at wala siyang tulog, kaya napag-isipan niyang tawagan ang isang malapit na kaibigan.

"Okay, okay. Calm down, Rev." came Rase's soothing voice from the other line. "What happened?"

Reverie sighs in relief. Mabuti naman at sinagot na nito ang tawag after 67 missed calls!

"The game data chip got destroyed. I can't fix it!"

Narinig niya ang pagsara ng isang pintuan at mga mahihinang boses. Kumunot ang noo niya. May class ba si Rase ngayon?

"Why was it destroyed in the first place? Hindi ba't nakastore ito inside the headgear? Kinalikot mo ba?"

Inikot ni Reverie ang mata. Hindi, ang kakambal niya ang nagkaroon ng craving para sa pagtry ng new things. "It's a long story."

"Well, I hope to hear it soon." Rase pauses for a bit. Narinig ni Reverie na parang may kinakausap ito. "Sorry, may class ako ngayon. You can request for another sa company site, just contact their customer service. Although it will take some time, and usually bagong data chip ang ibibigay nila dahil mage-expire ito after 48 hours na hindi ginamit."

Biglang napatayo si Reverie at nahulog niya ang hawak na screwdriver. "Ha?!"

"Yes... Is that why you weren't online yesterday? Your guild members contacted us. Hindi ka din ba pumasok ngayon?"

"Hindi..." bigong sagot ni Reverie.

What is she gonna do now? Kung bagong device chip ang ibibigay then how can she restore all her datas? Kaya niya ba itong matapos within 48 hours? Hindi pa din naman nagbe-bente kuwatro oras, eh.

"If you know some higher ranking person inside the company, they might be able to help you. I'm sorry, I can't be much help, Rev. Major class 'to with a quiz after."

Ngumiti si Reverie. "No, it's alright. I understand."

Binaba niya ang tawag para makabalik ito sa klase. Dala-dala ang chip ay nag-ayos siya at umalis ng bahay. River and Irusu are already gone, attending their university classes. Kahit kaninang umaga ay hindi sila nagkausap. 

Reverie commutes to the nearest shop. Kailangan niyang bilhan ng replacement ang outer layer ng gear. She also needs to buy some screws and additional cables. Dadaan din siya mamaya sa kompanya ng Life. Maybe she can ask Cord to make replacements for her, or sabihin sa kaniya paano hindi mawala ang game data. 

Tumango siya sa shop owner nang makapasok. She doesn't frequent the shop pero dahil hindi marami ang customers dito, kilala ng owner lahat. Kumuha siya ng basket at naglibot, hinahanap ang mga dapat bilhin. Paikot na sana siya sa isang aisle nang may marinig na tumawag.

"Slayer, is that you?"

Reverie turns, eyes widening. Mas lalo siyang nagulat nang mapamilyaran ang mukha ng taong tumawag. How did he even recognize her as the slayer?!

Habang nag-iisip si Reverie kung paano siya namukhaan ng misteryosong lalaki ay may malaking problemang dumawit sa Arth Online. This is about twenty-six hours after Solace's disappearance. May isang malaking meeting na nangyari sa Lunaria city.

"It's been a day and Solace is still missing." seryosong pahayag ni Feyre sa gitna ng meeting hall nila. "Forty-eight hours na hindi nag-online, mawawala ang game data ng isang player. Kung gano'n wala na tayong magiging slayer if ever Solace doesn't come online within the next twenty hours."

Laglag ang panga ng mga nakikinig sa kaniya. Una sa lahat, hindi sila makapaniwalang nawawala ang slayer at baka hindi ito mag-online. Halcyon's heart is breaking. Masakit na nga ito dahil mukhang wala siyang pag-asa, lalo pang nasaktan dahil baka nga hindi niya na makita ang dalaga. Lastly, napakaweird ng isang seryosong Feyre! She even has glasses on! At siya pa ang nagpatawag ng meeting.

"How's Hex?" Sena asks Vesta. 

Kuryoso siya kung bakit nawawala rin ang fox priest. Baka ito ang dahilan kung bakit mukhang hindi na Feyre si Feyre.

"He's having a fever." sagot ni Vesta. "Seems like a serious Feyre is too much to handle."

"Ang sabihin mo namula at nagshut down 'yon nang makita si Feyre na nakasalamin." dagdag ni Voldmir.

Feyre slams her hand on the table. "Whoever can contact her on the outside, we should do it now! Baka kung anong problema pa ang nakaharap ni Sol at wala tayo sa tabi niya!"

Napatuwid ng tayo si Halcyon. Kung gano'n makikita niya na ba sa real life ang dalaga?!

"Hoy, funeral boy, hindi ka kasama." Feyre crushes his dreams.

"Don't you have her number or something?" Chaska asks, uninterested. "Hindi pa ba kayo nagme-meet sa real world?"

Biglang natigilan ang lima, at kahit si Hex ay napapasok sa meeting hall. Feyre takes off her glasses and clears her throat before looking away. Oo nga 'no, bakit hindi nila naisip 'yon?

Still, the problem persists. Reverie only has so little hours to come online, and can she catch the time? Sa ngayon ay nasa top na ng trending pages ang balitang nawawala ang slayer. Most are brokenhearted but some are hopeful.

The slayer title will open once again.

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-chapter end-