-chapter one-hundred-eleven-
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SOLACE

'The true quest starts now.'

THE GATE opens. When I stepped inside, it feels like entering another realm. A completely different dimension that sits between the reality of life and the fakeness it possess.

Isang mahabang bricked path ang kailangan naming daanan para makaabot sa kastilyo. Trees and rose bushes adored the sidewalks. A large fountain sits in front of the majestic door. The castle is painted in a mix of silver and gold, shouting glory and royalty to all visitors.

Napalingon ako kay Hiraeth nang bigla siyang tumigil. Nasa likuran kami ng grupo dahil si Astro ang nagle-ead ng group. Namimilipit sa sakit ang mukha niya at hawak-hawak niya ang dibdib.

"Hiraeth!" hindi ko mapigilang sigaw nang mapaluhod siya sa lupa.

Nakuha na namin ngayon ang atensiyo  ng iba at tumigil din sila. Hiraeth's head is twitching in different direction. He has a scowl on his face and he's gritting his teeth real hard. Parang may nilalabanan siyang kung ano.

"Anong nangyari?" narinig kong tanong ni Astro.

I didn't answer him with a word. Hindi din ako nag-abalang lumingon. Binigyan ko lamang siya ng iling at sinubukang hawakan si Hiraeth, lalo nang mas magmilipit siya sa sakit.

"Hiraeth!" agad akong nagpanic. "What happened?"

Lumapit ang iba sa'min. Hex squats beside me and tries to heal Hiraeth. A blue circle starts to form between their hands. I gulped as I watched the healing process take forever. Ngunit wala itong naging epekto dahil gano'n pa rin ang sitwasyon ni Hiraeth.

Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Hiraeth at nanlaki ang mata nang unti-unting maglaho ang kamay niya. I kept on uttering his name while helplessly trying to grasp his hand. His twitching stopped, but now his eyes are fully closed and his hand is starting to vanish! Tinangka ko itong hawakan pero tumagos lamang ang kamay ko.

"No, no! Hiraeth..." my rising voice shakes. "W-What's happening? Hex! He- Hiraeth's disappearing!"

Pinilit kong lumapit para hatakin si Hiraeth pabalik. But, my hand only hugs the cold air. Wala na si Hiraeth. He disappeared, completely.

I sat there, helpless. Wala akong magawa habang tuluyan nang naglaho si Hiraeth. Wala akong nagawa hanggang sa nawala na si Hiraeth sa harapan ko.

Hinatak ako ni Hex pataas. "Sol. Your fight is starting. Hiraeth will probably be used as a hostage."

Nanginginig ako sa takot, gulat at pighati. I feel like I failed Hiraeth. Wala akong nagawa at pinanood ko lamang siya. It's my fault. It's all my fault. Kung sana hindi ko na lang isinama si Hiraeth dito.

Because it looks like we walked into a trap without hesitation.

"Slayer, focus."

Nabasag ang mga iniisip ko nang marinig ang boses ni Astro. Nakatayo siya sa harapan ko, all serious and ready.

"Astro..."

"Remember your goal. You must kill Alas."

Umiling ako. "I have to see Hiraeth."

Isang masamang tingin ang ipinukol niya sa'kin. "Once you kill Alas, you will. Alam kong alam mo na nandito pa rin siya."

Napa-awang ang labi ko sa pinal na tugon ni Astro. His voice is like an anchor that grounds all those who listens. Huminga ako ng malalim at tumango. That's right. I have to focus.

I have to do this step-by-step.

"Tch, that boy comes and goes like a real trouble." Astro starts to mutter as he walks away. "Bakit ba kasi siya pa ang..."

Kumunot ang noo ko. I glanced at Feyre who shrugs. Galit ba si Astro kay Hiraeth? At bakit naman? If he doesn't want to join, sana sinabi niya na lang. Hindi naman ito mandatory.

Ramdam ko pa namang magiging bestfriends siguro sina Astro, Halcyon at Hiraeth. They keep on giving each other glances, minsan hostile siya pero ganiyan din naman sina Feyre at Hex. Could it be that the three of them are just a bunch of tsunderes?

I should try and help them get friendly with each other.

"Hello."

Napatigil kaming lahat nang pumasa-ere ang isang boses. It's cold and filled with authority. Hindi ko alam kung saan iyon nanggagaling o kung sino ang nagsalita.

"Welcome to the Royal Palace of Arth, players." may kaunting saya na ang tono nito. "You have started the Grand Quest. Kill the king and take the throne in order to stop the evil attacks in the city. Do you have what it takes to be a hero? Or will you once again fail?"

Napatalon ako nang may malamig na hanging dumaan sa tabi ko. A breathy laugh rings beside my ear, and then comes the whisper,

"Can you save Hiraeth like you promised? Do you want to? Do you? Do you?" another laugh. "If you badly want to, the King is waiting for you in the throne room. Oh, slayer. Oh~, slayer, can you come?"

Nang mawala ang boses at ang malamig na presensiya ay biglang may nabuong mga sundalo mula sa lupa. Itim ang mga mata nila. Black liquid flows from their empty eyes and is giving color to their pale face.

Yuji and Halcyon's guild who are still at the front of the group readies their weapons. Mabilis na sumugod ang mga sundalo at nagpalitan sila ng atake. Everytime the soldier falls, they come back reenergized and alived. Para silang mga mindless zombies na kinokontrol ng kung sino man.

"Astro," Filter passes us. "You go on, we'll take care of them."

Tumango si Astro at hinatak ako. Halcyon joins, occupying my left dahil nasa kanan ko si Astro. My guildmates followed us, running behind me.

Malapit na kami sa fountain nang isang malaking halimaw ang pumwesto sa harap ng pintuan. A dragon of black and white scales with sharp razor teeth stands horrifyingly in front of us. Its wings slowly flutters close.

Astro and Halcyon both takes out their sword. Gano'n din ang mga guildmates ko. Dahil sa peer pressure, napakuha na din ako ng sariling espada.

The dragon roars, its strong breath enough to make us step back. Halcyon and Astro are quick on their feet. With swords aimed forward, they jumped and slash the dragon's wings. It cried loudly and stomp its feet, making us lose our balance.

The yellow slits glares angrily at the place before zeroing on me. The dragon huffs and growls lowly, all the while maintaining a staring contest with me. Bago pa ito umatake, a large three-headed dig startes charging its way towards the dragon.

Their bodies clashed and the earth shakes. Cerberus keeps on trying to claw and bite the dragon who is doing its best on giving the same pain, twofold. The dragon swishes its spiky tail towards Cerberus' back, making the dog cry out in pain.

Mabilis na nagsummon si Voldmir ng healing mist para sa underworld monster. The dragon continues pouncing on the whimpering dog. It roars and aims to bite back, ngunit bigla itong natumba dahil sa isang atake. A black magic ball came from Nirvana's mouth and unto the dragon's side.

"River!"

Nakita ko ang pagngiti ni River at pagkindat sa'kin. Nakasakay siya sa likod ni Nirvana at kino-control ito.

"River will be able to tame the dragon since he's an Anima, 'di ba?" tanong ko kay Feyre.

Umiling ito. "Kung creator ang kalaban natin, Sol, he can always block River from taming the dragon."

The dragon regains its balance and starts attacking Nirvana. Nagpalitan ang dalawa ng mga atake. The dragon roars, a black fireball coming out of his mouth. Nirvana begins to reiterate by forming a blackhole that seems to absorb space. Sa isang banda naman ay nagsimulang gumawa ng nagbabagang apoy si Cerberus at ipinopokus ito sa dragon.

"Shit." Feyre curses and looks around. "We need to look for a place to hide! Tosta tayo kapag naabutan tayo niyan."

Tumango ako. We ran and searched for a good place of shelter. The skills of those three are possibly enough to break the whole place.

Minerva holds out her hand. Kinuha ko ito ngunit agad ding napabitaw dahil sa biglaang pagkawala ng paa ko sa lupa.

"Ate Sol...?" nanlaki ang mata niya nang dumapo sa'kin. "Ate Feyre! Ate Sol is being taken away po!"

"Ano kamo?!"

Mula sa kinatataguan ay nakita kong lumabas si Feyre. Nalaglag ang panga nila nang makita akong dinadagit ng isang malaking ibon. I tried to shake myself off and struggle, but the bird's grip is very tight.

Nagulat ako ng isang pana ang dumaan sa may mukha ko at tumusok sa gilid ng ibon. The bird screeches and its grip loosens. From the ground, I can see Chaska with her bow up. She takes another arrow and aims.

Immediately, a number of birds flies around us. They obstructed the view. From the small space, I can see Vesta helping Chaska shoot all the birds.

Kinuha ko ang dagger at sinubukan itong isaksak sa ibon. Saan niya ba ako dadalhin at bakit? Does Alas wants me to fight him without other people-

"Fuck!" napasigaw ako sa gulat nang marealize kung saan ako dadalhin ng ibon.

"Ev! What are you doing here?!" River shouts from Nirvana's back. "It's dangerous here!"

"Feel mo hindi ko alam?!"

The freaking bird actually positioned me just above the three monsters who are about to activate their dangerous skills.

"Sol!" narinig ko ang malakas na sigaw ni Feyre. "Puta! Voldmir, pahintuin mo si Cerberus!"

"I'm fucking trying here, okay!"

Pero huli na ang lahat, because the beasts have already released their skills. I unsheathed my sword and slashed it towards the bird's feet, making it let go of me. Nahulog ako sa naghahalo-halong itim at pulang mahika. I can faintly hear my name being shouted.

Golden flames covered my sword and it clashed along the other fires. Ang apoy na mula dito ay hindi kasing sakit ng iba, it feels friendly and something of my possession.

"Periphas!" I shouted.

A loud screech came from nowhere and scoops me up before I could reach the fire. Isang kulay asul na kahon ang pumalibot sa katawan ko. I gasped. Hiraeth? Who else can make a shield lile this?

Periphas gently places me on the ground. Hinabol ko ang hininga habang tiningnan ang naglalaban na mga apoy gano'n din ang tatlong beasts.

"Sol, tayo ka. Bilis! Kailangan nating makapasok sa kastilyo!"

I let Feyre pull me up and towards the castle doors. Tanging si Hex, Priamos,  Halcyon at Astro na lang ang kasama namin.

"Nasaan sina Vesta, Voldmir at Minerva?" tanong ko.

"Vesta has to help Chaska in getting rid of the birds. Voldmir needs to stay with Cerberus and Minerva is helping to support all of them." Hex answers.

Sana maging okay lang sila. If they die, hindi na sila makakabalik muli sa lugar na 'to.

A humungous and vacant room welcomes us. A huge throne with crystals and royal silks sits at the end. Large arched windows are placed in each wall. The outside screams chaos, while the inside is a huge piece of unplaced tension.

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad nang makita si Alas. His white hair reaches the ground, silver eyes looking at us in boredom. His chin is resting on his left hand. His white robe is flowing almost gracelessly in the floor. Behind him, another man steps out.

May kakaibang pakiramdam ang lalaking ito. Nakasuot siya ng isang black corset at coat. Ang buhok niyang abot balikat ay nakatali. A thin eyeglass rests on his nose.

"Slayer, you failed our deal." tugon ng hari. "I believe I asked you to kill my son."

"I believe I denied that request." may tapang na sagot ko.

He chuckles. "What a stupid girl. Do you really believe you'll be able to save that boy?"

"I'm standing in front of you now. Killing you is all that matters."

Biglang tumawa na parang baliw ang lalaking nasa likuran ni Alas. His mouth stretches in an ugly manner as his full teeth are in display. Yumuko ito at ini-angat ang nakakainsultong tingin.

"If you can lay a hand on him, you bitch."

Mabilis na sumugod sa'kin ang lalaki. Inihanda ko ang espada para depensahan ang atake niya but Halcyon beat me into it. He steps in front of me and raises his sword to clash it against the man. Kinabahan ako sa galit na itsura niya.

"Don't you fucking dare call her a bitch, you maniacal bastard." Halcyon snarls.

Naglaban ang dalawa. I used it to my advantage and walked forward to Alas. But a sharp sword slices the space between my neck, making me jump back. The man snickers as he licks his lips.

"I told you~ I won't let you lay a hand on my master."

His sword flies up in the air as Astro pushes it up. Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang lalaki.

"You will not lay a hand on her, as well."

The man smirks and tries to attack once again, but fails because of Halcyon and Astro's interference. Pinipigilan ng dalawa na lumapit sa'kin ang lalaki.

Tumingin ako kay Alas na ngayon ay nakatayo na. He gestures for me to come closer. I repositioned my sword and starts to run to his direction.

Two other strong-looking people appears. Sumugod sila sa'kin ngunit hinayaan ko lang sila, dahil alam kong may isang taong magdidispatya sa kanila.

True to my belief, Feyre's chains clanks and passes me to pierce through the two men. She jumps and makes a circular motion with her chains, kaya napadikit ang dalawang lalaki sa isa't isa. Then she appears just behind them and kicks them off.

I jumped, activated my sword and slashed it towards Alas. A gush of wind and power forms in the room. Itinaas din ni Alas ang kaniyang espada para depensahan ang atake ko. However, rather than defending against it, the attack I sent was redirected to me.

Making me fly off and hit the nearest wall.

"Sol!"

Nakita ko ang pagsubok ni Feyre na tumakbo papunta sa'kin but the two men is keeping him preoccupied. Tumayo ako at pinunasan ang dugo sa labi. Shit, ganito pala kalakas ang bawat atake ko? My HP is already suffering a lot.

Alas grins. "Gero, finish those insects and kill the girl. We don't have time for these."

The man, Gero, laughs. "Of course! Of course, master!"

Naging mabilis ang bawat atake nito. Almost unreadable in the naked eye. Kaya laking gulat niya nang masabayan ng dalawang lalaki ang pace niya.

Astro smirks. "We're not just ordinary players. We're-"

"Fucking legends, you fucker!" pagtapos ni Halcyon sa sinasabi nito.

Alas began attacking me and I kept on defending myself against his vigorous strikes. Napakagat ako sa labi dahil sa bigat at lakas ng bawat atake niya. Is this really the difference between a player and a creator? I can't even attack back. My strikes are childplay to him, while his attacks are equivalent to my every life.

Alas slashes his sword and cuts my knee. I fell on my right knee with a thud, pero pinilit ko pa ring itusok ang espada sa gilid ng tiyan niya. Alas looks at the blood dripping out of his stomach. Ini-angat niya ang kamay para hawakan ito.

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang unti-unti niyang kunin ang espada ko mula sa tiyan niya. His strength is incredibly strong that I fail in resisting his push. I gasped when he got it out fully. Hinablot niya ang armor ko at itinaas. My feet dangles on the air.

Fuck. Bakit ba ang lakas-lakas niya?

"You're strong." he says. "But it's not enough."

Alas raises his silver sword and a powerful smoke emits from it, along with an incredible amount of power. Napalingon ako sa direksiyon nina Astro nang tawagin nila ang pangalan ko. They tried to run to me but can't because of Gero's meddling.

I gritted my teeth. If I fall, I fall with a fight. Golden flames burns even brighter. I can feel my body weakening and gaining strength at the same time.

Binitawan ni Alas ang isang napakalakas na atake. Ngunit hindi ako nagpatigil dito, dahil binigyan ko din siya ng sarili kong lakas. Along his strike is my slash against his cheek that manage to make it bleed.

But the slayer can only do so much. In the face of the creator's power, a God in this realm, the slayer is beatable.

And so, along with the wall that was destroyed because of his strike, I found myself flying off towards the outside. Tumama ang likod ko sa iba't ibang puno hanggang sa mahulog ako sa lupa.

At naging madilim ang paligid.

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-chapter end-

[NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW]:

"Papa? Isn't this story beautiful? A lady saves a prince from being captured."

Ngumiti ang lalaki. "Of course, son. Shall we make that story true?"

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Malakas tologo si Alas kasi creator siya. Sweg.

sais.