-chapter one-hundred-twelve-
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ALAS IS a genius.

Sa murang edad na lima ay nakakagawa na siya ng mga kakaibang istorya at mga gamit. His father was a mechanic and her mother was a bar attendant. Sa ama niya nakukuha ang kaniyang talento habang ang mga inspirasyon sa sulat ay galing sa kaniyang ina.

He excelled in robotics at 11. Began to join game developers at 14 and his talent further developed. It's amazing how his hands can turn anything into a marvelous game. Like a Midas touch. Alas' hands creates golden games.

Mas lalong umusbong ang teknolohiya. Mukhang hindi na rin kayang mabuhay ng tao na wala ito. Of course, the peak of technology paved the way for games. Dahil sa dami ng real-life games na nabuo, almost all people became addicted to it.

Games became a lifestyle. Alas further bloomed.

Nakilala niya si Hera noong nakasama niya si Harold, isa ring game developer. It turned out that they're siblings. Kaya mas naging close si Alas at Hera.

But the Von Caspar is against the arrangement. They believe Hera deserves a partner who will give her his full attention. Alas was the opposite of that, dahil mas pinagtutu-unan niya ng pansin ang ginagawang laro.

But their decision won. They got married, had kids and Alas was a good husband. Even became the president of the Life Company.

Alas is a genius.

But there will always be someone who's better.

"Mr. President, good afternoon!"

Napatingin si Alas sa bumating empleyado. Nakasuot ito ng malinis na suit and black coat at may dalang briefcase. He looks like an important person just as well as a commoner.

"Rendevo!" sumabog ang malakas na boses ni Harold sa floor. "It's nice meeting you, my friend!"

"Harold." ngumiti ito. "Laki na ng kompanya ni Uncle Hervan, ha."

"He's wanting to meet you these days. Nawala ka na lang kasi bago mo kami tulungan ayusin ang bug sa 'Square'."

"Kailangan ako ni Misis, eh." ngumisi ito at dumako ang tingin kay Alas. "Is this the game genius everyone's talking about?"

Harold proudly smiled and tapped Alas' back. "Yup! Ang brains behind Square and Hell Space. Siya na din ang naging presidente nitong kompanya. Papa is so impressed in his skills."

Rendevo offers his hands. Alas looks at it and hesitantly shakes it. Magaspang ang kamay nito, halatang marami itong ginagawa. Square, the MMO role playing puzzle game, had a terrible bug. The human chess section became unstable at pinapatay nito lahat ng players na naglalaro. Kahit si Alas ay nahirapang masulosyunan ito.

But one call from a certain man and the game went back to normal.

"Right now we're working on Project Z. It's a post-apocalyptic survival game." pagpapaliwanag ni Harold kay Rendevo habang iginigiya ito paalis.

Alas stood there watching the two talk and laugh. Nakatitig lamang siya sa likod ni Rendevo. He doesn't look intelligent, but he's able to spot a problem he couldn't fix. It left an uncomfortable feeling in his heart.

"Oh my gosh, that's the rumored Greene! Ang galing niya kaya. Sabi nila parang gift ang kamay niya at nakakapag-ayos ito ng kahit anong bagay."

"Right. If Alas is a genius, he's a skilled and talented man."

Alas believes what he felt back then was not jealousy. It was... luck. Luck that he was able to find someone who can cover his imperfections. A perfect partner. Someone who can probably help him in reaching his dreams.

Alas sets down the game he was fixing. Napatingin siya sa anak na tutok na tutok sa TV. The show currently playing is about a captured prince and a warrior woman. Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay naging fan si Avraeth dito.

Alas scoops his son up and places him on his lap. "Ano ba 'yang pinapanood mo?"

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

Isang ideya ang namuo sa isipan niya. The company has been busy in the creation of Project Z. Pero nawawalan siya ng gana dahil dito. It was his idea, of course, but that Rendevo Greene's presence have influenced the game's system. Hindi si Alas nasisiyahan dito.

Most of the game right now are open world ones. There's no necessary story in it, just a goal that everyone must achieve. Just a quest to become stronger and kill more players.

What if he makes a game that should follow a plotline? Isang laro kung saan may isang istorya?

At ano pa ba ang istoryang gagawin niya kung hindi itong kinababaliwan ng kaniyang anak?

Ngumiti si Alas. "Of course, son. Shall we make that story true?"

Isang masayang tango ang isinagot sa kaniya, kasabay ng paglundag-lundag ni Avraeth sa sofa. Alas laughs whole-heartedly and devotes himself into creating that world. A world just for his son.

He started on making the game. But it proved to be harder than he originally thought. At sa ganoong panahon siya natagpuan ni Rendevo.

"Mr. President!" the man happily greets. "What are you doing in such a late hour?"

Alas' tired eyes stared at Rendevo. He's a talented man who can fix anything, right? Then maybe he can fix this game.

"I'm planning on making a game."

Umupo ang lalaki sa silya na katapat niya. "Oh? Hindi ba ito ang Project Z?"

Alas hums and shakes his head.

"My son's been interested in this show. Pinipilit na tulungan ng isang babae ang lalaking nakukulong sa isang kastilyo. And I've thought how there are no games with a solid story and heroes yet, so I wanted to make it into a game."

Nathimik ang lalaki. Alas was about to take back his opinion when Rendevo nodded.

"Mukhang alam ko ang tv show na 'yan, paborito din 'yan ng mga anak ko. Do you want me to help you with that?" sumimangot ito. "Ngunit parang ang hirap siguro kung babae talaga at mula sa mga players. What about the male population?"

Alas frowns. "Then should I discard this?"

Nagkibit-balikat si Rendevo. "You can store it for future plans."

"I wanna make a game that is different and has a unique feature." humilig si Alas sa upuan at inilagay ang palad sa noo.

"I know. What about a game that is 99% real?" napatuwid ng tayo si Alas sa sinabi ni Ren. "They can feel pain, hunger and exhaustion just like in real life. A fantasy-adventute version of Earth."

Nagtama ang tingin ng dalawa. Napangiti sila. That's right. They can make something like that.

Nagplano ang dalawa. They used most of their free time in planning and creating the game. They formed the visual landmarks, the map and some of the possible races.

"Ano ba ang magandang pangalan?" Rendevo taps the pencil on the desk. "Earth 2.0? Earth Online? Alternate Earth Online?"

Ini-angat ni Alas ang tingin mula sa paggawa ng Gaea City. "Arth Online."

"Arth Online... Tama!"

Alas was so focused in the game they were creating that he sometimes forgot his responsibilities in the company. Hera compensates for him. And Alas finally sees how a thread ends when Hervan, Hera's father, died.

He imagined how it would be once he dies. In his games, it is a black void with little to no feeling of senses. If that happens, would there be someone who will live his legacy?

"Me, Father?" kumunot ang noo ni Rius. "I have no interests for games, though. I want to take part in the legal field or perhaps take care of the corporation like Mother."

Alas sighed and nodded, tapping Rius' back before heading out. Nakita niya si Avraeth sa hardin na binibiyagan ang mga tanim. Madalas itong nandito at naaliw na sa mga halaman.

"Father, look!" Avraeth points at a blooming flower. "She's going to be so gorgeous soon!"

Ngumiti si Alas. It's a pity his son couldn't grow up in an environment where nature is abundant. Today, only technology has life. Natural things are scarce, especially since they live in the city.

"Baka uulan na. Want to play games with Father?"

Isang masiglang tango ang ibinigay ni Avraeth. His little hands grasps Alas' ones and they both walked inside the house. Alas looks at his son. He's interested in games and has fun in playing it. Maybe he will be his heir.

The one who will live the glory of Arth Online. But first, they have to tackle the obstacle of a storyline.

"Ano 'yan, Alas?" tanong ni Ren na kakapasok lamang sa kwarto.

Alas finishes coloring the man's hair. He turns to his friend. "Hindi ba't it's a good story. A king of demons who delves in deaths and a king of humans greedy for his power. Along them, a hero will rise to take it all. To restore peace."

Ren looks at the screen. Natapos na ang pagdedesign sa isang na may gintong buhok at mata. Beside him is a drawing of sword bursting in golden flames.

"Arthur." sambit ni Alas. "Isn't it a good name, Ren?"

Kumunot ang noo ng lalaki. "The human king is actually a bad guy? But why?"

"Parang madalas na lang kasing demon king ang masama. Since we're going to make this life-like, then how about we show a human who is devoured by his sin? And contracted a demon because of it."

Rendevo agreed to it. He found the story a bit interesting and both of them tried their best into making it happen. Dahil sa madalas na itong nangyayari, Rendevo sometimes bring his daughter, Reverie.

"What should we do with the demon's lair? Kastilyo din ba?" tanong ni Ren habang nakatitig sa limang computer screens.

Alas watched as two children played on the garden. Nasa harap sila ng maze at mukhang may balak silang pumasok dito. Alas watched as the walls shifted and redirected both of them from escaping.

"A dungeon." he finally answers.

"A dungeon?"

"Yes, and the wall shifts para hindi nila makita o madakip ang demon king. In contrast to finding the room, they will be thrown into a series of monster lairs."

Tumango si Rendevo at nagsimulang idesign ang dungeon.

In their partnership did Alas find how truly talented Rendevo is. As he expected, that man is the one who can make his dream come true. An exactly different kind of game which is a life-like projection of Earth.

Alas found out that the talent was inherited by his daughter. Dahil sa murang edad pa lang nito ay interesado na itong magkumpuni at gumawa ng mga bagay-bagay. Sometimes, Alas can see her fixing the things Rae broke.

Mayroon siyang talento na pwedeng magpagiba sa nabuong future ni Alas. Avraeth is the heir and the one who will inherit the company. But he will be shadowed by Reverie's talents.

"Reverie." tawag niya sa bata. "Do you want to play a game?"

"Game po?"

"Yes. And if you can possibly help me in fixing the damages inside?"

The young girl tilted her head. "Ano po ba 'yong sira? Tatawagin ko po ba si Papa?"

Umiling si Alas. "There's no need. Pwede ka na doon."

"Sige po!"

Nauna itong naglakad na may ngiti sa labi. Alas followed her with a predatory smile.

When they arrived in the room, he tricked her into trying the game. Ang isang hindi pa siguradong virtual gear ang pinagamit niya. Inside the game, he tried all sorts of attacks to see how painful it really was. Umiyak ang bata. Hindi niya alam kung tungkol ito sa laro o dahil natatakot siya.

"What the fuck, Alas?!"

Napatigil siya sa pagmo-monitor nang biglang sumugod papasok sa kwarto si Rendevo. The man switches off the game and quickly takes the head gear off the sobbing child. Rendevo glares at Alas.

"Why the fuck did you do that?"

"I wanted to see how much pain can be felt in the game, Ren. As of now, it's 68%."

Abala ang lalaki sa pagpupunas sa luha ng bata. "Don't do that again. She's a child. We can just do it ourselves."

Alas frowns. She's allowed inside their mansion for free and has the audacity to touch her son. So why should she not pay for that?

"Pero siya ang may gusto na maglaro," pagsisinungaling niya. Alas smiles. "Beside, we won't hurt him too much. Or do you want to know the reaction of your wife once she finds out your work includes ignoring Reverie for hours?"

Rendevo grits his teeth. "Don't put her in dangerous situations. Or I will stop helping you."

However, to Alas shock, the dangerous situation did happen. Ngunit hindi iyon dahil sa kaniya.

He stood in front of the operating room for hours. Alas' knees weakened when he heard the news that happened to his wife. Lalo na nang marinig din ang nangyari sa kaniyang anak.

His wife dead... His son and heir in a coma...

Alas loses his mind.

Mahigpit ang kapit niya sa kamay ni Avraeth. Tumayo siya at naglakad paalis. He can't believe this. He can't believe what's happening. Bakit? Bakit kailangan na mangyari ito? Bakit sila pa?

Dumaan si Harold sa bahay para sabihing kailangan siya sa lamay ni Hera. Alas laughed. Did they really think he would go and bid goodbye to his wife? No! His wife is not dead. His wife is still alive. His wife is forever with him.

And going there means accepting that she doesn't exist in this world anywhere. At ayaw iyon ni Alas.

So he sits inside his room for days, only staring at the ten computer screens that showed the game he was making. Ni hindi siya tumingin nang malakas na bumukas ang pintuan.

"I know you're grieving, Alas! We all are." sigaw ng kakapasok na Rendevo. Nahulog ang mga luha ni Alas nang marinig ang pumipiyok na boses nito. "My daughter is in the hospital. Your son is in a critical condition and your other son needs his father! Hindi ka dapat nagpapakulong dito. They've lost their mother..."

Inilagay ni Alas ang magkabilang kamay sa kaniyang ulo. Napakalakas at napakasakit ng boses ni Rendevo. Ayaw niya itong marinig! Parang kapag pinakinggan niya ito ay tuluyan siyang malulunod.

"They can't lose you too!"

Tumingala si Alas para tingnan si Rendevo. Napakahapdi na ng mata niya. His throat feels parched and his eyes are heavy. But his mind is in turmoil and that's what keeping him awake.

Alas stares at Rendevo. "I can't." he can't. "I have to make a world where we can al be happy."

A world where Hera and Avraeth can smile. And... "Where no one dies and no one is gone forever."

"That's not possible. We're humans-"

"Ayoko. Ayoko. Ayoko."

What the fuck is Rendevo spouting? He can't possibly relate to his feelings because his dear daughter is still alive and kicking. Hindi nito nararamdaman ang nararamdaman niya!

"-live eternally, we can't. We're only tenants who use our life to-"

"Ayoko. Ayoko ayoko ayoko!"

Alas looks everywhere to avoid Rendevo's cutting stare. Naghahanap siya ng pwedeng i-atake sa lalaki para umalis na ito. Ngunit ang nahagip niya ang cable. He lifted his eyes to see a screen that shows a wondrous landscape.

The game! The game where everything can be happy and the game that is an alternate earth!

Alas scrambled up and ran towards the screen, holding and hugging the monitor like a lifeline. Naalala niya ang mga ngiti ni Hera. Ang paniniwala nito sa kaniya na walang makakatibag. Ang pagmamahal nito na talagang kakaiba.

Ang pagkadisiplinado ni Rius at ang kakaibang talino nito. Ang kakayahan nitong maging responsable sa lahat. And lastly, his youngest son, Avraeth, who is being kept alive by the cables attached to is body. Ang anak niyang naging kasama niya sa paglalaro at ang anak niyang mahal na mahal ang nature.

But Earth now is nothing but a series of cables and screens and easy life. It completely forgot and ignored the beauty of nature. It completely tarnished his son's dreams.

But this... this game he's working on. It can be their salvation.

"I must make a world where everyone is happy." Alas whispered into the now-empty room.

Rendevo left. Nawala ito at ang pamilya nito sa mapa. Ngunit wala nang pake dito si Alas. Rendevo did a lot already. He's not his priority anymore. He needs to make this world happen.

Pumasok si Alas sa kwarto ni Avraeth. He safely puts the gear in his head. Malapit siyang mapaiyak nang makitang naging conscious ito sa loob ng laro.

Avraeth can have a life inside the game. And that's the most important thing.

Arthur's design was finished. Avraeth accidentally stumbles inside the castle and meets him. Naging magkaibigan ang dalawa. Ngunit may nakita si Alas.

Arthur is developing some unknown bugs. Pinipilit nitong lumabas sa kastilyo pero hindi iyon pwede. Because in this new version, Arthur is not the hero anymore. He's the king who will be devoured by sin.

And Avraeth, Alas son, will be the hero.

"Hello there, young man." ngumiti si Alas sa lalaki. "Do you want some candy apples?"

He possessed the image of a salesman inside the game to talk to his son. Wala itong masyadong maalala at pumupunta lang kung saan. Avraeth nodded and took the candy after giving some coins.

"Do you like this world?"

Tumango ito. "It's good. But I wanted to meet the girl Arthur keeps on talking about."

"Girl?" tumikhim si Alas. "At Arthur?"

"Arthur is my friend. He said he saw a girl outside the castle once. He said she was clumsy and often cried in pain." kumunot ang noo nito. "I don't know why I'm interested too. And why I'm telling this to you."

Alas chewed on his nails once he was back in the real world. It's Reverie. Pero paano iyon naalala ni Arthur? At bakit hindi na ito sumusunod sa mga order niya?

Later on, Alas found out that Arthur is unstable. He's developing human emotions which is very uncanny for an NPC. It feels like a connection was made with him and Hiraeth that they're both usually feeling the same things.

Alas frowned. "Gero."

"Yes, master?"

"Hanapin mo si Rendevo." mukhang nagulat ang assistant niya sa sinabi. "He may be able to fix the game."

"Paano kapag hindi po siya sumang-ayon?"

Alas hardened his gaze. "Tell him we'll take his daughter and ruin her life. He'll come."

True to his words, Rendevo appeared. However, Arthur couldn't be fixed. Kaya naman naisipan ni Alas na itapon ito palabas sa kastilyo. He has no need for a defective NPC. It will only destroy the perfect world he will be creating.

A perfect world where everyone can be happy. Of course, it's all for the benefit of his son and himself.

Then... Napatingin siya kay Ren. What better way to provide a perfect world than make it himself? If they can do it themselves, mas magiging mabuti iyon. There's no need for instructions. He can do it all himself.

Isa pa, hindi na sila binibigyan ng funds ng Life Company. Ang mga putanginang 'yon! Alas was the one who doubled their profits and now they're stripping them off his name?! Just because he wants to make a world that is unlike this hell of an Earth?

They're all a bunch of fuckers.

"That damn Harold." may matinding galit ang boses niya. "Calling me a fucking brother and keeping me out of the funds. Can you link us into the company's database?" tanong niya kay Ren.

Namuo sa mukha ng lalaki ang gulat at kaba. "Yes. Bakit?"

Tiningnan ni Alas ang kabuuan ng kwarto. "Rius will never abandon the house, kaya siguradong pwedeng dito lang tayo. We need to link into the company's database so that we can start the game."

And make it stable. Kapag nasa loob silang dalawa, siguradong magiging maayos ang flow ng laro.

"Start the game." nakakunot-noong ulit ni Ren.

"Yes, Ren." Alas smiled and took out a gun. This is of his and his family's dreams. "The game may be unstable for now, but it will be alright once we're inside."

"Anong ibig mo sabihin na inside? At bakit may baril ka?"

"What better way to learn and fix the game than be inside to see it for ourselves?" itinapat niya ang baril sa ulo. "This is all to make a perfect world."

Alas is a genius.

Geniuses are usually a step away from becoming a madman.

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-chapter end-

[NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW]:

"Your slayer is dead." lumapit si Alas sa kaniyang anak at itinapon ang isang espada sa paanan nito. "Now you have to kill the king and avenge her. Become the hero of this story."

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Kung ganito naman pala ang naisip ni Alas, bakit niya planong patayin si Hiraeth? Why is River dragged into the situation? Bakit niya gustong makuha ang sword at si Arthur?

Si Rius, River at Ren ay naniniwala na ginagawa ito ni Alas dahil sa ambisyon niya. Ang eternal life kung saan siya ang pinakamalakas. But remember, all of those were in their point of view. All of those were just their assumptions in Alas' behaviors.

singko.