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Salamat po talaga and I love you~

-chapter one-hundred-fifteen-
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"Let me see, Reverie. If you have the power to make this tale come true."

THE GROUND rattled and cracked. The trees fell and the whole forest is almost destroyed. Sa gitna nito ay ang dalawang taong naglalaban. Puti at ginto ang naghahalo at nagpapalipad ng ibang players na pilit lumalapit.

"That's freaking crazy." Hex says, mana regenerated. "Parang Level 100 na sila kung maglaban."

Ngumiwi ang dalawang bata at tumango. Nakakatakot nga naman ang dalawa. Minerva gulps. Sana manalo si Ate Sol niya dahil baka makamit niya ang karma sa pagpakyu kay Alas.

Mula sa kinauupuan nila ay rinig na rinig ang sigaw ni Feyre. Nasa may gilid ito ng gubat at iwinawasiwas ang kamay.

"Wohoo! Yes, Go Sol! Tapakan mo! Sipain mo! Oh, ayan, ayan-!" malakas itong nagmura. "Umiwas ka, Sol!"

Solace crashes down towards the forest after Alas' strong slash from the side.

"Putangina mo, Alas!"

Solace appears from the forest in an inasanely crazy speed and does a criss-cross slash on Alas.

"Ayan! Yes, go bestfriend! Go bestfriend!" Feyre cheers. "Ihambalos mo ang hayop na 'yan!"

Two people falls down behind Feyre, pero hindi ito pinansin ng babae. Astro groans at the wound in his thigh and Halcyon coughs up blood. Gero lands in front of them, sword aimed and ready.

Nagsimulang maglaban ang tatlo sa likod ng walang-pake na Feyre at Hiraeth. Nakatuon lamang ang atensiyon ng dalawa sa slayer na nakikipaglaban sa ere.

Idinaan ni Astro ang matalim na samurai sword sa gilid ni Gero. Pinunit nito ang gilid ng suot-suot na robe ng lalaki, at naging mahina ang puwersang ibinibigay nito kay Halcyon. Gero takes back his sword and turns around to deliver a fast strike on Astro, who failed in reading it and managed a slash in his shoulder.

Mabilis na umakyat si Halcyon sa likod ng lalaki at inilagay ang dalawang espada sa leeg nito. Gero struggles and fight against Halcyon's grip. He tries to bump his head back to Halcyon or kick the other guy. Pero kahit pagod na si Halcyon at nahihihirapan, ay pinipilit pa rin nitong patigilin si Gero.

Gero grits his teeth as he tries to escape the man's tight grip. Nagulat siya nang marandaman ang matindi at mahapding sakit sa dibdib. Surprised, he looks down and sees Astro's wounded hand piercing a sword on his chest. Right through his heart.

Oh. He's never felt this way before.

Just when Gero weakens, Halcyon pushes both his sword to the man's neck. With a sword pierced on his chest, Gero's head is cut off. Ang huli niyang nakita ay ang taong nakikipaglaban sa taas. His master.

Nagtama ang paningin ng dalawa at isang malaking ngisi ang ibinigay ni Alas. Gero disappears.

"Oi!" tawag ni Feyre sa kanila. "Anong ginagawa niyo diyan? Kanina pa kayo?"

Astro rolls his eyes. "Napatay na namin si Gero."

"Ah, talaga? Tagal ah."

Sinamaan siya ni Halcyon ng tingin. "Kung ikaw kaya ang-"

Naputol ang sasabihin niya nang isang malakas na sigaw ang narinig nila. They instantly became alert because that was Solace!

Humihingal na nakahiga si Solace sa lupa. Napakalakas ng atakeng binitawan ni Alas na muli naman siyang natapon sa baba. She groans in pain as she moves, parang binugbog ng sampung tao ang likod niya. Ang sakit sakit nito!

Alas is incredibly strong. Yes, she can dance with him but she can't really outstrength him. Ilang beses na siya nitong hinampas sa lupa.

Aayos na sana si Solace ng upo nang isang napakatinding puwersa ang lumapag sa kaniya. She screams when Alas' feet stomps on her wounded leg and a sword is struck beside her head.

"Players have their limits. Even a slayer like you is not comparable. After all, you're only best at defeating monsters." ngumisi siya. "A monster is lesser than a king. More weaker."

"Tama ka. Pero hindi iyon gumagana sa'yo, dahil hindi ka isang hari." bato ko pabalik sa kaniya. "You're a monster needed slaying."

His face hardens and he smiles without humor. "Just like your twin, fierce and determined. Kaya nga siguro madali siyang uto-in. He believed that I will free your father if he follows my instruction."

"Bakit mo nga ba inutos 'yon?"

Alas hesitated for a second. He sighs, "I wanted a perfect world. At first, I pitied my son and wanted him to enjoy his life in the game. Dahil naka-coma siya. But then, nakita ko ang pilit kong inignora noon. I'm a genius who can create anything! Those scumbags who stripped me off my name and benefited from my works, I'll show them whose the king. I'll be the king. Because a perfect world will not exist if I don't lead it."

Baliw na nga ito, hindi mapigilang maisip ni Solace. So he had good intentions at first but it later on disappeared because he was blinded by power? How could he?

"Ano ang kinalaman namin ni Hiraeth dito?!" sigaw ni Solace. "You caged him here when he's your son, and abandon him when you find no use?!"

Napadaing si Solace nang lakasan ni Alas ang pagkakatapak sa binti niya.

"That boy is dying. He has no hope. You should be grateful to me that I gave him another life! He managed to live the eight years of his life here! Ang pagpatay ko sa kaniya ay ang matatawag mong mercy killing, you know."

"Mali ka," sinamaan ni Solace ng tingin ang lalaki. "Hiraeth is regaining his consciousness! He's going to live."

Alas laughs. "Talaga ba? Do you think Arthur, my little unstable son, would permit that? When that means that he'll lose the freedom he so much wishes? You see, slayer, all of us right here possesses our own selfish desires."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Solace. Alas grasps the sword. Hindi niya ito makuha pabalik dahil sa nanghihina na siya.

"You wish to save your childhood friend that you drag your friends in this. But deep inside, you also just want to show people you're not the weak little Solace they belittled back then, 'no? Now you're a slayer, a beautiful elf who will save the boy."

Napasinghap si Solace nang tuluyang mawala ang espada sa kamay niya at mahawakan ito ni Alas.

"I'm doing this because I want to reach my ambitions. Fulfill my dreams. No matter who I use or who I kill. Your father is here because he doesn't want to lose his family. Your brother is here because he doesn't feel competent enough to care for you. Dahil hindi ba't siya ang isa sa dahilan kung bakit ka umalis sa dating nilalaro? He's a worthless brother and to regain his honor, he has to save your father."

A rush of air enters Solace as Alas takes his feet from her wound. Ang lakas na nararamdaman niya kanina ay nandoon pa rin, ngunit hindi na ito kagaya ng dati.

"Arthur does not want to be treated as an NPC anymore so he seeks sanctuary inside Hiraeth's. The two boys following you are only here to show you their strength." bumuntong-hininga siya. "Kung tutuusin, isang tao lang mula sa ating lahat ang walang motibo."

Alas disappears. Hindi pa rin makatayo si Solace dahil mukhang lumala na ang sugat niya sa binti. Her energy is also depleting.

One person... Hiraeth? Ang taong pilit lamang na ipinasok dito, sinaniban ng isang NPC at ngayon ay pinapatay ng kaniyang ama. He didn't even asked for his life to be saved. He just wanted to live.

And that want is enough for Solace to treat it as her own desire. So what if it's selfish? She's not going to let go of him that easily, damn it!

Pinilit niyang tumayo kahit na sobrang sakit na ng katawan niya. She takes out her dagger and holds it tight. Napapahawak siya sa mga puno habang naglalakad dahil sa low-energy niyang katawan. Still, she's going to move forward. For her vow. For her promise. For her desire.

Nagulat si Solace nang isang mainit na kamay ang lumapat sa kaniyang noo. It pulls her back and she clashes against a person. Napaangat ang tingin niya, at napahagulgol siya nang makita ang taong pumigil sa kaniya. His crimson eyes are sparkling in unshed tears as well.

"Pa...pa?"

Solace feels magic burst through her veins. Mula doon ay narenew ang kaniyang energy at nawala ang kaniyang mga sugat.

"A-Ano pong ginagawa niyo dito?"

Hindi ito sumagot. Hinawakan lang nito ang likod ng leeg niya at sa isang iglap ay nasa ibang lugar na sila. Solace looks around and she stiffens when she saw Alas fighting her friends.

Lumilipad si Feyre sa iba't ibang direksiyon. Her chains passes and strucks Alas at insane speed. From the way she tosses them, mas papunta ito sa espada ni Solace na hinahawakan ng hari.

Astro and Halcyon are also attacking the king. But just like Hiraeth, their attack are useless, dahil hindi ito gumagana sa katawan ng hari. Priamos is in front of them, shielding them from attacks.

In the sidelines, Hiraeth, Hex and Minerva are supporting them. Gumagawa si Hiraeth ng blue boxes sa mga umaatake para i-smoothen ang kanilang bagsak. Hex is there to regenerate them and Minerva is increasing their vigor.

Sa pinakalikod naman ay ang mga rangers na kung hindi pinupuntirya ang mga ibon na kaaway ni Periphas, ay tinitira naman si Alas.

Being surrounded like that, Alas is expected to be irritated. Hinampas nito ang dalawang espada na hawak at bumuo ito ng malakas na magic tremor sa paligid. The players that are near him were thrown off by the powerful attack.

"They need you." the demon king says. "Your friends need you. Kaya kailangan mong bawiin ang espada, Reverie."

Mas lalong bumuhos ang luha ni Solace nang marinig ang pangalan mula sa kaniyang ama. She hasn't heard it in years. At hindi niya na rin ito masyadong maririnig sa mga taong dadating.

"Pero-"

"Your brother is doing his best, fighting against a dragon. He's winning. I'm... planning to talk to him after this. But," malungkot siyang ngumiti at ni-pat ang ulo ng kaniyang anak. "I wanted to see you fight through Alas once again."

"He can't be beaten, Pa..."

"Of course, he can. Before he created games, he also played them. Treat him as a fellow player, not as an unbeatable fighter. That way, you'll see your way to victory. But first you need the sword."

"Pero paano ako makakapunta doon?"

"I'll guide you." the demon king holds the dagger in Solace's hands too. "And this will help you. You remember it's skill, right?"

"In game weapons doesn't work against-"

"It will. I changed the properties. Fortunately, hindi lang isa ang gumawa ng larong ito." ngumisi ang kaniyang ama at muling hinawakan ang leeg niya. "Now, go slay the last boss monster, my daughter."

Muling nag-iba ang paligid ni Solace sa isang iglap. She almost shouted when she realized that she's already up in the air and behind Alas! Dadating na nga lang ang Papa niya at tutulong, parang ipapasuicide pa siya nito!

Alas eyes widened at her presence and he tries to turn around. Ngunit, mas mabilis si Solace at isinaksak niya ang dagger sa balikat niya. He instantly freezes at the lightning skill of her dagger, kaya mabilis na kinuha ni Solace pabalik ang espada.

Nagulat siya nang may mabilis na dumaan sa gilid niya. Because of her heightened senses, she quickly grabbed the item. Isang sigaw ang narinig niya. Napatitig siya sa hinahawakang kadena at kay Feyre na nahahatak nito.

"Hala, sorry!" paumanhin ni Solace sa babae at binitawan ang kadena.

"Shit, Sol. Huwag mong bita-"

Too late. Dahil nga sa nahatak siya ng kadena, Feyre's kind of hanging in the air. At dahil binitawan ni Solace ang chains ay nahulog ito sa lupa.

"Hala, sorry ulit!" nakangiwi niyang sigaw.

From the ground, Feyre gestures an okay sign. "Okay lang! Madapa sana kayong mga halimaw kayo!" pagdadabog nito.

Solace chuckles.

"You're back, slayer. I thought you're going to give up, hmm?" tugon ni Alas at dahan-dahan siyang nilingon.

Ngumiti si Solace sa lalaki. "I'm not. I'm going to achieve my goal and fulfill my desire. All with the help of this very sword that you created but is cursed against you."

Ipinikit ni Solace ang mata. She summoned all the power hidden inside the sword. The harmony and beauty of Arth. The melody the plants and animals make. The veins that travels in the ground and creates life.

Nang imulat muli ni Solace ang mata ay isang napakataas na gintong mahika ang namuo sa espada niya. It reached or even passed the sky above. Lightning sparks and crackles all around the flame, and a glimmer of white, silver and red is present on it.

Napaawang ang labi ni Alas nang makita ang totoong mukha ng espada. From there, she did not limit any of her attacks.

Isang pagilid na strike ang ibinigay niya. One that instantly brings Alas back to his own castle. Hindi na hinintay ni Solace na makabalik ito at sinugod. She attacked like a madman, lost in her own strength and the intensity of their battles.

Napahinto lamang siya nang makitang hindi na masyadong sumasagot si Alas sa kaniyang atake. She stops and sees the man already blanked out. Napaatras siya. A-Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? Is he now gone?

Is Hiraeth now free?

Talaga bang tapos na ang lahat? Why is it so... strange.

"Sis! Watch out!"

Solace turns around and regrets her choice. Dahil isang dragon na ngayon ang sumusulong papunta sa kaniya. Ang dragon kanina na parang hindi naman ganito ang presensiya. Something is different about this dragon.

"He died already!" sigaw ni Voldmir na nakasakay kay Cerberus. "Pero nagulat kami nang bigla siyang mabuhay!"

Fire forms in the dragon's mouth, his direction obviously aimed towards the slayer. Napabaling si Solace sa katawan ni Alas. Talaga bang aatake ito na nandito ang kaniyang master?

"Elf, run!" napabaling siya kay Hiraeth na nakarating na pala sa kinaroroonan niya. "Arthur says he can feel my father inside that dragon!"

Wait, what the fuck?!

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-chapter end-

[NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW]:

Tumulo ang luha ko. Mahigpit kong kinapitan ang malamig na kamay ng lalaking nakahiga sa kama.

"Rae..." I quietly whispers. "Please wake up."
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Sleeping beauty in reverse, but change the kiss into a game.

DOS. AHHHHHHHH