Hey, everyone! Happy New Year! Thank you so much for staying and supporting me on 2020 and I hope we'll continue to bond with each other this 2021 💕

My best wishes to a safe and great year for you and your family. May you achieve your goals, mapalove life or career man 'yan. Nyahahaha~

Btw, you can all call me Rie. 💞😊

-chapter ninety-five-

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VESTA

'It's a hunt.'

Mabilis kong itinulak si Hiraeth papasok sa rooftop door, just in time to block Chaska's incoming arrows. Dent forms on the metal door as her sharp arrows hits it. 

Nagpatuloy kami ni Hiraeth sa pagtakbo. The building is six stories high, and the rooftop is immediately connected to the stairwell that has every entry door to the different floors. Hiraeth's hair dances as he continues to run, neck sweating and cheeks a bit flushed.

Isang kalabog mula sa ilalim ang kumuha sa atensiyon namin. Tumigil kami sa pagtakbo at naglean sa railings para makita kung saan nanggaling ang tunog. Nanlaki ang mata ko sa nakita and my heart began to beat erratically. We're currently situated in the stairwell connecting the fourth and third floor, and on running ferally on the first to second floor stairs is Luci. Her eyes blazing in fury as she glares at us and moving at a pace blessed to beasts.

"Fuck." mura ko. The distance between us and the third floor door is at average but Luci will catch up on us in no time. "We have to go back up."

Hiraeth only gave a nod and began moving. Sumunod ako sa kaniya. The fourth floor door is a more rational decision and would give us more time to get away from Luci. Or so I thought. Because the next thing I knew, Hiraeth turned to me with wide eyes as I clutched my stomach in pain. Napalingon ako sa likuran at nakita si Luci na dahan-dahang naglalakad papunta sa'min, gun pointed at me.

"Why the fuck are you protecting him, Vesta?" Luci growls and directs her aim at Hiraeth.

I clicked my tongue. The ten minute mark flashed on my upper right vision. I can't let it all go to waste now. All of our hardwork mula kanina ay mapupunta sa wala if they ever get to Hiraeth. I can't let that happen.

I won't let that happen.

I leaned back and kicked up my thighs, letting the bullets strapped onto it fly. Hinablot ko agad ito gamit ang bibig at mabilis na ikinarga sa baril. Luci's eyes widens at the fast reload and had little time to react before I fired a flashbang and smoke screen at her. Bright white light blinded us for seconds.

I reach out to Hiraeth's hands and drag him to the door that I visually remembers. Mabilis ko itong sinarhan at nilock. An empty storage room welcomed us. Boxes littered on the corner and shelves stands at each side of the wall, blocking every outside access. Cobwebs forms at every surface and dust gathered freely in the room. 

I leaned against the door, exhausted. Hiraeth is just staring at me as I slowly fell into a sitting position, head tucked above my knees.

How did it even go to this? Everything was going according to plan.

Twenty minutes ago, we thought everything was going well.

"Well, do you have a plan?" Hiraeth asked, calmly sitting on the abandoned house we found.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya. "...No." I answered honestly.

"Hmm... I expected you and the fox priest to be the ones who thinks of a plan before engaging in a battle."

"If it comes to plans, I think Feyre would be a more sensible choice."

His brows furrowed. "The cat thief? How? Isn't she also like Solace, devoured by instinct and talent?"

I had shaken my head, chuckling softly. "No. Feyre, no matter how impulsive she appears to be, has a plan down to the very last detail. Most of them are a gamble though."

"What a surprise."

Tumayo ako at hinawi ang kurtina. Outside, the players are still killing off every NPC they meet but it's obvious they're looking out for Hiraeth. After all, Hiraeth is their ticket to victory. It would be stupid of them to let him go.

If we can continue hiding here until the last minute, then it would be very fortunate. But I know that they'll come to this house at some point. Kaya pinili ko ito, because it is connected to the next house which is also adjacent to another. This complex in the DeadGround is similarly constructed to a maze. I kept track of these information through an endless stream of videos.

Hiraeth was looking at me strangely when I turned around. It was a bit intimidating, to be honest. He looked so cold and unapproachable even as he sat on the dirty floor. Black hair flowing gracefully, facial features soft to an edge and has a life-cutting stare.

"Are you really sure about helping me?" tanong niya makalipas ang ilang sandali. "Are you prepared for the consequences of your choices?"

Are you prepared to lose?

Solace gave her a stern gaze. "I can't let you do that, Ves. I feel like, I'm limiting your capabilities. You have no obligation to do it. Maybe we can find some other way to save Hiraeth without sacrificing your win?"

"It's alright, Solace. I have chosen to support you on this, so this is also my responsibility. I will take care and save Hiraeth for now," binigyan ko siya ng isang ngiti. "Because when the right time comes, I'll depend on you to truly save him."

I don't really have any extreme feelings with competitions, after all. I have little care as to whether I'm the winner or the loser. I don't have any burning desires that drives me to successfully achieve it. I don't have any special person to show off to. Avi understands me just the same, as she also doesn't see the pleasure in competitions. 

I'm not Feyre who gets crazy with the bloodlust, or Solace who fights with honor and pride. I'm not Minerva who would support everyone just for a taste of victory, or be like Priamos who will lead the way to success. I'm not Voldmir who'll literally raise hell for his opponents, nor am I Hex who will never let the team fail. 

I'm just... Vesta. Watching everyone's back at the backlines.

"Yes, I am." binigyan ko ng simpleng ngiti si Hiraeth.

Hindi ko alam kung may ability siyang magread minds, but something unpleasant flashed in his face. However, before he could utter another word, the door creaked, opening. Mabilis kaming nagtago ni Hiraeth, looking at the newcomers.

Yuji, Wolfsbane ranger, entered the house, brown eyes scanning the whole room. I quietly lead Hiraeth to the kitchen which has the connecting door. Ngunit ang susunod kong narinig ay nagpatigil sa'kin.

"Yuji, why are you standing there like a stone statue? Some of us wants to get going, yanno?"

Pumasaere ang maarte at malditang boses ni Chaska. Hiraeth must have noticed my behavior dahil siya na lamang ang bumukas sa pintuan. I inhaled sharply and followed after him. Yes, I should be moving at all times. Lalo na ngayon. Chaska is a menace, especially to the whole of Oddcredibles after a certain rogue lit their guild leader on fire.

"I can feel something. Although, I can't pinpoint it yet." Yuji replied.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Are they working together?

"Felt something huh?" a pause. "You're right. There's something weird and irritating in the air-"

Bago ko pa marinig ang susunod ay sinarhan na ni Hiraeth ang pintuan. "You seem distracted."

"No. That girl is just very troublesome. She holds a grudge to Solace, for some unknown reason." I answered, walking to the center of the house and looking for any lingering presences.

Ngayon si Hiraeth naman ang natahimik kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. The guy was now glaring daggers at the locked door. May poot at galit sa mga mata nito. I softly chuckled. Oh, how our guild leader is playing with guys like they're puppets in her strings. 

The minutes passed by like that. They danced to the tune of the maze as rangers come and go, seduced by the overwhelming presence of Hiraeth and leaving with a heavy curse as they finish their empty search. There were multiple times where they almost got caught and Vesta had no choice but to shoot the seeker down. It all went smoothly, until...

I locked the door and sighed in relief. If things would continue this way then there's nothing to be afraid of-

Napalundag ako nang makita si Adimus sa likuran. He was pointing his gun at Hiraeth's chest. Hiraeth who also had one of his cards at the ranger's neck. Both stared at each other with distaste, eyes glowing predatorily. Although, their staring contest was broken by Adimus who turned to gaze at me.

"Vesta..." panimula niya. Pinilit kong huwag magshudder sa malamig niyang boses. "Why are you conspiring with the NPC? Why haven't you killed him yet? Why is he following you around? What are you doing?"

Bago pa ako makasagot ay yumanig sa buong kabahayan ang boses ni Luci at ang malakas na pagsipa niya sa pintuan. "Tangina, Adimus! I know you're here! Why did you just suddenly disappear on me?!"

But Adimus didn't waver in his offensive stance against Hiraeth nor with his stern gaze at me. Bakit parang pakiramdam ko isa akong batang papagalitan ng mga disappointed niyang parents?

"Oh." Luci exclaimed, seeing us. Ilang segundong nagyanig ang katahimikan, I swear I could hear crickets in the background, before her eyes further widened and her jaw fell. "Wait! Wait! Bakit nandito ang special NPC na 'yan?! And Vesta, nandito ka rin?"

Shit. This is bad. I can't let them know my intentions, nor let them catch Hiraeth too. Adimus is a pain to fight against and Luci is very unpredictable with her moves, so the best option is to run. I communicated this to Hiraeth through intensely staring at him. He seemed to have gotten it due to his mind reading ability.

Hiraeth slashed his card to Adimus' neck, making the latter hiss in pain. Nakuha nito ang atensiyon ni Luci na agad sumugod para atakehin si Hiraeth. But I intercepted her attack by firing her bullets laced with poison. Nanlalaki ang mata niyang napatingin sa'kin.

Hiraeth delivered a kick to Adimus' stomach before dodging a bullet to his heart and striking the other's knee with one of his cards again. Adimus' fell down, clutching the card still struck to his knee as I dragged Hiraeth outside the house, toward the barren but open streets.

A more dangerous approach.

Tumakbo kami at tumakbo. Lumiko sa bawat corner na madadaanan at nagtatago sa bawat player na makikita. We stayed under the shadows of the alleys, hiding behind the dumpsters at every movement we see and sounds we hear.

Tumakbo kami at tumakbo. The alley was dark and the cats shrieked as our footsteps disrupted the stillness. Light filled our vision as we neared the open street. And when it cleared, I stopped right in my tracks.

Glowing blue eyes met mine. Golden hair that reached the waist. Chaska has just killed two rangers, accumulating their kills to her own. Nahulog ang dalawang ranger sa paanan niya at paunti-unti itong naglaho. Chaska tilted her head, looked at me and towards Hiraeth, and grinned with intent.

"Well, lookie here." her voice reached a threatening level. "The sheep has decided to face the wolf. Was hiding too tiring?"

Now, if someone would ask me who I prefer to face, I'd unfortunately say Adimus or Luci, even if they were unpredictable monsters, they don't carry the same hatred as Chaska. When Chaska raised her bow to fire at us, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip para hatakin si Hiraeth at tumakbo muli palayo.

And now, three beasts are circling around this building. Chaska is probably waiting on the highest floor. Luci is just on the stairwells and Adimus is somewhere around here. With the buff that Chaska has eaten earlier, she can work temporarily as a sniper. Escaping the building through the vents will guarantee a 1/3 chance of survival.

Unconsciously, my eyes flickered to the Kill Count board. Chaska is leading with 310 kills on her arsenal. My eyes fell at my sad attempt of 10. Adding it to my previous stats, I doubt I'll even make it to the Top Five. 

"Did you want to win?"

Hiraeth's low whisper almost scared me. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at nanumbalik ang seryoso niyang mga mata. 

Did I want to win? "Maybe." At some point. 

Seeing Feyre and her undefeatable courage and determination drove me to pursue victory. I also wanted to feel the thrill of encompassing everyone in the leaderboard, reaching my utmost limits and having the best results. I also wanted to win.

"Are you regretting it now? There are only a few minutes left."

Umiling ako nang walang hesitasyon. "Of course not. There are more instances for me to leave victorious. Besides, ensuring your safety after this game will also give me victory. Isn't it more thrilling that rather than seeking, I'm the one hiding?"

Hindi niya ako sinagot. However, the uncomfortable displeasure on his face is wiped off. His empty eyes stare upfront. "I suppose."

Maybe. Maybe not now, but someday, surely, I can fight in a ground like how they do. Have the sense of hunger like they do. Risk my life at uncertain times like they do.

But, it just won't be today.

Someday.

Isang pagsabog ang nagpatalon sa'ming dalawa. Luci stands outside, hand holding a rather large gun and aiming it at us, specifically Hiraeth who quickly pulled out his cards and sliced it to the two incoming bullets. Luci has a scowl on her face as she furiously shot at us. Nahagip ng mata ko ang isang box na nakablock sa balcony door. We can escape this enraged girl's fury through jumping off the balcony, risking the fact that Chaska is not positioned there.

Three minutes. The timer warns.

Isa pa, what if Adimus is also just below the building, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. There's no denying that Adimus and Luci would be working together, despite their hatred with each other. I can't possibly protect Hiraeth through our fall. 

I spared the guy a glance. Luci keeps on firing and battling him with scary focus and strength. Hiraeth looks so calm receiving and responding her attacks. Although, there's something amiss. It's almost like his strength and abilities are decreased. His health is also dropping fast. Is it because he's categorized as an NPC here? Kaya mabilis ang damage sa kaniya?

One and a half minutes remaining. 

Fuck this. Tumakbo ako papunta sa box at itinagilid ako. Then I turned to Hiraeth and shouted the best I can, the loudest I've ever been.

"Hiraeth! We have to jump!"

Hiraeth gave a final kick to Luci's stomach before nodding and running to the balcony. Nakita ko pa ang pilit na pagtayo ni Luci bago kami tumalon ni Hiraeth. Lumipad ang buhok ko dahil sa napakalakas na hangin'g bumugso. This building's height is not a fucking joke!

My eyes frantically searched for Adimus on the grounds. Nanlaki ang mata ko sa galak nang makitang wala siya doon. Chaska must not also be present around here dahil hindi pa rin kami pinapaulanan ng mga palaso niya.

A slash behind me. A spark. I turned only to see Hiraeth's card meeting Luci's gun. What the heck?! Did she also jump with us?! 

Sinulyapan niya lang ako at hindi na pinansin. She's focused in attacking and killing Hiraeth! With trembling hands, kinuha ko ang sariling baril at ikinasa ito. Then, I fired it at Luci. Blood splattered on my cheek as red began to spread on her chest. She stared at me wildly, before raising her own gun and pointing it at...

Hiraeth.

Hiraeth. Who only had a few HP left.

The fall is making a drastic impact at our HPs.

But, I can't let Hiraeth die.

Luci pulls the trigger, lips curl into a snarl. The bullet flies, accelerates, and lands into my chest. Luci stares at me in shock. Gano'n din si Hiraeth, who was unaware I swapped our places. Itinaas ko ang kamay para sana kunin muli ang baril, but it won't work anymore. Fragments of my skin flew in the air, slowly vanishing.

The timer counts to zero.

We hit the ground.

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-chapter end-

[NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW]:

Solace Vs. Halcyon.

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[Blood Brawls: Kill☆Shot] Final Results

1. Lvl.61 Chaska: 310 | Remaining HP: 51%

2. Lvl.61 Lucifera: 290 | Remaining HP: 11%

3. Lvl.60 Yuji: 188 | Remaining HP: 60%

4. Lvl.64 Adimus: 101 | Remaining HP: 87%

5. Lvl.55 Millan: 60 | Remaining HP: 40%

6. Lvl.54 Vesta: 33 | Remaining HP: -%, Dead

7. Lvl.57 Zharr: 18 | Remaining HP: 31%