-chapter four-

LEALIS

THEY'RE THE strongest players in this game.

I gulped at that thought. That explains Feyre's incomparable strength and bloodlust. Kahit sa mga kasama niya ay sumisigaw ng kapangyarihan at lalong-lalo na sa player na tinatawag na si Sol. They're literally and metaphorically on a different level than us.

Pero... their name... Bakit naman ganiyan? Parang isang cartoon show.

"Kailangan ba wirdo ang pangalan para sa malalakas?" mahinang tanong ni Risu pero mukhang napalakas iyon dahil narinig nina Feyre.

Akala ko magagalit sila dahil ininsulto namin ang guild name, but the three of them burst out laughing; si Feyre, ang lalaking walang tsinelas at ang babaeng may dalang gitara.

Hinampas ng fox-priest ang braso ni Feyre. "Hoy! Hindi nasisiyahan best friend mo."

"Sol, don't mind." nakangising saad nito sabay sulyap sa katabi.

Umismid lamang 'yong Sol. She glanced at us before turning to Feyre. "Tinulungan mo sila?"

"Yep! Ang ganda kasi't Level 7 sila tapos 77 ako."

A movemwnt beside me caught my attention. Napasulyap ako kay Rae nang humakbang siya palapit sa kanila. His eyes, filled with admiration and respect, were fixed on the elf warrior. 

"You're the strongest players in Arth?" he inquired.

Napakamot sa ulo ang fox priest. "Well, hindi naman talaga. We're the strongest guild and Solace here is the strongest player." sabay turo niya kay Sol. "But there are also tons of strong players around Arth. I'm Hex by the way, their priest."

"Sigurado akong mas mabuting priest 'yan kaysa sa'yo." Quatro told Risu, who rolled her eyes and kicked him.

I can't help but agree with him. Any priest is probably better than ours.

"I'm Minerva!" pagpapakilala ng babaeng may dalang gitara, na banggang balikat ang asul na buhok. "I'm a bard~"

"Isang walang-kuwentang bard," dagdag ng lalaking nakapaa. "Anyway, I'm Voldmir. The Arth's greatest summoner."

He smirked, arrogance radiating off him naturally. Sinamaan naman siya ng tingin ni Minerva. "Summoner pero walang pang-summon ng tsinelas?!"

"Pake mo ba at aesthetic ko 'to!"

Another weird and familiar pair. Parang si Risu at Quatro lang din kung magbangayan.

"I'm Vesta." tipid na ngumiti ang babaeng may pink na buhok, ignoring the players around her. "I'm a sniper."

Nakuha niya ang interes ko. Maliban sa siya lang ang mukhang normal sa kanila, Sol is exempted because of her beauty, her sniper job means she's under the ranger class.

"Ako naman si Priamos!" masayang wika ng taong... nasa isang malaking armor. "Ako ang tank ng team!"

Yeah... Obviously.

"And I'm Solace, their guild leader and warrior."

I can't help but wonder about her charisma. It must be off the charts. Hindi mo siya kayang hindi pansinin.

"She's also the slayer." dagdag ni Feyre na kumakain muli ng mansanas. Does she have an apple addiction? "It's a title given to the player with the most boss monster kills. She currently has 72 on her list. Kaya niyo bang maunahan 'yon?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Seventy-two boss monsters? Matagal na rin siguro sila sa larong ito para ma-achieve 'yon. That's such a large number.

Though Feyre challenging us is laughable. Newbies lang kami sa game na 'to, at namatay na nga kami once sa isang monster boss, tapos uunahan pa namin ang slayer na 'yan? Is she nuts?

"I'm Rae." pagpapakilala ni Rae. Puno ng determinasyon ang asul niyang mata. "I'm this party's leader. This is our archer, Lealis."

Nang ituro niya ako ay nahulog sa'kin ang mga tingin nila. I felt a bit uncomfortable when their stares lingered. Parang gusto kong isuot ulit ang hood ng cloak, kasi natanggal ko siya kanina sa paglaban namin.

"Woah. Kung hindi lang ako na-immune kay Sol, I would be begging right now..." usal ni Voldmir na nakakuha ng batok mula kay Vesta. He glanced at her with a pout. "Joke lang."

Sinamaan ng kakambal ko ng tingin ang lalaki at itinago ako sa likod niya. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko para ipirmi ako do'n. I almost rolled my eyes at his older twin instinct.

"This is our tank, Ansel. Ang priest namin ay si Risu, at ang mage namin ay si Quatro. Our rogue is Vys and Ella's a merchant." huli niyang itinuro si Chae na nakahalukipkip lang. "And that's Chae, she's also a warrior."

"Sayang wala dito si Avi at wala tayong merchant na kasama, Vesta." bigong tugon ni Feyre.

Avi? Is that another member?

"You're off to the Blacksmith?" tanong ni Hex at tiningnan ang natitirang loots sa likod namin. "Mukhang tapos na kayo sa pagpatay sa Wolf King."

Tumango ang mga kasama ko.

"Hoy! Alam niyo ang galing ng coordination nilang walo!" Feyre exclaimed. "Bakit hindi kayo ganiyan?"

"Wala bang nagtataka dito kung bakit magkaparehas ang pangalan ng newbies na 'yan sa anak ko at nina River?" Voldmir raised a topic that was quickly ignored.

"Well, for one po, kasama ka namin." inosenteng sagot ni Priamos kaya bigla siyang hinabol ni Feyre.

If they're older than us... Ako na lang nag-iwas ng tingin. Isip-bata.

Napabuntong-hininga si Chae. "Are they really the strongest guild here? Para silang mga bata."

Although I had the same thoughts, kinontra ko siya. "You just don't know how to have fun."

"The world will end once I see you have fun like that, Soleis." she replied sarcastically.

"I hope you end with the world, Chastity."

Nagpalitan kami ng masamang tingin kaya kailangan ulit ni Rae na pumagitna. "Tama na nga 'yan. Sa totoong buhay o dito, hindi talaga kayo tumitigil sa pag-away."

"Well, Tita Rev and Chas are also like that." singit ni Ansel. Itinaas niya ang kamay nang sabay namin siyang samaan ng tingin. "What? Totoo naman. Girls." Pailing-iling siyang umalis.

Bakit ba hindi nagmana si Ansel sa ama niyang cool at tahimik?

"We should get going. Hinihintay ka na siguro ni Hiraeth." tugon no'ng Vesta sa kanila. "It would also be best if-"

"Sandaliiii!"

Isang tao ang tumakbo ng napakabilis sa direksiyon namin, making me almost jump in fear. It was a large man who wields a huge, squared sword. Nang makalapit siya ay itinutok niya iyon kay Sol. May mga sumunod din sa kaniyang dalawa pa; isang maliit na bata, lalaking may hawak na baril, at dalawang babae. Their presence don't falter near the strongest guild, mas pinapalakas lang nito ang presensiya nila.

"Let's fight again!" the man challenged. "I swear I'm going to defeat you this time!"

"Sinabi mo rin 'yan three matches ago, Leo." Feyre sighed, looking anywhere in interest, avoiding the man. "Sa sobrang pagkabored ko nga napaalis na lang ako."

"No, Feyre. You left because you lost against me." kontra ng bata... or hindi kasi sobrang lakas siguro nito para matalo si Feyre.

Umirap ang babae. "Ikaw ba ako para magdesisyon ka ng ganiyan?"

I made a slight grimace. Hindi ba nauubusan ng hirit ang babaeng 'to?

"We have to go-"

Naputol ang sasabihin ni Sol nang mapasulyap siya sa'min. Her eyes fell on the interested and awed faces of my friends. We probably looked like puppies besides monsters. Kagaya ni Feyre ay siguro nasa mga Level 70 na sila o mas mataas pa. And, here are the eight of us who just complete 9ur first quest. The level and strength gap between us is monstrous.

"Fine. I guess I could show you."

My low interest quickly increased. I find them too strange to interact with but witnessing a fight between two strong players could steal anyone's attention. Lalo na kapag isa sa players ay ang pinakamalakas sa larong 'to.

Napalunok ako't napahawak ng mahigpit sa bow. I could also feel Rae shifting in his feet, his eyes burning at the two who was about to fight. Kambal kami kaya alam namin kung saan kami nagiging mas interesado at ngayon ay gusto namin ng kompetisyon at aksyon.

Tito River would always tell us it's because of our mother. She was beauty and strength, with a drop of competitiveness. Normally, she doesn't care about attention but a fight would always make her interested. Dagdag niya pang isa daw itong bulaklak sa gitna ng labanan.

Pero hindi ko naman makita iyon dahil napaka-soft spoken ni Mama. Papa is also very calm.

"Sol's showing off." nakanguso si Feyre nang tumabi sa'min, kasama ang iba niyang kagrupo.

Hex smiled. "Siguro gusto niya lang ma-impress ang mga newbies. Interesado kasi si Arthur sa kanila."

"Kapangalan mo, p're." bulong ni Quatro kay Rae.

Tumango ang kakambal ko. "May tainga din ako, par. Narinig ko. Thank you."

"Welcome, bro."

I gave them a warning look, making them straighten up abruptly. I have no idea how these two can get along kahit na madalas na usapan nila ay puno ng sarcasm. I wonder if that's how boys have their best of friends.

Although, I am kind of curious sa Arthur person na sinabi nila. Napapadalas na ata ang naririnig kong magkaparehas na pangalan. Or is it just a mere coincidence na kapangalan niya si Arthur, ang kakambal ko?

I mentally shrugged. Oh, well, sa dami ng tao sa mundo, sadyang may magkakaparehas talaga ng pangalan. Their guild leader, Solace, even have the same pronunciation as my first name.

"You should observe." nakangiting saad sa'min ni Priamos. "May VIP seats kayo para makita ang strength ng strongest slayer."

Natuon ang atensiyon ko sa dalawang players na pinapakiramdaman ang isa't isa. May kakaibang aura na namumuo sa kanilang dalawa, the slayer being gold and her opponent in deadly red. They had their swords pointed at each other and-

My eyes widened at the first attack. Both of them charged ahead to meet in the middle, their swords clashing in a strike that sent waves of power to the audience. A melody of gold and red fused in between their glowing swords.

Mabilis ang bawat galaw nila. Parang alam na nila ang weakness at strength ng isa't isa. Their eyes were quick to process their opponents' attack, in order to make a good retaliating attack. Kahit ang bawat paghakbang at paggalaw ng braso nila ay kalkulado.

Pero... kahit na magkasabay lang ang galaw nila, may isa talagang sadyang naiiba.

Tito River's description of a flower in the middle of a battlefield  has never fit anyone more than Solace right now. She moved and attacked as if she was dancing. When she twirled with her sword, her hair danced with her movements. She slashed her sword towards the man, creating a burst of golden flames from her blade. Silver white hair, elf ears and scorching blue eyes paired with a golden-flamed sword, it was impossible to take my eyes off her. It was almost like a privilege to observe and study how the strongest player fights. How she truly dominates.

A monster, she is. Is this what it means to become a slayer?

Natapos ang laban na sigurado na ang nanalo. The man, Leo, who started the fight made a loud 'tch' and slumped on the ground. Ngumiti lang si Solace dito at nakipag-usap.

Bakit may pakiramdam ako na kahit ang pagsama ng loob sa babaeng ito ay imposible? Even if you are her rival, self-proclaimed or not, parang hindi maiiwasan ang admiration sa kaniya. Lalong-lalo na dahil pagkatapos ka niyang wasakin, she'll offer you a pure and innocent smile.

Sabay kaming napatayo ni Rae nang tumingin sa gawi namin si Solace. Her gaze still sent shivers down my spine, lalo na pagkatapos ng nakita kong laban niya kung saan mas lalong tumaas ang respeto ko at paghanga.

"I-!" sigaw ni Rae kaya napunta sa kaniya lahat ng atensiyon.

Rather than staring at my twin, whose next words I already know, I fixed my eyes on the slayer.

Rae is a gamer or a warrior through and through. He is very competitive, both personal and in-game. Kumpara sa akin, mas nae-excite siya kapag nakakasalamuha ng magaling na player. Once they earn his respect, he goes for the next goal.

Solace tilted her head. "Hm?"

"I want to fight against you!"

Napatawa ang mga guildmate ni Solace. Of course, it was hilarious. A level 7 newbie is requesting a fight against the strongest player?

I didn't laugh. I know my twin, so I know why he's challenging her. For Rae, defeating his idols is necessary in order to grow strong.

That's where we differ.

My twin is a warrior who tackles the frontlines. He is a warrior whose shoulder is stared at as the war begins. He likes to lead people to victory. He likes the challenge. I don't have that same perspective, since I would rather stay behind his back. I don't want to lead the fight, but I want to know everything that's happening on the ground. I like to watch the players and sneak an arrow into their heads. If Rae is the reason for the battle, I want to be the eye that observes the whole field.

Ngumiti si Solace, na para bang ini-expect niya na iyon. "I shall meet you, then, two months from now in the Central Continent. We'll battle in the Game of Governors. If you deem yourself worth it, you can fight for the crown."

The crown... I remembered the game's description. It's about who can claim the throne of Arth, but right now, it's about who can take the crown from the slayer, huh.

Determinadong tumango si Rae. Napailing na lang ako sa nagbabagang apoy sa mga mata niya.

"It's a promise."

Solace sheathed her sword and gives us a final glance. "A promise it is."

That day we first met the strongest guild in Arth and promised a future match with the slayer. A fight for the crown.

But nobody knew that our next meeting would be under unfavorable circumstances.

-chapter end-