-prologue-

"SOLEIS."

Tumigil sa panonood ng argumentong kasulukuyang nangyayari sa dining area ang isang babae. Her long black hair swayed as she slowly turned to look at her father. Avraeth drifted his gaze from his daughter to Reverie, who was laughing at Feure's odd joke.

""Why don't you change for now? Maglaro ka with the other kids. And as always, remember the rule."

Tumango si Soleis kaya napangiti ang kaniyang ama. Pinanood niya itong pumasok sa loob ng dining area. Matapos siya sulyapan ulit ay marahan nitong isinara ang pintuan.

Every year, an odd reunion happens in their house. It involves her mother and the friends she made in-game. For some unknown reason, they always lock themselves inside the dining room. Walang pwedeng pumasok unless mauuna silang lumabas.

Some couples play together like Soleis' parents, but a rare few of their friends had other spouses. If allowed by their significant others, they bring their kids as well para makipaglaro at makipagkaibigan sa ibang bata.

The mansion has two dining rooms and a main hall kitchen. Sa secondary dining room nagkukulong ang mga magulang at ang foods naman ay nakalagay sa main dining room. In a normal family, the adults will be having their talk while the kids play around and wait for them.

Soleis was about to head back to her room when she halted. Kumunot ang noo niya nang makita sina Ryker na lang ang nasa sala. Her twin and close friends were nowhere to be seen. Si Melissa at Sanya na rin lang ang natirang nakikipaglaro kay Penelope.

Bumuntong-hininga siya't naisipan na hayaan na lamang ito. Forest has probably led them into something crazy and she's not up for any adventures. Ngunit nang madaanan niya at marinig ang ingay mula sa library, natigilan si Soleis at sumilip sa loob. Nang makita ang mga kaibigan na nagpupulong-pulong sa gitna ng silid ay hindi niya maiwasang pumasok.

"Anong ginagawa niyo dito?" nakasimangot na bungad niya sa kanila.

Mabilis na napabaling sa gawi niya ang mga kaibigan. Arthur, her twin, gestured for her to come closer kaya umupo siya sa tabi nito. Mas lalong nagtaka si Soleis nang makita ang mga VR headgears sa sahig. Walo lahat ito at may isa ring mini-box na nasa gitna.

Soleis reached for it, reading the large title. "Arth Online?"

"It seems like a game that was launched 17 or 18 years ago?" hindi siguradong sagot ni Asveal, the son of Astro.

Soleis raised a brow at the unique description written just below the game name. It says that the game offers 99% of pain, hunger and exhaustion. 99% ang pagkatotoo nito. Ang mararamdaman mo sa totoong buhay ay gano'n rin sa game. Inikot niya ang box at sa likod nito ay ang instructions sa game at description. A vrmmorpg game that promises real-life features and dwells in between the medieval and present times.

"Do you want to be the king of Arth?" malakas na pagbasa ni Felicity, Feure's daughter, sa description. "Welcome to Arth Online. The crown is waiting for you at the throne."

"Bakit kaya may ganitong game si Tito na tinatago dito sa library?" Forrest, Felicity's older brother, wondered out loud.

Ini-angat ni Soleis ang tingin. Nagtitigan sila ng kaniyang kambal at hindi nakaalis sa mata niya ang pasimpleng pagkurot ni Arthur sa tagiliran ni Forrest.

"Saan mo 'to nakuha?" matalim na tanong ni Soleis.

Arthur averted his gaze. He's guilty. "Sa Archives."

"Hindi tayo pwedeng pumasok doon!" singhal niya sa kakambal.

"I know! I didn't, alright? Nagulat ako kasi may narinig akong ingay kaya chineck ko. Tapos natumba pala 'yong shelf. Nang tingnan ko nakita ko 'tong game."

"Kaya kinuha mo?"

Arthur looked at his twin, horrified. "Don't tell Mama! Ibabalik ko na lang."

"Boring." nguso ni Forrest.

Sinamaan siya ni Soleis ng tingin. Mas lalong humaba ang nguso niya pero hindi na nagsalita. Sa halip ay iniwas niya ang tingin at pinaglaruan ang mga kamay.

"Whatever. You're such a killjoy, Soleis." tugon ni Chastity, Chasmin's only daughter.

Nagulat silang lahat nang biglang kinuha ng babae ang isa sa mga headgears at isinuot. They all tried to stop her but the gear lights up in red, meaning nakapasok na siya. It will be dangerous kung bigla nilang kukunin ang headgear.

"Well~ See you!"

Napalingon sila kay Forrest na mabilis ding isinuot ang headgear na may ngisi sa labi.

Risu, Soleis' cousin, glanced at her. "So...?"

"Fine." she sighed in defeat. "But we have to get out before Mama catches us."

"Sige ba!"

"Yes!"

Pinanood niya ang mga itong masayang isinuot ang headgear. Arthur waited for her, though. Vys, Vesta and Voldmir's son, also glanced her way before he can fully put on the gear. Itinaas nito ang kilay na parang nagtatanong. Tumango siya. Vys stared at her for a few seconds before entering the game, as well.

"Sabay tayo, bal?"

Napalingon si Soleis sa kakambal. Arthur took hold of her hand. Malalim siyang huminga at kinuha ang isa sa mga gears. Matagal na din siyang hindi nakakalaro ng game. She stopped playing because she was lazy and to focus on her studies.

"Alright." sagot ni Soleis at hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ng kakambal. "One... two... three..."

Soleis closed her eyes and when she opened it again, darkness welcomed her. Pagkaikot niya ay nakaharap sila ng isang lalaking NPC. Nakaupo ito sa isang floating chair na hugis egg. The man has golden hair and golden eyes. Saglit na natulala si Soleis sa pagka-ethereal looking ng lalaki.

"Oh?" even his voice is attractive. Tumalon ito mula sa inuupuan. "What do we have here? A player? I haven't seen one in ages!"

Soleis frowned. So this game is really old. Pero paano pa rin kaya ito gumagana.

"What is this game?"

"Wait-" inignora siya ng lalaki. "Your beauty reminds me of that certain slayer who took the game like storm. Destroyed it. Figuratively and literally."

"Okay." walang-interes sagot ni Soleis. "Anyway, how is this game still working?"

"Hm."

Nagtitigan ang dalawa ng ilang minuto. The man has an unreadable look on his face. Soleis already concluded that this man can't be an NPC when he acts like a human. Isang game master siguro? Hindi nagtagal ay binawi ng lalaki ang tingin. Good, she was already feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Do you want to play the game?"

Sumimangot siya sa tanong ng lalaki. "Ha? Sandali, I wanted to ask you about this game. Dahil kung suspicious lang din naman, I will log out."

"Sorry! There's no log out button." he turned his back and walked back to his chair.

"What do you mean there's no log out button? This is a game. There's supposed to be one!" Soleis exclaimed.

Lumabas ang isang coconut juice mula sa kung saan at sinimulan itong inuman ng lalaki. He stared at Soleis with boredom. Now she's starting to become frustrated.

"I know. Pero hindi ka makakalog out unless you reach Level 25."

Soleis scoffed. "What stupid rule is that?!"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "So?"

"May choice pa ba ako?"

The man smirked and jumped down from his chair, again. Mula sa kung saan ulit ay may hinatak siyang upuan at prenteng umupo doon. He rested his chin on his elbow as he said,

"That's right. Okay, so... You can't change your gender. It's a stupid rule. Kung babae ka dito, babae ka din do'n. But, good news, you can make changes to your appearance. Say your height, hair color or stuff. First, do you wanna be a fairy, a large beast or a human?"

He waved his hand on the air. Biglang may lumabas na tatlong Soleis sa harap niya. Ang isa ay maliit at may pakpak, wearing flower crowns and dress. Ngumiwi siya. The third one was a large her with beastly muscles at may hawak itong axe. Mas lalong gumusot ang mukha niya. She looked gross.

"Human."

"What an exciting answer." he dryly said. Umirap si Soleis sa attitude ng lalaki. "Dahil sa boring ka, fucking hell, this is why I hate being an NPC-"

Kumunot ang noo ni Soleis. Ano ba pinagsasabi nito? "Aren't you a game master?" tanong niya. "You're behaving like a human."

"You'll be surprised at the secrets of this game."

Okayy? Soleis slightly feels weird at that. Ano nga ba kasi ang game na ito? At bakit nasa library ito ng ama niya?

"Because she's an elf, let me make you one too-"

Soleis frowned. She? Who is this she?

"Let's make your hair as golden as mine because I rock. Azure eyes that will make everyone kneel before you-"

"Sandali! Sandali lang ha!" pigil niya sa lalaki. "Hindi ba't dapat ako ang pumili sa character design ko-"

"Okay! We're done here. Don't you look enchanting?"

Natulala si Soleis sa elf version niya. It's not the purely ethereal look, but one that screams enchantingly feral. One that is as vicious as a snake but still posses the beauty of a queen. Mahaba ang pale gold na buhok nito at medyo curly ang sa end. Ang mahahabang pilikmata ay mas lalong dinidepina ang ganda ng asul na mata. Ang ganda nga niya...

"Perfect! Now," he swiped up and different symbols appeared. "Pick a class."

May isang shield, isang malaking espada, two crossed knives, an arrow, a staff, a lyre, a hand and lastly a set of potions. Soleis hesitated for a few moments before reaching out to touch the fighter symbol. Gusto niyang magtry ng bago-

"Huwag!"

"Ay fuck!" napatalon siya dahil sa biglang pagsigaw ng lalaki. Soleis glared at him. "What?!"

"Susundin mo ba talaga ang yapak niya?"

"Sinong niya ba ang tinutukoy mo?!" she screamed, frustrated.

"Oh. Kalma ka lang," he tapped the arrow symbol. "Ito na lang."

Isang mabigat na hininga ang pinakawalan ni Soleis. "Ano, ikaw na lang maglalaro?"

"Shh." he placed a finger over his mouth. "I'm finalizing your character."

"Yes. Huwag mo na akong tanungin for inputs." she sarcastically commented. "Para namang ako ang maglalaro, 'di ba."

"You're noisy. Anyway, name? Oh, ayan na ang chance mo to help."

"Lealis."

"Okay, Leis. Lemme just call you that, an'haba ng name mo. You're done here now." he snapped his finger. "See you, player."

All of a sudden, the floor Soleis was standing on warped and disappeared. She fell in a blinding mixture of bright colors and lights, and she had to blink a couple of times from the extreme visual sensation. Her game character, the beautiful golden elf, materialized in front of her before slamming inside her body. She gasped, stumbling back, but was startled when her ears started to lengthen and her eye color changed to dark blue. Her straight black hair became wavy and the streak of pale gold touched the ends before changing her hair color completely to that.

The myriad of colors broke apart again and Soleis eventually saw the wide, blue sky before gravity pulled her to the ground. She muttered a curse at the impact of her butt hitting the hard earth, briefly closing her eyes at the pain. Nang imulat niya ang mata at iginala ang tingin sa paligid ay kusang bumuka ang bibig niya. The beauty of Arth enchanted her, from the peaceful sky to the great sea that stretched on her left and the wide valley of trees that rested above her right. Doon niya napansin na nahulog pala siya sa narrow road na malapit sa cliff.

She broke into a smile as she praised the whole place, but turning around made her heart drop in shock. She jumped back on instinct, screaming when the man from the customization section stood before her.

"What the fuck!?" bulalas niya.

"I said see you in game." he answered, looking at her as if she was dumb.

"You didn't say immediately!"

Soleis' warning signs is going wild at this point. The man was too strange that she had to take a step back, only to bump into a hard body. She frowned, looking behind her and freezing when her eyes landed on the man sharing the same facial features as her. Ang tanging pinagkaiba lang nila ay ang kulay puti nitong buhok at na lighter ang shade ng asul nitong mata.

Immediately, she recognized the boy. "Arthur?!"

Her twin smiled, eyes drifting at the strange NPC behind Soleis who muttered, "Weird. Arthur din pala..."

She shot him a curious glance, pero mukhang malalim pa ang iniisip nito. Tumabi sa kaniya si Arthurt at mahina siyang tinapik sa balikat. Nginuso nito ang lalaki at puno ng suspisyon ang mata niya.

"Bal?" he asked, now frowning as the man looked at them. "Sino siya?"

Soleis ignored his question, finding no importance about the guy's identity. "Nakita mo ba ang ibang kasama natin?"

Arthur was about to answer when a loud shout from the forest interrupted them. Isang babaeng nakasuot ng berdeng roba ang lumabas mula sa kakahuyan. Mahaba at braided ang kulay brown niyang buhok at lumiwanag ang kahel niyang mata nang makita si Soleis.

"Leis! Halika! Nakita na namin ang town!" sigaw nito mula sa taas.

The twins shared a look before following her. The girl looked so familiar and her name was already at the end of their tongues. Pero hindi nila ito mabanggit. Pasulyap-sulyap naman si Arthur sa lalaking NPC na sumunod sa kanila. The man was too suspicious that he doesn't want him out of his sight. Dinala sila ng babae sa mga kaibigan nila at kumunot ang noo ni Soleis nang makitang kompleto sila.

"Iisa lang ba ang drop-off spot natin?" tanong niya.

"Since konti lang naman ang players at miracle na may bagong pumasok, we dropped you off at the same place." the NPC explained, making everyone's attention settle on him.

Sinipat siya ni Vys at Forrest bago sabay na nagtanong, "Sino 'yan?"

The second time she was asked but she never really have any answer to. Kahit nga pangalan ng lalaki ay hindi niya alam.

"Someone." simpleng sagot ni Soleis bago samaan ng tingin ang lalaki. "E bakit nandoon ako sa ilalim?"

"Nand'on din kambal mo." obvious na sagot nito ulit.

"Guys!" Risu whisper-shouted, looking over the bushes to somewhere outside the forest. "I think a parade is happening."

Curious, the seven of them walked closer to the forest' edge to watch the parade. The noise of both players and NPC welcomed them, along the smell of spices and herbals in the stalls that lined up. Heads peeked out of closed stores and diners, their eyes immediately settling on the group of people that divided the players into two so they could parade in the center. They were the oddest group that Soleis has ever seen. Two large beasts walked in front; a monster with deep, purple eyes and a large three-headed dog. Atop each monster stood a player. At ang isa sa dalawa ay walang sapin sa paa.

"Let me tell you a story."

Biglang napalingon si Soleis sa lalaki nang magsalita ito. Her brow furrowed at his strange words. "Ha? Tungkol sa kanila?"

The man nodded, smiling mysteriously. "This is a tale that will never end."

Still confused, the seven of them still couldn't keep their eyes away from the strange players. After the two beasts, a floating magic carpet followed, mounted by three ladies. Sa unang tingin ay mukhang baliw sila. They were dancing and singing to a song, minsan out of tune pa. Right behind the magic carpet, the largest armor that Soleis has ever seen walked with grace and strength. Katabi niya ang babaeng may pink na buhok at hawak-hawak nito ang isang sniper gun. Sa likod nila ay ang isang... mage? It was a human-fox hybrid who was wearing mage robes, but his priestly staff made them think otherwise.

Just at the end of the parade, the most magnificent pair of players stole everyone's attention. A man whose normal gaze wore a sharp edge walked in his black yukata and tied, long hair. An ethereal fox in dark and blue hues strutted beside him. The way his eyes roamed the vicinity so strictly briefly reminded Soleis of her father. He was a dangerous mystery, while the woman riding the magnificent lion beside him was a promised beauty.

Her silver battle armor glinted under the sunlight. A white and blue cape was draped over her back, pinned over her shoulder. Sa likod niya rin ay ang naka-sheathed na golden sword, where one look at the weapon, it would already promise you a legend. Higit sa lahat ay nakatuon ang mata nila sa nakakabighaning itsura niya. Ang puting buhok ng babae ay sumasayaw sa bawat paghakbang ng leon at ang kaniyang napakagandang asul na mata ay gumagala sa paligid. Her black lashes were long, further defining the beauty in her eyes. Matangos ang kaniyang ilong at mamula-mula ang pisngi at labi. The tip of an elf's ear peeked out from her hair. Her every movement was entrancing, almost making everyone too hypnotized to follow everything about her.

Their odd appearance invited whispered conversations. Praises and wondrous reactions rained down at the group of people who walked. The players' names were uttered in both amazement and reverence. They were treated as heroes, as legends, but a particular name courted Soleis' ears.

"Oddcredibles?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Forrest. "Tangina, ang pangit ng pangalan."

Tumango si Arthur. "The one who made that is stupid."

Soleis silently agreed with them. It was such a corny name. Kahit siguro na sa bingit n iya ng kamatayan ay hinding-hindi niya gagamitin ang pangalang iyon.

"Pft." nagulat ang walo nang tumawa ang NPC. "Don't mind me." he assured, waving his hand dismissively. "You know, even if it sounded weird and lame, theirs are the name that will forever live."

"Ano ba ang pinagsasabi mo diyan? May something amazing ba silang ginawa?" Risu asked.

"Parte ba ito ng story na sinabi mo?" dagdag na tanong ni Asveal.

The NPC smiled, nodding at their questions. "This is the legend that will be passed down generations to generations."

Kumunot ang noo ni Soleis. "Legend?"

Their attention was briefly stolen at the sudden screams of the other players. One of the ladies who were riding the magic carpet stood up with her electric guitar in hand. Her blue hair danced along the first strum of her fingers, the pop-rock tune leaving her direction in a powerful wave of sound. Mas lalo namang nawirdohan ang mga bata sa grupong nakita. This was a medieval world right... pero bakit may rock song silang pinapatugtog?

"Ano na ba ang legend na sinabi mo-" napailing si Soleis at ibinalik ang tingin sa weirdong NPC na kanina pa nagsasalita. But her next words died in the air at the absence of the man behind her. "Saan nagpunta 'yon?"

"SOLACE, ARE you okay?"

The white-haired elf warrior stopped staring at the forest to look at her husband. Worry danced in Hiraeth's eyes, as his brows furrowed at her strange actions. Hindi napigilan ni Solace ang sumilay na ngiti sa labi niya sa itsura nito.

"Oo naman. Bakit?"

"Tulala ka kanina, Sol." tugon ni Feyre na bumaba na mula sa magic carpet. "Ano ba tinitingin mo sa gubat?"

Solace frowned. Hindi niya rin alam. "I don't know. Akala ko may nakita ako." umiling-iling siya. "Don't mind that. Nasaan na nga pala si Arthur?"

"Why? Missed me?"

Napalingon ang tatlo nang marinig ang boses ng hinahanap nila. Arthur approached them, the corner of his lips lifted up in mystery. Nang makalapit ng tuluyan ay agad niyang natanggap ang nakakamatay na batok ni Feyre.

"Ano na naman ba ang pinanggagawa mo?" malditang tanong ng babaeng rogue.

Napanguso si Arthur. "I tried being an NPC."

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo no'n?" kunot-noong tanong ni Solace.

Feyre whistled. "Paniguradong natulog lang ulit 'yan sa Character Customization. Sus!"

"You're right," ngumiti si Arthur at inagaw ang mansanas ni Feyre, kaya pinandilatan siya ng babae. "It was actually interesting. I met new players."

"New players? May panibagong naglaro ng game?"

"Mm. And now it's going to be an interesting event." nagtama ang tingin ni Arthur at Solace. "A new tide is forming to challenge the king. Will someone else take the crown, slayer?"

Isang ngiti lang ang isinagot ng kilalang slayer. "They have to enter the Central first. Tell them, Arthur, that the current king is waiting at her throne."

⁠-

Technology has peaked in the past decade and until today, it continues to advance. Everything and everyone relies on technology. From a simple store purchase to a machine that will prolong life. Flying cars, card-activated doors, and a simple activation card that holds your entire life.

With these also came people's addiction to online games.

Eighteen years ago, Arth Online took the world by a storm. The announcement caused chaos all around the globe; millions of people want to play the game, especially when the teasers were uploaded as well as snippets in the game.

It was a news that never died.

The game events and quests lived and flourished in every online platforms. The name of the white-haired elf slayer were everyone's favorite title, especially at the stunning player that wears it so proudly - the legendary player that went by the name, Solace.

Then the whole game disappeared in a blink of an eye.

Life Industries, the game's developer, published a statement about the cancellation of the game. A serious bug was found, causing glitches and disrupting the player's game experience. The company couldn't fix the problem, so they decided to shut the game down. The disappointment of the present and future players were shared and ranted online, until the news died down as years passed.

It's been eighteen years since the disappearance of Arth.

But unknowingly, the game still lives.

Arth is back online. Welcome, Player.

This is the Rebirth. Can you steal the crown?

-prologue end-

Welcome back to Oddcredibles! If you haven't read the first two books and went straight here... well, goodluck.