Welcome, Player: Grand Quest

Chapter 111: Welcome to the Palace

-chapter one-hundred-eleven-
____________________

SOLACE

'The true quest starts now.'

THE GATE opens. When I stepped inside, it feels like entering another realm. A completely different dimension that sits between the reality of life and the fakeness it possess.

Isang mahabang bricked path ang kailangan naming daanan para makaabot sa kastilyo. Trees and rose bushes adored the sidewalks. A large fountain sits in front of the majestic door. The castle is painted in a mix of silver and gold, shouting glory and royalty to all visitors.

Napalingon ako kay Hiraeth nang bigla siyang tumigil. Nasa likuran kami ng grupo dahil si Astro ang nagle-ead ng group. Namimilipit sa sakit ang mukha niya at hawak-hawak niya ang dibdib.

"Hiraeth!" hindi ko mapigilang sigaw nang mapaluhod siya sa lupa.

Nakuha na namin ngayon ang atensiyo  ng iba at tumigil din sila. Hiraeth's head is twitching in different direction. He has a scowl on his face and he's gritting his teeth real hard. Parang may nilalabanan siyang kung ano.

"Anong nangyari?" narinig kong tanong ni Astro.

I didn't answer him with a word. Hindi din ako nag-abalang lumingon. Binigyan ko lamang siya ng iling at sinubukang hawakan si Hiraeth, lalo nang mas magmilipit siya sa sakit.

"Hiraeth!" agad akong nagpanic. "What happened?"

Lumapit ang iba sa'min. Hex squats beside me and tries to heal Hiraeth. A blue circle starts to form between their hands. I gulped as I watched the healing process take forever. Ngunit wala itong naging epekto dahil gano'n pa rin ang sitwasyon ni Hiraeth.

Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Hiraeth at nanlaki ang mata nang unti-unting maglaho ang kamay niya. I kept on uttering his name while helplessly trying to grasp his hand. His twitching stopped, but now his eyes are fully closed and his hand is starting to vanish! Tinangka ko itong hawakan pero tumagos lamang ang kamay ko.

"No, no! Hiraeth..." my rising voice shakes. "W-What's happening? Hex! He- Hiraeth's disappearing!"

Pinilit kong lumapit para hatakin si Hiraeth pabalik. But, my hand only hugs the cold air. Wala na si Hiraeth. He disappeared, completely.

I sat there, helpless. Wala akong magawa habang tuluyan nang naglaho si Hiraeth. Wala akong nagawa hanggang sa nawala na si Hiraeth sa harapan ko.

Hinatak ako ni Hex pataas. "Sol. Your fight is starting. Hiraeth will probably be used as a hostage."

Nanginginig ako sa takot, gulat at pighati. I feel like I failed Hiraeth. Wala akong nagawa at pinanood ko lamang siya. It's my fault. It's all my fault. Kung sana hindi ko na lang isinama si Hiraeth dito.

Because it looks like we walked into a trap without hesitation.

"Slayer, focus."

Nabasag ang mga iniisip ko nang marinig ang boses ni Astro. Nakatayo siya sa harapan ko, all serious and ready.

"Astro..."

"Remember your goal. You must kill Alas."

Umiling ako. "I have to see Hiraeth."