Alkia Kingdom: Beyond the Ranking Quest

Chapter 40: Log-out

"How are you?" I asked him. "Sorry if Ice hit you on purpose. She's stubborn but she loves everyone. Siguro ginawa lang niya 'yon upang gisingin ka," mahinang saad ko. Nasa tuktok kami ng burol kung saan natatanaw namin ang mga pangyayari sa Alkia Town. The NPCs and players were getting along really well.

"Actually, she woke me from something I didn't want to do," he answered discreetly. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"What do you mean?" takang tanong ko sa kanya nang nilingon ko siya. Maybe he's ready to open it up with me. Ito ang hinihintay ko. Mabuti na lang, kusa siyang aamin. I held my breathe while waiting for his explanation.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari sa 'kin. It's as if my body has a mind on its own. I know that I'm not in control. Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ka sa sinasabi ko. It sounds absurd. Maybe right now, you're thinking that I'm insane but that's just how I felt. It's complicated," sabi niya habang nakakunot ang noo dahil sa pagkalito. Wala sa sariling napasabunot sa ulo niya ang mga kamay niya na tila nahihirapan siya sa sitwasyon.

Tumango ako nang marahan at napakagat-labi. Mukhang isa rin siya sa mga players na pinag-ieksperimentuhan ng organisasyon. "I understand. Do you think you're able to fight that invisible force controlling you?" mahinang tanong ko sa kanya.

Nagtatakang tumingin siya sa 'kin. "What do you mean by that invisible force?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulder. "I'm not sure either. Just answer my question. You're the master of yourself no matter what happens and no matter who controls you. Do you think you can regain your control back?" tanong ko sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ba ito ipapaliwanag sa kanya. I just don't know what right words to use.

Tumungo si Rage na tila pinakikiramdaman ang sarili. "I'm trying to fight but I'm not sure if I can," he answered.

"Then do your best to regain control. Do you want to be someone else's puppet?" tanong ko sa kanya. Kahit papaano ay gusto ko siyang gisingin. Maybe I should tell this to Fire too. But at least, Fire was not attacking his party members.

"I'll try," he answered. Natanaw namin si Ice na naglalakad kasama sina Zero at mga ka-party nito. Ice was walking gracefully as if she hadn't got jailed. As expected from her. I lightly tapped Rage's shoulder.

"Be strong. Malalagpasan din natin ang lahat ng ito," sabi ko upang kahit papaano ay mapagaan ko ang loob niya.

Lumabas na ako sa banyo. Inayos ko ang sarili. Lately, I could feel that I became conscious on how I looked in front of Prius. I wanted to look presentable for him but I do otherwise. Hindi ko masyadong inaayos ang sarili ko dahil tiyak na mapapansin niya. Baka isipin niya na nagpapaganda ako para sa kanya. Which was half the truth. Hindi ko lang ipinapahalata.