-chapter seventy-seven-
THIRD PERSON
"Shit!"
Malakas ang napakawalang mura ni Maki nang macorner siya sa isang eskinita. He successfully stole three of the Blood Vanguard's flags and replaced it with their own, when the Reaper's Oath player spotted him. Kanina pa siya nito hinahabol.
Seriously, Blood Vanguard members are intimidating and strong as hell, but the slyness of Reaper's Oath isn't something to ignore. They can overwhelm anyone when they need to. Or when they want to.
"That's really loud." tila'y bored na wika ng kaharap niya. "You're not chatty like Eura, but you sure are loud."
Maki narrowed his eyes at her. Hindi siya gano'n ka popular 'gaya nina Eura at Kairo, but Fern is still one of the main members. She's known to be rather cold and quiet, or more casually maldita lang talaga.
"Why are you following me, though? The flags are free to take dahil walang nagbabantay, so bakit ako ang hinahabol mo?"
"Your flags may be physically unguarded, but your magic is flowing there. I can spot Finn's shadows and your own wind barrier." sagot ni Fern. "If I ever attempt to take your flag, I will either be severely injured or imprisoned."
Maki laughed. "Ah. You really have a sharp eye."
"Not really. There's somebody else here who has the sharpest eye." inayos ni Fern ang pagkakahawak sa dagger. "He's probably fighting your partner."
He, huh. Maki can bravely assume that it must be Kairo. From the players under the Reaper's Oath, only Kairo and Eura must be close with Finn. Sila lang naman ang lagi niyang nakikita na kasama o kausap nito.
However, Maki will later find out how wrong he is.
And how popular Finn really is to that alliance.
"Eura! Marcella's heading to the North, pero mukhang babalik din si Wes at Dierran sa south dahil nakuha ang teritoryo nila doon."
Huminto sa paglilinis ng flamethrower si Eura para bigyan ng tango ang kaibigan. Louise hummed, falling to sit beside her at one of the top floors in a destroyed building. Sa harap nila ay ang sumabog na gusali, at mula dito'y medyo tanaw rin ang South District.
"Kairo managed to steal it?"
Umiling si Louise. "The Lone Wolves did."
Kumunot ang noo ni Eura sa narinig. Kitang-kita ang surpresa sa mukha niya nang tingnan niya ang kaibigan. "Pero hindi ba't nasa West sina Sapphire? Bakit nagkaroon ng LoneWolves do'n? Gagang 'yon, sinungaling."
"Well, the majority of Lone Wolves does have the whole West on their lockdown. Nakonpirma na ni Gavin 'yon nang bisitahin niya ang distrito."
"Oh, eh 'di paano naman-" Eura stopped, her eyes widening.
Ang tanga niya talaga! Malapit na niyang makalimutang Lone Wolves din pala ang alliance ni Finn. Sa kawalan kasi nito ng pake sa lahat, nakakalimutan na ni Eura na nasa isang alyansa pa ito. Minsan nga ini-imagine niya na lang na magkasama silang dalawa sa iisang alyansa.
But then, she's pretty sure Kairo won't let that happen.
"Si Gavin? Saan pumunta?" masama ang pakiramdam ni Eura dito.
"Hm? E'di doon sa South." medyo nagtatakang sagot ni Louise. "Hindi ba't iyon naman ang plano?"
"Sabi na nga ba..." Eura muttered and planted her face in her hands. "Karma na siguro 'tong humahabol kay Kairo at hindi lagi siya nabibiyayaan ng alone time."
Louise' frown deepened. Minsan nakakapagtaka kung slow nga lang ba talaga siya o hindi updated sa mga ganap. That or her alliance must be filled with crazies. At honestly, kapag nakikita niya si Eura, mas pinaniniwalaan niya ang ikalawang theory.
"Ewan ko sa'yo. Tara na nga."
Eura complied, dramatic face still in motion. Naiirita na si Louise sa mukha niya. "We have to brace ourselves. Baka kung anong world war naman ulit ang mangyari."
Louise scoffed, walking away first. Ano pa ba ang mas lalala sa sitwasyon nila ngayon? Eura makes it look like Kairo's going berserk soon.
Back at the South District, Finn has already created a shadow barrier around the flag. It'll disable the thief from escaping and give her ample time to attack. Nakakatulong din ang kadiliman ng paligid para makasummon siya ng maraming shadows, which will be a huge help in case of large-scale attacks.
But as she was about to leave, a blur of movement alerted her. Kaagad na itinaas ni Finn ang kunai at sinalubong no'n ang atake ni Amnesia. The two blades created friction, and pushed Finn back a little. Hindi naging maganda ang reaction niya dahil mula sa likod ang atake at nasurpresa siya nito. Still, she was able to hold some ground.
On the other hand, Amnesia had this crazy look. Nanlalaki ang mata niyang namumula na at nakakunot ang kaniyang mukha. Parang nasa gitna siya ng sobrang galit at konting saya dahil napigilan niya si Finn sa pag-alis.
"I'm gonna kill you, you bitc-!"
Hindi natapos ni Amnesia ang huling insulto nang sipain ni Finn ang gitna niya. It was a low move but Finn really wants to make some space between them. Mahirap na at baka may ambush palang hindi niya alam.
Finn roamed her eyes around the place. The flag and trap was set and the previous guards were already down. Wala nang rason pa para magstay siya dito. And so, without hesitating, Finn chose to escape.
She has always preferred avoidance than violence.
Ngunit mukhang hindi iyon ang gusto ni Amnesia. His voice rang loud and clear as he shouted, "Bumalik ka dito! Halika't talagang papatayin kita!"
Sinundan ng lalaki ang tinahak na daanan ni Finn. The alley was dark and silent. Walang presensiya ang kalaban niya kaya mas mahirap itong madetect at hindi rin gumagawa ng ingay ang bawat galaw ni Finn. She has complete control of the shadows and her weapon is also a pain. Sa madilim na eskinitang ito, fighting with Finn will be really difficult.
Iyon ang nasa isip ni Amnesia habang nakatayo siya sa gitna ng eskinita. However, contrary to his assumption for an ambush, Finn has already left that part of the alley. Wala itong plano na mag-engage man sa kung anong laban. Her strategy was just to go around the territory and become a walking surveillance. Kay Maki niya na ibibigay ang role ng pagdepensa.
Tumigil siya sa bubong ng isang bahay. A portion of it was already destroyed so Finn has to be careful with moving around. It's pretty tall - high enough to give her a wide view of the territory. Ang problema nga lang ay medyo tanaw rin siya sa ibang eskinita, kapag susundin ang tamang anggulo. Finn just hopes that they'd be too stupid to look up.
Umangat ang tingin niya sa mga impormasyon na nakalagay sa langit. An hour and twenty minutes has already passed and all alliances are in a heated battle against each other. Mukhang naibalik na rin ng Blood Vanguard ang territory count dahil tied na sila sa LW at RO.
Finn exhaled slowly, watching the quiet alleys below. Nasaan na kaya si Maki? He has already finished the three markers pero wala pa rin siya dito - the roof was their designated meet-up spot. Napahamak kaya siya? Or maybe he encountered Amnesia and can't go on?
The sound of footsteps behind slightly relaxed her alertness. Maki has always been loud in everything he does and there's no dangerous intent coming off the newcomer. Kaya hindi na gumalaw si Finn sa kinauupuan at hinintay na umupo sa tabi niya ang kapartner.
Ngunit ilang segundo na ang lumipas at nanatili pa ring nakatayo si 'Maki' sa likuran niya.
A little frustrated, Finn decided to look back but was abruptly stopped when she heard the voice.
"Finn."
She froze. The voice wasn't just familiar, since it's a voice she's heard for years. It's the same voice that whispered inside her bedroom, inviting her to play outside. It's also the one that asked her to be a friend.
With a heavy heart, Finn turned around to look at Gavin. And for the first time, their atmosphere were filled with hesitance and awkwardness.
"Finn, tu-"
"'m sorry." she cut off, looking horrified. "'m sorry, 'm sorry, 'm sorry." hindi niya kayang tumingin kay Gavin at patuloy lang ang pag-iling niya. "I-I don't really know what happened, but- but..."
'But I'm not too sure if the monster they narrated wasn't real.', she thought. Dahil ang napakaraming account na nagsabing nakaya niyang patayin si Ree, in the midst of her madness, were slowly giving her doubts. If that was the number of witnesses, then how could she defend against them? How could she, when she herself can't remember the details-?!
Finn gasped quietly as Gavin moved to hug her. Hindi siya nakagalaw at hindi niya rin naitaas ang kamay para ibalik ang yakap. She just stood there, still drown in her own anxious thoughts. At kahit ang soft taps ni Gavin sa likod niya ay hindi nakakapagpawala ng kaba.
Rather, mas natatakot siya sa maaaring mangyari kapag magkasama sila ni Gavin o kahit si Baste. What if she lose all inhibitions and attack them too?
What if she really is the monster that everyone paints?
And she is really deserving of all the insults and criticisms?
"Finn, hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari no'ng time na 'yon, but I doubt that'll ever happen." Gavin's voice courted her ears and her heartbeat slowed down. "I don't know how you went berserk, pero alam kong hindi 'yon magiging kalala na makakalimutan mo ang bond niyo ni Ree. Hindi ba't your woman's bond is stronger than our circle? So, I'd rather believe that you can stab me, but you can never hurt Ree."
Hinampas ni Finn ang likod ni Gavin dahil sa ginawa nitong example. But then, it's nice. Having someone believe in you destroys all this negative thoughts.
Gavin pulled away from the hug to caress Finn's face. "Whatever happens, I'd always believe in you. Ako ang number one supporter at bestfriend mo dito, okay?"
Isang ngiti ang unti-unting sumilay sa labi ni Finn at yayakapin na sana ulit siya ni Gavin nang may biglang humatak sa kaniya.
Gavin watched, surprised, as Kairo snaked an arm around Finn's waist and pulled her flush to him. Ngunit mas nagulat siya nang makita ang mukha ni Kairo. Nakita niya na itong magalit ng ilang ulit, but he never has an expression like this. Nakakamatay na ang madilim na tingin ni Kairo sa kaniya.
"Kairo, bakit- bakit mo hinatak si Finn?"
Finn, who was very confused, finally knew the name of her captor. She struggled to look up but Kairo only spared her a glance.
"Kairo...?" she tried to free himself from his grasp but it was impossible. "Let go?"
Ngunit nagmukhang-bingi lang si Kairo dito. "What are you doing here, Gavin? 'Diba dapat nasa West ka?"
"Ah, kasi 'diba, magsu-survey lang ako do'n tas didiretso ako dito? Hindi ba't 'yon ang plano?"
Kairo can't refute it since he's the one who ordered that too. Well, he never did expect to arrive in such an unsightly situation.
"You're supposed to report to me, not to a random player from another alliance."
"Hindi lang naman siya random player, Finn's my bestfriend."
"She's still from another alliance. You have to be wary."
Bumaba ang tingin ni Gavin sa mahigpit na kapit ni Kairo. He's not very convincing when he's not very way himself. Parang si Gavin pa tuloy ang ibang alyansa dahil sa aksiyon ng lider niya.
A realization came upon Gavin, remembering all the other times when Kairo keeps Finn away from him. At sa aksiyon nito ngayon, hindi siya makapaniwalang may crush si Kairo sa bestfriend niya! Magandang news 'to para kay Baste.
Pero kahit na lider niya si Kairo, kailangan niya pa ring tingnan ng mabuti ang lalaking 'to. Finn must be with a guy who truly deserves her.
"Gavin!" biglaang sigaw ni Finn na nagpagulat sa dalawang lalaki. "Duck!"
Although surprised and confused, Gavin followed her orders. Hindi pa nakaka-ilang segundo nang maramdaman niyang dumaan sa gilid ang kunai ni Finn. The female rogue impossibly managed it even with Kairo draped around her, and a low grunt was heard behind them.
Their eyes fell on a crazed Amnesia.
"Kaya pala hinayaan mo lang na makuha ni Finn ang flag, kahit na sabi mong iyon ang priority mo!" the man spit out, heatedly glaring at Kairo. "Pinoprotektahan mo rin pala ang babaeng 'yan. That's why your alliance's silence was really suspicious. She killed your sister-in-law and you're not making any action, why oh why? Ah! Because you're sleeping w-!"
Gavin's punch almost made Amnesia fall off the roof. Sobrang lakas nito na sandaling nawala ang balanse niya at parang maaalis na rin ang ulo niya. Wasn't this guy supposed to be weak? Why the hell is his punch so strong?!
"Aba't gago ka ah! Kasali ka ba sa usapan-!"
For the millionth time that day, Amnesia wasn't allowed to finish his sentence again.
"Amnesia-"
"Tangina!" pagpuputol niya rin kay Finn. "Pwede bang patapusin niyo rin ako? Hinihintay ko din naman mga sinasabi niyo ah, ba't 'di niyo ako mapakinggan?"
"Ah, sorry." sabay na sagot ni Finn at Gavin, na akala mo'y napagalitan ng magulang.
"Why say sorry, though?" Kairo asked, bored. "He talks too long so we have to cut him off. P're, nakakainis na kasi 'yong boses mo, una pa lang, tapos ang dami mo pang say. Si Eura madaldal lang, ikaw sobra na."
The seemingly dangerous atmosphere returned and all their faces turned serious. Hindi na nag-aksaya pa ng panahon si Amnesia at biglang umatake. Gavin intercepted and aimed to stop the attack. He exchanged strikes with Amnesia, the sound of blade clashing loud against the quiet district.
Amnesia secretly pulled out a knife and waited for the perfect time to stab it on Gavin's side. Si Gavin naman na pokus lamang sa bawat paggalaw ng kanang kamay ni Amnesia ay namataan pa rin ang paparating na kutsilyo. Ngunit mahirap sa kaniya ang dumepensa dahil inaabala siya ng kalaban. The other's strikes starts to become more persistent and aggressive.
So, Gavin has no other choice but to use his fist.
"Your attacks are weak, but your strength must lie on your boy, huh." komento ni Amnesia sa nagdudugong palad ni Gavin.
The other boy hissed when he suddenly pulled the knife out, the blade cutting deeply into his skin. Blood dripped on the roof they're standing on and Gavin can't help but clutch his hands. Masakit nga pala talaga ang kutsilyo ayon sa kaniya.
"Kairo. Let go." may bantang sambit ni Finn sa taong hanggang ngayon ay hawak siya.
Kairo only hummed, not even loosening his grip. "Kaya na niya 'yan. And, you must be forgetting something, Finn." humigpit ang hawak niya sa kabilang braso ng babae. "You owe me. So you can't order me to do anything."
Hindi mapigilang makabahan ni Finn. Amnesia's already dangerous as it is, and Gavin's still clumsy with his weapon. Kapag nagtagal 'to at hindi siya tumulong, maaaring mapahamak ang kaibigan niya.
"But you don't need to worry." pagpapatuloy ni Kairo. "The results will show soon."
Kumunot ang noo ni Finn. "What do you mean- Gavin!"
Finn tried to free herself from Kairo's grasp when Gavin was stabbed at the side. Isang nakakabaliw na halaklak ang pinakawalan ni Amnesia nang mapasinghap sa sakit si Gavin. His face contorted with pain as he tried to hold his bleeding stomach.
No, Finn can't take this anymore. She can't let himself just stand there while her bestfriend is getting attacked! Oo, malaki ang kasalanan niya kay Kairo, but- but is this his way of revenge? Would he let Finn witness Gavin's death like what he had to endure with Depore?
"Iparamdam natin sa babaeng 'yan ang sakit!" sigaw ni Amnesia at muling sinulong si Gavin.
Finn almost punched Kairo in her panic state and Gavin's heart was beating really fast at the other man's madness.
But then, the roof that Amnesia stepped on suddenly crumbled. With wide eyes and knife hoisted in the air, he fell down.
Parang nakahinga naman ng maluwag ang dalawa at binitawan na ni Kairo si Finn. Lumapit ang magkaibigan sa kung saan nahulog si Amnesia, but they froze before they could look too closely.
"The house is already in shambles." ani Kairo sa likod. "Hindi lang bubong ang nasira dito, gano'n na rin ang mga pader sa ilalim. Kaya hindi puwedeng basta-bastang lumaban dito. Or else."
There was no need to elaborate further because the answer were already in front of them. They couldn't move as they pleased in this weak roof because deformed iron bars and spears were present down below.
Sa kung saan nahulog si Amnesia.
Finn tore her eyes away from the scene and Gavin almost puked. Amnesia's wide and red eyes were staring at the crimson sky. Sa gitna nito ay ang tip ng spear na tumusok sa kaniyang mukha. Dumaloy ang dugo mula dito papunta sa leeg niyang nabali. Two more spear-like bars impaled the side of his stomach and chest. Ngunit ang mas nakakatakot ay ang tubo na tumusok sa likod ng ulo niya't lumabas sa bibig.
Amnesia's opened mouth, that once spit words of insults and disgrace, now flowed with his own blood.
-chapter end-