-chapter one-hundred-twelve-
THIRD PERSON
"Fuck!"
Rinig na rinig ni Eura ang napakalakas na mura ni Kairo pagkatapos nitong patayin ang nakahilerang golem sa harap niya. Walang ni isa sa Reaper's Oath ang nagtangkang lumapit sa leader nila, sa takot na sila ang mapagbuntungan ng galit.
They've already passed the gate after inserting the five stones. Ang bumungad sa kanila pagkapasok ay ang mas malawak na parte ng syudad kung saan may libo-libong golems na nakabantay.
Napatalon si Dierran nang biglang magiba ang lupang tinatapakan niya. There was a flash of movement behind him before Gavin ripped through the golems with his bare hand, causing blood to drip from his knuckles after the last punch.
Sa gulat ay napahawak si Dierran sa dibdib. Ano ba ang nangyayari sa mga tao ngayon at parang sisirain nila ang buong city? Informed naman sila na buhay pa si Finn! Bakit parang nasa grieving period na sila kung makaasta.
A flying axe passed through his head making him duck. Napamura siya nang dumaan sa gilid ang water slicer ni Wes, na nakahiwa ng sunod-sunod na kahoy. Magkahalong takot, gulat, irita, at pangamba na ang nararamdaman ni Dierran. Mga baliw na ang nasa paligid niya!
"Dierran." tawag ni Marcella na kinuha ang atensiyon niya. "Does Wes have a plan?"
Bumuntong-hinga siya. "Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? He has a plan. He's just..." sinulyapan niya ang lalaking hindi mapigil ang galit. "He's just busy."
"I'll make a distraction. He'll make a plan. O baka sila pa ang unahin ko, Dierran."
He laughed. "Baka nga tulungan pa kita."
Marcella just offered a nod before running to the front, unleashing one of her ultimate skills. A wave of fire left her sword, dragging the golem back and destroying their bodies. Hinawakan ni Dierran ang likod ng shirt ni Wes para makontrol ang nagwawalang aso. He faced the others who were still hotheaded and were using the golems as a way to let off steam. Hindi iyon problema sa totoo lang dahil mas mapapadali, pero matatagalan naman sila sa paghahanap ng giant sa dami ng golems!
"I need everyone to concentrate, right now!" malakas na sigaw ni Dierran. "Marcella will provide a distraction for now but we need a plan in order to pass these golems. Baka nasa likod nila ang gate."
He nodded at Wes after saying that, running to Marcella and helping her push the golems back.
Hindi nila alam kung saan talaga hahanapin ang giant. They were at the foot of this mountain, with a sea of golems appearing instantly to attack them. Parang hindi nauubos ang mga halimaw at hindi pa rin sila masyadong nakakapasok. The golems served as guards for the true location of the giant.
"We'll have three groups." panimula ni Wes. "Immortal Silk and Lone Wolves will be our primary defense. You'll follow Marcella in the frontlines and push your way through. The rest will watch out for the other appearing golems and guard the backs of our frontliners. Reaper's Oath will snuck around and find any opening. The giant may be hiding inside the mountain."
Tumango ang lahat.
"Water-magic users will occupy the center, since they can heal. Air-magic and fire-magic users will be the main fighters, and earth-magic users can provide as tank." sinulyapan niya si Gavin. "If that's okay."
Gavin licked his lower lip before giving a short nod.
"Wes!" sigaw ni Marcella.
"Alright! Oliver and Glory Mae, proceed to push. Gavin, follow them and lead the way. Maki, lead the second group who will guard." huling binalingan ni Wes si Kairo. "Come with me."
Maybe it was the rush of events and the increasing adrenaline in their body. Maybe it was the previous meeting for cooperation and the thought of their biggest contributor gone. Or maybe it's the fact that they're all survivors now getting closer to the finish line. Dahil naging mabilis at madali ang mga nangyari.
Marcella and Dierran both stepped back, just as Oliver and Glory passed them through, effectively slashing the incoming golems away. Ang sunod na paggalaw ng lupa na siyang nagpatumba sa iilang golems ay gawa ni Gavin na ngayo'y nasa unahan na nila. They were in the center pushing their way through to get inside the mountain, and at their either sides were Maki, leading the rest of the players situated in the right and left flank. The second group made sure that no other golem will attack them by surprise at their blind sides.
The Reaper's Oath, skilled in scouting and silence, navigated through the trees and grounds. Dahil sa distraction ng dalawang grupo sa ilalim, may mga dumadaan na lang sa taas nila gamit ang sanga. Other members snuck through the corners, eyes roaming around the place to look for any gates, open caves, or just anything.
Hindi man lang sila aware na ang hinahanap nilang higante ay nasa ilalim lang ng lupang inaapakan nila. Nakaupo at nakatitig sa isang babaeng naka-crossed legs din ang upo.
"Hmm..." Finn tilted her head, studying the stone giant. She waved her hand, watching for any reactions but it just stared at her. "Weird ka."
Sa tabi niya ay may nahulog muling stalactites gawa ng mga gulo na nangyayari sa itaas. The ceiling shook as the ground reverberated in anger.
Alam ni Finn na ang mga kasamahan niya na iyon. It was peaceful just a while ago, then biglang nagising ang higante at nagsimula ang gulo sa taas. Parang may nakawalang mga hayop at handa nang magpatayan dahil sa lakas ng mga atake.
"They're strong, hm?" nakangiti niyang pagkukuwento sa higante. "They're my friends!"
The giant just stared at her, unmoving.
"I lost two bestfriends but I gained many too! Eura is funny and Maki is cute! Y'know, I like Eura and Gavin together. Ang kulit kasi nila..." napaisip siya saglit. "Wes and Kairo are good partners too. Wonder why they're not in good terms..."
Ngumuso siya sa higante na wala man lang reaksiyon.
"But Renée's comics has those attitudes too. Magkaaway tapos magkakabati! Akala ko nga gano'n din si Baste at Gavin, but Baste already likes Ree!" Finn tilted her head at the giant. "You... Have anyone you like?"
Hindi ito sumagot 'gaya ng inaasahan.
Inaaliw lang naman ni Finn ang sarili. She has already made conclusions since she saw the giant. She's inside the main quest of this city, eye to eye with their foe. Hindi niya alam kung para saan ang gate na iyon underwater, at bakit pa kailangang maghanap ng stones para lang mabuksan ang gate sa taas kung mayro'ng daanan dito. But then, she realized it after watching the giant wake up.
Finn has concluded that the quest relies on certain triggers. Nakapasok nga siya sa secret gate, pero hindi naman presensiya niya ang nagpagising sa giant. No, it was the opening of the main gate using the five stones that awoken the monster. Pero kahit na gising ay hindi pa rin ito gumagalaw. It was still like a stone, just with both strange eyes open. Kaya naman naisip ni Finn na mayroon pang isang gate na kailangang mabuksan para tuluyang magising ang higante.
That gate must be the doorway inside this cave from above. One which her friends are desperately looking for.
The gate underwater... It's probably made for escape. In case, passing through a raging giant will be impossible.
"I cheated." nakangusong reklamo ni Finn sa higante. "Used the wrong way."
Finn gave a soft sigh before facing the lake. She dipped her feet in the lukewarm water, ignoring the current tremors above. Ano kayang nangyari sa kanila at gano'n na lang kung makipaglaban? Finn feels a bit unfair na ngayon lang nila pinakita 'to.
"Dierran's stressed." she wondered out loud, chuckling at the thought of Dierran having white hair at an early age due to his companions.
Muli niyang sinulyapan ang higante. Its large body covered the section of the cave behind. Sinubukan niya itong atakehin kanina pero walang damage kahit ang ultimate niya. Unless the second gate opens, the giant wouldn't move and Finn is stuck here.
Napangiti siya nang dumaan sa paanan niya ang maliit na turtle. Finn giggled as it tickled her feet and she dipped her hand to catch it.
Hihintayin na lang niya sila dito. From the noise and disturbance above, mukhang kaya naman nilang mahanap ang second gate.
"Nakita niyo na ba?" Louise asked when she spotted the two male rogues.
Naiiritang bumaling sa kaniya si Kairo. "Fucking hell. Hindi niyo din nakita?"
Umiling si Louise na kaya nagmura ulit si Kairo. She regretted coming this way and bumping into them, wala siya sa mood makipag-usap sa nagmumurang Kairo dahil kakagaling niya lang sa pakikipag-away kay Eura. Pagod na pagod na siya.
Wes remained silent. Nakatitig lang siya sa malaking bato na nasa harapan. They're already at the foot of the mountain, staring at the walls of dirt. There was no mention of another gate in the city's description, at wala rin silang nakikitang pwedeng pasukan pagkatapos umikot sa bukirin. Hindi siya kumbinsido na baka nasa taas ang higante. His instinct is telling him that their quest must be inside.
But where should they enter?
"Maybe we press something?" Kairo voiced out his thoughts. Naiirita siya sa kasama at sa pagkawala ni Finn, pero kailangan niya itong matapos bago tuluyang magwala. "Kagaya doon sa first gate, kailangan ng limang stones para mag-open."
"Or maybe we have to kill all the golems?" Louise offered her two cents.
"Lahat? E hindi nga nauubos ang mga 'to!" sigaw ni Eura mula sa taas ng puno. "Baka naman kailangan nating magchant diyan?"
"Ikaw maglead, Eura, ikaw naman ang nagtatawag ng demonyo sa'tin dito."
"Gusto mo makipagsabunutan sa'kin, Louise? Nabitin ako do'n kay Sapphire kanina at kating-kati ang kamay ko ngayon."
Kairo glanced at Wes who seemed occupied with the wall. Inikot niya ang mata at may sasabihin na sanang masama nang biglang gumalaw ang pader sa harap. Eura, who just jumped down into a small stone, stiffened and looked at them with wide eyes.
"Tanga! Ano ginawa mo?!" sigaw ni Louise.
Unti-unting bumukas ang pader sa harapan nila. The darkness of a small cave welcomed them. From afar, they could see the faint glimmer of light. Mula ito sa roof ng cave na parang dyamanteng kumikinang.
"Ha! Anong anong ginawa ko, Louise?!" mayabang na tugon ni Eura na humalukipkip pa. "Ako lang naman ang nagbukas at nakahanap ng cave no'ng higan-"
Naputol ang litanya niya dahil sa nakakabinging ingay na galing sa loob ng kuweba. The ground trembled at the vibration of the deep growl and the number of golems increased. Naging mas agresibo din ang mga atake nito, na kailangan munang umatras ng ibang manlalaro.
"You woke up a beast." Fern commented. Nakalapit na pala ito sa kanila.
"O, Eura, ikaw gumising diyan. Ikaw makipaglaban do'n." biro ni Louise.
"Dahil wala dito si Gavin, Eura, ikaw ang magtanke." dagdag ni Kairo.
Eura paled, staring at her friends with terror in her eyes. Sa dilim ng kuweba na 'yan at sa lakas no'ng higante, baka isang hampas lang siya, hello Depore na!
"Hoy, ang unfair naman! Kayo ang hayok na hayok hanapin ang walang'yang kuwebang 'yan tapos ako gagawin niyong pa-in?! Ba't, mga dakilang gago din kayo an-"
Muling naputol ang litanya niya nang gumalaw ang lupang kinatatayuan. Kasabay nito ang paglabas ng mga anino mula sa kuweba, a side-effect of the ultimate skill that was given to the giant. The explosion of shadows even loomed outside, destroying some golems in its path.
Isang tingin pa lang, alam na nila kung sino ang may pakana nito.
"Finn!" they shouted, entering the cave without any more arguments.
Ang babaeng hinahanap nila ay kasalukuyang gulat at nakahanda para sa susunod na pag-atake. She was just humming to herself, playing with the turtle in hand, nang biglang gumalaw ang higante at inambahan siya ng hampas. Thankfully, she was quick enough to dodge the incoming slam, pulling out both of her kunais to parry any attacks.
Nagsipang-hulog ang mga dyamanteng stalactites nang tuluyang tumayo at umatake ang higante. Finn neatly avoided all its attacks, moving around the giant's body with precision and speed.
The giant suddenly turned around, slamming its stone hand towards Finn. She quickly slid under the giant's body, using her shadow to bound its feet together. Hindi nagtagal ang lakas ng anino dahil agad itong nawala. The giant gave a loud growl, the strong vibrations and wave of sound almost toppling Finn to the other side of the cave. Mabuti na lang at itinusok niya ang dalawang throwdagger sa lupa para hindi siya tuluyang matapon palayo.
Agad siyang nagtago sa mga anino nang sumugod sa kaniya ang higante. She appeared on his back next, stabbing her sharp dagger unto the giant's neck. Pero hinampas lang nito palayo ang kutsilyo niya at tiningnan siya ng masama.
Ngumuso si Finn. The giant's defense must be really high. Her strength isn't that high. Mabuti sana kung sina Marcella o Gavin ang nandito, may damage pang magagawa.
Inikot niya ang tingin sa paligid. She has already studied the cave when she was staying there, but now, she needs to create a quick plan. Lalo na't hindi pa sila nakakadating dito.
But then, before Finn could finish her plan, the giant stomped its feet on the ground. Sa sobrang lakas at sa pagkabigla ay natumba si Finn. The stalactites fell down, bursting into smokes when it reached the ground. Nararamdaman niya ang paghahanap ng higante sa kaniya, because with these smoke and her lack of presence, she's practically invisible.
Pero hindi siya pwedeng magstay dito. The smoke seems to have other effects and it's slowly weakening her.
Palapit na ang higante at panay ang paghampas nito sa kung saan-saan. Finn can duck but the giant's large body makes it impossible for her to pass without notice. Kaya naman pinakawalan niya na lang ang napakaraming shadows, an ultimate of hers. The smoke disappeared and the giant also suffered quite a damage, that had the monster bellowing in pain.
Finn was about to attack again when she felt two intimidating presence behind her. She turned around, meeting the eyes of a worried Wes and a concerned Kairo. Both of them sported messy hair and clothes, na parang sampung taon na silang hindi nakakapag-ayos.
"Finn!" Kairo looked relieved. "I'm so glad you're alright-"
"Kai!"
Sabay silang napasigaw ni Wes nang itapoj ng higante ang napakalaking bato sa direksiyon ni Kairo. Ngunit bago ito mangyari ay hinatak na ni Wes ang lalaki sa gilid, at gumawa ng water shield para maprotektahan silang dalawa.
Kairo quickly stepped away, glaring at his savior. "Thanks," he bitterly said.
Isang tango lang ang isinagot ni Wes sa kaniya, kaya inikot ni Kairo ang mata.
When they heard a gasp, their heads snapped towards Finn, worried that something might have happened. But Finn was just standing there, both palms covering her mouth as she stared at them with wide eyes. Sa likod niya ay sandali ring tumigil ang higante at tinitigan lang sila.
"Oh. Oh!" Finn sounds excited. Hinampas pa nito ang stone giant sa likod. "They're okay now!"
"Anong...?" kumunot ang noo ni Wes. "What do you mean by we're okay? Kami ang dapat magsabi sa'yo niyan."
"'Cause you had LQ-"
Nasamid si Kairo sa sariling laway.
"-But now you're okay!" ngumiti si Finn sa kanila. "'m happy."
Nagkatinginan ang dalawang lalaki. They noticed their close proximity and Wes' hand that were still holding Kairo's arm, dahil hinatak niya ito mula sa atake kanina. Parang napaso ang dalawa at lumayo sa isa't-isa, glancing at their lady who was staring at them with stars in her eyes.
Hindi nila alam kung ano ang iniisip nito, pero nararamdaman nila na hindi ito maganda.
-chapter end-