-chapter thirty-
____________________
[Warground, City of Gaia-]
IT WAS the final tournament for the event, Game of Governors. Everyone was on their toes. It helped that it happened on a weekend. Kaya naman ang lahat ay nakatambay sa mga social media sites. Nakikinig at nakikibalita.
Ang grand opening ng isang famous na clothing brand ay itinabi ng madla. Mas kuryoso sila sa mangyayari sa laro. Kaya naman kahit ang mga telebisyon ay ibinalita pa ito. Nanuod ang buong mundo sa konklusiyon ng event.
The North was the first to finish. Sumunod sa kanila ang South, East and West. Then it was the time for the Central to have their battle. When the five guilds were announced, everyone cheered for their respective guilds. Namayani ang mga pangalan nila sa worldwide trends.
Pinag-usapan ng lahat na ito na daw ang pinaka-astig na mangyayaring labanan. Lalo na nang nakita nilang mag-usap ang mga guilds sa screen. Akala nila na mainit ang diskusiyon nila sa loob ng grounds. Ngunit iba pala ito. Mainit nga, pero ibang init naman,
"But if we use mage's fire, won't it be too strong?" wika ng pinakamalakas na player sa Central, ang lider ng guild na Night Growlers, si Astro.
"Can't they control their fires?" sambit naman ng kilalang anima na si Rio."How did you make your spaghetti, sis?"
Nagkibit-balikat ang pinakamagandang slayer sa laro. "Hindi ko alam. Hindi naman ako ang nagluto."
"We used Vesta's bullet and they put my tail on fire." sagot ng nag-iisang fox priest na si Hex.
"Woah!" the announcer's voice resonated in the air. "Our guilds can be seen shouting at each other! Ano ang nangyayari? Napakalakas ng tension."
Napaisip si Solace habang tinitingnan ang mga kalaban. Napakataas nga ng tension dahil nag-aaway na sila. Napakaimportante naman talaga ng apoy na gagamitin para sa pagluto.
"I can make the best fire just to cook a lumpia right!"
"I should tell you that I'm the anima here. That, in itself, explains how I can make the best fire!"
"Clash my sword with yours and I'll make the best fire."
Napabuntong-hininga si Solace. Bakit ba nag-aaway sila ngayon kung sino ang mage na nakakakontrol ng apoy? Hindi din nagpapatalo si Astro. Parang mahihimatay na ang guild members niya dahil hindi sila makapaniwala sa mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig nito. Ang guild leader naman ng Legalus Bow ay sinasabing sapat na siya para makagawa ng apoy. Panay naman ang insulto sa kaniya ni Feyre na, 'Hot ka, boy?'
May lumabas na countdown timer. Sixty seconds before the game starts. Walang nakinig na kung sino mang players sa sinasabi ng announcer. Lahat sila ay nakatutok sa away tungkol sa apoy. Ang blue defense shield lamang ang pumipigil sa kanila na umatake sa isa't isa.
"Five seconds before the fences are up and the beasts can kill each other! Ano na ba ang mangyayari ngayon? Who will survive in this madness?"
Nagkaroon ng usapan ang bawat guild. Some reminded the others about their plan and some talked to lessen their nerves. Makalipas ang ilang segundo ay tuluyan nang nawala ang defense shield ng bawat isa. The grounds are now open for an all-out war.
"Yaaaaaaa!" ang sigaw na maririnig sa loob.
The fighters raised their swords up and ran to the center where they will all clash. The mages stood at the far back, activating spells after spells. The priest watched out for the HPs of their members. The rangers guarded their members and the rogues travelled with the winds. Sa isang iglap ay naging magulo ang lugar. Lahat sila'y inaatake ang kung sinomang makita basta hindi lang guild members nila.
The Night Growlers fought peacefully amidst the chaos. Kalmado ang bawat galaw nila at mukhang nagrereserba ng enerhiya. Hindi din gumagalaw ang Anima at nakatayo lang sa isang gilid. His members were fighting just to defend. The guild, Legalus Bow, was aggressive. Panay ang atake nito sa makikita. Ngunit ang nagpataka sa manonood ay ang Oddcredibles na hindi gumalaw sa pwesto nila. Kahit ang hayok sa laban na si Feyre ay nakaupo lang at umiinom ng potion.
Astro stopped when he noticed the guild. Kumunot ang noo niya at inisip kung ano ang gagawin ng mga ito. He doesn't think that they'll give up already. So what is it that they're planning?
Nakita din sila ni Halcyon pero hindi niya ito masyadong pinagtuunan ng pansin. For him, it was more favorable. Ayaw niya talagang makalaban ang babae. Dahil lalo siyang nahuhulog kapag nakikita niya ang expresiyon nito habang nakikipaglaban. Ang mga galaw nitong napakagaan na akala mo'y sumasayaw lang. Ngunit ang bawat pag-atake nito gamit ang espada ay napakalakas.
Iniisip din ni Rio kung ano ang ginagawa ng guild ng kambal niya. Hindi siya gumagalaw dahil hinihintay niyang may umatake sa kambal niya. He will protect her no matter what. He wants to win the bet but his decision changed when he saw his sister's face with her members. She looked so carefree in this game, unlike when she was in their guild on Project Z.
Lost in all their thinking and worrying, they didn't notice the Oddcredibles' disappearance. And before they could blink their eyes, something or someone landed in the center of the grounds. It created a wave covering the whole round stage, and knocking all the players in it especially the ones on the center. Their lives then started to drop down. And before they can realize what happened, a series of attacks happened from different directions.
Feyre was rapidly attacking the priests on the back. Kapag napapansin siya ng mga kasama nito, ay bigla siyang mawawala at iba naman ang aatekehin. Faster than a thief and stealthier than a scout, Feyre dealt damage from behind. She only stopped when she was caught by the assassin of Legalus Bow, Life.
Vesta was hidden behind Priamos. Hindi tumitigil ang kamay niya sa pagkalabit ng gatilyo. Her eyes were focused on the scope of her gun, keeping the backs of her members from harm. Wala siyang pinalampas. Kahit na ito pa ang pinakamalakas na player sa larong ito.
Priamos shielded Vesta and Hex. They are mingling with the crowd. Kasama din nila si Voldmir na walang pakialam na naglalakad. Hex was healing Feyre and Solace without fail.
And, the slayer. Ang may pakana ng gulo. Nasa sentro siya ng grounds at panay ang atake sa mga taong naapektuhan pa rin ng ginamit niyang skill. Nakatayo lang si Minerva sa likod niya at panay ang patugtog sa gitara. Kaya naman mas lalong nagiging agresibo si Solace. Her attack became a full circle, keeping all the other players from stepping in.
Ngunit hindi lahat ay matagal na natulala. Astro was the first to gather his mind. Nang maramdaman ang nag-uumapaw na lakas mula sa sentro ay tumungo siya doon. He gritted his teeth as a wave of excitement entered him. Especially when he saw the slayer on a full attack mode. He immediately interfered in her business and striked her blade.
Nagpalitan ng lakas ang dalawa. Their blades clash with so much force that it created a lot of wind. Napapalayo din sa kanila ang ibang players dahil sa pwersa ng laban. The audience, however, are cheering. This is their most-awaited battle! Ang laban mula sa slayer at strongest player! Hindi nga sila na-disappoint sa nangyari. Those two are on another level!
Halcyon, who was busy fighting Filter, saw the commotion. Agaran siyang tumakbo doon, at mas napabilis nang makita ang lumilipad na buhok ni beautiful elf. But he stopped for a bit when he saw the two. How could someone looked that elegant while fighting? All her movements were graceful, like she was a feather dancing with the wind. But when her blade clashes against the other, it created so much force that it blows away the people nearby.
"Baka may langaw nang makapasok sa bibig ng leader niyo." insulto ni Feyre habang pinupunasan ang labi.
She can't help but spit the blood she tasted in her mouth. Napatingin siya sa kalaban. Kaharap niya na naman ang estupidong rogue ng Legalus Bow na hindi alam kung ano ang gunting. Minsan naiisip niya na gupitin na lang ang mahaba nitong buhok o di kaya'y isakal sa tao. They are almost on par with each other. Mas malakas nga lang ito pero hindi niya iyon aaminin. Mas mabuti pang mawalan ng pera si Hex kaysa aminin niya iyon.
"He's head over heels for your guild leader." sagot ni Life habang tinititigan ang kalaban.
Napaka-agresibo talaga nito. Parang hindi ito nawawalan ng lakas. She doesn't move as graceful as Solace, because her charms lies behind her stealth. Nakakakilabot ang pagkawala nito dahil hindi mo alam kung saan siya biglang susulpot. At ngingisi ito bigla pagkatapos gilitin ang leeg. He's always on guard when he sees this chainmaster. Her eyes are enough to intimidate a person. Kaya naman pala mababa ang rating nito. She scares the heck out of people.
"Hindi naman niya tinatago," diretsong wika ni Feyre na nagpahalakhak sa lalaki.
Ngunit bigla na lamang siyang natamaan ng bala. He looked around to see where the bullet came from, but the chainmaster quickly moved towards him, so he had no choice but to defend. Malakas ang chainmaster ngunit mabilis itong mawalan ng enerhiya sa pagiging agresibo. Ito ang nakapagpanalo sa kaniya sa dating laban nila.
"Are you jealous, Hex?" nanunuksong tanong ni Voldmir pagkatapos marinig ang utos ng binata na barilin ang kausap ni Feyre.
Sinamaan lang siya ng tingin ng soro. Hindi talaga nito naiintindihan kung saan nanggagaling ang pinagsasabi ng kasama. This all started when Sol started teasing him and Feyre. Ngayon kahit ang apat ay panay ang tukso sa kaniya. Inutusan niya lang naman na barilin iyon ni Vesta dahil baka ni-negotiate si Feyre. Alam niyang mabilis mahulog sa bitag ang dalaga. Especially if it's about Sol or hunger for battle.
Sa pagkatataong 'yon nabalik ang katinuan ni Halcyon. He drew out his twin blades and slashed it at the two players lost in their own battle. Pumagitna siya sa dalawa, ang kaniyang espada ay dinedependehan ang paparating na atake.
"What are you doing here, Hal? This is my fight with the slayer," wika ni Astro. "Get lost."
Halcyon smiled. "More reason to interfere then. Her enemies are my enemies."
"Then you're an enemy as well, right?" isang panibagong boses ang pumasa-ere.
Nakatayo si Rio sa harap ni Halcyon at nakasakay kay Nirvana. The large green monster shadowed over the three. Tumalon si Rio pababa na may ngisi sa labi. Ang mga naglalaban naman sa malapit ay naisipan na lang munang pumalayo dahil baka madamay pa sila sa gulo ng mga malalakas. Lalo na't ang tensiyon sa pagitan nila ay hindi biro.
"Shouldn't we help Astro, Filter?" tanong ni Chaska habang patuloy ang pagbato ng pana.
Sumulyap si Filter sa nangyayaring gulo sa sentro. Personally, he wants to go there and look at the trouble. He also wants to see the slayer fight. Her two battles on the guild clash were not enough for him. Napakagaling nitong makipaglaban at parang mahuhulog ka kapag nakikita ito. Ngunit pinigilan niya ang sarili, ayaw niyang magkaroon ng gulo sa grupo. Lalo na't medyo may hindi pagkaintindihan si Ceres at Astro. Kaya umiling lang siya kay Chaska bilang sagot.
Lingid sa kaniyang kaalaman ay nakatitig sa kaniya ang babae. Nang magpatuloy si Filter sa paglalaban ay binatuhan nito ng masamang tingin ang elf na nasa sentro. Ang mahaba at puti nitong buhok ay mas lalong nagpapalakas sa awra nito. Umismid siya. She doesn't like the emotions in Filter's eyes when he looks at the girl. Na para bang ito ang pinakamagandang babae sa buong lupain. Kaya naman nang makitang abala ang lalaki sa pakikipaglaban ay inihanda niya ang sarili. Chaska closed one of her eyes when she fired an arrow towards the hateful elf.
Ang akala niya ay walang nakakita sa ginawa niya. But a lot of people were mindful of their sorroundings. Rio saw what happened in the corner of his eyes and he readied himself to take the arrow down. Humigpit ang hawak ni Halcyon sa espada at inihanda ang sarili upang mapalayo ang palaso na iyon. Feyre was also on guard. She ran fast towards the flying arrow to try and catch it.
Masama ang pakiramdam nila doon. Parang may mali sa palasong iyon. Ang palaso na lumakbay sa gitna ng mga naglalabang tao at patungo sa babaeng walang kaalam-alam sa nangyayari.
But before the arrow could reach her back, a bullet fired it's way towards it. When it touched the stick, a loud explosion happened. Lahat ng malapit dito ay malaking nabawasan ang HP. May mga players ding agad na namatay. Rio ordered Nirvana to get in front of them before the explosion happened. Feyre, who was running, was blown away by the impact of the explosion. Mabilis namang gumalaw si Halcyon papunta kay Solace ngunit nabigo. A blue-like shield covered the elf at hindi ito natamaan ng kahit anong atake.
"What...?" inosenteng sambit nito at tumingin sa likod.
Hindi niya maintindihan ang nangyari. Dumating lang si Rio tapos nagkatitigan silang apat. Nanumbalik ang tensiyon at bigla na lang may sumabog sa likuran niya. Napaka-ingay ng paligid na parang mabibingi na siya. Sumasakit na din ang ulo niya mula sa lakas na nanggagaling sa espada. She was trying to control the overwhelming power that emerges from it. Nagsasaya ito dahil sa laban na nangyayari sa paligid niya. At sinasabihan siya nitong umatake lang ng umatake hanggang mawala silang lahat. Kaya ginagawa niya ang lahat ng makakaya niya upang makontrol ito.
"Rio, get out. I'm fighting with the slayer." wika ni Astro.
Rio scoffed. "That's my sister. As the older twin, I have the responsibility to protect her."
"Isa pa nandito ka sa tournament na ito. Natural lang na atakehin kita."
Napasinghal si Astro at inatake si Halcyon. The guy parried all of his attacks with his twin blades. Ngunit, bigla na lamang umikot si Astro. He striked his sword at the standing Anima. That was how their four-way battle began. Inatake nila ang isa't-isa at wala na silang paki-alam sa paligid.
The chaos ensued. Arrows flew from nowhere. Fires, floods and cracked grounds started to appear. Bullets flew from every direction. The only sounds that emerged from the grounds where the cries of players and the sounds of blades clashing. It was the exact epitome of havoc and destruction.
The minutes passed by with the war still on its full speed. However, the numbers lessened now. Habang ang apat ay patuloy pa rin sa paglaban sa gitna, their members are weakening and crumbling away.
Feyre took her daggers from the heart of the two dying players beside her. Pinunasan niya ang dugo sa labi at ngumisi kay Life na nakikipaglaban kay Irusu. Inikot niya ang chains sa magkabilang kamay at itinapon ito papunta sa dalawa. Nagulat ang mga ito nang may kadenang pumalibot sa kamay nila. Then, there was a presence above them. Before Feyre could land, she untangled the chains and pierced the dagger towards the chests of her enemies. They successfully defended against it but had to step back because of its power.
"Sino bang may sabi ang lider lang natin ang makakapaglaban, hmm?" she hummed and played with her chains.
"I agree. Why don't we have a four-way battle ourselves?" someone spoke in a playful tone. Her hair was a violet color with blue highlights, a hue similar to her weapon.
"Sino ka naman?" taas-kilay na tanong ni Feyre. Hindi niya kilala ang babaeng bigla na lang sumisingit sa usapan ng iba.
"That's Sena, the-"
Pinutol ng babae ang sasabihin ni Irusu. "Don't need to know my name. You'll die here, girl."
Napatingin mula ulo hanggang paa si Feyre sa babae. Makagirl 'tong babae, e mas bata naman ito kaysa sa kaniya. Hindi siya sumagot. Feyre just lunged for an attack and started the four way battle between them.
While the minutes passed away with the endless battle, it seemed that the end has come to light. Konti na lang sila na nasa grounds ngayon. Some dead, others on the ground and lacked the energy to fight. Ang apat na rogues na naglalaban ay nasa lupa at malalaki ang mga sugat sa katawan. Feyre grunted as she took a small dagger from her stomach. Blood dripped everywhere but she still has some HP left. Although her MP was already at its limit and she had no strength to stand anymore.
Sa sentro ng lahat ay nagpapahinga din ang apat. They stood with their defenses still high. Nakatutok ang espada ni Astro habang pinupunasan ang gilid ng labi. Halcyon had his blades pointed at Rio and Astro, his left shoulder was badly damaged. Si Rio naman ay hawak ang tiyan habang pilit na kinokontrol si Nirvana. He coughed up the blood that he tasted in his mouth.
Then there was the slayer in a slightly tattered armor whose eyes were already out of focus. She seemed to be in a daze and her body was slowly going out of commission. Nakatukod lamang siya sa espada na parang dito nakasalalay ang kaniyang buhay.
That's when they decided to end it.
"Nirvana," mahinang wika ni Rio. "Void of the Drowned Maidens."
"Ceres," mahinang tawag ni Astro na tinanguan ng binata. He held his sword up after. "Dance of a Thousand Blades."
Ceres held his staff up. "Open gates of the dead. Bring forth the dragon which once made the world ablaze."
Halcyon crossed his blades and nodded to his mage. "The Moon's Enchantment."
Legalus Bow's mage, Cross, made a circle motion with his staff. "Magma's Devotion..."
Voldmir seemed to get what's happening. He had enough mana to cast his most powerful spell. He pounced his staff into the ground and closed his eyes.
"Oh, guardian of the underworld. Open the gates of hell and flood your mist along the grounds. Let the demons run towards their might and may the cries of sinners be the music of this ball..." he chanted.
Feyre looked at Sol who was closing her eyes as she raised her sword up. Napabuntong hininga siya. Tiningala niya ang napaka-asul na langit. She has no confidence of surviving this.
"This is total madness. I can't get up to escape." aniya.
Tumawa ang tatlong rogue na malapit sa kaniya. They agree. What's going to happen is absolutely crazy. No one can survive the continuous large-scale attacks.
Solace felt the powerful tension in the air. The creation of different spells. The opening of different gates. The winds that tells the destruction that is about to come. And what heightened it all is the overwhelming strength that sat at the tip of her blade.
"Sing, angels of Arth. Endow your might on your grounds and accompany me in calling your glory. Your light shall shine upon the lands again..."
Everything ended just as it started. A thunderous sound accompanied by a series of explosions. The light that appeared among the blazing flame blinded everyone that could see. It was so massive that it reached even the lands far away.
"So, it has begun..." a lone man uttered while waiting on the arched windows of his castle. "Are you ready, my son? The legend's about to be told."
The guy behind him scoffed. "You still piss me off. No need to cage him. Fuck your tale."
"You're gonna chase after it one day." ngumisi ito. "Will it be making or breaking?"
A legend is about to be told.
The smoke started to vanish after the bright light. Among it, two silhouettes can be made out. A person standing with a sword pointed up. The other was kneeling on the ground, with all their strength unto the sword. Then, one of them fell to the ground.
A winner has been set.
____________________
-chapter end-
[AUTHOR'S NOTE]
We've finished the first arc! It's the end of the Game of Governors timeline. Two cities have been opened up, and there are still two more cities that remained locked. Now the question is, who will take the winning city? And who will take the other? Who are the two remaining persons on the game and who fell down?
Lunaria, the city of the moon, will open up next! Thank you so much for reading, voting and sharing your thoughts! I greatly appreciate it! ❤
____________________