UNEDITED. ENJOY READING!

DENISE

My eyes adjusted to the dim light covering the whole place. Gawa sa pilak ang mga pader. May mga kakaibang disenyo na nakaukit sa paligid. It looks like that the designs were from medieval period.

Hindi agad ako gumalaw. Pinagmamasdan ko ang mga kasama ko maging ang party nina Sky. Hindi ako kumukurap. I wanted to know everyone's abilities, strengths and weaknesses. This could help me to formulate better strategies. Unang gumalaw at umatake si Light. She struck the boss with her destructive spiral sound waves. Sobrang lakas ng ingay na nagmumula roon kaya napangiwi ako maging ang iba naming kasama. Pero napansin ko si Sky na hindi man lang natinag sa malakas at nakabibinging ingay. Hawak niya ang malaki at tila kumikinang na lance. It was made of silver and very stunning. I bit my lower lip, I couldn't take my eyes off him. Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko at nang magmulat, itinuon ko na ang pansin sa dungeon Boss.

"Those who can attack from afar, you can attack him now. But for those who can't, stay still and avoid every attacks from the boss. I'll figure things out for an effective attack," seryosong saad ko sa kanila. Sky smirked but didn't complain.

Fire, Phoenix, Ice and Angel started to move too. Maingat sina Fire at Angel sa pag-atake. Sila ang support ng Dark Fortress kaya hindi maaaring maubos ang mga mana nila sa pakikipaglaban. Sa ngayon, gusto ko lang malaman kung gaano kalakas ang dungeon boss. Maging sina Zeal, Light at Draco ay nakisabay na rin sa laban.

I stood still and alert since I'm still watching and calculating everything. Arrows, dual blades, fire, sound waves, thunder and other elements hit the dungeon boss. Halo-halong at pinagsama-samang lakas namin ang ginagamit namin pero tila hindi ito naaapektuhan kahit direktang tumatama sa katawan nito ang mga pag-atake. Napakaliit ng nababawas sa defense level at health points nito.

I hissed silently. I pulled the string of my Crystal Bow. I hit the dungeon boss with my Arrow of Destruction and critically hit it's head. Bahagyang gumalaw ang mga daliri nito na may hawak ng mahabang kadena na nagdudugtong sa dalawang malaking metal na bola. Hindi maikakailang mas malakas ang kapangyarihan at level ko sa iba.

Humigpit ang paghawak ko sa Crystal Bow. The dungeon boss started to move. Buong lakas na iniikot nito sa hanging ang dalawang malalaki at mabibigat na bola. The thorns were scary as hell. Tiyak na mabubugbog ang mga katawan namin kapag tinamaan kami. Hindi lang siguro buto ang mababali sa 'min, kundi buong pagkatao namin.

The monster started to sweep us on our positions using those two large metal balls. Tumalon kaming lahat at tumakbo sa iba't ibang direksiyon upang makaiwas sa malaking bola na paparating. Hindi pa gumagalaw ang boss sa kinatatayuan nito. Seryosong nakatingin sa 'kin si Sky habang tumatakbo siya sa direksiyon ko. Tumatakbo naman ako patungo sa kanya. He was holding his lance like it was nothing. It seems light for him.

"Let me use your lance to jump. Bring me above the boss' head then switch with me and with the others after," seryosong sigaw ko sa kanya. He nodded. Sa tingin ko, iisa na lang ang iniisip namin sa oras na ito. Somehow we already found a weak spot. I'm still it will work for a while. Bahagya niyang itinaas at itinagilid ang lance niya upang makatalon at makatapak ako roon.

"Be careful," mahinang sabi niya bago niya ako buong lakas na ihinagis patungo sa dungeon boss. Nakatalikod ito sa 'kin habang ako naman ay lumilipad patungo sa ulo niya. I used my Bloodlust Strike to attack the boss. Agad akong nakipagpalit ng posisyon kay Sky. He hit the boss with all his might and strength. Bumaon sa head armor protection nito ang matalim na lance ni Sky. It caused a crack on the monster's head armor protection. Hahampasin sana ng malalaking kamay ng boss si Sky pero agad siyang tumalon palayo. Players with lances are good on weakening opponent's armors. While switching places, we were continuously attacking. We never stopped since it's the only way to survive.

He switched with Light and again, big spiral sound waves vibrating across the room hit the monster. Sky got good party members. Hindi na rin kami nag-aksaya pa ng panahon. Ice and Light switched places. Malakas na tumama sa ulo ng boss ang dual blades ni Ice pero lumilipad na patungo kay Ice ang isang malaking bolang metal. Mabuti na lang mabilis siyang kumilos pero natamaan pa rin siya ng matulis na tinik ng bola nito. Her arms bled.

Tinamaan din si Zeal dahil sa pagtatangkang makipagpalit ng posisyon kay Ice. Cember was alert to heal whoever got wounded. Pero mas matimbang pa rin sa kanya ang mga party member niya. Fire started to heal Ice since it was his duty too. Our attentions were divided for different reasons. Defense and offense made us divided. Gumalaw na sa kinatatayuan ang boss. It was attacking everyone on its way.

Tumakbo si Sky patungo sa boss at inatake ito mula sa likod. Binabalot ng puting liwanag ang lance niya. The light was too shiny that it almost blinded the dungeon boss for seconds. It almost stunned the dungeon boss with his Menacing Blow. It was followed by Combo Attacks. Sobrang bilis at sunud-sunod ang naging pag-atake ni Sky na nagpapalaki ng damage sa kalaban. Sinasabayan niya ang bawat atake niya ng pagre-recharge ng mana. Sinabayan lang namin ang atake niya at pinuntirya ang iba't ibang parte ng katawan ng dungeon boss. He hissed when it's time for his cooldown. Dumaplis sa pisngi niya ang tinik sa bola ng dungeon boss bago siya makalayo rito. Everyone was almost at their limits too. Hindi naman naiwasan ni Phoenix ang malakas na pagtama ng bola sa katawan niya. Pinuntirya siya ng dungeon boss dahil sa walang tigil na pag-atake niya rito.

Siya lang ang hindi nakararanas ng cooldown sa 'ming lahat. Of course, it's because of his cheat. He used it again this time. Malakas na ungol ang nagmula sa kanya. Lumipad ang katawan niya sa malayo. Mabuti na lang, hindi tumama ang katawan niya sa pader kasama ang bola. Our cooldown was starting. May ilan na hindi pa nag-ko-cooldown dahil hindi pa nila ginagamit nang buo ang lakas nila.

Light, Zeal, Heather and Scithe were doing the work for all of us. Malakas na humampas ang malaking palakol ni Heather sa ulo ng dungeon boss. Scithe was switching places with that boy. Light and Zeal were acting as their back up and support. Pero bago pa makalayo si Scite, sinakal na ito ng malaking kamay ng dungeon boss. Nabawasan ang health points ni Scithe dahil hindi na rin siya makahinga at nakangiwi na. I hissed to myself. I hated it when I'm waiting like this helplessly while watching them devoured by that monster. Umatake sina Light at Zeal para tulungan si Scithe pero agad na lumipad sa direksiyon nila ang dalawang malalaking bolang metal.

The metal balls with thorns hit their bodies critically. Hindi nila agad naiwasan ang bola dahil sa sobrang bilis nito. Kahit ako, hindi ko naisip na maaaring gumalaw ang dungeon boss nang ganu'n kabilis. It happened in a flash. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko. Nagngingitngit ako dahil wala pa rin akong magawa. Malakas na ihinagis ng dungeon boss si Scithe sa pader na pilak. Heather tried to attack the dungeon boss again pero tila isa siyang papel na pinalipad ng dungeon boss sa isang suntok lang.

We still have five seconds. Hindi umaatake sina Fire at Angel kahit pwede dahil sa pagpapagaling sa ibang kasamahan naming nasugatan. Hindi pa rin natitibag ang armour of defense nito. Malikot ang mga mata ko upang pag-aralan ang dungeon boss at iba naming kasamahan. I guess, it's better to have separate groups. One group for a short range attack and the other for the long range one. These groups will attack the dungeon boss simultaneously. Ito ang naiisip kong paraan upang mahati ang atensiyon ng dungeon boss.

"Scithe, Heather, Sky, Draco. Attack the dungeon boss and divert its attention to you. At the same time, Zeal, Phoenix, Light will attack from afar. Ice and I will be in the middle and act as a decoy if something bad happens. Fire, Cember and Angel, will be our support," seryosong saad ko habang bumibilang ng limang segundo sa isipan. Nahagip ng paningin ko si Silver na nakaupo lang sa isang sulok at nanonood sa 'ming lahat kasama ang eagle ni Angel.

"We can do the switchings too from other groups," seryosong dagdag ko pa.

"Not bad. Pero mamaya lang ay magko-cooldown na rin ang mga support healer natin. Maging sina Light, Heather, Zeal at Scithe," seryosong saad ni Sky. Napansin ko sa sulok ng mga mata ko na tumayo na si Phoenix at pinahid ang dugo sa ulo at mata.

"Right. They should avoid attacks within fifteen seconds. Kung ganu'n ang natitira na lang ay ako, ikaw, si Ice, Phoenix at Draco. We should buy time for them while they are cooling down," seryosong sagot ko.

"I get it. Don't use too much energy will buying time. Baka tayo naman ang mag-cooldown," seryosong sabi ni Sky. I nodded. Mabuti na lang nagkakasundo kami sa mga ganitong sitwasyon.

Nakalayo na sina Zeal, Light, Scithe at Heather sa halimaw. Tapos na rin ang cooldown namin pero nagsisimula na ang cooldown ng iba. Tumango ako kay Ice. She will start to buy everyone the time. Tumakbo siya patungo sa likod ng dungeon boss. Malakas na tumama sa head armour nito ang dual blades niya. Draco switched places with Ice. Since they're both from the assassin's class, they are comfortable to move and coordinate with each other. Phoenix started to shot blasts of thunder blades to the dungeon boss from afar. Tumalon ako sa ibabaw ng ulo ng dungeon boss at pinatamaan ito ng Arrow of Destruction. Malapit ng matibag ang depensa nito. I switched places with Sky and he hit it's head with critical damage. Lumipad ang isang bola sa direksiyon ko na hindi ko naiwasan. It hit me hard, enough to throw me away and bleed.

Pakiramdam ko nabali ang mga buto ko sa katawan. I heard Sky call my name with worry when my head hit the floor. Pero napansin ko na bahagya lang din niyang naiwasan ang bolang patungo sa direksiyon niya. He used his lance to dodge it but he also took some damage. His body was slammed across the wall. The metal ball and lance were loud with clanking sounds of metals. Mas masuwerte sa'kin si Sky dahil may armour siya. My head and arms bled. Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagkahilo.

Fifteen seconds have already passed. Natapos na ang cooldown ng iba naming kasamahan. Agad na gumalaw sina Light upang atakihin ang dungeon boss. The armour of defense of the dungeon boss was already broken. It's time for our comeback.

Fire healed me. Angel boosted the strength of our party through a beautiful music. Everyone was attacking the monster but everyone still took too much damages. I ran towards the dungeon boss and avoided the metal balls. Nakawala na rin si Sky sa atake ng dungeon boss. Now he's running too towards the dungeon boss.

Nagpakawala ako ng Poisonous Shot. Nang malapit na ako sa dungeon boss, muntik ng tumama ang metal ball nito sa 'kin. But I was stunned when Sky, swept me off my feet and carried me in his arms to avoid it.

"What are you doing?" I hissed.

"Saving you?" he grinned. "Damn! You're wounds are getting in my nerves. If only I could stop you from fighting the boss, I would," naiiling na sabi niya. I blushed even it's not the time for this shit.

"Bring me down," nakasimangot na sabi ko. He obliged. Tatakbo na sana akong muli patungo sa dungeon boss pero pinigilan niya ako. He was worriedly looking down at me. Patuloy pa rin sa pag-atake ang mga kasama ko. They were switching places with one another. Hindi nila sinasayang ang bawat atake nila. They were helping each other like they were a good and united team. And their harmony for their attacks were almost natural and real. Almost in sync.

Sky sighed. Tila nagdalawang-isip na magsalita. "Take care," he whispered. Pero pakiramdam ko hindi talaga iyon ang gusto niyang sabihin. I just nodded.

"You too," seryosong saad ko. Binitawan na niya ang braso ko. I wondered what he really wants to say. Nang makalapit ako sa dungeon boss, agad ko itong tinira ng Angel Shot nang walang mintis. And that was the cue for us to attack the monster nonstop.

Wala kaming inaksayang segundo. All our attacks landed critical blows. Hindi ko na muna pinansin ang kalahating health points ko. Mamaya ko na ito ire-replenish.

"Zeal, don't use your Angel Shot. Save it for later since we are near our cooldown," seryosong saad ko dahil nabasa ko agad ang balak niyang gawin. Madaling basahin ang iniisip niya. Natigilan si Zeal dahil sa sinabi ko. He gripped his Bow and nodded. Hindi niya siguro akalain na mababasa ko siya.

Muling nakagalaw ang dungeon boss. And it went berserk. Hindi namin naiwasan ang mga atake nito at isa ako sa napuruhan. Marami kaming natamaan at lumipad kung saan-saan. I didn't see the attack and can't determine how the monster hit me with the metal balls with that speed. Kaunti na lang ang natira sa health points ko. Duguan ang buong katawan ko nang bumagsak ako sa sahig. I can't even move a finger in my hands. Fire ran towards my direction. I gritted my teeth.

Tumatakbo na rin sa direksiyon ko ang dungeon boss. It was now ready to give a final blow and end my life. Fire tried to heal me but it will take him to long. Sa tingin ko, hindi na rin ito makakaabot pa. Pinilit kong igalaw ang kamay ko. I need to get a healing potion, health and mana replenisher. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko. Nanghihina na ako at gusto ng pumikit ng mga mata ko. My head and eyes were covered with blood. My arms and legs too were dripping with blood.

Nahawakan ng kamay ko ang healing potion. Handa na akong gamitin ito pero nakaamba na rin sa 'kin ang bolang metal at malapit ng pumatak sa katawan ko. Paulit-ulit na akong nagmumura sa utak ko. I was not aware of what's happening around me. Ang tanging iniisip ko na lang ay ang magamit ang healing potion at health replenisher. But it will take seconds to take effect on my body.

Some of them attacked the monster. I could hear the clanking of metals and explosions and even the Ice's blades. I can't stay like this. Inipon ko ang natitirang lakas ko upang inumin ang healing potion. Bago pa bumagsak sa katawan ko, narinig ko ang mahinang pagmumura ni Sky. He stopped the metal ball with his large lance and hit it away like it was some kind of a baseball ball.

"You monster, I'm going to kill you if you hurt her any further," he hissed. Almost a whisper. Nanghihinang napangiti ako. Nagsisimula ng gumana ang healing potion sa katawan ko. Agad kong ginamit ang health replenisher ko. Agad akong tinulungan ni Fire. He carried me in his arms. Kitang-kita ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya.

"Fire, marami ka pang kailangang pagalingin. You should go and do your duty," nakangising sabi ko sa kanya. Napalingon ako kay Sky na ngayon ay nakatingin na rin sa 'kin. He frowned and moved away. He ran towards the dungeon boss. Hindi ko man lang siya napasalamatan.

"You're dying and you're still thinking of that damn duty. You're more important than that. I can't forgive myself if you die here," naiiling na sabi ni Fire.

"Ayos na ako. And you're right. Nothing is more important than your duty right now. If you can save them other than me, I will be happy and be proud of you," mahinang sabi ko. Damn! Dalawang beses lang tumama ang bolang 'yon sa katawan ko pero halos mamatay na ako. Agad kong ginamit ang mana replenisher ko. Humawak ako sa balikat ni Fire at tiningnan siya sa mga mata.

"I'm fine now and this is just a game. I will not die inside this game," I reminded him. Agad akong tumayo. Natigilan ako nang makita ang mga kasama namin. Lahat sila ay nagsisimula na sa cooldown. And the dungeon master was beating them like hell. They were now running like rats being chased by a bit evil cat.

"Fire, you go for offense now. Let's buy them time," seryosong sagot ko. Pero alam ko na hindi rin magtatagal at magko-cooldown na rin kami ni Fire. Si Phoenix at Sky na lang ang nakikipaglaban sa dungeon boss. Tumayo na rin si Fire.

"Got it," he answered. We both ran and attacked the dungeon master from opposite directions simultaneously.

I was with Sky when I stopped attacking and he looked at me seriously. Napansin ko na duguan na rin siya at sugatan. But Cember was there to heal him. "Are you feeling good now?" he almost whispered. I nodded.

"Thanks," nahihiyang sabi ko sa kanya.

"Thanking me is not enough. Be ready to pay me a better price," he grinned. Umangat ang isang kilay ko sa kanya pero hindi na ako nakapagsalita dahil sa biglang pag-atake ng dungeon boss. We jumped from different directions. Sky attacked the dungeon boss' head and struck it hard. I switched places with him and gave the dungeon boss a critical blow.

Nang malapit na kaming mag-cooldown, naka-recover na ang mga kasamahan namin. Zeal struck the boss with Angel Shot which is a good timing. Malapit na rin kasing maubos ang health points ng West Gate Keeper. Dahil cooldown na namin nina Fire at Sky, nanood na lang kami. They successfully beat the monster and the Last Attack Bonus was given to Light.

Masayang sigawan ang pumuno sa buong lugar. Bumukas ang isang pinto. Sinenyasan ko si Silver upang sumunod sa 'kin. Agad na tumayo siya at tumakbo sa tabi ko. I patted his head.

Agad na naglakad patungo roon ang mga kasama namin. Fire looked at me but I told him to go towards the door. He nodded and followed me.

"Zeus," seryosong tawag sakin ni Sky mula sa likod ko. Tila nanlamig ang buong katawan ko at nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko sa katawan. No. Hindi dahil sa natatakot ako. I could sense how worried he was while saying my name. His voice was very affectionate.

He wrapped his hands around my waist from behind. He rested his chin on my shoulder. Hindi siya nagsalita pero nararamdaman ko ang mabilis na tibok ng puso niya. I sighed heavily.

"Hey lovebirds, I'll be going first!" nakasimangot na sabi ni Silver at tumakbo na patungo sa pinto. He actually ruined the mood. Mabuti na lang pagod na ako at hindi ko na magawang magreklamo pa kay Sky. Ramdam ko rin na pagod na siya kaya hindi ko na gustong dagdagan pa ang pagod niya. Ilang minuto ang nakalipas bago siya kumalas sa pagyakap sa 'kin. He held my hand.

"Let's go. And Zeus, be more alert and flexible. Are you planning to give me a heart attack? Be careful next time." he asked and frowned. Sumimangot din ako. Actually, he's the one who's giving me a heart attack. Pagod na ako upang makipagtalo pa kaya hindi na ako nagsalita. I'm just glad that he's here and he saved me.

"Hey, Sky, do you still want me to be your partner in this game?" I asked and almost whispered. I was too shy to ask.

"Why? You're changing your mind?" he grinned.

"No. Idiot," I hissed but I blushed. He laughed.

"I always want you," he answered and that made me blush even more. I fell silent. I'm thinking and considering his offer now.

Masakit pa ang ulo ko pero naglakad na kami patungo sa exit nang tahimik. I think I need some rest. Kumunot ang noo ko nang pumasok kami sa isang silid. May anim na pinto na naghihintay sa 'ming lahat. There's a pink cushion in the middle. And a beautiful blonde fairy was sitting there like she owned everything inside the place. Sitting like a boss. Jeez. Can I ask for a break?

---------------------

TO BE CONTINUED....

Thanks for reading Alkia Kingdom. wahahaha. next time ulit <3 Comments?