UNEDITED...

DENISE

Pumasok na kami sa loob ng dungeon matapos bumakas ang gintong gate nito. Tila hinihikayat kaming lahat na pumasok. But I could smell death in the air. It felt like we were meeting our death here. The room is elegant and was covered with rose gold antiques and brilliant sculptures. May kadiliman pero nagliliwanag sa ginto ang buong paligid. Nakasisilaw na ginto.

Nagulat na lang kami sa isang malakas na puwersang biglang nagpatalsik sa 'ming lahat matapos sumara ang gintong gate. In one swift move of the scythe owned by the dungeon boss, it already caused us damage. Tumama ang likod ko sa pader. And some of us hit the ground. Hindi kami agad nakapaghanda sa biglaang pag-atake nito. Masyadong mabilis ang mga galaw nito. It seems like it doesn't want to spare us any time. Even seconds. The demon has four horns and has a big muscular body. And it's face was as scary as hell. Hindi napantayan ng kinang ng mga ginto ang pamumula ng mga mata nito.

Agad akong tumayo dahil kaunti lang ang health points ko. Nanghihina pa ako. Hindi pa ako nakakapag-replenish ng health points kaya sinimulan ko na itong ibalik hanggang sa mapuno. Isang matibay na armour ang bumabalot sa buong katawan at ulo ng dungeon boss. Malaki ito at halatang malakas ang pangangatawan. I could smell death all over the place. Namumula ang mga mata nito. The gold scythe he was holding was too big for all of us. Halatang hindi basta-basta ang matalas na patalim nito. Tila kumikinang ito.

Naramdaman ko ang paglapit ni Sky sa 'kin. "By just looking at the dungeon boss, I can say that this will not be easy," he said carefully.

"And what do you suggest? Ano'ng dapat nating gawin ngayon?" seryosong tanong ko sa kanya. Hindi rin ako makapag-isip ng tama. Pinag-aaralan kong mabuti ang dungeon boss. Massive power were covering its whole body. It's like the dungeon boss was glowing with power. Pinigilan ko ang panginginig ng tuhod ko. I checked its health point. Napamura na lang ako sa isipan nang mapansin ang mataas na numero sa health point nito. Ngayon pa lang, alam ko nang hindi sapat ang dalawang parties upang talunin ito.

Lumingon ako kay Sky nang malakas siyang magsalita. Kinakausap niya at binibigyan ng babala ang bawat isa sa 'min. "Everyone, listen. Avoid too much damage. Follow my orders and don't be stubborn," seryosong saad ni Sky. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"How about my orders?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko sa kanya.

"Of course, your orders too. Just don't be reckless. Kapag may sinabi ako sa 'yo, sundin mo na lang. Kailangan nating mag-ingat at bantayan ang bawat kilos ng South Gate Keeper. Pag-aralan mo ang bawat galaw niya. Memorize it and don't ever forget. That way, we can formulate a good plan. That's what you need to do for now," seryosong saad niya. His gaze shifted to the dungeon boss. "He's ready to attack," he added. Agad akong naalerto at tumingala sa dungeon boss.

"Dodge and avoid his attacks. Huwag tayong mag-aksaya ng mga replenisher kahit ito na ang last dungeon. Hindi pa rin natin alam kung ano ang naghihintay sa 'tin sa Lost City. Huwag tayong maging kampante. Use your strength wisely. Don't rush," seryosong utos sa 'min ni Sky. I could feel Sky's power and authority towards us. Tumango ang mga kasama namin at nagsimulang gumalaw. Tatakbo na rin sana ako upang pumunta sa isang magandang posisyon pero hinawakan niya ang balikat ko. Natigilan ako at tiningnan ko siya.

Napansin ko sa gilid ng mga mata na nakaupo lang si Silver sa isang tabi katulad ng inutos ko sa kanya. Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Sky. Ano naman kaya ang sasabihin niya? Alam kong hindi ako maingat sa mga ginagawa ko minsan pero naiinis ako kapag paulit-ulit niya akong pinapaalalahanan.

"You trust me, right?" he asked and grinned. I blushed. I didn't expect him to ask that in this kind of situation. Naalala ko na naman ang mga sinabi ko kay Leona upang sagutin ang mga tanong niya. My heart thudded against my rib cage. It's not the time for this. I had been honest with my answers to Leona so there's no need to deny it now.

"Yes," mahinang sagot ko. "I trust you but... don't think that I like you," I said but didn't mean it. I just don't want to embarass myself any further. Inirapan ko siya at mabilis na tumakbo pala. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko maamin sa kanya. Tila nararamdaman ko ang pagngisi ni Sky habang nakasunod ang tingin sa 'kin. Malalim akong bumuntong-hininga. I need to focus my attention to the dungeon boss. This is not the time to be distracted by some shitty reasons.

Malayo ako sa dungeon boss. Pero tama lang ang distansya upang pakawalan ko ang mga sibat ko. Pinatamaan ko ito at hindi naman ako sumablay. Nasa likod ako ng dungeon boss. I wonder if his senses were good too. Malaki ito kaya mababa ang posibilidad na makaiwas ito sa bawat atake namin. Hindi nga nito maiiwasan, pero madali naman nitong masasalag ang mga iyon.

Pinalibutan namin ang dungeon boss. We were distracting him in every directions. He was swaying his scythe in the air, hitting some of our members with accuracy. Matatalim na hangin na tila boomerang ang lumalabas sa patalim ng armas nito. Muntik na ring matamaan si Silver ng mga pag-atake nito kung hindi lamang siya nakaiwas.

Nasa gilid ng dungeon boss si Phoenix at patuloy siyang umaatake. He was using all his strength to release accurate blows. Sumasabog sa katawan ng dungeon boss ang mga apoy na pinapakawalan niya. Heather and Scithe were starting to switch positions. Umaatake sila sa malapitan gamit ang malalaking espada at palakol na armas nila. The two assassins, Draco and Ice were hitting the dungeon boss precisely too.

Malakas na tumama ang scythe ng dungeon boss kay Phoenix na hindi agad nito naiwasan. Tatamaan na sana ng dual flying blades ni Ice ang dungeon boss pero nasalag ito ng hawakan ng armas nito at bumalik sa kanya. To my relief, Heather switched position with her and dodged the dual flying blades with his axe. Ice was safe. Bumibilis na ang mga reflexes ng dungeon boss at halos lahat ng mga atake namin ay nasasalag nito. Katulad ng sinabi ni Sky, pinag-aaralan ko ang bawat kilos nito at kung gaano kabilis ang bawat galaw nito. I was doing my best to find its weak points.

Scithe swicthed position with Sky. Sky gave the South Gate Keeper a Lethal Blow in the shoulder. Halos mapaurong kaming lahat sa malakas na puwersang na bumalot sa lance ni Sky. Tila nayanig ang buong paligid. Agad na lumayo si Sky sa dungeon boss. Isang nakasisilaw na liwanag ang bumalot sa lance niya. Mas lalong namula ang mga mata ng South Gate Keeper. Malakas na umungol ito na nakabibingi. Wala sa sariling tinakpan ko ang mga tainga dahil tila masisira ang mga eardrums ko.

Napangiwi ako at naramdaman ang pagtayo ng balahibo sa katawan ko. The South Gate Keeper started to slam the scythe to everyone of us because we were distracted with that annoying sound. He managed to hit us flawlessly and mercilessly. Malakas na tumama sa bawat isa sa 'min ang armas nito at ang mga matatalim na hangin sa katawan namin. Mabuti na lang, hindi ito sapat upang mahati ang mga katawan namin sa dalawang piraso. Lumipad ang katawan ko at tumama sa pader. I slid down the floor but I managed to stand up. Napangiwi ako dahil sa sakit at dugong lumabas sa malaking hiwa ko sa tiyan.

Maging ang mga kasama ko ay nagtamo rin ng malalaking sugat sa kani-kanilang katawan.

"Do you gathered enough information?" seryosong tanong sa 'kin ni Sky nang tumayo siya. Tila nagmamadali siya. Kumunot ang noo ko pero umiling ako.

"Not yet. I can't find any weakness from him. His armour and reflex were too good," seryosong saad ko. "His power is too much for two parties," dagdag ko pa.

Sky nodded as if he already knew that. "Light and Zeal, start to attack from the South Gate Keeper's side. Ice, attack from behind with the aid of Scithe and Draco will attack in front of the dungeon master with Heather. This is not a strategy for a kill but it will help us discover more about the South Gate Keeper," seryosong saad ni Sky

Tumango ako bilang pagsang-ayon. I watched the dungeon boss while Sky was giving orders. "The healers Cember, Fire and Angel, step back. Heal the wounded and as much as possible everyone must survive. Phoenix, don't stop in just one place while attacking. Move and dodge. And I will switch places with any of you," dagdag pa niya. Tumango ang mga kasama ko. When Sky gave them the go signal, everyone moved swiftly and accurately. Wala silang sinayang na oras. I was just waiting and staring, studying the South Gate Keeper's every move. Kapag may nakikita akong pagkakataon, I was releasing my arrows to struck the South Gate Keeper. I didn't miss because he was occupied.

May mga atake na nakakalagpas sa depensa ng South Gate Keeper pero mas madalas ay nasasalag nito. The front of the South Gate Keeper was well-guarded by the scythe and its powerful attacks. Tumakbo si Phoenix habang umaatake at iniikutan ang dungeon boss kaya nakakaligtas siya sa mga atake nito. Those who were attacking the dungeon boss head on were injured. Tumatalsik ang mga ito sa bawat hampas at atake ng dungeon boss. Nararamdaman namin ang buong lakas nito sa loob ng malaking silid. The golds all over the place were not enough to hold the South Gate Keeper's power.

Halos lahat ng mga umaatake ngayon sa dungeon boss ay hindi na nakakaligtas sa mga atake nito. Maging si Sky at si Phoenix ay hindi na rin nakaiwas pa sa mabilis na pag-atake nito. Tumama ang mga matatalim na hangin sa mga katawan ng mga ito. Maging sina Fire, Cember at Angel ay hindi na rin nakaligtas dahil halos lahat ay napatumba na nito. Nanghihina na ang mga ito at hindi na rin makagalaw. Samantalang ako, nakatingin lang sa mga nangyayari. Pinag-aaralan ang mga kilos at galaw nito. It's my responsibility right now and I didn't want to fail them. The four horns of the South Gate Keeper were all glowing with unknown energy. Kaunti lang din ang nabawas sa health points nito. At alam ko rin na anumang oras ay ako na ang isusunod nito. Wala akong pakialam. Patuloy lang ako sa pag-aaral sa bawat parte ng katawan nito mula ulo hanggang paa.

Nakatutok na sa 'kin ang atensiyon ng dungeon boss. Ako na lang ang nag-iisang nakatayo. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I need to run but where? The dungeon boss swung its scythe in the air. Napasinghap ako nang makita ang sunud-sunod na matatalim na hangin o liwanag na pinakawalan nito. I was about to run in the opposite direction but someone grabbed me. Sky dragged me away from the dungeon boss' attack. We were running.

"It's enough. Retreat," seryosong sigaw ni Sky sa 'ming lahat. His arms were bleeding badly but he ignored it. He still held his lance with might. He started to deflect the sharp crescent wind from the South Gate Keeper's scythe using his large lance when it attacked us again. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napanganga sa narinig mula sa kanya. Masasayang lang ang mga nasimulan namin kung uurong kami sa laban.

"Why?" naguguluhang tanong ko. Hindi rin alam ng ilang kasama ko kung susundin nila si Sky.

"Because this time, it's the right thing to do. And we have to make a better plan to take the South Gate Keeper down. Now, just follow me and move," sagot niya. Narinig din ito ng mga kasama namin. Wala sa sariling sumunod sa kanya ang lahat. They started to move and he's still holding my wrist. We're just glad that the gate opened up for us but the dungeon master was still attacking us. Mabilis na sumunod sa 'min si Silver. The gate automatically closed when we managed to run from a distance.

"Jeez. Sana sinabi mo agad na may balak pala tayong tumakas, 'di ba?" naiinis na sabi ko sa kanya. He chuckled and I noticed that his arm was still dripping with blood. I bit my lower lip. I pitied him. Tiyak na masakit ito. And yes, I almost forgot that my stomach is bleeding too. Napangiwi ako. Napansin ko na nakaupo na sa lupa ang iba naming kasama at hinihingal. They were bleeding too.

"We have to. When I first saw the South Gate Keeper, gusto ko na agad lumabas. We can't defeat it with our level. It's foolish. We will all die. At kapag namatay tayo, masasayang lang ang lahat ng mga pinaghirapan natin," seryosong sagot niya. He was looking at the cut on my stomach. "Ayos ka lang ba?" he asked. Umiling ako. Naglakad ako patungo sa isang puno at isinandal ang likod doon upang habulin ang hininga. Sumunod lang siya sa 'kin at hindi inaalis ang tingin sa 'kin. We were close but not too close.

"I'm fine. Kung alam mo na hindi naman pala tayo mananalo, bakit pa tayo nagtagal sa loob?" nakasimangot na tanong ko sa kanya. Ngumisi lang siya sa 'kin. "If we can't defeat it right now, might as well go back to the town," sabi ko sabay irap sa kanya. "And why don't you heal yourself?" nakasimangot na tanong ko sabay iwas ng tingin.

"I already told you. We need a better plan. But are you concerned?" he asked with a glimmer of amusement. I'm amused that he could still think and decide that way. "And why don't you heal yourself too?"

"I'm not. Your blood just made me sick," I said and lied. He chuckled and didn't buy what I said. Alam niyang nagsisinungaling ako at wala lang masabi. Duguan din ako kaya imposible ang dahilan ko. "Time can heal it. Ayokong mag-aksaya ng healing potion lalo na't sa tingin ko ay magtatagal tayo rito," nakasimangot na sagot ko sa kanya.

"Kung ganu'n, pareho lang tayo ng iniisip," nakangising sagot niya.

Ngumuso ako. "Ano na ang gagawin natin ngayon?" tanong ko. I stared on the grassy land.

"We can't defeat the monster with just two parties," seryosong saad niya. He was still staring in my face. I hope I'm not blushing. I felt a bit uncomfortable. I was flustered but I did my best to hide it.

"Let's just go home if that's the case. We need more allies," I said and pouted. He laughed.

"We don't need to go home. We will wait here," nakangising saad niya.

Tiningnan ko siya at tinaasan ng kilay. "Wait? Baka mabulok na tayo rito pero naman palang darating," mataray na saad ko.

"They'll come. Hindi mo ba naalala? Halos kasabay ko na pumunta rito ang party ni Queen. I'm not sure if Zero will come but I invited him. If they're lucky, tiyak na nagkita na silang dalawa," he grinned. Queen? Hindi ko ipinahalata sa kanya na gusto ko ng sumimangot. That means I will see her here. I'm sure she will cling to him everytime.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Did you plan this? Why do I have this feeling that you're manipulating the whole damned situation? Bakit parang handang-handa ka sa mga mangyayari? Pati ang pagkikita natin sa isang dungeon?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko sa kanya.

He chuckled. Tumabi siya sa 'kin at sumandal din sa puno na sinasandalan ko. "Not really. I didn't plan this. I'm just pushing my luck. Nang marinig ko na may apat na dungeons dito at maraming rare items na makukuha sa Lost City, alam kong hindi magiging madali ang lahat. This game will not give away those damned treasures easily. Imposibleng makaya ng isang party lang ang mga dungeons. Kung magiging ganu'n, wala ng thrill ang larong ito," he answered.

"And then, when our paths first crossed here, may kutob na ako na posibleng magkita tayo sa parehong dungeon. Na pwede nating pagtulungan ang isang dungeon. Kaya kinausap ko si Ara para ituro niya kung nasaan ang party mo. And when you're uncertain on where to go and what lies ahead, you have to analyze your every move and every decision. But it's not enough to decide on my own. I still need someone else's opinion. And then I know, you're the one who can help me," he added truthfully. I'm glad that he first saw me instead of Queen. Kung nagkataon na si Queen ang nakita niya, baka silang dalawa ang magkasama. Humaba ang nguso ko.

He chuckled. "You're making a face. It's the truth," he said. Napangiwi ako. Akala niya siguro, iniisip ko na nagsisinungaling siya. He didn't know that jealousy was starting to dwell inside me.

"So, the plan now is to wait for them to come?" tanong ko na lang sa kanya.

He nodded. "Then we will discuss and explain everything to them then formulate the plan," he answered. Hindi ba siya nawawalan ng game plan?

"And if this didn't work? What's you next plans?" kunot-noong tanong ko sa kanya. I was staring at his face. Nakatitig lang siya sa waterfalls. He turned to me.

"Do you want me to enumerate it all? I have too many plans and you will just get bored when you hear it," he said and grinned. "Just rest while we are waiting," he added. Umupo siya sa lupa at isinandal ang ulo sa puno. He held my hand and gently pull me down. He wanted me to sit too. Wala na rin akong nagawa dahil sa panghihina ko. I closed my eyes and rested the back of my head on the tree. Pero marahang isinandal ni Sky ang ulo ko sa balikat niya at hindi na ako nagreklamo pa. I was too tired and sleepy. I don't know if it's possible to sleep inside this game. Maybe I was just resting my mind.

After several minutes, I heard shouts coming from above. Lihim akong ngumiti. Dumating na sila at tama si Sky. Damn. I hate it when he's always right. Pakiramdam ko, gusto ko siyang talunin at lagpasan. He's a good opponent to defeat. I heard splashes of water and curses. Mahinang tumawa si Sky. Well, maybe it's really a good sight to laugh at but I'm busy savoring the feeling of my head on his shoulder. I suddenly thought that maybe I could stay like this forever but of course I can't. Narinig ko na ang paglapit ni Queen sa 'min. I pretended to be asleep and pressed my lips tighter.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

Nyahaha.. Ang tagal ng update ko. Next time ulit.. Thanks sa pagbabasa at comments. Mwaahugs <3