UNEDITED...

DENISE

"Hindi pa kayo pumasok sa south gate?" takang tanong ni Queen kay Sky. "Or maybe, you already did," she said. Maybe she noticed the wounds and bloods. I remained silent. Unmoving. Gusto kong sumimangot pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.

"Yes. And we're actually waiting for you now," Sky said lightly.

May narinig akong mga yabag na papalapit sa 'min. I heard someone hissed. "You should have warn me about the waterfalls," reklamo ng isang lalaki. I could tell that he was Zero.

Sky chuckled. "I'm not that prepared too," he said.

"Mukhang hindi madaling talunin ang South Gate Keeper," komento ni Zero. I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at him. Zero smiled at me. Inalis ko na ang ulo ko sa balikat ni Sky.

"Hi," I greeted them.

"Hi. It's been a while. Ngayon lang ulit tayo nagkita," Zero said.

"Yes. I wonder now what you were doing this past few days," I grinned. Ngumiti lang siya at mahinang tumawa. Hindi ko na nga siya masyadong nakikita sa game. O madalas lang siyang nasa labas ng town? Hindi ko alam. Kahit sa dinner, hindi ko na siya nakakasabay kumain. Hindi ko na rin siya masyadong nakikita sa hallway.

Tahimik lang na nakatingin sa 'kin si Queen pero nahalata ko ang pasimple niyang pag-irap sa 'kin.

"You'll know soon," makahulugang wika niya. He offered his right hand to me when he noticed that I'm attempting to stand up. Agad ko itong tinanggap upang tumayo. "I think, I got lots of stories to tell," Zero smirked. Tumayo na rin si Sky na nakasimangot na ngayon. He was looking on my hand which was holding Zero's hand. I blushed and almost forgot. Mahinang tumawa si Zero at hinila pa ako sa tabi niya. He whispered in my ear. Sapat lang upang marinig ko.

"He's jealous. Kayo na ba?" he asked. I blushed. Mahinang siniko ko siya sa tiyan pero tumawa lang siya. Binitawan na niya ang kamay ko.

"Hmmm. I want to know the details but not now," he whispered again. Tumingin na siya kay Sky at ngumisi. Sky just gave him a long look. Hinila ko si Zero at may ibinulong sa kanya.

"Sure. But I also want to know where you wandered this past days," I whispered. Maybe I could get something useful from him. Useful information. Hindi ko alam kung hanggang saan na ba ang narating niya. Tiningnan lang niya ako at tahimik na tumango. It's a deal then. Pero hindi ko alam kung ano ba dapat ang ikwento ko sa kanya. There's nothing going on with me and Sky.

"Let's get this done. I hope you already have a plan?" seryosong sabi ni Zero kay Sky. "We still have two hours before dinner. Sana matapos na natin ito," he added. Tila nagmamadali si Zero. Tumango lang si Sky na tila naintindihan ang gustong iparating ni Zero. Siguro alam ni Sky ang ginagawa niya. Mas lalo tuloy akong naiintriga. Umahon na ang mga kasama nina Zero at Queen. Nakikipag-usap na ang mga ito sa mga kasama namin.

"Is the dungeon boss that strong?" nakaangat ang kilay na tanong ni Queen sa 'min. Sky nodded. Naglakad na ako patungo sa mga kasama namin.

"He's that strong that any mistakes can tear us apart. These mistakes can lead us to face our own deaths," seryosong saad ko. Sumunod agad sa 'kin si Zero.

"I can clearly see it on your wounds," he said and chuckled.

Lumapit ako kina Fire. Hindi pa rin nila pinapagaling ang mga sarili nila. Katulad ko, naghihintay rin sila. Nakaupo lang si Ice sa tabi ni Fire. Tahimik lang si Fire. He looked up at me and I smiled. He smiled back.

"Hi Zero," Ice waved at him when she noticed his presence. Tipid na ngumiti si Zero kay Ice. Ice grinned at him. Tila may iniisip siyang nakakatuwa. Pinag-aaralan ni Ice si Zero maging ang level nito. She was looking at him from head to toe to examine him. Zero smirked when he noticed.

Lumapit na rin sina Sky at Queen. Natahimik ang lahat. Everyone was waiting for an explanation. Kung bakit nagtipon-tipon kami sa labas ng South Gate. Kung bakit sugatan kami at kung ano ang nangyari sa loob. Sky spoke for all of us. He explained everything. The vicious appearance and horns of the dungeon boss. The powerful gold scythe. The power it manifested. The skills it used to throw us like rags. Lahat ng mga nakita niya ay ipinaliwanag niya sa mga kasama namin.

"I ordered Zeus to watch the South Gate Keeper. I hope it will be enough for a plan," he said and looked at me. Everyone turned to me. Waiting for my answers and for the th?ings that might be helpful for the plan. I sighed and stepped forward. I picked the small stick on the ground and started to draw lines. They watched me. I grinned. It was now time for a counterattack. Any mistakes were not acceptable. Ipinaliwanag ko sa kanila ang lahat. All the possible weakpoints of the dungeon boss. All the blind spots. The speed and gaps for its attacks. The armour's critical points. Everything. Tahimik lang silang nakikinig. I was asking them if they brought some special items with them that might be useful.

Hindi ko rin kilala ang party members nina Zero at Queen kaya kailangan ko pang magtanong kung ano ang kailangan nilang gawin. Alam kong hindi masaya si Queen sa mga nangyayari pero wala naman siyang magagawa. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto kami nag-usap bago kami nagpasyang pumasok sa South Gate. Hindi ko rin alam kung talagang handa na ba talaga. We will know when we face the South Gate Keeper again.

"I wonder what's waiting for us after this dungeon," seryosong saad ni Zero. Kasunod ko lang si Silver. Nakilala na niya si Silver kanina. Lahat kami ay magaling na dahil sa healing potion. I told Silver to avoid the attacks as much as possible. I still need to train him and I don't want to risk his life here.

"Maybe monsters?" nakangising sagot ko sa kanya. He groaned. "I need a break," he whispered. Mahina lang akong tumawa. Nang makapasok kaming lahat, hindi na kami nag-aksaya pa ng oras. Agad kaming tumakbo sa puwesto namin upang palibutan ang dungeon boss. Hindi nga kami nagkamali. Pagpasok pa lang namin ay agad na itong umatake. Mabuti na lang naging alerto kami agad. Nasa likod ako ng dungeon boss. Marami na kami. It's enough to bring the South Gate Keeper down. Enough to defeat it and send it flying. May iba pa ring hindi nakaligtas sa unang atake ng South Gate Keeper. I frowned. I told them to move faster and get to there post. Maybe a warning is not really enough. They need to experience it first before they learn.

I started to released arrows. I was targeting its horns. Nagsisimula na rin sa pag-atake ang iba. Sky started to switched positions with Zero. The healers were alert and ready to heal the wounded. Queen is a bard. Ginagamit niya ang mga nakayayanig na musika upang atakihin ang dungeon boss. And as planned, everyone was moving. We are not staying at the same spot to distract the dungeon boss and to avoid its lethal attacks.

Tumatakbo ako. I jumped from above while the dungeon boss was fight Sky's lance and Zero's elegant sword. I released my Angel's Shot and didn't miss. That's the plan. We need to stun the dungeon boss first and then destroy its defenses. Agad kaming lumayo ni Sky at Zero. Tumigil din sa pag-atake sina Queen. Now, half us were hitting the dungeon boss' armour nonstop. Ang party ni Queen at Zero lang ang gumagalaw upang umatake. Kapag nag-cooldown sila, kami ang papalit upang makipaglaban. They were trying to break the horns and the armour. Kasabay ng pagkawala ng bisa ng atake ko, nagcooldown na sila. Agad silang lumayo patungo sa isang tabi. They must avoid the South Gate Keeper's attacks now at all costs.

Alerto kami. We still have Zeal and the other archers to hit the dungeon boss with Angel's Shot. The dungeon boss swung his scythe in the air. It was too fast, my eyes can't follow its movement. Hindi ko na napansin ang mga matatalim na gintong liwanag na biglang tumama sa mga katawan namin. The sharp crescent-like gold light pierce through my legs and skins.

Malalakas at dumadagundong na hampas ang tumama sa iba naming mga kasama. Zeal tried to attack the dungeon boss but before he can release an arrow, he was already sent flying. Tumama ang likod niya sa isang gintong istatwa. Sky and Zero tried to do the combo attacks but the South Gate Keeper managed to dodge it.

Everyone tried to hit the monster from every directions. Kalhati na ang nabawas sa armour level nito. May nakakalampas sa depensa ng South Gate Keeper. Busy naman sina Fire sa pagpapagaling sa mga sugatan naming kasama. We can't let anyone die. Alam kong imposible pero kailangan naming gawin.

Tumalsik palayo sina Sky at Zero dahil mas malakas ang kalaban. We tried to hit it with arrows, lightning, axe and sword. Mabilis na rin ang switching namin. Ice was trying to cut down the horns using the dual flying blades. She managed to give the South Gate Keeper two critical blows before she was sent flying to the wall. I saw that she spat blood from her mouth.

I was doing the switching too with Scithe. Mas mabilis akong gumalaw sa kanya at mas mabilis makakalapit sa South Gate Keeper. Kapag malapit na ako at sapat na upang makaatake siya, saka kami nagpapalit ng posisyon. And Heather will change with Scithe too. Bumalik na ang kapangyarihan ng lahat ng nagcooldown. Ang problema, malapit na kaming magcooldown nina Sky.

"Zeal, attack the dungeon boss. Release the Angel Shot. I will help you do it. Switch with me. Let's jumped together from different sides of the dungeon boss," seryosong saad ko sa kanya. He nodded. Sabay kaming tumakbo patungo sa dungeon boss at tumalon. Nasa harap si Zeal at nasa likod naman ako. The dungeon boss was ready to attack Zeal. We switched and he managed to land the attack on the dungeon boss head. Pero bago niya nagawa iyon, natamaan na ako ng armas ng dungeon boss. Hindi sapat ang arrow na pinakawalan ko upang mapigilan ito. I was sent flying and my arm was bleeding. Hindi na makagalaw ngayon ang dungeon boss. Nagsimula na ulit umatake ang mga kasama namin hanggang sa magcooldown sila.

Bago tumama ang likod ko sa pader, may sumalo na sa katawan ko. Fire held my shoulder and I slammed my back over him.

"Ayos ka pa?" he asked with concern. I nodded even though I felt dizzy. Nahihilo na ako at sumasakit na ang ulo. I could feel the pain from my wounds. He started to heal me. Lumayo ako sa kanya nang makaramdam ng ginhawa.

Aatakihin ko na sana muli ang dungeon boss pero hindi ko napansin na nagsisimula na pala ang cooldown ko. I sighed. Tumayo lang ako at naghintay hanggang sa matapos ang cooldown ko. Wala naman kasi akong magagawa. Napansin ko na malapit ng matibag ang depensa ng South Gate Keeper pero halos lahat ay sugatan at pagod na.

Tiningnan ko si Fire. Hindi rin siya nakaligtas sa ibang atake ng dungeon boss. He was bleeding too. "Heal yourself," seryosong saad ko sa kanya.

"I can still hold on. Mas malala ang sugat ng iba kaysa sa 'kin," seryosong saad niya. I frowned and he noticed but he smiled.

"Then heal them instead. I'll be fine," seryosong saad ko. Napapitlag ako nang marahan niyang hawakan ang maliit na hiwa ko sa labi. He sighed and pulled away.

"Got it. Just... just be careful," he answered the run towards the others. I just watched him. I turned to watch the dungeon boss again but I saw Sky looking at me. And then, he looked away. Katabi niya si Queen and she was badly bleeding. Maybe he was helping her. I frowned but there's no time for this.

Nang matapos na ang cooldown ko, muli na ring nakagalaw ang halimaw. But its armour of defense is low now. Agad akong gumalaw at tinira ito ng Arrow of Destruction. Agad na naglahong parang bula ang armour nito. It was now the time to attack it. Pero dahil mataas pa rin ang health points nito, parang imposible. Ipinilig ko ang ulo upang alisin ang pangamba. We will win this fight.

The assassins were trying to destroy the horns of the dungeon boss. Ito ang sinabi ko sa kanila. It seems like these horns were the source of the South Gate Keeper's power. It seems to glow with power. Ang ilan sa mga kasama namin ay tumitira mula sa tagiliran ng dungeon boss. Pinupuntirya namin ang blind spots nito. Mas nagiging bayolente ang bawat kilos nito. The sounds coming from it screams were distracting. Sumasakit ang mga tainga namin. The bards especially Queen tried to counterattack with good soothing musics. We were all moving. All giving our best shots. Bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil ang iba sa 'min ay naglalahong parang bula. They were dying. I gritted my teeth. I don't want to lose anyone.

Naputol na ng mga assassins ang tatlong sungay nito. Wala na sa kalhati ang health points nito. We were twenty four but now we're just twenty two. Ang dalawang nawala ay mula sa party ni Queen. I bit my lower lip. Kahit hindi ko gusto si Queen, hindi ko gustong mawalan siya ng mga members.

Pababa ng pababa ang health points ng dungeon boss. Sky, Zero and Phoenix were hitting the dungeon boss nonstop. Hindi ko na rin mabilang kung ilang beses silang tumalsik palayo. Hindi ko na maalala. Maging ang mga sugat nila sa katawan ay malalim. Ang iba naman ay patuloy pa rin sa pag-atake. Ang ilan ay nagpapahinga dahil sa cooldown. Ice and the other assassins were trying to dodge the South Gate Keeper's scythe. Magulo at maingay sa buong paligid. I could hear the screams of the dungeon boss and the groans coming from us. We were using the special items to avoid the dungeon boss' attacks and boost our strength. Some assassins used explosives to stun the dungeon boss for seconds.

Nang malapit ng matalo ang dungeon boss, tumalon ako. Nasa ibabaw na ako ngayon ng South Gate Keeper. I released the technique I recently studied and mastered. Purification Arrow. Nakasisilaw na liwanag ang bumalot sa buong paligid. The Arrow exploded on the South Gate Keeper's face and I received the Last Attack Bonus. It was a rare item and I smiled. Sky and Zero groaned because they didn't get the item.

Bumukas ang pinto. Agad na tumakbo sa 'kin si Silver. Kahit pagod na pagod ay nagawa pa rin naming maglakad patungo sa pinto. Nang makapasok kami sa loob ng isang silid. Halos mapanganga ako sa dami ng pinto na naghihintay sa 'min. Twenty four. A beautiful lady with green hair was waiting. She smiled on us.

"It's still early to congratulate you. But I will not make this long. Choose one door for each one of you. There are different fates waiting on the other side of the door. Death. Fortune. Power. Life. Too many to mention. I hope you can survive the doors of fate," she added with stillness. Masyado siyang straightforward. Twenty two na lang kami kaya hindi magagamit ang dalawang pinto.

Hinawakan ko sa kamay si Silver. "Pick one for me," nakangiting sabi ko sa kanya. He frowned. "Don't blame me if I happened to pick Death," he answered. Mahina akong tumawa.

"Death can't kill me now. I will not waste this chance to see the Lost City. I will survive and escape death," seryosong saad ko sa kanya. He nodded.

Tiningnan ko ang mga kasama ko na nagpapagaling na. Pinagaling ko na rin ang sarili ko upang maghanda.

"I'll go ahead first. See you when I see you," seryosong saad ko sa kanila. They nodded. Hindi ko na kinausap si Sky dahil tinutulungan pa niya si Queen. I talked briefly to my party members and waved goodbye to Zero. Pinili ni Silver ang pang-labingwalong pinto. I noticed the unusual carvings in the door. It seems ancient puzzles.

"Goodluck Zeus," the beautiful girl said. I forgot to ask her name.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Diana," she answered. I nodded. I opened the door and the dim light welcome us. Hinawakan ko si Silver sa kamay bago kami tuluyang pumasok. My heart was throbbing with excitement at the same time fear of the unknown. I held my crystal bow tightly. I was alert for possible threat. The hallway was wide. The ancient carvings are everywhere. Siguro naman wala ng mga trap sa lugar na ito?

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

TO BE CONTINUED...

Wahaha. Nag-update ulit ako. Gusto ko na ring tapusin. Sobrang tagal na kasing hindi nakakapag-update. Next time ulit :)