UNEDITED...

DENISE

I woke up the next day. I feel sore. My head aches. Napuyat ako kagabi dahil tinapos ko pa ang mga solo quests ko. I'm glad na nakalabas na si Fire sa City Jail. Naligo muna ako at nagpalit ng damit. I texted Frey and Faye so we could eat breakfast together. I applied some powder on my face and comb my hair.

Magkikita kami sa isang food chain. Naabutan ko si Frey na naghihintay sa isang table. Wala si Faye. Maybe she's late. "Hey, Frey, good morning," bati ko sa kanya. He smiled and somehow he blushed slightly. Hinihilot niya ang sentido niya at hinahaplos ang nananakit na batok.

"Good morning," he said. "Sa room na raw kakain si Faye. Nagmamadali kasi siya. She wanted to train her pet as soon as possible," he said. I frowned. Ice got a baby lion and not an ordinary one. His baby lion is in flames and it was so cute. Babae ang baby lion niya pero hindi ito kagaya ni Silver na kayang mag-anyong tao.

"What are your plans right now? Naunahan ka na ni Ice na makahuli ng alaga," saad ko sa kanya. "Ayos lang ba ang pakiramdam mo?" tanong ko nang mapansin na parang masama ang pakiramdam niya. Namumutla siya.

His eyes became distant. "Yes. Sumasakit lang ang ulo ko pero hindi naman ito magtatagal," he answered.

"You shall rest," nag-aalalang sabi ko sa kanya.

"Hmmm. Maaga akong magla-log out mamaya," he answered. I could see in his eyes that he's keeping a secret from me. Maaga siyang magla-log out pero hindi siya magpapahinga. I could feel it.

"What are your plans tonight?" nagdududang tanong ko sa kanya. He shrugged his shoulder and gave me a hesitant smile. I frowned. He didn't want to tell me. "Let's eat and don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing," he just said. Tumayo na siya.

"What do you want to eat?" he asked me.

"The usual," I just answered. He nodded and walked towards the counter. Pinanood ko lang siya. Kapag nasa labas kami ng laro, normal naman ang ikinikilos niya. But when we're inside the game, it was strange and different. It seems like he's not the same person I knew.

Dala na niya ang mga pagkain namin nang bumalik siya. We talked about the game. Our thoughts and plans. Pero hindi niya binanggit ang tungkol sa pagiging couple namin. It seems like it's not one of his plans but I need to clear this out.

"The couple thing..." I said but hesitated for a bit. He looked at me with soft eyes. Mabuti na lang tapos na kaming kumain. Uminom muna siya ng tubig. Nang ibaba niya ang baso sa mesa, bumuntong-hininga siya.

"Hindi ko alam kung paano ipapaliwanag sa 'yo ang nararamdaman ko," he started. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat.

"D-Don't tell me you're inlove with me?" I stammered. Pakiramdam ko bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa kaba habang hinihintay ang sagot ni Frey. Natigilan si Frey sa sinabi ko. Bigla na lang siyang tumawa nang malakas dahil sa reaksiyon ko. Sumimangot ako dahil hindi niya sineseryoso ang tanong ko.

"Please don't jump into conclusion," nakangising sabi niya sa 'kin.

"Linawin mo kasi. Ayusin mo ang sentence mo," nakangusong sabi ko. He chuckled. Tumayo na siya kaya kumunot ang noo ko. Sinabi niya na maglakad muna kami sa malapit na park. Sumang-ayon naman ako. I need to some fresh air. Palagi na lang akong nakakulong sa silid ko. Habang naglalakad kami at namamasyal, ipinapaliwanag niya sa 'kin ang lahat.

"I'm not inlove with you Denise. When I kissed you, I know that I'm not," he said. I blushed.

"Sige. Ipamukha mo pa sa 'kin na assuming ako," nakasimangot na sabi ko sa kanya. Tumawa siya pero bigla rin namang sumeryoso.

"But I'm afraid that Fire is inlove with Zeus," he said. Napaawang ang labi ko at nagtatakang tumingin kay Frey.

"What do you mean? Is that even possible? You and Fire are the same person," kunot-noong sabi ko sa kanya.

"No. Iba ang nararamdaman ko. Whenever I'm inside the game, it feels like I belong there. That I can live inside the game forever. And Fire suddenly feel that he loves Zeus. That he wanted to live inside the game with her. It may sound ridiculous but it's the truth. I can't feel that I am still Frey inside the game. Fuck! Something wrong is going on. Hindi ako matatahimik hangga't hindi ko nalalaman kung ano ba talaga ang nangyayari," he said with frustration.

"I don't understand," mahinang sabi ko. Pakiramdam ko hindi kayang intindihin ng utak ko ang mga sinasabi niya.

"Pakiramdam ko may kumukontrol sa 'kin," he said to simplify it all. "Someone's controlling my mind and emotions. It sounds impossible, yes. That's why I want to prove it. I need to see it so I can tell myself that I'm not mad. That I'm right," he said. Tumigil siya sa paglalakad at tumingin sa 'kin. His eyes were tired and were begging for help.

"Hindi ko alam kung saan tayo dadalhin ng larong ito. I'm afraid that it may someday lead us to madness. And when the time comes that Fire doesn't even know Frey anymore, I hope you're there to remind him. Remind him of his true self. Remind him that he can't live inside a virtual world. That he needs to get out," nagsusumamong wika niya. Hindi ako makapagsalita. Hindi ko maintindihan. Gusto ko ring malaman kung ano ba ang totoong nangyayari.

"Bantayan mo rin si Ice. I can't watch over her when I'm not myself. I can feel that something big is coming inside that game. Something beyond our control," he said.

"Are you going to sneak in the headquarters?" tanong ko sa kanya. Para malaman niya ang buong katotohanan. He nodded.

"I'll come with you," determinadong saad ko. Umiling siya.

"No. Focus on the game. Magpalakas ka pa. At hindi maganda kung pareho tayong pupunta sa headquarters. It will raise suspicions. I'll do this alone and let you know the important details if I find something useful," he said. Nag-aalalang tumitig ako sa mukha niya. He smiled at me.

"Don't worry. I can handle this," he said. "Let's go back to our rooms now," he said. Naglakad na siya pabalik sa building namin. Hinawakan ko ang pulsuhan niya para pigilan siya.

"If you think you are being controlled, itigil mo na ang paglalaro," suhestiyon ko sa kanya. Iniisip ko pa lang na may kumukontrol sa isip namin ay parang gusto ko ng manginig sa takot. Parang gusto ko ng umatras sa laro.

Humarap siya sa 'kin. "We can't. Magtataka sila. At kapag nalaman nila na may alam tayo sa sikreto ng larong ito, sa tingin mo ba hahayaan na lang nila tayong umalis nang ganu'n lang? No. Just keep this a secret and play along with them," he said. I heaved a deep sigh. Ano ba itong napasukan namin?

"Please..." he pleaded. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi. Tumango ako kahit hindi ako makapag-isip nang maayos. The fear was eating me up. "Good. Let's go back," he said. Marahan niyang hinila ang kamay ko upang alalayan ako sa paglalakad. Nagpaalam na ako sa kanya nang tumigil ang elevator sa floor ko. He nodded and smiled at me.

Nang makapasok ako sa silid ko, tahimik kong pinag-aralan ang VR head gears. I checked the cables where it was connected. I was connected to a computer where the game Alkia Kingdom is installed. May malaking monitor sa harap kung saan nakikita ko ang mga nangyayari sa loob ng laro. Kailangan ko pang i-zoom in ang bawat lugar para makita ko nang maayos ang mga nangyayari. If only I could decode this game. If only I could check how the whole game was programmed but I can't. Makikita ko lang ang system program ng laro sa headquarters.

Malalim na bumuntong-hininga ako. Bigla na lang pumasok sa utak ko si Prius. I need him. Maybe he know something. Agad akong humiga sa kama at inilagay ang VR gears sa ulo ko at nag-log in.

Nang magising ako sa loob ng game, nakatingin lang sa 'kin si Silver at halatang naghihintay sa paggising ko. "I need to find Sky first and then we will train again. Are you hungry?" tanong ko sa kanya. Nagmamadali na bumangon ako.

"Food can wait. I bet you have something more important to do," he said. I nodded. Agad akong lumabas ng bahay. Sumunod agad siya sa 'kin. "I'm looking for Sky. Did you see him?" tanong ko kay Silver. Umiling siya. Muntik ko ng makalimutan na pwede ko pala siyang hanapin sa dashboard ko. I'm glad that he's still inside the Town. He's in the riverbank.

Nagmamadaling tumakbo ako roon. I saw Sky but he was talking to Queen. Hindi ko alam kung hihintayin ko pa bang matapos ang usapan nila o kakausapin ko na agad siya. Mas pinili ko ang maghintay malayo sa kanila. Isinandal ko ang likod sa isang puno habang nakatingin sa kanila. Ilang minuto lang ay napansin na ni Queen ang presensiya ko. Siguro naramdaman niya ang pagtitig ko sa kanilang dalawa. Ibinalik niya ang tingin kay Sky at ngumiti nang matamis. Pakiramdam ko inaasar niya ako pero kumunot ang noo ko nang magpaalam na siya kay Sky at naglakad na palayo.

Lumingon sa 'kin si Sky. Hindi na ako gumalaw sa kinatatayuan ko dahil siya na ang lumapit sa 'kin. "I need your help," seryosong saad ko sa kanya.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "About what?" tanong niya.

"About everything! Hindi ko alam kung paano ipapaliwanag sa 'yon. I'm not even sure if it's safe to talk about it here. Did Queen ask you to be her partner?" sunud-sunod na tanong ko.

"No. She already knows my answer," he answered. "Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gusto mong sabihin. Maybe we can talk outside the game if it's not safe here," he added.

"Good. Let's talk outside the game but for now, I want to ask if you already have a partner," seryosong saad ko. I was doing my best to not blush. Kung gusto kong magpalakas, kakailanganin ko ang tulong ni Sky. It's not that I'm using him. Tiyak na mapapakinabangan naman namin ang isa't isa.

"Yes," he grinned.

I hid my disappointment. "Is it Queen?" I managed to ask.

"No. It's you. Sa tingin ko, iisa lang ang tumatakbo sa isip nating dalawa. You want me to be your partner so we need to go to the Cathedral now and do the Binding Ritual," he said. I was stunned. Ganu'n ba ako kadaling basahin? He offered his hand to me. I took a deep breath before I held his hand. I don't want to waste my time either but I suddenly remembered Fire.

"Wait. Kailangan ko munang kausapin si Fire. Pumunta ka na sa Cathedral. I'll see you there later. Please look after Silver for me," nagmamadaling sabi ko sa kanya. Binitawan ko ang kamay niya at tumakbo. Hindi ko na siya hinayaang magsalita pa. I checked my dashboard to see Fire's location. He was in the hill near the market.

May isang malaking puno roon. I saw him sitting under the cherry tree. He was sleeping or not. Siguro ipinikit lang niya ang mga mata niya habang nilalanghap ang sariwang hangin. Siguro gusto lang niya ng katahimikan o gusto lang niyang mapag-isa. Siguro malalim lang ang iniisip niya ngayon.

Naglakad ako patungo sa kanya. He opened his eyes when he felt my presence. I smiled at him and he smiled back. A sad smile. I'm not sure if he still remembers our conversation in the park as Frey. Pero alam ko na hindi ko maaaring banggitin 'yon sa loob ng larong ito.

"I'll marry Sky and you need to find another partner, Fire," I said when I sat beside him.

He laughed but it was empty and sad. Inisip ko na hindi siya si Frey. Inisip ko na magkaiba silang tao. Hindi dapat ako masaktan para sa kanya. I'll find time to save him. I'll find a way to bring Fire back to his senses. "I want to accept that I can't have you. Pero sa tuwing iniisip ko 'yon, pakiramdam ko gusto kong magalit. Hindi ko maiwasan ang magselos. I want you in my possession. I think I'm going mad. I'm inlove with you, Zeus," he said with a heavy heart. Sa bawat salitang binibitawan niya, ramdam ko ang sakit. Bumibigat ang pakiramdam ko. Ayokong magkaganito si Frey o Fire. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng mga bagay na nangyayari sa kanya. Gusto kong ibalik siya sa dati.

"You don't love me. Iniisip mo lang 'yan. Please.... I'm sorry..." mahinang wika ko. Nangingilid ang luha ko. I will come back for him. I will not let this happen to him.

"I have no right to stop you. But I'm always here for you," mahinang wika niya. Tiningnan ko siya. Marahan kong hinawakan ang mukha niya at ihinarap sa 'kin.

"Look at me, Fire. Everything here is not real. Kahit ako na nasa harap mo ay hindi totoo. Right now, all you have to do is to play this game. Don't think of anything. Your feelings inside this game is not real. Find a partner and rise to the top. Think about the ranking quest. I'm always here for you. Don't leave and walk away. We will figure out everything from now on. We're still together as a party," seryosong saad ko. I'm not sure of what to say. But I hope this could help.

I saw his eyes glitter with tears. He held my hand and kissed my palm. "I hope, I'm still strong to hold on," he whispered. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtulo ng luha ko.

"You're strong. I know you are," pilit ang ngiti na wika ko. Agad kong hinila ang kamay ko at pinunasan ang luha ko. "I have to go," saad ko at tumayo na agad. "I'll see you later for the party quests," I said. He just nodded. I turned my back to him and walked away. Kung ayaw ni Frey na isama ako sa pagpunta sa headquarters, tutulungan ko na lang siya sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng impormasyon mula kay Prius. Naglakad na ako patungo sa Cathedral.

Naghihintay sa labas si Sky at Silver. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman ngayon. I can't be happy. Siguro, may maliit na bahagi ng puso ko ang masaya habang nakatingin sa nakasimangot na si Sky. Nagliwanag lang ang mukha niya nang makita niya akong papalapit. I suddenly felt nervous. I'm really going to bind with him from now on. Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan tatagal ang puso ko.

"Nakita mo ba siya?" tanong niya nang makalapit ako. I nodded.

"Ayos ka lang ba?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.

"Yes. Let's get this done then do our quests. After the game, I'll see you for dinner and we will talk," seryosong saad ko.

"Kinakabahan ako kapag nagiging seryoso ka," nakangiwing wika niya. Bahagya akong napangiti sa reaksiyon niya. Hinila ko na siya papasok sa loob ng Cathedral. We bought rings and paid the priestess who will do the ritual. And it costs us a lot of money. May mga NPC na nakaupo upang panoorin ang magaganap na seremonya.

I was now wearing a long white gown with gold linings. Nakasayad na ito sa sahig. I was holding a bouquet of white roses in hand. Sky was not wearing the lancer's armour. He was wearing a white tuxedo and pants with gold linings too. We were inside a circle and we are looking at each other. Mabilis ang pintig ng puso ko. Kinakabahan ako. He just smiled at me. Trying to comfort me as if he could sense that I'm nervous like hell. Pilit akong ngumiti sa kanya pero pakiramdam ko nakangiwi ako. Nanonood lang sa isang tabi si Silver.

"Are you ready?" the beautiful priestess asked. Mahaba ang asul na buhok nito. She was wearing a long white gown that suits a priestess really well. Lisanna was her name. We nodded. "There's no turning back. If you wanted to remove the bind, it will cost you thirty folds of the money in this binding ritual. I will now start," she said. Mahigpit na hinawakan ko ang hawak kong rosas. I heaved a deep breath. Umilaw ang cirle na kinatatayuan namin. Maging ang mga magical runes na marka roon. Nagsimula na si Lisanna sa ritwal.

"Love has no ends. No bounds. Now, I ask you Sky. Will you protect and love Zeus with all your heart and soul? Will you promise that you will never betray her for any reasons? Will you never see other woman to love except for her? Will you bind with Zeus until your last breath? Until eternity?"

"I will protect and love Zeus with all my heart and soul. I will protect and love her. Never will I betray her for any reasons. She's the only woman I sought to love. I will bind with her until my last breath... Until eternity... No bounds... No ends..." he answered. And I thought the world stopped from rotating. Ramdam ko ang bawat salitang binibitawan niya. And I thought my heart was going to burst out.

Lisanna turned to me. "And for you Zeus, will you be his strength and love him with all your heart and soul? Will you promise that you will never betray him for any reasons? Will you never see other man to love except for him? Will you bind with Sky until your last breath? Until eternity?" she asked. It seems like she was chanting a spell. A very powerful spell.

"With all my heart and soul, I will love Sky and be his strength. I will never betray him for any reasons. He's the only man I will sought to love. I will bind with Sky... until my last breath... until eternity... no bounds and ends..." I answered. He smiled at me and I blushed. I want to rip that smile across his face. I felt embarassed. May isang babaeng NPC na lumapit sa 'min upang ibigay ang mga singsing. Her name is MjxSilver. She was the priestess assistant. Her red hair and gown were stunning too.

Kinuha namin ni Sky ang mga singsing. A force suddenly pulled us together. Bumilis ang tibok nang puso ko nang mas mapalapit ako sa kanya.

"Sky, you may now put the ring in her finger," Lisanna said. Hinawakan ni Sky ang kamay ko. He whispered something. "This may not be a real wedding but I'm happy to do it with you. Although it feels like we're just playing house." He chuckled. He swiftly put the ring in my finger.

"Do the same,  Zeus," Lisanna said.

Kinuha ko ang kamay ni Sky. I whispered something too. "This is not real. And we're not a couple in real life. Just inside this game. I'll skin you alive if ever you go beyond the limits. But I'm happy to do this together with you too. And don't ever think of playing house," banta ko sa kanya. He chuckled and grinned. I put the ring on his finger.

"This circle will be the witness and the sign of your love for each other. It was unending. Eternal. Sacred. Sky and Zeus, you are now bound together. And to finish this ritual, you may now seal it with a kiss," Lisanna said. Bago pa ako makapag-react sa huling sinabi ni Lisanna. Hinila na ako ni Sky papalapit sa kanya. Hindi na niya ako hinayaang magsalita pa. He already sealed my lips with his. And the light from magic circle surrounding us, grew bright and brighter. Somehow, it made me at ease. Nabawasan ang pag-aalala ko kay Fire. Pakiramdam ko, may katulong na ako at kakayanin kong lumaban hangga't nandito si Sky.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

Dito na natatapos ang kwento. Wahaha.  Happy na eh.. Joke.. Hmmm.. Dito na magsisimula ang pagkasira ng buhay nila.. I have ten chapters left. Sana magkasya. Kapag hindi, baka madagdagan pa :( Thanks sa comments and reads