UNEDITED...

DENISE

Hindi ko alam kung anong oras ako nakatulog kagabi. Maraming gumugulo sa isip ko. Pakiramdam ko, mawawala ako sa katinuan. Hindi pa rin maalis ang takot at pangamba ko. Nakahiga lang ako sa kama habang yakap-yakap ang kumot na bumabalot sa katawan ko na tila nanlalamig. I don't want to play. My mind was telling me not to play anymore.

Nakatitig ako sa VR Gear na nakapatong sa mesa. Alas diyes na ng umaga, hindi pa rin ako bumabangon upang kumain at maglaro. I was just staring on the VR Gear like it was the most stupid thing in the world. Some people were using technology for their wicked and illegal plans. They must be insane! I heaved a deep sigh out of frustration and exasperation. Hindi ko alam kung ipagpapatuloy ko pa ang paglalaro. I was too afraid to be controlled. I was too afraid to lose myself. I was too afraid to be one of their subject. Napansin ko na lang ang pangingig ng katawan ko dahil sa posibleng mangyari. I don't to be their guinea pig. For all its worth, do we really deserved this destruction?

I gripped my blanket tightly. I gritted my teeth because I knew, I couldn't be like this. I couldn't stay like this. I couldn't be selfish while Frey and Prius were sacrificing their lifes to reveal the dark secrets of this organization. Pumayag si Frey na ipagpatuloy ang paglalaro hanggang sa malaman ni Kuya Darren kung paano mapipigilan ang organisasyon. Maging si Prius ay ganu'n din ang desisyon. He would surely sneak again inside the headquarters when he found time. Habang ako naman ay nasa silid ko at nagtatakot na maglaro. It just proved that I'm a coward. A helpless coward. Para lang akong daga na nagtatago sa mga pusa. And I hated it. I hated it when they're too brave to help and I'm left here alone. Frightened and useless.

Mariin kong kinagat ang labi ko. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to face my fears. I wanted to be brave. I wanted to help. Gusto kong damayan sila. Gusto kong palakasin ang loob nila. I wanted to support them all the way until we defeat the game and the organization. Until victory is ours to keep. My eyes were swollen. Dahil sa walang tigil na pag-iyak ko kagabi. Again, I heaved a deep sigh to stop myself from crying again.

If I wanted to be brave, I should act now. I should move now and face my fears. If I wanted to defeat the game, I needed to reach the very last dungeon. I needed to be strong to face the very last boss. If I wanted to defeat the organization, I must face them without fear and doubt. I must face them with all I got.

Nagmamadaling umalis ako sa kama ko. Napalunok ako nang lumapit ako sa VR Gear. Tiyak na naglalaro na sila. Maybe my team was already waiting for me. They needed me. I couldn't possibly abandon them. Hindi lang si Frey ang kinokontrol ng organisasyon. Marami pa. I couldn't be selfish and leave them behind.

Hinawakan ko ang VR Gear at sinuri ito. Saan naman kaya nila inilalagay ang microchips na ginagamit nila upang kontrolin ang mga players? Gusto kong itapon at sirain ang VR Gear pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. I have to think of something. Maybe there was another way.

Malalim na bumuntong-hininga ako na tila humuhugot ng lakas ng loob. We will survive. Humiga na ako at isinuot ang VR gear. Mamaya ko na pag-iisipan ang mga gagawin ko pagkatapos kong maglaro. They still couldn't manage to control us outside the game. Maybe that's the thing lacking in their experiment. Kung anu-ano ang pumapasok sa utak ko dahil sa mga nangyayari.

I opened my eyes. I found Silver staring down at me. He was sitting in the bed next to where I laid. He looked annoyed.

"You're late. I thought you're not going to play. Are you going to let me rot in here?" reklamo niya. I smiled a bit. I'm going to miss this icy blue fox when the game is over. It hurted me that I couldn't keep him forever.

"Sorry. Let's go. I'm just sick for a while," I said. It's half the truth. I'm sick of this game and the organization. Hindi ko lang masabi. I wondered if they could hear our voices inside this game. It's scary and horrible. We're being watched and I hated that feeling. Gustong manginig ng katawan ko dahil sa ideya na 'yon.

Naglakad kami sa loob ng town. Hindi sinasadya na nakita ko sina Ice at Zero na nag-uusap nang masinsinan. Or not. Hindi pala sila masinsinang nag-uusap. I couldn't help but smile because of Ice. Puro kalokohan talaga ang iniisip niya. Akala ko hindi na rin ako makakangiti dahil sa mga natuklasan namin. At walang kamalay-malay si Ice. Ayokong sabihin sa kanya. Ayokong mag-alala siya. Medyo malayo ako sa kanila at tumigil muna ako sa isang puno para hindi nila mapansin ang presensiya ko.

Someone gently held my arm. I looked over my shoulder to see who it was. It's Sky. He gave me a worried look. I blushed. The kissed we shared flashed in my mind.

"Akala ko hindi ka maglalaro. Gusto na sana kitang puntahan sa kwarto mo pero siguro kailangang bigyan muna kita ng oras. I know you're afraid. At naisip ko rin na mas makabubuti sigurong hindi ka na maglaro," sabi niya. Halatang nag-iingat siya sa bawat binibitiwan niyang salita. Umiling ako. I gave him a reassuring smile. And I'm also glad that he didn't mention the kiss.

"At sino ang magiging kapartner mo kung hindi ako maglalaro? May mas magaling pa ba sa 'kin?" pagbibiro ko sa kanya. "Let's face this together. Marami pa tayong kailangang gawin para mahabol sina Death," nakangising saad ko sa kanya. He smiled and nodded. "If that's what you want my wife, so be it," he said. I blushed and my heart fluttered when he called me with that endearment. It's actually sweet. Napalingon kami kina Ice nang wala sa oras dahil sa narinig namin.

"Marry me," seryosong saad ni Ice habang nakahalukipkip na nakatingin kay Zero. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya kinuha ang lakas ng loob upang sabihin 'yon. She looked so sure of herself. She looked so confident. Her pet lion growled a bit. I don't know if her pet approved her decision.

Napansin ko naman ang antipatikong ngiti na sumilay sa labi ni Zero. His arms were crossed in his chest too. Kanina lang ay nagtatalo sila sa isang bagay kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit napunta sa kasal ang usapan nila.

"Ligawan mo muna ako," pang-aasar ni Zero sa kanya. Muntik na akong matawa dahil sa narinig. Para silang mga baliw. Palagay ko bahagyang namula ang mukha ni Ice dahil sa sinabi ni Zero. Naningkit ang mga mata ni Ice at inirapan niya si Zero.

"Kapal mo naman. Ano ka? Nagpapakipot? Ako na nga ang nag-alok sa 'yo dahil mukhang torpe ka pa," she said. "Ikaw ang babae rito tapos ako ang lalaki? Ganu'n?"

I bit my lower lip. I was enjoying their little argument. Naramdaman ko ang paghawak ni Sky sa kamay ko. He was enjoying this too.

"Mukhang madadagdagan na naman ang mga katunggali natin," bulong ni Sky sa 'kin habang nakangisi. I grinned. He's right. Ice and Zero will probably be a threat to us.

Zero laughed with amusement. Hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin siya kay Ice. "My god! I don't know if I can handle you, woman," naiiling na sabi niya pero nakangisi. Ice pouted.

"You don't need to. We just need to play. Be the best couple and that's it. That's enough. Wala na tayong natitirang oras. Halos lahat ay may ka-partner na. Unless you have another woman in mind?" nakataas ang kilay na sabi niya kay Zero. Ngumisi ako dahil sa sinabi niya. I couldn't hide my admiration for Ice. She's straightforward. Naiinggit ako dahil walang takot na nasasabi niya ang mga nasa isip niya. Kaya natatakot din ako na baka kapag nalaman niya ang totoo ay hindi siya makapagtimpi. Baka sugudin niya ang organisasyon.

"I don't have someone in mind to partner with. But you don't know what you're getting into. Can you imagine me holding your hand? Kissing you? Pretending that we love each other?" Zero teased. "You should avoid nagging me with your straightforward attempts," he laughed.

Mas lalong humaba ang nguso ni Ice. "Loner. And I don't mind kissing you. This is just a game," she said and blushed. "Why should I avoid nagging you? Dahil bababa ang intimacy level natin? We're not compatible because you want a silent partner instead of a nagger? For your information, hindi po ako nagger, straightforward at practical lang," she said to defend herself.

Mas lumawak ang ngiti ni Zero. "No. I don't want a silent one. Okay. You're not a nagger and I don't dislike your straightforwardness. It actually amuses me. Or might as well, you amuse me. I'm sure it will not reduce our intimacy level. I'm just afraid that if you continued to amuse me..." he said and then paused. Ice blushed. Hindi ko alam kung nakuha niya ang gustong sabihin ni Zero. Maybe. Zero didn't continue. Instead, he just shrugged. Nagulat na lang ako nang hilahin ni Ice si Zero upang halikan. Zero was stunned.

"It's fine. Huwag ka ng magpakipot. After this game, we don't need to see each other so you don't have to worry," she grinned. Hinila na niya si Zero patungo sa Cathedral. Hindi na rin nakapagprotesta si Zero. Hindi maalis ang ngiti ko sa labi. That was quite a show.

"That made me jealous," nakangising sabi ni Sky.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Why? Huwag mong sabihin na may gusto ka kay Ice?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko sa kanya.

"No. You're the only one. I just want you to kiss me on your own," he said and frowned. I blushed. I just did yesterday. Napangisi si Sky nang mapansin ang bahagyang pagtaas ng couple level namin.

"Good. Tumataas ang intimacy level natin," he commented. Wala sa sariling siniko ko ang tagiliran niya. Napangiwi siya pero ngumisi rin. I walked away and Silver followed me.

"I'll see you later after Silver's training," sabi ko na lang. Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya. Iiwanan ko muna si Silver sa isang mentor. He must learn more skills. I needed him to be stronger as soon as possible. I wanted to fight with him too.

~~~

Naglalakad na ako sa Town. I just finished my solo quests. Three days passed and we are acting as normal and discrete as possible. I was always sending Silver to train with an NPC mentor. Madalas ko rin siyang isinasama sa mga solo quests ko.

Handa na kami sa pagpunta sa Dragon Island. Nakausap na rin namin ang grupo nina Zero at Queen. They agreed. Mukhang may mga weapons din silang ipinagawa sa master crafter. They also needed the dragon ores.

I asked Fire to get a map for us. May mga oras na naiilang ako sa kanya. Minsan nagseselos siya kay Sky. Minsan nag-aaway kami. It's getting complicated and at the end I'm the one who would apologize for being hotheaded. Pero alam ko namang wala siyang kasalanan dahil kinokontrol siya ng organisasyon. I hated it when the organization treat us like toys that they could play with. But lately, his attitudes were becoming more unpredictable. And it hurted me even more.

Naghihintay na kami ni Silver sa riverbank. Nakaupo kaming dalawa. I already equipped myself with sufficient items. I also changed the gemstone on my Crystal Bow. It now had the color of a rainbow. It's already time to go. Hinihintay ko na lang ang mga members ng Dark Fortress. Magkikita kami nina Sky sa main gates. Nakatingala ako sa langit at tahimik lang. Naunang dumating si Rage kaya napalingon ako sa kanya. He smiled at me. He was a mysterious one but a good follower and player. Pero may mga bagay akong napapansin sa kanya. O paranoid lang ako? Nakasimangot na naman sa tabi ko si Silver. Silver didn't like Rage when he first saw him.

"Mukhang malalim ang iniisip mo," komento niya. Marahan akong umiling.

"It's nothing," sagot ko sa kanya.

"I don't know if it's only me, but you're acting weird this passed few days. May gumugulo ba sa isip mo? It's as if you're worried about something," he said with concern.

"Siguro napapagod lang ako but it's really nothing. You don't have to worry," sagot ko sa kanya. I don't want to give him the details. Rage shrugged his shoulder. Isinandal niya ang likod sa puno.

Dumating na sina Ice at Fire. Nagtatalo sila. Napapansin ko na madalas na rin silang nag-aaway. Hindi alam ni Ice kung ano ang nangyayari kay Fire. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. I don't know if I should tell her. Maybe I really should. She has the right to know so she could understand her brother. Sasabihin ko sa kanya mamaya kapag nag-log out kami.

Naiinis na tumabi sa 'kin si Ice. "Zeus, I can't understand Fire anymore. Nag-aalala lang naman ako sa kanya. Hindi naman siya ganito dati," naiinis na wika niya. "He always listens to me in the past. Madalas din naming ginagawa nang sabay ang quests namin pero ngayon hindi na. Pakiramdam ko lumalayo na siya," she added.

"Maybe he's not the same person you know anymore. Can we talk this over after lunch? In my room," seryosong sabi ko sa kanya. Nagtatakang tumingin siya sa 'kin. Hindi niya inaalis ang tingin niya pero alam kong ramdam niya ang bigat ng sitwasyon.

"Dapat na ba akong kabahan sa sinasabi mo?" she asked. "Kailangan ko na bang ihanda ang sarili ko?"

Tipid akong ngumiti. I nodded. She sighed heavily. Tumingin siya sa malayo. Her eyes were full of questions and worry. Dumating na rin sina Angel at Scithe. Tinawagan ko naman si Sky, papunta na rin sila sa main gates.

"Let's go. Remember, don't let your guards down. Wala pang nagtatangkang pumunta sa Dragon Island. Hindi natin alam kung ano ang naghihintay sa 'tin sa lugar na 'yon. Be mindful of your every moves. Tiyak na hindi basta-basta ang mga dungeon boss sa lugar na 'yon. I hope all of us can survive. Try not to die," seryosong paalala ko sa kanila.

Lumapit ako kay Fire. Ibinigay niya sa 'kin ang Dragon Island map na nakuha niya sa isang NPC. I looked at him with worry. He also stared back at me. I can't feel that I'm staring with Frey's eyes anymore. Fire was looking down at me with affection and love. It seems that he could defy anything just to get me. I could clearly see it in his eyes.

"Frey..." mahinang tawag ko sa kanya. I don't want to call him Fire. I don't want him to live in this virtual world. There's a flicker of recognition in his eyes. As if he suddenly came back to his senses.

"I'm sorry," nahihirapang wika niya. I'm glad he could still get a hold of himself. I knew he's still fighting for himself.

I nodded. "You know it's not your fault. I will never blame you for anything Frey. Hold on," seryosong wika ko sa kanya. He nodded. Nagsimula na kaming maglakad patungo sa main gates.

"Kamusta kayo ni Queen?" I asked.

"Disaster," nakangising sagot niya. Minsan, hindi ko alam kung si Frey ba ang sumasagot o si Fire. Naguguluhan na rin ako. Sumabay sa 'min si Ice.

"I bet she's a nagger and a demanding one," nakangising komento ni Ice.

"Sa tingin ko, ikaw ang demanding Ice," natatawang pang-aasar ko sa kanya. Ngumuso si Ice. "Sanay na si Zero," she said. I laughed. Ngumisi naman si Fire.

"No. Queen is silent. Hindi siya nagrereklamo. She's just playing and she doesn't care on the things I do. As if she understands me. Hindi ko alam. Hindi kami masyadong nag-uusap," he answered truthfully. I wonder if Queen knew something. Sinabi kaya ni Prius? She's still Prius' childhood friend. Binalaan kaya niya si Queen? Well, everyone has the right to know. Lahat kami ay nanganganib.

Naghihintay na ang grupo nina Queen, Zero at Sky sa main gates. We joined them. Hindi magiging madali ang Dragon Island kaya kakailanganin namin ang tulong ng iba. Ibinigay ko kay Sky ang Dragon Island map.

"Everyone's ready?" seryosong tanong ni Sky. We all nodded. Lahat kami ay lampas na ng 100 ang level. Level 41 na si Silver. I'm really investing money for his trainings. I hoped this was enough to survive the Dragon Island. We walked towards the main gates which was slowly opening for us.

Sumabay sa paglalakad ko si Sky. "I'm wondering why you never captured a pet," takang sabi ko sa kanya. Ngumisi siya.

"I'll capture one soon. A dragon or a phoenix," he answered.

"Phoenix? Saan ka naman makakahanap noon? Meron bang ganu'n sa laro? How did you know?" kunot-noong tanong ko sa kanya.

"I asked some NPCs. They gave me informations in exchange for golds. On some stages of this game, may isang dungeon kung nasaan ang phoenix' nest. If my party managed to defeat the dungeon boss, maybe I can capture one," he answered.

"You don't know the specific dungeon? Baka naman mamuti na ang mata mo dyan," naiiling na sabi ko.

He chuckled. "You can capture up to 2 pets. But I don't want to waste money for their trainings. Kailangan kong maging matalino sa pagpili. Right now, I am certain that I can catch a dragon," he said and grinned.

"Goodluck," sabi ko sa kanya. He's right. We could capture 2 pets. Pero masyadong maraming ite-train. Maybe I'll try to capture a dragon too. I'm also excited to test and merge Silver with my weapons. Hindi ko pa nasusubukan dahil sinasanay ko pa siyang makipaglaban on his own.

"Zero baby, gusto mo rin ba ng dragon?" tanong ni Ice. Nasamid ako dahil sa tawag niya kay Zero. Napalingon ako sa kanilang dalawa. Hindi ko alam kung inaasar ba ni Ice si Zero. May ilan sa mga kasama namin ang hindi nakapagpigil sa pagtawa. I'm not sure if Zero blushed. Pero sinakyan niya ang kalokohan ni Ice.

"Ice baby, alam mo namang ikaw lang ang gusto ko," nakangising sagot ni Zero. Mukhang namula ang mukha ni Ice. I don't know what games they were playing. Mukhang sinusubukan nila ang pasensiya ng isa't isa.

"Sobra ka naman Zero baby. I never imagined that you want me as a pet. It hurts. Magpa-file na ako ng divorce," sabi ni Ice na tila nasaktan pa. Zero chuckled.

"Wala pa tayong pera,  Ice baby. Baka mamulubi tayo," he said. I almost forgot that the our golds were also shared with our partners. Napailing ako sa pagkukulitan nilang dalawa.

"Zero baby, pera mo lang ang gastusin natin. Ang pera ko, sa 'kin lang," Ice said playfully. Zero chuckled and pinched Ice's cheeks. Inakbayan pa ni Zero si Ice.

"I really don't know how to handle you, woman. Ang kulit mo," natatawang sabi ni Zero.

"You don't need to handle me. You just need to love and accept me Zero baby," natatawang sabi ni Ice. Napailing na lang si Zero. Naaaliw na pinisil ni Zero ang ilong ni Ice. Ice wrinkled her nose and pouted.

"Naiinggit na talaga ako sa kanilang dalawa," bulong ni Sky sa tainga ko. It sent shivers down to my spines. Wala sa sariling napalingon ako sa kanya at nakakunot-noo. Hindi ko na siya napigilan nang bigyan niya ako nang mabilis na halik sa labi. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko. Pakiramdam ko nag-init ang mga pisngi ko.

Napansin ko na nakatingin pala sa 'kin si Fire. I could see pain in his eyes while he stared at me. Mabuti na lang, hinawakan ni Queen ang kamay ni Fire kaya nawala ang atensiyon ni Fire sa 'kin. I sighed heavily.

"Wala pa bang balita si Kuya?" bulong ko kay Sky.

Umiling siya. "May ipinapagawa siya sa 'kin. I need to do it first before he can figure things out," he answered discretely.

"Huwag mong sabihin na pupunta ka ulit doon? It's dangerous," I hissed. He knew what I meant. I believed that he will sneak again inside the headquarters. Puno ng pag-aalala na tiningnan ko siya.

"There's no other way," he answered. Sa tono ng pananalita niya, alam ko ng hindi ko siya mapipigilan. I sighed again.

"Be careful," mahinang wika ko. He smiled. "Sure, wife," he said.       

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

TO BE CONTINUED...

Actually dapat mahaba ang update dahil Dragon Island sana to.  Ang problema, hinayaan ko munang maging makulit sina Ice at Zero dahil madugo na ang susunod na updates. Asahan na ninyo ang matagal na updates hahaha! Thanks sa pagbabasa, comments at votes. Mwaahugs.