UNEDITED. TAMAD. ENJOY READING. :)

DENISE

It was already morning. Katulad ng pinag-usapan namin ni Prius, namamasyal kami sa parke tuwing alas siyete ng umaga. Bumangon na ako sa kama at naligo. We still have two weeks left and I think I can still hold on. Malapit nang matapos ito. Makakapagtiis pa kami. Gumugulo rin sa utak ko ang mga bagay na napag-usapan namin ni Rage. It was still fresh in my mind and my thoughts wandered on what I learned.

I gathered all the members of Dark Fortress. Wala pa si Ice dahil nasa kulungan pa siya. Nasa isang tabi lang si Fire. Nakahalukipkip siya habang prenteng nakasandal sa puno. Nakatingin siya sa malayo na tila nag-iisip nang malalim. Naglakad ako palapit sa kanya.

"Pinuntahan mo na ba si Ice?" tanong ko sa kanya. Tumingin siya sa 'kin at tumango. "We talked and she seems fine," he answered with a low voice.

"I bet she is," I said and shrugged my shoulders. Matipid na ngumiti si Fire at muling tumingin sa malayo.

"Tungkol sa nangyari sa dragon island..." mahinang saad niya.

"It's fine. Alam ko ang pinagdadaanan mo. Hindi mo na kailangang problemahin 'yon," saad ko sa kanya. Hindi ko na siya pinatapos pa sa sasabihin. I don't want our apologies to be a habit. Paulit-ulit na lang kaming hihingi ng tawad sa isa't isa hangga't hindi nareresolba ang problema. He nodded with understanding.

"Is Queen alright?" mahinang tanong ko sa kanya. I hope she was.

"I guess," he answered.

"Nag-usap na kayo?" tanong ko pa. He nodded. That's good. Hindi ko na kailangang alamin pa ang mga pinag-usapan nila. Iginala ko ang paningin sa paligid upang hanapin si Rage. Nakaupo siya sa damuhan, malayo sa amin. "I'll talk to Rage. Hintayin na lang natin na dumating ang ibang parties at si Ice. Tiyak na mamaya lang ay makakalabas na siya sa kulungan," saad ko. "What do you think of him? I mean... of Rage?" tanong ko kay Fire.

Tiningnan ni Fire si Rage. "Mysterious and unpredictable," he answered. "Enemy or ally, hindi ko alam kung saan ba talaga siya. Hindi ko alam kung katulad ko siya. But I don't want to judge him for the things he did when I don't know the truth behind his actions," mahinang saad pa niya.

"Then I'll try to figure things out," I said and excused myself. Naglakad na ako patungo kay Rage. Umupo ako sa tabi niya. Hindi niya ako tiningnan pero alam kong napansin niya ako.

"How are you?" I asked him. "Sorry if Ice hit you on purpose. She's stubborn but she loves everyone. Siguro ginawa lang niya 'yon upang gisingin ka," mahinang saad ko. Nasa tuktok kami ng burol kung saan natatanaw namin ang mga pangyayari sa Alkia Town. The NPCs and players were getting along really well.

"Actually, she woke me from something I didn't want to do," he answered discreetly. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"What do you mean?" takang tanong ko sa kanya nang nilingon ko siya. Maybe he's ready to open it up with me. Ito ang hinihintay ko. Mabuti na lang, kusa siyang aamin. I held my breathe while waiting for his explanation.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari sa 'kin. It's as if my body has a mind on its own. I know that I'm not in control. Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ka sa sinasabi ko. It sounds absurd. Maybe right now, you're thinking that I'm insane but that's just how I felt. It's complicated," sabi niya habang nakakunot ang noo dahil sa pagkalito. Wala sa sariling napasabunot sa ulo niya ang mga kamay niya na tila nahihirapan siya sa sitwasyon.

Tumango ako nang marahan at napakagat-labi. Mukhang isa rin siya sa mga players na pinag-ieksperimentuhan ng organisasyon. "I understand. Do you think you're able to fight that invisible force controlling you?" mahinang tanong ko sa kanya.

Nagtatakang tumingin siya sa 'kin. "What do you mean by that invisible force?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulder. "I'm not sure either. Just answer my question. You're the master of yourself no matter what happens and no matter who controls you. Do you think you can regain your control back?" tanong ko sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ba ito ipapaliwanag sa kanya. I just don't know what right words to use.

Tumungo si Rage na tila pinakikiramdaman ang sarili. "I'm trying to fight but I'm not sure if I can," he answered.

"Then do your best to regain control. Do you want to be someone else's puppet?" tanong ko sa kanya. Kahit papaano ay gusto ko siyang gisingin. Maybe I should tell this to Fire too. But at least, Fire was not attacking his party members.

"I'll try," he answered. Natanaw namin si Ice na naglalakad kasama sina Zero at mga ka-party nito. Ice was walking gracefully as if she hadn't got jailed. As expected from her. I lightly tapped Rage's shoulder.

"Be strong. Malalagpasan din natin ang lahat ng ito," sabi ko upang kahit papaano ay mapagaan ko ang loob niya.

Lumabas na ako sa banyo. Inayos ko ang sarili. Lately, I could feel that I became conscious on how I looked in front of Prius. I wanted to look presentable for him but I do otherwise. Hindi ko masyadong inaayos ang sarili ko dahil tiyak na mapapansin niya. Baka isipin niya na nagpapaganda ako para sa kanya. Which was half the truth. Hindi ko lang ipinapahalata.

Lumabas na ako nang matanggap ko ang text message niya. He's already outside my room, waiting. Basa ang buhok niya at napakapresko niyang tingnan sa suot na white V-neck shirt at khaki shorts. I noticed that my heart beats with excitement when I saw his face.

"Good morning," he greeted with a smile and I smiled back. Kumain muna kami sa isang restaurant. It seems like we're on a date but my mind was telling me it's not. I don't know why my mind's denying the truth when my heart's betraying it. They're not in sync. Always contradicting each other. Bakit hindi na lang sila magkasundo?

Naglalakad na kami sa parke. Hindi ganoon karami ang tao ngayon, hindi katulad ng dati. Maybe the players were already inside the game. Hindi masakit sa balat ang sinag ng araw na tumatama sa mga balat namin pero tinatakpan ko ng kamay ang mga mata ko dahil nakakasilaw ito.

"Do you think everything will end well after two weeks?" mahinang tanong ko kay Prius. "And what do you think of the new headgears? Masama ang kutob ko sa ginagawa ng organisasyon," saad ko pa. I was distracting myself with these problems because if I don't Prius would distract me instead.

"Hindi ako sigurado kung magiging maayos na ang lahat pagkatapos ng dalawang linggo. Iba ang pakiramdam ko. Sa tingin mo ba, basta na lang tayo bibitawan ng organisasyon? Paano kung hindi pa pala tapos ang pag-eeksperimento nila? And for the headgears, it's really suspicious. I don't want to use it but I have no other choice," seryosong saad ni Prius.

"I think there's still a way. May balita na ba kay Kuya Darren? Done with analyzing the microchips? Sa tingin ko, latest microchip design ang inilagay nila sa bagong headgears. Ito ba ang microchips na ibinigay mo sa kanya?" seryosong tanong ko sa kanya. Si Kuya Darren na lang ang tanging pag-asa namin habang nasa loob kami ng laro at walang kasiguraduhan kung ano ang mangyayari.

"Tumawag ako sa kanya kagabi. Sinabi ko ang tungkol sa bagong VR headgears. Masama rin ang kutob niya rito. Latest microchip design ang ibinigay ko sa kanya pati ang old version. Hindi pa siya tapos. May isang node na gumugulo sa isip niya. Hindi pa niya alam kung para saan ito. Sabi niya, subukan ko muna ang headgears tapos saka ko sasabihin sa kanya kung ano ang naramdaman ko sa loob ng laro. Baka sakaling makatulong," he answered.

"Paano kung hindi na lang pagkontrol sa isip natin ang kayang gawin ng headgears? Paano kung mas malala?" tanong ko sa kanya. Nagtama ang mga paningin namin at iisa lang ang makikita sa mga mata namin. Takot. Pangamba. Pagdududa. My heart slammed on its rib cage. Bigla akong kinabahan sa sarili kong tanong at tila ayoko ng alamin pa ang sagot.

"Hindi ko rin alam. Do you think that microchip is capable of doing something worse than what we already experienced?" he asked and I nodded without doubts. Hindi na namin kailangang lokohin pa ang mga sarili namin. Kung nagawa nga nilang kontrolin ang isip namin, makakaya pa nilang gumawa ng mas nakakapangilabot doon. Maybe this time, the microchip was already near to perfection and we were near to our destruction.

Prius held my hand and squeezed it tight. "Then we have to trust Darren for this case," he said as if he was trying to comfort me. I sighed heavily. Would my brother really make it in time?

Marahan akong tumango. "Siguro kailangan na nating bumalik upang masubukan na natin agad ang headgears," mahinang saad ko sa kanya.

"Sure. But can we stay like this for another five minutes? I want to hold your hand for a while because I'm starting to doubt if I'll ever hold your hand again like this," mahinang sabi niya. Puno ng pangamba at pagdududa ang boses niya na tila may mangyayaring masama sa 'min. Naramdaman ko ang malaking bikig na bumara sa lalamunan ko. My heart was breaking with the thought. I hope this wouldn't be the last. I have my own doubts too but I don't want to entertain those thoughts. I slowly nodded and started to walk around the park. Masyadong awkward kung nakatigil lang kami sa parke habang magkahawak kamay. It's not the time to be happy but my heart was rejoicing for this stolen moment. And my mind started to castigate my heart again for wasting time. They're really not in sync.

Prius held my hand tighter as if he was gaining strength from it. I squeezed his hand back to lessen his worries and doubts and mine too. I'm also assuring myself that I can still hold on to something even when things come to worst.

Bumalik na kami sa mga silid namin. I stared on my new VR headgears. I sighed heavily. This was the first day that I would use it. Nanginginig ang mga kamay na kinuha ko ito at tinitigan. Ipinilig ko ang ulo upang pigilan ang sarili na itapon ito at basagin.

Muli akong humugot ng malalim na hininga bago humiga. Isinuot ko ito sa ulo ko. Mas magaan ito at kumportable sa ulo. I pressed the switch to log in. The way the game transmitted our consciousness inside the game is still the same but it was faster. Mas mabilis akong nakapasok sa game nang wala pang sampung segundo.

I woke up next to Sky's body. He was still sleeping. Mukhang hindi pa siya nagla-log in. I was tempted to stroke his sleeping face so I did. Gently, I traced the line of his jaws and I can't help but smile. I enjoyed stroking his cheeks but I gasped when he moved and caught my hand. Hinila niya ako papalapit sa kanya at niyakap.

"Taking advantage of me while I'm sleeping?" he teased when I ended on top of him. I blushed when he nuzzled on my neck. Hindi ko na siguro kailangang mag-deny pa dahil nahuli na naman niya ako. I hugged him.

"So what if I'm taking advantage of you?" balik-tanong ko sa kanya habang nakangisi.

"Wife, you're flirting. Shall I thank the new headgears or be wary of this sudden change?" he asked with confusion. He hugged me back. I laughed and assessed myself. I think, I'm still sane and there's nothing has changed in me.

"Kung hindi mo naaalala, bumalik na tayo sa Rank 2 ng Couples at malapit na rin nating maungusan sina Death at Athena. So it's fine if we do this and do some of our Couple quests," nakangising saad ko sa kanya. "So let's hurry and get up." I added. I pulled away. Hinila ko na siya upang tumayo. He sighed with relief because I'm still thinking straight. Lumabas na kami at naglakad sa loob ng town. Agad na sumunod sa 'min sina Silver at Regan.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansin ang mga problemadong mukha ng ibang players. Nakita ko sina Zero at Ice na tila may pinagtatalunan. Kinabahan ako dahil ngayon ko lang sila nakita na nag-aaway. Ice was crying in frustration and Zero didn't know what to do.

Nagmamadaling naglakad ako patungo sa kanilang dalawa. Sinabayan ako ni Sky na tila napansin na rin na halos lahat ng players ay may problema.

"Ice..." tawag ko sa atensiyon niya. Nagulat pa siya nang makita ako at mas lalong nanlumo. Napailing siya at mariing napapikit.

"Damn! You should have not entered inside this game," she said with frustration. "I should have warned you but I don't know how to contact you outside the game. We are now trapped and we can't log out anymore," she said. "Si Frey na lang ang nasa labas. Kapag nag-log in pa siya, lahat na tayo makukulong sa laro!" sabi niya na tila gusto ng sabunutan ang sarili niya. Pakiramdam ko biglang tumigil ang mundo namin. Napaawang ang labi ko dahil sa nalaman. Agad na tiningnan ni Sky ang dashboard niya. Wala na ang log out button kaya napamura siya. I checked my dashboard too, hoping. Nanlumo ako dahil wala na rin ang log out button ko. Mariin akong napapikit at napahilamos sa mukha. Halos lahat ng players ay naguguluhan sa nangyayari. Some were convincing themselves that it was just another bug but I doubt it. But I'm also praying that this was just one of the organization's sick joke. May ilang players na naiiyak na rin dahil sa kaba.

"How long are you stuck here?" tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa at pilit na kinakalma ang sarili.

"We entered the game 5 in the morning. So, almost three hours na kaming nandito. Gusto ko muna sanang lumabas sa game pero saka pa lang namin nalaman na wala na ang log out button," Zero answered.

Tiningnan ko si Sky at naghintay sa sasabihin niya. Nakakunot-noo siya at pilit na nag-iisip ng mga bagay na dapat gawin. Hinayaan ko siyang mag-isip. I don't want to nag him with my doubts and fears. It will not be helpful. Mabigat na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ni Sky. Tila gusto na rin niyang mawala sa sarili niya dahil wala siyang makuhang matinong paraan upang makalabas kami rito. Nangingilid na ang luha ko sa mga mata.

"Katulad ninyo, hindi ko rin alam ang dapat nating gawin. But right now, let's wait for the organization's announcement if they really plan to explain this. There's no way to contact the players outside the game. Let's just hope that they will notice but I doubt that they will. Iisipin lang nila na naglalaro tayo at walang problema kaya tiyak na papasok din sila sa loob ng laro. We can't stop them," Sky said with doubt. "But I guess, someone will notice that there's something wrong. There's still hope," he said. Napansin ko na medyo nakahinga nang maluwag si Sky. Nagkaroon ako ng kaunting pag-asa. I hope my brother was not that dumb to notice.

"Who?" Ice asked.

"I can't tell you but I assure you everything's going to be alright. Right now, let's do our quests and then figure out everything when everybody's already here. Don't panic. It will not help," Sky answered. "Let's go, Zeus," sabi niya. Hindi na ako nakapagprotesta nang hilahin niya ang kamay ko. Dumiretso kami sa labas ng Town. Iniwan muna namin sina Regan at Silver.

Napangiwi ako dahil sa mahigpit na hawak niya sa kamay ko. "S-Sky..." nag-aalalang tawag ko sa kanya. "Are you alright?" saad ko pa. But I already know the answer. Everything is not alright. Natigilan siya at tila napaso ang kamay na binitiwan ako. Nakatalikod siya sa 'kin. I realized that he's also worried.

Naglakad ako sa harapan niya. There's doubt and fear in his eyes. I sighed heavily. Kung ganito ang makikita ko sa mga mata niya, baka mawalan na rin ako ng pag-asa.

"What are you planning to do?" seryosong tanong ko sa kanya. I'm also thinking. I need to figure things out. I need my mind to work now.

"Nothing. I can't think clearly. I'm not sure anymore. The rules already changed because of this unexpected turn of events. I never saw this coming. Hindi na natin alam kung ano ba talaga ang nilalaro at ipinaglalaban natin. Hindi na natin alam kung may silbi pa ba ang paglaban natin," nalilitong saad niya. I could see how troubled he was. I knew we're really caught unprepared. Kahit ako, hindi ko ito naisip. Pero napangisi ako dahil may biglang pumasok sa utak ko. I'm not sure if this can help us all but I still hoped.

"You're right. You said that the rules already changed then we must know those rules before we fight. The organization owed us an explanation. If they didn't want to give the explanation we need then we will force them. Para malaman natin kung ano ba talaga ang dapat nating ipaglaban," saad ko.

Naguguluhang tiningnan niya ako na tila iniintindi ang mga sinabi ko. "How will we do that?" he asked.

"I'm sure they can hear us inside this game. I can imagine that they are already laughing at us because we looked like trapped and confused mice. We will show them what we really want by not playing the game. We need everyone's cooperation. Ngayon, hindi na tayo ang magkakalaban dahil ang organisasyon ang totoong kalaban. And we must win this. It's funny that we look like we are leading a revolution against them," saad ko kasabay ng marahang pag-iling. "Why did we end up on this mess?" I asked and frowned. I noticed the gleam of hope in Sky's eyes. I was glad that it cheered him up.

"You're really something," nakangiting saad niya. I blushed and pouted. Muli siyang nagsalita. "I got it. Let's do what we can while waiting for help," he said.

"Let's keep our faith on him," saad ko na ang tinutukoy ay si Kuya Darren. He nodded. "Let's finish our quests for now. I'm sure, Athena and Death are now distracted. Let's use that for our advantage. Tiyak na mamaya ay nasa loob na ng laro ang mga players. Kapag nalaman na natin ang lahat ng dapat nating malaman mula sa organisasyon, we will formulate a plan," sabi ko pa at mabilis ng tumakbo patungo sa destinasyon namin. He followed me.

"Ang problema lang, malalaman pa rin nila ang mga plano natin kahit ano'ng pagtatago natin," he said with worry.

Tiningnan ko siya at ngumiti. "Do you think so?" I asked him. He nodded. Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko. "You're right but it depends on what information we will feed them," makahulugang saad ko. Kumunot ang noo ni Sky pero ngumiti rin kapagkuwan. Mukhang alam na niya ang pumapasok sa isip ko.

~~~

Nang bumalik ka sa Alkia Town, halos lahat ay hindi mapakali at naguguluhan. Ang iba naman ay naluluha na dahil sa pangamba na baka hindi na makalabas pa. Ang ilan ay nagtatalo at nag-aaway na. Maging ang mga ka-party ko ay buo na pero halata ang pangamba. Lahat sila ay naguguluhan sa mga nangyayari.

"Sky, they are too distracted. We need to lead them," seryosong saad ko sa kanya matapos naming madala sina Silver at Regan sa Pet's Training City. He nodded with determination. I sent invitations to all players. We will all meet them on the riverbank.

Naghiwalay muna kami upang kausapin ang mga ka-party namin. Halata ang kaba ni Angel dahil halos mangiyak-ngiyak na siya.

"Makakalabas pa ba tayo?" agad niyang tanong sa 'kin. Nanatiling determinado ang ekspresiyon ng mukha ko. Right now, I don't want to show my doubts and weakness to them. Ayokong lalong manghina ang mga loob nila.

"We must," sagot ko sa kanya. "Pumunta na kayo sa riverbank. Kailangan nating bumuo ng plano," seryosong saad ko. Nanghihinang tumango sila sa 'kin. Pansamantalang nawala ang takot nila dahil sa sinabi ko pero alam kong nagdududa pa rin sila. I'm not sure if there's still a way to get out of this game but I'm planning to negotiate with the organization. I hope everything will turn out well.

Naglakad na sila patungo sa riverbank. Ang ilan sa mga players ay nagtataka sa imbitasyon na ipinadala ko sa kanila pero sumunod din naman sila. Lumapit sa 'kin si Sky matapos niyang kausapin ang mga kaparty niya. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at marahang pinisil ito. I need the strength to carry on and I want to assure myself that there's someone who supports me. He cupped my face and gave me a comforting smile.

"I'm always here. Papunta na silang lahat sa riverbank. No one can see you now. I know you're trying to be strong for them. If you wanted to cry, you can cry on me," he said. That's what I've been walking for. I brought down my defenses. Ramdam ko ang malaking bikig sa lalamunan ko at ang paglabas ng impit na paghikbi roon. Tahimik na dumaloy sa mukha ko ang masaganang luha. How could these tears felt so real inside this game? Maybe it's my mind who's really grieving?

Lumabas sa bibig ko ang tanong na gumugulo kay Angel kanina. "Makakalabas pa ba tayo? Is there really a way out? Hindi ko na alam, Sky," nahihirapang saad ko. He chuckled and put our foreheads together.

"I thought you said that we must trust your brother?" he whispered. "There's a way out. We can't live here forever. Makakalabas tayo. It's either our bodies are already dead or we managed to find a way out," makahulugang saad niya. Natakot ako sa narinig. What will happen on our bodies? He's right. It's either we die or we survived this game.

"Then we must survive. Marami pa akong pangarap sa buhay. Hindi tayo pwedeng mamatay," saad ko at naiinis na hinampas ang dibdib niya dahil sa nararamdamang frustration.

He chuckled. "Akala ko ba, hindi mo alam ang gusto mong gawin sa buhay mo?" pang-iinis niya sa 'kin.

"Alam ko na ngayon kaya please, mag-isip ka na ng paraan para makalabas tayo rito. Gusto ko pang magtrabaho, mag-asawa, magkapamilya, magkaanak, matulog, kumain. Basta lahat gusto kong gawin!" nakangusong saad ko sa kanya. He laughed on my demands. Marahan niyang pinahid ang luha ko sa mata.

"I hope, I'm the man you want to start a family with," he teased. I frowned and blushed. Hindi ito ang oras para bumanat. At hindi ito ang oras para sa sagot ko. I'm sure he know that.

~~~

Nakatayo kami ni Sky sa batong tulay kung saan natatanaw kami ng lahat. They started to bombard us questions on what was happening. Masyado silang nagkakagulo at sabay-sabay na nagsasalita. Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa kanila. Wala sa sarili na hinilot ko ang sentido ko.

"Calm down. We can't answer all your question because we actually don't know what's going on," Sky said with unexpected calmness.

"Then why did you gather us here if you don't know what's going on? For what?" naiinis na tanong ng isang player. Sunud-sunod na tanong ang nakuha namin sa mga players. Mas lalong uminit at sumakit ang ulo ko.

"If there are hundred of mouths talking, how do you expect us to answer all of them? Can you just please keep your mouths shut and let us talk?" I said with authority. I crossed my arms and looked seriously at them. Naghahamon ang tingin ko sa bawat isa sa kanila. Pinanood ko sila habang isa-isa nilang itinitikom ang mga bibig.

"I guess, they sensed that you're already pissed and they don't want to face the wrath of a god," mahinang pang-aasar ni Sky sa 'kin. Mahinang siniko ko siya sa tagiliran. "Be serious," nakasimangot na saad ko pero ngumisi lang siya.

"I'm glad, you want to hear us out now. I know that we are all confused and scared since we can't log out at this moment. We are not sure if this is a bug but I'm sure it's not. If this is a bug, the system will inform us right away. I can say that we're really trap inside this game and I have no idea for how long," saad ko sa kanilang lahat. As expected, muli silang nag-ingay dahil sa sinabi ko.

I scowled. "I said, keep your mouths shut. I'm not done yet," saad ko. Muli silang natahimik. Some gritted their teeth with disapproval. Others, waited for what I will say next. I sighed heavily. A thousand players were too much to handle.

"I need your cooperation. We must know what the organization really plans to do with us. We must force the organization to tell us what it is," mariing saad ko.

"How will we do that?" tanong ng isa na hindi na nakapagtimpi.

"By not playing this game. We will not do what the organization wants us to do. We will not satisfy them," seryosong saad ko sa kanila.

"Do you really think it might help us? Why do you think so?" takang tanong ng isa pa. Bumunot ako ng malalim na hininga. Hindi ako sigurado kung kailangan na ba naming ipaalam ang ginagawa ng organisasyon sa mga players. Tiningnan ko si Sky upang malaman kung ano ang iniisip niya. Umiling siya. "Huwag muna. Hindi pa natin naririnig ang iniisip ng organisasyon. If we will stay here for good then we can tell them. Pero kung isang araw lang naman, it's wiser to not tell them," he said.

"Yes. This will help us. Somehow. Just follow us," nahihirapang sagot ko na lang.

"Fine. We will not play until they come out," sagot ng isa. Maraming sumang-ayon at muling umingay ang paligid. And then suddenly, the surrounding turned red. May malaking screen na lumabas mula sa langit.

"Very well," nakangiting saad ng presidente ng organisasyon. Maraming nag-ingay na players at sunud-sunod na nagtanong. So I was right that they could hear us.

"Actually, we want to keep you inside the game for two weeks since the ranking quest is near its end," he said. Kumunot ang noo ko. I doubt that it's the case. Natahimik ang mga players dahil sa pagkalito.

"Liar! You don't want to keep us for just two weeks!" naiinis na saad ko dahil hindi na ako nakapagtimpi.

"Oh? How can you say?" nakangising saad ni Mr. Cooke.

"You keep us inside the game because you're afraid that we will leave after two weeks and... your tests will be incomplete," saad ko. Pinili ko talaga ang mga salitang ginamit ko.

"You're a smart girl. And it seems you know more about our tests," nakangising saad niya. I hate his sly grin. I want to remove it out of his face with a punch. Hinawakan ni Sky ang kamay ko para pigilan ako sa pagsasalita. Tiningnan ko siya. "Let me handle this and negotiate with him." He sighed and nodded with understanding. I'm glad he trusts me with this. Muli kong hinarap si Mr. Cooke.

"And what if I know something about your so-called tests?" tanong ko na nakangisi pa rin.

Nawala ang ngiti ni Mr. Cooke sa kanyang mga labi. Seryosong tumingin siya sa 'kin. "I'm really wondering who's that player who sneaked inside our headquarters. It seems you know who," mariing saad niya.

"So that's also one of the reasons why you trapped us inside this game?" kunot-noong tanong ko sa kanya. Napansin ko na naguguluhan na ang mga players sa pinag-uusapan namin pero wala akong pakialam. I need to know more information from the president.

"Somehow," he answered with a knowing grin.

"How can we get out of this game?" mariing tanong ko sa kanya. I know it's a stupid question and Mr. Cooke will not tell me. But I need the question to provoke him.

"Why shall I tell you?" he asked with interest.

"Because we will not play when we know there's no way to get out of this fucking game. Why should we waste our time for something indefinite?" I asked him back. "And right now, we will only play once we know that there's a definite way to survive this game. What guarantee can you offer us better than this?" Narinig ko ang sigaw ng mga players na sumang-ayon sa sinabi ko. Nabuhayan sila ng loob. Pinisil ko ang kamay ni Sky na hawak pa rin ang kamay ko. I could do this. We could do this.

Muling nawala ang ngiti ni Mr. Cooke. "Right now, I wanted to mess with your mind for being damn smart," seryosong saad niya. Kinabahan ako pero tinakpan ito ng nakakalokong ngisi ko sa labi. Wala akong balak na ipakita sa kanya na natakot ako at naapektuhan sa sinabi niya.

"Fine. Defeat the last dungeon boss of this trial game and you will find a way to get out of this game. But only the players who reached the last level can escape," nakangising saad niya. I gasped. Damn! I never saw this coming. But at least, some of us can get out of this game and ask for help. That is, if they let us. Nag-ingay ang mga players dahil sa pagpoprotesta. Kailangan kong mag-isip pero wala na akong maisip pa na paraan upang malusutan ito.

"You will find a way to get out of this game? That sounds uncertain," kunot-noong saad ko sa kanya. "It seems to me that we will face something bigger and powerful than the dungeon master."

Mr. Cooke laughed. "I admire your way of thinking. You will face something greater and then you can escape. What do you think? Do you agree? This is your last resort. If you don't want the terms then you can rot inside this game. We can have another set of testers anyway," nakangising saad niya. Napalunok ako. I'll make sure that we will be the first and last testers for this game.

"Then it's a deal. How can I make sure that you will keep your words?" nagdududang tanong ko sa kanya. May tinawag si Mr. Cooke sa intercom. Ilang minuto lang ay may pumasok na lalaki sa loob. Inutusan niya ang lalaki na i-program sa game system ang mga napag-usapan namin. Nang umalis ang lalaki, tumingin sa 'kin si Mr. Cooke.

"That's the only guarantee I can give you. If you don't want to believe me, it's up to you," seryosong saad niya. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa dahil nawala na ang screen sa langit at bumalik na sa normal ang kulay ng buong paligid.

Saka ko pa lang pinakawalan ang hiningang kanina ko pang pinipigil. Nag-ingay ang mga players na ngayon lang nakahuma sa mga narinig.

"Why did you agree? How about us? We're still halfway of the game! It's impossible for us to defeat the last dungeon boss! We still haven't reached the Lost City or Dragon Island. You're just thinking about yourself!" reklamo nilang lahat. I gritted my teeth.

"You can't blame her for the things you can't do!" naiinis na saad ni Sky. Mukhang naubos na rin ang pasensiya niya. I breathed in and out to calm myself.

"Calm down. I have a plan. Do you think your constant nagging and accusations can help you? No. Now, I want to talk to all the party leaders in private. Let's figure everything together. I'll send invites," mahinang saad ko. Natahimik sila. Napapagod na ako sa reklamo nila. Hinila ko na si Sky at umalis na sa riverbank. We ended on the hill and I laid on the grass next to Sky.

"What's your plan?" he asked with curiosity.

"I'm planning to divide the parties into groups. Kailangan nating tulungan ang ibang players para mabilis silang makalampas sa Lost City at Dragon Island. Then all of us will meet on the last dungeon. I have a feeling that my brother has something under his sleeves. I hope I'm right," sagot ko sa kanya. Nakaunan ang ulo ko sa bisig niya. I hugged him and closed my eyes. I'm too tired to keep myself awake. I need this silence and comfort.

"Do you think the organization will mess with my mind now?" natatakot na tanong ko kay Sky. Naramdaman ko ang mabigat na paghinga niya. 

"I hope not," he whispered. Marahan niyang sinusuklay ang buhok ko.

"I guess, we must expect for the worst. Hindi ko alam kung kailangan pa nating sabihin sa ibang players ang nalalaman natin. Tiyak na magagalit ang organisasyon. Baka hindi na tayo makalabas pa ng buhay rito," mahinang saad ko.

"Then don't tell them. We will deal with that problem alone," he said. He pulled me closer as if he was afraid to lose me. I hugged him back like I'm afraid to lose him too.

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TO BE CONTINUED....

Last five chapters. Sana magkasya. Thanks sa pagbabasa ng Alkia Kingdom :D I hope to hear your thoughts.