Rogue Wars Online

Chapter Twenty-Three: First Match

balik tayo before the league

-chapter twenty-three-

FINN

I still wonder why they would go through such lengths just for me. I'm not worth it.

Not with what I've done.

Mas hindi ko alam kung bakit si Gavin pa ang nag-isip nito. Lalo na't sa kaniya ako may pinaka-atraso. Shouldn't he hate me? Shouldn't he ignore my existence? Kaya... bakit pa siya sumusunod sa'kin dito?

Malakas akong bumuntong-hininga at ngumuso sa kawalan. Bakit ba kasi ayaw niyang magpakita sa'kin? He knows I'm here, that's for sure! He even had the guts to protect me at the third city... so why?

I paused and smelled myself. Hindi naman ako mabaho para iwasan niya ng sobra.

"Finn... Are you doing okay?"

Napalingon ako kay Caspian na kunot-noong nakatitig sa'kin. He stopped creating the fire chain he was working on for the past few days.

The night sky was slowly gaining light. Kasabay nang pagtaas ng araw ay ang kahel na kulay na unti-unting namumuo. It was quietly signalling the start of another day. From the chilly weather to the hushing trees, the tension of the upcoming league is slowly building up.

Ito na ang ikapitong araw namin sa laro. Sa mismong araw na ito ay magaganap ang Magus League, a showdown between rogues who have already achieved mastery over their chosen magic. It's been more than a day since I saw Baste and I haven't been in touched with him since.

"May problema ka ba?" tanong ni Caspian at umupo sa tabi ko. "You've been sighing for the past hour."

Ngumuso ako at humalumbaba. It's not really a problem, but it troubles me just the same. Gusto ko lang naman makausap si Gavin. Baste has already talked to me so why is he still not appearing? Alam ko namang nag-uusap silang dalawa.

Naramdaman ko ang paggulo ni Caspian sa buhok ko. My eyes drifted close at his comforting strokes.

"Should I tie your hair up?"

Mahina akong tumango. I felt Caspian sit behind me. Ilang sandali ay naramdaman ko ang kamay niyang marahang sinusuklay ang buhok ko. Unti-unti kong minulat ang mata at tinitigan ang araw na kasalakuyang nagpapakita.

"'S not a problem." mahinang tugon ko.

"Are you worried about the league?"

Am I? Kung sa'kin lang naman, hindi masyado. Pero kapag naiisip ko sila, oo, nag-aalala ako.

I nodded as an answer, then later on shook my head. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-isip ng gano'n. I'm sure they can handle themselves. I should put trust towards them, right?

Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa ni Caspian as hinished tying up my hair in a twin bun. I feel much more comfortable in this hairstyle. Nabibigatan ako minsan sa iisang bun lang.

"So are you worried or not?"

Nilingon ko siya nang nakasimangot. "Are you?"

"Worried? Hm. Hindi naman." Caspian leaned back, holding his weight with his arms as he stared at me. "Kaya ko naman sila."

Tumango ako. Caspian really is strong. I don't have doubts about him winning.

"Kung kaya ko sila, then they should also be a piece of cake to you."

I tilted my head, confused. Why would they be a piece of cake to me?

Caspian smirked at my clueless face. "After all, hindi pa ako nananalo sa'yo, 'di ba?"