Against the God: End of the Gifteds (HIATUS)

73

[Chain]

A scenario that I didn't think that will ever happen. A place that feels so familiar, nostalgic. Ilang beses na 'ko nakaranas na dumaan sa ganito, na pumunta rito, pero iba pa rin ang pakiramdam ngayon.

I'm with my brother . . . in the middle of the forest, traveling together. 

I was losing myself. The real war isn't even starting yet. Starting from kitten, to Kris . . . to now.

"It's about Rouge."

Those words coming from Red's mouth is one of my biggest fear.

Her face appeared on my mind.

The one who took me and my brother and treated us like her young brothers, the first person other than my brother who I felt like I'm loved and needed.

And the person I killed.

Rouge.

Anong ibig sabihin ni Red? Anong gusto niyang iparating?

"It's about Rouge."

Nabigla ako sa sinabi niya, kaunting nagsitaasan ang mga balahibo ko sa katawan. Ang pangalan na 'yon . . . matagal ko ng hindi narinig.

Rouge. It's like a taboo.

I never once mentioned her name in front of my brother again after what happened before. Not even to anyone. She's like a fragment of my memory now. Who I try my best to forget, at the same time remember.

Gusto kong maalala si Rouge sa mga ginawa niya para sa amin, ang mga sakripisyo niya para sa amin. Pero gusto ko rin kalimutan ang nangyari.

If I really had a choice, if only I was stronger back then . . . Rouge could've still be alive right now and still saved my brother at the same time.

Nang matauhan, kumunot ang noo ko.

"Please, 'wag ngayon. I told you, after all of this, you can kill me. You can do whatever you want with me. Make it even, for taking her from you." Napalunok ako nang malalim. "Just . . . not now. I can't take it now."

Napakagat ako sa ibaba kong labi. I know how much he treasures Rouge, even though Rouge never saw him that way. I know how much he hates me as well.

"Did you . . . really kill Rouge?"

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Parang may matinis na tunog na dumaan sa magkabilang tenga ko at bigla akong nabingi. Napaatras ako nang kaunti, hindi makapaniwalang napatingin sa kaniya.

"Woi, anong pinararating mo?" may tono ang tanong ko. "I know damn well you hate me! But you're not the only one hurting! Damn, Red! Araw-araw akong kanakain ng konsensya ko! Hindi mo kailangang ipamukha sa 'kin-"

"FUCK IT, LET ME FINISH, CHAIN!" Biglang tumaas ang boses niya. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat ko. Nanibago ako sa ekspresyon na pinapakita niya ngayon.

Naghahalo-halo ang pagiging naguguluhan, lungkot, galit . . . at pag-asa. Dumiin ang pagkakahawak niya sa 'kin.

"Chain . . . Rouge . . . " Mariin niya 'kong hinawakan at punong-puno ng emosyon na tinignan. "Rouge is alive."

I couldn't believe his words. I thought my brother really lost it. Nauna pa siyang masiraan ng bait bago sa 'kin.

Imposible ang sinasabi niya. I know it. I've seen it with my both eyes.

How Rouge died that day.

How she looked at me that day, how she told me that it will be okay— that everything will be alright. How she told me to make sure to save my brother, Red.

But how could I say that? Paano ko gigisingin sa katotohanan ang kapatid kong nangungulila? I can't. I can't shatter his hope.

I don't want to break his heart more.

That's why we're here in the middle of the forest, on our way to a place where Rouge is. Hindi ko alam kung saan nakuha ng kapatid ko ang impormasyon na 'yon, kung paano niya 'yon nalaman at bakit niya niloloko ang kapatid ko.

I clenched my fist. They're making my brother like a fool.

Buong paglalakad ay wala kaming kibo, hanggang sa may maramdaman ako na tapik sa likuran ko. Napalingon ako sa kaniya, nawala sa isipan ko na may kasama pa pala kami.

"Mimi," pagtawag ko sa pangalan niya.

Behind me is the Envy, behind her is Ivan who's holding hands with the spider, who I remember was Iris, and at the back is the barney, Acel.

"Are you really sure about this, Chain? I have countless of theories, and more than half of them is us dying," aniya.

They're here to accompany me. Because after looking for Rouge, we're heading to the Spiders. We'll negotiate and try to work together for the upcoming war, Principal Bora's orders.

"I told you, if one of your theories that will lead us dying comes true, escape first."

She winced. "That's obvious. I would save myself first, dumbass. But I can't lose you and Van right now before the war, both of you have important roles, you need to fulfill my theories that will lead to our victory!"

I heaved a sigh. She's not just being honest. Among us all, even though I know damn well that I irritate her, she cares about all of us.

"Don't worry, Mimi. I won't die here, yet." I gave my brother a glance. I need to go to someone and make sure she'll be safe.

"Hmmm, do you think the academy is safe without us?" pagsingit ng isang boses. Kapwa kaming napalingon ni Mimi kay Ivan habang naglalakad, nakadikit pa ang ulo ni Iris sa braso niya habang naglalakad.

Napahawak sa batok niya si Mimi at napaangat ang tingin sa langit. "Well, I have a theory. The academy will be vulnerable without us, we're the direct guild from the principal and our duty is to protect the Solar . . . but hmmm." Naningkit ang mga mata niya.

"The no. 1s and 2s are there. Some of the officials are there as well, I know that the Principal is there as well . . . and the Coders, Eslin is there!" She chuckled. "I badly want to see Eslin, we rarely see each other." Biglang bumaba ang balikat niya.

"And I hope that Nyx is already awake when we come back." 

The atmosphere suddenly changed, biglang tumahimik. Hindi rin ako nakakibo, naisip ang kasama naming wala pa ring malay ngayon.

Nyx is still not in a good condition . . . if he hears about Kris . . .

Biglang huminto ang nauuna sa 'min, ang kapatid ko. Kaya pare-parehong umangat ang mga tingin namin sa kaniya. I silently gasped when I saw what's in front of us, there's something nostalgic about this place.

Wala sa sarili akong napalunok nang malalim.

"We're here . . . " Malalim ang boses ni Red. "This is where Rouge is."

CHAPTER 73
Looking for Rouge