Naisipan kong pumunta sa training ground sa underground ng Red Faction. Pinili ko na lang na tawagin ang lugar as under-training-ground. Dito madalas nag eensayo ang mga myembro ng chess pieces. They were fighting against one another as a part of their practice. Habang ako, taga nood lang sa isang sulok.
It feels so unfair for me. I am part of the chess pieces too! A Knight to be exact! One of the higher pieces! Pero anong ginagawa ko? Heto. Nakaupo at nakatitig sa screen ng laptop ko with a lollipop inside my mouth!
I want to be on the frontline and fight enemies too. Gusto kong makipag suntukan at makipag patayan. Mukhang thrilling kasi. And sometimes, I am cheering for my team when they're doing a mission like I was just watching a boxing match. Tapos naiinis sila at patatahimikin ako.
Guess, I have no choice. Ako lang ang marunong sa computer sa grupo. They need me like I am their eyes. That's how important my skills to the group.
Napatigil ako sa tuloy tuloy na pagpasok when I saw who was sitting on the grand chair like a royalty. Pinapanood nya ang dalawang naglalaban sa loob ng boxing ring na nandoon sa pinakagitna ng training ground na'to. She's petting her very big cat that's sitting beside her chair.
It's our Queen.
Shit lang... Mukhang mali ang timing ng pagpunta ko.
"Alter, you're here." said the Queen and gave me a warm smile. "Come. Sit here beside me."
Napalunok ako. Shit talaga. Hindi na ako pwedeng umatras at magtago. The Queen already saw me. At isang malaking pagkakamali kung hindi ko susundin ang utos nya.
Reluctantly, I sat on the chair beside her. It was a rubbish compared to her majectic chair with a diamond and rhinestones ornaments. Kapag nakakuha ako kahit isa sa mga dyamanteng iyon ay ilang laptops at computers na ang mabibili ko. Pero natatakot akong mahuli at ipakin sa alaga nyang pusa na sobrang laki.
It's not just an ordinary cat. It's a tiger. A damn Sumatran tiger!
"Hi, Nergal." bati ko sa malaking pusa na tumingin lang sa akin bago pumikit dahil sa paghaplos ng amo nya.
Wow, snob.
"Who do you think will win, Alter?" I heard the soft voice of our Queen. She was looking at the chess pieces who were fighting inside the boxing ring.
Ang isa ay si Enki at ang kalaban nya ay si Yucca. At obvious na pagod na si Yucca kaya sa hula ko ay kanina pa naglalabanan ang dalawa. Enki also looked tired but I know that he will win this fight. Yucca became weak these past few days dahil sa palaging pagbabantay kay King Lancer.
"It is Enkidu, Your Majesty." I answered
Her lips stretched as she smiled. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Nagustuhan nya ang sagot ko. I'm safe. Hindi ako magiging hapunan ni Nergal.
"I fucking hate that bitch."
I gulped when her tone suddenly changed while glaring at Yucca. I saw Enki gave a kick to Yucca pero nahawakan naman ang paa nya. Kaya mabilis na umikot ang lalaki at ang kabilang paa ang ginamit na pang sipa. Tinamaan si Yucca sa mukha at agad na bumagsak sa sahig ng boxing ring. Napangiwi ako.
That's ouch...
"Does she still visits the King?" the Queen asked.
Mabilis kong binuksan ang laptop ko at pinanood sa kanya ang araw araw na pagbisita ni Yucca kay King Lancer that sometimes, she's even sleeping inside his room. She's taking care of the King who's still in coma up until now.
"That traitor." nangigigil na sabi ng Queen. Bumaon ang mahahaba at magaganda nyang kuko sa majestic chair nya. Inabangan ko na matanggal ang nakakabit na diamond doon hanggang sa makita ko ang tingin ni Nergal na mukhang inaabangan din na magkamali ako sa pagkilos. And I'll be his dinner when that happens.
