Alkia Kingdom Reborn

Alkia 17: Lost City

"Hindi pa kayo pumasok sa south gate?" tanong ni Queen kay Sky. "Or maybe you already did," she said. She probably noticed our wounds. I remained unmoving.

"Yes. And we're actually waiting for you," Sky said lightly.

I heard someone hiss. "You should have warned me about the waterfalls," reklamo ni Zero.

"I wasn't that prepared either," Sky chuckled.

"Mukhang hindi madaling talunin ang South Gatekeeper," komento ni Zero. I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at him. Zero smiled at me. Inalis ko na ang ulo ko sa balikat ni Sky.

"Hi," I greeted them.

"Hi. It's been a while," Zero said.

"Yes. Iniisip ko nga rin kung anong ginagawa mo ng mga nakaraang araw," I grinned. Ngumiti lang siya. Hindi ko na nga siya masyadong nakikita sa game.

Tahimik lang na nakatingin sa 'kin si Queen pero nahalata ko ang pasimple niyang pag-irap.

"You'll know soon," makahulugang wika niya. He offered his right hand to me. Agad ko itong tinanggap upang tumayo. "I think I got lots of stories to tell," Zero smirked.

Tumayo na rin si Sky na nakasimangot na. He was looking at my hand which was holding Zero's hand. I blushed. Mahinang tumawa si Zero at hinila pa ako sa tabi niya. He whispered in my ear.

"He's jealous. Kayo na ba?" he asked. Mahinang siniko ko siya pero tumawa lang siya. Binitawan na niya ang kamay ko. "I want to know the details, but not now," he whispered again.

"Sure. But I also want to know where you wandered these past days," I whispered back. Tumango siya. "It's a deal then." Pero hindi ko alam kung ano bang ikukuwento ko sa kanya. There's nothing going on with Sky and me.

"Let's get this done. I hope you already have a plan?" sabi ni Zero kay Sky. "Sana matapos na natin ito," he added. Tumango lang si Sky na tila naintindihan ang gustong iparating ni Zero. Siguro alam ni Sky ang ginagawa niya. Lalo tuloy akong naintriga. Umahon na ang mga kasama nina Zero at Queen. Nakikipag-usap na ang mga ito sa mga kasama namin.

"Is the dungeon boss that strong?" tanong ni Queen.

Sky nodded.

Naglakad na ako patungo sa mga kasama namin. "He's that strong that any mistake can be fatal," saad ko.

Sumunod agad sa 'kin si Zero. "I can clearly see it in your wounds," he chuckled.

Lumapit ako kina Fire. Hindi pa rin nila pinapagaling ang mga sarili nila. Katulad ko, naghihintay rin sila. Nakaupo lang si Ice sa tabi ni Fire.

"Hi, Zero," Ice waved at him grinning. Tipid na ngumiti si Zero kay Ice. Pinag-aralan ni Ice si Zero from head to toe. Zero smirked when he noticed.

Lumapit na rin sina Sky at Queen. Natahimik ang lahat.

Everyone was waiting for our explanation. Sky spoke for us.

He explained everything about the dungeon boss.

"I ordered Zeus to watch the South Gatekeeper. I hope it will be enough for a plan," he said and looked at me.

Everyone turned to me. I sighed and stepped forward. I picked a small stick and drew lines on the ground. They watched me. I grinned. It was time for a counterattack. Ipinaliwanag ko sa kanila ang lahat. Tahimik lang silang nakinig. I was asking them if they brought some special items that might be useful.

Hindi ko rin kilala ang party members nina Zero at Queen kaya kailangan ko pang magtanong kung ano ang kailangan nilang gawin. Alam kong hindi masaya si Queen sa mga nangyayari pero wala naman siyang magagawa. Kalauna'y nagpasya na kaming pumasok sa south gate. Hindi ko alam kung talagang handa na ba kami.