The Last Elysian Oracle (Published under PSICOM)

XXIX | Awakened

Ria's POV

Tumingala ako sa gintong plate na nakadikit sa itaas ng pintuan at binasa ang nakaukit na mga salita.

'THE BOSS'

I scoffed.

Tinulak nina Juan at Pedro ang mga pinto, at sa pagpasok namin, tumambad ang isang malawak na silid na walang laman maliban sa isang mesa at upuang nakapwesto sa gitna, nakatalikod sa'min.

At first, I thought the chair was empty, but whoever was seated on it was clearly just taking in the skyscape around the office. Just like the previous floor, all the walls in this room were made of glass. Pumihit-pihit nang kaunti ang upuan at saka huminto nang magsalita ang isa sa dalawang satyrs.

"Boss? Nandito na sila."

We heard a man clear his throat before speaking, his voice thick with authority.

"Nasira ang main entrance ko dahil sa inyo."

His voice was calm, but there was a threat to it.

"Magsilayas."

Saglit na yumanig ang sahig nang magbitaw siya ng utos. The satyrs quickly left the office, and once they closed the door, that's when the god finally revealed himself. His swivel chair slowly turned.

Hermes, an Olympian, the god of travel, thieves, trickery and more, looked like...

Sabay naming nilingon si Chase.

Chase?

Tumingin ulit kami kay Hermes, tapos kay Chase, tapos balik kay Hermes.

"What the—" I stopped myself from swearing in front of a god.

The god grinned at us, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He had the same smile as his son, sa tuwing nanggag*go ito.

He also looked very young, na parang kasing edad lang namin. His entire face was well-defined with sharp, symmetrical features, and his short, wavy hair was neatly styled with hairspray or gel.

"Alphas..." Hermes wore a typical business suit, with a small golden feather pinned as a brooch. He stood from his chair, opening his arms as a sign of welcome. "Bro!"

"Bro!" Naglaho si Chase at lumitaw sa tabi niya, at saka nagyakapan ang dalawa.

Hermes stood taller than the rest of us, mortals, but in terms of posture, it was Chase who stood straighter.

"I thought I'd never see you again!" sabi ng god nang bitawan ang anak. "Bro..." Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang balikat ni Chase at umiling-iling, suot ang ekspresyon ng isang amang parang matagal nang nawalay sa anak.

He's a god. He can literally see his son anytime.

Pinunasan ni Hermes ang di-nakikitang luha na tumulo sa kanyang pisngi. "How are you, my son?"

"Ayos lang," kampanteng sagot ni Chase. "Gwapo pa rin."

"Same," ani Hermes. "Did you receive the skincare package I sent you?"

"Ah..." Napahagod si Chase sa kanyang leeg. "Hindi pa," sagot niya. "Di pa kasi kami nakakabalik sa Academy."

"Well." Nakapamulsa si Hermes. "I hope you'll like it."

Marahang natawa si Chase. "Thanks, Dad."

Napangiti ako, pero saglit lang dahil agad akong nilingon ni Hermes. He turned to face me, and he stared at me with a gaze I couldn't read. But I could feel it. The same thing I always felt—sa tuwing may binabalak si Chase.