The Alpha Goddess

V: Athens and Pandora

Heshiena's Point of View

A sweet smile impetuously plastered upon my lips when the beauty of morning greeted me as I opened my room's window. I sniffed. The smell of the sea never disappoints me. The leaves are swinging back and forth. Eyes that always seemed watching my every move.

It lingered in the air. I could even feel a few eyes lurking in the shadows. They aren't the gods nor the Titaness of Oath and Hatred, it felt different. I've felt them after Mario declared a war against the gods.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na buntonghininga.

Wala akong pakialam sa kanila. They can watch me till they get bored. Unless if they harm my friend, my family―tumingin ako sa school grounds at ngumiti. A place that I can go back wherever I go. A particular place I can called . . . my home.

Hinawi ko ang bumagsak kong buhok. Ngumiti sa harapan ng salamin. Sumalubong sa aking paningin ang aking sarili. I can't believe how much I've changed. More importantly, I could change my looks wherever and whenever I want.

I grew my raven-black hair down to my waist. I clicked my tongue. Fair skin that always glowed whenever the light shone on me. Tila ba'y katulad lamang ng sinag ng araw kapag tumatama sa karagatan. My chest grew quiet big as well.

Unfortunately, it seemed like I inherited Artemis' silver-grey eyes that is similar to the moon. I ended up throwing all my clothes, and started collecting dresses with thin fabric. Dumating pa nga sa puntong nagkakagusto ako sa mga kulay na green, purple, gold, silver, sea at sky blue.

No matter.

Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo sa harap ng powder mirror. Lumabas ako ng kuwarto't dumiretso sa kusina. I am pretty sure they're all there eating their breakfast before going to school. That's right. Two days ago, the academy recovered, and the students asked to get ready.

Muli na naman akong bumuntonghininga. Nagkasalubong ang aking kilay. I hate these stairs. I was taken aback when it came across my mind. Seriously. Ipinikit ko ang aking mata't pinalutang ang sarili. Ibinaba ko na lamang ang aking sarili sa nakabukas na pintuan ng kusina.

Nahinto ang lahat sa kani-kanilang ginawa. Mavros' wide smile greeted my eyes. It seems like everyone didn't even noticed it. Most of them genuinely smiled at me, except―as usual. Nginitian ko sila pabalik.

"Good morning, Lady Heshiena," they all greeted me with respect.

Bigla akong nailang. I was quick to bit my lower lip. My heart pound like crazy. At hindi ko napigilang bumagsak ang isang butil ng pawis sa aking noo. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako sanay. And no matter how I persisted to tell these guys to called me the way they used to, hindi nila ako pinapakinggan.

"Heshiena," Chry casually called me by my name.

I flashed a smile. Except for this woman. I was about to respond when I realized everyone was looking at Chry in disbelief. But she only ignored them by crossing her arms across her chest and closed her eyes.

Pinapaalala ng dalawang anak ni Athena si Chry kung sino ako. Sumasang-ayon naman ang iba. Habang sina Dash at Ace naman ay nagtawanan, tila ba'y nag-e-enjoy sa nangyayari. I scoff and flashed a smile on my lips once again.

I ended up consuming ambrosia and nectar as my breakfast.

☽ ♆ ☾

"Good morning." Nakangiting bati ni Miss Meriam sa aming lahat.

Napahawak ako sa aking pisngi dahil tila hindi ko mapigilang mag-blush. Kanina habang naglalakad sa hallway papunta rito sa classroom, lahat ng nadaanan namin ay iniluhod nila ang kanilang isang tuhod. A sign of respect.