Note:
So I decided to share another song with you on the media section entitled My Immortal by Evanescence. Feel free to indulge and savor the moment by listening to it if you want hahaha yun lang. Happy reading!
-Soul_of_Anubis
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060- BEYOND THE UNSEEN TEMPEST
THEODDEUS
"Why are you defending Apollo's woman, boy? She's not yours to protect.", my grip on my divine weapon tightened straightaway when Typhon's mockery pierced my ear.
Driven by the sudden flicker of emotions inside of me, I couldn't help but absentmindedly deliver a set of pathetic strikes with my lance towards the father of all monsters' direction who evaded them as if they were feathers being thrown at him.
His maniacal chuckle only resonated throughout the battlefield as he gave me a look of mockery---amused by my reaction.
"Oh? So that's how your story goes, huh? Pity. Boy, you're even more pathetic than your father.", his remarks of ridicule continued while countering my attacks.
After a brief moment, I saw him throw a glance behind me where the witch and my two cousins were located. I noticed how Typhon's eyes narrowed for a brief moment before directing his focus on our fight again.
"What are your little friends up to, I wonder? Making a stupid hole? Trying to dig your own graves, are you now? How smart. That way I'll be able to bury you children alive.", I never expected this assh*le to be such a pompous old windbag.
Actually, it's your grave we're digging. But of course, I won't tell him that. Wouldn't want to ruin our little surprise saved for this ugly monster later.
"Your old man's still not coming, huh? I'll make sure that you'll already be dead before he even gets here. Do you think your father will be surprised once he sees his only heir's dead cold body sprawled all over the battlefield, bathing in his own blood?", my jaw clenched at his statement. Like Zeus would even give a damn if I die here?
"You know, in a fight... The bigger your mouth is, the less likely the odds will be favoring you. So shut the fuck up.", I snapped at him in annoyance. His face darkened.
"You insolent child!", he yelled, letting out a blood-curdling hiss that made me cover my ears due to its intensity.
His powerful scream---one of his many attributes made me disoriented for a couple of seconds as he then used it to his advantage, striking a clean blow on my abdomen which sent me flying a few meters away from him. I coughed out an amount of blood before picking myself up the ground. My body aching from all of the blows he landed on me.
I knew I needed to endure this... at least until the witch and my cousins---along with that Roman semideus who just arrived, can complete the ritual for opening the gateway to Tartarus. After that, I can finally execute my endeavour.
But... holding Typhon down on my own is like stopping a category five tornado with my bare hands. I'm sure that if he keeps beating me up this badly before the right time even comes, things will begin to turn upside-down, and I can never risk that from happening.
I charged up my divine weapon's power exceeding its limit as I conjured the heavens to my will---successfully striking a vital damage on Typhon's immortal body, similar to the power of my father's lightning bolts.
"How dare you oppose me, last son of Zeus?", he screamed at me with veins protruding from the sides of his forehead out of pure rage.
The father of all monsters suddenly summoned a massive spear that appeared on his right arm before swinging with all his might, releasing the weapon towards my direction like a bullet fired out of a gun.
I didn't have enough time to react, but just when Typhon's spear was about to reach me, a powerful bolt of lightning unexpectedly came out of nowhere as it struck the ground between me and his approaching weapon---deflecting the spear back to Typhon's direction and piercing through the flesh of his left shoulder.
Judging by the thunderbolt's aura that saved my life a few seconds ago, not to mention Typhon's current horrified expression, I instantly knew where that bolt came from.
"It's about time you got here, great king of the gods.", Typhon acknowledged Zeus as his eyebrows pulled closer together and he began to shift into his larger form.
The father of all monsters threw a menacing look towards my left side so I automatically knew that my father stood beside me after he descended from the skies... all the way from Mt. Othrys.
So he did bother to come here after-all. How surprising.
I remember what the Titans Coeus and Phoebe told me right before they left us earlier this morning. They asked me not to tell Sev and the others so I had no other choice but to keep my mouth shut.
"We'll be travelling to Othrys where the Olympians and three of our siblings currently reside. You and your friends will have to head to the Kola Well on your own."
"So you're fleeing out of fear too, huh? You're really no different from the rest of the gods."
"I think you're misunderstanding our intentions here, son of Zeus. We're heading to Othrys to convince your father.", Coeus informed. I hissed in mockery at his statement.
"Convince him of what exactly?"
"Aiding you in the battle against Typhon. If anyone can help you stand against him, it's none other than your father.", their next statement sounded even more ridiculous.
"You do realize that it's 'Zeus' we're talking about here, right? But sure, good luck with that.", I sarcastically retorted, trying to stifle my laugh.
Convince the arrogant king of the gods to get his ass down here and help his bastard son from a mortal woman defeat the father of all monsters? Yeah, I don't think so.
But then again, looks like I stand corrected. I can't help but wonder how those Titans successfully persuaded the mighty Zeus, the best and greatest to show-up.
"Are you alright, son?", I stopped for a moment when I heard Zeus' concerned tone as he called out to me.
"Since when did you start caring about my existence?", I couldn't help but fire a sarcastic remark right back at him in annoyance. He was caught off-guard by my question.
"Look, Theoddeus---"
"I think you may have failed to notice, but now's not exactly the right time to talk, father.", I harshly pointed-out, emphasizing the last word before turning my back against him.
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to finish my job this time.", I meaningfully added before wiping the excess blood off my face due to the unfortunate incident with Typhon's attack earlier. I didn't even bother to glance at Zeus behind me.
"Don't do this Theoddeus.", there was a hint of concern from his tone that made me sneer in response.
Is your genuine tone of concern really directed to me, father?
"Zeus! How nice of you to finally show up! I was just about to kill your semideus bastard earlier.", Typhon's voice suddenly resonated across the battlefield.
"Are you sure it's not going to be the other way around?", I provoked the bastard who immediately threw a threatening glance at me.
"This boy definitely got his cocky attitude from you---", Typhon's eyes widened as he coughed a pool of blood when in just a fraction of a second, my lance was already plunged straight into his chest.
He won't die from it---although I'm sure enough that he'll take-in severe damage from that blow.
"Keraunos.", I uttered, and before he could even blink, a series of flickering lightning strikes rained down from the heavens above as it struck the exact spot where Typhon and I stood, sending instantaneous electrical charges directly into the father of all monsters' bare flesh.
I forcefully pulled out my divine weapon from his chest before dodging a couple of feet away from him.
"Theoddeus! The gateway, it's done!", Alaxceur's voice made me stop as I instinctively turned to the direction of the gateway's opening.
My eyes drifted on the witch whose currently talking with Nezekaiah while maintaining the ritual of the Underworld's flames in-order to keep the vortex open.
After a few moments of careful consideration, I swallowed all of my pride as I turned to Zeus.
"Father.", he indulged me right away when he heard my call but I still maintained a stern expression.
"I humbly request you to hold Typhon off for a few minutes. I still have to do something important.", I didn't care if my tone sounded forced out of Medusa's gaze with its stone cold quality.
"Where are you going?", Zeus questioned.
"I need to talk with Ahlkria.", I told him straight to the point. He looked surprised, but his response didn't matter to me. My priority right now is to have a word with my witch... one last time.
"---for what's about to happen, la mia principessa.", my brows furrowed by the moment that I arrived beside my cousin, Nezekaiah, and the witch's side. With an obscure expression, I greeted Kai.
"What did you just tell her?", I directly asked him after I caught his last words earlier but he didn't even bother to respond.
"Kai.", my tone darkened yet he only maintained a straight face.
Despite my cousin's silence, by the time that I glanced at the witch's direction beside him and noticed how her tears began to form from her now golden pair of eyes, I stiffened---grasping the seriousness of the situation that's about to transpire. The witch turned to face me.
"Theo, my mind's filled with the unspeakable right now. I want you to look into my eyes and tell me... mali naman siguro ang iniisip ko, diba?"
***
AHLKRIA
"Is that the god Zeus? He's here?", I was shocked when we witnessed the streak of lightning pass-by at ang pagtama nito sa mismong gilid nung kinatatayuan ni Theo as it took the form of the king of the gods.
"He must be here to aid Theoddeus in the fight.", Kai assumed as he now positioned himself beside me habang nakatitig din sa gawi ni Theo na ngayon ay sumusugod na kay Typhon. Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagkamangha sa ginawa niya.
Naputol lang ang pagkakatitig ko kay Theo nang biglang ibinaling ni Kai ang ulo ko paharap sa kanya.
"Kai? What is it?", medyo nanibago ako sa ekspresyon niya. He looked like he was hesitating to tell me something.
"Do you think there's any way of stopping a prophecy? I want an honest answer from you, Kria.", my brows furrowed while staring at him. Why would he ask something like this?
"No. It'll be impossible. It'll cost us everything to bend the Moirai's will. Consequences are as fatal as it gets. You know that breaking a prophecy's considered as taboo, Kai.", I stated a fact kaya napayuko siya.
"Then... I need you to brace yourself for what's about to happen, la mia principessa.", para akong pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa nang marinig ang mga salita binitawan niya.
"What did you just tell her?", my intuitions even worsened when the demon son of Zeus came out of nowhere at ngayon ay nasa harapan na namin. His expression screamed with a mix of guilt and uneasiness. Bumaling siya sa pinsan niya.
"Kai.", his tone indicated warning na siyang ikinakaba ko. Nang lumingon ito sakin ay bigla akong nagulat nang magtama ang mga paningin namin at sa hindi ko maipaliwanag na dahilan ay unti-unting pumatak ang mga luha ko.
"Theo, my mind's filled with the unspeakable right now. I want you to look into my eyes and tell me... mali naman siguro ang iniisip ko, diba?", gods, please no.
Kitang-kita ko ang kaba na biglang rumehistro sa mukha niya bago sandaling bumaling ulit kay Kai as he asked him to leave the both of us for a while. Lumingon ulit siya sakin.
"Witch.", panimula niya bago inabot ang mukha ko as he slowly wiped my tears away. My lips trembled.
"I need to tell you something important... And I want you to listen very carefully. Can you do that?", he trailed off, making my heart race. He forced a smile at me pero sa hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan ay hindi ko magawang masuklian iyon. Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya.
"I... don't know anymore, Theoddeus. It depends on what you're going to say.", I tried my best not to stutter with my words. Kita ko naman ang bahagyang pag-iwas niya ng tingin sakin.
"I want to tell you a story---"
"Theoddeus by the gods' sake, we're in the middle of battle!", I exclaimed pero natahimik ako when he suddenly pressed his index finger against my lips.
"Please, witch. Please listen to me, one last time.", natulala ako. One last... time?
"On the eve of my sixteenth birthday, I met the girl of my dreams.", my heart pounded and I was instantly lost for words.
"She saved my adoptive father from a tragic accident, and I fell in-love with her eversince.", dagdag niya. He stared at me kaya hindi ko mapigilang mapapigil-hininga.
"I only knew her name that time, but she never knew mine. I tried to follow her after she left in the hopes of seeing her again... and I failed miserably every single time.", nagpakawala siya ng isang mapait na tawa habang titig na titig sakin. He caressed my cheek.
"I actually never stopped looking for her. I would always find the time to sneak out of the academy after our quests to search for her in the mortal realm. And the only one who knew about my bottled-up feelings for that girl was my bestfriend.", patuloy na kwento niya. Tahimik lang akong nakinig.
"Four years later, I met the girl again. She ended up in the academy. Her appearance may have changed, but still, I recognized her right away. Apat na taon din pala yung lumipas. Apat na taon... pero wala paring nagbago sa nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. I loved her all the same eversince the day I first met her. Turns out, she was actually arranged to my brother in marriage. I found out that she's Apollo's fiancé. Right then, I knew... I stood no chance against a god.", there was a tone of bitterness from his voice as he stared at me, and the only thing I can do in-return was caress his face.
"That was the end of our story. The irony of how the Fates played with our threads up till now, huh?", he forced a smile at me. Kinuha niya naman yung kamay ko at hinalikan ito. His eyes flickered with guilt.
"I saw you first... liked you first... And... loved you first, daughter of Hecate. But the moment he told me that he fell for you too, I instantly knew that I lost. Ang sakit pala. This is the first time that I've ever wanted someone so much in my entire life, and yet whatever I do... I just know I couldn't have her.", hindi ako nakapagsalita. That's not true. You already have me, Theoddeus. And you always will.
I suddenly felt an unusual tightness in my chest upon hearing his words. Mas lalong bumigat yung pakiramdam ko nang yakapin niya ako.
"Witch, I'm running out of time. 'Wag mo akong kakalimutan ah?", he whispered out of the blue kaya bahagya ko siyang naitulak palayo.
"What are you saying, Theoddeus? Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan sa'yo.", my voice echoed with caution but he didn't flinch.
"The third prophecy... it's bound to happen one way or another.", he declared kaya napaisip ako. The third prophecy... alin dun---
The best and greatest will taste defeat
An heir to the throne must fall beneath
Life to be spared in exchange for one
As foes switch sides by a will be done
Oh gods. Tell me this isn't happening.
'An heir to the throne must fall beneath'
H-Hindi naman siguro...
"No. I... I don't want to hear it.", apila ko. Tatalikuran ko na sana siya pero pinigilan niya ako. My tears began to pool from my eyes as I constantly shook my head while trying to maintain eye contact with him.
"Please witch, try to understand---", I cut him off.
"How could I understand? Can you even hear yourself right now, Theoddeus?"
"I---I'm sorry---"
"No. No! You liar! I hate you! You said there's still another way to do this. Please... not like this. I can't---", hindi ko matuloy-tuloy ang sasabihin ko dahil sa sunod-sunod na pagbuhos ng mga luha ko.
I didn't mean the words that came out of my mouth a while ago. It's the vice inside me that's beginning to kick-in---driven by mere emotions.
Naalala ko yung pinag-usapan naming dalawa bago kami umalis kaninang umaga dun sa kremlin.
"Surely, we won't have to result to desperate measures in defeating Typhon, right? Demon son of Zeus?", I asked Theo who just blankly stared at me for a couple of seconds before he finally responded...
"Y-Yeah. W-We'll figure something out for sure, witch."
I should have took the hint from his hesitation that time. But instead, I just ignored the signs straightaway. I was too naive to even notice.
"I'll try to figure out another way. I---I'll use the power of the grimoire. I'll take your place! There must be s-something I can do. T-Theo---", I sobbed. He only planted a soft kiss on my forehead before wiping my tears away.
"Don't cry, witch. You know how I hate seeing you cry.", he stated as he cupped my face. Hindi ko parin mapigilan ang paglandas ng mga luha ko dahil sa bigat nang nararamdaman ko ngayon.
"I'm sorry. It's for the best.", sambit nito.
"How is 'this' the best?", I cried. Why is he doing this to me?
"Please. Don't go. D-Don't leave me here. I...", pagmamakaawa ko as I felt my entire body tremble. Kulang nalang ay lumuhod ako sa harapan niya para pagbigyan niya ako. He can't do this to me.
"You p-promised. Sabi mo d-diba... hindi mo ako iiwan?", f*ck. I sound so pathetic and desperate. Ang sakit pala. Hindi ko kaya. I don't want him to go! I want him with me... always.
"I'll always be here, Ahlkria."
That's what he said. That's what he told me. Pero ano 'tong ginagawa niya ngayon? Bakit hindi ko talaga matanggap?
The demon son of Zeus suddenly held my chin at pinaharap ako sa kanya. He claimed...
"Mahal na mahal kita. I don't want to die. I'm s-so... so scared of dying because I don't want to leave you behind, Kria. But I know you're strong. You're stronger than me so I'm sure you'll do well on your own... kahit wala ako sa tabi mo. Don't worry, you have the class Primarius with you. Hindi ka nila iiwan.", halos hindi na ako makahinga dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman ko ngayon mula sa mga salitang binibitawan ni Theo. But... T-They're not you, Theoddeus. I can't do this.
"I hope that you'll finally be able to give Apollo a chance this time. Choose the road that will lead you home in the end... the path that will make you the happiest, even without me. I'm doing this because I want you to live your life, Kria. But always remember that even if you can no longer see me... I'm here. And I'll always be here.", I shed tears from my eyes like snow from a cold winter storm. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko as I threw myself against his frame at niyakap siya nang mahigpit while burying my face in his chest.
"D-Don't leave me. Theo. Please. I love you. Don't leave me here. Maawa ka. H-Hindi ko kakayanin. I can't do this without you. W-Why are you doing this to me?!", the pain just won't f*cking stop. Ang hirap huminga. Ang bigat sa pakiramdam. Don't leave me, damn it!
Ramdam ko ang marahang paghaplos niya sa likuran ko as he planted another soft kiss on top of my head before returning the hug to console me.
"You deserve the world Ahlkria, but I'm afraid I cannot give that to you in this lifetime. Maybe... we're destined to meet each other again somewhere, don't you think? And hopefully, when that time comes, the Fates will finally be able to write the story in our favor. No matter how long it takes... No matter how many times they try to separate us, I will always find my way back to you. I love you. Again and again, in the same way... forever.", I was left dumbfounded when he slowly released me from the hug as he held my hand.
May kinuha siya sa bulsa niya at tinitigan ako nang ilang sandali bago ko unti-unting naramdaman ang isang malamig na bagay na inilagay niya sa palad ko. Yumuko ako para tingnan ito and I was stunned when I found the ring he gave me with the 'ad infinitum' phrase engraved inside it. The one that Apollo confiscated from me on Olympus.
"I promised you that I'd get it back, right? I want you to keep our ring, witch. Kahit hindi mo na suotin. At least let it serve its purpose for now... as a fragment of a memory.", he smiled at me but I can still see through his eyes that lingered a pining melancholy. I enclosed the ring in my fist bago unti-unting tumingkayad palapit kay Theo as I gently brushed my lips against his.
I felt him stiffen for a few seconds, pero ilang sandali lang ay naramdaman ko na ang paghaplos ng kaliwang kamay niya sa aking bewang, as his right hand travelled to my nape---holding my head in place.
He willingly returned the kiss I gave him... and the world faded right before our eyes one last time.
His kiss broke my heart into thousands of pieces. I didn't want to let go...
Dahil alam kong sa oras na bumitaw ako sa kanya, tuluyan na nga siyang mawawala sakin.
"Then I guess, this is where the sun sets for us, huh? It was quite the long journey, don't you think? I learned a lot. I wish I could still stay here to protect you, but I have to go. Thank you for everything, Ahlkria.", hindi ako nakagalaw sa narinig mula mismo sa kanya bago niya ako tuluyan na ngang tinalikuran hanggang sa naglakad na siya paalis sa harapan ko para bumalik sa kinaroroonan ngayon nina Typhon at ni god Zeus.
My visions... Theoddeus---
"Kria.", mas tumindi yung sakit na naramdaman ko nang marinig ko ang pagtawag sakin ni Kai mula sa likuran ko as he placed his hand on my shoulder.
I automatically turned to him at diretsong ibinaon ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya habang umiiyak. He didn't say a word. Hinayaan niya lang akong yumakap at umiyak sa kanya.
Y-You need to calm down Kria. Compose yourself. Your concentration will affect the opening of the gateway to Tartarus. You musn't mess this up for the sake of the others too.
I need to clear my thoughts. We're the pillars holding the Gates of Tartarus open.
All of a sudden, lightning crackled across the catastrophic grey skies, illuminating our surroundings for a couple of seconds. The heavy atmosphere that enveloped the place made me shiver.
"It's time.", I heard Kai whisper kaya dahan-dahan akong napabitaw sa kanya. Nang iniangat ko ang tingin sa kanya ay pansin ko ang pagkakatitig nito sa kalangitan.
I trailed his gaze, only to find Cumulonimbus clouds forming directly above us followed by an earth-shattering screech that came from the enraged Father of All Monsters himself.
"Do you think your little storm cloud trick frightens me, Zeus?! You can do better than that!", Typhon bellowed kaya napabaling ako sa direksyon niya. Laking gulat ko naman nang makitang pinipigilan siya ni Theo ngayon.
By the looks of it ay mukhang wala paring kaalam-alam si Typhon sa balak naming gawin as he continued tearing down everything that stood in his way. I thought he was smart.
"Kria."
"Kria? Can you hear me?"
"Hey! Daughter of Hecate! Will you quit spacing out?!", awtomatiko akong napabaling sa kanan ko dahil sa pagkakasigaw ni Evangelos sakin. Halata sa ekspresyon nito ang pagkainis as he scowled at me.
"It's time to get your head out of the clouds and face reality. The son of Zeus is destined to die---"
"Evangelos!", galit na sita ni Kai sa kanya bago niya paman natapos yung sasabihin niya sana.
"Kria.", mahinang tawag ni Kai sakin. I clenched my fists as I manipulated the Flames of Quietus to my will to maintain its potency for holding the gateway open.
"I'll be back.", sambit ko na siyang ikinanlaki ng mata nung dalawa bago ko sila mabilis na tinalikuran as I summoned my divine weapon before heading towards Theo and Typhon's direction.
The Flames of Quietus that I amplified back with Kai and Evangelos should hold the gateway for a couple of minutes bago ako bumalik dun. Unlike me, hindi pwedeng makaalis sina Kai at Evangelos dun sa mga pwesto nila dahil sa oras na ginawa nila iyon ay mapuputol din ang mga apoy nila.
Since I used Mystiokinesis to generate my flames earlier, I am able to maintain it without direct control---although the timespan for that spell will only last for a couple of minutes.
Itinaas ko yung divine weapon ko as my flames took the form of an arrow before I aimed it towards Typhon's direction na nakatalikod sa gawi ko bago ito pinakawalan.
Unfortunately, before it even reached him, hindi na ako nagulat nang walang kahirap-hirap niya itong nasalo nang bigla siyang bumaling sa gawi ko. He held it on his hand before the arrow disintegrated into nothing. Typhon smirked at me as he stood a couple of feet away.
Maging si Theo ay gulat ring napatingin sa gawi ko while giving me a 'what are you doing here?' look.
"Look who's here to join the party? Apollo's woman.", sambit ni Typhon sabay pakawala ng isang nakakapanindig-balahibong halakhak.
"I just changed my mind. Looks like I'll be killing you first after all.", he grimly declared while eyeing me intensely followed by the loud hissing of snakes found on both sides of his body.
I quickly took a glance at my divine weapon when I suddenly remembered something. My Adamantine Recurve Longbow carries different attributes.
Absorption.
Amplification.
And... Reconstruction.
"Scythe of Damnation.", I breathed as I saw how my divine weapon slowly began to morph in my hand.
It took the same form as the Lord Chronos' harvesting scythe---his sacred weapon. As far as I can remember, during our battle at the Temple of Time back in Egypt, I was able to land a clean hit on the primordial deity, making his ichor gush out of his flesh as some of it flowed on my divine weapon's surface.
It absorbs ichor and takes the form of the weapon of the deity owning the blood, gaya nalang nung nangyari noon sa training namin ni god Ares when my weapon took the form of the Spear of Carnage after absorbing an amount of his blood.
Mabilis ang pagsugod na ginawa ni Typhon sa gawi ko na nagdulot ng isang malakas na pagsabog after I blocked his attack with all my strength using the Scythe. Ramdam ko naman ang pagtulo ng dugo mula sa noo ko nang bahagya itong matamaan sa atake niya.
I saw how Typhon's eyes settled on the golden blood trickling out of my forehead before he showed me a sinister grin.
"So you really are an immortal after-all.", his tone certainly didn't sound like he wanted to get acquainted with me.
I secured a defensive stance after noticing how Typhon's senses turned sharper and keener by the second.
Bago paman ako makakurap ay pasugod na ito sa gawi ko kaya inihanda ko kaagad ang sarili para sa isa na namang malakas na atake mula sa kanya. But just when he was about to strike another blow, a powerful shock wave caused the grounds beneath us to tremble when Theo unexpectedly interfered between me and Typhon as he single-handedly blocked the force of the father of all monsters' attack using his lance.
"Touch her again, and I'll kill you.", he warned. I felt chills upon hearing the demon son of Zeus's intimidating tone while exchanging threatening glares with Typhon before us.
"You make me laugh, boy. Trying to play the hero now, huh?", Typhon retorted with the same intensity.
"Witch, get out of here.", utos ni Theo sakin habang nakatalikod ito but I refused.
"I'm staying.", pagmamatigas ko as I spun the scythe on right my hand before gaining enough force to aim its trajectory towards Typhon.
I used some of my attributes to increase the scythe's potency as I landed a couple of strikes on Typhon na hindi manlang nahirapang ibalik ang mga atake patungo sakin. I cursed in Greek when he almost hit me with his last attack.
"Why are you so stubborn?!", pangangaral ni Theo sakin when he eventually caught up with me and Typhon. Ngayon ay sabay kaming umatake dito as the father of all monsters only gave us a satisfied grimace na parang nasisiyahan pa sa ipinapakita namin laban sa kanya.
Wait. Where's the god Zeus?
"Where's your dad?", I asked Theoddeus before we quickly dodged at the same time when Typhon threw a large boulder at our direction.
Kaagad na lumapit sa gawi ko si Theo before he gestured towards the skies.
"Look up.", wika niya kaya mabilis akong napaangat ng tingin sa kalangitan.
To my astonishment, the vortex of thunder and lightning earlier that gathered on top of us made out of Cumulonimbus clouds ay kagagawan pala ni god Zeus.
Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko nang makita ang paunti-unting pagtitipon ng mga kidlat sa pinakagitna nito as if the vortex was charging its power before releasing it like a cannon. The piece of lightning bolt created at the center was so huge, I could almost believe that it'll be able to split the earth open. Doon ko napagtanto ang balak nilang gawin.
"You're planning to h-hit Typhon with... that?", kung tama ang hula ko, they---and I mean the god Zeus and Theo, created that massive charge of lightning in order to smite Typhon with it directly to the depths of Tartarus. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit naka-posisyon din yung vortex mismong itaas ng opening ng gateway.
But if they can successfully execute that attack, does that mean that Theo won't have to sacrifice himself? But the third prophecy---
Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko dahil sa biglaang pumasok sa isipan ko. My lips quivered. I must be overthinking, right? Unless...
That lightning bolt isn't for Typhon.
I hissed before blocking an unexpected attack that came from the father of all monsters as Theo immediately supported me habang kinakalaban parin namin ito.
In the midst of battle ay bahagyang nagtama ang paningin namin ni Theo bago siya mabilis na umiwas sakin. I swear I saw the hint of guilt that registered from his pair of electrically blue eyes.
"Get away from here while there's still enough time, witch!", biglang sigaw niya before he was thrown a few meters away from me nang matamaan siya ng isa sa mga atake ni Typhon sa dibdib. He coughed blood before struggling to get up.
With my command over magic, I calibrated the exact time that the vortex above us would release the massive lightning bolt bago ako tumingin sa gawi ni Theo na halatang nagsisimula nang mapagod sa pakikipaglaban. Then I turned to Typhon.
Ten seconds.
Exactly ten seconds before that massive lightning plummets down to the depths of the earth.
"Kria, stop!", rinig ko pa ang sigaw ni Theo when he witnessed how my wings manifested behind me before I charged towards Typhon's direction and amplified my attribute using the Scythe, aiming it towards him. This is the last of my power reservoir.
I cannot go beyond the limits of my power now since I already used up the other half of my attributes to maintain the activation of the Flames of Quietus---keeping the gateway open together with Kai and Evangelos' Flames of Hades and Tartarus.
This is my last chance to bend the third prophecy. The last chance to save Theo from his fate. Gods, I'm asking you with all my heart, please let this be.
"Kria, no! It's not gonna work!", I heard Theoddeus shout from somewhere before I unsummoned the scythe.
Using the power of the grimoire and my command over magic, I immediately petrified Typhon for a couple of seconds, enough for me to transport the both of us directly at the center of the Gateway to Tartarus' vortex.
"Ahlkria, what are you doing?!"
"Get the hell out of there!"
"Have you gone mad?!"
Nagsigawan pa sina Kai, Eur, at Evangelos na kapwang gulat na gulat sa ginagawa ko. I didn't respond. I know that none of them can stop me right now because if they do, the opening of the gateway will shatter. They cannot move away from their places for too long.
I finally closed my eyes and waited for everything to take place.
Five seconds.
"Kria!", it was the demon son of Zeus' voice. I let out a smile.
Kahit nakapikit ako ay naramdaman ko parin ang pagtindi ng liwanag sa kalangitan, indicating that the vortex is almost ready to fire the bolt towards us.
Two.
"The bolt's calculated to hit me. It won't work, witch. It won't... unless it's me in your place.", sa gulat ko ay mabilis akong napamulat ng mga mata nang maramdaman kong may kung sino ang humawak sa magkabilang balikat ko before shoving me out of his way by force at pinalitan ang pwesto ko.
"Theo---"
"I'm sorry, but you leave me with no other choice. I can't let you take my place, Kria.", namanhid ang buong katawan ko when an excruciating pain suddenly traveled across my back as I felt my wings numb from his attribute. Hindi ako makagalaw. H-He can't do this!
"No---", before I could even finish my words ay isang malakas na kidlat ang tumama sakin na galing kay Theo, perfectly sending me a few feet away from the center of Gateway to Tartarus as I crashed unto the ground just beyond the edge of the massive hole that Eur created. Hindi ako makagalaw. Sh*t.
One.
Awtomatikong napaangat ang tingin ko kay Theo na siyang may hawak na kay Typhon ngayon as he smiled at me. The entire place illuminated before the skies emitted a massive powerwave kasunod ng isang nakakabinging pagsabog na kagagawan ni god Zeus mula sa kalangitan.
No. The bolt has been released...
And it's already plummeting towards Theo and Typhon's direction.
Kitang-kita ko kung paano tumitig si Theo sa gawi ko as he uttered...
"Live, my immortal. Find me in another lifetime. I will wait for you there.", natulala ako sa sinabi niya as my breathing hitched. Ang hirap huminga. Ang sikip sa dibdib. Ang sakit. This isn't happening. Tell me this is all a dream.
"Our fates were decided from the very beginning... and you and I were just not meant to be."
Those were the last words that I heard from him before a massive explosion struck the center of the gateway where Theo and Typhon stood.
Gusto kong magwala dahil sa sobrang sakit na nararamdaman ko ngayon, especially when I saw how the lightning bolt pierced directly through Theoddeus' chest before making a hole through Typhon's body too.
Nasaksihan ko mismo sa aking malayong harapan ang dahan-dahang pagpikit ni Theo ng mga mata niya before he and Typhon fell down into the abyss.
The pain deep down my chest was so excruciating and violent that I felt like my entire world just ceased from spinning.
Sa mga oras na iyon, my mind went blank. Especially when I began to eventually realize that this time, I really lost him... Forever.
I love you, Theoddeus. I always will.