Vance's POV
"Ang sabi mo website ng Orion iha-hack mo, ba't nagpopost ka na?!"
"Sinubukan ko nga pero ibang account kasi na-hack ko!"
Nagising ako sa boses nina Amber at Zack na maingay na nagsasagutan.
"Kanino?"
"Aba, malay ko rin!" sigaw ni Amber. "Baka isa sa CAP? Yun huling hinack ko, eh, bago natin inatake yung facility sa China."
I groaned sleepily and gently held my head while seated in the van we all were in. I didn't bother opening my eyes and just let the both of them argue until one of us could shut them up.
"Isn't that Mrs. Sol's tablet?" Narinig kong tanong ni Paige.
"Ninakaw- amputa," puna naman ni Zack. "Kaya pala dumaan sa mechanical room na may dalang maleta."
"Hiniram lang," giit ni Amber. "Nang walang paumanhin kasi tulog pa siya, eh!"
"Amber," seryosong sambit ni Paige. "What else did you steal from the mechanical room?"
Ilang sandali pa'y naramdaman ko ang pagbagal ng takbo ng van kaya dahan-dahan na akong namulat at umayos sa pagkakaupo.
"What time is it?" inaantok kong tanong.
"Time to wake up," anunsyo ni Grey na nakaupo sa passenger's seat, katabi si Raphael na siyang nagmamaneho. "We're here."
Dawn was still breaking when the van stopped in front of a bright mansion with a large open porch, a common structure for houses built in Greece. Only, we're in the Philippines. And it was a palace mansion, in the middle of a forest, with a wide driveway and an even wider lawn of bermuda grass where marble structures of Greek deities were scattered, and a few black benches here and there.
Napailing ako sabay ayos ng aking buhok, bago napagdesisyunang tumayo na at kinuha ang itim na gig bag kong nakasandal sa tabi ko. Laman nito ang bagong electric guitar kong pinag-aaralan ko pa kung paano tugtugin.
I have already memorized the basics and is getting used to the brighter, sharper sound that electric guitars make, compared to the classic notes that I'm already used to playing.
Sinabit ko ang strap nito sa isang balikat ko habang sa isang balikat ko naman nakakabit ang knapsack bag ko.
Binuksan ni Grey ang sliding door. "Vance." Sinenyasan niya akong maunang lumabas habang nag-aayos pa ng mga gamit nila yung iba.
"Wait-" I gently rubbed an eye, and shook my head to wake myself completely up, before heading out and helped with the others' suitcases.
Masiglang tumalon si Bella mula sa van bitbit ang sirang stuffed toy niya. "Tignan ko lang kung naabutan pa natin sina Mommy at Daddy!" Saka siya tumakbo patungo sa bahay nila. "Wieeee!"
We're currently at the Salvatori's Manor, where the owners, two of the founders, and Bella's parents, strategically placed their house near the field that most Underworld portals appear. This is where Raphael suggested we drop by so he could summon a direct portal to Elysium most accurately.
I don't know how portals work, but it seems that there are certain areas in the realms where they are most and least accurate to make, or connect to whichever realm you want to go to.
Who knows? Maybe this spot in the country is the one closest to the gates of the Underworld, that is why most portals from there open here.
"Bro." Tinulak ni Zack sa'kin ang maleta niya. "Pakibaba nga."
Sinulyapan ko lang siya bago maingat na ibinaba ang maleta niya sa lupa. Masigla rin siyang lumundag mula sa van at napalinga-linga, nakakapit ang isang kamay sa bag na nakasabit sa kanyang likuran.
"Tangina- haunted house nga!" puna niya sa mga istatwa na hindi pa nadadapuan ng liwanag mula sa araw na sisikat pa lang.
"Where's the suitcase for the weapons?" tanong ko kay Grey.
"Here." Paige was the one who answered and handed to me a black suitcase, and another white. "And careful with the white one," aniya. "It's Ash's medical supplies."
Bumaba na rin siya mula sa van, at sumunod sa kanya si Reign na namimigat ang mga mata, halatang naaalimpungatan pa. "Yung mga gamit ko..."
Inalalayan siya ni Grey palabas ng kotse. "Will make sure of them, ma belle."
"Guys! Guys!" Tumatakbo si Bella pabalik sa'min. "Nasa CAP na sina Mommy at Daddy, ih, kasama yung ibang founders, pero nagtanong sina yaya kung gusto niyo ba raw sa bahay mag-breakfast?"
Sabay naming nilingon si Raphael na napakibit-balikat. "I suppose I might need something to eat after the long ride?"
"Okie!" Masiglang tugon ni Bella bago nahulog sa aninong nasa kanyang paanan.
"Sinasabi ko sa inyo isang buong bahay ang laki ng kwarto ni Bella, gago," pagbibigay-alam ni Amber sa'min. "May pool pa nga yung banyo niya."
"What did you expect?" Raphael chuckled. "Her father's a prince."
"May malaking fish pond din naman kayo, ah," ani Zack. "Na pwede niyong maliguan kung gusto niyo talaga."
"Hello, masters."
Tila nagising ang buong kaluluwa ko nang magpakita ang tatlong babae na parehong nakasuot ng mahahabang damit. Lumulutang sila, at kasingputla ng kanilang mga balat ang kulay ng kanilang mga damit. At sa likod din nila, mabagal na umaalon-alon ang maiitim nilang buhok.
Lampads, nymphs from the Underworld.
"Oh diba? Sabi ko rin sa inyo mga white ladies yaya nila," sabi ni Amber.
"I am Gregoria," pakilala ng lampad na nasa gitna, habang nakadaop ang mga palad sa harapan ng kanyang mahabang palda. "One of Lady Isabella's lady-in-waiting."
"Hi, Gregoria!" bati ni Amber sa kanya. "Long time no see."
"Lady Alexandra." The nymph slightly bowed her head down and in the most sophisticated tone, informed, "The manor is glad to be graced by your presence once again."
She then looked at us. "Please," aniya. "Let us make the most of your short stay here in the manor."
"We shall bring your baggage, and Benedict the courtier, will meet with you by the entrance," pagbibigay-alam niya. "May you feel at home as our beloved guests, Omegas."
Sa likod niya, lumitaw ang iilan pang lampads na agad lumapit para kunin ang mga maleta, pati na ang bags namin.
"Bro..." namamanghang sambit ni Zack nang iabot ang bag niya sa isang lampad. "Gusto ko lang ipaalala sa inyo na walang ganito sa Tartarus. Kaya sigurado na ba kayo, mga 'tol? Sigurado na ba tayo?"
"Siraulo ka ba?" ani Amber. "Gusto mong manirahan lang tayo dito kila Bella habang may digmaan?"
Naunang naglakad sina Reign at Amber patungo sa mala-palasyong mansyon, na agad din naming sinundan.
The walkway was wide, and a man waited for us on top of the short marbled steps by the entrance that was lined with pillars. He wore a butler's suit, complete with gloves, and had on a gentle smile as he looked at us welcomingly.
"Good early morning, masters." He guided us to the inside of the doors that opened for us. "For breakfast we have a full-course English breakfast, or would you rather have a simple Italian?"
"Both," sabay na sagot nina Zack at Amber.
We passed by a foyer, and upon arriving at the entrance hall, we were greeted by a large painting of the Salvatori's bordered in gold frame. It was almost as tall as the entire first floor of the mansion, and hung in the middle of two grand staircases.
"Oh, wow." Narinig kong puna ni Raphael.
It is all of our tradition to take a family portrait at least once every two years, and the last time I've been here was two years ago so now I stood in front of a new portrait of Bella and her parents, where she sat in between Aunt Art and Uncle Cal who stood side by side.
Bella wore a maroon gown, while her mother wore a golden one, and her dad, was dressed in an all-black suit. He had one of his hand behind his wife's waist while his other hand gently held the back of Bella's chair.
Royals, I thought. They looked like royals descended from a dark monarch.
Pagkatapos, sinundan namin ng tingin si Bella na lumabas mula sa likod ng painting at tumakbo paakyat ng hagdan. "Kunin ko lang mga gamit ni Spook-iiiiih!" Tinili niya ang huling kataga at binilisan ang pagtakbo.
"Benedict, was it?" tanong ni Grey sa butler. "Are you also from the Underworld?"
"I am a mortal, Sir," sagot ni Benedict. "An oracle, of the god Apollo."
"I am both a companion and an adviser to Lady Isabella," dagdag pa niya. "And I also manage the household, together with the ladies in waiting."
Narinig namin ang mahinang pagsipol ni Zack. "Wala. Wala pa ring makakatalo sa butler namin sa palasyo," aniya. "Anak ni Hermes na mas mabilis pa sa hangin pag inutusan ni Mama, at mas mabilis pa sa liwanag pag binatuhan niya na."
I snickered at Zack's remark before following Benedict to the dining room.
The founders have their own way of raising their children, may it be giving them royal servants or just letting them do their own things without the help of anyone else but family and close friends, which is exactly what my Mom and Dad did for us.
Paige and I were given the freedom to explore what we wanted. We didn't have castles, but we did have a penthouse in the city where my sister and my mother prefers to live, and a beach house at an island where Dad and I prefers to spend most of our time, alone, or together.
A subtle smirk crossed my lips as I remembered the times I brought Grey and the boys with me at the beach house to hang out.
Two of the most memorable was when Ash got drunk for the first time, and when Zack broke his ribs for jumping off one of the highest cliffs of the island.
My parents wanted us to explore all things, and as a descendant of both pride and wisdom, I took that seriously.
So serious that one can say I was really not the ideal role model as the oldest among us.
• • •
"What do you mean we need to pay a visit to our parent's once sworn enemies?" tanong ko na may kasamang paalala kila Reign at Paige na nakaupo sa tapat namin ni Grey.
"It's what Elpis told me to do," sagot ni Reign.
"An imbalance, huh?" Grey shifted comfortably on his seat. "Of good and evil."
"And evil's winning," dugtong ko at nagpatuloy sa pag-kain. "I guess that explains much of what's happening."
"She said it's chaos all over again," ani Reign. "There's something that's happened after our parents restored the realms."
Hindi ko siya binabalingan ng tingin habang nakikinig.
Surprising, I sarcastically remarked and sighed boredly.
"Consequences," sambit ko.
"Consequences or intentions," giit ni Paige dahilan na mapatingin ako sa kanya.
"Intentions?" pagsisigurado ko sa narinig ko.
"May posibilidad din kasing ang deities ang nagpasimuno ng gulo." Nanghina ang boses ni Reign nang magpaliwanag. "Malalaman lang natin kapag nasa Underworld na tayo."
Tahimik siyang napabuntong-hininga. "Kaya siguro kailangan nating kausapin si Matilda at yung ibang deities, kasi sila lang talaga ata ang may hawak ng mga kasagutan."
"Teka lang, ha," ani Amber. "Uulitin ko lang lahat ng kaputanginahang narinig ko."
"Kaya nagkakagulo ngayon kasi nasira yung balanse ng kabutihan at kasamaan, tama ba?" pag-uulit niya. "At bumibigat sa timbangan yung kasamaan? Kaya imbes na lumago yung mundo, lumulubha tayo?"
"At ito ay dahil...?" Binigyan niya kami ng nagtatanong na tingin. "Kanino ba talagang kasalanan? Mga magulang natin o mga magulang nila?"
"Syempre, mga magulang nila," kampanteng sagot ni Zack. "Sino ba 'yang mga 'yan? Kakapal ng mukha, ah."
"Have you ever considered both?" Biglang nagsalita si Raphael kaya sabay kaming napalingon sa kanya.
Umangat ang magkabilang kilay ni Grey. "What do you mean?"
"You talk about Matilda as if her son is not already here." He grinned at us. "You haven't asked me of what I know."
"What do you know?" tanong ko.
"Well..." Mahinahon niyang binaba sa kanyang plato ang hawak niyang kutsara't tinidor. "Mother has mentioned to me before about the possibility of..." He took a few seconds to find the right words.
"The gods being threatened."
Kumunot ang aking noo. "Threatened by who?"
"Who else?" Tumawa siya nang mahina. "By you, and me including."
"Why the hell would they be threatened?" usisa ko. "We did not do anything."
"The reason why I am not enrolled in the Academy is because Mother is afraid to put me in the same place as all of you," pagbibigay-alam niya. "She was afraid that something might happen to me if something happens to you, too."
"The gods?" di ko makapaniwalang sambit. "The Olympians? Literally immortals who rule the realms? Are threatened by their own descendants? Who are mortals?"
"If that's true then this wouldn't be the first time they unleashed their wrath because of pure envy and jealousy," kalmadong tugon ng kapatid ko. "Of course they'd let their selfish emotions overcome them, because we are only mere mortals, and them, immortals. They know they have the power, and so they also have the confidence."
"Mmm." Beside her, Reign hummed boredly. "Gods."
"But you said both," ani Grey. "Which means it isn't just the gods' fault?"
Tumango-tango si Raphael. "The scale between good and evil was moved by the founders when they decided to restore the realms. I personally think they were the first who shifted it, but it is the gods that are making it tip, weighing it heavier, worsening the condition."
"Kung makasalita ka naman, Raph, parang nagbabasa ka ng libro, eh," reklamo ni Amber. "Paano kaming mga bobo na di nagbabasa?"
"My apologies, Amber." Raphael gently smiled at her. "Ang ibig kong sabihin, posibleng ang mga magulang natin ang unang gumalaw ng nakabalanseng timbangan, pero ang mga deities ang silang nagpapabigat ng kasamaan at unti-unting sinisira ang balanse nito, kaya lumulubha ang kondisyon ng mundo."
"Bro..." namamanghang puna ni Zack. "Pati tagalog mo tunog tula- amputa, ayoko na."
"Language," mahinhing sabi ni Raphael.
"Then we need to figure out what happened the moments after my parents restored the realms and why the gods are threatened, worsening everything," ani Reign. "I was thinking that maybe the deities have something bigger in mind."
"You do?" usisa ni Ash.
"Mmm," sang-ayon ni Reign. "Why else would they work with the son of Destiny?"
"Henri did mention that he wanted to overthrow Destiny..." sabi ko.
"Everyone," sabat ni Grey dahilan na mapatingin kaming lahat sa kanya.
The room was filled with silence as we watched how a mischievous grin slowly formed on his lips. He chuckled and gently bit his lower lip in anticipation and excitement.
"You know what would be fun for the gods?" aniya.
Walang sumagot sa'min, hinihintay ang susunod niyang sasabihin.
"If they actually want to overthrow Destiny, too," dugtong niya. "Or maybe, all three of the holy trinity."
"You've got to be fucking kidding me," puna ko.
"No," nakakunot-noong sabi ni Reign. "Posible nga, pagkatapos ba naman nilang masaksihan kung paano nababa at nakausap nina Lolo at Mama ang dalawa sa kanila, at kung iisipin mga mortal pa lang din sila nang gawin ito." Napailing siya. "It's like the deities are taking advantage of the fact that the first three gods to exist, the most powerful, are actually closer than they thought they were."
"They have an ambition. Something they want," saad niya, at kapansin-pansin ang pagkawala ng dating buhay ng boses niya, dahil pinalitan na ito ng matinding dismaya. "And they're gods..." malamig niyang sabi. "They can't help but do anything to get what they want, even if it means destroying the world in the process."
"The gods..." As if her voice couldn't grow already more colder, Reign's eyes became emptier while she looked afar. "The gods who will never be satisfied with what's already given to them."
Kumunot ang aking noo nang masdan kung paano magbago ang boses at mga mata niya kahit ang ginawa lang niya ay magsalita at tumingin sa malayo.
"You give them immortality and they give you unending disappointments." She snickered and looked at us. "No wonder they were destined to fall."
Tahimik lang kami habang nakatingin sa kanya.
I was about to say something but no voice came out. Even Grey, who looked at his sister interestingly had his mouth slightly opened.
It felt right that she's mad at the gods but the way she said it, feels like her hate goes far deeper beyond, as if the gods ruined her entire life, everything, when in fact we just found out about what they're doing.
"Gusto niyo ng ice cream?" tanong ni Bella.
Dahan-dahan kong itinaas ang aking noo nang nanliliit ang mga mata sa panghihinala, dahil sa napansin, at pagkatapos, nakipagpalitan ako ng seryosong tingin sa kapatid kong nakaupo sa tabi ni Reign.
"We need to talk," I mouthed.
Paige clenched her jaw, nodding, and then sighing defeatedly, before turning to Bella. "I would like a serving, please."