Reign's POV
May dalang kakaibang hapdi sa aking mga mata ang itim na karagatang unti-unting dinudungisan ang Elysium.
Grey.
He promised he wouldn't make a mess out of this war, and though he purposely let enemies in because he believed we had no choice but to face them in this realm, it was still...
"A mess," bulong ko.
Nanatili akong nakatayo sa dulo ng talampas na kinaroroonan ng templo, minamasdan ang pagpasok ng mga kalaban. Kung bakit andito pa rin ako, ay dahil gusto kong makita kung saan nagsisimula at nagtatapos ang kapangyarihan nila.
They have the power of the mist with them, which means there's really no use of using the mist to counter them as well, since some of them can control, or learned how to control it.
Kumibot ang isang mata ko sa inis nang maalala kung sino ang nagbigay ng kapangyarihang ito sa kanila.
Huminga ako nang malalim, sabay taas ng aking noo, nang mapagtantong hindi lang ang kapangyarihan ng mist ang ipinagkatiwala niya sa kanila, dahil binigyan niya rin sila ng kapangyarihang katulad ng sa amin.
They have it alright.
The power to control light... the earth... the shadows... the plants...
And he didn't just give them power.
Pinakawalan ko ang aking hininga habang nakatuon sa maiitim na chariots na lumabas mula sa usok na nakatipon malapit sa butas ng barrier.
Henri gave them everything.
Bumaba ang aking tingin sa mga halimaw na kapapasok lang ng Elysium.
Technology... monsters...
They have darkened half of the sky of Elysium, and they threatened to bring the shadows and dominate the remaining light of the land behind me.
Bahagya kong nilingon ang kalahati ng Elysium kung saan maliwanag pa.
Umangat ang isang sulok ng aking labi, dahil nagawa ko pa ring tingnan ang natitirang liwanag kahit sobrang dilim na ng nasa aking harapan.
Inilahad ko ang aking kanang kamay sa ilalim ng araw.
Dama ang init, lumiwanag ang aking palad, dahil sa paglabas ng kislap ng kuryente na pakapal nang pakapal.
Sa kabila, itinaas ko ang aking kaliwang kamay at dama ang lamig na dala ng dilim, kinolekta ko ang mist sa aking mga daliri.
My brother was right.
We didn't get to choose the battlefield.
But we get to choose how to start and end it.
The scale of good and evil is tipping, and in this war where I'm caught in between the dark and light...
I choose to face the darkness, with light behind me.
Hindi ko naiwasang mapangiti nang mapagtantong baka narinig nga ako ng kalangitan, noong hiningin kong ibigay nila sa'kin lahat.
Lahat ng kasamaan... kahinaan...
The day I found out about the betrayal of the gods, was the day I asked them all to come to me.
So where are you? I asked silently.
But of course, they're cowards.
They need to be summoned.
"Mmm." I hummed, disappointed.
Tinignan ko ang mga kalabang inaaksaya lang ang oras at kapangyarihan ko, at ng ibang Omegas.
Raising my right hand that's glowing with electricity, I held the clouds behind me and slowly summoned a white storm.
A white storm, because every vapor in the clouds sparked light.
And though it felt heavy, nothing was heavier than what the gods did.
Every hair on my body stood due to static electricity. My lungs filled with tickling sparks of power that wanted to erupt from from me.
But in this war of power, where the first to lose control is the first to taste defeat...
Determination to win struck my eyes, and so did light, when I shoved the white clouds against the overwhelming darkness.
I'm not losing.
A crack formed in the middle of the pitch black sky, and from it, white lightning crawled, tearing the shadows apart, bringing back light to Elysium.
But I wasn't finished.
I wasn't finished protecting the realm, just like what I promised.
Kumurba ang aking mga daliri nang mabigat kong itinabig ang aking kamay upang tuluyang mahati ang nangingitim na mga ulap.
Hindi ko pa nga naibaba ang aking kanang kamay na may hawak ng kalangitan nang pigilan ko ang pagtaas ng mist mula sa lupa gamit ang aking kabilang palad.
Nagsimulang manginig ang aking mga braso sa bigat ng mist na nagbabantang takpan ulit ang kalahati ng realm.
Determinadong ibalik ang liwanag sa kalangitan at pigilan ang kumakalat na kadiliman sa ibaba, hinayaan kong manghapdi ang aking magkabilang balikat, bago galit na napasigaw at napahatak ng mga kamay upang nakawin ang mist mula sa katapat naming panig.
At sa kaunting sandali na nakuha ko ito, mabilis kong ibinaba ang aking kamay na may hawak ng kalangitan saka nagpaulan ng mga kidlat sa lupa.
Control.
Lumabas ang kislap mula sa aking mga mata nang samaan ng tingin ang huntsmen.
Control.
I twisted my right hand, clenching it tight, and grabbed the thunder from the ground.
Control.
All the lightning struck the cliff where I stood and blinded me for a moment.
But losing sight has never stopped me.
My skin crawled with static burn from the fire that ignited inside me. Power has never been this painful, and before I could explode from the intense heat, I gathered it on my hand and spun around, forcefully, to throw back a sea of thunder towards the hole on the barrier.
I fought the urge to cover the hole with the mist and suffocate everyone near it, including my allies.
Pagkatapos, nagsimula akong bumaba, papalapit sa lupa. Bumilis din ang aking mga hakbang hanggang sa tuluyan na nga akong tumakbo para samahan yung iba sa digmaan, nakapalipot sa kanang kamay ang isang tali na gawa sa kidlat, at sa kaliwa, namuo ang isang itim na kadenang gawa sa mist.
The growing thrill in my veins thickened the rope and chain I dragged behind me. And the more I wanted to win, the heavier my weapons weighed. The more it glowed and darkened.
Everything that I passed by while running was a haze.
Every tree was just green, and I couldn't see anything but my own presence beating in front of me, sending waves of energy that distorted my vision.
A bullet grazed my skin, but the pain was only a blur compared to the pulsing adrenaline.
Bumagal ang takbo ng panahon sa aking pananaw nang ihampas ko ang kadena sa aking landas at ginamit ito upang ilunsad ang aking sarili sa kumpulan ng huntsmen.
Habang nasa ere, inangat ko ang kamay kong may hawak ng tali at pababa sa lupa, ay pinihit ito, dahilan na mapatapon ang katawan ng iilang huntsmen na natamaan nito, kabilang na ang isang halimaw na aksidenteng napitikan ng dulo nito.
Kasunod kong hinatak aking magkabilang palad. Magkasabay na umikli ang kadena at tali sa aking mga kamay saka nag-anyong mga kidlat na magkaiba ang kulay.
Habang pinapalibutan ng maliliit na kislap ng kuryente, mahinahon kong nilingon ang huntsman na unang nagtangkang lumapit.
Tumigil sa paggalaw ang huntsman sa sandaling nagtama ang aming tingin.
Humarap ako sa kanya, at hinintay na magpatuloy siya sa balak niya.
Zack's POV
"Alis! Putcha-" Binatukan ko ang isang huntsman at itinulak ito sa direksyon ng isa sa mga espiritong sundalo ng Elysium. "Yung espada ko!"
Pinulot ko ang isa kong saber na natapon dahil sa halimaw na binalibag ako gamit ang kamay nitong gawa sa bato. Pagkaayos ko ng tayo, biglang nagbago ang aking kapaligiran.
Natagpuan ko ang aking sarili sa gitna ng disyerto, at hindi ko naiwasang mabagot agad sa tanawing sumalubong sa'kin.
"Sino ba 'tong di marunong gumawa ng trance?" tanong ko.
Biglang gumalaw ang buhangin sa unahan at paikot na umangat upang buuin ang anyo ng isang huntsman na nakasuot ng itim na turban at naka-shades pa.
"Wow," puna ko. "Ganda ng ayos natin, bro, ah." Ngumisi siya.
Inilibot ko ang aking paningin sa disyerto. "Ito yung kapangyarihan mo?"
Tinanggal niya ang shades niya saka yumuko para punasan ito. "May problema ka?"
"Ba't di mo lagyan ng oasis?" suhestyon ko. "Yung may duyan, mga halaman..." Hininaan ko ang boses ko sa bandang huli. "Mga babaeng naka-bathing suit..."
Isinuot niya ulit yung shades niya. "Ba't di mo gawin?"
Natawa ako nang mahina. "Di ko kayang gumawa ng trance, 'tol, di ka ba na-briefing sa mga kapangyarihan namin?"
"Di ko rin kayang sumira ng trance," dagdag ko pa. "Sinubukan ko na dati kaso naihi lang ako."
Halatang nasiyahan ang huntsman sa sinabi ko dahil napangiti ito.
"Gaano ba katotoo na nanghihina ang isang ibon kapag nasa kulungan?" aniya.
"Hmm..." Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya. "Anong klaseng ibon ba ang tinutukoy mo? Yung katulad ko?"
Kumibit-balikat siya.
Napansin kong biglang gumaan ang mga kamay ko kaya napatingin ako rito at saka nakitang nawala na yung dalawang espada ko.
"Balita ko magaling kang mag hand-to-hand combat," sabi niya.
"Huli ka na sa balita, bro..." Mabagal akong umiling. "Mas magaling na ako ngayong makipag-holding hands."
Sinundan ito ng kakaibang katahimikan mula sa kanya, habang ako, halatang nagpipigil ng tawa. Pero di kalaunan, naglaho rin ang tuwa ko pagkatapos may napansing kakaiba sa suot niyang turban.
Ako lang ba pero parang may gumagalaw sa ilalim nito?
Hinawakan niya ang shades niya at nginitian ako.
At sa unang segundong gumalaw ang kamay niya para ibaba ito, mabilis akong pumikit sabay lingon ng aking ulo.
"Lalaki na pala si Medusa?" tanong ko nang nakapikit pa rin.
Hindi ko narinig ang boses niya, kundi ang tunog lang ng mga ahas na papalapit sa'kin. Naramdaman kong may gumapang sa paa ko kaya napaatras ako at napaupo.
"Gago-" Dinama ko ang ahas na nakapalipot sa binti ko. "Bro!" sigaw ko habang tumatadyak-tadyak. "Bro! Biro lang yon- tangina-"
Naramdaman kong may gumapang na naman sa braso kong nakatukod sa lupa kaya di ko na napigilang mapasigaw sa taranta at gumulong-gulong sa buhangin nang nakapikit pa rin ang mga mata.
Bigla akong nagkaroon ng ideya kaya patuloy akong gumulong pababa... at nahulog sa tubig.
Lumubog ang katawan ko hanggang sa pakawalan ako ng mga ahas na hindi makahinga.
Pailalim sa tubig, napasinghap ako nang maramdaman kong bumagsak ako sa buhangin.
Nakapikit pa rin ako habang binabalik ang hangin sa aking sistema. Ilang beses akong napaubo bago ko muling naramdaman ang presensya ng huntsman na alam kong nakatingin sa'kin.
"Di ako marunong gumawa o sumira ng trance." Dahan-dahan akong tumayo. "Pero marunong naman akong baguhin ito-" Umikot ako at pinigilan ang isang brasong patama sa likod ko.
Sapat na para sa'kin ang mahawakan ang isang parte ng katawan para malaman kung saan nakapalagay yung iba, kaya habang nakahawak sa braso niya, malakas kong sinipa ang likuran ng kanyang binti. Mabilis kong natunton ang kanyang tagiliran pagkatumba niya at tinadyakan ito.
Yumuko ako sabay hatak ng kanyang kwelyo. Niluhod ko ang isa kong tuhod sa kanyang dibdib at di nag-aksaya ng segundong suntukin papihit sa kabilang direksyon ang kanyang panga.
Hindi ko makita ang bugbog niyang hitsura, pero kuntento na ako sa narinig kong unti-unting pagkabasag ng kanyang mukha.
Kumuha ako ng buhangin at tinapon ito sa kanyang mukha dahilan na marinig ko ang nagdurusa niyang sigaw. Nagpumilit siyang umangat kaya idiniin ko ang kanyang leeg sa buhangin.
"Gaano ba katotoo na nakakahinga pa rin ang mga ahas sa ilalim ng buhangin?" tanong ko.
Vance's POV
I drew my sword from the huntsman's thigh and kicked his wound.
Then my eyes continued to search for a shield. I've been looking for one but all I could see was just scraps.
Habang naghahanap, bigla akong napatigil at napahawak sa tagiliran ko dahil kumirot na naman ito. Itinukod ko ang espada sa lupa at humilig dito.
"Fuck-" My throat badly hurt after cursing with an impossibly dry voice.
My cape was not quick enough to heal the deep wound just above my hips. I tried my best to hide it under my cape to prevent the enemies or allies from seeing it, because it's as deep as the blade of an axe could get.
Natawa ako nang mahina sa kinahinatnan ko.
I was the first to clash my sword against an enemy, and I think I'm also going to be the first to fall exhausted.
And the thing is, because I'm the one closest to the barrier, I can't easily get out of the crowd to catch a breath.
Silently praying that Paige, who was fighting the flying machines and chariots will not see me, I continued to cut through the battle and avoided enemies as much as I can.
Binagalan ko ang aking paghinga at itinuon ang kapangyarihan ko sa pagsara ng malalim kong sugat. Ginamit ko rin ang kapangyarihan ko para pigilan ang dugo na bumuhos mula rito.
I was sure I broke a couple of ribs, and the blade...
Bigla kong nabitawan ang espada.
The blade, sliced through a third of my waist.
Hindi ko tinuloy ang plano kong lumabas mula sa digmaan, at sa halip ay nagmamadaling tumungo sa ilog. Binalewala ko ang kaguluhang dinaanan ko at nang makaabot na ako sa bahagi ng tubig na walang naglalaban dahil malalim na ito, hinayaan kong bumigat ang katawan ko at lumubog sa ilalim, nang hindi pinipikit ang aking mga mata.
I forced my eyes open even after my back gently hit the riverbed, where my body continued to rest comfortably. There was still enough light for me to see blue, green, and a bit of red on the surface of the water.
My heartbeat slowed down to a dying rate, but it never stopped.
The only thing that stopped was my bleeding, a few seconds after I submerged myself into the water.
Dad always warned me about closing my eyes to rest underwater, and so I rarely heal myself here to avoid drowning. It's only instances like these that I do it.
Naririnig ko pa rin naman ang ingay mula sa ibabaw, pero hindi gaano.
At kaya delikadong magpahinga rito ay dahil masyado itong mapayapa, minsan sa puntong nakakalimutan mong huwag huminga.
Paige's POV
In front of me, two chariots crashed against the other, and I stopped one from falling into the part of the river where I knew my brother was resting.
It's been a couple of minutes.
Was his wound that deep? Or has he already drowned?
My question was answered when I saw bubbles rise to the surface. It moved, and I followed it with my eyes. The bubbles disappeared once a huntsman fell on the water and an arm quickly grappled his neck to drag him down under.
Tinignan ko ang espadang sinandal ko kanina sa isang puno at nilipad ito malapit kay Vance na kakaahon lang mula sa ilog. Namimigat ang kanyang mga mata nang guluhin niya ang kanyang buhok sabay iling upang tuyuin ito.
Pagkatapos niyang makuha ang kanyang espada, mabilis kong naalis ang aking atensyon mula kay Vance dahil sa maitim na ibong kapapasok lang sa barrier.
The strange creature was almost as big as a phoenix. And a huntsman, a woman, rode behind its back, holding a crossbow she immediately pointed at me and swiftly released.
Her arrow left a trail of dark mist on the air. Before it could hit the protective sphere I made for myself, it evaporated, and built itself again once the mist got through my invisible shield, penetrating my force field first, and then my right shoulder.
The impact made me feel like I hit a wall. Marahas akong napapihit habang nasa ere at kamuntikan nang bumagsak sa lupa kung hindi ko mabilis na nakolekta ang aking sarili.
My cape fluttered frantically behind me while I tried to avoid the arrows being aimed at me.
I was too occupied of avoiding what's in front, that I forgot to avoid what came behind.
Something heavy struck the entirety of my back. Naubo ko lahat ng hangin mula sa mga baga ko, bago ako panandaliang nabulag sa bigat ng biglang tumama, at tuluyang nawalan ng kontrol sa sarili kong bigat.
Pumikit ako nang salubungin ako ng lupa. Nag-aapoy ang sakit na naramdaman ko sa saglit na pagdausdos ng katawan ko rito.
I panted heavily.
My body wasn't relieved from the pain yet when I forced myself to stand up and run away from the arrows that followed me.
Breathing in hard and breathing out harder, I combed through the field, trying to regain the strength I needed to fight back.
Unti-unting nanlambot ang aking tuhod, dahilan na bumagal ang aking takbo, ngunit hindi ako huminto at nagpatuloy, hanggang sa maramdaman ko ang ibon na pinakamalapit sa likod ko, kung kailan mahigpit akong umikot at malakas na tinulak ang ulo nito padiin sa lupa.
Hindi sumabay sa bagsak ng ibon ang babaeng nakasakay dito dahil agad kong sinunggaban ang leeg nito at saka tinapon sa kabilang direksyon.
Habang naglalakad patungo sa kanya, mabilisan kong pinihit ang aking kamay habang nasa ilalim ito ng kapa at binaluktot ang leeg ng ibon upang matapos ang paghihingalo nito sa likod ko.
I stopped a meter away from the huntsman who managed to sit herself up on the field and... laugh with a blood-stained mouth?
Walang ipinagbago ang blangko kong ekspresyon nang magsalita siya, pagkatapos akong pagtawanan.
She was obviously laughing to offend me, but I didn't take any of it.
"Akala ko mas malakas ka?" Muli siyang natawa. "Ba't ako lang mag-isa ang nakapabagsak sa'yo?"
Still, I didn't take any offense.
Itinukod niya ang kanyang mga palad sa lupa at saka tumayo. Samantalang, patuloy ko lang siyang tinitigan.
"Hanggang usap-usapan lang ang pagiging makapangyarihan niyo..." aniya. "Totoo nga namang... mas mahina kayo sa mga magulang niyo-"
Tumuon ako sa leeg niyang biglang nasakal nang walang humahawak.
Pagkatapos, pinanood ko kung paano lumabas ang maliliit niyang ugat sa leeg paakyat sa kanyang pisngi. At nang maiba na ang kulay ng balat nito, ay saka ko muling sinalubong ang tingin ng huntsman.
"What you are..." Pinakawalan ko siya. "-is a waste of time and energy."
Her shoulders painfully snapped downwards. Her knees hit and broke the ground.
With gravity suddenly pinning her and pulling her blood down, she was stuck in a position where she sat in front of me with her palms opened upwards.
Napatingala siya sa bigat, at umunat pababa ang bawat sulok ng kanyang mga mata, hanggang sa magsilabasan ang kanyang mga luha.
Kusang bumukas ang kanyang bibig, at unti-unting nahatak pababa ang kanyang panga, pati na rin ang kanyang lalamunan.
Her back fell hard against the mud with a loud thud.
Sa sandaling dumikit ang kanyang likod sa lupa, bahagya nang nakabaon ang kanyang mga palad sa ilalim nito.
She continued to suffer, even after I turned my back against her, and I only truly released her once my feet left the ground.
Mahinahon akong bumalik sa ilalim ng mga ulap ng Elysium, kung saan agad kong pinagpatuloy ang trabaho kong salubungin lahat ng lumilipad mula sa kabilang dako ng barrier.
The truth is, we already know that the end of this war is only the beginning, and defeating all the huntsmen does not mean victory.
At least, not yet.
Because there's another set of storm coming, silently waiting, until we are empty and what's left of our power cannot stand against them anymore.
Taking advantage of time as our weakness is a good strategy. Alam nilang manghihina kami kapag tumagal ang digmaan.
Bahagya kong iniyuko ang aking ulo at binati ng matalas na tingin ang walang-tigil na pagpasok ng Orion sa realm.
"Weak..." I whispered. That is what you are, for hiding behind your mortal pawns, in a war against your own blood.
A stubborn grin almost broke across my bruised lips after a prideful presence from outside the barrier caught my attention. It struck me like lightning, sending cold electricity along my spine.
I could feel more than one pair of eyes watch me closer than before.
It's only a matter of hours, or minutes, until they finally show themselves and this time, we will see them for who they really are, whether or not they wear their masks.
Weak.
Amber's POV
Medyo bobo pala yung desisyon kong takpan ang butas sa barrier gamit ang mga kamay ng higante ko kasi sumabog lang ang mga ito at nasira.
Kaya ngayon, lumalaban na ang higante ko nang walang mga kamay na isasapak sa mga kalaban. Mga braso nalang na padaskol kong kinakaway sa ere dahil sa nakakainis na mga lamok- este mga lumilipad na chariots pala at mga uwak. May dumagdag pa na lumilipad ding mga kalansay.
"Tangina mo talaga, Henri-" Binalibag ko ang isang itim na chariot. "Parang tanga-" Tinadyakan ko ang iilang mga halimaw sa paanan ng higante ko. Pagkatapos, tumalon ako pasakay sa isa pang chariot na dumaan malapit sa'kin at sinipa pababa ang huntsman na nakasakay dito.
Pang-ilang nakaw ko na 'to ng de-makina nilang chariots pero hanggang ngayon di ko pa rin makuha kung paano ito patakbuhin.
Yumuko-yuko ako para maghanap ng mapipindutan sa loob at labas ng chariot, pero wala pa rin.
Gusto kong magamit, eh!
Napapadyak ako sa inis saka binatuhan ng apoy ang harapan ng chariot at tumalon mula rito, ilang segundo bago ito sumabog.
Nag-summon ako ng mga ibon na gawa sa baga, na siyang inapakan ko patungo sa baba.
Lumundag ako pasakay sa balikat ng isang giant. Idiniin ko ang palad ko sa likod ng ulo nito.
Panandaliang nagkakulay ng apoy ang repleksyon ng bawat matang nakatuon sa'kin sa sandaling lumiwanag ang ilalim ng aking kamay at nag-anyong baga ang katawan ng higante na agad bumagsak.
Gumulong ako pagkahulog ko sa lupa, at pinulot ang baril na nabitawan ng isang huntsman.
Akmang ibabalik ko ito sa kanya at nang abutin niya ito, hinatak ko ang braso niya sabay tuhod ng kanyang tagiliran. Umikot ako saka pinaputukan ang likuran ng kanyang hita, at itinutok ang baril sa isa pang huntsman na tumatakbo.
Sa ikinainis ko, walang bala na lumabas pagkalabit ko ng gatilyo kaya binato ko nalang ang baril sa noo ng huntsman. Napaatras siya sa tama at nang magising ang diwa ay pinadalhan ko ng apoy sa mukha.
Kasunod kong pinulot ang isa pang baril malapit sa paanan ko at nilingon ang malaking ibong gawa sa baga na lumilipad patungo sa kinaroroonan ko, tinutumba ang mga huntsman na hadlang sa landas nito.
Nang makalapit na ito sa'kin, kumapit ako sa balikat nito at paluhod na sumakay sa likod.
Nilipad ako nito pabalik sa balikat ng higante ko kung saan itinuon ko na naman ang aking atensyon sa pagsusuri ng baril na gamit ng mga kalaban.
Bukod pa sa makina ng chariots nila, kanina ko pa rin gustong malaman kung anong meron sa weapons nila at nagagawa nitong masugatan ang mga kaluluwa.
Gawa sa pilak ang baril na nasa kamay ko, maliban sa grip nito na gawa sa salamin.
Isang buong minuto ko itong tinitigan, nag-iisip ng paraan kung paano ko pa ito masuri dahil nasubukan ko na itong sunugin, sirain...
Gumagana ito katulad ng normal na mga baril, ang ipinagkaiba lang ay wala itong magazine, yung lalagyan ng mga bala.
"Magic?" bigla kong tanong sa sarili pagkatapos maalala si Henri.
Tsaka ba't kung ako yung gumagamit, isang bala lang ang lumalabas? Pero kapag Orion ang may hawak, di nauubusan ng bala.
At higit sa lahat, paano nga? Paano nga nito nagagawang saktan yung mga kaluluwa?
Minasdan ko sa ibaba ang bawat huntsman na may dalang baril.
Alin ba ang may kapangyarihan? Yung baril o yung bala? O yung may hawak?
Ilang segundo akong napasingkit sa kawalan.
"Kapag talaga nalaman kong ikaw ang may kapakana nito lolo Hephep..." pagmamaktol ko. "Isusumbong kita kay Mama."
Ginawa pang eksklusibo yung mga baril ng Orion, eh, ano naman kung ipapaputol ko lang kay Bella yung mga kamay nila?
Dismayado kong tinapon ang baril.
"Amber-" Narinig kong tawag ni Ash. "Amber!"
Nanlabo ang boses niya sa pandinig ko pagkatapos itong palitan ng malakas na pagsabog sa kinatatayuan ko.
Mabilis na kumalat ang kirot mula sa tagiliran ko, patungo sa aking paa.
Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari, pero nahulog ako, at isang malaking kamay na gawa sa abo ang sumalo sa'kin.
Magaan ang pagkahulog ko rito pero agad din akong napapikit sa hapdi nang tumagilid ako dahilan na tumama ang tagiliran ko sa palad nito.
Namimilipit akong gumulong pakabila, nang walang makadapo na kahit ano sa aking sugat.
Pagkatapos, nagpipigil-hininga kong inangat ang sarili ko para silipin ang nangyari sa isang paa ko.
Nagkapunit-punit ang kahabaan ng pantalon ko. Bahagyang natatakpan ng abo ang malalaking butas nito, at tanging kulay pula lang ang nahahagilap ko sa ilalim ng tela at abo.
"A-Ash-" Nanginginig kong sambit, hindi makagalaw. "Ash!"
Mabilis na nagpakita ang kapatid ko at saka yumuko sa tabi ng nasunog kong paa.
"Gaano kalalim?" tanong ko sa halip ng matinding hapdi, na parang agresibong dinaganan ng papel de liha ang buong katawan ko.
"Don't look behind you, but you have it worse on your back."
Bago ko pa matignan ang kondisyon ng balat ko sa likuran, tinakpan ito ni Ash gamit ang kapa niya. Marahan niya akong tinulak para mapalipot ito sa katawan ko at tinali ito.
"Can you move?" Tinali niya rin ang kabilang dulo nito paikot sa paa ko.
Sinulyapan ko ang malaking bandage na ginawa niya para sa'kin. "Mmm."
Lumipat siya sa kabila at inalalayan akong maupo. Kagat-kagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko nang mapasandal sa kanyang dibdib.
"Kambal..." bulong ko. "Malamig."
Dinama niya ang pinagpapawisan kong noo.
"Your blood's poisoned," sabi niya. "Let's get you out of here."
Ash's POV
"Bella," I called, after carefully lowering Amber on the bed.
Somehow she lost consciousness on our way here to the temple.
Shadow gathered on the other side of the room and formed Bella who was covered in blood. Her blades were still dripping red when she threw back a curious gaze.
"I need Reign," tugon ko.
Kumisap-kisap siya bago ako nginitian. "Okie!"
Pagkatapos maglaho ni Bella, lumapit ako kay Amber at maingat na tinanggal ang nakapalipot na kapa mula sa bandang ibaba ng kanyang dibdib, hanggang sa dulo ng kanyang paa.
I took my time untying the make-shift bandage to assess the depth of her burns.
Amber suffered second degree burns along the side of her leg, while behind her waist...
Nilingon ko si Reign na kapapasok lang ng silid.
"How bad is it?" tanong niya.
I gently crumpled the cape in my hands. "Bad." My voice faded as I looked at the flesh revealed underneath Amber's torn skin and muscle, just right under the side of her hips.
She was severely burnt, almost to the bone.
Lumapit si Reign. "Is she in pain?"
"Too exhausted to feel it," sagot ko at nagtungo sa mga gamit ko. "The enemies know our weakness, Reign, we won't stand a chance against a whole day's worth of armies."
I poured ambrosia solution all over a couple of towels until it was moist enough.
My own bruises on my hands ached after touching the liquid medicine, and I can't help but worry for my sister who will wake up once I put the first towel over her open burn.
"They have taken us by surprise, you can't deny it." Bumalik ako sa tabi ni Amber. "And what do you suggest we do if we get too drained to fight? And if they do come down altogether? Wouldn't that be too much for us?"
Kasunod na umalingawngaw ang sigaw ni Amber sa silid nang magaan kong ipinatong ang basang tuwalya sa kanyang hita.
Nagtangkang umangat ang kanyang katawan ngunit dahil sa malubhang kondisyon na nito, napangiwi lang siya sabay kibot ng kanyang balikat, at ilang segundong nanginig sa kabiguan ng kanyang pamimilipit.
Maingay siyang nagpakawala ng nagpipigil na hininga, bago muling napailing-iling sa sakit, kagat-kagat ang labi.
"It's me, Amber," mahina kong sabi pagkatapos napaghalataang wala siyang ibang nakikita, naririnig, at naiintindihan, kundi sakit, at sakit lang, kaya mahalagang malaman niya agad na may kasama siya.
Nakabantay pa rin ako kay Amber nang mapansin ko si Reign na napaiwas ng tingin.
We stayed silent, for my sister who took a full minute to take in the pain that brought her back from the cold verge of dying.
Tumikhim ako at napayuko nang kaunti ng ulo.
"I'm sorry," my voice feigned, but was quick to regain its volume. "But I need you to stay still, Amber. I'm trying to help you-"
Napatigil ako pagkatapos makita siyang nakatulala sa kisame, naluluha ang mga mata.
Dahan-dahan niyang binuksan ang kanyang mga palad na mahigpit na nakakapit sa sapin, at nang magtangka akong lumapit pa sa kanya dala ng pag-aalala, bigla niya akong pinasadahan ng isang mapait na sulyap.
I gave her a worried smile. "Sandra," I mouthed. "You can curse me if you want."
For a couple of seconds, she closed her eyes and shifted on the bed uncomfortably. "Reign..." She woke again to look at the other demigod standing across me. "Wala na ba tayong ibang magagawa kundi ang lumaban habang naghihintay?"
Muling napapikit si Amber pagkatapos akong magpatong ng mas maliit na tuwalya sa harapan ng kanyang tuhod.
"You need more time to heal, Amber." Reign replied calmly, but not calm enough to relieve the tension in the air brought by her presence. "And I don't think we have to wait anymore."
Clearly, the room was small enough for her, and I didn't bother pausing after her serious announcement. I continued to apply medicine on my sister's burns while they talked.
"Andito na sila?" tanong ni Amber.
Malakas din siyang napabuntong-hininga. "Putangina..." bulong niya. "Ba't ako pa yung kailangan nilang makita na nagkaganito? Ba't hindi si Zack?"
Bella's POV
Lumitaw ako sa likod ng isang huntsman na tumalbog sa putik.
Hehe.
Sa gitna ng gintong wheat field na nabahiran na ng dugo at mga katawan, natagpuan ko ang aking sarili na di makagalaw habang nakayuko at nakaangat ang katana na ginamit ko sa paghiwa ng leeg ng kalabang kakatumba lang.
Eh?
Napakisap-kisap ako.
'Do you hear that?' tanong ni Isa.
Dahan-dahan kong ibinaba ang aking kamay at tumuwid sa pagtayo. Wala akong ibang narinig kundi ang pagdaan ng simoy ng hangin sa field, at ang mahinang kaluskos ng mga puno mula sa malayo.
Inilibot ko ang aking paningin sa mga katawang nakalatay sa field, bago umikot upang harapin ang malawak at abot-langit na butas sa barrier.
Napapikit ako sabay piling ng aking ulo nang pumasok ang magaang presensya na may dalang mabigat na katahimikan.
Nagdulot ito ng kakaibang sensasyon, dahilan na magsitayuan ang bawat balahibo ko sa katawan.
Ramdam ko rin itong pumasok sa sistema ko, at sigurado akong umabot ito kay Isa.
Mabagal na kumalat ang makapal na presensya sa loob ng realm, at habang tumatagal, tila umaangat ang lupa sa paanan ko, at parang tinutulak ako pababa ng di-nakikitang bigat sa aking magkabilang balikat.
"Reign..." Umikot ako nang mapagtanto kung anong nangyayari.
Andito na sila. "Reign-"
Ngunit bago pa man ako makapaglaho, bigla akong nabulunan sa nalasahan kong dugo.
Nanlaki ang aking mga mata. Hindi ako makasinghap. Hindi ako makahinga.
Sa unahan, narinig kong may bumagsak sa lupa. Sumabog ito, at kahit anong gusto kong lumingon, hindi ko magawa, dahil hindi pa rin nanumbalik ang diwa ng katawan ko mula sa pagkabigla, kahit gising na gising na yung utak ko.
Gano'n kabilis ang...
Unti-unting dumako ang aking mga mata sa bandang harapan ng aking dibdib, kung saan nakalabas ang dulo ng isang blade. Nabutasan din nito ang kapa ko na sa kasalukuyan ay dumudugo.
Nabitawan ko ang mga katana ko.
Sinadya ba 'to? tanong ko sa sarili. Ba't pa kasi di tumama sa puso ko, ih... halata namang nadali ako?
Nang nakagalaw na ulit ang buong katawan ko, maingat kong inabot at dinama sa aking likuran ang sandatang nakasaksak sa'kin.
Isang spear.
Napapikit ako, dahil di ko sinadyang magalaw nang kaunti ang spear na nakabaon pa rin sa likod ko.
Pagmulat ko, sumiklab ang determinasyon sa aking mga mata na tanggalin ito.
Ngpakawala ako ng isang nagtitimping iyak nang hatakin ko paangat ang spear. Agad ko itong binitawan saka napabuga ng hangin dahil sa pinagsabay na sakit at gaan na idinulot ng ginawa ko.
Pagkatapos, humakbang ako paikot, paharap sa direksyon ng pinanggalingan ng spear.
Una kong napansin si Paige na lumulutang sa tapat ng namumuong usok.
Sa isang iglap, sa isang matuling daan ng liwanag, bigla siyang naglaho sa aking paningin, at sumunod ang alingawngaw ng pagsabog.
Umatras ako sabay tawag ng mga anino na magtipon sa aking paanan.
Ilang sandaling nandilim ang aking paningin, at nang muling maaninag ang liwanag, bumungad sa'kin si Reign na nilagpasan ako papalabas ng silid.
Tinignan ko si Ash, at saka si Amber na gising na.
"Oh?" aniya. "Akala mo siguro katapusan ko na 'no?"
Napangisi ako. "Hehe."
"Mag-ingat ka, Bella," tugon ni Amber.
Tumango-tango ako. "Tawagin niyo lang ako pag may kailangan kayo, okie?"
Binigyan ko sila ng isang namamaalam na ngiti bago sundan si Reign. At habang naglalakad, unti-unting tumuwid ang aking labi.
"Have you seen them?" seryosong tanong ni Reign.
"Hindi pa," sagot ko. "Naunang dumating yung atake nila, ih."
Bigla siyang huminto. Bahagyang lumingon ang kanyang ulo sa gawi ko.
"That wound on your chest?" aniya.
Hindi ako sumagot.
Ilang segundo siyang tumuon sa ibaba, iniintindi ang katahimikan ko, saka nagpatuloy.
Kapansin-pansin ang pagbigat ng kanyang mga hakbang sa bawat segundong lumipas, hanggang sa makarating kaming dalawa sa dulo ng talampas na kinaroroonan ng templo.
Nung una, nabalot sa intriga ang kanyang mga mata nang mahagilap ang puting mist na pumapasok sa realm.
Kasunod na dumapo sa kanyang mukha ang pagtataka.
"Where's Paige and Zack?" kunot-noo niyang tanong.
Hindi ulit ako sumagot.
Wala naman kasi akong masagot, ih!
Nabaling ang aming atensyon sa mga kasama namin, at mga kalaban, na nagsitakbuhan palayo sa sirang bahagi ng barrier.
May iba sa kanila na sumisigaw para magbitaw ng mga utos, habang may ibang nagsigawan dahil sa matinding pagkataranta.
May ibang nadapa at hindi na muling nakabangon dahil sa dami nilang nag-uunahan na makalayo sa kabilang dako ng barrier.
"Kung patuloy silang tumakbo, at malagpasan nila tayo..." puna ko nang nakamasid sa kanila. "Aabot sa natitirang kalahati ng Elysium ang digmaan, Reign, simula na ng pagkasira ng buong realm."
Ang ibig kong sabihin ay ang pagkawasak ng natitirang kalahati ng Elysium na hindi pa nagagalaw ng digmaan. Kung saan maaliwalas pa ang kalangitan, at hindi pa nababahiran ng dugo ang lupa.
Di nagtagal, nalaman naming tama nga ang naging desisyon ng mga nasa baba na lumayo mula sa barrier dahil sa biglaang pagsugod ng tubig mula sa labas.
Napasinghap ako nang mapaangat ang aking tingin, sa sobrang laki ng alon na pumasok.
Wala sa sarili akong napabukas ng bibig, at saka naalalang, napapalibutan nga pala ng napakalawak na karagatan yung Elysium.
Kaya nga Isles of the Blessed yung tawag dito, ih!
Yumanig ang buong realm nang dumagundong ang maingay na pagtama ng tubig sa dulo ng barrier.
Luminga-linga ako.
Hindi naman siguro babagsak yung buong barrier, ano? Kasi kung oo, eh di tuluyan nang lalamunin ng nakapaligid na karagatan ang Elysium.
'They really want to wipe this place clean off the map, huh?' Mahinang natawa si Isa sa aking isipan. 'Just how far they will go, we will never know.'
Tinignan ko si Reign na harap-harapang pinanood ang pagdagsa ng tubig. Walang nagbago sa mabagal na pag angat-baba ng kanyang dibdib, at nanatili pa ring nakabukas ang kanyang mga palad sa magkabilang gilid.
"Reign?" sambit ko, nang makita ang pag-angat ng bawat bato, halaman, at puno sa landas ng tubig.
Papalapit na sa'min ang pwersang ito ng kalikasan, at may iilang katawan at kaluluwa na itong natangay.
Amazing with a zombie! Pero-
Dumaan sa likod namin ang malakas na hangin, at sa isang mahinang galaw ng braso ni Reign, matuling umikot ang hangin, patungo sa direksyon ng tumatakbo naming mga kasama, pati mga kalaban.
Napansin ko ang pagbagal ng takbo nila nang matagpuan ang kanilang sarili sa ilalim ng malaking anino ng tubig.
Sa kabutihang palad, para sa kanila, pero masama para sa'kin kasi sayang, naunahan ng hangin ng tubig sa pagtangay sa kanila.
Sinundan ko sila ng tingin nang dalhin sila ni Reign sa kabilang dulo ng realm. Hindi ko pa naiwasang mapahagikgik pagkatapos nag-anyong mga buhawi ang hangin na maingat silang inikot-ikot pababa sa lupa.
"Bella."
Mabilis ang paglingo'ng ginawa ko kay Reign na sa ikinagulat ko, ay maamong nakangiti sa'kin.
"Huwag kang masyadong lumayo," utos niya. "May pupuntahan pa tayo."
Nginitian ko siya. "Okie."
Tapos, unti-unting nabura ang kanyang ngiti nang mapadako ang kanyang mga mata sa duguan kong harapan. "Ayaw mo bang ipatingin 'yan kay Ash?" suhestyon niya. "Parang- maraming dugo na ata yung nawala sa'yo..."
You don't say.
I gave Reign a bored look after waking up with a terrible ache in my chest, and an even terrible pain on my back.
"Bella, namumutla ka na," aniya.
Yeah. This body just died.
Fortunately, I was not required to answer her worries because of the monster wave of water that continued to rush towards us.
Groaning, I stretched my back and painfully circled both my shoulders to relieve it from the weight of an entire planet.
And gods damn me for being left with a body I can barely move.
Paulit-ulit kong binukas-sara ang aking magkabilang palad habang inuunat ang bawat kasukasuan ko sa katawan.
Death by poison, I can tolerate.
But death caused by extreme blood loss after getting impaled?
Napahawak ako sa sugat ko sa dibdib.
It will take time for this wound to start closing, but until then...
Binaba ko ang aking kamay.
Until my sister wakes up, I will make sure that no blade can almost reach her heart again.
Ipinalikod ko ang aking mga braso.
Una kong tinawag ang kadiliman na nagtipon sa pagitan ng aking mga kamay para buuin ang isang mahabang hawakan.
Pagkatapos, dagliang sumiklab ang bandang itaas ng aking pananaw dahil sa liwanag na tumakbo mula sa aking balat patungo sa dulo ng hawakan, at namuo ng nakakurbang talim.
I was waiting for Reign's signal but she stayed awfully still.
Kaya hindi ko na muna inilabas ang scythe ko mula sa likod, dahil hindi niya pa ako binibigyan ng senyas na maghanda.
The water was powerful enough to pull the winds towards it. And the closer it got to us, the bigger it became, almost reaching the top of the mountain we stood on, and it did reach the height of our feet, before growing even taller.
It became clear that it was going to wipe out including the most elevated place in Elysium, and if the gods want to, they will.
Soon enough, the sound of charging water drowned the screams of frightened souls from behind us, and I'm glad it did, because then my heart would have started to scream, and I would've began to feel the same as them.
Wala sa sarili akong napasulyap sa kalangitan pagkatapos magparamdam ng mga matang alam ko'y kanina pa nagmamatyag sa'min.
My fingers defensively curled around the weapon behind me. I lowered it carefully, leaving the ground hissing after being burned by the curved blade that grazed it.
I couldn't count all the presence that surrounded us, because they were everywhere.
There were moments I could feel them watching far, from outside the barrier, and the next second, I could feel them whispering close to my ears.
Elysium is a very big place. It is an entire realm, and that is why the ocean wave that entered from the barrier took a couple of minutes to reach us, and by the time it did, it managed to grow taller than the mountain.
Sabay kaming tumingala ni Reign sa tubig na umabot sa paanan ng mga ulap.
Makapigil-hininga ang laki nito, pinapaalala sa'ming lahat kung gaano kamakapangyarihan ang tubig.
Kung paano sa isang iglap, kaya na nitong burahin ang isang buong realm.
In front of us, the wave continued to rise... until it moved.
It twisted on its own, to form the upper body of a muscular man, as big as a mountain.
His eyes were made of sapphire whirlpools, and his beard, a row of waterfalls.
Poseidon.
Napapiling ako ng ulo dahil sa pinakawalan nitong malalim na sigaw, tunog-isang malaking halimaw mula sa ilalim ng karagatan.
Nakakalunod ang ingay na pinakawalan nito, dahil binalot ng kapangyarihan nito ang bawat sulok ng Elysium.
Umikot ang higante nang nakaunat ang isang braso at lumitaw sa kamay nito ang trident na gawa rin sa tubig, pero kumikinang ng ginto.
Muling nagpakawala ng nakakabinging sigaw ang higante, saka itinuon ang dulo ng trident sa gitna ng bundok na kinaroroonan namin.
The fact that they are not afraid to destroy Elysium and ruin the sacred ground where Cronus' temple stood, speaks volumes of the lengths they are willing to go through for power, of the rules they are willing to break for their desires.
The tip of the trident touched the side of the mountain when the water it was made out of, pushed itself back, and it continued to hold itself from destroying the land.
The water it was made out of, fought against itself, to stop the giant god from hitting the mountain.
Tila nagdadalawang-isip ang tubig na tumama sa lupa dahil may bahagi nitong gustong sumira, ngunit may bahagi rin nitong nagpipigil. Patuloy nitong pinigilan ang sarili, hanggang sa biglang may umangat nung trident palayo sa'min.
Madahan akong napasinghap nang makita ang paglabas ng isa pang higanteng kamay na gawa rin sa tubig mula sa paanan ng bundok.
Malakas nitong tinulak ang braso ng god na may hawak ng trident at nag-iwan pa ng bahaghari sa landas ng gawin ito.
The air glimmered with light rain from the splashes of water that crashed unto the other.
And I stood, stunned, while watching two giant arms, made of the the same element, wrestle against each other.
Poseidon's arm was torn from his shoulder, but water was quick enough to form another one, another hand, another trident, after the first fell apart. And he immediately struck the ground angrily, releasing a deafening scream that forced both Reign and I to take a step back.
We haven't even recovered from the blow of his anger when suddenly, we heard another scream of a creature behind us.
And while Poseidon's voice was as deep as the ocean, the creature's voice from the other side of the realm was high-pitched, made out of the different voices of underwater creatures.
And I knew this because I swore I heard the whistle of dolphins, the callings of whales, as well as other sounds I have never heard of before.
I was finally able to figure out what kind of monster answered Poseidon after it flew above us, towards the god whose eyes glowed brighter with fury.
But even the god was only able to look. He was not given time to move before the monster bit the base of his neck and forcibly shoved him down.
It was a dragon, made completely out of water, with eyes glowing a deep red, the color of blood.
Wala sa sarili akong napangiti pagkatapos mahagilap ang gulong-gulo hitsura ng lalaking nakasakay sa likod nito, at sumabay sa mabigat na pagbagsak ng tubig.
Water is a powerful element.
It is the giver of life.
And when you pair it with blood, one can give and control life.
One can give life to water itself, which is how Vance was able to summon his own creature made out of water and raised our resistance to match that of an Olympian's attack, proving to the gods how right they were to feel threatened...
But so wrong to believe they can easily eliminate us.
After making it rain, both the god and the dragon disappeared under the shallow sea that formed near the opening of the barrier.
"I think they just realized they can't control this realm," biglang sabi ni Reign. "Maybe because Elysium is not theirs, you know? It was never theirs'." Nilingon niya ako. "They didn't make this realm, nor was it made for them..."
Muli siyang humarap sa kawalan.
"Umabot na siguro tayo sa puntong wala nang mas ikatataas pa yung pagtingin nila sa sarili nila, ano?" aniya. "Kaya nasa ganitong sitwasyon tayo ngayon..."
There was a strange calm that followed. It's as if the war has come to a momentary stop, after everyone witnessed how we were able to stand our ground against the power of a god, and not just any god.
A slight smirk played on my lips.
What are you going to do, now?
The gods seemed to have heard my question.
Beneath us, the earth started to tremble and above, the clouds gathered to form a thunderstorm that covered the entire realm like a thick blanket.
And it wasn't long 'till we started to suffocate.
Marahan akong napahawak sa nanunuyo kong lalamunan. I haven't moved an inch and I already felt exhausted. It was difficult to breathe, and my limbs were starting to feel heavy.
The realm darkened around me, and I don't know if it really did or it was just my eyes that's too tired to see.
Then the first light appeared in the form of a meteor that crashed in the middle of one of the fields. The impact was strong enough to shake and weaken the foundation of the temple behind us.
Nagpalitan kami ng tingin ni Reign bago muling itinuon ang aming atensyon sa babaeng tumayo sa gitna ng namuong butas sa lupa.
She stood 8 feet tall, like a half-human half-giant, and wore the white short dress of ancient Greek hunters.
Her sandals were made out of the same leather that's wrapped around her upper arm, and her auburn hair was tied into a braided ponytail.
And she made sure to be ready for war, when a silver bow appeared in her hand.
The second meteor fell on the other side of the realm and melted the ground.
Steam rose from the crater where another deity finally revealed himself.
Standing taller than his sister, Apollo had a larger bow in his hand, colored gold and shone bright like the sun.
Kung gaano katingkad ang kanyang anyo, ay ang ikinadilim ng ngiting namuo sa kanyang labi nang ilibot niya ang kanyang paningin.
The gods...
They have changed, not in the way they looked, but in the way they look... with their eyes.
I have a feeling that we're not going to suffer under the gods' wrath today, but under the gods' madness instead.
Magkaiba ang dati sa ngayon dahil wala nang takip ang kanilang mga mukha. Bungad na bungad sila, at ang gagawin nila, sa mga mata ng lahat.
"The gods!" A relieved cry reached my ears. "They have come to help!"
The man's voice lingered as an echo, before the rest of them cheered for the arrival of the deities.
Humigpit ang aking pagkakahawak sa scythe.
Pathetic, I thought. Nakita nila ang pagpasok ng tubig na nagtangkang patayin sila at sirain ang buong realm, pati na ang pag-anyong lalaki nito... and you're telling me, that not once did it cross their minds that it was Poseidon himself who tried to kill them and destroy the realm?
As annoyed as I was at the residents of Elysium for being stupid, nothing prepared me to what happened next.
Two blazing meteors flew down from the heavens. They didn't give us time before ruthlessly striking the ground where the residents were gathered.
The cheering stopped. Panic erupted. Bodies flew, and pure terror engulfed the faces of the souls scramming from the craters.
For the second time, war has ensued, and it happened in the most cruel way possible: through a massacre.
Nanliit ang aking mga mata.
Nice.
Or so I thought, for the air immediately became static.
All the dried blood and sweat on my skin became wet again from the electricity flowing through my veins, and my eyes started to burn from the thickening energy that was radiating beside me.
Pinilit kong huwag lingunin ang pinagmumulan ng mga kislap na lumilipad sa aking harapan, sa pinaghalong sabik at takot na baka matunaw ang aking mga mata.
Balak ko na sanang sumali sa gulo sa ibaba, kung hindi lang sa kuryente na nagtipon sa aking paanan, pinipigilan akong makagalaw.
I held my head higher, and succumbed to the numbing pain of being silently electrocuted.
Nang makalipas ang ilang segundo, ay saka ko lang nagawang sulyapan si Reign.
She was already looking back at me with sunken eyes.
And Reign...
She didn't inherit her mother's ability to command against one's own will, perhaps because she didn't have to.
She needed less than a voice to command you.
Her silence...
Her gaze...
Was already enough of a force to be reckoned with.
Grey's POV
Naglakad ako papalapit sa dalawang deities na nakatayo sa gitna ng malawak na wasak sa lupa.
Ni hindi nga nila napansin ang pagdating ko dahil pareho silang nakatuon sa may templo.
"Dad does not like it when someone stares too long at one of his daughters," I said as I calmly played with a long piece of a glass shard in my hand.
My other hand was partly inserted in my pocket, giving the impression that I was vulnerable to an attack and very open to get hit.
I was, very open to get hit, and they're welcome to hit me.
Nginitian ko sila.
But they know better.
I stopped exactly ten meters away from the two men who was a couple of feet taller than me, and obviously bigger.
Both of them sported golden armors spattered with blood and dirt.
"Uncles," bati ko sa kanila. "I thought you got lost on your way here."
The first to turn his body towards me was Ares, the god of war, whose violence-ridden eyes darkened under his flaming helmet, that everyone knows will continue to burn until he loses the ability to ignite its flame, or start a war.
Hermes, on the other hand, stepped to the side and gave me a glimpse of the golden sword under his white chlamys, an ancient greek cloak that's used by travellers.
And the messenger god didn't just bring his weapon.
My eyes drifted to the bronze helmet that hung on the side of his waist.
The helmet was designed to cover only the skull and the eyes, not the full head.
But I know it does more than just that.
Pinaningkitan ko ang makapangyarihang bagay na ito, bago dahan-dahang inangat ang aking tingin sa namumuong ngisi ng may hawak nito.
Huminto ako sa paglalaro ng basag na salamin. Ibinaba ko ang aking kamay at habang naiintriga pa rin ang mga mata, gumuhit din ang isang nagagalak na ngiti sa aking mukha.
Why wouldn't I feel honored?
When the god deemed us worthy of use of the Helm of Hades, or in other terms, the cap of invisibility.
The helmet that stays true to its name, and grants its wearer the power of complete invisibility.
And the last time Hermes used that for battle was when they fought against the giants in the Gigantomachy.
Unti-unting lumiwanag ang aking mukha nang maalala kung ano pang nangyari noong Gigantomachy, at kung sino ang dahilan ng pagkapanalo nila.
As far as I remembered, the gods only won because they needed the help of a single mortal.
A demigod, considered to be one of the greatest heroes of all time.
Feeling another presence approach from behind me, I subtly bit my lip and lowered my head to suppress a chuckle.
Spoken like a true ancient Greek, a deep rugged voice called out to them, "Ares? kai Hermes?"
'Ares? and Hermes?'
From a distance, I could see a phoenix encircle the crater where Apollo stood, but I was dead set on this sons of Zeus' reunion, and silently wished my dad was also here.
"Nai..." kampanteng sambit ni Hermes. "Khaiire, Herakles."
'Yes... Greetings, Hercules.'
Hercules walked past me, and I stopped him before he could get too close to the gods.
"They don't mean well, Herakles," I warned him. "These gods seek to destroy."
Hercules did not wear a metal plate for an armor. Instead, he wore a dirtied short chiton and had a cloak of his own, made out of the golden fur of the Nemean lion he once killed using only his bare hands.
Its fur is known to be impenetrable, that not even the sharpest mortal weapon could tear it, and the lion's head hung behind Hercules' neck, serving as the hood of his golden cloak.
"I could see that..." The hero replied in a deeper pitch.
One could only describe him as the manliest man that has walked the earth. Whatever he did, from the way he breathed to the way his legs flexed when he walked, displayed strength and masculinity.
I mean, the man's jaw was as tight as the rest of his muscles, and his shoulders were twice as wide as mine.
One could sense immense power from within the bulging veins under his skin, and in very inch of hair on his body, including his short beard and long dirty blonde hair.
Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng taong katulad niya, kaya ngayon ko lang din napagtantong: maaaring maging lalaki ang kahit na sino, pero walang lalaki ang magiging si Hercules.
Indeed, there were men, and then there was Hercules who had his own category of being a man.
Nanliit ang aking mga mata.
I wonder if that's what Dad would look like if Mom dumped him in the wilderness...
Kusa akong napaatras pagkatapos biglang sumalpok ang kamao ni Hercules sa pisngi ni Hermes, dahilan na tumilapon ito at sumadsad sa lupa.
My eyes shut tight for a second before opening again to look at the god who tumbled a few meters away.
Then I looked at the helmet that rolled freely on the ground.
Hercules charged at Hermes, while Ares and I exchanged glares.
He disappeared and reappeared beside the helmet and was about to reach for it when it fell inside the portal that I summoned under it.
Another portal opened above my hand, and I gave the god a subtle grin before catching the helmet.
What a sight it was, to see the god of war hurl a spear at me that I quickly deflected using the helmet.
Muli na naman siyang naglaho sa aking paningin at sa sandaling humarap ako sa ibang direksyon para sana'y tumakbo, isang suntok sa sikmura na narinig kong bumasag sa aking tadyang ang sumalubong sa'kin.
The world stopped existing for a second. Everything turned pitch black, and it was pain that brought me back to life after what happened.
My body throbbed from the impact.
I didn't know where I landed until a hand offered to help me up.
Matagal-tagal kong tinitigan ang kamay na umabot sa'kin. Marahil, tumatatlo pa kasi ito sa aking paningin.
"He did not hold back, did he?" Vance asked. "Like I told you."
I squirmed with pursed lips. I needed to breathe, but I could not just inhale enough. My lungs were on fire, and my chest cramped when I tried to move.
Groaning, I forced my body to roll to the side and at the same time, reached out my arm to Vance to signal him I was ready to get helped.
"N-No," Tila tumanda ng isang daang taon ang aking boses. "No-" Vance held me higher when my spine suddenly weakened. "D-Definitely not-" I gave him a pat on the chest and for a few seconds, tried my best to get back on my feet.
"So far, there's only been five of them..."
Napahawak ako sa gitna ng aking sikmura nang bitawan ako ni Vance.
"Only five, but there is Poseidon?" pagpapatuloy ko sa sinabi niya, pagkatapos mapansin ang kaba sa kanyang boses.
Marahan akong natawa sa sumunod niyang katahimikan.
"Stop laughing!" Mahina niya akong tinulak sa balikat. "Ares only needed one blow to deliver you to death's door and you think that's funny?"
"Je vois..." pabulong kong puna, at tila nababaguhan. "Tu t'inquiétais pour moi à ce moment-là..."
'I see... You were worried about me, then...'
"When are you going to take things seriously, Grey?" aniya. "We're going to die."
"What?" Kumunot ang aking noo. "You don't think I'm taking this war seriously?"
"You're holding back," he said, as if to remind me. "Why?"
Despite the pain of having broken ribs, I managed to crossed my arms on my chest and gave him a blank stare.
"For fuck's sake, Grey- you had it," dagdag pa niya. "You had the helm of invisibility in your hand and you just-"
"I just what?" usisa ko.
"You just let it go like that," aniya.
"Oh..." I whispered. Did I?
"Well, I guess we just have to defeat the gods without the helmet of invisibility," anunsyo ko.
"It would've been better if we had it," giit niya.
"Why don't we look for your grandfather, hmm?" I patted his back and pretended he was a toddler lost in a mall so I won't get easily annoyed even though I was on the verge of stabbing him earlier. "Where'd you last see him?"
"Your sister has taken your place against Ares, are you not a bit worried?"
Whincing a bit, I slightly leaned to the side to sneak a peek at Ares who fought against Bella and Reign trying to take the helmet away from him.
"She's fine," I said before minding my own business. "And she also put me in charge, would you believe that?"
"No."
"Pity," sambit ko. "But she actually did."
"A decision she will regret sooner-"
"Vance." Umangat ang aking magkabilang kilay. "Il faut que tu fermes ta gueule."
'You need to shut the fuck up.'
"And tell me where that fish god could be possibly hiding," dugtong ko.
"You mean the god who took the form of the ocean and flooded almost half the realm?" he corrected.
I shook my head. "Who else?"
Vance responded with an exhausted look, before sighing for I don't know how many times already.
"Under one of these rivers," sagot niya nang lumilinga-linga. "He has us surrounded and if he does that again, when he transforms into a gods damn titan again, I don't think I will be able to stop him."
"I trust that you do." I started to head towards the nearest river bank. "You're descended from him."
"But I am not a god like him, Grey," he insisted.
"Just because you're not a god..." I crouched down to touch the surface of the water. "Does not mean you're not able to defeat one."
My fingers lightly rubbed against each other after locating a presence under the water.
Tumayo ako at dinuro ang nakakurbang bahagi ng ilog na malapit sa paanan ng bundok na kinaroroonan ng templo. "He's by that curve of the river."
I was able to walk a few steps towards it when Vance stopped me.
"Grey."
Huminto ako at nilingon siya. "What?"
He spent the next few seconds curiously staring at me.
"How did you do that?" he asked.
"Do what?"
"Find him," aniya. "Under the water."
Napatitig din ako sa kanya, bago tumuon sa digmaang nakapaligid sa'min.
While Reign and Bella fought against Ares and Hermes, Zack had Apollo cornered on one side of the realm, and Paige has gone further into the fields to lure Artemis away from us and prevent her arrows from reaching others.
And while all this is happening, Ash is still in the temple trying to help his sister recover.
Sa huli, nginitian ko si Vance. "I just can."
"You can't," sabi niya. "Not unless-"
I chuckled lightly. "Not unless we're in my domain?"
"Since when?" karagdagan niyang tanong.
Huminga ako nang malalim at muling inilibot ang aking paningin sa buong realm. Ilang segundo kong tinitigan ang butas sa barrier saka ibinalik ang aking atensyon kay Vance.
"The real barrier has already fallen completely, Vance," mahinahon kong sagot. "And I cannot let the real enemies enter and destroy the realm as easily as their army did."
"Grey..." his voice lowered with concern. "What's happening outside your domain?"
Silence filled the space between us and discontentment grew on his face.
"Gabriel," tawag niya.
"I'll be back, and don't tell my sister," I said, a few seconds before purple mist gathered in front of my eyes, forming a fog that changed my vision of Vance...
To Athena, who held the tip of her spear against my throat while I sat in the middle of Cronus' throne room, surrounded by the rest of them.
The sharp vines that kept my body stuck to the throne tightened.
Thorns slowly crawled around my arms, my chest, and my legs, as the goddess of war lifted my head with her blade and intentionally cut the skin beneath my jaw.
I took in the pain by taking in a deep breath.
Reign...
From the corner of my eyes, I glanced at the goddess who wore a white chiton with red trims.
She must not see this.
"Yield," Athena ordered.
I continued to stare at the woman who looked like my Mom, but was entirely different.
They were the same in some aspects, like how the both of them have this nurturing atmosphere that's constantly flowing around them.
But my Mom definitely felt more like a mother than her.
The goddess was nurturing, alright, but to evil and whatever this madness is.
"Aphrodite," Zeus, who stood behind Athena, and was at the center of them all, called.
Hindi ko tinanggal ang aking mga mata mula sa babaeng tinawag niya at sinundan ito ng tingin sa pagpalit kay Athena na nasa aking harapan.
"Do it again," utos ni Zeus sa kanya.
Bumaba ang aking noo nang tignan ko ang napunit na dulo ng kanyang chiton. May bakas ito ng kanyang dugo na kulay ginto, pagkatapos siyang matamaan ng isa sa mga salamin ko.
"Grey..."
My head was still lowered when my eyes snapped up to meet hers'.
And I hated it.
I hated how sometimes her eyes changed into the same color as mine. I hated how she spoke soft but strong, like Mom and Celeste.
"Let us in, Xerxes."
I hated each and every way that they are different.
Like before, my aura showed itself. My skin glowed gold, for trying to stop her voice from penetrating into my mind.
Marahan akong umiling.
"Not again," I mouthed.
The last time she ordered me to lower my barrier, I was caught off guard by how deep her power could reach into my mind. She managed to scratch a surface and surprised me.
Which is how some of them managed to trespass into my domain where I entrapped their soldiers and men to prevent the total destruction of Elysium. The real one. The one we are in right now, and the very realm I swore to my sister that I will personally protect.
"Let us in." She willed, more forceful this time.
I gritted my teeth and laughed bitterly.
Fuck.
It was as if my entire body was buried in cement except for my head that wanted to break myself free.
My body was beginning to believe that I needed to give in, and I can't help but close my eyes and slowly shake my head to deny it.
Kumawag-kawag ang aking panga nang muli kong salubungin ang mapanakit na titig ng mga matang paiba-iba ang kulay.
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, threatened the only son of her daughter she thought she loved.
Her daughter...
My brows furrowed.
Mom...
"Elle ne mérite pas ça..." I said. 'She does not deserve this...'
And whispered, "Non?"
"Elle ne mérite pas un fils comme toi," she replied.
'She does not deserve a son like you.'
"True," sang-ayon ko. "Mais elle m'aime... et je ne dois pas l'oublier."
'But she loves me... and I must never forget it.'
"You should be proud I was raised this way, grand-mère..." She was obviously taken aback by what I called her. "Mom made sure I will never be swayed by something as shallow as what you said."
"She never failed as a mother," saad ko. "Unlike you who left her as a child when you know you could have done better because you're a goddess-"
I didn't realize she had slapped me until my ears started ringing.
That definitely made a bruise on my face.
"I can forgive your mother for making the mistake of creating you," sabi niya. "But you have never been and will never be mine."
Tinuwid ko ang aking ulo. "Ce qui est exactement ce que je veux..."
'Which is exactly what I want...'
"Glad we cleared that out, non?" I gave her a smile of relief. "That I only have one grandmother..."
Daglian kong sinulyapan si Zeus. He looked back at me, cold and stricken.
"And one grandfather."
"Laisse-nous entrer," the goddess threatened.
'Let us in.'
"Absolument pas," I answered.
'Absolutely not.'
They can't kill me.
My domain, or the realm of memories, is as wide as the universe could get. It is unending, and even if they use someone who can navigate through the realm, it will take them an eternity to find my spot.
And I can't get myself killed either.
Because then all the creatures that I am keeping in my domain will get lost in the realm of memories forever, and the realm could be a terrible place sometimes, because it's not just the good memories that live there.
"Now, what? Huh?" Dionysus asked. "We could not wait any more longer."
Now, I need a plan to escape and bring the war away from Elysium to protect it.
"Don't you want to bring me back to Mount Olympus?" suhestyon ko. "Or you know, another place where you could torture me better? or for worse?"
"No," mariing sagot ni Athena. "But we will have you answer to us."
"Already answering," giit ko.
Athena's gray eyes glowed green.
A satisfied smirk plastered on my face once I saw the goddess of wisdom on the verge of losing her wisdom and was almost giving in to the urge to kill me on the spot.
I subtly raised my brows and shook my head.
Staring at the empty floor, my mind started to consider a lot of what if's...
What if I get too exhausted and break?
What if I die from the strain of using my abilities a bit too much?
What if...
Tinatamad kong inilipat ang aking mga mata sa lalaking nakatayo nang nakahalukipkip ang magkabilang braso.
What if I'm the first to lose in this war of powers?
Zeus looked younger. More immature. He only looked a little bit older than Dad.
In fact...
Isa-isa kong tinignan silang lahat.
The longer I look at them, the more I could see our parents.
"Grey..." Aphrodite pleaded.
'Grey...' My mom's voice also echoed in my consciousness.
"Surrender..." she whispered.
The scent of roses and honey engulfed my senses. My vision brightened, and my surroundings glowed, seeming to comfort me.
Aphrodite spoke very softly, with sincerity that's trying to ease my pain after being forced to break.
She took light strides towards me. Her feet didn't make a sound. She floated, and so did my head when she gently held my jaw and lifted it up so I could meet her eyes.
Eyes that were the same color as mine.
"You want to surrender..."
But no matter how much I stare at them...
"Mom had the universe inside her eyes," paalala ko sa kanya, at sa akin, nang hindi ako madaling malinlang ng nagsusumamo niyang boses. "You don't."
"Listen..." tugon niya, bumubulong pa rin. "For you know you have to..."
Do I? I questioned myself. Have to?
"Surrender, child, and we will spare you."
She delicately held my jaw with her perfect slender fingers. Her skin provided warmth. And for some reason, I could not easily move my head, as if she had me in a very tight grip when she only held me gently.
It pained me to want to avoid her.
She was, undeniably, the most enchanting goddess I have ever laid my eyes upon.
And yet I still managed to snicker.
Because even her own power was greater than her.
Love was greather than her, and she has already realized it when she let go of me and took an uncomfortable step back.
The goddess of love fearing her own power?
Marahan akong natawa.
"Tu es amoureux?" tanong niya. "Dites-moi."
'Are you in love? Tell me.'
"Tu devrais la rencontrer," suhestyon ko. "Elle a tout le contraire de ta voix."
'You should meet her. She has quite the opposite of your voice.'