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FIVE | MOST ATTRACTIVE ETERNAL

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I CAN'T JUST go. I mean, all these people depend on me." voiced out, Kingo, disquiet. "We just started shooting this movie, Apollos. It's the first of a trilogy." he continued rambling, sitting on the horns of his dilemma. "We just got BTS to do a cameo..."

Now, Apollos understood his agitation. His life's balance was being suddenly disrupted. Kingo was living his life to the fullest and he found it difficult to let go of everything he had. He had riches and fame, who wouldn't let that go? He was going to lose an important point of reference and be destabilized. However, as much as the Prime Eternal wanted to just let him continue his life, he couldn't. The fate of the world depends on them now.

"Kingo, if we do not stop these Deviants, then they will hunt down every human and there will be no one left alive to watch your movies." Sprite uttered, crossing her arms. "Do you want that?"

"But - "

Apollos grunted, craning his neck up while shutting his eyes. Why was everyone testing his patience today? "If you will not come with us, then I'm going to buy this studio and change the plot of your movie, and instead of a trilogy, I'll compress the whole story into one movie."

Shock made the actor look like he had put his head in a wind tunnel. He immediately stood up from his chair, staring at him with wide open eyes that cannot shut. "No, you won't."

The towering man pulled out his smartphone, smirking as he showed it. "Wanna bet?"

The air between them grew thick with anticipation after Apollos tapped his phone's screen twice, unlocking it. There was never a thing that he said he wouldn't do. "Apollos, you're not persuading him to come with us." Ikaris commented, rolling his eyes.

"Shut. Up."

The two Eternals only continued staring at each other, waiting until the valet spoke up, "Sir, may I say something?"

"Please don't say anything." uttered Kingo, still not tearing his eyes off of Apollos.

"I think you should go."

"I just said don't say anything!" complained the director, now glancing at his assistant of many years, exasperated.

"'Life affords no greater duty than to protect one's family!'" suddenly recited Karun, his eyes lighting up. A gigantic grin slowly spread across his face as if his soul danced and sang the song of heavens. "Remember? It's your favorite line from The Shadow Warrior 2: Voyage of Time." He took one step forward, looking straight at him. "Your family needs you."

Apollos crossed his arms, finally deciding to use his cards - connections to convince the actor. "If you come with us, I'll call Ed Sheeran to do a cameo and Beyoncé will write a song for your second movie."

This caught Kingo's attention more than ever as his head whipped towards him. "You can do that?"

"When can I not do anything?" The Prime Eternal countered, giving a lopsided smile. "No, wait, correction. What can't money do?"

"God, I wish I were as rich as you."

Apollos smirked. His hard work paid off indeed. "I have one condition though."

"What is it?" Kingo questioned, eagerly listening.

"Make me the executive producer of your trilogy."

CROSSING HIS LEGS as he sat comfortably in his airplane seat, Apollos lifted the window shades to catch a glimpse of the world. The afternoon sky was cocktail-blue, a beautiful canvas graced with sky blues and pure milky whites. The blue in the depths beyond and the smooth, rounded, sugary sweet clouds in the foreground. The sea below him glistened, mirroring the dazzling assemblage of glittering stars. A broth of smells swirled around him as food was brought inside the cabin. In front of him was Sersi who was engrossed in whatever was on her phone screen. She was smiling, the corners of her eyes crinkling with mirth, just as Sprite sipped on her champagne.

The door behind them slid open, presenting the owner of the aircraft they were riding in casual clothing. "Seven thousand years." Kingo uttered, stepping inside the cabin with Friends by BTS playing in the background.

The Prime Eternal had to admit. He liked the Korean pop music that was blasting through the speakers. There was something about K-Pop that soothed his ears and made him groove a little. Truthfully, it was Megara and Theseus who introduced him to South Korean culture. When he refused to leave his room for weeks, the twins stayed in front of his door, sometimes even sleeping in their spot just to keep him company. He would hear them playing some music and talking in their native language. Cassandra and Stephen often encouraged them to practice their culture and speak in Korean whenever they could. In his opinion, they were admirable parents. He smiled. Next week, Megara and Theseus will be finishing med school and culinary school, respectively. They were only nineteen and their academic performances were very remarkable. He was even invited to their graduation days which of course, he will attend.

That graduation day is one of the reasons why he wants to save Earth. He will damn make sure he will witness those twins graduate. Godfather duties.

"That's how long the battle between Eternals and Deviants has raged for." continued Kingo, turning his head towards the camera. "You think I'm a movie star. Well, I am. But, I am also..." he paused for dramatic effect. "an Eternal."

"Kingo, what are you doing?"

"I think we should be remembered, so..." the actor explained, sitting down on the seat beside Apollos. "I am making a documentary about us. You are about to meet my fellow Eternal, Sprite. Sprite, tell them about yourself."

Sprite clicked her tongue and said, "Oh, wait." then, flipped the bird before disappearing, using her ability of illusion to vanish from their sight. Apollos smirked.

Kingo shrugged. "Okay, well, we'll circle back to her. This is Sersi." He introduced the woman. "Sersi, tell them about yourself."

Sersi exchanged a glance with Apollos, her eyes showing a glint of panic. He nodded, assuring her that she will be fine. "Uh..."

"We're rolling."

"Well, uh..." Sersi adjusted herself as Ikaris sat beside her, a glass of whiskey in his right hand. "I can change a rock into water. Uh, I could turn a rock into wood." She started, then finding the experience of talking about her transfiguration ability entertaining. She even grinned. "Or - or a rock into metal. Actually, one time, I turned a rock into air."

"Cut!"

Apollos frowned, not liking the interruption.

"Um, you know what? Why don't you think about it, and we'll get back to you, okay?" The actor decided. "Now, let's move to you, boss. Apollos, would you like to say something?"

All eyes were then fixed on the Prime Eternal, patiently waiting for the words that would come out of his mouth and so he pretended to ponder about it. "I... am the richest and most handsome Eternal." He spewed out, cockily. The towering man's gaze flicked to the recording camera, drawing closer to it.

From his peripheral view, he could see Ikaris' annoyed visage and Sersi's amusement. "You see, it's this face that inspired the creation of the Greek god, Apollo. His magnificent and astounding skill in archery? That was me. His love for literature, music, and dance? Still me." He winked, giving a dazzling smile. "Now that you're aware why Apollo was the most attractive Greek god, let's move on. I am now the Prime Eternal, yes. The leader of this... bunch. I just ascended to the position a while - "

"Okay, Apollos," chuckled Kingo, patting Apollos' shoulder. "Tell us, what is your ability?"

"My ability, uh, well," he licked his lips. "I can generate a bow and arrow out of some otherworldly energy and I have intuitive precognition. I can feel or sense the future though it only comes in when I'm in danger or someone I know is unsafe."

"Wow, that is some ability right there. Now, I have a question that I know some people would want to know." Kingo adjusted to his seat. "Are you taken?"

"Yes."

"Oh," the actor grinned, nodding. "And what is their name?"

"Natasha Romanoff."

Silence befell on the whole group. For a moment, there was no sound from any of them. Then, a rush. Blood in Apollos' ears. He could hear his heartbeat, intense and unbalanced that he thought he almost lost his sense of space.

Why does everything remind him of her?

"Kingo..." Sersi warned, swallowing.

"Wait, the..." the Bollywood star blinked, surprised by the revelation. "As in the Avenger, Natasha Romanoff?"

Then, there was Ikaris who added, "Isn't she...?"

Apollos gave his fellow Eternal searing glare as if daring him to finish his sentence. If a stare could kill, Ikaris was already dead. Choosing peace over violence as he knew his beloved would've wanted for him to do, he pushed himself up and walked away. "Excuse me."

The Prime Eternal saw Kingo run after him, even giving him a gentle pat on his back once he settled at the bar of the cabin, pouring himself a glass of Vodka. "Boss," he started, his tone apologetic. "Look, boss. I'm so sorry. I didn't know. That - that question was meant for humor and I..."

"Kingo, it's fine." the leader raised his hand, imbibing his drink. The pain never seemed to go away no matter how much he tried to. It was only a miracle that he got himself functioning normally again when he personally witnessed so many humans isolate and eventually destroy themselves because of grief. "You didn't know. You're good."

"You loved her."

It wasn't a question, it was a statement, a fact, a truth.

Apollos sadly smiled. "More than you'll ever know."

"Hey," he embraced Apollos, patting his back. "you can talk to me, okay? If you need someone to talk to, come to me and I'll listen."

The tall man nodded, pinching his nose and just like an actor immersing himself into his role, he shifted back into his calm, cool self. "Come on, let's explore the rest of your plane." He wrapped his arm around his friend, leading him to the other side of the cabin. "Karun, get that camera rolling again, please."

"Yes, sir."

"So, what do you think of my plane, Apollos? What do you think of the design, the interior?"

Apollos hummed, examining the colors around. "It's... full of you."

"Hey, boss. Uh, I never got the chance to say this, but this... all of this wouldn't be possible if you didn't help me decades ago. You helped me realize I should be an actor, even introduced me to directors and writers. You funded my first movie - "

"Kingo," breathed out Apollos. "You're my friend. Of course, I'm going to support you in your endeavors."

"Thank you, thank you so much, Apollos."

"So, nobody ever wonders how you managed to be the leading man for over a hundred years?" Sprite made herself known. She was seated at the far back, observing the movie posters that presented Kingo in the different Bollywood eras.

"Oh, I don't know what you're talking about." haughtily replied Kingo, leaving Apollos' side for a moment. "That is my great great grandfather, that is my great grandfather, grandfather, father, and me. I'm part of the greatest dynasty in the history of Bollywood."

"Wow." Apollos expressed. Actually, he had watched every movie that Kingo starred in, even visiting his movie premieres whenever he could. He was that supportive.

"Pretty impressive, right?

"You abandoned me in Macedonia."

The intuitive grimaced.

"Okay, I got sick of moving every five years. People freak out when they notice that you don't... age."

"I thought we were friends." Sprite was hurt and Apollos understood her pain completely for it happened to him too. Being abandoned, left behind, was the worst feeling in the world. He questioned himself where it all went wrong. Was it him? Was it her? Who did something wrong? And then not getting an answer to those questions because Natasha was gone gone, it was painful. She didn't have to sacrifice herself in Vormir, but she chose to.

He understood Natasha didn't want Clint to not be reunited with his family when they successfully bring everyone back, but what about him? What about their promises? What about their dreams? The ones they talked about in the middle of the night when they were in bed? Did it not occur to her that he would suffer after her death? Apollos always knew that he would not be able to grow old with her, but he wished that she would live a long life with him, and die of old age.

Kingo tensed for a moment before signaling Karun to cut off the recording again. He sat down in front of Sprite, uncertain and visibly pained from his previous choice to leave his closest friend. "Do you know why I love movies? Because of you."

The red haired child lifted her gaze.

"I missed sitting in the audience, listening to your stories, watching your illusions." he smiled, somber. "We should've all stayed together. Ajak would still be alive. She should have never let us go."

APOLLOS HAD JUST come home after a day's work near the river, exhausted. He was trying to search for a way to ease the Babylonian's transportation of goods since he thought that travelling by only land was challenging and often dangerous enterprise. Tiny specks of dust seemed to have danced in the shaft of the evening sun that slanted through the window of the Domo. He admired how it casted long shadows on the ground, its slanting rays gave a warm orange tinge to the sky.

Babylon was a jewel of an empire. The avenues were broad and lined with trees. There was not a building taller than four stories, everything kept very well. They would reflect the sun so perfectly that it would appear as though there were four of them carrying across the heavens. At its heart, the royal palace stood, proud and unassailable, walled quarters arrayed about it. In every quarter of it were libraries, chambers, halls, and courts that Apollos often visited whenever he had the time. He would gather everyone who is available in the Hanging Gardens and teach them how to read and write and appreciate the beauty of art and literature.

"Oh, thank goodness, you're here!" The enthusiastic tone of their brilliant engineer, Phastos, brought Apollos out of his reverie. "I'm sorry, but I have something very exciting to show you both, okay?"

Apollos stepped foot inside the inner chambers, his hands clasped behind his back. He was wearing his black and gold uniform and moved closer to the invention. "Wait till you see this."

Apollos' eyes flickered to Druig and Sprite, arching his eyebrow. The two only shrugged and pointed at the new piece of complex machinery that Phastos invented. He blinked, quickly catching on that it was something that will power an object to move.

"What is it?" Ajak asked, baffled at the invention.

Phastos sighed, feeling a bit hopeless. Everyone was always so confused with his inventions. "It's an engine. It moves steam from high pressure to low pressure." he tried to explain, but then Ajak was still silent and so Apollos decided to help her understand.

"It'll help them till their fields at an incredibly fast rate, right, Phastos?"

"Yes! Thank you, Apollos! It's - "

" - gonna freak them out." Sprite expressed, shrugging.

"I mean, they only have had the wheel for 1,000 years, so..." verbalized Druig, carelessly sitting in his spot.

"Oh, hey, catch." Apollos called him, throwing him an apple which he caught with ease.

"Thanks."

Phastos exasperated, "You know, we could do that thing where you use your mind to control them and then they could do it quicker."

"Ajak, you listening to this?"

"Phastos, this steam..." Ajak tried to recall its name, but struggled.

The engineer deadpanned, "Engine. It's a steam engine."

"It's too soon!" complained Ajak, just as Sersi came running inside the chamber, breathless. Apollos swiftly moved away, choosing to stand beside Druig. "And there she is."

The mind reader Apollos a knowing stare. It had been just a month after Apollos and Sersi separated. No one knew why they did, but thankfully their fellow Eternals respected their decision and never brought it up. Druig, however, couldn't stop himself from hearing their thoughts and discovered the truth.

That Sersi told Apollos that she was falling in love with Ikaris and it would be unfair for them to be together when she has feelings for another. That with a heavy heart, the intuitive archer let her go, wishing her well.

Since then, Druig became Apollos' confidant and drinking friend. The two of them would converse about what went wrong in the relationship just so he would forget his heartbreak. Sometimes, he, Makkari, and Sprite would accompany him when he would sing his woes in the rocky cliffs.

"What did I miss?" And there she stood, so winsomely in the orange light. The fire of her soul reflected in the depths of her eyes captivating her and stills his heart.

"Nothing. Just the screams of my deep disappointment." Phastos was dispirited by the lack of support of his fellow Eternals and Apollos could see that. He hated that. All he wanted for him was to be recognized for his brilliance.

"I actually like your invention." voiced out Apollos, raising his finger. "I think it's really nice - "

"But, I am sure you have something simpler." Ajak simply interjected, smiling.

"Simple." Phastos rubbed his hands, trying to come up with something. "Okay, let's see. Uh..." he motioned his hands in circles, dismantling his invention and then presented them with some primitive machinery. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the plow. 'Cause that's what it does. Plows dirt."

The intuitive almost elicited a chuckle at the engineer's sarcastic tone.

"I met another group of settlers who are building their homes in the northern fields. They'll need to plant their own crops." Apollos shut his eyes. Sersi's voice was carried sweetly upon the gentle breeze caressing his cheek with her honeyed words.

Just move on, you lovesick fool.

"Thanks, Sersi."

Then, he remembered the people he helped earlier and approached Phastos. "Oh, wait. I need something that would help the Babylonians in travelling the Tigris and Euphrates rivers." He explained the situation so his friend would have an idea about what invention he could offer. "Traveling via land route is time-consuming, not to mention the inhospitable climates over the rough terrains. I want these people to be able to expand their trade and commerce, trading with cities that are unreachable by land."

"Oh," Phastos hummed in thought. "Wait," he gestured his arms, circling the machine builder and within two minutes, he came up with another beautiful invention. "Here is the solution to your problem, Apollos. I give you, the sailboat. I'll build it with a basic structure and framework, of course, so we won't freak the people out." He emphasized his words, eyeing Sprite. "Now, this will be made of bundles of wood and papyrus or linen and will rely heavily on the wind to move. But it will carry people and goods upstream and downstream and it can be used to navigate difficult waterways or inclement weather."

"Wow, this is wonderful, Phastos!" awed Apollos, clapping at the prowess of his fellow Eternal. "Thank you so much! This will help the people tremendously. I can't wait to show them this."

The archer was amazed and grateful for the invention. Finally, the Babylonians will be able to do trades with other cities as well which he always wanted for them to do.

"Listen, humanity may be coming along slower than some of us want." Ajak soothed Phastos, rubbing his shoulder in comfort. "But, there is no telling what wonders they will discover as they advance."

"Well, I hope they advance faster because..." Apollos trailed off when Ajak shot him a glare. He raised his hands in surrender. "I'm just saying, mother."

Ajak sighed. "Now that everything has been settled. Let us all come and have a drink with the people."

The night was alive. In the sky, the moon provided a disco ball and lighting that was perfect for the celebration. The air was so thick with lights, and the roar of the music thrummed straight through Apollos's body surrounding him and into his eardrums. The party's aroma pervaded the air, woven into a soft net, covering all the scenery inside. The archer was enjoying himself with a drink, conversing with the flock of females that surrounded him when he caught a glimpse of Thena being stopped by Ikaris. His arm grasped hers and it seemed like he was preventing her from leaving. Arching an eyebrow, he excused himself from the women and approached them.

"Get out of my way." lowly growled Thena, glaring at Ikaris. "I didn't come to this planet to cower behind walls."

"We need to trust Arishem's design for this planet."

It was at this time that Apollos made his presence known. "Oh, let her be, you killjoy." He grabbed Ikaris' hand and pushed it away from Thena. "Killing Deviants is her way of having fun."

Thena hummed, agreeing.

Ikaris hesitated for a moment, staring straight into the warrior then let her go. "Thena. It's an honor to fight alongside you."

"And you."

"Oh, Thena. One more thing." Apollos interjected, raising his chalice. "Gilgamesh!"

"Yes, Apollos?" The muscled Eternal marched forward, glee visible in his face.

"Would you be so kind as to accompany Thena in her hunt?"

"Of course!"

Apollos smiled, feeling reassured. Honestly, the intuitive trusted Gilgamesh greatly, more than anyone for his greatest strength was his kindness and honesty, always caring for their team when needed most.

"I don't need a babysitter. I can fight alone." frowned Thena.

"Oh, I know you don't need one. But, I still want him to accompany you. He's your partner."

"Apollos - "

"It's either me or Gilgamesh. Trust me, you'll prefer him to go with you. I'll just steal all your glorious kills."

The blonde warrior rolled her eyes. "Fine, let's go."

Apollos then took the opportunity to walk away, assured and comforted that Thena wasn't going to venture alone. Not long after, he found himself visiting Ajak. It had been a while since he had a one on one talk with his leader and wanted to once again ask her about his memories. She always told him to wait, that she will tell him one day about and everyday the hollow feeling in his chest consumed him. There was clearly something wrong with all of this. He needs answers to his questions now.

The towering Eternal heard his leader talking to Ikaris, but he couldn't hear what they were conversing about. "Oh, am I interrupting?" He asked, straightening his posture. "I'll just - "

"No, it's fine. Ajak and I were just done talking."

Apollos nodded, staying in the room when Ikaris finally left them. "When will you tell me about my flickering memories, Ajak?" He confronted her instantly, feeling the emptiness in his chest return. It was as if he was black hole, and he was collapsing into himself.

Ajak's face softened as if she felt the pain and sadness that burdened him. "In the right time, Apollos."

"It's been centuries!"

"I will tell you the truth at the right time."

The second in command clenched his fist. The emptiness he felt was so real that it was almost palpable. It was like he was living in this bubble, trapped, the world going on around you, but you are neither involved. There was a veil - a lie that covered his sight, preventing him from seeing the truth.

"But - "

Ajak lifted her hands, cupping his face. "Do you trust me?"

Downhearted, Apollos hung his head low, choosing to trust once again his leader. He understood she was doing it for a good reason, whatever that may be. "I do."

His leader leant her forehead against his, soothing her like how a mother would. After releasing a small breath, she let go and left him behind in the confines of the room, still bothered with the void in his heart and gap in his memories. He just wanted to know why he was feeling this, why he was the only one who felt it. Apollos just wanted the truth.

But, what if the truth wasn't something he wanted to hear?