Heshiena's Point of View

Muli na naman akong napatingin sa malawak na karagatan sa 'king harapan. The sound of seagulls dominated my ears. The soft wind blows my hair, and brushed against my skin.

Waves that are crashing against the shore. The water glistened so as the sand when sunrays shone them. I inhaled and immediately exhaled.

So relaxing . . .

"The Garden of the Hesperides is Hera's garden in the west." Muli kong ibinalik ang aking buong atensyon sa pagbabasa. "Where there is a single tree on which golden apples grow. It is guarded by Ladon, a serpent-like dragon that twined and twisted around the tree in the Garden of Hesperides." Napangiwi ako.

From Cyclops, giants who are one-eyed. Hekatonkhires, giants who each had one hundred hands and fifty heads. Lernaean Hydra, a serpentine water monster who had nine heads. To every creature that is terrifying. And now, Ladon, a hundred-headed dragon.

"Ladon was a monstrous son of Typhon and Echidna, and was later hired by Hera to guard the golden apples." Tumatango-tango ako nang mabasa iyon. "The apples were planted from the fruit branches that Gaea gave to her as a wedding gift when Hera accepted Zeus."

"The Hesperides were given the task of tending to the grove, but occasionally plucked from it themselves. The Hesperides are the nymphs of sunset and evening, born from the Titan Atlas and Hesperis, daughter of Hesperus." I hummed. "Not trusting them, Hera also placed in the garden a never-sleeping, hundred-headed serpent-like dragon as an additional safeguard."

Marahas na pagbuntonghininga ang aking pinakawalan.

"The golden apples were called the "Apples of Immortality", and it said that whoever ate them would become immortal."

After I read all of the contents about the Garden of Hesperides, isinara ko na ang libro. I inhaled comfortably as I hugged the book. Nagpakawala ako ng isang mababang pagbuntonghininga. It was then followed with a smile.

"Hoy." Napalingon ako sa aking likuran nang marinig ko ang boses ni Chry. "Everyone is looking for you. Lunch is ready," malamig niyang saad.

Nginitian ko siya. But her emotionless expression upon her face remained. Ibinulsa niya ang kaniyang dalawang kamay at naglakad palayo sa akin. I was quick to get up from sitting and snapped my fingers twice. The ice chair melted after I did that.

Mabilisang napakunot ang aking noo nang mapansing lumiko si Chry. Akala ko ba kakain na kami ng tanghalian? I immediately shrugged. Baka may pupuntahan muna 'yong isang 'yon bago kumain.

I am humming on my way back to the dormitory. Nginingitian ko lang ang mga estudyanteng bumabati sa akin at mga nagbibigay ng kanilang respeto. Pagdating ko sa kusina, naabutan ko na ang lahat na nakaupo na sa kaniya-kaniyang upuan.

Maliban kay Chry na hindi ko alam kung saan pupunta.

When they felt my presence, the ambiance went silent for a moment. They bowed their heads simultaneously as a sign of respect. Sinabihan ko pa naman sila na they should refrain of doing that. Pero hindi sila nakinig.

Sabi pa nila, it's very inappropriate to just not show respect towards me. I am a goddess after all.

They're my family. I won't use my title against them. But, no matter how many times I told them not to, they just won't listen. Kaya hinayaan ko na lamang ang mga ito. Ayoko rin namang ipilit dahil lang sa ayaw ko.

Nakita ko pang nginitian ako ni Fuego nang inilapag niya ang isang mangkok na may lamang nilagang baboy. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Mavros pulled my chair for me. The boys cleared their throat as if teasing us both.

Napailing na lamang ako bago umupo sa upuan.

"Saan nga pala pupunta si Chry?" I asked.

Mabilis kong tinanggap ang isang mangkok na may lamang kanin nang i-abot ito sa akin ni Mavros. Kumuha ako ng isang sandok. At inabot pabalik sa kaniya. I mouthed him thank you, but he only responded with a smile.

I quickly averted my gaze when my heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"The academy director summoned her," ang sagot ni Zuki.

Tumango ako, "kumain na ba siya?"

Napansin ko namang siniko ni Blaze si Mavros. After that awkward interaction, kumuha ako ng isang pirasong nilagang baboy. Sinabawan ko na rin ang kanin ko. Nagsandok ako ng isang kutsara't sinubo ito.

"Hindi pa nga eh," Blei was the one who answered. "Sabi niya, kakain na lang daw siya pagbalik niya," she added.

I hummed to her as a response that I was already satisfied with her answers.

Our lunch together was as usual. Dash was the center of foolery. Turning the table into laughter. It just warms my heart, because I know each and everyone of us is gradually healing from that pain.

☽ ♆ ☾

As we got outside of our dormitory, we were greeted by a blazing sky with a fire of setting sun. A cold yet comfortable wind brushed against my skin. The sound of crickets dominated my ears. As usual, the calming waves of the ocean crashing against the shore.

"Ano kaya kailangan ng Council of Cloven Elders sa atin?" nagtatakang tanong ni Blei. Napansin ko pang napahawak ng baba si Ace. "They even summoned all of us," pahabol niyang komento.

We heard Chry's sigh.

"Malalaman niyo 'pag nandoon na tayo," walang gana niyang sagot.

It's my first time to know that the academy had a council of cloven elders. Nang dumating si Chry kanina at pinaalam niyang ipinatawag daw kaming lahat. When she mentioned the word council, unang pumasok sa isipan ko 'yong tatlong matandang nakilala ko noong claiming ceremony.

But I was wrong.

They told me that they're the high-ranking satyrs whose main duty is to abide over the satyr's search for demigods. Ang una akala ko ang mga satyrs tumatanggap ng orders directly from the academy director. Hindi pala.

Kaya sobrang excited akong ma-meet sila.

Ngayon naglalakad na kami sa gitna ng maraming mga kahoy. Kahit na papalubog na ang araw ay kitang-kita ko pa rin ang kagandahan nila. There are trees with red, yellow, green, pink, and purple leaves. They even glisten.

I gasp when I realize something. A twenty feet golden door suddenly appeared nearby. That door! So we are going outside of the academy's premises? The group remained silent till we got outside of the academy.

Sinalubong kami ng gubat, at mga naglalakihang mga kahoy.

"Nkri, do you have any information about the cloven elders?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

She immediately nodded as a response. Napangiti ako. Of course she had! She's not the daughter of Athena for nothing. I remained silent, waiting for what she had to say.

"There are actually three of them, and they're all brothers," panimula pa niya. "First, Silenus, the selfless one. He often believes that his own problem isn't as important as his sense of justice. In the middle, there's Leneus. He is narcissistic and strong-willed. Lastly, Maron, the neutral. He always listens to both parties before making decisions."

Napatango ang iilan sa 'min, maging ako. Muling namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming lahat. Ang tanging aming naririnig lamang ay sa tuwing naapakan namin ang mga natutuyong dahon.

Makaraan ang ilang minuto sa pagtahak, huminto si Chry sa harapan ng isang kahoy na pintuan. Binuksan niya ito't pumasok. Sumunod naman kaagad sila. Habang ako naman ang huling pumasok.

My mouth instantaneously fell upon the floor. Tila ba'y nasa ibang mundo ulit ako. There are butterflies flying around. Birds that seem always singing. Trees are taller than skyscrapers. It's as if these trees are thousands of years old.

On my left, I heard a river stream. On my right, I could hear music, and cheering of people. Tila ba'y mayroong nagaganap na party sa lugar na 'to. This is the satyrs territory, therefore, they are the one who caused those sounds I believe.

Especially that they are known for lovers of wine, music, dancing, and of course, women.

Sa ilang pulgada ang layo mula sa kinatatayuan namin, kitang-kita ko ang hagdan pataas. Tila ba'y isa itong shrine. My hunch were confirm when Chry walk towards the cemented stairs. Dumating sila sa pinakatuktok nang humihingal.

Bumungad sa amin ang tatlong naglalakihang trono. They were covered with multiple vines. The floor were embraced by a moss. Majority of them gasped simultaneously when we heard the three elders cleared their throats.

They are all wearing a white chiton and pinned it at only one shoulder. It was also belted with a golden hemp rope. Silang tatlo ay may malalaking sungay. Of course, they have goat legs and hooves, and pointy ears.

The three elders were looking at us with their intent eyes. But they soon realized something when their eyes gradually grew wider. Napabitaw pa sila sa dala-dala nilang wine cup.

"Lady Heshiena," they muttered.