Heshiena's Point of View

Chiron couldn't contain his smile. Out of the corner of my eyes, Ace shyly scratched the back of his head. Katatapos lang ng physical training namin. And Chiron was the one who supervised all of us. Teacher Michael is also here, but only observing.

After that prophecy that left us all speechless, Chiron appeared before us.

And told us to prepare for what's coming. I can see how busy everyone was. Maging ang ibang estudyante ay naghahanda na rin. I can't believe we we're going to face another catastrophe. It's getting worse.

What hurts the most is the idea of what the prophecy says is pointing on me. Isang marahas na pagbuntonghininga ang kumawala sa mga labi ko. Napatingin ako kay Nkri na katabi ko nang haplosin niya ang aking likuran.

A comforting smile gradually plastered upon her lips. "We will be fine," she said undoubtedly. "Just like the first time, we can overcome this too," she added.

Napangiti ako sa kaniya nang pilit.

Sumagi na naman sa isipan ko si Violeta. It scares the hell out of me. I don't want another member of my family to lost against life. Napalunok ako ng laway nang maramdaman kong tila may bumara sa lalamunan ko.

Nagbabadya na naman ang luha ko.

But I held them bravely.

I don't want to waste my tears over something that can pull me down to the ground. Never again. Tumingin ako sa mga kasama ko. Sinalubong ko ang mata ni Nkri. I smiled genuinely this time. I promised that they will come first before anything else.

Even myself . . .

"Now . . ." Napatingin kaming lahat kay Chiron nang magsalita siya. "Everyone did a good performance during the physical training." Tinapunan niya ng tingin ang apat na baguhan. "Aresa and Yumi are excellent. Dion and Seilo, you two are getting there," he said.

Aresa made a proud smile. The other three nodded.

Chiron clasped. "Aside from physical training, we will be honing your god-inherited abilities this time around." Nakangiti niyang saad. "Yumi . . ." ang tawag niya. "I would like to see you in action first."

Yumi nodded as a response. Tumayo siya sa pagkakaupo't naglakad papunta sa sentro ng training chamber.

"Let us see what you got, Yumi, daughter of Apollo," ang panghahamon naman ni Chiron.

This time, she chose to not respond. Sa halip ay naghanda siya para ipakita ang kapangyarihang meron siya. Ikinumpas niya ang kaniyang dalawang kamay. Our eyes grew wider in fascination when she generates rays of sunlight.

As far as I can remember, Zuki couldn't do that.

Sa kaniya naman ay kaya niyang magmanipula ng sunlight ball projection. But I am sure some of their abilities are the same. Given na siguro roon ang pagiging magaling nila sa paggamit ng pana't palaso.

When Yumi moved his palm, the rays of sunlight did the same.

It's like the same with the case of Blei's water giant fist. Nang itutok ni Yumi ang sunlight rays niya sa kisame, natunaw pa ito. Causing some parts of the ceiling to crack.

Napatango-tango pa si Chiron sa ipinakita ni Yumi. Inilabas niya ang apat na golden coin na ginagamit ni Teacher Michael tuwing may training class kami. It is called psevdis. When Chiron flip the four coins, the device floats in mid-air and release an illusion.

Yumi was suprised when countless sharp weapons were flying towards her. But she quickly reverted back to her usual expression.

She casually stood there as if waiting for something. A smile never hesitated to plastered upon her lips. Out of sunlight rays, Yumi made a bow and arrow. Saktong pagkatapos niyang gumawa ay siyang naging lobo naman ang mga lumilipad na sandata.

She released a one arrow, but when it reached mid-air they multiplied.

Putting the wolves into disadvantage.

Ako naman ang napangiti. Out of the four new Anostatos, I am certain that Yumi overcame a lot of struggles in life. My eyes went straight to the floor. I admired how strong she is both physically and . . . mentally.

Till now, I am still struggling with the last one.

I may be strong physically now, but inside my head I am still profusely weak.

"Yumi knows her abilities really well," Chiron commented. Nagpalakpakan ang lahat. Zuki proudly cheered for her sister.

Out of the corner of my eyes, Seilo seem anxious in the corner. Mukhang napansin din ni Chiron iyon nang mapansin ko siyang tinapunan niya ito ng tingin.

"Others don't have to be as strong as Yumi for their first try. I think she grew up with a lot of experiences against life." This time, he glanced at me. At pinasadahan ng tingin ang lahat pagkatapos. "Everyone have to starts somewhere."

Nkri and Blaze nodded as a sign of agreeing to what Chiron said.

"Chry and Mavros will have a duel," ang biglaang pag-anunsyo niya. Both Chry and Mavros stood up from sitting without hesitation. "Observe."

Pumito naman si Chiron bilang hudyat. Chry summoned her scepter. And Mavros generates dark infernal fire. A waves of black fire mildly embraced the vicinity. Napaatras pa si Chiron sa kinatatayuan niya.

Dark infernal fire is dangerous.

That ability of his provides excruciating pain upon contact. Or it could be an instant death.

But it never flinched Chry. Patuloy lamang siya sa pagsugod ni Mavros. Papalapit siya nang papalapit sa apoy. With one swing of her scepter, a waves of black fire was cut in half. Chry was using aerokinesis, an ability to manipulate air.

That attack was so strong for her to be able to cut the black fire in half.

Thereafter, Chry attacks Mavros using sharp winds. Mavros, on the other hand, generates his shield that is made out of darkness. Using it to defend himself is a total advantage.

Chry was so surprised when she was suddenly pinned to the ground. She tried everything she could to resist, but to no avail. I didn't know Mavros could summon the dead telepathically.

Pumalakpak kaagad si Chiron nang makitang tinuunan kaagad ni Mavros si Chry ng espada sa leeg. It was a signal that their duel has come to a conclusion.

Mavros offered his hand to Chry. Tinanggap niya ito nang walang bahid ng galit o pagkadismaya sa sarili. Nakipag-high five pa siya kay Mavros bago bumalik sa upuan.

☽ ♆ ☾

Katatapos lang namin kumain sa isang fastfood chain sa loob ng mall. Napagdesisyon namin na doon na lang kumain ng lunch kasi tinamad na kaming bumalik sa cabin. Sa mga oras na ito, pabalik na ulit kami sa training chamber.

On the way there, I couldn't help myself but be anxious.

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mga tingin ng lahat. Alam kong dahil 'yon sa moirai kahapon. The last part of the prophecy is what I despise the most. Traumatized ako, oo. Galit ako sa mga nangyari sa buhay ko dahil sa mga Olympians.

She, the goddess, is the beginning of everyone's demise.

But I would never do such a thing that can harm my family. It's the other way around. Nabalik ako sa reyalidad nang biglang ay kumalabit sa balikat ko.

There I realized it was Blei. I looked at her with a questioning look. She shook her head as a response. Nagulat pa ako nang ipulupot niya sa kamay ko ang kamay niya. Natunaw kaagad ang puso ko.

Ramdam na ramdam ko rin ang pag-init ng pisngi ko.

I heard her chuckle. I am not used to these things. Receiving love from the people I hold close to my heart.

Pagbalik namin sa training chamber, nandoon na rin sina Chiron at si Teacher Michael. Chiron smiled and greeted us with a nod. But when our eyes met, he bowed slightly.

He cleared his throat. "How's your lunch?" he asked. The others responded. As expected, Ace responded so lively. Napatawa na lamang ng mahina si Chiron sa kaniya. "I assume everyone is ready?" We nod as an answer. "Very well. Dash and Blei"

Nagkatinginan pa silang dalawa bago tumayo sa pagkakaupo. Naglakad si Blei papunta sa kaliwang side. Dash, on the other hand, walked to the opposite. Hinarap nila ang isa't isa, naghihintay sa senyales ni Chiron bago kumilos.

The moment Chiron signaled, Dash never thought twice to move.

Blei was taken aback when she realized what Dash manipulated. A mischievous smile gradually plastered upon his lips. With a snap of his finger, lahat ng naglutangang wooden stakes ay lumipad patungo kay Blei.

Blei manages to solidify the water she manipulated into an impenetrable shield to defend herself.

Causing Dash's smile to fade.

I don't know how Dash would be able to beat Blei. I mean, she had the advantage. Plus, anak siya sa isa sa Big Three. It's now the time for Beli to attack. She immediately manipulated horses that are made out of water.

Blei snapped her fingers, causing the horses to charge towards Dash.

His eyes grew wider in surprise.

But he immediately reverted his reaction with determination.

When he touch the floor, numerous vines emerges. Nagtaka kaagad ang lahat nang makita namin siyang umupo. The vines started to form like a cocoon having Dash inside. I scoffed in amusement. I didn't know he could do that.

The horses made out of water that Blei summoned blows up so loud. Napatakip sa tenga ang karamihan sa amin.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Chiron smiled.

Sinundan ko ang tingin niya. He was looking at the cocoon made out of plant wines. Just as the way he look at it, ganoon na rin ako. Lumabas si Dash sa cocoon nang walang kahit na anong bahid ng galos o sugat galing sa pagsabog.

Surprisingly, Blei clicked her tongue as if she was annoyed.

Maging ang iba ay nagulat. But the old Anostatos eyes shimmers in fascination. Another color within Blei's sea-green orbs glowed.

"What is that?" hindi ko mapigilang mapatanong.

Zuki's eyes meet mine. "It's a second stage to become the supreme semideus," he answered. Napatango na lamang ako. I did remember Violeta mentioned this to me. I heard him sighed. Dahilan para mapatingin ulit ako sa kaniya. "It's still not clear why we have this-so-called stages of becoming a hero," he added.

Napaisip din ako sa sinabi niya.

Pero nabalik ako sa reyalidad nang mapansin kong pagmanipula si Blei ng water giant fist but―my mouth fell wide open. Water giant fist covered with fire?! Kapansin-pansin ang pagkulo ng tubig. Napangiwi si Blei.

Habang si Dash naman ay hindi mapigilang matakot.

Dahilan matataranta siyang ikinumpas ang kaniyang kamay.

All the vines that sprouted on the floor gathered in one place. In a couple of seconds, Dash made a shield out of vines. But I noticed Dash's chest constantly rising and falling. I guess it takes a huge toll on him.

Even Blei's attack.

Tumakbo si Blei papunta kay Dash. But he managed to stopped Blei's attack by using the shield he made. Biglang napaluhod ang isang tuhod niya na tila nawalan ng lakas. What's worse is that the shield was gradually melting upon contact with Blei's water-fire giant fist.

Napatayo ako sa pagkakaupo nang bumagsak si Dash sa sahig nang walang malay.

Blei never hesitated to withdrawn her attack. Mabilis na tumakbo si Nkri papalapit kay Dash. She tried to wake him up but he really fainted.

"Dash activated the second stage, that's why," we heard Chiron nonchalantly said. "Bring him to the clinic, Mavros," ang kaniyang utos.

Mavros followed his order without question. He carried him on his back. Darkness gradually gathered under his feet until they were swallowed in whole.

Chiron cleared his throat. Tinignan ko siya sa mata. Gumalaw kaagad ang kaniyang lalamunan. A single sweat slowly race down to his cheeks.

"No need to worry, he's going to be fine." Teacher Michael nodded agreeing to what he said. Muli na naman siyang tumikhim. "Before our class ended, I would like to see what Seilo got."

Seilo nervously stood up from sitting. I saw how he bit his lower lip. Nakapinta sa mukha niya ang matinding takot. But Aresa tapped his shoulder, encouraging him. Napangiti ako. It's normal to feel that way.

Lalo na kapag ito ang unang beses namin sa bagong environment.

It is far different from the environment we grew up with.

Nang makarating si Seilo sa sentro ng chamber, nagpakawala muna siya ng isang marahas na pagbuntonghininga para ilabas lahat ng kaba niya. And I think it works successfully when his usual airy smile gradually plastered upon his lips.

Nakita naming pumikit siya. And his jaw moved at the same time. The same speed as the lightning strike, he disappeared. Pero isang malakas na hangin ang dumaan sa aming harapan.

"Hi guys!" Napatingin kami kay Seilo na nasa pinakadulo ng chamber. Nagulat na lamang kami nang bigla siyang sumulpot sa harapan namin. "Nice," he vaingloriously commented.

I scoffed to myself in disbelief.

Of course Seilo could do that. He's the son of Hermes, the god of trade, wealth, luck, fertility, thieves, and travel. His father is also the herald and the messenger of Olympians. Tumingin ako sa paa ni Seilo.

I nodded.

He was wearing a winged sandals, probably a gift from his deity when he was claimed. Muli na naman siyang nawala sa harapan namin. Chiron throw all the golden coins into the air. Naglabasan kaagad ang napakaraming wolves.

But in an instant, bulagta kaagad lahat ang kalaban dahil sa bilis niya.

What's fascinating is hindi namin siya kayang sundan. Tila naging invisible siya sa paningin namin. But he stopped from running at the center of the chamber with a celestial bronze on his hand. Sumalubong sa amin ang ngiti niyang hanggang tenga.

Hanggang sa nabalutan ng tawa niya ang paligid.