THE CLOUDS

Deion Astrapios' POV

As soon as the lightning struck me, I found myself standing in the middle of a forest directly below Mount Olympus which was floating, hiding behind the thick clouds. This is my old man's domain, the domain I am most familiar with. This is not the permanent location of the mountain of the major gods, it will change its location after seven months. According to the books, Olympus never settled for a place, and it will never stop jumping from dimensions to dimensions until everything is right. What it means, no one knows.

The king's domain is as beautiful as ever. Everything looks so ethereal, it was indeed magical. One look and one will think they are inside a trance. Everything the warm sun's rays touch glows like diamonds reflecting light. The tall trees, the perfectly shaped leaves, the dream-like vibe, and the calm winds, nothing changed. It was still as beautiful as ever...like that person.

Nimbus hooted like he understood what I was thinking. He then tilted his head and eyed me. I know, Nimbus...

"Kuya Dei, hindi mo man lang ako binigyan ng warning, hmp!" Eliora pouted. I don't have the energy to speak so I just ruffled her hair.

I think we can go up from here. "Fly now," I ordered as I snatched the pendant of the necklace Hermes gave us. As soon as the pendant separated from the necklace, a beautiful pair of white wings bloomed before me. Then, it flaps and attaches itself on my back. As easy as that, the wings were a part of my body.

I bent my knees a little, and made a jump. Then, without hesitation, I started flying upwards. As I fly, I feel the altitude hurting my ears. This is normal, according to science because I shifted from low altitude to high altitude where a difference in pressure is observed. I only need to get used to this and I will be fine afterwards.

I passed through the clouds and tried searching for the dagger. We were scattered as we sought for the lost dagger that the king of the gods lost or hidden. What is the problem with those three? Why would they keep something important and let their kids look for it? Can't they search for it themselves? And what were all these for?

What would they do with these items? Lethe chalk, goblet, and dagger. These three things were usually used for either sacrifice or summoning. What would be summoned? Or what would be sacrificed? Sacrifice...

"...on the 13th of the last month, his body will be the sacrifice. The God Zeus chooses the safety of both realms."

Fuck. No, this is not happening. So all this time, we were finding the artifacts for sacrifice for Ajax to be sacrificed? He even found the chalk himself! But what would I even expect? The gods were a bunch of bastards, after all.

But if we do not submit the real one, will the sacrifice be successful? What if I trade it for him? I don't want to lose any of the Stellars. I will not let them take away someone important to me again.

I need to keep my promise. It was a promise I cannot break.

Nimbus flew beside me, eyes wide as he searched for what we were searching for. This smart bird might be of big help. His eyes were glowing. One of its eyes was now crystal blue, and the other was in its normal colors, gray and gold. Why is his other eye crystal blue? His eyes reflect mine. That means that blue streaks of light from my summoning are coming from my left eye? What does this mean? It wasn't Athena's, and it wasn't my father's...

My pet stopped at one point and looked down. He saw something. Was that the dagger? I flew fast to where he was standing, but I did not see anything. "Aliyah, come here!" I called.

"There is a really faint mist there. Diyan lamang may mist sa buong domain ng tatay mo. Kung hindi mo pa ako pinalapit ay hindi ko 'yan mata-track," she said while pointing to where Nimbus was standing. Seems like he really didn't want anyone to find it.

I steadied my wings and summoned the Fyodor. Then, I concentrated my vigor on my palm before cutting it. My magi infused with my blood and then dropped to where Nimbus was standing. Then, the white clouds from a while ago suddenly grumbled and the wind around became violent. The clouds started clumping with each other while it turned to its gray color. This would be a thunderstorm. It would be dangerous for them. "Everyone, fly here!"

When they complied, I quickly let my vigor run all over my body as lightning streaks form all over me. "What are you going to do?" Dillon asked.

I did not answer her question and continued what I was doing. I need to send them back to the gates. I clasped my hands and let power radiate from it. Then, I separated them, moving them around like a crystal ball is in the center. Now, I can see the crystal blue streaks again coming from my eyes. Beside me is Nimbus, who just like me, has his eyes glowing.

"Deion, anong ginagawa mo—" When they were about to reach me, I sent lightning threads to all of them, teleporting them back to the gates of my father's domain. This storm will be a hurricane full of lightning bolts. I can sense the lightning streaks forming everywhere through the wind.

I was right, my father would not let this job be an easy one. I know he did not forget where it was, so why did he let me do this alone? He intended for me to do this without the Stellars, he knew I won't let them be harmed.

I smiled bitterly. Is he trying to kill me? Well, guess what? He can't. He can send me waves of thunder and thousands of hurricanes, but he cannot kill me.

The wind is becoming sharper than before. The brewing storm is starting to get aggressive. I looked down and saw the trees slowly being carried by the strong hurricane. I can feel Hermes' wings slowly being torn apart so I quickly detached one of its feathers, and just like that, I found myself falling endlessly, feeling the cold and freezing wind upon my skin.

With my eyes wide open, I watched as everything fell into chaos. This chaos can never match the storm inside my head at this moment. I am consumed enough by the pain and confusions of everything that's happening to be consumed, too, by this storm.

I heaved a deep breath as my vigor ran all over me. I covered myself with my magi to protect myself from this calamity. If I cannot protect myself from this small rain, how can I protect my loved ones from the thunderstorms?

From the hurricane, I saw two bright eyes with the colors of the lightning emerging. It was followed by a loud growl of something that seems to be huge. I summoned my Fyodor and channeled my vigor to it.

'Fyodor: Still Gale'

Before I could land, I swung my sword hard enough to cause dents to where I landed. A huge wave came from the impact of my sword with the ground. Then, everything suddenly calmed down. The bright and heavenly place from a while ago is now a place that screams destruction and chaos. And amidst the dark place, the eyes of the huge eagle born from the hurricane remained.

It screeched and waves of sharp winds infused with lightning approached my direction. I stood there, holding my sword that was still struck on the ground. The attacks passed by me, but it did not leave any wound. It had no effect. The wind and the lightning would never hurt me, because I, myself, is the calm gale in the thunderstorm.

I walked towards the eagle as it angrily sent me different attacks. Lightning bolts rained from above, but it did not tingle a bit. I played with my blade and closed the gap between me and the eagle. With a swing, everything calmed down. The bird disintegrated, and the once dark clouds became as white as snow again. Then, from the peaceful clouds, a white lightning flashed towards me. I opened my palm and caught it. I absorbed all the bolts, and when the light vanished for a few seconds, I saw the dagger in my hand. A dagger that is lightning...the old man's dagger.

It's time to bring this back to him. I walked towards the gates of his courts and stood in front of his statue. I cut myself again using the dagger that I just acquired. My magi-infused blood dropped down the floor, and just like that. Zeus appeared in front of me. His figure glowing with power, dark blue eyes intense, and long hair being blown by the wind. As usual, he is wearing his white chiton with those intricate linings of silver and gold. The crown is placed on top of his head, proudly gleaming. Beside him is his majestic lightning bolt which never lost its glow.

With how he's looking at me, I know that he's shocked. He might be showing a straight face as of the moment, but his dilated pupils, slightly faster breathing, the subtle trembling of his hands, and the knitting of his eyebrows tell me that he is shocked. Did he not expect me to go to him with his little request when he tried to kill me?

"What? You're shocked? Am I not supposed to be alive after that calamity you sent me?" I asked, almost sounding bitterly sarcastic.

"Give me the dagger," he ordered, authority exuding his voice. My eyebrow perked up. "Give me back the son of Thanatos first."

"Don't make me repeat myself, Deion. I don't want to waste my time."

"Why did you even request for this when you can retrieve it yourself? Are you that scared of me that you tried to kill me with this mission?" I asked calmly. He might be an asshole, but he is still the highest being in this world. I don't want to lose my remaining respect for him.

He laughed blankly. "Fool! Why would I even be scared of you? You're just a mortal."

"You think I wasn't aware of your prophecy?" When I said it, his expression darkened. "I do not fear that stupid prophecy. I am the king of the gods, the most powerful among all living and non-living creatures. I can turn you to ashes in a snap, you lowlife."

It was my turn to laugh at his ego that is radiating in the whole place. He called his son a lowlife, what an ass...

"Then do it. I don't feel any ounce of fear of you, and I never will. Your arrogance and your pride will take you nowhere. Kill me, and I shall take the light of this precious dagger of yours with me."

"How dare you threaten the king?" His voice raised. I can feel his anger slowly brewing. His eyes were also getting sharper.

"I was just trading with you, your highness, why are you getting angry? This dagger for his life." He closed his eyes as he gritted his teeth in irritation.

"The order is absolute, and no one shall tamper with it. It was decided."

I nodded. "I see...so I guess you can say goodbye to this dagger of yours."

"Enough is enough!" With a shout full of rage, the god plunged towards my direction. But before he could even reach me, I summoned the lighting and teleported back to the gates, leaving his useless dagger behind.

When I opened my eyes, I saw all of them on the ground, looking troubled. When they saw me, they quickly stood up and ran towards my direction.

"Deion, you prick! Why did you do it by yourself?" Dillon greeted me with her fist that I easily caught. She looks so angry at me.

"Tol, alam mo, kung hindi ka lang nakabalik nang ligtas dito, baka kanina pa kita binatukan."

When they reached where I stood, I was thrown to the ground...with them hugging me.

I heard Eliora's sobs, and I felt my shoulder slowly getting wet. "K-Kuya Dei, please, please don't do that again."

"Deion, ulitin mo pa, masasakal talaga kita."

I smiled a little, which I knew they did not see. "Don't overreact. The storms cannot kill someone like me." With what I said, I received several smacks on my head. I'm glad that their mood has gotten a little better.

We went back to the car, and as soon as we stepped foot to it, a siren rang inside the car, followed by an announcement. "Masters, the ministry is calling. Master Draven escaped the ministry's dungeon at exactly 8:29 PM today, September 18, 2024."

All of us looked at each other.

Suddenly, I felt my nerves release the tension it has been storing for days. It was like, the lump on my throat was removed, and I can now breathe calmly. Draven escaped.

Then, I saw tears falling from their eyes as they heaved a deep breath. And then, they smiled. I saw hope and light flashed back to their once dull eyes. I think we all think of the same thing.

There's a huge possibility that we will miss him, but this is better. For now, this will do.

I looked outside the window as the car started moving. From the dark sky, I saw ravens flying high. The side of my lips curled as I remembered him.

I called for Nimbus to send a message for me. 'Get stronger and meet me on the battlefield. Until then, be safe, always...' I closed my eyes and let myself rest.

'...Uwak.'

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