FIFTY-TWO.

CALLING OF THE SEAS.

"YOU'RE KIDDING, Isabella, right?" Ephron approached her with his usual flashing smile, "So, who chose to do the special exam with the three of us?" The smile vanished, as the wind grew stronger. Ephron flicked his palm, and the clouds turned grey, striking some of his lightning. His smile wasn't as warm as usual.

"I think I might have done something wrong to the children of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades." Lux swallowed.

"I believe you're alright being here, Lux!" Isabella yelled, nervously laughing and slapping his back.

Isabella gave him a quick look and looked at him intently. Even though Ephron would seem silly and fun, he didn't act that way today. This was something she desired, right?

She even prevented Lux from being with Thorn since she was so upset that she would be taking this test with Ephron. Then this happened.

Nagpupumiglas si Isabella at ayaw pumunta sa barkong pupuntahan nila bago pa man mangyari ang special test. 

"Hindi ako makikipag-ugnayan sa lalaking 'yon!" Sinamaan ng tingin ni Isabella si Ephron pagkatapos lumapit sa kanya.

"Come on, don't say that."

"Hindi ako aalis ng kasama ka!"

Ephron smiled, "We're going to be late. So it will be best for us to go immediately."

Isabella was constantly tapping her shoes, and she could feel sweat running down her face. She tightened her hand, determined not to take the special test with Ephron. If it only meant running for her life, she might just do it.

And when Lux and Thorn are about to get to the boat, she immediately runs towards them and grabs Lux's arm, "Hindi ka sasama kay Thorn! Sa'kin ka na lang sumama!"

"Ano!? Sino'ng tinakot mo? Tumigil ka nga d'yan! Baka mabawasan pa ako ng grade ni Sir Milverton." Umiling na lang si Lux at 'di siya umalis sa posisyon niya.

"Alam ko kung paano mapapamo si Kuya Henry. Who knows? He might know where you can find the girl." Haltak na lang ni Isabella kay Lux at nagmakaawa sa kanya, "Kaya sige na, sumama ka na!"

"So, wala talaga akong choice, ha?" Umiling-iling na lang si Lux at napahawak na lang sa mukha.

"I can't believe you, bambina. This brat," Lux sighed.

"Bambina?"Isabella asked.

"Many boys are talking about you. A cute girl with a small size," Lux explained.

"Hindi ako maliit! Nakakainis!" Isabella bit her lower lip and she crossed her arms at sinamaan niya ito ng tingin. "Basta, sasama ka sa'min!"

Higit pa rito, hinigit ni Isabella si Lux sa kamay para isama sila sa kanilang pupuntahan na realm. Poseidon resides in The Ivory Sea. They're going to the House of Rusvil. At kailangan nilang kumpletuhin ang anumang pagsubok na nakahanda para sa kanila.

"H'wag mo na akong hatakin Isabella. Sasama na ako. Tutal kanina mo pa ako kinukulit." Lux rolled his eyes at her.

"Finally! Akala ko tatangihan mo pa ako, eh. Basta, ako na bahala sa'yo hmm? I'll do everything to persuade Kuya Henry." Isabella was feeling giddy at nagtitili na lang siya.

Ephron smiled at them and did not think this amusing at all. He really intended to become close to Isabella during this test, but now that she's brought another Demigod with her, all of his plans are ruined.

"Shouldn't I be present?"Lux cautiously questioned Ephron.

The weather should be alright. However, the thunderclaps that follow them aren't very nice. Ephron, along with his siblings, is one of the strongest Demigods and he's the son of Poseidon. He's too powerful to control the weather by himself.

He obviously has no control over it.

"Hindi, pre! Ayos lang naman talaga. Talaga bang kailangan ipamukha sa 'kin na 'di ako gusto ng isa r'yan?" Pagpaparinig ni Ephron and he grunted, "Whoo!! Pero syempre, crush ko pa rin siya!"

Napahawak si Lux sa tiyan at tumawa ng malakas, dahil 'di man lang pinansin si Ephron at nabangga niya ang kaibigan sa lakas ng tawa niya, "Pre, walang pake sa 'yo."

"Hindi naman masakit 'pag 'di ka crush ng crush mo. Parang kagat lang ng langgam. Subukan mo, pre."Sabi ni Ephron and tapped Lux's shoulders.

Ephron wasn't particularly concerned about the test he would be taking in his father's realm. The fact that Isabella stays away from him has the biggest impact on him. Additionally, she cursed love as a result of her fate.

As a result, he was greatly impacted by the vast volume of his emotions. He had never been this shaken before.

He used to be able to think more clearly about every circumstance he encountered. Isabella was the only one who could evoke this emotion in him. For him to have such feelings. He's afraid of it.

Ephron dismissed that concept. There's nothing to be terrified of now. As a result, the challengers withdrew from the waterfalls where they had led the Demigods. "We have arrived in Rusvil City. The special exam begins right now. Good luck, Demigods."

Agad na tumayo si Ephron at parang nagkaroon ng sigla, "We're here! Kung kailangan niyo ng tour guide, andito na ako!"

"Tour guide? In this realm? Puro kalokohan! Ewan ko sa 'yo Ephron!" iritang sinabi ni Isabella at agad na umalis sa barko upang makapagsimula na siya sa special exams.

"So, this place is?" Isabella asked.

"The Ivory Sea. Found within the most confidential areas of Rusvil. And if you believe my father would allow the scientists to manipulate him, you're mistaken. This is Aquitis, the realm of oceans, tempests, and thunder." Ephron stated solemnly, "Poseidon isn't that weak. We will uncover the truth shortly."

The skies got thicker and cloudier. Thunderclaps began to ring out loudly, striking back and forth. The falls beside it were splashing loudly, and one could almost sense an awful vibe in this location. The kingdoms include Romanesque architecture.

As you can see, the kingdoms are well modulated and geometrically logical—with one look you can see the repeating shapes, and proportions that make sense for an immense and weighty structure.

There is a large arcade on the ground level made up of bulky piers or columns. The piers may have been filled with rubble rather than being solid, carved stone. Above this arcade is a second level of smaller arches, often in pairs with a column between the two.

You could hear the lovely voices of the sirens that resided in the ocean as the waves moved. Those were three monstrous sea-nymphs who lured sailors to their death with a bewitching song. They are known as sirens, and they serve as the waters' protectors.

☫✠_____♆_____✡♆

AS THE WAVES crashed down, you could see that they were more than just deep blue; they were also purple, and stars were expelling dust from the sea. Because there is a doorway across from where Poseidon is now located.

Sina Lux at Isabella ay naglalakad sa buong Aquitis nang tahimik. Ang kanilang pagkabalisa ay tumataas bilang resulta ng papalapit na pagsubok na 'to.

"Sa ngayon, gusto ko na lang mag-back out. Wala namang nagsabi na si Poseidon pala ang makikita natin dito. Umuwi na lang tayo." Binigyang-diin ni Lux

"What's the big deal? It's just my dad." Ephron stared at him worriedly at napataas na lang ang kilay.

'Huh? What's the big deal? I'm not sure if he's acting foolishly at the moment. Wala lang ba siyang pakiramdam ng takot?' Si Lux ay nakatuon sa kanyang pamumutla at halos 'di na tumugon sa mga sinabi ni Ephron. As they approach the realm, mas dobleng kaba ang nararamdaman ni Lux.

As they eventually made it inside, terror washed across their features. The sea creatures were fighting the scientists, and they wanted to capture them, which irritated Ephron.

He clenched his teeth and clutched his fist. He clenched his teeth and glared at them. Ephron appreciates all aspects of the ocean, including marine life. And he looks angry at this sight.

"Ano sa tingin niyo ang ginagawa ninyo!? Go away from the sirens. Leave all sea creatures alone kung ayaw niyo na may mangyari na 'di niyo magugustuhan!" sigaw ni Ephron and his lips curved as his cheeks turned somewhat red, his veins popped up around his neck, and his eyes gleamed a darker blue.

Because of this catastrophe, the Sirens could only cry, "Your Highness."

"Tell me everything. Ano'ng ginawa nila dito? Sino'ng may pakana ng mga kalokohang 'to? Who would dare enter the underwater without my consent?" Sigaw ni Ephron and he flicked his ring at may malakas na hangin na kumawala mula sa kanya and a loud clap of thunder erupted before him.

"He wasn't Poseidon's son for nothing." Lux swallowed. He had not seen him this enraged since he rebelled against Poseidon.

"Is he?" Isabella pondered.

"How come you're so cool about this? He's going to break the whole realm—"

"The reason for this is that they attempted to move in this realm without his consent. Kapag pinakialaman mo ang realm na 'to, ibig sabihin no'n ay kinakalaban mo si Poseidon sa mga oras na 'yon. And do you realize how terrifying Ephron is when he fails to control his abilities?" Isabella sought out, looking at Lux with a straight expression.

"It's enough to shatter this whole realm."

"Seryoso ka ba sa sinasabi mo?"

"Tignan mo na lang ang mangyayaring laban."

Ephron should've known better. They will not benefit from forcing the Teras and Demigod into the fight. At alam niyang kasakiman lamang ang ugat ng lahat ng 'to. Pinaglalaruan lamang sila ng mga scientist at ginagawang sunod-sunuran upang maangkin ang kapangyarihan ng mga Greek Gods.

Everything has a price. And this is the end of it.

Poseidon's note is surely out there somewhere. Malamang na 'to ang dahilan kung bakit ang mga scientist ay dumating dito. Imbes na si Ephron, sila ang unang tatanggap ng note na galing sa kanyang ama. Gayunpaman, 'di niya hahayaan na mangyari.

Ephron unleashes a weapon. A halberd. It's a weapon consisting of an ax blade balanced by a pick with an elongated pike head at the end of the staff. It was usually about 1.5 to 1.8 metres (5 to 6 feet) long.

The blade was wide, with ocean-shaped tips. The weapon's other elements are weaponized with steel. He received this from Hephateus, who is said to have produced the weapon out of the oceans, which holds a powerful strength from the seas.

And now he's getting ready for a fight, so he moves the weapon around him, points at the scientist, and the lightning bolts ignite in his eyes.

Ephron clicked his tongue and growled, "You'll wish you hadn't stepped into this realm."

He took a big breath and whistled, producing oceanic whistle sounds. And the waterfalls crashed noisily, soon approaching the scientist at this point.

They shouldn't have angered him.