FIFTY-SIX. 

SPEAR OF THE SEAS. 

"THESE ARE the Nereids," Pakilala ni Ephron sila sa kanila at tumango naman na ang mga 'to sa sagot nila. 

Nereids are frequently portrayed as ethereal maidens with flowing hair, sometimes with subtle aquatic features like scales or fins. And they're one of the kindest, that's the only thing that Ephron could known of. 

"Welcome, young master."

"What sort of test will we be taking, then?"

Ephron grinned and gazed at Lux, saying, "Facing sea monsters, of course." After he finished speaking, Isabella and Lux both became pale at tumawa 'to tsaka niya hinampas si Lux, "No, no, it's simply sparring of some sort, not actual combat. Isn't that correct?"

Kung si Ephron ang tatanungin, He didn't really like this. Or even take this test with the knowledge that his father will administer it to him directly. Ang tanging naalala niya sa kanilang pag-uusap ay gusto niya 'tong tulungan  para makontrol nito ang kanyang kapangyarihan.

That notion prompted him to hiss. 'Di alam ni Ephron kung ano'ng mararamdaman niya tungkol do'n.

Occasionally, that man will show up to meet him in secret so they may practice together. Even worse, this is a pain in the ass. However, he might just get through this because he's here. For his classmates' benefit.

And the only motivation that keeps him because of the scientist who started this war. Here, he's aware of only one thing. They're interested in learning the mystery of the curses that the scientists have been hiding.

To put a stop to everything.

Stopping the Fates as much as possible is what Ephron keeps him going. He shouldn't allow this to continue because the causes of the conflict with the cosmos have caused pain for the entire world.

"Right, right! Tara na. Lux, a test is a test. We must get ready for this as soon as we start attending Phanteon Academy." Isabella placed her hands in her cardigan pocket.

Isabella's blue aura surrounded her as she held onto her spear. With a splash, the Nereids emerge from the water, and Ephron's eyebrows move. "We'll help you locate Poseidon's demands." At sinenyasan niya na lang ang dalawa para sumama na 'to kasama siya.

They eventually reached a unique hunting location a few minutes later. To allow them to breathe, the Nereids splatter the large bubble in their faces. Napahawak na lang si Lux at labis na nagulat sa mga nangyari and he then inhaled the bubble. "Ano'ng..."

'Di niya matukoy kung ano 'to. They're able to explore for hunting spots in the aquatic realm since the bubble allows them to breathe. Since Ephron had visited this place frequently, he had no trouble examining the water world's depths.

The Nereids had led the Demigods in the realm of ruins during that time. As they swam into the kingdom, you could hear the bubbling noises everywhere, even deep in the water. Seaweed envelops the majority of the kingdoms. To get into the realm, the Nereids had to push the water deep.

Ephron grumbled as he moved forward, saying, "Hey! You here, right damned father?"

"E—Ephron! That's how you're referring to your father?"

Ephron walked a few paces, but no answer came. "Remember that he's the one who's going to give us exams," Isabella said, just scowling and crossing her arms as she walked alongside him.

Kinuha naman ni Isabella ang bag niya, at inilagay niya sa balikat niya at naglakad siya kasama 'to. As she walked alongside him, the heels continued to tap.

He was startled by large waves that came toward them. They're coming in large steps. Now that he was there, the waves abruptly stopped on their own accord. The breeze pushed through the realm as Poseidon's hand moved, taming the seas and the air. With complete authority, he declared, "Ephron, you're here."

Ephron smirked slyly at him. And seeing him isn't amusing at all. Furthermore, this visit wasn't at all inviting.

Perhaps the atmosphere wasn't suitable for entertaining anyone at this time because Poseidon didn't even say anything. When Ephron moved, he saw how intense Poseidon's gaze was; he gazed at his son as though the entire underwater had bowed down to him.

"You came for the tests, I've heard, and you want to make your own weapon."

"Malamang. 'Yun lang naman ang pinuntahan ko dito, old man." Ngumisi si Ephron, "None of it involves you."

"Ganyan ba sila makipag-usap sa isa't-isa?" tanong ni Lux at binunggo si Isabella. Para bang na-excite siya sa nakikita niya sa mag-ama.

"Malay ko." Isabella just said nonchantly.

"Wala ka talagang pakialam sa paligid, 'no?"Lux stroked his hair and gave her a questioning look.

"Wala ako pakialam sa maiingay," Isabella mentioned and yawned.

Ephron's eyes strayed to his dad. He had no idea what his father was thinking at pinandilatan 'to ng mata at napatingin siya sa paligid niya and furthermore, the obsidian rocks contain a great deal of illusion magic.

He blinked and grinned slightly as a result. Whether or not it was real, the wall was producing false impressions.

"Correct. The weapons that are slipping in the pebbles are obvious, aren't they?"

As they gazed at each other's eyes, Ephron raised his eyebrows in response to his father's gaze, "May kinalaman ba 'to sa test na gagawin namin?"

"Follow me."

They started to explore the realm. They're all enthralled with the strength of the obsidian rocks in this area. Actually, that wasn't all that new. It's all pretty funny in this kingdom.

It's because rocks made of obsidian occur as a natural glass formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava from volcanoes. Obsidian is extremely rich in silica (about 65 to 80 percent), is low in water, and has a chemical composition similar to rhyolite.

Obsidian has a glassy lustre and is slightly harder than window glass. Though obsidian is typically jet-black in colour, the presence of hematite (iron oxide) produces red and brown varieties, and the inclusion of tiny gas bubbles may create a golden sheen.

There were many areas across the city that belonged to various sea deities. And Poseidon is the owner of this kingdom in Aquitis. He owns everything that lives in the waters.

You could feel the powerful enchantment in the mist-filled domain. The test will take place in the hall of the celestial realm where they're ready to enter.

A whistle was strewn all over the place as the waves began to slam. "There are treasures to be found in the ocean's depths. And you will be put to the test here by my special monsters."

☫✠_____♆_____✡♆

POSEIDON'S GAZE passed straight at them. He made all the subterranean oceans tense like never before by using his trident and stomping the floor. He looks at Ephron silently, feeling incredibly pleased with his son.

Isabella glances at Ephron at tinignan niya 'to ng seryoso, and she looks at him, excited to see what type of weapon they will use today. "Look at him, he's proud of you." This is, after all, a component of the special test.

Ephron desired to witness it for himself. Pero hindi pa rin talaga niya matanggap ang lahat, pati na ang dugong nanalaytay sa kanya. Moreover, he's the son of Poseidon.

"We'll need to find the appropriate weapons for this test," Ngumiti siya sa kanila. Matagal na siyang nagtra-training dito.

According to Ephron's memory, he was always a part of the waters. And it was him, if anyone could understand the waves.

"Then, we must confront the sea monsters head-on! Brad, ayoko na! Uwian na! Nakita mo naman na mga kalaban natin, 'di' ba!?" Lumapit si Lux at hinila na lang niya ang damit ng kaibigan, at umiling-iling.

Kahit anong gawin niya, h'wag mong harapin ang halimaw na sinasabi ni Poseidon, whatever it is sigurado na delikado 'yon. Teka lang! Ang kailangan lang nilang gawin ay gawin ang mga armas na 'yon, tama ba?

Napakaraming gaps sa illusion magic sa kahariang 'to, saan ba nila makukuha ang sandata na 'to?

Ephron opted to sidestep him after raising his eyebrows. They must confront the monster since, after all, they were all present. "Poseidon, give us a hint. What will occur throughout the test?"

Poseidon's gaze on them all caused Lux to swallow all of the stress he had been carrying around, "Eek! Pre, ayoko na!" sigaw na lang ni Lux habang pinalupot niya ang mga braso niya kay Ephron at nagtitili.

"Lux, ano ba 'yan! Alam mo kung may boys love na nagaganap dito, aba, makaramdam kayo!" sigaw ni Isabella and she sighed deeply at saka niya sinamaan sila ng tingin. Ang ingay nila pareho, sa totoo lang!

With a smile on his face, Ephron turned on his magic with electricity. His entire body is surrounded by electricity, and his eyes are flecked with lightning. Perhaps he is, if he was acting arrogantly. This test won't be disappointing for him. This time, he can finally demonstrate his worthiness.

"You have changed, Ephron. You will not complain about your fates?"

Poseidon's azure eyes gazed at him as he inhaled deeply. He was rather pleased with his development. In reaction to him, the roar of the waves grew louder and they smashed broadly. When Poseidon summoned the sea monster that would confront them, his eyes darkened.

He was wearing his white chiton, silver hair, and blue eyes, which you could sense how dominant he is from this position. A golden, vintage necklace is also worn by him. Matikas 'to kung titignan.

"I've seen the worst. Kung magrereklamo pa ako, wala rin naman mangyayari. So might as well to face it this time." Ephron replied and he moved his hands and releases a big clashes of thunders in his hands. "I'm ready, dad."

"Oh? Let's see what you got."

Poseidon whistled and the waves gotten more stronger. The waves crash widely as the monster appeared in front of them. It was Cetus. It signified a large sea monster, fish or whale. The sea monsters that the heroes Perseus and Heracles killed during their adventures were also described with the word cetus.

The cetus that is mentioned in the story of Perseus is probably the better known one. It all happened when Cassiopeia, queen of Aethiopia, boasted that her daughter Andromeda surpassed the Nereid nymphs in beauty.

Poseidon was infuriated by the insolence of the mortal woman, and sent a sea monster named Cetus to destroy the shores of the region. Cassiopeia and her husband Cepheus asked the advice of an oracle that told them they should sacrifice their daughter to the monster, in order to appease the god.

The royal couple agreed and had their daughter chained to a rock next to the sea. Just before Cetus attacked her, Perseus appeared and learned of what was about to happen. He freed Andromeda and either slew the monster with his sword, or used Medusa's head to turn it to stone.

Looks like that this monster that they'll be facing is more dangerous than before. It won't be so easy for them to pass this test without the weapon.

So, what to do now?