TWENTY-ONE.

THE WHISPERS OF THE GOLDEN FATES. 

☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

"LADY GIOVANNI," Narinig niya ang ilang katok mula sa kanyang kwarto, kaya napakurap na lamang ang babaeng may rosas na buhok.

Umubo muna ang babae saglit bago siya sumagot. "Go ahead and come in, Alvis," Giovanni replied, holding onto the drapes as her gold bracelets slipped silently down her arm.

"I have never loved the moon when it looked like this. It was either excessively bright, or there was a sense of imminent demise."

She expected to uncover more answers than she ever dreamed, but everyone in this House of Mudned treated her as if her status was something they might take advantage of. Hindi niya malaman kung ito ba'y konektado sa kakaibang anyong napansin niya sa mga gintong sinulid.

The golden strands were unexpectedly contaminated, resulting in a fog of frightening dark magic.

A scene of trees and plants stretched out in front of her windows, with delicate glimmers of light indicating the presence of magic. The realm was dominated by huge statues of Greek gods, each standing proudly and ageless. At the core of it all was a pool, a sacred space designed to cleanse anyone polluted by the logosmiths.

Courtney was initially brought here to mend her scars.

"Naalala mo pa rin pala," sambit ni Alvis sa kanya, "iyong araw na hinatulan ka. Your appointment gives you the power of immortality, which some people, including the most powerful of the Big Three, struggle to accept."

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

"Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan hanggang ngayon kung bakit. Chalice Bride of the Nectar, that's how I have been named," Giovanni said, noticing the wilting plant in front of her.

She pointed her fingertips at the wilting leaves, and as a golden light surrounded it, the plant began to thrive once more.

"I'm neither mortal nor immortal. I don't bring ruin to the realm by stealing their youth," she told them.

"At dahil lang do'n?" Ginulo ni Alvis ang kanyang platinum na buhok at tinaas ang kilay. "Kaya pala nagkaroon sila ng lakas ng loob na bigyan ka ng sumpa, kahit anak ka pa ni Hebe! They see your strength as a destructive force because they're afraid of you."

"A Teras ought not to address the Gods in such a manner," she added, extending her arm as the bangles slid together. Alvis responded by narrowing his eyes and scoffing.

Parang pareho lang sila ng iniisip ni Courtney. Mahinang tawa ang lumabas sa kanya, at napahawak siya sa bibig habang inisip ang mga bagay na 'yon.

The Oracle had issued a warning. Fate, she realized, was unchanging.

This was her final reincarnation, and all of her previous lives were aware of what was happening. A moment would come when a blade would pierce the kingdom, taking her life.

At that moment, the night of the attack was sealed.

Zeus was known as Moiregetes, the Leader of the Fates, with the three goddesses seated by his side on the throne. The Moirai, to whom wise Zeus granted the highest honor, are Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who bestow both good and evil upon mortal men.

Moirai who sits nearest of the gods to the throne of Zeus and weaves on adamantine shuttles countless and inescapable devices of counsels of all kinds. Desiny, Clotho and Lachesis, the daughters of Nyx, were known for their graceful arms.

At Olympia, there stands an altar bearing the inscription 'to Moiragetes'—'to the Bringer of the Fates.' This is plainly a surname of Zeus, who knows the affairs of men, all that the Moirai give them, and all that is destined for them.

Sabi nila noon, kung ano mang kapalaran o tadhanang ibigay sa'yo, iyon ang landas na tatahakin mo. At marahil doon nagsimula ang lahat ng kaguluhan—isang delubyong hindi man lang nila inakalang darating.

Above the head of Zeus are the Horai and Moirai, and all may see that he's the only god obeyed by Moira. There is an altar at Olympia with an inscription 'to Moiragetes' 'to the Bringer of the Fates.'

This is plainly a surname of Zeus, who knows the affairs of men, all that the Moirai give them, and all that is destined for them. In the shrine of Despoine at Akakesion in Arkadia, the first relief depicts the Moirai and Zeus, who are referred to as Moiragetes.

Moira is the ideal eternal observer of Zeus, as both Zeus and Moira perceive all our actions.

Zeus spoke, and the Moirai applauded; at his words, the light-footed Horai sneezed, serving as a sign of what was to come.

"You're faced with death..."

"...must die."

Mukhang paulit-ulit na itong hatol ng marami habang nakatitig lamang sila sa babae. Wala man lang bumati sa kanya—basta nilang inalis ang sako sa ulo niya, at halos matumba siya habang naglalakad dahil sa mga sugat na tinamo niya.

Bigla siyang itinulak sa unahan kaya muntik na ring madapa si Giovanni. She found herself standing in front of the twelve Olympian gods, whose presence was formidable and imposing. Among them were the three most powerful, known simply as the Big Three, who locked chilly glances on her.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

The stones were arranged to form each stair along the arena. There were no exits in sight, only a series of pillars and torches that illuminated the immense room. The people, clothed in chiffon, stood in anticipation of the upcoming verdict.

"This child," Zeus stated, pointing to her, "is really capable of changing her destiny? "You can't be serious."

Ni hindi nagawa ni Giovanni na ipagtanggol ang sarili niya. Tahimik lang siya. Ang tanging iniisip niya ngayon ay kung mapagkakatiwalaan pa ba siya ng mga tao o hindi. It appears they're up against the wrong person. Whether she has bad luck or her fate has been set, she's not going to back down, no matter how long it takes.

Bahagyang kumalabog ang metal habang mabilis niyang sinusundan ang mga hakbang sa kanyang harapan. Inangat niya ang kanyang buhok, at sari-saring pang-aapi at diskriminasyon ang umalingawngaw sa kanyang pandinig.

"That kid will destroy this realm for everyone, including us, the Gods."

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Lagi niyang nararamdaman na saan man niya igala ang kanyang paningin, wala ni isa roon na tunay niyang kinabibilangan. If she really belonged somewhere, she wouldn't be in this situation right now. Every person she sought to trust, as well as the family she hoped to connect with, did not make her feel like she belonged. It's difficult when they're responsible for all of her problems. She's clearly had a tough time.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

"Bakit, natatakot ka ba? "Is it because of the immortality? Or is it because I fucking brought one of the dead, huh? What are you all afraid of?" Giovanni smiled at Zeus, as if she weren't standing in front of a Greek god. Kumunot lang ang noo niya, parang walang nangyari, tapos tinitigan niya pa ako nang matalim habang nakapako ang mga kamay niya sa pagkakakrus.

The eagle fluttered its wings and circled Zeus before settling on his shoulders. Zeus tightened his teeth and smashed the golden throne, screaming, "You're a destroyer," He said in a low hiss.

His eyes squinted as a bolt of golden lightning crackled in the air. It felt grim as thunder boomed around them, and his lips twisted slightly. "You, who doesn't even belong in this realm! You're neither mortal nor immortal. You—"

"Kung tutuusin, marami akong mga tanong. Why does my wretched father take advantage of me? And why does my strength instill fear in all of you? You bring me into this arena to await my execution, as if I am the sole person who has wronged you," Giovanni declared, stepping closer and spitting out blood beside her.

Her eyes transformed into a striking green, with pupils glimmering like petals, and her marks glowed with a vibrant brightness. Ngayon, nahahatulan ang isang babae dahil sa kapangyarihang taglay niya—kapangyarihang hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin niya, o ng marami, maintindihan kung bakit siya ang napiling maging may hawak nito. At this point, an unsettling scenario appeared.

The logosmiths took an important thing from the realm of Ethead, disrupting the balance of existence. It became important for the people to step in and stop the fates, as the whole fabric of their realm was at risk of tearing apart and being destroyed.

Ngayon, nahahatulan ang isang babae dahil sa kapangyarihang taglay niya—kapangyarihang hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin niya, o ng marami, maintindihan kung bakit siya ang napiling maging may hawak nito. At this point, an unsettling scenario appeared.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

The logosmiths took an important thing from the realm of Ethead, disrupting the balance of existence. It became important for the people to step in and stop the fates, as the whole fabric of their realm was at risk of tearing apart and being destroyed.

"Someone like you has the ability to change the fate of the realm..."

"It must end."

Naririnig man niya mula sa iba na dapat putulin na niya ang ugnayan niya sa mga kapalaran, ang tadhana mismo ang ayaw siyang bitiwan—kaya paghawak na lang sa ulo niya ang tangi niyang nagawa. It expressed up how Lachesis felt about her fate. It was the force that kept the golden strands entwined with her existence.

A small voice spoke to her, "You must save them. You hold the power of your fates; you embody destiny itself. You're the only one capable of bringing real change in this realm."

Why should she be the one to shoulder such burdens? Sino ba ang nagsabing siya lang ang dapat sisihin sa pagkakamaling hindi naman niya kasalanan?

At bakit ba maraming natatakot sa kapangyarihan niya?

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Umalingawngaw sa buong arena ang matinding pagtapak na 'yon. As Zeus stamped his feet, the ground bowed to his will. His eyes were fixated on her, and the atmosphere became thick, as if it could scarcely hold the tension in the air.

"You're a threat. You stand before us because those mortals committed an unforgivable act, and you have become the consequence of their actions," he added, his voice sounding threatening.

Ang tanging malinaw sa kanya ay ang hatol na tiyak nang ibibigay sa kanya. Hindi niya pa rin matanggap iyon hanggang ngayon, kaya patuloy siyang lumalaban sa kahit na sino, kahit alam niyang sa harap mismo niya ay nakatakda na ang kanyang kamatayan.

If the logosmiths had exercised more restraint, the six of them might not have been picked, and she would not be on this path.

She approached the guillotine, stepped closer, placed her head beneath the blade, and blinked her eyes and as her gaze moved across the surroundings, she discovered herself standing in the midst of a vast circle adorned with an ornate star.

A ribbon of zigzagging stairs interlaced with a circular staircase, creating a one-of-a-kind connection to the scene.

In the center of the arena stood ancient stones, bare and craggy. These pillars were more sturdy than those in the Ionic or Corinthian designs. Their capitals were smooth and rounded, unlike the elaborate decorations found in the other two Greek orders.

Narito mismo sa lugar na ito nila balak pakawalan ang mga halimaw na nakakulong. Inilingon niya ang tingin sa mga kulungan sa tabi, kung saan nagwawala ang mga nilalang na 'yon at handa na nilang pakawalan para siya'y patayin.

"Ngayon ang oras ng kamatayan mo," ani ng isang kawal, sabay higpit sa pagkakahawak sa kadena sa leeg ni Giovanni, nakangising parang nang-aasar. Hindi na niya maigalaw ang kanyang katawan—tila tinanggap na lamang niya ang parusang darating.

"Hindi n'yo ako kayang pabagsakin," mariin niyang sambit. Napakagat siya sa labi niya at sinamaan ng tingin ang mga kawal. "Sa tingin n'yo, sa parusang 'yan matatapos n'yo ako?"

"Natawa nga ang mga kawal, "Saan mo kaya nakukuha ang tapang na 'yan? Wala ring makakapagligtas sa 'yo rito dahil pati ang sarili mong tatay ang nagsuplong sa 'yo. Kayo-kayo na lang ang naging produkto ng gulong 'to."

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

"You should die," Muling naririnig ang mga boses ng mga taong nakatingin sa kanya, at lalo pang naging nakakatakot ang mga aninong nakapaligid sa kanila. "As the Cursed Archduchess, you bear the mark of disaster."

She gritted her teeth and thought, There is no way I would do that. Giovanni's shoulders tensed slightly, and her upper body stiffened as she leaned back slightly, when she heard the beast roar, which echoed around the arena.

A sound broke the silence of the night, as if clawing at the darkness. Shadows engulfed her, and the hollow glow of the fire reflected in her eyes. The flames intensified as she approached, and Giovanni raised his head to meet her gaze, a sneer on her lips as she looked at the watchers.

"This was Empusa," she declared, "the one-legged monster of Hecate."

She knew who it was without a doubt. The scrolls had mentioned it several times, and it was most certainly the thing she wanted to avoid. She used to be a beautiful nymph who has fallen out of grace for unknown reasons, others present her as a beast created from the darkness of the earth that hunted young men for their blood and flesh.

The mysterious goddess of witchcraft, Hecate, the goddess of magic, was said to control Empusa and send her to haunt the living either to punish the impure in heart or simply to feed.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Empusa was regarded with terror in the old days. Her hideous form, but more importantly her thirst for blood was one of the basic elements that helped in the creation of the vampire myth.

The ideal time when the Empusa made her appearances were during the moonless nights. Dark, threatening forests and deep harrowing ravines were where she would lie in wait. At the right moment she would reveal her stunning guise and entice unwary men to come closer before sinking her teeth in their flesh.

Her gaze turned to Giovanni as she licked her lips and twitched her fingers, inhaling the scent of something tempting nearby. "So, you're my food for today?"

"So, ganito ba ang paraan n'yo para matapos lahat ng 'to? Ako pa talaga ang pagbabayarin sa mga bagay na wala naman akong kinalaman!" sigaw ni Giovanni habang inaangat ang ulo para tingnan ang tatlong trono.

"If you're really worried because I've brought something back, then maybe fate is indicating that I can achieve more than you!" she cried at them, her gaze fixed and her eyes slightly widening. Her forehead furrowed as she hissed.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Hindi rin niya alam kung ano na talaga ang dapat niyang maramdaman—ang pagnanais na pigilan ang execution na 'to, ang pagkalito at mga tanong kung bakit siya nadamay at bakit ganito ang kanyang kinahinatnan, o ang nag-aalab na galit dahil sa kasakiman ng mga logosmiths.

A question lingered in her mind. What had she done to deserve all of this pain?

Simula pa lang, alam na niya na napunta siya sa sitwasyong ito dahil sa kaguluhan sa mga kapalaran at sa kasakiman ng mga logosmith na siyang ugat ng lahat ng kagulong ito. Saan man siya magpunta, alam niyang itinuturing lang siyang isang gamit ng mga ito dahil alam nila ang kakayahan niya.

They suspected that she could expose their crimes, and thus they felt obligated to use her as a pawn in this problem.

The arena floor rocked, buckling under the strain of the moment. Zeus, firmly seated, felt a wave of lightning rush through his arms, crackling with energy. With a methodical move, he extended his fingers, creating bright streams of light that intertwined in the center of the stadium.

He unleashed a burst of electricity that cracked through the air, igniting the ground below him. Hissing at her, he added, "With a tongue like yours, I'm not sure I can forgive you."

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

He exclaimed, "I don't even understand why the fates have favored someone like you. Someone like you should simply be destroyed before the true problem arises." His eyes flashed with intensity as he made a signal, and she gritted her teeth, sensing the tension in the air.

Sa totoo lang, matagal na siyang walang kinatatakutan, kahit alam niyang siya mismo ang hahatulan at ihahain sa isang halimaw—lalo pa't kaharap niya ito ngayon. That Empusa!

Sigurado rin siyang gutom na gutom 'yon at plano siyang kainin. Is this really her fate today? She's not sure where she should go or where she actually belongs. She always feels as if she's being used by others around her, no matter where she goes. There isn't anyone she believes she can trust.

Nobody, because she lived in a home where her father used her. Her only drive was to find a method to get away from him. Regardless of where she goes, she's always caught in her own thoughts.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Parang kahit saan siya pumunta, laging bumabalik ang masasamang alaala, at pakiramdam niya ay hindi na siya muling magiging masaya. Parang ang dali-dali na lang para sa iba na itapon siya at gamitin, na para bang wala lang para sa kanila ang iwan siya.

All that she wanted is to be freed to this cage, and to go where she could start a new beginning.

"Tch," Giovanni hissed and shifted her hands, the chains clinking across the metal, sweat running down her face as she listened to Empusa's echoes.  

A loud laugh erupted as shadows appeared one by one. She didn't even bother to grin, but as she opened her mouth, sharp edges appeared on the sides. She swayed softly closer, inhaling the aroma of blood in the air. Finally catching up with her, she traced her fingers along her neck. "I suggest you stop moving," Empusa whispered softly, almost purring, with a sneer on her lips.

Her tongue brushed against her teeth as she gulped her saliva and breathed heavily around her neck. Giovanni tightened up as she moved away, the cold steel chains scraping against her wrists, making her wince. The weight of the chains drew her hands down, and she yelled, "Let go of me!"

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Her voice became cold. "Or you'll regret who you're dealing with."

Ilang saglit lang, isang malakas na hangin ang umikot sa harapan nila. Bumuo ito ng malakas na ipo-ipo na siyang tumulak sa halimaw palayo kay Giovanni, dahilan para mapasapo sa pagkakaupo ang babae habang bakas sa mukha niya ang matinding takot.

Her hair flowed lightly in the breeze, the wind kissing the back of her neck and creating a vivacious spiral that whirled like a miniature tornado. As she gracefully moved her hand, two vivid leaves swirled in the air, caught in the soft current, before tenderly sliding down from her fingertips, painting the earth in autumn hues.

Then she observed how the marks around her began to glow more brightly, mimicking the beautiful colors of the leaves, and her glittering green eyes gleamed even brighter in the light. A short recollection arose within her—an echo of a time spent in fields brimming with wildflowers, each petal whispering of spring's embrace. The pleasant, fresh aroma of blooming flowers filled the air, wrapping her in a warm nostalgia that reminded her of home.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Then, without notice, the air became motionless, as if the world were holding its breath. Dead branches awoke unexpectedly, moving quickly like a zigzagging serpent. With furious determination, they snagged the hiding beast and tossed it away, twisting and spinning in a constant beat. The branches strengthened their grip, attacking with surprising vigor, slapping both sides of the arena.

The sound of breaking wood resonated through the air as the power of their assault split the earth in half, forming a dramatic rift that reflected the chaos of the situation.

Giovanni heard sandals tapping on the ground and got snatches of a muttered message. "My daughter, your journey hasn't ended yet. Your fate will always find you, and it chooses you because you're destined to bear the burden of saving everyone."

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

Hindi niya maintindihan. Kaninong boses ba 'yon? Mula pa kanina, sa t'wing alam niyang may ihahatol sa kanya si Zeus at mapapahamak siya, laging may boses na tila nagliligtas sa kanya. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin niya maunawaan kung bakit.

"Who are you!?" she said, whirling around in an attempt to catch a sight of the voice. All she saw was a swirling wind that flowed around her, brushing against her with a kind touch. As the roots approached her, she sensed an odd connection building, as if they were reaching out to her in return.

"I'm sorry, my daughter," a gentle, humming voice said, blending in with the breeze. "I know you're confused and hurt right now, but you need to understand that you play an important part in this. Only you're capable of fulfilling it. The power of fate resides inside you."

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

"Ano ba'ng ibig mong sabihin! Sabihin mo!" sigaw pa niya.

"As much as I don't want to deal with this, I really don't have a choice," she said quietly, letting out a sigh as the wind whipped around her. "Someone from the shadows is going to follow you, and you must tame him in order to survive what lies ahead. You are the only one who has control over the result of this situation. My daughter, as the fates have selected you, the rest of the decisions are yours."

Then, before she knew it, she was confronted with a horrifying scene: a bloodshed. The chaos around her was overpowering, with darkness settling in and the smell of iron permeating the air. Giovanni's heart raced as she witnessed the damage, unsure what to do next.

"You know that the execution must be done by me," a voice muttered, merging with the shadows, a slow and piercing hiss indicating a lingering danger. "That makes this girl my number three, along with the Teras I've caught. Could you put me in the position of executing her? " Suddenly, chains appeared out of nowhere, wrapping around her and drawing her in. He reached out, fingers extended toward her, and a smirk appeared on his face.

¸.•' ▬▬▬๑♆♟☭♆ ๑▬▬▬ ¸.•'

And this is where the true danger begins. 

As the chains tightened around her, the atmosphere became more tense, with each link serving as a reminder of his authority. She could feel the weight of approaching doom bearing down, and a spark of resistance flared within her. 

This wasn't the end; it was just the start of a fight for her life. As she met his stare, determination coursed through her veins. The shadows spoke of fear, but she would not be another victim in his twisted game.

☠︎︎༒︎☠︎︎

𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄 𝐃   𝐖 𝐈 𝐓 𝐇   𝐇 𝐀 𝐃 𝐄 𝐒

Betrayal's Game Series #1

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