FORTY-FIVE.

SECRETS OF THE CURSED.

"ANO BA naman, Frayden! Para kang tuod d'yan! Nadadamay na ako nang 'di oras dahil sa 'yo!"

"Syempre! Alangang namang ako lang lumutas. Tsaka mas malakas ka naman sa'kin, at technically, kaibigan mo 'yon!" Napahawak na lang si Ephron sa mukha at tinignan na lang ang magpinsan.

Habang ginagawa nila 'yan magiging mas lalo lang sila nababasa ni Henry.

"So you think you can stand up to me then? Very amusing. You're more than a tool, then."

Now their focus was on them. Henry has felt more different than usual. As if they had awoken him to something unexpected. And that was quite risky.
Whatever they do today, alam nilang wala silang laban kung utak ang labanan kay Henry.

This guy is more crafty than you suspected. If you are caught, make sure you don't tell him about your real objectives or you'll be eaten alive.

"Why, you..."

Lumapit si Ephron sa kapatid at ipinatong ang mga kamay sa balikat nito. Nagulat sila na nakapunta siya dito ng walang pag-aalinlangan. All Ephron could do was smile at him afterwards.

"This is why you create more enemies, you jackass. H'wag mo nga kaming paikutin, hayop ka." He grinned at his brother with his typical smile.

As far as Ephron could tell, Henry was not being open about what he wanted. He's as intrigued by the Fates as Giovanni is. And he needed extra hands and ears to figure out who the scientist was behind all of this. If only he was more honest about his feelings.

May isang paraan lamang para malutas ang lahat ng 'to. To discover the secret of the Cursed Demigods and the Cursed Swans in order to determine where and why the curse began.

Kung kailangan nilang hanapin lahat ng possibleng clues dito, gagawin nila. It only shows how desperate they are to discover the truth.

And the Book of Fates already stated in its pages that "the portion of life" is why they must risk it, even if their own Fates will put them in danger. This is for the truth they're seeking.

And when they put all of the pieces together, they will discover the truth. And, of course, they must first enter the library, which houses the banned volumes. The Celestial Library.

"Fine. The final thing I'm discovering is in the Celestial Library." paliwanag ni Henry and he crossed his arms, sighed, and his expression became serious.

"Makakapunta lang tayo do'n sa Celestial Thebes."

"The founder of Thebes, one of the most famed cities of antiquity. Cadmus was the son of Phoenix or Agenor (king of Phoenicia) and brother of Europa." sagot ni Frayden and he slowly lays his hands on his chin.

"Yeah, yeah. Knowing how much he despises Zeus would make things difficult. And if he finds us, Demigods, hindi 'to magiging magandang balita para sa 'tin." Henry elaborated and sighed heavily.

This is a bet. No, it's a bet to save all of the Fates. So they must do everything they have today. It's now or never.

"What if he meets me, a Teras then? Or Giovanni, the bearer of Fates, do you think Cadmus would have said anything?"Courtney proposed. Knowing how much he is willing to sacrifice, she has no choice but to accept this position. However, she despises it.

"Then it's time to wake up the princess," he remarked, placing his fingers on his chin and smirking at them.

At last, they made the decision to return and see how Giovanni was doing at napansin ni Henry na may kausap siya. It was Sir Milverton.

Nanghihina pa si Giovanni at tila may importanteng pag-uusapan. 'Di niya alam kung ano 'yon. Pagkatapos ay binigay niya kay Giovanni ang isang envelope na 'di niya alam kung para saan niya 'yon gagamitin.

Ephron's eyes widened and he smiled, "How are you, Giovanni? Are you feeling better!? Libre kita, tutal kanina pa kita hinihintay,"

"Halika nga rito, tukmol!" bulyaw ni Courtney sabay haltak kay Ephron and hisses at him. Kahit kailan ang ingay niya talaga!

Napahawak na lang sa ulo si Giovanni She continues to feel lightheaded. She was knocked unconscious by Isabella, so she has no idea who's reaching her.

Nginitian siya ni Sir Milverton and tapped her shoulders,  "Kung gusto mo talagang malaman ang katotohanan, then look at the invitation in the Celestial Library. I'll recommend you para makita mo ang katotohanan na gusto mong makita."

"Sir..."

"Hindi ako ganun kasama katulad ng iniisip mo, Lady Giovanni. Ihandle all of my students fairly and squarely in the ways that I know of."

Ang tanging ginawa niya ay buksan ang envelope na ibinigay sa kanya ni Sir Milverton, at nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang makita ang nasa loob. There's also magic spreading on the envelope.

Note from the House of Cadmus: I greet you, daughter of Hebe, the holder of Fates. The Celestial Library contains all of the answers you're seeking. The mysteries will soon be revealed...

"What was that?" Lumapit si Henry sa kanya at ngumiti. He has a strange atmosphere and is intrigued about the letter, "I'm curious."

"Are you curious, or do you know anything about it?"She asked at inalis  niya kamay niya at itinaas ang envelope and Giovanni's face was marked by a giggle.

"Oh, really?"

He raised his head and stared at the envelope. The magical sparkles keep unleashing and tempting him. There must have been something within the Celestial Library, so he must find out.

He needs to persuade Giovanni to participate. He can't let this go. The war between the scientists will soon begin, so he must stop everything as quickly as possible.

"Got it." Agad kinuha ni Henry ang envelope na nasa kamay niya at sinamaan 'to ng tingin. "So you've already been invited into the library. Perfect timing. Nandito talaga ako para humingi ng permiso mo."

"Saan?" Tanong ni Giovanni

"Grant me permission to accompany you to Cadmus. As for our contract," he says, placing his hands around his chest and bending slightly to her.

"Of course."

Cadmus, eh?

☫✠_____♆_____✡♆

SHE HAD ONLY  heard that there are several realm protectors in this area. His domain is a floating metropolis in Celestial Thebes, with stones that sparkle like stardust. And the walls reflected not only stars, but the entire cosmos.

And his domain is filled with magnificent cities like the Veil of the Dragon, the Sky of Stars and Shadows, the Dragon's Garden, the River of Stars, the Ismenian Spring, and the Celestial Library.

Giovanni turned to Henry at nagtaas siya ng kilay. Siya ang gustong magligtas sa kanya sa panganib, 'di'  ba? Bakit gusto niyang makita kung nasaan na ngayon ang realm ni Cadmus? Ang lalaki 'to ay kahina-hinala.

"May iba rito. Noong may gusto akong puntahan, sa test ng mga challengers at kahit saang realm na gusto kong imbestigahan pinipigilan mo'ko tas ngayon sasama ka!?"Litanya ni Giovanni sa kanya at tinitignan siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

"No, no. Come on, Giovanni, don't look at me like I did something." He smirked at her at napatingin sa kanya si Courtney, Frayden, and Ephron's mouths just formed an O, and he appeared even more suspicious as a result of his actions.

"C'mon, what did I do? Hm? Do you want to tell me then?" Lumapit 'to sa kanya at hinawakan siya sa bewang niya, at namula naman si Giovanni sa ginawa niya at napahawak sa balikat ni Henry.

"Ano ka ba! Pinagtitinginan tayo!" sigaw ni Giovanni, at halos mamula ang buong mukha niya.

"Why?" He claimed, then caressed her chin and raised it slightly to get her to look at him. "Even though you already kissed me."

"H–ha!?" What Giovanni had said caused her cheeks to blush even more, "Idiot! You say what?"

"And if it's me kissing you, get ready. I'll make sure it's something you'll never forget." He grinned slightly and placed his thumb on her lips, making her flush even more at his unexpected lure.

"Role talaga natin dito, taga-ayiie na lang sa magtropang nagkakagustuhan na walang label!" sigaw ni Courtney at umirap na lang, "Mag-ingat naman kayo oh! May nadadamay sa inyo at nagiging third wheel!"

"Bitter mo naman! Sana maging mabait din ex mo sa 'yo para 'di ka naglalaganap ng kabitteran mo. 'Yung nguso ko, nadadamay din e! Pwe, ayusin mo buhay mo Courtney!" Sigaw ni Ephron and he rolled his eyes and said that he cannot keep up with Courtney.

"Yuck! Pogi ka!?"

"Oo!"

"Wow, sa'n banda Ephron?"

"Impakta ka talaga. Ganyan ba talaga 'pag iniwan?"

Frayden could only glance at Giovanni from a distance. Even if he knew the explanation, he couldn't help but feel saddened just looking at them. She seemed so delighted.

She had never seen her this joyful before. She probably likes Henry that much. All he could do was watch her smile in the arms of another man.

"Masakit ba pre?" tanong ni Ephron at tinignan si Frayden and he tapped his shoulders.

"Bobo! Malamang!"Sigaw ni Courtney at binatukan siya sa ulo. "Ang witty! Ang galing ng tanong mo, Ephron Nathaniel!"

Frayden could only offer them both a chuckle, "Maghalikan na naman kayo d'yan, ah. Miss niyo ba ang isa't-isa?"

"Sa kamalditahan ng pinsan mo, h'wag na, pre! Pwe! Kadiri! Kilabutan ka nga!" sigaw ni Ephron

"Mga gago," Umiling-iling na lang si Frayden sa mga kalokohang ginagawa nila. But at some point, it makes him at peace knowing that he shouldn't face all of the hardships alone. "Hindi niyo kailangan mag-alala sa 'kin. Sanay na ako."

He wouldn't have a chance with her. Frayden could only watch her from afar. Knowing what happened to Giovanni, he would not hesitate to assist her at all.
Because he always does. It makes no difference whether she laughs it off or pretends she doesn't care about him. All he wanted was for her to be happy.

"Man," Banggit naman ni Ephron saka niya 'to inakbayan. "Hindi ko alam kung bayani ka lang o gusto mo talaga ang role ng pagiging second lead."

"Salamat na lang sa paalala, pre," irap ni Frayden sa kanya. 'Ginagago ba ako nito?' Napataas na lang kilay si Frayden because of the bullshit he's talking about. This irritates him even more.

"Alam mo, payong kaibigan lang. Tutal naman manhid si Giovanni ako na lang ang magpapaliwanag para sa 'yo pre. Real talk lang, 'di ka niya gusto kaya h'wag mo habulin at h'wag kang maghabol ng parang aso."Ephron explained, flashing a genuine smile and tapping his shoulders.

"Alam mo tara na! Kailangan natin malaman ang sikreto ng mga curses, 'di' ba? Kaya tara na. 'Di ko kailangan ng love advice," Sabi na lang ni Frayden at tinulak ng bahagya si Ephron and he seems to be avoiding the question.

Kung pagpapamukha lang naman na 'di siya gusto ni Giovanni ang trip nila ngayon, they're entitled to say anything, because he was fully aware of his position.