THIRTY.

WELCOME TO PHANTEON ACADEMY. 

"WELL THEN, LADY GIOVANNI. I'll be your guide to the Hypnos' test. Follow me." He moved quickly, directing them both to the car. This was even indicated on the logo. Academia of the Pantheons.

"You, Lady Giovanni, will go to the Pantheons, and Lady Dominica will go to Orpheus Academy."

"We're at different schools!?"

"The Big Three said so,"

"Tch,"Giovanni didn't seem amused by that. Now that she knows that Hades intended to kill her. "Tara na!" sigaw niya at bara-bara siyang pumasok sa kotse, kahit na labag man 'to sa loob niya.

Paano siya matutuwa kung ang unang kapalaran na bubungad sa kanya ay makita si Henry na nakagapos ang mga kamay sa kung saan lupalop man nila 'to kinulong. She wasn't thrilled with it.

Hercules could only sigh, concerned about her. Dominica looks at him and smiles, "You must be Lord Hercules?" I'm sorry about her, sir. She just went through a lot." She swiftly bowed her head in respect.

It didn't surprise him much. He knew Giovanni was as surprised as he was. She was cursed without her understanding, so he understands what she's going through.

Her position as Archduchess is at stake, and he understands that she bears a huge role for it.

Now that they're on their way to their respective schools, Giovanni could only glare when she saw the different colors of the skies, and she put down the window, her tri-colored aura glowing as she gazed up at the sky.

There was silence between the three of them. Parang wala man lang nagnanais na basagin ang katahimikan na bumabalot sa kanila. Maaaring 'di komportable si Dominica sa lahat ng 'to dahil sa tension mula sa kanilang dalawa.

'Di niya alam kung ano ang totoong dahilan but it appears that Giovanni despised the Fates as much as she despised the conflict between the Scientists and the Greek Gods.

She believes that she will be held accountable for the Archduke's failings.

"Lady Giovanni, are you mad at me?" Hercules asked her.

Giovanni's eyebrows went up at 'di siya makapaniwala sa tanong na ibinigay sa kanya ni Hercules. "Dapat akong magtanong sa 'yo niyan. 'Di ka man lang nagtataka, ha? For what reason did you spare me?"

"And which?"

"This! All of it! You probably always have answers, even for Mom! From where I came, from where she held me!" Giovanni yelled, and she wiped her tears. "Sampid lang ako so, why are you so nice to me like this?"

"It wasn't your fault that you had that curse. And regardless of what you think, I'm here to help you. Maybe you're still confused about what happened. "He crossed his arms and waved to his driver, who appeared to be listening in on his conversation with Giovanni.

"So?"

"If you're that curious, I'll tell you what really happened." Hercules placed his hands on her head and smiled at her. He looked at her and sighed.

This occurred many years ago. As the daughter of Hera, Hebe served as her handmaiden, preparing her chariot and harnessing her her peacocks whenever they were needed. Hebe helped her mother prepare her chariot by rolling the wheels, fastening them to their bronze spokes and bolting them on the ends of the iron axle. 

Hebe also washed Ares and dressed him in clean robes after he had engaged in a fierce battle against King Diomedes of Argos during the Trojan War. Hebe and Ares then returned to Mount Olympus. As the goddess of youth, Hebe had the power to restore youth to mortals.

The ancient Greeks viewed her as being brave and generous. Hebe was the youngest of the gods and the most loved. According to him, Hebe is the reason why the Olympian gods are eternally young.

The Greek hero Jason pleaded with his sorceress wife, Medea, to take years off his life and give them to his ailing, elderly father, Aeson, so that he may live longer. Medea refused to do this, not able to face taking years off her husband's life. Instead, she told Jason that she would ask Hecate for help. Medea and her dragons roamed the Earth for nine days, collecting herbs of renewal.

She built two altars of green turf, one dedicated to Hecate and the other dedicated to Hebe. She invoked the sorceress and goddess of youth for help. Sure enough, with their help, Medea was able to restore Aeson's youth.

Hercules asked his wife to bestow the gift of youth to his dear friend and nephew, Iolaus, so he could take revenge on King Eurystheus for the hardship he had put Hercules, Iolaus and their families through.

Hebe agreed and gave Iolaus his youth back, but then swore that she would never use her gift on anyone else. However, Themis, the goddess of justice and divine law, stopped her from making that promise and reminded her of the Theban civil war taking place.

Themis prophecised that Callirhoe, daughter of the river god Achelous, would beg for Zeus to add the years that Iolaus had lost to her own young sons so that they could avenge their father. Hebe's gift would therefore be granted through Zeus' intervention.

The gods were not happy that others would be given the gift of youth, and each one put forward someone they had in mind to receive Hebe's gift.

It was the day Giovanni received her punishment from the gods. This is when she was cursed. Nobody was allowed to see her. Hebe desperately saved her daughter from the curse and used her power to save her life.

"We warned you about this, Hebe! Don't be ridiculous!"

"I'll protect the savior no matter what! Whatever you might say! She needs to live!"

"You're not allowed to use your power of eternal youth!"

Hebe abandons her in one of the aristocratic families, believing that she will be able to avoid her fate. And she couldn't accept that her daughter would be in danger now that the Fates were being used for war purposes. Many feared her child because she had the ability to change something in the Fates that most Gods feared.

She changed Giovanni's thread to ensure her survival.

And she can't allow anyone to harm Giovanni because she's the only one capable of changing the three worlds. She understands how dangerous her power is, but she used it on Giovanni to keep order and time in balance. 

☫✠_____♆_____✡♆

SHE HELD HER in her arms, slowly patting her head, and the baby simply smiled at her. Her violet eyes shone brightly as she moved her hand and giggled at Hebe. Hebe was surprised at how the thread moved because it has such a strong power.

"They don't realize what kind of power you possessed. You are the one who can save the three worlds, love. That's why I'll protect you. 

Hebe's aura shone brightly as she placed a different kind of tattoo that no one has done before. And she got closer to her and kissed her forehead, "Soon a protector will come. And both of you will soon fight whatever's happening on the Fates. Until then, be patient. You'll see what kind of powers you have. You just have to trust what you can do." 

At ngayong nalaman ni Giovanni ang tungkol dito, mas nahihirapan siyang tanggapin ang lahat. Magigising na lang siya at mare-realize niya na nasa kamay niya na ang kapalaran ng bawat isa. How could she accept those with such ease? 

Napayuko na lang siya na lalo pang bumigat ang nararamdaman niya. 'Di niya alam kung ano ang iisipin sa kabaitan na pinapakita ni Hercules sa kanya. Dahil buong buhay niya ay nasanay siyang mag-isa. 

She always felt like she needed to be cautious around a lot of people. Samakatuwid, 'di madali para sa kanya na tanggapin na siya ay anak ni Hebe. It's not that she left her; it's just possible that she was still traumatized by the fact that she had never experienced her parents' love. 

Her shoulders are lower than typical, and she is groaning more. 'Sa ngayon, 'di ko pa rin alam kung paano haharapin si Hercules. Hindi ba talaga siya galit sa 'kin? Wala akong nararamdaman sa mga kinikilos niya. 'Di ko alam kung talagang may pakialam siya sa 'kin.' Everything was hazy, and negative thoughts that flooded her mind. It was too loud, and she couldn't think straight. 

"I'm asking you again," Giovanni remarked, and she groaned, "Aren't you upset with me? Technically, Hebe..." 

She was completely speechless. It appears that she lacks the necessary enthusiasm. From where she was seated, everything felt like a huge weight on her heart. Whatever she does, she is constantly reminded of how she is always treated like a pawn. And she can't stop thinking bad thoughts right now. The more quiet she became, the heavier she felt. 

'Di niya alam kung paano mag-adjust sa bago niyang buhay dito sa Twilight Vale. Palagi niyang nararamdaman na kailangan niyang umayon sa ibang tao, lalo na sa kanyang pamilya, para maabot ang kanilang mga pamantayan. 

Kaya naman, napakahirap para sa kanya na mag-open up sa iba. Dahil nararamdaman din niya sa sarili niyang pamilya na dapat siyang mag-ingat dito. 

Dahil 'di mo alam kung sino ang totoo at kung sino ang nagsisinungaling. She's aware. She wouldn't be able to ignore it. Her father used to criticize her at all the company events she went to back in First Domain, telling her to behave appropriately. Living that way is difficult. 

"I'm not. And now I'm guiding you to where you should be, Lady Giovanni."

Hercules softly tapped her on the head and smiled warmly. The car eventually comes to a halt, and Giovanni notices that golden clouds surround the academy, which is made even stranger by the golden sparkles of magic that surround it. The area is covered with massive golden towers, and huge strings surround the school. 

"Ano 'to?" Ang mga 'to ay naka-hood at sumalubong sila kay Giovanni nang agad na bumaba naman siya sa sasakyan. They're wearing golden hoods.

"Welcome to Pantheon Academy."