SOLEIA'S POV

"Finally, we can go back to the academy."

I gently stroked Skye’s fur, glancing down with a frown etched on my face. Kahapon, umalis na sina Hermes at Iris. Magbabalita raw sila sa Mount Olympus.

Nakaramdam na naman ako ng kaba ngunit pinilit kong kalimutan 'yun. Not today - I had more important matters at hand... like deciphering Haze’s mood.

"Why the long face?"

I turned sharply at the sound of Haze’s voice. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?"

I settled on the sofa with Skye on my lap, while Haze lounged across me, legs crossed, arms resting on the armrest like he owned the place.

"You look..." He tilted his head, inspecting me as though I were a particularly ugly painting. "Awful."

Nandito ba siya para insultuhin ako? Kung oo, sana lumayas na siya sa harapan ko.

I rolled my eyes. "Salamat ah. You really know how to lift someone’s spirits. Is that your superpower, or are you just naturally obnoxious?"

"So, you want me to lie and say you look like a ray of sunshine? Good luck with that," sagot niya sa'kin.

I scoffed at his sarcasm. "Fine! You do you. I'll just sit here wallowing in my own misery."

Nanaig ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin. Bahagya akong nagulat nang mapansin kong hindi pa rin siya gumagalaw mula sa pwesto niya. "Bakit nandito ka pa?" iritang tanong ko.

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya. "Is that an invitation to leave? Because I'm suddenly very tempted."

"More like a 'seriously, stay away for me' suggestion," sagot ko, nakakrus ang mga braso.

He looked at me seriously before sighing, as if he were talking to a child. "Do you still want to go to the mall, Soleia?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat. "Wait, didn't you just give me the whole 'absolutely not' speech the other day?"

He shrugged, looking nonchalant. "Sometimes I have a change of heart. It's called being flexible. You should try it. It might help with the whole frowning situation."

Lalo akong napasimangot. "So you're finally acknowledging my skills in persuasion, huh?"

"More like I couldn't stand another minute of your sulking. It's exhausting," tugon niya, bahagyang nakangisi.

Ngumisi siya? Sana 'wag niya nang ulitin. Ang pangit niyang tingnan.

"So? Are you going or not?"

I folded my arms, pretending to think it over. "I don't know. I might prefer sitting here frowning," pang-aasar ko.

Joke lang 'yun, kailangan kong pumunta sa mall para makabili ng regalo para kay Mira.

"Stop sulking. I've already granted you my permission." Pakiramdam ko ay pagod na pagod na si Haze sa'kin. Dapat lang. Pagod na rin ako sa kanya. Araw-araw niya na akong ininis.

I smirked. This was my chance to have some fun before we returned to the academy.

"Wala nang bawian, ah?" I grinned, leaning forward. He squinted his eyes in suspicion.

"Thank you, Haze," I said sincerely, surprisingly warmed by his approval.

He rolled his eyes again, but I could see a hint of amusement flickering beneath the surface. "I'm starting to regret this decision already."

"You shouldn't! Don't you want everyone to see this 'charming' side of yours? You might win a fan club!"

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin.

I chuckled. I finally stood up, cradling Skye in my arms, and took one last look at Haze as I started to walk away.

"Just be back before the sun sets, or I might send a search party," he teased.

I flashed him a cheeky smile. "Hindi mo kailangang mag-alala."

"I'm not worried."

"Sabi ko nga."

As I stepped into the daylight, I felt that familiar excitement bubble up within me. Sa wakas!

۞۞۞

"Did you bring money, my love?" tanong sa'kin ni Talia. "KJ si Haze kaya hindi kami nakakapasyal, pero dahil pumayag siya ngayon, sulitin na natin!"

Tumawa ako. Hindi ko rin naman kasi inaasahang papayagan niya kami.

I guess that son of Aphrodite has a soft side after all.

Nakasakay kami sa limousine ni Amari. Sabi niya, regalo ito sa kanya ni Athena, at unang beses niya pa lamang itong gagamitin. Si 'manong centaur' pa rin ang nagmamaneho para sa'min.

"It looks like he's been in a good mood recently," puna ni Amari. "I wonder why." Hindi nakatakas sa mata ko ang bahagya niyang pagsulyap sa'kin.

"Excited na ako..." Maliit na napangiti si Tazyn. Nakaangkla ang kanyang braso sa braso ni Talia na nasa tabi niya. "Pwede ba akong bumili ng donuts doon?"

Talia giggled. "Of course, my love. How many boxes do you want?"

Saglit na napaisip si Tazyn bago lumiwanag ang kanyang mata sa saya. "Pwedeng mga bente? Bibigyan ko ng pasalubong ang mga centaur, aurai, at nymph sa academy eh."

"Really?"

"Mhm! Limang boxes sa kanila, tapos akin 'yung tira!" masayang wika niya. Biglang nanlaki ang mata ko.

So... so...the remaining fifteen boxes of donuts are hers?!

"Oh my demigods," nababahalang tugon ni Talia. "Pwede kayang limang boxes nalang?"

Napanguso si Tazyn. "But I want twenty..." malungkot na wika niya. "Pretty please? Ngayon lang naman eh..."

And because no one can say 'no' to Tazyn, in the end, Talia had no choice but to agree.

Bigla akong napatigil.

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na hindi totoo 'yung misyon naming hanapin sina Hermes at Iris...

Pero kahit ganun, nalaman naman naming bumalik na si Medusa, at kahit papaano, nailigtas na namin ang mga tao rito sa Athens mula sa kanyang galit.

"Pero nagtataka pa rin ako, Amari..." Biglang sumingit si Callie. "Paano nila nakopya ang itsura nina Aelia at Kai? Kasama 'yun sa abilities nila?"

Tumango si Amari. Himala at wala siyang binabasang libro ngayon. "Yes. A powerful being, take for example, the gods, can shapeshift into anything or anyone."

"I assume they let Kai and Aelia know about their plan in advance, which is why they didn't join the Asphodel Class on this mission, love," pagpapatuloy ni Talia. "Aelia's gonna be furious when she finds out what had happened."

Hindi namin kasama ang mga lalaki ngayon. Ayon kay Cole, mag-eensayo raw sila. Medyo natatakot nga raw siya, dahil si Haze na naman ang makakalaban niya.

I also had them keep an eye on Skye, which was a bit concerning.

Nanatili akong nakatingin sa labas, pinagmamasdan ang ganda ng kapaligiran. Nakita ko ang bahagyang pag-iba ng kulay ng kalangitan.

It shifted from sky blue to purple, showcasing pink streaks that extended across the horizon.

Maliit akong napangiti.

Ang ganda...

Nakatutok pa rin ang mga mata ko sa tanawin sa aking harapan, ngunit habang tumatagal ang aking pagtingin, bigla akong nakaramdam ng antok.

Parang gusto ko munang matulog.

Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo, 'yun nga ang ginawa ko.

Saglit akong pumikit hanggang sa makatulog ako. Nakakaantok pala ang mga misyon.

"Just wake me up when we arrive," sambit ko bago humilig sa balikat ni Callie.

I was finally enveloped by darkness.

"Child, unleash what you have hidden for all these years. You are safe here."

Nandito na naman ako sa gitna ng kadiliman... at naririnig ko na naman ang tinig ng babae.

"Do not fret, child..." Her voice was soothing, like that of an angel. "For when you feel lost, as if you are drowning in the sea of difficulties..."

"Remember, I am always here." Sinubukan kong hanapin ang boses. Patuloy akong lumakad ngunit parang wala akong patutunguhan.

"Who are you?!" I shouted into the darkness. "Why do you always speak to me?"

At that moment, I was at a loss for what to do. This voice... this voice was the very source of my confusion.

What am I truly meant to do?

Ang hirap... napakahirap. Kailangan ko si Mira.

How can I be as strong as my companions if I’m constantly afraid? If I can't understand myself?

"Soar, nightingale. You possess the ability to rise."

The voice spoke again. It grew even more tender, as if cradling me in its gentle warmth.

Kanino ang boses na 'to?

"If you wish to conquer the world..." she said. "You must first overcome yourself, little light."

"And when you finally do..."

"I will remain here, with you."

"Like always."

Her voice began to fade into the darkness, and I reached out my hand, longing to draw closer to her.

"I will be watching... Soleia."

"Teka-" I attempted to stop her.

"Soleia."

"Soleia."

"Soleia, nandito na tayo!"

Suddenly, the dream shattered as Callie woke me up.

My eyebrows furrowed. "Ayos ka lang, Soleia?" Tazyn asked, concern written all over her face.

I forced a smile. "Of course," I replied, stepping out of the limousine.

I walked toward the mall, my expression dazed, completely unaware of what was truly happening around me.

"When will I finally meet you?" I whispered to the air. Napabuntong-hininga ako.

"Everything is just too confusing for me."