AMARI'S POV

"Are you sure you're okay?" Soleia's eyes were filled with concern. It made me feel bad.

"Yeah," I replied blankly. Iniwasan ko ang tingin niya, at sa kasamaang palad, nagtagpo ang tingin namin ni Raven.

He tilted his head, his gaze moving up and down. His eyes squinted, silently judging me. "What are you doing?" I asked through telepathy.

I didn't want them to see me talking to him. Gods, they might get the wrong idea. I hate explaining things.

"Is something bothering you?"

I sat quietly while everyone else was having fun. The sun was setting, but it felt like the day had just begun. The other Elysians were either chatting with the other classes or outside with their deities. The only ones left with me were Soleia and Raven.

With Hades, Soleia's father, not around, she didn't have anyone to talk to while Raven didn't want to chat with Zeus. So, they stuck with me since I also didn't feel like talking to Athena.

Hindi ko maiwasang magselos. How could everyone else have so much fun while I couldn't? What was stopping me from joining in?

"What are you thinking about, genius?"

"I'm thinking of walking away so I don't have to see you anymore," sarkastikong sagot ko. Inikot ni Raven ang mga mata niya.

"Are you hungry?'" tanong niya ulit.

I glared at him. "Looks like someone's talkative today."

He gazed at the setting sun with an emotionless face and though one would think he wasn't happy, I saw the spark in his eyes. "Shut up. Don't you think Soleia looks sad?"

My eyebrows furrowed. Agad akong humarap kay Soleia na bahagyang nakasimangot habang nakatingin sa iba. "Why do you look like that?" seryosong tanong ko sa kanya. Mas lalo siyang napasimangot.

Did I say something wrong?

"Look like what?" she asked, frowning. "Wala, siguro... bored lang ako," dagdag niya bago mapabuntong-hininga.

I felt a surge of worry as I watched her. She was an enigma, and no one seemed to grasp what she was truly thinking.

To an outsider, Soleia looked like a carefree demigod, yet I sensed an unsettling emptiness that lurked beneath the surface.

What shadows dance behind your eyes, Soleia?

I couldn't help but wonder - what secrets are you shielding from the rest of the world?

I want to find out, I thought.

"Amari, my love!" A girl with a vibrant presence arrived, beaming a smile that radiated warmth. "I think your mom's looking for you. Si Athena 'yung nakahelmet, diba?" Tinuro niya ang isang babae na nakatayo, kausap sina Apollo.

"Yeah." My expression shifted. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Raven giving me a peculiar look.

Athena stood confidently, embodying the stance of a true warrior. Although her helmet obscured much of her face, I could still tell it was her. Even if I've only seen her a few times in my life, I recognized her instantly.

Dahil nga bihira ko lang siyang makita, siniguro kong maaalala ko ang bawat detalye ng mukha niya. I made sure her face would stay inside my memories.

Athena glanced my way, and I caught a brief glimpse of her eyes. They seemed to communicate with me silently, so as she began to walk away, I followed her lead.

"I'll be back," paalam ko.

We made our way to the academy's garden, which was beautifully decorated with a variety of flowers. It was near the viewing area where we would later gaze at the Solstice constellation.

Athena paused and turned to look at me. Dahan-dahan niyang tinanggal ang helmet na nagsisilbing panakip ng mukha niya.

Bumungad sa'kin ang isang pamilyar na mukha. Masasabi ko na maganda siya. She's a goddess, after all.

"Amari, my child," she acknowledged me. I stared at her with contempt.

"I don't have a mother like you, Athena."

Athena...

I finally get to talk to you after all these years.

SOLEIA'S POV

Saan kaya pupunta si Amari?

Sa kasamaang palad, umalis na si Talia kaya naiwan kaming dalawa ni Raven. Hindi ko pa siya masyadong nakakausap dahil sa tingin ko ay nakakatakot siya, kaya medyo awkward ang sitwasyon namin.

Ano'ng gagawin ko...

"Do you want anything? I'm getting food." Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang tanungin niya ako. Kahit ang paraan ng pananalita niya ay nakakatakot. Sa huli, umiling nalang ako.

Tumango siya bago umalis. Naiwan akong mag-isa.

Tiningnan ko ang mga kasama ko. Lahat sila ay may kanya-kanyang kausap, pati si Cole. Mukhang naging mas malapit sila ni Mavi dahil pinapakilala siya nito sa iba niyang mga kaibigan.

Sobrang saya ko para sa kanya. Hindi ko pa siya nakita kailanman na ganito kasaya. Inaya niya pa nga akong sumama sa kanya, pero tumanggi ako.

Medyo nalulungkot lang ako kasi wala si Hades dito. Sayang, hindi siya isang Olympian. Nakatira kasi siya sa underworld kaya hindi siya nakasama. Wala tuloy akong makausap.

Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit itinuloy pa rin ng Olympians ang event na ito kahit na alam nilang maaari kaming masalakay anumang oras.

Dahil mukhang abala silang lahat, naisipan kong maglakad-lakad sa labas ng academy.

"Soleia, saan ka pupunta?" Agad akong tinanong ni Callie nang makita niya ako. Nginitian ko siya.

"Maglalakad-lakad lang. 'Wag mo akong alalahanin, mag-enjoy ka lang," saad ko.

"Ang ganda mo po, Ate Soleia! Mukha kang dyosa. Sigurado ka po bang hindi ka anak ni Aphrodite?" Agad akong natawa sa sinabi niya.

"Hindi, imposible 'yun. Masyadong maganda si Aphrodite," sagot ko. "Enjoy." I bade them goodbye before walking outside.

The fresh air greeted me, bringing a wave of comfort that I desperately needed after being trapped in that packed, stuffy event hall.

I glanced up at the sky, catching sight of the moon. "I can't wait to see the Solstice constellation later," I murmured to myself. "Pareho pa kami ng pangalan." A small giggle escaped my lips.

As I scanned the area for a place to sit, familiar voices caught my attention.

Si Amari ba 'yun?

Concern bubbled up within me, so I followed the sound of their conversation. Luckily, my hearing had sharpened, allowing me to hear distant voices.

I walked until I reached the garden.

"You're wasting my time, Athena." Amari's voice cut through the air like ice. I halted, taken aback. Is she in a fight with Athena? Bakit galit siya?

"I'm your mother, Amari! You have no right to speak to me like that!" Athena's reply was filled with a mixture of disbelief and authority.

"You've never treated me like your daughter, Athena!" hiyaw ni Amari. "You're a stranger to me, not a mother!"

My heart raced at the depth of Amari's fury. She always appeared so composed on the surface. Ngayon ko pa lang siya nakitang ganito.

I considered walking away quietly as I didn't want to disturb them, but a glance at the goddess standing in front of Amari made me freeze in my tracks. Halos mapanganga ako sa gulat.

"I'm your mother, Amari! You have no right to speak to me like that!"

Akala ko ba ay si Athena ang kausap niya?

No, I'm sure she's talking to Athena, but... but why...

But why do they look so strikingly alike?

Bakit kamukha ni Mira ang kausap ni Amari?