AMARI'S POV

Everything was overwhelming me.

When will all of this end?

It's been a week, and still, there's been no progress.

I haven't discovered anything.

"Gods," I cursed. "Everything's messed up."

According to the council, an oracle named Agnes received a vision. Medusa is set to launch her attack soon. On the other hand, the Olympians didn't care and left the academy earlier this morning.

Ayon sa kanila, wala na naman silang dapat gawin dito.

Well, curse them. I don't need them. 

"I can figure this out on my own." I sighed, staring at the cat in front of me. It purred and leaned towards me. Mukhang nagpapalambing.

I caressed its fur. "Thank you, Skye," I whispered.

I am a warrior, and a warrior doesn't know how to give up.

"I can do this."

"I know you can, but don't you wanna ask for help, Amari?" Napatingin ako sa mga bagong dating.

"What are the two of you doing here?" I asked, shooting a brow up.

Raven leaned against the wall with a small smirk on his face. That smug face of his is getting on my nerves. "Chill, genius."

I crossed my legs. "Get to the point. I don't have time, your highness," I fired back sarcastically. He snickered.

Nagpabalik-balik 'yung tingin ni Mavi sa'ming dalawa. "I feel like a third wheel right now."

I massaged my temple. "Just shut up, and tell me why you're here, please."

Biglang nagseryoso si Mavi. "We have class today, and you're late..." His brows furrowed. "Which is weird."

Agad na kumunot ang noo ko. Sumulyap ako sa kalendaryo at napagtantong may klase nga kami ngayon.

What in the realms?

"You have to chill out, Amari," saad ni Mavi. "I'll take care of Tazyn, I promise."

He didn't need to assure me because I knew he was more than capable. After all, it's Tazyn we're talking about.

I quickly gathered my things before rushing out the room, leaving them behind. "Geez, hindi man lang kami hinintay!" pagpaparinig ni Mavi. Palihim kong inikot ang mga mata ko.

"What's our subject for today?" I asked.

Raven checked his silver watch for a second before answering. "Demigodly," he replied. Agad akong napabuntong-hininga.

The perfect time to release stress then.

Nang makarating kami sa training field ay sumalubong sa'min sina Callie, Soleia, at Talia. Kasama rin nila si Cole. I immediately noticed Talia's gloomy aura.

Tazyn still hasn't woken up, and Dr. Phoebe couldn't identify the poison that harmed her.

I spent the entire night trying to help, but I came up empty-handed. Right now, all I want is for Tazyn to wake up.

"Where's Haze?" tanong sa'kin ni Soleia. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko nang mapagtantong wala rito ang anak ni Aphrodite.

"What in the realms? Bakit wala nga-" Hindi na natuloy ni Mavi ang sasabihin niya nang maramdaman namin ang isang mabigat na presensya na kakapasok lang.

"Haze, you're late again," Headmistress Adhira scolded. Haze frowned.

"By a minute and a half."

I rolled my eyes. "You're still late." Napatingin siya sa'kin at inikutan din ako ng mga mata.

"Says the one who's also late."

I scoffed before staying silent.

"Listen up, Elysians!" The headmistress' voice authoritative voice boomed within the field. "Today's training session will be different. Since all of you have manifested your abilities, I want to test your skills."

"Parang hindi ko gusto ang tunog nun," bulong ni Talia sa tabi ko.

Sunod na bumulong si Cole. "Bakit pakiramdam ko ay mamatay ako sa training session na 'to?"

These two never shut up.

"We're gonna have a one-on-one battle today," the headmistress announced. Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ng mga kasama ko habang ako ay napangisi.

Sana si Raven ang makalaban ko.

"Sakto, walo kayo ngayon," nakangiting sambit ng guro namin. Mukhang may masama siyang binabalak. "Do you want me to decide the pairs?" she asked.

Nagtaas ng kamay si Mavi. "Paano kung magdrawing lots tayo, headmistress?" suhestiyon niya. Napangiwi ang mga kasama ko.

"Seriously?" Cole frowned. "Ano 'to, raffle?"

Mavi's brows furrowed. "Suggestion lang naman, ang sama ng ugali mo," he whispered. Binatukan tuloy siya ni Talia na katabi ni Cole.

"Headmistress." Soleia's voice made us pause.

"What is it, Soleia?" The headmistress smiled sweetly.

"Do I really have to take part in this? I can't control my abilities yet," she said. Halatang natatakot siya.

The headmistress nodded. "The purpose of this training session is to help you control your powers, Soleia," saad niya. Napatango nalang si Soleia at napatahimik.

"Who wants to go first?"

We all looked at each other, hesitant. Normally, I would hesitate too, but I was feeling frustrated and needed to release some stress.

I raised my hand. "Can I go first?" I asked. The headmistress smiled at my eagerness before nodding.

Taking a deep breath, I walked to the center, standing tall as I awaited the call of my opponent.

"Soleia, step forward."

Bahagya napatigil si Soleia pero agad naman siyang bumalik sa katinuan.

"Go, my darlings!" Talia cheered. Her words were bright, but the sadness lurking in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Alam kong malungkot pa rin siya.

"Good luck, Soleia," I said, extending my hand for a shake. She took it, a subtle gesture that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Good luck to you too, Amari." She smiled, a small, enigmatic smile that hinted at secrets only she knew. "Go easy on me."

Ako dapat ang nagsasabi niyan, isip ko.

Just from the way she carried herself, her aura radiated power and mystery. She didn't seem to realize it, but she truly resembled a daughter of Hades.

"Unsheathe your weapons," utos ng headmistress. "The winner will be determined when one of you submits or if you manage to inflict a scratch on your opponent."

Agad kaming sumunod. A rush of wind accompanied me as I summoned my spear and shield. While they might feel heavy to ordinary demigods, they felt weightless in my hands due to my exceptional strength.

Ganun din ang ginawa ni Soleia. She quietly summoned her butterflies that took flight behind her, along with her feather blades.

"Attack."

I was the first to strike, lunging at her with my spear, catching her off guard and forcing her to take a step back. But she quickly regained her footing, her movements fluid and calculated.

She hurled three feather blades my way all at once. I barely contained a curse as I deflected them with my shield.

She's gotten faster... and stronger.

Sunod-sunod ang naging pag-atake niya, tila may nilalabas na sama ng loob. The butterflies fluttering around her aided her, releasing poison that I narrowly deflected with my shield.

Gods.

"Gigil na gigil!" Cole shouted from the sidelines. I glanced over and saw Haze standing there, his expression unreadable, but there was a slight intensity in his gaze as he watched Soleia.

I rolled both of my eyes when I saw the way he stared at her.

Suddenly, I stomped the ground with force, causing it to tremble. Soleia's eyes widened as she struggled to maintain her balance.

"Oh, for Hades' sake..." bulong niya, bahagyang nakanguso.

Pinigilan ko ang aking tawa. she looked adorable.

We exchanged blows for a few minutes, and so far, she hasn't used her powers... or maybe she refused to.

Despite that, she was incredibly strong.

"Stop," the headmistress commanded, halting us mid-fight as we turned our attention to her.

Seryoso niyang hinarap si Soleia. "Use your power, Soleia."

Soleia lowered her gaze, clearly anxious. Hindi siya nakapagsalita. "You don't have to be afraid, child."

"You can do it, Soleia!" our friends cheered. Soleia glanced at me. I nodded encouragingly.

"You can do it," I relayed through telepathy. She bit her lip but nodding.

"Okay... I'm sorry," bulong niya, tila nahihiya.

We took our positions again, and in an instant, we resumed our clash.

Our movements became quicker, more strategic. A grin formed on my face as adrenaline surged within me.

I was enjoying this battle a little too much.

I swung my spear towards her, but she skillfully blocked it with her feather blade. Reacting quickly, I kicked her from below, causing her to falter slightly.

Just as I was about to unleash a powerful strike, her eyes glowed deep purple as our surroundings darkened.

Suddenly, a chill swept through the air. I tried to focus, enhancing my sight, but her power was suffocating, wrapping around me like thick fog.

"Oh my greeks, hindi ko magamit ang kapangyarihan ko!"

Not even Talia's abilities could rival Soleia's, huh?

If Soleia could overwhelm us like this…

Then why had she hidden her powers all this time?

I'm certain that my mother and her guardian, Athena, could have taught her to control her abilities, so why didn't she ask for help?

Did Soleia conceal her powers out of fear?

Or... did she have another reason?