SOLEIA'S POV

Pagod akong napaupo sa lupa nang matapos ang laban.

Bumalik na sa dating kulay ang mga mata ko, pero nanatiling madilim ang kapaligiran namin.

"What in the realms? It's still so dark!" Mavi exclaimed. Dahil nakakakita naman ako sa dilim, nasulyapan ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya.

Paano ko ba ibabalik ang liwanag?

"Soleia..."

Napalinga-linga ako sa paligid para hanapin ang boses, ngunit wala akong nakita.

Bakit naririnig ko si Tazyn? Gising na kaya siya?

"Maghanda na kayo..."

"Paparating na sila."

Kinilabutan ako. Sinubukan ko ulit na kausapin si Tazyn ngunit hindi na siya sumasagot.

"Amari," I called. Kahit na wala pa rin silang nakikita ay humarap sa direksyon ko si Amari.

"What is it, Soleia?"

Lumunok ako. "Gising na ba si Tazyn?"

Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya. "Not yet. It doesn't look like she'll wake up anytime soon either," she replied.

Bigla akong nagtaka. If that's the case, how was I able to talk to Tazyn? Can she still communicate with me even while unconscious?

"Paparating na sila..." bulong muli sa'kin ng kadiliman.

Paparating na sina Medusa.

I clenched my fists tightly, my frustration boiling over as my eyes shifted in color, a reflection of my deep anger.

"Bakit lalong dumidilim?!" sigaw ni Cole. "Soleia, ayos ka- hoy, kung sino ka man, 'wag mo ngang hawakan ang kamay ko!"

"Headmistress, is this normal?"

"Callie, buhok mo ba 'to?"

"Stop touching my hair!"

Iba't ibang mga reklamo ang narinig ko at hindi ko na namalayan na unti-unti na naman akong nilalamon ng emosyon ko.

Here we go again, Sol.

Pero ano'ng magagawa ko? Kung punong-puno na ng kadiliman ang kaluluwa ko? Paano na ang katawan kong unti-unti nang nawawalan ng liwanag?

I just want to feel at peace. I don't want to be haunted by the voices anymore.

"Soleia, calm down." Bigla kong narinig ang boses ni Headmistress Adhira.

If only it was that easy.

Itinukod ko ang aking mga kamay sa lupa upang kumuha ng lakas para makatayo. Ngunit kahit anong gawin ko, nanghihina ang aking mga tuhod.

What am I supposed to do? I don't want to hurt anyone anymore...

I'm terrified.

"Mira, I'm scared... am I a bad person now?"

"Of course not. I will not let them say anything bad about you."

"But Mira... it's all my fault po."

Sinubukan kong takpan ang tenga ko dahil sa halo-halong mga boses na naririnig ko. Naninikip na rin ang dibdib ko at nahihirapan akong huminga.

Why can't I stop clinging to the past when all it gives us are reminders of darkness?

For so long, I felt trapped in a realm shrouded in shadows. But then I caught sight of a distant glimmer of royal purple slowly approaching, and in that moment, it was as if I could finally inhale deeply again, as though hope had broken through the clouds that had threatened to consumed me.

Sa gitna ng kadiliman, ang mga mata niya lang ang nakita ko.

Haze crouched down to meet my gaze, his cold exterior barely masking the concern I could see in his eyes. "Calm down, Soleia," he said. "Don't cry. It hurts."

I'm sorry, I whispered in my mind. This is the burden he has to carry as an empath. He has to feel the weight of everyone's emotions.

I tried to draw in a calming breath, but panic tightened my chest as I struggled to control the surge of energy coursing through me.

"Easier said than done," bulong ko. "What if I can't? What if… what if I hurt someone?"

Haze's expression subtly softened. "You won't," he assured me, his voice low and earnest. "Just focus on me. Trust me."

Kita ko ang pag-ilaw ng kanyang mga mata, pero alam kong hindi niya ginagamit ang kapangyarihan niya. Kahit hindi niya ito ginamit, kusa akong kumalma.

I looked into his eyes, and I found a quiet strength that urged me to believe in myself.

"What do I even do?" tanong ko, nangninginig.

He glanced at the flickering energy around us, the vibrant hues of magic clashing against the shadows. "Feel it. Don't fight it. Just let it flow. And if it gets too much…" Saglit siyang tumigil habang nakatitig sa mga mata ko. "I'll be right here."

"Right here," I repeated.

"Always," he replied softly.

Kahit lagi kaming nagbabangayan, siya pa rin ang laging nasa tabi ko sa tuwing kailangan ko ng tulong at karamay.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Alright, Haze. No pressure then. Just the fate of this training field resting on my shoulders."

He shot me an amused expression.  "No big deal, really."

I couldn't help but chuckle through my uncertainty. As I focused on the pulsing energy within me, I dared to believe.

Kaya ko 'to. Kaya mo 'to, Sol. 

The light began to shimmer around me, and for the first time in years, I felt the spark of my power ignite with purpose.

Sa wakas, pagkatapos ng ilang pagsubok, umilaw na rin ang mga palad ko at kahit nahihirapan ako, kusa nitong hinigop ang kadiliman na bumabalot sa'min.

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang masilayan ko na ulit ang mukha ng mga kasama ko na mukhang nagulat din sa nangyari.

"I knew you could do it." Bumungad sa'kin ang ngiti ni Headmistress Adhira. "I just waited for you to do so."

Nagtatanong ang mga mata ko. "What?"

She helped me stand up before patting my head. "I could've stopped you, you know?" she asked. "But I didn't. Because I knew you were strong enough to conquer your own fears."

"And you finally did, Soleia," she added with a smile. My eyes widened at the realization.

Unti-unti na ring lumaki ang ngiti ko dahil sa sinabi niya. "Thank you, headmistress."

"Anything for my students," she replied, brimming with pride.

I couldn't help but let out a sigh when I realized I did it. I was finally brave enough to use my powers without harming anyone.

I frowned, rubbing my eyes. Nagtuloy-tuloy ang pagpatak ng mga luha ko. Agad kong naramdaman ang paglapit ng ibang mga Elysian sa'kin. Niyakap nila ako nang mahigpit.

Gods, am I seriously crying?

"What a crybaby," Cole teased. "Himala, umiiyak ka na ngayon."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Ang ganda mo pa rin kahit na umiiyak ka," sambit ni Callie. I've noticed that she's been quiet today, but I'm glad she's becoming cheerful again.

"Stop crying, my love, or else I'll start crying too!" hiyaw ni Talia, nakanguso.

Nakasimangot ako habang pinupunasan ang mga luha ko. I felt so proud of myself.

Throughout my life, I rarely cried. I could count on one hand the number of times it had happened, all during my childhood. As I grew older, I made it a point to hide my tears.

Instead of shedding tears, I masked my emotions with a calm exterior. Regardless of how I truly felt inside, I tried to appear carefree because I was simply tired of crying.

Ang mga luhang pinakawalan ko noon ang nagsisilbing paalala sa mga panahong muntikan nang mawala sa'kin ang lahat — ang kasiyahan ko, ang katinuan ko...

At higit sa lahat, ang mga mahal ko sa buhay.

I couldn't hold anyone else responsible but myself, because deep down, I knew it was my fault.

"Will I ever see them again?"

"Not anymore, Sol... but I believe they're watching over you, assuring you that it wasn't your fault."

"But Mira... why do I feel like it is po?"

I stole a glance at Haze from the corner of my eye. He was the only one who hadn't joined in our embrace. Nagulat nga ako nung sumama sa yakapan namin si Raven eh.

"Thank you," I mouthed to Haze. Relief flooded his eyes as he nodded softly in response.

"Always," he whispered. "But don't get too used to it. This is the first time I'll ever do this." Napangisi ako sa sinabi niya.

If the heavens decide to grant me one more chance to prove myself as a worthy demigod, I would seize it without hesitation, especially if it meant I could finally protect the people I love.

I hope I can control my powers soon. After all, I want to be their ally, not a threat.

Hindi ko na uulitin ang pagkakamali ko noon.

With a softer gaze, I looked at the Elysians, grateful that they had entered my life. Even though we had just met, my heart felt connected to theirs.

I will protect you this time, I promised.

And no one will be able to stop me from doing so.