Dio's POV

I smiled at my mom who was occupied with adjusting the cuff on my sleeves. After fitting it nicely, she looked up at me with watering eyes.

"Dio, anak..." Marahang dumapo ang kanyang palad sa aking pisngi. "Dumating na rin yung araw na pinakahihintay mo."

Hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay at nginitian siya.

I didn't say a word. I was too focused on stopping my own tears from falling, and it took me so much strength to not break down in front of her.

"Dio! My bro!"

Sabay kaming napalingon kay Chase na kapapasok lang ng kwarto kasama yung ibang mga lalaki.

Narinig ko ang mahinang tawa ni Mama bago umalis sa harap ko at binaling ang kanyang atensyon sa pagligpit ng mga kahon.

Hinawakan ako ni Chase sa balikat. "Sure na ba talaga? Final na?" tanong niya. "Wala nang atrasan 'to, 'tol..."

Tinapunan ko siya ng tamad na tingin.

Yumuko ako at nagtangkang ikabit ang butones ng navy blue suit jacket ko, nang biglang manginig ang aking mga kamay.

"Fuck." My hands fell on my sides defeatedly.

Nothing prepared me for the anxiety I've been feeling ever since this morning, when I realized, that I'm getting married to the girl of my dreams today.

Out of nowhere, a hand reached out to button my jacket.

Inangat ko ang aking tingin at natagpuan si Trev sa aking harapan.

I chuckled. "No one prepared me for this."

He tightened my tie and gently pulled my collars, before looking back at me with his usual blank expression.

"Take care of Kamille for us, Troy."

A smile slowly formed on my lips. "I will," sagot ko. "I will treasure her."

He slightly bowed his head, a gesture of acknowledgement and respect, which I also did in response.

He held me by the shoulder, squeezing it ever tightly. He then pocketed his hands and took a step back towards the others.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin, hanggang sa dumako ang aking mga mata kay Cal na mabagal akong tinanguan.

"Seems like you're good to go," ani Seht at tinapik ang aking balikat.

I was.

My heart was beating terribly fast when I led my mother and I outside the Academy and to the field, where two olive trees marked the beginning of an aisle. Umikot kami sa field at dumaan sa gilid ng mga upuan.

Huminto kami ni Mama sa ilalim ng marmol na archway kung saan sinalubong ako ni Poseidon ng isang mahigpit na yakap.

He gave me a pat on the back and whispered, "My boy."

After a second, he released me from the tight embrace and heavily put his hand on my shoulder. "My son."

"My pride," he said, before letting go of me completely. "So lift your head up, demigod, and look at where you are, after everything you went through."

The god must've sensed my nervousness.

Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya at inangat ang aking ulo, saka inilibot ang aking paningin.

The rows of gold chairs were decorated with thin white woven fabrics. A column of tall dried wheat in white vases lined both sides of the aisle.

I suddenly heard the sound of running water. I turned my head to the large archway behind me where water fell from the top and disappeared on the bottom.

An owl landed on the marble podium in front of me.

It looked at me, before spreading one of its wings and curling it to reveal a tall woman dressed in long white silky robe. She wore a triangular golden crown on her braided hair, and she held a white book against her chest.

As if my wedding couldn't get any more interesting, my bride's mother has decided to become the priestess and preside over the ceremony.

Tumikhim ako at iniyuko ang aking ulo.

Sinulyapan niya ako mula sa sulok ng kanyang mga mata at taas-noong humarap sa iba na napayuko rin sa kanya.

I glared at my Dad who didn't bother to bow and instead threw a bored look at our direction.

Umiling ako.

He avoided my gaze and initiated a conversation with my mom standing beside him.

Something moving on the other end of the aisle caught my attention. Behind one of the olive trees, Kara slowly revealed herself and smiled at her father that met with her in the middle.

He raised an arm and she graciously held unto it.

Napalunok ako.

Kara wore an emerald green lace gown. Her top hung on her shoulders and her dark green sleeves were partially covered by a layer of transparent fabric that fell from the top of her arm to the end of her bell-shaped skirt.

On top of her braided hair was a silver crown.

I didn't take my eyes off of her, especially after music filled the surroundings and she started walking, side by side, with the man I know, she loved before me.

And then... I was taken to the vision I saw in Trophonius' cave, where we were sent to see the future of the rebellion.

Where I saw her die... because she saved me.

Nabitawan ko ang kamay niya nang kaladkarin siya ng isa sa mga leviathans.

"Kara!" sigaw ko sa kanya at tumakbo.

She struggled to loosen her foot from the monster's grip. She bent her knee and kicked hard, but to no avail. She was already exhausted, and in pain.

Against the cold harsh rain, I ran great lengths towards her.

She lifted her head on her elbow while being dragged across the rough terrain. Agad na nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang tignan ako.

Her eyes turned to the brightest shade of gold when she grabbed a spear from the ground and stabbed the leviathan on its hand. It let out a shriek and was forced to let go of her.

She crawled on the ground before running to a sprint to meet me. "Dio-" She fell on her knees. "Dio! Behind you!" Her eyes glowed even brighter when she picked up a shield and threw it hard at me, pushing me to the side.

For a moment, I saw nothing but darkness.

Iminulat ko ang aking mga mata at napabaluktot patagilid dulot ng matinding sakit pagkatapos akong tamaan ng bakal at dumausdos sa matutulis na bato.

Gumulong ako at itinukod ang isa kong kamay. "Kara-" naghihingalo kong sambit at inangat ang aking sarili, sabay ikot sa direksyon ng babaeng nakahilata sa lupa at nanginginig ang nakabukas na palad.

"No..." I ran towards her. "No..." I fell beside her. "Kara-" My hand was trembling when I tried to touch the mist that bore a shallow hole into her chest.

She wasn't breathing.

With tears streaming down my face, my hand reached for the back of her neck before I used all the strength left in me to gently lift her. "Hey-" 

Her arm fell on her side when I tried to wake her with a soft nudge. 

"Kara..." My voice turned coarse with distress, and despite my efforts to wake her up, she never did.

I gripped her shoulder and pulled her closer to me, muffling a desperate cry on her chest. 

Huli na nang namalayan kong humihikbi na pala ako habang nakatayo at naghihintay sa kanya. Binunot ko ang puting panyo mula sa aking bulsa at pinunasan ang mga luhang walang-tigil ang pag-agos sa aking magkabilang pisngi.

"Dio..." Kara smiled at me with furrowed brows and helped me dry my tears.

"I-I'm sorry-" I struggled to regain my composure. "Gods- I'm terribly sorry, babe." I laughed at myself.

She caressed my cheek with her thumb. "You're alright," she whispered. "Everything's going to be alright..."

I took a deep breath and after a couple of seconds, finally calmed myself down.

Binaba niya ang kanyang kamay. "I love you."

Nginitian ko siya. "I love you more than my life."

Cesia's POV

"And with this ring, I vow to love... and honor you..." Dahan-dahang isinuot ni Dio ang singsing kay Kara. "From this moment forward."

Binigyan ni Kara si Dio ng nanunuksong tingin, at alam kong ginawa niya ito upang mapagaan ang damdamin ni Dio na hanggang ngayon ay naluluha pa rin.

"Dio," sambit ni Kara at kinuha ang kamay ni Dio. "I give you this ring as a token of my love. I offer you all that I have... all that I am... and all that I will be..."

Ipiniling ko ang aking ulo at nginitian yung dalawa.

"Kamille Raina..." Unang tinignan ni Athena si Kara, pagkatapos si Dio. "-and Troy Davice..." Namuo ang isang malambot na ngiti sa kanyang labi nang magpatuloy, "Since you have grown in knowledge and love of one another..." 

Inangat ng goddess ang kanyang noo at nginitian din kaming mga saksi sa kasal. "And because they have agreed in their desire to go forward in life together, seeking an even richer, deepening relationship, and because they have pledged to meet sorrow and joy as one family, we rejoice to recognize them as husband and wife."

Naghiyawan kaming lahat at nagpalakpakan.

"You may now seal your union with a kiss."

Mas nilakasan ko pa ang pagpalakpak nang marahang hinawakan ni Dio ang baba ni Kara at inangat ito upang halikan siya.

Inilapat naman ni Kara ang kanyang palad sa dibdib ni Dio at siniil ng mas malalim ang labi nito, dahilan na mapasigaw na nga yung iba.

Napaangat ng magkabilang kilay si Athena na nasa likod nila, pero mabilis ding nanumbalik ang kanyang ngiti. Saka siya nakiisa sa aming pagpalakpakan para sa bagong kasal.

Ilang sandali pa'y nilingon ko si Trev na bahagyang nakaangat ang isang sulok ng labi habang nakatuon sa harapan.

Nang mapansin ako ay dahan-dahan niyang ibinaba ang kanyang tingin at inilipat ito sa'kin.

Nginitian ko siya, at matagal-tagal niya akong tinitigan.

Napansin ko ang paghugot niya ng hangin bago ngitian ako nang buo habang nakatingin pa rin sa'kin.

"Hala!"

Sabay kaming napalingon kay Thea na biglang sumigaw sa likod namin.

"Tangina- nakita ko 'yon!" Nanlalaki ang kanyang mga mata. "Gago- si Trev-"

Pinadalhan siya ni Trev ng nagbabantang tingin na ikinatahimik niya.

Natawa ako nang mahina, saka ko hinawakan ang braso ni Trev at marahan siyang hinatak paharap.

Pagkatapos ng ceremony, iginiya kami ng mga aurai papunta sa malawak na lawa malapit sa Academy kung saan naninirahan ang isa sa pinakakinatatakutang halimaw sa Greek Mythology.

"Sa'n si Cetus?!" napapraning na tanong ni Art.

Tila narinig ito ni Cetus dahil nagpakawala ito ng isang dumadagundong na ingay nang hindi nagpapakita.

Tumingala ako sa mga ilaw na nakasabit sa mga puno. Sa ilalim nito ay ang mga upuan at mesa kung saan naka-arrange ang mga kubyertos para sa pananghalian.

Napapikit ako nang daanan ako ng malamig na hangin sa aking kinatatayuan.

'I'm Dio of the Alpha Class.'

Ngumiti ako.

'Kara.'

Sa aking pagmulat, nakita ko silang dalawa na lumabas nang magkahawak ang mga kamay. 

"A different time..." bulong ko. "But under the same sky..."

Kahit hindi pa sila ikinasal, tinupad na nila ang kanilang mga pangako sa isa't-isa. Minahal nila ang isa't-isa, at nagtagumpay sila rito, sa kabila ng mga pagsubok...

Huminga ako nang malalim, at muling tumingala sa mga bituing unti-unti nang nagpapakita.

"Ang ganda..." puna ko.

Ang gandang makaramdam ng pagmamahal mula sa dalawang tao na higit pa sa kasiyahan ang dala sa isa't isa.

"Daughter of Aphrodite."

Ibinaba ko ang aking ulo at tinignan si Trev na nakapamulsa habang nakamasid sa'kin.

Dahan-dahan akong napaharap sa kanya nang lapitan niya ako.

"What are you doing standing here all alone?" tanong niya.

NIlingon ko sina Kara at Dio.

"Trev..." bulong ko. "Ang saya ko para sa kanilang dalawa."

Napatingin din siya sa kanila.

"Mmm," sang-ayon niya. "They look happier together, and the happiest, now that they're officially united."

"Kara..." mahina niyang sambit. "Kara who raised herself alone, finally has someone who would gladly take care of her."

Dahil sa sinabi niya, nalala ko ang binitawang vow ni Dio.

'I will cherish you, Kara. I will love you, and wherever the future takes us, may it be as smooth as a turning page, or as rough as a storm on the ocean, it is your hand I will continue to hold...'

"And Dio..." Umiling-iling siya, tila hindi pa rin makapaniwala. "A man's got to have an anchor."

At ang sinabi ni Kara pabalik sa kanya...

'To the man who confessed to me after jumping off the balcony, you've proved yourself enough times already, and I can't help but love you more every time. Thank you, Dio, for teaching me how to love the way you love me... for pouring your heart out to me, filling me with love I never knew I needed.'

'I promise, on the river Styx, to love you even more so than you do, and keep you by my side no matter how strong the winds pull us apart... for it will never be you against me, Dio.'

'It will be you and me... against the odds.'

Tinuyo ko ang isang luhang nakatakas mula sa aking mata. Ipiniling ko ang aking mukha sa palad ko at naiiyak na natatawa.

"A-Ang saya ko..." sabi ko sa sarili.

Walang nakapaghanda sa'kin sa kaligayahan na mararamdaman ko sa araw na'to.

Kumawala ako ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga at mahinang natawa.

"Ang ganda niyong tignan..." puna ko sa dalawang pinakamatibay na demigods na kilala ko.

"As much as I want to stand here and look at you look at them," ani Trev. "We have to go to our table where the others are already waiting for us, Cesia."

Nginitian ko siya saka tumango.

Inangat niya ang kanyang kamay na agad ko ring kinuha. Nang tabihan ko siya at humakbang para sabayan siya sa paglalakad, binitawan niya ako at ipinalipot ang kanyang braso sa aking beywang.

"Have I already told you about how beautiful you look, my love?"

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang nakakapit sa aking gilid.

"Kaninang umaga, nang magkita tayo," sagot ko. "Tas kaninang tanghali rin, papuntang field..."

Marahan niya akong hinila papalapit sa kanya.

"Well, you still do, and will always be."

Kara's POV

"Hey, babe." Dio leaned closer. "What do you say we leave the reception earlier than the guests."

I chuckled lightly. "We can't." Humilig din ako sa kanya at ipinatong ang aking kamay sa kanyang hita. "It's our wedding," paalala ko sa kanya.

"Which means we can do whatever we want right?"

Pinaningkitan ko siya. "Dio!" pabulong kong sigaw.

Letting out a disappointed sigh, he replied, "Fine."

I formed tiny circles on his thigh with my finger. "But if you'd like..."

Lumiwanag ang kanyang mga mata.

"We still have an hour to spare while the others are dining." I let him know.

He looked at the guests and grinned knowingly. Taking my hand, he stood on his feet and merrily dragged me across the other side of the lake.

Sinulyapan ko sina Trev at Chase na napatigil sa pag-uusap at bahagyang inangat ang baso sa kanilang kamay nang mapansin kami.

My husband and I ran free along the entrance of the woods, like a runaway couple, until he turned my back unto a tree and kissed me passionately.

I held unto his neck, like how I did after he told me how stupid I was, for never noticing the way he looked at me.

Along with my arms, my head fell on his shoulder when I heard him unbuckle his belt. "Dio..."

He traced my jaw with his lips, leaving a tingling sensation on my skin. "Kara..." He gathered my skirt in his hand and lifted one of my legs, allowing him to curl his fingers on the hems of my underwear and smoothly pull it down not so low, but low enough for vulnerability.

Once he did, he didn't waste any time shoving himself against me.

Bahagya akong napaangat at napatingala nang gawin niya ito.

My grip around his neck tightened as I let out a soft moan. And I did it again and again, after every thrust, after every breath.

We gave up to love out in the open, under the night sky, just like our first.

And I was grateful, for every second of him in my embrace.

I didn't stop my tears from falling when I heard him take a shallow breath and whimpered, letting me know that he was too, willing to surrender to this moment of weakness.

I always thought of myself strong and stern, incapable of distraction, until he came and made me feel what a privilege it was to be weak and unbound.

And unbound I was, when he came inside me, lifting me higher in the process.

We both fell on our knees, desperately crying, and running out of breath.

He lowered his head on my shoulder, and I, on his.

I've never felt as weak as this before... because I've never been loved like this before.

He slowly wrapped his arms around me and enclosed me in a tender embrace, and I sobbed. I sobbed so loud against his chest I couldn't care less if my cries reached the horizon.

I was too happy.