Reign's POV

'Ma, how did you find out about your weaknesses?' tanong ko habang pinaglalaruan ang butterfly hairclip na kabibili lang niya para sa'kin. 'Isa ba do'n si Mommyla?'

'Hmm...' She hummed while gently brushing my hair. 

Tinignan ko ang repleksyon ni Mama sa salamin. She's helping me get dressed for Mommyla's birthday. I sighed and shifted uncomfortably on my chair. Inuna na naman kasi niya ako. Ni hindi niya nagalaw ang hinandang snacks ni kuya para sa'min kasi gusto niya raw akong tulungan.

Ilang beses ko nang ipinaalala sa kanya na hindi na ako bata na kailangan pang bihisan, pero nakakahanap pa rin talaga siya ng paraan para mapadpad dito sa kwarto ko.

'Dati pa akong may kutob kung anu-ano 'yong mga kahinaan ko...' sagot niya. 'Pero saka ko lang nakumpirma no'ng isang anak na rin ni Aphrodite ang nakapagsabi sa'kin...'

I let the silence urge her to say more.

'Mmm...' She hummed again, remembering. 'Kasama ko si Kerensa sa training no'n... tapos isa-isa niyang itinuro sa'kin ang mga kahinaan ko... kasi isa 'yon sa abilities namin, eh... alam namin kung ano ang kahinaan ng iba sa pamamagitan lang ng pakikinig sa tibok ng puso nila...'

'Celeste is going to be terrifying when she grows up.'

Sabay kaming natawa ni Mama sa sinabi ko.

'Nakakatakot lang 'yon kasi kaugali ng tatay niyo...' aniya. 'Saka, sino bang nagsabi na si Celeste lang ang pwedeng makakuha ng kakayahang magbasa ng tibok ng puso?'

Suminghap ako. 'May ganyang ability rin si Kuya?'

'Hindi rin ako sigurado,' sagot niya. 'Ikaw? Sa tingin mo may ganyang ability ka?'

Taking a deep breath, I thought of it. 'I don't think I want that kind of ability...'

Napansin ko ang saglit niyang pagsulyap sa'kin sa salamin. 'Bakit naman?'

'Baka matulad ako sa'yo, naaawa sa lahat, pati na sa mga masasamang tao...' paliwanag ko. 'Knowing a lot is going to be too much for me, I think...'

She chuckled. 'Gusto mo bang malaman kung anu-ano ang mga kahinaan ko? O 'yong isa lang? 'Yong isang kahinaan ko na ang kahinaan rin ay ako?'

Marahan akong tumawa sa malaking clue na ibinigay niya. 'You don't have to tell me. I know it's Dad...'

Tumawa rin siya bilang sagot.

'Mama...' pabulong kong sambit pagkaraan ng ilang sandali.

'Reign?'

'Paano kung sasabihin ko sa'yo na isa lang talaga ang kahinaan mo?' Tumingin ako sa salamin. 'Na iisa lang ang kahinaan ng bawat tao sa mundo...'

She reached for the hair clip on the table. Inabot ko sa kanya ito.

'Ano nga ba ang kahinaan ng lahat, Reign?' tanong niya.

Nginitian ko ang repleksyon namin. 'I'm not sure if you will agree with me...'

'Ano nga kasi 'yon?' she asked, softly laughing, gently clipping strands of my hair.

Matagal-tagal akong napatitig sa kanya bago ako nakapagsalita.

'Love,' simple kong sagot. 

After finishing with my hair, Mom looked at me in the mirror, her curious expression gradually turning into one of happy relief. Binalikan niya ako ng isang manamis-namis na ngiti.

'Ang ganda mo,' malambot niyang sabi.

Pinadalhan ko ng nangangalit na tingin ang kalabang bumagsak sa harapan ko, balot ng kuryente ang buong katawan.

"Reign!" I heard Hope call out amidst the noise of battle. "The founders!"

Umikot ako at tumingala sa tuktok ng Orion facility kung saan naroon si Dad. Sa likod niya, si Tito Chase, naiirita ang mukha habang malakas na pinapagaspas ang kanyang mga gintong pakpak.

Nakamasid sila kay Tita Kara na tumatakbo sa kahabaan ng bubong, umiilag sa mga palasong pinapakawalan ng tatlong maiitim na chariots na humahabol sa kanya. 

Tutulungan na sana siya ni Dad nang biglang dumaan ang isang malaking ibon, sa likod nakasakay ang isang babaeng huntsman. Sinadya nitong tamaan si Dad, dahilan para mapaikot siya at malihis ang atensyon niya mula kay Tita Kara.

I could almost hear my Dad hiss because of it, at mas lalong kumulimlim ang mga ulap na nakatipon sa itaas niya. Something burst in his hand. A lightning bolt, na agad niyang binato sa huntsman na kalaban ni Tito Chase.

A gasp parted my lips when I saw him miss. Napatigil din si Dad, dahil isang huntsman na may dalang shield ang lumitaw upang ibalik ang lightning bolt sa gawi niya. Dad managed to avoid his own lightning bolt, and just as he was about to summon another one, the huntsman riding a large bird made him lose sight while in the air.

Dad pulled thunder down from the sky. It struck the huntsman's shield with a deafening crack, and to my shock, it rebounded, the energy swirling back toward him. Ngunit bago pa man ito tumama kay Dad, itinaas ko ang aking kamay upang hawakan ito saglit at hinatak ito sa direksyon ng isa sa mga chariot na humahabol kay Tita Kara.

I took a step back when I realized I had missed. The chariot managed to avoid the strike.

Dad saw it too.

He shot me a bored glance before turning his attention to the enemies around him.

Meanwhile, I noticed that there was something about the way the founders fought that left me feeling confused, as they too looked confused while fighting the huntsmen. 

I've seen them fight before so I knew something was off.

At saka ko nalaman kung ano.

The founders are not fighting.

They are defending themselves.

Every time they tried to fight back, their attacks either missed or were reflected back at them. They had already realized this, which is why they hesitated for a moment each time they released their power.

Alam nilang maaari nilang masaktan ang isa't isa, pati na rin ang kanilang sarili, kapag hindi sila maingat.

I had never seen my Dad, a son of Zeus, fight with such patience, and it was clear he wasn't enjoying it. Lalo na si Tita Kara na tumalon pababa mula sa bubong, kaso bumagsak siya sa isang chariot at wala sa oras na napalaban sa dalawang huntsmen na sakay nito.

Gano'n din si Tito Chase. Tila hindi umaayon sa kanya ang bawat pagkakataong balak niyang saktan ang huntsmen.

So this is what fighting against the forces of destiny looks like...

All our attacks always seem to miss the enemy, while they can effortlessly deflect our power back at us. Whatever we do to hurt them is a failed attempt.

Nagagawa nilang tanggalan ng bisa ang bawat galaw namin...

Right... He will always be a step ahead of us...

Nagpakawala ako ng kuryente sa lupang nakapalibot sa'kin nang walang kalaban ang makakalapit. Dahil seryoso kong pinag-isipan ang dating nasabi ni Mama sa'kin tungkol sa tadhana...

She once said that while Chaos is responsible for the beginning, it is Destiny that dictates the ending...

So how? Exactly? Napatanong ako sa sarili. How are ever going to fight against his son? Who has the ability to control everyone's end?

Muli kong minasdan sina Dad.

The longer they fought, the more their frustration grew. They exchanged glances, a flicker of doubt crossing their faces as they hesitated before making their next moves.

Dad attempted to summon lightning from above, but in the end, a huntsman with the ability to summon light melted the clouds.

Uncle Chase tried to dodge an enemy's arrow, but in the end, he was still struck by a fireball.

Aunt Kara managed to steal an enemy's shield and used it to deflect a spear, but in the end, one of the huntsmen chasing her seized the shield and threw her off balance.

In the end... in every end... all their actions seemed to be in favor of their enemies.

Bawat galaw nila ay tila napapakinabangan ng mga kalaban.

"That's not fair," I said, hoping the son of Destiny could hear me.

That's not fair, I repeated in my head, wishing that Destiny himself could hear it.

Hindi mapakali ang aking mga daliri na nangangating maglabas ng kapangyarihan, habang dumadako ang aking paningin sa kung saan-saan, hindi alam kung saan ko ito itutuon.

Dahil ano bang magagawa ko?

Gods- No. I can't call on the gods anymore.

Kasunod akong luminga-linga sa digmaang unti-unting bumagal sa aking pananaw, binibigyan ako ng pagkakataon na mag-isip kung anong gagawin.

The sounds of clashing weapons and shouts faded into the background. I could feel my heart racing, determination flooding my thoughts.  

'He will...' The wind breathed softly in my ears. 'Reign...'

Nagsimulang manuyo ang aking lalamunan pagkatapos lumakas ang boses ng isang lalaki mula sa aking alaala.

'He will, Reign.'

My eyes fluttered weakly as I looked up at the world blurring around me.

Because I finally got it.

I finally understood.

That even if he's the son of Destiny, he was still a mortal.

I was slowly taking in every movement that surrounded me. Every last breath, every flutter of a feather, every drop of blood... and sweat... and tears... and my own heart beating...

'He will, Reign...'

If I call his name, will he listen?

"Henri," mahina kong tawag sa gitna ng gulo.

There was no breeze that could carry my voice, and so I waited. And I hoped, that he could hear me amid the overwhelming noise.

Sapat na ba yung boses ko para kunin yung atensyon niya?

Lumabas ang usok mula sa aking buntong-hininga nang biglang magparamdam ang ginaw sa aking likuran.

Nagdadalawang-isip man, dahil hindi pa handa, umikot ako paharap sa namumukod-tanging presensya sa libu-libong nakapaligid sa akin.

Tila ako lang ang nakakapansin nito dahil ako lang din ang tumuon dito.

Standing on the other side of the war, his eyes glowed gold beneath a deadly stare. Fresh blood stained his face, while dried blood smeared his neck. Although I couldn't see any red on his black clothes, I knew they were tainted with blood as well.

Just how determined was he to win this war? And why?

Inangat niya ang kanyang kamay at, gamit ang likod nito, binura ang dugo sa paligid ng kanyang bibig, na nag-iwan ng isang namamahamak na ngiti.

'He will, Reign...'

Tila narinig niya ang boses na narinig ko rin sa aking isipan, kaya't mabilis na tumuwid ang kanyang ngiti. Dumapo ang pagkabahala sa kanyang mga mata, at umangat-baba ang kanyang lalamunan bago humigpit ang kanyang panga.

Isang mababaw na singhap ang umawang sa aking bibig, hindi makapaniwalang baka tama nga ang kutob ko.

"Lumapit ka sa'kin," pabulong kong tugon.

Humakbang siya paatras.

At sapat na ito upang makumpirma ko kung ano ang kahinaan niya.

"Henri," tawag ko ulit. "Harapin mo ako."

I couldn't feel any pull from him. I couldn't feel any power forcing him to follow my voice. 

I was simply... asking him...

Wala akong kapangyarihang nilabas ngunit kung makatingin siya sa'kin, tila ginamitan ko na rin siya ng kapangyarihan.

Dahan-dahang umangat ang kanyang dibdib, kasunod ang kanyang noo, na parang pinaghandaan ang kanyang paglapit sa akin.

At lumapit nga siya.

He must've used the mist to conceal his presence while walking towards me. Hindi kasi siya napapansin ng nakapalibot sa kanya.

'He will, Reign.'

He stopped in front of me, and we met in the middle, both with our heads held high, and our eyes refusing to lower or avoid each other's gaze.

Nakatingala ako sa ginto ng kanyang mga mata, habang siya, bahagyang nakayuko sa akin.

"Son of Destiny," I murmured.

There was rage behind those eyes. I could feel it. Inside him, there was chaos. He was fighting against himself.

Now, I can finally stop denying it.

Hindi ko na itatanggi na nagawa niya akong matinag, at nadala ako sa bawat sandaling kasama ko siya.

"It seems like your father hates you as much as you hate him," sabi ko.

His jaw clenched, and for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes. 

He feared losing this war, and at the same time, he feared winning.

"Why are you here, Reign?" tanong niya.

"I'm unpredictable, remember?" kampante kong sagot.

"You should not be in this place at this time," dagdag pa niya.

"Well, I'm here now," giit ko.

He chuckled deeply in his throat.

"Nervous to know what I just discovered?" I asked.

If I ask him about the truth, will he say it?

'He will, Reign.'

"How about you, Henri?" Binalik ko sa kanya ang kanyang tanong. "Bakit ka nandito?"

Pumikit siya nang ilang sandali. Pagkatapos, nag-aalinlangan siyang ngumisi, hindi matanggap ang katotohanang ngayon ko lang natuklasan.

"I made a mistake," aniya. "I answered to your call when I shouldn't have."

"You know we can't afford making mistakes when fighting a war," I reminded him. "Lalo na kung nakataya rito ang kinabukasan ng buong mundo."

"O katapusan nito," pagpapatuloy niya.

"Mmm." Gumuhit ang isang malungkot na ngiti sa aking labi. "Tell me, Henri..." Saglit na bumaba ang aking tingin sa dibdib niyang mataas na umangat at may lalim ang binabaan.

He was breathing so deep I glimpsed of his chest beating.

"You will do anything but hurt me, won't you?" tanong ko.

'He will, Reign.'

He didn't answer.

Tears swelled in my eyes when I laughed at him. "Anong pakiramdam?" Napahugot din ako ng malalim na hininga. "Na ikaw na mismo ang nagbigay ng sarili mong kahinaan?"

My heart clenched in despair but I managed to laugh it out. "You may have turned out to be my weakness, son of Destiny." Matigas ang bawat salitang lumabas sa aking bibig. "But so did I, as yours'."

He remained still and silent, while I took a step back, distancing myself from him, and summoned lightning in my right hand, mist in my left.

"Ikaw lang ang may alam kung anong kahahantungan ko sa digmaang ito," paalala ko sa kanya. "I might get hurt, or I might even die. Nasanay na kasi akong ibigay ang lahat sa tuwing lumalaban ako at alam mo na 'yon, hindi ba?"

He said my name through gritted teeth, carving it in the air with his deadly voice.

"Reign."

"What? You thought you're the only one who can decide how this war will end?" The tears in my eyes never had the chance to fall when I chuckled. "Pinaniwala mo ako na mas mahina ako kaysa sa'yo," sabi ko, galit na nanginginig ang boses. "When it turns out..." I laughed again, mocking him. "You're the weaker one, for setting your own trap and stupidly falling right into it."

Henri stood, tense and rigid, caught in an invisible tug-of-war between his mind and heart. The gold in his eyes slowly lost its color and all the light in it disappeared into a dark, endless void.

I could almost hear the chaos raging inside him. Was it guilt? Regret? Or was it something he feared to confront? 

I grinned at his internal struggle.

"What are you gonna do, Henri?" Naglakad ako paatras, palayo sa kanya. "If I ask you to lose this war for me?"

'He will, Reign.'