Heshiena's Point of View

Halos maibuga ko na ang aking iniinom na tsaa nang biglang sumulpot si Seilo sa pintuan ng kusina na gwapong-gwapo sa sarili. He even combed his hair with his bare hand. Habang ginagawa niya 'yon, nakapikit pa ang kaniyang mga mata.

Nakasuot siya ng polo.

Nakalantad pa ang matipuno niyang dibdib. Kumindat pa siya sa aming lahat. The boys are having the hard time to resist from laughing out loud. Chry just clicked her tongue. Out of the corner of my eyes, nakita kong umiiling-iling pa si Nkri.

Gulat na napayuko si Seilo nang makita niyang may paparating na dagger sa kinaroroonan niya.

"What was that for?!"

Hindi niya napigilan ang kaniyang boses na tumaas. Aresa never responded. Dismayado siyang napatingin kay Aresa. Her, on the other hand, heaved a sigh with the intent to kill on her eyes.

A sweat raced down from Seilo's forehead.

Sumunod naman ang pagtaas-baba ng kaniyang lalamunan.

"Airy fucking bastard . . ." I clearly heard what Aresa whispered. "Ang aga-aga nambu-buwisit ka na namang putangina ka!" Singhal niya't mabilis na ikinumpas ang kamay.

When Seilo realized the danger he was in, he sprinted back to his room. Mabilis na tumayo si Aresa sa pagkakaupo't hinabol ito. Habang may bitbit na dalawang dagger sa kamay.

The boys once again burst out into laughter. Maliban na lamang kay Ace na abala sa pagtingin sa sarili sa salaming hawak-hawak niya. At si Blaze na tanging pag-iling na lamang ang nagawa.

Nagpakawala naman si Nkri ng isang marahas na pagbuntonghininga. "The Ares blood is so strong," she commented. At nagpatuloy sa agahan niya.

Napangiti na lamang ako. She's right. When Aresa arrived along with the other three new Anostatos, mas lalong umingay ang cabin namin.

Palagi rin siyang nai-imbyerna sa bawat kahanginan na meron si Seilo.

Time went so fast.

Nandito na ulit kami sa training chamber. Hanggang ngayon nguya pa rin nang nguya si Seilo sa sandwich na dala-dala niya. Naubusan na siya ng oras mag-agahan dahil kay Aresa. On the corner, Aresa was looking at him dreadfully. Tila ba'y pinagbabantaan niya ito.

"Good morning, Anostatos," ang bati sa amin ni Chiron.

Majority of us responded. Ace smiled from ear to ear. Chiron clasped. Hindi kaagad siya nagpaligoy-ligoy at unang tinawag si Aresa. She confidently stood from sitting. Determination filled within those pair of black violent orbs that makes anyone shivers in fear.

Like usual, Chiron tossed the four golden coins.

It stopped mid-air, releasing a temporary illusion.

Nagliparan ang mga iba't ibang klaseng sandata. And Aresa just stood there calmly. A menacing smile gradually plastered upon her lips.

She spread her right arm. My forehead furrowed in confusion when she pointed her index finger straight. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang tinuturo niya. But in a couple of seconds, she pointed it to the floor.

In an instant, nagsibagsakan ang mga sandata sa sahig.

"Disarmament, I see . . ." a proud smile gradually plastered upon Chiron's lips.

Well, hindi na nakakagulat kung mayroon man siyang ganoong abilidad. She's an offspring of a deity associated with war after all.

The weapons that fell on the floor turned into wolves like usual. Mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti sa labi ni Aresa. Isang lobo ang tumalon sa harapan niya habang nakabuka ang bibig nito. Nang makita kong kumuyom ang kaniyang mga palad, kapansin-pansin naman ang mga ugat sa braso niya.

Aresa punched the wolf right directly to the face.

Bumulagta kaagad ito sa sahig. I could even hear the bones cracked when Aresa released her blow. Kahit ang iba ay napangiwi dahil doon. How much immense strength does she have?

When the other wolves witnessed that, they whimper in fear simultaneously. May iba pang umaatras tila natakot.

Dismayang napabuntonghininga si Aresa nang magtakbuhan ang mga ito palayo sa kaniya. It was then followed with her scornful gaze. Deep within those violent pair of orbs a fire seemed ignited.

There's not even a single hint of fear, only courage.

She was about to attack the wolves that gathered in one place when the illusion disappeared. Indicating that Chiron took the device back to his palm. Nagtagis ang bagang na tumingin si Aresa sa kaniya. Chiron made a straight face.

Tila ba'y hindi siya naapektuhan sa tinuran nito.

Aresa, on the other hand, scornfully clicked her tongue while going back to her seat.

Nang makaupo siya ay tinawag sina Ace at Fuego. Inayos muna ni Ace ang buhok niya bago siya tumayo sa kaniyang pagkakaupo. This time it's a duel between them.

"Fuego . . ." ang kaniyang tawag. Fuego's left eyebrow raised, but he waited Ace to continue his sentence, "ayos lang naman siguro masira ko mga babies mo 'no?" Fuego's face never hesitated to grimace when Ace made a puppy eyes.

Any seconds now, tutulo na ang luha niya.

"Well, I guess?" Hindi siguradong sagot niya. Napabuntonghininga na lamang si Fuego nang makitang mag-pout si Ace. "It's fine. I can repair anything with my hands, do you forget?" A proud smile gradually formed upon Fuego's lips.

In an instant, Ace's face lightened up.

And smiled from ear to ear.

When Chiron signaled, Fuego took out a golden round device from his pocket. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Ace's dove pendant's eyes glowed in pink. So as his eyes at the same time.

Hindi ko alam pero kakaibang hatid na kilabot nito sa akin. Alam kong ilang buwan na kaming magkasama, pero hindi pa rin ako sanay na makita si Ace ng ganito. I mean, I am not underestimating his capabilities, but I always saw him as a sunshine.

Someone who always lightens up everyone's mood.

Nabalik na lamang ako sa reyalidad nang mapansing inihagis ni Fuego ang device na inilabas niya papunta kay Ace. Pero sa kalagitnaan, huminto ito na tila ba'y nakalutang na lamang. I was right when I saw Ace looking at the device so intently.

He pointed at the right using the movement of his head.

And when he did that, sumunod ang device. It slammed straight to the wall, causing it to fall to the floor in pieces. Fuego was flabbergasted for about a couple of seconds. But he instantaneously reverted it with a proud scoff.

On the corner, I caught Chry smiling.

Dahilan para mapangiti rin ako. This is such a beautiful sight. Ace's eyes grew wider in surprise when Fuego made another attack using his waves of fire. He frantically snapped his finger, and just like that a sea conch appeared from his palm with twice the size of a ball.

He never hesitated to blow it, and a coral pink hue barrier appeared before him. Ace once again blow from the conch. At bigla-bigla na lamang may nagliliparang mga pearls papunta kay Fuego. I know those are not just an ordinary pearls.

Fuego only dodge them all.

While doing it, he manipulated a fire ball twice the size of a boulder. Fear quickly plastered upon Ace's face.

"Don't you dare . . ." ang pagbabanta ni Ace. Fuego never listened. He continued what he was doing. Ace's jaw moved. It was then followed with his palms turned to fists. "Stop," he said.

But it seemed like his charmspeak ability have no effect against Fuego. Nabalutan ng malakas na hangin ang training chamber. That's when we understand why. The vicinity was cloaked with enough air. Rinig na rinig ko pa ang tunog ng ihip nito papalapit sa ginagawang bolang apoy ni Fuego.

Ace levitates himself.

Fuego is almost done. Momentarily, the fire ball he manipulated was covered with air. I don't know how heavy it is. It looks even more dangerous when Fuego fuses his deity-inherited ability with his acquired one from surpassing the second stage of becoming a hero.

Binitawan niya ang bolang apoy papunta kay Ace. And Ace's eyes glowed even more. He raised his right leg and kicked it with all the strength he has. Fuego was taken aback when Ace was able to leave a crack.

It was not that long when Ace screamed in excruciating pain.

Napatayo si Chry sa kinauupuan niya. Patuloy lamang siya sa pagsigaw hanggang sa tuluyan ng nawalan ng bisa ang paglutang niya sa ere. Chry was about to rush to save him, but I preceded her by using levitation as well, preventing Ace from falling.

Nagkatingnan kami ni Mavros.

With only stares, he stood up from sitting. But Chry immediately insisted that she would take Ace to the clinic herself.

Nang makaalis si Chry, ang sumunod na tinawag ni Chiron ay sina Erin at Blaze. Love versus wisdom, I see. Unang tumayo si Blaze at kaswal na naglakad papunta sa gitna ng chamber. Erin disappeared from her seat, and then appeared at the center, facing against Blaze.

Hindi ko alam kung paano tatalunin ni Blaze si Erin. Especially that she can render herself invisible. But knowing Blaze, I am sure there are tons of wisdom he hid under his sleeves.

Kumunot ang aking noo nang makita ko ang pagkabahala sa kaniyang mukha.

I shrugged. Or perhaps, not this time.

After Chiron signaled, Erin once again rendered herself invisible. Blaze summoned his imperial golden armor along with a sword. Nakatayo lamang siya, tila naghihintay sa unang atake ng kalaban niya.

He was taken aback when two arrows were coming right in front of him. Like usual, the arrows didn't target Blaze, instead the floor. When it hit the floor, a blinding light as if a stun grenade embraced the vicinity.

Blaze's senses are temporarily disoriented.

But a couple of seconds later, he used his sword to defend himself from the back.

"I know you would attack me from behind," we heard Blaze nonchalantly said. "Your speed may not be the same level as Seilo, but you are still fast compared to any of us here," he added.

This time, Erin revealed herself. What left us speechless is when we saw the thing behind her back. They were big and feathery. By the looks of it, it felt soft and silky to the touch. Some of the feathers had a golden hue. Every second her wings were struck by the sun's rays, her body would glow mildly.

We didn't know Erin had wings.

She carries a quiver on her back, and a bow on her hand. A smile gradually plastered upon my lips. Eros' girl version, I must say.

She flapped her wings upward, causing Blaze to look up. Erin never hesitated to reach an arrow from the quiver, and aimed it at the enemy. Blaze stood firmly, waiting for her to attack. When she finally released the arrow, it multiplied.

Blaze was caught off guard, but immediately reverted. It was then replaced with eyes full of determination. Hinawakan niya nang mahigpit ang espada niya. All he could do as of now is to deflect and dodge especially when the enemy is in the air.

I heard Blei gasped in fear when two arrows are coming behind Blaze. Napatayo ang iba. Kapansin-pansin ang pag-aalala sa kanilang mukha. Erin only smiled and shrugged.

When the arrows penetrated Blaze's back effortlessly, it dissolves, leaving no blood or visible wounds. Tila nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan si Blei.

"Relax guys," Erin said, chuckling. "My magical arrows are harmless."

Mabilis kong naiintindihan. Her arrows will dissolve in contact with human flesh. But when it hits solid ground, it will glow white-hot and explode in a geyser of flame. It's like a flash grenade that temporarily stuns her foe.

Those arrows are only used for―

"Blei, I like you!"

Namayani ang kantiyawan mula sa mga lalaki. Blei's face was as red as tomato. But momentarily, so did Blaze.

That's how it works. Just like Eros, Erin can force anyone to confess their true romantic feelings by shooting them through her arrows.

Natapos ang duwelo nila dahil sa pagod. Blaze is in a great disadvantage because his foe was in the air. Erin, on the other hand, keeps on throwing her arrows. Until they both surrender in exhaustion. Walang talo, at walang nanalo sa kanila.

Because they managed to stand on their ground as if acknowledging their different strengths. Blaze is more like an infantry soldier. A close-range combatant. Erin was the opposite.

☽ ♆ ☾

Two minutes after the lunch, we are all gazing at Zuki and Nkri who are now both wounded. Pareho rin silang hinihingal. Surprisingly, Zuki managed to par with Nkri's blows. Zuki's eyes quickly grew wider in surprise when Nkri threw spears in his direction one after another.

Nkri smiled victoriously.

Zuki couldn't find the time to use his abilities because he is busy dodging all the spears. Nkri took it as an advantage, and charged all the way to him. She made a war cry with a spear on her right hand. While she was wearing her imperial golden armor overflowing with white robes.

After a couple of minutes, Zuki managed to dodge all the spears. And never hesitated to manipulate a floating ball made out of sunlight. But before he could complete it, Nkri appeared before him.

She thrust the spear straight to his face.

With the flexibility he had, she missed it when he leaned his back. Nkri clicked her tongue scornfully and disappointingly.

While Zuki was leaning his back, Nkri kicked both of his knees, causing him to fall to the ground. Before he could get up, she never hesitated to aim the pointed head of her spear to his neck.

Chiron snapped her fingers, signifying that their breath-taking duel had come to an end.

Nkri and Zuki smiled at each other. She offered her hand, and Zuki was delighted to accept it.

"We're almost done with our training . . ." Chiron said. "I would like to ask Dion." He immediately stood from sitting. Naglakad siya papunta sa sentro ng chamber. Chiron then tossed the golden coins into the air like usual. "Show us what you got."

Teacher Michael signaled Nkri and Zuki to come to him. May inabot itong golden capsule. I am sure those are the ambrosia. Nang bumalik na sina Nkri and Zuki sa kani-kanilang upuan, saka naman sumulpot sa aking tabi si Mavros.

Napangiti ako kung sino ang kasama niya.

It was Ace.

Tinanguhan ko siya't naglakad siya sa upuan niya kanina na katabi lang ni Chry. Muli kong ibinalik ang aking atensyon sa harapan.

Dion alerted himself when wolves started to charge towards him. Ikinumpas niya ang kaniyang kamay. And just like that, a vines emerges from the floor. Almost the same with Dash's. What's different is, it has the faint smell of a grape.

With the use of his fingers, all the vines crawl to the nearby wolves and bind them all together until they suffocate. And dissolve into dust. Pero hindi pa tapos.

Nagulat na lamang ako nang biglang mawala si Dion sa kinatatayuan niya kanina. He then appeared on the other side of the chamber. Napasinghot ako. Just like earlier, the faint smell of a grape remained.

It's so addicting.

Dion has the ability of vine binding, as well as teleportation. Every time he teleported himself, the smell continued. While teleporting, he gestured his hand and a fire ball appeared from both of his palms.

Tumango ako. So he also has pyrokinesis, but purple. The abilities he manipulated, all of them had the fragrant grape which I wonder why.

Napatingin ako sa mga kasamahan kong sabay-sabay na suminghot.

"Be careful . . ." Dion's wicked smile immediately plastered upon his lips, "the smell can drive you mad," he continued.

Dahil sa takot, napatakip ang iilan sa kanilang mga ilong. Pero tanging ang pagtawa lamang ang naging sagot niya.

"Kidding."

Seilo grunted, "Parang tanga naman 'to eh."

Dion laughed. It was then followed with a peace sign.

Natapos ni Dion ang pagpapakitang gilas nang walang kahirap-hirap. It seems like he had an absolute control over teleportation. I am happy that for their first try it ends really well for them.

"Lady Heshiena."

Napatingin ako kay Chiron nang tawagin niya ako. Tinignan ko siya sa mata. He then gestured his hand to the center of the chamber. That's right, I'm next. Tumango ako sa kaniya't tumayo. Pagdating ko sa sentro ay humarap siya sa lahat.

"Everyone please join, Lady Heshiena," he said. "Now, here's what I want you guys to do." Nakinig kaming lahat. "It's you versus against Lady Heshiena." My eyes grew wider in surprise. Biglang kumabog ang dibdib ko.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Chry's smile. Maging si Mavros. Majority of them seemed doubtful of what they heard from Chiron.

"She's a goddess, Chiron!" Seilo complained. "It's impossible to overpower someone like―" Napahawak siya sa kaniyang ulo nang batukan siya ni Aresa.

"Scared, little baby?" panunukso pa nito.

Seilo scoffed in disbelief. "Whatever you say, grumpy." He then rolled his eyes.

"Now on your mark." Chiron break the tension between the two. Tinignan ko sila. Kitang-kita ko sa kanilang mga mata ang determinasyon. Dahilan para mapangiti ako. "Prepare yourselves to attack simultaneously!"

Nagulat ako sa huling sinabi ni Chiron. But I remained myself calm. I learned it from Nkri. Walang magandang maidudulot sa akin ang pagkakataranta lalo na't nasa gitna ng mga ganitong sitwasyon.

I only need to channel all the power that is racing back and forth through my veins.

Out of the corner of my eyes, Chry summoned lightning. Dash summoned his plant vines. The two offspring of Athena conjured all floating weapons. The twins manipulated their sunlight abilities. Both Fuego and Dion manipulated different colors of fire.

Ace tried to use his charmspeak ability against me.

But to no avail.

Seilo traveled around in the chamber at full speed. Erin throws all the arrows in my direction. Mavros manipulated multiple floating orbs that are made out of darkness. Aresa gathered all her strength to her muscle causing it to grow bigger.

And Blei manipulated a sharp ice.

The moment I clenched my fist, I could feel my eyes changed its color. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng kulay na ito.

Napansin ko naman kaagad ang paglaki ng mga mata ni Aresa. Tila ba'y may nakita siya na siya lang ang nakakakita. Ang paglaki ng kaniyang mata ay sinundan niya ito ng paglunok ng laway.

"Retreat!" Aresa shouted at the top of her lungs when I made my first and last attack. "Shit!" I heard her curse when they all kneel before me.

Did she just see what I am about to do?