Golden Age: Semideus Specials

you, above all...

Ria's POV

"Cesia," sinalinan ko ng greek salad si Cesia na nakaupo sa tabi ko. "Pwede mo ba akong samahan sa Scotland para tignan yung palasyo na binigay ni Trev sa'min?"

"Bakit?" aniya. "Para saan?"

Humilig ako papalapit kay Chase na nakaupo sa tapat ko at nilagyan din ng salad yung plato niya, katabi ng meat kebab. 

"I need help for the interior design."

"Mmm..." Tumatango-tango si Cesia. "Kailan?"

"I haven't settled on a date yet." Bumalik na ako sa pagkakaupo pagkatapos ilapag sa gitna ng mesa ang bowl ng salad. "And I'm pretty sure Chase can't go, that's why I asked you."

"Okay." Nginitian niya ako. "Sabihin mo lang kung anong petsa para makapaghanda ako."

Magsisimula na sana akong kumain nang maramdaman ko ang isang pares ng mga matang nakatuon sa'min. 

Nilingon ko si Trev na siyang nagmamay-ari nito.

He was seated on the end of the table beside Cesia, and across the god Thanatos who's sitting on the other end.

Kumunot ang aking noo nang magtama ang tingin namin ni Trev.

"What?" I mouthed.

Don't tell me narinig niya ang pinag-usapan namin ni Cesia?

He gave me a bored look while taking a sip of his juice.

Realizing I'm not getting any more response, I just rolled my eyes at him and proceeded to eat my roasted lamb and grilled potatoes.

"Thanatos," tawag ni Dio kay Thanatos na agad napatingin sa kanya. "How's the Underworld?" He asked casually, as if he's known him for a long time.

The god grinned, "Hades is ruling with an iron fist. He's been roaming around the kingdom, giving gifts to allies, strengthening security, and addressing threats."

"What ever happened to the rebels?" usisa ko.

"Exiled," sagot niya. "They can only return to the Underworld once they've finished their years of service for other deities." He grabbed his drink and leaned back on his chair comfortably. "Persephone and Demeter, for example, has taken in Hecate." 

Pinigilan ko ang aking sarili na matawa habang ini-imagine si Hecate na nagdidilig ng mga pananim.

It's times like these that make me realize how time is fleeting. Dinner went by fast, so did the entertaining conversations, and the next thing I knew, Thanatos is already bidding us farewell.

Isa-isa niya kaming tinignan nang makalabas na kami ng restaurant. "I'll see you soon, demigods." Panghuling tumigil ang kanyang mga mata kay Matilda. "I still have souls to collect."

Napangiti ako.

How far have we come that we were able to dine with the god of death? Siya na rin ang nagbayad ng dinner namin ngayong gabi.

"Mag-ingat ka," ani Matilda.

Umangat ang magkabilang kilay ni Thanatos. "I'm a god, Matilda."

"I know." Nginitian siya nito.

"Mmm." He squinted his eyes at her before averting his gaze to Kaye. "I want you both back in the Underworld tomorrow, just like what you promised."

The god gave us a final nod before turning his back and disappearing with the shadows.

Nang tuluyan na ngang maglaho si Thanatos sa aming paningin, sabay kaming napalingon kay Kaye.