The Eternal in Abyss

Chapter 16: The Truth

KASDEYA ARGYROS' Point of View

Sumandal ako sa pader na nasa likod nang makarating ako sa gilid ng hotel. Malalim akong huminga bago ito pakawalan ng malakas, my head hitting the hard wall as I look up at the darkening sky.

Mariin akong napapikit. At least I got out of there before things escalated even more.

That crazy witch. I didn't think she'll do something like that while we're here. Base sa mga tinging nakukuha ko mula kay Hurricane, alam kong may balak na siyang masama sa akin kahit nung nasa Acropolis pa kami.

It's a familiar feeling, to be hated and be the subject of their malice. Hindi na ito bago sa akin dahil kahit na tinuring akong miyembro ng pinakamalakas na grupo sa Katharsis, hindi pa rin ako nakatakas sa pananakit ng ibang demigods.

But I didn't expect her to do it now. Unang una sa lahat, wala kami sa Acropolis kaya hindi niya kayang kontrolin ang paligid. Tapos sumabay pa ang propesiya. What made her think it's time to strike me down now?

Ang lakas ng loob niya. She must've thought I'm not strong enough to turn the tables against her. Ako man ang pinakamahina sa Hellenes at Ouroboros, hindi ibig sabihin nito na hindi ko kayang protektahan ang sarili ko.

Besides, I may be weak but I'm still the cruelest among the Hellenes. Even if she's full of hate, my anger has been fostering for decades. She can never match that.

Unti-unti akong naupo sa lupa habang nakasandal pa rin sa pader. I stare at the small puddle in front of me, reflecting the deep blue skies and the moon peaking from the edge. I heave a long sigh to calm myself and wash the adrenaline out of my system.

Napasinghap ako nang may biglang humatak sa isa kong braso. I'm about to summon a dagger and attack them, but his voice stops me from doing something worse.

"What did she do to you?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Aries. Nanlalaki ang mga mata niya sa galit. His red eyes flare like crimson fire over spilled gasoline. A vein is visible on the side of his forehead.

I look away with a loud breathe. "Okay lang ako."

He tighten his grip on me. "Continue lying and I will kill everyone in that damn hotel."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Who the fuck does he think he is?

"Huwag kang magmarunong, Aries. I don't need your pity."

Mabilis kong binawi ang braso ko mula sakaniya. His hold is starting to hurt, I don't think he has realized that he's gripping me too hard, to the point that my hands are starting to become paler.

"What did that thing do? Kausapin mo ako, Kasdeya." I can feel the anger in his voice. Inirapan ko nalang siya.

Humalukipkip ako at naglakad lakad sa malaking espasyo. No one is around other than him. Maliban sa streetlights at ilang basurahan, nagmumukhang disyerto ang paligid.

Sumagi nanaman ang nangyari kanina sa isip. It's still uunbelievable. That girl really had the guts to try and kill me. Ano bang akala niya? Na magpapatalo ako? Over my dead body.

The one thing that matters to me most is survival. I would rather rip myself into two than yield easily. I will always go far to get what I want, a simple murder attempt like what Hurricane tried is pathetic.

Her biggest mistake is thinking she's stronger than me.

Too bad for her. Hindi ko kailangan ang aking godly attribute para maging malakas. Uunahan ko muna siya bago niya ako maisahan.

I try to calm myself down again because my thoughts and feelings are becoming rampant. The urge to spill more blood is strong. I can't let Aries see that.