PUBLISHED UNDER PSICOM PUBLISHING | "Lives in exchange of one life."
Every year, the Olympus Gates opens for mortals who dreams to become a Semideus, a mortal favored by the Gods. However, one needs to take the Semideus test and must be prepared for...
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"Gusto ko na maging isang Semideus!"
Ilan lamang 'yan sa narinig ko. I am standing with other teens in front of the Olympus Gates, the gates to the Olympian World— the world of Greek Gods and Goddesses. It is located in the Capitol City, the center of the mortal realm.
Screams, noise, cries, and laughter filled my ears. Nakakairita. Hindi ko gusto ang ingay. Natutuwa rin ako dahil sa wakas narito na ako sa Olympus Gates, but that still does not guarantee that I will become a Semideus.
The Semideus is a mortal favored by the Gods. Thus, they gain power and the honor to be mentored by Gods. Some Greek Heroes, especially heroes nowadays, are trained Semideuses. I smiled upon the thought that maybe someday, I'll be a fully-pledged Semideus and a Greek Heroine. Maybe.
Napatingin naman ako sa isang grupo na tila pinapanood lang kaming lahat. They were all wearing masks, and one man with teal or sea-green eyes looked at me intently. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ngunit biglang sumakit ang ulo ko. Napapikit ako ngunit muli akong tumingin sa grupong nakatitig sa'kin, ngunit napansing nawala na sila. Who were they?
Nahiwalay nalang ang tingin ko nang may humila sa'king damit. Isang maliit na batang babae. Tinaassan ko nga s'ya ng kilay. Is it normal for them to just grab the shirts of others?
Huminga siya nang malalim at sinabing, "Gusto kong pumunta roon." Itinuro niya ang Golden gates ng Olympus. Nag-pout pa siya, kaya't ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Dear, kung nais mong pumunta doon, you have to train very hard at kapag dumating ka sa tamang edad, maaari kang pumunta doon!"
Her eyes shone. "Really? Will you be there when I get there?" Tumango ako kahit 'di ako sigurado. "Yes, I'll probably be a goddess by then," I confidently joked. Then, we continued talking until a thunder roared from the skies.
Zeus.
Nawala na ang bata sa tabi ko. She was probably scared because of the thunders and flashes of lightning. Kahit nga ang iba rito'y napairit nang marinig iyon. Well, I suppose it surprised me too.
"Today is the annual Semideus test." Naghiwayan ang lahat sa maikling anunsyo ng Diyos. As a result, others cried— either because of excitement or fear.
Zeus was not physically present, so the skies spoke for him. I looked around, at nabigo lang nang hindi talaga mahanap ang Diyos ng Kalangitan. There's this rumor na kapag daw nakita ng isang mortal si Zeus in his true form, mamamatay ang mortal dahil sa kadakilaan niya. It happened to Semele, a mortal princess who had an affair with Zeus. She was said to be consumed by fire and lightning and thunder-bolts.
"I am sure all of you are aware that we test the ability, courage, and wisdom." Again, naghiwayan na naman sila. Seriously? Ano bang kahiyaw-hiyaw r'on? I'm sure they are overwhelemed, but can't they let Zeus finish first?
"You should also be aware of the consequences, mortals." Finally, the crowd went silent because of that statement alone.
"Pass, and you will have the privilege to seek and witness the Olympian World," aniya na nakapagpasigaw sa lahat. "Or fail, and fates will decide whether you die, or continue your normal life as mortal." Dahil doon, they gasped in fear. Most of the rumors said that death is judged among those who failed the test.
"Expect the unexpected mortals. For your first challenge, find the light and never die," sabi nito bago mag-fade ang kaniyang boses. Tila naman bumalik sa normal ang kalangitan. What? May challenge na agad? I thought—
In a split of a second, the gates opened. Everyone ran towards the entrance. Hamit na hamit na makapasok at makapasa.
While I, still standing in front of the gate, watch them run and pass by me. Ang iba'y nadadapa na kaya't napapikit ako at umiling. There's a lot of time, hindi naman sinabing race, 'di ba?
Kalmado akong naglakad papasok sa gates, at hindi pinansin ang ibang taong narito. I looked above, and a hint of lightning showed up. Tumakbo agad ako palayo doon at nadapa. I looked at where I was before, at isang lalaki ang natamaan ng lightning na dapat sa akin tatama. Napailing nalang ulit ako at tumayo. Sorry, I whispered.
Nilibot ko ang tingin ko. All the others failed and got struck by lightning.
I still need to go, I'm halfway there, sabi ko sa sarili ko. Nagsimula na muli akong maglakad. I was seriously walking until I jolted in surprise because of the lightning, which appeared in front of me.
Lumiko ako dahil d'on at pilit na kinalma ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. Find the light, pag-ulit ng sinabi ni Zeus sa utak ko.Finally, I saw a light, not so far away from here.
I am a meter away from the light, but I stopped because of a realization. Bakit 'di ako nasisilaw? Ah! This is artificial light, and it is not true! Tila ba ilusyon lamang itong ilaw na ito. Sa hindi malamang dahilan, tumingin ako sa itaas. Napansin ko kaagad ang munting pagliwanag ng langit.
Light. Isang lightning ang tatama sa akin, at bago pa man ako nakailag ay natamaan na ako.
Natawa naman ako bago magdilim ang paningin. Natamaan ako ng liwanag pero kadiliman ang sumakop sa akin.
The Semideus by lostmortals Plagiarism is a crime.
Credits to crovistello for the banner! She's also a writer, kaya check niyo rin works niyaaa ♡♡
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