The Semideus

Chapter 4

DREAMS

"Sorry, but the ones here failed the test," one Semideus announced.

Napatingin ako sa sarili kong mga paa. Some cried, and as much as I wanted to, I couldn't for now.I failed. It's my fate, hindi ko naman nais labanan kung anong nakatadhana sa'kin. Ngunit... aaminin kong may panghihinayang ako.

Before I even turned to a stone in my dreams, I successfully beheaded Medusa. However, I wasn't able to go out of my dream. Nanghina ang puso ko, at tuluyan akong nakatulog. Though, the funny thing now is I feel so energized than before. Damon was the one who returned me here in the Capitol Palace, I presume.

Tumikhim ang Semideus, "Go to your perspective rooms. Return to this hall tomorrow, 2 PM sharp."

Nanatili ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Nauna na ang iba palabas. I held my breath to prevent myself from crying. All I wanted was to go to the Olympian World to at least know why I—

Natigil ako sa pag-iisip ng makakita ng silhouette ng lalaki. I looked up, but my eyes were immediately covered by his hands. D'on ko lang napagtantong tumutulo na pala ang luha ko. I can feel the wetness of my cheeks upon his palm.

"Why are you crying?" a deep voice said. Master. I immediately recognized the voice. He chuckled. May nilagay siyang tela sa palad ko. Panyo? Napaawang ang bibig ko at hindi ako nakapagsalita. I was too... dumbfounded.

He spoke once more, "Don't give up yet, Xynthea. Hope is always ahead of you."

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko. How... just how did he know my name? Is he part of my unknown past? Magsasalita na sana ako nang bigla akong napasinok. I heard his deep chuckle once again. He patted my head, then suddenly I couldn't feel his presence anymore.

I opened my eyes to nothing. Tiningnan ko ang panyo na binigay niya sa'kin. Nagkunot-noo ako nang makakita ng letter Z. Pinunasan ko ang luha ko, at nagulat nang panibagong lalaki ang sumalubong sa'kin.

"Damon," bati ko.

He smirked at me, "Uy!" May hawak s'yang susi, mayroon ding damit na pambabae sa kabilang kamay niya. I suppose it's for me?

"Hindi ko akalaing 'di ka papasa," wika n'ya sa'kin. Hehe, same!

Tumikhim siya. "Ihahatid na kita sa kuwartong inassign sa'yo. All facilities in the room are free to use until tomorrow."

"You still haven't told me your name, though," he said. Naglakad na siya palayo, kaya't sinundan ko na lamang siya.

I smiled, "I'm Xynthea."

Tumango siya, "I just hope death won't be judged for you."

"Most judgments were death, hindi ba? Gaano kadalas ang nakakabalik sa mortal world?" tanong ko. Halos lahat kasi ng kakilala kong hindi nakapasa... namatay.

Bahagya siyang lumingon sa'kin. He put on a sad smile in his face, "Madalang pa sa madalang. It's a miracle if you get out of here alive." Napakurap-kurap naman ako dahil d'on.

My chest tightened, at bigla naman akong napahawak sa puso ko ulit. Tuluyan na siyang lumingon sa'kin. Nag-aalala niya akong tiningnan. Lumapit siya sa'kin pero pakiramdam ko bumagal ang oras.

I held on to the handkerchief tightly. Napayuko ako sa sobrang sakit ng puso ko. Medical doctors didn't diagnose me of any sickness or disease, but the feeling within was always excruating.

Mabilis niya akong inalalayan patungo sa kwarto ko. Mahina— nanghihina akong nagsalita, "Veranda." Somehow, I'm being re-energized by just the sound or feeling of nature.

Tinulak ko ang screen papunta sa veranda, at naramdaman ko kaagad ang hangin. I closed my eyes, and breathed deeply. Humina ang huni ng mga ibon, at nagsimula nang umayos ang pakiramdam ko.

"Leave," mahina kong wika. "Please."

Naramdaman kong bumigat ang mga talukap ko hanggang sa tuluyan na akong nakatulog sa veranda.

In my dreams, I saw myself drowning in fire until I almost vanished into thin air. My tears were running down like a cascading waterfall, non-stop. I saw countless of dead bodies, and a man telling me, "You owe me your life."

Napatingin ako sa ulap at nakita ang mga ibon na unti-unting nagbabagsakan, as if the mortal realm was coming to it's end. I saw my own reflection against broken shards of mirror. Kakaiba ang aking hitsura. I had violet eyes, and my hair was colored ash brown.

Someone tapped my shoulders from behind. Lumingon ako at nakakita ng isang sirang malaking orasan. The souls of the dead were being transfered to the clock. A famous saying ringed in my ears, Time is gold.

"Xynthea," a familiar voice called from afar. Tumingala ako at nagulat nang makita ang isang hooded na lalaki papalapit sa'kin.

Napabalikawas ako paggising ko, at para bang naligo sa sariling pawis. Naghahabol ako ng hininga. Napatingin ako sa paligid. Nagtaka naman ako nang makita na nasa kama ako. Did Damon put me in here?

Napatingin ako sa sarili kong kamay at nakitang hawak-hawak ko ang panyong may letrang Z. Napansin ko rin ang suot ko... nag-iba! I started to panic. Who the hell changed my clothes?!

I just made a quick morning routine, and started to headed out. Maging ang iba palang mga kasamahan ko ay lumabas na rin sa kanilang mga kwarto.

Some looked at me. Some smiled sadly. Some just... did not care. I sighed. I should be enjoying this day because it might probably be the last.

I stiffened when I saw God Hermes. I recognized him because of his long hair and tan skin. He wore his famous winged hat and winged sandals. Hindi ko alam kung babatiin ko siya or what, but in the end I greeted him with respect.

"Lord Hermes," I said and bowed my head.

Lumingon siya sa'kin, ngunit natigilan din siya nang magtama ang mata namin. His forehead creased as if something was unusual with my eyes. Is it because it's of a gray color?

"Athena," mahinang wika niya, though I was able to read his lips. Hindi ko napigilan ang pagtataka. Ito na ang pangalawang pagkakataong may tumawag sa'king Athena. Maybe because of the same gray eyes?

The Semideus
by lostmortals
Plagiarism is a crime.

Votes and comments are highly appreciated.
Thank you for reading!