DEMIGODS: The Empyrean's Sanctity

Chapter 13: Tied by Fate

『SKYLER』

Just like what Celine told us, a dark, ferocious presence was lingering in the thin air, that even the green pasture couldn’t contain it as they wither to black. I roamed my sight around and couldn’t help but be dumbfounded by my own deduction.

Xian Xander? A mundane, my ass.

He bears the eyes given by the heavens, the only being bound to guide those who seek to explore the Labyrinth.

“Follow me,” Celine said.

She guided us away from the mansion until we stopped in front of a humungous tree, along with the human-size bushes in its side. Celine looked around first before pressing a button camouflage in the tree’s trunk, making bushes slide open into a door.

“Let’s go.” Sumunod kami sa kanya sa loob, nang makita ko ang mga nagniningning na mga mata ni Light ay hindi ko maiwasan na mapangisi. Gustong-gusto niya talaga ang mga ganito.

Nang makarating kami sa loob, agad kong nakita si Xian. Kumakain siya ng cup noodles habang nakatalikod sa amin at may pinapanood sa kanyang cellphone.

“Xian,” Celine called. Nakasimangot na nilingon ni Celine si Sapphire dahil hindi man lamang siya pinansin nito.

Buntong-hininga na nagkibit-balikat si Sapphire na para bang labag sa loob niya ang gagawin niya. “Xian…”

“Yes, baby?” Xian said, still watching on his phone.

Tangina… napasapo na lamang kami sa aming mga noo, ngunit dahil may pagkaseryoso ngayon si Phoenix ay blanko siyang tumungo sa likuran ni Xian at malakas na binatukan ito.

“Oy, ang gago— shutangina! Bakit mo dinala ang mga kaibigan ko rito, Celine?!” Xian exclaimed. “Hindi nila alam ang secret ko—”

“Didn’t I told you that I am going to go get Percy Jackson?” Celine interrupted.

Dahan-dahan na namilog ang kanyang mga mata at nakatakip ang bibig na tumingin kay Phoenix, “Ikaw ba si Percy?”

“Tangina,” singhal ni Phoenix. Masamang tingin ang pinukol nito kay Xian na para bang gustong-gusto niyang saktan ito. “Mukha ba akong utak tubig?”

“Honest response ba ang gusto mo?” Tanong ni Xian. “Kasi kung oo, hindi naman. Utak hangin ka kasi.”

And before Phoenix could pulverize Xian, I immediately cleared my throat and pulled Phoenix away from him. His pale golden eyes glistened as it looked at me with curiosity.

“Why did you lie about your parents?” I asked.

“Master Garet told me,” he answered.

Light looked at him, squinting. “What do you mean?”

Tumingin si Xian kayna Sapphire at Celine, tila naghihintay na bigyan siya ng permiso upang sagutin ang tanong ni Light. Nang tumango si Celine sa kanya, diretso niya kaming minata at pinagmasdan.

“I am the current bearer of the blessed eyes…” Xian stated. He looked around and sighed. “Master Garet told me not to tell anybody who my mother is, especially that she is known as a member of the Rule-Breakers. And to hide my identity as Alyssa’s only child, I told Master Garet my idea— the fake death of my parents. And Sky… trust me, I have never meant to deceive you or any of you. I just had no choice.”

“Master Garet?” Sue repeated.

“Hindi ba’t siya ang headmaster ng Shier University, akala ko normal lang talagang tawagin na gano’n ang mga headmaster. Pero noonh nakita ko si Celine, bigla ko na lang naisip na baka magkatulad sila.”