KASDEYA ARGYROS' Point of View
Binuksan ng satyr ang pinto sa harapan ko. "This will be your room for the time being, Ms. Kasdeya Argyros. Deputy Commander Castello specifically asked to prepare you a room in the main building."
I crumple up my nose at the amount of light coming from the room. Dito muna ako tutuloy hangga't hindi pa ako nakakapagdesisyon... o nakakatakas.
After the whole 'Descendence Rites' fiasco earlier, a satyr came and found me. Mabilis niya akong inalis doon para dalhin sa left wing ng second floor sa main building.
From what I learned earlier, malapit daw ito sa infirmary kaya may mga bedrooms na pwedeng puntahan ng demigods. Contrary to what I expect, it isn't as grand and over-the-top as the entire interior of the building.
Gawa sa cream wallpaper at wood ang mga pader, pati ang sahig ay kahoy din. Though it doesn't look like normal wood. It's polished beyond perfection and when the light coming from the two crystal chandeliers hits it, you can see it slightly sparkle in gold.
Walang masyadong laman sa loob kundi ang isang pintuan na nasa gilid ng kwarto, isang cabinet sa tabi nito, at sa gitna naman ay may malambot na kama at bedside table with a lamp. Ang ilalim ng kama ay pinaliligiran ng puting fur carpet.
Nang makaapak ako sa loob, yumuko ang satyr sa akin. "I will leave you in your room. We wish that you have a lovely stay, Ms. Argyros."
Pagkatapos mamaalam ay lumabas na siya ng kwarto, hindi nakakalimutang isarado ang pinto sa pag-alis niya. I roll my eyes at the door.
Lovely stay, my ass. Hindi ako mapapakali hangga't nasa Acropolis ako. I'm stepping inside an Alastorian territory and worst of it all, one of them is here, who just so happens to be another pain in the ass like the gods.
Nakatingin lang ako sa kama. At sa isang iglap, tumatakbo na ako palapit doon. I jump towards it and plant my face on the soft mattress. After the everything that happened today, this feels like heaven.
Even the beds in the orphanage isn't as soft and bouncy as this. Parang nalulusaw ang katawan ko sa itaas ng comforter.
Umayos ako ng pagkakahiga. I turn over and stare at the ceiling illuminated by the bright lights coming from the chandeliers. My mind starts to wander.
Tinaas ko ang aking kamay para makita ang aking palapulsuhan. The silver bracelet speckled with tiny moonstones surrounding it dangles from my wrist. Kuminang ang ilang bato sa tuwing ginagalaw ko ang aking kamay para makita ito ng mabuti.
Sa pagtagal ng titig ko rito, hindi ko maiwasang maisip ang buhay na iniwanan ko sa mundo ng mga tao.
I can't believe this. Naging pabaya ako sa nagdaang buwan dahil hindi ako hinabol ng Katharsis. I'm always watching my back, that's practically my instinct now, but I let my guard down too low.
Kung naging maingat ako sa Katharsis pati na rin sa Acropolis, hindi ako maiipit sa ganitong sitwasyon. This is all my fault, I walked towards their hands because I forgot about them.
Hindi ko inakalang hahanapin ako ng Acropolis. Other than the small interaction I had with Paris and the others when I escaped years ago, hindi ko sila nakaharap ng mabuti.
How did they even find me or know about my existence? Pati na rin ang relasyon ko sa Katharsis, paano nila nakalap ang ganoong impormasyon?
At kung lumabas ako ng bansa, malayo sa mga teritoryong tinatapakan ng Alastorians at Katharsis, hahanapin ba nila ako, at kung oo, mahahanap ba nila ako?
I take a deep breath, my sigh is the only sound inside the entire room. Buong araw akong hihiga rito kung hindi ko lang kailangang maghanap ng paraan para makaalis.
Naaalala ko pa ang dahilan kung ba't ako dinala rito in the first place, probably the only reason why they even care about me.
They want to find their Commander. Ellenore Mathias, is it?
She's kidnapped by the Katharsis and because they have no leads or any clue where she could be, they need my help. Gusto rin siguro nilang malaman kung paano magpalakad ang Katharsis sa loob ng kanilang organisasyon dahil magkalaban sila, and how they can destroy them from the roots.
Gods, they really think I have that kind of information? At papayag akong tulungan sila pagkatapos ng nangyari sa akin dahil sa Katharsis? Napapikit ako ng mariin.
No, can I even relive my days inside their walls? It was a living nightmare, where I'm wide awake and I feel everything they're doing to me.
But I have to admit. Acropolis is being gentle with me if I forget Franchesca's threats. Naninibago ako. Hindi ako sanay sa ganitong pagtrato pag may kailangan ang tao sa akin. And to be honest, I haven't experienced this kind of lenient treatment even in the mortal world.
Dumilat ako. The crystal reflections glitter as the breeze slightly move it. Para itong bituin na kumikinang, ngunit imbes na itim ang langit ay kulay crema ito.
I close my eyes to avoid looking at it. I'm still scared that it might follow my hand when I'm not aware.
My mind spirals back to what happened earlier.
Theon Alastor...
I've met handsome guys in the past. Ayoko mang aminin, pero maraming pogi at maganda sa headquarters ng Katharsis. I can even confidently admit that I was so used to my father's looks, I've become immune to their charms.
Pati si Ryo ay may itsura. He just always look messy and has the 'bad boy' style going on. He likes to look intimidatingly hot, but it works for him. Tanggap ko rin siya kahit sumosobra na ang kagaguhan niya.
Gunner is also handsome, though not as attractive as Ryo, pinagkakaguluhan pa rin siya ng mga tao.
But even after meeting Paris, Theon is the embodiment of a Greek god statue. He's as beautiful as that, maybe even more. If I don't know better I'd think he's a god.
Too bad he's the second son of a tribe who blindly worships the Olympian gods.
Umiling ako at hindi na tinuloy ang iniisip.
Remember, Kas. He's an Alastorian. They will only give you problems and nothing else. I'm glad I don't have to see him anymore lalo na't pag nakatakas ako. That blatant liar gets on my nerves just thinking about him.
Mababaliw na yata ako pag nagtagal pa ako dito. I need to get out of here now.
I push myself off the soft bed. Inayos ko ang nagulo kong buhok, tinitingnan ang kabuuan ng kwarto. This better be the last time I see this room. I can't afford spending a night inside these walls.
Tumayo na ako at naglakad patungo sa pintuan. With footsteps as light as a cat's, I slowly open the door without creating any sound. Sumilip ako sa maliit na butas na ginawa ko.
No one's outside my door. That's good. Naisip kong may nagbabantay na satyr sa labas o kaya naman ay mga estudyanteng naglalakad sa hallway. It's completely empty, but since it's already around midnight, I shouldn't be surprised.
This is my only chance. Kung hindi pa ako tatakas ngayon, hindi na ako makakakuha ng panibagong pagkakataon. I don't want to spend another day in this place.
Mabagal at tahimik kong nilakihan ang awang ng pinto. I don't fully open it, just enough to fit my petite frame in between. Sinarado ko ang pinto sa likod ko nang makatapak na ako sa hallway. When I hear the soft click, I turn my head left and right before bolting my way out of there.
