Descendants of the Gods

Chapter 14: Through the Woods

KASDEYA ARGYROS' Point of View

"Then get out of here before I decide you're one of them."

He didn't have to give me a warning. Aalis ako rito kahit ano pa man ang mangyari. Ayoko nang magtagal sa Acropolis.

Aries disappeared after he introduced himself. Kinuha ko ang pagkakataong yun para tumakas. The barrier is red and vulnerable, it's easy for me to get through without problems lalo na't sira naman ito.

Sigurado akong si Aries rin ang dahilan kung bakit ito nasira.

I take a deep inhale and continue running. Natuyo ng malamig na simoy ng hangin ang pawis na tumutulo sa gilid ng noo ko. The wind keeps me cold while my eyes scan the forest through the veil of darkness.

Natagalan ng kaunti, pero naalala ko na siya. Aries. He's one of Katharsis' strongest members. Anak siya ni Ares, the Olympian god of war. I should've known the moment I saw the color of his eyes and felt the sinister intent in them.

The guy who was talking shit about Theon Alastor? That's him. Maraming nakakakilala sa kanya sa organisasyon dahil malakas siya. Everyone respects and fears him. It was so easy hearing news about the son of Ares.

I know him by name, but not his face.

He was right earlier. Narinig rin siguro niya ang tungkol sa akin mula sa guards na nakabantay sa kulungan ko. Though, he never bothered to look at the dungeon which is pretty lucky for me.

Dinaanan ko ang matatangkad na damo sa gubat. Hindi ko na ito hinawi o sinubukang tanggalin. I'm so desperate to get away from here that I no longer look at where I'm going.

Hindi pa ako nakakalayo sa Acropolis pero nandito pa rin ang isang importanteng miyembro ng Katharsis. Two things I have been trying my best to run away from. I can't let them find me again so easily. Kailangan ko nang magtago ng mabuti.

I was careless back then. Para akong ligaw na hayop sa mga kalsada dahil wala akong mapuntahan. I know the house my father and I lived in was already sold to someone else, kaya wala akong choice.

Then the orphanage found me. I'm not exactly lying low, I'm just trying to achieve a normal life.

But I need to be a better hider in our game of hide and seek.

Mabibigat ang bawat hiningang pinakakawalan ko. The air is so chilly, it's enough to form white fogs from my mouth when I exhale or sigh. Hindi rin ako komportable sa suot kong hindi bagay sa klima.

I scratch my thighs when the rough edges of the grass touches me or when small insects try to bite my skin. Isang simpleng tampal at kamot lang bago bilisan ang pagtakbo.

Wala akong ideya kung saan ako papunta. Ang tanging nasa isip ko lang ay makatakas. I need to get down the mountain to be completely safe. Then, I'll find the crowd, look for a ride, and get out of here. After that, I'll pack up and get ready to leave. I should be somewhere far away from here.

The sound of the eerie forest invades my mind like a background music. Iyon lang ang tanging pinakinggan ko. I also try to watch out for any monsters who would want to eat me. Mahirap na.

I run for who knows how long when I finally feel like my knees are about to give up. Namamaga na ang mga paa ko at nawawalan na rin ako ng hininga.

Kahit labag sa loob ko, tumigil ako sa tabi ng isang matabang puno. I hold unto it for dear life while catching my breath.

My body wants to rest. A major setback because I'm racing against time.

Napahawak ako sa nanginginig kong tuhod habang humihingal. I didn't realize how hard my heart is rattling against my chest until now.