Thieves Of Olympus

22

COLETTE

"Desmond, let's go."

Soleil and Cyrus, the two blonde heads, watch us as we disappear from the Institute. They left Yna under the nurse's care because of blood loss as he—Alistair—is nowhere to be seen pagkatapos nilang magkagulo sa kanilang kwarto. Ree is unconcious kaya binabantayan ni Milo.

I still feel weak pero paunti-unting bumabalik ang  lakas ko dahil sa nectar at ambrosia. The portal in the Institute is open kaya iyon ang ginamit namin. One of the watchers—Astrid, Circe's descendant—ang  nagbago ng alaala ni Sandro. She used a spell to make it look like a dream bago siya ihatid ni Lionel paalis.

"Dad!" sigaw ko sa loob ng kastilyo kasama si Desmond. The place is dark and scary silent. May mga bantay pero wala si Persephone at Hades sa throne room. Where could they be?

Desmond comes near the guards, "Where's King Hades? Queen Persephone?"

They blindly stare at us noong walang makuhang sagot.

Damn it, Dad! Wala akong oras para makipagtaguan. There will be war and he's nowhere to be found?

"Hades! Persephone!"

Nalibot na namin ang buong palasyo. Wala ni anino o kaluluwa nila. Macaria doesn't live here kaya siguradong walang siyang alam. Babaliktarin ko pa ba ang buong lugar?

Umupo ako sa upuan sa throne room. The fire in the hearth warms the cold, empty space. My brows knitted together as we wait.

"Let's leave the Cornucopia. I feel something bad because of the agitated souls," sabi ko kay Desmond na hawak ang itim na bag.

"Are you sure Cole?"

"I don't have time for his games. The crying souls irritate me."

"Okay," he puts the bag near the fiery heart. Mapapaso sa apoy ang magnanakaw niyan ulit.

The undead guards bow their heads when we left the place. They stiffly stood at the doors. Their hollow eye sockets seems too clear in the dark hallways. Dapat sila na lang ang tumira dito wala naman palagi sila Hades at Persephone.

Desmond walks behind me to protect my back. Palapit na kami sa gate noong may presensiya sa likod namin. I quickly grab my sword and point it on the intruder's neck while Desmond's on guard with his.

"Okay, little demon." Dad raises his hands to surrender. He use his fingers to remove the sword, gold ichor trickles from his wound, "Calm down."

"Where have you been?!" salubong ko sa kanya. "The souls are wailing and skittish yet you're gone!" I almost pulled my hair because of frustration,"The cornucopia's in the throne room. We need to get back. May nararamdaman akong hindi maganda."

"I'm sorry dear. I fetch my love from her mother. She's been petty because Persephone's going to leave her again."

Oo nga pala. Malapit na ang winter kaya bumalik na sila dito. Demeter visits sometimes but she misses the upper world kaya hatid-sundo ang anak niya tulad ngayon.

"Send my regards to her. We'll be going now. Let's go Desmond."

Dad stops us, "Wait kid, there's a gift for you."

"Who? Me or him?" turo ko sa katabi.

"Him... your keeper."

"Please, make it quick."

"Of course," he muttered some complaints before teleporting before our eyes.

Pagbalik niya ay may dala na siyang espada. It has red and black sheath covering it. Mahaba kumpara sa akin at mukhang inabot ng mahabang panahon ang paggawa nito.

"From your father... Alastor," he said, "It took him years to forge it that's why he gave it late."

Namamangha tinanggal ni Desmond ang takip nito. The red glowing blade reflects his features. "Thank you," he utters.

"Careful that's a blood sword. Your father forged that with steel and iron... along with his own blood. It feeds on the blood of mortals and immortals alike. Use it wisely," Dad warns him.

"Yes, King Hades." Desmond bows his head.

"As for you Colette. Be careful out there. They are waiting... and buy her some time," bilin nito bago ako yakapin at buksan ang portal para pabalikin kami sa Institute.

Orphne's signal wakes my system up when we return. Sugatan si Lionel at nagkakagulo ang mga estudyante sa hallway. Ang iba ay nabubunggo na namin sa pagmamadali.

"Assemble Abyssinians!" I command. As three lines form in front of me—The Elites, the keepers, and the watchers.

I stand tall and raise my head. My hand gripping Shadow's hilt, "Today starts the warfare between Titans and Demigods! Be as one this time and we will survive the reckoning havock!"

Their faces says it all. Emotions that should and should not be seen in the battlefield; courage, determination, fear, anger... love.

"All hail Princess of the Underworld!"

The chant is soft at first until it gradually becomes louder. Their voices along with my comrades fill the open space that echo around us. Kasabay nito ang pagyanig ng lupang tinapatakan namin. Birds' distressed cries as sound of crashing trees surround us. It made us fell silent. Nag-iba din ang lamig ng hangin naturally and abnormally dahil kay Soleil.

I coldly threaten them, "Betray your kin... I will kill you myself."

Shadows's blade shines as I remove it from it's sheath. I sighed and prepare myself along with them. I prayed to the Gods and Goddesses. My charcoal black eyes remains cold until the grunts and shaking of the ground is near.

I swing my sword, and slowly raised it above my head. Nakuha nito ang attention nila.

There's no place for fear and weakness in the battlefield. Only death will reign when we have weakness in out hearts. So I will be strong and lead them with strength and never regret being brutal this time.

Pinakiramdaman ko ang pagdating ng mga kalaban. I can tell that there are many of them.

This is the start of the war.

The signal for our time. The era of new races of Olympians. The time for equality... for love... and peace.

I raised my head with my sword and scream.

"For the institute!"

The clash of the monsters and demigods has begun.