Descendants of the Gods

Chapter 17: First Quest

KASDEYA ARGYROS' Point of View

"What in the Underworld are you doing, Aether?"

My eyes pierce through the wind, directly glaring at his figure. He looks relaxed. Almost too relaxed for someone whose failed murder attempt got caught.

Sumandal siya sa isang puno. Masama rin ang pagbalik ng mga tingin niya sa akin. "Eliminating you. What else?"

And he's surprisingly honest too. Napakakapal ng mukha at napakalakas ng loob niya.

"Sa pagkakatanda ko, hindi 'yan pinapayagan sa Acropolis." Humalukipkip ako. "I'm asking you once again. What in the Underworld are you doing, Aether Lee?"

He scoffs, pushing himself off the tree. Sinuksok niya sa kaniyang pantalon ang dalawa niyang kamay. He walks toward me, each step feels like a strike of warning and threat. The murder intent he has for me is obvious. I can smell it from a mile away.

"Funny for you to say that, Kasdeya Argyros. Hindi ba't ikaw ang nauna?"

I click my tongue in annoyance. "What are you talking about? Diretsuhin mo nga ako."

"I saw you, you witch." Venom flows out of his mouth as he say those words. Halatang halata ang pagtitimpi niya sa akin. I'm so sure that he would kill me right here if I let my guard down. "I saw you kill my confused, innocent sister with no hesitation or mercy!"

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. Anong pinagsasasabi ng baliw na 'to?

"You don't remember?" His eyes flare with overwhelming anger. A vein throbs in his forehead, his knuckles turn sheet white from his strong grip. "Bakit? Kasi marami ka nang napatay?" Sigaw pa niya.

Tumaas ang magkabila kong kilay.

"It was just yesterday! Nakita kitang patayin yung babae kahapon. She was a daughter of Hecate, my half sister. And when she was in need of help, you killed her instead!"

Nawala ang aliw sa mukha ko. Sinimangutan ko siya. "Bulag ka ba? She tried to kill me first. Dada ka ng dada akala ko marami kang nalalaman sa mga nangyayari. You're just as clueless as everyone, and here I thought that you were smart."

"What else do I have to know?" Sigaw pa niya sa akin. He's so livid, the veins throbbing in his forehead could pop at any minute. He's like a feral cat trying to pic a fight with me. "Narinig ko siyang umiiyak ng malakas. Nang makarating ako kung nasaan kayo, I saw you pushing her to a broken tree. Don't lie to me, Kasdeya. Alam ko ang nakita ko!

"And even if she tried to kill you first... How could you do that with no soul?" Dagdag pa niya.

Ngumuso ako. "I didn't take you for someone who's soft. After that murder attempt, akala ko wala kang puso."

"Wala akong puso sa mga katulad mo," His glare intensifies, but most of his features relaxes. Mukhang kumalma na siya matapos sabihin ang kaniyang hinanakit. "You've become more suspicious the more I find out things about you. And now I realized you're a natural born killer—"

"Oh, thanks."

Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mga mata. "Shut up!" Sigaw niya. "You shouldn't be here. Gagawin ko ang lahat para mawala ka rito sa Acropolis, Kasdeya. People like you don't belong here."

"You're not wrong, simula palang hindi na ako bagay dito..." Humakbang ako palapit sakaniya. He doesn't budge. "But I'm trying to survive here, Aether. Hindi ako aalis hangga't ligtas ako sa loob ng barrier."

I lean in closer to him. Tumaas ang tingin ko sakaniya samantalang siya naman ay nagbaba para magtama ang mga mata namin. Ngisihan ko siya. "You'd have to deal with me for a while. I hope that's okay with you." Nang-aasar kong sambit bago lumayo sakaniya.