Thieves Of Olympus

61

LUNOX

"Anong pinagusapan niyo ni Zeus sayo noon?"

Tumingala si Clea sa akin. Her hard stare becomes soft turning into curiosity. Her parted lips look soft. It looks paler than usual but a tinge of pink made her look innocent... Leaving her self open and unguarded. The roughness of her features is gone.

If death is this beautiful how can I not resist it.

Nasa pinakababang upuan kami malapit sa apoy. It is in the middle of the cabins and the villa kaya kahit malamig ay may init pa din sa tapat ng mga pinto. I slept for a bit at naabutan ko siya ditong nakatunganga at nag-iisip ng malalim. She has a red shoal with a floral tassles.

Now that she mention it naalala ko ang nangyari noon. I thought he wouldn't come but he did. He is the Chief God of Olympus, no one dares to make him to leave his throne. Kaya nagulat ako noong nakita siya sa conference room at nakaupo sa kabisera nakasuot ng pormal na damit. Siguro dahil sa pag-aalay ko ng dugo at insenso o dahil muntik ng gamitin si Soleil.

That's not the reason why she is born. Not for personal use or an asset but to be cared for as a person. Specially not just a breathing toy soldier.

"Are you scared that he will not like you?" tanong ko.

"Hindi naman... Tanggap ko nang hindi dapat ako nandito," sagot niya sa akin. "Kung tutuusin I should be staying at Hades' school. That's where I belong. Not here but there."

Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. Bumalik sa akin ang oras na pinag-usapan namin ni Zeus. The one time he really became a father to me. His parting words made me think of the future.

Noong umalis kami sa conference room ay pumunta kami sa balkonahe ng villa. He overlooks at the campers like a proud king. He turns to me and gives me a pat on the shoulder.

"Son, promise me that you will not lose yourself when the time of darkness comes," he said.

"Why would I lose myself?" umismid ako sa kanya.

I am already lost in darkness. She already graced her veil. Blinding my eyes with it. I can't leave her because she clamored herself in me with hooks and anchor.

"If your emotions can't destroy you then it will used against you. It will drown your soul in grief, sadness and pain. Otherwise, it can be your protection, your very own armor."

If he is giving me a choice then...

I look him in the eyes, "I'll use it as a protection. Even if I lose my ability I'd still have my feelings to conquer everything. A star can also shine without the moon."

"Are you in love with her?" biglaan niyang tanong.

I feel the shifting of light to heavy air between us. Alam ko na kung sino ang tinutukoy niya. No question asked.

"Why? May gagawin ka ba sa kanya? So what of I am?"

"I also came here to warn you. That girl will be your own downfall."

"How can you say that? Based on experience?"

What an irony. He who has many child from his lifetime but says this to me in person. Unbelievable. Kahit si Soleil ay hindi maniniwala sa kanya.

He let's a crackle of lighting strike the farthest tree from us. No need to see if it splits in two.

Nababasa niya pala ang iniisip ko.

"Trust me, son. I know it. Because of her you will fall in the deepest pit of anger. It will make you blind and reckless. You might die because of that," he explains. His inner sentiments came out from the sky.

"I know. That's how mortal feelings work. We get blinded from it to the point we can see their flaws for perfection."

"Then I am correcting you before making a mistake."

"Did Mom's death correct your mistake? Noong namatay siya dahil kay Hera did it stopped you from siring more of our sibling?"

"Lunox!" his voice booms with another thunder.

"Tell me how many of us are out there?"

His anger made the clouds darker and gloomier. Ngayon lang ba siya nakatanggap ng galit galing sa anak niya? Ngayon lang may nagsabi ng totoo sa kanya at galing pa mismo sa laman at dugo niya? He didn't do anything against Hera's revenge plots but he got affected by my words.

"You're a stubborn child. Where did that attitude come from?"

"From you. Like father, like son right?"

"I can't believe this! Never have I imagined you growing up like this. So stubborn and errant. I am still your father remember that!"

"I am your son you should also remember that," nakapamulsa kong sabi.

"Remember this day."

"I will. Don't worry... That downfall your saying will be my stepping stone to rise again."

"You'll suffer alone if you continue sticking to that forbidden child."

"Aren't I forbidden too?"

"Go ahead. Soon you'll be drowning in rage and anger. Pick your choice. The time is near."

Nagtapatan kami ng tingin. Mata sa mata. His stormy eyes on my icy cold ones. Hindi ako bumitaw. I can get the last words on this one.

"I choose her. I pick Clea, Thanatos daughter, as my own demise."

Bumalik ako sa kasalukuyan noong naramdaman ang ulo niya sa balikat ko. She fell asleep already. Our hands intertwined. The rise and fall of her shoulders shows how exhausted she is.

I remembered his words in my head as he leaves for Olympus.

'If death cannot conquer the your soul then it will make you kneel and bleed.'

Then I will bleed for this person. In case I left them... My sister... I know she is with the safest person. She has someone to protect her and be with her when I am gone.

I lift Clea and went to her cabin. The first one near the villa. Kung pwede lang ay dinala ko na siya sa villa pero magigising ang iba lalo na si Erina. I fixed her pillow. Tinanggal ko din ang pulang balabal sa balikat niya at binalutan siya ng kumot. She shifted for a bit.

I kissed her forehead and whispered:

"I told him that I choose you from the very start."