Bequest of the Twilight

01. Call from the Highest

Chapter 1

"Being a hero doesn't mean you're invincible. It just means that you're brave enough to stand up and do what's needed."

— Rick Riordan

Μονάδα Greco, Αθήνα, Ελλάδα
Greco Unit, Athens, Greece

"Granger Aslan!"

Nakasimangot ako nang marating ang aking quarters. My storage boxes that were once filled with sweets and snacks all became empty! Siya lang naman ang nakakaalam ng room password ko kaya siya lang din ang paniguradong may kagagawan nito.

That brute!

Ginawa niya lang palang snack pantry ang silid ko habang nasa 3-day mission ako!

"Rienne, please don't freak out."

Speaking of the devil . . .

"Sino ba namang hindi maiinis kung madadatnan kong ubos ang lahat ng pagkain dito sa kuwarto ko?!" singhal ko at galit ko itong binalingan. "Wala na akong pakialam kung hindi mo naiintindihan ang mga sinasabi ko p-pero . . ."

My voice suddenly trailed off when I saw a familiar envelope on his hand.

Biglang humupa ang inis ko kasabay ng pagkalabog ng aking dibdib. Range took a step closer, yet I didn't have the chance to react as my eyes were pinned on the folded paper, making sure that my vision served me right.

He breathed out a sigh. "I can sense the curses you just spit on me, but I guess this is quite the signal that I should learn Tagalog the fastest way I could."

Hindi ko pinagtuonan nang pansin ang sinabi nito. Bagkus ay napunta sa kawalan ang aking paningin no'ng ipinatong nito ang papel sa side table ng aking kama.

"You should probably make up your mind, Rienne."

I was blankly staring at the wall when I heard the door gently shut. I stayed that way for a few seconds, and when I lost track of his presence, an exhausted breath finally escaped my lips.

Ibinagsak ko ang aking likuran sa kama at ipinikit ang aking mga mata. Nang imulat ko ang mga ito ay sumalubong sa akin ang imahe ng daan-daang bituing tila nagniningning at nakakalat sa aking kisame.

The purplish-blue hue of the night sky filled with various stars and meteors instantly brought back memories.

Wala sa sarili kong inangat ang aking braso at sinubukang abutin ang isang bulalakaw.

Nine years ago, I painted this scene on my bedroom's ceiling here in the unit. I even had an argument with the Chieftess and blackmailed her if she wouldn't permit me to paint.

I smiled. The twelve-year-old me was quite brave and artistic.

Ibinaba ko ang aking kamay at napahinga ulit nang malalim.

"Maharlika . . ."

It's been years since I last uttered that word.

It was the place where everything started, the root cause of my existence. And yet I left because it was her dying wish. My mom's last wish was for me to be free. She told me to leave Maharlika and explore the world.

Eventually, I did.

However, it brought me back to my history.

I left Maharlika only to be thrown in Greece. Ugh, the Gods just can't let me get away, can they?

And so, here I am, equally fighting for my life while still trying to figure out my real purpose.

Kalauna'y bumangon na ako at akmang guguluhin ang sariling buhok nang huminto sa paggalaw ang aking mga braso. I balled my fists and tried calming myself.