Oculus of Time

Fortress

(A/N: Hehehe.)

Ria's POV

I sighed while standing in the middle of the staircase, in front of their huge family portrait.

It's almost midnight at wala pa ring Chase na bumabalik.

"He's not here."

Napalingon ako kay Hermes na lumitaw sa tabi ko. Nakaangat din ang kanyang tingin sa painting.

"I thought he's with you?" tanong ko.

"He flew by himself on his way home." He answered, before looking back at me with curiosity. "Tell me, do you truly love my son?"

Iniwasan ko ang kanyang tingin at muling hinarap ang painting. "Why?"

"A daughter of Ares should know that love, is the most powerful weapon one can hold." aniya. "It is the connection that transcends all corners of the universe, and even goes beyond."

Kumunot ang aking noo. "Are you telling me this because of everything that's happening to the realms right now?"

"Defend it, Ria." His eyes glistened with misery. "Defend the future you fought for and won."

"I'm sorry, Hermes." Hindi ko maiwasang makiramdam sa kanya. "I'm sorry for bringing you into this mess."

Nginitian niya lang ako. "Don't make us regret our decision of joining the war, okay?"

Napangiti rin ako. "Okay."

Kasunod na naglaho ang ngiti niya at mabilis na napalitan ng simangot.

"Seriously, the reason why I'm here and not in Olympus is because of Zeus who's constantly scolding us for doing a terrible job at being deities." nayayamot niyang turan. "Boses niya ngayon ang dumadagundong sa kalangitan. Tama na naman daw kasi siya, kaya sana pala'y itinupad nalang namin ang unang utos niyang huwag makialam sa digmaan."

Natawa ako nang marahan. Kinutuban kasi akong wala sa Olympus ang karamihan ng Olympians dahil kay Zeus.

"Well..." My smile didn't falter. "You may have done a terrible job at being deities."

Lumipat ang aking tingin sa god na katabi ko. "But you did great as our parents."

Halatang nagulat si Hermes sa sinabi ko. Tapos, nilingon niya ako nang naluluha ang mga mata. "You really think so?"

Tumango ako.

"Can I..." naiiyak niyang sabi. "Can I hug you-"

Ako na naman ang napasimangot. "No."

He rolled his eyes at me. "Si Nanay na nga lang."

"Nasaan ba si Nanay?!" Tuluyan na nga siyang naglaho para hanapin yung yaya nila.

I spent a few minutes staring at the painting before heading back to my room.

I went inside and closed the door when I noticed something shining outside the balcony. Siningkit ko ang aking mga mata dito at nalamang mga pakpak ito na kulay ginto.

Lumabas ako ng balcony at natagpuan si Chase na nakaupo sa marbled railings nang nakatalikod sa'kin.

Naglaho na ang kanyang mga pakpak kaya nakita ko ang suot niyang puting polo na nakatupi ang sleeves hanggang siko at black trousers.

Nakapangalumbaba ako sa tabi niya. "The last time I saw you wearing something like that was during the three lunar deities' celebration."

Hindi siya nagsalita kaya labis akong nagtaka.