Children Of The Abyss

75

MILO

Isang linggo pagkatapos ng pagatake ay naayos na ang institute. Tumulong din kami sa paglilinis ng ibang parte ng lugar.

Galit si Persephone dahil nasira ang mga halaman sa green house. Hades explained, she calmed down, but still pissed off.

"Ilang beses tayong magpapalit ng pinto sa balcony?" tanong ni Lilith.

Ree looks at her, "Hangga't hindi nagrereklamo si Orphne o si Hades."

We were sitting on the long sofa watching a movie. Next week ay babalik na ulit kami sa klase. Madami kaming hahabulin dahil nasira ang mga classroom at dorms. Bumalik na din si Desmond sa Camp Semideus kasama ang mga anak ng Olympians.
We took our pets home pagkatapos ayusin ang kwarto.

Sa  clinic din muna kami tumuloy noon. Para kaming mga sardinas. Kanya-kanya kami ng kuha ng mga unan at kumot sa mga kwarto namin.

But that was the best experience for all of us. Sleep over demigods style.

"Pinapatawag tayo sa office." Alistair walks towards us.

We did not know what happened to them. It is kind of sensitive kaya hindi na namin inungkat. It is for the best. Besides issue nila iyon not ours.

We changed our clothes and left the dorm. Siniguro din namin na may pagkain ang mga alaga namin kung matatagalan kami.

Tila kinakausap pa ni Lilith ang mga ito bago umalis. She pets Quinzel's head while purring habang seryosong tumingin kay Viper. Seems like they are talking eye to eye.

"Let's go." Alistair walks beside her. Staying close as possible. Pareho din nilang suot ang singsing na bigay ni Hades noon.

The hallways are empty. Only the souls are present. Niyuyukuan nila kami sa pagdaan namin.

"Have a seat Keepers." iginiya ni Orphne ang mahabang sofa sa amin.

Nasa gitna namin ni Alistair ang dalawang babae. A habit we develop since then. Kapag nasa dorm naman ay okyupado nila ang mahabang sofa while we seat on the single sofas.

"As you all know the prophecy is announced. The great war is coming." she purses her lips, "Both, Institute and Camp Semideus, agrees to help each other hanggang sa matapos ito." she scans our faces.

"We know we are involved in that prophecy." Lilith said, "Why can't the gods solve this?"

"Oo nga naman. We are their children." Ree agrees with her.

Nagulat siya sa sagot nila, "That's because it is predistined. Hindi lang nila kayo anak—"

"What are we their pawns?" Alistair retorts.

Hinilot ni Orphne ang sentido niya. Namomoroblema sa mga narinig.

Totoo naman ang sinabi nila. We are still humans. Not those chess piece that they play with when they are bored. We have respect for them but we also wish that they care for our own welfare.

Suicide ang gagawin namin kapag natuloy ang digmaan. I do not want to mourn again.

"This is for the sake of you demigods." she regains her patience and composure, "Ayaw ko din naman mangyari ang digmaan but what will happen if selfishness comes to you."

Aren't the Gods and Goddesses selfish enough?

"I want you to help the children of Olympians." she firmly states.

Tinawagan niya ang sekretarya niya sa intercom. She must be giving us something bago kami papuntahin sa Camp Semideus.

We can't help but sigh. Lilith and Ree rolled their eyes.

"What is she doing here?!" Ree stands up.

Tumaas ang kilay niya dito, "Take your seat Ms. Alvarez."

Kiera works as the Orphne's secretary.
May dala siyang folder na may lamang mga files sa loob.

Her eyes darted to us lalo na kila Alistair at Lilith na magkatabi. Her eyes looks angry and envious of the sight. Alistair's hands rest on Lilith's waist.

Dumapo naman ang mga mata ko sa kwintas na suot niya. It looks like a lose choker on her neck. A simple chain necklace pero hindi matatanggal sa leeg niya.

"Nice leash Kiera." Lilith remarks while smiling.

Nanlisik ang mga mata niya, "You..."

Orphne reads the files na parang walang naririnig. Wait... She doesn't hear a single thing!

Blocking barrier.

"Who gave you that? Animal control?" pangaalaska nito.

Natatawa naman si Ree sa tabi niya. Pigil ang tawa ko habang nangingiti si Alistair sa tabi niya.

"I'll slit your throat right here, right now!" pagbabanta niya.

Lalo siyang naiinis ng pinaglaruan ni Alistair ang dulo ng buhok ni Lilith. Susugod siya kay Lilith ng sumigaw si Orphne.

"Ms. Salumbides!"

Napatalon si Kiera dahil dito. Napayuko siya at sinaaman kami ng tingin bago lumabas.

Napabuntong hininga siya, "Pagpasensiyahan niyo na. Kagagaling lang niya sa dungeons." inabot niya ang file folder sa amin.
"There's your quest for the next few days. Good luck keepers."

"Wait." Ree  stops her, "Ano po yung nasa leeg ni Kiera?"

Napatampal ako ng noo dahil kay Ree.
Well Ree is Ree, the silent yet curious one of the group.

"It is a nullifying necklace." Orphne explains.

The girls tilt their heads, "Nullifying necklace?"

"Pinagawa ni Hades kay Hephaestus. It blocks Kiera's ability, nilagyan ni Hecate ng nullifying curse ang kwintas na iyon." she looks at Lilith, "That way we can monitor her too. You know... she might cause trouble again." she shrugs.

"The dog's owned." Lilith mumbles.

"Did you say something Ms. San Diego." ani ni Orphne.

"Nothing." she smiles, "Just glad she is out of the dungeon."

She dismiss us. Nasa malayong parte ng opisinang nilabasan namin  ang lamesa ni Kiera. She is glaring at us.

That won't work.

She sneers at Lilith, "You witch. Isa ka talagang masamang damo."

Lilith snorts, "Bark all you want, you can't bite me anyway."

Akmang susugod ito pero ginamitan niya ng ability. Napaupo si Kiera sa swivel chair. She can't stand or talk. Lilith comes near her.

"May kulang sa collar mo." she teased.

Nangunot ang noo ni Alistair habang naningkit si Ree. Kumurap naman ako sa ginagawa niya.

She uttered greek words. Hindi namin maintindihan kahit tatlong beses niyang inulit. Nakatapat ang kamay niya sa kwintas habang lumiliwanag ito.

"You're good." she pats her head, "Now be a good dog." she smirks.

Kinapa ni Kiera ang kwintas, "What did you do?!"

"Inadjust ko lang ng kaunti. Medyo maluwag eh."

Sinampal niya si Lilith pero wala itong naramdaman instead she massages her own cheeks. Namumula pa ito habang ginagawa iyon.

"Tsk tsk." iiling-iling si Lilith, "Careful girl, babalik ng doble ang ginagawa mo.

Lumabas na kami ng office. Tinatanong namin siya habang naglalakad pabalik. She explains it to us.

A mirroring spell.

Kapag nanakit siya ay hindi masasaktan ang biktima imbis ay babalik sa kanya ang ginawa niya.

Kiera needs to calm her nerves down.