ATN: THE ELEMENTS OF BEAUTY

I SEE AND KNOW ATN

Sleeping isn't easy. Its tougher if you are in a new place, and so much has gone through you in a matter of hours, you have found out you are only half human, your long-dead mother is alive, and is a goddess, making you half god, you are in constant danger of your life, and you have to stay and train in an unknown place, that shouldn't even exist. All these things had happened to me. And sleep had evaded me. I had started to imagine what I would do the next day. After whatever ceremonies that were there, I would try to find my mother. I had started to imagine what she would be like. So, I had to find her, talk to her, and, I don't know, spend some mother son time with her, perhaps.

Finally, after rolling uncountable times on the bed, I gave up. The room had a window. I tried to open it, but couldn't. So, I opened the door, and went out. I stood on the corridor by the railing, trying to get my mind under my control. I looked outside. The view was beautiful. A cool breeze blew around, the sky was clear, and it was a crescent moon night. The mountains around looked dark and scary, but still very beautiful. I was completely lost in thoughts when suddenly, I heard a voice just behind me, that said, "Can't sleep?" I startled, turned, and found Tina standing there in a silver night gown, grinning at me.

"Oh, hello!" I said, and put on a nervous smile.

"What's wrong?" Tina asked.

"Nothing. Just had a lot wrapped around my head."

"Seems normal. I couldn't sleep the day I got to know all this. I was awake all night."

"Oh, okay."

And there was an awkward silence. She broke it, finally.

"Listen, its alright. I know its a lot to live in an unknown place without parents, but you know its worth it, right?"

"I...yes. I do get it. Actually, everything happened so suddenly, that I couldn't..."

"Its fine. I get it. I had my mother here until we settled down, and I know that you don't, but..."

"Hey, I don't think I am all alone. I have my cousins with me. We will figure this out together. I am very sure of that."

"That's the spirit. Come on." She gestured me to follow her, and said, "I know what will make you feel better."

I started following her. In normal times, I would think twice before following someone I had had just one conversation with. But there was something unusual about Tina. She seemed so much stronger than me, yet so normal, that I felt nice. But still, to be cautious, I asked, "Where are you taking me?"

"To the top of a tower of the palace." Tina said, "Its easy. There's an elevator."

We literally galloped towards the tower elevator and got in. Tina pressed the button to the top. After five minutes, we were on top of the tower. If the view from the corridor was nice, I couldn't even describe the view from here. I could see the whole Atlantis from here. The mountains, the ocean, the entire Royal Area, the airport, everything. Tina was showing me things around the palace from up here. I was paying half attention to her, for I was lost in the view. Atlantis was pretty modern, and definitely beautiful, despite being all ancient. Finally, Tina pointed towards the side of the palace where we had our rooms."That's the DG Wing. The Demigod Wing."

"How many of us are there?" I asked.

"Not much. Just fifteen, excluding you five."

"That's it?"

"These are the only ones that safely reached Atlantis in the last six years. Parents are kind of unaware about this. You guys are lucky that your parents are cautious. You safely made it here. I hope I can train you well so that if need arises, you can defend yourselves."