CHAPTER 4: MORTAL GUYS

The Mortal Realm

Freewoods City, Zana's House

My instincts urged me to wake up but the tiredness in me wouldn't. The softness of the mattress lulled me better to sleep. But a sudden pair of eyes flashed in my mind. Napamulat ako dahil pakiramdam ko ay may nakamasid sa akin.

"Hermes!" sigaw ko nang maaninag siya.

"What?" his eyes twinkled innocently.

Umatras siya palayo dahil sa aking pagsigaw at naupo sa gilid ng kama. Bumangon ako na may kaunting init ang ulo habang tinitigan siya nang masama.

"You scared the styx out of me!" I reached for the white blanket to cover my body.

Indeed, I am overreacting but it was his fault! My nightgown is too thin and it's not good wearing it around a male! Hindi dahil binigyan niya ako ng matutuluyan ay maaari na siyang pumasok ng walang permiso.

"This handsome face of mine scared you?" he asked.

Napairap ako sa hangin. "Kaibigan kita pero hindi ka ganoon ka gwapo."

Napasinghap siya. "Zana! Ako ang pinakamakisig sa Olympus at dito sa mundo ng mga mortal!"

I am annoyed but I still need to watch my words. I don't want to get overrun with my feelings.

"But for me it's Eros. The god of love, the son of Aphrodite. Para sa akin siya ang may pinaka gwapong mukha, too bad he is already taken," I teased instead.

I don't want to be the only one who would be caught off guard. I suppressed my smile as his face turned sour. No gods like to be compared to the other gods when it comes to their looks after all.

"In that case, I am going to toast that pampered baby."

"Apollo!" Napasinghap at napabaling ang aking paningin sa bintana sa kaliwang bahagi ng silid.

Naabutan kong nakaupo roon si Apollo habang kunot ang kanyang noo. Hindi kayang takpan ng iniihip na puting kurtina ang kakisigan niyang tinataglay sa umagang ito.

The sunlight gave him that shining aura exclusively for those who are favored by the sun. But it didn't make my mood any better.

"Will you please get out of my room? Have you heard of the word privacy?"

Sa isang iglap, nawala sila sa aking paningin. Nagtungo ako sa banyo para makapag ayos ng sarili.

Tatlong araw na ako sa Mortal Realm. Ngunit wala pa rin akong nakukuhang impormasyon sa demigod na aking hinahanap. Kahit gusto kong magtagal sa labas ay hindi ko magawa dahil hindi ko pa rin kayang mapalibutan ng mga mortal.

"If I can't find him in a week then, I’ll try the other countries. But I just need to hear some rumors about magic or something unexplainable."

Karamihan sa mga demigod ay itinatago ang kanilang pagkatao para sa ikatatahimik ng kanilang mga buhay. Ngunit kung wala akong maririnig na usapin tungkol sa mga kakaibang bagay o pangyayari ay wala akong masisimulan.

Ang pinaka ayaw kong misyon ay iyong may kailangang hanapin. Dahil pakiramdam ko, nag aaksaya ako ng panahon.

×××

"Xersun dei, honorable and mighty gods of Olympus," I teased as I descended from the stairs.

Magkasabay na nag angat ng tingin ang dalawang lalaki habang kunot ang mga noo. Mukhang nasa gitna sila ng mainit na pagpapalitan ng maaanghang na salita.

"Good morning too, dear lady," bati pabalik ni Apollo.

"Kaliméra," Hermes greeted me back in his language.

"What do you want for breakfast, Zana? I bought Nectar by the way," Apollo sweetly said. He gestured me to come closer.

Ikinumpas niya ang kanyang kamay at may pumalibot na liwanag dito. Hindi nagtagal ay may lumabas na gintong kopita sa kanyang kamay. There is a silver liquid in that golden goblet, the Nectar. A special beverage. My legs automatically ran towards him, not minding that I should act like a fine lady.

Ang Nectar ay isang masarap na inumin para sa mga reignian blood at iba pang mga half immortal beings. Kaya nitong mag alis ng pagod at mga pisikal na sugat sa katawan. May pagkakahalintulad ito sa Ambrosia na kilala rin bilang pinaka paboritong inumin ng mga god at goddess at iba pang immortal.

But the unique power the Ambrosia holds is that it can turn any being into an immortal. Kung may pahintulot sa nakakataas o kung kaya ng nilalang na iinom nito na labanan ang kapangyarihang taglay nito.

"Knaht you os hcum!" I thanked him with delight.

"You are very much welcome." Apollo winked at me and I couldn't help but giggled.

"Nah. I can give you a lot of that. Do you want me to bring you every morning?" magkasalubong ang kilay ni Hermes habang tumatapik ang kanyang mga daliri sa lamesa.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at kinuha na lang ang kopitang may Nectar mula kay Apollo. As the liquid touched my tongue, I moaned. It felt like it cleansed and purified my soul as if light feathers grazed over my skin. The delicate texture on my taste buds felt like the first bloom of spring.

When I opened my eyes their gazes were serious. "W-what?"

Apollo cleared his throat but Hermes was too fast and didn't let the Sun god speak. 

"Despite our busy schedule, we still love to accompany you today, Zana. For you to finally have a taste of the mortal's culture of this generation."

Why would they want to do that for me?

"You need to practice social interaction with the mortals too," Apollo added. 

Ah. They noticed. 

"We may not know what your mission is. But it would be a waste if we won't take the time to bond like the old times," Hermes reminded as his soft brown irises stared at me.

"Okay," I replied. "By the way, did you find Hera?" my lips pursed as I tried to change the topic.

Apollo sighed as he brushed his hair. "I have found the Queen and she's with Artemis the whole time."

"Your twin must be exhausted as she let the queen roam around her for a short time."

"But I couldn't blame Hera for why she left. I have heard she caught Zeus with a mortal both naked on the bed somewhere in Italy."

Kumibot ang aking labi. "But did you convince the queen to get back to Olympus?"

"Of course. It's thanks to the charm I hold."

"Hindi ko na hahadlangan ang papuri mo sa 'yong sarili, Lord Apollo. But how's the goddess Artemis?"

"Oh? She's probably hunting right now and still a virgin," he added.

"You didn't have to say the latter, sunburn," Hermes commented.

×××

Freewoods City, Mall

Big stalls, crowded rooms and a lot of mortals are scattered in every corner. I must admit the place looked clean and cozy. Every corner is made off of cream colored walls and white tiles for the flooring. Everywhere I looked, it screamed luxury. But the mortals that roamed around ruined the ambience.

"I hope you're enjoying the chance to have us with you, Zana." Hermes bragged that I could only just nod.

Sa Winter Kingdom ay walang ganitong mga gamit o istraktura. Kahit ang mga damit nila ay mukhang kumportable at maayos. Hindi ko maitatanggi na maganda ang ginagalawang panahon ng mga mortal ngayon.

Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Apollo. Ang mapuputi at pantay niyang ngipin ay nakakabighani. Hindi na nakakapagtaka kung makakuha siya ng atensyon mula sa mga kababaihan.

The god of Sun slowly put both his hands inside of his pants pocket. That gesture alone made those mortal teenagers drool over him. Even in a white t-shirt he still managed to earn the hearts of the girls around him.

"Are you hungry?" he sweetly asked as he scooped his hair to fix it into a low ponytail.

"I thought you wouldn't ask," I replied as my lips curved into a smile.

Apollo chuckled in a slow yet sexy manner. "Let's buy your clothes first to let you blend ideally in every crowd. We'll eat in a while."

I gave him a small nod as I continued to look around. After an hour we quickly got the things we came for. I finally had clothes and dresses suited for this world. Sa aking palagay ay hindi bagay ang mga nadala kong kasuotan sa lugar 'to.

Hindi ko inakalang nakakapagod ang pagbili ng mga bagay na para sa akin at sa bahay. Kailan man ay hindi ko nagawa ito sa aming kastilyo dahil lagi akong nagsasanay at nag aaral.

"Saan mo gustong kumain?" biglang singit ni Hermes.

Hermes wore a green V-neck shirt and brown khaki shorts paired with black shoes. He also has a cream colored fedora hat that hide his naturally curly brown hair.

My brow arched when I saw him winked at a woman I think is in her late thirties. I made a face when she blushed. Sa aking palagay ay sinamahan lang nila ako para makahanap ng mga mabibihag na mortal para gawing pampalipas oras.

"Hindi pa ako pamilyar sa lugar na 'to. But I can take suggestions," I timidly answered.

Tumigil sa paglalakad ang dalawa kaya huminto rin ako sa kanilang likuran. Nag uusap sila kung saan maaring kumain. Hindi nagtagal ay naramdaman kong parang may nakamasid sa akin. Ngunit hindi ko iyon pinansin dahil maraming mortal sa paligid.

"What the?" Nangangatal na sambit ko at marahang lumingon sa likod.

Someone laid a hand on my butt!

Naabutan ko ang dalawang lalaking nakangisi hindi kalayuan sa akin. Ang isa ay kumaway pa na para bang walang kapangahasang ginawa. While the other guy who wore a large black shirt had the audacity to even winked at me!

Walang pagdadalawang isip na nilapitan ko sila habang mabigat ang aking paghinga. Hindi ako maaaring makapatay ng mortal.

"Gusto mo pa?" iyon ang bungad ng lalaking kumindat sa akin.

"Do you want to die?" halos pigil na sabi ko habang nanlalamig ang aking magkabilang kamay.

I wore pants and long sleeves. My chestnut hair was tied in a bun but it did not stop them from touching me without my consent? Do I look like I want to be touched?

"Easy, girl. Gusto mo pa bang mahawakan? Tara sa parking lot?"

"Madali lang tayo."

My jaw clenched. "Are the both of you really asking for your death?"

"Lakas maka-English ng chiks na 'to, ah?"

Tumawa ang lalaking naka asul. "Gusto mo bang mapahiya? Kung magsusumbong ka, itatanggi lang namin dahil wala namang nakakita."

"Matapang ka dahil lumapit ka pa, pero dalawa kami miss. Kaya kung ayaw mo namang magpabastos. Umalis ka na lang dahil ikaw lang din ang mapapahiya."

Kahit nangangati ang aking mga kamay na balian sila ng buto ay pinigilan ko ang aking sarili. 

"Zana? What are you doing there?"

Napalitan ng pangamba ang nakangising mukha ng dalawang lapastangan nang makita nila si Apollo. Gusto kong sabihin ang nangayari ngunit hindi ko gagawin dahil kaya ko silang pagbayarin.

"I was just talking to my new found friends, Apollo."

"What? You got yourself—" hindi naituloy ni Apollo ang kanyang sasabihin dahil may biglang humigit na babae sa kanya.

"Pogi! Pa-picture naman!"

"Hala, ako rin!

"Artista kaya ang mga 'yan?!"

"Kay gagandang nilalang!"

Tuluyang nahigit si Apollo at ngayon ko lang din napansin na nasa ginta ng kumpol ng mga kababaihan si Hermes. Mukhang nasisiyahan pa ito sa nakukuha nitong atensyon.

"Aba, mukhang naka-jackpot tayo sa babaeng 'to!"

"Miss, hindi ka nagsumbong. Ibig bang sabihin ay gusto mo? Sasama ka na sa amin? May kotse kami, tara?"

Pilit akong ngumiti sa kanila. Nang lumakad sila ay tahimik akong sumunod. Panay ang nakakainis nilang pagbungisngis at pagsulyap. Hindi nagtagal ay nakarating kami sa lugar kung saan madilim. Marami akong nakikitang mga sasakyan na nakahinto ngunit walang ibang mortal sa paligid.

Mas tumindi ang pagkuyom ng aking kamao dahil paano kung ibang babae ang kanilang nilapastangan kanina? Paano kung magbigay ito ng matinding takot sa kanila?

They are worse than monsters. 

Huminto kami sa tabi ng isang itim na sasakyan. "Miss, pasok ka sa loob." 

"Ang swerte talaga natin pare, chiks na chiks 'to!"

"May mga babaeng gusto magpagalaw pero hindi alam ang gagawin. Kailangan lang talaga ng kulbit e," sabay tumawa ang dalawang lalaki na parang may sariling mundo.

Inilibot ko ulit ang aking paningin. Walang mga mortal na dumaraan. Binuksan ng lalaking nakaitim ang pinto ng sasakyan. The way he licked his lip while his eyes scanned my body means he's getting drunk by lust. The small light bulb above us is not enough to light the area but I could sense their eyes on me. 

"I am not here for another immodesty act," my voice was cold as I contained my anger. 

"Ano raw?"

"Hindi maaaring hindi kayo maparusahan sa kahalayang inyong tinataglay," the temperature dropped in an instant.

I am so done with the male species for letting themselves be consumed by their desires.

Nagyakapan ang dalawang lalaki ng maramadaman ang paglamig ng paligid. I felt the bits of my sweats formed into ice spikes from my hands, up to my arms. The two screamed as they saw the crawling ice on me.

"s**t! Halimaw!"

Nagtatakbo silang dalawa ngunit mabilis akong humabol at naharangan sila. A sickening grin formed from my lips before I took a step closer to meet their scared faces. I wasted no time as my knuckles-covered with ice hit their faces.

Tumilapon sila sa isang pader. Tumakbo ako sa kanilang puwesto habang sila ay nakahandusay sa sahig. Ang lalaking nakaasul ay balak pang magsalita ngunit sinikmuraan ko siya. Habang ang lalaking nakaitim ay sinipa ko sa mukha at tiyan bago tinapakan ang kanyang p*********i.

"Do you want to numb the pain?" I suggested as it earned a groned from them.

Puro hiyaw nila ang aking naririnig ngunit kulang pa ito. Gusto kong wakasan ang kanilang buhay dahil sa kanilang kapangahasan ngunit pinigilan ko ang aking sarili.

Pinagapang ko ang aking kapangyarihan yelo hanggang sa maabot nito ang kanilang mga paa. Unti unting tumataas ang yelo mula sa kanilang ibaba hanggang sa huminto ito sa kanila mga balikat.

"Consider yourself lucky that I show you mercy. But make sure not to do this again or you will see your names in the scrolls of the Underworld."

Napangisi ako dahil nawalan sila ng malay. The ice I made will eventually melt of course. And I hope after that, they will think twice before they disrespect someone.

Naglakad ako pabalik sa loob ng mall na magaan ang pakiramdam. Sana ay nakapagdesisyon na sina Apollo kung saan kakain dahil mas lalo akong nagutom. Hindi pa man ako tuluyang nakakapasok sa loob ay naramdaman ko ang pagsakit ng aking balikat. Hindi ko napansin ang lalaki sa aking unahan.

I stumbled backwards as I held my right shoulder. "Styx, are you a rock or something?" I questioned with furrowed brows.

I raised my head a little to have a better look at the guy in front of me. He is tall and lean but I know that his muscles are well defined because of his stance. He looked neat in his gray shirt and black pants.

But something is off about him, as if there are sharp claws that loomed all over him.

"Done checking me out?" he asked in a bored tone.

"He is a werewolf, Zana," narinig ko bigla ang boses ni Apollo sa aking isipan.

Gustuhin ko mang tanungin si Apollo katulad ng kanyang ginawa ngunit hindi iyon maaari. Mythical creatures lang ang kayang abutin ng aking isipan. While gods can read and talk to any creatures through their minds, except the mortal race. 

Wait, this man is a werewolf?

Marami na akong narinig na kuwento sa uri nila dahil may mga wolves din sa Winter Kingdom. White wolves are our sacred beast. The loyal guards of the Winter Kingdom.

Ang mga puting lobo sa aming kaharian ay hindi hamak na mas malakas sa ibang uri ng lobo sa kahit na anong mundo. To satisfy my curiosity, I leaned forward to get a closer look. The guy's eyes widened at my sudden action and that alone made me see the gold ring on his iris glow. He's indeed a werewolf.

"Ano sa tingin mo ang gingawa mo?"

"Nothing."

He arched his brow. "You're creepy," he said and walked away.

Hindi ko na pinansin ang werewolf nang makita ko si Apollo na nakahalukipkip sa entrada ng mall.

"Saan tayo kakain?" tanong ko nang makalapit sa kanya.

"Come, I'll show you."

As we walked silently the troubles I have encountered quickly vanished in my head. Napalitan ng mga katanungan ang aking isipan dahil hindi ko maiwasang magtaka sa kanilang mga presensya. Despite their roles and responsibilities as gods they still want to offer their hands to help me.

It's not easy to maintain the sun with his chariot to make sure that the sunrise and sunset would be on time and not delay the moon. While delivering messages in different realms is definitely exhausting.

"Apollo, may I confess something to you?" my gaze lowered as our pace slowed.

"Hmm, what might that be?" his soft voice warmed my chest.

"Y-you're the Sun god, you radiate warmth and calmness. It didn't cross my mind that someone so bright like you would stick around me since I am a ball of negativity. I—want to thank you and Hermes a lot."

Apollo put his hand on my head. "You don't have to be that grateful to us, Zana. You've proven yourself without you knowing."

Huminto ako sa paglalakad. "But I have this feeling that... your presence are not coincidental. May dahilan ba ang inyong pakikisalamuha ulit sa akin?"

Nang lingunin ko si Apollo ay wala akong makitang emosyon sa kanyang mga mata. Napakagat ako sa labi dahil hindi ko maialis ang pagdududang aking nararamdaman.

"Lady Zana, you don't have to think too much. Our appearance does not hold any ulterior motives but to only spend time with a friend."

"But I didn't get a hold of you for the past months. Why now... why here?"

He sighed. "I am still a guardian and it is my duty to guide and protect. As I saw you in this realm, the need to—"

Hindi natapos ni Apollo ang kanyang sasabihin nang may bumunggo sa aking balikat. Tumaas ang aking kilay ng matandaan siya.

"Sorry miss! Hindi ko sinasadya—" napatigil sa pagsasalita ang werewolf na nakabungguan ko kanina.

"Watch where you're going, Patch."

May tumapik sa balikat ng werewolf at nang magtama ang aming mga mata ay napatitig ako sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. I was rotted on the spot as his sapphire blue eyes stared back at me.

He has the eyes of the ocean depths.

×××××