Chapter 15: The Deal

The Mortal Realm

Freewoods City

Despite the pressure and the fear of the unknown, I decided to be patient. Naghintay ako ng dalawang araw para pakalmahin ang sitwasyon at hindi biglain ang demigod na iyon.

"But I don't have that much time. Kung hindi ko siya madadaan sa mahinahon na paraan. Wala na akong magagawa, kahit labag sa kanyang loob... I will get him."

After all, I wasted almost two weeks in this realm. There's no point in further delaying his fate.

Noong dumaan ako sa kanyang bahay ay hindi ko siya naabutan. At kahit labag sa aking loob na magtungo sa kanyang pinapasukang paaralan ay pumunta pa rin ako. As I waited outside the gate, I kept earning gazes from the mortals.

"What's that smell?" 

My attention was suddenly caught by the aroma of coffee and pastries at the nearby store across the university street. Nagtungo ako roon at napagpasyahang bumili ng pagkain. Naupo ako sa tabi ng isang glass wall na nakaharap mismo sa paaralan.

"Iced Americano huh?" I mumbled and continued to explore the cold taste.

It's bitter that I should add some sweets but I bought a block of dark chocolate instead. The combination of strong and richness in a cold manner was new to my tongue.

Hindi ako mahilig sa malalamig na pagkain at inumin. Mas gusto ko iyong mainit at bagong gawa. The only warmth I would get since I cannot have it from other people nor from my family. 

Mas nakapaghahatid ng kalmadong pakiramdam ang mainit na inumin. Ito ang unang beses na sumubok ako ng bago sa aking panlasa. At hindi ko maitatanggi na nakakagaan din iyon sa pakiramdam. Ang lumihis ng kaunti sa nakasanayan.

Nang mawala si Zack ay mas naging mapaghanap ako. Ang makaranas muli ng mainit na yakap at pagmamahal na kinalakihan at kinasanayan ko. I want to blame my brother for loving me too much and yet, he has the audacity to leave me.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na sa kanyang pagkawala ay lalabas ang tunay na katayuan ko sa loob ng aming kastilyo.

"A useless Lady. A shadow of her brother," bulong ko nang maalala ang mga narinig ko noon.

Inabala ko ang aking sarili sa pagtingin sa paligid habang iniintay ko ang isa pang pagkain. The coffee shop had a lovely ambience despite the space.

The colors didn't contradict each other as it made the small place quite wider. White tables with black chairs and gray cushions were comfy to sit at. A couple of books, pots, and quoted pictures were on a white shelf that faced the entrance door. Above was a ceiling light crafted in a modern style.

"A flower fairy must have liked the owner of the shop," puna ko ng may mapansin sa mga halaman.

Jaded plants in small gray pots are on the center of each table. But what is more entrancing is the counter on the left corner.

It has a small white shelf on the wall with jars of coffee beans and creams. The menu was written on a small black board next to the shelf. But on their rectangular counter, next to some machines were flowers that kept their blooms.

Gardenia and nemesia flowers.

It was normal for a few seconds but flowers can't bloom in such grace indoors. When they were hit by the sunlight through the glass window, they would sparkle. As if they were dredged in gold and silver dust.

It made the counter look more lively. The mortals wouldn't know that those flowers would also puff a vanilla scent that did go well with the strong aroma of brewed coffees and other sweet pastries.

Hindi ako sigurado kung sino ang may ari ng lugar. Ngunit mapalad siya dahil may diwatang pinili ang tumira sa mga bulaklak na narito. At sa aking palagay ay nagtatago ang diwatang iyon sa akin kahit wala naman akong balak suwayin siya.

Hindi ko kailangan pilitin ang mga nilalang na umalis sa Senoas Realm at piniling manirahan sa mundong ito. Wala akong pakialam sa kanilang mga walang kuwentang desisyon. 

"Par!"

Nawala ang aking atensyon sa mga bulaklak dahil sa ingay na iyon. May ilang estudyante ang pumasok dahilan para tumunog ang chime sa pinto. Tatlong lalaki at dalawang babae ang nagtungo sa lalaking malapit sa aking puwesto.

"Gago ang ingay mo!" pagsaway ng estudyanteng lalaki na nakaupo sa mahabang sofa dalawang dipa ang layo sa akin. 

"Wala ka talagang hiya Vincent. Hindi mo 'to bahay, 'wag kang sumigaw."

"Sorry Christy, nadala lang."

Nagtawanan sila at ilang sandali lang ay dumating na ang aking pagkain. I minded my own business and devoured the food they called fries. The urge to moan as the delicious food almost takes me to a whole new level of satisfaction.

The crispy yet soft texture of the fries played with the sweet yet tangy flavor of cheese as the bacon would give a smoked after taste in the end.

"Ah, a sheer contentment in food."

The sudden roar of noise beside me was threading an end to my patience. I decided to stay unfazed and ignored the noise. Nang tingnan ko ang entrada ng paaralan ay nakasarado pa rin ito.

"Still no sign of that demigod," inip na sabi ko.

"Tapos na ba kayo sa assignment natin sa History?"

"Hindi pa nga eh. Kulang pa ako ng isa."

"Ang daya kasi. Kapag may kagaya tayo bawas points!"

"Isang library lang ang mayroon sa school. Malamang mas malaki ang chance na yung kukunin ko sa libro ay nakuha na rin ng ibang kaklase natin."

"Ang tricky din kapag sa internet kinuha yung description."

Marami pa akong narinig na reklamo mula sa grupo sa kabilang table hanggang sa natuloy iyon sa tawanan. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang makinig dahil mas nangingibabaw ang kanilang usapan kaysa sa kantang tumutugtog sa paligid.

"I got an idea! 'Di ba ang sabi ay mas okay na magmukhang galing sa atin yung idea? No need if ever totoo or hindi yung description."

"Ah."

"Boom! Ilalagay ko na lang dito yung mga deity na nabanggit sa anime na pinapanood ko."

"Ay, oo nga 'no! Sa pagkakatanda ko Japanese mythology sina Amaterasu at Susan-ô, 'di ba?"

My ears perked up as they continued to talk. I remembered some of the names they mentioned. Since I saw those deities in a couple of balls and gatherings. I remembered Amaterasu since she was a lovely sun deity.

She beamed with warmth and hope and can stand out without even doing anything. At all times, she wears a long dress called a hakama in colors of white, red and gold. Her long shiny jet black hair was enough to intimidate anyone that may have ulterior motives against her.

I also wouldn't forget her younger brother, Susan-ô. That man is the complete opposite of Amaterasu. Not everyone is fond of a bitter quarrel against him or any storm gods. Susan-ô emits violet sparks around him without being angry.

"Eh? P'wede rin kaya yung napanood ko sa isang movie tungkol sa Egyptian Mythology? Kagaya ni Anubis na naghahatid ng mga namatay sa afterlife. At si RA na isang Sun god."

"Counted kaya sina Odin, Thor at Loki na galing sa Norse Mythology?"

"Nako par, sikat 'yan dahil sa movie nila. Baka marami ka ng maging kagaya."

Ang kaninang mga reklamo ay napalitan ng tawanan. Ngunit nabaligtad ang pagsibol ng tuwa sa aking dibdib. Dahil sa ilang mitolohiyang nabanggit nila ay hindi ko man lang narinig ang kinabibilangan nila Dalikamata.

"...Dahil sa impluwensya ng ibang bansa ay nakakalimutan na ng mga tao rito ang kanilang pinagmulan, katulad namin."

The sad face she had that time flashed in my head. I have no idea that it was this painful and heavy. To think that the people she and the other deities of this country—they protected for millennia, couldn't even remember or praise them.

Mabilis akong nawalan ng gana at lumabas matapos makapagbayad. Hindi ko gustong isipin ang mga narinig ko kanina. Sana ay hindi mawalan ng tiyaga sina Dalikamata sa mga mortal na naririto. May ilan na akong nasaksihang pangyayari kapag nawalan ng deities ang isang bansa.

A mass of water will emerge as the ungrateful land will sink to the bottom of this realm. As the mortals that tamper above it was the lowest of the low as they failed to acknowledge their protectors. A country without its guardian will never pamper in grace, they will just rot. 

As I pursed my lips with the jumbled thoughts inside my head, a tall frame with dark blonde hair caught my attention. My eyes squinted to have a clearer look and was relieved to see that it was Jared.

Napansin kong may nakasunod sa kanyang babae. Masyado itong malapit sa demigod na iyon habang bumubuka ang kanyang bibig. Napakunot ang aking noo nang mapansing tinatahak ng demigod na iyon ang kabilang daan.

"Hindi pa siya uuwi?"

Nagkibit balikat ako at sinundan sila. Dumistansya ako habang inaalam kung anong kaugnayan ng babaeng iyon kay Jared. May pinag uusapan sila na hindi ko marinig hanggang sa lumayo na kami sa sentro ng lungsod.

"Ilang minuto pa ba sila maglalakad?" reklamo ko.

Nahinto ako sa pagsunod nang pumasok sila sa isang gusaling may apat na palapag. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto ang aming nilakad ngunit alam kong napakalayo na nito mula sa bayan. Sumandal ako sa isang poste at pinakatitigan ang pinasukan nila.

Love Motel.

Iyon ang nakasulat sa malaking karatula sa itaas ng building na kulay pula. Hindi ako nagtangka pang sumunod sa loob dahil maliit ang tanstya na makasunod sa kanila ng hindi napapansin ni Jared.

"What are they even doing?" tanong ko ng mapansing lampas kalahating oras na ang lumipas nang mapatingin ako sa aking wrist watch.

Ipinagpapasalamat ko na makulimlim ang panahon ngunit ang mga mapanuring mga mata ng mga mortal na dumadaan ay nakakapagpainit sa aking ulo. I observed the annoying mortals as they continued with their lives.

"They are oblivious of what is happening in their world."

Now that I have my full power, I can smell and feel the thick atmosphere that lurks in this country. There are hollow whispers from evil spirits and it made people with weak faith to do evil things for they are easy to manipulate. Even if I wanted to save some soul, I cannot do that.

Ang mga nasa Senoas Realm ay naatasan lang protektahan ang mga mythical creatures at ang kalikasan pati na rin ang mga ibinibigay sa aming mga misyon ng mga nakatataas. Wala sa kakayahan namin ang alagaan ang kaluluwa ng mga naririto.

"Mortals are indeed lucky," I whispered as a lazy smile formed on my lips.

Angels of the Father Almighty are appointed to highly protect the mortals. And Thanatos being also an angel, even though he was an Angel of Death, is the one who is in charge of the souls in the fifth realm.

But mortals are afraid of him not knowing that Thanatos only wanted to guide their spirits after they leave their astral bodies.

Dahil ang kaluluwang walang naabutan na maghahatid ay mananatiling ligaw na kaluluwa sa mundong ito. Maaaring hindi na sila ulit makaranas ng reincarnation. At ang mas masamang puwedeng mangyari sa kanila ay maging pagkain ng masasamang nilalang o elemento.

Napapalatak ako dahil ngayon ko lang naintindihan na ang lahat ng nilalang na nilikha ay may gawaing ginagampanan. Kahit mahina ang mga mortal ay isa pa rin sila sa nagpapasaya sa lumikha ng lahat. Hindi sila puwedeng basta pabayaan lalo na at sila ang laging pinupuntirya ng kadiliman.

That is why they appointed their powerful angels to guide them. Even the deities were responsible for mortals' safety. 

"Finally," nakahinga ako ng maluwang nang makita si Jared na lumabas ng gusali. "But where's the girl?"

Ipinawalang bahala ko ang tanong na iyon at sinundan ulit si Jared nang magsimula itong maglakad. Napansin kong madilim ang kanyang mukha ng siya ay lumabas. Nagtataka ako dahil mukhang bagong paligo siya dahil sa basa niyang buhok.

As we walked a few miles, I saw him enter a huge white building, I think is a hospital.

"Did that girl do something to him that he needs to see a healer?" hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip.

Mabilis akong naglakad patungo sa loob habang pinapanatili ang aming distansya. As I entered the facility, I saw him talking to someone wearing a white coat. Jared then excused himself and proceeded to the left wing. He stopped at a counter and fished out his wallet and drew out a bunch of blue bills.

"Sorry!" I apologized when I bumped into someone.

Nalakad ulit siya papunta sa isang pahabang sasakyan na tumataas at bumababa. Napahinto ako sa pagsunod sa kanya dahil makikita niya ako kung sasakay din ako sa loob no'n. Nang sumarado ang pinto ay nakita kong umilaw ang numero sa itaas. 

I headed to the stairs on the left and sprinted up. "Why am I even stalking him?" 

I reached the fourth floor with a few heaves of air. Napangisi ako nang maabutan siyang pumasok sa isang kuwarto. Napalunok ako bago naglakad patungo roon at habang papalapit ay may naalala ako.

"Is it possible that the reason he's here... is because of his mother?" nadagdagan ng katanungan ang aking isipan.

Naalala ko ang sinabi ni Apollo ngunit hindi niya sinabi kung ano ang kalagayan ng ina ni Jared. All I know is that she survived giving birth to a demigod. But then, why haven't I seen her with Jared?

When I found my courage, I peeked at a small glass window of the door. I could immediately sense the gloomy atmosphere inside. Jared's side profile was unreadable but he looked like a lost child as he gazed down at a woman as he held her hand.

I confirmed it with my own eyes, she's alive but in a difficult situation as she looked like a ghost in that bed. 

"Hindi ako puwedeng manghimasok na lang sa kanilang pamilya. But I really need to do something about my mission."

There is no guarantee that Jack Frost would like to see her but knowing Jared have this situation, I couldn't put myself to drag him away. Hindi na ako puwedeng humingi ng tulong sa kahit kanino dahil sa akin ibinigay ang problemang ito.

"Ah, this is so frustrating. Bakit ba hindi ako makapagdesisyon?" as seconds passed by an idea popped in. "Apollo, you are one tricky god."

Naglakas loob akong pumasok ng kuwarto ng walang pasabi. Napalingon sa akin si Jared at bakas sa kanyang mukha ang pagkagulat ngunit napalitan rin ito ng pagka inis. Before I could even talk a force hit my chest. I was pinned to the wall.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed as his sapphire blue eyes ignited with pure hatred.

"Let m-me go. I h-have a proposal for y-you..."

He looked more alarmed with what I said as I felt the sharp ice on my neck.

"I can kill you if I want to," he spat those words without breaking his intense glare at me.

I pushed him with my strength and he flew to the other side. It made a big crack on the white wall. I thought he would back out of wanting to strangle my neck but I was wrong. He jumped into me and gave a big punch to my stomach.

I am a Lady! Why is he doing this to me?

I spluttered drops of blood as I fell down to the white tiles. I grabbed my stomach and felt that I had broken a bone when he punched me. I wiped off the blood stain on the side of my mouth. And in less than a minute I felt that my body healed perfectly.

"Umalis ka ngayon din dito," utos niya.

I clenched my jaw. "That doesn't sound scary at all."

Tumayo ako habang masama ang tingin sa kanya. Inilang hakbang ko ang aming distansya ng may pagtitimpi sa dibdib. Gusto ko siyang gantihan at ipatikim ang kanyang kalapastanganan. Ngunit kailangan kong magtimpi dahil anak siya ng aking hari.

"I can turn you into a snowman and bring you to my realm because I have my full power now. But I still chose to ask you to come with me... kindly," I hissed as my anger rose. "But what did I get in return? A punch?"

In a swift move I was now behind him. I immediately brought him to his knees with my foot. I held him by his head which was now level with my stomach. He tried to move but it was useless because his legs and hands were petrified with my ice.

"Now, listen... hanggat mabait pa ako." I lowered my lips to his left ear. "Sasama ka sa akin."

"I said I w—" I cut him off when I bit his left ear.

I have no idea why I did that. Why did I even bite his ear? That was a childish act! Ah, forget it.

I composed myself and shook off the unwanted thoughts in my mind. I need to focus, and maybe this is the answer for this mission. I can now take him to the Winter Kingdom.

"My proposal to you is... come with me and I will let your mother have a healing potion from Apollo."

Apollo said that he gave this to me to repel other threats that I might encounter. I assumed that I could do whatever I want with his gift. I also remembered that he didn't give any restrictions.

A gift is a gift after all.

I remember a story about gifts. But mine is not the same as Pandora's box that was given to a mortal named Pandora. After Zeus gave her the gift, he told her to keep it close and never think to even open it.

Pandora thought that it was useless if she never had the chance to see what was inside of the box. In spite of the warning of the God of Thunder and she being too curious, Pandora decided to take a peek. And it became one of the worst decisions ever made by mankind. 

A gift with an instruction, was a caution after all. 

×××××