Game 2 - The Demigods and Their Parents

Aria Freya Love

"Oh my gosh! Finally, I don't have to deal with these luggage anymore!" I exclaimed the moment I stepped inside the dorm room I was assigned into. That guard! Lagot talaga 'yon sa akin, the moment I become King! Siya ang unang-unang taong ipapupunta ko sa Underworld at ipapakain kay Cerberus!

And those fucking people… that Hephaeia! She denied me in front of that guard! She did not even help me with my luggage! Same with the others.

I looked at my bed and found a pillow there. Kinuha ko 'yon at tinakip sa mukha saka ako sumigaw.

I only stopped when someone cleared his throat, then I mentally slapped myself.

"Are you okay, Freya?" Tanong ni Yu. Dala-dala niya ang isa ko pang bagahe. He was the one who helped me when nobody bothered. After kasing magpakilala kanina, which was actually not needed since we know each other already, nagkanya-kanya na kami. The worst part was, nobody intended to help me except Yu.

"Uhm, yeah." Sagot ko sabay ayos ng buhok kong nagulo dahil sa ginawa kong katangahan.I almost wanted the ground to eat me. Please, not with this guy! I stole glances at him while he's carrying the luggage inside.

I've had this long time crush sa kanya since we're kids. He's the only one who smiled at me like I was a normal girl. I liked him because of that.

"Kumusta nga pala si Tita Aph?" Lumingon ako sa kanya. He's the only one who's allowed to call Mommy as Tita Aph, Lady Aphrodite ang gusto niya. Mommy doesn't want to be called nicknames, but when Yu calls him it's okay. Sabi niya, si Yu daw kasi ang future husband ko. Even Mommy wanted him to be mine.

"She's okay." Sagot ko, "Still the usual. Travelling around the world? Busy sa pagiging model at artista."

Tumango-tango naman si Yu tapos nagpagpag. Nalagay na rin niya sa maayos na lugar ang mga bagahe ko.

"Right." He looked at me, "we're going to the Principal's Office later after lunch. You should rest for a while. See you later."

Matapos niyang sabihin 'yon, he tapped my head and went off. Then I was left alone in my room, pillow on my face, squeaking.

"Oh God. I think I'm so red." Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

--

Therese Bell

I played with my rainbow hair that I inherited from my father. Well, not really inherited. It'll just automatically change when my Dad change his hairstyle. It's just one of the characteristics I inherited from my mother.

Unlike most of us here at Myth Dorm who has either gods or goddesses as parents, I'm a little bit unique.

No, I should say, I'm the most different from the rest of them. That's also the reason why I wasn't accepted as a candidate for the next thing. Well, not that I'm interested in that throne though.

I like being free. Just like Dad. Just like Mom. She's a nymph, and she's free. I can also use her powers, and I'm immortal. That's why I'm unique. The others were half humans, half-gods, but I'm half-god and half nymph.

"Hindi pa ba tayo pwedeng kumain?" Srex aired his thoughts. It was not directed to anyone but I have the responsibility to answer his questions.

"House rule no. 11, no one is allowed to eat until the borders are complete." Saad ko. Srex gave me a glare pero hindi ako nagpaapekto. He then gave up and just grunted. He maybe Ares' son, and a constant troublemaker but I'm stronger than him.

That's the biggest reason why I became the dorm master.

"Asan na ba kasi si Freya?" Tanong ni Eris. She was frowning, worry was in her voice."Hindi kaya kinain na siya ng alien?"

I eyed Eris. No, everybody did. Pero wala ni isang nagkomento pa. We knew each other since we were kids so we're pretty used to Eris being weird sometimes. Ewan ko ba kay Artemis kung bakit ito pa ang napili niyang maging tagapagmana.

"That girl, tsk." I heard Fee grunted. I'm well aware of her irritation towards Freya. They probably inherited their disgust towards each other from their parents.

Well, Hephaestus and Aphrodite have a very long story.

"Wag kayong mag-alala, she's probably on her way." Apollo answered, still smiling. "you know her, she's probably busy putting her make up on."

Despite the irritation everyone was having, she was still smiling. As expected of the sun god's daughter, I guess.

"Can she be more interested on her surroundings?" React naman ni Amy sabay taas ng eyeglasses niya. "Ang ayoko sa lahat ay ang pinaghihintay ako."

This high and mighty aura… she really is Athena's daughter. Calculated, intelligent and observant.

"Well, can we just eat already Therese? Promise, mag-iiwan kami ng pagkain para sa kanya!" I sternly looked at Eidon, and his playful grin faded. "Oops. Sabi ko nga, shut up nalang ako."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. I really can't believe this guy is Poseidon's son. Hindi kasi sila tugma eh. I've met the gods so many times, I could even call them informally, and Poseidon was very strict. Mas strikto pa nga ito kaysa kay Lord Zeus. Yep, si Lord Zeus lang ang tinawatag kong Lord kasi yun rin yung tawag ni Dad sa kanya.

"She better hurry up, I'm already starving." This time it was Veira who reacted. Naka-upo lang siya sa pinaka end ng rectangular dining table namin, she was crossing her arms with one brow raised. "She better know the houserules here. Hindi porket anak siya ng babaeng make-up na 'yon, magi-inarte na siya rito."

Isa pa itong obvious kung sino ang Nanay. Hera really trained her daughter very well. Kahit 'yong tawag ni Hera kay Aphrodite, namana ni Veira eh.

Ilang minute ang lumipas at wala ni isa ang nagtangka pang magsalita. It was already quarter to one and they need to meet the Principal at 1:30. Nai-istress narin ako kay Freya. What the heck is she doing at the moment? Everyone is starving already.

Tumikhim bigla si Yu.

Lahat kami napatingin sa kanya.

"I think I have a fault here." Sabi niya, "I told her to rest kanina eh. Baka, tinutoo niya ang pagtulog."

Walang umimik sa amin maliban sa isa.

"Shouldn't you go fetch her? Gusto ko nang bumalik sa kwarto ko." Ice retorted. As usual he was still wearing his black jacket, and even if we're inside the dorm, he also wears his hood. Very different from Yu who has a very bright aura surrounding him.

Well, there's also a big difference between Hades and Lord Zeus anyway.

"I should, right?" Bulong niya sa sarili niya saka siya tumayo. Pero bago paman siya makalabas ng kusina, bumukas ang pinto at niluwa nun ang kanina pa namin hinihinatay na babae.

"Hey guys, nandito na pala kayo?" She asked innocently. She was wearing a new outfit. A miniskirt paired with a floral patterned tube and a knee-length boots. She looked like a model.

Wah, as expected of Aphrodite's daughter.

"Dapat tinitingnan mo ang oras, hindi puro paganda ka." Fee commented. Freya gave her a glare. Pero hindi natinag si Fee, "Tingnan mo anong oras na, kanina pa kami naghihintay sa iyo, at kanina pa kami gutom."

Freya's brows formed a V.

"Then why didn't you eat first? Kaya ko namang kumain without you guys." She retorted.

This time, Fee eyed her then she forced a smile. "Next time dear, read the rules. It's delivered together with the letter."

I looked at the others and saw how they find the exchange between the two fascinating. So before pa ito lumalala, I talked.

"Okay, that's enough." Sabi ko then looked at Freya. "Umupo ka na Freya. We should start eating. We still have somewhere to go."

Isa-isa na silang nagsitanguan at nagsikainan. Wala ni isang nagsalita. Was it because of tension? This is the first day that they gathered, after all. Pagnagkikita rin naman kasi kami noon, mostly, we'd just stick to our parents.

Well, except for Eidon and Eris who are naturally idiots.

"Therese, I'm quite curious." Everyone looked at Fee, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

I was taken aback. This girl… she can catch on fast. I've had a hunch about it but since we don't really talk, I never really confirmed it.

"Well, I just don't want to say unnecessary things." Sagot ko.

"Really?" She paused, "But earlies, nung magkita tayo kanina, you told me I looked ordinary as usual. Isn't that a bit unnecessary?"

Just because of that?

"Maybe because you really just looked too ordinary. Therese is just stating facts." Sabat ni Freya.

"Right," Veira interrupted, "good heavens, for the first time I agree with Freya."

Sumimangot naman si Fee.

"Hey guys, stop it." Awat ni Yu then he faced Fee. "Don't mind it, Therese is just like that. Sometimes she's happy and outgoing, and sometimes she's serious and calculating. Masanay ka nalang."

"Hmm," Fee looked down. "Why do I get the feeling that she's observing us?"

She really catches on fast. I think, I may have underestimated this girl a bit.

I smiled.

"Because I am." I answered and everybody went silent. "Now, finish your meals, we still need to the Principal's office."

Wala nang umimik pa. It was awkwardly silent after I said I was observing them, which was the truth. I am observing one of them and I have to report it to Lord Zeus. Everyday.

Well anyway, I wonder how this table would grow from being silent to rowdy as days will pass. I want to see it with my own eyes. The growth of these candidates.

Matapos naming kumain, dumeretso na kami sa Principal's Office.

Lore Academy is divided into five areas. The Dorms – literally where the dormitories are, the Administration Building – all offices of staffs, faculties and big personalities of the school, the Physical Fitness Area – which covers almost the entire mountain, the Recreational Forest – where malls and other booths are placed in order for students to relax and experience the outside world, and the Main School Building – divided into three parts for elementary, middle school, and high school.

Pagdating namin sa Principal's Office, sinalubong agad kami ng Vice Principal. Siya na kasi ang mag-aaccompany sa kanila papunta sa office. Only the candidates are allowed there, and I am not one.

When they finally left, I heaved a deep sigh.

"What would happen now?" I asked myself.

"You seem so stressed; want to go out with me?" Hindi na ako nagtaka nang may nagsalita. Palagi namankasi siyang sumusulpot sa kung saan.

I smiled, "Where to, Vest?"