4 Chapter 3 : The Epicurus Academy

-

I woke up with dizziness taking over me as I struggle lifting my eyes up. Damn! Why is my head so heavy? Ugh!

I squeezed my eyes shut and take a deep breath before opening them again. Thank goodness! I managed to adjust with my headache and the light coming from the window on my right side.

Wait, Why does my window appear on the right? It should be on the left ,right?

Taking a glance at the window, I noticed that the curtains aren't laced-cream with golden patches like the ones in my room at Aunt Lulu's house but two long red velvet with black and grey lining curtains.

I also noticed the golden colored bookshelves at my left side that corresponds to the color of the silver-covered couches, a yellow pretty lamp on the bedside table and a drawer at my right, and the painting of peacock birds that hang on the wall sending a relaxing effect to anyone who sees it.

Where am I?

My thoughts were shoved away because of someone knocking on the door.

"Come in." I say as I think of who my visitor might be.

I saw a pretty guy, with brown hair, bluish green eyes along with long eyelashes, pink lips, a muscular body figure with a cheekish grin at me, holding a tray. He's wearing a black botton up polo shirt that matches his white fitted shorts.

"Hi, Caeli, I see you're finally awake." He beamed while walking towards me, then put the tray on the table beside me.

"Huh? m-- me?- what-- who?-- Who's Caeli? Ahm, Wher- where am I?" I asked confused at him and suddenly another question escaped from my mouth, before he could even open his mouth to answer. "And who are you?"

"Okay, first of all, YOU are Caeli--"

I cut him off as a gasp fell out my mouth.

How could I forget? So she is responsible as to why I'm here? Stupid disorder issues! Not her again, I thought to myself.

"Are you okay?" The stranger guy says as he gives me a concern look.

"Ya', just remembered something, and uh some sort of headache.."

"So, do you remembered who am I and where you are now?" He said relieved.

Oh, boy, you are so wrong my dear. I don't remember such things my other self do.

I turned my gaze at him as if trying to read his thoughts. It wouldn't hurt if I tell him my secret right? and besides, Caeli only comes a day over a year.

"Sorry, but no," I started off shaking my head. "Because ... I have a disorder. I-- I'm schizophrenic, and Caeli is my other self, she's that wild and strong one, while I'm Thena, the weak but certainly much mature than her, I don't know what happened when she took over me, but I'm really sorry for everything." I say nodding my head down glancing at the carpet designs.

"Woah, I didn't knew that huh? Guess she doesn't want me to know, anyways, since you didn't know what happened , you are in Epicurus Academy and I'm Zireneil Clifford, you can call me Ren for short or even what 'Caeli' prefer , Ziren." He said quoting the name Caeli, okay so they two hang up? "And, don't be sorry for anything, she didn't do something bad.. -- just made a big mess in this room last Friday night while screaming her throat out with cursed words, I guess, not that bad." He finishes his sentence with amusement filled his tone.

"Nice to meet you, Ziren, but, I'm really sorry for what she did." I say holding up my hands for him to shake. He quickly grab it and shake as he lets out an amused chuckle. " YOU really ARE her, though you deny it, she's still there, haha"

"Hey, what's with the chuckling!" I said as I pout at him.

"Nothing, It's just that it's so awkward, that you're completely her opposite, one time you kicked my butt up just because I'm standing on your way getting your juice, and now, you'll be this nice, like you just swallowed a whole bottle of nice-pills." He said still chuckling.

I opened my mouth to answer him but closed it again, when we heard a loud bang on the door. I smiled as I saw the blonde walks his way towards me with his widest grin.

"Theeeee! You're awake!" He said as he hugged me.

"Psh, It's not like I just slept for a night." I said chuckling at his reaction towards me.

"Yeah, it's not like that, 'cause you were sleeping for almost a week now you know that! I got worrie--"

"WHAT?! How many days am I out now!?" I cut him off as I am completely shocked by the sudden information.

"Ahm, six days?" He said annoyingly.

"That long!? Oh boy, I'm such a sleepy head!" I said disbelief evident in my tone.

"Yeah, you are, but since you were in a jetlag it's not that worth worrying about." He shrugged.

"Wait, so you know Thena? a-and Caeli?" Almost forgetting that Ziren was still here he had spoken up surprised at Hermes, that is now chuckling.

"Like duh! we're together for almost half of her life, and Ren, Caeli just appears once a year, so I kind of guess that after she fainted last Friday, Thena would soon replace her. I'm genius right?" He said confidently as he turns his gaze to him. " And, if she's Caeli she wouldn't let you sit in her bed before she could even strangle you up like a rope."

We laughed at his response, and mine quickly vanished when a realization striked me.

"O my gosh! I'm out for almost a week now, and Aunt Lulu didn't know! She must be worried sick! I got to call her! but wait, You are here too?" I pointed at Hermes, "So, why are we here? Why do I slept here?"

"First, Thena, please calm down, second, Caeli took care of everything about your aunt, she knows that you are here with me, don't worry, and last, your parents sent you here with me to take care of you while you were staying here for the rest of the summer vacation."

"Wait, why do they send me here? In the middle of summer? how can they be so cruel?!" I said pouting, while stomping my foot on my bed.

"Hey, don't say that! This is not just some typical summer school ,you know." Said Hermes giving me his cheekish grin.

"Fine." I said still coping up with the shock. This must be awesome, for I will curse my parents for sending me here if not! I thought to myself.

"Come, let me show you around." Ziren said motioning me towards the door.

"Ya, right, you show her outside, and I'll be on my way to a meeting , okay." Hermes said fixing his stare at me.

"But, I want you there too, Hermy."

"Sorry, little Thee, but I can't." He said putting an end to the conversation.

"Fine, fine, fine! Let's go Ziren.." I said as I quickly stand up and head to the bathroom door on the left side of the room.

"Where are you going?" Ziren asked confused.

"I'm not going out there like this, you know." I said as I look down my pajamas and sweatshirt that I've been wearing for a week.

"Right.."

"Okay, I'm gonna go now, see ya' later Thee." Hermes said marching his way to the door.

"Babye!" I said as I quickly get into the bathroom leaving Ziren alone in the room.

--

"So, this would be the Battling Arena, the other side is the Detention Room, and down that hallway would be the Library."

"Battling Arena? What for?" I arched an eyebrow as I eyed Ziren.

"Well, didn't Hermes told you that this isn't just another typical summer school, right?"

"Oh, " A realization striked me.

"This academy is much awesome than what you think, Thena." Ziren winked.

"Okay, let's continue." I say as I walk through a wooden door leading a way to a very large two glass door-framed ones with golden edges , metallic designs and silver coated knobs. A very beautiful one I thought.

"What's that room for?" I asked amazed at what I'm seeing.

"That is the division door of our suite to the other ones," Ziren said looking very much confident. "The way to the rooms of the four most honoured students."

"I'm guessing , for VIP's huh?" I said elbowing his arm.

"Not, that VIP's but, you can put it that way." I'm suddenly distracted by a sound coming from a room to the right of the georgeous door infront of me. I followed it and the sound led me to a stainless door wide enough to fit in five persons at a time.

I opened it and gasped when I saw the inside of the room.

"What the heck! Ziren! Why didn't you tell me this?" I asked surprised and excited at the same time.

"Well, That would be the Sword-fighting Arena, Ms. Menzil."

"Waaaahh! I'm so happy I'm here! I really love swords you know! I've grown this fascination since I was eight when father sent me to sword-fighting lessons, This would be the best thing in here!"

"I told you, you gonna love it here."

"Absolutely, Now that my dream is already infront of me, oh mother thank you for sending me to this school." I said kneeling at the door hoping mother would hear me.

"You're very funny , Thena, Now, c'mon let's get your schedule, in the Main Office."

"U-huh let's go.." I said as I am marching my way to the hallway in which we had passed a while ago leading to the main office, suddenly a tall, pale, and a long black-haired girl came approaching Ziren.

Her paleness gives an aura of coldness?, darkness? I don't know but it's really creepy though, a small body complexion, but with an intimidating and authority look on her face, well, that really just gave me goosebumps, as I look at her.

"Oh, Ren, I see you're with the newbie huh?" She reffered to Ziren.

"Absolutely, Izzy, she's Thena Menzil." Ziren introduced me.

"Nice to me you, Thena, I'm Izzy Noel, Hope you will have a great summer here." She said as she's holding her hand for me to shake.

I quickly grab it, and manage a smile.

"Well, Thank you , Izzy." Now, I think the first impression's too much of just an impression.

"Your welcome, and by the way Ren, I'm just here to tell you that, Hermes had left to Molucca for the upcoming visitation that he manages." Izzy said focusing her attention to Ziren. I'm shocked , why didn't Hermes told me?

"Oh, too early , huh?" Ziren scoffed.

"Wait, wait, wait, Hermes is leaving?" Shocked by the sudden information I just can't help but widen my eyes the time it left Izzy's mouth.

"Uhm, left?" Izzy said more of a question rather than a statement.

"How early? and How long would he be gone anyway?" I said finally recovering.

"Just about now, and maybe two to three weeks , I guess." Again shockness pulled me.

" That long? For goodness sake! Why didn't Hermes told me!"

"Relax, Thena, he's safe there , don't worry that much." Ziren comforted me.

"Ya', and besides, Thena, Hermes's kind is too strong to get hurt." Izzy intruded and when I was about to speak.

"Well, I gotta go now! Aila must be left alone with Irish at the balcony, now. See ya' " She said as she run as fast as a leopard chasing it's food , okay, that seems to be too much exaggerated but hey, it makes sense for she almost tripped herself up, the moment she crossed the corridoor.

All I can say was " I don't worry about him, all I'm saying is why didn't he take just a second to atleast tell me he's leaving." I said finally giving up the urge to follow Hermes and smash his face.

"Hermes is a busy-man here , you know, He's like a leader to all of us, he manages almost everything." Ziren informed me. "So, let's go now?

" Ya, and uhm, Ziren, who's Irish?" I suddenly remembered Izzy saying the name.

"Oh, he is Izzy's brother, the complete opposite of her, I tell you. Aren't you gonna ask who's Aila?" Ziren smirked.

"And yes, that one too."

"She's Aila Wordsworth, completing the Honoured squad , my cousin and the bitchy one." I almost choke when I heard the title Ziren said.

"The Honoured squad huh? so that's what you are called, not VIP's" I said attempting to sound right.

"Maybe?, but definitely not VIP's." Ziren corrected.

"So can you tell me how to belong to your group? Are you the richest ones here?" I said beginning to sound more curious than I am.

"Well, you see, were the children of the Trichyrostheos, or in other words Triumvirate of the Most Powerful Gods that's all." I knotted my eyebrows pertaining that I'm not getting anything that he just said. "The four of us was born from the Trichyrostheos' blood that's why were the strongest here, and anyone's, specially the minors, afraid of us."

"I'm sorry, but I'm still not getting this whole concept." I said a bit shy about my lack of knowledge. "Whose the Trichy-- what?"

"You don't know? They were---" We were disturbed by a sudden crash in the area downstairs to the lobby. "What's that?" Ziren asked.

"I don't know either." It began to be cleared when Hermes suddenly appeared out of nowhere and hugged me.

"Oh, I will miss you Thee, I'm sorry , I'd be gone for two weeks or so, I thought." I quickly get grab of his collar and punch him on the side.

"Hey, what's that for?" Hermes sounding so confused at the time.

"Why didn't you told me you were leaving me here?" I asked furiously at him.

"That's why I'm here, Thee, to inform you, and besides I quickly went back here when I realized I left you hanging alone." Hermes said while doing the puppy-dog face he always uses with me.

"But you still--" I was suddenly cut off by a loud chuckle coming from Ziren.

" Hey! So funny aye?" I said as I slap his arm.

"HAHA It's--j-just--that--H-Hermes! HAHA" Ziren said inbetween his laughter.

"Cut the crap, man." Hermes said getting irritated by the sudden outburst.

When Ziren finally finished laughing his heart out, he made his point.

"You know what Hermes, I don't know that you had that side." Ziren said controling his laughter again.

"Well, you'll never know unless you care." Hermes said , but unfortunately I'm not really getting this situation I'm in.

"As much as I want to know what you two were saying, Can someone atleast explain me whose the Trichychu-chu?" I said remembering the curiosity this words had provided me.

"Sheeez, I'm sorry Thena I can't accompany you to the Main Office," Ziren said while taking a quick glance at his watch "It's pass ten and I should be in the council meeting now. Sorry, I'm gonna go now and by the way, ask Hermes, see you later, goodbye, Couz."

And he vanished up in the staircase in the middle of the hallway.

"So, what's up? Aren't you leaving?" I said as I turned my gaze to Hermes.

"Well, yes, but Aren't you gonna ask me first whose the so-called Trichyrostheos?"

"About that, who are they?" I asked beginning to focus at the conversation.

"You, see I told you that this academy is not just some typical summer school right?" I quickly nod my head as I wait for him to continue.

" It's true, the Trichyrostheos, the teachers , and all of those who are in here including you , are all special beings." He paused as if giving me some time to absorb the things he just said.

"Your point may be? Just get to the bottom of this, Hermes." I said sounding annoyed by the elaboration of words he is doing with his sentences.

"Okay, okay, so I guess, Ren haven't told you anything yet, so chill." I, again focused on his words. " The Trichyrostheos or for others is 'The Triumvirate of the Most Powerful Gods' were Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, you know them right? Those who were in the books , the Greek's Mythological Gods." I quickly nod.

"As a relation to that, the Gods, the major and the minor ones, had kids with mortals and they were called Demigods. Well, the students here are all demigods, and so are you, you're not just you, Thena." I am shocked by the bursts of information.

"Woah, woah, wait, so Ziren is a son of one of the gods?" I questioned him. "And also, all of the students here including me?"

"Right, Ziren is a son of the seagod, Poseidon."

"But that doesn't explain my identity, I'm not me because I'm just like them? Right? How come , if I had both my parents?" I said with curiosity and confusion sting in my every word.

"I don't know , you're just you Thee, you have this aura of a half-child." Beginning to sound confused Hermes said.

"And what kind of aura is this huh?" I challenged him, maybe he's missing something.

"A very strong one, you don't even cast a shadow, and last, your scent, it's supernatural." He sounded so confident as he eyes me.

"Woah, you know that all?" I said realizing that it's true that I don't have a shadow.

"Absolutely." He said as he winks at me.

"How come you know all of this stuff? and besides are you one of us too?"

"Well, I am Hermes.." He said as if putting an end to our conversation.

"Ya', I know, you silly--" I said.

" I am Hermes, Thena." He said cutting me off, emphasizing his name.

"Ofcourse, you are--"

"I AM Hermes." He again said

"Oh, my gosh! You ARE Hermes!?" I said finally realizing what he meant. His eyes glowed.

" Messenger of the gods, master of thieves, lord of communication and trade, god of the travelers, yes, absolutely, I am Hermes."

●●●