T H R E E

As soon as Eleena heard Apollo’s warning, she quickly went out of the house. All she wants now is to go home and hide in her closet. She’s safer there than in the hands of a person who will kill her eventually. Eleena ran as fast as she could and instead of going to the shore, she entered the deep forest.

She looked back and she didn’t see Apollo chasing her. She stopped and looked around in fear that he’s just hiding somewhere. Eleena sat at the huge root of a tree as she caught her breath. She wiped the beads of sweat that formed in her forehead and groaned when she felt that she’s thirsty. All the running made her crave for a cold soda. 

Eleena quickly dodged the arrow that was almost buried in her face. She freaked out and quickly stood with her heart pounding against her chest due to fear and tension. She doesn’t even know how she managed to dodge the arrow when she didn’t even see it coming. She’s more terrified now that she’s becoming strange too. 

Eleena looked around and she squinted her eyes when she saw a woman on top of a tree’s branch. She’s holding a bow and when she took an arrow from her back, Eleena quickly ran away. Suddenly, she had a strong instinct and agility. She bolted while dodging the woman’s arrows. Eleena can’t even feel she’s out of breath when she originally has a weak body. The changes in her body started to frighten her. 

“You’re fast.”

Eleena looked at her side and her eyes widened when she saw a man running beside her. Due to shock, she stopped and bumped her head on a branch. She tumbled but didn’t feel any pain in her body. It’s like she rolled on a soft mattress. Eleena quickly sat even though she’s getting scared of the people she just saw and to herself as well. Tears started pooling in her eyes as her heart started to pound even more.

She quickly stood but she felt a thick liquid dripping down her cheeks so she touched it and she panicked when she saw that it was blood. Before she could even process what happened, the man started walking towards her with a playful smirk on his lips. Eleena backed away but she bumped into something and when she looked back, it startled her seeing the woman from the tree standing behind her. Eleena’s tears are about to fall and she feels that she might faint any moment now because of fear. 

“Why did you run away? Look what happened.” Eleena’s eyes diverted at Apollo who’s walking towards them. 

Despite knowing that he also has an intention in ending her life, Eleena still ran to him. She knows Apollo more than the two strangers so she thought that it’s better to stick around him for now. 

“Wipe your forehead. Someone might smell it and know that you’re here.” Apollo whispered then gave Eleena a small cloth that he ripped from his top. 

Eleena is still overwhelmed but she still followed Apollo’s order in fear that more people and creatures will hunt her. She looked at the strangers in front of them. They are amusingly watching her as if they didn’t inflict fear on her. 

“She has strengths like us. She’s not just a mortal.” The woman glanced at Eleena before she shifted her attention to Apollo. Eleena felt Apollo’s stare at her but she didn’t look back because even her couldn’t understand what happened to her earlier. 

“She can dodge Artemis’s arrows and can even outrun me if we’ll race.” The man said that made Eleena look at them again. She tried to remember the other gods but they are so many that she can’t pinpoint the names of the two. 

“Was it Ares?” She whispered to herself as she stared at the man with short curly hair and innocent face. “I’m sure he’s not Hephaestus because the books told us he’s ugly.” She continued. 

“We can hear you, young woman.” Artemis said before she gave Eleena a snide smirk. Eleena’s eyes widened as heat spread across her face. She didn’t know she was mumbling already. 

“The fact that you thought I’m Hephaestus is sickening.” The man glared at her which made her stick closer to Apollo. 

Apollo and Artemis laughed a little at the remark of the man but Eleena kept thinking of his name. She’s certain that he’s an important god but she cannot seem to remember his name. It’s a good thing that he mentioned the woman’s name because Eleena’s worry lessened.

“He is Hermes.” Eleena looked at Apollo and caught him already staring at her. “He was the reason why everyone knew your existence.” He added before smirking at her. 

Eleena’s brows met when she remembered Hermes’s character. He’s the messenger of the gods. That’s all she remembers but she’s certain that he is also a god of some things. She realized what Apollo just said that is why she couldn’t stop herself from glaring at her and Hermes glared at her too. 

“I cannot believe that you do not know me!” He exclaimed and even threw his hands in the air which made Artemis shake her head. 

“Gossiper.” Eleena said to herself while still glaring at Hermes. “You should be the god of the gossipers.”She added but now in a louder voice that caused Hermes' face to get serious. 

“You should not insult a god, Eleena.” Apollo whispered before he went in front of her as if he’s shielding her. 

Eleena got annoyed so she went out of the back of Apollo’s back and stood in the middle. She looked at him then at Artemis and Hermes. 

“Why can’t I, huh? You are all trying to kill me. Am I offended? No! But just a little remark and your stupid egos already broke.Just so you all now, I don’t even want to be here nor be part of your stupid oracle and play this crazy chasing and hunting game! Just kill me now so this ends now!”

The three gods were dumbfounded and speechless as they stared at Eleena. All that happened already got to her. She wants to go home and rest but she cannot because she is stuck in this world where everyone is after her head. It was like she’s a walking target that anyone can attack. It’s a depressing situation for her. She bursted into tears as her heart couldn't hold it anymore.

“I just want to be a normal girl.” She cried and looked at them. “I can’t even open a jar so how can I end the world?” She harshly wiped her tears. 

“I want to go home.” Eleena looked at Apollo pleadingly but he just stared at her with pity because he knew it was impossible. 

Apollo quickly went to Eleena and covered his mouth while Artemis and Hermes and on both sides of them. They are alert and ready as they hear faint footsteps coming towards them. The three gods sensed danger but they are ready to protect Eleena as what they promised to each other. 

“What can it be? And how did it find Delos?” Hermes asked breathlessly as he warily looked around. 

No one answered him. The footsteps suddenly began getting loud and fast as if the creature was running towards them. The three gods almost glued their backs on Eleena who is now shaking in fear. She hadn’t moved on yet about what she learned and the attack of the minotaur yet here is another one again. 

Artemis positioned his bow and pointed it everywhere as the creature might pop out from somewhere. Apollo drew his sword and held it tightly while Hermes just stood as he watched the surroundings. He’s ready to fight the creature with his bare hands. 

The rustling of the trees above them made the three gods’ eyes turn above. They are ready to attack the moment the creature shows up. Eleena held her breath when someone landed in front of them. She cannot see what it is as Artemis and Apollo’s backs are covering her eyes. She just prayed that these three gods can protect her even just for now. Anyway, she didn’t mean her death wish earlier. She was just frustrated. 

When the three gods saw who’s in front of them, they withdrew their weapons and stood properly. Apollo looked at the person disappointedly and although he’s used to his mischievous acts, he still cannot believe that he played them. Artemis glared at him but he just smirked at her proudly before winking at her. 

“Is it dead?” Eleena whispered breathlessly. 

Apollo and Artemis parted so Eleena saw another god in front of her with an annoying smirk. She can tell he’s naughty based on his smirk alone. 

“Eleena, this is Ares.” Apollo said as he still stood close to her.