Bab 18: The Magical Girdle
Tumingin ako sa babae, and she looked dazzling and shining! I don't know if it is beause of her appearance or just her effect.
Napatingin siya sa golden apple sa kamay ko, then down to my girdle.
She smiled sweetly, "I am Aegle, one of the Hesperides. I do not mean harm for you, Lady...?"
Kaagad naman akong sumagot, "Melizabeth! Iyan po ang pangalan ko."
Tumango naman siya, "Let me heal you, baka magalit sa'kin si Ladon kung hindi kita gagamutin." Tumawa rin siya pagkatapos.
Ladon, the dragon-serpent hissed, and he extended his tail to me. Nagsalita naman si Aegle, "Maupo ka raw sa kaniya. He's glad to help you, Melizabeth."
Tumango naman ako at umupo kay Ladon. My mind is still debating whether I should trust this lady Aegle or not. Paano kung isumbong niya ako sa mga diyos at diyosa?
She knelt down to me, at hinawakan ang ankle ko. Hindi na ako nagulat nang hindi ko na maramdaman ang sakit nito. "Thank you, Aegle." wika ko at tumungo sa kaniya.
Tumayo naman siya at inilahad ang kamay sa'kin upang makatayo na rin ako. Tinanggap ko ang kamay niya at tumayo. I smiled at her, and she laughed.
"It is very rare for Ladon to like a lady. Bukod sa'ming Hesperides, ang gusto niya lang ay si Eris. Hindi niya rin gusto si Aphrodite," wika niya habang bahagyang tumatawa.
Tumango naman ako. Woah, he liked Eris, the goddess of discord and strife while he did not like Aphrodite, the beauty and love! What a weird creature.
"That... girdle. Saan mo nakita 'yan?" Tanong sa'kin ni Aegle, kaya't nanlaki ang mata ko. "Ah! Dito po sa garden niyo. Is it yours?" Sagot ko at akmang tatanggalin mula sa'kin ang girdle.
Hinawakan naman niya ang kamay ko at pinigilan ako mula sa pagtatanggal nito. "No, it's yours now. You can have it. Alam kong magiging helpful iyan sa'yo."
I dropped my mouth at takang tumingin sa kaniya.
She smiled again and continued talking, "That is called the Magical Girdle. Ang may-ari talaga niyan ay si Aphrodite, pero hindi ko alam kung bakit inabandon niya iyan dito.
Kapag suot iyan ni Aphrodite, mas lalong nagliliyab ang passion, love, and lust. Kapag naman si Hera ang nagsusuot, nagkakabati ang mga mag-asawang may lovers quarrel. Hindi ko nga lang alam ang mangyayari kapag ikaw ang may suot niyan. It actually depends on the user."
My mouth remained open, ibig sabihin this girdle can contribute something to me!
Nagpatuloy naman siya sa pagsasalita, "As you can see, nagiba na ang kulay ng mga gem sa gitna. For Aphrodite, it was pink. Kay Hera, blue. Pero sa'yo ay red."
Napatingin naman ako at nagulat nga nang mag-iba ang kulay nito. Kanina nga ay kulay pink ito, meaning Aphrodite was the last user.
"It means, the girdle has chosen you to become its new owner. It has adapted to your physique and substance, kaya't wag kang magalala saiyo na iyan. As well as the apple, Ladon gave it to you. So use it wisely," tapos niya.
Nagtaas naman ako ng kilay, use it? Hindi ba kinakain naman ito? "What's the purpose of this golden apple, anyway?"
Aegle shot me an 'are-you-serious?' glance, "That apple grants immortality and youth. Ang ibang diyos ay gusto n'yan, to heal or to become stronger. Bakit? Ano bang plano mo?"
"Kakainin," I said and shrugged.
Her mouth formed and 'oh.' Napatawa siya, "Let's see what will happen to you kapag kinain mo 'yan. Hindi ka naman mamamatay, but there will be consequences for your granted immortality, Melizabeth."
Napaisip ako. If I want to at least level the gods, then I must be immortal. In that way, mas mahihirapan silang talunin ako. At mas madadalian naman akong manalo sa kanila.
My revenge will come easy with the power of the magical girdle and this golden apple.
I looked at the golden apple one last time before consuming it all.
And just like Snow White when she ate the poisonous apple, I fell into a deep deep sleep.
Thieves of Harmony
by lostmortals
Plagiarism is a crime.
Thank you for reading!
Status Power Mingguan
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Power 
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