N I N E

Apollo watched Eleena read one of his books. He's certain that she cannot understand any word but she's still pretending she's reading it. He can sense that she's avoiding him and he understands why. The fight between him and Zeus was a nightmare for her. He forgot how fragile Eleena is and that she isn't like them despite being the destroyer. She's still a mortal with fears and inhibitions. 

"You sew pretty good." Apollo said and smiled but Eleena just peeked through the book. 

He meant what he said. Eleena's dress came out nicely and it really suits her. That's what she has been doing in her room for the past few days after the incident between Zeus and Apollo. Eleena vent her anxiety and fear through sewing new clothes for herself. After witnessing Apollo going rogue, she cannot face him. She forgot that he's still a god and invincible. She's scared of him and what he said about killing her came back to her. 

'If he can fight Zeus then he can easily kill me. I am just a small cockroach for him that he can easily crush. I trusted him too fast. I was so comfortable that I forgot his true intention.' She thought one night while laying in bed. 

Apollo sighed and stood. He doesn't want to force Eleena to talk to him. He's desperate to hear her sweet voice and loud laughs but he still respects her decision to stay quiet. Apollo glanced at Eleena one more time before he went out bringing his lyre with him. 

Eleena watched Apollo leave with his head hung low. She wants to talk to him but her fears are stopping her from doing so. Eleena closed the book and just went inside her room to take a nap. 

Meanwhile, Apollo started plucking the strings of his lyre and produced a sad harmony. It was so sad that clouds covered the sun and the waves began getting wild. Apollo closed his eyes and got immersed with the music as it reflects what's inside his heart. Dark and gloomy. 

Eleena is in a deep slumber while Apollo is busy playing some music that they didn't notice a creature lurking around the house. It slowly looked through the window in Eleena's room and it licked its lips upon seeing the sleeping destroyer. The creature looked back and tilted its head towards the window. In no time, three others that looked the same as it came out. They scattered around the house, waiting for the right moment to attack. 

Apollo doesn't have any idea that four manticores are about to put Eleena's life in danger. He's too engrossed in his music and letting out his emotions that his senses shut off. He's dejected that Eleena is afraid of him and it breaks him thinking that it will stay that way for time being. 

One of the manticores watched Eleena and her strange abilities kicked in and woke her up. She felt a strong sense of danger that she quickly sat up. Eleena instantly locked eyes with the manticore and it didn't waste any time. It jumped through the window and stood in front of her. 

Eleena stood and fear quickly woken up her system. However, just like every time there's danger, there's a surge of strength running through her veins. She can feel that she can fight the creature but her poor heart won't let her. 

She felt her tears burn her eyes due to extreme fear. If the minotaur was horrifying, then the manticore is worse. It has the head of a man, the body of a lion, and the tail of a scorpion. 

'Is this Frankenstein gone wrong?' She thought but she quickly shook her head to focus on the danger she's in. 

The manticore started salivating at it slowly inches towards her. Eleena quickly grabbed the pillow on her side and aimed it to strike the manticore. She shivered when it smirked at her before licking its lower lip. 

Suddenly, the other three manticores went inside the room that startled Eleena. She almost went through the wall in fear of four strange and creepy creatures who are ready to devour her. They surrounded her so she doesn't have anywhere to go. Her tears are about to fall in desperation to get out of the frightening situation. She can't even scream due to her distress and fear. 

'I think this will be my end. I would rather die to these Frankenstein monsters than in the hands of the person I trusted the most.'Her tears fell as she closed her eyes and prepared herself to be torn into pieces. 

The manticores rejoiced seeing how easily Eleena gave up her life. The closest manticore launched himself and opened its mouth widely, ready to take a big bite off of Eleena's soft flesh. She closed her eyes tightly as she felt the manticore getting closer but it never came. All she heard was a loud thud and a scream. 

Eleena quickly opened her eyes and was surprised to see Ares fighting the three manticores. The one that was about to attack Eleena is lying on the floor with its tail cut out. Its body slowly started to dry and in just a few seconds, it was as if life was literally sucked out of it. 

"Where's Apollo?!" Ares asked before he kicked the manticore that was about to attack him from the side. 

Eleena didn't answer because she doesn't have any idea where Apollo is and why he didn't show up when she needed him the most. Ares tried to fight the manticores while also trying not to get bitten by them. Although he is a god, he won't heal if he gets bitten by a manticore. 

Apollo stopped playing his lyre when he felt something different. He tried to push his emotions at the back of his head to regain his senses. He quickly stood when he felt and heard the commotion in his house. He ran as fast as he could and all he could think was Eleena. He was once disappointed in himself for being reckless again. 

Ares successfully killed another manticore which enraged the other two. They roared before launching towards Ares. His spear appeared in his eyes and he quickly threw it to the other manticore and it hit its stomach. It howled in pain but it still stood. The other manticore managed to scrape Ares's arm using the tip of its tail and he hissed in pain when he felt a drop of poison entered his body. Ares positioned his sword in front of him as the two manticores slowly approached him. 

Eleena was about to come out to find Apollo when he came inside with his sword in his hand. Their eyes met for a second but Eleena quickly looked away. Apollo sighed before he swiftly striked his sword to the manticore which Ares hit with his spear. Ares attacked the other manticore and in no time, they both fell to the floor with their tails detached from their bodies. 

Ares breathed heavily as the poison started to slowly paralyse his body. He fell to the floor and Eleena quickly went to her. He managed to smirk at her but Eleena just looked at him worriedly.

"Where are you hurt? Are you dying? Oh, please don't die! I will feel guilty about it for the rest of my life." Eleena's tears flowed like a stream which caused Ares to chuckle faintly. 

Apollo clenched his fist upon seeing Eleena cry for Ares. He hates that she is worried for someone else. It annoys him watching the two of them so Apollo quickly pulled Ares's arm and made him stand. Eleena followed him with her eyes. 

"I will heal him. Stay in my room for a while." Apollo said seriously before he dragged Ares to the bed. 

Eleena silently stood and left the room. She cannot even protest in fear that Apollo would get rogue again. At this point of her life, everything that is happening around her is now just normal. She'll be scared at first but after that, she'll feel perfectly fine as if getting attacked by four manticores is just part of her daily routine. 

"Where's Ares?" Eleena asked when she went out of the room.

Apollo stopped preparing the table and clenched his jaw. He sighed harshly before continuing arranging the table. 

"He left." Apollo pulled a chair for Eleena before he sat across her. 

Eleena froze for a second and just stared at Apollo. She appreciated his sweet gesture but she immediately reminded herself about his true intention. Eleena quietly sat and put food on her plate. 

"Why? I haven't even thanked him yet." She glanced at Apollo and she caught him staring at her so she quickly averted her eyes to her plate. Her heart is pounding due to mixed emotions. 

"Why don't you thank me? I also saved your life." Eleena looked at Apollo unbelievably because of his childish remark. He gave her a side-eye before starting eating which caused Eleena's jaw to drop. 

"Yeah, right. You're just saving me so you could kill me in the end. Thanks for that." Eleena rolled her eyes. This time, Apollo was the one who looked at her in disbelief. 

"What? Kill you? Do you think I will still kill you?" 

"Yeah. You made it clear with me that you will kill me with your bare hands." 

Apollo scoffed and looked at his side. 

"You can easily kill me, Apollo, so why don't you just do it now? I saw your capacity so killing me will just be a piece of cake." Eleena stood harshly as her tears burned her eyes. 

Apollo slowly turned to her and he calmed down when he saw the fear in her eyes. He sighed and stood as well but Eleena just glared at him.

"I won't kill you, Eleena. And I apologize if you have to witness that." He said gently and Eleena's tears began flowing. 

"Why should I believe you? Everyone is clearly after my head? Why should I trust you?" Eleena wiped her tears using the back of her hand. 

Apollo sighed and went in Eleena's side. She looked up to him and despite her blurry eyesight, she can still clearly see the gentleness of Apollo's eyes. It is as if he can't hurt anyone or anything. 

"I loathe myself for inflicting this much fear in you, Eleena." He said more likely to himself. Apollo slowly wiped Eleena's tears using his thumb and unlike last time, she didn't flinch nor ran away, which gave a little hope to Apollo. 

"I want you to trust me one last time, Eleena. Believe me when I say that I won't kill nor hurt you and that I will protect you with all of my life." He caressed Eleena's cheek that gave her goosebumps but it was a good feeling. She forgot that Apollo can feel her heated face because she's engrossed looking at his sincere eyes. 

"I am willing to give my life to you because…" he trailed off and hesitated for a while whereas Eleena watched him with hope in her eyes and heart. She has assumptions as to what Apollo might say and thinking about it makes her heart explode in ecstasy. 

Apollo gulped and withdrew his hold to Eleena which crushed her little hope. He took a step backward and gave Eleena a small fake smile. 

"You're the girl in my oracle so I will protect you." He said without looking at her eyes before he quickly went back to his seat.