Hello dearies. So nice to see you again. I hope your day was awesome.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

He's the cause of intense longing for a lover.

He creates the urge to fulfill an emotion.

His form is sexuality, love, money, or power.

The driving force to quench desperation.

The root of humankind's destruction.

Lust.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

"Step away. Now," Zion snarled. His hands had balled into a tight fist.

Henry's claw glided away from my jaw. He twirled a lock of my dark hair with one finger and leaned down. "You had help this time, but I'll make sure it won't happen again."

He gave me a promising look then stepped back, raising his hands in surrender -- a wicked smile still played on his lips. I was totally transfixed by his words. Just when I thought he'll leave me alone, this happens.

It won't be the last I'll see him.

"See you soon, Sweetie. I always love a good chase." He took one glance at Zion and snapped his fingers. Instantly the other crocottas retreated into the forest. The ones surrounding Pedro reversed and ran. Leaves rustled as the creatures bulldozed through the trees and away from us.

"And one more thing..." Henry tilted his head as he had just remembered something. His eyes lasted on Pedro for more than necessary before veering to me. "...I have a present for you, Sweetie. I'm sure you'll love it."

What?

He winked with a crooked smile. And before I could question anything, Henry shifted into a massive crocotta before bounding away. He disappeared into the forest -- out of sight like the others. Silence settled around us, leaving only the sound of crickets and other night creatures. They were finally gone.

I mulled over Henry's words.

A present? That wasn't good.

"Well done bro, you scared the enemy." Pedro threw his branch behind him and walked towards me.

Zion glanced at himself and I stuttered when his white glowing eyes met mine. I remembered how Zeus nearly killed me with his sword. Was he stirring beneath the surface?

"I'm still me," Zion spoke with hands stretched outwards like he was calming down a wild animal.

I tried stifling my growing panic and regulated my heavy breaths. There's no need to overreact; Zion was still conscious. And if that's true, why is my body filled with adrenaline like it's preparing for an attack from Zeus?

Despite the thoughts, I couldn't fight my body's mode of survival. It's an appropriate reaction after encountering Zeus and a wild pack of crocottas who wants to kill me.

Why does everyone want me dead?

I hugged my broken arm to my chest and took a step back. The moment I shifted my right ankle, a sharp pain projected up my leg. I bit my lip in pain and stumbled backward -- straight into a chest.

"You're hurt," Pedro spoke calmly. from behind. He cooly held my shoulders.

I tried leaning on one leg. "I'll be alright."

Even after that assurance, Zion didn't look convinced. "No, you won't. You need to see a doctor."

Pedro pursed his lips, observing his brother. "That's a good suggestion. But first, you need to tone down the voltage." He gestured at the electric aura surrounding his form.

Zion looked at himself with furrowed eyebrows. "I don't know how."

Pedro shrugged. "It's alright. How did you go bazooka?"

"That's the thing, I don't know."

Pedro's eyes narrowed. "So you're trying to tell me you didn't know how you summoned lightning to kill a weird horse creature -- what's his name again?" He turned to me.

"Crocotta," I mumbled.

"Crocodile," Pedro continued without a sweat. He definitely didn't hear me.

I nudged him. "It's 'Crocotta.'"

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"It just came." Zion seemed so unsure of himself. "I think it reacts with my emotions."

I watched with fascination as electricity writhed around his arms, chest, and torso without causing him any sign of discomfort. He glowed like a freaking lightbulb.

"So..." Pedro pinched his nose, "...you're trying to say you killed a horse creature and threatened their leader by accident?"

Zion shrugged. "It's called bluffing. He was hurting Penny. I had to do something."

"Try calming down a bit. It could switch off the ability." I said.

He glanced at himself one more time and took a deep breath. His muscles visibly relaxed under his blue buttoned-down shirt but energy still radiated around him.

It didn't work.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Zion muttered.

I was more worried about Zeus appearing any moment now. "Try again."

Zion listened and repeated his yoga. The lightning slowly died off till there was none left.

Pedro grinned. "Well done, bro. I'm proud to call you my kin."

Zion's lips cracked into a smile. "You better give me a good birthday present next month."

"I'm still settling on my rattlesnake," Pedro said before turning to me. "Shall we get to the boulder?"

He pointed at a huge rock between two trees. I nodded and placed my arm over his shoulder, ready to limp when Pedro suddenly carried me to his chest with both arms. I yelped at the quick movement and held on to his neck. His hands supported my back and underneath my knees.

He chuckled. "What's the matter, Chips? Afraid I might drop you?"

I slapped his chest. Show off.

Instantly, Zion's phone rang, breaking the silence. He grunted and held the phone to his ears, distancing himself.

"How did you find me?" I looked up at Pedro. The wind had ruffled his dark hair a bit and his purple eye had healed. There were dark stains on his cheeks and neck.

Crocotta blood.

And probably their remaining decayed essence.

"How did we find you, Chips? It's quite easy. We heard you left the party and knew you'll be at your reserved spot -- the beach. Your dad wasn't home by then so you'll likely be here." He gave a heartwarming smile.

I felt my cheeks warm up and looked away.

"I heard what happened between you and Hunter and I sincerely apologize for that." Pedro looked grim. "Aunt Callida will be pissed when she hears about this."

"No, it's fine. I don't want him to get scolded because of me." I adjusted myself to ease the pain in my arm. "It'll only make things worse."

Pedro bit his lip. "If you say so, but Zion and I can't let Hunter go unchecked."

Zion placed his phone in his blue jeans and drew closer. He looked slightly annoyed.

"Who called?" Pedro asked cheerfully.

"Helena." He said simply. "She's wondering where we are."

"You mean where you are," Pedro said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Zion glanced away and mumbled under his breath. "Let's discuss something else. For instance, who the hell is that guy and what does he want with Penny?"

"You didn't hear brother? Three new students got admitted today and Henry -- our horse friend -- was one of them."

Zion rose an eyebrow. He crossed his arms. "You met that guy today?"

"Yes. I guess he came to our school because of Penny. Why would creatures be after you Chips? Especially someone surprising as Henry. All this time I thought he was a weirdo," Pedro cautiously carried me to the boulder, afraid to bump my broken arm.

"He said I was Pandora."

Pedro slid me onto the boulder. "Then I guess I was right. You do have a Spirit within you."

"Yeah, and she isn't a god but a mere human. I've never felt so helpless today." Even though I tried besting a Crocotta, I was still no match for Henry's strength.

It was frustrating. I sighed. "Pandora should at least have some abilities."

"I'm sure she does." A familiar voice replied.

We all turned to the new intruder. Liam walked out of the shadows, his hands in his red Jacket. Black stains colored his clothes with a few tears in the material. He looked tired but had a devilish grin plastered on his face.

"You," Zion snarled as his eyes flashed white. In the next second, he pinned Liam against a tree with an arm pressed against his neck. His speed was amazing even though he had unconsciously done it. "I heard you followed Penny after the party. Are you a stalker? Who are you and what do you want?"

Liam had the audacity to grin wider. "Hello, Zeus. Or should I say...Zeus' vessel. I'm not a great fan of him. After all, he had a fun way of trapping people."

Somehow, I had a feeling he was talking about himself. But why Would Zeus want to trap him?

My mind was ticking. I turned to Pedro who observed with a perched-up smile. His arms folded as he sat on the boulder by me. He was enjoying it.

"Don't make me ask again," Zion growled. "Who are you?" He leaned close, emphasizing his threat but Liam made no move to fight. His face was blank and expressionless.

"Don't hurt him," I tried standing but grimaced at my broken ankle. "He might be able to help us. He knows Henry."

Liam's green eyes steered to meet mine. His gaze was so intense that I felt my body shiver. It's happening again.

He turned to Zion. "She's hurt. I can heal her."

"You're not healing shit."

Who do you side with? Zion or Pedro?

Don't forget to vote and comment.