Selene Terra Firma

Xleyl

The girl Cronus was searching for was now looking at the balcony of Ares's room. She was sitting on a couch Ares had offered after insisting that she should go out for some air.

She looked up and gazed at the moon set on a dark starless night sky. How could earth have three moons? Where in the world is she?

She wasn't in a dream anymore, nor she was in her reality. But maybe somewhere in between, she doesn't know. However, she still hoped all of it was just a dream. So, she had never tried asking anyone about the things this world has to offer.

How could humans know about these creatures anyway? Were they dragged here just like me and then came back later in the reality?

Was this even a time for her to mope around? She's been crying over a spilled milk for a week already. It's not like she could finally go back home if she would cry here all day long.

That's right. This is not the time for moon-gazing. She's Selene! How could she be depressed with this? It's not like she died.

Wait, what if she died? Is this heaven or hell?

No!

How could she die? This is not even the underworld nor the heaven with angels in white robes. Ares had confirmed to her before. Also, everyone here dies too. Though, she remembered Ares telling her that their average lifespan was a bit longer than an average human's lifespan.

She needed to do research! There could be a big possibility that other humans have entered this world too. Maybe, there are other passages that she could enter leading her from this world to her real world!

And maybe, those mystical creatures with gruesome faces that were always featured in horror films do not only exist in imagination but they were also a real being in this dimension!

"Ares!" Selene jumped at him the moment he entered the room. She held his arm and stared at him with conviction. Surprised, he unconsciously touched her arms aligned with his shoulder.

"What's up?" He greeted, trying to sound casual. "Did something happen?"

"Not yet. There's something I need your help with."

Seeing her enthusiasm again, Ares got thrilled. "Sure."

Selene then concluded that there's no greater power than knowing.

They say ignorance is bliss but for her, it's not. What's good about keeping yourself in the dark? Sure, the world is brutal and some truths are painful. But isn't that the reason why we grow? Pain instructed us to learn from our mistakes.

Dealing with sadness and misery means that it's time to do things differently. It's a sign to change the direction and at the same time, a warning in the future to not make the same mistake twice.

Now, it is time for her to sail on new waves. Sulking would not solve the dilemma for her, but would only keep her from solving the problem.

The problem...

She needed to find a solution for her to go home. Practicing ignorance is not helpful. She needs knowledge and information!

"Library. I need to go to the library," said Selene while fidgeting. It was as if her energy was at its peak. Too much lazing around kept her energetic self for too long.

"I'm sorry?" Ares's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"The library. The place where you collect books---!"

"What?"

"I said the library! It's where the books and research stuff are kept! It's the library, Ares. The library!" She explained frustratingly.

This man's brain always lags whenever the fun is about to begin. His mind-processing skills were too slow!

"I know what a library is! I am asking what are you going to do in there?" Her mockery was already annoying him. She never fails in insulting him. At least, he's now sure she is back from her old self.

"To do research, of course." Selene sighed in frustration. How did Ares manage to live longer than her grandparents but still has a turtle-like processing brain? It infuriates her how absent-minded he is!

"What?"

What! What! Stop asking me what! You are handsome but your brain is na-uh!

"A research! To study! For learning!"

"I know that too! What do you take me for?" She looked at him furiously. There was her sarcastic stare again.

"Then stop asking me 'what'!" Selene complained.

"I'm asking what is the purpose of that research for!"

"Normally, people do that to learn, right? Of course, I'm researching to gain knowledge!"

Arguments like this have been their daily routine whenever they are together. Selene would treat him like he has no brain while Ares would usually turn in beast mode, which always leads to an endless debate with each other.

"I KNOW THAT TOO!" His face flushed in annoyance.

"Then stop asking if you already know the answer! Don't be a slowpoke, Ares. I need your brain!"

"I am not, you fearless human! You dared to insult me! In case you forgot, I am the sole prince of--"

"Enough flexing! I have no time to lose!" She interrupted, putting an end to their brawl of words.

She got used to him pampering her this past few days to the point that she forgot how this man's brain usually works. Ares clicked his tongue.

"You were sulking the whole week and now you're complaining about the time? Are you kidding me?"

Of course, she would do that! She was suffering and he knew it!

"Are you helping or not?!" She exclaimed, glaring straight to his blood-red eyes. He only gritted his teeth, clenching his jaw. With that, both of them finally calmed down.

Selene prepared her black cloak and sprayed the perfume all over her body. She made sure to do it twice. She wouldn't want to encounter someone discovering her again. She recalled the night where some gorgeous lunatic tried cornering and sniffing her. She somehow guessed that the alpha werewolf was about her human scent.

Ares had told her about that too, that she has this peculiar smell that no one in this world has.

"Good. Let's go." Selene hid her face with the hood of her cloak.

"You're so annoying. You have to pay me back for this." She heard Ares mumbled at her back. She tried glancing at his face but he was so needlessly tall. Her neck hurts from looking up!

"Whatever. I'm broke. It's not like I can pay you with my world's currency either, so let's go!"

They started to walk out of the room. When they came to the hallway, they saw the twins heading towards them.

"Young master! Young lady!" Phobos called, greeting them with a bow. "Are you going to the cursed tree again?"

"No, we are heading to the library." Ares blandly answered.

"For what?" Diemos asked as well. Ares then remembered his recent dispute with Selene.

"What else? To study, of course!" Both of his attendants were delighted to hear it from him.

"You've been skipping school to accompany Selene the whole week. It's good that you're getting back on track." Diemos stated.

Ares felt his cheeks burn when he recognized that teasing look in their eyes staring at them. Was he too obvious in keeping Selene only to himself?

He did not know but Diemos was glad that he continued his studies. No ill intentions. It was just Ares who was being too imaginative.

"Shut up, Diemos! I'm not skipping because of her! I was having a vacation! A time off! A break!" He defended, his denial self showing.

"That's what you said, young master." Phobos giggled upon realizing how her young master always loses his composure whenever young lady Serene is around.

Who knows, it might be love.

"You too, Phobos! Shut up!" With his face as red as a tomato, Ares used his manipulation skills to restrain the twins' mouth. Selene became aware of this when she noticed his eyes turned from b****y red to a tawny golden shade.

"You guys, wanna come with us?" She poked his side to distract him from manipulating the twins.

"Ares." Hearing his name from her, he swiftly turned his attention to her.

"What?" He asked with his forehead creased. Seeing his eyes return to their natural red color, she smiled at him, causing his face to blush completely. Phobos noticed him.

"Let's go, young lady!" Phobos rescued. Of course, she knew that lovestruck expression of his.

"By the way, what do you call this world?" Selene asked out of the blue. Phobos tilted her head, trying to understand what the question meant.

"What do you mean?" Diemos asked.

"The place where I came from is called Earth. That is where creatures like me live." She explained.

The twins looked at each other.

"This world is called Xleyl." Selene glanced at Ares who was struggling from his blushing face. "What? Stop looking at me." Selene sneered at him then drifted her attention somewhere else.

Xleyl.

What a weird way to name a world.