The Demi-Goddess of the Alpha

10

"Who is your inspiration in writing history books?" the emcee asked. I was now at my own book signing event after finally becoming a successful writer.

"Actually, I’m not sure, but every time I write about history, it feels like I'm going back to the past, and I become my own character," everyone gave me a round of applause after I answered. Then, the interview ended and Catherine called me.

"There's a newly-opened library near the cafe we always go to, are you in?" she asked. I nodded.

Every time a new library opens, we always visit it. I guess that’s why I became a writer.

It was not that far. Written on the top door of the building was "Diogenes Library". What a rare name.

Catherine pulled me inside.

At the library, there was a guy with his back turned. He seemed to be as same age as me, and he was scanning over the shelf of history novels. We might get along if I got to know him.

"What are we going to buy first, Celest?" Catherine asked which made me turn my gaze back to her.

"I think, we should read some books first and choose what to buy," I said. I went to the other shelves in order to peek at the guy's face. He seemed familiar, I just didn't know exactly where and when I remembered him from.

"Are you sure, or do you just want to see that guy?" Catherine mocked. I hurriedly covered her mouth.

"What? Of course not. Let's go to the mystery novels section!" I told her. I abruptly walked away from the scene.

"Sis, are you really sure? From what I remember, you're not into mystery novels so why are we here?" she asked me, pretending to be confused.

"Maybe you're afraid of that guy hearing me," she added, annoying me.

"He just looks familiar, that's all. Don't misunderstand, I don't know him." I said. As we both exited the library, I took a final glance at where the guy was only to find him gone.

While walking, I looked everywhere hoping to see him, but I didn't.

"So, Celest. Let's see each other tomorrow and go to the library?" Catherine asked. I just nodded.

"Celestina, how about the payment for your rent?" I winced as I entered my place—it was Miss Belinda again.

"Uhm… Tomorrow, when I receive my salary." I assured her. I tried to avoid her by hurrying inside, but she immediately blocked me from entering.

"No. I will not let you off again next time. If you don’t pay tomorrow, I'm going to kick you out of here!" She warned. I let out an exasperated sigh.

Miss Belinda was the owner of the apartment I was staying at. My parents lived in the United States. They left me here in the Philippines while they prioritized taking care of a girl who I never once considered a sister. Sure, we were related by blood, but we didn’t have that bond that most siblings had.

I was busy thinking about the next story I'd make. I saw my published book entitled, "Rain". This was my most favorite book among all the books that I’d ever written in my entire lifetime, since all the words that were sprawled across its pages came directly from my dreams.

"If my dreams had meaning, I would think I came from the past, but that would be impossible." I uttered and sighed. "If I could go back to the past, I wonder what would I do first." That was a question I’ve always asked myself.

"I wish I could be like my character, Hershel, who’s blessed with a luxurious life and is given care and attention by her father. She even has two guys chasing after her." But if I was her, who would I choose?

I wanted to laugh at the questions running through my mind. If someone could read my mind right now, they’d think I was becoming paranoid.

"Any sane person would definitely choose Danilo over Julian. He has everything a woman could ever dream about." I sighed. Soon, I dozed off to sleep.

Morning came and Catherine called to inform me that she was going to be late for today’s library hunt. I decided to go by myself and while waiting for her, I reached for the book entitled, "Reincarnate", but someone took it first. I looked to my right to see a guy.

"Do you want to read this book?" he asked. I nodded in reply. I couldn't resist myself from staring at him in all his elegance and genteelness. He looked like a pure Filipino; tall, with a tan skin complexion and a pointed nose-- Almost perfect.

"Here, take it and I'll just read it after you, let me borrow it by then." He said. I nodded once more.

"Thank you" I replied. He was about to leave, but I grabbed his arm. I didn't know why, but he seemed so mysterious to me.

"Why?" he asked me. Even I didn’t know how to answer that question.

"Thank you so much." He nodded and left. I wouldn’t dare speak in front of him. After all, a girl should never make the first move.

After buying the book, I went to the garden to read. All around me, I could see couples doing all sorts of PDA.

"What a nuisance." It wasn’t Valentine’s Day. Why were there so many clingy couples?

The garden used to be my favorite place to read, but it looked like I couldn’t do anything there today.

I stared at the book for a while before placing it inside my bag. Maybe it would be best to read it at a later time. Besides, I was here to wait for Catherine. I went to Diogenes Library again, but I didn’t enter its pristine gates. Instead, I stayed the café beside it. I was busy scrolling down my Twitter feed when someone called me. It was Catherine.

"I'm sorry, I accompanied my brother at his school. He was in the guidance office again," she explained. It sounded like she was exhausted, probably from all the travelling.

"What did your brother did this time?" I asked her.

"One Frapuccino, please" Catherine told the waiter. She didn't answer my question so I stayed silent first.

"He punched his classmate because he was teasing him and telling him that our father was a criminal," she answered with a tone of sadness. She held her book tightly.

"You know what, Celest? If I could be the author of my life, I would change a lot of things. I’d start by fixing all my problems." She sighed. Her words stayed with me.

The solemn sadness was thankfully interrupted by her Frapuccino being placed on our table.

"How about you, Celest? If you could change something in Rain, what would that be?"

Should I listen to the readers who want a happy ending or to myself, who wants a sad ending for my story?

"I think I wouldn't change anything. The characters deserved it and I was fair." I said. Catherine’s reaction told me that we had differing opinions.

Did I just say something wrong? Every time I read my work, I feel like I'm the character itself.

Catherine bade me goodbye because her mother called. I fixed my books and was about to leave when the rain started to pour.

"Well, this is unfortunate." I said in a low voice.

I saw the library. It was open, and it seemed like no one was inside. Was it my imagination or were all the books sprawled across the floor?

I went inside the library but as I opened the door, a strong wind blew against me. The door remained closed.

The lights were suddenly turned off and I saw a book, shining from within itself. I took a sight on it and read its title.

"Rain". This was my book. How did it end up here?

I turned the next page and read what was written. It was half of the poem I wrote.

When the rain starts;

A woman resents

When the book closes;

Here, change will start

As I read the written text, I felt nausea wash over me. Right after that was the blowing of the wind against me once again, and soon, I was left unconscious.

--

I slowly moved my body. As I felt myself lying on a hard surface, my senses woke up.

Someone nudged me lightly.

"Can you please stop bothering someone who fell asleep thinking if she would revise Rain or not?" I said groggily. In the distance, I heard a carriage.

Wait. A carriage? Did those things still exist?

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a group of people looking at me. Among those people was a civil guard.

"Your clothes are weird. You don’t look like you’re from around here. Are you a rebel?" After they said those words, they aimed their weapons at me which caused everyone to gasp in shock.

"Rebels are everywhere now"

"We need to stay alert"

People were murmuring, and I was confused about what was happening.

"Please, I'm just an author, and if you guys are filming a period drama, please don't include me because I'm not an actress!" I said nonchalantly. Upon hearing those words, the guards raised their brows.

"What kind of dialect are you speaking? Is that the rebels' way of speaking?" One of them said and aimed his weapon closer to me, which caused me to get nervous.

It seemed like they weren’t even kidding around, but I wouldn’t let them kill me. I still had lots of dreams and I haven't even written a happy ending yet.

"I assure you, I am not a rebel… What is this place?" I frowned. As I looked around, all I saw were things reminiscent of the colonialization period.

How astonishing. Where was I? Catherine would have loved to see this.

I was surprised when one of the civil guards pulled me up forcefully.

"You won't admit it? Well then, let me take you to jail." Sure enough, I was dragged to jail.

"It hurts, let me go! I'm not a rebel!" I screamed. The guards turned towards me.

A grin formed on their lips and one of them suddenly hit me on my stomach, which caused me to fall unconscious.

I woke up inside the jail cell. I gazed around the cell to see more people inside, staring at me.

Was it their first time to see a beautiful creation? I stood up and shouted at the civil guards.

"Hey! Let me go! Who the heck are you to put me in jail?!" Even if they called Miss Belinda, I wouldn’t be afraid.

A civil guard walked towards me and slapped me hard in the face.

"Shut up if you don't want us to cut your tongue." He warned stoically. I held my reddish cheeks and glared at him in rage.

"I'm not scared of you and who the heck are you to slap me?! My own mother never did that to me!" He seemed to have lost his remaining patience and was about to punch me again when someone shouted.

"Do that later, the General is coming! Get a hold of yourself, we might get punished!" the civil guard fixed himself and greeted a man.

The cell was filled with noises as the man entered. Others were shouting in rage. This General might have a horrible attitude.

He stopped in front of my cell and spoke in Spanish. Good thing I somehow knew how to speak the language.

"Dejala Ir (Let her go)" He had a cold baritone voice. At his command, the civil guards unlocked my jail cell.

"You just have to let me go, you guys are acting so pretentious.” I said immediately after I got out of the cell.

"You don’t know who you’re talking to-" One of the guards was about to slap me again when the General spoke.

"Do you want to lose your position?"

I was surprised at what the general just said. The guard held his fist back and gritted his teeth in anger.

Who is this general? I looked at him and I was surprised that he was looking at me. We stared at each other and I felt a sudden dizziness. Right after that, everything went dark.

I woke up holding my head. This room wassn't familiar, but I was pretty sure that it was not the jail anymore.

"You're awake, miss. General Julian brought you here after you passed out." The moment I heard his name, my chest suddenly congested. I couldn’t breathe.

Chapter Three

“Miss, are you fine?" asked a woman who looked my age.

His name sounded familiar, but I didn't know where I heard it.

"I'm okay… Where am I and who are you?" I asked her, confused as to where exactly I was.

"I am Lady Ysa, I am a physician in this town." The woman explained. I nodded.

"You need to rest first, I'm leaving." She added. I nodded as she left the room.

I needed to know where I was. I might be in a different country, but it was impossible. Who would dare bring me to another country without my consent? I scratched my head with my thoughts, I heard someone was talking so I kept myself silent and eavesdropped.

"She's fine but she needs to rest" that was Ysa's voice. Who was she talking to?

I stood up and peeked at them—it was the General. So he was the one who brought me here. Should I thank him?

"I treated her wounds as well. Though she is a prisoner, you shouldn't have let them hurt her. She's a woman after all," Ysa seemed to be scolding a younger brother which made me frown in surprise.

I didn't hear what that Julian said after. I went back to my bed to think about what was happening. They might accuse me of evesdropping.

I heard a few steps walking towards me so I immediately closed my eyes.

"See que estas despierto (I know you're awake)" he said in a cold voice. I pretended to not know his language and kept my eyes closed.

"If you are one of the rebels, you should accept whatever punishment was meant for you." I got up to defend myself.

"How many times do I have to tell you guys that I'm not a rebel? You judge me by what I’m wearing!" I asserted. I lay down on the bed again. I heard him sigh before leaving.

After two days, I was brought back to jail.

"You think we'll let you slide just like that?" The civil guard said. He was the same guard who slapped me last time.

"Who said I was trying to escape from you?" As I said those words, his grin vanished and he immediately threw me inside the cell.

"That's what you deserve. You should be thankful General was here earlier. If not, we might have killed you." He slammed the entrance of the cell as I squirmed in pain.

After a few hours, the general came in and just like before, he took me out of the cell. They brought me in a room full of torture devices.

They sat me down on a chair and tied me down.

"If you don't want to die, answer the questions honestly" general Julian warned in a cold voice. I gulped nervously. This could be the end of me.

"Please, don't kill me, I haven't reached my dreams yet… I want to publish a hundred books then live in Japan with my future husband…" I pleaded. They were surprised at what I said.

The general just stared straight at me. No one could read his emotions.

"First question, how are you related to the rebels?" He asked. I didn't know what to reply.

"Rebels? I told you I'm not a part of them!" I said. One civil guard joined the conversation.

"How are you not related to them? All the attention was on you, and they took the chance to take the other rebels out of their cells. So we are sure you are one of them." I was surprised at what he said. I know this story...

"When did you caught the rebels, exactly how many did you catch?" As soon as I asked that question, a grin formed on their lips. I just needed to know if this had a connection with my story.

"Don't even try to pretend that you don't know, but fine, I'll give you a chance. This month of February fourteenth and I think we caught about forty." I was even shocked after he said those words.

I don't want to think I'm inside my story and if that's what's happening right now, what am I gonna do?

The date he just mentioned was the date I set in my story, it was Valentine's day when the rebels planned for assault because I was too bitter that time.

"What? Do you remember now that it was all because of you that the rebels escaped?" The civil guard added. I continued to deny their accusations. If I was really inside my own story, how was I going to get out of here? I didn't even know how I ended up here,.

"I don't understand anything you're saying!" I yelled. The civil guard held my chin tightly.

"You'll admit it or you're not getting out of here alive!" As he said those threatening words, I felt nervousness that I had never felt before. I knew where the rebels were, but if I really was inside my own story, why would I reveal the main characters?

I bit his hand and he winced as he pulled it away from me. He was about to take his weapon out but Julian held him back.

He stood up and asked me again.

"Second question, who inflicted those wounds upon you?" He asked calmly. The civil guard looked down, as he knew that he was the cause of all the scratches and wounds I bore.

"I just stumbled somewhere, that's why I got these wounds." I told him. I didn't have any intentions to take the civil guard on the line just because of his attitude. He surely still had a good side.

"Confess or I'll kill all these civil guards." He pulled his revolver out. He wasn’t playing around.

An obvious shock was on the civil guards' faces and in a split second, the one who caused my wounds stepped forward.

"General, my apologies but that woman deserved to be punished because she violated our law." After he said that, Julian suddenly punched him, which startled me.

"General, you shouldn't have done it…" I said. He stopped and looked at me.

"Take him out. All of you, get out. I'll be the one to interrogate this woman." He ordered. The civil guards obeyed and the two of us were left alone.

"Thank you for worrying about me…" I said. He just stared blankly at me.

"You will become a spy to the rebels under me, don't worry. Here’s ten dollars." He stood up and walked out of the room.

I thought he was worried, but turn out he just defended me because he didn't want anyone to know that he wanted me to be a spy to the rebels.

Julian was an intelligent character and if he did something, I needed to be prepared.

For now, I needed to think about where I would stay and how I was going to use the ten dollars he gave.

Should I just rent an apartment here? But does that even exist in this time period? I don't remember writing that into my story.

I could see the lights coming from every lamp. People hold onto each onto each other’s hands, blending with the noise coming from the market. It was almost evening and I needed to find somewhere I could stay.

I was surprised when someone tapped on my shoulder. I realized I was already inside a carriage.

"You have no place to stay, right? You can stay at our place." Those was the last words from her before the carriage started to move.

I was left silent for a few minutes while heading to Lady Ysa's house. I was walking around and she pulled me to a carriage, she told me that she was letting me stay at her place.

"How did you know I have no place to stay?" I asked her. I didn't remember myself mentioning this to her.

"Ah, that? I was told by my bro— I mean, I saw you walking around and it looked like you have nowhere to go so I pulled you, I'm sorry for that." She scratched her head.

Silence encapsulated us again and we both laughed. I think we’d get along well, she seemed so nice and kind.

After a few minutes, we arrived at a house. It was not that small-- just enough for its size. As we entered it, I was astonished with what I saw. The inside was just too cleaned and organized.

"Do you live alone?" I asked as I took my shoes off.

"Yes, I do." Ysa replied as she untied her hair.

"What a tiring day, right?" I told her. She just nodded.

"That is your room, if you need something, just call me," she said and headed to the comfort room or doing who knows what.

I chuckled at my own thoughts then walked towards the room she was saying, it was more than fine. I gazed around to see all sorts of women’s clothes. What caught my interest was a picture frame. It was a family picture and the young man of to the side looked exactly like General Julian. I may be just seeing things.

I put the picture frame back to its place and sat down on the bed. I needed to return the kindness to Ysa. I tied my hair up in a bun and walked towards the kitchen.

But there's nothing in here. I think I should go to the market to buy some ingredients but I'm afraid they have a curfew. Also, Ysa might look for me.

In the end, I decided to tell Ysa that I was going out for a while. She didn't know that I was going to buy some ingredients to at least return her kindness.

I was shy but I just rode the same carriage we had earlier and for the driver to agree, I told him it was Ysa's order.

"Mister— I mean, sir, can you get me to the market?" I asked. He was a slightly confused as he looked at me.

"You know, young lady, it's already dark and Senorita wouldn’t like it if I take you there at this hour." He said. I thought of an excuse.

"Lady Ysa wants some mango…Yes, she wants some mango." After I said those words, he frowned.

"Don't tell me Senorita is pregnant? But we haven’t even met any man…" He was constantly getting confused but I managed to convince him. Soon, we were taking the road towards the market.

We arrived at the market and I went out of the carriage right away. I walked to the vegetables section but I gasped when someone aimed a knife on my side without anyone noticing.

"If you don't want to get hurt, come with me." He whispered in a horrifying voice.

I couldn't do anything when he pulled me towards the forest. I was scared but I chose to be firm.

"Please don’t hurt me. I still want to get married and have a dozen children," I said at the back of my head and prayed.

"Don't worry, we were told by our leader to not hurt you but if you'll refuse, I'm left with no choice." He laughed devilishly.

I shouldn't be afraid. If he's just one of my characters, I need to stay firm.

"I'm not even afraid of you!" I told him. He was a bit surprised but he didn't say anything after.

We rode a boat together, but he was the only one paddling.

Well, this rebel's kind of a gentleman though.

I shouldn't think like that. What I need to think about is how I was going to get out of here and get back to my place in one piece.

"You didn't tell Julian where our hideout is, right?" He said, insinuating that I betrayed them. I knew where their hideout was but if I was really in my story, why would I reveal my main characters?

"I don't know anything you're saying" I told him and played pretend.

"I won't ask for what Julian asked you. Because of you, a lot of our companions escaped but that doesn't

mean we should thank you." He uttered which caused me to take a glance at him.

This man is quite proud of himself, why doesn't he just say that I was the reason why they were able to take their companions out of jail and he wants to return the favour?

A strong wind blew and in few minutes, I already knew that we had arrived at a cave. Maybe their fortress was here because it was in the story of Rain.

I wrote that the fortress of the rebels was at the cave so that the government would not immediately notice it. They made it as their shelter.

He did not pull me back because he knew that if I ran, there was no way that I could get out of here, because all I could see in this place are trees.

"If you don't want to be slaughtered by the wild beasts, get inside." He ordered. I panicked immediately and once I entered the cave, I realized that there were no wild beasts inside.

I saw him chuckle but it was too late, because I've already entered the cave and all of the people's eyes were stuck on me. What a shame! I immediately covered my face.

"Who is that girl, Oliver? You even brought a girl here, huh?" A man remarked. All of the men burst into laughter.

"He probably felt sad, that's why he brought a young lady here." Another man answered. The others agreed.

"Take a look, Oliver made the perfect choice. She has smooth skin and a beautifully shaped body." Another man said and grabbed my arm. I was pissed so I shoved his hand away. He was surprised with what I did.

"What a p*****t! If you don't want to me imbed my shoes in your throat, try to preen up yourself!" I rampantly answered. I didn't want indecent words thrown towards me.

"How dare you! Do you want a punch on your face? Don't you dare provoke me!" He was about to throw a punch when Oliver blocked him.

"Stop, Benjamin! Danilo would be furious!" He said and he continued walking.

I followed him. People around us shut their mouths as we walked. Maybe Danilo commanded them to bring me over here, the leader of the rebels.

"Just wait for me here while Danilo is not here yet, and so that you are away from the men. I don't want bad things to happen to you, or else Danilo would punish me.” He explained and turned his back at me.

"Wait!" I shouted to stop him. He stopped but he didn't glance at me.

I am indebted to the people surrounding me, I can see that even though Oliver is a rebel, I need to thank him for this.

"Thank you, sir." I replied. After I said that, he continued to walk. I sat up straight.

I was startled when a woman poked me, maybe she was one of the rebels.

"Come with us, young lady. There are women out there." she pointed the area, I can say that she is so beautiful to hide her face in this cave.

"Who are you and why would you bring me there?" I asked her but she didn't entertain my questions. We reached the other side of the cave where only women could be seen.

So the area of the rebels is seperated for men and women. Women here are conservative, men were decent with their actions. Well, except that man who touched me.

Two women met me along the way while the others stared at me, treating their wounds.