Warning chapter one is setting the stage. Chapter two everything kicks off.
Au in where Circe decided to mentor Jason instead of killing him.
Being playing around with myths will not be following cannon.
It was dawn before Circe finally stopped receiving visions from the gods. For three days and three nights without rest, or nourishment Circe finally had the answers she needed. Her heart gave a slight jolt of fear and apprehension. The knowledge the gods had fit to disposes on her was certainly powerful. And the news was certainly life changing.
Circe heart gave a lurch of apprehension as she stared into the fire, as the knowledge of what she had seen truly sunk into her mind. Such horrible visions the gods had shown her. As she pulled her long dark black cloak around her brain still reeling from had been shown. And to think that she Circe had almost put everybody onto the path of destruction. She thought back to what she had seen.
Herself in the same cave where she was standing, in the exact same place where she was stood now. Herself telling her nephew to kill his own mother, and the boy not being able to do it. Then when the boy fails he kills her. And that part makes her angry how an unskilled boy kill her, Circe the most powerful witch in Colchis killed by boy. A boy that to her experienced eye (well-honed from growing up around her kin) is no master swordsman and while talented it is obvious he had no formal training. Yet who would have instructed Jason in the formal art of swordsman's ship, and another part of her feels insulted that one of her blood hadn't received training in any sort of weaponry. When the rest of her family had received tutors in all weapons since the age of three. Unusual for most royal families in Greece. Yet not for the royal blood of Colchis, a land that was designed for war and the patron god of Colchis was Ares god of war. And the patron mother of Colchis was Hecate herself.
The knowledge that this is where she dies is a horrific thought. Already a river of repulsion runs down her back as she runs her eyes around her grave. After tonight she will never return to this cave again. A part of her is mournful finding a home for a fugitive especially an exiled princess of Colchis with a mad woman of a sister on a throne is hard enough. That finding a new place to settle and finding new followers would be extremely difficult.
Yet she cannot stay here. Not in the place where her altenative self and yes Circe uses the word alterative self because as her heart fills with determination that woman will not be her. This Circe will not die in a cave killed by her ignorant kins member. And her body buried instead of burned as in her rights as Priestess of Hecate without any coins in order to pay Chiron. Buried because her nephew is too foreign, not educated enough to understand what life is like here.
Not because he is ignorant, her family had always been known for their intellectual minds. Praised for their sharp wits and agile minds. Jason is simple too uneducated in what it means to live in this world. Yet part of her is saddened by the knowledge that the boy's mother and father failed the boy. If the boy had been her son, she never would have stopped searching for him. She knows that because that is the type of mother she is. The type of mother that when her year born daughter, her beloved Medea had been stolen from her arms and taken to the temple of Hecate to be raised by the priestess of Hecate. On the orders of her sister Queen Pasiphae mad with jealousy of the loss of her own babe, yet still dumb enough not to realise she had been tricked, had taken her Medea away from her. And sentenced Circe to life on the run. As a fugitive always running and hiding cursed to live a life in the shadows.
Even though as she idly filled the fire up with fresh wood and began mentally calculating what needed to be packed, what she could take with her and what she could leave here. What had happened after her death was more horrific. Pasiphae finding out about Jason heritage and trying to keep it a secret out of fear that her son could take all that she worked for. Instead of realising what a powerful weapon she could have had in her hands, not that Circe will allow that now, no she decides to herself she will take her nephew for herself. Replacing herself as Jason mother figure after all a wild animal would be a better mother than her sister.
The princess Ariadne instead of winning the hearts of the people of Atlantis and ruling like a queen should, spends her days too fixated on her stepmother and sending her unknowing stepbrother Jason out on often life threating tasks without so much as a thank you. Yes Pasiphae queen of Atlantis was a threat, but Ariadne should of when she was Queen spent her time wooing her noblemen, priests and all the rest of her courtiers. It was an ammeter mistake and Circe if she no when she changes the future well let's just say Circe won't allow her to make the same mistake again.
And her darling Medea it sickens her how her daughter is both mistreated and how like Pasiphae she became. How the lessons Pasiphae have taught Medea at the knee have really taken route into her precious daughter soul. That her daughter so starved of affection and love turns the only kindred spirit around. Circe is proud of how Medea used her magic to save Jason in the necrophylips, proud of what a strong magic user her daughter is. And sickened in how her daughter turns so like her aunt Pasiphae forever scheming how to take the throne of Atlantis and to ruin her cousin's marriage. Even after the birth of Jason and Ariadne's daughter a girl conceived on their wedding night and born upon the Argo. It reminds her too much of how Pasiphae stole the man she loved and robbed her of her child.
And her sister becoming immortal, it saddens and both make Circe gleeful that the monster that had lurked in the darkness of her child hood got her just desserts. That everybody Pasiphae loves betrays her because of the monster Circe has known she is for years, that part makes Circe want to laugh and dance around the room in jubilation. And it saddens her that they fail to get rid of her and that her sister lives forever and that Atlantis sinks.
But for now she must pack her belongs and complement what to do next. The boy Jason is the obvious key that binds the fate of atlantis, and that the gods are clearly taking a keen intrest in the boy. Circe must plot and plan what to do next,Circe must come up with way to change her fate and change the fates of the other poor souls. As her future murder and also her nephew is on the way to her and in a couple of days time they would finialy meet for the first time. Now Circe thought as she gathered some goats entials on the floor she must learn everything she can about him. After all the boy would hardly wanted to kill somebody that he liked, and how can she created a plot around somebodys thats a mystreys to her.
The hour is late and dark when Jason fianial reaches the mountians where the witch Circe lives. His heart is filled both with apperhesion and fear as he eyes the tall and steep climb. The mountian would be tall and difficult climb during the day and attempting to do it at night would undoubatbly be foolsih some would even say sucidical. Yet as jason walked over to a slow trickling stream and filled up his waterskins with fresh water. He knew he had to do it.
Risk the climb no matter what happened after all Medusa life depended on it. As he climbed he noticed how high up in the air the cave was on the mountian. He thought back on how he had arrived in Atlantis. How Pthgarous and Hercules had taken him in with and had asked all sorts of questions. Questions that Jason knew he couldnt answer or that they wouldnt belive. I mean Hercules would probarly call him a lair and insane man and Ptygarous would look at him in disbelif and probarly try to correct him and tell Jason that he was mistaken. I mean as Jason ran his fingers through his hair in frustration how could he tell them where he was from without breaking his word to the oracle.
The orcale a woman who is a great seer and had always made Jason feel incredible scared at the knowledge and predictions she told. Especially the one about Jason having to prevent the sinking of Atlantis. I mean how was he suppose to do that when he knew so little about the world he had been shipwrecked in. A place that was filled with Magic, royals and was pretty much your average medevial world. To come from a modren world where they had the greatset of techolgolgys and religion was a pretty iffy thing for people to belive in. Some did and others didnt. To come to a world where the gods where real and had the capabiltys to pull a man across time.
Yet how did people expect Jason to belive in the gods when he couldnt even tell his friends about where he was from. Sure they would proberly think he was mad and yet if he couldnt trust his greatest allies with the truth of his orgins. How could he be expected to save an entire city with thousands and possible tens of thousand lives at risk if he failed. If Jason couldnt trust the two people he loved and cared about most in the world and relay on there help whose help could he belive in. Just the thought of his destinty and what would happen if he failed had maded Jason a lot more reckless than what he orginailly was.
Once Jason wasnt as reckless as he has shown in Atlantis so far, however the lack of home, and the fact that Jason is missing his home and his friends, family and his socitey as a whole had never really be adressed by anyone. To be honest the stress of having to save everybody but still not knowing how to do that is wearing on Jason.
Speaking of the orcale with her crypitic messages and warnings she had warned Jason that this woman had immenses power to hide from her gaze. And that frighten Jason to be honest. And the fact that the woman seemed to want peoples most precious possession I mean why would the witch want a tooth of a big dog fair enough it was a cerbrus and belong to Hercules father but surely it only held vaule to Hercules.
Except most precious possession Jason was uneasy about that yes Hercules said that it was Hercules most vauled possesion. But now that Jason was seperated from the group worry and doubt filled him. If this witch truly new Hercules she would know that Hercules most vaulable possesions wasnt any object but instesad Ptygarous and Jason himself.
Which was why Jason had the horrible feeling that he was walking into a trap as he entered the cave. The cave was well concealed from the entrance shrodded by mist and thick wild bushes cocealling the entrance. Yet still Jason felt inside of him a great pull coming from within letting him know that the witch was inside. And why did the orcale tell Jason that Circe is seeking Jason and know Jason had walked right in too her hands.
When Jason first entered the cave he looked around in amazment at the way Circe had done the cave up. Far from being what he had expected from the cave being a rural place the witch Circe had moderinised the cave . Creating shelves where books scrolls and herbs and plants could be seen scattered around the room. Rugs and clothing with images of the sun on them. Books showing that the woman Circe is a very wealthy woman as only the richest off people could afford books making Jason very nervous about who he was going to meet. As he grasped his sword tighter towards him and walked into the room.
The woman sat staring into a pool of water deep in concentration her back towards Jason, Jason higher his sword, surely if he struck now the witch would be killed. Then lowers it after some thought after all he tries his hardest not to be a killer and only take a life when it is only nessercy. Thankfully it hadnt be that nesscary yet in Atlantis in most cases Jason had got lucky and only knocked them out and hadnt yet needed to kill anybody. Yet did he wanted to do this to kill this woman yes she had threated his friends and would learn to regret that.
"Hello Jason its been awhile since I saw you last",Circe said turing around eyes scanning Jason up and down. Jason could feel Circe eyes assesing him as confusion filled him surely if he had met this woman before with her dark long hair unbonded past her shoulders. With fine clothing maded up of little suns and had three long burns running across her eyes.
"I dont belive we have met before", Jason felt himself reply stiffily as he wondred did the woman think because she had seen him in her dreams that he should know her.
"We met more than once Jason I was there the day you wear born and I was the one who helped your father escape into anouther world", Circe voice echoed around the room, watching in amusement as Jason realed back in shock.
"My father how did you know him", Jason asked hating the way his voice shook with unsupressed emotion. After all when he had been told by the Orcale that his father was dead Jason had went looking for people who had known him in hopes that they would direct him to where his father had been buried. Well Jason hoped that his father had been buried and not left on a roadside to rot. Or worse the poorest people in atlantis would often eat corpses for meat and food. Jason hoped that this woman might know enough to direct him to where his father was buried.
"Your father he was my brother in law making me your aunt on your mothers side ", Circe said a small smile on her lips, as she angualed her head to study Jason's reaction. As Jason felt hurt and shock fill him of course he was hurt how when his father had claimed that they didn't have anymore family apart from the two of them maded Jason wonder what else his father would lie about.
"Why did he have to flee to anouther world", Jason couldnt help himself from asking at long last even though it might be a trap Jason had the opportunity to gain some answers.
"He had to flee into anouther world because if you and your father remained in Atlantis you would have been killed by the new king of Atlantis", Circe said lightly.
"Why would the new king want to kill us so much that me and my father had to flee into anouther world in order not to be recognised", Jason asked with a genuine bit of confusion. Why would anybody want to kill a single man and a toddler. Circe smirked and sat down near the fire, hair glowing in fire light, and saying in a gentle lite "generally when you become King by order of a coup you want to kill the previous king and any who could one day challenge the king".
"My father was the King of Atlantis", Jason repeated in disbelief as he head swam with the possibilities this could bring and the understanding of why the Oracle had told him not to tell anybody about where he was from. "And your mother is still the queen of Atlantis", Circe replied. Jason shook his head in disbelief "Now i know your lying that woman has tried to kill me multiple times".
"You doubt my words", Circe said getting up and gently led Jason by the hand to the wear the pool of water is. So that both reflections could be seen in the pool of water, both figures with dark curly hair and olive skin. "Look at our reflections, look at how so much of your reflection mirrors mine" Circe whispers quietly into Jason ear.
Jason doesn't want to think of how much the two figures look alike. Jason doesn't want to face the truth at all that his father had lied to him about his mother. That his mother is alive. A ball of pain is forming in his heart and he believes it to be heartbreak. The child inside of Jason cries the part of that is still that lost abandoned seven year old cries. And cries because his own mother wants him dead.
"We are both alike you and I both abandoned by our kin, both have attempted to be killed by my sister your mother and both of us are touched by the gods", Circe said pulling him into an embrace.
"But remember Jason that the gods have brought me and you together for a reason. And that reason is you and I are destined to retake the throne of Atlantis. And one day soon you will be King", Circe states conviction so strong in her voice.
And Jason almost believes her. Except he doesn't want to be King he can't be king one day he doesn't want to be king. "What if I don't want to be king" Jason responses a ball of panic is filling his stomach he wants to get out he wants to run away from this witch. He needs time to think, he needs time to breathe to process all the information this woman his aunt has given him.
"I came here for a reason to cure Medusa and Hercules after you turned one of them into a pig and the other is dying now because of some enchantment you cast upon her. I want them cured", Jason snarls out in anger as he glared at the woman in front of him.
Circe lets out a little laugh and says "So many men wish to become King long for the power the opportunity to gain the power that is naturally yours by birthright spend so many years seeking the throne and you don't wish to be King. However for your friends for all you hold dear you must take the throne of Atlantis for yourself. Unless you wish to see all of Atlantis be sunk into the sea".
Jason heart stops he wishes to cure his friends more than anything in the world. Yet Circe knows what he has to prevent Atlantis from sinking into the sea. She has given him a stronger path to follow than the Orcale of Atlantis through a caring woman that Jason believes to hold him no ill will she less than exact with her words and cryptic warnings.
"Atlantis already has a King", Jason replied as he sank down to the ground drained and wear from the days revelations.
"No Atlantis only has an usurper on the throne a man with no claim to throne. A man who has taken the throne by force. And holds your mother for ransom as his prisoner so Colchis will not take the city back. Making your grandparents Deucalion and his wife Phaedra, pay an extreme amount of money each year in order to keep her alive.
Once your grandparents were extremely rich and wealthy couple who ruled in Colchis and had five children. One day a witch cast a curse upon the royal family in an attempt to stop our family from growing too powerfule the first of my siblings to be affected by the house of Tregor was your Uncle Hippolytus. When your Uncle Hippolytus was due to marry a Princess Glauce from a barren land across the black sea from a country called Iolus. Glauce was very beautiful but also very kind.
Because your uncle was extremely good looking and was unmatched with a sword due to him being touched by the gods, it caused many of a woman to fall in love with him. One woman a dear childhood friend called Catrina fell deeply in love with your uncle.
Catrina was vain and arrogant but a very powerful witch who close to the royal family due to Phaedra whose kind heart ensured her that any child in Colchis was to be taught magic. Hippolytus was a hero and saved the lady Catrina as a child from a troll.
Catrina who was dear friend and also very deeply in love with Hippolytus when she found out that Hippolytus was to marry Glauce she was enraged. So enraged that on the day of the wedding she laced with poison and Glauce dropped dead. Hippolytus was so stricken with grief that he swore never to marry again and fled into the service of the goddess Artimus as a priest giving up all rights to the throne of Colchis.
My sister Glaucus was the next too feel the curse of the house of Tregor. As she was the most beautiful of all the land she married a very powerful man called Arêtes who was the king of troy. Arêtes was very cruel man who would regularly beat my sister. Arêtes and Glaucus had a son called Heptarian. Glaucus died in childbirth and so the child was sent to Atlantis to live with the king and the queen.
In Atlantis where a young royal couple called Queen Pasiphae and King Aeson lived. The king and queen had plenty of wealth, rich fertile lands and oceans of fresh fish. The King and queen had everything that their hearts desired apart from one thing a child to continue their bloodline.
As time went on the lack of a child made a dark cloud appear over their marriage. It caused strife between the once happy couple as talks of putting the queen aside due to barrenness and the queens heart started to blacken due to jealousy and mistrust.
Then one miraculous year the prayers of Atlantis were answered and the queen gave birth to a baby boy. Queen Pasiphae called her son Jason.
This baby was touched by the gods like so many in both the lines of king Aeson and Queen Pasiphae were. When you turned one Jason a huge pankration was held in the honour of your first birthday. Many kings and nobles turned up to the event however one individual who was jealous of King Aeson and was determined to take Atlantis for himself.
This person was Minos Second born prince of Crete. He had two children born to him by Pareia a woman who had nymph blood his son Theseus and his daughter Ariadne. Pareia who had recently died in childbirth with Minos daughter Ariadne.
And Minos now wanted a crown and also a wife that was touched by the gods. Minos smuggled his soldiers into the city of Atlantis using the bronze bull and took the city by force.
King Aeson could only get you out by sending you through the gateway to another world.
Jason who had been listening to story with both increased niggling sense of doubt and worry. He had to admit it was a nice story, bloody hell if he was back in the twenty first century it would have made a great greek tragedy.
"And as a prince of Atlantis you will have a duty to protect and provide for your people" Circe stated in a matter of fact tone.
Jason was a nobody, hell he wasn't even Greek he thought to himself in disbelief. He wasn't a prince or any type of royal. With a grimace he thought of the Lord Heptarian a man who was cold and arrogant. Who would beat up and abuse many of the citizens of Atlantis. Remembering the time Heptarian had callous shoved an old man who was fixing his cart in the middle of the arena out of the way.
"Would you not even do it for the girl you love Ariadne" Circe interjected pulling Jason out of his thoughts as he started to think of Ariadne. The most beautiful girl who Jason had ever seen with long black hair and the sweetest nature he had ever met. Of course Jason loved Ariadne who wouldn't. Jason felt a flare of anger of anybody even this witch threating Ariadne.
"What do you know of Ariadne" Jason state coldly his heart hammering in chest at the thoughts of the beautiful princess.
"I am Circe witch of Colchis and my powers are unrivalled" she stated arrogantly. "I know of the affection in your heart for her, the love that you bear her and the love that she in return bears you. With my help Jason I could make you worthy of her hand in marriage is that not what you want?" Circe said tilting her head curiously to one side.
"Yes I want to marry Ariadne one day" Jason said softly.
"Then we have a deal" Circe stated grasping the brunettes hand. Jason let out a half pained shriek as Circes eyes lit up red and then there was burning spreading throughout his body.
"What did you do to me?", Jason gasped for breathe as he looked down at his wrist. His wrist that now had burning brand into his arm.
"I ensured you would keep your deal and your silence. "She paused smirked wickedly and said "after I can't have my favourite nephew getting killed this brand its a connection linking you to me.
When I have need of you'll feel me calling you. Now take this" she commanded passing Jason a vial from out of her dress and shoving him towards the entrance of the cave.
"I would hurry to save your friend medusa and don't worry I will turn your other friend back from a pig" Circe said looking at the dumbstruck boy.
"And Jason if you value your life I wouldn't recommend mentioning this to anyone and with that Circe melted away into the night.
Leaving Jason standing there with the feeling he had just made a deal with the devil. Then Jason turned and ran back down the mountain side to reunite with Pythagoras and Hercules. Hopeful to see if Hercules was alright and to ensure Pythagoras sweet gentle kind Pythagoras was safe.