Chapter 2:

Thea's POV

I hate guards. They always ruin everything. They came in and trashed the house that Pythagoras and I spent all week cleaning. Way to go, soldiers.

There was one that didn't do anything, however. He didn't look too bad. He seemed nice. When the guards finally left (hallelujah) I quickly ran over to the man that I found on the balcony's hiding spot. As I opened up the floorboards, Pythagoras started cleaning up a little. Always the clean freak, our Pythagoras. I looked into the little pit that the floorboards opened up into, only to find the man dead. Well then. Oh, wait. He's still breathing. No, no he's not. Yes, he is!

While my brain was making a decision, Pythagoras, obviously noticing the confused expressions surfacing to my features, put my silly mind to rest. 'He passed out from a loss of blood; he'll be fine.' He assured me, while he pointed to the man's arm; blood was dribbling down it. I sighed. 'Why are you so smart, Py, I'm jealous.' I retorted and he frowned at his nickname I had given him years ago. 'You promised not to call me that.' He grumbled as he lifted the man out of the pit. 'Go make yourself useful and get me some herbs.' He told me, and I raced off, laughing.

I came back with some herbs and Pythagoras put them in a bowl and mashed them up so that they turned into some gummy mixture.

Not too soon after, the man woke up. 'What happened?' He asked, and I could tell he was panicking a little. 'You passed out; you've lost a lot of blood.' Pythagoras informed him. The man slowly got up so that he was in a sitting position, and then asked his next question. 'Where am I?' I decided to answer this one. 'You're in Atlantis.' I told him, and his eyes flicked towards me. 'Atlantis… as in the lost city of Atlantis. As in the mythological city under the ocean.' Yup, okay, I think he might be panicking a little.

'You call it lost. How could a city exist under the ocean surely everyone would drown?' Pythagoras pondered, and the man got up.

'Either I'm dreaming or I'm hallucinating.' The man said, and he looked at me again. 'Or I'm dead.' He added and I snorted a little. Even I know that he's alive. But the man seemed to cling onto the idea, asking me 'Am I dead?' very calmly, as if trying not to let his panic overwhelm him.

Pythagoras answered for me, 'You're very much alive. Although, I think you're delirious.' Pythagoras informed him again, and the man kept taking deep breaths, as if trying to control himself. Oh, I almost forgot my manners. Whoops.

'Uh, I'm Thea.' I told the man, and he smiled at me. 'I'm Pythagoras.' Pythagoras told him, and the smile disappeared from his face. 'Pythagoras? You're joking.' The man stated, probably hoping that Pythagoras would tell him that, yes he was joking and his name is actually Antonio. But Py just stood there, looking bewildered. The man decided to progress. 'You're the triangle guy.' The man told my friend. Say what? How on earth was he supposed to know about Pythagoras and his never ending love for triangles?

'How did you know I've been thinking about triangles?' Pythagoras asked. The man didn't answer, only went wide eyed and stated, 'I'm in ancient Greece.'

Now, who said that it was ancient?

That's when Hercules walked in.

Hercules is a round man, with a balding head and an attitude to reckon with. He is my friend, all the same, because frankly, I owe him my life. 'And who pray tell is this?' Hercules asked as he walked into the room and went over to one of the shelves. Pythagoras went to close the door and as he did so, he told the man, who was still standing there dumbfounded, 'You didn't tell me your name.'

'It's Jason.' He said, and I walked over to my other friends, smiling at Jason as I did so. The poor guy. He must be really confused.

'He's injured; the guards are after him.' I informed Hercules, and he did a double take. 'And you chose to hide him here? Are you out of your mind?'

Pythagoras opened his mouth a little in shock, but recovered quickly and turned to Jason. 'Don't mind Hercules.' He said, and Jason did a double take. 'You're Hercules?' He asked, with wide eyes and an open mouth. Hercules smiled, taking a sudden interest in the conversation. I chuckled to myself. Typical Hercules, always wanting the attention. He turned around. 'I see my reputation has preceded me. Tell me, what have you heard? Do people tell stories? What do they say?' Hercules started bombarding poor Jason with questions, and that's when I saw my chance to cause mischief.

'Well they generally say you're getting quite fat.' I pointed out, but Hercules waved me off. 'I'm not fat, I'm heavily built. Powerful; I have big bones.' He said, and Pythagoras decided to have a go at him as well.

'And your stomach?' Pythagoras pointed at Hercules' round middle. Hercules frowned. 'You'll have to excuse my friends; they're under the deluded impression that they're amusing!' Hercules retaliated. But he was soon serious as he leant on the table and interrogated Jason. 'Tell me, your injury, can you walk?' He asked, and it took all my willpower to hold back my laughter. Well, unless he walks with his arms I think he should be fine...

'Yes; I think so.' Jason answered, a little confused. I didn't blame him. It's Hercules, after all. 'Good! Then we shan't detain you any longer. I'm sure you're a good man; an excellent man, but I for one am not about to risk my neck to save yours.' Hercules told him, and Jason's face fell. I rolled my eyes. Why does Hercules have to be a coward most of the time? 'See that he's gone by the time I get back.' Hercules told me as he walked to the door. 'Where are you going?' Pythagoras questioned, but Hercules was already apparently in a bad mood. 'That is none of your concern.' He told Py, and with that, he was gone.

I looked over at Jason, and he looked glum. I smiled grimly at him, silently telling him that yes, Hercules is usually like that. 'So what brings you to Atlantis?' Pythagoras asked in a happier tone, trying to lighten the mood. Jason frowned, as if trying to remember, as he answered, 'I was searching for my father.'

'He lives here, in Atlantis?' I questioned him, and he frowned again. 'I... don't know. I'm-' he paused, and then sighed. 'I don't know where to start.' He admitted in a defeated tone. I felt so sorry for him, he looked so lost. I looked over at Pythagoras, who moved forward, towards Jason. 'Your necklace – I've seen that symbol before.' He pointed, and I looked more closely at the leather necklace. It had a sort of half moon shape in gold as the ornament, kind of like an upside down version of bull horns. My eyes widened. I knew exactly what that was. There was a hopeful spark in Jason's eyes as he asked, 'Where?' I answered for Pythagoras, for I have been there many times.

'In the temple of Poseidon – It is the mark of the Oracle.' I told him, and Jason looked down at the piece of jewellery hanging from his neck. 'If you're looking for your father she may be able to help you.' I finished, and Jason looked shocked for a moment, and then smiled gratefully.

Once Jason had left in search of the Oracle, I went out onto the balcony. My hand reached up to my neck and found my own necklace.

The ornament was circle, about the size of my eye. The symbol on it was the moon and sun, the moon taking up most of the circumference except for a small part where the edge of the sun could be found. The sun took most of the middle. The moon was silver and the sun was gold. It was situated on a leather rope, which was slung around my neck. I keep this necklace secret, and tucked in my shirt. Only Hercules and Pythagoras know I have it, I don't know why… it just feels right to keep it a secret. My father had made it for me when I was born, and it is the only connection to my mother or my father left.

A pang of grief hit me as I remembered my parents, but I shook away the pain and swallowed back the tears. I need to stay strong. My necklace had slipped between my loose fingers and was now dangling in the air; the only thing stopping it from falling was my neck. I quickly shoved it back into its original place. There was also another meaning for the necklace – It represents the twin gods: Artemis and Apollo. My mother's favourites. Goddess of the moon and God of the sun. Both of whom I am eternally grateful, for without their kindness I would not be here.

Pythagoras had long gone out to the markets, and Hercules was of God knows where, so that left me home alone. Until there was a knock at the door. I got up and opened it, and there stood Jason. I smiled. 'Found another way in besides the balcony, I'm guessing.' I said, and he smiled. There was something else in his eyes though, something different. 'Can I talk to you?' He asked me, and I looked at him in shock. Nobody has wanted to talk to me for a long time. Well, besides Pythagoras and Hercules, of course. 'Uhh, yeah sure.' I said, and I walked out of the house and shut the door.

We walked for a little bit, until we reached the steps of the palace, where we sat down. He turned to me. Now I could see that something else in his eyes. Sadness. And I was about to know why. 'I found my father.' He said sadly, and I smiled. 'That's a good thing, isn't it?' I asked. He shook his head. 'No.' He said and I frowned. 'You went and saw the Oracle, didn't you?' I asked and he nodded his head. He continued in a defeated tone. 'She told me my father is dead.'

"Oh."