"It would be nice if you actually kept up your part of the conversation. Even my little sister Cora, as much of a brat she is, can keep a conversation and she is only 15! All though both of you seem to have the same growl perpetually on your face. No wait, that's a lie. She has the ability to smile!"
"Laura. Shut up! There, that's my part of the conversation."
"Sarcasm! Perfect, you're learning."
I rolled my eyes. The two of us have been traveling for the past few days. Laura has been surprisingly helpful, finding some wild-berry bushes and fruit trees. Although that was after she ate all the food in my bag. And the few times when I lost our path (she'll never hear me admit it), she was able to lead us back on track. Of course she made me do stupid shit like knock down a tree to use as a bridge, and smash some big boulders just so she didn't have to climb over them.
Up ahead I saw a sign with a temple and the triskillion on it. "That sign. We are almost at the temple."
"Yes we are captain obvious."
"After we get there, and we see Deaton, will you be going home?"
"Most likely, but don't worry. As much of a stick in the mud you are, I still love hanging with you der-bear." And she threw her arm over my shoulder.
"I said not to call me that." I growled
"Your reactions are priceless."
With the sun high in the sky they walked for another hour till Talia's Temple came in sight. It was a marvelous building made completely of marble, columns surround it on all sides with beautiful carvings; it was almost twenty times Derek's height. As they got a little closer, they could see a small city behind the magnificent temple. Then Derek noticed something odd.
"Where are all the people waiting to get in? I thought you said there was a huge line every day." He glared at her, but stopped when he noticed she looked confused as well.
"I don't know. Usually that would mean he isn't at the temple, but he told me he wouldn't leave again till I got back."
"Is he gone often?"
"No, almost never."
Once they were almost at the entrance, the two noticed three figures arguing in front of the building. One was a tall young man just a little younger than Derek, with expensive looking robes on; beside him was a shorter girl about the same age, with long strawberry blonde hair. They were arguing with an older black man who didn't seem fazed by them in the slightest. Laura quickly pulled Derek behind a bush to their side.
"What the…?"
"Shush! I want to know what they are saying!" She whispered.
Derek sighed but listened in as well.
"Jackson, I know you are the alpha of a very powerful family. However that doesn't change my decision. No one is to enter today." The older male stated.
"Please Deaton. It is really important! We need the counsel of Talia." The young lady spoke.
"I am very sorry Lydia. Come back tomorrow. Now if you excuse me, I am expecting someone very important." With that Deaton entered the temple, leaving Jackson to console the shacking young lady. Derek didn't know if it was in anger or trying to hold back tears. After they were out of eyesight Laura and Derek came out from their hiding spot.
"Deaton takes his job too seriously." She sighed
"Are we going to have to wait for tomorrow?"
"Huh? No why would we wait?"
"It doesn't seem like we are going to be able to get in today."
"Oh for the love of…Come on!" She took his arm and with surprising strength dragged him to the front doors.
As they approached the spot of the argument, Derek could smell the scents left behind; there were two obvious scents of beta and alpha, he assumed the beta was Deaton, but the third scent was hard to place. It was rather sweet, not like a pastry only similar to a flower, but it was mixed with a great amount of grief. Then it clicked for him. She was an omega! His thoughts were interrupted by Laura's loud banging on the door.
"Deaton! We're here!"
The door slowly opened to reveal the dark skinned beta that was just outside with the two strangers. "Ah Laura, good to see you had a safe journey. And Derek, you've grown since last I've seen you." Derek was shocked Deaton knew who he was.
"Well the last time you've seen him, he was in a diaper." Laura chuckled "And Deaton, you didn't have to send the two away just before. I'm sure we've could have been patient."
Deaton was just about to answer when Derek snapped out of his shock and interrupted. "How do you know who I am? Where did I come from? And why did you give me this?" He took out the medallion from his bag.
Deaton sighed while Laura just rolled her eyes. "Come inside. This has been long awaited, Derek."
Inside was amazing. All over the walls were intricate carvings showing all of Talia's great deeds. Pottery and candles decorated the temple. On the floor was a massive mosaic of the triskillion, but what was the most impressive was the giant Talia statue standing over eighteen times my height at the back of the temple. I hope my face doesn't show how shocked I am, and since I'm not getting any looks from Laura or Deaton, I guess I'm good.
"Deaton. Why do I have this?" Once again I held out the medallion.
"I had a feeling you would need it."
"How…"
He interrupted me, "I believe it is about time you meet your mother."
I stopped in my tracks. "My mother." All of a sudden the candles flared, a wind picked up from nowhere, and the statue of Talia started to shake. Her eyes flickered open, and a big smile graced her face.
"Derek, my son. Oh my baby boy!" I was too shocked to move, as she knelt down and scooped me up in her huge stone hands. "My little Derek." She looked like she was about to cry, if a statue could cry. I wondered how I looked.
Practically chocking "Mom?"
"Yes, yes my baby!" And she crushed me to her chest in a bone braking hug. "I've wanted to give you a hug for the longest time! My darling boy!"
"your. squishing. me." I barely breathed out.
"Mom! Let my little brother breathe! I wouldn't have brought der-bear here if you were just going to kill him!" Laura shouted from the floor.
"Sorry honey. Are you alright Derek?"
I gulped in a breath "I'm fine." I looked up to her then glanced back to Laura and Deaton, and back up to Talia. "Wait, you are my mother, and Laura is my sister…"
"And you have a little sister, Cora!" Laura shouted again
"Laura hush. Yes Derek, I know it's a lot to take in, but you are my son. And Laura is your older sister."
"I-I…I need to sit down." I fell back in Talia's or my MOM's hand. "But, if I'm your son; then wouldn't that make me…"
"A Hale God, yes."
"…a god, a god!" My mind tried to wrap around it. "Wait, then why… how did I end up in my mo- I mean Melissa's garden? Didn't you want me?"
"Of course we wanted you! Don't you dare think otherwise!"
"Then-"
"You were stolen from us the night of your introduction party and turned mortal. Only gods can live on Mt. Luna." she looked sadly at me, but then smiled faintly "You look so much like your father, and you have my eyes. The only of my children to have my eyes." She cooed at me.
"How come you didn't try to tell me sooner?"
"It was very hard, but I didn't want to burden you until you were old enough to handle it; that reminds me. Happy 18th Birthday Baby!" She beamed.
"It's not my birthday. It won't be for another few days."
"That was the day we lost you. Today is you true birthday. That is why I had Laura go get you, so you would be here on your birthday." I looked down to see her grinning like a mad woman.
"Mom aren't you forgetting something?" She called up from the floor.
"That's right! CORA!" I had to cover my sensitive ears. Then the doors burst open and in came a a girl a few years younger than me with black long hair, shining gold skin, wearing dark color robes riding a pegasus, she smelled of beta. Behind her was a small chariot hooked up to her white horse. As soon as I was on the ground again a blur of light brown fur tackled me to the ground and he started to lick my face. "You might not remember Scott. He was your present. A magnificent hell hound, loyal to a fault, great senses, but he can be a bit absent minded." It took me a minute, but I did indeed recognize him and petted his head.
"It's good to finally meet my big brother." The girl on the horse who I assume is Cora gets off and helps me up. She smiles a small smile that I return. "Finally someone to help me with Laura."
"I heard that!"
"How are you glowing?"
"It's natural. The reason Laura isn't, is because of the bag of herbs I gave her. It masks her scent as well as her glow, signaling her origin." Deaton answered for Cora.
Looking to Cora and Laura, then back up to my mom "How-how can I come back? Isn't there something you can do? So I can come home?"
Talia gave me a sad smile. "There is nothing I can do Derek." Now she is full out grinning "However there is something you can do."
"What! What is it? I'll do anything!"
"My child, if you can prove yourself to be a true hero then you godhood will be restored! And then and only then will you be able to come home."
"How do I become a true hero?"
"That my little der is something you have to figure out. But I can point you in the right direction. Search out Coach Finstock, the trainer of heroes. He will be able to help."
"Where do I find him?"
"He lives far south, on a small peninsula."
"I can take him mom." Cora spoke up.
"Would you sweetie? That would be wonderful."
"Thank you mother. I won't let you down."
"Goodbye my boy, and good luck!" With that her statue returned to its original position and her eyes faded out.
"Come on big bro get in the chariot." I followed Cora with Scott right behind me. I turned around when I noticed Laura wasn't following.
"Are you coming?"
"Nah, I've had my bonding time. I'll let you get to know how much alike you two are. And Cora, here take the bag." She took off the bag around her ankle and her skin started to glow the same gold tinted shine, and I could finally smell that she is indeed an alpha. Cora took the thing and tied it to her wrist. Now I could no longer smell her, and her skin no longer had the godly glow.
"Derek, before you go." I turned quickly to Deaton, forgetting he was behind me. "Could I see the medallion I gave you?" I handed him the piece of metal, and instantly it vanished. "Don't panic. I merely absorbed it into my hand, now if you could turn around." I hesitantly do as told. He places his hand on my back between my shoulder blades, then an intense heat burns my skin, but as soon as it happened it stopped. "The good luck charm is now forever with you, it is in the mark of the triskillion on your back."
"Thank you."
"Come on Derek! You're burning daylight!" A frustrated sounding Cora shouted at me.
"I wish you well."
I jumped into the chariot, Scott right next to me, and Cora took off blazing.
Cora's pegasus was flying fast over the land, faster than I could ever travel by foot. We were fast approaching the ocean; I could see it just ahead of us. Slowly we descended and stopped right in front of an overgrown field. There were old and unkempt statues everywhere.
"Come on Derek. Let's find this trainer."
Scott ran off sniffing around to see what he could find. As we walked I heard giggles and laughter off a small distance in the nearby forest. When I got closer, I was surprised to see nymphs hanging out by a small pond. I was about to ask if they knew where this Finstock was, then all of a sudden an older beta with wild hair came running out.
"Ladies!" The girls got startled and started to run "No! Wait! Sweethearts, don't you want a good time?"
It was just sad looking at him chase the nymphs. I didn't notice Cora behind me until she started to snicker. After he got back-slapped by a tree branch he finally noticed us watching.
"Hey! It's not what it looks like! Normally they can't keep their hands off me."
"Yeah, that's why you're on your ass with a red branch mark on your face."
"Young girls should mind their own business."
"Excuse my little sister. Um, do you know a Coach Finstock?"
"The names Bobby, but call me Coach." Scott came up to him and gave him a lick in greeting.
"Ugh. Disgusting!"
"You're Coach Finstock. Really." I elbowed her for that.
"Who else would I be?"
"I need your help. I need you to train me to be a true hero." I quickly interrupted whatever rude thing Cora was about to say.
"Sorry kid, but I've been retired for years. I'm not gonna help you." Scott started to growl, I couldn't blame him.
"You are the trainer of heroes aren't you?" I could see Cora getting angry.
"Yes, but I am retired. My training days are over. I'm tired of training stuck up boys trying to be men. Go find someone else." Now I was starting to get angry.
"Look. I need to become a true hero to rejoin my mother Talia and my family on Mt. Luna. And I won't be able to do that without your help. Please." I grit out "You need to be my trainer."
"Hold on. You mother. Is Talia Hale?! Seriously? Now that is rich! That's hilarious!" He was laughing his head off. "It's priceless!"
"Why you little!" Cora was fuming; she ripped off the herb bag and lunged with claws and a snarl that might have put mine to shame.
"HOLY SHIT!" Finstock fled as fast as he could, but it was pointless as Cora had him face down in the dirt in seconds. "AHHH! OK! OK! I BELIEVE YOU! GET OFF!" His screams were muffled by the ground. I could have sworn Scott was laughing.
"Cora, let him go. He still needs to train me." I growled
She snarled again but did what I told her. "You're lucky my brother saved you."
He slowly got up. "Damn your little sis is scary. You need to be twice as ferocious as that if you are going to survive my training!"
"So you are going to train me?"
"Who I am to refuse? Now let's see what you got." Scott barked in happiness. I rolled my eyes at how bizarre this man was. Walking over to a big fallen statue, I picked it up without any effort really and chucked far into the sea.
"Fuck, impressive. But it's going to take a lot more than that to be a hero! Let's get going, training starts now!" He started off to the overgrown fields.
"I will be going now. I'm not sure how much longer I can stand this guy. Good luck, you are going to need it." I wave goodbye as she climbs on her Pegasus and flies off, Scott howls his farewell to Cora.
"It's just us now Scott. Come on, I'm not doing this alone." We walk towards the field where Coach is most likely going to chew my ear off.
