Chapter 13: Quest before THE QUEST.
Noah's POV
I was so happy being with Zohra. She's so easy to be with. Though I can't read her mind but she never makes it hard for me. It's like, she's the one connecting me to my mortal side. I hugged her and told her to sleep. 'Noah, I don't want to sleep, please can we talk for sometime more?' she said with a sad face. 'Zohra, NO. You need to take rest. And, I want to rest as well. I've to teach Myra some sword fighting skills,' I said, trying to convince her to sleep. Suddenly, she had tears in her eyes. 'It's always Myra for you,' she cried and ran to her room. Oh crap. Calm down, smile Zohra, I tried to supress her emotions. They were strong, but eventually they gave in. I felt bad. I went to her room and walked to her bed. She was lying on the bed crying. I sat on the bedside and said,' Hey come on Zohra, don't be a baby, you know I love you.' She started crying even badly. 'No Noah, let's accept it. Myra is your priority. You no longer bother to even look at me,' she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. I couldn't see her sad. I took her in my arms and I could feel her sorrow evaporating, a bit though. She started crying in my arms. 'Hey now kiddo, stop crying,' I said, my arms caressing her back. She's perfect. She looked up, in my eyes. Her face was just inches away from me. I don't know what I was thinking but I leaned and touched her lips, my arms encircling her waist tighter. She was shocked for a second and then she gave in. Her fingers were tangled in my hair and she was now kissing me deeply. This was the best feeling ever.
Suddenly, she backed away. 'Uhh, I'm sorry Zohra,' I said, still wanting to capture her lips. She gave me a peck on my lips, smiled and went outside. 'Zohra, where are you going?' I asked. 'Noah, I love you, you know that right?' She said, her eyes twinkling. She's very pretty, I thought. She smiled. Oh, I thought out aloud. 'I love you too Zohra,'was all I could say. Then suddenly, Myra's image flashed in my mind. What am I doing? I'm the most confused person on this earth. Zohra is just a best friend. Plus,whatever happened today, I was still not over it. 'Zohra, whatever happened right now, please don't tell Myra about it,' I said, wondering what would happen if Myra got to know about this. I could feel the ground and sky rumbling. Not good. Calm down, I ordered her emotions. No use. 'Noah, you're one hell of a mean person. Don't ever talk to me,' she said, this time glaring me. 'I'm sorry, she likes me. She would feel bad,' I said, trying to convince her. 'Yes, you're right. Why should I be jealous?' she smiled, but I could still make out she was feeling bad. 'I'm going to my room, you rest. Okay?' I said and went to my room. Be happy, I tried the last time. It worked.
I went to my desk and waited for Grandma Athena. It was her time to teach me about history. A light flashed behind me and in a moment granny was sitting with me. 'Hi Granny,' I said and hugged her. 'Noah,' she smiled. We started my lesson. We were reading about Hercules' labors. 'Your mind is not into this Noah, what's bothering you?' Granny asked. Obviously I couldn't lie to her, but I told her the other thing that's been bothering me since years,' Why are mom and dad so worried about me? I hate to see them this way, all worried and tensed.' Granny's face turned sad. 'Noah, child, you have a very difficult task ahead. They're just worried about that,' she said. 'Oh, the Great Prophecy you mean? Don't worry, I won't let you all down,' I smiled. She kissed my forehead. There was a flas of light behind me. 'We know you won't,' Grandpa Possy smiled. I smiled back. I had such supportive people in my life, what could possibly stop me from succeeding.
'Noah, every hero has a fatal law. Your dad's fatal law is that he is too loyal. You should find yours too,' Grandma warned. Okay, what's my weakness? I'm proud, na. I'm loyal, could be. I was just check listing my laws, when mom came in. She hugged both of them and then came to me and kissed my cheek. My mom is THE prettiest. I've never seen someone so beautiful. Thunder boomed ahead. That was exluding you, Lady Aphrodite, I smiled. You're such a sweetheart Noah, Please date one of my girls? she said. I shrugged. 'Noah, there's a call for you from the Big House. You're having a quest, kiddo,' mom said, trying to smile. I could make out that she was so worried. Then Dad came in,' Hey Kid, first quest eh?' he winked. True, I've never had any quest till date, because mom wanted me to practice well before going for a quest. I've killed monsters as well, because I had my school in the mortal world. Okay, how bad a quest can be? I've heard stories from the campers about Dad, that how he fought against Kronos, Hyperion and Atlas. He fought with 3 titans, sweet.
Together, we all went to Big House. I was suprised to see all the Olympians sitting there, with a worried expression on their face. Their face lit up when they saw me. Even Lord Ares smiled. Well, he doesn't hold a grudge against me because of Dad. Instead, he loves me like his own kid. 'That's very unusual for Ares to behave this way,' dad used to say. But I have Charms, the gift from Aphrodite, which makes me hard to hate. I hugged them all and sat between mom and dad. Instead of cabin leaders, their parents were present. Chiron said,' Noah, as you know you have a very important quest next year, The Gods have decided to test you. You'll go to the garden of Hesperides and bring a golden apple of immortality and then, return. You may go alone or take 2 people with you.' I sighed, why this? Everyone knows about the hundred headed, fire/poison breathing dragon, Ladon. I hope he doesn't turn me into barbequed-noah. With the sad thought, I stood up. 'I'm not going to take anyone with me. I can't risk someone's life just for some test.' Mom and dad stood up. 'Noah, we are half bloods as well, we can accompany you too,' mom said. 'Plus, I have witnessed the garden of Hesperides myself,' dad said. 'Listen to me both of you, I'm glad you both are ready to accompany me. But I want to prove myself in front of you all. I don't want you to worry your head's off for me,' I said, using my powers to convince them. 'Okay, fine,' they said. The Gods smiled, I guess they sensed my powers.
They all wished me luck and went back. I, dad and mom were coming back together. 'Promise me, you'll take of yourself,' mom said, choking back tears. I put my hand on her shoulders. 'Mom, relax. I'll be fine. Nothing will happen to me,' I said with a calm voice. She seemed to relax a bit when dad said,' Noah, the daughters of Atlas hold a grudge against me. I had imprisoned their dad, once again and also, I had snuck to Mount Othrys. And the Ladon, he's very strong. He killed his own mistress, Zoe,' dad said, his voice sad when he mentioned Zoe. I know what had happened then. 'Dad, if something happens, I'll get back. I won't get into problems,' I promised. They both hugged me, like it could be the last time. I hugged them back and went to the Cabin. I saw Myra standing on the door. She hugged me fiercely . 'Noah, please don't go to that Quest. It's very dangerous. What would I do without you?' she cried on my chest. I stroked her back, trying to calm her. 'Nothing will happen to me Myra, plus I have your wishes with me, nothing can happen to me. Now smile my pretty lady,' I said. She smiled and kissed my cheek . I grinned at her. 'Take care of yourself, sweetheart. I love you,' she said, her eyes still shimmering with tears. I didn't say anything, just hugged her and went inside.
In my room, I saw Zohra sleeping. She might have been waiting for me. When she heard me sit near her, she opened her eyes. Her dark blue eyes were red and puffed. She was crying? 'What happened Zohra?' I said and didn't realize I was sounding very concerned, which I was. She smiled,' Noah, I'm so sorry I behaved that way with you. I was being a jerk, as usual. It's just, too much is going on my mind,' she said, tears in her eyes. I was touched by her genuineness. It was my fault, yet she was apologizing. Typical Zohra. 'I love you Zohra,' I said. I didn't find this weird. 'I love you too dumbhead,' she grinned. I told her about the quest, but she wasn't worried at all. 'Go kick some dragon ass' for me,' she grinned. I couldn't help but laugh. She wished me luck and told me to sleep, as I had to leave tomorrow morning. I snuggled beside her and slept. She kissed me lightly on my forehead. I smiled and slept, wishing the quest goes well.
