A wild update appears! Sorry for the wait; we hope the chapter makes up for it! We are almost to the end of this story, with just one official chapter remaining. We hope you enjoy it, and please review!

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Chapter 9: Morpheus Rises

Greece hears the scissors slide open and takes a breath that does not fill his lungs, trying to enjoy the last moments of his life. He thinks he can feel arms around him, smell something familiar - sweet and spicy. Sadik. Cherry blossoms and the sea. Kiku. He smiles. If he wraps his arms around himself he can hold them together, just for a moment. He thinks, too, of his own land, his people. Olives and ocean, sleeping in the sun, working hard on their farms and bringing in fish for the market, loving their families, fighting for their lives... he hopes they will live. He hopes they, too, will not disappear.

Suddenly the smells are stronger, and he his head jerks up when he hears a shriek. More figures have appeared where the Weird Sisters stand, and when they speak he knows them twice over.

"Be gone, you hags! I am Lord of the Dead, and I say his life is not over yet!" A tall, imposing man with black robes tears the scissors from the Fates' rotting fingers and flings them to the light of the world beyond, pointing for the sisters to follow. They hiss at him and Greece cries out, feeling their nails dig under his skin even though they are yards away. "Fight, little warrior, FIGHT!"

A second figure is all dressed in white, with cherry blossoms in his hair. This one goes to kneel over Greece and strokes his face. He looks worried, as well he should, and he calls to him softly, longingly: "Please, please, you must go back. This is not where you belong. Not now. You must fight the temptation of sleep. You must go back to those who love you."

Hera inhales what he can, leaning into the touch. This is Persephone, goddess - er, god? - of spring and queen of the underworld. The one standing up to the sisters is Hades. Yet here, they have taken on familiar faces. The strong, sweet goddess is Kiku, and the ominous lord of the dead is Sadik. They speak with his friends' voices, their calls echoing as they connect to the physical world. Hera himself is too shocked to speak, but at their behest he tries to stand. He falls; everything is so heavy, like there are phantom, clawed hands pressing him into the floor. The Weird Sisters turn their eye upon him.

"No!" Kiku holds on, gripping Hera's arms with unnatural strength and turning his own deadly look upon the Sisters. "You will leave him! He is not yours today!" Carefully, he helps Hera struggle to his feet. "Breathe in," he whispers to him, stroking down his trembling back as Hera clings to him. "The scent of incense. Can you smell it? Breathe it in."

Hera finds he can, just the edge of it. Over Persephone/Kiku's shoulder he can see two more figures emerging. One shines like the sun, so bright he can hardly look into his face. Apollo - healer, bringer of day, wearing the face of Gupta. The other is full of life, smelling of earth and woods, with a stern face and dark hair. Demeter - goddess (well, god) of harvest, the one who presides over the cycle of life and death, wearing the face of Yao. He falls against Kiku, trying to regain the strength to greet these great ones properly.

Yao comes closer, bringing with him the scent of incense that grows richer and more powerful with every step he takes. Poor Hera looks as though he's been sick for an age, and lost for longer. His hand reaches up and slides his fingers through Hera's stringy waves, pulling them back from his face and tucking them behind his ear. He is caked in sweat from head to toe. "You have been through a mess, aru. So sick, so lost, so confused! But you have much to take care of in your world, and you can't do it from ours!"

Gupta also approaches, bringing with him the light of the world, the sun, making this whole realm blindingly bright. He does not say a word. He simply wraps himself around the sweating, shaking mess in Kiku's arms and lets the light and the smell of incense take over everything, soaking up Hera's heat and replacing it with his strength. It is a powerful gesture, one that speaks volumes without a word - as is Gupta's style.

Sadik pulls a sword from his belt and sets its point toward the Fates. "You see? These claim him for life. GO!" The last word propels the Sisters through the light and beyond, shrieking as they scurry to do their duty, seeking other targets. They are not pleased to lose a nation, for it is a rare pleasure to cut such a string, but they know better than to cross these beings.

Hera nods; the old gods are right, of course. He has much to do. His people need whatever he can give them, and he must live for their sake. For his own sake, too; he does not want to leave the friends who would come for him even in death, who the gods think of so highly that they take on their forms. He stands, supported but no longer falling, and one last figure approaches from the light. The others stand aside to let her pass, and Hera nearly falls to his knees again because he is so overwhelmed by her presence. "Mother!"

She is no longer the bloody, burning mess of Hera's nightmares. She is healed, and young, and beautiful. She smiles at him, so happy to see that he is nearly well again, and takes his cheeks in her hands so that she may see his face. "Heracles, my sweet boy. I will see you through this, I swear it. My eyes are on you every moment, and I am so very proud." There's a slight twitch of her eyebrow. "Though I do wish you'd scale back a bit on the carousing. Taking after your father is one thing; there's no need to imitate him entirely."

"My...father?" He shakes his head; that's not something he ever asked about. He had a feeling, but it was never as important as she was. He hugs her. "Thank you. I miss you."

She hugs him back, long and tight because she will not see him again until his day comes; and that will not be for a very long time. "I miss you too. I do. And I love you so very much. You are..." She looks like she is about to cry, but she wipes her eyes slowly, pressing his face to her shoulder. "The best son a mother could ever ask for."

Greece knows he's crying, even though he can't quite feel the tears. "Goodbye, mother." It's a thing he has wanted to say for years, and never could. He holds her tight for another moment, gathering his strength and hers; he knows it would be easier to die than live. Then he lets go, and forces consciousness back into his body.

XXX

For a moment, Hera goes utterly limp between Sadik and Kiku's arms. Sadik's heart falls into his stomach, and he's desperately afraid they've lost him. "Hera-" The body coughs, choking and gagging on the thick black gunk that begins to fall from his mouth. Sadik shifts onto the bed to better hold him through it, lending him the strength to sit up. "Hera!"

"Oh!" For a moment Kiku jumps back, but within seconds he's right there again, basin in hand. He pats Hera's back, holding up the trash can for him to spit it in. He's awake. Oh, thank Kami, he can feel his heart beating hard and steady. "Hera!" He gasps as the nation sits against Sadik, eyes wide and disoriented, looking around as the shakes overtake him again. He looks like he's not sure where he is.

Egypt nods to himself. Good. It worked. He begins packing up his chemistry set, capping the syringe and tying it up in a biohazard bag. Meanwhile, China enters with a gigantic pot of soup, a plate of dumplings, and other smaller plates of food, because you never know what may help someone get better. He sets the tray to the nearest table before wandering over to Egypt. "Aru~! Good work! What did you give him?"

Egypt tosses him the bottle, labeled "Extra-Strength Tourism—In Case Of Emergency". That explains it. After he packs the rest, he steals the bottle back and packs it into his case. He picks the case up, and then leaves just as silently and quickly as he came.

Heracles wakes to a bright world, one that is too full of color and sound and smell and feel and taste. Especially taste. He coughs and gags, feeling like he is bringing up everything within him and spilling it into the bin so helpfully placed before him. It smells rancid and tastes toxic. He shakes from the force of it, and when he's finally done he falls back against the body behind him, feeling weak as a newborn kitten. Yet not so feverish, and not so nauseous. He takes an experimental breath. Yes, his lungs have cleared some. He feels weak, but better. He almost smiles.

Sadik finds the sweaty body a welcome weight in his arms. There is so much more life to it, and the color in his cheeks is not all fever-flush. Hera's not well, but he's not dead. That - well, he never thought he would think it, but that is a good thing. He sighs and lets Hera catch up with them.

Kiku thanks every being of power that exists, praises them all within his mind as he curls himself around Hera. He's alive. Thank Heavens, he is alive. And he is looking much better, feeling less feverish. Kiku wraps his arms around Hera's waist and presses his forehead to his side. He can feel his breaths, his heartbeat. He's not moving from this spot until Hera is well. Because he will get well.

China approaches the trio slowly, water in hand, and offers it to the rather weak-looking Greece. He is utterly shocked when Turkey helps him sit up enough to drink it. He stands back, letting Japan take the glass from his fingers. "Aru~!" He tries to wipe the smile from his face, but can't quite manage it. "How are you feeling, Hera? Would you like anything? More water, aru~? More ice?" He thwacks Japan's shoulder. "Hera needs more ice!"

Greece blinks, accepting the water and drinking slowly. He's glad they won't let him hold it; he doesn't want to fail at something so simple, but he can barely raise his head. Then he stares at them. Hades, Persephone, Demeter...no, that's not right. These are not the gods. These are nations, enemies, and friends. Turkey, Japan, China. He wonders what happened to Egypt; he can still smell the incense. "You called me. I came."

Sadik tries to glare at Yao, put the fear of Ottoman in him so that he never, ever tells a soul about the things he's witnessing. He doesn't think it's working. So he concentrates on Hera instead, letting him lean against his chest. "Of course you did. Like we were going to let you go so easy!"

Kiku sets aside the cup and holds Hera close, ignoring Yao. "I'm so glad you're awake, Hera-kun," he murmurs against his skin. "We were so worried. We- I-" He sighs, not sure how to phrase this without offending Sadik. But he knows it must be said. "We need you. Please be well."

Hera smiles. "I need you. I promised her I would get strong again." He rolls his head, making sure Yao knows he's included and this; Gupta, too, wherever he's gone. "Thank you. I'm not sure what you did, but...well."

Yao looks toward the door where Gupta went, half-blushing and slightly jealous. "I will pass along your thanks. It was mostly Gupta. And these two. Aru-aru, I have told him a thousand times not to care so much! He never listens!" He pouts at Kiku as though he is severely disappointed in him. "Ayah! It can't be helped."

Japan glares at China out of the corner of his eye, but says nothing. He only leans in, pressing his nose against Hera's skin and breathing in the scent of his sweat. There are a thousand things he needs to say to both of them. Not the least of which needs to be said in private. He does not want to put it off any longer. "Thank you very much, Yao. We will contact you when he is well."

China raises his eyebrows, stepping back. "But-"

Japan snaps at him. "We will contact you."

After a moment, China just sighs, throwing his hands into the air. He mumbles to himself on the way out the door, just loud enough to be heard. "Tell him not to fall for a nation, and he falls for two. Ayah! Next I'll hear that Korea invented the threesome!"

At China's parting words Turkey nearly chokes. Brat's damn perceptive when he wants to be. He wonders just how long it will take Greece to figure out everything that's happened. Just so none of them get the wrong idea he shifts away, making sure to set up the pillows before sliding out from behind him. "Alright that's enough. You need to eat, or something. Then again we might want to wait on the eating. What with the vomit."

Japan sighs, looking toward the feast China placed on the nearby table. There's dumplings. Oh, they look so good. His mouth is watering, but he doesn't want to move. He cuddles closer to Greece and presses a hand to his chest and feeling his heart beat, sure and steady. "Are you hungry, Hera-kun?"

Hera frowns, confused as to why Kiku is so close. He thought all of that was a dream. Maybe he has missed more than he thought. He feels empty inside; not hungry necessarily, but that's a start, and Yao has always been a good cook. He nods. "I think. How...long? I mean, what happened?"

Sadik gathers up some plates and bowls, handing Kiku the dumplings he's been eyeing. For Hera he goes with soup; not that it's stayed down the last few times, but they've got that trash can handy in case it doesn't. He steals a dumpling from Kiku's plate and munches, settling into the chair once more. "Don't know quite how long. Haven't seen you in a week; I found you this morn...well, actually, I don't know what time it is. Maybe it was yesterday." It's a fair question. How long have they been with Hera?

Kiku visibly lights up as Sadik hands him the dumplings. Yes! He sits up a little, smacking Sadik's hand away and setting to work on what's left of his plate. "You came to my house yesterday afternoon," he confirms. He bites into a dumpling, nearly melting at the taste. He hadn't realized how hungry he was. "We've been here over a day. You have been very sick, Hera-kun."

"Ah." Hera nods, slowly spooning soup into his mouth. It's good, and he's even more pleased that he manages not to spill it all over himself. "Have I missed anything?" He looks between the two of them, quirking a brow at the tension he can feel. Something has happened.

Kiku looks toward Sadik, his eyes blowing wide at the question. How the hell do they even start this conversation? He clears his throat, sliding a little bit away from Hera and placing his hands in his lap beneath the dumpling plate. "In a way, yes."

Turkey refuses to look at either of them, and concentrates on piling his plate high. "Eat your soup. Keep it down for an hour, and then we'll talk. I am not having you go all...whatever that was again. Too much effort on my part, you see."

Greece tries not to smile. Something happened to embarrass them both? Well, this might be worth it. "I never asked for any effort from you, bastard."

Turkey opens his mouth to retort, then closes it. "Stupid brat," he mutters.

"Hera!" Japan almost laughs, blushing faintly. "Sadik-kun just spent the whole day trying not to care. That takes a lot of effort. Be kind."

Greece smiles tiredly down at the cat sneaking into his lap. It seems things will indeed get better - although he is going to have a lot of work to do. At least this new...whatever it is that's between them will be interesting. "I wish I could remember more of what has happened. I have had very strange dreams."

Japan reaches over and scratches behind the cat's ears, sharing a look with Turkey. "So we heard. Did you know you talk in your sleep?"

Turkey snorts. "He should. I've complained often enough."

"You snore." Greece swallows another spoonful.

Japan smiles, wondering what fresh hell he'll be forced to endure at night if he ever does manage to get them both in bed with him at once. He chews another dumpling in silence, contemplating the thought. He could get used to it. Maybe. If the benefits outweigh the lost sleep.