I thought weddings are supposed to be a fun event, especially for the bride. Being here feels a lot like a funeral, at least for me.
Seeing Jason's reflection in the dagger, my heart felt really heavy, and I can tell Helen is also grieving. I know how much I love Jason and I guess Helen is feeling it too– the love I have for him. Now that' she's married, I can somehow relate to the feeling of never even being with the one I love anymore.
While the wedding banquet was still on-going and me. still clinging on to my present, Menelaus stood up and left the room without even saying a word. I sat there, feeling all alone, not because he left but because I was missing Jason so badly. I looked at Katoptris again and I'm now seeing Leo (the real one) waking up Jason.
Am I seeing what is happening to the real world? I watched the scene more closely, when Pollux spoke.
"What a great dagger you have there, sister. Must be hard to forge, seeing the blade's clarity. It might be even sharp too."
"What? Oh… this. Well, it is indeed lovely. Brother, all this celebration is leaving me very weary and seeing as my husband left so suddenly, I think I shall go ahead and lie down for the rest for the night. Would you be so kind to entertain our guests on our behalf?"
"Certainly, I bid you a good night then."
I nodded and headed back to my room. This place is really beautiful at night. Walking towards the door, the guards opened it for me. I'm back in the hallway, only this time no one was around. I can see the ocean from the windows as I walk by. I touched the wall facing the windows, thinking how cool it would've been to live in a place like this. I've watched my dad shoot many films on locations such as this where most of the castle were re-created inside the studio. But nothing beats the real one. My dad… I miss him too. I've never seen him since we saved him from the giant Enceladus.
How am I ever going to get back? Mom, please help me…
I reached my room, the servants are gone and it smelled strongly of honeysuckle and sandalwood.
Weird, it doesn't smell like this before.
I browsed the room for some comfortable-looking clothes but there was none. Seeing the clothes as a hopeless case, I removed my jewelries, put them in the table-stand and slumped in the bed. I unsheathed Katoptris and looked at it, Jason is now surrounded by everyone from my cabin and I can see him holding the hands of someone sleeping... I let out a yelp as I can see myself: sleeping! I stood up immediately and though as stupid as it may seem, I started yelling at the images.
"Hey you! WAKE THE HELL UP! C'mon Piper you can do it! Just open those damn eyes already! Jason don't just stand there! SLAP THE BEJESUS OUT OF ME! I'M NOT FRAGILE!" but it's no use. Neither the sleeping-me nor Jason can hear what I was saying. I put Katoptris down in the table, and felt weak on my knees. I needed to get out of here. I just feel so helpless being stuck here in the dreams. I cupped my face and cried my heart out, I thought everything's going to be alright, but no, I think I might just sleep forever.
"Helen! Why are you doing this to me? I get it okay, I've lived your life, now let me live mine!"
"I'm sorry child, but it is not my fault. For some reason, the gods has sent you here but I'm afraid I have to apologize to for you experiencing all of this as I also needed you to retrace the mistakes that I have done and maybe, just maybe… you can prevent the tragedies."
"What tragedies?"
She then let out a gasp. "He's coming! If you must hide, please do!" Helen pleaded.
"Who's coming? What will happen?"
But there was no answer, but whatever's going to happen she sounded so scared, I decided to look for a good place to hide. I hear the door close, too late! Someone's already here. I turned around to see Menelaus near the door, smiling maliciously. He step forward and took a loud whiff.
"Ahh, it smells so good here. There you are my woman. Let me see your face, it's quite dark here with just a few torches burning."
I didn't approach him. I stood there, half-frozen at the horrendous fact that no matter how many times this world says that this is Menelaus, I'm still seeing Leo. Why does it have to be him? Why can't I just see the real Menelaus? I slowly stepped back until I reached the table and remembered Katoptris and grabbed it behind my back, while still facing Menelaus.
Helen! What's going on? Why does every single hair in my body's standing? Again, no answer. It's like she abandoned me, so I spoke to him.
"But… uhm… you've already seen my face. Remember? we just got married." as soon as I've said it, I bit my lip. I should have NEVER said that.
"You're right. We did just get married, and now I am invoking my right to consummating it so that I can legitimately take Tyndareus' throne, dear wife."
This guy is nuts! I need to get out of here, like NOW! I thought of ways to distract him, but I can't seem to focus.
"I'm liking what you're doing dear wife, biting your lip, lost in thoughts and the dress you're wearing... All these are just making me more… provoked, than I am already. I am surely going to enjoy having you for tonight."
And then he rushed towards me. I brought out the dagger and tried to stab him, but he caught my arm. He held it so tight that I dropped the knife. He locked my hands with his and forcefully pushed me to the bed. I tried to fight him, but he just lifted my arms and gripped it both single-handedly, his other hand now strangling my neck.
"From this day forward, you are mine and ONLY MINE, woman…" he whispered menacingly in my ear.
And then I blacked out. Afterwards, a series of unfortunate events followed that...
…
"Helen! Helen! Are you alright?... Helen!"
I'm back. I thought as I can already hear Jason's voice. But… he still calls me Helen. As I came to, I started to sob, holding on to Jason's shirt as tight as I can.
I'm still here, but he's wearing a t-shirt, then that means…
I opened my eyes as quick as I can realizing that I'm now back in my own time. Back to the real Jason's arms– my boyfriend's arms. But as he was holding me, the bad memories suddenly resurfaced. I pushed myself away from him, but then he started to come after me.
"Helen, wha- what's wrong?" he looked so confused and worried. I hate seeing him that way but I can't care now. I have no face to show him… not after that incident.
"Stop calling me that! GO AWAY!" the words punched him like spikes of cold ice right in his face.
"I don't get it…"
"I feel disgusting Jason, if you'd know what happened, you'd be disgusted with your girlfriend too." I looked to the ground, I'm just too embarrassed to even look at him. I can't call myself as his girlfriend anymore, he'll be hurt if he knew what happened to me…
"Hel… wait, did you just say my girlfriend?" he paused for a bit, until he called out my name.
"Piper? Is that… you?" It was the first time I heard my name in what seemed like eons ago. I slowly lifted my face to look at him. Before I knew it I was crying like a little girl. I can't call myself strong, unlike before- not after my innocence has just been taken from me. He cautiously approached me.
"Pipes… please tell me that you're you again…"
Shakily, I nodded. Jason let out a big sigh, relieved to see me again. I wish I felt that same kind of relief too but... I just can't. I was too numb, too depressed with my struggles earlier. I felt a hand touch mine, and I quickly pulled away. It was Jason's. I know he was just trying to reassure me, but I don't really want to be touched right now. Not in any way with anyone anymore.
Jason stood up, still looking very anxious, and then he turned to Rachel.
"Rachel, I don't understand… if she's Piper again, then why is she much more scared than Helen when she woke?"
Helen was here? I looked up and then I saw Annabeth. Thank gods! Annnabeth is here! I stood up and throwed myself at Annabeth, crying and sobbing all at the same time.
"Piper, what's wrong? Did something happen?" she was hugging me so tightly, I can't see it, but I know Jason's piercing stare is stabbing me from behind.
"All those people Annabeth… my brothers… they were killed… and Hector… poor Hector… and…" I hesitated but then Annabeth shushed me, which is very comforting considering my current state.
"Hey now… Shhh… It's alright. You're back in your own time now. Now how about a bath? Would that be nice?" I nodded with tears still streaming from my eyes. As Annabeth leads me upstairs to the bathroom, she looked at Jason and said "We'll talk about this later."
I'm sorry Jason. I'm just… so sorry…
When we reached the bathroom, Annabeth switched the faucet and let the water running, a small cloud of mist slowly fills the room. She helped me out of my clothes and gently let me sat in the tub. The warm water feels so nice, so real. I closed my eyes and savored the comforst of my home, and then I felt a flash of light, a brand new voice is now speaking… a voice that I haven't heard for so long, and yet felt very reassuring.
"It's alright dear, I've got this."
"As you wish, my goddess." and then I heard the door close.
"There now Piper… Mom is here." She said as she touched my hair, gently pouring water on it.
"Mom… I… I…" I couldn't say it. Instead I cried and cried until I feel myself gasping for air every now and then. I was shaking more than before and as my mom's gently caressing my hair and the sides of my face, I can feel my world crumble. In times like this one, I never thought Aphrodite can be so motherly after all. It feels so… nice. At that moment I was more than glad to have her here.
"Don't worry Piper, I can assure you that it never really happened in this current life that you're living. You're merely experiencing Helen's memories." Her voice is so soothing, but I wasn't that assured yet.
"But how come… everything's very real to me?"
"I promise you that you are still pure as you were, dear child." I turned around to look at her, and seeing her gentle smile, her hair changing its usual colors– from blond to brunette. I felt like the world drop from my shoulders. I've never felt relief like this since I thought I almost lost Jason from our first quest.
"But mom… I can't face… Jason… worst, even Leo… anymore." I sobbed.
"Don't worry. You won't remember that certain incident anymore." At that moment, I can feel that particular memory melt away little by little, until I don't remember anything... anymore. It's as if I've skipped a chapter in a book, with not even a slight regret of turning it back. I just felt the most powerful charm-speak ever in my life, and I will be forever grateful to my mom for that.
"Mom… thank you." I hugged her.
"Being the goddess of love, of course I feel my power more when it comes to my children. Of all my offspring here, I love you the most, dear Piper. You've proven yourself far too many times already, and it's about time that you feel your mother's love." Aphrodite said, "Though there's a war coming. Like I've said before, love and war always go together, unless you two can stop it."
"The two of us? Who's the... I don't know... what do you mean... Mom?"
Then just like switching off a light bulb, she vanished.
…..
As I descend the stairs, I can hear people talking in the dining room. Surely enough there's Rachel, Chiron (who by the way is wearing his Party-Pony printed t-shirt), Annabeth, Percy, Frank, Hazel and… Jason. As soon as they saw me they all stood up, their faces full of uneasiness, with Jason looking the worst of all. At the table, lies Katoptris– no doubt the center of their topic, aside from my humiliating drama.
"Piper… are you feeling better?" asked Hazel, who noticed me first. Seeing everyone here again, in their normal selves again, I've never felt happier.
"I'm fine. To those, uhm… who witnessed that embarrassing fiasco I did earlier: I'm sorry." Being with my mom, recharged the low-damaged battery out of me. I looked at Jason and smiled as I said this. But his expression didn't change, in fact, he became even more guarded.
"Chiron, her eyes… it's still the same color as… hers." I can sense the word filtering in there. Jason addressed Chiron, never turning his gaze away from me.
"I see. It seems that she hasn't completely left her yet. In the mean time, it's best not to let either the two of you touch this dagger." Chiron took Katoptris and sheathed it.
The two of us... Did my mom meant that as 'Jason and I'?
"My eyes? But guys, I'm fine now." I looked at the mirror hanging from the wall beside me. My eyes are still loud blue, like I was still in Ancient Greece. I looked at Jason's and his was the same green-eyes that I've seen when I saw him for the first time in that gods-forsaken place.
"Piper child, why don't you take a seat beside Jason? We're currently discussing what happened with your 'disappearance'." Chiron pointed the empty seats beside Jason.
"Where's… Leo?" I'm back now, there's no need to fear him anymore because he's finally our Leo.
"He's already been summoned. Please, take a seat. I'm almost tempted to take the other seat because of the awkwardness that I now feel for Jason, but then my instincts took over. As I sat down, he took my hand under the table and held it. Don't cry, don't you ever dare! You've cried too many times already! When did you ever became this fragile? I held back the tears and just gripped his hand even tighter.
"So, updates guys. What exactly did happen when we left camp?" asked Percy.
"Piper and I, we fell asleep for what seem like hours, when in fact it has already been days." Jason answered.
"Hours but days huh? Kind of like that Lotus Hotel, only this time it's in a dream." I saw Annabeth nudge Percy on his ribs and he mouthed the word 'what?'.
"So if you guys have been dreaming, then it must be a sign that something bad is going to happen." said Frank in a thinking position.
"It's more than a sign Frank. That dream served as a gateway for these two to be here." Rachel pointed at Jason and me.
"Excuse me?" I exclaimed.
"Also, I have a strong hunch that this dagger right here, is also at fault." Rachel pointed Katoptris.
"Why? What did my dagger do? What's going on guys?" I turned to Jason, seeking answers.
"Piper, you've been possessed. Just a while ago, before you have truly awakened. So did Jason, but I don't understand why he's not fully emerging on you." Hazel said.
"By what? Eidolons?" I asked. I really had no idea what has happened.
"No. You've been possessed by Helen of Troy Piper, the true owner of this dagger."
"I've been what? But she's with me in my dream, how could that have happ…" and then I remembered the part where I think she left me.
"I also had a dream about me being Prince Paris of Troy. Maybe that's why he also resides within me." Jason said.
Paris is inside Jason?
"So, you've met her then?" Annabeth addressed me.
"Sort of. She was retelling the story of the Trojan War, on what really… happened." I was then discussing the things I saw, a very vivid memories of the events that followed: Castor was murdered and Pollux begged Zeus to save him or he'll follow him in the Underworld. Instead, Zeus took pity on the both of them and turned them into the twin constellation, "Gemini."
I also remembered meeting Jaso… Paris for the first time, his face looked very much troubled yet when he saw me he said "Finally, we can put a stop on what's about to happen."
"A stop to what?" Percy asked.
"My mom mentioned awhile ago that there's another war coming."
"It's also about the untold prophecy, to which Helen shared with me earlier, though not much detailed." Jason looked at me straight in the eyes, as if trying to reach out to that other person who's inside me.
Suddenly, my eyes darted towards Rachel. Her eyes are now closed and green mist started to swirl all around her. Glowing eyes surprised me when she opened them, and emerald smoke started to come out from her mouth. I found myself listening again to that chilling raspy-snake voice:
"A thousand-year curse by discord
Be broken by the child of the lightning lord
With it, comes eternal love
Decreed by the goddess dove
If not, the world be ended
Until broken hearts are mended"
And then Rachel collapsed.
xxx
Happy weekday guys! (Not really.) Weekdays means more chapters to be written, so yay me! :)) Over the weekends though, I browsed for some good Percabeth/Jasper fanfics and found some really good nuggets. No wonder they have reached thousand of reviews. (gyah! i want more reviews too! lol) But no I can't be that demanding for 'em reviews. My goal is to write a good story, so constructive criticisms are very much welcome and appreciated . ;)
By the way, I sold my Kindle touch because I so miss the feeling of flipping pages, the weight and the sweet-musky smell of a good ole' book. Now that is something technology can't outdo. :))
Until then!
