.

10

Unmarked Knowledge

"Could they truly not have healed you?" Ixas held his stomach in weary sickness. I lay between Perseus, leaning into his chest. The comfort was unbelievably relaxing, despite the wobbly ride.

Traveling on Wukiro's back put everyone at ease but with slight nausea attached. A standing tent covered the sun from dragging its intensity upon our already flushed faces. I bent my legs and let them fall onto Perseus, entire side now molded to him.

"Healing would be ineffective by anything other than the gods. It's as simple as that. The ones who healed Perseus, their efforts would have been useless." The driver turned slightly to show I insulted. "I'm sorry but your strength should not be wasted on something that cannot be fixed," I apologized to Djinn, he turned back around. Perseus moved his sword closer to his leg. Wukiro was speeding up.

Ixas secured his own across his lap as it slid towards the edge. "What happens if you get hurt-"

"She won't," Perseus looked to him, somewhat outraged by such a question.

"She was hurt," Draco sharpened his knife. "And you could do nothing. Your father's sword is what healed her, not you. Why do you reject-"

"Enough!" Perseus shout, jerking me forward. "You very well know who my father is and he is not who you are speaking of."

"We should not be arguing of this," I matched their fury, sweeping his arm across my lap. It soothed the tension but was still there. "That thing was sent by Hades, he is the one we should be worrying about. His strength and determination is unstoppable. I know why he is here and it is not what you think."

Perseus rest his other arm on top of the one I held, relaxing more as I stroked the rest of the tension. But what I have to say next will bring the stress right back.

"He's after me."

And so goes Perseus responding. I lift my head back, sliding more towards his feet. "But only after he kills you. He knows the only way he'll take me back to Hades is by ridding of you. Calibos knows about us which means so does Hades. Our journey now has the burden of this dangerous obstacle. We're in more danger than we thought."

"No we're not, I'm going to keep you safe," Perseus smiled. Ignoring the unrelenting grunts from the soldiers. I know what awaits us but when I look into him, I could feel his desire for truth. There was just one thing that shattered its meaning.

"And who's going to keep you safe?"

He stared, still with confidence, slowly reaching for my re-entering his arms. But I backed away, standing with my head grazing across the tent's ceiling. "I can't go near you when he's around Perseus. Did Io tell you that? Did she tell you I'm not even ready to fight Calibos, to protect you? That I'm useless when you're in danger!" The screams backfired into a throbbing ache, sticky tears, sweating palms. I turned to hide their betraying weakness.

Djinn, knowing who was behind him, scoot to the side, allowing me room to sit. "You sad?"

I nodded

"Don't be."

"You claim to know who I am, yet you won't tell me how," I rest down, the tips of my fingers moving in a circular motion around Wukiro's neck. "Good boy," I let some of the moisture soak his dry shell.

"I know you," Djinn softened his grip. "I know you by one way. By the one who cursed us with appearance."

"Who?"

He stopped, turned away. Just as I was about to tap his shoulder, my own hands began to shake. I slapped them together, trying to suffice the absurd phenomenon. Melok pulled up behind us, driving another scorpion with a growing attitude. His knuckles whitened as it tried to fling him off. Something was happening.

Without Djinn's pull, Wukiro jammed into it. With too much force, throwing me across, in front of Melok. He pulled me by his side. Wukiro whimpered as if he were apologizing. I clung to my chest, unable to catch the surprise nor breathe normally. "Give me the reins," I reached blindly, unable to find the rope. A thick milky sheet absorbed and blinded everything. "What's happening?"

Melok brought the worn rope into their still sweating palms. It did nothing for I could do nothing. The wild scorpion swung its head back, throwing both of us onto our backs. The reins flew from my grip. "What were you planning on doing?" Melok uttered mild sarcasm.

Blinking furiously, I held out my hand to him. He took it. I was afraid. "I can't see!"

It growled in frustration, running full speed towards a path. Melok ripped the rope away and pulled back with all his strength. "Use your powers!" I screamed.

"It's taking us towards a cliff!"

"Melok!"

He leaned with his spine curved and head dangling upside down. It drove itself faster, its mind obviously enchanted or aching with insanity. A hand slapped my shoulder, I spun around, vision seeping into focus. Perseus. Fearless and strong.

He pulled up, dragging me in front of him. Back now pressing against the pole while his front pressed against mine, arms wrapping around the object. He steadied both. "Melok, grab my hand!" I shout, leaning to the side. He reached up but just at that moment the scorpion jumped into the air. The pole broke lose. Perseus slipped, recapturing me before we're thrown off. Melok remained, his foot caught onto one of the loose reins. We slammed into the dirt, sliding aimlessly through the dust.

Coughing out the particles, I lift myself just enough where my knees were bent and hands along the rocks. "Melok!" The scorpion fell to its heightened death. I scrambled up and charged to the edge, sliding to a stop. I fell to my knees and leaned over to watch him fall further, Melok called my name. He dangled down the side, his claws clinging unto the strong tree roots. Perseus slid to my side and grabbed onto Melok, pulling him on land. "Are you alright?"

He nodded breathlessly.

"What the hell was that!" Draco shout, the others following closely behind. Djinn brought Melok to his feet. He whispered into his ear. Melok nods. "Well?"

"I'm sorry, this my fault," Djinn explained. "I almost spoke something Gods did not wish for their daughter to hear."

"What!" Perseus shook. "The Gods did this?"

"Perseus," I soothed his nerves. "They knew you would come after me."

"That doesn't matter. They made that beast go manic while you were on."

"No one got hurt-" I stood, barely able to.

"Why are you acting like everything is alright?"

"Because I trust them. They are not the ones who killed your family. Remember who you are."

"I know who I am Rosephina," he whispered. "You are all I know now. All I want to know. They went after you, they've gone after me."

"I'm guessing we're walking from here?" Ixas nudged the one who spoke as Perseus and I left our conversation alone.

"You guessed right," Perseus swiped my hand up and leaned it against his heart. It pounded so fast, my veins shivered amongst its speed. We walked ahead, crossing paths with Wukiro with his head lowered to the ground.

"You need to calm down. Your heart is going too fast."

"I'll calm down when all of this is over," he kept his focus on Wukiro as he began to walk to the side with us.

"No, I'm serious. Look at me. If you're heart continues at this pace, mine will match it and we'll both be useless."

I pushed him back until he leaned against Wukiro who happily stood still, encouraging the opportunity to regain his honor. "Relax for me," I rest my head under the crone of his neck, massaging his muscles.

He did. Shutting the sun away with his dense lashes. "I'm sorry, all these things have happened and I'm the one who's actually hurting you-"

"You're not hurting me. You could never hurt me. This connection, it's hard to understand I know. When we're apart and you're in danger, there is pain but not what you think-"

Perseus rest, his cheek burning into my hair, smoothing it's untamed ways. "Do not try to ease this. I feel pain as well, just not as intense as yours and a little more different. Concentration and focus leaves my mind as soon as I break away from you. I can't feel anything. When Calibos bit into my shoulder, I couldn't even feel the actual pain. Just one sharp sting."

"Your pain is sent to me," I clarify each word as if I needed to hear it myself.

Perseus pushed away, holding each shoulder. "No."

"It's okay. In order to protect you and keep you focused on the real purpose, I needed to be the one who took your pain. I understand now."

"No Rosephina, you don't understand. I can't focus on anything when you're not with me. Especially when you're hurting. Whatever they made you for, it wasn't just for being some lightning rod. You're made for something so much more."

"Perseus-"

"Let's go lovebirds," Draco passed with Ixas watching with envious glances. He looked away, noticing my peer.

"Timing," Perseus shook his head. "Come on."

Bubo observed close. "Something's wrong. What is it?" he flew lower.

The Gods, my makers, my parents, are keeping something from me that could jeopardize everything. Djinn is forbidden to speak of it and I need to know what it is. This journey has begun from a shaky start but I have no intention of letting it stay that way.