Okay, so this one is short. You're also going to want to kill me for the cliff hanger, but it was necessary!

I hope y'all are proud of me for getting this chapter out so quickly! :D

Thanks so far to KL93, PrincessofSea and liliesandroses for reviewing! You guys are AWESOME! :D

Rena sighed and turned back to face the ceiling. It had become a regular thing over the week that she had been staying with Xen to sit for at least an hour and just talk.

"You know how you feel about my brother? I feel that for someone, too. I'm not quite there yet, but I can feel it happening inside me. When I think of him, my heart aches so much I think I'm having a heart-attack."

She clenched her fist above her heart, pressing against the ache as she pictured Charon. She didn't even know what he looked like, but she knew no matter what, he would be the most handsome creature she had ever met.

Xendra squeezed her clenched fist and said,

"Yes, you are in love. This is just the beginning. What you feel now will grow every day until it fills your entire being. Be patient. You will see."

"It's scary, though, Xen. What's going to happen? We can't be together."

"Why not?"

"Long story. The gist of it is, if I stay where he is, I'll die and if he stays here, well... He can't. He can't leave there."

"Oh."

Xen said, stroking Rena's hair. They had become quite close, Rena's initial wariness dissolving to the total acceptance she was known for.

"So... Is he gorgeous?"

Xen asked with a smile.

"I don't know."

"What?"

Xen asked, confused.

"I've never seen his face."

"Oh... Okay."

Xen said, unsure what to say.

"It's not some kinda psychotic internet relationship, Xen. He wears a cloak."

"Well, that makes it all better then."

Xen said with a smile.

"He doesn't take it off because he doesn't like people judging him based on what he looks like. He'd prefer to be judged on his actions. It's really a very beautiful theory if you're into that kinda thing."

Xen snorted out a laugh and said,

"You have a very unique take on things, Rena."

"I know. It's why Tulip thinks I'm 'Special'"

She said, using air quotations around the word 'Special.'

"Yes. He did mention that."

Xen said with a small laugh.

"Tell me, did you judge him based on his actions?"

"Well yeah, what the heck else did I have to judge him on? It wasn't his stellar taste in clothes, trust me."

Xen smiled, still stroking her hair.

"And do you love him?"

Rena stiffened for a moment before she relaxed and whispered,

"Yeah."

"Then do you still not agree with his philosophy."

Rena thought about it for a moment, chewing on her thumbnail.

"I never said I didn't agree with his philosophy, I did. When you put it that way, though..."

She said, considering,

"I guess I should buy myself an ugly old cloak too."

Xen laughed loudly and said,

"Not quite what I meant, Rena."

Rena grinned up at her and was about to speak when suddenly, Xendra's phone rang and she shook her head at it.

"Risti's probably calling to yell some more."

Aristos had been livid over the fact that his little sister had fallen in love. He would always think of her as a little girl. Xen put it on speaker and said,

"Hi."

"Run! Get out now! They're coming for you!"

He yelled as they heard clashing of metal in the back ground. Suddenly they heard a loud thump and a battle cry from Aristos. He had obviously dropped his phone and began fighting.

"No!"

Xendra screamed, staring at the phone. Rena jumped into action, quickly.

"Come on, Xen! We need to go!"


Aristos was pacing in his room, considering what was going on with his sister. Obviously, being around their father as much as she was, some of his insanity had passed on to her. She thought she was in love? At her age? She was barely twenty two and she thought she could judge people well enough to be in love? Something had to be done. She needed assistance in judging this man. He would meet him and see if he was fit for his sister. With a sharp nod, knowing no matter who he would be, he would never be good enough, he turned towards the phone to call them. He was about to dial the number when there was a crash at the front door. He ran, finding his father there, with his guards around him.

"Come with me, Aristos. We leave now for your wedding."

"What?"

Aristos asked, shocked.

"You are to marry Hestia. She will be a fine wife to you. She is after all, the Goddess of hearth and home. Come now, hurry."

"I do not wish to marry Hestia."

This gave his father pause. He thought for a moment and said,

"Nike, then?"

"No, father. I will marry none but my Xendra."

"Stop speaking of this woman as if she matters, Aristos. Have some pride in your heritage. Do you have no shame? She is a handmaiden. Have you lost what little mind you have, child? You take too much after your mother. I knew you were a mistake. It should have just been Rena who was born. You are nothing but a troublemaker. Now, come. Hestia awaits."

Even as he knew this was how his father felt, hearing the words from his lips, Aristos' heart broke. No matter what, he loved his father, but he would not let him force his will on him.

"I may be a mistake to you, father, but I am not to her. I am my own man, and I will never let you take this choice from me. I will marry Xendra."

Ares sighed, and said,

"So be it."

For a second, Aristos froze, hope flaring.

"You will come against your will then."

Ares continued, crushing the hope. He turned to his general.

"Go to his woman and kill her."

Aristos manifested his sword in his hand even as he pressed dial and screamed, when Xendra answered,

"Run! Get out now! They're coming for you!"

He wasn't allowed to say more as Ares' men attacked. Ares stood back and sighed, shaking his head.

"Such a disappointment, as always."

His general came back in and said,

"We cannot locate her, sir. Her position is somehow blocked from us."

Aristos almost breathed a sigh of relief, fighting off the soldiers before Ares glared at his general and backhanded him.

"Worthless. I'll do it myself."

He disappeared and fear as he had never known flared through Aristos. This wasn't supposed to happen. Everything was falling apart. He fought, his sword clashing mightily, trained by his father. If anything he had to thank his father for, it was his sword skill. His father had trained him mercilessly, not allowing him water or food unless he got a blow through his father's powerful defence. He had gone hungry and thirsty many days before finally, he had learned, fighting with such skill and prowess, his father had even been slightly impressed. Now, he used that skill fully, attacking and hacking, his broadsword slashing through the armour of his opponents like it was made of paper. Sharpened in the forges of Hephaestus, it had been his last gift from Athena before he had left. It fit his hand perfectly as he swung it against his next opponent.

The soldier rushed him, his sword swinging towards his mid-section. Aristos dodged gracefully, jumping back and swinging with full force, severing his head. He turned to the rest of the soldiers and with a fierce battle cry, ran at them.


Rena pulled Xen towards the door just as it crashed opened. Her father stepped in with a sadistic smile on his face. It fell, however, when he saw Rena.

"Rena?"

He asked, bewildered. He glanced down and saw where Rena held Xendra's hand. Anger went through him and he glanced back into Rena's face, betrayed.

"How dare you defy me?"

He screamed, anger igniting his volatile temper.

"Daddy, she's really wonderful. If you'd just get to know her."

He glared at Xendra and screamed,

"This is all your fault. You've ensorcelled my son and my precious daughter!"

He materialized a sword into his hands and stepped towards Xendra. At once, Hades appeared in front of him, in his own black armour, his sword drawn.

"She's under my protection, Ares. Don't go there."

Even more infuriated, Ares roared and clashed swords with Hades. Out of nowhere, soldiers of Ares appeared, making their way towards Xendra and Rena. Rena held her breath as all of a sudden, wraiths from the Underworld formed in front of them, like a shield and tossed a sword to her. She caught it, barely, as they joined the fray, battling the soldiers, masterfully.

Rena heard a short scream behind her and holding the sword stiffly straight out in front of her, she turned. She felt it even before she saw it, as the sword passed through flesh. Rena's face was splattered with blood even as the soldier who was about to kill Xendra fell to the floor, dead. Rena gaped at the body, shock infusing her. She had just killed someone. Xendra grabbed her hand and screamed,

"Let's go, Rena!"

Rena nodded, numbly, and ran with her, around the fights, dodging swords and shields as they clashed in the once pristine space, which was now almost destroyed. She paused for a moment, to see Hades dodge a blow by spinning around and landing a blow with his fist to Ares' nose. Her heart broke as she saw her beloved father hurt but she ran with Xendra anyway. When they got outside the apartment, they ran down the stairwell. As they looked down, however, they saw more soldiers. Just as they were about to run up once more, soldiers came from there, as well. Confused and shocked, Rena stood almost frozen as Xendra moved backwards, against the wall. Once more, from nowhere, the wraiths appeared, protecting them. They stood in the centre as the battle ensued around them. Rena glanced at Xen and felt as though the world slowed. A soldier had gotten away from the fight and was making his way towards Xendra, his sword brandished.


Xendra was so scared she didn't know what to do. Everything was happening so quickly. She and Rena were now stuck in the stairwell, waiting for a chance to escape. She kept glancing around looking for an empty spot between the combatants through which they could somehow pass. She found no entry points, however and decided to wait it out. All of a sudden, Rena threw herself against her, slamming her against the wall. Confused, Xendra looked up into her face where she lay against her. Rena stared at her and whispered,

"Keep him happy."

Before smiling at her and closing her eyes. Confused more now, it was only as Rena's head slumped against her shoulder that she saw the sword protruding from Rena's back, that she realised what happened. The soldier whose hand held the sword was quickly beheaded by a wraith. Shock and fear shot through Xendra. Not Rena! Anyone but Rena! It should have been her! She should have died! She pulled Rena's body close to her, turning her so that she cradled her to her chest.

"Rena, sweetie, open your eyes. Come on, love. Live. Please, live."

Tears fell, unchecked down her face, as she saw Rena's face, unmoving and realised she was gone.


E/N: Thank you so much for reading! I really hope you enjoyed it! Please tell me if I made any mistakes! And if you have any comments, good or bad, please feel free to leave a review. Criticism is welcome!