A/N: Sorry for not getting this chapter out sooner. I had a very long, family-filled weekend, and I just got too busy. However, I'm getting it up now, and I hope it satisfies everyone! I wasn't happy with the last segment, so I changed it a little. I like it more, now.)
To: NaVi-ChAn12-14XD: It's not a problem. I'm super glad you're enjoying my story!
To: spica14: Sorry it took so long! here's that update now!
And, without any further delay, I present the next chapter!
Kazune-Kun opened his mouth to yell at Micchi, but before he could say anything, the glimmering figure of a goddess appeared. "Athena!" I gasped. She smiled down at me, before turning her attention to the entire group. "Young mortals," She swept her gaze around the semi-circle we formed, "You have done well, but the Harpy is only the beginning. If you do not stop the war, much worse will come your way." Kazune-Kun stepped forward to address her, "How are we supposed to stop a war that we know nothing about?" "A good question, mortal. Answers are granted to those who seek them."
~Athena's Tale~
"Many years ago, when the Titans ruled the heavens and the earth, there was one, great Titan who ruled them all. He was known as Cronus. He and his wife Rhea ruled over many creatures, terrifying and monstrous, that reigned destruction upon the earth, all created by Gaia and Uranus. Because Cronus had defeated his own father, he became afraid that one of his children would, in turn, defeat him. He devoured each of his children, as Rhea watched. She was determined to save her last child, birthing him on the isle of Crete, and leaving him to be raised by nymphs. When this child, Zeus, was a young man, he returned to his father's home, and forced him to release his brothers and sisters, before declaring war on the Titans. The war was great, and terrible. Eventually, the Olympians were declared victorious, and sent the Titans who had fought against them to Tartarus, to spend eternity. They sent Cronus to the Isle of the Dead, where he has remained since. The young Olympians created mortal beings to reside where the Titans had once wreaked havoc. Peace reigned, and the Mortals even now seem content with our rule. However, as of late, several disturbing events have occurred. Hermes has discovered that Cronus is no longer on the Isle of the Dead. Apollo has foretold a great war, one to rival the first war between the Titans, and the Gods, and that it can only be stopped by the Mortals with the God-rings. We believe that Cronus is trying to overthrow us, to take back rule of the heavens, and this earth. We also believe that he has heard this prophecy, and so desires to destroy your rings."
I listened in disbelief as the Goddess spoke. We're supposed to be the key to stopping a war between Titans and Gods? What can we possibly achieve in something of this magnitude? She finished speaking, her voice still ringing through the clearing, "How are we supposed to save the world?" Michiru voiced my concerns, "We're only high-school students, after all," Karin joined in. "This we do not know." At least she doesn't beat around the bush. She began to disappear, "This is all we have to tell you. Good luck, young Mortals." "Wait! How do we stop the war?" I shouted, but she was already gone. "Damn," I muttered, frustrated. I released the transformation, every muscle in my body reflexively tensing, locking up. I stood, body clenched with fear, struggling to relax. Karin laid her hand on my arm, and I put my hand over hers, focusing on the warmth of her hand instead of the fear of passing out. My body might not be suffering the physical effects from the transformations anymore, but the psychological ones are just as bad.
Poor Kazune-Kun. His body reacts so drastically to the transformations... I stepped closer to him, putting my other hand on his face. He closed his eyes, comforted by the gesture. I moved forward, hesitated, then gathered my nerves and pressed my lips to his. I felt his muscles relax and he leaned into the kiss. He put his hands on my waist, and I slid mine around his neck. What felt equally like a second and an eternity passed, until Micchi coughed, not-so-surreptitiously, and we broke apart. I felt the heat in my cheeks and knew I was blushing, while Kazune-Kun simply looked sheepish. "Thank you, Karin," He gently kissed me again. "Let's go back inside, we have some things to talk about," Micchi suggested, clearly uncomfortable, "And Himeka's probably worried about us." Glasses Guy, who looked faintly green, muttered about his Himeka, and took off. Kirika, however, followed us as we trudged toward the door, casting a worried glance over her shoulder at her fleeing brother.
I paced nervously up and down the hallway, straining my ears to hear what was going on outside. After Micchi-Chan left, Q-Chan closed all the curtains and stood at the door so I couldn't leave, saying, "Miss Himeka must stay here, where she is safe." I kept thinking about Kazune-Chan and Karin-Chan. What if something happens to them? In an effort to calm down, I sat on the stairs, concentrating on breathing. In, out. In, out. I began to relax, and, in my state of relative calm, I had a flashback of being on the same stairs, crying into Micchi-Chan's shoulder. I wonder if he still thinks about that? I know I do. I smiled, recalling the fond memory of his comforting hug and silent companionship. Suddenly, I felt afraid. More afraid then I had ever felt. What if something happened to him? I couldn't sit any longer. I stood up, and began pacing again, more anxious then ever.
Finally, I just couldn't stand it any more. I had just made up my mind that I was going to sneak out a window when I heard the door handle turn. I watched it open, slowly, my anxiety growing with every second that passed. I watched as Karin-Chan and Kazune-Chan entered, I kept my eye on the door as I hugged them. Kirika followed, and then, finally, Micchi-Chan walked in the door. It was all I could to not to throw myself at him. "I'm glad everyone is safe," I smiled, and hurried off to the kitchen to make some lunch. I focused on making pretty little rice balls, knowing how much Karin-Chan enjoyed them. I was so absorbed in my task that I didn't hear Micchi-Chan walk in. "Want some help?" he asked. I looked up, startled. I tried to form words, but ended up nodding. He slid on to the stool beside me and grabbed some rice. We sat in friendly silence, forming rice balls. Finally, the last one was sitting on the tray, ready to go in the dining room. Micchi-Chan stood up, smiled, and left me there, full to the brim with unfamiliar emotions.