Although the plane took off late at night, it touched down in Greece early the same morning. The day before we boarded the plane was full of frenzied activity. Everyone was running around and shouting. Karin had forgotten toothpaste, and Himeka didn't have enough socks. Only Jin wasn't dashing from place to place. He sat on the sofa, his eyes flickering back and forth as people darted past him. "Jin-Kun," Karin asked suddenly, "Do you want to go back home, to get anything?" He shook his head. "There's nothing left for me there." She placed her hand on his shoulder before rushing off again to pack something else. Finally, everyone was ready, and all our suitcases were loaded in the car. Kyuu was going to drive us to the airport, and look after the house while we were gone. Karin was nervous about getting lost in the airport, so she clung to my hand until we were up in the air and she had fallen asleep on my shoulder, the stars twinkling outside the plane window.
~Later~
"I love this bed!" I laughed, bouncing up and down on the huge hotel bed. Himeka smiled at me in her gentle way, and I pulled her toward me. Her room was across the hall from mine, but she was spending some time with me before we all regrouped in half an hour to decide our next move. She allowed me to pull her on to my lap, and wrap my arms around her. We sat like that for a while, me whispering into her ear and her giggling quietly. Eventually we decided to sit on the balcony, since I had an outside room, and enjoy the sunshine. Himeka rushed over to the rail, and returned with a bug on her finger. "Bug-San!" she showed the rather large praying mantis to me, before sitting down and talking to it. I laughed, kissed the top of her head, and leaned over the edge of the railing, letting the warm breeze ruffle my hair. Himeka joined me after a little while, the wind blowing her hair gently around her face.
I was having so much fun that the half-hour passed in a blur. Before long, we were heading down to the lobby to meet with everyone else. Himeka held my hand tightly, a huge smile on her face. "Micchi! Himeka-Chan!" Karin called out, waving at us from across the lobby. The group was gathered in a quiet corner, as far away from everyone as possible. Kirio was sulking toward the edge of the group, like always, but he looked up and shushed her abruptly. She glared at him and sat down, scowling. I laughed and sat down, too, pulling Himeka on to my lap reflexively. Kazune cleared his throat, and we all turned to look at him, except Kirio who was still sulking. "Uh, I think we should probably find somewhere… outdoors to call Hermes." He looked around as though daring anyone to challenge him before continuing. "There should be a lot of places around here that are deserted enough. I don't want anyone seeing us disappearing if we all have to Kamika." Nobody argued, so he stood up. "But, Kazune-Chan," Himeka quickly said, "I can't Kamika. What am I going to do if we can only get to Olympus through Kamika?" Kazune shook his head. "We'll find a way, if it comes to that. But we should hurry, we're no longer safe in the mortal world." Everyone rose together then, as though we all acknowledged as one entity the pressing need to leave.
After about half an hour of hiking around, we finally found a little olive grove that seemed deserted. "What do you think of this place?" I asked, trying to maintain some patience. Kirio had been grumbling for the last ten minutes, Jin still wasn't speaking, and Nishikiori and Himeka were too absorbed in each other to care where we went. Only Karin and Kirika were any help, and then very little. Karin didn't seem to have any objections and Kirika was too withdrawn to engage in much conversation. Everyone moved into the clearing, so I took it as a good sign. "About time," Kirio grumbled. "IF YOU HAD HELPED AT ALL, WE MIGHT HAVE FOUND A PLACE MORE QUICKLY!" I started shouting, my patience gone. "Kazune-Kun," Karin murmured, placing her hand on my arm. I took a couple deep breaths, trying to calm my frayed nerves. Looking towards the sky, I said, "Hermes, we have need of you!"
A faint glitter appeared in the center of the clearing, materializing into Hermes as everyone turned to watch. Mortals, He boomed out, welcome to Greece. We must make haste to get you to Olympus. I trust you are ready. In order to ascend to Olympus, you must Kamika and then follow me. "What about Himeka-Chan?" I asked, eliciting a grateful look from her. She need only call the Phoenix. It will carry her to Olympus. Himeka closed her eyes and a moment later the majestic bird was standing beside her. It crouched low so she could climb on it's back, and Nishikiori lifted her on. I slid my ring on my finger, and shouted "Ego Sum Deus!" I felt the raw power coursing through my limbs and I knew that I now held the form of Apollo. Karin, in the form of Athena, stood to my left, Jin, Kirika, Kirio, and Nishikiori were all to my right, and all in their God forms. Tell the Phoenix to take you to Olympus, Hermes instructed Himeka. She closed her eyes and the phoenix took off. We begin. He turned and rose into the air, gliding away above the low growing olive trees, the six of us following silently.
~Even Later~
"Kazune-Kun," I knew I was whining, but I was tired, and it had been a long time since we left the ground. "Are we almost there?" "How am I supposed to know? Girls are so dumb!" He's impatient and tired. I can read his emotions so well now. "Sorry, Kazune-Kun," I reached out and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze, and watching as he visibly relaxed, comforted by my touch. Mortals, we all looked up reflexively, we have arrived at the kingdom of Olympus. All I saw was a huge bank of clouds, but I followed the God anyway. We broke through the clouds and my eyes stretched wide as they struggled to take in everything they landed as I continued to gape at my surroundings. Everything was white, and intricately decorated. Columns in the traditional Greek style formed the main supports for the arched ceilings. The building itself was huge, several times our size. Dozens of hallways branched off from what appeared to be the main atrium and were either obscured by clouds or simply vanished. Twelve of them were larger then the others, and were gathered around one main archway. Figures of all different colors and textures glided in and out of the smaller hallways, most no larger then us. Sprites, Nymphs, and smaller Gods and Goddesses, Hermes' voice said quietly in my head. Each of the larger hallways belongs to one God or Goddess, and the arch leads to the gathering chamber, where the Olympians meet for councils. If you will follow me, I will lead you to your quarters. He glided off again. I looked around again quickly, still trying to take in everything before scurrying off. Himeka joined us in front of the hallway that Hermes was standing beside. This leads to your quarters. "How can this one hallway lead to everybody's room? I'm not sharing a room with him!" Kirio blurted, glaring at Kazune-Kun. The God chuckled, a light, breathy sound. You shall see, he abruptly turned away and glided off. I turned to Kazune-Kun, who grinned and picked me up, carrying me bridal style into the hallway.