Ola! :D

It's 12 Midnight in the Philippines and as I promised, here's the new chapter, fresh from the heart. ;)

I literally cried while writing this chapter because of the GODDAM FEELS. Thank you guys for supporting this story despite that I don't update as much as I used to huhuhu. Anyways, enjoy the last chapter of Poseidon's Piece ;)

Next Update: November 30, 2016

Love,
FluffyClutchie :))

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That was it, I couldn't live with myself if I let the chains of the past to shackle me any longer.

"At the time that Cronus swallowed us, we were children that could already recall memories. I yield over the fact that it scarred my mind so badly that I carved my own hiding place in our father's stomach which was unbecoming of a god.

Then there was little Hera who was always there to reassure me that everything was going to be fine and loved me for the way that I was." Poseidon reflected and visualized one of the precious moments that took place in such a dreadful place.

"Big brother, why do you not come out of your hole?" Hera innocently asks as she busies herself with braiding her long chestnut hair. Although the place was atramentously eerie, Hestia had left them with a torch of fire that she had conjured to enlighten their surroundings.

The Fates were on their side as Demeter, Hades and Hestia had already discovered their powers prior to being swallowed. Hades was the eldest brother and Hestia was the eldest sister. Somehow it was expected that they will be the first ones to hone their power but Demeter was extraordinary. She had even surpassed her older brother (which is him) in terms of manipulating their powers. She had joined them in hunting in his stead and he scorns himself because it was supposed to be him battling not his younger sister.

He felt that he had the most useless and weakest power. He could only produce flowing saltwater. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't control them in anyways he wants. The water just flows freely out of his palm in all directions. Poseidon felt useless to all of his fellow siblings. His powers were weak and he was cowering in his own hiding place since they've arrived.

He was an insult to the dominance of their bloodline.

He would often thought of Hera doesn't have a power of her own yet and if something happens, he might not be able to do anything to protect her.

That was what he feared the most. He was afraid that he might not being able to protect the ones he loves.

"I'm sorry, little one. I'm afraid your big brother is nothing more of gutless weakling." Poseidon sadly replied as he bent his legs over to his chest. He wanted to change. He would do anything to gain enough courage to face his fears but it seemed impossible. Hell, he couldn't even go out of his hole without being hysterical.

"Don't say that big brother! You're not useless at all for without you we wouldn't have any water to drink. I don't want to drink the one that awful Cronus drinks too. I would rather boil your saltwater and wait for it to cool so I can drink! You're not weak either, big brother. I know that when we get out of here, you'll be great!" Hera professed with her eyes full of hope and flashed a genuine smile that greatly moved his heart. It was enough to reassure and make him happy that someone still believes in him.

It was one of the sources of strength in a place that embodies despair.

"While Demeter, Hades and Hestia hunts for necessities from the monsters that Father swallows every once in a while, Hera and I would wait for them. "

"I couldn't help but to remember how happy the two of you were whenever we bring something that you could make a craft of out of the skin." Hestia happily inserted and all of them blushed. Zeus couldn't help but to feel jealous of the connection the five of them has. Perhaps if he had been swallowed, he could have known them better. It made him jealous that they were able to know Hera as a child; something that he should have experienced as well as a fellow sibling.

Zeus kept silent about his jealousy as it would only spoil his brother's narration. Hera is already his wife and there was nothing more he could ask for.

"Hera would be the happiest. She likes building things over scales, leather and any other firm material from the beasts you've slain for us to eat. It was no wonder that she would give birth to the legendary blacksmith which is none other than Hephaestus." Hades spoke as he also recalled their younger days and contrasted it with the present.

"She always does her crafts behind the large wall a few steps outside of my hiding place. She used to show me all of what she does until she suddenly ceased in doing so." Poseidon continued and he placed the girdle on the coral table in their midst.

Many years have passed and they've grown into maturity inside their father's stomach. Hades became a sturdy and muscular man and his sisters have grown in gracious beauty. It was unfortunate however that Hera hadn't develop any power over the years so they had always been overprotective towards her. Poseidon was glad that he could now produce fresh water and create small pressured blasts of water that could be improved if he would only go out of his cavern

But somethings never changed, he was still scared to step outside.

"Big brother, look what I made for you." Hera exclaimed as she presented a golden girdle made from dragon leather. Apparently, it was one of the rarest dragons that possesses golden scales.

"It was the time when she was still making this girdle as surprise gift for me. Up to this very day, I still feel awful for how I reacted towards her good-intentioned present."

"I see the dragon, wyverns, and other beasts having this kind of thing worn around their necks and waists. I've also made one for Big Brother Hades so this one is for you!" Hera happily placed the girdle on the farthest part of the cavern she could reach with her hand for his cavern was small. One must go deeper so that one could stand and you have to crawl so that you could enter at the narrow entrance.

He only gazed at the girdle and he felt anger welled up him.

"Are you insulting me with this girdle, Hera? You insist on saying I am brave and great yet we all know what I am. These girdles are only for those who are truly courageous like the creatures that our other siblings are fighting every day. It is like you're shoving my cowardice into my face. I know I'm a coward and nothing will ever change, why can't you just accept it?! You would never understand!" Poseidon angrily vented on his sister and Hera recoiled at his painful words. All this time, she thought she was helping her brother to cope with the trauma of their childhood but she realized that she was doing the exact opposite.

"I-I'm sorry, brother." Hera stutteringly replied. She took the girdle with her as it may anger her brother even more. "But you know what big brother; I know that there is greatness within you. I wouldn't stop believing even if you scorn me." Hera added before she walked towards the back of the wall where she does her crafts.

"I was angered by her gift at that time. I perceived it in a way that the girdle emphasizes how much of a coward I am. I truly felt guilty afterwards and though she tried to conceal her cries, I could hear them faintly. I felt disdainful towards myself as I've hurt my family because of my own misgivings. I couldn't even find enough courage to go outside and apologize to her. The day passed without us having another conversation and we slept as the night fell.

Do not be confused Zeus for we were able to distinguish day and night based on how much Cronus eats. He doesn't consume anything during the night." Poseidon explained as he saw the eyebrows of Zeus twitching. Zeus chortled at how his brother predicted the confusion in his mind.

"That very night, a Cyclopes came out of nowhere and assaulted us. We were all awoken by Hera's scream as she was the one the giant pursued."

At the middle of the night that very same day, they were awakened by a startling scream.

Apparently, Cronus swallowed a one eyed giant during the day and hid itself well. It was still uncertain on how Cronus managed to swallow a giant yet it would be possible if he was attempting to flaunt off his prowess.

Their stupid father had once again put them in danger because of his pride.

"Let me go you ugly beast!" Hera screamed as she tried to free herself from the giant's firm clasps. Hestia and Demeter immediately lunged at the giant with their earth and fire power but the giant just turned its back to defend. Their powers were still indeed week and if they wanted to defeat the giant, they must change their strategy for they cannot defeat it with close combat.

"Given the fact that I was a really huge pansy back then, all I could do was to watch the three of our siblings fight as I cower in fear inside my comfort zone. My fear escalated as I saw my siblings falling one by one and I hated myself for not being able to do anything. I was pathetically useless that I wished for my demise to come."

Poseidon, seeing all the commotion from his narrow hole, was undeniably threatened more than ever. He was frozen in fear and he couldn't do anything but to watch his siblings as they desperately tried to free Hera.

His eyes widened as Hestia took a direct hit from the giant's punch. Demeter flew to aid Hestia who knocked out senseless due to impact. Greatly motivated by anger, Hades tried to get its attention by harnessing the darkness to create powerful blasts of magic that managed to sever the arm that holds Hera. Demeter took advantage of the opportunity to take Hestia to a safe place. Hades released Hera and told her to flee far from there until they have defeated the strong giant but she was stubborn. She made them believe that she ran far but she only went to Hestia to nurse her injury.

"Oh Hera, you could really be foolish!" Poseidon thought to himself but he rebuked himself. Who was he to judge her when he cannot even go out of his shameful cove? He wanted to go out and warn her. He went to the mouth of his cavern but he shuddered completely when light reflected upon his hand. He was so pale and thin. What could someone as feeble as him do? He would only be a burden.

Demeter and Hades are already on the verge of collapsing from the injuries they have sustained. Their powers were still blooming and it wasn't strong enough to slay Cyclopes which are creatures that are second in power next to the gods and goddesses.

And worse, it was something they weren't aware of at that time.

"Cyclopes are very adept creatures and has an exceptional sense of smell. It managed to locate my presence inside my cavern. I couldn't run outside and it was dead end inside. I braced myself as I waited for the Cyclop to devour me or do whatever it pleases. I felt that it was a fate befitting of a coward like myself." Poseidon spoke nervously as his feelings back then came to him. Hades gave him a tap on the shoulder as a sign of support and he took a deep breath to compose himself.

"But then Hera came and grabbed armaments, standing in the giant's way in order to protect me." Poseidon continued as he recalled the memory he would always remember.

Poseidon felt his heart pulsating in unexplainable fear as the Cyclop was heading towards his cave claiming that he can smell his scent. His hands were convulsing and tears flowed from his eyes as his fear had consumed him completely. He closed his eyes as he waited for the inevitable.

"Hey! Leave my elder brother out of this!" Hera yelled as she ran towards her crafts scattered on the ground and took a feeble sword and shield made of leather and iron. Those weapons would easily be destroyed by few direct attacks and even less if the wielder is not experienced but that wasn't enough to stop Hera. She would do anything to protect her love ones, even though she doesn't have a power of her own.

"She might look gallant to the eyes of the Cyclopes but from far point of view, you would how her hands were shaking as she tightly gripped her sword and shield. I have never been so moved in my entire life that time and I burst into tears."

Even though her entire body was shaking as she held her weapons.

Tears were flowing out from her eyes but the passion in them blazed ardently.

It was the truest act of courage that Poseidon had ever seen.

Hera was scared too but she chose to fight and protect him. He didn't deserve to be protected by her after all of the pain that his words dealt to her. His heart ached with guilt and shame because he couldn't do anything in return for his beloved sister. The thought of having someone who was willing to risk her own life for his sake was too much for him to bear.

"YOU FOOL! GET OUT OF THERE HERA!" The young Poseidon bellowed at his younger sister as tears cascaded from his eyes. Hera continued on despite his cries and had skilfully duelled with the giant which is a shocking surprise for all of them.

"Hera had bravely fought the giant with her meager weapons and we were all shock for we didn't know that Hera was highly skilled with weaponry. Unfortunately, it wasn't too long before her weapons broke and tripped at a stone at the back of her feet. Her left ankle got injured because of that . A mixture of fear and anger enveloped me as I saw the giant approaching Hera with the intention of hurting her.

That was it, I couldn't live with myself if I let the chains of the past to shackle me any longer.

For the first time after being swallowed, I went out of my cavern."

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before her weapons gave out and Hera was left with nothing to defend herself. Moreover, her left ankle was turning bluish in colour for she fell badly to the ground after the giant had destroyed her shield.

The Cyclop was approaching her and judging by his body language, he will strike his injured sister with no hesitation.

That was the final straw for him. Closing his eyes and gathering bravery, Poseidon rushed out of his cavern. The only thing running in his mind that time was to get Hera out of way's harm and that giant will have to kill him first before he does anything to his dear sister.

He saw the girdle that Hera had meant for him on the ground and ran to acquire it. Poseidon felt that it would give him more esteem for it was an ornament worn by brave beings.

Moreover, it was supposedly given to him by Hera because she believes in him.

He would use that same faith to fuel up the spark of pugnacity building up inside of his soul.

"I remember how my heart was racing as I ran towards her. I prayed to the Great Mother Gaia and begged the aid of the Fates. It was the sincerest thing I have done in my entire life at that time and I wasn't disappointed. I was able to subjugate the blood of our father and used it as formidable weapon."

"Just this once, lend me enough power to protect my family!" Poseidon begged the Fates and the Great Mother Gaia as he grabbed the girdle Hera had made for him on the ground. He fastened the girdle around his waist and managed to subject Cronus' blood to his manipulation. It was the best source of fluid since it was abundant in their surroundings. Poseidon took it as a sign that the Great Mother Gaia has heard his prayer.

He compressed the blood into a blast and pressurized it for maximum impact. Their father's blood was enough to gruesomely slice the Cyclope into two as it lay dead on the ground. Its blood showered him and the gold leather became rose gold in hue because of the blood it absorbed.

"I killed the Cyclope with my powers and I've never felt so invigorated. I felt powerful and that I was determined to make up for the long years I have spent cowering in fear.

I soon came to a realization and I am eternally grateful to Hera for making me realize.

Having courage is not the absence of fear. Having courage means that one is humble and ready enough to give up everything and setting aside all doubts in order to protect and cherish the people one loves." Poseidon finished his tale and Zeus was completely mesmerized by the beauty of the girdle's history. The crest of the girdle shone illustriously as it produced a missing piece of the orb. Zeus immediately held the piece and put it its place in the orb.

"It is wonderful how each of us has a piece of her just as she has a piece of us." Demeter replied and looked at Poseidon who in turn smiled at her. She knew then that Poseidon must have felt the soothing relief that she also felt after her piece was revealed.

"We have 13 pieces left to find. I'm so glad that we're progressing rapidly." Hestia told them after the piece had successfully merged with the orb. At this rate, getting Hera back might be less difficult than it proves.

If only they knew what the Fates are up to.