Wow I didn't expect people to want me to continue this! Well, due to your multiple requests for an update I decided to write a new chapter. Lucky you! I was planning on abandoning this fic. I guess my reviewers have other plans. So here's your update ) thanks for asking for the update it makes me happy to know my story is good. If y'all like check out my other Hercules fic! I could use my loyal fan base on that one too )
Sorry if there's in continuity, I haven't written for this story in a LONG time. So please, if you notice an inconsistency POINT IT OUT for me so I can fix it!
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There was nothing to do but wait, which was the hardest thing I ever had to do. There was nothing I could do to help him, and we had no way of knowing that when Phil did finally return if it would even help. I ran my hands through Herc's sweat-soaked bangs, feeling the heat of his forehead radiating from his growing fever. His breathing was even starting to change again, and I bit my lip to keep my composure. I had to stay calm, I was no use to him if I panicked.
Phil's return was quick, through it did not feel like it. His entrance broke the still silence that had settled over me and Alex, and in his hands was a small vial. He approached,
"Here goes nothing" I nodded, I had never seen someone so sick, and there was so little we could do. I took a few droplets of the strange liquid and dropped them onto Herc's tongue. "Now all we can do is wait." Wait, again… I don't think I can do this. I though to myself. I ran the back of my hand over my nose, sniffling hard as my breath hitched. I wasn't even aware I had started sobbing.
"Herc… please pull through." I pleaded, stroking his cheeks. "How long will it take?"
"A few hours at best." I shook my head at that response,
"He's getting worse by the minute… I don't want to wait. Lets take him to the temple, see if any of the Gods can help him. I mean damn it he's one of them the song of Zeus! They should have no opposition to helping him." Phil seemed hesitant, I had never seen him so subdued before.
"Okay kid, lets go." I nodded, sniffling again. Alex went to find Jason, and the three of us carried the heavy fever ridden Hero to Pegasus, and after letting the worried horse sniff and nuzzle his dear friend we draped him over the back and I hopped on as well to hold him in place. Phil was sitting behind me and after a farewell bidding we left Alex and Jason to watch over the villa as we flew to the Temple of Zeus. I was too distracted and terrified for Hercules for my acrophobia to settle in, and the ride was short but like the wait for Phil's return it sure as hell didn't feel short.
I didn't want to enter the temple, all my old fears from previous encounters with the God were resurfaced in an instant. But that couldn't matter now, I was here for Hercules and I would not leave until I had a guarantee of his survival. I looked up at the great statue, Pegasus beside me with the trembling Hero still draped over his back. I slid him down, laying him on the cold marble.
"Oh great and mighty Zeus… hear me and answer my prayer." I began, the words from some of the traditional ways to beseech the God. "Your son needs you…" My voice trailed off and I gave a startled scream when lightning lit up the temple and the great stone statue moved.
"You!" I flinched instinctively.
"He's been poisoned. We don't know if we can help him. He's so sick, without your help he could die." I was trembling- to the point that I thought I was going to vomit. The silence that followed was more disturbing than Zeus's violent voice. "We beseech your help, please. I beg of you."
"My son… I won't abandon him. I will send Demeter to your aid." I was shocked, I looked up through my tear filled eyes as the statue went still. A part of me was expecting for him to take me in his stony grasp and crush the life from me. Overwhelmed I collapsed over Herc, and the sound that erupted from my throat was a mingle between a sob and a manic laugh.
"Everything will be okay darling." I whispered to him, pulling back some to look at his still unconscious face. I was startled again as another God appeared, and I looked up at the green deity, "Oh mighty Demeter… please help us." I pleaded, still trembling.
"Oh dearie," She put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We've all been watching we don't know why Zeus disapproves of you two you are so cute! Well," She clapped her hands together, "Lets see what we can come up with. "He has a fever, make a powder from willow bark to treat that. It seems that the wound is infected more so than poisoned, if he was poisoned he'd already be dead. There's a mold that can fight bacteria, it will help the infection. And just keep drinking lots of tea dearies."
"So… he's not poisoned?" I was perplexed at this, I always had full confidence that Phil had known what he was talking about. "But Phil said it was poison"
"The infection our little Hercie has is just like a poison. Don't worry dearie if you give him what I told you and make sure he gets plenty of rest he should be okay. He is his father's son after all. His godly heritage will help." I blinked a few times, it seemed far too easy. I bit my lip again, my brows deeply furrowed.
"Thank you." Was all I could manage. The Goddess handed me a parcel which I figured contained what she had told me. I clutched it in my hands, still trembling as she pat me on the shoulder again and vanished. Something inside me kept me weary. I chalked up her explanation as part of her cheerful demeanor. I wanted to believe helping him was this easy, but I couldn't help but be cautious.
The throbbing in my foot returned suddenly, I had all but forgotten about that injury. In my fretting over Hercules I guess I had been able to just ignore the pain. I looked over at Phil, who seemed as confused as I was.
"An infection? Well I guess everyone can be wrong sometimes." I shrugged, chewing on my lip again before dragging Hercules over Pegasus's back. The ride home was tense, as was the time it took for Jason Alex and I to bring Hercules back to the bedroom, especially with the injury in my foot deciding that it wasn't going to be ignored anymore. After we went through the hassle of putting him in the bed I placed the parcel on the end table. I opened it, finding to small vials. One had a strong bitter scent the other had its own distict smell that I couldn't quite place. I wasn't sure how much to give him, Demeter had never told me.
"I don't want to accidentally give you too much." I whispered to him and took just a bit of each and placed it into his mouth and he swallowed, though it seemed that it was merely out of reflex. "Wake up soon," I kissed his forehead and laid down, my head on his chest and my arms wrapped around him. "I don't know how much longer I can handle this."
