Maliah's Side

"I'm sorry," Brandon says, "daughter?"

Ellie sighs and her body bursts into flame. After a minute, it dies down, "Yes, I'm a demititan. It's true."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Katelynn asks, almost angry.

"Because this is how you'd react. You guys hate titans." Ellie said, upset.

"Ellie!" Katelynn screamed, "I'm not upset because your dad is a titan. I'm pissed off because you lied to us. You could have told us."

She turned on her heels and stormed out, I assumed to her room. There are tears in Ellie's eyes and Prometheus awkwardly rubs her back, "I'm sorry for coming at this time."

"Why are you here?" Maliah asks, confused.

"Ah, little girl of Zeus. I'm actually here to tell you that I've chosen your side on the war," he says, proudly as he kneels before her.

"My side? Of the war? What war? Why are you kneeling? Get back up! I'm so confused," Maliah says, rambling.

I noticed it was a trait that both she and Brandon shared when they were nervous. They just couldn't help it, they'd start rambling on and on. I also noticed that the titan did what she said, and stood up again.

"The war between you and that goddess, Melanie. There will be a war. You will be a leader. You will be victorious. It's your destiny," he said, as a matter of fact.

"Yes. It is my accepted destiny to kill her, one that I still don't even fully understand, but I am not a leader of this war. The gods are," she responds.

"They will fight in the war, yes, that's true. But they are no leaders in it, I promise you. Apollo told you your quest, did he not?"

"Wait, okay," Brandon says, "I have questions. One, what do you want with my sister? Two, why aren't the gods just killing you? Three, why did Hephaestus help Ellie? Four, why did you choose Maliah's side? And Five, please tell me you're not staying here."

"Well, the gods aren't "killing" me," he said with air quotations, "because I chose this side of the war, which is also why Hephaestus helped me by claiming Ellie. The camp children and directors would never allow her to live in peace if they knew that she was my daughter. Children are awful, I'm sure you know that . Yes, I will be staying as I wish to serve your sister and make myself useful. It's the least I could do as the gods have helped me so much, and serving such a young, powerful demigod is hardly a punishment. Why did I choose this side of the war? Your sister is powerful. The entire prophecy tells of eight amazingly powerful demigods, but she holds this massive amount in her. It's her birth right as the first daughter and fourth born of the Big Three. With the weapons your sister has been given, Melanie will be defeated. Though I make it sound easy, and it will be difficult, it will happen. Apollo has foreseen it."

"Why me?" Maliah asks, sinking down.

"My dear girl, it's just your destiny. You are destined to do amazing things, little girl of Zeus, and this is only the beginning."

It's quiet.

"Ellie," Prometheus says, "did you mention food?"

Lunch time with demigods, demititans and actually, er, titans was something that, with even all I've seen, I couldn't really comprehend. I think everyone felt awkward and uneasy but they all tried to play it off with emotionless laughter and small jokes here and there. Truth be told, none of us felt comfortable, Maliah being the oddest one out. She sat at the head of the table, as instructed by her new minion. She was looking down at her food, pizza from the oven and a side of fries, and didn't really say anything to any of us.

I was seated on the end with her, on her right side and the closest on my side to her. Brandon was across from me with Ellie to his left and Katelynn across from her. The twins were seated next, across from each other, then the Hecate brothers. At the opposite end, the other head of the table was Prometheus, eyeing Maliah rather worriedly. As odd as he was, and he was odd, I truly believed he cared about her. He was concerned about her, and he would glance at Ellie ever so casually with that same look of worry.

I could see why. Ellie had been silently crying for what seemed like forever. When we'd come to the kitchen, ready to have our lunch, she tried to talk to Katelynn. Katelynn just ignored her, coldly. I understood both of them, and I hated myself for it because now I was in the middle. Brandon hadn't even spoken to Ellie except for once, a few minutes before we'd come to eat.

"I'm not mad that you're a demititan, you're still Ellie, you're still my Ellie. But I can't get over the fact that you lied to me, El. After everything, everything we've been through. After everything you know about me, the things you forced out of me, Ellie, you lied. You lied to Katie. You lied to me," he had told her in a hushed voice. I hadn't meant to eavesdrop but I couldn't turn off my ears. That was when she started crying again, "I love you. I always love you. But I'm hurt and I need time. Katie needs time. You can't force it. We have to mend and we have to be okay with the knowledge of the lies before we can all be okay again. You have to understand."

"But where does that leave us?" she'd asked him.

He never responded to her, but even now he put a hand on her shoulder, comforting her. Even though he was hurt and angry, he still wanted to be there for her. He wanted her to know he still cared. I admired Brandon. I don't think I'd ever told him that, maybe I never would, but he was so fair, so admirable. He was an honorable guy, and his entire world was up in flames now. He had way too much on his plate, and knowing what his girlfriend and his sister also had to handle, well I couldn't imagine it was easy.

"So, little girl of Zeus," Prometheus says, breaking the silence, "have you learned what Apollo's gift to you is?"

Maliah looks up and she fiddles with the golden ring latching on her choker, "He didn't tell me and with you showing up, I haven't really had the opportunity to figure it out."

There was something bitter in her voice that I wasn't used to. She wouldn't meet my eyes. She felt how we all felt, like Prometheus came here and ruined something. In a way, he did. No matter how pure his intentions were, with this information none of us were ever going to be the same again. His daughter would never be the same. He'd ruined everything for her and I think that's what made me angry the most.

"Ah," he said, slicing through the tension with his stern monotone voice, "maybe later."

"Maybe." she agreed, but her mind was elsewhere, "Could you tell me what it is?"

The titan raised an eyebrow at her, "Why don't you arm it and see? Or does that make all of this too real?"

She doesn't say anything. She looks down and won't meet his eyes.

"I-"

His eyes show sympathy as he cuts her off, "I can tell you it's very ancient, little girl of Zeus. Ancient but yet new. Apollo created this weapon long, long ago and stored it away until a worthy hero came to claim it. That's all I can tell you for now, but you'll understand one day."

"He says I can't train with it, yet. Why'd he give it to me now?" she asked, almost defeated.

"If I recall, he said you'd know when the time is right. He gave you his blessing, did he not?"

"Yes."

"Then, you'll know, little girl of Zeus."

It got quiet for a while. No one moved other than to eat their food. Next to me, Katelynn was shaking. Her leg moved violently against mine, and she was... angry. I hated to say it, but she was writhing in rage. She stayed quiet, her knuckles white in her clenched fist. I could tell she was still upset about the information we'd been given and that Prometheus voice wasn't helping her calm down one bit.

I'd never seen a daughter of Aphrodite enraged. After this, I was sure I never wanted to again.

"We need training." Brandon said, cutting through another wave of awkward silence.

"Yes, brother of little girl of Zeus. You do." Prometheus agreed.

I don't think Brandon liked his new title. I could tell by how taken aback he was and the face he was making. He mouthed the words over again, as if he couldn't believe they'd just left the titan's mouth.

"So," Maliah began, "you'll train us, then?"

Now it was Prometheus who was stunned.

"I," he paused, "is that what you want?"

"Yes. It is. We need to be stronger or we don't stand a chance bringing Tony home safely, and I made a promise. I don't break my promises."

He nodded, "Very well then. We start immediately after lunch."

No one had any objections. Maliah was right. We weren't ready for this, at all. If we continued on this quest without any training, we'd be clobbered and Tony would suffer the most for it. The twins and I had never even had any training. We wouldn't stand a chance.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask the titan, catching his attention.

"Sure, son of the sea."

I liked that one, a little more than I cared to admit. It was a lot better than Brandon's, that's for sure.

"How are you so sure of Apollo's prophecy. How are you sure we're going to win?" I ask.

"Apollo sees mostly everything, demigod. I believe in his prophecy because it's already happening, right in front of me. Everything that he could tell me, I've witnessed thus far. He's not serious, not like the others, but he's right about this. The things he's said about the ten of you, I believe all of it."

"Ten?" Katelynn asked.

"Yes. You eight, then two more yet to be discovered."

"Apollo said eight." I told him.

"Because that was all he was allowed to tell you."

"So we're no where close to where we need to be." Harvey sighs.

"No, and from the looks of it, it's going to take a lot." the titan says.

"Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?" he snaps back.

"Just look at yourselves. You couldn't slice your way out of a paper bag. None of you."

"That's enough!" Katelynn snapped, taking offense.

"Do you disagree? Tell me, child of love, do you even think you're capable of completing this small quest before you let alone the biggest one in your life time?"

"Small quest?" she asks, huffing in disbelief, "You think Tony's life is a small quest?"

"Well," the titan said, as if he were considering it.

That's how the argument started. Everyone was screaming at each other. Ellie had tried to take up for her dad, which in turn caused Katelynn to jump down her throat. Brandon yelled at Katelynn, telling her to cut Ellie some slack. Ellie was in tears, again. Maliah was screaming at Prometheus, blaming him for ruining everything. Prometheus was yelling at the twins. The twins were yelling at Harvey. Other than me, Perry was the only one who kept his mouth shut. I'm pretty sure he was just mute, though.

Suddenly a slice of pizza is thrown and the kitchen goes ablaze for the second time in one day.