Shade: Warning, chapter gets darker at the end.

Point of No Return

The trio remained with Naomi through the midday heat as they restocked their food supply and Naomi gave them directions on reaching the summit of Mt. Tam. "On rare occasions the Hunt would patrol the mountain when monsters became scarce. At this time of the year however the Hunters should still be on the other side of the continent, so now is your best chance to slip into the Garden unnoticed."

Serenity and Diego nodded while Hector finished packing the last of their bags. He stood and brushed off his hands. "It's time to be on our way. Thanks for helping us Mom. I promise to visit again, but that may not be for a while. I don't want Luna to realize that we survived."

Naomi nodded and motioned for them to wait a moment. She disappeared into her room and came out holding two bundles. "These were originally gifts from your mother and I for when you completed your trials. As far as I'm concerned you've earned them."

Hector took the bundles and set them down on the couch before giving Naomi a tight hug. "My mother's right here. Whatever Luna was before, she lost that place."

Hector hoped the quiver in his voice wasn't as audible as he thought. Naomi reciprocated the embrace, whispering words of comfort in his ear. They separated and Hector unrolled the first item, taking a sharp breath as the object was revealed. Diego gave a low impressed whistle. "Wow Naomi! You mean that blade is Hector's!"

Lying on the cloth it was bundled within lay the same sword that Diego and Hector had seen in the museum so many months ago. Serenity's jaw slacked as the crystalline blade reflected the light, and the veins of gold seemed to give off an inner light. Naomi gave a small laugh at their reactions. "What the museum guide told you was true: This is the original blade wielded by Prince Hector on the fields of Troy. The crystalline material is Adamantine while the veins are Imperial Gold. Both Imperial Gold and Adamantine can harm monsters like Celestial Bronze, but unlike the other two Adamantine can harm mortals as well."

Her voice dropped slightly in a stern warning. "The only other blades that are made like this is the sword of Hermes and the sickle of Perseus. Normally, heroes never, ever wield weapons that can harm mortals. I expect you to carry this with great care.

Hector gulped and nodded, uneasily looking at the blade. "I understand. You don't have to worry. We're supposed to defend mortals, right? You can only harm them as an absolute last resort. But how did you get this? I can't imagine it was easy to find."

Naomi grinned. "Hector, do you remember why Hunters look so young?"

Diego answered, "Because they join as kids then they become immortal, why…?"

Naomi looked at him for a moment, then laughed at the look of realization that crossed his face. "No way…"

Serenity asked, "Just how old are you?"

She blushed and stammered at the half-glare Naomi sent her before she smiled again. "I stopped counting a long time ago, but I was a slave in Troy. When the city was sacked, I fled with Hector's blade and kept it safe after I joined the Hunt."

Hector swayed and had to steady himself as his mind tried to wrap around that concept while Diego simply sat down on the arm of the sofa, his mouth working uselessly to form words. Serenity blinked then with a small grin said, "Well you look good for your age. Think when I'm older you can share some of your beauty tips?"

The girls laughed while the boys rolled their eyes. Hector picked up the blade and tried to hang it to his belt when Naomi told him, "Tap it on your wrist."

Eyebrow raised Hector did so, jumping slightly when the blade dissolved into energy and looped around his wrist to reform as a charm bracelet. The bracelet itself was made of the same material as the blade, with a small silver 'H' dangling from it. Pulling on the letter made the blade extend and rest in his hand again.

Grinning Hector rapidly thanked Naomi who waved off his exclamations and gestured to the second bundle. Unwrapping it he beheld a silver bow with carvings of wolves decorating its length. Hector took the bow and gently pulled on the string. As he did an arrow with a silver tip appeared, then disappeared as he slowly eased the string back without firing. Naomi had a nostalgic look in her eyes, "That was Luna's gift for you. Though," she grinned, "We often reconsidered as your archery skills remained poor."

Hector gave the bow a sad smile, then seemed to light up as an idea struck him. Walking over to Serenity he offered the bow. "You're the best shot I've ever seen. I want you to have it Serenity."

Serenity's smile seemed to light up the room as her face began to burn. Gently she took the bow from him and promised, "I'll take good care of it."

As the sun began its downward descent the trio finally left the cabin. Hector gave Naomi one final hug before he set off toward the south, Diego and Serenity staying close behind. Naomi waved them goodbye as a shadow crossed her face. Turning to the cabin she whispered, "Stay strong Hector. You should've been with the gods, but instead they force you to the Titans."

The days flew by as Hector led his friends southward. They stowed away on any ride they could, even hopping on a moving train to get to Mt. Tam faster. When the train reached its station, Serenity became their guide. She led them through the maintenance tunnels and avoided the security patrols until they entered the main station. The three said little during this time, all of their energy focused on the single goal of reaching Mt. Tam.

Two weeks after the destruction of the valley the three finally reached San Francisco.

Hector, Diego, and Serenity stood a moment on a hill overlooking the bay. Diego took a deep breath and exhaled, a small smile on his lips. "Well, we are almost there. Just a quick hop through the city and up the mountain then we're there."

Serenity matched his smile while Hector grumbled under his breath, "Now there'll probably be something trying to kill us on the way there. Thanks cabin boy."

Diego rolled his eyes. "Come on, let's go."

The three kept their heads down as they quickly passed through the outer ring of the city. Diego took the lead as they left the countryside for the city. While Diego charted a path through the outskirts Hector felt a growing sense of unease. Glancing around at the mass of people milling about he got the impression that someone was watching them. Noticing his distraction Serenity slipped back a step and asked, "Hey, what's on your mind?"

Hector was silent for a moment, then softly answered, "Someone's following us."

Serenity stiffened slightly quickly scanning the area. "Too many people."

She took his hand and pulled him up with Diego. She leaned in Diego's ear and whispered what Hector had said. Diego's expression twisted into a frown before replying, "Let's focus on the mountain. It'll be easier to spot them, and if it's a monster then we won't have to worry about mortals."

Diego increased his pace though he quickly backed off when Hector and Serenity began to fall behind. The day passed by as the trio began to veer away from the city again. Once well away from the city Diego turned to Hector. "Do you still have a felling?"

Hector shook his head. "No, I think we've left them behind."

Diego relaxed and briefly stretched. "That's good to hear. Let's find a place to camp and then we'll finish in the morning." Eyeing Mt. Tam in the distance he finished, "I don't think we'll reach the mountain today, at least not in time for sunset."

The trio spread out their supplies with practiced ease. The boys shared a large tent while Serenity had her smaller, personal one. As she pulled out rations she frowned at their bag of supplies. "We only have enough left for tonight and the morning. After that…"

Hector assured her, "We'll be fine. Perhaps the Hesperides would be willing to share their garden with us. If not, I can hunt away from the garden."

The three divided up watch for the night and then settled in to rest. Hector was woken for his shift late in the evening by a drowsy Diego. He settled in a spot a short distance from the fire to let his eyes adjust to the darkness. Above the moon had only just begun to wane. Hector glared up at it for the briefest moment before an expression of pain replaced it. He sighed as he lowered his head.

The snap of branches on the forest floor snapped him to alertness. Hector remained still, eyes scanning the trees for any more signs of movement. The sound that greeted him was the gentle swaying of branches in the breeze. Hector remained tense through the rest of his shift, and as he awoke Serenity, he gently warned her. Serenity nodded and took up his vacant position while Hector slipped into the twilight. He made a few passes around their campsite, then returned when his search turned up nothing.

Dawn was a welcome sight for the exhausted trio. They had a small breakfast before resuming their journey. The sounds of the city faded into distant memory as they approached Mt. Tam. From time to time Hector would check the woods behind them, but whatever had passed them by had yet to return. Nervously Hector would return to the lead, only loosening with the assurances of Serenity and Diego. The blade Backbiter seemed to exude a greater sense of malice the closer they got to the mountain. At its base the blade began to hum slightly, making the hairs on Hector's arms stand.

The trio slowed down slightly as they circled the mountain. Around the other side they found an old trail that seemed to go straight to the top of the mountain. Exchanging a brief glance, they marched up the trail, their minds focused on reaching the end of their journey. The sun began its descent from the sky and the trio once more sped up to keep pace. Finally, with less than an hour before sunset, the three reached the peak of the mountain.

As the trees began to thin and stop, they reached the boundary of the garden. A thick wall of mist blocked all view of the garden itself. With the setting sun the mist seemed to clear slightly and give glimpses of trees bearing great amounts of fruit. What concerned Hector most however were the three people arrayed against them, weapons drawn and expressions of quiet resolve. On the left shifting her weight was a blond girl with striking grey eyes, bronze sword in hand. She observed Hector like one would observe an insect before stomping on it.

On the right drawing an arrow from his quiver was a blond kid that Hector remembered was a son of Apollo. Ben, perhaps? The one in the center was the eldest and strongest of them. Hector felt his stomach drop as he realized it was Clarence. An echo of Naomi's voice sounded in his memory; Zeus decreed your death.

Serenity took a slight step back as Diego moved in front of her slightly. Hector lifted a hand to stop them both and took a step forward. Trying to keep his voice even he greeted, "Hey Clarence, its good to see you again. Same with you Ben."

The girl huffed and glared at Hector, "Don't pretend you don't know what's going on. You knew what the consequences would be."

"Lisa!" Ben hissed as both Diego and Serenity drew their weapons. Hector tried to remain calm but he could feel his heart begin to race. "The consequences for what? Going on a quest sanctioned by a goddess?"

Tapping Backbiter as it hung from his waist he continued, "This was the first step on the quest. Our next step is in the garden, where she will be waiting for us."

Clarence seemed to deflate while Lisa smirked at him victoriously. Ben shook his head as he whispered, "I hoped you wouldn't try to lie to us. No goddess resides within this garden. The only reason people come here is to steal an apple from the tree. And you freely admit to having stolen that blade."

Hector's eyes narrowed. "Watch who you call a liar. I swear on the River Styx that we were sent by a goddess to complete this quest, and the prophecy itself demands we come here."

The boom of thunder marked the completion of his oath and Hector waited with baited breath. Lisa's expression betrayed her surprise while Ben narrowed his eyes. Finally, Clarence released the breath he had been holding. "I'm sorry Hector. You and I both know that there is no talking this out."

Serenity shoved past Diego. "And what exactly does that mean? We've told you we have legitimate reasons to be doing this. You really mean to murder us for no reason!?"

Lisa barked back, "NO REASON! You are all traitors. Mother told me about you, that you broke Olympian law and reclaimed the blade of Kronos! It was locked away for a reason. You have no excuse."

Diego stepped forward to match her, his voice growing louder and dropping in pitch, "Olympian law? The same law under which infants were to be executed for being born? I'll have no part of that law; get out of the way."

Hector tried one last time. "Please, this doesn't have to end in blood."

The words tasted like vinegar in his mouth. He knew he was lying to himself; a war against the gods would result in bloodshed no matter what he wanted. "Clarence, please don't do this."

Clarence shook his head sadly before readying his weapon. "I'm sorry Hector. We'll make a shroud for you three; honor you as our own. Fight for your life, demititans."

Looking back Hector could never remember who struck first. Did an arrow fly, or a spear jab, or a sword swing? Who made the first blow? All he ever knew for certain was that a blur of action followed Clarence's statement with the demigods and demititans squaring off. Serenity and Ben quickly retreated down the mountain into the trees for cover, taking pot shots at the others in between shots at each other. Lisa charged Diego who quickly deflected her swings with his spear. Their fight carried them away from Hector as he faced Clarence once again.

Clarence took a defensive stance with his spear, face set in stone. Hector left Backbiter sheathed and drew his own blade settling into his own stance. Their eyes were locked on each other. Hector quietly told him, "Don't make me do this Clarence. I don't want to fight you."

Clarence answered in the same volume. "You know us Hector. The only thing that matters to a demigod is pleasing their parents. Hephaestus may not have ordered this, but letting you go would be betraying him regardless. Come on Hector, let's settle this."

Clarence shot toward Hector jabbing at his heart, Hector sidestepped the blow then ducked as Clarence spun the spear around to hit his head. Hector quickly swung up to snap the spear again but Clarence quickly kicked at his arm knocking his blow off its course. Clarence stepped back to put some distance between them and continued to stab at Hector.

Serenity and Ben were locked in a duel with the slightest hesitation would spell death. Arrows flew between them and either continued into the distance or slammed into the trees as they each took cover. Ben had an expression of mounting frustration as he lined up his shot and released. Serenity leaned to the side letting the arrow pass by her head, a calm expression reflecting her focus even as terror shone in her eyes.

Diego and Lisa however were rapidly exchanging blows. Lisa was as indomitable and merciless as an iceberg. For her this was simply expressing her mother's will, nothing more. Diego felt his anger and frustration rising with every blow that Lisa deflected. Her lack of compassion combined with the realization that the gods would stoop to assassination brought his rage to a boil. His strikes were becoming more aggressive as heat began to emanate from his body.

Seconds seemed to stretch to last forever as the six traded blows. For the briefest moment Hector hoped that perhaps they could outlast the demigods, tire them out so they wouldn't be able to fight anymore. Then came the moment where that hope died. A cry of pain caught Hector's attention. He broke off from Clarence and glanced back down to the trees. "Serenity!"

An arrow had firmly embedded itself in Serenity's torso and blood was staining her clothes. She fell to her knees with her bow tumbling uselessly from her fingers. Lisa commented mercilessly. "One down, two to go."

Diego took one look at Serenity's collapsed form and registered Lisa's mockery. His eyes began to glow and heat akin to a bonfire blasted out from him. With a roar he redoubled his attack on Lisa. Her eyes filled with panic as she retreated before his onslaught. Serenity reached for the arrow in her, then changed direction and reached for her bow. As she tried to stand Ben drew a bead on her, whispering a brief prayer. Hector saw this and his vision turned red as rage filled him.

Clarence saw Hector begin to glow and reacted, trying to stab him in the back before he could move but it was too late. Hector's body tensed as he reached out and pulled time back as hard as he could. In response everything slowed, even Clarence's forewarning being too little to stop him. To Clarence, Hector became a golden blur as he quickly closed the distance between himself and Ben. Clarence tried to call, "Ben! Look out!"

Ben heard Clarence's call and turned to find Hector right beside him. Scared Ben tried to jump away as Hector swung up to slice his bow in two. Hector's blade missed the bow and found something much softer. Hector was barely cognizant of his strike, anger pulsing through him. He brought back his blade for another swing as Ben collapsed to a heap at his feat and a horrified gasp escaped Serenity. Hector felt his vision clear as he looked at Ben, to be greeted with a sight that made him freeze.

Ben's body lay lifeless at his feet, blood draining from the gash in his neck. Hector was snapped back into reality by the screaming charge of Clarence who fell upon Hector in a frenzy. Hector struggled to hold off the blows delivered by Clarence, retreating before the onslaught. Finally, Clarence's spear found home and jabbed deep into Hector's right shoulder. The pain caused Hector to drop his blade. Clarence quickly lined up another swing and Hector used his power again to get some distance.

Diego became aware of Hector's plight and redoubled his attack on Lisa. She stumbled back until the blade was knocked from her hand and Diego spun his spear around to strike her head with the blunt end. Stars erupted in Lisa's vision as she went down and Diego turned. Seeing Clarence advancing on a disarmed Hector Diego's face went through a flurry of emotions. Fear. Anger. Despair. Resolve. Switching his grip on the spear Diego felt a fire rise through his being as he hurled his spear as hard as he could.

Clarence had finally knocked Hector to the ground and was bringing his spear for a final strike when Diego's spear struck his side, passing through his body and embedding its tip into the ground. Clarence dropped his spear as pain lanced through his body, the life fading from him. Raising his eyes to meet Hector's golden eyes, he whispered, "I'm sorry. We never had a choice."

The light faded from Clarence's eyes as Lisa recovered from Diego's strike. Seeing her two friends dead at the hands of the demititans brought tears to her eyes. Sorrow mingled with fury as she took up her sword and screamed, "You bastards! I'll make you pay!"

She charged towards Diego who realized too late what happened. He was just turning as she reached him. She was bringing her blade back to strike when an arrow embedded itself in her throat. Diego turned to see a panting Serenity slump back down, that shot taking most of her strength. Lisa choked as she struggled to breathe, tears flowing down as her knees gave out and she fell to the ground.

The three demititans stood victorious, and yet not one of them felt like they had won.