The Sea, cool and dark, hums with delight, a warm bright light as the moon shines on the waves.

Warm comforting arms wrapped around me, singing softly as they rocked.

"Their name shall be Pallas, and she shall be 'Aisse."

It was not announced, but known.

I am Pallas.

oOo

Circlets and tiaras sit heavily on my brow, and I constantly squirm under all the eyes on me.

"Why do I have to be 'Aisse?" I ask Pati Triton.

"Because the Sea chose you. The Sea knows best; you will be a good 'Bassa one day."

"But I don't want to be 'Bassa, I want to explore and help people. Can't I join the Ladies of the Pearl?"

Triton frowned and put down his scroll. "We have a duty as a part of the heirs to the Sea to our people. Duty may be difficult, but we must bear it."

"Yes Pati."

oOo

Kore and I are best friends.

A lake in Libya is our meeting point, and we chatter all day long, both of us escaping our overbearing parents.

When I return to the palace, Pati is waiting for me.

"Where have you been?"

"With Persephone, my friend."

"Well, I have someone to introduce you to."

A girl, around my age, stared back at me with stoney-gray eyes. She was beautiful.

"Meet Athena, your new foster sister."

oOo

Zeus has been taking more interest in Athena of late; coming with her carrying apologies for abandoning her and wishing to be her father again. He seemed sincere, but I couldn't help dislike him for hurting her.

Athena was excited that he wanted to be at our sparring match, and I couldn't begrudge her her happiness.

Mid-spar, the caw of Zeus' eagle caught my attention.

Then, I was choking.

Pain blossomed in my chest, and I caught the horrified eyes of Athena. Of my love.

"Pallas! NO!" Pati screamed.

I died before he could get to my side.

oOo

The dark of the Underworld was familiar, yet so very alien.

Charon hadn't noticed me yet- Persephone was always complaining about him- and it was easy to sneak past him.

Styx or not, I was a goddess. The rough currents threatened to pull me under but I managed. I swam across the River Styx.

The other side was crowded, and nobody paid me any attention.

I walked towards the Palace. Persephone would help me, wouldn't she?

A sudden sweep of a crowd of souls pushed me away from my path, and down towards another river.

The River Lethe.

I stared at the water, then back at the Palace.

Should I?

I look back.

Pati will come searching for me. I won't be allowed to return. It would devastate him.

I looked into the river.

This way I will return. This way he may find me again.

I closed my eyes and let myself fall.

oOo

I gasped, opening my eyes to darkness.

And a girl.

Pallas smiled down at me. "Hello."

"Hello," I replied dumbly, staring at her.

She laughed. "I know. It's strange isn't it?"

"You're me." I fumbled to point between us. "I'm you!"

"I suppose," She said. "I suppose not. We're different lives with different experiences."

"The same soul," I said. "The same duty."

She sighed. "I'm sorry about that. If I knew…"

"If you knew you still would have done it, because we could never hurt Triton by lingering."

She smiled. "Yes."

I swallowed. "What now? I'm sorry but I can't- I can't be you."

"I know." Pallas nodded, and stepped forward. "You won't. I have to move on."

She continued. "I lingered; I was a goddess and the Lethe was not easy on my amortal soul. It took a long time for me to mold into a possibility once again and for the timing to be right for us to be of the Sea again. I lingered, protecting and guiding you, but it is time for us to become one."

I bit my lip. "Will you- If we join forever, will I ever see you again?"

She smiled. "Everytime you look in the mirror."

Pallas pulled me into a hug, and into the darkness.

A/N

I'm posting this early because I actually have energy to deal with comments today, and I think I won't have tomorrow.

Hope you all liked the plot twist! I've been alluding to this for ages and I've been loving watching everyone slowly figure it out! My discord has known for months now lol, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other pieces of foreshadowing still in the work for you guys to figure out!