Chapter 49

Preston P.O.V

I excused myself from Bastian and Erebus needing time to think, my next move was one that could go one of two ways. Gerard had ordered me back to the compound which I had complied with but I knew if I didn't go back and help, my mates would be trapped in their own person hell, for longer than they'd imagine. I had seen the outcome of this path and it was one they couldn't escape unscathed without assistance. I may have openly acknowledged my love and desire for Aurora, but what many didn't know was, she was my destiny because she tied me to herself and her other mates, it wasn't just the goddess I desired to be with. It was every one of them, I was created to be with them all. I gave them power and they gave me unconditional love, in every future I saw, I was loved and desired by each and every one of my mates. What scared me at this moment was a few of those futures not all my mates came out of this battle without nightmares that haunted them for years to come. What I needed to decide was would I risk everything by bringing Sookie into this without Aurora's and Gerard's permission. If she is hurt they will never forgive me and I know I can't do what needs to be done without her. I walked down the cobblestones that leads me to the Stackhouse farm house and there in my path was the woman herself, with Aurora's father, Poseidon.

"I don't know if this is the right thing to do, but if what Sookie has seen is true we need to get them out of there." said Poseidon looking more worried than I had ever seen him.

"What have you seen, Sookie?"

"It's hard to explain, at best it's like watching a TV with the sound off and someone keeps changing the channels before the programs finish. First was Stark, he's watching Aurora with someone who Poseidon believes to be Valiant from my description, we don't know how but it's what we think. And after I was shown a few painting it's definitely the same face staring back at me. Stark's in a cage with a chain around his neck and blood bags hooked up to his arms, he's fighting to reach for Aurora but she's looking at him mouthing sorry, before she stabs herself and Valiant. Then it was Kellan, this one we can't fully explain as he's arguing with someone we don't know, possibly another Demon due to its facial features. Aurora, Stark, Yannick and Gerard are standing at an altar, as Kellan rises to approach them, they are all beheaded."

Sookie went silent as she shook her head trying to wipe the horrible images from her mind, Poseidon reached down holding her hand and prompted her to continue.

"Gerard's is similar to Stark's, he's watching Aurora and Valiant embrace, staring at each other lovingly but no matter what he does he can't get to them as they bleed out from a sword impaling them. Eric's is a little different, he's trapped in a room with everyone but all he can see is Aurora and Valiant but Valiant's face keeps blurring out and no matter how hard he tries he can't get any response from anyone and the doors keep vanishing every time he attempt to open them and get help."

"What about Aurora and Yannick, Sookie?" I asked terrified of what she would tell me.

"Yannick has two stories, one is unthinkable and the other makes no sense. The one I can't explain, he's chasing something, and he keeps shimmering in and out of areas roaring with rage over and over again."

"And the other?"

To my surprise Sookie broke down and crushed herself into Poseidon's chest sobbing uncontrollably, it was as I feared. The last story was not that of just Yannick but also that of my goddesses and the nightmare I had seen more than once, this story brakes us and take years for the love and trust to return between the mates and family that survive.

"Sookie told me just before we decided to come to you of the last dream, Aurora and Valiant are standing face to face smiling at each other, Yannick appears behind them and stabs them through before they all fall to their deaths, and when I say all Preston. I mean yourself, Bastian, Jason, Godric, the Saxon's and the twins, anyone that was changed, bonded or brought back with Aurora or Yannick's blood. Eric, Pam and Sookie survive but not without terrible consequences." said Poseidon as he held Sookie's sobbing body.

This path if Sookie and I are successful, brings our family back safe and unscathed, while setting us off in search of the army we put in place cementing the twins powerful and long immortal futures, while also creating a place we and everyone in our family and friendship circle call home for centuries to come. But if it fails, Sookie doesn't return and Yannick ends my life, I was willing to risk my life for those I loved but I needed to let Sookie make her own choice.

"Sookie, I know you're scared?"

"Stop right there, I'm coming with you and we are getting them all back." said Sookie as she straightened herself wiping her eyes.

"You've had other dreams, haven't you?"

"I have and you know as well as I do, we do this together or we don't do it at all."

"But we may fall in our attempt, little one."

"You listen to me Preston, we haven't know each other that long and we may have a little side trip in our past, but I Sookie Stackhouse will not stand by and let the people I love suffer and die if I can do something to stop it and if that's giving my life, then so be it."

I watched Poseidon step back from Sookie and bow to her as tears fell from his eyes. This human now Hybrid humbled us all, if our story is every retold in centuries to come, Aurora will not be the main character it will be the telepathic barmaid from Bon Temps that has more heart and courage than the super naturals that called her family. I stepped forward lifting Sookie's hand and kissed it, I Preston the second son of Padloe tied my life's spark to the Hybrid. She and I will bring back those we loved or we'd dye trying.

"What was that?" asked Sookie as I lowered her hand.

"I tied our sparks, we are family and you and I are going to rain down a world of hurt on anyone or anything that stops us from our goals."

Sookie smiled brightly as she took her place at my side, we discussed quickly of our two glimpses into the future that had both been successful, and we couldn't be sure of the time frame of what Sookie had seen, was it current or still to happen. I knew what needed to be done to bring Yannick back and in turn free my mates and the Viking, but what Sookie and I would be walking into was a guessing game. Poseidon was sent on his way to collect Zeus and return to the Fae realm with Yannick after they had located him, Sookie and I would enter the demi god's mad house and do all we could to pull our family from the hell they had fall into until Yannick returned. As the outcome of or quest was unknown we didn't want to cause panic within the compound but we also didn't want to leave without letting someone know we may not be returning. Sookie pushed out to Echo and it wasn't long until the Fairy found us hiding in the tree line. Ever the warrior the fairy argued hard to join us but we explained this was a path Sookie and I had to walk alone and it was he we trusted to keep Nail informed of our entry after we'd passed through his realm into the demi gods world. He embraced us both wishing us victory before he watched us leave the earth realm.

Sookie's P.O.V

I can truly say I have never been so scared in my life, the dreams I have been having over the last 2 days have left me scared to close my eyes. Pam and Godric did all they could to help me but as the hours went on the dreams became more terrifying, the moment I went to Poseidon and told him what I had been dreaming and that Preston was the possible answer, no time was wasted in our search for him. Now here I was walking side by side with Preston as we stepped over more dead Fairies than I could comprehend.

"Why did so many Fae have to die?"

"Sookie, Gerard, Yannick and Aurora don't take prisoners. My heart breaks for the dead Fae but I was here and took my fair share of lives. This was to protect you and your sons, I'd walk over three times as many bodies if it meant you and the twins remained safe."

What could I say, it was sad but this was what happens when super naturals become power hungry. Then the thought of the dead was wiped from my mind, there in the hill side was the doorway to my family's prison. We didn't pause a second as we open the door and marched forward, I don't know how long we bumped and crashed our way through the nightmare of darkness. Smoke chocked us and at times I didn't know what was up or down, but thankfully Preston held my hand and finally we stumbled upon a door. We'd both seen it in our visions but the reality of what we walked in on was horrifying, Aurora's body was standing in a pool of blood impaled to a creature that had no face. Stark and Kellan where frozen staring at the pair not even a metre away, on the opposite side of the room Gerard laid on the floor curled into a ball covered in blood. But it was Eric that made me catch my breath, he was frantically scratching and punching at the walls totally unaware of our arrival. I dropped Preston hand and went to run to him but Preston gabbed me tight pulling me close.

"We must stay together and try to release them one at a time, if we separate Sookie we will fall to the same magic."

I froze as we considered who should be first, I hated it but it was clear from the painful moans coming from Gerard, he should be first. We tightened our grip on each other as we approached the merman, in my dream I'd kneel next to Gerard and place my hand on his shoulder but every time I'd touch any of my family members I'd wake up, never knowing the outcome. Preston and I looked into each others eyes and knew it was now or never, the fairy placed his hand on my cheek and kissed my forehead, wishing us luck. With one hand held tight by Preston I lowered to my knees and laid my free hand on Gerard's shoulder. The pull and horror was instant, my stomach turned as the room spun and Gerard's screams became ear shattering, his body was pinned to the floor by a long black sword driven through his hip. In front of us Valiant held Aurora's dead body struggling to remove the sword pinning them together, he was pleading to Gerard to save Aurora as the merman tore at the ground with his fingers trying to get closer to them. Preston stumbled at the sight in front of him vomiting and falling against me.

I gave his hand a squeeze as I pulled him toward Gerard and I moved my body in the way of the merman's frantic hands. He seemed not to notice us until he attempted to reach forward and my thigh was in his path, his head shot in my direction and he whispered my name. Sookie.

"Gerard its ok, I know you're scared but you have to stay still and listen to me. It's just a dream, don't listen to Valiant just concentrate on my voice."

"Let me die, please Sookie save them, I give my life freely to save theirs, please Sookie please." Pleaded Gerard as his tear soaked eyes stared into mine.

Thankfully Preston moved his body in front of Gerard and wiped the tears from the merman's eyes, the two men stared at each other as I lent forward and gripped the sword. The instant my flesh made contact with the hilt the pain and smell of my burning flesh was over whelming, I was about to flinch but Preston squeezed my hand as I felt his power flowing through my body and my grip tightened on the sword as I ripped it from Gerard body, tossing it to the floor. Instantly the spell was broken and we were back in the room with Eric thrashing at the walls.

"Are you ok?" I asked as I tried to gauge the damage to Gerard's body.

"You two are in so much trouble when we get home, but for now thank you, you magnificent creature. Is there a moment that isn't going to pass that you don't surprise me young one, you truly are our treasure. And you my Mate will have some serious explaining to do, but thank you for coming for us."

Gerard moan in discomfort as he pulled himself into a sitting position and hugged us both tightly, we gave him the once over and decided Eric was next. I readied myself for the spinning and stomach turning but the second I laid my hand on Eric, the spell was broken, he looked around confused for a second or two before he crushed his lips to mine and wrapped his arm around Preston. We moved him over to Gerard and he sat next to the merman letting him rest against his shoulder.

"That was too easy" I whispered to Preston as we approached Stark.

"I totally agree, in my visions the next two is a coin toss if you or I survive."

I stretched my hand out about to touch Stark's shoulder when Gerard screamed stop.

"If you bring Aurora back, the other two will follow, I'm sure of it." Said Gerard as Eric helped him to his feet.

"Her nightmare is really bad Gerard."

"Tell me young one, what does she see?"

"Yannick attacks her and Valiant and as she's dying she watches you all die." I said as the tears started falling again.

Gerard faltered as he looked at Aurora and imagined the hell she was suffering, he nudged Eric motioning towards his sword on the floor. Before Eric could move to pick it up, Preston shot it away with a power burst.

"You can't come with us, I hate this more than you can imagine but every vision of a future where anyone but Sookie and I attempt to free any of you, Sookie falls the moment we enter that reality."

Well that was great, but I wasn't stopping now. Eric looked at me with pride and fear as Gerard walked over picked up his sword, straightened to his full height before walking up to Preston and handing him the sword.

"You protect them with your life and bring them back to us alive, Preston." said Gerard as he kissed the Fairy and stepped back.

"Don't you look at me like that, I have watched my best friend go through a Fae pregnancy and part of the labour to help me out. This is going to be a walk in the park." I said to Preston as we nodded to each other and approached Aurora.

Yannick's P.O.V

That bitch was going to die at my hand no matter what my father may have wanted, I had been shimmering in and out of realms for what felt like days, I even entered the world I had created thinking she'd attempt to hide there but nothing. I was just about to leave the Elven homeland when Poseidon's body crashed into me and as I was getting my feet back under myself to ask what the hell was happening, my father came into view and to my elation he was dragging Aite by her shoulder, and when say dragging but her shoulders, I meant his finger had pierced her flesh and he was gripping into bone.

"I believe you have been looking for someone."

"You're not going to stop me from killing her?" I asked as I pulled my sword.

"At this moment yes, but as soon as we have your mates back safe and sound, she's all yours." Said my father as Aite screamed and thrashed trying to escape.

"Yannick, the last I knew all your mates are trapped and suffering terribly in one of Aite's nightmares. If what she has told us is true, only you can bring Aurora back, Sookie and Preston are currently trying to free Gerard, Kellan, Stark and The Viking." said Poseidon.

I pulled my sword and pressed it against the demi god's throat.

"Why me?" I roared.

"Because it's your nightmare." Whimpered Aite as my father ripped at her wound.

"Yannick, my daughter is trapped in a nightmare where you kill her and Valliant and as such all your mates and part of the family, even the twins die."

My grip faltered on my sword, what pain must my love be suffering. I closed my eyes and reached out to see if I could find her, Aurora was lost to me but our brave Hybrid was calling and she was pissed. I closed my fist around my sword and looked directly at my Father, he smiled and looked down at Aite,

"It's time we take you home, daughter of mine"

Within seconds we arrived in the Fae realm and to my delight, Echo was standing guard with four of Nial's royal guards.

"We tried to get in but the doors locked." said Echo as he approached us.

My Father stepped forward dragging Aite, announcing that wasn't going to be a problem as he crushed her shoulder and collar bone, her screams where music to my ears as the door swung open and the smoke and darkness emptied out leaving us a clear path. We left Echo and the royal guards to protect the door as we marched forward, Poseidon raced ahead ripping the next door from its hinges. The mighty God of the Ocean stumbled forward as we enter what was once Valiant's bedchamber, instead now we stood in a concrete room and in front of us was Aurora's lifeless body impaled against a faceless creature with Preston and Sookie frozen next to them. On the floor also motionless was Stark and Kellan but as we moved towards Eric and Gerard they become animated and frantic trying to gauge their surroundings. Gerard stumbled to his feet as he and Poseidon grabbed the pair pulling them away from the frozen foursome.

"I have released the men, but The Daughter of Poseidon is deep in Yannick's nightmare. Only he can stop what he has created." Pleaded Aite as she looked up at her father.

"Tell me what I have to do, Aite or I am going to start removing body parts."

"You must enter your nightmare and free all tapped inside."

"How the fuck do I enter BITCH?" I roared as my sword came down on Aite's leg.

The Demi God screamed as she grabbed at her now decapitated leg, I raised my sword to remove the other when she choked out "touch the fairy" I returned my sword to my hip, nodding to my mates and took the four steps before I was within touching distance of Preston. I took one more look at my Father and Mates as I gripped onto the back of Preston's neck in search of my heart. I turned towards the sound of clashing swords and realised I was back in Valiant's bed chamber, there to my right was Preston battling with a monster that looked like me, I blinked twice but it was me trying to kill one of my mate. Sookie was in front of me frantically slashing Aurora's sword back and forth trying to protect the badly wounded Poseidon twins from one of Hades fallen sons. The rage that cursed through me was uncontrollable, I was frantic about Preston but the sight of the Hades dead death dealer made me lose my senses. I races forward plunging my hand into the death dealers back grabbing onto his spine, he roared dropping his sword and flailed about trying to grab for me.

"It pleases me I get to end your life, like my mate ended your Fathers." I spat over his shoulder.

The death dealer roared one more time, before I ripped his spine from his body, drawing my sword and removing his head before his body hit the floor. I didn't have time to ravel in my victory, the victory I had dreamt was true and the outcome of our war that lost Valiant to us. But Sookie was screaming at me to help Preston, I took a second to make eye contact with Aurora and my true nature roared as my mate and lover looked back ordering me to kill it. Even in this nightmare she knew who the real me was, I charged at the double and made full body contact as I smashed into his back with my shoulder. The double turned and growled at me, this only excited me more, Preston bleeding and tired never left my side as the pair of us blocked and returned the attacks of the double, if this was my end so be it. When Preston went to make contact with my flesh to give me a boost, I pulled back.

"We can't risk it charging the other me as well. Go help Sookie, this won't take long." I ordered Preston as I readied myself for the next round.

He didn't argue or waste a second as he raced towards our mate, this was my nightmare and my fight to win or lose.

"You know you can't defeat me, I know every move you have." Snarled the double

"I don't have to win, I just have to give my mates enough time to escape." I spat back as I charged and moved the double further back from my mates.

The double slashed and shot a light bolt at me trying to regain ground and to my horror he made contact with my back as I tried to dodge the bolt. But the pain was worth it because Preston had Aurora and Valiant on their feet moving them further away from the battle. The double was furious, bringing his sword down hard towards my face, I was quick enough to raise my blade, but I wasn't in the right position to fully deflect it, it left me trapped with both hands pushing against the sword trying to cut me in two.

"If I die it doesn't matter, as long as they survive and escape." I grunted out as I pushed back.

"No one is dying except this freak" screamed Sookie as she appeared behind the double and plunged Aurora's sword into its back driving it through its heart.

The double coughed up blood trying to turn its head to work out how the hybrid has got the jump on it, this was my opportunity to side step pulling my blade back as the motion caused the doubles sword to slash down and into his own leg. Sookie pulled Aurora's sword out and plunged it back in as I grabbed its neck ripping its throat from its body.

"Please tell me, it's dead, dead." Pleaded Sookie as she pulled the sword back with shacking hands, still ready to attack if needed."

"Its dead little sister." I said as I stepped over the body and wrapped Sookie in my embrace.

"Can we go home now?"

"That sounds perfect to me." I replied as I kissed her forehead and we went in search of our loved ones.

Preston had moved Aurora and the mimic Valiant to the far corner of the room, he had Aurora wrapped in his arms, but her full attention was on her pretend brother who was lying next to them with his head on her lap.

"I know what we have to do to leave this place, but I can't kill him and I can't trust myself not to attack if any of you try." Whisper Aurora as she gently brushed her fingers over the mimic Valiant's hair.

Sookie smiled sweetly at Aurora as she handed me Aurora's sword and sat down next to the mimic Valiant.

"We didn't get to properly introduce ourselves earlier, I'm Sookie Stackhouse."

"Hello Sookie Stackhouse, I think I am Valiant, Son of Poseidon, and Mate to Gerard, brother to my magnificent sister Aurora."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Valiant, I have heard great things about you from Gerard, Yannick, Kellan, Aurora and your Father. So great that I have named one of my sons after you."

This shocked the mimic as he looked from Sookie to Aurora, he closed his eyes for a moment before his raised himself into a sitting position. Aurora panicked and grabbed out at his hand, moaning in pain from the movement, hearing this made the mimic's face twist in pain.

"I don't know if I am your Valiant or not, but the memories I have of the person I think I am let me know, I would not keep the person I love most in this world or the next trapped in this place with me, if I am or not, doesn't matter. At this moment I believe in my heart of hearts, I am your Valiant, Aurora. I love you my sister more than words can ever express. No other creatures in any realm will ever know the love I have for you, I will always be with you." Said the mimic as he lunged forward grabbing Aurora sword from my hand, I froze as it turned towards Aurora. "Always and forever my sister." he said as he slashed his own throat.

Sookie screamed in shock, but it was the sound of Aurora screaming Valiant's name that ripped at my heart, the room blurred out of focus and we were back in the concrete room with the rest of our mates. Poseidon rushed at Aurora as she screamed Valiant's name over and over, pulling he body from the dead creature in front of her. Preston was on her in seconds as she thrashed her arms trying to keep very one back, the sight of her father approaching only increased her pain, shattering her further. Gerard, Stark and Kellan rushed forward and the group pressed themselves as close as possible, holding Preston and Aurora trying to ease her pain.

"Yannick my son, what has happened." Asked my Father.

"The mimic of Valiant killed its self to save Aurora." I replied as I broke down and fell to the floor, even a replica of the great son of Poseidon, was more than any of us could thrive to be.

I watched as Poseidon turned on Aite and ended her life in the manor only a grieving father could, horrific, manic and as painful as possible. The Viking and Sookie helped me to my feet as Gerard, Kellan and Stark, helped Preston carry a traumatised sister out of the nightmare she was reliving for a second time. No words were spoken as we all teleported back to her Father realm.