Pandora was the first human to have been created by the gods. And she's been reborn into a new life. The end of the fic "Immortals" will reveal who Pandora is. But who do you folks vote for?
There's a poll! Check out my bio, you can vote for up to 3 people. One of these characters is Pandora, doomed to open the pithos and release hope :)
Moncef: I was in tears reading your interpretation. You found so much of what I left and even more! I truly love your reading of the series and yes! By the gods, the main thing I wanted to convey is how much Percy and Harry love each other, how they grow up and make friends and build a family and give their destinies and big screw-you gesture!
Power is also one of my favourites because I started writing the series for the sole purpose of this thought: what if Tom Riddle possessed Percy? And it developed into something far more than I could have imagined at first.
1. Sally is just glad that Petunia isn't Harry's mother, because she can't imagine someone not do everything for their child, the way she gave up her freedom to marry Gabe, just to keep Percy safe.
2. True. Mark, May, and Janet are who the demigods are all looking for!
3. The spirit in No.3 Privet Drive is a wraith. I will bring him into the story in "Immortals"!
4. Awesome guess, I'm definitely revealing a lot about the past for Harry, Percy, and Sally in "Immortals". Stay tuned for it!
5. Aww, that's beautiful, but the girl she kisses isn't brought up again in the series. It was a passing comment. I just love the idea that she's queer.
7. Harry does know what happened to them at the age of 5. It's connected to the wraith :)
favourite theme is the parallel stories between Harry and Percy. It's so much more than just two kids with similar journeys. It's interconnected because their lifelines are also intertwined!
The souls of Lily and James are indeed saved somewhere. There is a specific reason why Harry has seen them when he is dead but can't remember it when he's alive.
If Percy and Rachel die will they be able to see them? Should I tell you... you know what, I'll say it. No, they don't see the Potters. They see other people when they're dead. Rachel dies at the end of "Heroes". Chapter 1 or 2 of "Immortals" will show who she sees! It's someone you already know!
Yes, we meet the wraith in Privet Drive!
Rachel and Ginny are endgame. But it's a slowburn between them.
Should I post a one shot of Harry and Sky trying to find places to kiss but keep getting busted by their friends? Or worse... Percy! I'm kinda tempted.
fatimapausini5: YES! Percy does find Harry! Always! When they were reunited in "Family is Everything", when Harry went missing in the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, when Harry is kidnapped and taken to Rome, when Harry and Tom fight at the end of "Power".
Nobody's ever commented on that! You're the first! I love this review, you've written so many of the things I think of whole planning these chapters.
Percy and Harry are the best duo - my headcanon. Whether they're brothers, or boyfriends, or partners in crime, they're the best and they work incredibly well together.
The Patron did see this bond between them and that's why she chose them and Sally. More about this will be revealed in the coming fics.
Harry is like Gaia, but chose to love Percy - I just love this idea. It's so good. It definitely lines up with what I've written, even though I haven't thought about it like that.
Nobody can stop Percy from saving Harry, and Harry always heals Percy. That's how their story starts and by the end, nobody can stop Percy from saving the world and Harry... sort of heals the world. With a lot of help from Sally, Sirius, Remus, Rachel, Annabeth, Ginny, Nico, and both camps and Hogwarts.
They are the brothers of destiny and they will break the chains of prophecies to save the other - YES THEY WILL! THE REST OF THE PROPHECY WILL BE BROUGHT BACK UP IN "IMMORTALS".
PS. Love is going to save the world. That's how this series is going to end. Because these two hurt boys grew up loved and traumatized, with badass friends and family and everyone just freakin' saves the day. No sad endings in my neighbourhood.
Urgh, I'm crying. You're both so great, I haven't received love like this in a while! I know a lot of accounts visit this story from time to time and that's great, but your reviews really made my weekend! （＾∀＾●）ﾉｼ
Here's an extra long chapter for you both! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Listening to: Runnin' by Adam Lambert
Lily understood why Cass didn't like to talk about Ajax.
There was something about him that was very off-putting. His eyes were sharp and the mirth glinting in them was not kind. He looked younger than Cass, maybe in his late twenties, but held the world's swagger and confidence.
And Lily's magic was pulsing slowly. She'd only felt like this when she'd been younger and had been overwhelmed a few times at Hogwarts: like her magic was trying to protect her from unforeseen danger.
Ajax leaned out of the van, completely at ease even as Cass glared at him.
"You honestly look surprised," he commented.
Cass bared her teeth. "This is my operation! You have no right to butt in."
"We're all one team, sweetness," Ajax simpered. He looked at Sally and then Lily, his smile dimming slightly. "Who are the dames?"
"My business," Cass said, patting Sally's back. Out of the corner of Lily's eye, she saw, Cass's hand move down to carefully grip Sally's gun, tucked into the waistline of her trousers.
Ajax rolled his eyes. "Look, I heard you had some problems with the extraction in Cairo. So I came over to help out."
"Your men set off the alarms in the Auror station!"
"That's your opinion. It's not like you could've gotten out of there without detection."
Cass groaned. "Why are you here? Don't you have a kid to look after?"
"I thought you and Iphy got separated?" Ajax hummed, shrewdly.
"We have means to talk to each other," Cass reminded him. "Look, the Mother is nearly back to resting again, Iphy and I can handle this."
"Sure, sure," Ajaz muttered. Then he reached into his pocket and took out a sharp piece of glass—no, a mirror shard.
Lily's two-way mirror. She stifled a gasp.
He pointed it at her. "That baby of yours has your eyes. Striking."
Oh Merlin, oh no-no-no-no...
Cass glared. "Ajax—"
"Yeah, whatever," he tossed the mirror and Lily caught it by casting a quick hover charm.
"Now," Ajax stared at her. "Why are we dealing with witches, Cassie? Lemme guess, she's a Seer?"
"I'm not above tattling on you to the goddess," Cass snapped.
"You are," he said. "You really are. You tend to ask for forgiveness rather than for permission. Remember that time you left me in that stampede."
"You caused it."
"You could have gotten me out easily."
Lily swallowed feeling lightheaded. This was bad. Ajax had seen one of her babies. Cass had warned her how dangerous he was. What if he—
"I've never asked you for forgiveness," Cass finally spoke. "Are you leaving or what?"
Ajax grinned. "Nah! I wanna see what you got in Alexandria."
Sally inhaled. Nobody was supposed to know their destination.
The same thought struck Cass. She said, "I'm driving. And get rid of that silly air freshener."
Ajax squawked. He turned to pluck at the palm tree card fluttering in the van. "Excuse you! This gives a lovely date-scented—"
Cass whipped the gun from Sally's waistband, moving so fast all Lily saw was a blur. In less than a second, it was pointed at the back of Ajax's head, a bullet flying through his skull.
.
It rang out like a crack of thunder.
.
The earth trembled very lightly.
.
Ajax's body jerked, a spray of blood splattering on the inside of the windshield.
.
Lily and Sally shrieked.
.
Cass lowered her arm, breathing heavily.
His head hit the dashboard as he slumped partially over the steering wheel. The van shuddered.
"Sodding hell!" Lily barked, grabbing Sally's arm to pull her away. "How's that gonna help? He's immortal!"
"I'm asking benevolent Lady Terra," Cass called out loudly. "It is time to return the gift so graciously given, yet heartlessly squandered."
The ground beneath them cracked.
Lily swore she heard something hiss violently from beneath like a thousand snakes had come to life, ready to crawl out of the cracks.
Ajax's body began to glow, mostly his right arm. Cass ripped the van door open and rolled up the sleeve of his shirt.
There was a gold bracelet fixed to his upper arm. Cass was muttering in Latin, digging her nails into the skin around the band until the glow relinquished. It unlocked with a click.
Bright light burst from his entire body. Sally moved back, nearly falling on the steps behind her and Lily raised her hand to shield her eyes from the shocking golden light. The air lit up in shimmering bronze lines mixing in and out with the golden streaks that emerged from his body.
His aura, she realised. It was beautiful. It lit up the area like the Northern Lights, luminous and ethereal.
Lily lowered her hand as the light began to grow wispy. She hadn't known that muggles had auras as well.
Cass threw the bracelet to the ground and immediately checked Ajax's pulse. The light disappeared and the air returned to normal. Nodding, satisfied, she roughly tugged on his body, letting it fall out of the van with a thud. Droplets of blood trickled down the wheel.
"Can you clean that up?" she asked Lily.
The witch glared. "I am not touching him! And you still haven't answered me!"
"I meant the blood in the van," Cass insisted. "And I'll explain on the way."
"You said you were immortals, that you were thousands of years old!"
"Yes!"
"Then what are you doing?!" Lily cried.
Nudging Ajax's body away from the van, Cass lowered her voice and said, "The bracelet gives us the power to come back from the dead. I've been negotiating with the goddess for a long time to get rid of him. We have a replacement waiting in Alexandria, someone far better suited than Ajax."
Lily shook her head, feeling overwhelmed again. "And this one? This Ajax?"
Cass grimaced. "He's supposed to face Sciron in battle. That's what the goddess wanted… I'll need to explain to her. But that can wait for tomorrow. Right now, we need to be on our way—"
She abruptly stopped talking, looking past Lily with wide eyes.
Lily turned around and saw Sally standing some feet away, holding up the gold bracelet.
Bugger.
"Sally," Cass said urgently, "Please give that to me."
Sally glared at her. "I guess it's important to you."
"You don't understand what it truly is—"
"I understand that you're playing a dangerous game with gods older than the Olympians!" Sally snapped. "My family shouldn't be involved in this!"
"I completely agree," Cass said, taking a careful step forward, but Sally backed away. "I'm with you, but you need to give me that now."
"No," Sally said, raising her chin. "You'll get your gold when Kim, Percy, and I are safely back in New York."
Cass stared at her. "I already promised on the Styx, Jackson!"
Thunder coursed through the hot, cloudless skies. Lily couldn't hold back the flinch and cold fear that snuck its way up her spine.
"But you're immortal," Sally pointed out relentless. "What if that river doesn't work on you the way it does for the rest of us?"
"Sally—"
"I met you yesterday! I don't even have any evidence that Kim's okay!"
Cass exhaled. "Alright, I'll call Sciron. You can talk to Kimberly yourself and see that she and your baby are alright."
"Good," Sally agreed. "I'll hold on to the bracelet until we reach Alexandria."
"Are you serious?"
"Deadly."
Cass and Sally glowered at each other. Lily felt awkward and very out of place, standing beside the corpse and watching the immortal and the muggle death glare each other.
"Fine!" Cass snapped. "Whatever you do, do not put on that bracelet. Trust me, no good will come of it."
Sally wavered for a moment but nodded.
Lily stepped over the body and held her breath to peer into the blood-covered van interior. Merlin, guns were worse than what she'd thought.
The door behind them creaked open. The hotel owner, Beatrice, peeked through the gap before opening it fully. She had a rifle in her arms, staring down at Ajax before looking at Cass.
"How in the hell did you get that off of him?"
Cass disarmed Ajax of his effects, grunting, "It's a plan that's been in the works for a long time. The goddess was fond of him. It took decades to convince her of the idea of replacing him. We had to find someone on short notice."
"Who?" Sally demanded.
"A demigod," she said. "One of the most powerful children of the gods who ever lived."
Beatrice nudged Ajax's still leg with her boot. Lily gawked. "H… Hercules?"
Cass looked up, surprised, "What? No, he's a god now. The man I'm talking about died a mortal death. And he's spent two years training under my supervision, so... hopefully…"
Beatrice glared. "My last working day and you leave me with a dead body?"
"Overtime's a gas," Cass promised. "I'll send our demigod to pick him up. Hide the body till then."
Beatrice murmured unfavourably. "That's the last time I agree to work for goddesses."
The witch stared at her curiously. Beatrice shrugged. "Some deity approaches you with an offer-you-can't-resist, best to resist it. Nothing's worth the trouble that comes after."
Lily nodded. "Thanks for the tip."
Looking back in the hotel, Beatrice yelled, "Patrick! Get out here!"
The van was beginning to smell. The little palm tree paper freshener wasn't working anymore and Lily began to clean up the van's interior.
"I'm calling them now," Cass told Sally, taking out her wireless telephone.
Sally slowly approached them. The gold arm bracelet was hidden on her and Lily couldn't tell where it was.
"Great," she bit the words out. "Can I have my gun back?"
Cass shrugged. "Sure. Thanks."
"Not welcome," Sally muttered, staring at her one and only weapon.
"Mama," Percy said, his chin wobbling.
Kimberly winced. She tried to dab at his face, cleaning the stickiness away. "Mama's coming, Pepe. I promise."
Percy screwed up his face, utterly displeased, and let out a high whine.
"Oh no," she whispered.
He began wailing, a high-pitched shriek that rang through everyone's ears. Kim desperately tried to calm him down, but Percy was having none of it, his little fists curled up tight, head thrown back, fat tears streaming down his reddening cheeks.
The guard outside their cell actually flinched and looked very uncomfortable. He looked around the corner, as though hoping for a way out.
Luckily, Sciron walked in almost immediately. He took one look at the scene and made a face.
"Hey, Sciron!" Kim said, desperately trying to contain her flailing nephew. "Can I make a deal with you?!"
The other guard rushed out. Sciron rubbed at his ear. "If you can get him to quiet down, I'll offer you a pot of gold."
"Get him home!"
Sciron paused. "What?"
"Take Percy to my house, back in New York," Kimberly pleaded. "He's miserable here, he needs his mom!"
"His mother's in Cairo, I told you this."
"Then get them both home!" she insisted. "You said you needed me for whatever dreams I've been having! You don't need Percy! Just let him go."
Percy gave a very compelling argument by sobbing even louder.
Sciron stared at Kimberly. "You're willing to send your sister home too? Just to get away from the crying?"
She stared at him in disbelief. "What? Look at him, he's tired and scared and just a baby! You want to know my dreams, Percy wants his mom. Both those things can work out without interfering with the other."
This mortal… Sciron wanted to snap at her for making too much sense.
Because, ideally, that's what they should do. The more Percy got upset, the greater chance that Poseidon would be alerted that something was wrong. The sea god was very possessive of his children and upsetting them was a direct path to being eaten alive by one of his krakens.
More to the point, Sciron was just a little baffled by this completely mortal girl who was willing to risk her chances. She was no hero. She had no knowledge of weapons, fighting, no experience with quests and battles.
She just loved this drooling, screaming baby.
Sciron was supposed to be an all-powerful demigod, unwilling to yield, now bound to be immortal. This child was making him melt.
"I'll…" he hesitated for a moment. "I'll make a call."
He pushed a package through the bars of Kimberly's cell and marched away.
Sciron was meant to be an immortal soon. He needed to start making his own decisions.
Pushing the last door open, he entered a tall circular room. Its walls and floor were the same grey cement as the rest of the building, but in the middle stood an old stone fountain. It had aged cracks running over its side, but that didn't hinder the flow of cool seawater trickling over the sides.
Sciron waved his hand over the water, letting some of the vapour rise. He suspended it in the air and thickened it, letting the Mist's natural magic take over.
"My Lord," he whispered. "It's time."
The Mist dissipated in response, its wisps floating back into the water. Sciron shuddered a little as he felt his muscles grow taut against the pull. It was always dangerous to summon the Mist so close to the heart of Egypt. They were toeing the line greatly.
Cracks appeared in the fountain as the building trembled. Dust and pebbles bounced and bright light filled the room.
Sciron jerked his head to the side, eyes shut tight.
When the heat went down and the brightness faded, he carefully opened his eyes and looked at the god in front of him.
Triton stood there in a flannel shirt and strange grey slacks. Sciron had never seen the sea god with two human-looking legs. It was a light shock. Still, Triton managed to pull it off although he seemed grumpy.
Sciron blinked at him and said, "Nice fashion statement."
"Thank you," Triton said, "I took them from your wardrobe."
Sciron snorted. His half-brother barely grimaced.
"Wait… you're not serious?"
Triton gave him a sardonic eye. "This has to be a quick visit. The palace can't know I'm gone. It's not like I keep spare mortal clothes waiting for me."
Sciron appraised the outfit again. "I do not have this."
"Denial's not just a river in Eygpt."
Opting to not count the number of levels to that pun, Sciron led him through the building. "This way. Cassandra was right. She's had the new dreams—"
He stopped. Triton was staring down at the old fountain in dismay. Something in his expression made Sciron's hair curl.
"How many times has this room been used to call for other deities?" Triton asked slowly.
"A few over the years," he answered. "But I suppose Cass and Iphy would have used it more over the centuries."
Triton frowned at the floor. "She's close. The Earth Goddess. I can sense the rivers below."
Rivers? Sciron wasn't sure what he meant. What underground rivers were possible here…?
"I don't understand—"
Triton pulled a face before turning back to him. "Alexandria's on the precipice of two great civilizations of the past. It's a very easy place for fissures to occur. A very deep chasm."
Sciron had an inkling of what the god meant. He just hoped that wasn't true.
"Alright," he finally said. "No more calling on gods here."
Triton gave the floor another troubled look before walking ahead, finding the Jacksons with ease. Sciron stood back glancing at the fountain one last time before closing the door behind him.
Kimberly looked very stunned at the sight of Triton. She gawked up at him. Even Percy had fallen silent. He'd paused in his attempt to gnaw on his slobbery fist, eyes grown wide as he took in the immense aura of the god.
"Ba!" Percy announced and pointed at Triton imperiously.
The god barely cast his newest sibling a look. He unlocked the cell door and said, "Ms. Jackson. If you will allow me access to what you see, we can get this over quickly."
Kimberly shot a look at Sciron before asking Triton, "And you promise Percy will be safe?"
"I will cause no harm to the both of you," Triton said. "I promise."
Then he held his hands out to the baby.
Percy shook his fist at him before reaching out of his aunt's arms to let Triton take him gently. Kimberly watched unblinkingly, clearly stricken.
But nobody was more stunned than Sciron when Triton passed the baby into his surprised embrace.
"What?" Sciron blurted, struggling to hold him upright.
"You may wait outside," Triton said, before sitting on the floor in front of Kimberly. He stayed a safe distance away to keep her calm. "Please look this way, Ms. Jackson."
Kimberly gulped and nodded, facing him. She tried hard not to blink.
Sciron backed away, now feeling Percy drooling over his collar. Again. He prayed this was worth it, that with Kimberly's dream ability taken away, she'd be safe and could go home to New York, ask out that unfortunate boy Ryan, and stay away from this world of gods and monsters for the rest of her life.
He stepped out of the room just as the telephone rang.
Sciron's hand shot out to snatch it off of its hold, shooting a sharp look towards the god and mortal through the crack in the door. They continued their sharp staring fixture. Kimberly hadn't even flinched, deeply sinking into the god's trance.
Percy reached out a wet hand to touch the receiver. Sciron bounced him and leaned away to answer, "Hello?"
"Hello," Cassandra called over the line. "Rough night?"
"Somewhat. Our friend is here."
Cass paused for a moment. "But… I haven't called him—"
"No, I called him," Sciron whispered. "I'm looking over this."
She sounded annoyed. "Sciron, I was supposed to handle it!"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry. But Kimberly's a kid. She's tired and Percy's a baby, it's just getting cruel keeping them here like this."
Cass gave a longer pause at that.
"I've never heard you apologize. Or admit that we do cruel things."
Sciron huffed. Percy turned to face him. His chubby cheeks were less red now. He gave his older brother a gummy smile, his soft green-blue eyes shimmering.
Gods, that's adorable.
"Not as cruel as many others," Sciron finally said. "But even as a middle ground, you have to admit, we're not blameless."
"True. So… you called your brother ahead of time because you felt bad for the child and the baby?"
Sciron glared. He could hear the smile in her voice.
"I've passed nearly all my tests," he reminded her. "You said I am ready to take on Ajax. Which means I'm ready to take my place here and make decisions. And I made this decision now, just now, right here."
Cass breathed out roughly. "Fine. As long as our friend gets what he's asked for, Kimberly and the baby should stay safe for at least a few more years. … well, at least until his scent gets stronger."
Percy let out a loud yawn, eyes fluttering close. He laid his heavy little head on Sciron's shoulder and snuggled in close.
"Yeah," he managed to say. "We're good on that front. When you get here, we need to have a chat about the fountain room. It seems to be reaching its limit."
"Damn! Alright, lock it down," Cass grumbled.
On her side, Sciron heard someone snap at Cass. There was a short scuffle before she told Sciron. "Hey, is that baby with Kimberly or the god?"
"With me."
"Oh, good. Give him the phone."
Sciron eyed the sleepy baby. "Hold on."
He bounced carefully, letting the infant feel the movement to rouse him up again. Percy whined softly, eyes scrunching up. Sciron immediately held the receiver close to his tiny ears and said, "It's Mama."
The word worked stronger magic on Percy than ambrosia or nectar could have. The baby instantly perked up letting out a squeal as a new woman's voice came over the phone.
"Pepe? Baby, you okay?"
"Mamamama!" he babbled, hitting the receiver joyously.
Sciron let the baby talk (if it was called talking) to his mother until the woman, Sally, said, "See you soon, Pepe. Mama misses you so much. Te amo!"
"Amma!" Percy cheered. Sciron wondered if it's irony that a demigod with such a ruthless name had the words of mother and love as his first utterances.
The receiver crackled and Cass's voice was back. "One more thing, Sciron."
"Yeah," he said, suddenly remembering his meeting with the Earth Goddess last night. Terra took immense energy to conduct her conversations with the mortal world. She'd be sleeping it off for a while now. Hopefully. "Guess who dropped by."
"I know," Cassandra said. "Felt it. I pray Mother Earth is willing. I found where Ajax is."
He sat up, heart pounding. "Where? Not in Egypt?"
"Actually, yes. Sheikh Zayed City to be precise and very dead," she clicked her tongue.
"And the bracelet?"
"Off of him. He's no longer immortal."
Skiron's heart leapt out of his chest. "What? But… the Earth Mother was adamant she wanted him to fight for it! That's why she chose me! Because I can fight him and win!"
Cassandra gave a sigh. "Plans changed. He wasn't supposed to interfere with the Jacksons, but he did. He got too close to blowing the whole thing. We can't afford that."
"Any regeneration?"
"None," she answered. "You need to dispose of his body."
"You're right there!" Sciron protested.
"I have my hands full here. The Aurors are after us, we need to get out of the city. I'll send you the coordinates. I've got an agent here. Pick up his body from her and light a pyre for him."
Sciron gritted his teeth. He wanted to drop Kimberly and Percy in New York. He'd sworn that. But maybe he could bend the promise a little. "Fine. What about the bracelet?"
"It's all yours," she assured him. "Once the body is cremated, we'll know for sure that Gaia's taken away all his powers. And then I'll hand over the bracelet."
Sciron stood straight, not even caring that the baby had begun to drool on him again. "No tricks."
"No tricks," she continued, confident. "I'll send the Jacksons home. And then you can get back to Delphi. Iphy and I need to stop over at Busan. We'll meet you in a few days."
"Fine," Sciron said, rolling his neck to alleviate the pressure. At least Ajax was dead. No need to worry about him.
He spared one last look over to Kimberly. She was out of her trance and was now murmuring to Triton. Percy reached out to touch Sciron's cheek, curiously.
"You're going home," Sciron promised the infant. "I just gotta finish one thing and we're done here."
All was silent in the van at first.
Cass drove. The front seat could have all three of them comfortably, but Sally was still suspicious and chose to ride in the back. Lily took shotgun while Sally folded her arms over the top of their seat and placed her chin over them.
"Have you ever helped during wars?" Sally asked. Lily raised her eyebrows before looking over at Cass.
"As much as possible," Cass admitted. "I am under oath to serve my benefactor and as long as nothing interferes with her plans, Iphy and I have tried to be involved in many conflict areas."
"Even for muggles?" Lily asked, perking up.
"Only for muggles and mortals, if I'm to be honest," Cass said with a frown. "Most of the godly and demigod wars were very risky for us. We've been caught by the Hunters and Amazons enough times that it's their trade secrets."
Sally frowned. "And you're telling us this so easily?"
Cass quirked her lips up. "You can either swear to secrecy, or we can remove those specific memories from you. The best way for you to stay safe is to never have known us."
Lily recoiled. "You'd obliviate us?"
"It's not a threat," Cass promised. "It's a favour. Believe me, you won't want to be on the front lines with us. It is not for mortals."
Sally grew cold. "You mean it's for demigods? Those kids at camp are still kids, you know? All those hunters are also kids! And are you telling me that the Amazons are real?!"
Cass sighed. "I recommend you take up my offer of obliviation. It'll keep you and your family safe."
Lily swallowed. Cass was right, Lily had to think about Harry, Rosie, and James. And all their friends. She couldn't just run off with a pair of immortals, travel over the world, discover new mysteries, willy nilly.
Sally leaned away from Cass. "We'll discuss the mind-wiping thing when I see my sister and son. Until then, that bracelet stays with me."
"You better keep it somewhere secure," Cass warned.
"It's in a secretive place, you'll never find it," Sally promised with her nose in the air.
"Is it in your bra?"
The van went silent.
Lily pressed her lips together, holding back the sudden bark of laughter that threatened to bubble up her throat. She looked out the window at the sandy highway and the horizon of the bright desert stretched out for a hundred miles in all directions.
"Shut up," Sally mumbled so quietly that even Cass cracked a smile.
She looked at Sally in the rearview mirror. "Just as well. The bracelet won't actually affect you even with skin contact. We're dealing with gods. The ancient laws hold command over them so… "
Cass nodded towards her. "My benefactor will need your permission to take hold of you."
Sally nodded grimly. "Got it. No permission coming from me."
Lily thought of what Beatrice back at the hotel had said. Some deity approaches you with an offer-you-can't-resist, best to resist it. Nothing's worth the trouble that comes after.
"Why did you permit your benefactor to command you?" Lily asked Cassandra.
The immortal focused on the road. Her voice went low. "I was in pain. I'd suffered quite a bit. And I was very angry. My head was so clouded and she knew that. She asked at the perfect time. Asked if I was willing to serve her in exchange for the chance to get back at all my tormentors."
Lily recalled the story of Cassandra of Troy. She'd read a lot of the abridged, tailored versions and even those had been nightmarish. The truth would have been barbaric.
"Wait a sec…" Sally said slowly. "I remember your story… why are you working with Ajax?"
The tension went out in Cass's shoulders. "Why was I working with him, you mean?"
"Er… yes."
"Honestly, I hadn't expected the goddess to blindside me by extending the offer to him," Cass murmured. "I'd spent enough time with him to know exactly the kind of person he was. Zero redeeming qualities, which is impressive since I've lived through some very horrific times and those were the periods he'd flourished."
Lily couldn't hold back the grimace. "Can we talk about something else?"
"Sure," Sally said before poking at Cass's arm. "Do you get your periods?"
"I've stopped them for now."
"Rad," she sighed. "I just started getting mine a few months ago. The best thing about being pregnant is—"
"No periods!" all three women chimed.
Sally giggled. "How'd you pause them? With magic?"
"Hystone potions," Cass answered. "Very good, no side effects."
Lily looked at her in surprise. "You use our potions?"
"I paid for them like any worthy customer," Cass promised. "Iphy and I frequent the wizarding world often. We just don't interfere there."
Her jaw dropped. "But… you could help us! With Voldemort! You could change the playing field completely, just level it—"
Cass was already shaking her head. "Lily, I'm so sorry, but that's just not safe."
"Are you yanking?" Lily blurted, frustrated. "Ever since I got my school letter, I've been hearing about his uprising and it's been years! You could have helped us out at any time!"
"Lily, if your world finds out about us, it won't be long before they stumble upon the demigods and gods. It's bad enough that you guys are partially aware of the monsters, but it's just not safe."
"You and Iphy can help us fight," the witch insisted. "I'm not even thinking about demigods, I mean they're all kids, right? And yeah, I don't want to get the gods involved, either!"
Cass stared through the windshield. "Iphy and I have been in wizard wars before. It got bad enough we had to retreat. Especially since Ajax was there, he always stoked the fire and made the fighting so intense—"
"You killed Ajax," Lily hissed. "He's dead in that hotel right now and without his bracelet, he's not gonna wake up again!"
Cass snapped her mouth shut.
"Gods, I hope you didn't jinx us," she whispered.
"Cass," Lily said, determined. "Please think about it. You could… you could come back with us tomorrow, meet Dumbledore and McGonagall, maybe some of the Order? It doesn't even have to be major conflicts, or directly on the war front. Just getting information on all their hideouts and taking out the Inner Circle. You could work from the shadows! We'll pay you!"
Cass grimaced. But to Lily's wild hope, she looked like she was considering it.
"It's doable," Cass finally said with a furrowed brow. "We'll have to go under the Earth Mother's radar. She was awake just a few nights ago… if you can wait a few months for us to confirm she's fully asleep… "
"Months?" Lily asked, dismayed.
"You do not want her to know about your world," Cass warned, wide-eyed. "There will be nothing but mayhem and death."
Lily gulped down the bitter truth. "But you will consider it?"
Cass drummed his fingers on the steering wheel restlessly. "I… will discuss it with my wife and get back to you on that one. And forget about payment."
It was the best to hope for. Lily faced the road in a grim mood. She felt her shirt being tugged on.
Sally was staring at her, horrified. "You have a war happening? Right now?"
Lily watched her closely, still dismayed. It was disturbingly easy to forget that Sally was younger than what she looked. Giving birth does that to one. They're exhausted twenty-four/seven, fight with themselves on several fronts, are tired of their bodies that are slowly winding down from the hormone riddled state they were in while carrying.
It was also clear that Sally had been a little too young to be a fully-adjusted mother. Lily figured she was still a teenager and that tugged on her heartstrings. At least, Lily and James were twenty when their kids were born. Even though they were pretty young to be parents, it happened.
Thinking it over, they were pretty young to be in a war, as well.
"It won't affect you," Lily promised Sally. "We'll get it contained."
Cass eyed her carefully but didn't say a word.
"Like you said," Lily nodded towards Cass. "Best not to let worlds collide."
The immortal scoffed. "What d'you think is happening right now?"
"We're an exception," Lily admitted. "Total coincidence."
Their driver let out a long sigh. "Listen up, girls. I'll let you in on a secret that you'll need to rely on. There is no such thing as a coincidence."
Sally wrinkled her nose and nudged Cass's shoulder. "Us meeting here wasn't a coincidence?"
"I kidnapped your sister and son," Cass pointed out.
"But James and my involvement couldn't be planned?" Lily wondered.
Except...
"You got that vision, though," Sally whispered to Lily. "About the ancient lady in the blue peplos. How could you get that specific vision, the same dream my sister got?"
Lily fell silent. Oh, right. That vision was the reason they were all in a pickle.
"Are you sure," Lily asked carefully. "that witches and wizards are not supposed to mingle with gods and stuff? Even with divining powers, something could cross and reach the other side."
Even Cass looked reticent. "It's rare, but it can happen. Some Seers can look past their worldviews. You must be inordinately gifted. Any training?"
Lily shook her head. "I'm muggle-born."
Cass smiled. "Muggles and mortals are something else."
They were walking to the highway.
Mari did have a motorbike, but her nephew had borrowed it for a few days. James didn't have his wand (courtesy of Iphy), and couldn't apparate or charm portkeys. Iphy couldn't use many of her enchanted objects because Cairo's Auror teams were on the lookout for the Potters (courtesy of the Potters).
Which meant James had to wandlessly cast cooling and Impervious charms on them. Mari equipped them with two large umbrellas. Iphy kissed her daughter and gave her a fierce hug before she and James set off on foot.
"I can't believe I'm walking across the desert," James mumbled. "Why couldn't we have taken the camels?"
"Cass and the others are driving in a van," Iphy said for the third time. "No matter how much you enlarge the space in a vehicle, it will not be suitable for camels. Not to mention, we're being hunted by the Aurors, if you recall that particular detail. They wouldn't expect us to walk to the highway."
James muttered something unfavourable under his breath. His charmed shoes stopped his feet from sinking through the sand, but even so, walking on dunes was not a… walk in the park.
"Cheer up," Iphy chirped. "It's just an hour's trek. And we aren't ill-prepared."
"The desert, Iphy! We're in the middle of the desert!"
"I have a compass. We're going the right way."
"Urgh," James kicked at the sand. "Let me complain, will you? It's been a ridiculous two days. I just discovered about gods and monsters and… and what's Sally's kid?"
"Demigod."
"Right, those! And you! Actual immortals, Merlin and Morgana."
"I've met Morgana," Iphy mused.
James nearly stumbled. It was easy to lose footing while walking on mounds of sand.
"How… I mean…"
Iphy smiled. "Cass and I were passing through her village. We noticed she stood out in the crowd."
James blinked in wonder. "You could sense her aura?"
"Not exactly. Magical auras can be hidden by experts," Iphy nodded. "No, we saw her teeth."
"Teeth."
"She had really good teeth," Iphy explained. "Europe in that century? Not a good time for a commoner's health."
Cor. James grinned slowly. Okay, maybe he could sort of forgive the woman who broke his wand if she'd met Morgana a thousand years ago.
Or…
"You still owe me for my wand," he reminded her.
Iphy relented and gave a nod. "Fair. I can pay for a new one and…"
"Grant me a wish?" he asked hopefully.
"A wish? What kind of wish?"
James waved an arm around unthinkingly. His skin was exposed to the harsh sun and he quickly snatched it back, grimacing when there was a hot, pink patch of skin on his forearm.
"Maybe…" he shook his arm and blew on it. "You could owe me one?"
"Owe you… a favour?" Iphy asked worriedly.
"Well, yeah! I guess you know what we're all up to in Europe at the moment," James said sourly.
Iphy grimaced. James rushed to say, "You and Cass would be perfect in the fight! Voldemort's searching for immortality, did you know?"
"No, we did not know that."
"Well, he is! If he found out about you and your bracelets, he's going to come after you," James warned. "So maybe it would help if you could aid us in taking him down."
Iphy looked right ahead. Her grip on the umbrella arm was tight. James tried to feel upbeat but already sensed her rejection.
"Potter…" she said slowly, weighing her words. "Cass and I are very careful to not place ourselves in magical warfare. It's very dangerous for us, and in the long term, you as well."
James bristled. "How is it dangerous for you lot? You're immortal!"
"Yes, we are!" Iphy said pointedly. "Imprisonment and torture is our worst consequence. If we can't escape, we'll be locked up for centuries! And we're aware that you lot can live up to more than a hundred years, your memories of us will last far too long."
"We won't imprison you!" James recoiled.
"You might not," Iphy hedged. "But can you vouch for everyone you know?"
"I trust my friends," James said without a thought. "If you prefer, we can reveal you to just a few people. I can make a list right now—"
"James…"
"We're getting desperate," he pleaded, stopping in the sand. Iphy paused and turned back to look at him. He continued. "There's this… prophecy. And you know what? I wouldn't have worried too much about it, because Divination is a lil bit of a joke in our world, but the problem is Voldemort believes it and that makes it bloody real!"
Iphy frowned. "Self-fulfilling prophecies?"
"Basically!" James huffed. "It points to one of my kids, okay? Lily and I have been in hiding for more than a year now. Why do you think we're in Egypt?! It's not because we're sane or logical! We literally couldn't stand being cooped up!"
Iphy stared in horror. "You left your kids when you knew they're in danger?!"
"We didn't leave them in the house!" James snapped. "My friends have them. They're safe. This is the first time Lily and I have been away from them. And if you don't think we're having major regrets right about now, you are sorely mistaken, ma'am!"
He kicked at the sand again, fighting against the wind blowing the dunes in their direction. "And we're always in danger, it's not as though things wind down after a couple of months!"
Iphy rubbed a hand across her face. "I'm sorry, James. I really am. But it's just too dangerous."
"What's more dangerous than a dark lord terrorist rising across an entire continent?!"
"A goddess who wants to destroy all life on earth!"
The wind was silent but strong. Iphy sucked in a breath as though she'd just realised that she'd shouted at him.
James stepped back, stunned. "What… what did you say?"
Iphy looked up at the stark bright sky. The sun's effect was so extreme, the sky looked more yellow than blue, burning light into their retinas.
"It's… a lot more complicated than you think," Iphy promised. "But there are reasons why Cass and I can't just join your side. Our benefactor is a very old and powerful deity. If she thinks you and your world can affect her plans, she will intervene."
James swallowed. He was immediately struck by how thirsty he was, which was a bad thing to be reminded of in the desert.
"By intervene…" he winced. "Could she just… cause an earthquake?"
Iphy looked pained. "That wouldn't help her cause. She can weed out anyone who could try and oppose her while building an army that can enhance her powers and help her wake up."
His entire body went numb.
"Wake up?" he whispered.
"She's too ancient and too powerful to be fully awake. That requires far too much energy and right now, it's the Olympians who hold that kind of power. She can be aware for only a few days in a century."
James's eyes widened. "That's… good. That's good, right?"
"It used to be a few days in a millennium."
Silence.
"Oh," he said weakly. "You're saying she's slowly growing stronger?"
"She was," Iphy nodded, growing very grim. "Some decades ago, she almost woke up. Cass and I could do nothing. That's where a hero came into play."
James almost dreaded to ask. "Is that code for something?"
Iphy began walking again. They couldn't afford to lose the time. James quickly caught up.
"Not really. Hero just means demigod… but then again, a child of a demigod, legacies can be heroes. Mortals can also be heroes. The most famous one was Jason of the Argonauts. It just means people willing to fight despite the odds and the magic against them."
James recalled a story of the Argonauts. A collection of many demigods… well, not all of them were demigods… a collection of heroes who went on a quest to do something. He wasn't quite sure what the myth had been.
"A hero helped stop a goddess?" James asked, raising an eyebrow. "By himself?"
"Herself," Iphy corrected. "She was alone, yes. But she was very powerful. It was in the early 1940s… she managed to sink the goddess back into… well, for lack of a better word, back to hell."
"Hell? A lone child took down an ancient and powerful goddess?!" James asked, almost hysterical.
Iphy gave a sad smile. "Some demigods are simply incomparable."
Demigods were on another level. James gaped at the ground, unable to even believe that a child could do that. What kind of magic had she used?
"Simple isn't the word I'd use," James muttered.
"No," Iphy agreed. "But that's what you get with a child of the Big Three with powerful elemental abilities."
James didn't know what Big Three meant, but the last part of the sentence stuck out to trip him.
"Elemental?" he demanded. "Someone with elemental magic can affect the goddess?"
"It's very possible," Iphy said. "The Earth Goddess is very connected to the older magic that flows in the ground all over Greece and Rome and now in many parts of North America."
"Does it have to be a demigod with elemental magic? Or any hero? Or a child?"
Iphy looked at him curiously. "Any hero with that kind of magic could… wait, are you talking about witches?"
"Once in a while," James grimaced. "There are some of us born with that kind of pure magic cores. The last time four kids were born with this was some time in the seventeenth century."
Iphy stared, engrossed. "1612? The Goblin rebellion?"
"That's the one!" James snapped his fingers. "The battle was shortened because the four… er… prophesied ones helped cull the fights and sided with the goblins."
Iphy nodded thoughtfully. "I remember this… there was a Veela with water abilities, Guillaume, I believe. Two Romanian wizards-fire and air, and a witch from Albania who could raise the earth."
"Professor Binns finally managed to drill that into our heads in our fifth year," James smirked. "The point is, they stopped a war outbreak at the time."
"Elementals are on a different league," Iphy agreed warily. "But someone like them could interest the goddess. Which is why we chose Sciron."
At James's questioning look she elaborated. "Sciron's a child of one of the Big Three, the most powerful Olympians. He has mastery over the oceans, air currents, and to some extent the ground as well. The goddess thinks we chose him so he can aid in raising her from her full slumber, but he's going to ensure she stays calm and under for as long as possible."
James's mouth was open at this point.
Finally, he stammered, "One—one demigod can do that?"
Iphy quirked a half-smile. "Someone with control over an elemental, you mean. They have a better chance than the rest of us with her. Which just proves my point that we need to stay away from you and your world."
He shook his head and gritted his teeth. "What about stealth missions? We can find out everything about the Death Eaters; all their lairs and hiding spots, even the headquarters!"
Iphy gave him a patient look, one that so clearly signified all the years she'd been alive. James nearly stumbled. Though she barely looked twice his age, at that moment, she truly seemed weighed down by her experience.
"I cannot guarantee a clear and safe mission of any kind, James," she said, her voice very calm and strong. "The second reason why Cass and I have stayed away from directly interfering with demigods and even wizard magic is that Ajax was always quick to follow us."
If there was anything that turned off James from a plan or a directive, it was Voldemort and his damned Death Eaters. But this Ajax was fast climbing the ranks and James hadn't even met him. Just hearing his voice over the wireless muggle telephone had given him his fill for a lifetime.
"I don't know much about him," James admitted. "But your daughter gave me an excerpt."
Iphy nodded. "Ajax commanded a large army that he's trained over the centuries. They'll never betray him out of fear or blind loyalty. There were many times in the past when Cass and I just couldn't intervene in desperate events because we were too busy trying to undo or resist his forces."
James gawked at her. "So anytime he made things worse, you and Cass had to go fix it?"
Heaving a sigh, she took a swig from her bottled water. "When we first started out, we just killed him anytime he got out of hand."
"Oh, that's it?"
She directed a swift glare at James. "He got back at us plenty of times. The problem is, the more times he died, the better he got at recovery. We had to figure out smarter, long term ways to stop him. Some took elaborate planning like the time we managed to make him chase a Nundu around. Basically solved the problem for the local villages. Other times, we dropped him onto islands and blamed it on warlords."
Iphy grinned, her eyes flashing something dangerous. "We eliminated quite a lot of hostile forces by setting Ajax onto them. He always won."
James stared. "Always?"
"He's rarely lost a fight," Iphy said, thinking it through. "There were times some heroes could outwit him… they would have used a god's favour to escape. And Ajax would turn on other people to rage."
James could almost picture it. Iphy and Cass living through the centuries, trying to stay one step ahead of a vicious attack dog (who was more like a bloodhound) by unleashing him onto their enemies.
"This was the way you lived for millennia?" James asked quietly.
Maybe it was because their destination was in sight. Even James could see the long stretch of the smartly built tarred road, winking at them like a particularly shiny thread in the destination. Maybe it was that sight that made Iphy give an optimistic view of their situation.
"Not always," Iphy assured him. "There were centuries when Cass and I had never had to deal with Ajax. That was nice. Sometimes we'd settle down with other mortals, have kids, grandkids… raise families, make friends… it was easier when inter-village and kingdom connections and mail were difficult. We used magic to make ourselves look older over the years. We've lived several lifetimes without the need to answer our benefactor's call. It was only a few dozen times when the goddess was able to wake up when our duty called us back."
Iphy smiled softly. "She needs people to help her keep track of the world's movements. Pantheons and their powers tend to move around based on what mortals and muggles do. The ancient laws stay the same, but the rules can change every once in a while. Anytime there's a possibility to gain power, she attempts to rise, to stir the consciousness of young demigods so they may be misled."
James gave her a frown. "But you help the demigods out? From the shadows?"
With a tilt of her head, Iphy implied it. "As much as possible. We're not crowned, but we can make sure her rise to the throne slows as much as possible. It's the heroes who can actually fight her and defeat her… when it really comes down to it. We just… delay that inevitability."
They reached the road in good time.
National Highway 75 in the city of An Nubariyah is a long stretch of road connecting Cairo to Alexandria. James and Iphy find an air-conditioned closed bus stand to wait in.
"One more thing," James said, shaking the imaginary sand from his hair. "These demigods… why are they the ones who need to stop your benefactor? Why can't the Olympians do it?"
Iphy gave a short bark of laughter. He didn't see what was so funny about his question but waited till she finished, hiccups interrupting her ability to talk.
"Oh, James," Iphy cried, wiping away real tears. "When you go home, you may seek out the right books. Refresh your mind on these myths. For now, just know that there are ancient laws that stop all deities from encroaching on another's territories, powers, and weapons."
She leaned in a dastardly look on her face. "That's why it's their mortal children who get caught up in all their problems and end up reaping the consequences."
James frowned. "How is that fair?"
"It isn't."
"But… wait, you said mortal children… you're immortal, so does the ancient law apply to you?"
Iphy shook her head. "There's a reason why the benefactor didn't make Cass, Ajax, and me gods in our own right. We're immortals as in we taste death but come back every time. Gods never encounter death. Not even the God of Death, not like that anyway. But Cass and me, we're not gods or monsters, not heroes or mortals… we're outside the lines."
James felt the extensive weight of those words. He was really sitting here at an empty bus stop, with an immortal human.
"What does that feel like?" he whispered. "To know that death won't catch you?"
Iphy turned her neck to relieve the tension. "It can be overwhelming. It's easy to feel lost like this. But I'm lucky. I have Cass. And she has me."
Iphigenia smiled. "Death isn't a wall that is meant to crush you or stop you in the middle of life. It can be cruel and curse-like, but the truth is… it happens. It happens to you, I think that's what any mortal fears. That you don't have a say in when or even how you die. If you consider death an enemy, then it is you who conquers it when the end happens, because it is you who goes through that veil."
James felt his throat close up. "Even if it isn't a choice?"
Iphy gives him a look. "You have a choice. You could stay back as a spirit, still in this world."
He looked back out into the desert. The glass doors of the bus stop was a good barrier to the immense heat.
James would like to think he was brave. If he had to die fighting, he'd do it, especially if there were others on the line. But holy hell, would he be terrified the whole time.
"That's them," Iphigenia said, her tone changing.
James looked to his left and saw the sunlight being reflected off a small object in the distance. The air shimmered as waves of heat rose, creating mirages on the road.
He said, "You won't be confronting death anytime soon, though. Not with those bracelets."
Iphy stood up, her left arm coming up to touch the bracelet through the sleeve. James nodded at it, "You, Cass, and Ajax are safe for all of eternity. Just like the gods."
She frowned. "I'm… not so sure about that."
James offered her a curious look but she said nothing more.
The van arrived.
It was painted bright green and very eye-catching. James thought it was the last vehicle they ought to use to keep out of sight of the Auror teams searching for them.
The passenger and back doors opened and James breathed a sigh of relief when Lily stepped out and threw her arms around him.
She smelled of faint roses, a side effect of her plant magic. He'd always loved it. James held her tight and kissed her. Lily grinned so hard that it was difficult to keep kissing her, but he tried and that got her to start giggling.
"So we got good news and bad news," Cass said, but James couldn't really focus on her.
"Bad first," Iphy said, bracing herself.
"Sciron called her brother to do the memory extraction. He wanted to send the Jacksons home early."
"That's not so bad," Iphy said. "What's the good news?"
"We killed Ajax."
James yanked his face away from Lily's. "Um… what?!"
Lily and Sally simultaneously pointed at Cass. "She killed Ajax. We were unwilling witnesses."
Even Iphy looked shocked. "Cass! We can't afford to keep killing him when the urge arises, he's already remembering enough—"
"I took the bracelet," Cass interrupted her.
Iphy stared. James choked. Okay… so he's no longer immortal.
"It was a bloody light show, that's what it was," Lily mumbled into James's neck. He held onto her back, his surprise lessening.
"So, Sciron's the new immortal?" James asked, wide-eyed.
"As soon as he gets the bracelet," Cass confirmed.
The tension was erased from Iphy's body and she nearly melted. A throaty laugh burst out of her and she covered her mouth, still half-disbelieving.
Sally cleared her throat, practically vibrating in her spot in the van. "Can we get going?! You gotta get my family back to New York, 'member?"
Iphy brushed away her tears and took the passenger seat. James and Lily climbed into the back, arms interlocked.
"Next stop, Kimberly," Iphigenia promised, her eyes shining. She kissed Cassandra, and the women smiled. They'd waited for this day for a long time.
Sciron was accompanied by four fighters Cass and Iphy's personal army.
They reached Hotel Tailorbird, on their guard for any of Ajax's men. It seemed quiet and easy for now. Sciron eyed the cracks on the ground of the anterior parking lot. He felt on edge, all the events moving forward like it was out of his control.
He shook his shoulders. Sciron was going to be the next new immortal, ready to live on earth for the next several thousand years. He had to be confident about every move he made.
He was ready.
The owner was kneeling by the steps. She had a rifle in hand but was holding it loosely, more engrossed in the fissure lines on the ground.
"Back there," she said, jerking her thumb in the direction of a blond man standing in front of a closed garage.
Sciron approached him.
"We wrapped him up in there," the man told Sciron, not offering a name. "He's kinda messy… hope you brought gloves."
Sciron wrinkled his nose. "We'll handle it. Zara, get the portkey ready. Others with me."
They raised the shutter and stepped in. Ajax's body was wrapped in an old blue tarp. Sciron smelled the iron in the air and kicked at the body's legs. The tarp didn't move.
He checked the head. A portion of the skull had been blown out, chunks of it matting into the man's short hair. The bullet hole was empty. Cass must have taken it out.
There were no signs of healing. Sciron sat up, feeling jubilant, but the air changed.
The Mist shimmered around them.
The others frowned, recognizing the magic. Sciron had his hand on his gun and sword, ready to snatch them out to face whatever threat would declare themselves.
The ground shook.
"Are you ready, child of Iphimedia?"
Sciron winced. The Earth Mother's voice thundered into his brain, rattling around the insides of his skull. He shuddered but answered quickly, "Yes! I'm ready for your gift, My Lady."
She chuckled. It shook the ground. "Good. I am eager to see the results."
Sciron frowned. Results? What did she mean—
The floor of the garage broke into hairline fractures. Sciron backed away, watching in horror as the ground beneath Ajax's body quaked. The corpse jerked for a terrifying moment.
In front of Sciron's eyes, his skull began to piece itself back together.
The others shrank away, swearing. Sciron got to his feet, shaking.
"What are you doing?" he whispered in shock.
"The deal," Terra reminded him. "You must battle Ajax and win. Only then will I gift you what you desire."
"But he was already dead!"
The Earth Mother hummed. "Do not forget, child. The bracelet is merely a passage of my powers. It is I who grants immortality and takes it away."
The blood was still there, covering the side of Ajax's head as he opened his eyes. He turned to look up at Sciron, confused but.
"The winner will receive my gift," Terra said and sank back to watch the ensuing mayhem.
Things are gonna go sideways now! Stay tuned, folks!
Cabba K.