The god took a step back. "So the rumors are true. Jason Jackson has escaped."
I heard my mother gasp. It was the first thing I'd heard from her since she'd screamed my name as I jumped after Charlie.
I ignored the guilt and sassed back the god with, "Escaped what? You have to be specific at this point." I'd gotten into a lot of trouble this past year. .
Ate tilted his head. He didn't move towards us but he smiled confidently.
I continued with, "Tartarus, the forges of Kampe, the Labyrinth, the Prisons of Rhode, Walmart—"
"You've seen the worst of it all," he rudely cut me off. "You know the world doesn't deserve any love, you know that pain will always prevail. Join me. Join us. You know the size of this army, and we know that you can take down the gods single handedly. You are the most powerful weapon in existence. Join us and you will be unstoppable."
What? How could he know what I have done and expect me to join him?
"The gods I've defeated could squash you like a bug if they were still alive," I reminded him. "Don't think you can threaten me. If you think I am going to turn my back on all it is I love then you are wrong. You are forgetting that I didn't survive that place alone. I am still human, I am not a monster. I now know better than before that this world is a beautiful place, and it does not deserve death, unlike you. I have fought forgotten gods, monsters so old only Tartarus knows their name. I've fought the end of my predecessors, the nightmares of one's own mind, and I've done it all to get back here, to these people. Don't for a second think you're taking that away from me."
Charlie landed beside me, apparently having been stuck in the water for a bit longer than me. I scoffed at him and he rolled his eyes. He didn't come too close.
His entire body was covered with small flames. It almost looked like fur, but I could feel the fire. Despite the heat, I didn't step away from him. We exchanged a look before we charged. At first, all seemed well, but I should have seen the smile on Ate's face and realized he had a plan.
"Jason!" Charlie only said my name, but he needed not say anything more. I froze, awaiting whatever it was he was trying to warn me. Ate, god of mischief and illusions. He captured me at a moment of confusion and surprise. Even the Arai didn't expect his attack.
My mind went blank, seeing nothing but Ate in front of me. He was forcing me into a delusion, but I didn't know it was a delusion. I didn't know he was tricking me.
I saw Charlie beside me, just as he had been. But the fire in his eyes was gone. They were filled with fear. Ate sprung forward before I could react, his spear outstretched.
I felt sluggish, slow. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I could hear the Arai angrily saying that there wasn't enough room in my head for more than one intrusion. That's when it clicked that this wasn't real. But as I watched Ate's spear dig through Charlie's stomach, it sure felt real. It felt as though my heart had been ripped from my chest.
I ran to his side, taking his face in my hands. I knew what pain looked like on his face, and this wasn't it. The look of defiance wasn't there, no spark of hope.
This wasn't Charlie. This was Ate, trying to hurt me. If he thought this would keep me from fighting, then he was very wrong.
I looked away from the vision he was forcing me to see. "Get out of my head," I growled. "Out!" I pushed him from my mind.
When I opened my eyes, I was on the ground, kneeling. Charlie, my Charlie, was standing before me with his fists aflame. He was more alive than ever, and just as angry. I felt his energy reaching towards me. Worry made his fingers shake.
I stood up with my head bowed and set my hand across his shoulder. He was holding my dagger unsteadily, causing it's blade to steam with his heat.
"Charlie," I spoke.
He turned quickly. "Are you ok? What did he do?" he asked me.
I cracked my neck and took my dagger from him, ignoring the heat as I swung it around my fingers. "He secured his death," I promised.
I felt his eyes seering into my back. He walked behind me with his hands raised to back me up if the need arises. This is how we often fought. If I looked as angry as I did now, then he would step back. He knew I could handle it.
"You don't understand what you've done to yourself. Showing me his death only angers me."
I heard Charlie behind me, muttering under his breath. All I caught were the words, "Oh shiiiit."