The Missing Sun
Chapter Ten
Darkness welcome Helen once again, but this time she was sinking in it like quicksand. It wrapped its self around her, pulling her down more and more than she shivered at the touch. As muffled noises echoed all round her, Helen didn't even struggle. She just let the dark continue to swallow her whole.
"I did the right thing… I have no regrets," Helen whispered.
"But the fight isn't over yet." A familiar voice told her.
A hand reached out to Helen as she stared at it for a moment before grabbing it. Helen looking up, looking for a face that went with the hand. But she couldn't find one at first. And the darkness that she willingly gave herself to did not want to let her go. Helen reached out with her other hand and another hand reached out and took hers. The hands around her tighten as they kept pulling and pulling until the darkness let out and Helen went flying and landed on something sold, but it wasn't a floor. Her eyes widen when she looked into the familiar eyes of Janet, tears filled her eyes.
"While I am glad you're happy to see me," Janet said, wiping a few of Helen's tears away. "Can you please get off me?"
"Oh, sorry, Ms. Gibson," Helen said as she rolled over and stood up.
Janet smiled as she rose to her feet, dusting herself off. "I will get you to call me by my first name one day,"
A smile spread across her lips as she kept looking at her mentor, with tears still trickling down her cheeks.
"You said the fight wasn't over yet?"
Before Janet opened her mouth, a growl echoed around them. It was so loud it cause the surrounding darkness to shake.
"Oh, you don't like that, do you?" Janet shouted back.
Another growl followed even louder than before.
Helen looked around as a dark shadow lifted off the ground, morphing into a humanlike shape to it walks towards them. Tiling her head from left to right, Helen moved toward the figure but Janet touch her and arms and squeezed her shoulder, causing Helen to stop but her eyes kept looking at the human like shadow.
"Who are you?" she asked the shadow.
Helen got her answer when the shadow reveal itself. Helen's eyes leaped with joy. It was her father, Apollo. He smiled at her and gave a small wave. Helen wanted to reach him. He even held out his hand, yet something felt off. She looked down at his attire: black shoes with a mixture of black and red-orange pants and a matching shirt. But when she looked into his eyes, she noticed them flicker from sky blue to solid black. Her eyes narrowed, which only caused a smirk to spread across his lips.
"What are you?"
The shadow chuckled. "It is I your father,"
"You not him," Helen said bitterly.
"Of course he isn't," Janet said.
The fake Apollo eyes glared at Janet, followed by a growl.
"Helen's eyes widen when she remembered Cassandra and the word she spoke.
"The Dark Sun,"
The fake Apollo growled even more. He raised his hands and reached out a little further, only to snap it back and hiss at the pain. Janet smiled.
"Helen looked between Janet and The Dark Sun. Upon looking closer, Helen noticed a glass- like wall keeping the Dark Sun from getting closer.
"I'm not dead," Helen said a loud.
"No child,"
The dark sun growled and snarled as he continued banging on the glass wall.
"He wants you," Janet said, glaring back at The Dark Sun.
Helen shook her head. She didn't understand the last she remembered was jumping on the table and coming between her and the dark aura. Helen's eyes widen.
"The Dark aura… of the dark sun,"
"That's right, I'm choose you as my vessel. You made such a wonderful sacrifice, but now she keeps you from me." The Dark Sun said.
"That's because you don't belong here," Janet said.
"Shut up," The Dark Sun snapped.
Janet chuckled, "Oh you're mad I took away your vessel.
Helen's eyes widen there was no way she was going to let that control her body. Tiling her head from left to right, cracking her neck, followed by her knuckles, Helen's eyes flare up, giving off a red, orange tint. Janet was right the fight wasn't over yet. It had just begun.
In the Temple, Cassandra stood beside Helen dark aura circling around her. Hunched over, snarling, a smirked across her lips.
Apollo looked at Helen. How could he let this happen for Helen to make such a sacrifice for him? While he hadn't known her long, he vowed her and now to save her somehow.
Percy grit his teeth as he clenched the hilt of his blade, as his blue aura lined his body. He was determined to see this through and save Helen.
Jessica's eyes narrowed as Cassandra laughed, looking in her direction. Manipulated by a crazy woman, this would end now. She had a promise to keep.
"Don't worry Janet, I'll save her somehow.
Gripping her bow, Artemis knew this had to end here, but at what cost? Her glance around noticed everyone's aura. She wasn't sure how this was going to end, but was she ready to fight to the end if she had to?
Cassandra couldn't believe Janet's progeny, a mere hybrid, had absorbed all the dark aura. All that was left now was to get rid of theses fools and begin the first wave so their reign can begin.
"Now the dark sun is here. Let the fun begin." Cassandra said, snapping her fingers.
"Everyone braced themselves as Helen charged towards them."
Meanwhile, outside the temple around the black dome, the hunters and librarians noticed Cassandra's guards fighting the seekers. One by one, each guard pulled out their sword and attacked.
Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Claire charged toward the fight with the hunters and librarians behind her. Within moments, they teamed up with the guards, slashing and kicking at the seekers. While they seem to dodge their blows with ease while two Seekers dragged away two hunters, Claire snarled and yelled before slashing away she refuse to give up.
It wasn't until two librarians ran over with blue crystals. Throwing it at the Seekers, it shattered as a liquid ran up wrapping around the legs till it cover their heads. Claire kicks hard, shattering their bodies into pieces. Luna helps her up, placing her sword in her hand.
Both women nodded as they ran off together to take care of the other seekers. This time, they would be victorious.
Back in the darkness, Helen stared at The Dark Sun, who continued banging on the glass wall. Her reddish yellow, orange aura glisten the moment she heard a voice echoed thought the darkness one that brought a smile across her lips.
"Fight this, I know you in there don't let him win"
"Father…." Helen said as an image of Apollo appeared before her.
Soon many other voices followed along with images. There stood Percy beside Jessica. They held up their sword as if blocking someone's attacks. But Percy got kicked back and Jessica was pushed up against the wall.
"Helen, please fight this!" Percy shouted.
"I am not sure if you can hear me, but I won't stop till fighting till you're safe and the world is too. What about you?" Jessica asked.
"She right Helen, come back and help us finish this," Artemis said standing by her brother.
Helen closed her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. She couldn't stop, now not with them counting on her. And with the Dark sun within her body, she couldn't only think of one thing left to do. Clenching her fist tightly, the red gorge aura around her grew and grew. Still, it melted away the darkness and filled the area with a warm red, orange light that only seem to get hotter and hotter. Janet smiled as she stepped back.
"You got this," Janet said before disappearing.
Helen's eyes snapped out as the human form of the Dark Sun transformed into a massive beast. Its roar was great, but it didn't cause the dream scape to shake like before.
The red, orange aura circled around Helen more and more until it steadily raised her off the ground and into the air, transforming her into a massive phoenix with large wings and glowing red eyes. She let out a loud screech the shook the Dark Sun took the care as his beats grew small as morph back into his human like form.
"Enough! Get out!" Helen shouted.
The phoenix screamed, shattered the glass wall as she swooped down, transforming into a massive fireball. The Dark Sun's eyes widen he tried to move, but these feet refused to move. He grit his teeth, believing he could take the blow, but the moment it burn his skin, he let out a scream that when he knew he had lost.
In the temple, Helen stopped moving. Percy, Jessica, Artemis, Apollo, and the rest of the shadow guards watched as Helen's body convulsed. The darkness that once swirled around her body was steadily disappearing.
Cassandra's eyes widen as the dark aura sprinkled down on the ground as a bright red, orange aura grew around Helen.
"No! I won't let this happen. She can not win!" Cassandra shouted as she pulled out her dagger.
She went to stab Helen in the back, her aura busted thought knocking Cassandra back against the wall. Jessica appeared right in front of her with the dagger held up to Cassandra's neck. She could finally end this once and for all the pain this woman caused, all the false hope she gave her followers. Everything she did could be stopped right here.
Yet even as she stood here with a dagger up to her former boss's neck, she could believe that Cassandra was merely smiling at her.
"Do it, my last lesson to you give in to hate it shall set you free." Cassandra whispered.
Jessica pushed the dagger closer to her neck. It was about to touch her nick her neck when a hand gently laid over her followed by a voice.
"Sorry Cassandra, you will not get this that easy."
Jessica glanced over to see Helen staring at Cassandra with stern eyes. Jessica released her hold and back away. Moment later four shadows carted Cassandra away. Jessica grit her teeth as she clenched the hilt of the dagger. After taking a long deep breath, she looked back at Helen, who thought her pale skin and labor breaths still smiled. She took a hold of Jessica's arm, using it for support. Seeing her smile brought a sense of calm to her mind. She simply nodded to Helen, whose smile grew even bigger.
"Welcome to the Golden Sun. Now let's end this, shall we?" Helen asked.
Jessica nodded. Helen pointed to the coffin, still giving out a bit of a dark aura. Artemis and Apollo smiled as they held up their bows. As a green and red orange lined their bows, they let out a shot each the mixture of the sky and earth. The moment it hit the coffin, it shattered into a billion pieces.
Everyone shouted in victory except Helen, who slumped over one Jessica's shoulder. She managed a small smile as her eyes struggled to stay open.
"Good Job everyone…. I'm sorry I need to sleep." Helen said, closing her eyes.
Jessica patted Helen's Head. "Yeah, we'll take care of things here,
Helen opened her eyes. She looked up at the familiar golden yellow ceiling with a content sigh. She went to move her body, only to wince. That's when the rest of the pain trickled up and down her body, as if to say hello.
"Ah, you're awake," a scratchy voice said.
Helen paused for a moment and then spoke.
"Janet?"
"You finally said my first name… thank you" "
"I'm glad we made it back to the library."
Yes, there is still some cleaning up to do, but I took care of the big stuff while u were asleep." Janet paused. "Now here we are resting in the medical bay.
"You must be feeling better since you're talking so much."
"Look to the right."
Sitting up, Helen looked at the bed to her right. Her eyes widen at a body wrapped from head to toes in bandages. The only thing that wasn't covered was her eyes. Along with tubes where the IV fluids had to enter, she even spotted a few more monitors as well.
Helen fought to suppress her sniffles as she blinked away her tears.
"I know it looks bad, but don't worry, I'm fine." Janet said.
"I..don't know what to say," Helen stammered.
"Then listen," "I will be fine, but I need to rest so I will leave you in charge until I can return. As for Jessica, she would make a great second in command, don't you agree?" Janet asked.
"Yes, she has proven her loyally." Helen said.
"Good, I'm glad you think so too," Janet said, followed with a ragged phlegm filled cough.
"You okay?"
"Just exhausted,
Realty hit Helen. Before, she had just been a librarian that would do a few errands here and there. While working at the front desk, Yes, Janet would give her arduous tasks to do and even gave her command over a few projects from time to time and now she knew why. She was preparing her for this moment. She laid a on her chest, her heart was beaten faster than it ever had. The thought of her leading this place terrified her, but she would do her best.
"Okay, you the rest up to us and rest," Helen said confidently.
"Rest? I hope u two done plan to sleep just yet." Artemis said leaning on the window sill.
"Never," Janet said.
Helen smiled as the door blurted open and in walked Apollo, Jessica, and Percy.
"I am glad you're both okay," Apollo said, looking at Helen. "And thank you for saving my life."
"Yeah, you gave us a scare, Janet, you to Helen." Percy added.
"Uh yeah," Jessica said I'm glad you're both okay, and I was able to keep my promise."
Jessica looked away, but Helen could see a few tears trickling down her cheeks.
"Come here Jessica." Helen said,
Jessica walked over to Helen's bed and sat down on the edge. Helen laid her hands over Jessica's and looked deep into her eyes.
"It's not good to keep your emotions locked up, so I order you to let it all out.
Jessica teared up as more tears streamed down her cheeks. Jessica hugged Helen tightly, winching Helen hugged her back. Sobbing into her chest, Helen merely rubbed her back, not saying another word.
If Janet could move, she would smile. She was glad to know the library would be in expert hands.
"Ma'am, we're ready to move you," a nurse said.
"I see thank you," Janet paused. "Percy, I wish you well on your travels home, and I can't wait to meet you again."
"Thank you," you take care."
The nurse was about to walk closer when Artemis held up her hand.
"I'll take her. "Artemis said.
Waving her hand, Janet and Artemis disappear, Apollo shook his head before looking to Percy.
"So, are you heading back to the camp?" Apollo asked.
"No, I'm going to enjoy the remaining days of my summer I have left with my mom and her boyfriend." Percy said. Before looking at Helen.
"Safe travels, Percy, and thank you for everything," Helen said.
Jessica pulled away and wiped away her left over tears. "Yeah, see ya, Percy."
Percy smiled and nodded as Apollo snapped his fingers, and he disappeared.
Jessica stood up and cleared her throat. "Well, I should get going too. I have a lot to teach the shadows."
"Good luck with that and don't hesitate t drop by if you need any help." Helen said.
Jessica nodded. She bowed to Apollo slightly before leaving.
Pulling up a chair beside Helen's bed.
"It's just the two of us now," Apollo said, laying a hand over Helen's
"I would love to ask you so many questions,"
"I will do my best to answer ever single one if you joined me on mount polypus but I know that won't happen."
You're right, so much work needs to be done." Helen said you're welcome to visit anytime"
"I will, I promise."
Standing up, Apollo leaned in and kissed Helen on the forehead.
"Sorry to interrupt this moment, but we have to go, Artemis said popping in.
Apollo sigh as a low rumble could be heard from outside.
"Coming, dad," Apollo yelled as a yellow-orange light formed around and he disappeared,
"Helen smiled. "Good bye father,
Artemis walked over to Helen. She gave her a big hug before another rumble could be heard.
"Well, time for me to go. See ya around." Artemis said as a green light formed around her and she disappeared.
Helen laid back down on her bed with a sigh. Silence echoed all around her peace at last. It didn't take long for a yaw to escape her lips. She could barely keep her eyes open. Another yawn followed, and Helen closed her eyes. She had a lot to do when she got better, so she had better enjoy the peace while it last.