Michael
_
Living in an actual apartment was a nice change to a cabin with multiple people. Not to mention, kids changed the entire dynamic of our lives. It was hard to believe they were born only six months ago, almost to the day. It was the most amazing thing to spend so much time with all of them every day.
Unfortunately, we may not have much time left. Even now, Katie, Bianca, and I were watching the news. Watching as they covered the freak storm that was passing through the U.S.
We saw a bank of storm clouds rolling across the Midwest plains. Lightning flickered. Lines of tornadoes destroyed everything in their path—ripping up houses and trailers, tossing cars around like Matchbox toys.
"Monumental floods," an announcer was saying. "Five states declared disaster areas as the freak storm system sweeps east, continuing its path of destruction." The cameras zoomed in on a column of storm bearing down on some Midwest city. I couldn't tell which one. Inside the storm I could see the giant—just small glimpses of his true form: a smoky arm, a dark clawed hand the size of a city block. His angry roar rolled across the plains like a nuclear blast. Other smaller forms darted through the clouds, circling the monster. I saw flashes of light, and I realized the giant was trying to swat them. I squinted and thought I saw a golden chariot flying into the blackness. Then some kind of huge bird—a monstrous owl—dived in to attack the giant.
"Are those . . . the gods?" Bianca asked.
"It has to be," I said. "They must've been fighting him for days now, trying to slow him down. But Typhon is marching forward—toward New York. Toward Olympus."
"How long until he gets here?"
"Unless the gods can stop him? Perhaps five days. Most of the Olympians are there . . . except your father, who has a war of his own to fight."
"But then who's guarding Olympus?"
Katie shook her head. "If Typhon gets to New York, it won't matter who's guarding Olympus."
Bianca stood up and began to pace. "What're we going to do? The camp's no match for the Titan army. There's no way we can defend Olympus."
"It comes down to you and Alex," I said. "And there's only one way you can beat him." Bianca looked back at the television. "We can give you the same power. You heard the Great Prophecy. Unless you want to be on the bad side of that knife . . ."
Bianca sighed. "You can't prevent a prophecy," she said.
"But you can fight it. We did the same thing to save you and Zoe two years ago. We can do it again. You can become invincible."
She bit her lip. "Michael, I-"
"Bianca, we don't have time!" Katie piped up. "Trust me, Michael and I don't want you to do it, but we don't have a choice left."
"I still need the blessing," Bianca protested. "I can't just go find my mother! It's against the ancient laws!"
"Bianca, please!"
It was silent as she stared at Katie and me. In the background, I heard one of the kids crying.
It took all my courage, but I said, "You need to do this. To face Kronos. And without the curse...You don't stand a chance. I don't want to see you die. Not again."
She stared for a few more seconds before hanging her head.
"Alright," she muttered. "I'll do it. But the kids-"
"Already have it planned," Katie said, jumping up. "Iris'll look after them. I'll have Demeter send them to Michigan to stay with my mortal mother. Demeter has already agreed."
"Isn't she-"
Katie shook her head. "She's hiding in the underworld with Hades and Persephone." She rushed over to Bianca and pulled her into a hug. "Please be safe, Bianca. I know I'll never be as special to you as Michael is, but...for both our sakes, get it done. Kick Kronos's ass and send him back to Tartarus. I love you." She pulled Bianca down and kissed her quickly before rushing off to gather the kids and take them to Alex's mother.
Bianca seemed a little shell-shocked at Katie's words but I didn't give her time to think about it. I walked over and grabbed her hand with my fake hand. A mixture of ice and moonlight, not unlike the one I now gripped. "C'mon. Take us to see Hades. With or without his blessing, we'll find your mother."
She nodded. She flicked her hair and we disappeared into the shadows.
We reappeared in Hades' throne room. It was beautiful in a creepy way. Skeletal white trees grew from marble basins. Flower beds overflowed with golden plants and gemstones. A pair of thrones, one bone and one silver, sat on the balcony with a view of the Fields of Asphodel. It would've been a nice place to spend a Saturday morning except for the sulfurous smell and the cries of tortured souls in the distance.
Skeletal warriors guarded the only exit. They wore tattered U.S. Army desert combat fatigues and carried M16s.
I stared at the empty thrones, waiting for something to happen. Then the air shimmered. Three figures appeared—Hades and Persephone on their thrones, and an older woman standing between them. They seemed to be in the middle of an argument.
"—told you he was a bum!" the older woman said.
"Mother!" Persephone replied.
"We have visitors!" Hades barked. "Please!"
Hades, one of my favorite gods, if the one I'm most terrified of, smoothed his black robes, which were covered with the terrified faces of the damned. He had pale skin and the intense eyes of a madman.
"Michael," he said with a slight nod of his head. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
I gave my father-in-law a small smile before saying, "It's actually Bianca who needs to speak to you." I glanced at her. She seemed a little nervous in front of the three gods so I elbowed her a little. It seemed to do the trick and snapped her out of her dread.
She cleared her throat. "I've come because I need your permission to enter Elysium, father."
Hades looked at her curiously. "What? You know you can go there whenever you want. I never would've stopped you from exploring the underworld."
"Not for this, father. I need to visit someone in particular in Elysium and I don't dare do so without your permission."
Hades looked at Bianca confused before his face changed to one of shock. "You know I cannot allow that, daughter. There are laws even I cannot break."
"I have to do this father, I have no choice. I need to speak with my mother."
"Oh," Persephone said, putting her head in her hand. "That woman."
I hadn't really paid any attention to her or the older woman yet. Queen Persephone had lustrous black hair and warm brown eyes. Her dress shimmered with colors. Flower patterns in the fabric changed and bloomed—roses, tulips, honeysuckle.
The woman standing between them was obviously Persephone's mother. She had the same hair and eyes, but looked older and sterner. Her dress was golden, the color of a wheat field. Her hair was woven with dried grasses so it reminded me of a wicker basket. I figured if somebody lit a match next to her, she'd be in serious trouble.
"Lady Persephone," Bianca started, her voice low. "I agree that my father wronged you by cheating on you and siring my brother and me, but please never speak of my mother in that tone."
Persephone blinked, but it was Demeter who spoke up. "I warned you, daughter. This scoundrel Hades is no good. You could've married the god of doctors or the god of lawyers, but noooo. You had to eat the pomegranate."
"Mother—"
"And get stuck in the Underworld!"
"Mother, please—"
"And here it is August, and do you come home like you're supposed to? Do you ever think about your poor lonely mother?"
"DEMETER!" Hades shouted. "That is enough. You are a guest in my house."
"Oh, a house is it?" she said. "You call this dump a house? Make my daughter live in this dark, damp—"
"I told you," Hades said, grinding his teeth, "there's a war in the world above. You and Persephone are better off here with me."
I coughed awkwardly, drawing their attention back to us.
"Father, I desperately need to see my mother," Bianca said.
Hades shook his head, "What is so important that you need to speak with her?"
Bianca took a deep breath before looking into his father's eyes seriously, "I need her blessing to bathe in the Styx."
Hades' eyes widened. "Whatever for?"
"She is the child of the prophecy," I explained. "Surely you know this. Kronos's new host, Alex Mare, has already bathed in the Styx's waters. Our friend Killian saw it for himself when he attacked him not once, but twice. Each time, his sword merely bounced off. It's the only way she can survive an encounter with your father."
Hades looked like he was making the hardest decision he had ever made. There was more concern and worry on his face than I'd ever seen on a god's face before. But then, he suddenly looked determined.
"I may not be the world's greatest father but I will help my daughter do whatever I can to give her a chance to survive this blasted prophecy, ancient laws be dammed."
Persephone chuckled. "Now that's the husband I came to love."
Demeter huffed.
Bianca and I bowed to them. "Thank you, Lord Hades," I said. "I can never repay you for your kindness today."
"I didn't do this for you, boy," he said gruffly. "I did this for my daughter."
"I know, Lord Hades. And that is why I am so grateful."
Bianca grabbed my hand and we once again disappeared into the shadows, leaving the gods to bicker once again.
We reappeared in a park in Elysium where Bianca led me towards a corner of the park. When they were fifty yards away, Bianca froze. A beautiful woman in an old-fashioned black velvet dress with a matching hat sat on a bench in the corner by herself, apparently waiting for something. She wore a string of pearls and white gloves, and her hair was tied back.
I looked at the woman before turning to look at Bianca. I was surprised to see a tear falling down her face as she stared at the woman.
I squeezed her hand, making her tear her gaze away from the woman to look at me. I gave her a reassuring smile, and her eyes brightened a little. I began to lead the way to the woman, gently pulling her with me. When they were within ten yards, the woman stood from her bench as tears began to fall from her ghostly face.
Bianca let go of my hand and quickly walked to her mother, stopping a foot away as he wiped the tears from his face. Her mom smiled at him before she stepped forward and hugged her daughter tightly.
I stood a few feet away, feeling a little awkward, a little jealous. It was nice that Bianca was still so close to her mother, but between her and Katie, who loved her mortal mother to death and gushed about her nearly every day, I felt a bit left out. I'd never have anything like that again.
After a couple of minutes, they pulled back. Bianca turned to me and waved me over.
I awkwardly walked over but some of the awkwardness left when her mother smiled at me. "You must be Michael," she said softly.
My eyes widened before I nodded slowly. "Yes..."
"Mi chiama Maria di Angelo," she said in Italian. "Sono la madre di Bianca. Devi essere Michael Triest. Ade ti ha menzionato prima."
"E' un piacere conoscerla, signorina di Angelo," I responded in time. "Bianca parla molto bene di te."
She smiled and I was struck by how similar she and Bianca looked. They both had the same dark hair and dark brown eyes and a very similar smile.
"Kind of you to have learned Italian for my daughter," she said with a rather old accent. I had to admit, it matched her attire. "I am pleased my daughter's husband is so devoted to her."
I bowed slightly, embarrassed by her praise. I figured it would be good not to mention Katie, who couldn't even learn Greek, and it was hard-wired into her brain.
Bianca looked at her Mom confused. "How did you know?"
Maria laughed. "Your father visits me often to keep me updated on your life. He has told me you have become quite the little hero."
Bianca blushed. "I wouldn't be alive, were it not for Michael here. He deserves more credit than I."
"Don't sell yourself short, B," I said, bumping her with my hip. "Without you, we would've died to Talos."
Maria laughed when she saw Bianca's bright red face. Bianca glared at me for embarrassing her but that just made me laugh.
When we finally stopped laughing, Bianca turned to her mother with a serious look but she held up her hand to stop her from speaking.
"I know why you are here, Bianca. I can not say that I am very happy but I know you need to do this. I know your father would never put you in such a position if he did not need to. I trust that your husband and wife will protect you through it all."
Bianca's eyes widened in alarm but Maria just smiled. She raised her hand and cupped Bianca's cheek.
"I am proud of the woman you have become, my daughter," she said. "And tell your brother that I love him and am proud of him."
Bianca nodded, her dark eyes tearing up. "I will, mamma. I love you."
"I love you, too, la mia bellezza."
Bianca leaned forward and hugged her mom again. When she pulled back, Maria kissed her softly on the cheek before her ghostly form vanished from her spot in front of us.
Bianca stood staring at the spot her mother had vanished from as a few tears leaked from her eyes. I reached up and wiped them away with my thumb before I grabbed her hand again, finally breaking her out of her trance.
"Let's go, cariña," I said softly.
She nodded and wrapped us in shadows. This time we were deposited on the banks of the River Styx.
The River Styx's current swirled with strange objects—broken toys, ripped-up college diplomas, wilted homecoming corsages—all the dreams people had thrown away as they'd passed from life into death. Looking at the black water, I could think of about three million places I'd rather swim.
"So..." She glanced at me. "I just jump in?"
"You have to prepare yourself first," a voice behind us said, "or the river will destroy you. It will burn away your body and soul."
We both turned and nearly fell into the river in surprise. For a second I thought he was Ares, because this guy looked exactly like the god of war—tall and buff, with a cruel scarred face and closely shaved black hair. He wore a white tunic and bronze armor. He held a plumed war helm under his arm. But his eyes were human—pale green like a shallow sea—and a bloody arrow stuck out of his left calf, just above the ankle.
"Achilles," I said.
The ghost nodded. "I warned the other one not to follow my path. Now I will warn you."
"Alex? You spoke with Alex?"
"Do not do this," he said. "It will make you powerful. But it will also make you weak. Your prowess in combat will be beyond any mortal's, but your weaknesses, your failings will increase as well."
"You mean I'll have a bad heel?" I said. "Couldn't I just, like, wear something besides sandals? No offense."
He stared down at his bloody foot. "The heel is only my physical weakness, demigod. My mother, Thetis, held me there when she dipped me in the Styx. What really killed me was my own arrogance. Beware! Turn back!"
He meant it. I could hear the regret and bitterness in his voice. He was honestly trying to save Bianca from a terrible fate.
Then again, Alex had been here, and he hadn't turned back.
That's why Alex had been able to host the spirit of Kronos without his body disintegrating. This is how he'd prepared himself, and why he seemed impossible to kill. He had bathed in the River Styx and taken on the powers of the greatest mortal hero, Achilles. He was invincible.
"I have to," Bianca said, though her voice trembled. "Otherwise I don't stand a chance."
Achilles lowered his head. "Let the gods witness I tried. Hero, if you must do this, concentrate on your mortal point. Imagine one spot of your body that will remain vulnerable. This is the point where your soul will anchor your body to the world. It will be your greatest weakness, but also your only hope. No man may be completely invulnerable. Lose sight of what keeps you mortal, and the River Styx will burn you to ashes. You will cease to exist."
Bianca nodded. She walked up to the edge of the bank and closed her eyes. She turned around and gazed at me. She gave me the kindest, most loving smile I've ever seen on her face, before throwing out her arms and falling backward into the River Styx.
I wanted to jump in after her but held myself back. Achilles muttered, "Well, she's one of the only ones I've ever seen jump in with a smile on their face."
An entire agonizing minute later, the river spit Bianca out. I knelt at her side. "Are you okay?" I asked. "What the hell's wrong with your skin?"
Her arms were bright red.
"I'm fine . . . I think." The color of her skin turned back to normal.
"Do you feel stronger?" I asked.
Bianca looked at her hands. "A little." She looked up at me. "Do you think it worked?"
"I certainly hope so. We do have a war to get to."
