A/N: Yay! Chapter 5! It took me a looooooong while to figure out how to word all of this, so enjoy people!

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Chapter 5: Much Has Changed Since Then

"Turn around, Myra," I suddenly heard from behind me. I turned around and looked behind me to see none other than Aiva, just standing there as if she's been there all along and nothing out of the ordinary had happened. With a smile she walked back over to me and took her seat on her bed, as did I.

"So you really are half god!" I gasped, extremely surprised as well as still a tad confused.

Aiva sighed in frustration. "Yes, you little half-wit."

"Will you just stop with the insult for now, Bitch?!"

Aiva glared at me for a few seconds in complete anger. Then, she simply dismissed my insult with a role of her eyes and continued with her story. "Anyway, so I was taken by the gods to live with the Amazons. Artemis is the one who took me to the Amazon queen. For some reason, Artemis has always felt close to me. I don't know why. So, the queen of the Amazons became my mother.

"A few months after adopting me, my mother fell in love with a Roman. They thought they could never be together though, until Caesar found out and blessed their union. He liked the Roman man, saying that he saw himself in the man's eyes. I was still a baby then, so this man became a father to me. My mother wanted me to be raised in the Amazon tribe, though, as well as the Roman Empire. Technically, I lived with my fellow sister Amazons, but I visited Rome frequently.

"When I was growing up, I decided that I wanted to fight, so I was trained by both the Amazons and the Romans. As you already know, I was also practically raised with Octavius. His adoptive father, Caesar, and my father were best friends and fellow warriors, so then we became best friends in turn, able to tell each other everything. And it's because of that little fact that Octavius knows who I am…" She trailed off there and I knew what she was thinking.

Smiling slyly, I ventured to ask, "You like Octavius, don't you? I mean, as more than a friend."

Aiva blushed for a second before answering, "Yes, I do. Actually, I think I love him—have for a few years now." …

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As I think back on that day, I think about how much has changed since then. Since that little discussion, Aiva and I have started to get along a little better than we did back then. Well, I mean, sure, occasionally we'll have an argument and end up cursing each other out but… Ya know. Thankfully, nothing really bad ever happens to either of us as a consequence, except if Livia finds out that I'd disrespected someone of higher rank than myself. Then, I end up getting in big trouble.

Aiva's mother, the Queen of the Amazons, was killed a few years back. Livia promised she wouldn't do anything to Aiva's tribe, even though Livia hated Amazons for some unknown reason. Some people don't understand why she went back on her word and did, but I do. What's there to understand? Livia is a monster, and shouldn't be expected to be able to do something as honorable as keeping a promise.

Livia went back on her word regardless, however, of what everyone else expected of her. She took her army to Aiva's village and attacked. She only ordered her men not to kill anyone because she wanted to sell them all as slaves. She did so, only after having a major fight with the Queen of the Amazons, Oceanna, and killed her.

Aiva took the news pretty hard. It took her a month, but she did get over it and then, with the help of Octavius, she bought them, as an anonymous source. She hid them after that, so Livia could never harm them again. Since her mother was dead, the title of Amazon Queen was given to her. She still visits them often, although I'm the only one who knows about it. Neither Livia nor Octavius know anything on the whereabouts of her tribe.

Octavius let Aiva move in with him and Livia after her mother died, so he could help his friend out, much to the aggravation of Livia. So, she now lives with us, and so does her father, who is currently ill and is unexpected to live much longer.

Ya know, Livia and Aiva used to be friends, but Aiva has hated Livia ever since that event. Most of the Roman people nowadays hate Livia for what she did to Aiva and her tribe and don't want her as their empress. They have all seen that Livia doesn't care about anybody—not the Amazons, not the people of Rome, nobody. She only cares about herself and her needs.

But, unfortunately, the words of the Roman people don't mean a thing. It's Octavius who makes the decisions, and he still likes Livia. Although, he's been contemplating about it for a while, since he does listen to the people and what they say to some degree. He's been having the slightest second thoughts about marrying her, but they're not enough to totally convince him not to.

The gods still check up on Aiva periodically, as they always have, just to make sure she hasn't turned evil. That's how I've gotten to meet a lot of the Gods of Olympus. You should've seen me the first time I met Athena. I was young and didn't know any better, so played the "20 questions game" with her.

The goddess gave me a death glare, letting me know that she was definitely getting annoyed. "Anyway," Aiva interrupted us, and directed Athena's attention to herself, which, knowing Athena, was probably a good thing. Other than Athena, I've met Aphrodite, Strife, Hera, Artemis, Aries, and even Zeus himself one time.

Aries…Hm! He tried to seduce Aiva once, but he ended up choosing Livia over Aiva because Livia is more vicious, while Aiva—well…at least she's nowhere near as bad as Livia. Aries is still quite fond of Aiva, though. I can tell. He told me once that, if Aiva asked him, he'd pick Aiva over Livia. But, oh well, I guess that won't happen.

Yup, a lot has happened since Aiva confided in me her secret. A lot has changed. But one thing still remains the same. Aiva still loves Octavius, although the man is completely oblivious to that fact…

…………Oh my! I've just been hit with a brilliant idea, one that may change all of our lives—for the better…………

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A/N: Ohhhhhhhhhh! The mystery! What is Myra, that devious little girl thinking up this time? Sorry guys, but you'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out. So, until next time! See ya!