Chapter 30: Blissfully Unaware (Bonus Chapter)

-Somewhere in the Chase Manor-

"It is done."

As her gaze travel into the horizon, her vision landed on the silhouette of a boy and a girl sitting on the beach. She could see them clearly, even over a distance of two hundred yards away.

"Their fate is sealed?" Over the desk came a man's voice.

She sighed.

"ΕΠΙΣΤΡΟΦΗ."

It was a command to return. Perched on top of her shoulder was a brown owl, and soon as those words were spoken, her vision returned to normal. The owl on her shoulder unfolded its huge wing, flapping a heavy beat to help it take off. It flew across the large library toward its designated perch towel. The animated brown owl soon found itself in a solid bronze statue once again.

"Athena?" The man questioned.

A woman in her soft nightgown sat on the ledge of her window, her longing gaze traveling far and wander aimlessly for some form of answers from beyond.

"Is this the right thing to do?" Her voice heavy, Athena was grappling with an uncertainty she had never felt before, "Are we really doing the right thing?"

The glowing and half-wane celestial moon accent higher into the night. There was no immediate reply.

But it didn't matter.

As always, she foresaw his empty response. A sigh left her lips as she gazed into the horizon again. The calm night was welcoming. It provided a small measure of peace over the short battle that once was earlier in the evening. Nevertheless, it eased her mind, no matter how tiny or brief it stayed.

Despite her experiences toppling over generations, she was relieved for such ephemeral appreciation. It was prove that the humanity she still possessed hadn't faded like her fellow companions.

"Is it not the plan we came up with?" When he finally spoke, his usual wise and aged tone was replaced with strong, undeniable doubts, "For the better future we envisioned, we swore on our own lives that they must be kept safe."

Their lives… Yes, perhaps it was the only way to right how meaningless their lives have become…

"You know that's not what I meant."

She wasn't looking for a reply this time, "I know as well as you do what the stakes are, and what we must do to save the world from destruction."

Her downcast eyes jumped toward the beach again, "But they are just kids… our kids… the product of our failure to properly guide this world."

"I do not wish to see them suffer anymore..."

Their bravery for enduring countless battles, the lives that were forever lost, and the unbearable truth that they were fighting to right their mistakes… It's been many, many long years, but she finally wept in agony.

"… I don't want to see them throwing away their lives for a future they might not get to see."

It's been sixteen years, sixteen short years where she had gotten used to the powerlessness of being a regular human on the plains of earth. Even now, she was still paying the price for her decision, a cost that brought with her endless struggles and bloodshed.

It was guilt that's slowly eating away at her.

"You can't save everyone, Athena…" The man said, "Your vision of that better future didn't die with anyone who perished. It lives on in your memories, don't they? You gave them a chance to fight for what they believed in as well, shouldn't that be enough?"

"It's cruel."

"And it is a burden we must carry in order for the prophecy to play out." He said, "You don't have to do this alone, Athena. I shared that burden the same way you do."

She wiped her eyes.

"Do you think we'll be forgiven?"

A long pause.

"I liked to believe that."

It wasn't an answer, but it was one that she had to accept for now.

With one final glance at the horizon, she moved away from the window and decent the spiral staircase where her study desk was. Her moment of doubt would have to wait.

"We suffered no casualties today. The invasion was minimal, and I believe he was assessing our strength on the defensive."

"I see." His voice grew serious, "How many?"

"A dozen of them, but formidable in their own rights." She replied, "No doubt they are reporting to him in the underworld as we speak."

"Yes… I suspect as much."

She took a seat and tapped a holographic icon on her desk.

"We came very extremely close today." A detailed map displayed underneath her, "If they didn't reach here in time— Aren't you worry? About them?"

"Of course." His reply seemed strain, "How are they doing?"

Her eyes landed on three dots resting on the beach, "Safe for now, but to be so unaware of the threats they were facing…"

She wanted to say it, but at the same time, she didn't want to say it because…

"That's not what I meant. How are they really doing?"

She thought back to how much joy and passion were passing between them just tonight.

"Blissful." She said, "I am surprised, to be honest."

"Good. It would be easier for them to protect each other when the time comes."

She didn't like hearing that.

"In any case, the charm you've cast on her saved her life today. I've talked with her. She seemed a bit shaken, but nevertheless, the injuries she suffered were minor."

An admiration grew. Despite being a regular human, her will to protect her loved ones, to protect Percy from any harm… Even in the face of certain death, her conviction never seemed to waver.

He didn't say anything.

"She's a strong woman for surviving that ordeal and still moving forward." She spoke, "I can see why you had fallen in love with her."

Through the hologram, she saw the man rubbing his eyebrows with a deep frown.

"Yes. I could never repay her after all these years. Protecting her this way is the least I could do."

Her gaze dropped off the hologram and focused on her desk once more. She picked up the glass of red wine, took a sip, and ignored some irrational thinking in her head.

"She's doing her best to protect someone she loves and who means a lot to her…."

She could feel the man's eyes on her, "Athena… Are we really going to talk about this again?"

A decision already made without him, there was no going back and a heavy sigh left her, "You know I can't just ignore it. Not anymore. She's my daughter, and I'll do anything to protect her too."

His exasperation just one step below resignation could be heard when he spoke, "Athena, we've talked about this already. They cannot know anything about our world, not until the time is right. Are you really going to take away their only moment of innocent and joy?"

"But don't you think it's just as cruel to rip away their innocent and joy without so much of a warning? I want to protect her, to protect both of them just as much as you do. And if they ended up hating me for it, then so be it. But as her parent, it's my job to see that she's safe, no matter the cost. I won't let her be a sacrificial pawn without giving her- giving them a chance to fight for themselves."

"Isn't that right?" She asked firmly, "Deep down, I know you believe it too."

Those tired gazes soften, "Athena… that is not a plan I could simply agree with. You know full well how dangerous it would be if they are aware. How can you guarantee their safety?"

"I've already planned to give the twins full leadership on this, and you know there are already people protecting them every day." She countered.

He sighed unwittingly.

"That's not a plan the Athena I know would come up with."

Suddenly, her face flushed.

"You know all I wanted is for them to be able to protect themselves too." She admitted, "And it's not something that we could discuss anymore. I've already laid the groundworks."

He seemed to know what she had done already.

"I don't agree with this, but I also know how stubborn you could be." He sighed, "In any case, I'll do my best to protect both of them in case of an emergency. You should know though, my standing is already fading. It won't be long before I am the same way you are now."

"We'll manage." For a moment, she was filled with an abundance of hope, "I know we can get through it together- with me, with our allies, with our children, and with you as well…"

"Poseidon,"

For the first time, he shared her optimism, "Yes, you are right. I know we'll get through it together."

The night passed soon after.