Author's note: Thanks for waiting as always! Sorry if this one's short, but its picks up where the chapter left off.
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Around the same time, Patroklos and Lydia's date together at the tavern had concluded, and the two headed home. Aside from keeping his promise to Athena, he appeared to have a good day in his life for once.
Though he was quite concerned about her and Marie, as he asked, "You guys weren't arguing about me, were you?"
Lydia sighed as she looked over at him, "We were, actually. Just as I seem to have you wrapped around my finger, Marie starts feeling as though she's got the hots for you, too."
"And so does Liz."
"Really? How'd that happen?"
"It's..." Patroklos paused, before finally replying, "It's a long story; though I don't want to go explicit in detail."
He also added, "I suggest you and Marie need to apologize and reconcile for the bickering you caused at dinner."
This took Lydia by surprise at first, before she let out a drawn-out sigh. "I guess...but I'm not sure if she'll be just as apologetic as me."
"I'm certain she'll be; after all, she always has been optimistic through and through."
The burgundy-haired girl smiled softly in agreement, before the Greek man chose to change the subject. "Let's talk about another thing, okay?" he asked.
"Sure."
"Your relationship with Pyrrha...does it remind you of a past romance?"
Lydia sighed again, now sporting a small frown. "Yes; I was in love with my classmate from years ago. Her name was Leia, and she was a kind and friendly fellow. When I tried professing my love to her, she told me she was in love with Nicolas, my brother." she replied.
"Were you jealous? Upset? Disappointed?"
"A bit upset, and a bit disappointed. But jealous? Not really, for I was also happy for her. So having been able to develop a love this deep with Pyrrha...it made me feel so elated that my heart could explode." she said.
"But what about me?" he asked.
"Hey, I'm just as attentive to you as Pyrrha, so don't get so jealous."
Patroklos smiled, before the two continued their way back to the base.
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Once they had returned, Lydia and Patroklos said their goodbyes for the night. When the former left, Pyrrha was quick enough to rush over to her brother.
"There's something that I want to tell you in private, and it happened while you were gone." she said.
"Really?"
"Mmhmm." She nodded, before quickly taking him to her bedroom.
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Inside, Pyrrha explained her ordeal with Astaroth, as well as Ares stepping in to help her out. At the end of her story, she said something that almost caught him offguard.
"He thought I had potential to wield Soul Edge..."
"I assumed you've gotten over it."
"Well, now I haven't. It feels like my fate has been sealed..."
Pyrrha buried her face in her hands, trying to stop from crying. Patroklos grimaced, before giving her a comforting hug.
"Sis..." he spoke to her in a soft voice.
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"So what happens now?" Ares asked.
Athena sighed before replying, "I don't know...but if Pyrrha is bound to become Soul Edge's newest successor, then that means I'll be more than happy to watch over Patroklos alongside you."
"Oh, really? We've rarely gotten along, and now you want me to trust you in ensuring his safety? I was the one in charge, beginning in his childhood...and I sure as hell ain't sharing!"
His words made her frown as she said, "Then, we might as well think it over. Besides, you've had too much of an influence on him, and it's about time I'd be his mentor, too."
Ares growled under his breath, as he looked up the sky.
"We'll see about that, Athena."
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Up next: Chapter 10!
With love for my fans,
Chrissy