Welcome everyone to chapter 19!
Yep. Amira's gotten into some deeeep s**t right about now. But you can't blame her, she has a different viewpoint than most of us.
Also, I forgot a big part of this last chapter so I'm gonna add it here. Because of that, this chapter's gonna be a bit longer.
I hope you enjoy and let's get right into this!
Amira opened her eyes to see someone leaning over her, their face inches from her's.
"AH!" She screamed, shooting upright.
The person was startled by her sudden scream and stumbled back, tripping and falling over.
"Wha-! Wha-Wha-what's wrong?!" They exclaimed. When Amira saw the blond hair and blue eyes, she had first thought Jason then she realized it was someone older.
"Apollo. My apologies, you- you startled me." She told the god, a hand on her racing heart.
"I'm so sorry, I-I was just trying to check your pulse monitor." The god apologized as he got to his feet.
"My what?" Amira wasn't familiar with the word.
"Pulse monitor. This thing here," Apollo gestured to the beeping machine. "The wrap around your arm tightens and senses your heart-rate. It sends the speed of your heartbeat to the machine and makes this little line move to the beat."
"How smart! You have only but to look at the line!" Amira gasped in amazement, watching the red mark move up and down. "But… How does the machine make the line move? And how does this wrap tighten on its own?"
Amira saw Apollo smile at her questions. Then, putting it into a way she easily understood, he explained how it all worked. Amira was so fascinated by Earth's mechanics she just kept asking questions about everything, wanting to learn more. The topic varied all over the place, switching from machines, to Earth in general, to the gods, etc.
It was maybe an hour later that Amira's friends came back. She was smiling in response to the sun god when Piper and Annabeth entered. They saw Apollo sitting by Amira's bed and frowned slightly. Amira looked up and they quickly hid said frowns.
"Hello." Amira greeted. Annabeth returned the greeting, her eyes on the god in the room.
"You seem better?" Piper noted with a hopeful smile, hoping badly that her friend was better.
"Apollo has been keeping me company by explaining the things of this world. It is all so very fascinating." Amira agreed. She brushed a strand of dark purple hair from her face then noticed the girls frowning. "Is something wrong?"
"Just a thought," Annabeth replied, her eyes still on the god. Apollo saw the clear message in the daughter of Athena's gaze:
Do not try to seduce Amira.
"But you never know if you can until you try." The god winked with a cocky grin.
"You won't." The blond stated firmly.
"What are you talking about?" Amira demanded, a bit annoyed.
"Don't worry about it," Apollo told her easily. "These two are just being paranoid."
Amira hid her annoyance.
She knew what they had been talking about; she saw the message in Annabeth's eyes. She wasn't the kind of person to hate a lot of things but one of the few things she really hated was when she was purposefully ignored in a conversation.
"I'm sad to say, my dear, but I'm afraid this is where I leave you. I hope we'll see each other again." Apollo told her smoothly.
Amira frowned sadly, sad to see him go. She had enjoyed being with the sun god; he was nice company. The god kissed Amira's hand sweetly before leaving the room with a blinding smile.
"Amira, I hate to be a downer but you really should stay away from Apollo," Piper warned as she moved to sit on the couch.
"Why?" The former Rider wondered innocently, tilting her head to the side.
"Apollo is kind of a womanizer." The daughter of love explained. But Amira just blinked.
"I do not know that word." She said honestly
"It means that he's had a lot of kids with a lot of different women but he hasn't ever been married. I don't know much about your world but I'm assuming that kinda thing happens a bunch." The daughter of Athena tried to explain. She reminded the blonde a bit of Hazel before she got used to the modern-day world.
"Oh. Um… I am not sure of my response but I assure you that I have no feelings of romance for the god. I simply enjoyed his company." The foreign Alagaesian assured the two.
"Just thought we should warn you."
A second later there was a knock on the door and she called out that it was open.
"Hola Amira! How'd your night go?" Leo greeted as the boys walked in.
Amira's mind then went to her dream with Tartarus. He had said that Balenda was still alive and that he had only severed their connection but she knew she couldn't tell her friends that. So she decided to continue the act of heartbreak.
"Why does everyone ask that?" She sighed, making her voice sound empty. Her gaze dropped so she didn't see the demigods' wince.
"I'm sorry. I just- I was hoping you were feeling a little better." Leo apologized, sitting at the bottom of her bed.
Amira said nothing. She crawled down the bed and sat next to him, leaning her head against her shoulder. A second later, the young mechanic very slowly wrapped an arm around her. Her eyes were closed but she could feel everyone's eyes on her.
"Um, we were just wondering what we were going to do now." Frank started.
"One thing is for sure and that's that we need to act soon. The longer Tartarus controls the Underworld, the stronger he gets and the weaker my dad gets." Nico announced. "With Hades gone, the Underworld could collapse into chaos and the dead could flood into the upper world. Plus, I have a feeling that he's gonna start whatever he has planned soon."
"True but we don't know what he's planning. If we can figure that out then we might be able to stop or even delay him." Annabeth agreed, clearly not liking the fact that she didn't know.
"Might is a big word." Jason pointed out. "He's strong and smart. I doubt he just leaves his plans in the open."
"What do you think, Nico? You're Mr. Underworld. Any ideas?" Leo asked, his arm still around Amira though he seemed to have forgotten.
"First off, do not call me that." The son of Hades said with his famous death glare. Leo shrunk a little. "And second, Hades is no longer in control of the Underworld and that means that he most likely sealed all the entrances."
"Hadn't thought of that…" Annabeth grumbled. "Do you think you could Shadow Travel us in?"
"I may have an idea?" Amira suggested, voice still quiet.
"If I did then I'd have to take multiple jumps with two or three people at a time." Nico admitted, completely ignoring Amira's comment. The former Rider pressed her lips together.
"Are you up to that though? We don't want you to push your limits." Hazel worried over her brother.
"I have a question?" Amira repeated, a bit louder, catching the demigod's attention.
"What is it?" Annabeth answered.
"When we decide our plan, when would we leave here?"
"It's past noon now so probably tomorrow."
"Amira, I know you're not doing very well right now and I hate asking, but do you think you'll be able to leave soon?" Hazel asked the half-elf.
"I do not know. Even if we create a plan of action, I have no magic and I am still weak. I-I will be of little use. It would be best if I remained here." Amira tested, closing her amethyst eyes.
"Is that really how you feel?" Piper sounded surprised. "I mean, yeah you don't have your magic but you're really smart. I'm sure you could find a way to help until you're strong enough to use your sword."
"You are the Ri- the main person of the prophecy after all." Jason corrected himself.
"And we have to defeat Tartarus so we can get Percy back." Annabeth reminded, trying to find another reason to convince Amira to come. Said girl opened her purple eyes.
"Is that why you want me? To help Percy return?" Amira asked, hurt in her voice. Annabeth nodded. "There are no other reasons...?"
"We want you to get home too!" Hazel exclaimed, remembering what the others forgot. "W- We need to get you back to Alagaesia."
"Yes I wish to be home but the help I give, if any, will be weak." Amira repeated, pleading with all her might that they would deny it and ask her to join them.
She silently decided that their next answer would determine her fate.
"If you're sure. I mean, you do seem pretty tired still and you said yourself you don't have your magic. So maybe you would be best here…" Nico trailed off slowly, receiving several hesitant nods of agreement.
Amira fought back the new pain in her heart. They really didn't want her with them! They did just want her magic. Her friends were ignoring her, excluding her from conversations about her, and even though they tried very hard to hide it she could see that several of them were… were they… relieved?
Her attempts to ignore Tartarus's words in her head failed.
'Your magic had saved them many times but it is gone now. At this point, they see you as nothing but a burden. As extra weight.'
Amira was slowly starting to believe him. She knew he was evil and he was trying to trick her but he just sounded so right.
'A burden. Nothing. Just extra weight.'
"Amira? Are you alright?"
The purple-haired teen looked up as Hazel sounded worried.
"I- I am alright. I only am tired as I still feel weak. I should rest." Amira lied, hoping they'd leave. The demigods took the hint. She tried to make her goodbye sincere but then she saw Leo turning to leave.
"Leo, wait!" She called out to him before he left.
"Yeah, what's up? Something wrong?" The Latino turned to face her, the last one out the door.
Amira bit her lip then took a breath and swung her legs over the side of the bed before standing. A head-rush hit her and she stumbled. The door swung closed as Leo let it go and rushed forward to grab her arms to prevent her from falling.
"Woah! Careful! What're you doing?" He exclaimed.
Amira ignored the question. Instead she grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him down to her height and crashing his lips against hers.
Leo's brown eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat.
He stood frozen, completely unmoving for what felt like minutes, before he very slowly began to untense. His brown eyes fluttered closed and his hands hesitantly moved to circle her waist. His lips began to return Amira's kiss and tingling sensation shot through both of their bodies at the action.
The fire-user felt his body heating up again. He once more forced himself to cool down but Amira's lips were so soft, her touch so mind-numbing, that he found it close to impossible to focus on anything besides the beautiful purple-haired Alagaesian he held in his arms.
Amira could hear Jason's words in her head but she shoved him away; she knew what she was doing was wrong but at that moment, she didn't care. She could tell both their faces were dark red but she didn't move away until Leo broke their kiss.
"Amira I-I love you." he confessed quietly, skin warm and cheeks red.
Amira's purple eyes shot open with a small gasp and her heart almost stopped. Did he have to make everything harder?! She was already not wanting to do what she was going to!
She squeezed her eyes shut before opening them with a heavy sigh, forcing back the emotions that threatened to overflow from inside her.
"Goodbye, Leo." She whispered. The Latino pulled back enough to meet her gaze, brown meeting purple.
"Why does that sound like you're leaving?" He asked, brows furrowed.
Amira could say nothing so she instead shoved Leo backward out of the room and slammed the door shut behind him. She pressed her back against the door, sliding down until she sat on the hard floor. Her fingers went to her tingling lips; did she really just do that? She knew Leo loved her.
And she hated the fact that she loved him too.
"I am so sorry." She whispered, wishing he could hear her but knowing he couldn't. "I am sorry to you all but I feel I no longer have a choice. Someday… please… find it in your heart to forgive me."
Amira closed her eyes.
She imagined herself falling through the floor and back into that endless darkness, repeating his name over and over as she forced him to appear.
Then she suddenly shot through the ground, a thousand miles per hour before slowing to a stop. Her feet touched on the hard ground and when she looked up she found herself once again facing the dark embodiment of Tartarus.
"You continue to surprise me every time we speak. Causing my appearance is not an easy thing to do." He told Amira, his deep voice resonating. "Have you considered our previous conversation?"
"I have," Amira responded quietly after a long minute.
"And?" The Primordial pressed, giant arms crossed. She closed her purple eyes, a sigh slipping past her pink lips.
"I accept your offer." She agreed.
"Very good." If Tartarus had a face, Amira figured he would be smiling (not kindly either). "Do you know what you must do to complete this?"
"I do not."
"Swear loyalty to me in your Ancient Language and I will return what is yours. I will then tell you what to do next." He instructed.
"Um… I- I do not... I am not…" Amira began to doubt herself.
"I will not give you another chance. Make your decision now," Tartarus warned.
Amira paused.
Was she really about to do this? Was she really going to betray her friends and swear her loyalty to Evil Number One? Swearing herself to Tartarus would mean he had control of what she would do and if he really did want to destroy the demigods- well, she didn't want to fight the people who had been her friends and helped her when she knew no one else. But she also wanted to get home to Alagaesia though with her magic and dragon. If Tartarus really could help her do that…
"Alright."
She took a deep breath before walking towards Tartarus. She drew her sword and knelt before him, head bowed.
"I, Amira Moraow, hereby pledge myself to the will of the Primordial Tartarus. I shall obey your command, shield your back, keep your counsel, and give my life for you if needs be. This I pledge until taken by death or upon the return to my homeland."
The Ancient Language slipped from Amira's lips as she swore her oath, making sure to word it very carefully so she wasn't under his service for all eternity.
The primordial then said something in a language she didn't know and a silver light enveloped Amira. Her strength returned at full force and she felt a familiar pain on her hand. She looked down and gasped; her hand once more carried her Gedwëy Ignasia!
Amira spoke a spell and silver light came to her palm, shining in the darkness of the Underworld. Then she noticed a different mark on her wrist. It was unfamiliar. The black color stood out against her lightly tanned skin tone and she studied it before realizing it must be the symbol of Tartarus.
"The half-bloods you have traveled with are now asleep. Leave Olympus as my power is not strong enough there. Once you do, I will bring you to me." Tartarus instructed.
"You agreed to release Balenda." Amira reminded.
"In due time. First, come to me."
He snapped his giant fingers and Amira found herself back on Olympus.
== Ω Ω Ω ==
When Amira opened her purple eyes, she found she was still on the floor of her room.
She stood up, feeling slightly dizzy, and she placed a hand on the door to steady herself. She walked over to the side of her bed where she found her boots and jacket. She strapped her sword back around her waist and slipped on her jacket then glanced around to see if there was anything she missed. Seeing there wasn't, she opened the door to her room.
After making sure the light was off and keeping her boots in her hands to limit her sound, Amira quietly slipped out of her room. The door closed silently behind her. She saw Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Leo, Frank, Hazel, and Nico were laying on the couches all fast asleep so she slowly crept past them. She bit her lip and mentally cursed when a careless step caused a creak on the wooden floor. It was barely audible if not silent but sounded deafening to her sensitive ears.
She froze, waiting to see if anyone had woken, but no one sturred. She silently let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and continued to make her to the front of the building without a sound. She left the front doors and sat on the step to slip her boots on.
"Next time you try to sneak out, you should use your ill-regained magic to make you silent."
Immediately Amira was on her feet, half-drawing her sword before relaxing when she saw who it was.
"You startled me. I had thought you to be asleep." She breathed in relief.
"I'm a pretty light sleeper but I wasn't asleep in the first place. I knew I had to at least try to stop you." The son of Hades told her seriously. A heavy frown was visible on his face and his hand was placed on the hilt of his sheathed sword.
"What do you mean?"
"I knew you were going to sneak out, Amira, and I know that you spoke to him." She tried to calm her racing heart, wondering how he knew. He saw her expression. "I saw the mark. What did you tell him?"
"I- I cannot tell you." Amira lied, trying to fake her way through. The son of Hades frowned deeper.
"Amira, please. We both know you're stronger than I am. I won't try to stop you by force so tell me what he said." Nico crossed his arms. Amira could see the seriousness and hurt in her friend's eyes.
"In exchange for what he stole from me, I am now in his service." Shock came to the son of Hades' face at her words. He shook his head slowly in disbelief.
"Why would you do that?" He muttered. "We trusted you, Amira! We accepted you into our family and helped you when you were clueless and even tried to help get you home! Why would you do this to us? Again?"
"I am the one who is truly sorry, Nico." She told him, eyes not able to meet his gaze. "Slytha."
(sleep)
Nico instantly collapsed to the ground in response to her spell, deep asleep. His sword fell from his hand as he fell limp and clattered against the cement steps.
Wiping at her purple eyes, Amira moved to kneel beside the son of Hades. She placed her hand on his and muttered a spell of healing. Then she stood and with one more look behind her, she turned to leave the home of the gods.
After a long while of trying to figure out how to leave Olympus (which involved a weird moving room with strange press-able circles) Amira finally stepped out into the lobby of the Empire State Building.
Despite the late hour, traffic was still deadlocked on the street while pedestrians bustled past her, concerned only with their current destinations. The number of people overwhelmed the foriegn Alagaesian and all the cars and giant buildings caused her to feel light-headed but she refused to let that deter her.
She tried to look casual as she walked down the sidewalk and weaved her way through the hoard of people. She saw a relatively hidden alleyway and quickly moved to it before deciding to wait there for further instructions from Tartarus.
"Hello there beautiful." Amira looked behind her as a voice spoke and saw two men approaching. One was trying to hide a knife behind his arm but she noticed it easily. "Why are you out alone so late at night? You could get hurt."
"Yeah, it could be dangerous for a pretty girl like you." The second man agreed. "Why don't you come with us? We could help you find a… safe place."
"No thank you. I am fine by myself." Amira replied with a hard voice, having a pretty good idea what these men meant.
"That wasn't a question. Come with us." The first man growled, holding up the knife.
Amira whipped her own dagger from its sheath, previously hidden from view by shadows, and easily knocked away the man's knife before slicing a shallow cut up his arm.
"Turn around and walk away." She told them, pointing the larger blade at the second man's neck. Not being a mythical object, the weapon was not affected by the Mist and the thieves saw it for what it really was.
"What the-? I'm outta here!" The first man yelled, running in the opposite direction. The second quickly followed suit and bolted after his friend.
Sheathing her blade, Amira turned and turned to find herself face-to-face with a large hellhound that had approached in the building's shadow. She started and readied to attack but relaxed when it moved to lay on the ground in front of her. Assuming it to be from Tartarus she approached it. When it made no threatening moves, she came closer and climbed atop the beast.
The hellhound then stood and dove into the shadow of a wall.
After Amira's vision and hearing returned, she found herself in the Underworld. Tartarus stood before her and on all her sides were tens of thousands of monsters milling around. She ignored them and dismounted the hellhound.
In an instant, she drew her sword and lunged at Tartarus. He raised his arm and her sword froze mid-slice before he said,
"First order: you will never attack me without my permission." Instantly, Amira stopped her attack, compelled by her newfound oath, but her sword remained drawn. She glowered at Tartarus. "A nice try but I'm afraid you were severely underprepared for that attack. No doubt revenge?"
As much as Amira wanted to, she knew now she could no longer attack Tartarus. So she instead thrust her sword out to her side and impaled a nearby emposa, which wailed before exploding into dust.
"You will not attack my forces, either." The primordial voice was frowning. When Amira did not respond he nodded, "Now that we are done with that nonsense, your service may begin."
And that concludes the eighteenth chapter of A Strange and Different Land!
Thank you all for reading and I hope you chose to continue the story. Please feel free to leave a review. Criticism, advice, compliments or corrections are welcome.
Have a good one and I'll see you later!
