Author's Note: PLEASE READ!
I have made a change to the story. In this version, no one has heard from Jason in three weeks. They are all worried sick, clearly. ALSO, I am putting this chapter up without editing.
ALSO, Happy Birthday to me! Today is my twenty-third birthday and I wanted to post something! It is kind of a tradition!
I love you all! Thank you for your continued reading!
Chapter Eight
Mera's point of view
Aletheia- the very embodiment of truth- oversaw the proceedings. She truly was a double-edged sword to deploy. For she would speak if and when the gods lied, as well as the person they were questioning.
I understood the necessity of this. Zeus's home was attacked; one of the beings sending out the idea that Jason stood to blame. I did not believe it, not for a moment, nor would I doubt that man. And these were not thoughts that came from a hopeless, blinded romantic. Jason proved himself to me by returning Ariston, and allowing his entire fortress to be taken, cutting his forces down to a third of what they were, in order to save my life.
"When was the last time you heard from Jason Gray?" Hera asked.
"Three weeks ago. We have lost contact, for reasons unknown." I told her.
"Do you know his current location?" She asked.
"Yes." I told them, noticing the expectant look upon their faces. "Jason is doing all he can to postpone the next step of this war. Giving you their location would tear his plan apart."
"Mera," Zeus spoke in a very controlled way. "My apartments were attacked. My son very nearly kidnapped. This war has already arrived at our door."
His eyes nearly asked how Nell was; he had been speaking to Ariston on the topic. She has moved in with us, temporarily. Edmund asked for him at least twenty times a day, wanting to know where his father was. He has never in his life been away from Zeus for so long, and clearly, Zeus felt the same, yet he remained silent.
One thing I knew about Nell is that she is too good at shutting people out. And this incident affected her more than she would say. She blamed Zeus, and in doing so was retreating from what they had together.
"That is so, yet he is not part of what happened. Think about it," I went on, using reasoning. "This was an act of desperation, not a carefully laid out plan. Do you truly believer that the Nameless One himself would make so sloppy a move against you, with a plan of this magnitude in the works?" I looked each one of them in the eye in turn, while hating calling Jason by that title. "I trust Jason with my life. He knows as well as I that he is going to have to do a hell of a lot more to gain your trust. All I ask is that you give him the chance to do so."
"Mera," Hera began.
"Have you forgotten the oath you all took? The same oath I took when I swore myself as a goddess? Do you promise to protect light from darkness? Good from evil? And to use the powers that are to be bestowed upon you, to guide those in darkness into the light?" They were silent as I went on. "Jason is not the problem, Zenophian is. And if you are going to give up on him, then you are not the beings I thought you to be." I finished.
A long silence made the room seem both too large and too small. I was not the type to be coy. I speak my mind, especially in defense of those I love. Hera cleared her throat, being the first to speak after my words.
"We will take what you have said into consideration." Hera went on. "What is clear, is that the war has begun. Therefor, the councils must convene."
I did not stay and talk with them as I usually would. Instead, I returned home as soon as etiquette would allow.
I found Ariston in the nursery standing over the double crib, watching our sons. I joined him, leaning my head against his shoulder as I let out a sigh. Nathan and Meristos watched their father and I, moving around and discovering their motor skills. I told my husband everything that had happened in the inquest. He listened intently. He was clearly far more upset about the fact my honor was being questioned than I was. War had been such a far off and necessary thing, but now, with it facing us down, there was only one thing on my mind in this moment. I had given birth yesterday, at the same time the war had begun anew.
"What are we going to do?" I asked him.
"Fight." He stated. "And win."
"If we cannot win..." I began. "What happens to them if we are killed?" There was a long, drawn out pause before he spoke.
"We will ask Cronus to raise them." He stated. "Sif and Ennina are wonderful mothers, and will help them grow into who they are meant to be."
"Oh gods..." I began crying and was in my husbands arms a moment later. "I do not want them to grow up with us. I do no want to miss out on raising another of my children in this life. I won't let it be like the others; the Moirae will have to fight me tooth and nail if they plan on parting me from our sons."
"As they will me." He promised.
"My birthday is tomorrow." I whispered, half to myself and half to Ariston.
"If you could have anything?" Ariston asked.
"I just want to know they are safe," I begged Ariston. "Promise me we are enough to protect them."
"I promise, for now." He said, and I watched him in shock, watching a grave knowledge within his eyes. "Until the day comes when their protection is their own responsibility."
Jason's point of view
The final tethers held him in place, like the last sinews of a rubber band… so close to breaking. I knew the cost my freedom came at; Zenophian being released upon the world. Every day, I held onto him, hoping I might destroy him. With Mera's light within me, it might be possible.
I hid myself in seclusion, knowing that anything the dark immortals could do to this world would pale in comparison to what Zenophian would unleash. Seclusion meant focus. It was a delicate line to walk, keeping enough darkness to hold him prisoner, but keeping enough light to survive myself.
I left a proxy to lead the dark immortals. Kyra I knew to be both stubborn and lethargic. I hoped she would not want to pursue war because of the attention it would entail; she would keep the war hungry beings in check.
I lost my powers. I could no longer teleport or do much of anything for that matter. The longer I held on, the weaker we both grew. All I wished to do was hold Mera within my arms, gaze into her endless, fire rimed eyes and kiss her with all I devotion I posses. I knew what today was; Mera's nineteenth birthday. She gave birth two days ago.
By the Moirae, I would do anything to hold those boys. I was thankful to Mera and Ariston beyond words for the images they sent, even if they only worsened the ache within my soul. I wanted to speak to Mera, say how proud I was of her for enduring childbirth, for producing truly remarkable children. Gods! How I love that woman, now a mother, and I wanted her to know beyond all else how much I already adore those boys. They were not mine and yet I felt a father again. Ariston already informed me that he welcomed all the love his sons could get; he did not mind in the least me loving them like my own.
Speaking of my own… I wondered how my son and daughter fared. Nell was adjusting well to her new life on Olympus, while Zeus prepared for the looming threat the dark immortals imposed, among other things.
Zenophian taunted me as another episode began. Screams left my lips; inhuman, ungodly sounds. I fell to the floor, writhing in pain and holding onto two thoughts. Mera holding her boys; and my refusal to release Zenophian.
Everyday, I held on so she could have another day of peace with her sons. When Zenophian escapes, and at this point I knew he would… knowing that woman as I do, she will devote herself to destroying him, which will cause the inner conflict of her existence. Her family, or saving the world; I hoped that the gods would be able to show her the way to walk in balance and have both, but even then she would feel she was sacrificing one for the other. It was the last thing I wanted for her, and so each day, I fought. Each day, I held on.
As it always did, Zenophian settled. His voice tormented my mind… you traitor! We had everything. You will suffer; the pain you feel now is pittance compared to what will be done to you! I did not beg him to stop, simply stayed there on the ground, curled up in the fetal position with my hands over my ears.
This was my punishment, and I accepted it almost gratefully, knowing the pain I caused to others. My son, I tortured his mother, murdered his children and descendants. My daughter, I unintentionally allowed her to be married to an abusive drunkard who sexually assaulted her. If it were the last thing I did, I would make Roan pay.
I was forever grateful to all those that helped my daughter escape him, even when she did not want to. People like him, they get inside your head and scramble your thoughts. By the Moirae, I was grateful she was free of him!
Yet still, it did not matter how many people had forgiven me for the things I have done. I would never be able to forgive myself. Carrying that weight was the burden I chose to bear. My self-inflicted punishment.
"I did not know it was this bad." That voice gave me the strength I needed to get up. It was a strength sourced from contempt, and a refusal to appear weak, even though Reina had seen this happen to me before. Without my powers, I was helpless to keep her out.
Without a greeting, I made my way over to drink the ambrosia nectar, and eat every ambrosia in sight. I could not throw her out, and she knew it. She came to visit me often.
"I thought you would want to know that Kyra is no longer in command." She stated. I rubbed my forehead in irritation.
"What did you do?" I asked.
"I showed her Game of Thrones." She stated.
"The series?" I asked.
"The books." She stated, having figured out Kyra's obsession with literature. "She is now in a state of serious depression and is on her way to George R.R Martin's house to convince him to write faster. She already stole the writings in progress."
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" She growled through gritted teeth.
"What?" I asked, her meaning eluding me.
"Can't believe I am doing this for her." She spat, glaring into my eyes.
She snapped her fingers, and a doorway appeared out of thin air. It sat, looking very out of place in the middle of the room, like the last remnants of an ancient building, made out of silver marble vined with mortal black. She snapped her fingers and the door swung open to reveal Nell standing on the other side, her eyes alight with tears of joy.
"Father," She breathed as she ran to me. I caught her in my arms, in shock, my mind wondering if this was real. "Oh father!"
"My daughter." I said as I began crying with her. "Let me see you."
I pulled back and took her face between my hands.
"It is good to see you again, daughter." Reina spoke. Nell met her eyes with a carefully schooled expression. She politely nodded once, an acknowledgement and not a reaffirmation. "Could you not see him? Not even for a moment?" She begged as Nell's eyes went cold.
"You know our deal." She stated. "Care to break an oath bound by Styx?" Reina was silent.
"And the information you promised?" Reina asked.
"Your mother is alive." Nell spoke, as much to my surprise as to Reina's.
"How?" Reina whispered.
"She was trapped within her box when she tried to save you all those aeons ago. Mera released her; she wishes to see you." My daughter explained, then glanced at me and gave me a smile.
Reina was still void of speech and thought. Nell took my hand, leading me from the room and towards the door way. The doors swung shut behind us.
"How did you manage that?" I asked.
"I made a few friends, one of them being Styx herself. I made a deal with mother; I would give her a very vital, shocking piece of information on a secret weapon of the gods in exchange for your freedom. The deal also included safe passage for you, myself and my unborn child."
"Very thorough… but she will come after us." I said at once. "Your mother is the queen of loopholes."
"Why do you think I saved that little tidbit for last?" She asked. "I knew she would be far too shocked to think through and act upon a loophole." I was impressed; she smiled to me.
"She does not know where the portal leads?" I asked, she gave me a smirk and nodded. "Ah." It was simple enough; both sides pushed their energy into the door itself, bringing one side to each location. Powerful magic, that, and Nell was capable of that and so much more. "She will still come after us." Her face grew dark.
"What else is new?" She growled.
"What?" I asked, taking her arm and turning her towards me.
"A few nights ago, Zeus's apartments were attacked." She began, her form beginning to glow purple black electricity. "Jehovah… he tried to kidnap Edmund! He then went so far as to give me a message from Roan, stating that it was actually from you!"
"Where is he now?" I demanded.
"Being questioned." She stated, crying. "Where were you? Where have you been?" I took her into my arms, realizing then the strain she was under, and while she was pregnant with her second child.
"While Zenophian tries to claw his way out, I have been weakened… I barely have any power left." I explained, she clutched to me. "I could not hide myself. If I were to try to leave that place, they would have figured me out."
"We needed you. I needed you." She cried and I knew there was more than what happened to her son; there was something else, and so I held her closer.
"Oh, my daughter." I soothed. "Talk to me."
I could barely make out the words around her crying, but from what I could gather, she left Zeus and has been living with Mera and Ariston; she would not even allow him to see her son, Edmund and not to mention she was pregnant with his son. She blamed her brother for what he did in failing to protect them, for Edmund nearly being taken away.
"She knew!" She screamed. "Only my mother would request me to visit with Roan after what that bastard did!" She met my eyes. "I do not want to be filled with so much hate… it consumes me every day since the attack."
"Edmund is safe," I told her.
"For now." She grumbled.
"Now is what counts. Do you truly believe Zeus would allow anything to happen to your son?" I asked.
"It would not be the first time he has let his children be taken." She spoke.
"Nell, that is not like you." I stated.
"Like you know me." She said under her breath. Her features changed when she watched the shame cross my face. "I am sorry… I do not know how to handle what has happened."
"If you need time away from Zeus to clear your head, by all means take it." I said. "You have been through more than most, and it is understandable." She nodded and changed the subject.
"There is someone waiting for you." She said as she took my hand.
We arrived on what I realized at once was Olympus; how she managed to get me there was a mystery. I walked with her into what I knew was Mera and Ariston's home; I could feel her, even from her. Tears formed in my eyes as I began walking faster, towards where I knew her to be, and there she was.
Mera sat upon a divan, holding a baby while Ariston stood near by holding his brother. Her eyes met mine and began watering at once. I watched her breath catch within her throat, carefully handing her son off as she ran into my waiting arms. And just like that, I was home. Before I knew what was happening, her lips were on mine and I had lifted her feet off of the ground, holding her tighter within my arms, tasting salt on each endless kiss.
Tears of joy, followed by delirious laughter and more kisses ensued. She then took me by the hand and began walking backwards, looking me in the eyes while leading me.
"Come meet my sons." She said. I nodded in excitement.
Ariston and Cronus walked up to us, each holding a swaddled babe within their arms. I held her hand as I looked at each of her sons. They were this perfect mixture of their mother and father.
"Jason," Ariston greeted me with a warm smile. "Allow me to introduce my sons. Meristos, the eldest of the twins." He watched the babe within his arms, and then looked to his brother. "And the second born but no less loved, Nathan. Would you care to hold them?"
"Is that even a question?" I asked, walking up and reluctantly letting go of Mera's hand to carefully take little Meristos into my arms.
"Gods, he is beautiful." I smiled, then glanced at his brother close by. "They both are. You do beautiful work." Mera held my upper arm, her head resting against my shoulder as I looked upon her eldest son. When I could tear myself away, I met her fire rimed violet eyes. "I am so happy for you." She laughed, so full of unequivocal, undying love.
I looked back to Meristos, smiling at the newborn as he studied me. I could have sworn those eyes whispered, "I know you." His little hand raised up, glowing softly, just as his mothers did, and he placed it upon my cheek. I was filled with a sense of peace, joy, as if I had walked through another important door on that day.
My vision shocked to black; a simultaneous scream and tormenting agony, followed by being thrust backwards as Zenophian tried to jump out of me.
"Take him!" I shouted at Mera, pushing the baby into her arms as I staggered back, holding on long enough to be further away. Not here, not now!
The pain hit again, and I screamed as he slammed against my chest.
Mera's point of view
The enormity of the creature that rose from Jason's being was mind boggling. Malicious laughter; a malevolent voice; a shadowy half body freeing itself and stretching up into the ceiling.
Then, those dark eyes shifted down to the figure beneath him. His hands rose up, summoning dark energy. I teleported in front of him, my entire form coming to life with my magic! My arms rose up, the energy building within me like an atom bomb.
"YOU WILL NOT HARM HIM!" I roared, and the energy went off with such a powerful explosion that the being was sent into oblivion… or away if nothing else.
I fell to my knees, picking up Jason into my arms; he was still here, still alive.
"My Jason," I whispered, as he looked up into my eyes clearly dazed.
"H…how am I still alive?" He chocked out. I laughed as I caressed his face, tears coming down my cheeks.
"Didn't I promise you?" I whispered. "Didn't I? You lived."
