Misery's Smile
By Rockyroad69 and xRinneandSharinx
Hi People! Here is another instalment for Misery's Smile =) I hope you forgive us(mainly my fault) for that really long delay in making this chapter, hehe. And I sincerely bow in forgiveness to those who have been waiting throughout these weeks for this chappie. There are so many excuses that I would like to make, buuut.. Oh well. But here is the chapter, and I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
Akhlys scowled. Her initial plan to protect Perseus from outside enemies had essentially failed. Biting her lip, she knew that she should have not underestimated the potency of his powers. Her anger grew as she observed the foul creature that was stalking her son. She knew she could crush the little fledgling with little effort, but chose to wait. She knew that Perseus, in his present state, was naïve and vulnerable. It was something she had persevered to correct, with no success. Akhlys curled her thin lips. Her yellow eyes gleamed, imagining the power that her young son would unleash on that sorry little ant.
However, she knew the risks. If Perseus made a statement of this manner, Zeus would undoubtedly act. Zeus would never let a godling to Perseus' calibre to live in Chaos' plane freely, due to his fear of losing his seat of power that was gifted to him by the Fates after Kronos' defeat. Preferably, she would take Perseus back into Tartarus, into the Mansion of Night, where she and Nyx would train him to be a fearsome warrior, but after that particular incident, she knew Perseus would not be able to go back to Tartarus for another millennia, at least. Akhlys drew ichor as she bit harder on her lip. If she had not been so hasty…
The only thing Akhlys could do was believe in her son's powers. Chaos had already decreed an order for her not to interfere with her son's growth, and events. Her dark hair seemed to darken, while her pale skin looked to have whitened even more as a frown of worry began to set on her face. Letting out a menacing growl, she then flared massive her power in anger and frustration, as the whole of Tartarus shook from the force. Monsters within the pit started to scream in terror as the poison emitted from her aura consumed them. Immortals condemned to the pit shook in fear as they felt the incredible power from one of the most powerful Protogenoi, Akhlys.
Darkness fell as the shockwave started to subside, while guilt continued to gnaw at the Goddess. Although, she had no time for such sentimentality. She had an acquaintance to contact.
Leto furrowed her eyebrows in frustration. That thunderbolt was Zeus, and she had no doubt it was to summon something. Her moonlaces had wilted strangely, as if it was drained by a foul force, which could only confirm her suspicions. Something was here, and it was potent. She rubbed her temples as she wondered just how she could protect all three of her children.
Then, an image shimmered as a woman dressed in a chiton, with a dark cloak adorning her shoulders. The image's yellow eyes gleamed as Leto inclined her head.
"We need to talk, Leto," Akhlys said coldly, as Leto raised an eyebrow.
"Are you coming personally?" Leto asked, observing the slight growth of Akhlys' power within the land
"No, Leto. I know you feel that foul presence, and I want you to do… Nothing. Such is my order. Do nothing. You will obey me," Akhlys whispered dangerously, as Leto's eyes darkened in anger at the powerful goddess.
"Have you no care for your child? Have you even tried to feel the foul presence!" Leto flared, as Akhlys' eyes seemed to falter, before the cold demeanor returned.
"Remember, the Death Mist I have given to you belongs to me. And I have the right to turn it against you, or perhaps… The little ones if I so wished," Akhlys warned with her eyes glowing, as Leto shook in anger.
"And perhaps I could return your son's memories, Akhlys. You may have the power, but memories were never your domain," Leto said, as Akhlys started to widen her eyes.
Sensing progress, Leto continued, "You have been running away, my old friend. For a goddess who claims to be one of the most powerful of Protogenoi, you seem rather fond of running away from what you have caused."
Akhlys' façade returned as her eyes narrowed in warning. However, Leto never planned to stop her tirade.
"Do not think you can pretend. I was there when it happened. I was there when you, with your rashness, banished your son here with your Death Mist! I was there when YOUR poison tormented him! I was there, when you essentially doomed him to be cursed by the Fates by sending him here too early!" Leto shouted, as Akhlys' façade started to break.
"And for what! To sate the petty revenge of a power-hungry goddess?" Leto said, tears brimming as she remembered the torment Perseus went through as Akhlys made that mistake.
"But I-I w-would never have d-done that i-if I had the choice!" Akhlys desperately screamed, as Leto intensified her glare.
"You never tried to find one. You are a terrible mother, Akhlys. And perhaps it was better if Perseus never knew you. So rest assured, his memories will be safe."
Leto felt guilty saying that to her old friend, but she needed Akhlys to recognize the risks, and the consequences. Even if the words were cruel, she knew it was necessary if she were to protect Perseus to the best of her power, from all threats. And Akhlys, though unwittingly, was one of them.
The effects could be seen, as Akhlys' shoulders started to shake. The yellow eyes that gleamed dangerously started to dull as transparent tears flowed out. The memories of that incident flashed across her mind, and it took all her pride and willpower not to break down at that very moment.
Then Leto sighed, and said, "Very well, Lady Akhlys. I will comply with your request. However, if I see one moment where Perseus shows that he might not be able to handle it, I will interfere. After all, the task I was charged to do, was to protect the young boy. Although, if things go as it is, I would soon call him 'son'."
Akhlys, who got over her stupor, raised an eyebrow and flashed a disapproving look, which earned a silent laugh from Leto. Then, her yellow eyes gleamed as she observed Leto dangerously, clearly not forgetting about the Titaness' tirade, and utter disrespect to her. Her pride took a heavy blow as every flaw, and every event was exposed to her by her friend. She did not miss the last reference though, and could only fix Leto with a stern, cold look.
"If you were anything other than my old friend, and if what you said was anywhere, even a needle further than the truth, Leto, I would have destroyed you on the spot the moment you finished your moment of disrespect," Akhlys said with a dangerous tone.
"I do not regret it," Leto defiantly replied, as Akhlys twitched.
"Twice now I have spared you, and still you test me, my old friend. Which means, I have truly chosen an able protector for my child. I will still standby my request. Do not do anything. Let Perseus resolve this on his own," Akhlys said, as Leto rubbed her temples.
"Like mother like son, so stubborn with what they say. Very well, my Lady. However, I will still step in if he shows any sign that he cannot handle it," Leto said seriously, as Akhlys curled her lip into a small smile.
"He can, Leto. Didn't you told me long ago, to believe in his strength? I believe in him. After all, he has inherited the strength of the strongest child of Chaos," Akhlys said cockily.
"You were never one for humility, aye?" Leto said with a smile, as Akhlys regarded her with a stern look.
"I know my place, and yours, Little Titan. Report if Zeus acts, or comes personally with his little band of upstarts. I will come."
The Goddess of misery started to fade, while she sported a wistful look.
"And Leto… Thank you, and I'm sorry," Akhlys murmured, as she faded from the realm.
Leto fell deep into her thoughts, as a huge crash, and a sudden shout of Artemis' name suddenly sounded. Eyes widening, she ran down the stairs of her cottage, only to find horror stricken faces of the children. No, not children. Just one child. A wounded child. Apollo, her son, was lying heavily wounded on the floor. Ichor continued flowing out of him as he continued to convulse in pain, tears already in his eyes.
"What happened?" Leto asked, her silver eyes darkening.
"The s-snake thing took her. S-she took her! I couldn't do anything! I-I tried to s-stop h-her!" Apollo exclaimed, remembering the taloned arm that snatched his sister away, and caused his pain.
"Where is Perseus..?" Leto asked seriously, as Apollo shook her head, and pointed towards the ruined entrance.
"He went after A-Artemis. I b-begged him to save her. H-he s-said he would be okay, that Artemis would be okay, and t-that I-I had d-done enough but I know better! That t-thing, it was bad, mom!" Apollo whimpered, as Leto's mouth opened in shock, remembering Apollo's brief description of a snake.
"What was it, Apollo! What was it?!" Leto hissed, hoping against hope she was wrong.
"A l-lady w-which looked like a s-snake," Apollo stuttered, as Leto gritted her teeth.
"Echidna… And what did Perseus say?" Leto asked, earning a shiver from her wounded son.
"H-he said t-to tell you of what happened. H-he p-promised to return to us. He has n-never l-lied before," Apollo continued to stutter, as tears fell from his eyes.
Sighing in frustration, the sky seemed to darken as Leto waved a hand and repaired the damage done to her entrance.
"That fool! I will go. Stay here, alright? Stay here. I will return, with them, okay? I promise," Leto said, as Apollo suddenly gripped her hand.
"P-please d-don't go, Mother. The m-m-monster is bad. I w-wasn't s-strong enough," Apollo said with a small voice, as Leto sighed.
Embracing her son, Leto said again, and with more certainty, "Do not worry my little hunter… I will return, okay?"
"I-I failed, Mother. I was s-supposed to protect my s-sister, a-and I f-failed. I was weak, mother! How can I show m-my face to h-her… Or P-Perseus?" Apollo cried brokenly, as Leto held him closer.
"You were strong, my son… They would be proud of you, little hunter. They would be proud…" Leto reassured, as she whispered a healing spell, and Apollo drifted to unconsciousness.
Anger filled Leto's silver eyes as she replayed the scene of her son breaking down in that manner, all the while thinking of himself a failure, and the fact that her daughter, and Perseus was taken from right under her nose by the foul creature.
Echidna would pay.
Echidna was extremely frustrated. Yes, she had drawn the young son of Akhlys away. Yes, she had successfully stole away the young daughter of Zeus. However, she did not count on the fact that she would be wounded so heavily by that nuisance. Blood flowed from her side, as the young godling gave chase to her.
Worse still, she could smell Leto's anger, and knew she had to get out of the island, subdue the young godling, throw the girl back to where she belonged, and report straight to Zeus. Zeus had made it clear he wanted Perseus as soon as possible when he ravaged her mind to prove his point. She growled in anger. If only Typhon was not imprisoned...
Echidna shook her head, while she forced herself to run away as fast as she could, although she knew she was quickly getting cornered. The wound that the little upstart dealt to her was deep, and slowed her down considerably. Not to mention the young son of Akhlys was fast catching up.
Seeing that there was no escape, Echidna stopped. She knew, Zeus had only two orders. Capture, or kill. While she favoured capture, she knew she had no choice this time. Leto's presence was fast approaching, and she made a decision. Turning back, she threw aside Artemis' limp figure as she observed the angered yellow eyes that regarded her. She very nearly sighed in relief. The boy was blinded in anger. He was a godling, and she could not feel any power awakened within him.
He would be easier than most, as it would seem.
Then, his eyes intensified it's glow, and a crushing pressure lay upon Echidna, who had to use all her willpower to stop herself from kneeling. It was then Echidna never saw him as a naïve godling, but recognized him as the Son of Akhlys, the son of one of the truly great Protogenoi that had commanded fear, even in Tartarus. The Goddess who had perhaps commanded more fear than even the Lady of Night.
Then, Perseus charged, as Echidna loosed a poisonous talon, and slashed across Perseus, who blocked it with his blade.
"Getting straight to the point, eh, godling?" Echidna sneered.
She never got an answer. Instead, the young godling began to intensify his attacks, and Echidna was quickly forced to be on the defensive. However, she had something that the youngling clearly did not have. Experience. Added to that, she had masterful control over her own powers, something the child did not have. If he had, she had no doubt that she would have been destroyed a long time ago.
Biding her time, she looked for an opening, as Perseus slowly got frustrated. His face did not betray any emotion, but his attacks got wilder and easier to predict. Almost smirking in triumph, Echidna used her powers for the first time as she counterattacked the youngling. Black flames danced along her talons as she took advantage of Perseus over committing himself in a strike. As he stumbled, she quickly slashed across to wound him severely, while the pressure started to subside. She knew she had to do something about the pressure quickly, as it was restraining her movements, which was already slowed down by her pesky wound and heavily compromised her in the battle.
Perseus, who was dazed by her strike, couldn't see it as Echidna stabbed her talons through his stomach, causing the young demigod to scream in pain as he felt poison flowing into his body. Echidna let out a grunt of triumph – Leto was too far to do anything, and she had taken no chances by giving Perseus a full blast of her black fire, and her potent poison. Surely, he was fading now. There was no chance he would have survived. Echidna smirked as she eyed her red-haired captive. It was time for her revenge on Zeus.
Perseus could only stare at her triumphant figure as she left. Artemis, who was awoken by the sounds of battle, and the fact that her godly power brought her back to consciousness, was in tears. She could only let out a muffled cry as she watched Echidna impale Perseus with her talons, and approach her. Perseus saw this, and bit his lip at his failure. Echidna was limping towards Artemis with a menacing grin, and he could not stop her. He tried to struggle to move, and his body would not obey him.
"A-Artemis…" Perseus grimaced as he watched Echidna approach the young goddess.
Black spots danced in his vision, as Echidna knelt, and held her sharp talons high above her head. Perseus could only remember his promise to Apollo as he watched the monster strike down to the terror filled godling.
'We will all be together again, I promise…'
"NO!" Perseus screamed, and the world darkened.
It was like a dam was unlocked, and Perseus couldn't think straight while he felt something awaken within him. Darkness surrounded him, as his yellow eyes glowed dangerously. The sky turned grey, and started to rain. Flowers wilted as he raised his hand. The poison that was ravaging his body suddenly felt like it disappeared. A wash of coldness fell across the atmosphere, as Perseus slowly rose to face Echidna, who was too stunned to move.
"And they call me a monster…" Echidna said darkly, while Artemis looked in fear.
Artemis had never felt such feeling before. When the cold washed over her, she felt so… Empty. So… Unfinished. And she could never forget the moment when her heart filled with her most despairing memories… The times when Perseus would look at her with disappointment,the times where Apollo was heavily wounded… And the moment that just happened, that led the trio all into this. Tears filled her eyes as she felt a heavy guilt press down on her heart. She had caused all this. Then, it stopped.
She could only try to refocus as she watched Perseus nearly crush Echidna with the pressure that his power released. The cold seemed to intensify as Perseus looked at the monster with blank, yellow eyes. Cold, unflinching, and merciless eyes that Artemis would never forget.
"You will not harm my friends again. Begone, Echidna. Go back to where you belong. To Tartarus!" Perseus declared, before pulling back his hand, which grew sharp nails, dripping with silver liquid that seemed to consume the air with every drop.
Mist covered both of them as Artemis tried to watch Perseus complete the deed.
It was then, everything stopped. Leto suddenly jumped out of the gloom, while Perseus just stood there. The cold subsided, and Echidna, was nowhere to be seen. Then, Perseus collapsed, while Leto ran towards the young godling, all the while saying, "You fool, you fool…"
Artemis, who regained her bearings, began to crawl towards Perseus, who appeared to already be badly wounded. She could feel herself wriggling off her mainly minor wounds as Leto carried Perseus over her shoulder.
"I should have come earlier… I am so sorry," Leto murmured as she looked at the state of both children.
"P-Perseus saved me… Was that Perseus? Why did he become like that?" Artemis asked sadly.
"All in due time, my little Huntress. But now, we must return home… We need to keep Perseus' promise to Apollo…" Leto said, before she gave her daughter a stern look.
"And when we get back, you will tell me what happened. I suspect there was another cause of this – Perseus would never let you be kidnapped so easily, and neither would Apollo. Something must have happened to isolate you so, and i will find out tomorrow, after we heal both of the boys," Leto completed, as Artemis bit her lip.
"O-okay, Mother… But how about the Monster? Where is she?" Artemis wondered.
"She fled," Leto replied simply.
The dinner table was silent.
"So, Artemis, will you tell me what happened?" Leto asked, her eyes narrowing. It wasn't everyday she would see her daughter shouldering that much guilt. Well, not ever since she nearly got Apollo killed, at least.
When Artemis wasn't answering, Leto sighed. Her daughter's stubbornness could match that of Akhlys at times. However, right when she was about to give up on getting an answer, Artemis started to speak.
FLASHBACK
The trio was arguing, and this time it was a particularly bad one. Artemis hadn't gotten over the way she was saved by her companions the day before. She was the eldest sister! She was the one who was supposed to protect her brother! But instead, instead, she had to be carried back, and it was humiliating.
Apollo was resolute in taking Perseus' side this time. Normally, he would defend his sister's decisions, but watching her bleeding out was too much. He could only remember her terror stricken eyes as she was gored by the monster's claws. Artemis never had that expression before. She was always confident, strong, and maybe arrogant, but she was never afraid, or in terror.
"Sister, Perseus has a point. You are not fully healed! Let it go this time for now, Sister," Apollo pleaded, as Artemis turned her silver eyes to him.
"And you! I have protected you, saved your life so many times, and you take Perseus' side? I should have known better, that a weakling like you would take his side over me, your sister. You save just this one time, and you wish to be so arrogant with me?!" Artemis screamed angrily, as Perseus' yellow eyes glowed.
"Watch your mouth, Artemis. Your brother only has your best interests in his heart, as do I. Let it go," Perseus glared darkly, as Artemis continued her tirade.
"And YOU! You also think you pop up in here suddenly, and just replace me?! Where were you from anyway?! WHO ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU ANYWAY?!" Artemis shouted.
"Sister, that is going too far! He saved both our li-" Apollo tried to reason, as Perseus bit his lip.
"Oh. Oh. I understand. Have you noticed the game on our hunts being more dangerous ever since he was here? And the fact that you, Apollo, have been going FURTHER FROM ME! It is all your fault, Perseus. And you are not going to stop me from going to hunt again. I don't need any of your help! Especially yours, Perseus! I'm going alone! Stay here, Apollo, you'll just be in the way, as you have always have been," Artemis ranted, slapped Perseus for good measure, and ran off downstairs, where she fetched her equipment.
Perseus, still stunned, could only wonder if he was the cause of all this. Clenching his fist, he was about to go back to his room before Apollo gripped his hand.
"I-Im sorry for what s-she said. H-Her p-pride was wounded, and she couldn't protect anyone, she was always s-strong. P-please forgive her," Apollo whispered shakily, as he remembered the word that Artemis labelled him as.
Weakling.
Artemis, who overheard this while leaving, felt guilt creep into her heart. Holding back a tear, she started to have second thoughts. Even after all this, her brother still defended her. And Perseus had done nothing, said nothing, even after all her words. She was frustrated. A part of her wanted to continue in her trip, while her conscience held her back. Then, an explosion sounded as a slithering noise could be heard. Stunned, Artemis could only gasp in horror as she couldn't move.
"Ah, Zeus' child, the one my victim cares so much for…" Echidna said, as she reached out to Artemis, before disabling her by wrapping the godling within her coils.
Artemis was clearly trapped, and hung her head in regret. Was this penance for her deed?
It was then, a scream sounded as Apollo, who remembered Artemis' words, charged the Mother of All Monsters.
"A weakling…" Echidna hissed, as Apollo's eyes flashed.
Apollo charged. Echidna knew she needed to finish off the little nuisance quickly, as Leto was still nearby. Dodging Apollo's blow, she lashed out with her talons, only for the young godling to deflect her blow with his dagger.
Artemis could only grit her teeth in guilt as she watched her brother fighting with the monster with every fibre of his being. Pride slowly filled her heart as she watched her brother gain the upper hand, and successfully leave a deep wound in the monster by stabbing it into her stomach with his dagger.
Echidna was stunned, and Apollo took advantage. Grabbing Artemis, who managed to crawl out of Echidna's loosened tail, Apollo ran back to the cottage. Artemis by this time, hung her head in sheer guilt, while her eyes started to fill.
"I'm going to save you, Sister. I'm going to prove that I am not weak – that I am stronger than you think," Apollo whispered, as Artemis lowered her head in shame
"You insufferable weaklings!" Echidna hissed angrily, as she watched the duo enter the safety of the cottage.
Echidna was not about to give up. She was so close into succeeding in her plan, and she was not about to let that little upstart ruin it. Also, she did seek revenge against Zeus. And what better way than to take possibly his most powerful children? Blasting the door open, Echidna eyed the panting duo. Apollo had a look of shock, but he quickly regained his bearings, and put himself between Artemis and the monster.
Echidna was tired of her own games – the weak boy successfully wounded her. Taking things more seriously, she quickened her movements, grimacing at her wound, which severely hindered her. Angered at how she allowed the young godling to wound her, Echidna lashed out. With her talons, she sidestepped the godling's strike, and disarmed him quickly when she caught the dagger.
"You haven't even awakened any power," Echidna mocked, as Apollo roared in rage, before unsheathing his sword.
Echidna smirked. Apollo was blinded in his anger, and he wasn't holding his sword in a comfortable stance – He clearly wasn't a swordsman. Sensing victory, Echidna struck. With deadly precision, she again sidestepped the young godling's slash, and thrusted her talons through his stomach. Apollo gasped as he felt the ice cold talons enter into him, and he fell in a pool of golden ichor.
"Now for you… There is no escape now…" Echidna said to Artemis, who was by now tearing at the sight of her brother being heavily wounded.
"ARTEMIS!" Apollo screamed, as Echidna took her away triumphantly.
Artemis started to cry, her guilt overwhelming her. She thought she would prove to her two companions that she was independent and strong. Instead, she got herself into a situation which had her brother critically wounded, and unable to save her. She turned Perseus away from her with harsh words.
Artemis broke down as she completed her story. She could never forget her brother's form lying in a pool of ichor, convulsing on the floor. Leto bit her lip, absorbing what happened.
Leto looked at her daughter sternly, remembering her harsh words against the two boys.
"I would certainly never forget Apollo's face when he told me he begged Perseus to rescue you, and his tears when he called himself a failure," Leto said sternly.
"Without his aid, you would surely not have been successfully rescued, Artemis. The wound he dealt to Echidna slowed her down enough for Perseus and I to catch up."
Artemis meekly nodded her head, as Leto hugged her tightly.
"You are strong, Artemis. A weak person would never have the courage to say all of that to someone else, to admit their flaws in that manner…" Leto said tenderly.
Suddenly, Artemis asked, "W-why would Perseus save me? I hurt him…"
Leto smiled, as she said tenderly, "Because he cares for you. He shows it in an odd way, but he truly cares for you."
"But I-"
"There are no boundaries with love as deep as the three of you share, Artemis," Leto embraced her even more tightly.
As they separated however, Leto did notice a curious golden tinge on her daughter's face. She laughed softly as she observed her daughter's unprotected thoughts.
'Does Perseus really care for me?'
"I'm going back to my room," Artemis said sadly, as Leto stopped her with a quick tug on her hand.
"I must ask that you go to them, Artemis. They have went through enough pain, and they need you. Please, go to them," Leto pleaded, as her daughter nodded, guilt shadowing her face again.
Artemis went into the 'sickbay' of the cottage, where Perseus and Apollo were both sleeping on a large bed. Perseus appeared to be sickly, while Apollo looked to have caught a fever, and breathing erratically. Artemis could only rub Apollo's limp arm, and fix her eyes on Perseus as she heard a whisper from her brother that nearly broke her heart.
"I failed you sister…" Apollo whispered in his sleep, as Artemis kissed his forehead.
Climbing on to the bed, she could only bite her lip as she held onto both boy's hands.
"I'm sorry, so sorry. I promise, that we will never leave each other, that we will always protect each other… I'm so sorry," Artemis whispered.
She never noticed the smile that slowly formed on Perseus' face.
Thunder sounded, as Zeus struck down the worthless Mother of Monsters. How she did not execute his simple plan, he never knew but he did not plan for her to survive and spill out all his secrets. Not to mention she dared to touch his children. Needless to say, the young godling had made a statement, and Zeus could not touch him. With Echidna gone, he could not act with his more personal but reliable servants. Hestia would undoubtedly suspect something – she was always too watchful for her own good.
And the fact that he could not touch the boy made him even more livid. He knew against Akhlys, he stood no chance. No, he had to bide his time. His devious mind then thought about his children – the children of Leto.
He watched his daughter… Interact with that godling, and he was visibly sickened. However, he could not separate them yet, as they were too young, and Zeus had too many enemies. To say nothing of Leto's anger if Zeus tried.
However, the problem remained. The young godling was still protected by that insolent Protogenoi. Zeus had to draw her out somehow…
Haha, I'm done, and we are very sorry for the delay. So what do you think of it? Like it? Or don't like? Do leave your comments in your reviews, and we hope the emotional power in this chapter showed, I gave my all for those parts ;) Oh, and you can thank Mr Eyes for conjuring the outline for the flashback haha! Think of me as the executor, the man at the front, the writer, while he is the unsung hero behind the scenes, always at my back, and giving me a way out without fail =)
Rockyroad69, signing off for now with a certain greek-god swagger =D
Oh, and here's what Eyes had to say
Well uhh you fans are a "unique" bunch aren't you? This chapter should be able to satiate you until you want more or until Bossman gets around to feeling it whichever comes first lol either way i'm doomed xD
He signs off too, with a certain nymph swagger =D hehehehe
And one last thing...
REVIEW!