Hey guys, it has been like three years since I last wrote a chapter. I'm sorry for that, but I lost inspiration in that and wrote a different story, not one you can read. But, I am back now and will hopeful be writing again. So, please enjoy this new chapter and hope for another one soon.
Three years later
"Kara, can you tell me a bedtime story pleeeeaaassseee?" Something landed on my stomach and big grey owl eyes peeked over my book.
I moaned in pain, I didn't expect her to land on me. Annabeth had grown up quickly, both mentally and physically. She was probably smarter than most college age kids in common sense and high school students in knowledge of everything. She still enjoyed the bedtime stories I told her, the heroes and heroines of olden times fighting monsters, saving princess, and bad people getting what they deserved, but her favorite were about me.
Her blonde wisps had turned into long, blonde curly locks. Her grey eyes were darker than they were when she was born, but not by much. She was very adorable, many boys would probably pick on her when she entered school next year.
I placed the book on my chest and looked at her questionably,"What kind of bedtime story are we talking about here?" I pushed myself off the ground, but caught her by the waist before she could hit the ground.
"Perseus?" I pretended to slice off a head.
"Atalanta?" I ran around the room, she was laughing this time.
"Hercules?" I pretended to wrestle her to the ground.
"Or may-," she cut me off. It was me, wasn't it.
"You!" She laughed, showing off her pearly little teeth and big innocent grey eyes, she knew about her world of gods and monsters, but I haven't left her to it.
"What about me?" I smiled at her, but on the inside I was frowning. I hate to talk about the old days with Hera and Tartarus.
"Did you ever love someone?" She looked at me expectantly.
"I love you," I said and tickled her stomach. She laughed and tried to push my hands away.
"No, like daddy and Athena's love," she wanted me to tell it so badly, I knew from the look in her eyes.
"Fine, I guess I will tell you the story, but you have to be quiet," I said picking her up to put her in her bed.
"In the late ages of Greece, twenty years after the fall of Troy, in an old garden known as the Hesperides' garden, lived five girls sworn to never leave their garden for a hundred years." The scene was coming back my mind.
The new goddess was sent to renew their oath, to stay in the garden and support the gods if war was to come again.
My lady please, don't make me do this, I didn't feel it was right taking away their freedom, also I was polite when I was younger.
Kara they know the oath, and they are fine with it, we need all five girls to say it, Artemis's eyes harden to shine like steel to scare my amethyst eyes into obeying.
But Artemis, it's not right, they didn't fight us in the war, I looked at her eyes hoping to see some sympathy or anything proving I wasn't the only one the these feeling.
A smile graced her lips for a quick minute, but quickly disappeared, Just do it or I'll have to tell Zeus and he will probably get the candles or Muses, she ruffled my hair, trying to lighten the threat she had just made, and led me to her chariot.
I tried to not let the fear shine in my eyes, I was afraid of the gods and goddess when I was younger. I got on the chariot with Artemis, the deer whined with power when Artemis lashed the reins, as we took flight, Apollo landed in the spot, waving and smiling, but I saw a woman peeking out of the chariot.
You remember how to do it right, light your hand on fire, they won't feel a thing, and have them recite the oath, she lashed the reins and the deer soared higher into the air, and turned to look at me.
I remember Artemis, Zeus made me practice it for weeks so I wouldn't mess up, I wish I could grew my wings at will, but I hadn't mastered it yet.
Kara just do it, the faster you do it, the faster the guilt will go away from your mind, she turned away from me and look down at the ground.
You gods forget too easily, it is not good for wars, you forget who is out for your blood and they stab you in the back, I mumbled to myself, knowing what would happen if she heard what I said.
Get ready to shift into a bird, because you need to do it now, she said lashing the reins one more time to reach the peak of the moon's travel.
I lifted my arms and closed my eyes, taking a step off the edge of the chariot and into the night air. My body turned and twisted as I tried to change my form into a bird so I wouldn't plummet to my death. Finally I felt the soft tickle of feathers on my arms and head. I gave a soft flap of my arms and the feathers came out and slowed my descent.
I flew towards a tree, stopping there to see where I needed to head to. Lanterns glowed in the distance and I hoped that was the right way to the garden. I pushed off the branch, but fell to the ground, I must have shifted back without realizing it.
I got up off the ground, brushing the dirt of my clothes and started on my way towards the lanterns.
I looked over at Annabeth, hoping she had already fallen asleep so I would have to continue the story. She giggled at the thought me being anything but graceful and fun-loving, she crawled into my lap showing me, she wasn't falling asleep during this story. I felt a sigh build up in my throat, but I kept it down, trying not to upset her.
I cleared my throat, signaling to her I was about to start again. She quickly stopped laughing and her eyes harden, like her mother's when she got serious.
I got down on all fours, willing myself to changing to a jaguar. My skin started to itch as the fur and tail sprouted from my body.
I started running towards the lanterns, speed came so much quicker to animals on four legs. I was there in less than twenty minutes, I past the lanterns and heard a loud bellow from up high.
Who has enter my land, gods are not permitted and demigods may enter if they take my burden, what are you? A sharp voice rang in my head, as soon as I past the lanterns, Atlas.
I'm a demigod, here to cast the gods away and take your spot so you may crush them as repayment to me for taking your burden. I said in my mind, hoping he could hear me.
Then come up here and take from your new master, worthy demigod and I will take your task from your hands. He replied back, the earth rumbled and I saw the mountain-side shape itself into a staircase.
I need to grab an apple from your garden before I undertake the duty of my master. I replied hoping he would fall for it.
Very well, ask my daughters for help, but come straight up after getting the apple. He fell for it, how did he almost end the gods lives.
Of course, master. The vines and weeds that was before me shrunk away, revealing a path towards the golden apple tree.
I ran forward, before the plant life grew back to block my path. I neared the tree and started to make out the shape of the hundred-headed dragon known as Ladon. Before I could make out the whole body, four girls poofed before me and held up their hands.
I skidded to a stop, before I ran over them. I do not like poofing, please no more poofing. I pouted at them making them lose their calm facade, their eyes narrowed at me.
Our father says that you want an apple before you take his task of the sky. They seemed to speak as one, but my eyes caught each of their mouths moving at different speeds.
Yes, yes, but I do follow the gods' wishes which has brought me here. Their eyes widen as my hand caught fire, casting their faces in the rainbow light.
Deceiver, you have deceived our father and come to claim our freedom, just like all the gods you follow, daughter of Hephaestus. The tallest one hissed, through bared teeth, at me.
I laughed at them and held out my hand, as if wanting them to shake it. It seems that I have deceived even you, for I am Kara daughter of gods, not just Hephaestus. I moved forward, making them step back almost tripping over one of Ladon's heads.
Lies, you speak from your mouth, Kara does not listen to the gods nor would she enter our garden like you have, daughter of Hephaestus. The next one to the tallest one spoke, she had more venom in her words than her sister before her.
How to prove it, how to prove it to you. I felt my back heat up as my wings started to shimmer into existence, the metal feathers started to tickled my arms as a breeze blew through them.
Were what the monsters told us wrong, you have a different side to your rash and powerful side, Kara. They spoke in-sync again, all they look at me with a different light in their eyes, now.
I narrowed my eyes at them and extend my hand towards them again, my wings spreading making me seem bigger. Since you now agree on my identity, I suggest we shake on it to make sure we are in agreement.
The tallest one stepped forward and slipped her hand into mine, grimacing as the fire surged up her arm. She smiled at me, running her other hand along my cheek. The fire glowed brighter and she crumpled to the ground in agony.
I would start reciting and stop seducing, I'm not easily allured. I growled at her as tears started to stream down her cheeks.
River Styx I swear on, leaving this garden is something I will never do for a hundred years. The fire receded from her arm back into my hand.
Next, please and do not try to seduc… She grabbed my hand and tried to kiss me on the lips. I twisted her arm around as the fire blazed up her arm, she screamed in pain.
River Styx I swear on, leaving this garden is something I will never do for a hundred years. She cried out as the fire finally receded from her arm.
Do you want to try anything on me, or will you just recite the oath and make this so much easier. The last two both nodded as my other hand caught fire so I could have them both swear at the same time.
River Styx I swear on, leaving this garden is something I will never do for a hundred years. The fire receded for a final time and extinguish in my hands.
They don't lie, you are just angry when you attack them. I turned away from them and started to walk towards the forest.
Where is your sister, the fifth one, I am required to get hers. I turned my head slightly to see them out of the corner of my eye.
Just continue on into the forest, you will find that traitor that shares our blood. They vanished into the air, probably to go tell their father, I had lied to him.
I lifted my wings and gave them a hard flap, lifting myself into the air. I rose above most of the trees, looking for a source of light signaling that she was there.
I spotted a warm orange glow a few miles north of where I was, I decided to try looking there.
I was about half a mile away when my wings disappear and I felt into the trees. My instincts kicked in, saving my life probably, and I grabbed a hold of a branch. I hauled myself up onto the branch and looked around, I could faintly make out the firelight in the distance.
I stood up, hoping the branch could hold my weight, and concentrate on summoning my crystal.
Like my wings, I had no control over it.
But, I forearm began to glow and the cylinder appeared in my right hand. I squeezed, wishing for a staff so I could keep steady on the branches, it responded by elongating and in no time, I was walking towards the firelight again.
I was looking at the fifth of the sisters' camp, the fire was blazing and split, with deer, sat over it. She sat there, with her back turned to me, stirring the coals and turning the deer.
This was too easy for me. I jumped down from the tree, landing softly disturbing only the leaves a foot away from me. Sap and leaves clung to my body, some of the trees had been coated in layers of sap and leaves just stuck to me.
I stayed low to the ground and stepped slowly towards the camp, watching her movements. I was only a few feet from her when my foot caught something and I was pulled up into the trees.
Thou almost had thee there, but remember no kill will be easy even for an experienced hunter. She turned around and looked at me, amused, her bow was in her hand an arrow aimed at my throat.
Thanks for the confident boost, Nightshade, really need to be taken down a level after your sisters. I said wiggling, trying to free myself from the bonds, before she did it.
An apple popped into my mouth, stopping me from talking or screaming in anger. Now, now thee won again and thee want to claim thee's prize as thee always does. She pulled some sap off of my forehead and my neck, I struggled but she just laughed at me.
Always so cute when trapped and bound before the winner. She proceed to kiss my forehead and my neck, while I fumed inside.
She stopped and looked at me, her dark charcoal eyes shining with compassion, and then proceed to kiss my nose as I twisted and screamed in rage, I hated when she kissed my nose.
I bit the apple and spat it out of my mouth, I was done, but she wasn't. I silently chewed the apple, savoring the flavor of nectar that it had been soaked in.
She stopped and looked at me. Thou is just upset, thou did not win again. She started to climb the tree, her trap was set in, to cut me down.
No thou is not happy because thou does not like thou's nose being kissed and thee knows it, but yet thee still does it. I wiggled in the bonds as I said the statement, as I finished it my face hit the ground and I felt my nose pop out of place.
Black spots danced in my eyes as I felt my body roll and the stars started to shine again. Is thou okay, thee though thou was ready to fall, thee is sorry. Wet drops fell onto my face, waking me for my daydream of the ground.
I sat up quickly and looked at Zoe her eyes had pooled with tears that I had caused, I brushed them away and pulled her close to me. I am fine, thou is fine, my nose is just out of place, but that is so normal I do not even feel it anymore. I cupped her cheek and pressed my lips against hers.
When we pulled apart, she smiled and brought her hands up to my nose. Thou ready for this. She pressed against my nose, signaling she was ready for my signal.
I am used to it, so go ahead and pop it back into place. I said she twisted and I heard another pop.
What is thee going to do with thou. She smiled at me, her brown almost black hair fell into her face.
Well, to start off you could give me a kiss for my wound and after that I do not know. I smiled brushing off the hair in her face as she leaned down to kiss me.
She kissed my nose and I frowned, I should have seen that coming. Come on, thee has deer for two and some extra furs for thou. She pulled me to my feet and together, hand in hand, we walked towards the fire.
Annabeth stared at me as if asking was that the end of the story, her grey eyes burned with confusion, her gears in her head turning.
"Bedtime, Annabeth, go brush your teeth," I said ushering her to the bathroom.
"But I have a question," she said trying to push against me.
"You have reached your daily allotment of question, please ask again tomorrow," I knew the question she was going to ask.
"Please, Kara just one more question for today," she gave me her big, round owl eyes look and I sighed.
"Fine one more, but only one," I said as I sat down on the edge of the bathtub, putting her on my lap.
"What happened between you and Zoe, you seemed to love her in the story, but did you stop loving her just like Athena did with daddy," her grey eyes were pleading with me to say no and not be like her parents.
"Annabeth, I am being truthful here when I say, I do not know what happened with us, we were perfect for eachother and then we went to the garden one day, I don't remember anything about that day until I had Zoe asking for a different oath to take and saying I should leave her alone for awhile," tears stung in my eyes, I looked away from Annabeth trying not to show weakness in front of her.
Annabeth put her hand on my cheek, forcing me to turn around and face her," Do you still love her, and if so why do you not try to win her back," this little three year old knew how to have a better love life than an almost immortal demigoddess.
I took a breath, knowing I probably shouldn't tell her this but, pent up rage and sadness burned in my throat forcing the words out," Love is not always meant to last a lifetime, Annie, and sometimes you may love someone, but they may not love you back, then you have to try and look happy in front of them while they love someone else," tears pooled in her eyes as they did in mine.
"You don't mean that, Kara, if you truly love someone and they were meant for you, then they will love you and not someone else, right," her voice was quiet, but her hopeful tone was heard quite loudly in my ears.
"I believed that when I was young, and it lasted for sometime in my heart, but your heart can be so shattered that anything you hold in it flows out, try to keep your heart intact and not like mine," I said, not completely crushing her hope, but wounding it.
"I won't let anything my heart break, Kara, I promise on the River S...," I pressed my hand to her mouth, stopping her from swearing.
"Never make that promise, it will happen because it happens to everyone," I said in a low tone my eyes trained on Annabeth's eyes.
She nodded after a few tense seconds, and I pulled my hand away," Now brush your teeth and get into bed, I'll be in there ten minutes to tuck you in," I said putting her on the ground and stood up.
"Ok, Kara," she said putting toothpaste on her blue toothbrush.
I smiled at her as I climbed out the bathroom window and onto the roof, to stare at the night sky. The wind blew causing my hair to brush against my skin and to send chills down my arms.
I looked towards the woods at the left side of the house and saw flashes of silver, hunters. One flash of silver broke away from the pack and raced towards the yard, Zoe.
She stopped at the edge of the yard and look around, I stared at her transfixed as if she were a deer who had enter my yard. When her eyes finally found mine, she smiled and saluted at me before raced off after the retreating silver flashes.
It so normal that I do not feel it anymore, the line I said to her about my broken nose rang in my head, it wasn't about the nose anymore.
"I will always love you and if a positive little three year old girl still believes there is hope for us then maybe she can convince me to believe in it too," I said to myself as I slid into the bathroom window.
So how was it, did you like it. Please review, flames accepted.
Godeleus out (::)