A.N: So… Like I was saying to the Captain, I got a bit excited over this chapter and the fact that I had time to write, and then proceeded to word explode over the place! So ya'll get the next chapter a day after the previous one, and it's a long one! =] Aren't I nice? I'm making the Captain work double time, I've already got the next chapter done and am working on chapter 23 now, but ya'll don't get to see it until later. I still gotta fix up the events time line and the little action scenes. There's going to be a lot of conversations in the next few chapters so look out for that!
I swear I've put in more effort for this story than I did for my research paper when I was in Uni =P
Beta'd by the wonderful 2damnpretty2die, thanks for tweaking out my mistakes!
Chapter 21: Abandonment
Arizona p.o.v
The next morning, we had all gathered in the main room and the room was ablaze with excitement. I looked around trying to spot Teddy and Alex, I needed to speak to them before we entered Hades' fort. Finally I saw them both standing in the corner with Addison and Mark.
"Teddy, Alex" They looked up and bowed their heads slightly. "Don't do that, not right now. I'm not talking to you as Artemis the master, but as Arizona the friend." They nodded in understanding and relaxed their stance.
"What's up Ari?" Teddy asked.
"I just needed to talk to you guys before the fight. I wanted to uh, thank you guys." They looked at me in confusion and I hurried to finish my thoughts, "for everything you've done for me. For trusting me when you found out I was a vampire, for helping me with securing blood packs. Keeping my secret safe and for not hating me when you were sired. Just… thank you."
Alex, Addison and Mark looked on in amazement and Teddy smiled at me softly, "technically, you weren't the one to sire me you know?" she said slyly.
"Shut up! You know what I mean." I laughed.
"I do, and you're welcome. You're my best friend and I would do all of it all over again if required to."
"Same here boss. You took me in when no one else would have me and you actually taught me how to be a doctor, how to be a better person and how to be a fighter. Without you, I'd still be wandering around lost and alone, you gave me a family boss, so thank you." Alex added.
I grinned brightly and pulled them both in for a hug, holding on tightly, as if this was the last I would ever see of them, whilst Mark and Addison looked on warmly.
"So where's Callie?" Addison asked after I pulled back.
"She's over with Lucia and Aria, said she wanted to spend some time with them."
Any further thoughts were cut off as the main doors burst open and Terri walked in, with Richard and Elizabeth trailing behind.
"Are we all here?" Her tone was commanding, stepping into the role of leader easily. "Good, then may the power of Zeus guide you all." She raised her right hand to her chest and closed her eyes, and in a loud and powerful voice, she roared, "Fide et fortitude!" There were loud chants around the room as everyone repeated her actions.
"Fide et fortitude!" I shouted, Loyalty and bravery that was all we needed.
Terri p.o.v
I watched on as the first wave of attack, led by General Howard in the frontlines, tore through the strays as if they were nothing, and silently recited a prayer for their souls. The strays were innocent beings, caught in the path of Hades' madness, and I prayed they could finally find peace.
The signal went off and my friends and I leapt into action, all heading off towards our designated targets. I shot Lucia a look, and allowed my voice to penetrate her mind. "Guide them and keep them safe Mnemosyne." She nodded at me, eyes full of emotion at the sight of her two daughters heading into battle.
I felt Aria appear beside me and allowed her presence to fill my mind, "Be careful Aria, and get out as quick as possible."
"I will, you too Terri." A quick nod and we all separated. Arizona headed for the left wing, Elizabeth for the right wing, Aria towards the lower dungeons and myself for Hades. As Arizona disappeared from sight only one thought drifted across my mind, forgive me Arizona. I refocused my attention as I reached the doors of the main room, also known as, the 'throne' room. I could feel the aura from behind the doors, so dark and deadly, and I took a deep breath before opening the doors.
"Hades"
"Athena"
Mark p.o.v
We headed straight for the right wing, Elizabeth leading in front, Alex flanking her right and myself the left, and behind us we had around ten golden armoured 'agents' as they were called. The agents were far more powerful than the regular soldiers, only barely ranking behind the Generals themselves.
We burst through the door and saw Tim, surrounded by twenty strays; all ready to attack the moment we entered. First blood was spilled as an agent pushed forward and took out a stray, subsequently starting off our match. The rest of the agents burst into action and swords were drawn as our two forces clashed.
In the corner of my eye, I saw Elizabeth head straight for Tim, both their auras flaring up to blinding levels as Alex and I were confronted by four marked strays. My eyes turned green as my own flared up, feeling Alex do the same and we clashed with the four men in front of us.
For the sake of Arizona, you better not die Tim.
Teddy p.o.v
As we headed towards the left wing, I could feel Addie's worried glance on me.
"What is it Addie?"
"Be careful okay?"
"Of course I will."
"No I mean it, no heroics! No more jumping in front of attacks for me, you need to focus on the enemy."
"I know Addie, you too."
"I love you Teddy."
I faltered slightly in my step, shocked at the sudden confession, glancing slightly at her to see a red hue blooming on her face, and a grin started to spread across mine.
"I love you too Addie. And don't think that gets you out of saying it to my face. I'm still waiting for you to say those words out loud!" I could hear her giggling echo through my head, and turned to face forward once again, only to see Arizona's eyes on us.
"Stay focused!" she barked, but I could see the happiness in her eyes.
We never made it to the door, as it exploded out towards us, making us halt and leap backwards to avoid the debris. Strays flooded out through the door and the agents behind us charged ahead of us to meet them. The sounds of swords clashing surrounded the hallway and we flickered passed the battle and into the room where Erica was waiting with a smirk on her face, blade of Cronus in hand and four mark strays surrounding her.
"Hey there pretty girl" Erica taunted, and the anger that I had felt building in Arizona erupted as her aura exploded around her. Gold surrounding purple as Callie's own aura started building. "Always so quick to anger Princess."
Arizona growled as she launched at her, her own blade of Cronus drawn from her hip and clashing with Erica's. We had no time to react as the four strays were on us and we were forced into a defensive position. In the corner of my eye, I saw a stray headed towards Callie, but before I could move, her golden eyes had set upon the enemy, left hand raised as a barrier was formed and right hand thrust forward as a blade materialized into her hand and took off the enemy's let arm. I stared in awe at her speed and was shocked as I recognised the blade in her hand, the silver blade, golden handle and the gold and purple jewel on the hilt, Artemis' blade.
The pressure suddenly increased tenfold as Erica injected herself with the serum, there was blinding light, as when the light faded, Erica stood tall yellow aura turning dark purple, fangs elongated, black wings protruded on her back, eyes completely black, purple streaks running through lengthened blonde hair, and a dark purple symbol of Hades, Pluto, stood on her forehead.
This is just like what Terri did last time. Jesus Christ, it's so powerful and… dark. Is this the power of the royal bloodline?
She laughed maniacally at us and Arizona growled deeply, sharing a glance with Callie briefly, before closing her eyes and relaxing her posture.
What is she doing? Don't take your eyes off the enemy Ari!
I hurried to make my way over to her, but hesitated as her aura began to flicker and change in color and intensity. The purple started to fade to navy that surrounded her entire body, growing until she was completely hidden by the intense pulsing aura. There was a sudden explosion of light and I felt my breath being taken away at the sight before me. Arizona stood with white wings proudly displayed on her back, lengthened blonde hair with blue streaks, on her forehead was a navy Neptune symbol and when she opened her eyes, they were bright and golden. The true form of a royal huh? I glanced over to Addie who was equally amazed at the sight, and then to Erica who was stunned at the transformation.
"W-when did you achieve the form? Apollo never mentioned anything like that!" Erica spat out.
"He can't tell you what he doesn't know" was the calm reply, and they clashed once again, sending a powerful wave of energy that knocked us all back.
I looked towards Callie to see her golden eyes getting brighter and brighter as blue sparks started appearing, she fought valiantly against her enemy and when he was struck down, the calm and serenity reflected in her eyes took me off guard.
What the hell happened to those two?
Aria p.o.v
I could feel auras flaring up from different parts of the manor as Lexie and I crept towards the dungeon with agents flanking our rear. That was Alex and Mark, and then Tim. Oh, and there's Teddy and Addie's, and is that… Arizona and Callie? Jesus, that's strong. But where's Terri's? Is she not fighting? What's happening?
"We're almost there." Lexie's voice brought me out of my musings and I refocused my attention on the path ahead of us. We reached the end of the corridor where there were two paths.
"Lexie, you go left, I'll take the right."
"What? No! I'm supposed to protect you!" She protested
"I've got 5 agents who have my back, I'll be fine, and it's only for a while." She still looked hesitant, "remember, Terri told you to follow my lead." She deflated instantly and nodded, as she headed towards the left with five agents trailing behind her, she turned back to me.
"Be careful Aria, Terri would have my head if anything happened to you."
I smiled at her gently, warmed by her concern. "You too Lex, Terri would be so pissed off if anything happened to you." We shared a smile and split up, when she took the first turning, disappearing out of sight my smile dropped. I turned my head to the hallway in front of me, feeling Poseidon and Aphrodite's presence ahead of me and sighed.
"There is something I need you to do"
I could still remember the sorrow in Terri's voice as she asked me, and I was resolved to fulfil her request.
"Whatever your command, I will fulfil"
It was a promise I would keep.
Running ahead, and taking out any strays along the way, we found ourselves in a hallway with several doors. I could feel the familiar aura pulsing from behind the door at the end and steered the agents away from it.
"You guys take a door each, it doesn't look like anyone's down here anymore, I'll take the one at the end. Shout if you find anything." There were nods all around, as they split up into different doors.
I gathered thoughts and prepared myself for what laid waiting behind the door, but even then, I was still horrified by the sight. The idea that these two were once the proud and undefeatable Lord Poseidon and Lady Aphrodite was laughable, as they lay weak and helpless, chained against the wall.
"Poseidon…" I whispered weakly, his head snapped up instantly and I recoiled slightly at his reflexes. "My name is Ariadne Torres, and I've been sent here by the Crown."
"You're the Bride of the Crown." His voice was deep and husky, but still so weak.
"I am, yes."
"She was the one who gave us this?" Aphrodite asked, as she held up a pouch that was now covered with dried blood.
"Yes, have you seen what's inside?" they nodded; "so you know of the plan?" they nodded again. "Good, I've also been asked to give you this." I pulled out two test tubes filled with blood, "she said to wait for the signal before using it."
Tears filled Aphrodite's eyes and Poseidon stared at me emotionlessly.
"Are they safe?" was the tearful voice
"They are, Arizona has recently unlocked her true form along with Callie-"
"She's found Callie?"
"She has, Callie is my sister, and we're both where we belong now. Terri has been leading them well."
"Terri will destroy Arizona, this plan will destroy her." Poseidon's voice cut through, having remained silent for a while now.
I jumped slightly at his voice, "perhaps, but it is for the best. I trust in Terri and perhaps you should too." My voice was firm and slightly scolding, but I couldn't take the doubt aimed at Terri.
"You love her" it was a statement rather than a question.
"It's none of your business, sir. I've come to do what I've been asked, have some faith in the Crown. She's been leading the Kingdom for the last 12 years since Zeus has gone missing, she knows what she's doing." I turned to leave the room, but his deep voice filled with remorse and hope reached my ears.
"Fide et fortitude" I turned back to them with a smile on my face and raised my hand to my chest.
"Fide et fortitude." I left the room swiftly with the hopeful looks on their faces engraved into my memory, and closed the door.
"Did you find anything ma'am?" came a voice to my right.
"No. Did you?" I received a negative response, "we should meet up with Lexie, perhaps she's had more luck." We headed back down the hallway, and I glanced back at the closed door.
"But I fear after tomorrow, you won't feel the same. You won't even be able to look at me anymore."
I forced my tears away, and charged on ahead.
I really hope you do know what you're doing Terri.
Terri p.o.v
"Hades" I stated calmly
"Athena" was the joyful reply, "Oh I've been waiting for you, it's been so long my dear niece, and I've missed you so, Teresa!"
"Cut the crap Jacob." I spat
"Oh, the anger, it's so wonderful!" he shivered in delight, "and so brave coming in here alone, without backup. Aren't you afraid of the big, bad, mean Hades?" he ended with a child-like voice and I felt my hackles rise at the voice.
"There's something I needed to know from you."
"Oh?" his voice returned to normal immediately, interested perked. "And what could that be?"
"That day, when my brother died, why did you send Styx?" his expression darkened, "it was a stupid move to send her into a place covered with Zeus and his men, and why her? Especially considering…" I trailed off noticing the look on his face and realization dawned upon me. "She doesn't know does she?"
His silence was my answer. "Tell me Hades, what did you tell her happened to her mother?"
"She was a useless whore and ran off with another man."
"And what did you tell her of Tobias"
"…"
"Oh, don't worry. I know about his betrayal, so what did you tell your dearest daughter?"
"That he was another royal who was sick and tired of Zeus and wanted command."
"So you never told her he was her brother?"
"H-how did you know that!" he was actually shocked at my knowledge and I found that amusing.
"I know a lot more than you think I do, and I know that Styx was sent to kill me and not Tobias."
"She obviously failed!" he roared, angered that his plan fell apart.
"Au contraire, my dearest uncle. She didn't."
"What?"
"Have you already forgotten about the white haired child that used to follow you in your dreams?" He stared at me stunned and I took great pleasure in knowing that I had caused such a reaction.
"That was you? But how?" His voice was tinged with disbelief, and I wasn't surprised. None of the royals have been known to have that ability.
"You can thank your dearest Aunt, Lady Theia and her husband Lord Helios for reviving me and blessing me with this new ability. I know of everything that transpired back then. And I know the truth of Styx, Pallas and Tobias' mother. So tell me, did you ever tell her that Tobias and Trevor were twins? Or that she was responsible for not one, but two of her brothers' deaths?"
"S-she didn't need to know!" he spluttered.
"Oh? I believe that you were the one who stated that Styx loved her brother and was deeply hurt and distraught at Trevor's death, so how would she feel if she knew that she had inadvertently caused both of their deaths? Or perhaps the fact that she does have surviving siblings considering that I'm actually her half-sister?" I taunted him, his reactions causing great joy within me. I had hated the fact that he had used Toby against me, I loved him deeply, he was my brother, my world, my everything, and his betrayal destroyed me. I hated that he willingly worked for Hades after everything Zeus had done for him, and I hated Hades for being responsible for everything that hurt my family and I in this world.
"It's been done. I'm waiting for you outside." Aria's voice drifted into my mind and I grinned triumphantly at him.
"Well, it's been good catching up with you, but I must leave now."
"What!" He replied, outraged, "you think I'm going to let you leave here alive?" his aura flared up menacingly and he began to transform before my eyes. His yellow aura faded into deep black as black wings appeared on his back, his eyes turned blood red, brunette hair lengthening and turning pure black, and a dark purple Pluto symbol appearing on his forehead. His elongated fangs appeared and he snarled at me with a look of pure evil and anger all over his face.
I responded in kind as my eyes turned white, wings appearing, and golden Jupiter symbol appearing. "You don't have the option to stop me." White aura pulsed vividly around me as red and white started to form on the ground around me, a circle with symbols appeared and the room started to shine and shake.
"What are you doing?" he screamed as he felt himself being constrained by invisible forces.
"A little trick I picked up from Helios, enjoy!" The red lines rushed along the ground towards him and shot up as they wrapped around his body, binding him to the spot as the white light began to surround him. I flickered out of the room as his painful screams echoed along the hallways, smug grin firmly set on my face.
I knew that it wouldn't be able to hold him for long, but his anger and emotions had clouded his thoughts and ability to reason, allowing me to take advantage and catch him off guard, distracting him for long enough to escape. He was strong, but he wouldn't risk fighting against both Arizona and I with the combined efforts of the Elders and all the Generals, he wasn't stupid and would never head into a battle he didn't have 100 per cent certainty on.
Arizona p.o.v
The serum had boosted Erica's powers, but I could feel the effects wearing off. I saw that she had retrieved another syringe and lunged at her before she had a chance to inject herself. I grabbed her arm, forming a barrier of ice around it, disabling it and launched a powerful wave of energy surrounded by lightning directly to her face, launching her flying towards the wall that came crashing down on her.
I was about to continue with my attack, but Lucia's voice filtered through my head.
"Retreat, Apollo has been apprehended, Aria and Lexie have returned empty handed, any further efforts will be for nought. Poseidon and Aphrodite are not here."
I growled in anger and turned to face Calliope, Teddy and Addison, who had disposed of all the strays a while before. "Let's go." We flickered out of the room without a backwards glance to Erica who had yet to emerge from under the debris.
As we reached the meeting point, I saw Tim being held by Mark and Alex, he was covered in blood and cuts and looked absolutely exhausted. I glanced briefly at Elizabeth to see that, whilst she had some minor injuries, she looked perfectly healthy, and I marvelled at her strength and ability to defeat a royal.
We could hear the angered and painful screams of someone roaring through the front yard and shivered.
"Who is that?" asked a fearful Addison.
"I believe that is Hades" Elizabeth replied
We stared at her stunned, "Terri was fighting Hades, so she's causing this?" I asked.
"I'm causing what now?" A voice appeared suddenly behind me and I turned instantly, prepared to attack. She caught my arm and smiled gently at me. "Calm down Ari, it's me." We stared at her in awe, seeing that she was perfectly unharmed.
"What did you do to him?" I asked, trembling at the thought of his screams.
"Just a distraction." She replied absentmindedly staring at Tim. "We're all here then? Good, let's go. Hurry!"
As we were turning to leave, a huge explosion took out a few of our soldiers.
"Retreat! Quickly!" Terri ordered.
Wave after wave of strays appeared from nowhere as Erica flew from the main doors, heading straight for me, blade of Cronus shining brightly in her hand. Her speed was so fast and appearance so unexpected that I didn't have time to react before she was in front of me ready to attack.
"Arizona!" Calliope cried and I closed my eyes ready for the pain.
But it never came, as another body collided with mine.
"Tim!" I stared in horror at the sight of my brother impaled through the chest with the sword that was still glowing vibrantly with power.
"Go Ari! Go now!" He managed, through blood filled breaths.
Terri appeared before me, knocking Erica back as arms pulled me back towards our retreating group. "No! Tim! Let me go! I can't leave him. TIM!"
Terri's aura flared up frighteningly and she gave a great roar as she let out a powerful wave of energy that destroyed over half of the charging strays.
Calliope's warmth settled over mine as we flickered out of the area, tears streaming down both of our faces.
Tim…
When we had settled back at Terri's mansion, she looked exhausted, but had gathered us all into the meeting room once again.
"Hades' strength has fallen greatly, if we attack again soon, before he has the chance to rebuild his strength, we stand a great chance of taking out his entire army. It'll give us time to regroup and plan an attack directly on him." She stated calmly.
I was still wired from the battle at the sudden loss of my brother that I lost control. "Are you kidding me? Tim just died. He died Terri! And you're planning the next attack? What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"He knew it would happen when we started."
"W-what are you talking about?"
"Tim was a double agent, he worked his way into Hades' forces and had been providing us with information about his location and Poseidon and Aphrodite's wellbeing."
I stared at her stunned. "Y-you planned this? I thought Elizabeth got all the information?"
"Not quite, whilst it is true that I was tasked with watching Hades, I was also liaising with Timothy." Elizabeth replied.
"Then what was yesterday about? Your insistence to fight Tim, and your great show of berating Terri for her 'sympathy and pity', and the whole 'betrayal must be punished' thing then?"
"It is exactly as you said it, a show. We could have anyone knowing the truth, we needed a fall back plan in case our attack failed and Apollo needed to return to Hades' side."
"So, this is your fault T?" I spat out.
"What is?"
"Tim's death!" I roared, horrified at her nonchalance at the event.
"It's all a part of war Ari, you know that, and he knew that. It was his choice to infiltrate Hades' side and to jump in front of Styx's attack. Even if he weren't a spy, he would still have been at the battle and would still have taken the attack for you. There was nothing I could have done."
"Nothing? Nothing! I wouldn't have misunderstood him! The last time I saw him wouldn't have been filled with anger, hatred and betrayal! How many people knew of the plan?" I was disgusted at her; I couldn't believe she would do this to me.
"Not including myself? Elizabeth and Richard."
"So everyone thought he was a traitor? He died whilst we all thought of him as a traitor! How could you do that to me, to us Terri?"
"It had to be done, for the sake of our Kingdom, for the future of our empire." She stated calmly.
"Fuck the Kingdom, fuck the people, I don't care! He was my only brother and this battle was pointless, you couldn't even find my parents! You've killed the only family member I have left! God, I hate you so much right now Terri, why would you do that, after everything I've done for you?" The hatred was filling my mind and I could do nothing about it.
"You know what? Screw this. Screw everything! I give up. It's not worth losing everything over. I've already lost Tim, who's next? Calliope? Alex? Teddy? You're a monster Terri, and I can't forgive you."
"Ari-" she started
"No! I give up. I'm not doing this anymore."
"What do you mean?" Her voice was hard
"I'm withdrawing from the court." There were gasps all around at my declaration and I could see the pain swimming in her eyes. "I don't want to be a part of this anymore and I don't want to lose anyone else, so I'm withdrawing. This is no longer my battle, and I give up my position in line to the throne. I'm giving everything up and I just want to return to my life with Calliope in Seattle."
"I'm coming with you." Teddy stated.
"Me too boss. I'm following you." Alex added.
"Us too." Mark and Addison agreed. "Sorry ma'am," Mark addressed Lucia, "you may be our sire, but we can't let something like this go. It was unfair, she used her own family and team member and she doesn't even care that he's dead."
"I agree with you." Lucia's statement shocked everyone. "I apologise, but I cannot follow the lead of someone who has no concerns over their own family or team member."
"I thought family and team had no place in war, Mnemosyne?" Terri's voice was mocking and I felt my anger flare up again.
"Maybe so, but this was an unnecessary battle, you had ulterior motives didn't you? You confronted Hades, yet you neither fought nor captured him. So why did you go to him? You're motives are suspicious and I cannot allow that."
"So you're withdrawing your position as well, without my father's permission?" Terri's voice was filled with disbelief.
"As the interim Queen, you have the permission to grant it, right, my Queen?" Lucia taunted, and Terri stuttered in her response.
"I-if that is what you wish, then I shall grant you all freedom."
"Lexie, you're coming with us right?" Mark asked the jittery brunette who had been watching the exchange in silence, she let out a quiet 'eep' as attention was brought to her.
"Uh…um…I…uh…" She stuttered endlessly as her eyes jumped from person to person. On seeing the conflict on her face, Terri stepped in.
"You are all dismissed." The Elders and Generals all began to protest, but she raised a hand and silenced them all, "Now" her voice left no room for argument, and they reluctantly filed out of the room, throwing glances of disbelief at us on the way.
Finally, all that was left was our friends, Calliope, Aria, Lucia, Richard, Elizabeth, Terri and myself; Bailey, Thalia and Clio having been missing since we returned.
"What's it going to be Lex? Are you staying with the cold hearted Princess or are you coming with us?" Addie demanded.
"I-I" Lexie started to fidget on the spot.
"You don't have to stay, I may have marked you, but I have never once treated you like property. You have free will and the option to make any choice you wish. You will not suffer any repercussions." Terri added in.
"Lex! Come on babe, let's just go, we can enjoy life as normal." Mark pleaded
"I-I can't. I'm sorry Mark, but I'm doing what right."
"This isn't right, she let Tim die! She preaches about family and team, but she let Tim die! She may as well have killed him with her own hands!" Mark was furious at her reluctance.
"I promised her, the day I found out about her, that I would help her until the very end, and I can't go back on that promise. She saved my life, she gave me a new life, and I met so many wonderful people, made so many new friends, I got the chance to be with you, but I can't abandon her now." I sighed, I admired her loyalty, but I felt that it was misplaced. If she's worried about the mark, I could always re-mark her…
"Lexie, just go. If it will clear your conscience, I deem your promise fulfilled, you've helped me out a lot already. I can remove your mark if you wish. Arizona can re-mark you. You have no obligations to me." Terri must've caught on to my thoughts.
"I'm staying, it is my choice that I am making of my own free will and I choose to stay loyal by my leader's side." She replied firmly.
"You're making a mistake." Addie sneered.
"I can't help it if you think that, but Terri has given me everything, I can't leave her when she has nothing left."
"She's has plenty left! She has her kingdom, her people, her freaking war to fight." Mark was getting desperate now and I felt guilty that I was separating the two of them.
"But she has no family or team to support her. I am staying as a member of the family she welcomed me into, and I am staying as a member of the team she has protected." Silence overcame the room and I could see the guilt in Teddy and Alex's eyes as her statement hit home. They too were welcomed into our family and team by Terri and I could see them begin to reconsider their rash decision.
"Just leave it." I broke the silence and all eyes fell onto me, "I admire your loyalty Lexie and as much as I hate to do it, I accept your decision." I could hear Mark's huff of protest, but there was nothing else we could do to sway her now, I could see the determination shining in her eyes. "I just hope that your loyalty doesn't hurt you in the process." I narrowed my eyes at Terri who had yet to take her eyes off Lexie.
"Thank you Arizona, and I wish you the best. I'm sorry Mark, but I'm not leaving."
And with that, we left the room to pack up our belongings. Mark was the last to leave, eyes never leaving Lexie as her eyes remained on the floor.
I'm sorry too Mark.
Callie p.o.v
I was furious at the outcome of today's battle. I couldn't believe that Terri had sent Tim in to be a spy and had nothing to say of his death other than 'he knew what he had signed up for'. I had thought that she fought for her family and her team, but I guess my initial thoughts about her were true after all. But more so than that, I couldn't believe Lexie was willing to stand by her, even after everything that she had saw.
Realization dawned upon me as I remembered that Aria had yet to make her stance. Arizona had left me in our room as she went to take her final walk around the manor that she had grew up in and I sensed Aria and my mother walk into the room.
"Come with us" I insisted
"I'm not leaving her."
"But why Aria, you'll end up losing your life too, she doesn't care about anything or anyone." I couldn't let her stay, she was my sister and I loved her too much to watch her die.
"That's not true, she cares about me!" she replied indignantly
"How do you know that?" I refused to believe that Terri gave a shit about anything other than power and the throne, I mean, she had sacrificed Tim for crying out loud.
"I supported you when Arizona was 'Artemis', when she was cold and ruthless and merciless, I supported your choice to stay with her. Why did you stay with her?" she spat.
"Because I knew the truth, I knew that under all that hard exterior, my kind hearted, warm, and loving Arizona was still under there." I knew what Arizona was really like, I trusted her and I believed that Arizona was doing what she felt was the right thing to do. For the sake of Terri.
"How did you know?"
"Because I love her and I know her!" I shouted, frustration evident in my voice.
"Exactly, I know what Terri is really like. I know a side of her that no one else knows and I love her!" She screamed back at me.
"Aria…" I was shocked into silence at her declaration, she had never admitted to being in love with someone like that before. Sure, she had her 'fling of the weeks', but not once had she ever felt more than a 'strong like' towards them. What the hell has Terri done to you Aria?
"No Callie, you've made your choice and I'm making mine." She stated in a low voice full of defeat.
"But it's the wrong one." I was grasping at straws now, Aria was a Torres and we were known for our stubborn streaks, but I couldn't lose my sister.
"Have I ever tried to discourage you from chasing Arizona?"
"No, but this is different."
"No it's not, Terri has done nothing wrong, but all of you are too blind and fucking stupid to see all the sacrifices she has made for all of you. Well I have! I've seen everything she's done for you guys and I'm not leaving her alone, I'm not leaving her to fight this battle on her own."
"She hasn't made any sacrifices, she has sacrificed other people. People like Tim!" I could feel my anger slowly building. I could understand her need to stand by the one she loved, but to completely disregard what happened to Tim? That was unforgiveable.
"Calliope" My mother warned, speaking up for the first time since they entered my room.
"I respected your choice Callie, I gave up my own future for you, and even if it worked out in my favour, I made a sacrifice for you. The least you could do is respect my choice!" her voice was small and she sounded so tired.
"I don't get it." The tears were gathering in my eyes now, why couldn't she just understand that the best thing for her is to get away from Terri, as far as possible.
"I don't want or need you to understand, I love you Callie and Mama, you too, but you just have to respect my wishes."
"And we shall." My mother answered.
"Mama!" I protested, horrified that my mother would give in so easily.
"Calliope, Aria is right. She's a grown woman capable of making her own decisions and taking on the responsibility of any consequences."
"But-"
"Calliope, we need to respect her wishes." There was finality in her voice and my posture slumped in defeat, the tears I had tried so hard to hold back started falling down my cheeks.
"I love you Aria, and if you ever need anything, call me." I urged, and she nodded as tears fell from her eyes. We gathered together for a final family embrace as Arizona entered the room.
"Calliope, we need to leave now." I let go reluctantly and walked to the front door with Aria's hand firmly held in mine.
As the car pulled away from the manor, I kept my head turned to the back window, watching as Aria's waving figure became smaller and smaller, tears blurring my vision. I turned back around when I could no longer see her and buried my face into Arizona's shoulder, my mother holding onto my left hand.
"I'm sorry Calliope." Arizona's voice was low and full of remorse.
"It's not your fault Ari, she made her choice and I have to live with that." She hummed at my response, knowing that not even I was convinced, but it was the truth and I had to learn to accept it.
Aria p.o.v
I walked back into the manor after their car was no longer visible to find Terri standing by the window looking out, hidden behind the curtains, eyes filled with pain and regret.
Lexie, Richard and Elizabeth stood silently by her side dwelling in the dark and depressing aura emanating from her. I trusted her and believed in her, but it didn't mean that I wasn't deeply hurt that her actions had caused my sister and mother to leave us, to leave me all alone.
"Aren't you going to tell her?" Richard's deep voice broke the silence.
"No." came the calm reply
"Why?"
"Because she needs to live. Originally I had wanted Tim to become the next heir, but Arizona will make a better Crown. Her perky, bubbly personality makes her likeable, I've seen her at the hospital, her patients, their parents, her colleagues they all love her and the brightness she brings to the world. Her compassion is what'll save us." I gasped at the revelation. This was all part of her plan? What the hell is going on?
"Compassion?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah, we've always been told that mercy and compassion will be the downfall of our kingdom, but have we ever actually tried to rule with that? Cronus did, and he was successful, until he was taken by his own insanity. But regardless, times were peaceful, between the humans and us, and all the vampires recognised him as their true ruler. Arizona has that, and she has what it takes to become a great Queen."
"And yourself? You are the most compassionate person I have ever known, even if you've hidden it behind that cold exterior of yours, don't forget, I watched you grow up, and you were always kind hearted to everyone and everything, even young master Tim. You always forgave his mistakes and took on his punishment as your own, and don't forget about Lady Arizona, you took her in and treated her as the sister you never had. You gave them everything they've ever wanted and more, and even your followers; did you not sire them to save their lives? You wanted them to live, and not because you needed soldiers, but because you trusted them with your secrets and they in return were loyal to you, even now when they've all abandoned you, all you're thinking about is them." Richard insisted, and I felt the anger and hurt melt away slightly. He was right; all Terri has ever done was for the sake of others, and never for herself.
Callie was wrong, Terri isn't selfish. She's the most selfless person I have ever met and it's their loss that they will never get to be around her any more.
I thought back to yesterday when I had confronted Terri in the hallway.
*Flashback*
Her forehead came into contact with mine and I felt her aura suddenly flare slightly before her voice echoed in my head.
"Did you feel it?"
"What was that?"
"A protective barrier of sorts, but you need to remember what it feels like."
"Why?"
"Because it will lead you to Poseidon and Aphrodite."
"W-what?"
"Tomorrow, when we head into battle, I need you to follow that signature and head straight for them. When you reach them, I need you to distract Lexie and the agents that will be following you, they cannot know where they are."
"Why"
"Only you can see them, and I need you to give them something."
"What is it?"
"Two vials of blood. My blood to be exact enhanced with Richard's serum. And when you've given it to them, tell them to use it when I give them the signal, and then I want you to leave and tell the others that you found nothing."
I let out a gasp as my eyes shot open. "Terri… Y-you want me to…"
"Shhh, not out loud. Just listen to me okay? This is not a battle that we can win, yet. The barriers around the walls imprisoning them not only act as a limiter on their powers, but it sustains their lives. Elizabeth said that the injuries that they'd received over 20 years ago still ails them, which means they're not healing. And we don't know what else Hades has put them through, but if we removed them from the room, we stand the risk of killing them the instant they leave. The blood will allow their bodies to heal and their powers to recharge, enough at least to fight their way out."
"But why do I have to pretend to have not found anything? Can't we let Arizona know that we've found her parents?"
"Think about it, if we let her know, do you really think she'll allow us to leave them there? She would rather them die than to spend another day in Hades' dungeon, and I really need them to be alive."
"Are you sure the blood will help them?"
"Yes, I've already said that my blood has healing abilities, but enhanced with Richard's serum that allowed Teddy and Arizona's recovery to speed up, it's their only chance. And I trust Richard with my life, his purpose in our Kingdom is to heal, so it's his speciality. Do you trust me?"
"Completely"
"Then trust in Richard too."
My arms tightened around her waist and I nodded, feeling the tears building.
"Thank you"
*End flashback*
Her last words echoed through my head and I could feel how much they still affected me even now.
"I stand to lose more than I can bear tomorrow, and regardless of the outcome, I will lose no matter what."
"It doesn't matter anymore Richard, it's too late for Tim and myself, we've killed too many and there's too much fear around us for us to rule in peace. Sooner or later they'll rebel against us instead, they need us too much right now, to defeat Hades, but after? We will become what they fear the most, their every action will be made in caution, they will never willingly submit to me, bow down to me of their free will, it will all be done in fear. It's too late, Arizona is the only one who can save the kingdom and return it to the peace we once had." She sounded so defeated and tired I felt my heart break.
"And what of the war now? You need them Princess." Elizabeth added, trying to urge her to convince them to return.
"My father is returning soon, you've seen the signs too right? The moment he returns, we can officially call upon the soldiers and they can take care of the strays, our main target is and always has been Hades and Styx. The moment they die, the strays will be easy pickings compared." I felt Lexie gasp, as we were both shocked by her statement. Zeus is returning? What does she mean by 'officially call upon the soldiers'? There is so much I don't understand.
I glanced over to Lexie to see that she was as confused as I was, staring wide eyed between Terri and the two Elders.
"If that is your wish, my Lord." Elizabeth and Richard relented hesitantly with a bow. They left soon after, leaving Lexie and I alone with a defeated Terri who was looking more and more exhausted.
"Are you okay with them leaving?" I spoke up; breaking the awkward silence that had formed after the Elders had left.
"Are you okay with leaving your mother and your sister?" she asked back.
"Not the point, they made their choice and I made mine." I stated firmly.
"Exactly, they made their choice and I made mine."
"Teresa Ryans!" I growled, frustrated by her false pretence of nonchalance.
"I'm sorry, but I mean it. It's their choice to leave, and I've been expecting it since I agreed to make Tim the mole." She complied, finally.
"But don't you need them to fight with you?" Lexie inquired.
"My father is returning soon." Terri stated simply and I rolled my eyes. As if that answers everything.
"But, I thought he had gone missing?"
"Not exactly, we had spread word of his disappearance in order to force Hades' hand. My father has gone off to train with the Seers, train with their Serum, and if he's returning now, then it would seem that he has been successful."
"The Serum? But, that's poisonous." Lexie's voice was full of question, and I smiled at her inquisitiveness.
"Not if he trains with their creators: Theia and Helios. They can recreated a serum for him."
"But why would he do it?" Lexie stated, more to herself than anyone else.
"Because of Hades and Styx, they have been using the serum."
"What? How?" I was mystified by her unending knowledge of Hades and Styx's actions.
"Tim, he's been our mole for a while now."
"Then, that day at the gym was a lie?" Lexie sounded disappointed at her; perhaps she was reconsidering her position with Terri.
"Not exactly, I knew of it yes, but I had never seen the results and it was a lot more powerful than I had expected. Everything was real, except the shock of seeing her with the serum. I'm sure you noticed that my blood had no effect on Tim when he attacked me? That's because I knew of his actions and in turn I gave my blood freely, so he wasn't poisoned by the splash back." We nodded in understanding. It made sense and to be honest, it hadn't even occurred to me to think about the effect of her blood.
"So what now, we wait until Zeus comes and then we head into battle?" I questioned, completely lost as to what our next move was.
"I do, yes, but not you. You can't go."
"What! No, I'm coming." I was outraged that she thought I had fought so hard against my family to be with her only to be abandoned in the face of danger.
"You can't, if you're there I will become distracted and there are no second chances with them. Hell, I might die even if you're not there."
"Then even more reason for me to be there, I won't let you die! And if by any chance you do, I'm coming with you either way."
"Aria, don't." She pleaded slightly, in a voice I had never heard before. Am I really that important to her?
"Aren't you afraid of me being betrothed to the next Crown?" I changed my plan of attack, hoping to gain more information into my importance to her. Yeah, it was pretty selfish, but she was hard to read and I could never understand how she really felt about me.
"You can't anyway." She huffed childishly, drawing a wide eyed stare from Lexie.
"Why?" This was news to me.
"Three reasons, one, because you're already my mate, two, because the next Crown already has a mate, and three, if I die, you're free."
"Tim has a mate?" When did that happen?
"No, Arizona does though."
"But I thought Tim was the next heir?" I was getting confused. All this time Tim had been made out to become the next heir after Terri, yet all of a sudden Arizona was the next heir? I glanced towards Lexie to see her head tilted in complete confusion.
"He can't do it, I mean, he's… dead." She replied cryptically. "That leaves only Arizona."
"And I'm free if you die?" I felt horrible, but for a moment, I had completely forgotten about Tim's death.
"Yeah, because your destiny is to become the bride of the Crown, you're already mated to me, even though ours isn't a proper 'bond', yet." This caught my attention, not a proper bond yet? "Regardless, it means you've technically fulfilled your part of the destiny, if your mate happens to die, you're free from the bride of the crown."
I narrowed my eyes at her as realization struck me. "You planned this?"
"What do you mean?" Terri recoiled slightly at the accusation.
"You and Tim planned the double agent, so no doubt you've already planned for all different scenarios, like what if Tim died as a double agent, and you died in the war." I could feel my heart tighten at the thought of her dying, but I pushed forward with my conclusion.
"You had already planned on Arizona leaving didn't you? You needed to have someone left if you died. Arizona would take the Crown, and as the Bride of the Crown, I would belong to her, except that's not how fate works, because Callie is her destined mate. Is that why you marked me? So I wouldn't get in the way of Callie, so Callie wouldn't lose her mate, because Arizona would most definitely fulfil your wishes, even if it meant taking me on as a bride, but now that I'm mated to you that can't happen. Was this all part of the plan? Callie and I, were we just pawns?" As I finished my tirade, I was hit by sudden horror. What if I was right and Terri was doing all of this to save Arizona heart break? What do I do?
"You're right." My breath caught and my heart sunk. I knew it, God I'm so stupid!
"Wait, listen to me. Just, listen okay." She could see the conflict upon my face and waited until I calmed down. "You're right, I had planned for Tim to 'betray' us, and I had a plan to make Arizona leave, even though this wasn't how I imagined it would happen. I had a plan to make Arizona the Crown, and yes, I knew that her destined mate was Calliope, and I do already have a plan for what will happen should I die, that is all true. All except for you."
I was caught off guard by the sudden confession, "W-what do you mean?"
"I had ulterior motives for wanting to mark you. I didn't know you were the Bride of the Crown when I first met you, but when I found out, it all just worked in my favour." She avoided eye contact with me as Lexie watched on curiously.
"And that means?"
"I wanted you." She stated so simply it was as if she was commenting on the weather.
"Y-you wanted me?" I felt warmth rush through my body as my cheeks began to heat up, I stole a glance at Lexie to see her fidgeting with a bright red cheeks.
"Yeah, is that hard to believe? Since the day I met you at SGMW, I've wanted you, but I've never had the chance. Like Tim, I'm not allowed the luxury or pleasure of romance, I would've been happy just to keep working side by side with you, but of course you would be involved with vampires because of Calliope. I dared hope for a second that I could tempt you, but I couldn't allow it, I couldn't allow you to come to me through trickery, and I couldn't abandon my mission."
"Then why did you do it then? The deal with Callie and my mother for me?" My cheeks were still burning and I knew that it was really awkward for Lexie to be hearing this, but I couldn't help but want to know more. I couldn't afford to break from the conversation to dismiss her, not without Terri hiding away again.
"Because I was weak and powerless against my emotions, my intense hatred and anger towards you mother provoked me to try to hurt her, regardless of my own feelings. It was something I could never allow to happen again, I had explained to you on the day remember?" She was beginning to sound frustrated and I briefly wondered if she would start stomping her feet and pouting. I giggled slightly at the vision it evoked and saw Lexie peering at my oddly, waiting for my answer.
I sobered immediately, "Yeah, but I never thought that you wanted me."
"Why is that so hard to believe? You're amazing, beautiful, talented and you have so much fire and love in you, anyone would be lucky to be by your side." She stated adamantly, even adding a slight nod at the end, drawing a stifled chuckled from Lexie at her childish antics.
"Then why haven't you bonded with me properly yet then?" I complained, even throwing in a pout for added effect.
Her deer in the headlights expression had Lexie crying as she tried heroically to hold in her laughter. "Seriously? That's not an awkward question at all."
I arched an eyebrow at her deflection, determined not to let her go, "You've just flat out said that you want me, but you're not okay with talking about bonding with me?"
"Because the final bonding is marriage." She whined.
"…" Oh… I never thought about it like that. Lexie sighed dreamily, as if she was watching a romantic scene on TV. Though I couldn't argue with her there, Terri's just practically made a declaration of love and now we're on marriage.
"Yeah…" she continued after a prolonged moment of silence, "and it needs to be in the presence of the King, or at least one elder vampire. So we'll need either my father or one of his siblings/aunt/uncle, to witness and recognise our bond, because I'm the Crown."
The room dropped into silence.
"I want that." I blurted out suddenly and instantly felt another blush come on.
"What?" Terri and Lexie both exclaimed. Not the reaction I was going for…
"I want to be bonded with you properly."
"Seriously?" Her voice was filled with disbelief and I felt my heart constrict at the thought that she didn't believe that someone wanted her that much. How much pain and loneliness have you experienced that you can't fathom the idea that I want you as much as you want me?
"Yeah. When your father comes back, before you go to the war, I want to complete our bonding. I've said it to you before, you've just got to make sure you don't die, you've got something to fight for now don't you?" I smiled lovingly at her and it slowly turned into a wide grin as I saw the excitement and joy in her eyes.
"So you're completely in?" She asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, without a doubt."
"And you Lex?" we turned to see Lexie, barely holding in her own awe and joy at the scene before her.
"Totally, I'm with you both 100 per cent." She was practically bouncing with happiness.
"Then there's something I need to show you. Follow me." Lexie and I shared a glance before following Terri outside into a hallway. She led us to a hidden door and down a set of stairs before finally stopping outside a reinforced metal door.
When we entered, Lexie and I were astonished at the sight before us.
There was a pod, similar to the one Terri was placed in back in Miami, and it was surrounded by machines that were beeping constantly. Richard, Elizabeth, Bailey, Thalia and Clio were gathered in the room deep in conversation in front of one of the monitors.
"W-what is that?" I asked shakily.
"Tim." Lexie and I gasped at her answer.
"B-but I thought he was dead?" Lexie asked.
"Not quite, he was injured, badly, but not quite dead yet. I had to get everyone else out of there, but if you remember correctly, Thalia and Clio were missing from the action?" we nodded in agreement, "they were tasked with keeping an eye out for Tim. Obviously we hadn't expected Styx's sudden attack, and with her sudden burst of speed, they wouldn't have been able to intervene anyway. But whilst I got everyone to safety, they collected his body and placed him here."
"Then that argument with Arizona was for nought?" I asked incredulously.
"Not really, like I said, Arizona needs to stay alive and she can't do that if she's in battle with me." She replied solemnly.
"Lexie, there's something I need you to do for me." She suddenly asked and Lexie stood to attention.
"Anything, my Lord." She replied instantly, drawing a smile from the both of us.
"Not now, but when Tim finally wakes up, there's something I need you to do." Lexie tilted her head curiously, but nodded anyway.
A.N: Just in case you haven't figured it out 'Fide et fortitude' means 'Loyalty and Bravery', it's Latin… or so google translate tells me it is =]