Chapter 14:Bhavana

Bhavana ran as fast as she could to the Big House, ignoring the sharp pain in her neck. She fell to her knees, momentarily blinded by the searing pain, next to Neesik, who was a 16-year old kid and son of Poseidon, with the ability to read and project and Alex were standing next to him.

He frowned, "Bhavana, you belong in the hospital."

"We need...ow... a..."

"Quest!" Tim and Alex finished.

"Hmmmm... I must think, I'll let you know more about my decisions tonight at the bonfire...if we make it through the fight," Neesik stroked his (imaginary) beard.

"But-"

"No. No buts. You coming here has lead almost all of us into the deep end. Did you see Ruidi's condition yet? Turns out Nikkita's sword was covered with acid mixed with nectar and ambrosia. It's eating away at him and even his powers can't stop it. He's out of commision for at least a week. His life's in danger."

"No way. Someone as powerful as him-"

"Everyone here has been training to get more powerful and has been accomplishing that ever since Chiron died. But being powerful doesn't have any use when you're grouped with someone weak," Neesik interrupted, his tone harsh and cold. It was so cold that Bhavana felt tears welling up in her eyes, and Tim rose up to her defense.

"She fought very bravely. I think that-"

"She should go on the quest? Baloney. Who's going to protect her?" Neesik snapped.

"I will," Tim said with a lot of sincerity, so much that it made Bhavana want to cry again.

"Like the way you protected her on the battlefield?" Neesik inquired. "Let's see how you protected her." Neesik closed his eyes and breathed deeply. A hologram floated in the air in front of him. There was Nikkita swinging at Tim, Tim tackling him, Nikkita lunging at Bhavana...and then the sword going through Ruidi's chest. It made her want to be sick. She saw Tim tight-lipped and was shocked at the tears that glittered in his eyes.

"Right now I have used my powers to erect another force field, and with the help of Caiyi, have made it seem like the camp disappeared. But this illusion will not last for long, and it means that Caiyi is out of commision too. Tim, I know you can barely stand up right now, and going out of the force field right now is suicide. That's why we should wait and think of a plan. If we can get out of this mess, I might allow you to go and try to save Nick," Neesik said, lowering his voice a little. "It's just that-"

"I got it," Bhavana cut him off, and then walked out of the room, trying to hold back the sobs.

Tim hurried after Bhavana. "Wait for me! wait!" He shouted into the air. Bhavana whirled around and stared at him with golden eyes. She was near sobs and her face was red and blotchy. Nonetheless, to Tim she was beautiful. He finally caught up to her and grabbed her wrists.

"Tim... I'm scared," She sniffed.

"Don't be. I'll be right there for you and you know it. We're in this together," He whispered back. Then he leaned closer. Bhavana rested her head on his shoulders and tried to calm down. Then she lifted her head up and stared into Tim's bright silver eyes, glimmering at her. He leaned down and they were so close that she could see the green flecks in his eyes. He kissed her. Bhavana closed her eyes. Her head was spinning and she realized that it was him she needed, not Nick, not anyone else. Just Tim.

'Finally', Tim thought.

"Tim," Bhavana spoke gently after they kissed.

The collapsed ground acted as a mattress, and Ruidi flew back up before the ground turned into an abyss.

"Look out, guys," Ruidi said, getting up. "He's manipulating the air."

Now Tim understood. Daedalus had used the collapsed ground as a decoy. Then, he would have used the air to slam them into the ground so hard it would give way and they would fall to the center of the Earth. It wasn't that sophisticated or anything, but it would've been very effective if Ruidi hadn't seen through it.

He saw Caiyi drawing his sword and drew his own too.

"Release!" the three boys yelled, and they felt all of the spirit energy they'd stored there come back into them.

"Now we're ready," Ruidi said.