It had been a couple of weeks since Lapis had left Jasper. Everything was chaotic and exhilarating and terrifying. Lapis could not help but feel overwhelmed by her new freedom and utterly unease about being amongst humans. Peridot had taken her to a couple places in the Temple. It was always when there were no humans around, which Lapis was thankful. She wasn't eager to be surrounded by them. The only humans Lapis had contact were Peridot's friends, and she didn't care too much for them except Steven. Peridot was really the one human she did not mind being around. When it was just the two of them, sitting in Peridot's room, Lapis felt a strange sense of peace. It made everything outside of that tiny space ceased to exist. Lapis found herself fascinated by Peridot's kindness and independence; sometimes Lapis would forget that she was a human.

The two of them had developed a nice routine. It made Lapis feel more comfortable to have a schedule set in place. Peridot wasn't as keen on it as Lapis was. She told Lapis that bathing and meals were the only routines that she ever kept. However, she noticed that the structure relaxed Lapis, and she gave in. Lapis couldn't deny that she liked keeping Peridot on the routine as well. Peridot would usually comply with some grumbling, but she seemed to enjoy it. For the most part, the pair remained in Peridot's room. Lapis found that she preferred the close comfort of staying in the room. It was possible that it reminded Lapis of her cell, but she did not want to believe that was the reason. Denial could be powerful thing

Peridot was trying to educate Lapis on all the changes in the world. Lapis never really got to experience it whenever Jasper took her out. She only noticed a few differences like the weapons and, sometimes, the manner of dress. Other than that, Lapis remained very oblivious outside of Jasper and her cell. Peridot had a strange kind of patience with her. Lapis could sense her frustration whenever she didn't understand anything or she was getting overly anxious or frustrated. Yet, for the most part, Peridot stayed calm and collected. Whenever she did start stressing out, Lapis would just instruct her to breathe. That usually seemed to do the trick.

"Well, don't you two look super cozy," Amethyst greeted, her voice was heavy disdain. They were sitting on the bed while Peridot was showing Lapis some piece of technology that she wasn't familiar with. The rest of Peridot's friends—Pearl, Ruby, Steven and Sapphire-crowded into the room, surrounding Peridot and Lapis. Lapis glared at the Amethyst. Peridot's friends would come to check up on them from time to time, but they never stay too long. They would pop their heads in and leave immediately. Tonight was different as they all piled into the small room.

"What's up, guys," Peridot asked, eyeing Lapis. Pearl nervously looked over at the others; her hands were delicately set in her lap.

"Well, um, if we are going to find Lapis' home, we need to talk." Lapis was skeptical. They were too nervous and uncomfortable to want to discuss her home. She could recognize the change in their tone and posture. There was more they wanted to talk. "Plus, there is Jasper."

"What about her," Lapis asked. Her body tensed with the mention of the Titan's name. Being in her bubble, she nearly forgot that Jasper ever existed in her life.

"Jasper knows you are gone. And she is pissed," Sapphire informed her. Lapis' heart sped up as she stared, unblinking, at Sapphire. Her body felt like she laying on hot coals. "She has the Fire Witch burning down villages-looking for you."

"Fire Witch? What Fire Witch?" The group exchanged confused glances. Lapis was just as perplexed. What do they mean by Fire Witch? Another nymph?

"Yeah. You know. The other nymphs that Jasper has employed," Amethyst replied, irritated. She raised her hand, pushing down a finger with each nymph mentioned. "There is you, the Fire Witch, the Earth Witch, the Air Witch and the Shadow Witch."

"There are four others?" Lapis asked, looking over at the others then at Peridot. All this time Jasper had other nymphs to do her bidding? Were they just like her? Did Jasper promise them something in return for their service? Or did they willingly follow her? Lapis scowled. Jasper used her when she had others to do her bidding. Why didn't she just let her go?

"You really didn't know," Pearl asked. Lapis shook her head; her lips were pursed tightly as squeezed her hands together in her lap. Something warm was forming deep in her chest.

"Jasper was the only one I saw besides maybe a servant or two. I rarely left my cell. If I would have known…" Lapis could not finish. What would she have done if she had known? She was just a nymph, and she would have been foolish to challenge a Titan. Jasper would still hold the promise of returning home over Lapis. She could have an army of nymphs, but Lapis would still have done what she asked to go home. Then why was she burning up?

"Hmm," Sapphire droned. "This is interesting."

"No. It's bullshit," Ruby complained. "I don't believe for a moment she didn't know. She isn't some innocent victim!"

"Ruby," Sapphire scolded.

"I don't care what you believe, but I know I am not innocent. I've done terrible things! But, I am not as eager to die as you! What makes you think you can stop a Titan from seeking revenge and regaining her power? If you would have been around when… "

"Wait—Wait. Hold up," Peridot interrupted. "What do you mean 'stop a Titan from revenge and regaining her rule'?"

"What else would it mean? Jasper promised she would return me home once she fulfilled her revenge against the Gods and restore her power. You keep fighting for something that will inevitably happen. Jasper is relentless! You should just..." Lapis stopped in mid-sentence. Everyone was looking at her with strange, varying expression. Ruby and Amethyst looked ready to attack; Pearl's and Sapphire's features were drawn tight in identical grimaces; Steven, who had been surprisingly quiet, stared at her with a clenched jaw. Lapis gritted her teeth and closed her eyes for a moment. She had crossed a line. It wasn't hard to tell from their expressions. She curled her knees into her chest and muttered an apology before burying her head into arms.

"Lapis, um," Peridot finally spoke. Lapis peered over the curve of her arms. Her face was filled with uncertainty and dismay. She scratched the top of her head in a nervous twitch. "Jasper has been in power for over about three centuries. The Gods—they are gone. Destroyed by Jasper. Jasper is looking for Rose. We don't really know why. Rose has been gone for two millennia."

"Peridot!"

"What! She needs to know!" Lapis lifted her head up. Her eyes traveled over to Steven, who grinned sheepishly. Her mind and body went numb. She saw Steven, but her brain didn't comprehend his presence. She felt as if the wind knocked out of her. It was struggling to catch a decent breath. There was a roar in her ears that drowned out the voices around her. Her fingers shook against her arms. That warmth in her chest had erupted into something white hot. It licked and consumed her entire being in a wild blaze. Lapis swallowed hard, but it didn't soothe the dryness in her throat.

Jasper was already in power. The Gods were gone. They had been gone for nearly three hundred years. Jasper had been lying to her for three centuries! She had aided her in destroying hundreds and hundreds of homes and lives in some false conquest. They weren't fighting to stop her; they were fighting to overthrow her. They were fighting for the return of their freedom. Lapis could relate all too well, but she just gave in. Three hundred years ago, Lapis could have been home. No, she should have been home! She had helped Jasper for three centuries for something that Jasper had already achieved. Before Lapis could realize it, she shot up from the bed. The humans around her looked at her with interest, but Lapis wouldn't offer an explanation. She was burning from the inside out, and she needed to get out of this small, crowded space. It looked as though she had been just as foolish.