Thank you everyone who still reads and follows this story! I have this arc done, but will be posting it slowly (think once a month) as my betas have a lot on their plates right now.

In regards to this chapter, it's a bit different. It will be from Momo's pov again. It was originally supposed to be part of chapter 12, but then got too long and I needed time to think about the conversation with Aizawa so I decided to make this section its own chapter. But you can think of it as chapter 12.5.

Also, please don't judge my strategizing and war planning too harshly.

As always big thank you to my betas: Flourchildwrites and C's Melody.

Chapter 13: We can (not) Rely

Momo followed automatically after Tokoyami and Todoroki downstairs. It was still dark outside.

A strange quiet had fallen over the orphanage after the attack. Men sat in a stupor in the courtyard as the able-bodied walked amongst them, checking for injuries in whispered voices.

In the far corner of the yard, carcasses of the stymphalian had been stacked for burning. Next to the pile, in a single file line, the shapes of unmoving men lay on the courtyard ground, ready for their burial ceremonies.

Momo dropped her gaze and tried not to count the dead. It wouldn't do any good to think about it. All she could do was pray their souls were judged worthy of paradise in Elysium.

Tokoyami led them down the hallway and into the kitchen.

Aizawa was already there, standing over a table covered with a map of the island. He didn't look up as they entered.

Momo studied him in the dim lighting of the room. The flames in the tripods flickered, casting dark shadows over his face, but Momo couldn't read his expression. Whatever worry and exhaustion he had shown in Eri's room was carefully concealed again.

The kitchen door opened behind her, and Asui entered with Fukukado.

The pirate captain's arm hung in a sling. Momo noticed that Fukukado had cleaned the blood off of her face, but despite the remaining blush of battle, she looked gray.

"Causality count?" Aizawa asked in a clipped voice, finally looking up and meeting Fukukado's narrowed gaze.

"Six dead. Two missing," she said tightly. Her dark green eyes had lost all playfulness. She looked tired and stressed. "Half of my remaining men have serious wounds, and a quarter of those might not make it through the night."

Aizawa's lips thinned. For a moment, he was silent as if he were contemplating something; then he reached into his chiton.

"Asui collected what she could of the medicine from the stockroom." His expression was grim as he pulled out a small leather bag. "There's not much. We were only able to recover three bottles of Eri's elixir," he said, pulling the tinctures out and setting them on the table.

The statement fell on the room as heavy as if it were the night sky, and they were the titan Atlas. Momo's legs buckled under her. She knew it had been bad but somehow she had hoped…

But, three. Only three? She covered her mouth with her hand and drew in a deep breath. That wouldn't be nearly enough to heal everyone. She shivered and wrapped her other arm around her stomach.

Next to her, Momo felt Todoroki shift closer.

Aizawa continued. "We'll ration it amongst the critically injured. It should be enough to keep them hanging on long enough for us to make more once Eri is better."

Fukukado's expression flickered. "And when will that be? What's her condition?"

Aizawa was silent for a moment. "In a week or two, when she's sweated out the poison," he said finally. Then he turned and looked at Momo. "For now, we'll have to give them what we have. Yaoyorozu, there's one barrel of alcohol left." He laid his hand on something beside him, and for the first time, she noticed the lone wooden barrel. "Use it to help numb their pain and get them sleeping for now."

Momo swallowed thickly and nodded.

"That leaves us to other pressing matters," Aizawa continued.

He leaned forward and pressed his knuckles against the table. He stared down between his hands, and his expression rippled for a split second before he regained his composure. He straightened and stared around the room.

"We are out of food." Momo sucked in a sharp breath. "It appears the stymphalian somehow found our food and wine storage."

"But how?" Asui asked, pressing her finger to her chin. Her eyebrows pulled down. "We always make sure to secure the door and the stymphalian don't have hands to remove the wood. How would they have been able to get in?"

"I don't know, but they did," Aizawa said. "I have a few of Fukukado's men doing inventory now, but from the initial count, the most we have left is a week's worth—if we ration. That doesn't leave us a lot of time. The best option would be to take the pirate boat and retreat, but with so many hurt and the possibility that we could be attacked at sea, that is no longer a viable option either."

Aizawa paused and took a breath; his nostrils flared. "I believe it's obvious now that this was a coordinated attack to smoke us out. And, as much as I hate to play into those creatures' plan, the only way out of this, for any of us, will be to counterattack. And quickly," he said tightly. "We need to strike them when they're not expecting it and before they get more power to retaliate."

Momo's stomach curled in dread. From the corner of her eye, Momo watched as Tokoyami went over to Asui's side and put his hand on her shoulder. Asui reached up and squeezed it briefly.

Momo swallowed, pretending not to notice. The room felt cold, even though the night was still warm. Her arms tightened over her stomach.

"But what if they planned for it?" she asked quietly. "Like how they had planned to steal Eri tonight?"

Aizawa's eyes narrowed, and Momo realized he hadn't told anyone else yet.

Tokoyami looked up at her. "What do you mean—steal Eri?"

Momo shifted as everyone looked at her.

"The one pulling the strings," Aizawa said slowly like the words were acid, "has told the stymphalian that if they eat Eri they will turn back into humans."

"What?" Fukukado's eyes widened. "How do you know this?"

Aizawa hesitated for a moment; Momo could see him roll his jaw. "When this first started a little over a month ago, a crow with purple and green plumage landed on the island and told the stymphalian that whoever ate the intestines of a half-monster with silver hair would turn back into a human."

Momo's eyes widened. That must have happened about the same time as when their boat sank. It couldn't be, could it?

She brought her hand up to touch her throat.

"So you think a god is involved? Why didn't you disclose that," Tokoyami demanded.

Aizawa's eyes flashed. "Would that have changed anything?"

Tokoyami didn't answer. The truth was it wouldn't have. They were indebted to Aizawa and had no way to leave the island even if they wanted to.

"But—a god? I've never heard of gods using monsters..." Fukukado said.

"Just because they don't doesn't mean they can't," Todoroki said evenly.

Tokoyami's head jerked up and his eyes narrowed on Todoroki. "Do we even have enough power to fight against them all? Even without a god helping, we are at a disadvantage." Tokoyami's statement was to the room, but his eyes remained narrowed on Todoroki.

The demigod's expression was a mask. His face was neutral as if the information didn't change anything.

"That's true," Asui said quickly. "Don't you think they are trying so hard because they have a plan to defeat us?"

Aizawa's expression was hard. "It's risky, but I think we can pull it off. Hado went to get additional help from some sympathizers and our own patron."

Momo looked around the room; it was the first time she realized the aurai was gone.

"The stymphalian's benefactor has stayed out of the fray—for now. But we don't know how long that will last," Aizawa said in a low voice. He was studying the room carefully. "We need to strike before the stymphalian realize we have others coming or before their patron steps in."

"But can we do it by ourselves?" Asui asked.

Aizawa rolled his jaw. "Ideally, we'd wait for Hado to return with help, but we don't have time. We can't afford to suffer another attack." He took a deep breath and looked around the room, his black eyes hard and unyielding. "We'll have to wage an offensive tomorrow—before dusk."

He looked down at the map and pointed at a space off the island where the pirate boat was docked. "We'll put all the injured that can still walk and the children in Fukukado's ship. The rest of us will break into two groups." He dragged his finger across the map to point at the rocky northern part of the island. "Todoroki, Tokoyami, Asui, and I will attack the main lair. Fukukado, you and your men will be our back-up, helping to guard this place but also nimble enough to come to our aid if need be."

Aizawa looked up, and his expression was intent. "We need this to be quick and decisive. There is no second shot."

"What about me?" Momo asked, stepping forward. "Should I be in your group or Fukukado's?"

"Yaoyorozu?" Aizawa paused and looked at her. "Your shoulder is still hurt. You'll go with the children and injured to the ship."

It felt like she'd been slapped. Her stomach dropped, and Momo swallowed but forced herself to straighten as she met his dark gaze. "It's a minor injury. I can still fight."

"Your job will be to act as the healer and to look after the men," Aizawa said sternly.

Basically, to stay in a woman's role.

Momo drew a short breath and felt rebellious rage burn across her chest, but she pushed the anger away. Her fingers curled into fists at her side.

They couldn't have an argument here. Not now. They needed to stay unified. She gave a small, resigned nod, and it seemed to satisfy Aizawa enough. He turned to address the rest of the room.

"For now, Todoroki, help Fukukado and me move the injured inside. Asui, you and Tokoyami start preparing beds for them; we have some spare sheets in the closet. You know where they are. Yaoyorozu, get the men as comfortable as possible. Divide up the three vials of medicine the best you can. As for the morning patrol, I will take it." He paused and studied them for a moment. Then he turned and folded up the map. "That is all for now but not for tonight."

With that, Aizawa adjourned the meeting and swept out of the room with Fukukado and Asui. Todoroki hesitated. Momo could feel his eyes watching her closely, but she refused to acknowledge him.

She was angry. Just because she was a woman didn't mean she didn't have people she wanted to protect.

After a moment, Todoroki left, and Momo stood alone with Tokoyami.

Tokoyami seemed uncomfortable. It was the first time they had been alone together since their argument over a week ago. And she was surprised that he had stayed. A small part of her was grateful for his presence—it meant that he still cared. But even that didn't overshadow the feeling of being left behind, like useless baggage.

She trembled.

"You're angry," Tokoyami said after a moment, looking at her.

Momo was tempted to roll her eyes but ignored the urge.

"Yes." She turned and walked over to the kitchen table and stared down at the three remaining vials Aizawa had left. The silver liquid glittered. "The strategy for tomorrow is too risky. I understand but-but—" Her hands curled into fists. "How could Aizawa just decide that I should be swept aside to tend to the wounded? I'm a strong fighter. I can help!"

"It wasn't Aizawa," Tokoyami said, his voice soft.

Momo looked sharply at him. "What?"

Tokoyami swallowed visibly. Then he straightened and met her eyes. "When I was down here earlier, I asked Aizawa to consider the option of keeping you with the injured."

Momo stared at him, mouth open. Her mind faltered.

How?

Why?

Did Tokoyami think her unreliable because she had been growing closer to Todoroki? Was this out of anger? Retaliation?

As if reading her mind, Tokoyami continued quickly. "It wasn't because of your relationship with Todoroki."

Momo's eyes narrowed. "Then why–"

"You're human."

"So, I'm a liability?" she snapped.

Momo knew it was unfair, but she was so sick of it. She was sick of others making her feel like she wasn't capable of taking care of herself—Aizawa, Todoroki, and now Tokoyami.

"That's not it! There are just some things a human can't do against overwhelming evil." Tokoyami moved towards her. "It's going to be a tough battle as it is. Please understand."

If she wasn't so hurt, a part of Momo knew she would have agreed with him. She had always been a healer. That was her area of expertise, but the fact that he didn't even consult with her stung.

She pressed her lips together. "But I can fight. You know I can fight. I saved Eri earlier and was holding my own against the stymphalian."

Tokoyami's eyes flashed. "What you did earlier was reckless—jumping off the veranda to catch Eri. You could have been seriously hurt. Your skill is adequate against a couple of humans but not against creatures of darkness. And tonight proved it."

"But what about all those other times?" Her voice shook with rage. "I defended you at the temple, didn't I? And I chased off Moonfish and held my own—"

"And all those times Todoroki had to save you." His voice was bitter.

Momo's lips twisted, and she looked away quickly, her chest constricting. His words weren't untrue, but they hurt, like knives digging into her heart. It felt like her chest was being hollowed out, and she swallowed thickly.

"You're always angry at me these days." She could feel the pressure in her cheeks and eyes. Her fingers tightened into fists until her knuckles turned white. Then she looked up, meeting his eyes. "Don't you trust me?" she asked softly.

Tokoyami's expression flickered, and he at least had the audacity to look abashed. "I trust you. Of course, I do," he said quickly, stepping closer. "But these last weeks have been taxing and extenuating circumstances. And when I saw you almost die tonight..." His voice broke slightly, and he swallowed before continuing. "You're human, Yaoyorozu. There are just some things a human can't do. No matter how good of a fighter you are, your flesh is mortal. If you go out there—if you fight—you'll die."

He stepped closer and grasped her shoulder gently. "With Eri sick, if you get hurt, there's no one to heal you. Please understand." He squeezed her good shoulder tenderly. "I can't afford to lose you," he said softly, releasing her.

Momo didn't say anything. She dropped her gaze to the ground. She felt nauseous.

Tokoyami hesitated. He opened his beak as if he were going to say more, then shut it firmly and turned, exiting the kitchen and closing the door behind him.

Momo heard the door click shut and stood there trembling for a few moments. Her chest hurt, as if her heart was in the pit of her stomach.

Tokoyami had said that this was for her own safety, but his words had been hollow. The truth was she had become a nuisance.

She was so weak and pathetic. No wonder he wanted to abandon her. She couldn't do anything, couldn't protect anyone. All she ever did was cause problems, and now she was suffering the consequences for her actions.

Momo's jaw tightened as she struggled not to cry.

If she were more reliable, if she were more likable, then no one would have abandoned her.

Claustrophobia enveloped her, cold and suffocating. She couldn't stay here. She needed to get out. She felt trapped and useless.

Choking, Momo turned and hurried out of the house.

Her feet carried her out to the edge of the cliffs. The wind whipped around her. The smell of dark magic had lessened, replaced with the sharp tang of blood and burning flesh.

Momo paused, looking out at the sea, and breathed deeply. It felt like the world was caving in around her.

In the back of her mind, Momo realized that she was having a panic attack. She had seen these symptoms in the men and women of Troy over. But she had never...she was made of stronger material than this...

Her eyes started to burn, and Momo wiped her face with the back of her hand. This was so unsightly and nothing that a priestess of Apollo should be. She was the top healer at Apollo's temple, she wasn't supposed to break down like this, especially when Tokoyami was only asking her to do her duty as a priestess.

But she felt betrayed, and she hated herself for the feeling.

Tokoyami was only asking what was reasonable, and Momo knew she would have done the same. But it hurt. Fukukado's men were human too, and Tokoyami didn't care that they were fighting—just her.

It felt like everything was falling apart between them.

Back in Troy, she had prayed to the gods for Tokoyami's safety. She had been willing to trade anything, and the gods had answered her wishes. They had sent her Todoroki, and it should have been enough. But she had somehow thought that everything would stay the same between Tokoyami and her. However, the harder she fought, the faster everything seemed to fall apart, like sand slipping between her fingers.

And it was all her fault. Wishes had consequences. The gods never gave anything for free.

Momo drew in a sharp breath and rubbed at her eyes. It seemed all she could do lately was cry.

She was pathetic.

I know. I know. No TodoMomo this chapter. Please forgive me! *dodges angrily thrown projectiles* ^^;

I promise more TodoMomo moments will be coming soon(ish).