Thanks everyone for all the encouragement and love on the last chapter! Really made me feel at ease about my decision to keep the story moving instead of dragging out the misunderstanding about the curse.

AND THANK YOU CrazyElf and FlourChildWrites for the beta.

Chapter 30: We Can (Not) Celebrate

When Momo and Todoroki arrived back at the campsite, they found Kyouka, Kaminari, and the others huddled around the fire.

"They're back!" Hagakure shouted as the pair stepped into the firelight. Momo paused as Hagakure jumped from her seat, and Kendo, Tetsu-Tetsu, and Ashido rushed closer.

"Where've you been?"

"What happened, Yaomomo?"

"Are you two alright?" Kendo asked; she gave Momo a serious, worried look.

"Yes, we're fine." Momo smiled. Todoroki's hand, still holding hers, was warm. She gave it a light squeeze before releasing it and stepping forward to give a small bow. "I apologize for worrying everyone with my actions."

"No." Kendo shook her head, her expression relaxing. "Don't apologize. That wasn't your fault." Her gaze slid past Momo's shoulder to Todoroki, and her voice dropped lower. "Kaminari explained everything — about the magic and…"

"Is it true?" Hagakure asked quickly.

Momo's breath caught. What should she say? How much did Todoroki want them to know? They had confirmed their feelings for one another mere moments before; was it too early to tell the others?

"Yeah," Todoroki said before Momo could collect herself.

She looked up. Todoroki's silver and turquoise eyes shone in the moonlight without any hesitation. An invisible rope that had twisted around her heart vanished, and she let out an unconscious sigh of relief.

Tetsu-Tetsu whistled. "Crazy…So the magic is gone?"

"Yeah." Todoroki repeated. He looked down at his hand, curling his fingers into a fist. "I don't feel its influence anymore."

"Yaomomo," Ashido squealed. She grabbed Momo's arm. Her eyes lit up as if they were sharing a secret. Momo gave her a small smile.

"Does…" Kaminari started tentatively.

Momo looked up to see him step out from behind Kyouka. They were the only ones who hadn't moved closer with the others.

Kaminari's expression was tense as he stared at Todoroki. He swallowed visibly. Then in a nervous voice, he asked, "Does that mean everything is good between us? You aren't back to finish me off?"

Todoroki stared at the god for a moment. "Everything's fine. I'm not back to fight you," he responded finally in a flat voice. He dropped his hand then turned towards the others and bowed. "Allow me to apologize for my actions as well. I ruined the party."

"Sure, right you -" Ashido started heatedly before Kendo grabbed her, covering her mouth and smothering her words.

"Don't worry about it," Kyouka said, coming closer with Kaminari in tow. "It's fine. As I said before, my wish to protect Momo and Tokoyami caused all of this in the first place. I can't fault you for getting upset at this idiot for not explaining everything." She poked Kaminari.

"Yeah, man," Tetsu-Tetsu said. He reached up and clapped Todoroki's shoulder. "We understand. Who wouldn't be upset if they learned they were under a spell? Anyone would have acted the same way."

Momo exhaled. A smile spread across her face as she watched the others crowd around Todoroki offering their understanding and support.

She hadn't realized how incredibly anxious she had been of how the other's would react to Todoroki - especially Kaminari.

Gods were notoriously vengeful creatures. Their anger and grudges were littered throughout every story and myth Momo knew. And there were plenty of tales in which a mortal had crossed one and been spited for lesser offenses than what Todoroki had done.

Momo curled a hand over her chest. She didn't know what she would have done if Kaminari had decided to punish Todoroki. It was within his right as a god, and there would be nothing she could do, but Momo didn't know if she could handle losing someone important to her once more.

She couldn't be alone again.

"We all good?" Kaminari asked in a hesitant voice.

Todoroki looked back at him and gave Kaminari a small nod. "Yeah."

"Alright!" Ashido clapped her hands loudly, garnering everyone's attention. "Let's get this party started!"

"Nymphs," Kendo laughed. She slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles and snorted despite her efforts.

"What?" Ashido asked, turning to give Kendo a pointed stare, hands on hips. "Everything has been worked out. Todoroki isn't cursed. And now Yaomomo and Todoroki can get married and have little Todorokis. How could we not celebrate?"

Momo felt her face turn red. "Eh?!"

"Are they together, though?" Tetsu-Tetsu asked, tilting his head.

A warm hand pressed against Momo's lower back, and she looked up to see Todoroki standing next to her. "We're engaged."

Momo felt something catch in her chest, and her eyes widened in surprise. "En-engaged?!"

Todoroki glanced down, meeting her gaze. His eyebrows furrowed. "Are we not?" His voice was as steady as usual, but Momo thought she detected a slight waver in his tone. "Do you not want to be with me?"

Heat spread across her face. Momo waved her hands frantically. "It's not that! It's just - isn't this too fast? I - we only -"

Momo writhed with embarrassment. She wanted to scream or dig a hole to bury herself in. This was all moving far too quickly. In the hot springs, she had made the decision to pursue Todoroki, and it wasn't as if she regretted her decision, but-but this was too fast! They hadn't even properly courted, and -

"Who cares!"

Momo jumped as Ashido's ecstatic voice cut her off.

"He likes you. And you like him?" Ashido stared at Momo expectantly. "What's the point in thinking about it longer? It's not like you were going to say no anyways. Right?"

Momo fidgeted. She thought about it for a moment, then gave a timid nod in agreement.

Hagakure squealed.

"Wahoo!" Ashido shouted. "Then that's all we need. Bring out the booze! Let's get this party going!" She gave a loud whoop, and the remaining tension in the air evaporated.

Kaminari clapped his hands. There was a spark of light, and a lyre appeared. He turned to Kyouka and held it out. "My love, would you do the honors of starting us off?"

Kyouka smiled and took the lyre. Her fingers strummed across the instrument, and a clear, graceful melody started up.

Ashido grabbed Hagakure's hand. "Let's dance!" she cried, pulling Hagakure towards the fire.

Momo watched as the two women began to dance to Kyouka's song. Kendo and Tetsu-Tetsu followed after them. Her heart was still beating fast in her chest at Todoroki's proposal. She could never have imagined the night would turn out like this. It felt as though it had only been yesterday that the walls of Troy were falling and all hope seemed lost, and now - now she had Todoroki and met Kyouka again. She had friends and memories she never even dreamed about back at the temple. It was as if an invisible hole that Momo hadn't realized existed within herself had finally been filled. She wanted to sing. To dance. The happiness overflowed within her until she couldn't stand still.

She turned towards Todoroki and held out her hand. She wasn't sure when she started smiling, but Momo wasn't sure she could stop. "Dance with me."

Todoroki looked down at her and blinked. "Huh?"

Momo laughed and then gave him a cheeky grin. "Do you need your god slayer to teach you?"

She didn't wait for Todoroki to respond and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards their friends. Music and warmth filled the night as the group danced around the fire, casting long shadows against the ground. Kaminari's spell may have faded, but Momo was sure there was magic in the air as the stars and moon gleamed overhead. Selene herself seemed to smile upon the dancing couples.

Daylight was beginning to filter through the treetops when the party finally ended. The cart was too small to comfortably fit all four women and three men. So it was decided that the women would sleep in the back of the wagon, and the men were left to find shelter under the trees.

Momo settled down beside Kyouka and pulled a blanket around their shoulders. Kyouka was warm, and her body heat seeped into Momo, making her sleepy. But Momo didn't want to go to bed yet. She was too happy to sleep, and there was still so much they needed to catch up on.

"That was so much fun!" Hagakure said with a big yawn, flopping down onto the floor of the cart and pulling a blanket around herself. "It's been a long time since I danced that much."

"Me too." Kyouka cleared her throat. Her voice was slightly hoarse from singing.

"Do the gods not party up on Olympus?" Kendo asked, propping her head up to look up at Kyouka from the cart's floorboards.

"They do… But their parties aren't anything like how the nymphs can party," Kyouka said, glancing at Ashido, who was spread out in the back of the cart, sleeping soundly. She turned back around and gave them a wry smile. "Everyone is so old and snobby up there. Besides maybe Apollo, they'd never lower themselves to singing and dancing."

"So what do they do?"

Kyouka shrugged. "Just eat, drink, and gossip, mostly."

"I wouldn't mind that." Hagakure grinned sleepily. "All the wine and grapes and figs and lamb that I could ever want." She cupped her cheeks. "I'm drooling just thinking about it."

Kyouka chuckled. "Yeah, but it gets boring pretty fast. Trust me."

"Do you not have any friends there?" Momo asked, turning to look at Kyouka next to her.

"I do…" Kyouka hesitated a moment. "Just not really among the gods. They aren't that into letting humans in their 'circle.'"

Momo frowned.

"But haven't most of them slept with humans?" Kendo asked, sitting up.

"Yeah -" Kyouka snorted and rolled her eyes. "But they don't like talking about it. Associating with humans is beneath their godly asses. And most aren't pleased that Kaminari married me. Only All Might and Aphrodite are friendly. But it's fine. We usually don't hang out with those old buggers anyway, so it's not that big of a deal." She shrugged, grinning.

Momo wrapped her hand around Kyouka's arm. "Are you really okay?" she asked, staring at Kyouka.

Kyouka glanced at Momo and gave her a warm smile that made the edges of her eyes crinkle. "Don't look at me like that, girl." She squeezed Momo's hand. "I'm really good. It's almost weird to say, but I don't think I would have found any other man I enjoyed being with as much as Kaminari."

"Really?" Hagakure asked. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she straightened and stared at Kyouka.

Kyouka laughed. "Sure, he has his faults. He's a bit slow. But I mean, at the end of the day, I'm happy, and he appreciates me and treats me well."

Momo searched her face, but Kyouka didn't appear to be lying. "I'm really glad," Momo said finally, letting out an unconscious breath.

"What about you and Todoroki?" Kyouka asked pointedly. "I have to admit, I was worried when you took off after him earlier. He didn't do anything, right?"

Momo blushed but couldn't stop her lips from pulling up into a bashful smile as she remembered their kiss. "No, Todoroki didn't do anything."

"He -" Kyouka started. She hesitated and searched Momo's face. "He hasn't ever hurt you, right?"

"No!" Momo jerked her head up, eyes widening in alarm that Kyouka could even think that. "Todoroki would never. He-he isn't like that. He's only been a gentleman to me. He even protected Tokoyami." Her heart pounded against her chest in indignation.

Kyouka's sighed. "That's a relief." Her shoulders relaxed. "I was really worried when Kaminari told me what happened. Todoroki is a son of Ares and all. I know Tokoyami would have protected you, and Kaminari promised me that Todoroki was a good guy. But still — you're my naive, good-natured Momo." She tilted her head to lean against Momo's shoulder and squeezed her hand again. "I can't help but worry for you."

Momo smiled. "I know."

"Of course." Kyouka nodded. A silence stretched between the women.

"I wish we had longer," Momo whispered after a while. "I'd like to hear more about your life."

"I know," Kyouka said, in a soft, wistful voice. "I wish I could bring you back to Olympus with me."

Momo snorted and wrinkled her nose. "Even if we were allowed, Todoroki would never agree to live that close to the gods."

"True," Kyouka smirked. "I can't blame him. Like I said, most of the gods are old curmudgeons stuck in their ways. I'm glad we were able to get this vacation."

"Where else are you two going?" Kendo asked.

Kyouka tilted her head in thought. "Tomorrow, we plan to take Ashido back to her forest and then visit Tokoyami."

"What?" Momo asked, straightening. "Really?"

"Yeah, of course." Kyouka chuckled. "I can't come down to earth and not see him too."

Momo's shoulders dropped. "I wish I could go with you."

"I know." Kyouka reached up and patted Momo's head. "I wish I could bring you or that we had more time, but Kaminari could only take a few days off. We'll stay longer next time." She looked back up at the others. "What about you all? Are you going to continue heading back to Sparta right away?"

"No."

Momo's eyes widened, and her gaze darted towards Kendo. Kendo gave her an apologetic smile. "Tetsu-Tetsu and I were discussing departing tomorrow to go up north."

"What?" Momo asked. "You aren't going with us?"

"Sorry," Kendo said. "We have some friends up north that we are going to stay with until everything in Dicaea blows over. Besides," she looked down at the floor and knocked lightly against the wooden panels. "I don't think this rickety old cart will make it up those steep mountains, at least not with all our stuff."

Momo pouted. "I understand. So just Hagakure, Todoroki, and I will leave for Sparta, then."

"Actually…"

Momo looked at Hagakure. Hagakure gave her a guilty smile and clapped her hands together as if in penance. "Sorry, Yaomomo, don't be mad, but I plan to go with Kendo and Tetsu-Tetsu. My clothes are too thin for winter weather, and I want to see if I can find any more survivors from my village."

Momo nodded slowly. It made sense, but — "It's sad to be parting so soon."

"We'll meet again. This isn't forever." Kendo gave a bright smile and held out her hand.

"We definitely need to have another party, so we can't wait too long." Hagakure agreed, placing her hand on top of Kendo's. "It's a promise, then?"

"Yeah," Kyouka grinned and placed her hand on top of Kendo's. "Sounds good to me. I'd love to see you all again."

The frown on her lips melted away, and Momo grinned. She placed her hand on top of the others'. Heat flowed up Momo's arm into her chest. "Yes, let's promise to meet again."

The night passed too quickly, and before Momo knew it, it was time to say goodbye.

"This is where we part ways," Kyouka said, hugging Momo tightly.

"I'll see you again?" Momo asked as she reluctantly pulled away. Her fingers skimmed down Kyouka's arms to clasp her hands. Momo squeezed her fingers. Then, she looked up to meet Kyouka's eyes, almost afraid that her friend would deny it.

Kyouka snorted softly, as if reading Momo's thoughts. "Of course." Her lips pulled up, and Kyouka grinned brightly. "You better have lots of good stories to tell me."

Momo couldn't help smiling in return. She released Kyouka's hands. "I will."

"And once everything dies down, Tetsu-Tetsu, Hagakure, and I will come visit you in Sparta too," Kendo promised.

Ashido grinned wickedly. Then, in a low voice so only the women could hear, whispered: "Maybe by then you'll have a baby Todoroki growing in there." Her gaze flicked down to Momo's stomach, then back up.

Momo felt her face go red. "That-that is still a way away, and I'm still a priestess."

"Oh yeah." Kyouka snapped her fingers and looked at Momo, her smile devious. "I almost forgot to tell you, I heard there's a temple to Hera in Sparta. I don't know what your plans are, but you may want to check it out if you want to continue being a priestess."

"That's a great idea! She's the goddess of marriage, so it ain't like you have to be celibate." Ashido winked.

Momo felt the warmth in her face intensify. "Do-don't joke with me."

"Who knows," Hagakure grinned. "Maybe next time we see you, there will be little Todorokis running around, just as Ashido said."

Momo dropped her head into her hands as the others laughed.

"All done with the goodbyes?" Kaminari called out as the men made their way over.

Momo lifted her head from her hands.

Kyouka smiled. "Yeah," she said. Kaminari wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Excellent!" Tetsu-Testu declared happily. His sharp teeth glimmered. "We're all packed up too. My love? Hagakure, ready?"

"You're going with them?" Todoroki asked Hagakure. His voice remained even.

Hagakure winked. "I don't want to be a third wheel."

Momo giggled behind her hand as she watched Todoroki's eyebrows furrow at the comment.

"Anyways, everyone, be extra careful. Especially you and Todoroki," Jirou said, giving Momo a stern look. "The gods haven't been on top of keeping monsters in check lately — not that they ever really were. But I heard it's worse than before. And supposedly, there's even a shape-shifting Empusa that recently showed up around here that's been acting strangely."

Momo nodded. "We'll be careful."

"Then let's get going...Oh, wait!" Kaminari's eyes widened, and he turned towards Todoroki. "I almost forgot. You still have a wish."

Todoroki paused and blinked. "Oh."

"I ain't the type to go back on my word," Kaminari said, putting his hands on his hips. "So, what will it be? I'll even get out of your way and promise not to show myself ever again if that's your wish."

Todoroki smirked. "I don't need a wish to get rid of you."

Todoroki touched his sword at his side, and Kaminari winced slightly. "But the wish isn't mine anyways."

Momo frowned in confusion when Todoroki turned and stared at her. "It wasn't me who rescued Ashido."

Momo blinked. Todoroki continued to stare at her expectantly, and then her eyes widened. She pointed at herself. "Me?"

Todoroki's eyes softened. "It was your strategy, wasn't it?"

Momo's mouth hung open. She didn't know what to say. How could he give away a wish from a god? "But I didn't…"

Kaminari clapped his hands together, interrupting Momo. "It's settled then," he said, grinning enthusiastically. "What would you like?"

"A harem of hot men!" Ashido cried out next to her. Momo blanched and looked at the nymph. Her yellow eyes were shining.

"All the clothes and jewelry in the world," Hagakure said before quickly adding. "You can always sell some if you need to."

"So materialistic," Tetsu-Tetsu crossed his arms and laughed. "I'd wish to be a top warrior."

Todoroki frowned at Tetsu-Tetsu. "Yaoyorozu is already a good fighter."

Momo looked between her friends as they kept shouting out ideas. Her heart pounded in her chest. One wish. She could transport them all to safety or ensure they always had enough food and comforts for the rest of their lives, but a selfish part of her, a section of her heart that Momo usually kept under wraps, reared its head. She didn't want her wish to be for anyone but herself.

Kaminari stared at her. "Have you decided on your wish?"

Taking a step back. Momo shook her head and smiled. "I'll save it for now."

"Why?" Ashido asked, her voice dropping in disbelief. "You could be back in Sparta just like that. Or have all the hot guys you could ever want…"

Momo laughed. "No. If I'm only going to get one wish from a god, I want to make sure it's worth it."

"Hot men at your every beck and call seems worth it," Ashido mumbled grumpily, looking dejected.

"I'm sure." Momo's smile widened. "But we still have a long way to go to Sparta, and I have all I need right now." She looked up and met Todoroki's gaze. Her heart pounded. She couldn't imagine a day happier than this one. Even if she added up all the days of her life from before that one, it could never compare to the warmth and happiness she felt at that moment.

Todoroki wouldn't leave her. He had promised.

She wasn't alone anymore.

That was all she could ever ask for.

Shorter chapter than usual before the final home stretch. The end to Ashes is in sight! I'm thinking another 6-7 chapters to go. I doubt I'll make my original NY resolution to get the story done in 2022, unless I quit my job , but 2023 isn't bad Hahaha. But, WOW, I can't believe it has been 3 years since I started this! The first chapter was published December 2, 2019...and here we are 3 years later. Crazy to think about. Thank you all my readers - new and old - I wouldn't have been able to get this far without your support!