Sometimes, I wish my own siblings would treat me like how Percy treats Frank. :/

I gave a clue in the story about how the ending will be but it's vague and there's other stuff that may seem as important. Does it count as a spoiler? I'm not sure but let's see if you guys can find it. (:

Things were the same after what happened. Saturn was informed, obviously, because that's the thing about being allies. We needed to share crucial information. Hazel was the one to tell him in the end because I may or may not have shut down in the middle of saying Emily's name and didn't react until like half an hour later.

He called the inner circle, and informed them of what happened, and our back story. That was when I liked these Titans, they didn't throw a big fuss. Instead, they understood our side of the story. We taught them English so that the Gods could not use it against us, and they managed to learn it in a day.

Then, they taught it to their followers. Everywhere we went, allies of Titans were speaking English, trying to hurry up the learning process.

Hazel was cackling with laughter. "I heard someone talk about stuffing a sword down someone else's throat." She shared one night. We had taken a temporary hiatus, deciding to instead spend time with each other to make up for lost time. Frank had his arm around Hazel as I swirled tendrils of water in a show put up for them. It was fun, using my powers because I wanted to, not because I had to to fight.

"In reality, they were just talking about stuffing a gag. The other person whose english was much better never went close to the first one when he had a sword. It still hasn't changed." We all laughed. How long has it been since we were able to do so freely? Far too long.

"You've recovered well, Sephie, from my news." Frank beamed. It seems that the main reason he was so worked up was fretting about my reaction. I felt bad. You have no idea. The worst thing? One of your only friends and brother being caught up in a guilt trap that was literally out of his sphere of control. It was the only reason I managed to pull myself up and clear the fog of denial.

Anything to stop his pain.

"I have to. Besides, Emily is the Flame. I cannot deny that fact as much as I hate it. The only thing I can do is move forward. But yes, I guess I have recovered well. Better than our first time."

We didn't get lost in the memory lane again. Instead, Hazel sighed. "It's kinda hard to imagine that we would be thousands of years older than them by the time we reach our original timeline."

"Who knows what would happen?" I shrug. Who knows if we were going to live that long. "The only thing we can do is to make sure the Gods can never terrotize anyone ever again."

"Exactly. Alright, anyone wants to go through the plans again before we need to set off?" Frank asked, hand reaching to the satchel at his side. We both nodded and he took out the parchment of paper as I commanded the water to return to the fountain.

Frank unrolled the paper, showing a map of Olympus on one side and Earth on the other.

"We've done a good job intercepting the Gods." I murmured, studying it. We were under the Olive Tree, which was an irony if I ever knew one. "Slowly we corner them."

"Here, here, here, and here." Hazel pointed to four positions. "They were the Gods most sacred temples. I've raided them all."

"If we can get the men together, I can use siren-speak. The world doesn't need cowardly men anyway. I want to give them a taste of their own medicine while softening the Gods' guards." I said firmly. They deserve karma. I rest my case.

Frank nodded. "We know. That's why we got prepared. I've gotten Myligeneia, Vathalia, and Anagénnisi to capture any men they deem unworthy when they seek asylum. There's about twelve thousand already, collected over the years. I may or may not have sent some soldiers out in search for them. The cities and villages would've ran out of spaces if I didn't create underwater prisons. I think you can use them."

I nodded. "We'll put them to good use. I told Saturn that I didn't want humans to be lured in our game, but I said nothing about manias."

"I'm not sure they can be called manias, but sure. They are definitely not what we define as humans after all." Hazel said breezily.

"I will go to Olympus and lead attacks from there. But I'll need you to reinforce my arrows in case Emily is there." Frank continued, pointing to the north. "I'll start slowly from here, then go up."

"The imperial gold weapons should be hard enough to destroy." I hummed thoughtfully. "But Leo taught me enough. I think, since Emily fights with fire, we'll just have to conquer that. None of us have fire powers, so no point fighting fire with fire. But fire has another weakness—water. If we can somehow imbue our power into our weapons, I will be able to encase them in a shield of water powerful enough to extinguish Emily's fire."

"If we can add shadows with that, it will hurt more. Hopefully kill in one strike, no matter where." Hazel pitched in, summoning a ball of dark energy.

Frank nodded in agreement and I did the same after a while. Emily killed my friends. It's only right I get to do the same. (Who am I kidding? That's the hardest part—I can't hate her.)

"We need to go through the list one more time." Hazel tossed the ball into the middle of our triangle. It expanded until what's inside was visible to us. A long, long list of people written in Latin.

"You added Chiron, right?" I asked nervously. Hazel nodded. "I did."

Our cities were at the top of the list, shortly followed by the Titans. There was a star on that name, meaning only temporarily. I wasn't about to bet on my life that they were going to stay loyal forever. They were insane. Completely off the hook. I wish they weren't, I've grown so fond of them, but I wasn't blind. We act with a purpose, they only had one objective and they were going to do whatever it took to reach it. Anything else around them be damned.

They were so focused on the Gods, they were going to destroy this world once the gods are gone. I'm stalling, I know I am, but Frank and Hazel have stayed silent so I let my mind push that issue to the back. Never to be remembered until the time was right.

Chiron was at the bottom of the least and above him were some goddesses' names. They had a P next to their name which means probation. We might preserve them. We won't kill them, but for now, they are still our enemy.

"Frank, if you're going to invade north, I'll go south. We can close in on the Gods." Hazel said.

I nodded in agreement. "I will be on Earth in case they try to escape Olympus. We'll keep in touch."

"How though?" Hazel bit her bottom lip. Frank sighed. "The time zone is never the same."

"Something I found out about Hali." I tossed the pendant in the sky, admiring it before I caught it again. "We can communicate with it." I explained, seeing their curious glances. "I found out about it with Aura. I thought with the shards, it could only have impressions of thoughts, but that's not true. If we both have the other's shard, for example I have Omichli and Hazel has Hali, it forms a permanent connection. A mental link. One we can use to communicate."

"Of course!" Hazel immediately understood. "So all you have to do is to give both of us a shard from Hali, and you can establish the link?"

"Yes. I reckon the two of you never had it because you never had to think about it. I'm best at mental prowess, so it is best if I do the link. But after that, we'll be able to check in with the other, even if we're awake or asleep. We're familiar with each other's auras, which would make life simpler. Also, we can sense each other. If I got burned, you two would feel warmer than usual. It's just a sensation, but it should help us."

"I'm just surprised it took us a year to find out!" Hazel tackled me in a hug. "Oh, Sephie, that's the best news ever!"

I laughed gently, wrapping my arms around the girl I considered my sister. "Glad you like it. I wanted to get you something special. Wasn't sure if this was nice."

Frank sat down next to me and I wrapped an arm around him.

"No, no. This is even better." She sobbed slightly, hugging me again. "I love this present."

"I'm glad. Keeping it a secret wasn't easy, even though it's only been a day." Frank kissed her earlobe.

I took out the two shards of Hali. "Here you go, Haze."

Hazel got off me, sniffing, and took them from my palm. She took out Gi and placed them in the gem. Gi sucked in the shard, pulling it to its core. The ultimate safe space. Frank did the same with Hydro.

In this one moment, I've been happier than I've ever been. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my friends happy. It was like nothing had happened.

For once, I didn't go back to 'if only they were here'. For once, I didn't immediately become upset and angry. For once, I finally come to terms with their death.

Hazel and Frank didn't notice my inner monologue as we continued to talk.

We set out with our plans immediately. Frank had Hyllus, Arete and Maera to transfer all the men to Kydilla, and I quickly charmed them all. The more I use siren-speak, the better I get. Eventually, I'll only have to rhyme to use it, not sing.

He brought me all his imperial gold arrows and weapons, and I quickly went to work to fortify them. Hazel pitched in from time to time. The last I knew was that they were preparing their cities.

At last, everything was prepared. Our link was set up. We gave it a three day trial run, and it passed all our tests, regardless of the distance.

The last day, Saturn himself saw us out. I don't know why, but he might just be warming up to us. I didn't really give a damn.

"Prodosia, a word." He called out. There was a Titan standing next to him. Iapetus, if I remember correctly. His hair and his eyes were like a silver rush, and I lost my breath for a second. Have I ever mentioned how I missed Bob?

I quickly teleported next to him, my mask already in place. "Saturn?"

"I hope Emily will not affect your work." His golden eyes bore into mine. I stiffened. "Are you doubting my ability to work efficiently? Should I remind you of what happened the last time you doubted me?"

Saturn and Iapetus shared an amused look. "No one is saying that, girl." Iapetus said smoothly. "My brother is just worried."

"And I'll personally show you what to do with that fucking worry." I mutter. "Did you need something else?"

"Iapetus will be going with you, seeing as you are leaving for Earth. It is the best." Saturn informed me. "He will be a companion of sorts."

"So you are doubting me. I don't need a bloody escort." I cried out, irritated. Still I turned away. "I'm not going to waste my breath. Iapetus? Don't expect life to be easy for you."

I could distinctly hear Iapetus mutter to Saturn as I took out Azure. "You owe me one brother."

I smiled secretively. I meant it when I said I won't make life easy for Iapetus, no matter what he means to me as Bob.

"You couldn't have made it more obvious." Iapetus growled, picking himself up from the ground where I dumped him after teleporting here. I ignored his grumbling, scanning the surroundings. Saturn had given Iapetus a ball of complete shadows. Once we activate it, the Shadow Titans will come out. For now, though, we can't make it be too suspicious.

"Oh, be quiet. Our only shared motive right now is to defeat the Gods, Iapetus. If you hate this as much as I do, then you will hurry this up." I said, irritated. "For the love of Chaos, why couldn't Saturn just leave this alone." I kicked the ground hard. Iapetus cursed as the ground rumbled unsteadily, causing him to fall to the ground again. "Prodosia!"

"Oh, shut up!" I shot back. "Can you please just stop? We need to get to where the Gods will go before they do if we're going to set a trap. What do your spies say?"

"How should I know? You are the one from the future, should you not know?" He grumbled. I stopped abruptly, causing him to slam into me. "Ow!"

"I don't know." My voice was far more distant than I liked it to be.

"Don't know what?"

"Where the Gods will be." I sighed, setting off again. Iapetus hurried to catch up to me. All around us, the tree leaves rustled in the wind, speaking a language I didn't know of. Was it good? Was it bad? Was it suspicious? Probably, but I couldn't find it in me to care. "I wasn't one to care about historical matters. I left that to my girlfriend."

"Where is she now?" He sounded way too curious.

"What do you think?"

"You broke up with her?"

"That would've been a bit easier." I mutter. "The Gods killed her."

I was almost surprised how easy it was to say that.

Iapetus awkwardly patted my shoulder. I snorted quietly. "You have my sympathies. That is why you wish to kill the Gods, yes?"

"Maybe. They have a lot to pay for." My eyes narrow. "But I cannot deny how sweet the revenge would be if I killed them in her name."

We continued in silence for what felt like an hour under the sun until Iapetus spoke up. "We have reports that the Gods have a base in Delphi, Greece." Apollo and Artemis's home in other words. My mouth twisted, remembering how convincing Apollo sounded. The Gods would be so grateful, we would never bother you again, cuz!

That conniving little-

Yeah, losing my temper isn't going to help. He didn't deserve anything, not even my hate. Once he was gone, then I'll deal with my feelings.

"Then that is where we will go." I huffed. "Set the trap, and then you can go. I wish to go to other larger cities. Create havoc, attract the Gods."

"Do not be so hasty, Prodosia." Iapetus warned. "The Gods may not be able to win you, but we must not rule out the Flame."

"I dare her to try, Iapetus." I sneered. "To you, the Xan are most powerful."

"She is not Xan. We should have never told you about them." Iapetus said. Ah, they were still in denial. Their arrogance will be the death of them.

"Saturn claims Emily is not Xan, but how else can you explain it? Anyways, to you, the Flame is powerful. You are drawn to her. But I am not. I am nothing like her. I am much more, I cannot be beaten by a Xan. Not like you can." Maybe she is powerful, but there is nothing stronger than real life experience. I do not believe Emily has that. Not from what I see. Not when everything is dolled up, and the real world is still hidden from her.

"You speak of odd terms. Never mind." Iapetus grumbled.

By nightfall, we managed to reach Delphi. I had to summon a ball of lightning to light the way. It spiralled ahead of us, lighting up a path for us to follow.

Iapetus gathered all the people and I softly whispered to all of them. In an hour or so, I had them all under control and a splitting headache. Their will battled against me, and I locked them deep into their minds where only I could enter.

"That's good enough." I murmur drowsily. I hate how vulnerable I get after controlling them. Vulnerability is a state I can never afford to be in.

"And you are sure this will hold?" Iapetus asked, scanning their blank faces critically.

"It will. Do not doubt me." I answered curtly, locking up the last few protests.

"Alright then." He tossed me the Shadow Titans and I caught it. Their eyes stared mindlessly at me, their bodies a mere cloud trapped within the sphere. It would almost be freaky. "If you are going to spread chaos, you might need this."

I smiled, keeping the sphere in a space only I could enter. "Thank you, Iapetus."

He seemed shocked, not that I can blame him. "And here I thought you were going to give me hell."

"If you want to live in the fantasy that I'm not, I suggest you don't go back to Titus." That comment made him pale. "What did you do?"

I shrugged. "I was mad at Saturn and I may or may not have placed a black dahlia in his throne room that can affect the whole of Titus. You have thirty or so minutes to deactivate it by throwing it in water. Although I hid the flower quite well…"

He cursed. "Who told you that a black dahlia can withhold your electricity?"

"My brain." That was the last conversation we had as Iapetus ran off. I dusted my hands. I over exaggerated the damage range, but they deserve that. Besides, at least the whole of Saturn's palace will be destroyed.

He deserves it, I regret nothing.

The winds blew gently. I heard the bushes rustle. A bluebird chirped urgently to me. I whirled around.

My eyes narrowed. The trees weren't that tall three seconds ago. The bushes weren't that thick.

I sent the wind spiralling over, parting the bushes, pinning whoever it was to the ground.

Ah, my mistake. Make that two whoever it was. I don't actually care about the grammatical what not.

Orange eyes and forest green eyes met mine in the darkness, the only light coming from my hand. I bit back a curse. I should've realised we were being followed. I should've realised it was odd that the trees talk around me. It was only ever around Hazel, where they sensed her blood. Her heritage. "Vesta and Ceres, the two eldest children of my Lord Saturn."

"Prodosia." Ceres grunted, trying and failing to get up, chained down immediately. Vesta on the other hand stared at me at what could be perceived as horror. She did not try to escape my grasp. "How do you know the Flame's language?"

"The Flame's language?" The answer struck me and I bellowed in laughter. "Oh, you mean english! It is not her language, it is the language of the humans. How typical of you. How typical of Emily." Their eyes grew wider as I raised the ball of lightning to levitate above them.

"I cannot fathom why you are here." I shook my head. "Bring them along." I commanded some men. "I am tired. Make sure they stay under guard at all times, so that they cannot leave. I will have to deal with them in the morning."

As cool as I managed to stay on the outside, I couldn't help cursing mentally. I should've realised. With a Titan by me, of course it would attract Gods' attention. I should have known better than to speak with Iapetus in English. Truly, I should have known. A childish mistake on my part, one I will never repeat.

One mistake could lead to the end of everything after all.

Ceres glared at me. Vesta couldn't even raise her head. Their arms were still sparking with lightning. Their restraints held them tight, stopping them from using any powers. Lightning chains. What? I needed them to not escape.

After I retired into their best room, I sent the Goddesses underwater, and commanded the rest to continue on their work so as to not arouse any suspicion. I binded them with lightning that cuts off any power surge, and I summoned a thick wave, freezing it between them so that although they could see each other, they couldn't communicate. What they would hear is like when you try to speak underwater while there's a construction site behind you. If they tried to escape, lightning would strike them. Harsh? I learned my lesson. If you show mercy to the Gods, they won't learn anything.

I snapped my fingers, melting the wall. The ocean had receded beyond the cave so that it would make breathing a bit easier for the Goddesses. "You know, if you're going to stalk me, you don't want to make it easy." I commented, sitting down cross legged between them. "I mean, I could spot the difference immediately. Good job, though, Ceres. Hiding yourselves around nature. Around life. Why, I wasn't expecting that! Great job."

"Erre es korakas." Ceres muttered. Ooh, she still has some fight in her. I like that.

"Cute." I remarked dryly. The two sisters shared uneasy looks at how easily I could read english. I sighed leaning forward. "Okay, I'll make this easy for you. There are two ways for you to know English. One, you're part of one of the two armies. Or two, you've grown up all your life with people who speak English."

"That is why the Flame and her friends have never heard of you!" Vesta's eyes widened comically as she realised the truth. "You do not belong in our time. You are of the future, just like she is!"

"Eldest daughter of Saturn, I praise you. People undermine your intelligence. Indeed, Ekdikó, Góissa and I are not of this time." Should I have said that? No, but the time for regret is over. It's not like I could go back in time and repair my mistakes. How simple life would be if I could.

"But you know our language." She whispered. "Even the Flame does not know."

"I know the language because it is in my blood." I got up, moving over to her, ignoring Ceres. Vesta was nice. Sweet but confused. Reminds me of someone I knew. How innocent she was. "I know the language, because I am built to know it."

"Built," she observed, "not raised." She's good.

I gave a saccharinely sweet smile. "How can you expect anything less, Vesta? In the future, you Gods disappoint me. You cannot raise anyone, least of all me. All you can do is build warriors. Soldiers for Olympus. And when the time comes for you to dismantle them, you do so without hesitance or guilt."

She cried out as I gripped her shoulder. "You know us in your time?" Ceres tried to rise, only to be zapped. "You fought for us? But how? Does the Flame know you?"

"You ask a lot for prisoners, Ceres." I said, tilting my head. "But yes. To all your questions. The Gods won this war, but I'm sure Emily informed you of that. Because of that, I grew up under that shadow. And because of that, I lost everything. So now, I am here to make sure you all lose."

"If that happens, you will never be born!" Ceres may not know my relation to the Gods, but she knows enough. Clever.

"The timelines have changed, dear Ceres. I fully believe that the Moirai would not allow me to be born a second time, just like Góissa and Ekdikó. Two identical souls are not meant to be. I will remain here, with you Gods. Forever. But you will all die."

Vesta sobbed. "You are helping my father with his weapon then?"

"Weapon?" I pivoted back to her. I remember Hazel speaking of something like that before… but I had tuned her out. It was a sad moment, a time for grieving. One of the babies in Kydilla had died while in labour and the mother had been a friend of Aura.

"The Flame came back, telling us of her time. Through our nephew Pegasus, we learned of what is happening in the future. We Gods are dying because Saturn made a weapon that increases our age until we die." She said in between sobs. I couldn't help sighing. A weapon… could it be the one the Fates spoke of years ago? I find the whole thing preposterous.

"No." I said simply. "Such a weapon, I have not heard of, not that I care. You can destroy it, by all means."

Her sobs ceased. "You… would not stop us?" I shook my head. "Only you Gods would be afraid of old age. For people like me, old age would be a blessing. No, I wouldn't. Do not think I do it for you. Such a weapon would be disastrous, also for my side. Besides, I cannot have my revenge."

"Why do you tell us this?" Ceres asked suspiciously. "What do you expect from us in return?"

"Nothing." I answered truthfully. "Because I don't have any intention of letting you go anytime soon. Now, if you will excuse me."

I left the room, leaving them to their thoughts.

"I need aspirine." I mutter. And why is that? Hazel's amused voice filled my head. Forgot they could drop in anytime unless I am putting up a shield. "Because I have two goddesses right now in Delphi. I can't leave, or else the restraints will weaken and I can't let them go with that precious information in their heads."

That seems like a problem.Frank mused. You caught them spying?

"Iapetus and I were talking, and they heard us. It's my stupid fault."

Lesson 1, Sephie. No self-blaming. Hazel chided. It was a simple mistake, and now you can undo it. We'll help.

"How?"

You are the mastermind in our trio, Sephie. Frank is the warrior, I am the enchantress, but you are the leader for a good reason, not just because of your parentage. Use your brain, silly.

An idea came to me. I smiled. "Thank you, Hazie. Thanks, Frank."

What are friends for? They said in unison. Hazel was trying to hide a smile, I could tell, but I had no idea why.

I felt them shut their doors. If I wanted to, I could open them again to talk, but I was too excited for that. Use my brain, now that was the advice I needed. The thing is, the Gods aren't only the same on the outside, they can be the same on the inside. Now I just have to appeal to Vesta's nonviolent side and wish that Ceres would do anything for her sister.

I flung myself out the door, combing down my wild hair as I raced through the corridors, diving out the window into the ocean. Can't actually call it a window if it's a hole in the wall though. What? I got mad.

Vesta lifted her head as I walked up to them. Fire burned in her eyes, but what I saw was promising. There was reluctance in them.

"I have a compromise for you two, Vesta, goddess of the hearth and Ceres, goddess of agriculture." I announced.

Three hours later, a promise was struck and I sent Ceres off, leaving me with Vesta who was no longer bound. She was still staying as far away from me as possible though, wariness in her eyes. I started polishing Kósmina. "I cannot blame you for wanting to escape war, young Vesta."

"I am older than you."

"Physically perhaps. But I know more." She flinched as I struck Kósmina with a stone, creating a screeching sound.

"Why did you do that? My siblings and I were under the knowledge you already have spies on our side. Why do you have to drag my sister into this?"

I paused. "Vesta, I truly admire your relationship with your siblings. Which was exactly why I chose you. In my time, you are the sweet goddess of home who hates violence. Everyone loves you and would do anything for you, just like how you would do whatever you can to help another."

"I do not recall you in Pegasus's memories." Ah yes. Those. She told me how Jupiter had accidentally touched Pegasus which triggered something and he got Pegasus's memories which he transferred to his siblings.

"You shouldn't. I do not know Pegasus."

"But you know us?" Her confusion was making me confused. I got up, taking off my mask. It quickly folded back into my diadem. I veered away, not wanting her to see me.

"Before we leave for Titus, I want you to promise something. As a safety measurement. I do not trust you, Vesta, even though I like you."

"Promise what?"

"Swear on your name. Swear on the siblings in fact, that as you stay as a guest on Titus, you will not kill anyone who does not provoke you. Provoke you as in try to attack you, insult you, or make a move on you. You will not kill anyone who does not, and you will not leave unless you have talked to me and our deal is nullified with other conditions of course. You will not communicate with your siblings besides Ceres. Any secrets, information, or plans that you hear of while on Titus, while under our deal will remain a secret unless I release you from this oath."

She begins to nod slowly. "That is only fair. But I wish to have my own condition."

"Speak of it."

"I wish to get to know you better."

"You may not like the person under my mask."

"She hates the Gods yet instead of taking both of the eldest children of Saturn prisoners, she is willing to strike a deal with them instead of going into extreme measures. In a way, you trust us enough to leave us with your secrets, Prodosia. If you, as Prodosia, the masked princess, the merciless killer, can do that, I have no doubt I can and will like you behind that mask." She sounded so sure, so confident, I almost believed her. But Gods are meant to disappoint. Not Hestia though. When has she tried to harm you? She has only tried to protect you. Someone was saying in the back of my head. Reminding me of their good deeds. What's the point of trying and failing? No one cares about that in the long run. It only mattered if you tried and succeeded. Hestia tried, maybe, but she was always so weak. So compliant. So willing to follow instructions. The perfect little daughter. The perfect sister. The perfect role model for us demigods. Hah.

And yet… I still don't have the heart to use those failing points against Hestia.

I found myself nodding. "Once you swear, you will be under my protection, Vesta. And I will follow your condition."

I didn't need to turn to see her smile. "I swear on my siblings and my name that I will follow all your rules you had previously spoken of." I finally whirled around to face her. Her face held no detest, just surprise. She came closer to study me, and I saw tears begin to form as her hand touched my cheek. "You are so young. Too young to be killing." She whispered. "Where did we go so wrong with you, Prodosia?"

"That's the thing. You didn't." I heard myself say. "But the other Gods had everything to do with it."

"That is why you can so freely save me but not my family."

"I don't want all my secrets revealed in one day." I stepped away, stretching my arm. "Ready to see your father."

She stared for a while. "You promise he will not kill me on sight?"

"He will not. He knows not to mess with me."

"But you work for him."

"I work with him." I corrected. "Maybe once, I would have been content to be working for him. However, he has proven that if I do not push back, he will push me away. I do like my freedom."

At last, she nodded and took my hand.

And that, my beloved friends, was how I got myself a companion and spy on the same day while getting my job done.