The Son Of Hercules

by Echoxenvy

Follow Matt Beckett, the Son of Hercules, as he and his friends wage war on the Primordial God Ouranos and his wide variety of allies. Love, hardship, battle, loss, and glory are just five of the many things he will experience on his epic journey. Current Book: The Rising Sun. OC-Centered.

130. Goodbye To Yesterday

I love this chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it!

The next chapter will be the last of Book Five. We're reaching the end, guys! I can just see it around the corner!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters (except the OC's) Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, or Trials of Apollo. All of that belongs to Rick Riordan.

19. Goodbye To Yesterday

Talon

"And now my heart is sinking like the setting sun..."

"Setting on the things I wish I'd done..."

"It's time to say goodbye to yesterday..."

"This is where the cowboy rides away..."

Why now, do I remember that song?

Maybe because it was the first one Master ever sang to me.

Because why else would it apply to this situation?

This fucked up situation.

Why is that when everything gets pulled under the rug, everything blows up in my face, I think of that song?

Just a copy. That's all I am. An avatar of something else. I don't really know what's what, my own thoughts, my own memories, I have so many now that weren't even there before I walked in this cave.

After I beat my fists against the ground, I sat on my knees for a moment, just staring at the confusing dome trap around me. Like a vegetable. Staring off into space, helpless on what to do next.

A part of me wanted to just sit, spend hours learning to accept my new fate and reality. I'm Nikandreos. Not Talon. I'm supposed to give my life fighting Ouranos.

Everything I thought turned out to be a lie. Every expectation turned on it's ass and shoved to the floor.

"I'm not training you to be weak, boy. Get up!"

"Whatever you stand against, you stand against with your chin high and head forward!"

"Make every shot count!"

I have to.

"Face every challenge without wavering. I want you to be strong no matter what. That's why I'm tough on you."

That's exactly right. I don't have time to sit here moping and whining like a bitch. I gotta get out there!

Maybe I'm an avatar. Maybe I'm Nikandreos himself. I don't really give a shit. Those memories are fucking real. What Master taught me is real. Even if Nikandreos implanted that in my mind, so what? It's who I am. I'm a guy that stands against all odds, all opposition, flips it off, and smiles. Even if on the inside, I'm afraid, I still fight, especially if it means helping the bastards I care about.

And those bastards are out there right now. They don't know about my inner turmoil. They don't know about the Nikandreos thing. They're being attacked by a moon freak who doesn't care about that shit. That situation isn't gonna just pause and wait for me to get my head straight, it's gonna keep going until things reach the boiling point.

My eyebrows knit tightly in determination. "Fuck this whiney shit. None of that changes a damn thing."

Denial.

I wish I could reach in my head and rip out the little voice that's crept its way into my consciousness, doing its best to convince me to sit here and ignore the problem outside the door.

If I can't push aside personal shit and deal with the task at hand...what kind of man am I?

Quickly, I got off my knees and rushed over to the spot I came in, the little crack opening through the rocks. Once I reached it, I placed my hand on the golden glass matter, and looked back.

I surveyed the area one last time. The new Nikandreos part of my brain made me do it, because the Talon part didn't give a shit about this place. He did. It's where he was stuck for thousands of years anyway.

Talon and Nikandreos. Why do I still act like they're different? They're not.

"We're the same person, you and I."

I turn my head around and glare at nothing, "You think I don't know that already? Shut the hell up! I got a job to do."

After telling my own conscious to shove it, I duck under the rocks and exit my old prison.

Immediately plunged into darkness, I can't see a thing. But I can sense everything, which in a way, is better than eyesight could dream of. The bugs and little creatures that reside in the cave, every one of their little energies call out to me, like a radar ping. The feeling itself is like a tingle in your neck, or a warmth in your head. It's hard to explain.

But then the big auras elicit a bigger reaction, which is what I felt when I locked onto my friends' auras.

Good news is, they were all still alive.

Bad news is, Tsukuyomi is too.

The Oni themselves, even. It seemed as if nothing happened or progressed while I chatted with myself back there, like time stood still.

My walk turned into a jog at the feeling. Soon, I found myself back at the cave entrance, now wide open and free, unlike before where I couldn't hear anything and only saw a black wall. I stared into the open ledge of the mountain. Still daylight, and everyone was just about in their same positions, confirming that yep, time had indeed stopped.

Or at least, when I entered that golden glass place. A few tiny things had changed, which meant they happened from the time I took travelling here to back there.

As in, a couple more Oni were killed, Annabeth had moved a few feet, Percy had summoned water, Harper...was about the same, Sera was too, but the one thing that struck me as a significant change, was Amaterasu.

She must've been fighting Tsukuyomi, and crumbling under his new power, because now she was wrapped in a single-handed chokehold from the moon god, held up in suspension, his other hand leveling the death sword to stab her.

Tsukuyomi was obviously taking his time, applying more pressure to the squeeze with each passing second, a smirk on his mouth. He's enjoying every bit of it.

The sight made my blood boil. Oh, I'll wipe that smirk off real quick.

Just thinking that seemed to spark some sort of reaction, because next thing I knew, a golden line appeared around Tsukuyomi's wrist, and blurred through him like a buzzsaw.

His wrist and arm were separated in an instant with a clean, straight cut. Amaterasu fell to the ground, Tsukuyomi's eyes widened, but he didn't even register any pain, he just looked at his severed limb in surprise, watching the ichor spurt out like a hose.

For a moment, I stood still. What the hell was that? Did I do that?

I mean...it had to be me. Who else has golden aura? But I didn't even use my aura, or a sword, or anything. I didn't even move! But that...

It must be part of gaining all this new power. The power of a god...

I'm Nikandreos now. So that means now that we're joined again, I have all the power he did. With a single thought, or a push of will, I can do pretty much whatever I want.

That's both badass...and overwhelming. That's a lot of freaking power that I don't know how to use. Or at least, a part of me doesn't. In the back of my mind, it's second nature, but it's still fuzzy, like it's being blocked by something.

No. not something. Myself. It's being blocked by myself, because I still don't want to accept who I really am.

But that shit shouldn't matter. It's power! What does emotion have to do with it?

Tsukuyomi found me and cocked his head. "So, you've returned. That was fast."

Now that he noticed me, I had no choice but to step into the limelight. "Yeah. Got a little upgrade too."

Amaterasu pried Tsukuyomi's hand from her neck and looked up at me, wide eyed. "Talon...what on Earth happened?"

Tsukuyomi kept his distance and didn't try anything as I offered Amaterasu a hand, helping her up.

As she stood, I did my best to force a playful smirk. "What? I got something on my face?"

Her mouth remained parted, face completely slack with disbelief. She looked me up and down as if I'd changed completely on the outside. I knew what she was really up to. She was feeling all of that new energy.

"You've gained an incredible amount of energy," she said. "Did your father give you more power?"

My smirk faded, "Nah...it's a long story." I had to turn my head and glare at Tsukuyomi before she knew what was really going on. Which is the last thing I want. She doesn't need to be worrying about me while we're fighting this guy. If anything happened to her...I'd never forgive myself. "I'll fill ya in later. Right now, we gotta send this asshole back to the moon."

Past Tsukuyomi's shoulder, I could see the others looking at me, all of them confused. They could tell something was up. Harper and Percy especially, since they too can sense my new aura.

But they didn't say anything. They knew we didn't have time for that right now. And truth be told, I wouldn't even know how to begin explaining it.

Tsukuyomi's stump began reforming into a black, oily hand, good as new within a second. He wriggled his fingers and smiled at me. "You've gotten stronger."

"Yeah. Bad news for you."

"No, I mean it." He glanced at the cave entrance slyly, "Something remarkable must've happened in that cave. You're like an entirely different person."

That comment shouldn't have had an effect on me, but it did. I flinched at the reminder.

Yeah...he's right. I am. Always was.

But I managed to play it off and make a counter remark. "So are you. Looks like Yin and Yang switched their stripes."

Tsukuyomi knew he had me going, because his smirk only deepened, and his neck was craning forward. He knew his words were getting to me. "Really, your aura feels...vastly different. Like there's someone else inside of you."

My lip twitched. "You ever gonna shut up? Let's get this over with already!"

I could feel Amaterasu's eyes bearing into me. "Talon...did your father fuse with you?" She whispered.

With the way her voice sounded, I knew she was thinking of her own past and the situation with Asuka. But this wasn't like that.

Didn't have the time or heart to tell her that right now. "Like I said, I'll fill ya in later. All you need to know is that I won't let this guy hurt you again. I'm gonna kill him."

Tsukuyomi doubled over laughing, "Kill me? Don't get ahead of yourself, brat."

"Oh, I'm already way ahead of myself. I've already got about ten ways to kill you set up in my head. Most of them involve me beating your face in until your brain's exposed." I raised my index finger, "And then, once I have your brain...I'll feed it to Matt's bird."

Amaterasu reared her head back at my words, and everybody in general cringed at the idea. Pretty sure Kyros wouldn't eat anyone, but Tsukuyomi doesn't need to know that.

He straightened, nodding at me with mock admiration. "How creative. As much as I'd like to entertain that threat, the adults are having a conversation." Referring to himself and Amaterasu. "So if you could step aside and be patient, I'd appreciate it."

I shook my head. "Not happening. You want to kill her so bad? You'll have to kill me first."

Amaterasu sounded surprised. "Talon..."

A part of my chest tightened when my brain inwardly corrected that to Nikandreos. It took more effort than I want to admit holding myself from saying that.

"I ain't forgot about what happened," I told her, "You can have the killing blow."

She shook her head, "That's not it-"

"Look at me." She did, her words stopped in her throat. "Does it look like I'm guilted into this? Like I'm taking pity on you?"

That took her back. Slowly, she shook her head, her eyes transfixed on me, not blinking. "No."

"I'm doing this cause he needs to be stopped. What happened to you...it won't happen to anyone else."

Those little balls of fire shimmered, like ripples in a pool of honey. I could really get used to seeing that.

"R-Right." She said.

Then I smiled at her. "We got this, girl. You and me."

Her cheeks tinted with a light blush, but she shook it off quickly, regaining her intimidating composure. "Of course. The entire pantheon is relying on us."

Tsukuyomi rolled his eyes, leaning against the death sword like a walking cane. "That mortal husband of yours must be rolling in his grave right now, sister." He shrugged, "But at least you managed to upgrade to a half-breed this time, so I'll commend you there."

Amaterasu snarled at the mention of Daiki. "You aren't fit to speak of him, scum."

"I'm fit to do exactly as I please." His mouth stretched into a wide, eerie smile as he picked up the sword and brandished it. "Half-breeds or mortal husbands, it all comes back to you and me. Nothing ends or moves forward until one of us dies. That's why I have to kill you. I have to abide by the will of fate."

"You've deluded yourself."

He smelled the air, "I can practically feel it. You're destined to die here, by this blade. My blade. Once that happens, it will recognize me as the true, worthy master of death."

I curled my lip, leaning over to Amaterasu, "You sure there ain't some looney bin for gods we can throw him in? This guy's marble bag is empty."

Amaterasu grumbled, "Unfortunately, we have no such place."

Tsukuyomi jerked his arm up, pointing the Kusanagi in line with her. "I'm going to enjoy this." His eyes flickered to me, "As for you...Oni, send him to the next life!"

The Oni turned their backs on the others immediately, all voided, sunken eyes fell to me.

They moved and behaved like rabid zombies. Jumping over each other to reach their target. Dozens of the dark warriors filled my view, blocking out everything else.

The new godly instinct kicked in, and I made a movement I've made a hundred times...in another life. Before my arm reached the other side of my body, my golden sword appeared. Without even touching the Oni, they were destroyed.

What looked like a star came out of my sword, clashing with the Oni and shooting them all back to hell. The strike was precise enough, or rather aware enough to avoid hitting my friends. It only obliterated the demons.

And just like that, they were gone. Every last one...rendered cosmic dust. It only left Tsukuyomi.

His eyes bulged out of his head. For several moments, he had nothing to say. Couldn't blame him. I wouldn't expect such a thing from me either.

But I was able to do it. I know why, and while it looked cool, it doesn't make me feel any better about the situation.

Either way, I didn't let him know that. I smirked, "Can't hide behind em' anymore."

His lip twitched, triggering a smile of hatred. "Okay then. Since you're feeling invincible, you can die first!"

I saw the others tense up behind him, ready to pounce, but I saw a flash of what would happen. A flash where Tsukuyomi just turns around and kills them all with the Kusanagi. Call it a premonition, or just a stupid worry, but the fear was enough to make me stop them.

"Guys, don't! I got this!"

It halted them, and they gave me confused looks, but I didn't have time to say anything else or give a reassuring nod.

Tsukuyomi was gone. It only took a blink for him to move and come at me with a downward strike aimed for the skull.

But I had gotten much faster, to the point that I was able to see it coming at regular speed. I swung up, swatting his attack away. Both of our swords vibrated, our arms pushed beside us from the pressure.

Immediately, we went back for more. Not swinging, but placing our swords in front of us and pushing against each other. The weapons met in a cross formation.

Our heads now inches apart, I was able to speak above a whisper. "Invincible's just a word. Didn't you know?"

"Oh no. Invincible is an example! Me! I'm invincible!"

"Yeah? How's this?"

I flexed my core and pushed against him. I'm stronger now too, because he went skidding back, wobbling like a nervous tightrope walker when he stopped.

It only took a single step for me to reach him. I ducked down and slashed diagonally at the air. When the clock of my sword struck nine, I hit his wrist, yet again, cutting it off of his body.

But this time, it wasn't a hand choking Amaterasu, it was his sword hand. It went flying through the air, still keeping its grip on the sword. Which I found freaky as hell, like a lizard's tail still moving, it retains consciousness for a few seconds.

Amaterasu chose now to jump in, diving over both of us like an acrobat and retrieving Tsukuyomi's wrist, sword and all. She landed swiftly on the rocks, without even making a sound.

But whatever she planned to do with it was cut short by Tsukuyomi's superior speed. At least, to hers. He growled, not at the pain, but at the fact he'd lost his precious sword.

He flinched and reappeared in front of Amaterasu, his fist deep in her gut. The punch was so hard that he held her on it, her body leaving the ground and resting on his fist completely. Hell, I wouldn't have been surprised if her back bulged into an outline of his hand, all cartoonish and what not.

Her mouth and eyes widened, ichor jumping ship and splatting on the ground. Her grip weakened on the sword, she dropped it, right in line with Tsukuyomi's waiting, regenerated hand.

"That's not yours anymore." He snarled, speaking through gritted teeth. With anger, came greater speed, because his elbow was even fast for me to keep up with. It all happened within half a second, his words and blows alike. Half a second, I probably could've rushed forward with, but my shock held me back. That and forgetting I actually had the damn power to do so. Forgetting that I'm basically a god now.

His elbow devastated her back, hitting her in the equilibrium of the spine, sending her crashing into the ground, and a shockwave with it that shook my stance.

When he reared his foot back to kick her, my body finally decided to fucking do something. Brain screaming at me, you're a god now, dumbass, you can stop this!

I wanted to appear beside him, so that's exactly what happened. Again, with a push of will, the laws of nature seem to obey. I reappeared with my boot on Tsukuyomi's, slamming it down on the ground.

"Not another hit, asshole."

It's hard for me to even describe the heightening of my abilities now. My mind, just now grasping the power of fusing with myself again, can't even comprehend the speed or strength I'm capable of. It only takes a single flex or flinch to enact attacks and dodges far faster than light speed.

That's what happened. My shoulder hardened, which induced a powerful strike to Tsukuyomi's shoulder. My golden sword cleaved through his muscle and bone, all the way to the top of his heart.

Tsukuyomi's face fell with shock, and I smirked...for a moment. Then realized what actually happened. His energy was gone from that form, it shifted...behind me.

I hit a shadow.

His own speed was taking me by surprise. To be able to see that coming...he wasn't too far off from being on par with me. It's probably still catching me off guard because I'm not used to this.

We switched expressions, him smirking and my face falling slack. I felt the real Tsukuyomi's breath on my neck as his shadow melted into the ground.

"Might want to catch on to that trick..."

I spun around quickly enough to swat away Tsukuyomi's stab. He chuckled and hopped backwards in a playful manner, creating distance.

"It's kind of my forte." He began hopping in place, "Shadows are such lovely reflections."

My face tightened, and I gripped my sword a bit harder. Damn, maybe I should take back my incomprehension at my new power, cause it seems like I'm getting slower.

Tsukuyomi commented on this, clicking his tongue. "What happened to all of that fire you had a minute ago? One second you're severing my limb with a single thought, the next, you're falling for a party trick."

Despite my growing frustration, I grinned wickedly, like I used to before a good fight. But the feeling's not the same.

Still, I could force a remark or two if needed. "Still getting used to it all, I guess. Better not let me wise up."

He shrugged, "Why not? You want to protect that unworthy swine so bad...at least give me some fun." His face lit up and he tapped his chin, "You know, in a way, killing you before Amaterasu is better, because watching you die will make her suffer even more."

"Jumping the gun a bit, ain't we?"

"Not really. I-"

He was interrupted by a swirling tornado of water surrounding him, threatening to trap his entire body from the neck down. Behind it, a pink line of energy aimed to take his head off where the water wasn't. Harper and Percy's trademarks, it seemed.

I already knew it would happen. Tsukuyomi simply waved his sword and dispersed the water funnel, along with cleaving Harper's attack in half, an unimpressed look on his face the entire time.

Considering how strong those two have gotten...that's pretty terrifying.

After their failed attack, they all came to stand beside me, Sera and Annabeth included, but excluding Amaterasu, who last I checked, was still recovering from Tsukuyomi's blows.

"Absorbing Izanami really boosted him up." Harper noted, stating the obvious.

"No kidding," Percy said, "We're gonna have to come up with a pretty great plan to pull this one off. Annabeth?"

In my peripheral, Blondie shrugged. "Do what we did with Tartarus?" She said it like a question, not a lot of the signature Annabeth confidence behind it. "Numbers. Maybe...distract him while you go for a damaging hit?"

"Why are you saying it like a question?" Sera whispered.

"Because I'm not completely sure!" Annabeth whispered back, "Once the gap becomes too wide, normal strategies tend to stop working!"

"Don't sweat it, none of ya." I kid you not, I wanted them all to just step back and stay out of danger, and that's exactly what happened. This godly push of will thing is really getting crazy, to the point where I'm a bit worried that it might go haywire and cause things I don't want to happen.

Either way, I teleported all of them twenty feet back on the mountain ledge, away from me.

"What are you-" Harper started.

"Leave it!" I shouted. "Damn it, just stay back and stay where you can't get hurt!"

I could practically see Percy stepping forward, "Hold on a second, you can't actually expect us to just sit on the sidelines while you-"

"That's exactly what I expect! Stay behind me and let me use this power for something good!"

That shut them up. In my head, I wanted to project my thoughts to them, though I'm not even sure if they heard. But considering every other thing I want to happen, happens most of the time, I'm assuming, no, hoping they heard.

I ain't trying to steal your thunder or be a stupid hero, guys, I just want to keep you safe.

A sudden thought came to me, one I was very careful in keeping contained. What if this is what Nikandreos was talking about? What if I die here, according to fate?

I mean, I believe in fate. It's kind of obvious that it exists, since the literal Fates themselves exist, but I also believe in changing fate. That it's not written in stone. Maybe this is a diversion of fate, where I die here instead of fighting Ouranos.

As quick as it came, I shook it off. Hell no. Thinking like that is exactly what'll get me killed. I can't do this whishy washy bullshit. This wavering resolve. Stand up, be strong, and kill this motherfucker! Damn! When did I get so introspective and thoughtful? Back then, it was fight and think later. Now, it's the opposite.

"You don't even look at them." I told Tsukuyomi, making a gesture between our eyes. "Right here. That's what you need to worry about."

"If your friends happen to wander into the crossfire, who am I to deny them death? Tasting the wrath of the Kusanagi is an honor, after all. I couldn't think of a more merciful way to slay a filthy half-breed."

I wanted to roll my eyes. Man, this guy just loves to hear himself talk. At least Kagutsuchi couldn't talk.

Leaping off the ground, I charged him in a single rush, rearing my sword back for a downward arc, wielding it with both hands. Tsukuyomi just stood there, waiting patiently with a smirk on his face.

Before my sword could ever reach him, it was blocked by two other blades. A loud clanging noise burst through the air, rattling my eardrums. For a second, I thought I'd missed some of the Oni, but upon glancing at my sides, I saw two exact clones of Tsukuyomi, each holding me back.

He was manipulating the shadows to create copies. Not illusions, but tangible copies. That could be tricky.

Both clones managed to take their opportunity at my surprise and push me back, allowing enough space for Tsukuyomi to create even more clones. Soon he had summoned sixteen different replicas from the ground, out of these black ink puddles, and dividing chunks of his aura into them to confuse me.

Now I genuinely couldn't tell which one was real, since he pulled that. Smart, I'll admit. If he hadn't, I would've just bull rushed the copies and went straight for the original, judging on the aura difference. But he took a gamble, creating a distraction in trade of vulnerability.

Alright, be calm and think. How can I combat this? Is the aura division just a bluff, or are they all equally powerful? If so, that could be a problem, allowing the real Tsukuyomi to come in for a direct attack. But...if I can do whatever I want, then all I need to do is decide how I want to take them out.

In the back of my mind, a tiny voice advised me. Our power is only limited by our imagination. The power of creation goes further than just summoning weapons or mundane objects. The very laws of physics can bend to our will if we please.

Only limited by my imagination.

I decided to hell with it. Whatever thoughts I came up with were at least worth a try. I crouched down, and in my head, I wanted sixteen arms to sprout from my body, each holding revolvers like the one in my holster. To my surprise, the next second, I felt the weight of sixteen limbs being attached to my back, nerves and feeling now entering my consciousness.

They didn't burst from my insides, they just...appeared there, at my own thought. Okay, that's kind of fucking cool.

I didn't even question it. I pointed each gun in the direction of the clones and fired. Golden trail lines appeared in the air, and each bullet rang true, right in the center of the forehead.

The only one it didn't kill, was the original, who stood right in front of me, body leaned to the side from dodging a potential ricochet.

I smiled, "Gotcha."

I reappeared in front of him and delivered a perfect punch to the jaw, sending him flying through the air, towards the sky. That's when the silent battle started, we began exchanging blows.

Jumping off the ground, I chased after him. Before I could reach though, he had stopped himself and enlarged his body to the point where he equaled the size of the mountain, growing in an instant and shaking the entire forest as he touched down.

His giant fist came at me, the sound like a jet engine failing and hurdling towards Earth. The back of my mind, that little voice told me exactly what to do.

I tucked my palm on the very back of my sword hilt, and threw it like a javelin. The golden line shot forward, piercing Tsukuyomi's enlarged skin and cutting the middle of his arm, all the way up to his shoulder.

The skin peeled sideways, but before any ichor could escape, Tsukuyomi healed it, closing up the wound as if nothing happened. I willed the sword to come back to me, and it did, spinning until I caught it on the handle.

Tsukuyomi shrunk back to normal size. I dove after him, flying as if I'd done it many times before, which I have, and haven't. A part of me was amazed at how it felt, and the other part treated it like just another day. Just another part of the arsenal.

We met each other in the air, both flying straight at the same time. Our swords clashed like a jousting competition, the Kusanagi clanging loudly.

We each turned around and went back for more. Tsukuyomi's strikes were precise and fast, the mark of an experienced swordsman, way ahead of me.

At least, way ahead of Talon. Nikandreos had been doing it for just as long. When Tsukuyomi reared back to strike again, and Talon had no clue what to do, Nikandreos would butt in, and give my mind the counter it needed.

It made me wonder if we were still separate after all. Since I joined back with him, avatar to host, that meant I should just embody everything he is. His voice, his appearance, his thoughts, etcetera. But there's still that filter of not knowing or having the memories to do the things he can. Or at least, a delay. Like Talon wants to act first, recklessly, then Nikandreos is finally able to break through and corrects him.

Throughout the entire exchange, nobody gained a hit, not even a scratch, but that didn't bother me. I kept myself cool and collected, just trying to counter when needed, strike when I thought I had an opening, and playing the mental chess game. But Tsukuyomi on the other hand, was getting frustrated.

His eyebrows were knit, his teeth gritting and gnashing, low grunts of anger escaping his throat. I could tell he was thinking this should already be over, that his power wasn't as foolproof as he thought it was going to be. He figured once he absorbed Izanami, we would all be toast. Heh, think again, buddy.

Finally, he let out a roar of I've had enough of this shit, and left the battle altogether, backing up in the sky and slicing the air with the Kusanagi. I knew what was coming. A black line of energy to hit me and cause a distraction while he rushes behind me.

I wouldn't let him do a thing.

With this contingency already in mind, I stopped him in his tracks. I mirrored his attack as a defense and sliced the air with my own sword, but twice instead of once. The first one to disperse his strike, and the second to take him off guard, knocking him to where I could kick his ass.

I already started flying forward when I saw my strike cut his in half and watched as my second hit him square in the face. He couldn't even make a move to block or deflect it. That golden energy bitch slapped him.

That's where my boots came in. I flew forward until I sat right above him, knees bent. With all of my strength, I snapped my knees and pushed down, kicking him with both boot soles in the right cheek.

His entire body stayed still for a moment, in the position of his face all mushed up, head recoiling to the side, and limbs going numb. Then, a huge shockwave burst all around us, Tsukuyomi was gone, leaving trails and booms behind him from where his descent broke the sound barrier.

Then splat, he hit the ground, right where we started, the dust pile visible from up here.

I'd finish his ass off. Fly down and gut him or chop him in half. Doesn't really matter.

The sky rushed behind me as I darted down, facing the ground below like Superman coming in for the kill. If he killed. Well, I guess I ain't a superhero, cause I'll kill Tsukuyomi. Anti-hero, there you go.

I closed the distance in half a second, ramming my sword through his chest at tremendous speed. Ichor flew out from the stump like fireworks, falling everywhere around us.

As quick as I stabbed him, I yanked the blade out and let him stumble backward, coughing up ichor and groaning, just watching the pathetic display.

Slowly, he healed, but this one took longer, considering the speed I used and the place I stabbed him in. All of a sudden, I got the thought that...if I can do whatever, I can just stop him from healing too.

So that's what I did. I willed my power to stop his healing process, and sure enough, the wound stopped closing up, leaving a decent sized gash in his chest. Tsukuyomi's face scrunched with pain, and he looked down at the cut.

"Told you not to let me wise up." I said.

"You bastard!" He snarled. "Don't think you've won yet, I'm not finished!"

He made a quick movement with his hands, placing one behind him below his waist. I raised an eyebrow, thinking this was some sort of new stance. Nope. That was the furthest thing from the truth.

I felt his aura being placed far outside of his body, beaming it towards the atmosphere and further beyond into space.

Slowly, I watched as the entire orbit of the Earth quickened pace. Literally. Tsukuyomi wrapped his energy around the moon below the horizon and lifted it above into the sky, forcing the sun to switch positions. It didn't make a noise, it didn't shake the Earth, it just happened, like a dream.

Night fell within seconds, the only light coming from the now risen moon. Tsukuyomi laughed and stood straight, spreading his arms out beside him. The single moon, our moon, duplicated into six more, side by side in the sky, sitting in a neat line.

It was weird, and impressive, I'll admit, that he was just able to create copies like that in an instant, each with their own energy and sunlight reflection. I knew why he did it, because I'm guessing being the moon god, he's stronger at night, with the energies of those moons shining on him.

And that they did. It began to seep into his own aura, and even heal up his wound, overpowering my will to keep it open. He just kept laughing, absorbing every drop of power he could.

Despite the situation, I chuckled at the pathetic ant. Try as he might, it'll never work.

I don't know if that's Nikandreos's influence or what, but I didn't feel a single bit of worry in my chest at the display of power, just annoyance and genuine humor at how he thought that would work.

I placed my own hand out beside me, and willed the duplicate moons to explode, inserting my own energy through his and overpowering it.

Everything obeyed my command. The moons exploded, all but the original, and before the debris could come crashing to Earth or a surrounding planet, I squeezed my fist, crushing every rock down to dust, then the atom, and then nothing.

With a wave of my hand, I diverted the moon's position back below the horizon, and the sun came up behind me once again, returning everything back to the way it was a few minutes ago.

Tsukuyomi watched in horror and disbelief. Not saying a word. Just stunned.

He fell to his knees, his head lowered almost in shame.

I shook my head at him, "You don't seem to get it yet, do you? I mean you actually don't know who you're up against."

His voice was low, "What the hell are you?"

Nikandreos's part of the brain stimulated mine with satisfaction. Just the question I wanted him to ask.

"Nikandreos. The god of creation. It doesn't matter what you do, how many moons you summon, or what sword you wield...I'll always be more powerful. Because of my name, and what I am."

At my words, I saw Amaterasu flinch, her eyes widening. Same went for my team, they all appeared thunderstruck. I couldn't help it, or even stop the declaration, it just came out. Nikandreos had taken over now, and they knew it. They knew exactly what I'd become.

And I hated that. I didn't want them to look at me any different, I just wanted them to see Talon.

"I was chosen because I'm a fighter. A survivor. With every battle I fought, I got stronger, eventually becoming the strongest god in the world. The pinnacle of power." I chuckled against my will, "I brought Zeus to his knees. What makes you think you can beat me?"

Tsukuyomi just sat there below me, not saying anything for several moments. I thought at first he might've passed out from the sheer shock. That or his exertion had finally caught up with him, knocking him out.

But no, he was perfectly awake. He lifted his chin to show me a haunting smile.

He answered my question, "Zeus didn't have any friends."

In my moment of hubris, he was able to take a shot. Tsukuyomi stood up and darted in a burst of speed that I couldn't catch, all because I'd been so caught up in the moment, Nikandreos taking hold of my brain and speaking for me. He thought we'd won, and he was gloating about it.

That cost us.

Tsukuyomi's body was gone for a single second, then it appeared again once he stopped running.

Right in front of my friends, sword high in the air to strike.

He'd moved so fast that they hadn't even spotted him yet. They didn't even know what was going on. Hell, Amaterasu probably didn't even know what was going on. Even if she did, she couldn't do anything about it. He was already there.

Only I could.

I jumped forward, sword at the ready. Inside my mind, Nikandreos and I began to struggle with each other.

He urged our body to take the wide-open shot at his back.

I could hear him screaming. Slice him in two and disarm the Kusanagi from his hand! You can use it to erase him and negate his healing factor!

For a nanosecond, I agreed with him, until I saw how close his sword was to hitting the others. Inches away.

But...my friends...

Nikandreos didn't hesitate. There are casualties in every battle! Take the shot!

That infuriated me. His disregard for their lives. That right there proved to me that I deviated from his control all those years ago. If nothing else proved it, this did.

If he were there this entire time, he would care about what happens to them.

You piece of shit...that's my family you're talking about!

I understand that! But this is your best chance yet to beat him! Victory is all that matters!

Maybe to you. But not me.

NO!

Now I was able to take over. Not him. I made my choice. After all we've been through, there was no way I'd take a stupid shot at the back over the lives of my friends.

Sorry buddy, looks like you were wrong about us dying against Ouranos.

Don't!

Instead of sacrificing their lives and killing Tsukuyomi, I went for a temporary shot at throwing my sword towards him, not even aiming at where to hit. Anywhere, it didn't matter to me.

I saw it pierce his leg and run all the way through to the other side, causing him to groan, but never slowing his killing blow. He ignored the pain.

I darted to the side and intercepted his strike, throwing my body in between the Kusanagi and my friends, prepared to take the full brunt of the hit.

In the nanosecond of life I had left, I found Amaterasu looking at me, just now registering what was going on. Her mouth opened to scream no, but I'd already accepted my fate.

Then...the blade hit me on the shoulder.

The entire world faded to black like a light switch. I didn't even feel the pain of the strike, just the slightest sensation of its touch, and darkness.

My mind floated around in the abyss of nothing, fully aware that I was dead.

---

There I was, in the void, just floating around, fully content with how I went out.

If I'm dead forever, then fine by me. I at least bought some more time for my buddies to live until Matt shows up. He'll take care of Tsukuyomi. He always pulls through, that kid.

In the minute or so that I just sat there, feeling lighter than ever, like a human cloud, I thought about my life. About what I'd miss. That was sad, sure, but it makes me feel better to know I didn't regret anything. Even if the Nikandreos stuff confused me, and made me feel like I didn't matter, or anything I did in the end had no meaning...that turned out to be wrong.

I turned out to be my own person. How else could I explain being able to make my final move in sacrificing myself? If we really were one and the same, there wouldn't have been any hesitation. Nikandreos would've done what he wanted to do. My friends, and Tsukuyomi, would be dead.

I'll miss them, that's for sure. Amatarasu too. It's a shame we couldn't take that spark and make a real fire with it. But to be honest...I don't even need that. If this is how things turn out, I'm just happy with what was there, even if it was just starting.

I shifted around, ready to make myself comfortable for eternity. It didn't even occur to me that I wasn't standing in line for the judgement of the Underworld, or anywhere else. Right now, I wasn't even thinking about that.

Just as my thoughts went quiet, something brightened outside of my eyelids, offering a muffled shine that woke me up and startled me. A light? Here? But this is the void, how can there be light?

Unless I was just floating in some bridge world while Heaven or Hell was getting ready for my presence, unlocking the doors to let me in.

So does light mean Heaven? Or Elysium? Damn, wasn't expecting that. I was fully prepared for a greeting card from Hades or the Devil himself, red skin, horns and all. Guess I got lucky.

My body started floating towards the light. It got brighter and brighter in my eyelids, to the point where it started to sting. Just as it reached the peak, where I wanted out, unable to take it anymore...it dimmed to a normal setting.

I was able to open my eyes now.

They separated slowly, revealing a wooden place, cozy and warm, only illuminated by a fireplace. I was laying down on something soft, facing the ceiling.

I sat up. In front of me lie a familiar sight. Too familiar. Everything was starting to click, from the couch to the shading of the wood. I was back home.

"Hey, kid."

I recognized that voice immediately. That was the most familiar thing yet, and it brought comfort to my heart, ease to my racing mind. I knew it before I even turned to look at him. Colter.

My head turned slowly, and there he sat, not a day older or a hair different than when we last met years ago. He was sitting in his old rocking chair, sporting the classic getup. Leather duster, cowboy hat, boots, jeans, gray mustache, the whole nine yards. He stared at me with a twinkle in his eyes.

I couldn't believe it. "M-Master?"

He chuckled and tipped his hat, "In the flesh. How ya been?"

Not a single fiber of my being could help or resist against what I did next. I jumped off the couch and ran over to him, practically throwing myself in his lap on the chair for a crushing hug.

He grunted in surprise at the action. His smell...the dirt on his clothes...I could feel it all. This wasn't some illusion to fuck with me, this was real. I'm really back home!

I could fucking cry. And I damn near started, but the curiosity kept the water from running. I was so confused. Did I meet him here in the afterlife?

Not caring how awkward it was that I was big now, yet sitting all over him like a kid telling Santa what he wants for Christmas, I pulled away to vent my questions. "What the hell? How am I- I mean, where am I? Where are we right now? Elysium?"

He groaned, "Get off me and I'll tell ya, kid." He gently pushed me and I obliged, scooting to stand up above him. "You ain't as light as you used to be."

I couldn't hold back a smile. "I just...I can't believe it's you. You're here." Fear crept up in my chest, my smile fell for just a second, "You are real, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm real, kid. And as to where we are...it's a bit complicated."

"Whaddya mean? Is it Elysium? The Asphodel Fields?"

He shook his head, "It's right before you get to that. It's like the waiting room for souls that aren't quite dead. You ever heard of those out of body experiences where a surgery patient loses the heartbeat, goes to the afterlife and comes back after an hour?"

"Yeah."

"This is like that for you."

"So I'm not completely dead yet?"

He got up out of his chair, "That's for you to decide."

My eyebrows furrowed. I didn't understand. "What are you talking about? How can I decide if I'm dead or not? Isn't that, you know, Death's job?"

He didn't answer my question. He just stared at me, slowly shaking his head back and forth in disbelief. "You've really grown into something special. You know that? You've changed for the better, Talon."

I didn't even press on my previous question, not really caring all that much. I just wanted to talk to him for as long as I could. "Yeah...I know. I had some help along the way."

He nodded, "When those kids walked in here that day, running from Ouranos's demigod minions, I could tell they were good people. But I never thought they'd have this much impact on you."

"Been through a lot together."

"You got into more crazy stuff with them than you did as a kid. Guess doing the right thing has its own pleasures."

I laughed. A sound that quickly died when a specific memory came to the forefront. Hearing that he died to Ouranos.

Just like it was yesterday. That shattered my world. That's the only time I've ever cried in front of the others.

I drank him in, putting every ounce of sincerity I could into my words. "I'm really sorry for what happened to you. For how things ended between us. I shouldn't have let it get rocky; it was my fault in the first place for blaming you. I was just so...angry at everything. Frustrated because I thought I was too big for this town, that I somehow felt I deserved to see the real world." I scoffed, "I'd trade the real world for this place any day."

He smiled at me, as if he knew this is how I truly felt all along, deep down. "You were a kid. And your frustration was justified. I never held any of it against you."

"Still, since that day, I've always wanted to apologize. I'm sorry, Master."

He threw his hand up dismissively, "You ain't gotta call me master. You're a grown ass man now, and I ain't taught you nothing in years."

I stuck my hand out, "You'll always be master to me. Don't care how old I get."

He reached out and gripped my hand, shaking it firmly.

"Well, you weren't such a bad student, I guess."

I tore my hand away playfully, "Shut the hell up, I was the best."

We chuckled together. When it got quiet, he gestured with his head to the front door. "You know, there's someone else that wants to see you."

My heart stopped beating. Sweat immediately formed on my pores, knowing exactly who he meant.

But I still asked, "Who?"

"Come on, you'll see."

He led me to the door and opened it, slowly unveiling a bright sun shining on the rez, my hometown. Every building, every grain of sand right in place just as I remembered. The only thing different was the people. There were none. The place had been completely abandoned, save for the two of us.

And the other person...

I stood out in the sand, looking up at the sky, trying to take in as much as I could as fast as I could.

"Holy shit...I can't believe it. Everything's the same."

I looked back at Master, who was staring at me, smirking. "Go talk to her. You know the way."

When he said her, my heart finally resumed beating, but it was loud in my ears, amplified ten thousand times. Now I definitely knew who it was.

"What about you?"

"Whichever you decide, sooner or later, we'll meet again." He tipped his hat once more, "I'm proud of you, Talon."

I nodded at him, not really knowing what he meant by all that. But I still offered a "thanks" and took off.

Down the usual trail to the end of town. I sprinted like a little kid through the sand, all the way until I reached that abandoned building, on the outskirts. The tallest peak that allowed everything to be viewed.

That's where we would always sit. Sit and talk and just be together...

Was she really waiting for me up there?

My nerves were shot. I suddenly became aware of every wave of blood pumping from my heart to the rest of my body, fingertips, and even the ends of my hair. All a result of knowing this is all real now. It's her. Actually her. It's been so long since we last spoke.

And I remember that well. Just like when I heard Master died. But this...I saw this. I was there. I saw her lifeless body in the jaws of the basilisk.

To see her alive again...back together and able to smile. I'm not sure I'm ready. I won't even be able to form a sentence.

Yet my body moves forward. I walk up to the ladder and climb up like I used to, all the way to the top.

Once my head reaches the roof and clears it, eyes just above the edge, I see her.

Mary.

She sat on the opposite side, legs dangling off the side. The slow, gentle wind blew her blonde hair back a bit, each strand glowing with the sun. What shocked me, and nearly made me fall off the ladder...was her size. She'd grown several inches, and shaped out into the figure of an adult woman.

She'd grown. She wasn't that little girl anymore.

I stared at her the entire time, slowly climbing the rest of the way like a zombie, clumsily throwing my legs over to get on the roof.

My rustling reached her ears. Mary turned her shoulders and spotted me. Her eyes and smile somehow even more beautiful now that she'd gotten older.

"Talon."

The way she said my name made me shiver. To hear her voice again...my God, I needed that. A piece of my heart purred at the sound, something that I never thought I'd feel again.

"Mary." I whispered.

She laughed and patted the spot next to her. "Come sit."

I nodded dumbly, shuffling over to sit next to her. If my nerves were shot before, they were downright on fire now that I was inches away, her skin just a brush away from being in contact.

I couldn't say anything for a solid minute, unable to. I was in so much shock.

She giggled, "Need to be pinched? You know I'm real, right?"

My mind screamed at me, let her pinch you! But my mouth ended up beating it to the punch. "Y-Yeah, I know."

She did it anyway, placing her fingers under my arm and squeezing. I expected nothing to happen, but I gasped when I felt the small pinch.

Pain...

I could actually feel it now. What the hell? Aside from the Heavenly Diamond cut, that's never happened.

"There, now you can believe it." She said, satisfied.

At my silence, her smile fell. "What's wrong? You okay?"

It was at that point, that the dam burst. I didn't cry or burst into tears, but the emotions got so overwhelming, I couldn't hold back from bringing her into a hug, like I did with Master.

Only this one wasn't out of sheer surprise, nor as quick and tight. This was gentle and slow, years of sorrow and hurt radiating from it.

She returned it, her voice soft. "I'm sorry...I know this is hard for you."

Feeling her in my arms again brought the greatest sense of peace I could ever imagine. This moment, I could pause here and relive it in a loop for the rest of my time in the afterlife. I'd be happy.

"I missed you." My eyes started to sting, but I fought back the tears. "I've missed you for years, Mary."

She nodded against my shoulder, "I know. I've missed you too."

I didn't want to, but I backed away to look at her. "Look at you. I can't believe it. You're grown up."

She smiled again, "So are you. Still handsome." She reached out to playfully poke my sunglasses. "Still wearing these things too, I see."

I snickered. "Yeah, guess I've worn them so long they travelled with me over here."

Everything that I liked about her had only strengthened in the time we'd been apart. This would've been her future, had that attack never happened. I could see it now, an alternate path, a path where she reaches this point, becomes a doctor, realizes her dream...

"You already know what I'm gonna say, Mary."

"Yeah, I know," she shrugged, "I've kept up with some of the stuff you've done over the years."

"That night's haunted me ever since it happened. I can't..." Another sting. The tears were really threatening to fall now. "...I can't even begin to apologize."

"Talon, you don't-"

"It's my fault you died. If I hadn't coaxed you into sneaking out with me, you'd still be alive. You had your whole future ahead of you, and you could've lived it if I didn't make that stupid fucking mistake."

It was surreal for all the self-blame to come out, especially to the source. I'd wanted to tell her this for years, but I never thought it would make me feel better. It...does, a little. In a way, it's a burden that needed to be lifted. Something that can't be emulated in talking to a grave.

"I'm just...I'm so sorry for that. That's my biggest regret. If I could go back and change that, relive that night over...I would in a heartbeat."

"Why?"

That made my head snap up. What?

"So you could still be alive. So you could become a doctor and live your dream. So you could help people!"

"But that made you strong, Talon. That made you careful. You learned from that night."

"This isn't about me! It's about you! You were so young, so...so young. Everything was cut short way too soon. I would've been so much happier if you were still there with me. Hell, things may have turned out better in the long run for all I know."

She placed her hand on my arm, remaining completely calm. "But that's just it. We don't know. I could've died that night from a number of things, or the next day, or the next week, or the next year. Anything can happen." She pursed her lips, insistent on getting to the bottom of this. "I have a question for you. Would you honestly change anything up to this point? Do you really have regrets from your life?"

"I just told you I did. I wanted you by my side, Mary. I always did. If I could've had you, and the people I met later like Malachi and Sera...that would've been perfect."

She shook her head. "But if I hadn't died, you would've never met them. You would've never ran away and gotten captured by those slavers. You couldn't have both things at once. That's just not how the world works, unfortunately."

She was right. It was her death that made me distant and angry. It changed me forever. That's what made me run away that night, and that's how I ended up on the Island. Because I thought Master didn't care about it.

"He kept trying to push me. Training even though he knew I was grieving. I didn't know it was just his way of coping himself. He was trying to help me keep my mind off of it."

"He's a good man."

I nodded, "I guess...no, I know that I'm okay with how my life turned out. I did bad things, but I also did good things, too. I wouldn't say I was a hero, hell no. But I did my best."

"That's all that matters." She squeezed my arm.

"But that still doesn't mean I didn't miss you. Or that I was okay with what happened. Maybe it made me strong. And maybe it triggered the events that led me here, but...that was still your life. Your future."

"You can let it go now. What's in the past is gone. You have to keep looking forward, right? Look where you are, and what you've done. You turned out an incredible person, Talon."

A smile started to grow, when a memory hit me straight in the nose.

"We're the same person, you and I."

"I was in control of our actions."

The smile never reached its peak. I slumped over, now knowing the truth, how couldn't I?

"When I knew you, that wasn't really me. I was someone else."

I waited for her to ask what I meant, but she just stared, waiting for me to speak. She must not know either way.

"I...never told you or Mateo the real identity of my godly parent. Well, now I know that I never actually had one. I was just a projection- no, an avatar of a god named Nikandreos. He was in control of my body for most of my childhood."

I expected a different reaction than the one I got. Instead of looking surprised, she just looked confused. "So?"

I leaned forward. "Whaddya mean so? I just told you that I'm not even really Talon. I've been this avatar for some god the entire time."

She looked like she didn't believe a word. "That's not who I saw when I was a kid."

"Yeah, it may seem that way, but it's the truth. I'm not actually a demigod."

Out of respect, or a simple courtesy maybe, she allowed it to look like she was taking that in. "Okay."

She said it so casually, and it really took me back. How could she not be freaking out? I just told her I wasn't really me when we knew each other! Why isn't she questioning the entirety of our friendship, not to mention the other stuff too?

"Why are you treating this like it's not a big deal?" I said, "Aren't you questioning every moment we shared together?"

She shook her head, sighing, as if making such a fuss about it was annoying. "Because it's not a big deal to me, Talon. I don't care about all of that godly parent stuff. You could've been the son of Zeus, or the son of Ouranos-"

I laughed humorlessly, "Don't say that. Not funny."

She snickered, but continued sincerely. "I would still be your friend. None of that changes what we shared. You were always Talon, and you're still Talon." She lifted her hand up to ruffle my hair, probably the only person I'd ever allow to do such a thing, by the way. Just to set the record straight. "The same goof I've always known."

At her casual dismissing of the information, it really hit me that...maybe all of that wasn't such a big deal. Or at least, not as much as I was making it out to be. Hearing it from someone that knew me during that time really puts things into perspective.

Maybe Nikandreos had some influence over me, but ultimately...he didn't shape who I am or what I've become. In a way, I always had a little hand in from the start.

"And your friends will understand the same way." She soothed. "You know that. They only see you for who you truly are."

I grumbled, but there was a lighthearted tone behind it. "Whaddya know about my friends?"

She gently pushed me at my tone and we shared a chuckle. She took in a deep breath to start going on a roll. Oh God, here we go.

"Well, I know that they've put up with you way longer than most people would. So that means they're patient. They managed to not let you wander off on your own and get into too much trouble, so that means they've got a little craziness in them too." She put a finger to her chin, "Let's see...you respect them, so that means they're strong..."

I smiled as she went down the line. She really had been keeping track of me the last few years. It warmed my chest up to know that she was aware of the new people I'd met and formed bonds with.

She looked at me slyly, a smirk coming onto her lips. "Oh, and that Malachi...he's so hot. That's probably the most certain thing on that list."

My smile fell into a frown, and I glared at her. "That shit ain't funny, Mary. Take it back."

She closed her eyes and shrugged, "Can't. It's an objective fact. That man was sculpted by the gods. There's no other explanation."

"Mary..."

She smiled, trying to save herself, "But I like you better. You've got this tough, ruggedness to you. While he's...well, God, he's just perfect. That's unattainable attractiveness right there."

I bobbed my head mockingly, "Beat me over the head why don't ya?"

"Oh come on, you know I'm only half kidding." She calmed down and got serious. "I'm really happy that you met them, Talon. I truly am. You needed them. Especially the girls."

"Like sisters I never asked for."

"Harper's like the younger sister that you get along with the most, even though you also fight the most. But at the end of the day, she looks up to you. Then Annabeth's like the oldest that you don't have a lot in common with, but you still care for her anyway. Sera's the sweetheart that can't do any harm. She's also the one you're the most protective over."

I was speechless.

"I hit the nail on the head?"

"Pretty much."

"I'm missing someone though, aren't I?"

At first, I thought she meant Matt or Percy, but then I realized she was still on the girl end of the spectrum, and I froze, my heart quickening a pace. No way. Could she know about...you know, her?

"Uh..." I stumbled, "Don't think so. You named em' all."

She shook her head insistently, "No, no, I think I'm missing someone. Someone that's different from a sister to you."

I kept my trap shut. Crap. I should've known this would come out sooner or later.

"You met someone, didn't you?"

I cleared my throat, as nervous as a boy asking his crush to Prom. "You...know?"

"I don't know who it is, but I can just read it on your face. You met another special person, didn't you?"

Finally, my posture broke and I laughed nervously. "Damn, Mary. You'd have been a hell of an interrogator."

She had shifted her weight to where one leg was crossed on the roof while the other still dangled off. Getting comfortable, she placed her elbows on her leg to listen. "Tell me about her."

My nerves started tingling again, and suddenly I felt waves of uncomfortable heat wash over me. "Well...she's a goddess, for starters. Heh, you know me, Mary, I always aimed high. And she's uh...she's beautiful. Tough. Doesn't take shit. She's a fighter-"

"Sounds familiar."

I chuckled, "Yeah...didn't get along at first, I'll be honest. But as I got to know her a little better, and she opened up more...I saw a genuine soul. She's just been through hell."

Again Mary said, "Sounds...familiar." But with a somber tone.

I looked at her, and saw her frowning sadly. Then it hit me that I was the biggest idiot in the world. What the hell am I thinking, sitting here talking about Amaterasu to Mary?

"I'm sorry." I said, rubbing my forehead. "I uh...shouldn't say all that. I know it must be awkward."

Her eyes drifted up to lock with mine. She looked confused. "It's not awkward at all. That sounds wonderful."

I reared my head back, "Then...why do you look so sad?"

"Because it sounds like you have so much to live for. And you're...down here." She took her elbows off her leg and shook her head rapidly, throwing blonde hair left and right. "You shouldn't be here, Talon. You need to go back."

Without warning, she grabbed my hand and pulled me up in a flash. Soon enough, we were both walking on the roof to the ladder, with her practically dragging me away, no explanation.

"What are we doing?" I asked halfway down the ladder, to get no response.

Once we touched down, she grabbed my hand again and led me past the corner of the building back towards town, head facing forward with determination.

"Mary, stop." I said, and when she wouldn't, I forcibly stopped myself and tugged on her hand. "Stop!"

"What?" She asked, annoyed.

"What are we doing? Why are you taking me back to town?"

"You need to go back. You can't stay here, Talon, you have way too much to fight for."

I gently pried my hand away from hers and held up both of mine, signaling for everything to slow down for just one second. "Hold on, time out. What are you talking about? Go back? I can't go back. I died. To a sword touched by Death itself of all things. I can't just go back."

She sighed, "Yes, you can." She gestured around her with her hand, "Talon, this is limbo. This is the bridge world between life and death. You're not actually dead yet, you still have a choice."

The bridge world? Limbo? Huh, guess I was right to start with, but it still didn't make sense.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"A choice to live. That's what I'm talking about."

"I don't get it. I remember dying. I jumped in front of my friends and then it was black. That means death, right?"

"If you were really dead, you'd already be in the Underworld, awaiting judgement. But you're here, which means you can go either way. Backwards or forwards." She thrusted her hand gently for me to grab. "Come on, you can talk with the guy that led me here in the first place. This whole thing is kind of his specialty."

I couldn't really understand all of what she was talking about. Someone led her here? As in, took her away from the Underworld just to talk to me?

Utterly confused, I hesitated in reaching out to grab her hand. She met me halfway and grabbed it, pulling me with her the rest of the way.

We marched in between two buildings and entered the middle of town. Sand everywhere, old wooden shops and houses, it looked straight from a western movie. All that was missing were the tumbleweeds.

Once we turned the corner, I saw a figure standing at the edge, way beyond at the very entrance, where horses always rode in and out. This must be the person she was talking about, the one that led her here. Squinting, I couldn't make out what the guy looked like, but I could tell he was a man dressed in black, with a...top hat? Really, a top hat? Who the hell is this?

"Mary, who's that guy?"

She didn't falter or slow a single step. "You'll see. And don't worry, he's not gonna hurt you."

I scoffed, "I ain't worried about that. Just wanna know who he is and why he led you here, of all people."

"Like I said, you'll see."

We walked further and further, until eventually, we reached the edge of town, now standing ten feet away from the man.

Upon closer inspection, he looked exactly like those business guys you'd see in nineteenth century London. Old fashioned black suit and tie, a monocle on his right eye, top hat on his head, and even sporting a black mustache not too different from Colter's.

He wasn't too tall, but not too short either. He had maybe an inch or two on me so...six feet, I'd guess. Normal height, and while dated, he looked like a normal human.

Still though, despite that, his vibe was really...eerie. Eerie and creepy. A double take, and just looking into his black eyes told me that this guy wasn't what he appeared. He wasn't human. He was older than the gods, older than the Primordials and Ouranos, even. He's as old as time itself.

When he noticed us, he didn't smile or make a single expression. Everything about him was so...neutral, and so empty. He pulled out a golden pocket watch and looked at the time, nodding his head when he read it.

"Right on schedule." His voice was deep and smooth, every single word articulated. It sounded like he could talk for hours and hours and not stutter a single word. A master salesman.

"Right on schedule for what?" I asked, "And who the hell are you? Some kind of death god? One of those Soul Reapers in disguise?" I remembered those ghoul bastards, specifically when we were on that quest for Tartarus, and they threw me out of that hole.

The man swiftly closed the pocket watch and shoved it back in his front pocket, regarding my question with amusement. "For your choice. It's time to decide if you wish to move on...or keep fighting. As for what I am, well, as complicated as that is, it's ironic that you humans actually have a word to describe it. Can you guess?"

I stared at him, trying to put the puzzle pieces together. My eyes drifted from his suit to his neck, then to his eyes...

When they locked, I saw a flash of something else taking form. For a split moment, he no longer appeared as a man in a suit, he appeared as an empty, voided face wearing a long black cloak, skeletal hands protruding from the sleeves holding a long, sharp scythe.

Then back to normal.

My eyes widened, "You're...Death. Not a god of it like Hades or Thanatos, you're the literal embodiment of it. The universal representation..."

He nodded, still void of emotion, but something told me he was pleased with my answer. "Correct. And I'm a very busy representation. Will you join my collection of souls, Mr. Talon? Or do you wish to live a little longer?"

I looked between him and Mary, who wasn't at all surprised by his identity. She must've known who it was the entire time.

"Wait. Please, just one second. I'm confused." I pointed at myself, "I thought I died when the Kusanagi cut me. Why did I come here instead of going to the Underworld?"

Death stared at me for a moment. A dangerous moment. With the way he looks at you, you can't read his emotions, because he doesn't have any. You don't know what he's thinking. He could be contemplating on grabbing me and taking me by force, rather than have to explain why I ended up here.

And hell, he could do it. I may have been fucking strong with that Nikandreos boost, but I know it doesn't hold a candle to the power of Death itself.

Finally, he sighed and reached for his pocket. Pulling out his watch again, he checked the time and rolled his eyes. "I suppose I have enough time to explain. You are a special case after all."

"What do you mean?"

He put the watch away. "Talon, you were an avatar to a god named Nikandreos. You know this. You also know you deviated from his control, correct?"

"Yeah."

"You're the only avatar to ever do such a thing. The reason being, you're the only avatar that lacked the god's memories. Meaning that when you created your own experiences, you became your own person. A mortal, essentially."

"I know all of that." I said, eager to understand. "But how does that explain why I didn't die?"

"You didn't die because you're two different people. Connected through a link of souls, but two separate beings, nether the less. You embodied the mortal side of Nikandreos, who over time, completely fell to his godly side."

My mouth fell open, "You're saying...Nikandreos imparted his mortality onto me?"

Death nodded.

"So that means..."

"When that blade cut you, it targeted the strongest soul in the body. The godly soul. Nikandreos. But it spared the mortal soul. You."

"Then Nikandreos is...dead?"

Death nodded again. "He is. He went to the underworld immediately, while you remain here. For the sole reason that your souls were connected, you followed him, but only so far." He shrugged, "It was partly my decision. Knowing your heart, I wasn't sure if you'd want to live out the rest of your life as a mortal. I decided to offer you a choice."

I nodded. I'm not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but all of that made sense to me somehow. Nikandreos and I were two separate beings in one body. He was the god, and I was the mortal. The mortal that he once was before Hera made him that deal.

And everything came full circle. I'm back to being...normal. No powers, no golden aura, no magic guns.

"The choice to live or die..." I whispered.

"That is the one you must make." Death said. "If you wish to go back and continue in life, I will grant it. But if you wish to be done with that and go to the afterlife, I will grant that too."

He gestured behind him, waving his hand and materializing a wooden door attached to nothing, just sitting there on the sand. Beyond that, I guessed, sat the next life.

It was all so overwhelming. Here I was, standing in front of Death itself, with the ultimate choice. I could go back and help my friends, probably beat Tsukuyomi, and see where things go with Amaterasu.

That sounds perfect.

But then again, that little voice in my head begins to wonder what the other side might be like. To be done with fighting...to live in peace.

I looked to Mary, who had been staring at me the whole time, uncertainty practically splattered all over my face.

"Will you be there?"

She nodded, but she didn't smile. "I will."

"Jack Colter too." Death informed. "Do not fear. It won't be the Fields of Punishment, Hell, Tartarus, or anything like that. You may have earned spots in those places at one point, but the recent years proved otherwise. You deserve a peaceful place. Elysium, I believe, is your pantheon's chosen paradise."

"It is."

"Then it can be yours. Just say the word."

I'd never been faced with a harder decision in all my life. I started to think about it, and I mean really think about it. The obvious answer was to go back and live. There were so many things left unfinished that made me want to go back. Tsukuyomi wasn't down for the count yet, and my friends could still be in danger if Matt hadn't showed up. Beyond that, we still needed to beat Ouranos, which is the main thing of all our struggles in the first place. To just move on and not see that through would be a crime.

Amaterasu...

That could go somewhere. I mean, she's a busy goddess, leader of the pantheon and all. But still, curiosity's got a grip on me. Maybe if given more time, she could grow to return the feelings, and it could lead to something really special.

Go back. No question.

But then I looked at Mary again, and thought of Master. I could also imagine eternity in paradise, spending all of it with Mary, making up for all the time we missed out on and then some. Who knows...we could have the life I always dreamed about together. Hell, I might even run into the other Incendiaries while I'm at it. I hadn't even thought of that.

And hey, eventually, the others will be there. I mean, give it about seventy years, give or take, they'll die of old age, and I'll be waiting. Then we can all be together.

Mary could see the answer on the tip of my tongue. Before I could say anything, she reached out and grabbed my hand. "Talon, wait."

It was just about to come out into words. I'm moving on. I'm going to the afterlife. But she stopped me.

"What is it?" I asked.

She looked at me, her gaze piercing my soul. "You can't move on. You need to go back."

I let out a long breath through my nose. "A part of me wants to, but...a part of me also wants to live in peace. With you and Master. I mean, think about it. We could catch up on everything we didn't get to do in life."

She squeezed my hand, let go, and used both to grab my shoulders. "That's not you talking. I know you. The real Talon would never give up." She held back a sob; her eyes began to water. "Hell...he'd probably flip Death off and talk about how peace is boring anyways."

"I'm not giving up. I'm just...I don't know, I'm trying to think about what could be."

"Think of what could be with what you've worked so hard to build." She urged, a tear falling down her cheek. "With your family. The people you've come to love. You don't think they'll be sad that you've died? You don't think they want you there when Ouranos is finally beaten? What about your best friend? What about Malachi? You don't think he'll miss you every single day for the rest of his life?"

Her words dug at my heart, tearing it to pieces. Thinking about that...made me feel lower than the maggots on the ground. Yeah, if I went...that's what I'd put him through. Despite not deserving his friendship, that's what we are. We're best friends.

"You don't want a chance to have the life you really want? You don't want to have kids, Talon? You don't want to be the cool uncle to all your friend's children?"

I laughed, holding back a sob of my own. "I'd be the best damn uncle in the world."

She laughed too, wiping her tears away with her wrist. "You'd babysit and let them do what they want. You'd give them soda and candy even though they're not supposed to have it. You'd tell them stories and make them laugh. They would love you so much..."

I nodded, my lip quivering. "And I'd love them."

"So go! Go and live! See those children! Be with your friends!" She groaned, "And for the love of God, please take that bastard Ouranos down!"

I quickly wiped my eyes, sealing away the tears that were just a movement away from falling, and tipping my nonexistent hat. "Can do, ma'am. But what about you? You're here, alone. I can't stand to think about that."

She smiled, "I'll be just fine. I've made a few friends since we last met, and Elysium's such a nice place to live. Besides, I got to see you again, didn't I?"

"Mary..."

She leaned forward and placed her head next to mine. I thought she was going in for another hug, but when I felt something soft press against my cheek, I realized she'd kissed me.

When she pulled her head back, she didn't keep it far away from mine. Our foreheads were practically touching as she whispered.

"Go see the world, okay?" She lifted her pinkie to rest just below our chins.

"When we're both older, let's see the world together."

"See the world? The entire world?"

"Whole thing."

"You know how big it is, right?"

"I have an idea, and I don't care. We're seeing it all, even the weird parts. You in?"

That promise flashed before my eyes and came to my mind like it was yesterday. She still remembered.

I lifted my own pinkie and wrapped it around hers.

"I'll take you with me every step of the way. Like I always have."

"Promise?"

I gently shook our entwined pinkies, "Promise."

We held that for a second or two, and then parted. I knew it would be the last time I'd feel her touch, the last time I'd see her. But to be honest...I'm okay with that. This was everything I could've asked for in seeing her again. I got to say so much and get an entire world of weight off my chest. I actually got to have a goodbye this time around.

I felt better than ever.

Turning around, Death was still standing there, waiting patiently.

"So is your choice final?" He asked.

I nodded at him, "Sure is. I'm gonna keep fighting."

"Very well." He waved his hand, and the door behind him vanished. I looked at Mary one last time, smiled, and waved at her.

She waved back. We didn't say goodbye, because we didn't need to. That promise was enough.

The same darkness from when I got hit with the Kusanagi came. At first, everything was pitch black, and I felt like I was floating in a plane of nothing, light as a cloud, my eyelids closed tight.

Then another light shone.

It got closer and closer, until it reached the breaking point. So bright that I could hardly stand it.

My body gained its weight and density, my consciousness drifted back to my mortal body, and I could feel the solid dirt on my back, the blazing sun on my face...

I was back.

I was alive again.

Sound started to come to my ears again, and I heard what sounded like fighting. Swords clanging together, the screams and grunts of my friends, Tsukuyomi's laughter...

They hadn't died yet. But from the sounds of it, it's not going well, and Matt hasn't showed up yet. He's probably still fighting Kagutsuchi.

Doesn't matter. They're still alive, which means we can turn this thing around.

My eyes shot open. I shifted myself to where I was sitting up. Now, I could definitely tell the difference between having nigh-invulnerability and being a mortal. I felt so open to any attack, so fragile. But at the same time...lighter. Like a healthier version of myself, almost.

Every sense was dropped down to it's basic form, except touch. I could feel the rocks underneath me, and even the air far better now. A factor that must've been dulled due to my old powers.

Old powers.

I'm mortal now. Which means I don't really have a chance in hell at helping them beat this asshole. At best, I'm a human shield.

So what?

I don't give a shit if I'm in a wheelchair. I made my choice to come back, so you bet your ass I'm gonna do whatever it takes to do my part.

Shakily, I stood up and drew my revolver. In front of me, I saw all of my friends doing their best to hit Tsukuyomi, but nothing was working. Harper, Percy, and Annabeth all had their weapons out. Riptide, the Eros sword, and the Heavenly Diamond knife. All of them slashing at Tsukuyomi, but he was far too quick, able to detect and deflect every blow without full effort. In fact, it looked like he was just having fun.

Meanwhile, Amaterasu and Sera both opted for ranged attacks. Sera shooting spikes of ice and giant pillars to throw Tsukuyomi off balance, while Amaterasu fired beams of orange energy at her brother. Neither of those worked either, as the Kusanagi seemed to be protecting him from outside interference, throwing up a black dome of energy every time something would come his way.

Once he decided to stop playing around, he'd finish them. It was lucky I came back when I did. I could at least be a distraction.

I pulled out my revolver and fired it in the air, gaining the attention of everyone.

"I ain't out for the count yet, motherfucker."

When they saw me, a series of reactions looked back at me. Tsukuyomi's was one of pure shock, obviously. His jaw dropped and he stuttered incoherent nonsense. While my friends, at first, were confused, but once they realized I wasn't actually dead, they smiled from ear to ear.

"Talon!"

"You're alive!"

"Holy shit, he's still here!"

"We were so worried!"

Everyone was over the moon. Amaterasu didn't say anything. In fact, her expression mirrored Tsukuyomi's, only her jaw wasn't as wide open as his. She looked like she was in a trance, just staring in my direction as if she were seeing a ghost.

Finally, the moon god broke from his disbelief, roaring out a loud yell and surging aura to push everyone away from him. Each of my friends went flying and fell to the ground, offering him all the space he wanted.

His entire body shook with rage. Slowly, he lifted up the Kusanagi to point at me. "You...you're supposed to be dead. I killed you! I cut you with this blade! The blade that kills anything with one strike!"

I smirked, "Guess it ain't as deadly as you thought."

He paused for a moment, then chuckled. "Wait...your energy, it's gone. That astounding power has left you completely. You're..." He laughed with delight, a complete one eighty from his earlier demeanor. "...mortal! You're a mortal now!"

In my peripherals, I saw the others just now get up, surprised looks on their faces. I could practically feel Harper and Percy sensing my energy to see if it was true.

"Doesn't matter what I am. I'll stand against you and do whatever it takes to help my family." I flipped him off, "As long as I got arms, I can shove that sword straight up your ass."

Tsukuyomi snarled like a hungry dog. "Well I'll just tear that arm off. This time, I'll kill you slowly, since you'll be able to feel all the pain now."

"Do whatever you want. Tear my arm off, cut my neck open, stab me in the chest, it doesn't matter. I'll go down swinging."

He reared back the Kusanagi for a swing. "Of course you will. Mortals are so predictable."

I couldn't do a thing against him. Each shot wouldn't hurt him, my punches would probably break my own arm, and I'm the most vulnerable person here. He doesn't even have to use the sword to kill me.

Well damn, I didn't even last five minutes.

I figured I was about to face death again, but before Tsukuyomi could cut me down, there was a loud noise, coming from the direction of the others.

No longer fast enough to see what was going on, I could only hear Amaterasu screaming, "NO!"

I couldn't make out her speed for obvious reasons, but she was moving fast by godly standards too, I could tell because she managed to dart up next to Tsukuyomi and hit him in the jaw.

There was a single frame where my eyes could see her fist digging into his skin, fire surrounding her wrist and hand. Tsukuyomi's body reacted to the punch, a shockwave blew me back on my knees and he was gone, hitting the rocks and falling off the side of the mountain.

Amaterasu landed swiftly, chest heaving up and down with each breath. She lifted her fist next to her, inadvertently showing me the flame that was eating away at her skin.

What was she doing?

Tsukuyomi flew back up over the side of the mountain, using his bat-like wings. He spun the Kusanagi around and glared at her.

"Now where did that come from?" He said, wiping his cheek. "That actually hurt."

Amaterasu let out a deep breath, her body shrinking down from the release of pressure.

It was faint, but I heard her say, "Goodbye, Asuka."

My eyebrows knit together at first, not following. But then I remembered back at the campfire, the point of her entire story. She hosts her daugther's body to keep her alive. That's why she can't use her full power, because if she does...it'll kill her daughter and she'll be gone forever.

She was about to go all out.

"Amaterasu, don't!" I didn't know how to feel, or if I was even helping in saying that. I probably wasn't, since her using her true power is the only thing that can save us now, but still...that's her daughter. They've been bonded for eight hundred years.

She didn't turn to look at me, but her words were directed my way. "It's okay, Talon. I'm letting go."

Tsukuyomi laughed, "Your true power won't be enough to stop me!"

Amaterasu clenched her fists and sped up the process. Before my eyes, I saw the fire consume her, reaching every part of her body and burning all of ninja clothes and flesh away, like ashes in the wind, until there was nothing left.

Just fire. The blazing, human-shaped fire that floated in the spot she once stood.

For a moment, I was afraid the worst had happened. That it had gone wrong, and somehow she burned her own soul too. But something strange started to happen. This little orange light in the middle of the fire, brighter than it's own, started to grow and take shape, eventually into the outline of a woman.

That outline turned into real flesh, and once her shape was made, the fire clung to her, forming clothes.

The real Amaterasu stood there now, as solid as Asuka's body, only missing the vulnerability. I didn't have my aura sense anymore, but I could tell she'd gotten way stronger.

Amaterasu's true self looked similar to Asuka in size and the beige skin tone, but there were some differences too. First of all, the clothes weren't the same. Right now, she wore a red kimono with flame patterns on it. Asuka's shorter hair had grown into something much longer. Still black, but reaching past her shoulders.

She also looked a bit older. Not by much, maybe ten years. But it was still noticeable.

This wasn't Asuka anymore. This was the leader of the Shinto Pantheon. It's most powerful god. I could tell just by how she stood that Tsukuyomi was screwed.

However, he didn't look impressed. "Ah, there's the sister I remember. Gotta say, I was getting used to your other look."

"It's over, Tsukuyomi." She said. To my surprise, her voice had barely changed. A bit more mature and confident, but still the same pitch. "Your fate is sealed."

He rasberried, "Please. So you finally shed the skin of that pathetic half-breed. Bravo. It still won't be enough to beat me and the Kusanagi." He brought it up in a fighting stance, "It obeys me now as it's true master. Not you."

Amaterasu didn't even move, she just stood there casually. "Test it's loyalty then and strike me down...if you can."

His face twitched, "If I can?! Oh, I can!"

In a blur, he disappeared, leaving behind a crack of thunder and bursting wind from his launchpad. In the next moment, he was in front of Amaterasu, sword swinging down to meet her head.

But as if moving aside to let someone past you on the sidewalk, Amaterasu just stepped back and moved her shoulder, dodging Tsukuyomi's attack completely.

He fell over himself and plummeted towards the ground. Mid-fall, I saw his face change from confident to terrified. It was priceless.

Amaterasu caught him on her fist, planting it in his gut. It took nothing for it to drive completely through skin and bone, bursting out on the other side.

Ichor exploded and caked Amaterasu's fiery fist. Tsukuyomi howled with pain, ichor blocking most of the volume because it kept coming out in clumps.

The fire had an effect on him too, not just the punch. Where it had touched him, I could see the black skin melting away, chips of it turning to literal ash.

Amaterasu leaned down to him. "You forget, Tsukuyomi. The moon gathers it's light from the sun."

As quick as she struck, she retracted her arm from his gut and gave it a hard wave, throwing any ichor off to the ground. Tsukuyomi was a coughing, groaning mess, falling to his hands and knees and damn near dropping the Kusanagi.

Through ichor-soaked lips and teeth, he managed to speak. "Y-You bitch...don't think a little fire is going to stop me!"

"Don't pretend that you can't feel the difference between us now. You stand no chance."

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I figured her true power would close the gap, but holy shit...I didn't think it would be this much of a massacre. I thought we'd reached a new level of ridiculous strength when Matt showed up and beat Susanoo's ass. But this...if I had to bet money, I'd say she's on that same level right now, maybe even further.

Looking at her, I was reminded of her story. When she took revenge against Daiki's murderers. That must've been the same feeling. A cold, quiet fury that threatened to destroy the entire world with a single outburst. She was dangerous, but she could control it extremely well.

Tsukuyomi got to his feet and swung the Kusanagi wildly. Left and right, she weaved and stepped backwards, not a care in the world.

"Die!" Tsukuyomi shrieked, "Die and join your daughter, you swine!"

She ducked under a stab attempt and palmed his wrist. There was a crunch that followed it twisting in the wrong direction and falling limp.

Now Tsukuyomi lost all control of the sword. His numb fingers loosened around the grip, allowing it to fall in Amaterasu's waiting hand, positioned just below.

She caught it, but opted to hold on the killing blow. I could see her true intention. She wanted Tsukuyomi to suffer a little more before she destroyed him.

She placed her index and middle finger on his forehead. The reaction was immediate screaming. Blood curdling shouts that made me cringe.

I couldn't place the cause. At first, I figured she was showing him all sorts of horrible visions or something, but once his entire face burst into flames...I had a good idea of why he was screaming.

These weren't regular flames, either. To melt through Tsukuyomi's durable skin like nothing takes a tremendous amount of power.

She let go and allowed him to suffer for a few seconds, howling out in constant pain, clawing at his face and neck for the torture to stop. If I didn't know him, I might feel sorry for him.

But I know him well enough. This is revenge for what he did to Asuka. Years of hatred built up in Amaterasu, coming out at once.

Finally, she decided to show a shred of mercy. She gripped the Kusanagi with both hands and swung a mighty blow right through the neck. The head flew in the air and turned to dust before even hitting the ground, the body following shortly after.

Just like that, it was over. She'd killed him.

Amaterasu held her swinging stance for a moment, sighed, and stood straight.

"It's over."

Snapping her fingers, the laws of reality bent to her will, offering up a black sheathe for the blade in thin air. She caught it, placed it in her kimono belt, and slid the sword in carefully.

The metal made a chink as it clicked into place. The wind sent a chilling breeze across the mountain's edge.

Everything had gotten quiet. Not a minute ago there was a battle. Now...absolutely nothing.

The tides had been turned so quick, but at a heavy cost.

It hit me then just what had happened. I mean really hit me. I was prepared to die. In that moment I jumped...I had no fear. I was completely okay with going out like that, forever.

I talked to Master and Mary, and even Death itself. Making the ultimate choice to keep fighting or to give up. And hell, I came close to giving up.

I wanted to live. I wanted to keep forging this rocky path I've built. To do that, I had to let go of the past. Of things I thought I wanted.

In a perfect way, I gained closure.

On the other side of the coin, Amaterasu had to make a choice too. She had to destroy a piece of herself, her own daughter, just to gain the power to save us. Save me from death.

It was horrible to think about. But eventually, I knew she'd have to let go. I just didn't expect it to turn out this way. I feel a little guilty for being the cause.

But I knew in the back of my mind that it was better this way. It happened for a reason. It was time for her to let go, and I was the perfect trigger.

I'd been so lost in thought that I didn't notice Amaterasu walking up to me until I saw the bottom of her kimono enter my view.

I gazed up at her. Familiar orange eyes stared back at me, narrowed.

"That was the most reckless, foolish thing I've ever seen. Jumping in front of the Kusanagi like that. And look what it did. You lost all of your powers."

It didn't take a genius to recognize the undertone of worry in her voice. She was scared that I had died for good. That's why the scolding act had been put up.

"Just say you were worried about me." I said, smirking. "I won't tease ya."

I figured she might punch me or push me over. But I was surprised to see a small smile break out on her lips. She rolled her eyes and offered me a hand. "Shut up, you brave fool."

I took it and let her pull me up. It wasn't long before my buddies came running over, tackling me with hugs.

Sera was first. The poor girl burst into tears and buried her face in my shoulder, chastising me for scaring her.

Then came Annabeth, who actually wondered if my stunt was the plan all along. Knowing that if were put in danger, Amaterasu would awaken her true power. Not...quite, but I didn't correct her. To be honest, I just didn't have the energy.

Percy gripped me tight and thanked me for what I did. It was simple, but it meant a lot.

Finally, I caught Goth Girl glaring at me, standing still as a statue.

I chuckled at her. "Well, I know for damn sure you ain't gonna hug-"

Before I could even finish, she'd jumped forward and wrapped her arms around me.

It was weird. Her and I had never hugged before. Such a thing was foreign between us. You know, the frenemy relationship and what not. But just this once, I dropped all that bullshit, and hugged her back.

She gently beat her fist against my shoulder. "Don't do that shit again, dumbass. You hear me? You don't have another life to spare."

I nodded against her shoulder. "I'll be extra careful."

When she backed away, Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "Not that I'm ungrateful for it, but how did you come back from the dead?"

"Yeah, and how'd you lose all your powers?" Percy asked.

I cocked my head, "Let's just say Nikandreos took one for the team."

At that, they all reared their heads back, and understandably so. That was as vague as it could get. Annabeth started to say something else, but I cut her off.

"Guys, It's uh...all a little complicated. I know you have a bunch of questions, and I'll answer em'...but maybe on the way back home, yeah?"

They looked disappointed with that, but they all nodded and murmured agreement for my sake. I appreciated it.

After a few seconds of silence, Sera put her hands on her hips, exiting her Absolute Zero form without any difficulty. Eyes shifting back to their regular color, and some of the blinding white snow melting away into her dress. "So...is it over? Where's Matt?"

"And Malachi?" Percy wondered, "You guys never explained what happened with him."

Sera's expression darkened, "It's...well, he-"

Amaterasu interrupted by pointing at the mountain edge, "There they are."

All heads turned to the direction, seeing Kyros flying above the edge and into view, both Malachi and Matt in his saddle.

Sera's face lit up. "Kai!"

She ran over to meet them, and soon everyone followed, save for myself and Amaterasu. I just crossed my arms and smiled, relieved that both were alive. Especially Malachi. Hell, at least I knew where Matt was, but Malachi could've gone into outer space for all I know.

Amaterasu shook her head, "For your friend to be so young, he's accomplished more than most gods could dream of. I never thought Kagutsuchi would fall."

Referring to Matt. "Yeah, he's something."

Matt and Malachi jumped off the bird's back before he even landed, Malachi swooping Sera in a hug, and Harper punching Matt on the shoulder.

"Talk about perfect timing!" Percy said. "Could've used you guys up here!"

Amaterasu and I approached them, Matt nervously scratched his neck. "Sorry about that, I was still fighting Kagutsuchi, and Malachi-"

"I chased Ouranos through the sky." He informed. "He...escaped. I'm sorry everyone, if I'd only gone a bit faster, or tried harder, I could've ended it for good."

Matt frowned, "Don't say that man. I already told you not to worry about it. There was nothing you could do."

Sera rubbed circles on his back, "All that matters is that you're okay. You had me worried."

"So Ouranos still roams." Amaterasu said, "What will you all do next?"

We all exchanged looks. Matt was the one to speak, albeit with uncertainty.

"I wouldn't even know where to begin looking. I need to visit my mom, talk to Zeus, and gods, I forgot about school completely." He glanced at Harper, "We go back on the third."

"Wait...you two go to school?" Amaterasu asked incredulously.

"Yeah."

She blinked, "Interesting."

"No matter what, we'll find a way." Percy said. "None of this is over until we beat him, so that means around the clock work, right?"

I noticed Annabeth's eyes fall to the ground at that statement.

Percy faced Matt, "You said you'll talk to Zeus. You think he'll help us find Ouranos?"

Matt nodded, "Yeah. I think he's taking the whole thing more seriously now. He'll do whatever it takes."

Amaterasu nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Well good. I'm glad to know the world will be in safe hands. I have faith in all of you to find and destroy him, once and for all."

The way she said it. All of you. As if...

"Wait, what about you?" I asked, tunnel vision taking over to where nobody else existed in my peripheral. "I mean, you're a part of the team now, too. You could...I mean, you don't have to, but if you want to help us, we wouldn't mind the company."

I felt the surge of awkwardness from everyone else as they all looked away, unable to witness the moment. I didn't understand. Were they seeing something I wasn't?

Amaterasu wouldn't face me.

"What?"

The silence got to be too much, to the point where Harper grabbed onto the others and started leading them away. "We'll give you two a minute. See ya, Amaterasu."

She waved at Harper. The others offered small goodbyes and kept walking, while Matt stepped up to shake her hand.

"Didn't get a lot of time to interact, but judging by the change in appearance and the power spike...you made a big sacrifice for my friends." He nodded at her with admiration. "Thank you."

It was amazing how much he'd gathered from those two things, able to put together what she did with just a thought. That kid's smarter than most give him credit for.

Amaterasu returned the admiration, shaking his hand. "The gratitude is all mine. Thank you for showing up when you did and defeating Kagutsuchi. We would all be dead if not for your intervention."

Matt smiled quickly, brown eyes flickering to me with reassurance. "You take your time, Talon." Then he walked away.

I scoffed, "Take my time with what? What kind of stunt are they pulling here?"

"They're giving us space so I can let you down."

"What?"

Her face was virtually unreadable, but her eyebrows were scrunched in the slightest way that told me she didn't want to say the next words. "Talon...I can't go with you. I can't help you find Ouranos."

My lips parted in surprise, "What? Why?"

She just stared at me, waiting for me to take the hint already.

I finally did. It dawned on me, the reality that I'd known this entire time, but forgot in a moment of passion.

She's the freaking pantheon leader. She's the one that has to take the mantle of the people at Castle Izanagi now. She doesn't have time to help us, or do anything else for that matter.

How stupid of me to forget. I'd been reminding myself of that this entire time, and the moment I forget...it hits me like a dump truck. I guess I'd gotten ahead of myself in the bridge world, thinking about the things I could keep fighting for.

But I could never hold that against her. This was her responsibility long before I showed up. She's got a job to do, and I respect that.

I nodded in realization, "Oh...right. Yeah, of course...wow, I can't believe I forgot."

"I'm sorry."

"No! No, don't be." She still looked a little guilty, prompting me to take off my sunglasses to look her directly in the eyes. "Hey, seriously, don't be sorry. I understand, I really do. Those people need a good leader."

"I'm going to try my best." She chuckled, "It's been so long since I've been in charge, but it was always my responsibility. It's time that I return and take it."

Hearing her say that, and just feeling the energy she was giving off, how happy she was to finally be free of her own suffering, it made me forget all about my disappointment. How could I be? This is what she's meant to do.

Who am I to try and stop that over petty feelings?

I smirked, "You're gonna do great."

She nodded gratefully. It soon turned to a look of concern, "I know what happened in that cave now...and why you lost your powers."

"How?" But the answer came just as I finished the word, "Oh, mind reading. Right. Man, I really gotta remember that one."

"Are you okay? I know losing such a thing- a part of yourself, is hard."

I shrugged, "Eh, I'll be fine. So what if I'm mortal? I'm still me. Just a little weaker." I turned briefly and waved my hand at the others, "At least now they can get some time in the spotlight, I won't have to hog it."

She could tell that part of me wasn't sure about where to go next, or what to do. Having no powers is really gonna have to make me reevaluate things, and I was aware of that. But right now, I couldn't think of it too hard.

"Well, whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck."

A sincere smile crept up, stretching my lips. "Thanks. Same to you."

At first, I figured that would be a good spot to end it on. We wished each other luck, had a decent talk, and that was that. I should just walk back to Kyros and say goodbye.

But...you know me, I always gotta get one more remark in.

My sincere smile turned into a mischievous one. "Before I go I just gotta say...I know you're busy and all, goddess stuff and what not, but if you ever get some free time, and happen to find yourself in New York...can I buy you a drink?"

The comment took her off guard. Her stoic demeanor broke for a surprised, wide-eyed look.

I inwardly cringed. Shit, too much. Should've just left it with same to you!

But on the outside, I managed to keep my composure, praying to God I didn't look like too much of an idiot. My mouth just kept rambling, "...Or a coffee? That's fine too if you ain't a drinker."

"Sake."

"Huh?"

"Sake." She repeated. "I like Sake."

It took me a second to catch on, and when I did, I beamed. "Alright. My treat."

Finally, she smiled a genuine smile. "I'll hold you to it."

I took that as a good cue to leave and turned around towards Kyros. The others had been waiting long enough for my sorry ass anyway, probably getting homesick by this point.

Not five steps in, Amaterasu stopped me. "Talon, wait."

"Yeah?"

The second I turned around, I was met with her body pressed against my chest, her right hand lightly grabbing at my jaw and pulling it down to her lips.

She'd closed the distance so fast; I had no time to even prepare or anticipate what was gonna happen. For half a second, I just stood there, like a fish out of water. But luckily, my brain realized this would probably be my only chance to do this, might as well savor it.

I closed my eyes and deepened the kiss, placing my hands on her lower back. I hadn't kissed a woman in a long time. And if I'm being honest, the only real kisses that ever mattered were from Mary.

Until now. This one was perfect.

We held it for a few seconds, and then pulled away softly, our faces just an inch or two away from each other.

She was still smiling, with her hands resting on my chest. "Never change, cowboy."

I might've been able to conjure a few words if given the opportunity, but she stepped back ten paces and stood still, her body beginning to emit orange light.

Before I knew it, she was engulfed by it, and taken away into thin air, leaving the area completely and to my guess, going back to her temple to free those people.

I could still feel the pressure of the kiss. Flustered and grinning like a schoolboy, I sighed. Yeah, that was a hell of a goodbye.

Behind me, the peanut gallery (Harper) hollered, "Alright Loverboy, time's up! We gotta get moving!"

Her teasing was enough to break me from my trance. I glared at her, "What did you just call me? Repeat that, I dare you!"

With no real anger in my step, I stormed over to Kyros and hopped on, joining my family. The same family I wanted to keep fighting for, for the rest of my life. I knew nothing would change that. And I knew for certain that I made the right choice.

Thanks, Mary.

---

(000)

There you have it. I know this was a whirlwind of a chapter, a lot of stuff happening and changing. Talon's mortal now, chose between life and death, and even got a goodbye kiss. Man went through so much in like less than an hour.

Let me know what you thought below!

Until Next Time.