Dearest Kitsune, I lied. Here you go
The plan was fairly simple. Percy would be there to distract the Titans whilst Hazel would bring Joel and me to the safe where they kept the weapon. Once that was done, Frank would lead the others into the palace undetected as a distraction to safely let us escape.
I was doubtful they would actually betray the Titans, but Percy had been adamant from the start.
"We tried." She said. "We tried so, so, so hard to help the Titans win. I want the Gods dead. I want them gone. But… the Titans are insane. They are kind, cutie. So kind, so sweet to us. To me. Phoebe especially. I never want to hurt them. Alas… they are insane to those who cannot be on the same level as them. They will wreck this world. I will make it up to them somehow. They will never forgive me, I will never forgive me, but it must be done for the sake of everyone else. Either I put them now, where less humans will be killed, or I put them down later. Either way, they must learn to overcome their insanity."
It was very clear at the point that what had started as a simple alliance had bloomed into a fierce friendship for them. It was true, genuine pain in Percy's voice, and also a quiet sadness. She had accepted it a long time ago, and she won't shirk from it.
This was her flaw, I suppose. She got attached easily, far easier than Frank and Hazel. At the end of the day, she had to learn to put aside that attachment, but it never leaves her side for long. As much as I wanted to ease her pain, I could not empathise with it.
It didn't matter. Hazel and Frank were by her side faster than I could blink. Aura catered to us the next few days while the trio vanished from sight.
Finally, it was time to act. A week and three days later, we were ready.
This is the first time I'm fighting by Percy's side. I can tell why everyone is so reassured around her.
Even when she's not fighting, she has this air of quiet assurance that makes you feel safe around her. Sometimes, I doubt she realises the impact she has with the people around her. Stella dropped her walls by spending a day with Percy.
Juno did as well.
It was a shock, when Percy told me to follow her. I wanted to faint when I saw Juno, bored out of her mind, itching to do something, but perfectly fine with not a single mark on her body. Let's not even mention when she just cocked her head in our direction, raised one eyebrow at Percy, and said nothing. No snide remark. No insults. No threats. Just a look that said "what took you so long?" Truth be told, I'm still unsure of what I'm supposed to do with that discovery.
I didn't see Vesta. That was because Vesta was on Titus. She had a role to play, but I was unsure of what it was. Percy remained tight-lipped and the one time I asked Frank, he nearly gutted me. Thinking back, I probably should have phrased my question better but what's done is done and no permanent damage had to be dealt with. It should be worrying how dismissive we are with things.
I was shaken out of my daydreams when Frank suddenly appeared in my line of vision. I jumped a little, not expecting him. Especially when he was wearing full armour with a sword in hand. We knew by now weapons could not hurt me, but honestly, the weapons they had freaked me out a little.
Frank didn't seem bothered, only clapping his hand on my shoulder. "No time to lose yourself, little Jacobs." He scolded lightly. "Come on. We need to get going now. Góissa is waiting for you." Come to think of it, I never once understood why he called me that. Never once did he call me by my first name despite Hazel and Percy doing so. Yet this thought just came to me now of all times.
Maybe because, regardless of how today goes, it will be the last time I see the three of them—Frank, Hazel and Percy—for a long time. These details just come at the strangest timings.
Nodding tentatively, I grabbed the hand he held in front of me, and we teleported outside where everyone was already waiting.
Joel smiled softly upon seeing me. Regardless of it all, he was still hesitant when it came to the three.
Percy was twirling a black flower in her hand, lost in thought. I've seen the flower one too many times to not recognise it. I immediately turned away from it.
She noticed anyways, tucking it somewhere I couldn't see and approached me. "You ready, Em?"
"As ready as I can be." I said, biting my nail. She tsked, batting my hand aside.
"Let's go then."
"Sephie!" I called out. She paused. "Are you alright?"
There was a long pause. "Let's go."
She didn't say anything else.
It isn't a lie if I don't say anything. Percy once said that. She also said, I hate lying to you, Em. I will never lie to you unless I truly feel the need to.
"Step only where I step." Hazel warned. "If we could, we bring the box out but it's being guarded by the top security Saturn has to offer and they will notice if I put a copy of it in place." I could hear the distaste and dissatisfaction in her tone. Someone wasn't happy about others being able to discover her illusions. I was quite impressed as it was.
"Understood." I didn't need to say it, but it felt good voicing out my thoughts.
Hazel shot me a warning look but said nothing else.
There was a groan followed by metal clanging against the floor. Joel flinched beside me.
Hazel gave me a two-finger indication. I could kill them.
It was less suspicious after all. No one would pay attention if I were to have killed them.
I peeked around the corner to see two humans mindlessly walking around, dragging a giant. There was a ginormous bump on his forehead.
"One of Sephie's minions." I reported, albeit reluctantly. "Can't you, I don't know, stop them?"
"Sephie's siren-speak was something that came from herself, not from Hali." Hazel explained. "I have no control over something Hali does not possess. Like my ability to sense underground tunnels, or Ekdikó's ability to shapeshift. We do have some form of control of each other's domains, but it pales in comparison to the original. Besides, these men are beyond our help."
"What does that mean?" Joel inquired.
A shadow passed through Hazel's face. "I personally brought them to Sephie's feet." She said coldly. The temperature around us dropped by several degrees. A shiver ran down my spine. "Had I have the power of possession like Sephie did, I would have done it myself but Sephie dealt with them accordingly."
"What crimes did they commit?" I was curious to know. "What insult did they say for you to feel so strongly against them?"
"They made a move against my Anysia." Hazel gripped the wall tightly. I heard that name. It was the first human friend Hazel had made, her lieutenant. "They dared to mock her. Anysia wanted them dead but I couldn't let such scorn pass just like that. They were undeserving of death. Until now." She turned to me. "Prove to me you are doing good, Emily Jacobs. Kill them. Make them scream."
Had it been a simple insult, I doubt Hazel would have remembered them. If I knew them, it was that corrupted human minds were not worth them remembering. If she could recognise them, it was that they truly did something.
Riza called to me despairingly, but I ignored her. Joel sighed, covering his ears as the giant was dropped harshly on the floor. One by one, the men dropped until nothing remained.
My eyes cooled down and the Flame calmed. Hazel patted my shoulder, a silent congratulations passing through the simple act. For once, I didn't bask in it. What's the point when what I did was the bare minimum? They didn't deserve to live if they bring nothing good to this world.
Their ashes were scattered by the wind. I tossed my braid behind my shoulder. "Lead the way, Hazel." I said determinedly. "Let's get this over with."
"Sephie would be pleased to see how you have grown." Hazel remarked as we stepped past the unconscious giant. "Not the way she once expected you would, but you know the difference now. That's good. Ignorance was only going to hold you down. Your power could grow so much. There is still so much you haven't unlocked that's hidden within you, Emily."
I glanced questioningly at Joel who gave me a helpless shrug. "I thought I unlocked my full potential already. I'm the strongest among the Olympians."
"Riza is a Xan. Which I'm presuming is the equivalent of my world's primordial. If that's the case, you should match our powers. Match me. Yet you do not. Think about that when you return to your time."
"Things are going to be different, isn't it?" Joel said, kicking a pebble away. "I mean, now that you're in the past, with the memories of everything that has already happened."
Hazel hummed, turning a wall into a pool of shadows and stepping through. The two of us quickly followed and the wall returned to its former state. "The Fates saw to that, I'm sure. There would be consequences if we changed major activities, for example the fall of Greece and the rise of the Roman Empire, but you're not wrong to say some things will change. We're going to do whatever we can to oppose the Gods and we will be waiting for the opportunity to…"
She didn't finish her sentence, her golden eyes turning to the same malice I saw in Saturn's eyes. Joel didn't comment.
Finally, we reached the room. Another wall.
It wasn't a plain wall. No, there was a painting, depicting a battle between the Gods and Titans. This was surely in favour of the Titans, showing the ground littered with injured Olympians and victorious fights by the Titans.
Hazel didn't see the confused look we had. Instead, she pressed her hand against the wall. The spot she was standing under started to move, and a shape formed. A shadow version of Hazel. The only clear part I could see was her eyes and her smile. When she smiled, I could see the other side of the wall.
"I need to go." She said. "Sia is waiting for me and we're going to meet up at the arranged spot. You think you can finish this?"
"Wait, Hazel!" Joel called out, almost impulsively. I expected it from me. Not him. When Hazel nodded for him to speak, Joel smiled softly. "Thank you."
Hazel contemplated his words, searching for a hidden meaning. When she found none, she smiled as well. "Take care. Of yourself and your girlfriend."
And she disappeared into a different wall. Leaving us with a shadow of herself.
It writhed around, left and right. The shadow Hazel didn't have feet, instead it was a black wisp, like the kind you see on movie ghosts.
She had hands, but I'm guessing it was only because she needed to guide us.
"I'm supposed to be the Flame." I muttered to Joel. "I'm starting to hate the darkness."
"Just resist it for a bit." Joel said, grabbing shadow-Hazel's hand. I was only slightly disturbed that he didn't phase through her. "We're going home, Em. Home. Where everyone we know is alive and not sickly at all. Pegasus. Don't you want to see him?"
I do. Gods, I do. So badly. The discovery of Percy. Our alliance. Paelen's miraculous survival. Nothing had truly filled in the hole Pegasus left when he died.
My hand instinctively went to the pendant which I grasped for dear life. Placing a gentle kiss on it, I grabbed the hand offered to me. The good thing about this Hazel was that she didn't hold a grudge against me. She had the patience of a saint.
She smiled, giving me a glimpse of the other side of the painting before she pulled us through the wall.
There was a sensation, like I wasn't actually there, like I was detached from my body. I felt exposed; the wind blew harshly at me, making it freezing one moment but burning the next.
It felt like it went on for hours but it was only for a few seconds.
We were through. Shadow Hazel smiled, baring her teeth, before she melded into our shadows. Her eyes were the last to go.
"I never want to do that again." Joel shivered, beads of sweat at the top of his forehead.
I took the opportunity to look at where we were.
It was some room, but there was no door. No, I couldn't actually call it a room. A room was spacious. Rectangular in most cases.
This place was small. The walls were round. It was as if we were at the bottom of a well, only slightly bigger and the walls were made from marble with a touch of gold, circling the space.
The room was lit by torches that filled the room. A small accident, the whole place would burn. There were Greek words that covered the walls, specifically the golden swirls. It was dizzy enough, so I didn't bother trying to read them. Nothing gets to me more than having to read words upside down. Now imagine them in a language you just started learning.
In the centre of the room was an hourglass shaped stand made from ivory with ivy plants creeping up. Hazel warned us it was there as an alarm. As soon as we went near the table, the ivy would blossom into flowers that expelled sleeping powder. She had personally tested them. Even for me, it would make me drowsy.
I carefully aimed my Flame and blasted the ivy into char. Unlike normal plants, it didn't turn to dust. Instead, a hissing sound, like a balloon being slowly deflated, echoed through the room. The ivy started to twitch and shrivel up, falling off the stand and dropping onto the ground. Dead, but still maintaining its shape. What kind of a plant is this?
Doesn't matter.
Resting on the stand was a familiar golden box that Joel snatched up and tossed to me. "We need to get out of here." He said determinedly. "Coming?"
Where's the door?
Joel didn't seem to care there wasn't a door. His silver arm pulled back and he punched straight through the wall. Dust, debris, dirt and something else I couldn't tell rained on us. I pulled my shirt up to avoid inhaling them as Joel grabbed my wrist. We ran out of there, leaping over the chunks of the wall. Paintings laid on the ground, torn and dirtied, but we ignored everything as we made a run for it. I didn't want to know what kind of attention we just drew from that.
Vesta appeared just as we were turning a corner. I was surprised to see her.
Like Juno, she didn't seem bothered by the situation happening around her. In her palm was a blue gem.
Third POV
Percy will murder them. First, she will kill the Titans, then the gods, then she will disembowel Emily.
Does it matter that she's thinking with her anger? She needs to calm down before she talk, but honestly, who is stupid enough to do something like that!
(Ignore the fact that Percy used to do that when she was Emily's age)
Percy visited Saturn through Phoebe, pretending that she was visiting the titaness instead. Everyone visits Phoebe. No one batted an eye when she went to the throne room with her.
Things were going calmly, even smoothly although there were a few hiccups along the way.
Hazel came to aid her. It was best when there was someone to watch out for you.
Then, came the troublesome part.
She was in mid-sentence when there was a loud crashing sound, like the ceiling had come down or something. We all sprang into action. Kósmina was drawn and Hazel was already half-turning into shadows.
Saturn yelled out instructions, but he left the two of them out of it. Percy really wanted to die at that moment. Here he was, respecting their wishes of not wanting to fight but they were planning on his demise.
How much more heartbreaking can it be? But her feelings didn't matter; getting Emily and her friends back to their appropriate time was their priority. Percy could deal with the guilt later. She could beg for their forgiveness later. Right now, she had to stay on task.
She vanished, leaving a trail of mist behind her, with Hazel close behind. The sound of shouting continued to ring in her ears as the Titans went to fight an enemy that didn't exist.
It would probably continue to haunt Percy for the next few centuries.
They acted like they were following the titans, but they didn't. Later on, the Titans think it was an attack by the Gods who, by now, had gained so much confidence that they were willing to attack directly instead of using underhand tactics.
Frank was skilled enough not to get caught, but he's not going to be back in time before they leave.
Percy had Hazel made it to the edge of Delphi, the forest where Percy had first seen Vesta and Ceres.
There she was, Vesta, hiding beneath a dark cloak. Her eyes were covered, only showing her lips and a few strands of her hair.
Emily and Joel were standing behind her and in Emily's hands, the golden box was cradled protectively like it was some child.
Stella, Ben and Paelen were already waiting for Percy and Hazel impatiently. Sitting on Stella's lap was a little mutt they insisted on bringing along.
Upon seeing Percy, Emily passed the box to Joel and immediately ran up to her, leaping into her awaiting arms.
"Cutie, what's wrong?" Percy asked softly, curling her fingers through Emily's hair. "It's almost over. We've done it."
Vesta cleared her throat, taking off her hood. "Prodosia, we cannot let them just yet." She said, stepping close to the two embracing. "Emily has one last thing she has to do before the weapon is destroyed."
Oh? Percy arched her eyebrow. "I wasn't made aware of this, because…?"
Emily tugged Percy's sleeve, a habit when she was nervous. "The Gods. The Big Three." She whispered.
Hours ago, Emily and her friends had already bid their goodbyes to the Gods. Something happened, but Percy wasn't sure what. Did Jupiter say something to upset Emily? Percy will kill him.
Knowing what she was thinking of, Emily shook her head adamantly. "No, it has nothing to do with whatever you're thinking of." She hissed, dropping her arm to her side. "But it might change my future."
Percy gestured for her to continue. Emily explained the issue Jupiter had brought up.
When they went to say goodbye, Emily had reassured Jupiter that she would handle the weapon but Jupiter had one last concern. He and his brothers were far older when they first met Emily. The only reason why they aged was because of the weapon. If it was destroyed, they would remain as they are, which would alter Emily's memories of them.
"We need to keep that unchanged, Sephie." Emily said quietly, holding one of Percy's hands in hers. "Please. For my sake, meet with the Big Three. I know you have your differences. I know that you hate them, and I understand why, but please. You've gotten so well with Vesta. Juno likes you, I think, which I did not expect. If you can get along with them, surely you can meet the Big Three just for a little while without fighting?"
Percy raised her eyebrow, like it was an answer by itself.
Emily continued her silent pleading until Percy threw her arms up, grumbling about everything and nothing.
In the background, Hazel was chuckling as Joel and Stella stared in confused bemusement.
"You'd be surprised with what Emily could get away with once she uses her puppy dog eyes." Hazel explained, covering her mouth with her hand. "That girl's killed hundreds, enslaved even more, conquered towns even, but she caves with a single look."
Stella grimaced at the mention of Percy's sins but she couldn't help crack a smile as well. "They were close, then?"
"The closest." Hazel agreed. "Broke her heart, you know? You think of us as heartless monsters and I'm not denying it, but we have people we love as well. Monsters with a heart, as I like to say."
"Why do you hate the Gods?" Joel asked, inching closer to Stella. "Em knows, I think, but we don't. How do we know you're not going to attack the Gods once we reach?"
"How do we know the Gods aren't going to attack us?" Hazel hiked a shoulder. "How do we know this isn't some kind of ploy to defeat us? We don't. We're doing it anyway. Hatred can be tiring at times. We were young, bitter and angry when we started on this path. It's been four years. Long, gruesome years of fighting the Gods, holding onto the burning hatred for them. We first started with Kydria. Our focus started shifting and it gave way to something more than fury and rage. Vesta helped. We started seeing the difference."
"But you won't switch sides?" Ben—who had stayed quiet for most of the conversation, opting to observe instead—asked. "Stay in the background? Fade away once everyone has moved on and forgotten about you?"
"Yes," admitted Hazel with zero shame. "Hide away. Then when it's time, we'll make our reappearance. We won't switch sides because I cannot bear to fight side by side with Pluto and they won't as well, not to mention I doubt the Gods would ever accept us. I will not lie to you but I don't regret any of the deaths I am responsible for. They were short-lived and tragic, but that's war. There are casualties. It won't ever change. They were going to die either way. You can continue to hate me if it makes you feel any better, but I'm just saying."
Stella, Joel and Ben shared a slightly disgusted look but decided to change the subject. "Back in Tartarus," Joel began, "you shifted into a wolf when talking to Prodosia. I thought only Ekdikó could do that."
"He can shapeshift." Hazel agreed, seeing no harm in telling them. "But when we tapped into each other's powers, Sia and I realised that we could take on the shape of one certain animal. For me, it is the wolf. Pack leader, fiercely protective, and having good family ties. For Sia, she guides and guards. She is cunning and clever, not to mention she can adapt quite well. A forest fox. Those orange furballs, you know? Adorable creatures."
"Like a spiritual animal?" Stella inquired.
Hazel nodded once. They didn't continue as Emily and Percy made their way over to them.
She frowned upon seeing Percy's slightly hidden expression. "You okay?"
Distractedly, Percy nodded. "I can't deny Em."
"You don't have to go if you don't want to. I'll go. Seph, it's okay."
"You hate the Gods as much as I do, it's not fair to ask you to go alone, especially when we're not supposed to be attacking." Here, her gaze shuttered and she looked at the ground. "Besides… is it wrong that I don't feel angry at them?"
Hazel blinked. Of all the response she could've gotten, she hadn't thought of this one. However, it wasn't as random and unexpected now that she thinks of it.
Slowly, so as to not startle Percy, she reached out and grasped the older girl's hands. She wasn't trembling, but she was deathly cold. That was never a good sign.
Percy let her take her hands, eyes focused on the ground.
Hazel sighed with understanding. "They aren't who we expect them to be."
Percy's eyelids fluttered shut. "Perhaps it's for the best. Maybe that's why the Fates sent us here. Not to heal, but to see not all the Gods on this Earth are lost causes."
"Frankie isn't going to believe us."
"He probably will." Still, Percy's hand was limp.
Hazel squeezed her shoulder in a silent show of comfort. "I know how hard it is to trust again, Sephie." She whispered. "I know because every atom inside of me is screaming that he is Zeus. He is Poseidon. He is Hades. They cannot be trusted. They will destroy us as soon as we let our guards down. But that's not true here. They are Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto. It's not wrong if we view other people differently. We shouldn't judge everyone else because of the actions of some. Trusting others isn't soft. We're still going to have our revenge. Still, maybe it's time we stopped thinking of them as the same people because they have shown us over and over again that they are not. Maybe we'll always have our doubts but it's not wrong to hope. It's not wrong to hope for a better future."
Hesitantly, Percy met Hazel's steadfast gaze, irises shining with trust. Trust that she will make the right choices. A long time ago, such a look made the disowned girl feel suffocated. Made her feel like she was drowning. Now, she feels nothing but comfort.
Sensing something was wrong, Emily took a step towards the two demigoddesses. Before anything happened though, Percy's eyes flew open and she grasped Hazel's hand tightly. "Let's go." She called out, addressing the small crowd. "The sooner this is done, the sooner we can send you all back home."
Vesta went in first. She had volunteered immediately, and no one said anything to object. She was the oldest after all, she knows her brothers best.
There was no way they were not going to suspect this is foul play should Emily appear with her Prodosia. That was out of the question.
Emily, as amazing and talented as she was, got easily sidetracked.
Prodosia wasn't going to go in by herself either. Nor with Frank and Hazel. That would create mass panic. Vesta doubted her sister would be able to calm their brothers' fiery temper.
That left only her. To tell the truth, Vesta was not ready to see her brothers. For months now, she has put them to the back of her mind. Her actions had been hers. It had been selfish, and it was done because she so desperately wanted out of the war. It changed later on, but Vesta could not bear to see the look on her little brother if he knew.
Rationally, she knew there would be no way for Jupiter to know. Prodosia was never going to betray her like that. Frank would follow his sister anywhere and Vesta liked to believe that he cared for her in the same way she cared for him. Hazel would not even speak to the Big Three, not unless it would help unburden the other two.
However, when have thoughts ever been rational? Vesta cared—more than what she liked to admit—for her siblings' approval, especially since she was the oldest of them all.
When she entered the throne room, heads swerved to see the newest arrival. Eyes widened once they realised who she is. Vesta held her head high, trying not to be sidetracked before she could reach her brothers' side.
Jupiter, murmuring to Neptune in quiet voices, pointing to several places on the map of Earth, said to her distractedly, "good to see you again, sister."
Vesta could not help giggling quietly and rolling her eyes fondly as she waited.
Pluto was the first to come to a halt, straightening his back, mouth falling into an o. "Vesta?!"
Upon hearing his shocked tone, her two younger brothers also paused in their work.
It wasn't everyday you get to see the Big Three completely shocked and unaware. Vesta laughed again. "Good to see you too, Jupe."
This time, it was a competition to see who could get to Vesta first. Neptune won, his arms wrapping around Vesta to pull her into a tight hug. She grunted, the air knocked out of her lungs, but still reciprocated the hug. She missed this feeling, being surrounded by her siblings.
As lovely companions as they were, the commanders were not into big shows of affection, only one arm hugs or kisses. They only ever hugged when they came back after long hours spent apart from each other.
"I cannot- this- what- how?" Jupiter finally managed to say, beaming so joyously Vesta was concerned about him. "We thought you were gone! How did you escape Prodosia's grasp?"
Vesta, who had been smiling upon seeing her brothers, fell silent, freezing in their loving hold.
Sensing the change in her mood, Pluto—the calmest of her brothers—pulled away to examine her face. "Sister, what is wrong?" He asked. "You are troubled."
"Get everyone out first." Vesta said, fingers curling into a fist. "This is a private matter that I must speak to you about immediately. But we must be alone."
Neptune snapped into action, ordering everyone out. No one dared to disobey a Big Three, especially when one of them was using the voice.
Meanwhile, Jupiter had lead Vesta to one of the seats, coaxing her to sit down.
When the throne room doors finally banged shut, Vesta started talking. "The end of our war is coming." She murmured, flexing her fingers, unwilling to look at any of her brothers. "Can you sense it? Our father is losing support day by day, his Shadow Titans are weak without the Flame Shard and we have the weapon to destroy them. Saturn… Saturn cannot win."
"Prodosia." Jupiter immediately said, unknowingly falling into Vesta's trap. "Góissa. Ekdikó. They are Saturn's allies. They are our biggest threat. Even if the war is ending… even if our numbers are greater than theirs, the commanders can break apart our armies without breaking a sweat."
"That is why I am here." Finally, she lifted her head, staring each of her brothers in the eye, maintaining eye contact for a second before lowering her gaze again. "I never escaped. Nor did I ever have the intention of escaping while on Titus."
A pregnant pause.
"I think we all need a better explanation, Vesta." Neptune said, surprising her. Out of her siblings, Neptune had the shortest temper.
This gave her hope. Hope that they would not see her as a coward, as someone who would run away from war, from blood, from death.
And yet, when she opened her mouth, she could not bring herself to explain. Perhaps she was never meant to be courageous.
"Prodosia… is a friend of Emily." Vesta said slowly. "She and her friends, they are time travellers as well, from the same time period as Emily. The two are quite fond of each other, and Prodosia watched Emily grow up. She cares about our Flame."
Vesta didn't need to look up to know that her brothers were having a silent conversation with their eyes. They learned to do that a long time ago, when they were still in Tartarus.
"Emily reached out to her." Vesta rasped, hugging herself. "And Prodosia has agreed to help us destroy the weapon. In fact, they have gotten it. It is safely in Emily's hands."
"That is great news!" Jupiter exclaimed, astounded. "Prodosia is on our side, then? Wonderful!"
"She is leaving the war. She is becoming neutral, she is not on our side, brother." Vesta said cuttingly, with more bite than she intended.
Images flashed the Goddess's mind.
Sia, with a fractured light in her eyes, angling her head towards the light, reminiscing about her past. The pain in her voice too genuine for her to be lying. Sia, offering protection to Vesta when the two were on different sides of war.
Góissa, staying up with Vesta to stargaze.
Ekdikó protecting Vesta. Telling her stories of his own, watching out for Vesta when she was overwhelmed with grief. Ensuring she didn't wander away on her own, making sure she was eating enough ambrosia and nectar.
They were good, Vesta knew it. She didn't care what everyone said. She didn't care what Juno, or Ceres, or Pluto, or Neptune, or Jupiter had to say. She didn't care if the commanders themselves didn't believe it. Their hearts were pure. Damaged, battered, but shining with a light even some gods lacked.
Jupiter looked taken aback at Vesta's tone.
She strained her voice, trying to hide it. "Prodosia is leaving, after the weapon is destroyed." She said, her voice nearly husky. "But Emily seems insistent that you have something you need to do before that."
For a moment, nothing happened.
"Why did they send you?" Jupiter asked, his voice flat and emotionless.
Vesta could not help the small flinch at how much of a stranger her brother sounded. "You would not try to kill me as soon as I stepped into the room."
A mix of conflicting emotions went by each of their faces before Pluto said defeatedly, "we should trust her. She is our sister."
Sighing, Neptune ran a hand down the side of his face. "You should call your friends, Vesta."
The lack of familiarity was not lost to Vesta. Swallowing, Vesta got up, leaving the room.
Percy POV
When Vesta returned, she was hugging herself, trying to become as small and unnoticeable as possible. It wasn't hard to guess why.
Her only words were: "He said yes."
Emily visibly perked up, not even trying to hide the fact that she was stewing over it. "Well, let's go then!"
My eyes remained on Vesta. "Call the others, cutie. We'll be here waiting."
She leapt up from her chair, like a little puppy, and ran out.
I waited for the door to swing shut. "Did not go well?"
A slow shake of her head. Vesta's eyes stayed fixated on the floor. "They will meet us, but I fear we will never return to what we once were."
"Do you regret going?"
"How can I? It was going to come out one way or another. This was the best way."
Crossing the room to kneel next to the goddess, I took her by her forearms, pulling until she uncrossed her arms. "You can stay here." I said. "Kydria has been thriving but should never be left on its own for too long or they will spiral. Ruling does not come easily and there have been rebellions now that the Titans are losing."
That at least brought out a small, reluctant smile. "They do not need your protection anymore."
"Isadora just stopped an attempted assassination yesterday." I sniffed. Arrogant bastards. "The execution is today and I will ensure it is as painful as I possibly can."
"Of course you will." Her smile grew soft. Fond. "I will go. They are my brothers, and I must face my actions, my cowardice."
"Tell me who called you a coward." My gaze was sharp. Decisive.
"Myself."
"… now that isn't fair, Vesta dear."
Jupiter and I were having a stare-off.
The first one to look away loses.
Neither of us want to lose so we're still here, three minutes later, as both his brothers and the people I brought along start to mutter and shift around restlessly.
His eyes are blue, I noted distantly. As blue as Jason's eyes, but they don't have the same carefreeness Jason had after the Giants' War. I never noticed that. Oh, but how cruel to give this world's Zeus the eyes I adore on Jason.
From the first time we met until now, Jupiter has aged.
Not terribly so, but where he was once a teenager, he had grown from his youthfulness and taken adulation perfectly.
I used to call Jason perfect as well. I know he isn't, he knows he isn't. He was human.
This being in front of me is anything but human.
He is the one who ruined everything. He is the one who took my future away from me. He has threatened my life countless times but still expects me to serve him, do his bidding when the time is right for him. He is the one who took everyone I ever love from me. My mother. My girlfriend. My sister. My friends. My family, my cousins. Jason, Thalia, Nico. I love them all, and this man took them away.
No, not him. Zeus took them away. This man standing a few feet away isn't Zeus. It's Jupiter. And it wasn't right to continue blaming him for things he never did and never will do.
Hazel cleared her throat just as I took a step back.
Jupiter broke out of our unspoken competition to glance at her and her outstretched hand. "Jupiter, yes?" Hazel purred, her hand unwavering despite how long she held it up. "I am Góissa."
"I know." Jupiter murmured, shaking her hand instantly. "And who are you?"
He wasn't asking for a name. "Allies who have the same mission, apparently." Frank answered for me, cocking his head. "We just want the stone gone."
"Jupiter." Emily said, stepping out. "They are on our side. Please. The weapon must be destroyed as soon as possible. Don't drag this out longer than it has to."
From the sidelines, I watched as the little girl I helped raise talked to the man who shared the same face as the one who everything from me in that warm, adoring tone. Hazel's hand found mine, squeezing gently. The heat coming from her body anchored me.
We waited patiently, until Jupiter finally met my gaze again. Not with hatred, but poorly-hidden suspicion and confusion. "You are helping us destroy the weapon?"
I inclined my head.
"Then we shall do this outside." Where nothing can be permanently damaged is what he doesn't say.
Who is this man.
"Are you ready?" Emily asked nervously, the dog she loves so much barking at her feet, prodding her with one paw. I want to reach out and cuddle it until it's begging me to let go but I restrained myself.
Neptune glanced at Pluto who glanced at Jupiter who glanced at Neptune.
"Yes." The man who is but is not my father decides. "Yes, we are."
Vesta trembles, taking a step away from Joel, who held the box innocuously. I could sense Hali from here, pulsating, writhing, trying to keep its host away from the dark magic.
I rubbed my palms together, trying to keep warm. The weather is really bad. "Alright, then let's do this."
Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto moved to the middle of the circle of people.
Hazel and Frank stood in the shadows, quietly observing.
Joel stepped closer to Emily, holding the box up.
Vesta had Paelen in her arms, securing him. Protecting him.
Ben had his hands on Stella's wheelchair as the little dog sat at her feet.
"We'll hold the box open." Emily said, glancing at me. "Joel, you need to be very, very careful. Call out when they look just like we remember."
"Then we'll close it again."
Jupiter looked at his brothers. "Do it."
Joel handed the box to me. I lightly touched the right clasp and Emily grasped the left. "The Fire and Ocean." I recited softly.
"Will henceforth open the box, unleashing the weapon." Emily sighed. "Did you ever think we would be doing such a thing when we first met?"
"How could I?" I laughed. "Let's do this, yes?"
In unison, we flipped open the clasp, opening the box.
I watched, in hidden glee, as the Big Three collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony as the Titan weapon started to affect them.
How rare it is to see the Big Three hurt.
This is the face. I decided, right then and there. Before we send them to Tartarus to face eternal torture, I will make them hurt. I will make them bleed until they are begging and torture them even after that. This is the face they will make.
As each second passed, their hair grew longer and went coarse and grey. Long beards appeared on their once-smooth faces. Their eyebrows grew bushy and long, and deep wrinkles cut across their skin. Their strong chests shrank back and revealed the bodies of much older men.
"Now, Emily!" Joel cried.
I barely reacted, not even as Emily slammed the box shut. Ah, it was rather disappointingly short.
So maybe I could differentiate them. Doesn't mean it doesn't bring me joy when I see them in pain.
The Big Three were barely conscious. Emily touched each of them. Barely a second but each time she did, a soft orange glow appeared. Before long they sat up.
"This is how you knew us?" Pluto cried, looking at his brothers. "We are old men!"
Emily nodded sadly, her eyes showing a certain grief. They will never be the people she has come to love, after all. You don't fight a war for two years and not miss the people you fight with. I miss them everyday. "But you are still very powerful."
Jupiter tried to raise himself in the air. "I cannot fly anymore."
Neptune tried. "And I cannot transport myself! We are but mere shadows of our former selves. How are we to continue?"
"You will always be the Big Three," Emily said. "When you combine your powers, you are unbeatable. What you look like doesn't matter. You taught me that."
"Then I was a fool." Jupiter sighed, but then started to chuckle. "Well, I guess there are some women who find older men more charming."
"Indeed, brother," Neptune agreed.
Needing to go back to the battle, Jupiter gave Emily a final, powerful hug. "I cannot tell you how grateful we are that you came to us. I will miss you all more than you can imagine." Suddenly the young twinkle returned to his eyes. "Perhaps even more than I will miss my youth!"
"Please be careful," Emily said, embracing each of them.
Jupiter turned to me. "Perhaps we will meet again." He said, his voice only showing sincerity.
"Probably not." I acknowledged. "I will certainly avoid you to my best efforts."
"We are sorry for what our counterparts must have done to you." Neptune said, coming up to us. "If we could, we would reverse it all for you."
"Take care of those you call family then." I muttered, glaring at the ground. "Take care of those who share your blood. Never make them have to fight for your attention."
"Never." Neptune said, seeming genuinely offended. "Never. I swear on my name."
"We'll see." I said, pointedly ignoring his oath. "Don't you have a war to finish?"
"We do." Pluto said. "Let us depart, my brothers."
Jupiter turned to Vesta. "Will you go with us?" He asked, a hand stretched out as an invitation.
Vesta's eyes flitted to me. "Soon."
He nodded, accepting her answer.
Hazel only stepped out when the Big Three left. "Pluto said he forgives me." She muttered in Latin. "I don't want his forgiveness."
I wasn't sure when she talked to Pluto, but it made me angry all the same. "Then don't accept it. You don't have to."
"It just seems wrong, you know? He's acting like I did something wrong. I did, but… I can't accept his forgiveness. Not when he wears the same face as-" Her voice cracked. "Not when he looks just like Hades. Not when Hades has wronged me my entire life."
"Sephie?" Emily asked tentatively. I looked in her direction, frowning. "Are you okay?"
I turned to Hazel again, but she had already calmed down, looking straight forward, in the opposite direction the Gods had disappeared from.
"Now what?" Stella said, nervously tapping her fingernails against her wheelchair's armrests. She had been patiently waiting the entire time with Ben holding her wheelchair.
"Now we destroy that weapon!" Emily said, determination written all over her face. "Sephie, you open the box and I'll fire all I've got at it."
"Wait!" Stella cried. She pulled out a silver dagger and handed it to Emily. Frank hummed, sensing the weapon's background. His eyes glittered with acknowledgment. "My parents found this dagger beside the box. When they open it, I want this to be inside instead of the rock. It stopped the Titans from sending the weapon to Olympus. Vulcan helped me make it, and I'll want it back to remind me of him."
Emily grinned. "Good idea." She stood back as the dog sat down on the ground beside her. I should really learn his name one day.
Joel knelt down behind the box, nodding to me. Good boy. At least he took my words to heart.
I held the lid again. "On the count of three, cutie. Be careful. One… two… three!"
Emily summoned the Flame just as I opened the lid. She shot all she had at the Titan weapon. It was beautiful. When she used it outside of our battles, I could admire it and see how far my little girl had come. The stone glowed brilliant red and then disappeared with a snap. But before I could applaud her, in the instant the weapon was gone, Joel, Paelen, Ben and Stella vanished. The wheelchair remained. Vesta stumbled in shock as Paelen vanished from her arms.
She met my gaze and a silent conversation was exchanged. She smiled, slightly strained. She knew what it meant. She knew what the disappearance of the time travellers meant.
Our deal was done. Over. She had avoided it for years, but it was time to face her family again. Not just the Big Three—everyone.
Her hand stretched out, offering Hali, but I shook my head. There's been conflicting feelings for Vesta. I wanted revenge for all those times she kept quiet. Then I wanted to protect her because she was the first goddess who cared because of who I am and not what I am. Then I wanted to shield her from the war because I had grown to love her. Now I want to continue protecting her even if we can't be close.
A stream of mist escaped the shard of Hali and it surrounded her, swirling like a tornado. With one last loving glance at Hazel and me, Vesta left. No goodbyes. I wouldn't let her go if we started talking. I don't care, I wouldn't let her leave. So we didn't speak. It hurt more than I expected but unlike the Big Three, I knew I was going to see her one day soon.
There were things to do before that, but soon. After we deal with our problems and issues and move on from the past.
On Vesta's terms, whether she is willing to seek us out. Willing to overlook our past.
"Joel?" Emily cried, leaping to her feet, having looked around in stunned silence for a few minutes. "Joel, where are you?"
I glanced around. There was no one around. Whoever did this wasn't here anymore.
Or maybe, they were never here.
The clothes they had been wearing were where they had been standing beforehand. I found a notebook where Ben had been standing and a pendant where Ben, Stella and Joel had been.
"Joel!" Emily howled, practically hysterical. A pause. "But Joel is gone!"
Hazel looked like she was doubting Emily's sanity. I was still questioning why that mutt is here, barking at everything and nothing.
Frank suddenly appeared next to us, grinning broadly. "We did it?" He noticed the hysterical Emily. "Ah, we almost did."
"The weapon's destroyed, they're back in their own timeline." I answered him. "But Emily is a Xan. Probably has some time powers. Damn, I am going to exploit that one day."
Hazel laughed, falling out of her trance and flicking my forearm. "Don't be silly, Seph. By the time we reach her time, people will either be falling on their knees to let us through or we're forcing them to let us. No one's going to keep us waiting.
I tilted my head towards the sky. "True, true."
Frank lunged at Hazel, wrapping her up in a big hug. That was when the tears started falling.
Hazel hugged her boyfriend with equal fervour, holding him like he was going to disappear.
They couldn't calm down for so long, just cradling each other. Then, simultaneously, they leaned in closer to the other and they kissed like the world is ending.
I closed my eyes, allowing a smile.
"We did it, Wise Girl." I laughed, throwing my hands out. "We're back in time and we're here to stay. Things are going to change, I swear to you, my love. Everything is about to change."
We survived this war. The Titanomachy. It wasn't the big picture, but it was the first huge step that led to other smaller, slightly easier steps and we conquered it. It's over. The war's over. We fought, we learned, and we fixed our mistakes.
It's over. We've learned from our mistakes, we've taken our first steps towards healing, and we've grieved and started moving on from those who left too early. Things are looking good for us.
I was brought back to now when Emily suddenly said, "But if this was the reset button, why are Mike and I still here?"
Another moment of silence.
Hazel and Frank, in the middle of an emotional turmoil, suddenly froze. I blinked, lowering my arms. We stared at each other before bursting into laughter.
It felt good, being able to laugh without worrying about the things I have to do. For once, there was nothing to do. That feeling was amazing.
Emily clambered to her feet, running to me in a slight haze. I met her in the middle, throwing my arms around her tightly.
"We did it." She sobbed, tension pouring out of her body. With each breath she took, her body trembled against mine. "I can go home now."
I hummed, stroking the top of her head. "Yes, cutie. You can go home now."
She pulled away, dabbing at her tears as she turned to Frank and Hazel. Frank's arm was still around Hazel and her hand was covering his. They smiled at Emily.
"We had our differences." Emily said sincerely. "It might take a few millennia before you see me again but I will never forget you, Frank and Hazel."
"See that you don't." Hazel laughed. "If we are around when you return to your timeline, Emily, you will be expecting a visit from us. Maybe not too soon, but you can count on it."
"You got lucky with your Gods." Frank said wistfully. "Good for you, little Jacobs."
"They're not mine." Emily said. "At least not entirely. Just because we are from different worlds doesn't mean we can't mingle. And I hope… maybe one day we can close the gap between us." The little flare of hope was hard to extinguish.
"Probably not." Frank said, sharing a glance with me. "Don't get too optimistic, little Jacobs. Your Gods are different. After close to a decade of fighting against them, we can all see that."
"They seem to genuinely care." Hazel smiled. "We give them the benefit of doubt and we hold out hope. But we knew our gods longer and we suspected nothing. We want to hope that we can trust them, but it's probably not going to happen immediately."
"That's okay." Came Emily's immediate response. "One day, I hope you'll see that my gods are the best versions they can be, but I don't blame you for your doubt. You guys have millenia, and you have your own gods to deal with. I don't blame you for the confusion. I just pray I will never have to meet yours."
Leaning down, I kissed her cheek. "Never."
Frank and Hazel walked away from the forest, leaving Emily, the dog and me. Emily stared, confused, but I smiled. "They need some privacy. It's been a challenging few years. Sometimes, despite us retreating from the war, it feels like we're still in the middle of it."
"We're never going to be the people we were before, are we?" Emily muttered despondently.
"We can't." I answered. "That doesn't mean we can't be more. Quite honestly, I didn't like who we were before."
Emily huffed. "I was too dependent on the people around me. You were trying to shield me from your gods. We pulled away from each other without meaning to. Yeah, I can tell why we didn't work out. Even after years… I have a feeling I am never going to be ready for the day I meet your gods."
"That will never happen, Emily." I furrowed my brows. "You will never meet them."
"Never say never." Emily shook her head. "I met you. The day you helped me when I was lost was the day when our fates are irreversibly tied together. There is no way I'm not going to meet them. But… just like my world has its horrors, your world is not necessarily all bad. If it was, you would have never protected Vesta, for she would have reminded you of your world's Hestia."
I smiled wistfully. "Hestia is a peaceful goddess. She mediated the arguments between the council, but she kept quiet even as they destroyed Earth. My feelings are… complicated."
"You care for her." Emily shrugged. "That's all that matters."
My little girl has grown up.
"I know that look when you stared at Neptune." Emily was saying. "It felt odd, but you had anger, sadness, disappointment and bitterness written all over your face. In your heart, you know that he isn't your father, but memories are stronger than what you know. I want you to know that I know. I know that you hope to trust them and you know they are different. I know that it's still hard for you to trust them. It's okay. Don't force yourself to, because I don't expect you to. You were civil with him. That's all I needed. Thank you."
I couldn't say anything, so I just gave her a hug which she reciprocated immediately. "Tell me, cutie." I murmured in her ear. "When did you come here? Two years ago for you, you were still in our timeline. When was that?"
She told me; day, month, year and time.
"I'll be there. Hazel is right, we will be there to see you. Do not doubt it, cutie, I promise."
Emily smiled sweetly, shaking her head. Upon my puzzled look, she explained, "I don't need your promises, Percy. Because you'll make it come true no matter what. I love you, Percy. You are the sister I've always wanted. I'm just sorry I couldn't be the sister you wanted."
"No one is perfect." I cooed. How can someone infuriate me like she did months ago only to make me so absolutely love her? "When we meet again, we'll be two different people. Hold off on your judgement until then."
"I don't care." Emily told me. "You are Persephone Adira Jackson. My sister in every way but blood. That didn't change when we were on opposite sides of the war, it won't change now, and it won't change in the future when we are both beyond recognition."
I sniffed, not trying to hide my tears. Bending down to kiss Emily's forehead, I quietly murmured a quick blessing in Ancient Greek.
"We'lol see each other soon." I promised. "As for you, Riza." Something glinted in Emily's eyes, telling me that Riza was listening. "I'll find you." I said. "No matter who you are. No matter who your mortal host is, I will find you. Thank you for guiding my Emily."
Emily chokes on her tears, rendering her unable to speak.
"It's not goodbye, Em." I said, knowing what my little girl was thinking of. "Just… see you later."
She shook her head, grabbing my elbow. "Don't forget me." She urged. "Whatever you do, don't forget me. Please."
"I won't." I swore. "Never."
That seemed to reassure her. She scooped up her dog.
After another hug, Emily summoned the Flame again. It burned the grass below her. I took a few steps back, not wanting to get in the way.
The Flame flickered alive, sparking a circle around Emily. From the line of Flame, a blue wisp of energy burst out, shooting to the skies above until I couldn't see the end.
Emily hugged her dog carefully, waving at me. I stood there, watching, until the last traces of Emily vanished among the blue energy.
When I could no longer see her, the energy faltered. Slowly, it began to fall as the Flame died down. Until only a circle of burnt grass remained.
She was gone.
Emily was gone.
My wish for the last two years finally came true.
She was gone. She was safe.
Vesta is with her family. She's safe.
Kydria is safe. My people are safe.
Frank and Hazel are powerful, growing stronger every day, discovering new ways to boost their powers every day. They are safe.
Everyone around me is safe. No one's going to die. No one's going to leave me. If they have, it's not permanent. I'm immortal now, I can wait. One day, they will come back to my side. No one's leaving me anymore. I'm not afraid anymore.
Glancing up at the sky, I smiled. "Wait for me, Zeus!" I pointed a finger towards his precious domain. "One day, you will pay for everything you have done. To me. To my friends. To your family! Everything you have dealt out, I will return to you tenfold. I have the patience. I will wait. Play your foolish games but when the time comes, no one will grant you any mercy. I can wait, I've already been waiting. When the day is right, you will be nothing but a pitiful memory no one wishes to remember."
Suffering. Pain. Betrayal. Death.
He will pay for everything. But until then, before the Fates allow it, I will remain patient.
I have my family by my side. I have my friends. My people. I have lost so much to get here but I gained much more in return and one day, I will gain back the people I lost.
Some things can never be recovered. Innocence, the girl I had once been. She's dead. Gone. That's okay. Like I told Emily, we'll just be more. More than who we had been. We learn from the mistakes we made and we turn it to steps to get closer to our goals.
There is still so much to do. Alone, even with Frank and Hazel, I doubt we could win over the entire Greek World. Our powers are strong, but compared to the Gods, we have much room for improvement. We cannot grow too arrogant like Zeus and all the others are.
It's okay, though. No matter how tough the road ahead is, I know we can do it.
The Fates sent us back in time, to this time, for so many complex reasons that would one day come in handy. Now, it was to show us what we can achieve. Defeating the Gods is possible. We will win.
And then we can finally be happy.
Not just pockets of happiness here and there. As a whole. We can be happy. With our family and friends, with everyone we ever care for. Never having to worry about the Gods.
I am not who I used to be. That girl will always have a place in my heart, and I will always treasure the memories she has made, but I am not her anymore. No, I am Persephone Jackson. I am Prodosia. I am the masked princess. Those who cross me will face death and punishment. I will avenge my friends, destroy the dictators, and give the demigods a world they deserve.
That I promise. And I never break a promise.