Welcome to the second instalment of Sea&Fire. I had this written out two months ago (around there). Was waiting for the perfect time. What better time than my birthday, right?
Life moves on. No matter how catastrophic or big the event is, time continues to flow. It doesn't care for trivial matters. Neither fate nor space could stop time.
Four years changes a lot when spent wisely. Another two made six.
In those six years, despite their unchanging features, the Last had followed the river of time, evolving and shifting. Until their past selves were nearly unnoticeable in their present selves.
A servant came by, her footsteps echoing the great hall no matter how gentle she was, pausing only to refill the glasses with wine, before walking away to continue her job.
Persephone took a sip of the wine, briefly closing her eyes to enjoy the rich flavour she had come accustomed to these days. "Thank you, Margaret." She called to the servant, who turned around to curtsey to her queen, before continuing to walk back out the door of the throne room.
Beside the queen of Kydria, the king of Myliraki gently flicked his glass, listening to the tiny 'think' sound it made. Unlike his sister, he didn't find wine as pleasant.
"Just two more months, isn't it?" The ruler of Elacia said, leaning forward to watch the map they had set up two years ago. It showed everywhere and anywhere, so long as the presence of the ocean was near. It was perfect for watching Mount Olympus. "Our titanomachy will end quite soon. Sephie, are you sure we shouldn't interfere in this war?"
Frank patted the back of her hand placatingly. "The last time we devoted ourselves to a war rashly, it didn't go as we planned, remember love? This time wouldn't be any different. Our hatred for them would only make us reckless. For us to win, there can't be any mistakes."
Clearly upset, Hazel sighed, resting her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. "We have to be perfect."
"If we want to win." Percy agreed distractedly, scowling thunderously at the miniature figure of the youngest child of Kronos. "I mean, we learn from past failures to make a grander future. The Titans attacked the Gods' residence. That failed. The Giants attacked their roots. They failed. The Triumvirate waited it out but they were foolish. They relied on a frayed alliance. Each wanted to be number 1. Each wanted glory and fame. Their goal was unstable. They failed as well."
"Yet each time, the Gods had us defend their home." Frank tilted his head in wary deliberation. "Each time, they depended on their so-called children. Their pawns. Their little soldiers."
"We can learn from failures. It was obvious that each time, they knew what they were doing. They just failed to consider the other equally critical points. We won't." Hazel shrugged. "The demigods were never happy to fight a war they didn't want anyway."
Percy placed down her goblet, raising her hand, palm up. Hali instantly appeared, nestled on her palm.
Frank and Hazel hardly blinked, just summoning Allagi and Omichli respectively, moving so that the tip of their fingers were touching each other and the space between them formed a triangle.
"There's only one acceptable outcome." Frank stated.
"Only one possible victor." Hazel continued, a soft smirk that lit her face.
"Us." Percy agreed.
An island, out in the open. All alone.
That just so happened to be Hazel Levesque's target.
They had speculated, of course, about who should go. It was definitely not going to be her boyfriend. Sephie considered going, but in the end agreed she was going to be too emotional.
Despite not wanting to go, Hazel also thought that she was best for the job. She was fairly indifferent to the titaness. There wasn't much connection they shared. There wasn't enough time for a real bond to solidify. Hazel could deliver the message across without distraction.
When she materialised on the beach, Calypso was sitting there, gazing at the sapphire ocean. Her knees were brought up to her chest, showing a sense of vulnerability.
It hasn't even been a few years, but Hazel could already see how isolation was affecting the daughter of Atlas.
She crossed the last few metres between them, relishing the feeling of sand on her toes. Her dress made a soft swishing sound as she moved, the wind blowing at her hair. It has been a long time since she walked on such a peaceful beach. With the growth of Elacia, she has never been able to find the beach so deserted. Not when there were barely ten. Not when her people treasured the ocean, in favour of their neighbouring queen, Persephone.
Calypso glanced up when Hazel's shadow fell upon her, a mourning and pitiful look on her face. "Which God are you?" She snapped miserably, trying and failing to sound angry. "Is it not bad enough that you punished me? Have you come to gloat as well?"
As understanding as Hazel was, it has been years since someone dared to speak to her like that. It both amused and angered her. Not because there was no respect in her voice, but because Calypso was trying to assert authority over her. Hazel didn't care about respect. If they didn't give her respect, she won't either.
However, she hated those who think so little of her. They were the ones who will try to push her around. Hazel will not be ordered around ever again like some servant. That was why she had never kept slaves or servants, even times like this. Those who work in her home were treated with the utmost respect and best living conditions. Their lives could be compared to dukes and duchesses. Was it expensive? Could that be why servants were in such poor conditions? Alas, Hazel could care less about expenses, not when the world's riches were controlled by a wave of her hand.
Hazel shocked the young titaness by joining her in watching the ocean lap at the beach. "I am no goddess." She revealed. "But I could be a friend. I could get you off this island, Calypso, if you wish? The Gods will not be any wiser, and you can escape your punishment."
The sorrowful look escaped her, and Calypso sighed despondently, dropping her head on her knees. "I am furious at the gods." She said. "But I will accept my punishment for siding with my father. Besides, you are insane to think I will trust a stranger. I do not even know your name. If it was not for the fact that any power usage will notify the gods, I would have killed you the moment you stepped on Ogygia."
A flare of anger shot up her spine. Hazel fisted her hands, waiting a moment to speak. "My name is Hazel." She said softly. If she spoke any louder, she would lose her temper. That wasn't what she was aiming for. "I am no goddess or titan, but I do belong in the mythological world, and I am genuine when I say I want to help you."
Calypso snorted disbelievingly. "I am no fool, Miss Hazel." She said, deceptively soft. "The Gods cannot pull me along by a string, I will not follow willingly. I am imprisoned as it is, and I wish to be alone. Do not add to my torment and just leave."
Hazel observed the young titaness. Was she always this stubborn? She was at least polite about it. Sighing, she summoned a blue clam shell, something Sephie provided beforehand. Calypso stared at it mistrustfully, but still accepted it when Hazel held it out for her.
"Bury it in the sand." Hazel instructed. "And I will come."
She didn't bother waiting for Calypso's response, instead opting to get up and leave Ogygia.
Finding Titans, especially those in hiding, wasn't as hard as people made it out to be. Or maybe that was just Frank.
He likes being the hunter. Has been the hunter for a few several decades as it is. Hasn't failed to get his target yet.
Along the way, he picked up a few extra skills. Maybe that's why it got easier.
The titanomachy was won years ago to no one's surprise.
The Titans had gone into hiding and Frank along with Hazel and Percy seethed in thinly hidden impatience as they watched the Gods parade their victory around.
It was disgusting.
They've been keeping themselves busy. A while ago, his girlfriend had personally gone to seek Calypso only to return alone. She's retreated to Elacia and no one has seen her for a year and counting. No one but Frank and Percy of course, because they were always the exception.
She was furious with Calypso's rejection and buried herself with work and counting down the days. As disgusting as it was, she awaited for the day her beloved Arion would be born. Frank was waiting as well, if only to support her. Percy was merely amused by how Arion would be once he was born.
While she stayed away, he and Percy made a list of possible Titans that would join their cause. He left Percy governing Myliraki and Kydria whilst he went to Earth to hunt the Titans down and keep his energy level to a minimum to avoid arousing the Gods' suspicion.
Prometheus was standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking a patchwork of trees when Frank made his presence known. There was no sudden jolt, no whiff of surprise and fear like so many others had done before him. Just pivoted around to calmly stare at Frank.
"The Titanomachy is over." He said, his voice syrupy and smooth. Exactly like Percy warned, he was trying to get into Frank's good graces. "Why would the Gods send you after my mother and I? We were given asylum, granted by the king himself." His words sounded neutral and bland, but Frank could hear the undertone of mockery and detestment.
Shrugging a shoulder, he unconsciously summoned a dagger, one of Percy's favourites. It was an imperial gold blade with a bronze hilt and ivory etching on it with a small daisy at the tip. It was for ceremonies but equally sharp.
His intention of summoning it wasn't to kill Prometheus, sadly. His hands itched to do something.
"Surely you do not believe he will follow up on his oath?" Frank asked rhetorically, turning the dagger in his hands several times. On his palm at first, then shifted to one finger. He wasn't cursed with ADHD but it sure felt like it on days like this. "Besides, I am not here on his orders. I am not a follower, I am a leader. A king. I wish to speak to you, if you would listen."
Finally, Prometheus turned around to look at Frank. Their gazes met, one of curiosity while the other was of a steel determination. "Speak."
Brushing aside the command, Frank started talking. "I am not like the Gods. I am someone you have never met before, and I come to you with a request and an offer."
Prometheus cocked his head, his eyes darkening with curiosity. He waved one hand, indicating for Frank to continue speaking.
One day, it didn't matter if Prometheus agreed or not, Frank will show him who is superior. He refused to be spoken to like a commoner, someone you can push around.
Hiding his bloody thoughts with a thin smile, Frank obliged.
It has been decades since I last walked through these tunnels. The last time I was here, a battle took place. A battle against us, the τελευταία. The Last. That's the truth, isn't it? Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, and I. The Last ones standing. The last ones that still remain.
There had been a vote and it was unanimous. We'd rather be remembered for this, than to be known as the 'commanders of Saturn'.
Humans, demigods, gods, and Titans alike can assume all they want. How arrogant of them. To be named as the last ones? The last ones standing perhaps? The last people you'll see before death?
I know what they think, but it will not change. We will not change. For the Gods, we have bent ourselves so many times until we either broke or came out unrecognisable. It won't happen again. We will never bow down to someone else.
But I once bowed down to him, the man I was searching for now. Maybe in the beginning, as a soldier to a king, then it progressed to allies paying respect. Maybe at the end, it was as friends. I don't know, but it certainly felt that way to me.
How foolish, you would call me, to become friends with a Titan. Not just any Titan, but the king himself.
How foolish indeed, when I have lost so many to him. How foolish, when I have paid the ultimate price to see what immortals like him are capable of doing.
Immortals are heartless. They care less and they love even lesser. Mortal women and men are arrogant to think they could ever win Immortals over, for they care for no one but themselves. They change for no one but themselves.
Where does that leave me? Am I an Immortal, or am I still mortal? I wasn't so sure. It wasn't my favourite truth.
Titans and monsters alike shirk from me, shrinking into their prison cells, trying to hide, as I walked by. My steps barely echoed Tartarus' walls, for I refused to touch its ground but the air around me crackled with energy, crackled with the powers of the sky, and it was enough for them to be wary and unwilling to draw attention.
I recognised most of them, if not their names then their faces. It seemed like most didn't know me. How could they? Persephone Jackson was nothing to them. Only Prodosia, ever the masked princess, their most favoured traitor. Should they know my identity, they would not care for life and death, each fighting to break free and destroy me. Alas, even as decades have passed, their powers are slow to return. I would have fled before they could ever make a dent in their prison cells. I wish not to fight them, but they would not do the same for me.
Perhaps I should not have come here at all?
Hazel warned me against it, the last time I went to see her. She had been a mess, choosing to wear modern shirt and jeans, and her room as if a hurricane had swept through. She tried pretending that Calypso's rejection didn't hurt, but the truth remained: Calypso, as young and inexperienced as she was, was still one last connection to Leo. That pained Hazel more than she realised, and she chose to hide away. Even so, she warned me not to come.
They are hurt. They feel betrayed. We did what we could, and it wasn't enough, but they won't see it that way. You will only get hurt.
For so long, I prided myself that I would never betray anyone I cared about. Yet I did. I helped the Gods, I helped destroy the Titans' greatest weapon, and I aided in their defeat.
At the same time, I didn't. None of it was for the Gods, and everything for my sweet Emily. She didn't exist now, and she won't for millenia to come, but she will always be in my mind. The cute little five-year-old, crying and wailing in the rain. The thirteen-year-old, bright and furious, fighting a war she was still too young to comprehend. They were the same to me. Nothing has changed.
People know her. Emily Jacobs, the Flame.
In Ethearos, in the hall of the Lost, she has a frame depicted for herself. A hall, most people knew not to enter yet some still do everyday. To sweep the floors, rub the golden frames until they're gleaming, and clean the statues. Along with hundreds of demigods, yet she is the only one without a statue. The only one that didn't have a black drape over her portrait. No plague either. Just her name and her title. I hope that never changes.
I wasn't finished with it. Obviously, I started off with my friends. Annabeth was the first one to greet me when I opened the wooden doors, carved with Greek letters, and a bright phoenix, her wings spread out for all to see. Opposite of her, it would be Grover. I didn't even get to say goodbye… no. Stop it, Sephie.
Next to Annabeth would be Piper, followed by Reyna. On the boys' side, it would be Jason, Leo, Nico then Will. Then it continues.
I didn't have a space for Estelle, other than a frame of Paul, Mum, Estelle and I together. Instead, in the gardens, I raised a statue. So no matter who came by, they would see the family I once had. The family the Gods took away so cruelly.
My people shared my hatred. They, people who once sought me for protection from the war, understood my reasons and longed to join my cause. Some were humans, others had immortal blood. Unlike Elacia and Myliraki, I never had the intention of letting them fight in my war. Those who chose to do so anyway, left for either Elacia or Myliraki, depending on their preferences. It hadn't been intentional. Hazel and Frank wanted them to train to be better equipped should they have to defend themselves. Yet one thing became the next, eventually their lands became training grounds for our people. The war wouldn't come for millenia, training now had no point. Yet even though we were hidden from the world, I doubted war would exclude us. It would find us, one way or another. Especially with…
Ah, that will be a story for another time.
Those who left, eventually came back given a decade or two. With Azure's enchantment around Kydria, all those who stay will gain half-immortality. Most accept it, not wanting to go into the hands of Thanatos, a servant of the Gods. With them not fading, and new lives being brought, is it much of a surprise that Kydria continues to grow, even now? They have freedom, entering and exiting Kydria. Most come back, with new knowledge. They shared their learnings, and even though I hadn't given a helping hand, my people learned to fight and defend themselves. As amused as I was, it was quite touching, seeing their determination to help.
One day, they will put their hard work to good use. Those who choose to remain half-immortal alongside me, of course. Those who didn't, leave Kydria to spend their golden years on Earth, with an enchantment from us, blessed as soon as they step off our lands, so the Gods will never know.
For today, none of it will come in handy. I am alone.
As I got closer, I released the energy bolts surrounding me, lowering myself until the soles of my shoes touched the ground.
Saturn looked up as I stopped, just before I could enter his cell. His eyes, dull and golden, were like razor sharp knives, millimetres away from my throat, threatening to draw blood. I swallowed, waiting for him to say the first word.
When he didn't, I reached one hand out and pressed the flat of my palm against the iron, rusted and unflattering. An insult to Saturn's powers.
No doubt the Gods knew that one day, Saturn would break free of these iron bars. They knew that he was strong enough to wander around, but he couldn't escape Tartarus. Not without the Flame. Not without a Solar Stream Gem. It was all for show. A mockery.
"Saturn." As soon as his name left my mouth, Saturn's eyes flared bright. I instinctively closed my eyes, flinching. Remembering a time when such light would have killed me instantly if it were a God.
Yet I felt no searing heat. No vibrancy of colours. No dizziness. Slowly, I opened my eyes again to see Saturn rising to his feet and lumbering to me. I instantly rose into the air, stopping only when I was in eye contact with him. With the man I swore never to get close to but now considered him as a friend. Whereas he only saw me as an enemy. A traitor. A liar.
In the air, I placed my hand over the bars again, rasping out his name. "Saturn."
"You should not have come." Saturn rumbled, his eyes now an identical copy to Luke Castellan's eyes. "You dare show your face when this is all your fault?"
He was showing great restraint and for that, I only felt a deeper shame. "I wanted to speak to you."
"And I want you gone." He switched to Ancient Greek. "Leave, and never come back."
Once, this would have brought tears to my eyes. I was tempted to, but crying was pointless. No one cared for tears. Crying was just a weakness we had to control.
"I just wanted to talk." I told him quietly. "It has been a long time."
"Whose fault is that?" He shot back. "I have no words for a traitor."
I snatched my hand back, flying back a few feet like he struck me. "I'm sorry!" I cried, losing my composure. "I never meant to, I'm sorry!"
"Your apologies mean nothing to me." He growled. "Be glad, traitor, that I am stuck here. Or you would not be leaving with your head intact."
"I-"
"Leave!" He roared. I flinched back as a strong gust of wind nearly sent me spiralling. Still, I stayed where I was.
"I did not mean for this to happen." I admitted quietly, inching closer.
"You told Themis you are from the future." He sighed. "How could you not know this would happen?"
"Jupiter was destined to defeat you and claim your title as king." I said, scrambling for an answer. "But I tried. We all tried. None of us wanted him to rule but-"
"But you decided in the end, it would be easier to let him usurp me?" He said, laughing humorlessly. "I have no words left to say to you. Leave, I will not say it again."
"Saturn-"
He didn't deign to give me an answer. Instead, he turned his back towards me.
I faltered. "I spent my life working for the Gods." I said, lowering my gaze to the ground a couple dozen feet below me. "My friends and I, we were soldiers of the Gods. They were our parents, and we thought it was an obligation to serve them. To work for their love." Saturn refused to react. "So we did. In the future, in a different world, I fought the Titan King and won. I lost my friends, other children of the Gods, to the Titans. Then, Mother Earth, Terra, tried to rise. I lost even more. I never had a good view of immortals. I thought that my father, the God Poseidon, Neptune to you, was an exception but when I turned 18, it was not the case. Instead, I return after a mission for the Gods, only to see everyone dead, powerless against the Gods we so naively trusted. I hate the Gods."
Saturn had rotated his head, not entirely, but just enough to see me in the corner of his eyes. In the darkness, I couldn't see his expression.
"I knew." I said hoarsely. "Coming back into the past, I knew what your fate was, as soon as I met you. The day we τελευταία fought your Shadow Titans and you confronted us, I knew there was a possibility we could not change the future. I was right. But believe me when I say I never betrayed you for the Gods, Saturn."
"Then, why." He muttered, defeated. Not a powerful king, just a man, tired and betrayed. "Who?"
"Emily." I offered with no shame. "She is my girl, Saturn. I helped to raise her to who she is. I tried, so hard, to push away the feelings I held for her. It worked, but not entirely. She… I would do anything to make sure she is not harmed. I would destroy mountains, drown entire cities, and kill." For a moment, I was silent. Then, I added a soft, "you may hate the truth but the thing is, I spent so many years deceiving myself and yet, when it came down to you or Emily, I will not choose."
Saturn was quiet for a long time. If I couldn't see him, I would have thought he left. Then, "leave, Prodosia."
I fled.
As life continues, loss becomes less and less of a stranger. To me, I wished I could have evaded it completely. But I can't.
Sometimes, loss doesn't come out of the blue. It isn't a sudden experience, and it isn't an unexpected one. That hurts the most because it should have been something you could have avoided but you ignored it so long, it festered into something you hate.
Cecelia's long white hair, as beautiful as clouds on a warm summer day, was tied up into a half-crown braid. Majestic as always, as she sat upon her chestnut horse, Zen. Behind her, the distant but clear image of the Strofylia Forest was a daunting sight, an unwanted reminder of Cecelia's decision.
I gripped her hand tightly, almost unwilling to look away from her gaze. The words that came out of my mouth were foreign, a stranger to me. "Live a good life, Cece. Thank you for the past five decades, thank you for all you have done to Kydria."
She gave a tight-lipped smile, the hand holding mine was sweaty from nerves. Uncertainty shone in her crystal eyes. She could've said a million different things. Gratitude for my words, ask reassurance from me, ask about her future. What came out from her mouth was, "Vasilissa, who will you…?"
She didn't clarify, I didn't need it. "No one. The day the new ruler of Charí comes, I will know."
The thing was, it was all lies coming out of my mouth. I didn't know who could rule Charí next. I didn't know if I could even bear seeing someone else in Cecelia's seat in my council.
It seemed as if Cecelia knew it as well, offering me a brittle smile. It was forced, unlike her previous one.
"…"
Neither of us spoke, simply watching the other, observing, taking it in for what was probably the last time we would ever see each other alive with our own two eyes.
I already made plans as to what I would do once she left. I didn't want to, of course, but I wasn't going to force her to stay if she was unhappy.
It didn't mean I couldn't try though. "Are you sure, Cecelia? You could be by my side forever. You could be immortal."
Cecelia threw her head up and laughed, like my answer amused her. "Vasilissa mou, I will always be by your side. But I have no wishes to be immortal. It's been fifty years, I have not aged a day and I despise that. I do not wish to land in the hands of the Gods, but I wish to live life to its fullest. You granted me life when you saved me, now I wish to experience the gift you gave me."
My lips twitched. I didn't find it very funny. "I knew I couldn't convince you, but I had to try. In Charí, you will always be remembered as their first queen, the queen that led them to freedom. They will speak of your name with reverence and awe. No one will remember your father and his sins."
No one will remember the cowardly man who sold his family out to save his own skin. No one will remember the man who drove a knife through his youngest child's chest so that the same knife wouldn't hit his heart.
A grimace, a shadow of what have once been an emotional breakdown, appeared at the mention of that man. "Thank you, Vasilissa. People do not know of your kindness."
I waved it aside. "Nonsense. However, I do wish that you will write to us. Your sisters will miss you as well. Keep Hali close to heart, won't you?"
Her fingers left the reins, brushing up against the blue sapphire. "It will be like I never left, Vasilissa." She promised.
… but you have.
They were the words I did not speak out aloud, but everyone who knew me well enough knew what I was thinking about, even Cecelia.
And perhaps it wasn't fair to Cecelia, but to me, it felt like someone has just left my life all over again when I promised myself everyone I love will remain by my side. As Cecelia tugged on the reins of Zen, coaxing him into gallop, Hazel stepped in place with me, reaching for my hand.
I continued looking forward, watching as Cecelia's figure went further and further away from me, until she nor Zen could be seen, engulfed by the emerald trees.
Hazel waited for me to speak first.
"I'm not ever going to see her again, am I, Hazel?"
A smile. Lips pressed onto my cheek for a second before she pulled away.
"No, you won't. But the Gods didn't take her, Seph. She's not gone, she's just left to live her life."
I don't want that. Take or leave, she's still not here anymore.
"It hurts. I wish it didn't happen. I don't want to be hurt."
The lie made Hazel hiss under her breath. My heart pulsed weakly as she lifted up her hand, where mine was grasped tightly.
"I know you, Sephie. That's not the truth."
"… it hurts."
"I know." She cooed.
"But I don't regret knowing her."
"We make sure her memories stay intact. Treasure the moments you still have with her. We're growing, and that's enough."
Other times, it isn't so painful. It isn't so permanent.
When she came knocking on my door, it wasn't so strange.
I had a special love for Okina. She reminds me of myself.
Of course, in my eyes, all my girls have something that I think is similar to me. Aura reminds me of my love. Cecelia reminds me of how I bounced back after Smelly Gabe. Mimira reminds me of my first few days at Camp, when I made so many friends. Isa reminds me of my strength. Iphianna reminds me of my joy when I lead. Aristorine reminds me of my mischievous youth. Melissa, my curiosity. Aisha, and this one was pretty straightforward, of my love for water. Elpis, of resilience when all things seemed lost, of carefree innocence.
And, last but not least, Okina reminds me of my present. Now.
Perhaps that is why I love her so much, more so in this category. The others remind me of my past, and the few characteristics I have lost. Okina bares a semblance of who I am now. Trying my best, even when cruelty continues to rain down on me. Trying my best, even when I don't know what is coming next. Insecure, unsure of the future, what I'm meant to do.
People claim that her hair is her proudest feature. Light caramel in colour, always tied in a braid and over one shoulder, covering the family emblem she wears in honour of her late father, the previous regent before he died.
I think it's her eyes, a vibrant turquoise colour, the colour of the sea on a summer's day, that are her most beautiful feature.
We both share something that belongs to the ocean, and yet so different. Ever so fascinating.
It was her expression that made me frown.
She stopped at the foot of my throne, bowing forty-five degrees, but not rising. "Vasilissa, greetings from Theodoskopeia."
Why so formal? "Okina! My sweet, it has been a long time since you came to me. Rise, rise. Why did you not call me? I would have come to you instead, your travel must have been long."
"My queen, I wished for it to be a surprise… for I have news."
I cocked my head, reaching her in three steps. At least she had straightened up now. "Truly? Then why do you appear to be so sad?"
"have talked to my family, Vasilissa. Please believe me when I say I tried to be open."
I was getting worried. "You sound as if you declared war, sweet. You can tell me. I am your friend, remember?"
"I wish to step down."
Her words were spoken in a rush so it sounded more like "Iwishtostepdown" instead of five separate words. Still, I heard them. Immediately, a flash of white hair appeared in my vision. I swallowed, hard. My smile grew painful as I kept it steady.
Oh.
Okina hastened her speech. "I am sorry, Vasilissa, I know how you felt with Cecelia but-"
I held up a hand, stopping her from continuing. "I did not want you to fear my reaction, Okina. You can do anything you wish."
"I understand that you must be feeling confused-"
"No, no. Truly, Okina. I am your friend and your queen, but I do not control you. Whatever you do, you have my support."
"I do not want to leave." She said in a breathless whisper, eyes widening by a fraction.
A pause. "I beg your pardon?"
"I do not wish to go to the human realm?"
"But you wish to leave…?" Where was she going with this?
"I wish to step down, Vasilissa, not leave. I love Cece, she is my sister. But I do not share her love of mortality. I just wish to go to Elacia for a while. As much as I enjoyed working under your steed, working to make our empire a greater place, royalty is not meant for me. I wish to discover who I am, beyond the young little maiden of my village, or the queen of such a grand land. But I do not want to leave."
Her words struck me with a sense of unwarranted relief. I tried hard not to show it but the truth was—I don't think I could have survived if she left as well.
"Oh, my sweet. You know you have my blessing, no matter what you do."
Lastly, there were some who left because they had no choice.
Elpis of Parigoria leaves with a smile. "Do not be sad, Vasilissa. I do not wish to see you cry before I must leave."
"I am not crying, my sweet." A quick swipe at my eyes. From opposite the bed, Amey kissed her daughter's palm, holding a wet cloth to the ailing girl's forehead.
The said girl had her eyes trained on her bedroom ceiling, decorated with birds and other airborn creatures.
I love birds. She told me on her thirteenth birthday, when I took her out as a gift. We were sitting at the top of the Acropolis, where Hazel once fought against Pluto, as she pointed out different species of birds. She missed more than she counted. They fly everywhere and anywhere. No one stops them. They have wings that carry them wherever they wish. They are free. No one forbids them.
"I am sorry. I did not want to leave. I still do not."
Yes, no one wants you to leave. Not me, not your mother, not your people who adore you, sweet hope.
I leaned over, gently kissing her creased forehead. "You were a wonderful friend, Elpis. I adored watching you grow up."
"But not a good queen, yes?"
…
I could not respond. Not saying anything wasn't a lie.
Elpis somehow managed a smile. Her lips twisted upwards. "You do not have to spare my feelings, Vasilissa. My people were the best, but my mother was a better queen than I ever was."
"Elpis." My words came out as a plea.
"If only the Fates were kind, perhaps I would live on to see you defeat the Gods and claim the throne you were meant to have. But I cannot, and I am sorry for that." Her eyes started to water. Amey was quick to act, dabbing at her eyes.
"Do not apologise for the faults of Immortals, Elpis."
"I… do not have much time left." She didn't need me to say it. Nor did we need a healer.
"We will remember you, my sweet. Parigoria will know your name. The girl who became a queen, not the goddess of Hope."
A cough hacked her body. Amey and I couldn't do anything but watch helplessly as the tiny figure writhed around in bed, at last falling onto her side. The pristine sheets had spots of red splattered on it. Blank, white eyes stared at nothing, even as her body turned to face me. Such beautiful white, but her world was an eclipse. "Even when I leave, know that I am still around, watching. Please… do not forget me."
How could I ever forget you? How could I forget the sweet girl that reminds me most of my precious Emily? "I won't. I swear."
You are not Emily, but you are my child. I never thought I had to be present on a day where my child is lowered into the ground.
And lowered she was.
Her coffin was made out of rosewood, and a picture of Elpis in her teen was placed, per her request. Everyone was silent as they took their place and Hazel started the funeral. This was special after all. Elpis made history by being the first ever royal of Kydria to die. I never wanted that record to be made.
I love my cousin. When others ignored her, I never forgot anything she said. And yet…
Frank kissed my cheek as I watched Elpis's coffin being laid into the ground with hooded eyes. Amey was sobbing in the front seat, Elpis's little sister sitting next to her mother, comforting her.
"It's okay to mourn, Sephie. No one's going to look at you differently." He whispered, his hand warm as it covered my own.
It was easy to ignore him. "They're all looking. Now that Elpis is gone, I am the sole carer of Parigoria. I will be strong."
"Tomorrow. Today, you can be Sephie. My sister, Hazel's best friend and cousin, and Elpis's friend." I didn't want to be strong. It was easier to fall into temptation.
Some days were happier than others.
Kyklos is magical, spoken not quite literally.
Hazel had done a good job designing her home. Especially the gardens. It helps to be a legacy of Demeter.
Flowers of all colour shone as the sun lightly grazed their petals. The grass was ticklish to the touch but a nice tether to reality as I rested my back against a tall olive tree, trying and failing to read.
From the other side of the picnic mat, Hazel was cuddled up against Frank, their bodies pressed to each other, Hazel's head resting on Frank's chest as he held a piece of strawberry dipped in chocolate to her mouth.
After two minutes, I gave up pretending and contented myself with watching them.
We had a rule, when it was just the three of us. To try and act like it was our past.
It was unintentional but when we realised it, we couldn't get rid of it. That's why I wore a simple crop top and faded jeans and slippers, with my hair held up in a scrunchie.
Frank wore a t-shirt (royal purple in colour) and baggy shorts. Been a long time since I saw him wearing such simple attire instead of a toga.
Hazel was wearing a denim tank top paired with a mid-thigh denim shorts and white sneakers. Her jacket laid on the grass, drying up from where Frank and I had splashed her with water.
Getting a chance to hang out when no one needed us was a blessing. So we don't do anything.
Life was simple. Busy at times, but refreshing. Like taking in a breath of air after nearly suffocating to death. I was surrounded with people I love, no one was forcing me to do something against my will.
People left, and I got hurt, but that's okay. I'll cry. I'll remember them, and then I'll get up again. Elpis was my past, and starred in a few of my favourite moments. She's never going to be forgotten, with a statue placed for her in the Hall of the Lost.
After her… Amey was the next to go. She chose to go, chose to forever be with her daughter.
We all knew that Elpis held on for as long as possible, her terminal illness caused by genetics on her father's side. That was why she was born with white eyes, that was why I found her so rare when we first met. It was still painful for a mother to watch her firstborn die. So she was gone, going the most painless way.
Her heart gave out. Lorcan told me apologetically. She died in her sleep. I am sorry, Queen Prodosia.
I forbade all to call me by my birth name. Still, I'm wondering if this is the name I want all to know me as. Prodosia was no saint, no innocent. She's a bitter leader who lead with anger and hatred in her heart.
She was a cold-hearted girl. I wish that was the case when I heard the news. I wish I could have stayed composed when I heart of Amey's death. Alas.
She wrote a note. Amey wrote a note, signed to me.
I need my daughter. Take care of Parigoria, Vasilissa, and do not forget me. I will watch you, watch all of you, next to my daughter.
Could I blame her for following the one she loves? No. Neither did Yuna, who immediately stepped up to take the throne both her mother and sister left when they died. She took it with a fierce spirit, challenging everyone and the day of her coronation despite being only 20.
Elpis could never be forgotten, but that didn't mean I couldn't love my goddaughter as well. I did. The day Amey told me she was pregnant, I already loved Yuna.
She was busy with her life as Queen of Parigoria, adjusting to the busy schedule. Everyone helped her. Thyia moved from Kydilla, moved away from Aura, so that she could personally guide the inexperienced girl.
Yuna is the first queen that is from a different generation. Usually, I would be worried, but she's in capable hands. Besides, she can always contact me, with the shard of Hali that she inherited when Elpis died.
"Sephie?" Hazel's question knocked me out of my reverie. "Where were you?"
"Yuna."
"She's not going to be lost." Frank said, knowing exactly what about Yuna that I was thinking about. "She's here. She took after Amey. We tested her, all three of us. She's healthy."
A tendril of water snatched up a strawberry, tossing it into my waiting hand. "I'm not-"
"It's okay." Hazel cooed. "I know how you feel. Polyxena left as well, and for the longest time, I was reluctant to give away her crown. It's hard to imagine someone else in her seat, but Candice is doing amazing. Zancleion adores their new queen. Give it a while, and you'll get used to it."
I chose to bite into the strawberry, saving me from a response. Hazel laughed, reaching over to pat my cheek.
Things weren't so bad, not all the time.
"Woo!" Hazel cried, her arms stretching upwards to the sky. "This is awesome!"
Or at least I think that's what she said. With the wind blowing against my ear like some freak hurricane was occurring, it sounded more like "W- Is- So-!"
How I managed to translate it, I didn't. I just knew Hazel well enough to guess that is what she said.
I totally understood why she was so ecstatic. I might even be happy as well.
If it weren't for the fact that we might be found out by the Gods *cough, Zeus* while we are in their domain.
Frank coerced me. I blame everything on Frank. I'll pretend to have been scared at a different time though. Now I get to enjoy riding through the skies with Hazel and Frank the Dragon.
It's quite funny how life works sometimes. Things happen. Sometimes you don't expect it, sometimes you do. Yet when you do expect it, you're somehow still surprised. Like it had been a shock.
That's how the human body is. Or can I still be considered human?
Regardless, I find it somewhat amusing that I was still shocked as I watched Poseidon kill yet another human.
Frank had his hand wrapped around my wrist, preventing me from moving. Stopping me from reacting. I didn't try to fight him. Maybe him alone, I could take. Him and Hazel? In another world, perhaps.
On my other side, Hazel seemed wholly unbothered, humming a song from our past and sketching another portrait of her and Arion riding through a field. Occasionally, her eyes would flicker over to the one-way portal we were watching from, but she would immediately go back to her work.
Today marked our first century since we came back in time. We had a small event six months ago, to remember and celebrate our friends.
Nothing… countrywide. Just us. The three of us. It had been how things started, it was how things were today. That was going to be the one thing that never changes. It won't change, we refuse to let it.
Just then, Poseidon unceremoniously stepped on the young boy's face, not even having the decency to clear his body, instead just flashed away to some pretty lady.
I wasn't so sure why I was surprised, but I leapt up from my seat, so quickly that Frank could not press my wrist down, and my chair flew back a couple dozen feet.
Hazel looked up sharply, her eyes a molten gold but firm as she said, "Sit back down, Sephie, your hot-headedness will not help us. Besides, it's only a matter of time. Good things come to those who wait. We cannot change the past completely. The Gods may have been horrible rulers, but they shaped humans to what it is. They are forces of nature, they brought in things we cannot. Besides, the more enemies they make, the more allies we'll get. With our pendants malfunctioning, we cannot take the risk. We will not lose someone important. I forbid it."
Gritting my teeth, I didn't fight it when Frank pulled me closer to him. "Hazie's right, Seph." He said against my ear. "Our empires need us. We can't let millions suffer for our rashness. Calm down. We knew what they would do, we weren't blind about it. They will pay, but not now."
Seething, I snatched my hand away from Frank, but made no move to get away from him. I was mad, but not at them, not when they were telling the truth and looking out for me.
The Fates were playing a game. And I didn't like it. There is only a certain number of times you can tickle a lion before it starts to attack back. They were reaching that limit.
We didn't realise it at first, our pendants malfunctioning, losing power. Only… only when I tried preventing a tsunami…
Hundreds of people died. It wasn't too many, not as many as it usually is with Poseidon having a tantrum, but it was still hundreds of lives gone.
Aristorine told me what happened when I woke up again. How I managed to halt the greatest impact but something had gone wrong.
That was when we realised our boost in power was gone. It struck harder than I thought it would.
By estimation, it started when Emily left. It started going wrong.
Things didn't revert back to the way it was originally, of course. I could still summon lightning. Hazel could still call on plants and sense life, Frank could still control our element.
However, we couldn't do it with ease anymore. Our pendants were broken. It had been on a time limit and for some reason, it stopped functioning now.
After I woke up, I tried summoning lightning. I felt barely the lightest tingle before everything turned dark.
Aristorine informed me a few moments later that she had to physically pry me away. Somehow, the shard of Hali still worked in the sense that it could still connect to me. Latch onto my powers. Provide immortality to everyone of Kydria. It infuriated me more than it reassured me.
My fingers were smouldering and suffered first degree burns.
When I tried, I couldn't call on Frank or Hazel's powers. Not with the ease I used to.
One spiritual animal, that's all I got from Frank.
Easier access to the Mist.
They couldn't call on my powers.
It just made our plans a lot harder, but with all the time left in the world, we could do it.
The worst part was that it was only our pendants that were weakening, our necklaces held strong. Azure held strong. Legacy powers don't work, but I was still immortal (walking through a pit of fire proves it) the three of us still had our mind link.
Perhaps I was somewhat grateful for the last part. Still angry at the rest.
"We have a birthday to celebrate." I said stiffly, cancelling the vision. "We can leave this for a different day."
Neither of them argued.
It was dark. So dark. Where's the light? Where's the sun?
I can't… I can't…
Was that lightning? Was it Zeus?
Was this all a dream and I wasn't so special after all? Is he here to kill me? Holy Gods… I don't want to die by his hands…
Hazel… Frank… help me… save me… don't leave me here
Help me!
—
The sound of water rushing down the stream was relaxing and peaceful, the perfect conditions when you want to bring your girlfriend out for a walk.
Annabeth cursed under her breath, swatting at the air again. I grabbed her hand, kissing the back of her palm. It wasn't a good kiss, considering I was laughing the entire time. "Come on, Wise Girl! It's just mosquitoes! Ignore them."
"Or else?" She hissed, fighting back a smile.
I didn't bother, grinning cheekily. "I'm going to get jealous that my girlfriend is paying more attention to insects than to me."
Annabeth gaped, scoffing. "Seaweed Brain, get over yourself! Idiot."
I tipped over to kiss her cheek. "Beautiful goddess."
She chortled. "Why, are you going to worship me?"
"Do you want me to?" I asked, completely serious. There was something distracting in Annabeth's eyes… why is there a black patch next to her eyes? Is it mascara? I should wipe it off, shouldn't I? "Ask, Wise Girl, and I'll sacrifice anything to you. I'll give you the world. Promise."
Her laughter calmed down into the usual smirk I always saw on her. The black spot was growing larger… "Silly, Seaweed Brain." She crooned, a hand round my waist. "How naive can you be to be willing to give the world to me?"
Frowning, I tried to move back, but her hand was secure and refused to let me budge. The spot was getting distracting… "Wise Girl? Annie? What do you mean?"
"Give me life, then." She said, my questions falling on deaf's ears. "Sacrifice your life for mine. Return me life, return me the future I deserve. Take my place in the Underworld."
I swallowed. "I don't-" I said weakly.
Her thumb stroked the bottom of my chin. I flinched. "I should have been alive. Happy. Why are you the one who got to escape?" She snarled. "I had a future! I knew what I wanted to do! Everything was ruined!"
The spot next to her eyes… it was never mascara, was it?
She doesn't wear makeup. Didn't.
"Zeus killed you!" I cried. "I tried, Annie, I tried so hard but-"
"Don't call me that!" Annabeth spat coldly, releasing me so suddenly that I lost my footing, falling into the river. She barely reacted as water hit her bare skin, black spots appearing rapidly, looking worse than the one she originally had. From the corner of my eye, if I angled it right, I could see flashes of blue and white running up her arms. "You don't deserve it."
I screamed, leaping up, one arm outstretched to reach the girl who was being electrocuted alive. Suddenly, a pair of ginormous hands erupted from the river on either sides, snatching at my hands. Something slimy wrapped itself around both of my ankles.
Annabeth watched, a cold, dead smile on her lips as I thrashed, my restraints pulling me down and down
… and down
… and down
… and down
… and down
… and down
… and down
… and down
… and down
… and down
Until nothing remained, and I could only faintly remember a girl standing above me, a hand outstretched, laughing as she told me to get out of the lake.
Hazel's eyes were fogged over, shaking uncontrollably as she tried to bring the cup of tea to her mouth.
I moved my finger in a squiggly, horizontal line, like an ocean's wave, preventing the tea from slipping out. Frank had scooted next to her and was now rubbing comforting circles and whispering in her ear.
She still wasn't reacting, her lips parting by centimetres. Frank covered her hand with his, helping her drink the tea.
I stood up, all eyes following me. "Everyone out." I declared sharply. No one dared to give a response. The next few seconds were a flurry of feet pattering on the ground before… silence.
When the throne room's doors were finally shut, I made my way over to Hazel's throne, sitting on the armchair, taking the cup from her. Hazel's arms fell listlessly to her side.
"We're not there, Hazie." I said in a low tone. "We're in Elacia, your home. You are their queen. It's been centuries since Zeus. It's okay."
2 centuries. Maybe 3. We're still not over this, and I don't know if we'll ever be.
Above Elacia, the full moon was shining brightly with millions of stars twinkling along. It was like a silent choir, and Hazel wished to be a part of it.
From the ground, she could do little but watch in awe at how bright the skies are at night. How different they are from the skies of her past.
A low voice startled her. "You up?"
Hazel tilted her head, smiling as her boyfriend stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight, looking as beautiful as the day she fell in love with him.
Pushing away from the balcony railing, she said, "Well, I wouldn't be here otherwise, would I?"
Frank grinned, joining her in stargazing.
"What's Sephie doing?" Frank had gone to accompany Percy to her bed chambers. Tomorrow was a big day for them all. It was the day Massacia was born. A celebration was being thrown by Queen Anysia, and the τελευταία were the guests of honour.
"Sleeping. Snug as a bug in a rug." Frank said, his hand trailing from Hazel's middle finger up to her shoulder where it stayed there. "She's so excited. Nervous as well."
"We don't necessarily like making public speeches when it's not a war speech." Hazel agreed with her cousin. Then, taking her boyfriend's hand, she tugged him towards the balcony doors leading to her bedroom. "Take a walk with me, Frank."
They walked for what felt like hours, holding each other's hand tightly, before finding themselves seated above an alcove of the gates of Kyklos.
The area was small and narrow, almost awkward as Hazel and Frank had to squeeze in it. They didn't let it bother them.
"How has it been three centuries?" Hazel wondered, drawing a heart on Frank's chest. "How has it been so long? Why have I not noticed how the time flies?"
"Sometimes it feels wrong." Frank muttered. "When I think of our past, when I think of their voices, it sounds wrong. It doesn't sound like them."
"I forgot the shade of Jason's hair the other day," confessed Hazel. "I'm so happy in Elacia. Everyday, there is someone new to spend the day with, something new to do. But I'm leaving them behind. When I tried to draw a portrait of us together, I couldn't get Leo's grin right."
In the darkness, Frank found Hazel's hand. "We're not." He promised. "You remember them now, don't you?"
Hazel nodded. "Yes."
"We have moments of weakness. Of forgetfulness." Frank said. "That's okay. We make up for it. We're not… we're not abandoning them."
"Sometimes it feels like it."
"We can't." Now it sounds like Frank is trying to convince himself. "We can't."
Hazel doesn't respond.
—
"Welcome, people of Massacia!" Hazel declares, stepping onto the dias. Gazing at the people gathered, she couldn't help compare how different they were to the outside world.
If Greece ever had a queen like her… a queen with skin like chocolate… they would hang her.
Here, they had been surprised, sure. She couldn't fault them for it.
The next day, everything went back to normal, like Hazel never made some drastic change to herself.
She had never been prouder of her people than now.
"Thank you all for coming to the empire's three hundredth anniversary! Three centuries ago…"
—
Percy left Massacia as Hazel continued her speech. She couldn't do it. She tried so hard to stay as long as she could, but she couldn't. She didn't really care when they realised she wasn't here, all three empires were far too used to her disappearance during important events to be fazed. They'll think of something else.
But she couldn't stay, not when the war against the Gods was spoken so casually of. That it had been the first step to erase all chains of influence the Gods had on them, humans and demigods alike. That they were heroes who returned to save all of humanity. Not when the only reason they had come back was because they had to. Not when they did it as an act of revenge against the gods, their minds focused on making the gods suffer instead of helping humanity.
The thought of helping didn't cross their minds until after they did it. Percy didn't want to hear any of it, didn't want to hear the people of Elacia praising them.
There was only one place she wanted to be right now—in the hold of her girlfriend.
That was the only thought in her mind, and it led Percy back to Kydria, to a cliff far away from civilization.
The view was beautiful, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or what would have been the Pacific Ocean.
Percy wasn't really sure how the whole 'other dimension' worked. Kydria existed somewhere in between. No one could see Kydria but everyone in Kydria could see everyone else. The doorways existed in both worlds, so they were the only parts of Kydria the world could see, which is why they are so heavily protected. The dimension survived on Percy. If she died… if her powers falter… if her life force fades… then Kydria would be open to the world. It would be as visible as Myliraki was.
For now, it was enough.
The sun was glaring at her, Percy liked to think it was Apollo saying that he knew she existed.
It brought her glee because he didn't.
To him, they didn't exist. Keelan, son of Vettias, king of Scidrine, and Actë, queen of Lumos, was in Olympus, slipping poison, deadly to humans but untraceable even to gods, into his wine. For their purpose, the 4th child had chosen to be included in the first act of rebellion against Apollo.
It brought her glee because they were doing something.
While it originally brought her disgust that she was using someone else to do her work, Keelan had been more than happy to reassure her that he wanted to do it. He wanted to go to Olympus, he wanted to do it, did it because of his own reasons and not out of obligation.
People could continue telling her they would do anything to destroy the gods. To see someone actually doing it made Percy more than determined to take them down.
"Hey, Wise Girl." She spoke into the wind. Her words were muffled, even to her own ears, overpowered by the whirling wind. "Been a long time, hasn't it? I'm sorry…"