“It is not our fault.”
“Please don’t blame her or the other gods. You need to let me go. You have to let me do this.”
“Why? I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you.”
“I’ll always be with you, but look around us. We can’t let the world stay like this.” I leaned into him, his beautiful lips pulled down at the edges, and I kissed him.
He was startled enough to loosen his grip on my arm, enabling me to pull free.
“Good-bye, Adrian.” I looked at him as the tears slid down my cheeks.
I ran to the blue flame that leapt into the air, landing safely across the crevice right in front of it.
“Cara! No!” Adrian screamed for me.
Tears stung my eyes as I turned to look at him one final time. I knew the threshold of the flame was it. Things would be back to normal and the Titans destroyed. I would be gone though, never to see Adrian again.
“I love you, Adrian,” I called to him before stepping over the threshold.
I saw the sadness and fear on his face as I was engulfed in the flame.
Chapter Sixteen
The flame engulfed my body, searing my flesh. I screamed out in pain as I looked down at myself. My skin wasn’t burning. It glowed. My clothing fell off as the fire ate away at it, and they were replaced with a brilliant blue chiton. I was so confused.
What is happening to me? I don't feel like I'm dying. Are the Titans dead yet?
The pain subsided slowly and comfortable warmth replaced it. It felt so good. It wasn’t supposed to feel good though. The fire slowly dissipated, and I emerged. Athena smiled while Adrian and Adronis looked as confused as I felt.
“What happened? Why am I still alive?”
“I never said you would die, just that your mortal shell would,” Athena affirmed.
“That doesn’t help with why I’m still alive. If I shed my mortal shell I’d be dead. My body would die. I can’t live without my body. Right?”
I looked at Adrian who just shrugged.
“You would have died if you were a mere mortal.”
“Okay, if I’m not a mortal what am I?”
“What else is there, dear child?”
“A goddess?” I whispered, not even trying to comprehend what Athena suggested.
“She’s a goddess?” Adrian blurted out.
“I don’t understand. How am I a goddess?”
“You were born that way.”
“But my parents are, were, mortal,” I said.
“The people who raised you are.”
“The people who raised me? My parents raised me.”
“Not your biological parents.”
“I’m adopted?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not possible. They would have told me. They don’t keep secrets from me, especially about something as important as I’m not their child.”
“Cara, they keep secrets from you; especially the big ones. If they had told you, would you have believed them?” Athena asked.
“Well, probably not. I still don’t believe you.”
“How else do you explain this, and the fact you’re not dead,” Athena said as she pulled at the blue chiton.
“I’m not sure.” I plopped down on the closest piece of rubble and put my head into my hands.
“My dear child, you must understand that with your newly restored powers comes a tremendous amount of responsibility. This is not a joke, and you are very dangerous. Even without training.”
I just sighed. and looked at her. This was so surreal. I rubbed my temples, another migraine.
“Who are her parents?” Adronis asked.
“What?” Athena asked.
“If the people who’ve been raising her aren’t her parents, who are?”
I held my breath, waiting for her answer. Nothing could have prepared me for what she said.
“I am.”
“What?” I asked suddenly.
“I am your mother, and Ares is your father. You were created to keep the Titans from over throwing us.”
“You’re telling me that the goddess of war and wisdom, and the god of war are my biological parents? I'm only here to keep you from being thrown into jail?"
“And to save the world.” She smiled.
“Why didn’t you keep me?”
“That was not our choice. You were stolen from us. Two of Ares' other children, demi-gods, did not like that you were born to fight in the greatest war since the Titanomachy. They felt that it was their right. When the Olympians, including us, sat down to discuss it we decided that a new god was needed. When they found out I was pregnant, they turned to the Titans.”
“So they stole me?”
“Yes, by time we found you it was too late. They had mixed the power stripping potion, and were ready to kill you.”
“Power stripping potion?” Adrian asked.
“It strips gods and goddesses of their power, leaving them weak and powerless.” She turned to look at me. “You were essentially a mortal. The only way you would have ever been able to come back to us was if you performed an act of self-sacrifice, which you did, and now all your powers have been restored. They planned to kill you so the Titans could take over, and they could have positions of power.”
“Um, right. Okay, so, what happened to them?”
“Nothing.”
“Why not?” I baffled how a mother could not take vengeance on the people who stole her only child.
“It ended up being for the best. We didn’t know it, but the Titans had other demi-gods and nymphs working for them. They still do. They have been trying to find you since you were born to destroy you. The idiocy of those two saved you from dying when you were born. Seeing as how you were mortal, and had no powers you were unable to draw any un-do attention to yourself. Luckily William and Calista were in the area visiting at the time. Your mother heard you crying. When they went to find out what was wrong they found Ares’ sons about to kill you. We were right behind them so they saw everything. They agreed to take you, and raise you as their own child until the time was right. You were safe in that small town surrounded by other mortals.”
“The water nymph who tried to drown me?”
“She is sided with them.”
“I see.” I was overwhelmed.
My life crumbled down around me.
“Why didn’t you tell us she was a goddess?”
“Adrian, you sound shocked,” Athena said, cocking her head to the side.
“Of course I am! You didn’t tell us we were finding a goddess.”
“I don’t understand why it matters,” she said.
“It just does.”
“Aren’t you a god? Why are you shocked you had to find another? The two of you aren’t the only gods that have been born within the past few thousand years.”
“You’re a god?” I asked, staring at him.
Sighing heavily, he looked at me. “Yes, I’m a god. We’re both gods.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I glowered at him.
“I didn’t want to scare you,” he said.
“Scare me? Of all the things that have happened to me this week you thought that would scare me? When were you planning on telling me?”
“I’m not sure. This isn’t the time to discuss this, Cara.”
“Then when exactly is the time? Before or after I’m mangled by a huge Titan?”
“You won’t be mangled.”
I glowered at him wildly. “Who are your parents?”
“Aphrodite and Apollo,” he whispered.
“Well that explains why you two are ridiculously handsome.”
“You think we both are?” he asked, sounding hurt.
I looked at him in disbelief. “You’re twins.”
“But that doesn’t mean he has to be handsome too.” He pouted.
“Really, Adrian? You’re going to do this now?” Adronis looked at his brother dumb founded.
“You’re ridiculous i
n more than one way.” I sighed, shaking my head.
“You probably can’t even tell us apart.”
“Oh my gosh! Will you stop,” I shouted.
“See you can’t.”
“You’re whiny and I can.”
“Prove it.”
“Adrian, we’re kind of in the middle of something,” Adronis reminded him.
“It won’t take long. I just want to know if she really can tell us apart.”
“If she does, will you stop with this?” Athena asked.
“Yes.”
“Cara, humor the boy for a second. Close your eyes. Adrian and Adronis will move around, and when they finish you have to pick out which one is Adrian. Is that satisfactory for you?
“It’s fine,” he replied.
“Are you serious? I would like to find the other gods, and get this war over with,” I sighed with annoyance.
“Humor him, please. He won’t quit till you do,” Adronis sounded equally annoyed.
“Fine.”
I shut my eyes, heard them shuffling around, and finally everything fell quiet.
“Can I look now?” I opened my eyes and it looked as though they were standing in the same spot.
I walked forward to the twin on the left. I ran my fingers through his hair and stared into his eyes. I then moved to his neck. I took in a deep breath, he smelled spicy. I let my lips gently touch his neck. His pulse quickened, but not nearly enough. I smiled and looked him in the eyes again. My lips were just a few inches in front of his face, his cheeks burned a scarlet red.
I leaned in a bit closer and smiled lightly. “You are not Adrian.”
I walked to the twin on the right, and smelled his neck. He was sweet. I looked him in the eyes, and saw them light up. I leaned in, and let my lips meet his.
I finally pulled away smiling. “You are.”
“How did you know?” he asked breathless.
“I told you I know you.”
“Now can we continue?” Adronis asked, his cheeks returning to normal again.
“Yes,” Adrian smiled.
I should have been mad at him, at both of them. They lied to me about being gods.
“How old are you?” I asked.
“I’m nineteen.”
“Bull shit. You look nineteen, you’re not nineteen.”
“What?” he asked.
“How long have you been nineteen?”
“A long time.”
“That’s not going to fly with me. How long is long?”
“Three hundred years.”
“You’re three hundred?”
“Technically three hundred and nineteen.”
I just got quiet. Shit like this was only supposed to happen in books or movies, not real life. The gorgeous guy wasn’t supposed to be some old guy who was perpetually a teenager.
I didn’t have time to dwell on it, the ground began to shake.
Another earthquake?
“What’s going on?” I looked at Athena.
“It’s Gaea. She is warning us. The Titans are getting close.”
“The last time I saw Cronus he promised to kill me. I don’t know if I’m ready to protect the world yet.”
“Get ready,” Adronis said.
Chapter Seventeen
“You’ll need this,” Adrian said, tossing me one of the swords he was holding.
I looked at the sword then back at Adrian. I hoped they were right about me just knowing what to do. I turned my attention back to the edge, waiting. The elder Titan would converge on us at any moment. Bile bit the back of my throat. I gripped the sword so tight that my knuckles turned white. I watched as the men swarmed over the mountain top. I didn’t recognize them but I knew who they were; Cronus, Crius, Hyperion and Iapetus. I couldn’t get over how big they were. Cronus was at least eight feet tall. I stood there, shaking. My heart was thumping and my mouth felt like someone shoved cotton balls into it. Cronus walked towards me, his eyes locked on mine. I wanted to move, I tried to but it felt like I couldn’t control my legs. His long arms reached out, and grasped me by the throat. I gasped and he squeezed. I couldn’t breathe. I scratched frantically at his hands trying to pry them loose. He just tightened his grip. My body began to twitch and jerk. My lungs felt like they were about to explode. I looked around wildly trying to find some way out, some way to get him to let go. As the black veil of unconsciousness began to creep over me I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It was Adrian. He had a small dagger, and was running toward us. He brought the blade down across Cronus’ arm. The Titan grabbed at the bleeding gash, releasing his hold on me. I crumbled to the ground in a heap. All I could do was lay there grabbing at my throat and gasping in air trying to breath. Adrian scooped me up, and ran toward Athena. The rest of the Titans began to close in on us. There was no escape. I knew they would kill me; hopefully everyone else would only be tossed into Tartarus. As Cronus closed in on me again, ready to kill me, I heard horses whinny and a dog bark. I looked to the sky, and saw the most amazing sight. Ares was descending in the chariot with his big black dog followed by a winged horse, Pegasus I assumed. They landed between us and the Titans.
“Hurry,” he called to us.
We wasted no time. Athena, Adrian, and I jumped onto the chariot while Adronis mounted the impressive horse.
“No, the girl is mine! She will die.” Cronus lunged at us, but it was futile. We were in the air before he was able to swing his sword.
“There is no way we can fight them,” Adrian said with his arms still around me.
“We have to,” Ares told him.
“Cara couldn’t stop him. She couldn’t even get a swing in. He almost crushed her neck,” Adrian told him.
“Once the other gods are free she’ll have a fairer chance,” he said.
“How are the other gods going to be freed?” I asked, my throat still burning.
“You and I are going to Tartarus.” Ares never even looked at me. His face was as still as stone. His eyes never wavered off of the horizon.
“We’re going to the underworld?” I managed to squeak out.
“Yes.”
“Nobody returns from there,” Adrian whispered.
“The rules aren’t exactly in play right now. We’ll be fine and we’ll release the rest of the gods.”
“You can’t take her there. What about the judges?” Adrian asked.
“You don’t understand if Cara does not fight Cronus, and defeat him we are all doomed. We will all die, whether during the battle or after we’re locked in Tartarus. She has to go with me.” He finally turned and looked at me. “I know you’re scared, and this is all new to you but this is what we have to do.”
“I understand,” I said solemnly.
“Cara…”
“Don’t, Adrian.”
“Don’t what?” he asked Athena.
“You don’t have to question her every time she makes a decision. She understands the consequences, she knows what can happen. She does my powers, including wisdom. Trust her.”
He said nothing, just held onto me. I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes. I felt the chariot descending after a few minutes. Opening my eyes, I looked around us. I had no idea where we were. I could see five rivers converging to form one. One side of the river looked normal. Green trees, flowers, and grass. The other though, it was definitely not somewhere to go on a picnic. I looked below us and saw something odd. They looked like people but were seen through.
Peering over the edge of the Chariot, I asked, “Um, Ares, I don’t know if this is a dumb question or not, but who are the see through people?”
“They’re lost souls,” he sighed heavily.
“But the Underworld is just across the river. How are they lost?” I inquired.
“They’re drawn to this place, but since Hermes is not here to guide them to Charon, they’re lost. Or they haven’t been properly buried.”
“Hermes?”
“Yes.”
“I
thought he was the messenger for Zeus and the god of athletics.”
“He is a god of many talents. Guiding the newly dead to the underworld is just one of them. Without him, that happens.”
“What will happen to them?” Adrian asked, watching as the souls wondered up and down the bank of the Styx.
“Unless the gods are released and the Titans defeated, they’ll be doomed to wander the land for eternity. Never getting their judgment or being at peace,” Athena told us finally peering over the edge.
Ares landed the chariot in a nearby field. Adronis and Pegasus landed next to us. He looked about as freaked out as I was.
“What the hell were those?”
“Souls,” I told him.
“Souls? As in spirits? Ghosts?”
“Dead people, Adronis,” Adrian said, patting his brother on the back.
“Why are they roaming around the banks of a river?”
“That is the river Styx. They’re lost,” Ares said.
“If they just need to cross the river why can’t they?”
“Hermes is in Tartarus,” I replied.
“Oh shit.”
“Yeah.”
“What about Charon?” he asked.
“I don’t know, Adronis,” Ares said.
“Charon? The ferryman?” I was confused, what did the old ferryman have to do with anything.
“Yes, he takes the souls across the river. If he knew what was going on he might usher the souls across without Hermes, even though from there they would be even more lost. I guess this is the kindest thing he can do until everything is back to normal,” Athena told us.
“Cara and I will go into the Underworld. I want the three of you to wait at the entrance.” Ares turned to look at me. “Cara, there are some things you need to know before we go in. Before the entrance live a few beings. Grief and Anxiety, along with Diseases and Old Age. There is also Fear, Hunger, Death, Agony, and Hynos, his brother is Thanatos, they all dwell together with Guilty Joys. As we get nearer the doors there are many beasts that we will run into, Centaurs, Gorgons, the Hydra, the Chimera, the Harpies, and a few others. In the midst of all, there is an Elm tree. It is the tree of False Dreams. Don’t touch it. That is a whole mess we don’t have time to deal with right now. Guarding the gates of the Underworld is a massive three headed dog, Cerberus. Once through we will pass the streams of Oceanus, then the White Rock, past the Gates of the Sun and the Land of Dreams to Limbo, or a neutral zone. Next will be the Vale of Mourning and the farthest field’s house those who were famous in war. That is where the dividing road begins, after the final field. The road is forked. The right leads to the Elysium fields, the left to Tartarus. We have to go to the left. I don’t know if the judges of the dead are still there or if the Titans did something to them. Though I’m not sure what they can do to those who are already dead. We won’t have to worry about them. I’m sure they’re as lost as the souls they need to judge. Once we’re in Tartarus we just have to find the chamber holding the gods.”
Goddess of War Page 8