Chapter 76: Artemis grabbed my hand and lifted me up to stand next to her. Her hands were cool and gentle, and the hounds sniffed at my feet curiously. Apollo stepped forward. “I would like to introduce an example to you, pyrokinetics,” he declared, beckoning his finger towards what appeared to be nothing but empty space. Immediately fire flared and out of it emerged a teen boy, no, a young man, who stepped forward and stood next to him. My older brother. Apollo. Except he didn’t look like the brother I knew. He was taller, for one thing, and his hair was longer and darker. His eyes were a deep, soulful brown, and he looked more solemn and mature than before. He dipped his head to Apollo the deity before standing next to him. “This young man, who shares my name, has done what none of you all would dare to do. He has gone through Hell alone, to the very depths of it. He traveled throughout, facing sorrow, rejection, violence, and hate to reach the top. Then, he climbed the Mountain of Legends, a mountain meant to throw off even the most arduous of climbers and strongest of heroes. And he did all that, to reach me, in the name of peace and justice. That is why he is a perfect example for you all. He was willing to nearly sacrifice his life to bring justice and peace. And this is why I have made him the most powerful of you all,” Apollo finished. Everyone was silent. Then applause rocked the field again. It was as if everyone had been tired of the fighting, but nobody had wanted to say so. Until now. Artemis and Apollo looked out at the crowd, with some approval in their eyes, before raising their hands, and dissolving into silver and gold essence. Hades turned to Phoenix, and saying a few words to her, touched her shoulder and disappeared into dark essence. Thanatos nodded to me and disappeared with him. And we mortals were left to ourselves. Author's Note: Yeah thanks for reminding me or my mortality -Jenna
Chapter 77: I sat down next to Phoenix in our cabin a few hours later, after all sides had left the field and Moonrise was rebuilding. Apollo and I had talked a bit, but we chose to pretend we had been together all along. Now it was Phoenix who was leaving. She was packing up her things for hell. It was hard to believe that the girl who had helped me realize my potential more than any one else was leaving me. It was painful. When she finished we sat together on the bed. She still had to visit Vera when Vera was done with Apollo. “Why did you agree to be Hades’s servant so fast?” I asked her. She thought a little before answering. “I don’t know. I felt Hell was the place for me. And I understood Hades in a different way, even though I was hesitant to meet him at first. Plus, I couldn’t let us stop now could I?” she grinned, slightly painfully. “You could have had a position in camp,” I countered. She winced painfully. “Ahh yes, a position. I never wanted that Artem. I don’t know, Mom always told me that leadership was not what it seemed. And she was always reminiscing about all the mistakes she made while she was leader.” It was the first time she had mentioned her mother. “Shristine?” “Yeah. She told me it was not easy at all. She told me when she looked at that statue in the main hall, it didn’t represent her real anguish, her suffering. It represented her mask. Her mask of determination. After that, I didn’t really want leadership. I just wanted to be myself,” she said. “When I went into Hell, it really was for myself. To prove myself. That I could be me. I met someone there. Scorpio. And, well, I fell in love.” “Oh,” I said. “Yeah. So as a servant to Hades, I have opportunities. I can be with my boyfriend. And I can be in the place that feels right to me.” She looked at me tentatively. I sighed. “Just visit me, okay? I’ll miss you,” I told her, giving her a warm smile. She smiled right back, and, hand in hand, we walked to say goodbye to Vera. Author's Note: *sob* - Jenna
