A new mission and someone who wants to find her place.

Chapter 34: A dawn of sorrow.

The night passed in quiet serenity as Iris and I sat together under the watchful gaze of the moon. Her presence was soothing, and though we spoke only in whispers, the silence between us carried a deeper meaning. When the first rays of dawn brushed against the horizon, we slipped back to Dario’s home, careful not to wake anyone. Sneaking through the quiet halls, we exchanged a small, knowing smile before parting ways to our rooms, trying to act as though nothing had happened.

By morning, the group bustled with activity, preparing breakfast and packing for the journey ahead. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air as I took my seat at the table, watching the others enjoy their meals.

“Morning,” Dario greeted me warmly, his smile as steady and reassuring as ever.

Iris entered moments later, her expression soft as she gave me a tender, almost shy smile, a gesture meant just for me. She sat across the table, but her attempt at subtlety didn’t escape Noor, who was, as always, keenly observant. The sorceress raised an intrigued eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by Iris’s unusually gentle demeanor.

“Morning,” I replied, greeting everyone at the table. “And thank you for the food.”

Aerys, ever attentive, acknowledged my gratitude with a soft smile and a polite nod.

“You’re leaving today?” Dario asked, his tone measured but tinged with concern.

“Indeed,” I said with a solemn nod. “It’s better for us to set out now. The road to Mycenae isn’t long, but time isn’t on our side. The reports of raiding ancient creatures and bandits give me little reason to feel at ease.”

Dario leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful as he weighed my words. Finally, he gave a curt nod. “Very well. I’ll send a raven to the scouts to stay alert for any unusual sightings along the road.”

“It’s okay, Uncle,” Ikaro interjected, his tone reassuring. “We can handle ourselves. The last thing we want is to trouble Sparta further.”

Dario chuckled softly. “I know you can, but it’s my responsibility to keep my people informed. Besides, the scouts are already out there. This is their duty.”

"Talking about duty... What are you going to do now Spartan? Any battles left to fight?" Noor asked with a tinge of mocking teasing as she smirked at him from the corner.

The old lion raised an intrigued eyebrow at her "I do, got a problem with that?"

"Not at all, in fact do a nice favour to me." She looked at him with a venomous look "Make sure you make Xerxes generals suffer."

Aerys and Dario looked at each other confused but felt dread from the sorceress, she meant her words with every fiber of her soul and that for the first time in the old Spartan life, sent shivers down his spine.

After finishing breakfast, we took our time preparing for the road, With King Leonidas and Queen Gorgo’s assistance, Dario ensured we were equipped with everything we needed for the journey. They provided us with a sturdy cart to carry camping supplies and provisions, along with four of Sparta’s finest horses. Entinos volunteered to take charge of the cart, saying he preferred the comfort of driving over riding.

"Is there a reason you are avoiding riding?" Ikaro asked with curiosity.

"Hooves."

"the horses hooves?" Iris asked confused. "are they weak or something?"

"No, they don't like me hitting them with mine." He replied making both siblings hide a small laugh.

As we gathered by the gate, ready to depart, Dario approached us with the monarchs by his side.
“Ready for the road, Chosen?” Leonidas asked, his smirk betraying a mix of respect and mischief. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to join the war effort? A warrior like you could turn the tide.”

I chuckled at his persistence, appreciating his boldness. “Your Majesty, my duty extends far beyond one kingdom or battle. While this war is important, focusing solely on it would be shortsighted. The Erebosian threat looms over us all. Winning this war means nothing if they emerge victorious in the end.”

Leonidas’s smirk softened into a look of understanding. Though disappointed, he inclined his head in respect. “Then I’m relieved the world is in the hands of someone like you, Kayn. One way or another we will see each others in Athens soon enough. Farewell, may the gods watch over you chosen.”

He gave a slight bow before stepping back, leaving Dario to address us privately.

“It’s been an honor having you here,” Dario said, his voice tinged with emotion. “And I can’t thank you enough for bringing my family back to me. Seeing my nephews again is a gift I never thought I’d have.”

“There’s no need to thank me,” I replied earnestly.
“They wanted to see you, and I merely helped make it happen.”

Dario placed a firm hand on my shoulder, his smile warm and genuine. “Nevertheless, you’ll always have a place in my home and my family. The gods know you need one.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine, not from fear but from an unspoken truth. Though I was born in Olympus, I had never truly known what it felt like to belong to a family. The group had become my surrogate family, and now Dario’s gesture added to that sense of belonging.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice steady but heartfelt.

“The pleasure is mine,” he replied.

As we stood by the gates of Sparta, preparing to leave, Dario turned to bid his nephews farewell.
“Take care of yourselves, you two, all right?” he said, his voice warm but laced with concern.

“We will, Uncle,” Iris replied with a reassuring smile, while Ikaro nodded confidently beside her. “And don’t worry, we’ll see each other again. I’m sure of it.”

“You’d better,” Dario said with a faint chuckle. “I want to keep making up for all the time we’ve lost.” His gaze shifted around, scanning the small group. “Speaking of which, have either of you seen Aerys? Where’s that girl run off to now?”

Ikaro shrugged casually. “We saw her a few minutes ago. She did say her goodbyes if you’re wondering, but yeah, it’s odd she’s not here now.”

Dario frowned thoughtfully. “Hmm... maybe she’s tending to Orion.” He sighed, though his smile soon returned. Placing a hand on each of his nephew’s shoulders, he added, “Take care, and may the gods watch over you both.”

“And may they watch over you, Uncle,” Ikaro said with a firm nod.

With their farewells exchanged, we set off from the capital of Sparta. The city slowly shrank in the distance as the road stretched ahead of us, winding through the rugged countryside. The journey started lightheartedly; laughter and banter echoed between us, a welcome reprieve from the weight of our mission.

Noor, as ever, found a moment to tease. “Oi, Horns,” she called to Entinos, who was guiding the cart with practiced ease.

Entinos sighed heavily at the nickname but refrained from retorting, knowing full well that Noor’s teasing was harmless, even if relentless. “Yes, Noor?”

She grinned mischievously, the sparkle of amusement in her eyes. “Care to enlighten us about your people? Might be useful to know how to approach them without accidentally sparking an interspecies war.”

Entinos glanced at her, his expression as stoic as ever, but there was a faint glimmer of wit in his reply. “I’m surprised you don’t already know with your supposed ‘vast knowledge.’”

Noor smirked, clearly unfazed. “Charming, but no. I only just arrived in Greece and have been busy learning about your ‘wildlife’ and culture. Satyrs weren’t exactly a priority.”

Ikaro, walking alongside the cart, joined in with a playful nudge. “Come on, Entinos, she’s got a point. We should be prepared for anything.”

Entinos exhaled deeply, his deep, resonant voice carrying across the open road as he began to explain. “The truth is... I’m as lost as you are. It’s been decades since I’ve seen my people. I like to think not much has changed, our customs are deeply rooted but this entire situation, these raids are deeply troubling.”

He paused, his words hanging in the air as the group fell silent to listen. “Chiron should have called for a clans meeting before any of this could be allowed. The whispers of the forest would’ve carried the summons. But there’s been nothing. It leads me to believe these raiders are either xenophobic satyrs, what you would call ‘the bad-blooded’ or they’ve fallen under the influence of the Erebosian.” His voice lowered slightly, heavy with concern. “And between the two, I’d prefer the latter.”

Noor leaned forward, intrigued. “Why’s that?”

“Because the bad-blooded,” Entinos replied grimly, “are far more unpredictable and dangerous to both outsiders and our own kind. The Erebosian influence, while insidious, can be severed. The bad-blooded… are lost.”

Iris, ever thoughtful, chimed in. “Makes sense. But what about your people as a whole? Is there anything specific we should know to avoid offending them when we meet? Customs or traditions we should respect?”

Entinos nodded, his tone softening slightly. “Yes, there are. But all will be explained in time. For now, simply follow my lead. I’ll introduce you as honored guests to the Rhaadkat Clan.”

Before anyone could respond, the horses pulling the cart suddenly jolted, their ears flattening and nostrils flaring in alarm. They whinnied and stamped nervously, their instincts sensing something we could not.

“Easy, easy,” Entinos murmured, trying to steady them, but their panic only grew.

“Whoa! Easy there, lad. What’s wrong?” I murmured, stroking the horse’s neck gently, trying to calm its panic. Its nostrils flared, and its ears remained pinned back, sensing something I couldn’t yet see.

Suddenly, a warm, radiant light appeared ahead of us, cutting through the tension. From the glow emerged a familiar figure, a striking woman in gleaming armor, her grey radiant eyes wise and piercing.

“Athena?” I asked, dismounting and approaching the goddess. “What’s wrong?”

Her stern expression softened into a tender smile when she saw me. “Kayn, thank Zeus you’re safe.” Relief laced her voice, but it was short-lived as frustration crept into her tone. “I’ve been trying to reach you since Hades informed me you’d left the Underworld, but…” She trailed off, her jaw tightening.

“Ares made it difficult?” I offered knowingly.

She sighed, anger simmering beneath her composed exterior. “Yes. That insufferable brute thrives on making my life more complicated. I couldn’t contact you in Sparta, his influence there is too strong. I had to wait until you were outside the city, where the ground is neutral.”

Her calm facade returned, though there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. “Never mind that for now. Tell me, how are you all?”

I recounted everything to her, our perilous journey to the Underworld, reclaiming Eclipse and a fragment of my memory, our destination of Mycenae, and Iris becoming Artemis’s chosen. Athena listened intently, her sharp mind processing every detail.

When I finished, she smiled warmly and turned to Iris. “First, congratulations, Iris. You’ve earned this. My sister may have a penchant for getting under my skin, but she is a great goddess. I’m certain you’ll make her, and all of us, proud.”

Iris’s cheeks flushed with color, and she managed a quiet, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Athena said, her tone reassuring. “You were the right choice.” She shifted her attention back to me. “As for your memory… yes, I remember that day. I’m glad you’ve recovered Eclipse and taken a step closer to reclaiming your power. I wish I could do more to help, but Hades’s theory holds merit. Your items are more than tools, they’re imbued with memories and power from a time long past. They’ll guide you.”

I nodded, her words bolstering my resolve. “And our trip to Mycenae? Do you think it’s worth pursuing?”

Athena tilted her head thoughtfully. “It’s worth the effort. Mycenae is along your path, and it may hold answers. But what Entinos said about meeting the satyrs is equally important. Their insight could prove invaluable.”

Entinos inclined his head in gratitude. “Thank you, Goddess.”

Ikaro grinned. “Looks like we’re on the right path, then.”

Athena’s expression turned serious, her voice lowering as though she were about to share a secret. “Indeed, you are. But there’s something else I need to ask of you, another reason I’ve come.” Her tone was cautious, her eyes scanning the group. “We’ve lost contact with the city of Argos.”

“By ‘lost contact,’ you mean…?” Noor prompted, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

“The temple that connected us to Argos has vanished,” Athena explained, her brow furrowing deeply. “It’s as if it was erased from existence.”

“Vanished?” came a loud whisper from the back of the cart. The voice was unmistakable, though it was not one we expected.

The group turned sharply, exchanging puzzled glances. Iris and Ikaro’s eyes locked before they turned to me, their expressions mirrored in disbelief.

“You don’t think…” Ikaro began hesitantly.

Iris shook her head, unwilling to consider the possibility. “No… it can’t be.”

I frowned, my instincts kicking in. “Aerys… you’re not hiding in the back of the cart, are you?”

There was a beat of silence before a squawk from Orion confirmed what we all suspected. A moment later, a guilty-sounding voice followed. “…No?”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose as I moved toward the cart. Pulling back the blanket covering the supplies, I found our stowaway. Aerys lay sprawled next to Orion, attempting a confident smile.

“Sup,” she replied nonchalantly, as though this were perfectly normal.

“Hey,” I said with a smirk, shaking my head in exasperation. “Out,” I ordered, pointing firmly at the ground.

Orion fluttered out first, stretching his wings before landing gracefully next to Athena and bowing his head in deference to the goddess. Aerys followed reluctantly, brushing off her clothes as she stood, trying to appear unbothered by the collective stares.

Athena crouched gracefully, her fingers brushing over the Aetos eagle’s head with a reverent touch. A small smile graced her lips, both in respect and joy at seeing another of these legendary allies to Olympus alive and well.

“What the hell are you doing here, Aerys?!” Ikaro exclaimed, his tone a mix of disbelief and agitation as he faced his cousin.

“Calm down!” Aerys replied, raising her hands defensively. “I just wanted to come with you. I even brought my stuff!” She motioned toward the cart, trying to placate him.

Ikaro’s face twisted in exasperation. “Are you crazy? You want your dad to kill us? And then you?!” Iris pinched the bridge of her nose, already exhausted by the situation. “This is a disaster waiting to happen.”

“Relax! Nothing’s going to happen,” Aerys insisted, her voice firm but laced with nervousness. “Okay, fine, yes, he’s going to be pissed, but I want this. I really do.”

Ikaro crossed his arms, his voice taking on a serious edge. “This isn’t about what you want, Aerys. It’s about respecting your father’s one and only wish.”

Aerys’s jaw tightened, and she planted her feet, refusing to back down. “Yes, it is about what I want. I’m tired of having my path chosen for me. I’m old enough to make my own decisions, and I’ve decided I’m going to help you fight the Erebosian.”

Ikaro hesitated, visibly torn. “Cousin… this isn’t some small mission. This is life-threatening. It’s the end of the world we’re talking about. Even Athena is standing right here, this is not a game.”

“I know what it is, Ikaro.” Her voice was steady now, her determination unwavering. “And I’m ready. I’ve made up my mind.”

Athena, who had been silently observing, finally rose to her full height, her commanding presence drawing everyone’s attention. “If I may offer a suggestion as a neutral party,” she said, her tone measured. “Perhaps you should vote on the matter. Majority rules. If the group decides she cannot stay, then she must respect that decision.”

The group exchanged glances, and I nodded. “That sounds fair to me.” Noor and Entinos gave subtle nods of agreement as well.

Athena turned to Aerys. “Do you accept this condition?”

Aerys hesitated but then gave a firm nod. “…Yeah. I accept.”

Ikaro spoke first, his voice heavy with emotion. “Forgive me, cousin, but as much as I’d love to have you here, I can’t go against your father’s only wish. I know what it’s like to lose a father, and I can’t imagine how much worse it would be the other way around. My vote is no.”

Aerys flinched but said nothing, her gaze dropping for a moment.

Iris sighed, clearly conflicted. “On one hand, I agree with Ikaro... this is dangerous, and you need to be prepared. But on the other hand… I’ve seen you fight. I know you can hold your own.” She smiled faintly. “So yes, I want you with us. My vote is yes.”

Aerys’s face lit up, and she mouthed a quiet, “Thank you.”

“No,” Entinos said bluntly, cutting through the moment like a blade.

I raised an eyebrow. “So you’re against her joining?”

“Yes.” His response was curt.

“Could you explain?”

Entinos pointed at Ikaro. “He already did.”

I nodded, though the sharpness of Entinos’s words lingered. “Right. Noor?”

Aerys visibly tensed, clearly expecting the worst. Noor smirked, noticing her reaction. “You’ve got guts sneaking your way here, which I respect. Clever, really. But you’re acting on emotion, not logic, and that’s a surefire way to an early grave.”
She paused for effect, enjoying Aerys’s visible discomfort. “Then again, I’m getting bored teasing Iris, so… my vote is yes.”

“What?!” Aerys blinked, stunned by Noor’s unexpected approval.

“That leaves you, Kayn,” Athena said, her gaze steady.

I took a deep breath, weighing the decision. The group wasn’t unanimous, and I knew my choice would set the tone going forward. After a long moment, I looked at Aerys. “I don’t think we’ll get a full consensus here… but my vote is yes. Welcome to the group, Aerys.”

Her face broke into a radiant smile, and before I could react, she threw her arms around me in a tight hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

“You’re… welcome…” I wheezed, her grip nearly crushing me. “But… you’re **** me.”

She released me quickly, smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sorry,” she muttered sheepishly.

Entinos grunted, clearly displeased, but said nothing more as he began adjusting to the new dynamic. Noor rolled her eyes at Aerys’s display of affection, while Ikaro and Iris exchanged uneasy glances. Both siblings knew there would be consequences when Dario found out.

Athena coughed lightly, regaining our attention. “Thank you for deciding. Now, Kayn, I need you to confirm something for me.”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “We’ll go to Argos.”

Her lips curved into a tender smile. “Thank you.” She straightened, the light around her intensifying. “I must leave now. There are matters I need to attend to. Take care of yourselves.” With that, she faded away, her presence lingering even after she was gone.

Aerys looked around, wide-eyed. “So… I’m going to have to get used to that, huh?”

Noor gave her a knowing look. “Mostly. You’ll adjust. Besides, it could be worse, you could be like Kayn, Iris, and me. Sometimes, they talk to us in our heads.”

Aerys froze, her eyes darting between us. “They talk to you in your—WHAT?!”