ATN 3: THE JAR IN THE MAZE

I LOSE A FRIEND AND GO BACK HOME

Bursting out of the waves, shocking the giants and the gods alike, came out Team Underwater. Poseidon, riding a chariot pulled by the Hippocampi (supernatural sea horses), in shining golden battle armor, trident in hand, was joined on it by my sisters, and Rhian. "Phorcys and Ceto have been defeated. Pontus has done the trick! Come on, children, our family needs us." Poseidon said a war cry.

While we freed the remaining demigods, Rhian, Riya and Hiya ran by my side, while Poseidon lifted half the burden off of Zeus and took on Polybotes.

The demigods and werewolves assembled behind me. I, at that moment, was having a Captain America feeling, and hence, said, "Friends, and family. This is the ultimate battle. We fight as our lives, our loves, our home, everything is on the line. This is it. We go in, believing that we can save the day, with our parents. And if we fail, we fail trying. So, come on, let's get our lives back."

"Whenever you are ready!" Athena shouted, as she stabbed Enceladus on the leg.

Delilah led the charge. She and Tina attacked Theodamus, alongside their father. Rahul got introduced to his father, and decided to indulge Mimas with his tools, while his Daddy worked on the device. Trent joined Zeus against Porphyrion, while Rhian and Riya accompanied Poseidon against Polybotes. Hiya and the werewolves fought by Apollo's side against Aristaius. Artemis needed none, since she her Girl Gang of the Goddess with her. Persephone became the sight of Gerard, as they, along with Demeter and Hera took on Phoitos. Hermes found help in the rest of the Amazons, who attacked Hippolytus. Hades took my brothers alongside him, as they took on Alcyoneus. Urwa joined her mother and Athena against Enceladus. Lucy and Dionysus teamed up to Ephialtes. Me? I was out there, observing, waiting for a moment to pounce, while my and Tina's recruitments, along with the rest of the Atlanteans, were winning over the minions.

However, it didn't take long for the bad thing to happen. With every god getting able help, I decided to stand against the minions. But, just as I disintegrated two minions with my wand, something happened that froze the demigods in place. Trent dived around, summoning lightning bolts and hurling them at Porphyrion from behind, while Zeus did the same from the front. They were doing pretty well. Behind them, Poseidon and Rhian, along with Riya, had simply rid Polybotes of his hands, and were now bringing him down to his knees. Just then, one single moment of distraction, as Porphyrion ran and drove his scythe's blade through Trent's chest, and then, went on to run it down through his stomach. Trent screamed in pain, and then, fell on the ground.

For a moment, it all stopped. And then, a few things happened. Polybotes, despite being one the big three gigantes, died first, with Riya beheading him completely, with Poseidon's help. The rest of the fight continued, however, the others weren't able to take upper hands over each other. Rhian ran at his childhood friend. Zeus, even Zeus, stopped fighting, and walked close to his son. And as Porphyrion was about attack the demigods near Trent, Poseidon blocked him with his trident, and kept him at bay.

And I lost control of my rage. I slammed my feet on the ground, and around me, all the remaining minions turned to smoke. I ran towards Trent. His eyes were nearly closed. I could feel Thanatos's presence nearby. Trent didn't have much time. "Hey, man." He said, his eyes fixated at Rhian.

"Hey, bud! You'll be alright." Rhian said, his voice breaking. Tears oozed out of my eyes. I couldn't heal him. If Thanatos was near, his time had come. And the Fates had shown me well not to meddle with a person's fate.

"I don't have much of a time, man." Trent said, "Listen, be good, alright. Get a little serious. Don't joke around all the time." Then, his eyes shifted to his father, "Hey, Dad." He said.

"My son." Zeus said, his body stiff, his face barring the emotions to come out, "You are a brave warrior." Above, the lightning flashed all across the sky. Zeus, while trying to control his rare emotions, was losing his control on his part of the nature.

"I am sorry that I couldn't know you better." Trent said, "However, no matter what you do, it's an honor be a son of Zeus." Zeus put his hand on Trent's head. Then, he looked at me. "Jay!" He said, "It is another honor to be led by you." He said, "Your intentions of sacrificing your powers to win us the war has me impress...ah...impressed." He started to pant, and was losing his breath. Rhian was still not crying, and was holding off his emotions.

"Rhian," Trent looked at him, "Don't be a stiffy while I go. Smile!" Both of them smiled at each other. And then, Trent's face lost its expression. He went still.

Trent Butcher, an honored son of Zeus, had fallen. 

Rhian's eyes finally gave way. His tears were unstoppable. He had wanted to say his best friend goodbye with a smile. But now, he was breaking altogether. At that moment, Zeus impressed us all. I saw Thanatos take Trent's soul. I was the only one who could see him. It always confused me how a person so beautiful could be so ominous. As soon as he took the soul away, Zeus moved his fingers around Trent's body, and converted him into a group of stars. Then, he sent the stars up into sky, where they took the form of Trent himself. "Let the world know you as Constellation Butcher from now on, my son." He said, "Rest in peace."

I was not okay. I was letting my anger take control. I turned at Porphyrion, who was doing better against Poseidon. And before anyone could react, I pounced on him. However, I soon realized I was wrong.

I wanted to inflict my pain curse on him. But before I could utter my spell, Porphyrion caught me by my shoulders, while blocking Poseidon's trident with his scythe, and threw me with all his might. I lost consciousness, while still in air.

When I regained my consciousness, I found myself in quite a different place. No signs of war at all. This place was beautiful. The plants, the lands, the fields, the air, the weather. Heck, this place was familiar. "Holy Hecate!" I said to myself, "He threw me straight back to Atlantis!"

"See how strong he is?" I jumped up, startled by a familiar voice. I turned, and saw the person I wanted to see the most at that moment.

Hecate smiled at me, and said, "Welcome home. It is time, my son, to know your other fate."