ATN 3: THE JAR IN THE MAZE

THE OTHER FATE

"Mom!" I ran at her, and hugged her tightly. I said, "I lost another friend, Mom. I lost Trent."

"I know." She said, "It is about time you all sent Porphyrion back to Tartarus. But before that, we need to get some work done."

She took me to the palace, and from far off, showed me how Iris was fending off Jared's army. No one was getting past. "Why don't we help her?" I asked.

"Do you think she needs it?" Hecate asked.

"Right." Seriously, Iris was rocking in there, killing and smoking away every creature trying to get past her barrier. "Come with me." Mom said, and took me inside the palace. She took me to the throne room, and asked, "What do you think is missing?"

"People?"

"After people take their seats, what will still be missing?"

"I have no idea."

"Honey," Mom said, "The fact that you don't see it makes you even more perfect for it all. Come on."

She took me to the same tower I and Tina loved, and then, moved her fingers as if she was zooming a mobile screen. There were people, all around the streets in the main city, looking for Iris, calling for help. The minions were up there, trying to destroy homes and create problems. Iris was securing the palace. "I think Iris does need help." I said.

"Then help her." Mom said, and made me close my eyes. When I opened them, I was at the main city, surrounded by creatures and wailing Atlantean commoners. I pulled out my wand, when Mom snatched it from me. "You don't need channeling your powers anymore. You didn't need to use it against Agrius, and don't need it now. Go!"

I ran around the houses, killing creatures left, right and center. Everytime I saved an Atlantean, I asked them if they were okay. I told them to go home, and not open their doors until they were said.

Once I was done, I reunited with Mom right where I left her. However, things weren't exactly pretty. Gods knew how many harpies, centaurs and other creature Jared managed, but even after scores being killed by Iris in the Royal Area, and about a hundred killed by me in the main city, still, scores more came, this time, ready to take the main city down with it. Mom was facing that, and as soon as I got there, she asked me to follow her. Then, I saw, again, how powerful Mom was.

She walked right through the pool of monsters, her arms slightly spread. As she walked by, she wiped out a whole row of monsters, turning them to black smoke. We walked up to the beach, where I saw an old friend, stabbing a monster with a knife. Jonny waved his hands at me, and smiled. Mom turned to me, and said, "Atlantis is secured. You helped the people."

Jonny came to me, and said, "Saw from my ship what you were doing in the city streets. You are one hell of a wizard, magic-boy."

"I get it all from her." I pointed to my Mom. Jonny kneeled to her, but Mom picked him up. She turned to me again, and said, "Look at the main city."

I turned to look, and what I saw was amazing. Since I had asked people not come out of their houses, they were all standing in their balconies, and roofs. They were clapping, some in relief, and some in happiness. "You got to the people, honey. They need a leader now."

I finally got what Mom had been trying to say. What was missing in the throne room? Of course I knew. But what she was implying couldn't be true. I turned back, and said, "No."

"What no?"

"I can't be the one of Dodona's prophecy. Mom, I messed up real bad. I unleashed the ghosts on this world."

"But you also put your powers on the line." Mom said, "That was a huge sacrifice. Gale told me how serious you were about that."

"But I didn't sacrifice it."

"You meant to, my son. And that is all that mattered. You were ever so fit to be the one."

"Mom, how is it possible?"

"What is possible?" Jonny asked.

"You'll see soon enough, sailor." Hecate looked at me instantly, "Let's see if it is possible."

Mom stomped her foot on the ground. And we heard a screech. I looked up in the sky, as within two seconds, a creature landed on the ground, right by Mom's side. He had a head and wings of an eagle, and a lion's body. He was the griffin of Atlantis.

"Step forward, and try." Mom said. Now, I love my Mom. I would do whatever she says, but here, I hesitated. "Mom," I said, "I just lost a good friend of mine. I am not in the best mood, and certainly not in the mood for this."

"Honey, if you want to save your friends, and end this turmoil, you need this."

"What difference will it make, Mom? My skills seem to be of no match for the gigante king."

"Every rise in power in your life affects your magic. This will only make you more powerful. Even as we speak, your friends are losing a battle in Themiscyra. Jared is looking for a way to get into Olympus. Accept your fate and go. End all this. Come on."

I stepped nearer to the griffin. He normally attacks anyone who goes close. However, this time, he didn't. He bowed his head down to me, and closed his eyes as I petted him. I was the one!  Behind me, Mom clapped, and seeing her, Jonny also clapped.

I couldn't believe my fate. After all these hardships, fights and everything, I was just another demigod, with a little more power and control. However, now, I was special. More special than anyone else in Atlantis. 

The griffin laid his body to let me get on his back. And as soon as I did, he got ready for his run up. "What is happening, my Lady?" Jonny asked, as the griffin started to run.

And as soon as he took flight, I heard Mom say, "Bow down to your new king, dear sailor. Jay Chatterjee, son of Hecate, is the King of Atlantis."