ATN 3: THE JAR IN THE MAZE

SIGNING OFF, YOUR FRIENDLY WARLOCK

I was handed a sword by Iris, saying it was King Basil's. King Basil, if you guys remember, was the previous king of Atlantis. He was Queen Anastasia's husband, and he died very young. There is still a photo of him and his ancestors on the walls of the throne room. I held the sword and called out the names.

"Tina Roy, daughter of Ares." I said, with a sly smile. She came up to a roar of claps and kneeled down to me. I touched the sword on both her shoulders, and said, "Arise, general of Atlantis, and take your seat to my right." Tina looked at me, shocked. Everyone seemed shocked at this. No one had expected a throne. I winked at Tina, who, still shocked, walked up to the throne to my right, and sat down. 

"Delilah Roca, former Amazon Queen, and daughter of Ares, and Avik Chatterjee, son of Aphrodite." Dadai and Del walked up and kneeled. I did the same ritual, and said, "Arise, trainers of Atlantis. Take your seats to my right."

As the two happily sat down, I called Abhro next. I assigned him the role of the King's Advisor, and sat him right beside Iris. I called Riya and Gerard after that. I had decided to put them in the same role, and assigned them the duty of making new young demigods feel at home, by talking to them, encouraging them, making them accept this supernatural world that we were living in. They sat by Abhro. I assigned Hiya a throne, for she was the only huntress in this family, and she was too important to ignore. 

Rahul was appointed Craftsman of Atlantis, as he took the throne beside Dadai. Rhian was named Leader of the Naval Forces of Atlantis, and was sat beside Rahul. The two were trying to hold on to each other after their respective heartbreaks. I told the younger demigods that once they were ready, there would be thrones waiting for them too. We would need all the help we could get. "My final announcement." I said, "My friends and my family, I would like to continue school, and graduate from a college. So, I still am a normal demigod. And no one in Atlantis, shall call me 'Your Highness' or names as such. I am Jay, and would love to be called Jay."

There were standing ovations at this. And as I put my crown down on my throne, and walked out of the throne room, I was given a guard of honor.

A few things happened the next day. All good things, but remarkable ones.

Next morning, Iris packed her bags and left. I was with her when she left, and asked her, "Where are you going?"

"Remember that Dutch village you told me about?"

"Zaanse Schans?"

"Yep. I'm starting from there."

"Iris, if new demigods come, how would be determine their parentage, or provide them weapons?"

"Trust the hearth, Jay. It will guide you, always." I nodded, as she walked through the portal to Zaanse Schans.

That afternoon, my parents came to see me in my room. Dad was staying with me anyway, but Mom was here too, now. I hugged both of them tightly for about two minutes, and cried like a baby. "Boy gets emo." Dad said.

"Can you blame me?" I asked, "Mom, are you still going to live in the witch house?"

"Yes, honey."

"Why can't you live together? You two are still in love with each other."

"Oh, yes." Dad said, "And that is why..." He pulled out two tickets to Lima, "We are going on a trip."

"Peru?" I asked, excitedly.

"I suggested it, you know." Mom said, "The place has fascinating history."

"Tell me if you see Mama Quilla there."

"I will." Mom laughed.

"Who is that?" Dad asked, confused.

"I will tell you, honey." Mom said, "Come on, we need preparations."