Simplicity | Book 1

The Jones Family

Solace smiled gently at Hades. "I'll be careful," she promised, hugging him.

Persephone burst into tears and pulled her to her chest, making the girl's face go bright red.

"Stop, please! You're embarrassing me. I'm probably blushing in my sleep, making Kane worry!"

Hades chuckled. "You need to wake up now, daughter. We'll see you in due time."

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Solace sat up sharply, sensing monsters on the move.

Kane Glahn was one of few people who knew her secret. She was an immortal, and she had rejected the life of a supernatural being who could control fate. But still, she had titles.

She was the goddess of solace, rarity, and simplicity. As well as heroes, protection, and saviors. Solace was not known for helping heroes being heroes, but rather, aiding them as they became what they were meant to be. She and Kane were a team, and went around, getting demigods and their families out of bad situations. That's where the protection and savior parts came in. She was a solace for those who needed it, a simple person for someone who needed straight answers for once in their life, and she was the rare person who refused to use riddles in answers.

Kane frowned at her. "What's wrong? You look like you're going to be sick."

Solace winced, remembering why they had stopped. They were running low on ambrosia and nectar and she had needed to rest before she could restock their supply. She had also twisted her ankle, but by the looks of it, her immortal body had fixed the wound. She sighed, finally answering him.

"I'll be fine, but a hoard of monsters is on the move to the demigods and legacy we picked up a few days back. I have a feeling the youngster is the daughter of Zeus or Poseidon. Since I was little, Dad hadn't had any kids, and they had been killed off by monsters. The monsters were too powerful for Dad to control. The older one, the mother, doesn't have too much of a scent. The little boy has barely anything for a monster to pick up. So he's safe enough for now. We just need to get them to CHFH."

Kane paused, giving the girl a suspicious look. "Let's get moving then."

Solace stood, her long black hair slapping her face. She huffed and pushed it back. "Let's move, because it's unlikely that they'll be able to get out in time."

"Try to think on the bright side," Kane suggested. "It might help us."

Solace rolled her eyes. "It helps me as much as it helps you."

"Haha. You're the champion. It might work."

"As if. Dad can't control the Fates and neither can Apollo. Don't ask me to have a fruitless attempt at getting us good luck."

"Chill down, Sol. I wasn't trying to annoy you."

The immortal rolled her eyes and restocked the supply. She grabbed her bag and started away with Kane right behind her.

"I never expected Chicago to be so warm," Solace noted, pulling her hair away from her neck. "It's much hotter than I planned for."

She grabbed Kane's arm and transported them away to where they were going.

"Can't you do that every time?" Kane complained.

She rolled her eyes. "It tires me more. We need our energy if we're to fight."

"Good point. I'll talk."

Kane raised his hand to knock, but a girl of about eight opened the door. "Mom said that you could help us. So come in."

The two exchanged weary looks before following.

"I'm Sol," Solace said, trying to avoid scaring the girl off. "I'm the daughter of Persephone. What's your name?"

"Skylar Jones. I'm the daughter of Hades. My younger brother—he's five, by the way—is the legacy of Apollo. Mom is the daughter of Apollo and my stepdad is mortal. He sucks, though."

"Well, Skylar, my friend Kane and I are here to help you and your mom and brother. We need to get you all to Chiron's Home For Heroes. We call it CHFH for short."

"Skye?" a woman asked. "Are you out there?"

"Cassie?" Kane asked in shock.

"Kane? What are you doing here?"

"Solace and I are a team!"

"Like we were? What are you doing here?"

"We're here to get you to safety. After Solace told me that you weren't in the Underworld, I knew you were still alive despite what I was being told. How are you here? Why are you here?"

Cassie scowled. "This is my home. Don't tell me that you're protecting me. The last time you protected me it nearly got me killed."

"You have at least a hundred monsters coming towards you—not slowly either. I know that it's your home, but your son and daughter are in danger. If you'll fight, great. If not, I understand. It's not easy trying to stay away from the life of a hero, and if you go out and fight, then you'll never be able to revert back to this life again. We can train your kids and they don't have to be at CHFH for the rest of their lives. They can be normal. But Skylar is my half-sister. She's in danger because no monsters will stand for a demigod child of Hades. I can't let her die—I lost a brother and sister in one day, as well as my older sister, Stellaluna, to Kronos. He corrupted her. And I need all of my family to stay intact now," Solace said.

"Wasn't Stellaluna the goddess of stars and twilight?" Cassie asked in surprise.

"She was stripped of her titles and immortality when I found out and told Dad and Mom. Demeter found out and told Hera who told Zeus."

"So you're the goddess of heroes, solace, rarity, simplicity, protection, and saviors, correct?"

"Yes. But I need you to come with us. Chiron is prepared for you—" Solace's watch started to tick, making her freeze. "Go with Kane. Kane, can you get them all to Home without me?"

"Yep. Is it your parents?"

Solace glanced at the watch briefly. "No. Mom isn't there. It's just Dad. but I need to go, otherwise Dad might get in trouble."

"Alright. I'll manage."

She smiled quickly. "I'll be back as soon as possible. I trust you can fight, Cassandra. After all, you were nicknamed Warrior for a reason." She grinned before transporting herself to her father.

"Took you long enough," Hades grumbled.

It's an original story but I didn't plan on publishing this until I had all chapters written but it's okay.
~ Ella