The Greek Midnight Rainbow

Chapter 4: The sadness of goodbyes

My jaw threatened to drop. I knew I should be kneeling, bowing, but my body just wouldn't obey.

Mom was gaping at him as well, and he gave her a loving smile before sending her away, claiming he needed to talk to me privately. After she left, he sat by the door and patted the space besides him for me to sit. I did.

"Listen, I don't have much time, Zeus gave me twenty minutes at most, so I need you to listen and not say a thing"
I nodded

"I'm gonna say this as clear as possible, but I need to be fast" He took my small cold hands in his big warm ones. An amazingly affective gesture I appreciated.

"I want you to go into this war, -because I know you are making it through training." he started, his voice stern and I managed to keep my lips from trembling, or at least I hope I did. "And I want you to make me proud" by now my heart was beating a frantic tattoo against my chest and I was pretty sure he could hear it.

"You can't be afraid of death when it is that close, she smells fear. Well...it is Hades...but still it is a she" he smirked and the ground grumbled slightly, I couldn't help smiling, yes that's my dad, I thought.

"Anyways," he cleared his throat, his smirk disappeared and so did my smile, his voice was once again serious. "I know your fears, I've been watching you since I left. But no need to worry child, you will die in this war, the Oracle of Delphi has said as much, but you'll have a future after that, I have it all figured out"

What....? I couldn't speak, couldn't move. I was in utter shock.

"Uh....thanks for the motivational talk" I said trying to sound sarcastic but it came out frightened.

"I'm not trying to scare you child, I'm just warning you, when you're dying, you must let go, don't fight it. I have guaranteed you a future in the world of the living."

"What is that supposed to mean?!"

"Keep it quiet child"

I've had it, "don't call me child, and don't tell me not to fear. My imminent death is coming, and you want me to calm down?"

I kept my voice quiet, but strong nonetheless.

"I told you, I have it all figured out for you" he said, there was an unreadable expression in his eyes.

"What do you even mean by that?"

"You will have to figure that out yourself, but do not worry I have sent someone to help you"

"Who?" I asked already between halfway annoyed and demon-like enraged.

"You will find out soon enough, I must part now Selome, my daughter" he kissed my forehead and suddenly all emotions of frustration where gone. He was leaving again. But I understood why, and I knew I could not hold him back. So I hid any emotion I was feeling even though I felt a shattering sense on my inside, he opened my palm and placed something in it before closing my hand. "Remember my words, and in your last breath say his name"

"Whose name?" I asked, but he was already gone.

It took me a couple minutes to recover, this was too much. Knowing I was going to die? It was frightening but what was worst was that I would have to say goodbye to Cressida tomorrow and act normal, knowing I would not see her again. I could not let her know about this conversation, she already knew too much and that was dangerous enough.

Sighing I stood up shakily and walked inside the house. All I wanted to do was go to sleep and pretend this had all been a dream, maybe there was something in the food that was making me see things. I could almost believe this, if it wasn't for the feel of cold metal in my right palm. I opened it to see a golden necklace, with the shape of a boar crossing and axe -Ares' symbol. I rushed upstairs and hid it underneath my mattress, I had no idea what this meant and it was starting to freak me out.

As I kissed Mom goodnight she didn't ask about my conversation with ares and I was grateful for that. I guess she knew how serious this kind of things were.

As I went back to my room, Kole was already asleep and snoring on his old bed. I changed into my nightgown and slipped into the comfort of mine. I thought sleep wouldn't come, but before I could form any coherent thought I was pulled into the blackness and oblivion of sleep. Fortunately it was a dreamless night.

I woke up with Kole shaking my shoulder. He was in full gear and armor and ready to go.

"Selome get ready, your gear and armor will be given to you once you start training. So slip some day clothes on and lets go. We are late!"

Groaning I stood up and took my previous day's clothes, heading to the bathroom to slip them on. Five minutes later I was at the door with my pack, ready to go. No time for breakfast. My mother was there, ready to say goodbye I knew she was fighting back tears. And the thought that I would not see her again was making my heart and stomach sink.

I hugged her tightly not being able to fight my own tears any more and letting them slip freely down my face.

"Sweetheart, you'll be fine, Kole will protect you. And when you come back we will have a big party with all the food you love." She smiled at me and I saw a twinge of hope in her eyes. I wish she wouldn't look at me like that. I was about to disappoint her.

"Yes mom" I grinned picturing how it all could have been.
With one last hug, I watched as Kole and mom said their goodbyes and then Kole took my hand, taking a deep breath I stepped outside of my house that was no more.