Ariana's Trials

Part 18

Ariana's POV

The look on Natasha's face was priceless

"You want answers. Come with me" I walk with purpose to the training arena "I know you like to fight. I'll explain while we spar" I launch a flying kick at her face, and she dodges, throwing her punch

Half an hour later with one tired Natasha, she understands.

"Greek mythology is real. Wow" She wipes more sweat off her face "The world just got a lot more complicated" I smirk

"You're pretty good at fighting," I say

"I still don't know how you beat me," She said

"I have been training my whole life," I say "And now I'm on course to be a goddess" I help her up

"Wait-I just sparred with a goddess?" She asks

"No-I'm not quite there yet. Two more problems and I'm immortal" We walk toward the cabins "You're a daughter of Nemesis-There are five other kids of hers here. The cabin with the set of scales on it." She nods

"I just need to let my team know I'll be away for a while" She whips out her phone and texts someone "Done. They're used to me just dropping off the grid"

"Ariana" The seashell I gave Star. 

"I need to go. See you later!" I take off full speed for the ocean and jump right in. Star needed me.

I was drifting around the palace, looking for Star. I eventually send out four fish to help me search, and one comes back with results-She's sitting in the seashell I was in, tears pouring down her face. I sit next to her and pull her braid out

"Hey, little Star," I say. She mumbles some words I can't hear "You called for me" I hug her

"Madame hit me" Star whimpers. My blood boils, and so does the water around me "For being away for too long. For being with you without her to gossip about how her adopted daughter knows the princess" I hold Star in my embrace for even longer, for my comfort or hers, I don't know

"We should tell my mother" I whisper, and fix her hair into two braids "And my mom can exact revenge on Madame. Then we can wander away to the surface, and stay with me at camp, where Madame will never find you" I finish her braids and hold her again. "And we'll all be safe and sound forever" I pick her up and find an incognito way to my stepmother's rooms, and put Star down "You ready?" I whisper. She nods, and I push the doors open

"Ariana!" Amphitrite jumps up from her chair and hugs me "Star" She smiles. She loves Star as much as I do.

"Lady Amphitrite, I-I" Star starts

"Star's adoptive mother hit her," I say, holding Star in my arms. A small explosion came from the back of the room, where a mural with Amphitrite and her handmaidens are-The mural of Madame just blew up. I guess I know her reaction to this new news. I cover Star's ears and mine as my mother screams something, and Madame enters the room, stifling a cry when she sees Star and me. I keep our ears covered as my mom screams at her, ending as Madame pops out of existence. I uncover our ears.

"Star, I have an offer for you" Amphitrite is smiling softly "Noha is back, but he is occupied on land. If I make you my new handmaiden, you can stay here with me and the other ladies, who are genuinely nice" Wow. Serious upgrade. Star gives a tiny nod, and a new figure appears on the mural. A little girl with twin braids and a matching blue tail. Amphitrite calls her other handmaids in, and they fawn over Star, giving her the attention she sorely lacked for three years. I hug my mother and go back to the surface. I know Star will be taken care of better than I can do myself, given that I might die in the next six months.