Pegasus and the Mirrored Ones

Chapter 3

Tom's POV:

Emily had been gone for 5 days now. Everyone searched desperately for her, but with no success. The only thing that kept Steve going was that Emily had taken a selection of books and the hat-like device with her. The Flame dimmed each day. Whether Steve went, the Olympians gave sad smiles and earnest promises that Emily would return.

3 days ago, Riza had rushed through the Solar Stream, after Vesta had found the Flame almost diminished. There was nothing she could do, although we thanked her for her help. Riza, being Riza, blamed herself for Emily's disappearance.

I approached the Flame gingerly. There was something about it that I didn't, and don't understand and fear. All of a sudden, the Flame grew to an astonishing size, burning brighter and brighter until I had to shut my eyes before I was blinded. It stopped as quickly as it had begun, shrinking back to its original height.

I knew that the council had to know about this. I ran as fast as I could, until I reached Jupiter' palace. Inside, the council had begun a meeting. As soon as I ran in, all heads looked up.

Jupiter glanced at me. "Tom!" He smiled. "Would you care to join us?"

I nodded and took my place next to Vesta. A while after Emily had turned me into a sphinx, I was invited into the council based on my background CRU information.

Jupiter coughed. "Members of the General Council, I have organised this meeting to investigate the situation with our Flame." "Does anyone have any information regarding this incident?"

I stood up. I repeated everything that I had seen.

Murmurs echoed through the crowd. I continued. "It is my belief that Emily left Olympus intentionally and went to Earth."

Pluto stood up. "Why would she do that?"

A voice answered him from the other side of the room. "Because Emily felt depressed."

Riza entered, her tall figure having to stoop to get through the door.

Neptune looked confused as he stood up to greet Riza. "But why?" He asked, voicing everyone's thoughts.

Riza looked grim as she answered. "Emily tried to tell me, but I refused to listen."

Steve looked desperate. "Can anyone guess why?"

Steve's POV:

Inside, my head was full of thoughts. Who, or what, made Emily so unhappy that she felt compelled to leave? Did she think she needed to escape?

I had to fight tears. After I had lost her mum, I couldn't lose my only daughter. I prayed that she was okay, and that she would return.