The Olympians: The Fall of Kin

Phoneutria

Athena dreaded this meeting more than anything. Her father was a terrible man. A hellish man who cared nothing for other people, not even his own daughter.

And, while that reunion was one that she'd rather run from, there was another that was just as terrifying, if not more so.

They're here. My Mom and brother. Buried beneath that tree.

"You alright?" Kyn asked as they trekked.

"Fine." She uttered. "Let's move quickly."

"What about you?" Kyn called behind him to Curie.

"Huh? Oh, I'm doing just fine. Could use a break, maybe take a nap in a tree somewhere." She said, jokingly.

Kyn chuckled. "No, but really."

Curie smiled. "I'm fine. Thanks."

Artemis passed Kyn up to trail behind Athena, whispering, "Softie," as she did so.

He smirked but ignored her.

"What's up?" Artemis said as she came even with Athena.

"We're close now. One klick out, maybe." She said, checking the GPS on her terminal.

"You know that's not what I meant. You really doing, okay?"

"Fine." Athena said curtly.

"Right." Artemis muttered half-heartedly. "And here I was thinking that I was the only one who hid my emotions. And yet you open up to this asshole?" She threw her thumb back, gesturing to Kyn.

"Artemis!" Kyn whispered loudly. "You shouldn't press her."

Athena came to a stop, glaring at Artemis, then at Kyn, and finally at Curie. "I'm within a mile of where my mother and brother were slaughtered. Where I saw them carved to pieces. It sucks. I don't wanna' think about it. I just want to catch my father so that my family can finally rest in peace. Nothing less and nothing more than that." She looked at Curie. "Sorry for being so dismissive of your feelings earlier."

That was all she had to say. She wasn't sure what else to add to that, so, she pivoted and continued-on.

"Holy shit," Curie said in shock, her French accent adding a certain comedic flair to her words. "Did she just apologize?"

"I think so." Kyn uttered with a smile before following her.

Artemis smirked. "See," She clapped Curie on the back. "She's not quite the robot she wants everyone to think that she is."

"Maybe a bit of a social caterpillar," Curie laughed. "Get it? The opposite of a social butterfly? No laughs. Oh, we're walking now. Right. Let's go, team!"

They walked on for several more minutes, trailing behind Athena, who expertly guided them through the forest as if she'd walked the path a million times.

I remember it all now, Athena thought. The smell of rain in the air. The leaves crunching beneath my feet as I ran. The heavy breathing of my Asthmatic brother. Thunderclaps. Blood. Rain. Blood. Rain...

She could remember everything like it had happened yesterday. The sneering laugh of her father as he killed them.

"Families only serve to weigh people like us down, Athena. Your brother and mother were weak. They could've never come to my side of the world. But you? You're valuable. Your mind is the best weapon I've ever created."