Daughters of Gods and The Trials of the Poison Belt

Chapter Six: Waking Revelations

I woke up with more questions than answers. Seated in a quiet corner of the library, I leafed through the pages of the old man's writings about myself. I delved into the concept of the chastity belt—an oath to remain a virgin. The notion of a lifetime of celibacy, an ordained fate, left me in a state of bewilderment. Social norms that I had never quite adhered to now solidified into a concrete reality. "Theo, where do you stand in all this?" I glanced up to find him settled across from me.

"Reading about my destiny as a celibate warrior," I replied, my voice carrying a mix of sarcasm and frustration. He chuckled, a sound that managed to ease some of the tension within me.

"We might share that destiny, I am what most call 'Death'." he confessed, surprising me with his admission.

"Wait, seriously?" My disbelief was evident.

"Indeed, you're not alone in this," he laughed, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Great. So, the predicament we're tangled in—do we have a way to put a stop to it?" I voiced my concern, seeking affirmation.

"We're left with no choice. A single kiss from me and the universe spirals into chaos, because I have killed it's only hope" he answered, though his tone carried a hint of jest. Our eyes met, a moment laced with unspoken understanding. Suddenly, his eyes darkened to black, then just as swiftly reverted to their normal hue, leaving me baffled.

"I'll be back in a moment," he declared and vanished from my sight. On impulse, I grabbed my purse and slipped out through the back door, escaping the library without notice. Darting down the street, I unexpectedly collided with Jake, a familiar face offering a sense of solace in the midst of turmoil.

"Jake!" I exclaimed, taken aback by the encounter.

"Hey there," he greeted, stooping to retrieve my fallen purse.

"Are you alright? You weren't at the library this morning," concern laced my words.

"My mom's not been well, so I've been taking care of her. I'm on my way to pick up her medicine. Want to join me?" he invited, his presence a comforting anchor.

Together, we collected her medicine and made our way to his home, where his ailing mother welcomed me with warmth. Settling into his living room, memories of our previous study sessions resurfaced—the laughter, the easy camaraderie. Drifting into sleep with my head resting on his shoulder, an unexpected sense of solace enveloped me.

I awoke to his chuckles, teasing me about my drooling during the nap. His familiar presence offered soothing comfort, reminding me of the time spent getting to know each other.

"I should be going," I eventually stated, wary of overstaying my welcome.

"Wait, you don't have to leave," he countered, a hint of loneliness evident in his eyes. Yet, my mind was cluttered with concerns; I felt inadequate to offer anyone support right now.

"I appreciate it, Jake, but I've got a lot on my mind. My grandmother must be worried," I explained.

"You're right. Just promise me you won't stay away," he earnestly requested.

"I promise," I assured him, and we headed outside. "Let me walk you." He insisted. Our walk was punctuated by conversation, during which he opened up about his own challenges and aspirations, revealing a depth I had not fully recognized before.

Inadvertently bumping into a stranger, my unease grew as I recognized the unsettling smile on the man's face. "Athene." His ominous words sent shivers down my spine, an air of danger clinging to his presence. Before I knew it, I found myself face to face with a warrior known as Typhon, the encounter escalating into a physical confrontation as he launched an attack. Evading his blows, I summoned the courage to stand my ground against him, fueled by an unfamiliar surge of power. Light surged from within me as I sent it towards Typhon.

"How?" Jake's voice, laced with concern and confusion, urged me to caution. Typhon's eyes transformed to a deep red, and my instincts surged, my own eyes responding with a luminous glow towards Typhon.

"Step back, Jake," I implored, the tension mounting. Typhon's eerie grin heightened my apprehension. As he struck, I managed to dodge, but his punch landed with force. Blocking his subsequent attack, I felt a crackling of electricity surge through my fist as it connected with his face.

"Impossible," Typhon exclaimed, his disbelief palpable. Rushing toward Jake, I knew we needed to flee. "We have to leave," I insisted.

"What's happening?" Jake's bewildered question mirrored my own confusion. I was determined to shield him from the danger that now engulfed him.

As we raced away, my thoughts raced alongside us, fear propelling us forward. We reached my grandmother's home unscathed, only to be met by yet another uncomfortable situation. "Where have you been?" my grandmother demanded, her gaze narrowing upon the mark Typhon had left on my face.

"Call the others, let them know she's returned safely," she instructed Tori, her concern palpable. My grandmother's worry tugged at my heart, yet my focus remained fixed on sharing the events that had transpired.

"I needed time to think," I offered, though the explanation only partially held true. "But that's not the point right now. I fought Typhon—an immensely powerful adversary." The weight of my words lingered heavily.

"Typhon? Are you sure?" Sasha's voice mixed concern with excitement.

"As much as my face can testify, yes. Beneath the battering, she remains Athene, a warrior," Asclepius chimed in, his words bolstering my shaken self-assurance.

"I don't feel like a warrior," I confessed, vulnerability seeping into my voice.

"Even warriors experience fear. How you rise above it defines you," Theo's voice conveyed reassurance, his presence a comforting balm to my frayed nerves.

"Sasha, can you fill Jake in on what's happening?" I turned to her, wanting him to have some comprehension of this strange new reality.

Sasha embarked on an explanation, and I watched as Jake's initial skepticism gave way to a contemplative acceptance. The absurdity of it all was tempered by the realization that, somehow, he believed.

Sasha concluded her account, and the others filed in, their relief palpable. Theo's expression spoke volumes—his concern transformed into visible relief. "Are you alright?" he asked, his gentle touch brushing against the mark on my cheek.

"I'm fine," I reassured him, a faint smile playing upon my lips.

"But what happened to your face?" His genuine worry mingled with a hint of inner turmoil.

"She engaged in a fight with Typhon, without any formal training," Sasha beamed, her words amplifying my sense of accomplishment.

"Typhon's here?" Merch's voice was edged with urgency.

"Father, when is Chiron arriving? Melody needs to learn control," Darius addressed Asclepius with a seriousness that foretold impending challenges.

"Tomorrow. We must rest now, for the path ahead will be arduous," Asclepius replied, his words laden with gravity.

"Jake, let's ensure you return home safely. Hermes and I can handle that," Sasha offered, Jake's perplexed expression eventually giving way to gratitude. He embraced me before departing, and I glanced over at Theo, sensing that Jake's gesture had unsettled him.

With the room gradually emptying, Theo and I found ourselves alone. "I'm sorry for causing you worry," I confessed, my gaze meeting his.

"Did you go to him?" he questioned, his concern evident.

"No, I ran into him while helping with his mom. She's near the end of her life," I explained, and he nodded, his understanding evident.

"Yes, Cassandra Taylor. Her time is drawing near," he murmured softly, a sense of inevitability imbuing his words. "Rest up. We'll face tomorrow together," he urged, his gloved hand brushing against mine. In that instant, I wished I could feel his touch without the barrier of his gloves.

"See you in the morning," I murmured, his retreating figure leaving me with a blend of intrigue and longing. Another enigma added to the intricate tapestry of our shared destiny.