sopor (a. chase)

ii

THE SUN SHONE through the window of the room, illuminating it with the first morning light. It was quiet, the camp was still half asleep except for the first few Apollo children who woke up with the sun and started their usual morning activities.

The trainer of heroes maintained the same position as he had for the last three days. With a book opened in his lap, he sat in his wheelchair by the bed of the raven-haired girl who showed up out of nowhere. He didn't notice it at first but after a few moments, a movement caught his attention. His eyes finally tore from the book just in time to see the girl stir. Her eyelids fluttered and her eyes slowly opened, squinting at the light of the morning sun.

She slowly pushed herself up on the bed into a sitting position, looking around the room in confusion until her eyes caught Chiron. The worry and confusion disappeared, and her face softened.

"Chiron?" her voice was small, almost as if she was afraid she was dreaming. The centaur gave her a soft smile.

"Hello, child."

"Did we win, Chiron? Is everyone safe?" the centaur frowned, feeling a dull pain in his chest as he watched the teenager on the bed. She was as small as he remembered, as young, as alive. He closed the book and wheeled closer towards the bed, gently taking one of the girl's hands into his own. The girl looked up to him with hope. He didn't want to crush that hope, he didn't want to add to the list of the girl's problems. But he knew he didn't have a choice.

"We won, child. Yes." the girl smiled softly, releasing a breath she was holding. "What do you remember?" her brows furrowed, as if she was trying to find a piece of a puzzle she was missing.

"I was leading the fifth phalanx. We were in need of reinforcements but none came. Then we were surrounded. I remember two banners. Inverted torch, and a torch and a key."

"Hypnos and Hecate?" it took a moment but she shook her head.

"Somnus and Trivia." Chiron sighed.

"Gods above," he whispered and closed his eyes. "And next?"

"I... I don't know. I felt this feeling as if the Earth was shaking with fear. I opened my eyes and found myself on the ground. It was nighttime. Was I unconscious for long?" the question was innocent but it felt like a dagger to the chest for Chiron. He opened his eyes and looked at the girl, squeezing her hand gently.

"Very long, my child. Too long." she tilted her head.

"Whatever you mean? Surely it couldn't be so long?"

"I'm afraid it was." he reached for her other hand, taking both of them into his own. "We thought you were dead, Lena." the girl's eyes widened in panic.

"What? No. That can't be! I... I'm alive! Tell them, I'm alive. I need to see them." the girl tried to get up but Chiron gently pushed her back.

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

"What do you mean it's not possible?" the girl's voice raised with each word. "My friends think I'm dead! I need to see them! I have to..."

"Lena," Chiron cut her off, feeling the immense weight on his chest ." We thought you died in 1864." he paused, watching as the girl's face slowly morphed back to confusion. "The year now is 2008." he felt her stiffen. Her whole body froze, the temperature of the room visibly lowered, and the light dimmed. From the corner of his eye, he could see the shadows rising, slowly creeping up the walls and windows. The girl's chest fell and rose in quick tempo.

"What?" she whispered.

"The battle occurred one hundred and forty-four years ago, Lena. Your friends, they are in your father's realm now." she shook her head slowly, and her hands started to tremble as the temperature continued to lower and the room became darker.