Rising Heroes Book Four: The Sands of Ouroboros

Chapter Twenty: If You Close Your Eyes

Disclaimer: I don't own HOO or VE

Chapter Twenty: If You Close Your Eyes

Santorini, sometime in the past

Milo, Sal, Reid, and Grove snuck onto one of the ships headed to the island, the boat bumping the whole way there. Reid bounced Grove in his arms; Milo had found some sedatives in the kitchen and the baby satyr was out like a light.

In their bag clinked the vials of blood as well as a stolen dagger. Not a Grigori dagger; those weren't just lying around; but a normal dagger they could put their blood on. 

Roc had flown to save Phoenix, leaving him to trust Milo and Sal. "Don't worry," Sal had said, both twins wearing identical smiles. "We won't mess it up."

They were partially right. They were able to successfully sneak onto the island, Reid in tow. But when they tried to get close to the volcano, they were stopped by Griffin and Spence. 

"What are you doing?" Spence asked, glowering over them. Milo blinked up at his future uncle, then looked over his shoulder at his dad, who was killing the first of the three exiles he had to sacrifice. Phoenix and Violet's boat was still in the distance.

"We... we need to..." Reid trailed off, Grove still sleeping in his arms. "Um..."

"We need to throw this knife into the volcano," Sal said confidently. "Phoenix's orders."

"And you are?" Griffin raised an eyebrow. "Also, that was a complete lie."

Milo elbowed Sal in the ribs. "Nice going. He's a truth-seeker, idiot."

"I forgot, ok?" Sal muttered, rubbing his ribs.

Milo leaned towards Griffin and whispered in his ear. Griffin's eyes went wide, and after a moment he nodded. "Let them pass," he told Spence.

Milo walked past confidently, casting a smug look at Sal. "What did you tell him?" Reid asked. 

"The truth," Milo said. "And he knows it's the truth, which is why it worked. I told him we're from the future and this is the only way we can get home."

"Huh," Reid commented. Sal just huffed. 

As they approached the volcano, Sal shielded his face from the blistering heat. "Can't believe Mom fell into this," he muttered. 

"And Grandma came out," Milo reminded him.

"Huh?" Reid looked thoroughly confused. 

Milo rolled his eyes. "Our mom got dumped into this volcano by her ex, Roc's dad, because he got upset after she broke up with him because he controlled her emotions. So he decided to resurrect his psycho mom who got banished to hell because she was killing kids and whatnot, and the volcano was part of the ritual. Or something."

"But she didn't fall!" Sal said. "She just teetered on the edge."

"That explanation literally made me more confused," Reid muttered.

Reid pulled out the knife, balancing Grove on one hip. Milo and Sal began uncorking the blood and pouring it on the blade.

"What is some of one person's blood pushes all the other blood off?" Milo wondered.

"Don't put bad ideas out there," Sal said.

"That's literally not how liquid works," Reid said, rolling his eyes. 

When all the blood was on the knife Reid threw it into the volcano. When it was in, Sal and Milo turned to their dad, who was waiting by the second chained exile.

"What are you doing?" Reid asked, panicking.

"Just relax," Milo said. "Wait here."

They approached their father, who started when he saw them. "Who are you?" he asked suspiciously.

"We're Rogues," Milo said. "Just coming to check in. Emotional support, you know? Mental health check. Wellness rounds."

"Shut up," Sal muttered.

"You're identical," Lincoln said.

"Twins, duh!" Milo flashed a cheeky smile.

Lincoln rolled his eyes. "Do you need something? I'm kind of busy here."

"Oh yeah, we heard about your partner," Milo said. "Listen, don't sweat it. You're doing the right thing. She's special, you know? You have to save her."

Lincoln's face looked conflicted. "I can't live without her," he admitted.

"We've got a sister like that," Sal said. "Annoying and stubborn, but we love her. Sacrifice anything for her. That's part of loving someone, man."

"But what do I do when my love destroys her?" Lincoln asked.

The exile at his feet writhed, and Lincoln stomped a booted foot down on his wrist. The exile howled in pain. 

"Everyone thinks it's their love that hurts someone," Milo said, "but it's the lack of love."

"How do you know?" Lincoln asked. 

Milo shrugged. "I've seen how much better it is to love than to lose. Sometimes you just gotta close your eyes and trust. That's what my mom says."

"You mom sounds wise," Lincoln replied.

"We have two great parents," Sal interrupted. "Anyway... Milo?"

They walked over to Reid, who was staring at them openmouthed. "What did you do?" he asked, aghast.

"We just gave him an emotional push," Milo said. "Every time we hear this story, he always says this is his lowest point."

"You know, your sister could probably use some emotional help too," Reid added. "If you see her before, you know, you go back."

Sal shrugged. "If it helps, the teen pregnancy thing totally worked out. She finished high school, got married before the baby was born, and went to the Academy. She's pretty kick-ass now."

Reid snorted. "I have no doubt. She scares me." 

They watched as the boat drew closer and closer. Suddenly a figure jumped from the prow just as a dark figure dove from the clouds and into the water.

"Woah!" Milo shouted. "I think it's time to go."

The group ran down the hill and towards the boat, but when Sal went to start the motor it stalled. "Hurry!" Milo said.

"I'm trying!" Sal said. "I think the engine's flooded."

Reid pushed Grove into Milo's arms, who held the toddler awkwardly. "What do I do?" he yelped. But Reid was listening; he twisted the cord and then pulled, and the engine sputtered to life.

"Cool," Sal said as Milo passed Reid back. He guided the boat off the shore, going as fast as he could towards the figures. "Where'd you learn to do that?"

"My uncle's good in the water," Reid said. 

They raced towards the spot where the figures had fallen, but when they got there the water was still and Phoenix's ship was docking on Thera. "What do we do?" Milo asked, panicked.

"I have no idea," Reid admitted.