Rising Heroes Book Four: The Sands of Ouroboros

Chapter Thirty-Eight: In the End

Disclaimer: I don't own HOO or VE

Chapter Thirty-Eight: In the End

It was a full day and night before the Grigori were able to escape the Oracle's cave.

According to Lily, there was something in the rocks which dampened their powers. Seb kept trying to change his density to metal to break down the door, but he had to take breaks and only managed to create a few cracks. Roc tried to use his wings to push, and although he was able to widen the cracks, he had to stop when his wing went limp.

"I think you broke it," Lily said, feeling at the feathers. Roc winced when her hand brushed over the cracked wing bone.

So they were stuck with slowly breaking to door down. When the sun rose on the fifth day after their parents' deaths, Seb was finally able to break open a hole big enough for them to get through.

"So we have to actually find the Immortie," Lily said, "and I'll use my blood to get us back in time."

Suddenly James gasped. They turned to see his lower body shimmering, as though made of smoke. "What's happening?" he asked, panicked and confusion clouding his face.

"Our parents' deaths," Andi realized. "We... we don't exist in this timeline."

"So how are we supposed to go back and change things if we all disappear?" James asked. Only his upper body remained, and that too was starting to disappear. Andi gripped his hands until they faded away, and kissed his lips just as his face melted into oblivion.

Andi cried out, and Lily reached forward to hug her.

"We need to hurry," Roc said. "If we can't go back in time... we need to send the Immortie forward, to the demigods or to our kids or someone who can fix this."

"We don't even know where it is," Lily said. She rubbed her eyes.

"What's a place where they keep their most dangerous objects?" Seb grabbed Lily's shoulders. "Think, Lily. You're the only one who's been here. You're the only one who would know this."

"The Big House," Lily realized. "The attic. They keep all sorts of weird trophies there, and the old Oracle. Skye dared me to go up there once, and we saw all this stuff and monster trophies. It gave me nightmares for weeks."

"Ok," Roc pulled out an empty glass vial. "Lily, do you want to... just in case?"

Lily nodded and pulled out her dagger. Drawing it across her wrists, she watched as her dark blood spilled into the vial in a metallic trickle.

"Ok," Roc said, corking the bottle. "We're on limited time."

They snuck out of the cave one by one, but as they were about to go to camp Seb stopped. "I have to find Beth," he said.

Andi shook her head. "Seb," she said, "she'll be gone today too. Even if Griffin is still alive, it's unlikely that her mother did, too. She's going to disappear today."

"I know," Seb said. "That's why I have to find her. I have to be with her in the end."

Suddenly Lily cried out. "The senses," she said. "There's exiles here."

Roc moved forward, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her to use her as a conduit. When the senses had calmed she took a deep breath.

"Leviathan," she said.

"Then Beth is here too," Seb said.

"Andi and I will go to the attic," Roc said. "I think we'll have the best chance since Andi can cast a glamour and I can influence the emotions of the demigods to turn them away."

"Ok," Lily nodded. "When you get it, put it in the unburning tree I told you about, Andi. Do you remember?" Andi nodded. "I can think of one way to stall Leviathan, but you won't like it."

Roc kissed her. "I love you," he said.

As they were about to part ways Andi stopped. "Wait," she said. "If we put our powers in the Immortie... you guys should give me yours. I can put them in."

Lily nodded. They all placed their hands on Andi's shoulders, and using Roc as a conduit they were able to put their powers into her. Andi gasped. "I don't know how long I can hold all of this," she said.

"Then we have to hurry," Roc said.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

"Leviathan," Lily shouted as she marched towards the exiles approaching the camp border. "I have a deal for you."

Leviathan was wearing a black suit, a sword at his side. "Yes, Lilith?" he asked. "Or... should I not call you that? Since Lilith is still alive and all." He smirked.

Lily took a deep breath. "I will not fight you," she said. "Let me become your queen. In exchange for clemency for my friends. I will marry you, and my child can be our champion."

"Hm," Leviathan shook his head. "But your child is not my child."

"I will have your children," Lily said.

"Don't believe her," the exile said beside her.

Leviathan shook his head.

"Do you make your own decisions?" Lily asked. "Or do others make them for you."

Leviathan set his mouth. "We will marry," he decided.

Five minutes later, the exiles had set up the most bizarre wedding Lily had ever seen. They had taken her friends into custody, and were lining themselves up into two rows. One of them took Lily to the end while another was with Leviathan on the other side. He walked her down to him, where another exile was presiding.

"Do you take this man in marriage?" They asked her.

But just as Lily opened her mouth, she gasped. Looking down, she could see the bottoms of her feet starting to disappear.

Leviathan's face contorted in fury. "Kill them all!" he roared.

Lily grinned even as the blade slid against her neck. "We were only the distraction," she whispered.