DEMIS (A Clash With Lightning)

23

The humans locked in the basement seemed disoriented and lost, but physically, they were otherwise okay. Rose could only hope they would find some sense of normalcy after this. She couldn't imagine what it was like to have so much of their souls ripped away.

Jasmine ran to Rose and engulfed her in a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"I should be saying that to you." Rose forced a laugh. Truthfully, she just wanted to crawl into bed and not leave for a couple of days. She didn't want to talk to anyone.

"You just took on that monster all alone," Jasmine praised. "You're incredible."

She didn't feel incredible. "Thank you." Rose smiled weakly. "Ban helped."

"Hardly." He scoffed. "I ripped her off you after you did all the work, while the rest of us were knocked out."

"Keith," Ban called for him.

Keith and Josh paused, helping some humans into a boat before jogging over to the group.

"What's up?" Keith asked.

Ban held up the golden armor, and Keith's eyes widened. He felt bad taking it—he hadn't done much, if anything, to help obtain it. He hadn't earned it, and that weighed on him.

He turned to Rose while taking the armor. "Thank you."

Rose nodded. She appreciated being acknowledged by her team, but it wasn't as fulfilling as she thought it would be. She was getting sick of everyone thanking her.

The armor glowed bright yellow, shining and humming in Keith's hands. "Wow. This feels amazing."

"Congratulations." Josh smiled, patting Keith on the back.

"Thanks, man." Keith slipped the armor on, feeling power coursing through his veins. His eyes glowed a bright yellow before fading back to their usual shade of blue.

"Let's get the rest of these people onto boats so we can get them back to the mainland," Jasmine said, clapping her hands together. "Then we need to get back to our own boat. Unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do."

The group dispersed until only Jasmine and Ban remained.

"Hey, I told you we'd be able to break free." Jasmine smiled proudly.

"Yeah, but at what cost?" Ban sighed.

"What do you mean?" She frowned.

"Empusa absorbed a piece of Rose's soul." He exhaled heavily. "I should have killed her when I had the chance. The armor was basically out in the open. We didn't even need her to show us where it was."

"Oh." Jasmine felt a pang of sadness hit her heart. "I had no idea."

"Do you think you and the boys can handle the evacuation from here?" Ban asked. "I think I'll take her back to the sailboat so she can rest."

"Yes, of course," Jasmine said, shifting uncomfortably. She had truly grown to love Rose in the short time they had known each other. Now, she felt herself grieving for the loss and wondering how she would face Rose the next time they spoke.

Ban approached Rose as she guided a few people onto a boat along the dock. She wore the same smile as always and even laughed with the people as they boarded. He could tell the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She was putting on a brave face for the people she was helping.

An elderly couple held each other as they spoke to her. "I'm sure you've heard this a hundred times by now, but we are eternally grateful for what you did for us," the old man said.

"It was nothing." Rose smiled weakly.

"Rose." Ban called to her.

She turned and gave a polite wave. "Hey, what's up?"

"Let's head back to the sailboat," he suggested. "I think you could use some rest."

Rose felt tears welling in her eyes at the thought. "I can't."

"Why not?" he asked, genuinely confused.

"Give me just a moment." She turned back to the elderly couple. "I'll be back to make sure you have everything for your trip to the mainland."

She pulled Ban aside, out of earshot, before sighing. "I lost a piece of my soul today. I was lucky you saved me, so it was only a small piece, but it's gone nonetheless. These people... they've lost so much more than I have. They're the only ones who understand what happened to me. I just need to help them."

"Rose..." Ban didn't know what to say. "Okay, but let me do the heavy lifting."

She smiled at him before returning to the people she was helping.

The truth was, she really wanted to go back to the boat. But she knew how vulnerable and lost these people felt, and she couldn't bring herself to abandon them. She had to make sure they made it off the island safely—with her own eyes.

She also knew she was being ridiculous. She had watched Ban rip Empusa's head from her body. She would never be able to harm a mortal life again. Yet, even knowing this, Rose had to be absolutely sure. She sent a silent prayer that Empusa would suffer in Tartarus.

So, Ban helped her. Together, they lifted people into boats, stocked them with food and water, and sent them off on their journey.

It wasn't until the sun came up that they realized they hadn't been to bed. The last boat was sent off before the entire team regrouped at their own.

"I'm exhausted," Josh groaned, stumbling into the boys' cabin and collapsing into bed.

"We've definitely earned some rest," Jasmine yawned. "Our next stop is Circe's island. It'll take us the entire day to reach her. Hopefully, she'll cooperate with us."

"You guys are tired?" Keith asked. "I feel energized."

"That's because the sun is coming up, and it's boosting your energy," Jasmine explained. "You should still try to get some sleep. We've used a lot of stamina."

"I think I'm gonna tan up on the deck," he decided. "If I fall asleep, even better."

They said their goodnights before heading to their respective cabins.

Jasmine turned to Rose with a solemn look. "I just wanted to check on you... Ban told me what happened with Empusa."

Rose scratched the back of her head. "I'm not doing well," she admitted. "But I'm confident I'll move past it. I just need a little time."

Jasmine walked to her bed and pulled Rose into a hug. "You're the strongest woman I know."

"And you're the strongest woman I know." Rose laughed, wrapping her arms around Jasmine.

"Do you want to talk?" she asked as she pulled away.

"I do, but I also don't," Rose sighed. "Honestly, it was my own fault."

"It was not your fault!" Jasmine scolded.

"I shouldn't have turned my back on her. It's such a rookie mistake to turn away from a monster, no matter how weak I think it is." Rose held her face in her hands.

Jasmine held Rose's hand as she spoke. "Don't dwell on the tiny mistake you made. You saved hundreds of people. Focus on that."

Rose nodded. She thought about how fierce she'd been with the monster. She had truly been what she had always wanted to be. If only she could have made it through flawlessly. However, the side of her that made mistakes was her human side. She would never let anything cause her to resent what made her human. It's what made her better than her mother.

"Thank you for talking to me," Rose squeezed Jasmine's hand.

She was feeling even better about the type of demigod she would be in the future. She was going to learn from this bump in the road and be even better tomorrow.