The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 64-Treaty and Troubles

"You . . . don't know anything about us," End admitted.

Then why don't you stop stalling? I wanted to say, but I stopped myself—and then I realized that she could read my thoughts.

End gave me a hard stare, and then continued. "We've always loved our sister very much. But a milennia ago . . . we got greedy. We fought Chaos for control of Deeplige, drafting our own army and throwing them at the city without regard for civilian life."

"Let me guess," I said sarcastically. "You lost?"

Not even a year went by before we realized our mistake, Order said quietly. We didn't want to make our sister suffer anymore. So we surrendered and allowed Chaos the chance to kill us.

But instead of erasing us from the universe entirely, she banished us instead—stripping us of our powers and leaving us with the memories of what we had done. 

"Great," I said. "Thank you for the explanation. I see why you kept this from me."

What . . . are you doing? End asked warily as I stood up from the bar.

Aridne asked the same question, and I opted to answer my questmate instead. "I'm turning myself in."

WHAT? Order exclaimed as Aridne protested, "You can't do that! We're so close to retrieving the book!"

"It's not about the book anymore. I have two dictators in my mind. There's no way I can trust myself to do good around you and Liam when I got these two manipulating my thoughts."

We can talk this out, End begged.

Aridne was quiet. "Is there any way I can change your mind?"

"No. You've done enough. Maybe Chaos will take mercy on you and Liam and pull the bounty—after all, I'm the one in the wrong. No matter what happens, though, I'll make sure i throw them off your trail."

Percy, c'mon now, Order tried. There's better ways of going along with this. Chaos will never believe you, and you'll ruin your future for naught. PERCY!

I muted their protests from coming through. Whenever I heard either of the siblings' voice, anger rushed through me. I hated getting manipulated—especially by the two people I once considered my guardians. Nothing could change my decision—

Well, nothing short of a kiss.

It all happened in an instant. One moment, Aridne was gazing at me with mixed emotions in her eyes. Then the next, she'd hopped off her barstool and strode in front of me, went on her tip-toes—then planted her lips onto mine.

Then time slowed down. My thoughts froze in place, then shattered all together as dopamine filled my brain with a muddly cloud. Her lips tasted like the sweet strawberries I used to pick from the fields of Camp Half Blood with the Demeter cabin—addicting and nostalgic. Her small nose fit perfectly next to mine. I was in Elysium.

Her arms slid around my waist as she pulled me closer in earnest. 

That's when my brain caught up with the whole situation. YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND, YOU DOOFUS! My brain screamed at me. No matter if that said girlfriend doesn't want you, you can't be cheating on her!

I pushed Aridne away, and I hated how my body felt cold when she stumbled back. I watched as the dazed look in her eyes slowly turned into hurt—before being quickly masked by a small smirk. "Did that change your mind?"

My heart dropped to the floor. So she didn't even kiss me because she had feelings—she did it for the mission. I know I should've been relieved . . . but my hands still clenched into fists. "I guess if you're this desperate, I'll listen."

"Don't listen to me," Aridne said. "Listen to you demons."

I felt so numb that I didn't even respond to her teasing. I just focused into my mind and warned, You say anything about what just happened, I am immediately turning myself in. The only words that better come out of your mouth should amount to an explanation—and that's it. Why are you in my mind?

It's not for revenge, if that's what you're thinking, End said. Chaos didn't punish us—she gave us mercy. She could've easily faded us. So we want to make amends. That's where you and your mission come into place. We're on your side.

Then what was that bit with the sword? It didn't really seem like you were on my side back then.

I admit, I got a bit . . . overzealous. That sword holds the key to unlocking a portion of my power.

Wait, I said. I thought Chaos stripped you of your powers.

As the strongest primordial, there was a lot for Chaos to take away, End said boastfully. Instead of seizing all my power at once, she decided to split it into manageable chunks and seal them into personal possessions, so as to prevent me from becoming my former self  just a little faster.

Why did Niyomina have it?

Er . . . I don't know. My items should be dispersed across the planetary Chaos military bases. 

Then I'm betting that there's probably more stuff than the book in that caravan that we can return to Chaos, I said gravely. Then another question came to mind. If you don't have any power to use, then how come you could defeat Ananke when you took control?

The atmosphere turned a little awkward. You always get tired after we take control, right? Order said. We might be weaker than a mortal . . . but that doesn't apply to you.

I looked at them in confusion. I couldn't be hearing them right—they couldn't be borrowing my power.

Uh, news flash—I'm a demigod, I said. If I could rival a primordial, I'm sure Zeus would've killed me a long time ago.

You have a lot to learn, End said mysteriously. Especially regarding yourself. 

It made no sense. There was no way they were saying I was strong as immortals—the peak of mythological magic—when I was just a mortal. It couldn't be true.

And yet . . . whenever they too control, End and Order had mainly used the water around them to fight. It wasn't a part of their domain—it was mine.  I couldn't wrap my head around this.

So I just changed the subject.

So . . . what does this make us? I said awkwardly. Can I trust you?

If you still want to prove your innocence by getting that book, End said, Then I think we're on the same side.

Just . . . don't go crazy for the sword again, alright?

I will try my best, End said with difficulty.

I turned my attention back to real life to find Aridne staring at me. 

She quickly turned to inspect her glass, but I could still see the faint flush on her cheeks. "How'd it go?"

"I think we're fine—for now," I said. 

Suddenly, the doors the the pub slammed open, nearly knocking off the hat of a tattooed man five beers too deep. "Do you want to die?" the man slurred angrily. He walked toward the newcomer threateningly, then tripped over his own feet and banged his head on the floor, knocking him out cold.

This seemed like a normal occurrence, as nobody spared them a second glance. I would've done the same, but I knew the newcomer.

It was Liam—and he looked afraid.