Astrid Strider Daughter of Apollo

The last image and my true form

  New York, 8:38 pm

"Hello, New York..." I sighed. Asha squeaked with delight and we all gaped at the beautiful city. "Where to now?" She asked. "Mount Olympus." I said automatically. I had no idea what gave me that idea. Plus, we interrogated Asha asking if she knew she could shift, and it turns out, she could her whole life. She says she thinks it's because Artemis is our aunt...

When we landed at the Empire State Building, we had our pegasi go and rest. I actually felt really bad for them... We had them fly all over the place. They were definitely going to get a giant rest. We went in. "600th floor." Tobias said. The man looked at us like we were crazy. "Pardon?" He asked, putting away his book. "600th floor." I repeated and watched as Tobias grabbed his sword. The man nodded and let us up.

The elevator music was awesome for a first. It was playing Young Volcanoes, by Fall Out Boy. Despite the depressing mood, Tobias started singing.

"When Rome's in ruins, we are the lions, free of the coliseums!"

I smiled and joined in. "In poison places, we are anti-venom. We are the beginning. Of the end."

We all were eventually singing and we were loud. When the elevator doors opened, we were just finishing the song, and everyone was looking at us like we were crazy. We ignored the, because we were all so mesmerized by the beauty of Olympus. I swear, if I could, I would explain it. But it was too complicated, I almost didn't want to go. Tobias led the way and eventually, we were all in the throne room -that's what it's called, right?- which was occupied by the gods and goddesses, surprisingly. I looked around at the thrones.

Zeus' voice boomed, "What are you doing here, Demi-gods?" He gripped his lightning bolt and I gulped. Asha squeaked and hid behind Leo. I understood how she felt, and wished I could do the same. I bowed and the others did the same, "Lord Zeus, and you all," I gestured to the other gods and goddesses. "I have gotten a prophecy and visions, and have traveled far with five... Four, of my friends. I have lost one... But, I wish to see my father..." I looked up at him. He narrowed his eyes as if studying Me. Hades watched me with interest, and Hephaestus winked at Leo. I smiled a bit knowing he was winking at Leo for getting such a great girl like Asha.

"I will get your father, but whom is he?" Zeus asked. I stood up and said proudly, "Apollo, your son." Zeus sighed. He said something to Hermes who looked at me with a pained look but disappeared in a flash to get my father, I think... We all sat there in awkward silence until a bright light appeared, and a man with blonde hair, shades, a cut sleeveless shirt, shorts, and sandals appeared. "I have appeared, and your lives just got better." He said jokingly. "Apollo," Zeus said getting my father's attention. "Your daughter would like to speak to you?" Apollo looked in our direction, and his smile sort of fell. "Can... Can we speak alone?" I asked looking at the gods and goddesses. Reluctantly, they all left.

"Father..." I said. It felt weird to be calling this cool young guy my father... "Astrid... You've grown into an amazing young woman ... And Asha, so smart and sweet as always..." He said smiling sadly. "Y-you've been watching us?" I asked surprised. He nodded. "I have, all your life. Both of you together made it easier when you two met." I took this in. "I... Believe I have gotten these images from you? I want to talk about my quest..." I said fiddling with my bracelet. "Yes... I'm sure you do. Well, to start, I did give you those images. The prophecy, was small, but only for you." My heart dropped. "You knew Dakota would die..." I whispered. He nodded sadly.

"Astrid, the point of this whole quest, was to find your true form. B-" I interrupted him, "What about the last image. I still have to see that." I demanded sadly and angrily at the same time. He sighed and nodded, "Close your eyes." Hesitantly, I did. And it started.

*Vision*

"Look, Apollo... You're daughter..." A feminine voice said. Apollo looked at the little bundle of a baby girl with bright blue eyes that stared at him in wonder. Apollo, he wouldn't have ever stayed to see a new child of his be brought home, but he had a feeling he should. A beautiful woman with brown hair and soft brown eyes handed the bundle off to him. He didn't exactly understand what he was suppose to do since he was REALLY, new at this, but he did it. He held her. She didn't cry, she didn't squirm. She just sat there and watched him. 'She's going to change the world...' He thought. He smiled soft and sadly, knowing he wouldn't be able to stay...

*Back to Present*

I stumbled at the vision ended. I looked up at my father. "You..." I whispered sadly. He only nodded. "Your mother was an amazing woman, ya know? I was really upset when she died but I..." "But you moved on, like you always do." I finished. I stared at him with a sort of hatred even though I didn't mean it. He's a player, and moved on all the time. "Astrid, listen. I know what you're thinking, but I really do care for you. I care for you, and Asha. I would do anything for you."

I looked at my feet then back up. "I want two things." I said, my voice cracked a little. "What is it?" He asked adjusting the shades on his head. "One, I want to meet her... And two.... I want you to bring back Nico's memories." I looked at back at the group where Tobias was poking/gently slapping Nico upside he head and muttering, "Remember. Remember. Remember." Apollo only smiled sadly. "One, I cannot do that... She has chosen.... Rebirth... And two, music, is the key to the soul."

I wiped the tears from my eyes before they spilt. "Final question, what is my true form?" I asked sternly. "Astrid, you are suppose to be a goddess. The goddess of loyalty." He said, his voice hardening. "I had blessed you when you were born, and if you wanted, you were to be a goddess. I knew you were very loyal." I felt like everything was spinning. "Artemis, she blessed Asha, to shape shift into her sacred animal." He added. I shook my head of the dizziness and looked at the others. They had their full attention on what was happening. One minute passed. Another. And another... "I... Won't." I said. Apollo only nodded. "You see, you're loyal to your friends."