Truth [Book Three in Fake Series]

Part Twenty:

Part Twenty:

Michael's head throbbed in pain. When Charlie had whacked him over the head with his bow, it had hurt a lot, like his skull had snapped in two. Now the pain was slightly bearable, but his head still hurt - enough to make his world spin a bit.

There was a sudden blinding light that forced Michael to close his eyes. When he opened them, he was lying on white marble floor. Surrounding him, all lying on the floor too, were his friends.

"Alright, guys!" Alex cheered as she sat up. The five of them helped each other to their feet and exchanged hugs and high-fives.

"Michael, how's your head?" Charlie asked.

"It's a bit sore." Michael admitted.

"Here, let me heal it." As Charlie and Michael high-fived, Michael felt the pain disappear.

"Thanks, dude." Michael grinned, then went to high-five Zoe. Once they had finished celebrating, the group grew suddenly quiet.

"Wait," Charlie said, confusion tugging at his expression. "Where are we..." He trailed off as the five of them turned around.

Michael looked ahead of him to see the twelve Olympian gods staring at them. Some, like Poseidon, Apollo and Hermes, were chuckling quietly.

"Demigods!" A voice boomed, making Michael jump. He looked at Zeus who was staring at the heroes intently. Suddenly, another group of people appeared off to the side. Michael spotted his parents and Mia among the crowd. He yearned to go and hug them, but then Zeus started to speak again. "The other Olympian Gods and I have decided that it is time that you learn of the truth."

"The truth?" Zoe whispered. "What does he mean?"

"I mean, Zoe Jackson," Zeus glared at Zoe for a moment, and she glared back defiantly. "The truth about the quest and each of your identities."

A gasp rang around the room. Michael was taken aback. What was there to tell? Was this all some kind of prank?

"The quest to defeat Tartarus wouldn't have succeeded with any normal group of demigods. Or legacies, for that matter, but you five are no ordinary group of legacies, and it is at this point at which I shall tell you that it wasn't Tartarus who activated the Unforgettable Curse." Zeus stopped speaking to lock eyes with each one of the five. Then he dropped the bombshell: "It was us."

"What in Hades?" Michael cried. "You can't be serious!"

"Are you telling me," Zoe said to Zeus fake-calmly, and Michael could sense the anger rippling off her. "That my boyfriend was separated from me because of you?!"

"Correct, Zoe." Zeus said. "But there is more than just that. I only activated the curses so that you five could learn your full potentials. And there's still one big secret remaining."

Zeus glanced at Athena who nodded and stood up. "The Great Five was always meant to be." She said, making eye contact with Michael as though she were challenging him to speak. "For thousands of years, the Great Five have dominated the history books. Their tale began centuries ago when they were born."

Silence. That's all that was surrounding them as Michael processed what Athena was saying. 'Their tale began centuries ago when they were born'.

When they were born.

Blood pounded in Michael's ears. Did she mean that...?

"Yes, Zoe, Michael, Sammy, Charlie and Alex. You were born nearly nine hundred years ago."

"What do you mean?!" Michael shouted, stepping forwards. He glared at Athena. "How could we have been born nine hundred years ago? We're all fourteen!"

"Because," Athena paused as she stared back at Michael, a strange glint in her eye. "You're gods."