Masked Hearts

Chapter 17 - Rachel's P.O.V.

I tried.

I tried to find out what happened to Octavian.

At first, it was some whispering rumors, to scan the field. Try to catch them acting normal, you know. Find the crack into the crystal. But they wouldn't budge not even an inch.

Then, I tried to make them talk, trying to figure out what was going on inside their heads to pretend he wasn't alive anymore or not.

At the end, I wasn't take it anymore. I was demanding answers. And I started to demanded them from the only god that could talk to me regularly.

Apollo.

"OK..." I breathed out, looking around. I had decided to make the summoning into the woods, so I wouldn't disturb anyone "How should I call him? How do the guys call their parents...?" I sighed, looking up, while I sat by a rock "OK, here it goes nothing... Apollo? Um, hi... It's Rachel. You know? Your Oracle... I'm not even why I'm calling myself Oracle anymore... I have nothing to work with and I'm more like a... an empty shell..." I looked down at my hands and let out a chuckle "Look at me, I'm talking to myself! I can't believe I'm doing so!" I grew frustrated and hid my face in my hands.

"You don't look like you're talking to yourself to me..." I turned around quickly and, because of habit, I pulled out a small knife I had hidden between my clothes. I was still resentful about why they had me prisoner and I had smuggled a little knife from the blacksmith's for myself. I saw Apollo walking to me, giving me a jovial smile, as usual "What's up?"

"I-" I was tongue tied. I was ranting less than a minute ago, but I couldn't say a word now? That was extremely confusing! I decided to try again "I wanted to talk to you-"

"That was well stablished before, darling" Urgh, he's insufferable!! "What for?"

"I need you to tell me all about Octavian Alexander" For a second, I swear I saw him pale. But, it only lasted a few seconds.

"Who?" Apollo played dumb with me and that made me mad.

"You know very well who, Apollo" I made emphasis on that last word before his name "You last Augur"

"Ahhh, that kid..." I rolled my eyes at his words "Yeah, I remember that kid... He was four when he died..."

"Wait, four?!" I repeated.

"Yes, four, impatient child... Now, shush and let me tell you the story" he shushed me like I was four, leaving me surprise "Now, were was I? Ah, yes! Once upon a time, this little boy as you know, call as you know, Octavian Alexander, started to show qualities to read the prophecies... Naturally, what could you expect from a Legacy of mine?" How could I ever expect a tale from Apollo without praises to himself? "Anyway, this little guy showed me that he had the gift, but there was a problem... There was no previous Augur! How was he suppose to learn about this marvelous gift when no one was around to teach him?" I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to respond. Basically, because I was thinking he was asking that rhetorically "So, he decided to learn himself..." He shook his head, stopping his tale. I placed my hands on my hips and looked at him.

"That's it?" I wondered, looking at him. Apollo looked at me as if I was insane. Which, at the actual pace, I think I was heading there "That's the story?"

"What were you expecting? That he grew old, bitter and stuff and planned to attack here?"

"Yes!! That's what I was expecting you to say!!" I replied. He looked at me, baffled.

"Rachel, sweetheart..." I fake gagged at his endearment words "I know I may embellish some of my actual feats-"

"You may?" I snorted at him.

"OK, maybe I do... But, when you heard I lie about something?" That stopped me to think. Techinally, Apollo was the God of Truth, so he technically can't lie... Which means...

"No" I decided, serious "You're not telling me the full story" I reasoned, very secure of my idea "Tell me where he is... I just wanna know where he is..." I begged at him "I just saw him less than a week ago... Please, tell me where is he..."

"Rachel, I already told you where he is..." he answered, also serious "He's in the Underworld-"

SMACK!

It took me a second to realize what I had done. I smacked Apollo so hard and so unexpectedly that his face moved along with my hand. I was fuming at the gods' greatness. They think we're so worthless and I was sick of it. At that second, I didn't care if I was facing my death. And, by the look Apollo gave me, he was thinking about it. I just glared at him.

"Stop skipping the question-"

This time, I found myself at the end of the smacking. Apollo's hand hit me so strong, I was knocked down. Luckily, there were no rocks on the ground or I'd had hit myself with one. I looked up and seethed back at Apollo, who looked a bit shock.

"Gods, I'm so-" I spitted in his face, shutting him up.

"Save it. I can see you for yourself now, Apollo... No more Mist, no more prophecies..." I stood up and walked away from him, but not before I spoke to him "Now I can see why Luke and Octavian wanted to tear you guys down... If I knew before, I'd done the same..." I could feel his bulging eyes on my back, staring at my retreating figure. I was sure I was gonna pay for that, but I didn't care.

Some part of me wanted to be free from this... imposition. The only way I saw myself doing that was either leaving or dying. At the moment, leaving was the only thing I was willing to do.

And, that's what I did.

----

Hello, boys and girls!

First of all, I apologize for my delay in the posting. I realize it's Monday and not Sunday, but procrastination visited me the last days of the previous week and I was short one chapter. However, either by inspiration or deadline, I was able to finish it this morning, so I really hope you guys enjoy this little present at the beginning of your week...

So, here we go!

Rise of Ouranos (ReWrite) (former collab with LordNitro): 1 chapter!

Maidenhood (adopted from TheColorofBoom): 1 chapter!

Sis/Bro! Your Shadow is Hot!: 1 chapter!

ALSO! An special chapter, requested by my friend ObeliskX is posted in Rise of Ouranos (ReWrite). I found it useless to post it separately, just because of one chapter, plus I wanted to see your opinions.

Quest: Matchmade (former collab with ReeReeWithAngst): 1 chapter!

Masked Hearts (former collab with ReeReeWithAngst): 1 chapter!

I'll post next week, probably on time!

xoxo, SilverHuntresses