The End of Everything

Shields and Rings

Reyna's POV

Thia took the first chance she had to bolt. There wasn't anyone willing enough to stop her. Her friends both stood dumb founded before their expressions shifted into ones of disappointment and sadness. Chiron was talking but I don't think anyone was listening.

Sparks were rolling off of Thalia's fists and I knew she was beyond angry: she was furious. Only I couldn't bring myself to be mad. Instead, I felt confused but more importantly sad. Keeping quiet I slowly backed away from the group and slunk off towards the cabins going unnoticed.

I knew exactly how Thia was feeling. It was similar to my reaction on my first quest. I'd grown up hearing about all the horrible things that could happen, I'd witnessed what kind of trauma heroes went through. For her however, it was more personal. She knew all of the stories in excruciating detail but she'd also seen the damage left behind from my own experiences.

Easing the door open I heard muffled cries and spotted Thia on the top bunk with her face buried in her pillow. She didn't look up or even acknowledge that I was there. Maybe she didn't notice.

"Thia." I spoke softly trying to judge her reaction. When I didn't receive one I hesitantly made my way over and climbed up the ladder. "Thia, come on...talk to me."

She didn't move at first but finally sat up gripping the pillow to her chest. Tear tracks decorated her cheeks and I saw far too many emotions in her eyes to decipher them all. She remained silent for a moment before her face scrunched up and she was crying all over again. Her arms tightened around me and she pressed her face into my shoulder letting out a small whimper, "Mommy."

"It's gonna be okay." She hadn't called me that in ages.

"How?" She asked, not loosening her grip even a centimeter. It was almost like she thought I was going to pry her off of me and toss her out of camp to go on her quest.

"Because you're my daughter. If anyone can handle this it's you. You're intelligent, and athletic, and clever." Running a hand trough her hair she seemed to relax ever so slightly. She was like Thalia. They had the same weakness. If  you played with their heir they melted.

"I can hardly use a sword, I don't have any powers, and I've never done anything heroic or even lasted in a fight." Thia's voice was small but she'd managed to stop crying. "I'm about as inexperienced and useless as they come."

"You've never done anything heroic?" I couldn't help but sound exasperated. "Thia you're the little girl who at the age of ten darted out into a horrible rainstorm just so you could put a little bird's nest back in a tree. At twelve you were the only person in your class to show up to a kid's birthday party because you didn't want them to be alone. Thirteen, you crawled down into one of the gutters to recover some old lady's wedding ring and came back smelling like the universe had shit on you." Thia laughed softly at the last part and I smiled slightly. I was glad I could cheer her up at least a little bit. "You've stood up against bullies for as long as I can remember even if you do get your butt kicked."

"Maybe. I just, I-I don't want to die, Mom. You heard what the prophecy said. 'Perish one, nature's reign. Lose another for freedom gain.' That's two out of the three of us." I'd thought of the same thing but I didn't want to dwell on it.

"Prophecies aren't always clear. It doesn't mean it's one of you," I insisted. Thia sighed, sniffling and wiping her eyes.

"Can you help me? Can you and Mama tell me what to do?" Thia looked at me with such a desperate look there was no way I could refuse. I couldn't even bring myself to tell her that there was never a way to be fully prepared for a quest.