Embers of Magic

Old Roots

As far as my definition of the word morning went, it was synomous with mourning. I peeled myself off the ridged couch as I made my way back downstairs with my Gladius strapped to my side and Hecuba hanging around my neck. The others were ready and waiting downstairs. Rain stared at her peak cap with sleepy eyes as she dusted it off. “You ready?”

I nodded. It wouldn't make a difference if I was ready or not because we had to leave as soon as possible. We've been off track of our mission for way to long. “Let's go.” I said as I walked towards the group.

“I would be joining you, but I have business to take care of.” Dionysus spoke, nearly chasing us out. I shrugged and walked out with the rest following me. “Where are we, even?” I asked curiously and Josh sighed, answering with a hint of disappointment behind his voice. “Chicago.”

I lowered my eyebrows in confusion. “What's wrong with Ci- oh.” I froze in realization. “Yeah, my mother.” He responded while walking.

“I take it you don't have a good relationship with her?” Rain asked. No one responded. “I see. To be honest, I feel as if it would better if we split up to find another entrance to the labyrinth. Take Ember and go see your mother. You never know when you might have that chance again.” She said to him.

My head dropped as I thought about what she meant by that. When I left, I hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye to my father. I simply ran and vanished. Even though Zarah assured me he'd be fine, I couldn't help but feel guilty on the way we had left things. He had the right to know what's going on.

“Josh... ” I spoke with my voice trailing off. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders upwards. “Sure. Whatever.”

“We'll meet you guys back here at sundown.” Zarah spoke just before we split up. At first, we were silent. The tension between us was thick enough to tear through but eventually, I managed to break it.

“Back in the Labyrinth, how'd you know to burst the water pipes like that?” I asked and he shook his head, shrugging again. “It just felt natural. The water felt like an extension of myself that I could move as easily as I moved my own hands.”

“I see.” I said, looking down. “So you're really a demigod, huh?” He nodded. “How did it feel? Finding out so suddenly?”

“I had a feeling for a while.” He said.

“How?”

“I could tell the day we met Posiedon.” He said blankly and continued walking. We weren't exactly that far from his old home. “I saw myself in him.”

“Why didn't you question it back then? I mean, he was right there.” I asked.

“Yeah, and say what? ‘Hey, Lord Posiedon. I know you're the god of the seas and all but I think you're my dad?’ Yeah, I don't think so.”

“But -” I froze mid-way through my sentence, thinking whether to speak, or not. I choose the latter as we moved towards the house. It wasn't a long until we reached the house.

The fence around the house the was mostly carried away and broken down. Shrubs clung the wooden walls that screamed out for help, warning of its imminent collapse.

“I never liked this house.” Josh spoke as he stared at the place with memories flashing through his eyes. “My mother feared the ocean so she stayed as far away from it is as possible. Growing up, Felix and I could never understand why. Now, I feel like I understand her, it's only fitting that I'd end up here. On the front step of the home that made my life hell.”

We stepped forward and I remained quiet. He placed his hand on the doorknob, twisting it as it popped open with a mechanical clank.

The house seemed empty. There was no pictures, no furniture. The house seemed stricken of everything that may have made it home at some point in the distant past. I remained silent as we moved towards the stairs that creaked as if someone was coming down. I froze up as I saw who it was. Josh remained blank as he stared at his brother.

“Figured you'd be here.” Josh spoke as his brother continued down the stairs. His hair still falling perfectly over the frozen orbs in his head. “Josh. Ember.”

He walked past us, nearly ignoring us before stepping at the door. “Josh.” He spoke suddenly. “I take it you've found out.”

“Yes.”

“Its funny how the sisters work. Drawing us both here.” He looked at us over his shoulder. “Faith tends to work in strange ways, Brother.”

Josh nodded. “Why are you here?”

“The same reason you are. I found out why she stayed away from everyone. Why she married him.”

“I guess, she didn't want us to grow up without a father.” Both of them froze after Josh said that then they suddenly laughed, as if they shared some sort of joke. But it wasn't a joke. I knew them both extremely well and I knew the ways they dealt with pain. This was one of it.

Felix spoke again after they stopped laughing. “I still have the scars he gave me.”

“I'm sorry, I wasn't strong enough to protect you.”

Felix's jaw tightened as he looked towards the door. “We all were so weak back then. If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't be standing here right now.”

Josh looked downwards in guilt. I felt like I should speak, but the weight of the situation left me holding my breath with empty lungs. I was suffocating in sheer intensity.

“You don't have to worry anymore. I have power now.” He said as two figures approached the door. Each with one normal leg and the other made out of bronze – empousa.

My eyes widened as I reached for the hilt of my Gladius, ready to defend myself. “Relax, Ember. They're not here to fight.” Felix spoke as he walked through the door way.

“Felix.” Josh said firmly. “I'll bring you back.”

Felix looked backwards one more time. His cold expression began fading. “Goodluck, Brother.”