Children of the Heroes: Omega

Chapter 15: Hello & Goodbye

Rayn's POV

Griff landed. We made it out, in one piece even! Well, all except Spongebob....We are at the edge of Detroit, where we would find Hephaestus. He has something I need, to survive. We set up camp, just outside of the city, where we could make a beeline to our destination. As everyone was setting up, I pulled Tatar deeper into the woods to talk to him.

"What do you want? There's a sandwich that's calling my name!" Wow, food centered.

"Could you be serious for a moment, please! This is serious." I begged him.

"I'm all ears." I told him everything I knew. About going to Hephaestus' and some other stuff. . .

"Wow, are you sure?"

"Yeah, you can't tell anyone, not even my brother!"

"Okay, but is there any other way?"

"No, if there was I would've taken it. Take care of them, I don't want anything to happen to them."

"I will, we should go back." He put his hand on my shoulder in a "it'll be okay" manner. But nothing will be okay if this fails, and Jake, being my brother, will more then likely get in the way. As I walked back, I saw everyone around the campfire, talking and laughing and Tatar hunting for his sandwich. It made me smile, but only for a second.

"Hey Rayn, get a s'more!" Savannah said.

"When did we get this stuff?" I questioned, then looked at the long lost toolbelt of Leo Valdez around Felix's waist. "Nevermind." I quickly made three.

"What's the plan for tomorrow?" Felix asked, all eyes now on me.

"We go to the department store, just over yonder. Then, find the basement."

"Why do we need to go there?" (Zac)

"There's someone I need to say 'hello' to."

"Who?"(Clare)

"You'll see, I'm turning in. Don't stay up too late," I tease, pretending to be a mom. As I walk off, I look at the stars, wondering what will happen to me. I got to my tent and tucked in, only to be awakened by a nightmare.

I'm in the cave again, just like every other night. I look around, and find him, sitting on his throne. 'You're mighty brave, could've been anyone else, but you chose this fate.'

'I have family and friends to look out for!

'Your friends will try and rescue you, only to be trapped with you.

'What do you want!?!?!?!?'

'Until tomorrow night, foolish child.' He started choking me, then threw me over a cliff.

I screamed, terrified for my life. Jake came into my tent.

"You okay?" he's such a good brother, when he's not being a leader.

"I'm fine, just a dream." I curled into a ball, then thought of something to tell him.

"Our parents, they were natural leaders. If anything happens to me, you're in charge."

"What? I do-"

"Don't question, you just need to know that." I stared at him, he looked confused. I felt so bad for leaving him, and everyone else. The only people we have is each other. Then, the words of Zac ran through my head once more; "The only way you could possibly let us down is if you left somehow."

"What time is it?" I asked.

"2 in the morning. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm going to get some air." I got out of my tent and sat by the fire that was lit just yesterday. As I stared at the ash, I could only shed silent tears. I could die, I could be stuck there forever, I could be the death of my friends. Time past ever so quickly, as the sun started coming up over the land. Slowly, everyone was waking up.

"Where do we go from here?" Savannah asked.

"Over there, to that store," I pointed just over yonder, across the street.

"That rusty old building? What could we possibly need from there?" Felix asked.

"Trust me." I looked at Tatar, he nodded to me. I looked around at all the faces I saw. My brother, and all of the friends I made. I almost just dropped down to the ground crying. I turned around and started walking towards the shack. We entered the building, nobody there. After searching along the back wall, I found a delta. As I pushed on the delta sign, the wall turned and opened up to a staircase.

"Woah." Tatar said. Felix lit his hand with fire, to set some light on the situation. We started to venture down the tunnel, when the door behind us shut.

"Doesn't look like we'll be coming back this way," Jake said.

"Thanks, Captain Obvious," Clare commented. She playfully shoved him aside. We went deeper and deeper down the never ending path. Just when you thought it couldn't be any longer, you were still in the dark. Suddenly,we fell. Down, down we went into a giant dark room.

"About time, I was starting to get worried," said a man sitting in the corner behind a flame. The man had dark hair and eyes and a very chiseled face. His beard was long and shabby. But what was strange was that he was sitting in a wheelchair. I looked down to see two crippled legs.

"Hephaestus?" Felix asked/said. He looked like he had been thrown off a mountain, which he had.

"Welcome, please, take a look around. I'm sure you'll find something interesting." Everyone went in different directions, while I stayed with the god of blacksmiths.

"You know what I need."

"That I do, it will look like clothing to him, but you should live." With that, he handed me the Armor of Achilles, which is said to be impenetrable and almost invincible.

"It will only last until you are freed from what keeps you captive."

"And if I don't get saved?"

"The weight of the armor will eventually kill you." I took the armor and put it on.

"T-thank you."

"I wish you the best of luck." I nodded, and turned to see Jake, Clare, and Tatar. I felt the need to tell them, but knew better.

"What in Hades realm do you think you're doing?!" Clare shouted, grabbing the attention of Felix, Savannah, and Zac.

"The right thing."

" What are you talking about? Why do you even need that Achilles stuff anyway?" Jake asked.

"To save my life and yours."

"Stop acting crazy, take that stuff off and lets go." Jake replied. But suddenly out of the corner of the room, out of the shadows came a tall, skinny, scary looking man. He arrived just like he said he would, on time. I stared into the eyes of the Vrykolakas, an undead vampire werewolf. One of her's....

"I see you're saying your goodbyes" he said with a low, cold, blade sharp tone.

"Yes, yes I am," I turn and look at my friends, "I bid you the best of luck." I turn to leave with the Vrykolaka when someone grabbed my arm.

"I can't let you go." Jake said. I turn and look into his eyes, tears welling up in my own.

"I-...I have to." I hug my brother, turn and leave. As I enter the chariot of death, I look to see chains on my wrists and ankles.

"Foolish girl, you've signed your death warrant!"