Daughter of Mother Earth

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Chiron galloped in, concerned written across his face. "What's going on?"

Crystal lifted her face from Leo's chest. "Chiron..."

Chiron somehow knew she needed to have a word with him. Wordlessly, Chiron lifted Crystal onto his back and they rode off, toward the Big House. Leo silently watched his friend ride away as he finally got his injuries tended to. One question was on everyone's mind.

What the hell just happened?

______________________________________________

Crystal sighed as she sat in a wooden chair. They figured his office would be the most private place to talk. Chiron placed himself behind his desk, looking at the young demigod.

"Crystal, I-,"

"My mother is Gaea!" Crystal blurted out, interrupting the centaur.

Crystal felt an immense weight lifted off of her as she finally admitted what she was harboring for months. Chiron was silent, for what seemed like forever to Crystal. He rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

"Are you... Are you going to kick me out of camp?" Crystal whispered fearfully.

"Kick you out?" Chiron's eye widened. "Of course not! Why should I?"

Crystal rubbed her arm. "Because of my mother. I mean, there's an entire war starting because of her. How do you know I'm not like her?"

"Crystal," Chiron shifted from behind his desk to Crystal's side. "I have known you for three years. You have grown into an exceptional young woman. You are strong and resilient and kind. You are nothing like your mother. You are stronger."

"I am?" Crystal looked up.

Chiron nodded. "You are an extremely powerful demigod, I have never seen such raw power. Not even from Percy Jackson himself."

"But the prophecy," Crystal stood up and paced. "I know it's about me. I mean, a sense of evil behind a facade may gleam? If that evil should ever be free, the fate of humanity, doomed it shall be? How is that not me?"

Crystal pulled out her dagger, showing the writing to Chiron. "For a blade of blood shall end it all. Look! That's the name of my dagger!"

"I know," The centaur sighed. "I know."

"And furthermore-," Crystal stopped mid-sentence. "Wait, you know?"

"I've known from the start that you were destined for something great."

"Then why have you never told me?" Crystal threw her arms up in defeat. "This seems like it'd be pretty important to let me in on."

Chiron raised an eyebrow. "It is not my place. It was something you had to learn on your own."

"On my own..." The demigod sat down, rubbing her face. "How do I tell my friends? Leo?"

"You tell them when you're ready," Chiron replied. "You will know when the time comes."

Crystal stood up. "Thank you, Chiron."

The centaur nodded and Crystal left his office. She exited the Big House and headed toward Bunker 9. Hopefully, Leo was there. She needed to talk to him.

Entering the bunker, she heard noises coming from the half-built ship. Leo's back was to her as he was screwing a board into place.

"Uh," Crystal quietly cleared her throat. "Leo?"

The boy jumped at the sudden noise, dropping his screw. Immediately, Crystal picked up the screw and offered it to him. Leo smiled and took the tool. Crystal had a small smile as she looked at her friend. Her smiled dropped as she saw the faint bruises on his neck. Crystal sighed and looked at the ground, immense guilt washing over her.

"Crystal," Leo's calm voice made her looked up at him.

Her bright green eyes shined with sadness. Leo's heart hurt, seeing his friend so upset. Before Crystal could speak, Leo beat her to it.

"What happened is not your fault. Something took control of you. No one blames you for anything," Leo said.

"What if it happens again? What if I don't snap out of it again? What if-?"

Crystal was cut off by Leo softly grabbing her face. She felt her face get hot as his eyes pierced into hers. Leo's gaze dipped momentarily to her lips.

"Listen," Crystal could feel Leo's warm breath on her face as he spoke. "I will never, ever, blame you for anything."

Crystal gently touched the calloused hands gripping her face. "But-,"

"Never," Leo's eyes hardened with determination.

"You don't even know me!" Crystal pulled away, hugging herself. "I don't even know me. Who I am, what I am."

Crystal bit her lip and sighed. He needed to know. "Leo, I-"

"I killed my mom."

Crystal looked up in shock. "W-what?"

"For the longest time, I hid my powers. I thought I was a monster. I mean, I killed my own mom. She died in a fire and it's all my fault."

"Leo..."

"What I'm saying is, I understand how you feel, letting your powers get under control. You're not alone. I forgive you, it's okay."

Crystal wrapped her arms around Leo's neck, dragging him into a hug and whispered a soft, "Thank you."

Leo hugged back, kissing her temple. "You're welcome."