Chapter 38: Chapter 38

S A V A N N A H

“WHAT IF WE took advantage of the element of surprise?” Søren mumbled, absentmindedly biting the end of the pencil in his hand. We had migrated to my bedroom in search for stationery, so that we could list ideas. He was sitting at my desk, and I was sitting on top of it, overseeing our progress. Which was not much.

“Don’t put that in your mouth,” I told him, leaning forward and snatching the pencil. “You don’t know where it’s been.”

“Sorry,” he chuckled. “It’s a bad habit.”

I huffed and leaned back against the wall. “I find it hard to believe we actually can surprise the gods,” I murmured. “I mean, they’re all powerful. But yet they can’t see us coming?”

“I’m sure there’s a god for specifically that,” Søren smirked.

“Of course,” I snorted. “If there’s a god of wine, there’s probably a god of superstitions and fortune telling.”

“Anyway,” he then said firmly, tapping my thigh, “Focus.”

I frowned, now impatient and irritated.

“Ugh, what’s the point?” I groaned, holding my chin in my hands. “We have no chance no matter what we come up with. Horkos will have the advantage of being a know-it-all and getting more people on his side. Like seriously, who the hell is going to listen to us?”

It had finally sunk in that our situation was pretty hopeless. Every option we had looked at ended up with either me, Hades and Thanatos, or the Organisation being executed. I was beginning to think of accepting my inevitable demise.

Søren did not respond straight away.

He gave me this look of complete disbelief, before shaking his head in rather offensive disappointment.

“That’s not the Savannah I know,” he eventually said, narrowing his eyes at me. I shrugged indifferently. He continued, “The Savannah I know always does things her own way. She doesn’t listen and she doesn’t easily get deterred. She keeps going —even when it seems pointless.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“We’re in this together,” he reminded me. “I know you don’t want to fight, but if you don’t defy the policy, then who will?”

I let his words sink in before I sat up straight. He was right. Who would, indeed? “If I fight,” I quipped, “I fight for others like me.”

“Exactly.”

I gasped and jumped off my desk. “I have to fight not just for my existence —but for other half-blood gods alike. I have to completely abolish that treaty,” I realised, and I turned around to smack my fist down on the desk. “And I think I might have an idea of how to do it.”

✠

H A D E S

“DID YOU REALLY mean all of that?” Phoebe asked the god of the Underworld once the Grim Reapers were out of earshot. “When you said those things about an alternate reality?” she elaborated.

Hades paused and stared at her. She was looking at him with a face that showed that she did not want to believe him, but she had already concluded that he was right. “Yes, I did,” he murmured.

“And the other things you said before…” she trailed off and glanced at the ground. Hades did a double take as he saw her blush slightly.

“Yes.”

“How?” she asked, looking up again. “How can you mean it? Don’t you have Persephone? Why do you still care about me?”

He frowned at her accusing expression. “Of course, I still care. I fell in love with you, Phoebe. We may no longer be together, but it does not mean that I will suddenly stop feeling something for you.”

She pouted and glanced away. “It would certainly make things easier if you did,” she mumbled.

“Yes, it would,” he agreed.

There was then a solemn pause as neither of them knew what to say. Hades understood what she was talking about. He knew what he was doing was a completely foolish idea —but he could not deal with her hatred towards him any longer. Persephone was ecstatic to be rid of her, but Hades could not bring himself to let go as of yet.

The memories he had created with Phoebe were some of the happiest ones which he cherished. He could not just forget about them.

He could not just forget about her.

“…Don’t you even feel slightly guilty?” Phoebe finally said softly.

“Guilty?” he echoed. “For what?”

“For cheating,” she snapped. Then she huffed and folded her arms. “And I know I sound like an awful hypocrite, but if I was Persephone, I would have skewered you. I knew that you were married —we just pretended that you weren’t. I feel sort of stupid now when I think about it. I want to say I regret it…but I think we both know that those years were some of the best part of our existences,” she breathed.

Hades’ eyes grew in intrigue. “Do you really feel that way?”

She stiffened. “Do not make me repeat myself. Yes, I loved you. Once upon a time. Because I am human, Hades. I have my flaws. Just how disloyal are the gods anyway? Do any of you have morals?”

“Persephone and I were on a break,” Hades deadpanned. “She knows that these…occurrences do not really count when we do that.”

“So, she’s okay with this?” Phoebe gestured between them.

“Of course, she isn’t,” he sighed. “But when you have been married for as long as we have, you would understand that even through unconditional love, feelings come and go,” he explained. “…Truth be told she would not cheat on me —whether we were on a break or not. But if she ever did, I would not blame her. I would eventually grow sick of me too.”

She snorted at that, before laughing softly.

“So, when I said that I loved you, I wasn’t patronising you,” Hades continued. “And when I say it now, I still mean it —just probably not in a romantic way anymore.”

There was a big, raw wound that they were both plastering up with pretty words. Neither of them were willing to rip it away; to let it air and heal. It was as though they had become accustomed to that agony, and found an odd sense of comfort in it. If it never closed and healed, they would never have to part ways and say goodbye.

Despite the bickering and petty insults, Hades would be lying to himself if he said that he did not treasure every moment he spent in Phoebe’s presence —in the way that a madman loved pain. Unlike what Persephone did to bring blooms after his wintry rage, Phoebe Green ignited undeniable fire in place of his ice.

She melted him.

The fiery woman standing before him now shook her head and sighed. “I must be insane for falling in love with the god of the Underworld,” she murmured. “But…I think that he was crazier for falling in love with me.”

He smiled sympathetically.

“I want you to stick around,” she then surprised him by saying. “Not for me, but for Savannah. I do not know if she’s forgiven you or ever will forgive you, but I want you to take responsibility for what happened and to be a parent in my absence.”

Hades kept smiling but then it wavered. “What do you mean, ‘in your absence’? She can still see you. You are a Profítis, remember?”

“She said it herself, Hades. She doesn’t belong here anymore,” Phoebe said, her voice cracking. “She belongs in your world now. I can’t be there for her.” She pressed her lips into a line as tears slipped down her cheeks. Hades stiffened and clenched his fists. He could not stand seeing her cry.

“I swear upon the River Styx,” the god of the dead said through his teeth, “that I will do my best to make up for being a pathetic father and be the parent Savannah deserves.”

She held his gaze as more tears spilled, those grey eyes thunderous.

“Thank you,” she choked out.

He nodded, really wanting to embrace her, but he knew that she would just end up punching him if he got any closer to her than he already was. So, he just stood there awkwardly as she silently cried. Hades meant his promise to Phoebe. He was determined to make it up to this family.

✠

S A V A N N A H

“YOU CAN’T TELL anybody about this yet,” I whispered, guiltily looking into Søren’s silver eyes. “I don’t want anyone to stop me. And I am trusting you. This is…something that I have to do.”

He frowned, possessing little faith.

“If I have a chance to save other lives then I have to do this,” I continued.

“I…I understand,” he forced out. “but I don’t want this to end up going wrong. If you don’t make it —”

“I will make it,” I cut him off. “You know why?”

“…Confidence?”

“Not really,” I admitted sheepishly. “It’s because…I have reason to come back,” I said. “For all of us.”

His expression did not change, but his eyes gleamed with a feeling which I could not place. “Okay. Good luck then,” he whispered.

I gave him a determined smile, partly for my own motivation. “I don’t need luck. Now, go and guard the door.”

He nodded and marched off. I sighed as I heard the door click closed. I wiped my face indignantly and willed myself to focus on why I was doing this rather than why I should not be. I knelt down beside my bed and brushed strands of my hair behind my ears. I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together, like I was about to pray.

That was because I was.

That was the plan: to pray and try to bargain out of full out war. I knew it was likely to reveal my location —which would spell disaster if my negotiation did not go well —but it was a risk I was willing to take, for everyone else’s sake.

I sighed deeply and bowed my head, deciding to get it over with.

‘Horkos, god of oaths,’ I began. ‘Hear my prayer. I know that you have been tasked with retrieving me because of the treaty against my kind. With all due respect, I think that you are overreacting. Half-blood gods do not have to be as dangerous as you believe them to be. With the right to see their godly parent, they could blossom and turn into a versatile asset. You do not have to fear us. Please, give us a chance —give me a chance. Amen.’

I opened my eyes, staying still and silent.

I knew that he could not really answer me, but I felt that if I made one wrong move, I could blow my chance.

When nothing happened for ten seconds, I breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, before dusting myself down. I had put the plan into motion, but I was still nervous. If it did not go accordingly, step by step, I could end up dying completely.

I then jumped at a sudden knock on the door.

“Are you done?” Søren asked.

I breathed out and shook my head. “Yes —but don’t scare me like that.”

“I’m sorry,” he apologised sheepishly, before slowly opening the door. “So, what now?”

I pressed my lips into a tight line. “Now all we can do is wait. It can’t be too long before we get a response of some kind.”

“Right,” he murmured, looking away.

“Thank you for not trying to shoot down the idea,” I then quipped. “That means a lot to me.”

“That’s because I think it’s brave,” he responded. “If you feel that you have to do this, then I’m here for you. That’s the best that I can do. You’re fiercely independent anyway —I don’t think that I would be able to really change your mind.” he chuckled softly.

“That’s true…” I agreed, smiling momentarily. He was really beginning to understand the way I worked —Aaron had only been able to chip away at understanding that attribute after three years. It then made me frown and wonder about something. “I’m not being too selfish, am I?” I whispered.

“Elaborate,” he huffed.

I wondered if my reasoning made any sense. “I mean…I’m thinking of others as I do this, but what if that is actually coming across as selfish? For putting myself at risk and…willing to leave everyone behind?”

Søren inhaled sharply, looking offended. “You are a hero,” he said simply.

I blinked. “What’s that got to do with —”

“What do heroes do?”

I frowned. “Save people? Keep the peace?”

“Exactly. They sacrifice their own desires and safety for the greater good. They know that justice comes first. No matter what happens to them —they always put others first.”

I pressed my lips into a line and gave him a pained expression. “You really think that I’m a hero?” I mumbled, glancing downwards.

“Yes.”

I scoffed softly and smirked. Then I looked back at him. “I hope that justice wins in the end,” I quipped. “No matter who is left standing.”

Søren’s expression softened. “So do I.”

It certainly felt good to have support.

‘Savannah Green…’ a voice then wafted into my ears.

I suddenly flinched, unsure of what I had just heard. “Did you…just say my name?” I asked Søren uncertainly.

“No,” he frowned. “Why?”

“I just heard someone saying it,” I grumbled. “My full name, as if they were calling me.”

‘Savannah, daughter of Hades,’ the voice spoke again. ‘Do you not recognise my voice speaking to you? You are the one who sought out my council after all.’

I whipped around, trying to decipher from where it was coming. I then paused as I went over the words. Shit.

“Savannah, what’s going on?” Søren grumbled, frowning.

I gasped. “Horkos?” I whispered uncertainly. Søren’s eyes widened and he immediately readied his crossbow, even though it was unlikely there was actually something at which to aim.

‘I received your prayer, young Reaper,’ Horkos went on. ‘I am surprised by your efforts, actually. This was not the best move which you could have made. You knew that I would be able to find you, did you not?’

“Yes, I had my suspicions,” I confirmed aloud.

Søren lowered his crossbow and looked at me sideways. “…Is he talking to you in your head?” he gasped.

“Yes, so shush for a minute,” I hissed. “…Yes, Horkos?” I asked nervously, glancing up at the ceiling.

‘I have reviewed your plea and I have decided based on your distinct and blatant stupidity or bravery, to agree to your terms. I will give you my council and will be open to hearing what you may have to say. Be warned however, that I am not easily swayed. The choice is yours though.’

I clenched my fists and growled softly. “I am not stupid but thank you for your…cooperation.”

‘Indeed?’ Horkos chuckled softly in amusement. ‘We will see. Now, in regard to our meeting —’

“It will be on Mount Olympus, with all of the other Olympians,” I cut him off and filled in. Søren raised his eyebrows.

I had not told him about that part.

‘That will not be necessary,’ Horkos immediately countered. ‘Only Zeus, Hera and the gods’ of death presences are required.’

I ground my teeth together in frustration, knowing he could not be bargained with —especially since he had already agreed. “Fine,” I spat.

‘Excellent. Please be prompt within two hours if you still wish to hold council. I swear not to do anything before then. Oh, and there is one more thing,’ he added.

“What…?” I asked suspiciously.

‘You cannot bring anyone else with you —not even that Trainer. If you do, the consequences will be…undesirable. You must come alone.’

“What? Horkos,” I said. “What do you mean by ‘undesirable’? What would me bringing…” I trailed off, rethinking what I was about to say, “I mean, what would defying that instruction, do exactly?” I asked instead.

But there was no answer.

He did not need to say it, however. I knew that it was death.

“Savannah…?” Søren said uncertainly.

I gritted my teeth.

I was supposed to go to confront Horkos with Søren as somewhat of a form of backup team. Now I was being told I had to go completely alone. Reality began to seep in, and I tensed up. This was really happening —my plan had worked at first, but then it had backfired.

“Savannah,” Søren said more firmly, marching up to me and putting a hand on my shoulder. “What did he…say?”

I could not find the words to answer him. In fact, I could not say any words at all —I was in shock. A million thoughts whirred around in my mind, making me feel sickeningly lightheaded. But one thought kept screaming out at me.

What was I going to do now?