Chapter 39: Chapter 39

S A V A N N A H

THIS TIME, SØREN was very much against my idea. He did not want to let me go to meet Horkos alone.

“I wouldn’t be completely alone,” I told him. “Horkos said that the gods of death were also required to be there. That means both Hades and Thanatos will be there with me.”

“As if Thanatos would willingly be on your side,” Søren scoffed. “And I don’t think that Hades is good in a crisis.”

“And you are?” I smirked.

He shamelessly averted his gaze. “I’m arguably better,” he mumbled, folding his arms like an infant.

I put a hand on his shoulder. “Søren, honestly, I’m touched that you’re only thinking about keeping me safe —but that is not the priority. Remember what you told me? Heroes make sacrifices. They sacrifice themselves for others. So, let me do that.”

He looked at me with a pained expression but did not answer me right away. He then took hold of me and hugged me against him, in a grip that felt like iron. “At least try to be safe,” he whispered.

I smiled softly and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Okay.”

I understood why he did not want me to go. Even though Horkos was bound by his word, gods were particularly known for finding loopholes in any situation. It was hard to hold them accountable whenever there was a grievance. And for that reason, this ‘meeting’ was not going to go favourably in any way, shape or form —regardless of the outcome.

But I did not have time for having second thoughts. Horkos had only given me two hours. And I did not even know where Mount Olympus was.

“Søren?” I said, withdrawing. “I need to reach a conclusion immediately,” I urged. He withdrew reluctantly but nodded in understanding. I softened. “…I’m scared too.”

The Trainer looked like he would rather die than admit his fear.

“I’m not going to stop you,” he then sighed. “I will support you in the choice you make. I promise.”

“Thank you,” I smiled. Then it fell. “…Oh. I need to talk to my parents.”

“Indeed you do,” Søren breathed, turning me around and then walking me towards the door.

“Prepare for worse arguing.”

“Right,” I winced.

We made our way downstairs and out the front door, before uncertainly walking over to my parents. I had no way of gauging what kind of reaction they would have, so I was honestly not that prepared to argue. They abruptly turned around as we approached. I paused.

They were standing quite close —which was odd, because Phoebe Green would never condone such a lack of distance.

My mind then began to wander and I skimmed through multiple scenarios of what could have happened during their talk. Some were admittedly a little too hopeful.

Others were more realistic.

But judging from the tears my mother was wiping from her face and the stoic expression on my father’s face, I figured that I was getting ahead of myself. Phoebe then looked at me with what seemed like disappointment afterwards. It unnerved me, and I then hesitated, wondering where to start.

“Is this about the invitation to a council on Mount Olympus?” she sighed.

“Yes,” I frowned. “How did you know?”

“Because Hades just got one,” she said. “About you.”

“Oh. Right,” I said guiltily.

“Would you care to explain?” she went on.

“Of course. Let’s go inside so you can…sit down.”

My mother simply marched past us to the front door. My already little confidence then disappeared, and I concluded the worst. “She knows everything, doesn’t she?” I murmured.

“Oh, you think?” Hades quipped sarcastically.

“I didn’t mean to make her angry,” I protested. “I’m trying to save her.”

“Well, let us see if you can convince her of that,” Hades sighed, moving to go after my mother.

I looked at Søren. “…You’re not going to comment?” I asked. He shook his head solemnly. For that, I was grateful. I took a deep calming breath, before determinedly marching back inside after my parents.

We all sat down in the living room stiffly, unsure of what to say. I had no idea how to reason with Phoebe.

At least Hades understood what I was trying to do. But my mother would not even look at me, as though I had disgraced her.

“…I think that it’s a little selfish, by the way,” she eventually murmured.

I narrowed my eyes.

How could she even think that, let alone say it?

I understood that she did not want to lose me but her calling what I was trying to do selfish felt like a betrayal.

“I’m sorry that you feel that way,” I clipped.

Søren and Hades looked at me with wide eyes.

“What did you say?” Phoebe breathed, finally meeting my gaze. She did not look particularly angry or offended. She looked wounded.

I hesitated, but this seemed like the only way to get my point across. “I said that I’m sorry you feel that what I’m doing is selfish,” I repeated. “Look, I’m trying to save countless innocent souls here and you’re just shooting the idea down. I can make my own decisions and face the consequences. I’m old enough to know right from wrong, and I think that this the right thing to do. I am going to try and negotiate with Horkos, and that’s that. Whether you support me or not.”

She stared at me in disbelief. Then she looked at Søren. “Why aren’t you trying to stop her?”

“Don’t bring him into this, Mom,” I snapped before he could answer. “He is a trusted friend. And you’re my mother. How much more do you think that your faith in me would matter?”

“I’m not sentencing you to death!” she finally cracked, standing up. “I will not do that to my daughter.”

I pressed my lips into a line. “You are not sentencing me —to anything or otherwise. I am,” I said firmly.

“So, this is suicide?” my mother scoffed.

“No, Mom,” I scoffed in return. “It’s sacrifice. I am trying to be the hero who is needed. I want to save people. I want to fight for other half-bloods. I have to fight for myself.”

“Alone?” she questioned.

“Hades will be there,” I quipped. “I won’t be completely defenceless.”

She glanced at my father. “That’s very reassuring,” she sneered.

“All right, you know what?” I raised my voice and stood up to face her. “We don’t have the time to be arguing. I cannot satisfy everyone’s concerns, but I can save everyone’s lives,” I said firmly, putting on my leather jacket and adjusting my sheath. “I’m doing something to prevent needless war. I’m trying to save you. How can you accuse me of being selfish?”

“Savannah…” Phoebe gasped, tears beginning to collect in her eyes. Something in me felt bad but I pushed it away, determined not to give up room for compromise.

“Don’t give me that,” I suddenly snapped. She gaped at me in shock. I had not meant to be so rude —she was simply not listening. “…I’ve had enough Mom,” I told her, my voice cracking. I then grabbed Hades’ and Søren’s hands before dragging them both towards the front door. I quickly ushered them both outside. As I then hesitated, the feeling of guilt welled up inside me. I paused, but only to tell my mother one last thing. “…If you really care about me, you’ll realise how much this is about you.”

And then I slammed the door behind me. I was too upset to feel remorse. I glared at Hades and Søren when I got outside, expecting them to say something to deter me. But they just stood there, speechless.

I took this as a sign to carry on.

“Hades, Søren and I have come up with a plan,” I started, feigning confidence. “And I’m going to need you to trust me.”

He nodded uncertainly.

“I had planned on going to Mount Olympus with backup, but that’s no longer an option,” I admitted. “So, Søren,” I turned to address him, “just in case something…goes wrong, I’m going to need you to gather whoever you can while Hades and I go to Mount Olympus.”

He blinked, and then nodded convincingly.

“And Dad,” I turned back to Hades. “You’ll be the transportation.”

“…Sure,” he finally verbally responded, thankfully becoming serious.

I then gave Søren a sad smile. “We will try our best not to make you worry too much,” I said. “But if we don’t come back after…let’s say, two more hours, you have my permission to come rescue me.”

“Right,” he breathed. “Got it.”

I gave him a thumbs up. “See you on the other side,” I whispered.

“Which other side?” he said a little worriedly.

I smiled weakly. “The right side.”

He snorted. Then his face grew grave. “Don’t die.”

“Only if you promise me the same,” I whispered. He nodded, and then turned to walk down the street. He stopped to wave before he disappeared around the corner. I detachedly watched him go.

I nervously looked at Hades after Søren had left. He looked back at me and whistled. “So, you actually told your mother off…like a child.”

Of course, he would not let that go.

“The truth hurts,” I deadpanned.

He chuckled nervously but nodded. I then frowned at the idea that Hades was now a little derailed by me. Had I somehow scared him with my short temper? No way. Senseless rage was hereditary for me, after all.

“So,” I whistled, “how do we get to Mount Olympus?” I asked in an effort to change the subject. I put my hands on my hips and chewed my bottom lip uncertainly.

“Via portal,” Hades answered wearily, noticing the shift in mood. “I’ll just make one for us,” he said, before waving his hand.

I looked on as a swirling golden portal then appeared in front of us. “I didn’t know that you could make those!” I gasped. “I thought they were built into a wall or pre-made. That’s how Thanatos’ portals work, at least.”

Hades chuckled and shook his head. “Yes. That is because he cannot actually create portals. It’s rather strange. He is one of the only gods who is unable to use a portal at will.”

“Seriously?” I spluttered, growing amused.

“Unfortunately,” Hades confirmed.

I was about to ask who the other gods were when I suddenly heard my mother’s voice calling my name.

I turned around and was then crushed into a tight hug.

“Savannah,” she whispered endearingly. “You didn’t think that I was going to let you leave without saying goodbye, did you?”

I struggled to answer ‘yes’.

“I’m sorry for calling you selfish,” she apologised as she let go of me slightly. “You’re right. I was the one being selfish. But can you really blame me? I’m your mother. I guess…I’m not ready to see you go and act like the strong, independent young woman I’ve always wanted you to be. You’re still my little girl in my eyes,” she sniffed.

I softened and smiled a little. “I get it, Mom,” I said. “But I’ve set my sights on doing what I can for those I love. So, I’m doing this.”

“Then…I will support you,” she told me. I blinked. “I have to understand that you are grown up now, and are free to do whatever it is you wish. I should be so grateful for such a compassionate, selfless daughter. So, go save the world, Savannah. I love you. Never forget that.”

I smiled wide. “I love you too, Mom,” I told her, hugging her back.

She paused to give Hades a glare when our embrace ended, but it did not seem as though it would start a fight.

“Try and bring her back somewhat alive, Hades,” she snapped at him. “Or you won’t go back to the Underworld —alive, at all,” she threatened.

“Of course,” he agreed.

I snorted. The god of the dead then stepped through the portal, and then vanished to the other side. I paused before I moved to follow after him, turning to give my mother a wave goodbye.

She waved back. And then I stepped through.

✠

I would have loved to walk through and see Mount Olympus in all its glory, but unfortunately Hades’ portal was rather direct.

We emerged in a gigantic grand foyer made of white marble and gold. Everything was fifty times normal things my size. I gasped as I looked up and around. There was not a ceiling —just the dazzling blue sky. The marble columns around us were laid out concentrically. In the centre, a cherub marble fountain was gushing out crystal clear water.

“Oh my gods,” I breathed, figuring that I could not get away with saying ‘oh my God’ here. “This is absolutely gorgeous. Everything looks like its own little sun; shining and demanding my attention.”

“Too bright,” Hades immediately dismissed.

I pouted. “Well damn, I know that it’s not your style, but you have to admit its magnificence.”

“No, I do not,” Hades chuckled bitterly. Then his mocking amusement faded; a shadow darkening his features. “…I hate this place.”

I folded my arms but left it at that. I looked around the foyer again. “Where are we supposed to go for the council?” I asked.

“Throne room,” he clipped. I turned to look at him and my jaw dropped as I noticed he had grown three times as big and was still growing. His human form was replaced with a body of reflective black rock that worryingly and suspiciously looked like obsidian; wrapped in a black and gold toga; with blue fire flickering in between the cracks of the stone. Two large twisted horns curled their way out of his forehead, and his jasper eyes shone like stars. He then stopped growing at twenty feet. “I will carry you,” he offered, lowering his hand to the floor.

I stared at it, wide eyed, with my jaw hanging open. I had just watched my father grow into a blue volcanic giant.

I did not have any words with which to react appropriately.

“I know,” he drawled. “It is so unnecessary, isn’t it?”

I still did not say anything.

“Savannah, we need to go inside. Get on my hand. Any day now…”

I suppose I then realised that my father would not ever offer to have me come into contact with obsidian, knowing full well what it would do. I then narrowed my eyes at his hand, and finally identified the rock as basalt.

My body moved for me, and I gingerly climbed onto his hand. I avoided the blue fire around the plate of rock on which I was standing and stared into the distance as Hades stood up and started walking.

My mind had been totally overloaded and fried by the demonstration that I did not pay attention to the interior of the palace. We walked down a fancy hallway and turned right, but that was all that I remembered.

“We are here,” Hades then announced when he had stopped.

The doors to the throne room were gilt and white painted wood. Even the door handles were elaborate. They were beautiful —but the throne room itself made them seem like falling-apart doors to a little makeshift shed.

I had to shield my eyes momentarily as Hades opened the doors. A bright light shone through, before I squinted at two giant figures seated on thrones of brilliant gold. One of the two others I recognised as Horkos in his godly form, standing to the right of the biggest throne to the right.

The other one was standing off to the left of the other throne. I guessed that it was Thanatos.

I figured that the two figures on the thrones were Zeus and Hera. Hera’s godly form was made of white marble, with liquid gold within her cracks. She did not have any horns. Perhaps only the male gods did. She did have hair though —braided chocolate brown waves that cascaded down to her shoulders. Her rose quartz eyes studied me carefully through large eyelashes.

She was beautiful, even as a terrifying giant.

Zeus was made of silver, and blue lightning sparked in between his cracks. His horns were big and thick; curving beautifully.

His intense sapphire eyes sparkled curiously as he crossed his giant legs and leaned on one of his golden throne armrests.

Thanatos’ bronze eyes regarded me lazily, and his expression remained neutral —or bored. It was only Horkos who looked at me as though I were already condemned.

Hades stopped in the middle of the room. “Presenting Savannah Green; Grim Reaper and daughter of Hades, god of the Underworld,” he announced.

I awkwardly did a half curtsey and bow.

“Greetings, brother,” Zeus said to Hades. “I see you are keeping well —and warm. Is Hell still frozen over?”

“Please do not patronise me,” my father drawled.

The younger god chuckled softly.

“…So, you came after all,” Horkos’ voice then boomed too loudly, and I immediately cringed and covered my ears, whimpering.

“Careful, Horkos,” Hera warned him in a soft and considerate whisper. “The girl has tiny eardrums.”

“Is it necessary to be in these forms right now anyway?” Zeus muttered. “It seems like too much of an effort.”

“It is necessary,” Horkos grumbled. “This is a formal council, so may we please treat it as such?”

“Very well, very well,” Hera sighed as her husband grumbled irritably. “Let the council begin,” she declared, “The half-blood god Savannah pleads to overthrow the Infidelity Treaty that says she must be executed.”

I did not like the way that her eyes then twinkled as she said that.

“What have you to say, half-blood,” Zeus asked in a bored murmur. “Make it quick and concise.”

“Uh…yes sir,” I finally spoke up. Apparently not quite loudly enough. I then shouted it, and they all nodded. “I am here to fight for my soul!” I declared. “And the souls of half-blood gods alike!”

Horkos grinned manically. “…This should be good.”