Arc: 2 [Chapter 15]
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I can feel the wind in my hair as I fly through the portal while following after Agnes on my motorcycle. A big wide smile slowly forms on my face as I see Mount Olympus and all of its beauty, along with the massive woman made of out of stone leaning into one of the Pantheons with an open roof and gazing intensely into it.

When the entrance to the Pantheon is in my view, I yell out to Agnes, "Get on the back!"

Agnes spreads his wings, slowing him down while I keep my speed steady, the bike rumbling a bit as he takes a seat on it.

"What's the plan, Andre?" Agnes says with a raised voice.

"We barge in and introduce ourselves," I let out a laugh.

"Andre, it's unwise for me to enter that place." I can see his worried eyes in the side-view mirror.

"We already broke so many rules, so screw it, you’re with me!" I turn the throttle down and cause the bike to jerk a little as it starts gaining speed. Agnes leans close to my back and tries to grab hold of me with his wings.

The motorcycle leans down towards the open marble pathway that leads to the entrance. Instead of the front touching the floor, I pull up to let the bike fly a couple of inches above the marble floor before finally flipping the flight switch off.

The whole bike bounces up and down after falling onto the floor. Behind me, I can feel Agnes hugging me tighter and being scared of my reckless riding.

I don’t feel fear as I control the bike from flipping out of control and keeping it straight until I pass through the entrance with half a smirk on my face.

A crowd of people in different colors and sizes back away to give me some room to stop. I can see James among the crowd, from what I can guess these people are the Candidates for a variety of gods.

Squeezing the brake handle, the back tire leaves a trail of black smudge on the pristine marble floor while the whole bike comes to a screeching halt. I kick the motorcycle stand under me so as I vault out of the seat, the bike remains standing. Behind me, Agnes gets off the back seat and fidget closer to me as he looks at the people around her.

I lift off the flight goggle from my eyes and let it rest on my forehead. A side-mirror shows a dirty version of me, dark smudges from the ash clouds decorate all over my body, the scars from my journey litter all over me, and the clothes that I'm wearing are a little burnt from the explosion. When I look at the people around me, I finally notice the ire and confusion in their eyes.

I guess some of them don't know who I am, but some of them do know who I am and know what I did.

However, one of them really doesn't like me, judging from the burning anger in his eyes. The Caucasian man with blonde hair and blue eyes stares at me with a small fake smile.

I ignore the man as I notice James is jogging toward me with wide eyes, "Do you know what you did?"

With a nonchalant manner, I say, "I'm fully aware of it."

I take out my boomer and place it in his hand, "I'm really sorry about your gun."

"Why does it feel hot to the touch?" James said as he examines the firearm in his hands.

Then fear start to storm in his eyes, "Throw it out!"

I grab my boomer off his hand and throw it outside, through the door that I went through. The gun bursts open into multiple explosions in mid-air, outside of the hallway, scattering shrapnel all around. I can hear the gasps of surprise behind me while a shocked expression splatters on some of the Candidate's faces.

"There goes my only prototype," James mutters as his shoulders droop while sighing.

While the explosions capture the attention of the other Candidates, I turn away from it and let out a big gasp of air as fatigue slowly blankets my whole body. I can feel all of my muscles relax at the same time.

My eyes slowly blink while I put the small effort of my energy to focus on the person that is standing across me.

For some reason, the woman in front of me has familiar looking hair.

A full and lush orange hair that reaches her shoulder blades.

Pink porcelain skin, free of blemishes, and big brown eyes that allure my gaze.

A tear drip down her cheek, touching the corner of her loving smile and fall off onto her white gown that softly hugs her slender body.

I...know her...but I couldn't put a name on that beautiful face.

My heart is throbbing loudly and slowly as my mind begins to blur as I try to find her name in the back of my mind. For whatever reason, a single tear is dripping down my cheek like her.

She slowly walks closer toward me, "Andre..." The way she mutters my name, it's like she knew me and relieved to see me.

The beating of my heart hastens to the point of bursting out as she stands a couple of inches away from me.

She leans closes while tiptoeing to reach my height.

 

A kiss.

 

Her soft lips are press against mine so sudden that it makes my heart skip a beat, she closes her eyes while a couple of tears escape her eyelids and slide down her cheeks.

It felt so sudden, so intoxicating, so soft, so close, and it felt right. I didn't fight it, instead, I place both of my hands around her waist and pull her closer to me. She returns my action by placing her arms around my neck.

I close my eyes, and our tongues intertwine with each other.

I'm supposed to know this unknown woman, but no matter what, I couldn't...There's only empty void where my past memories supposed to be

We break away from our kiss, a black smudge from my cheek dirty her own, but she doesn't care as our forehead rest against each other. Our face couldn't stop smiling with joy.

"My mind had doubts when I first heard your name, but my heart didn't... I had a feeling it was you."

"Andre, Andre—Andre! Andre... an-dre." She keeps saying my name in disbelief as if to convince herself that this isn't a dream.

Every time she said my name, my heart skips a beat while a full-blown, dumb smile appears on my face. Her touch, the kiss, the way she said my name, and everything she does feels right.

She presses her face against my collarbone and sniffs her happy tears away. "Sister Daisie, the gods have to dismiss, we should too."

I can see the wide eyes on the group of women behind her that are wearing the same dress as her, but not all of them are shocked after witnessing what just happened. Some have a supportive smile on their faces and gladness in their eyes, but the one in front of them with blond, half-shaved hair and has an air of authority around her, glares at me with full distrust.

I'm guessing the woman with half-shaved hair is the leader of the group of women behind her. A circle of light appears around the group of woman, Daisie leans in and embraces me once more.

She whisper, "Find me on Efcharístisi, I'll be waiting for you."

Daisie places a quick kiss on my cheek then, with a coy smile, she walks back to her group, keeping her gaze on me while both her hands behind her waist. After entering the circle of light, they all shine brightly before disappearing into thin air.

I stand there like a stone statue, looking at the empty space with a dumb smile on my face.

"Andre?" Agnes called out to me.

"Andre, I didn't know you have a teleportation rune." James points out.

"What do you mean? I don't have any—oh..." I just notice the circle of light around Agnes and me.

"Ohh—good luck, Andre."

 

"Shit."

 

James let his sympathy accompany his small smile, "Agreed."

A blinding light overwhelms my sight, and I can feel my whole body being lifted a couple of inches above the floor. It doesn't take a few milliseconds for me to drop back down onto both my knees.

I could hear my bike fall onto its side behind me. Along with a quick and small squeak coming from Agnes as he drops onto his butt.

The familiar hall surrounds me, I'm back at Adrestia's pantheon, and I can see her feet in front of me. Lifting my chin, I can see her with a scowl, and despite the blindfold over her eyes, I still can feel my gaze meet with her own stern and angry gaze.

I break away from her gaze by keeping my head down.

"Are you fully aware of the action you have taken?"

My voice stutter, "I-I do."

"No, I don't think you do, not one bit."

"You violated the ancient law, you trespassed through Hades's border, you disrespected other gods, you lied, and you meddled with my past."

Even though Adrestia is speaking to me in a calm manner, I can still feel the very essence of my self shaking in fear of her words.

"Andre—did it all for you..." Agnes chimes in, but when Adrestia brings her gaze on him, he quickly silences himself.

"Lady Adrestia." I pull my goddess attention back to me.

"Truth be told, I haven't given much thought about it at first, but as I went on this self-imposed quest, I realized my own hubris and the consequences of my action."

"However, the more I think about it, the more I couldn't let it go. Someone has wronged you in the past, and walked away free... I know of the story, and I could only imagine the fraction of the pain you felt."

"But, even the thought of you getting hurt caused me pain. You are everything to me, my goddess, the one who chose me and gave me a second chance."

"Yet, I have no excuse for my action, and I brace for any punishment you give me, even death." My eyes start to water, but I wipe away the tears and brave myself.

"So you accept any punishment?"

"Yes."

Agnes run and hug me with his tender wings, "No! Lady Adrestia, please spare her."

I turn my gaze on the short harpy, his eyes are like mine, wet and filled with fear and concern. I return his embrace, "I have too, Agnes. I've always known what's going to happen before I went to the underworld. I'm really sorry...that I can't stay here any longer." I let out a painful smile as I try to hide my despair.

"Nooo, please don't leave me! You're the only person who willing to befriend a monster like me, without you, I would be all alone again, and I couldn't bear it anymore."

I grit my teeth as I tighten my arm around him, I don't want to leave, but I had no choice, I have to face the consequences of my action.

"I want to stay..." I said to myself with enormous difficulty.

"Enough. There won't be any punishment today."

I turn my gaze over to Adrestia with disbelief in my eyes. "W-What?"

"Huh?" Agnes brings his sight to the Goddess.

"Apparently, the king of gods is amused by your action, and he has forgiven you."

I break away from the embrace, "I still don't understand."

"Of course you don't, if you did, you wouldn't go on an idiotic quest. No one understands what goes inside a god's mind."

I still couldn't believe that I would be forgiven just like that. However, I'm relieved that it did.

"Do you think I hate Zeus?" Adrestia looks at me deeply.

"Yes, he... defiled you against your will, and cause you to lose your only child."

She let out a sigh, "He did...unspeakable act against me, a long time ago. However, I did not hate him, I do resent him, but I respect him as a king. He changed a long time ago, after realizing the full extent of his terrible actions, all by himself."

"In some terrible train of thoughts, I'm grateful toward him for giving me a child, a beautiful child. However, it was not his fault that I lost her, it was mine. I let her go because of my own fear caused by Hera. I'm afraid of her finding out what happened, I should have fought for her to stay with me, but 'fear' gripped my heart."

"I regret what I did, and I could never forgive myself afterward." Adrestia brings her sight down, and a single tear slide out of her black blindfold.

Seeing her in pain causes an ache in my heart, I want to comfort her, "Lady Adrestia..."

"Enough, child." She looks at me again with her stern gaze.

Then a tiny glimpse of a smile appear on her lips, "I'm grateful for your thoughts and action. You did an impossible thing, going to the Underworld, I'm proud of you, I'm proud of your strength and your determination even though it misdirected."

Hearing her compliment brushes away any terrible feelings I had.

"Despite the rudeness of your actions, you deserve a reward."

"Reward?" I said with my eyes wide.

"Yes. Name your wish."

"I..." I turn my gaze on Agnes, take my time and let out a smile.

"I want to celebrate, let's have a barbeque together, fruits and meat, and music too."

Agnes's face lights up in joy when he hears the word 'fruits'.

"A barbeque, as you wish." Adrestia’s size decreases as she walks towards the double door.

Agnes and I follow her. When we arrive outside, Adrestia extends her arm outward, the area in front of her shines brightly, and a bunch of items appears from the light afterward.

Both of us are ecstatic by the heated grill, the picnic table, the jukebox, and a table filled with delectable ingredients

Agnes wipe his teary eyes, and turns his uncertain gaze at me, "This isn’t a trick, right?"

I look at Adrestia with my own uncertainty, "Yeah, how do I know that this isn't some elaborate punishment?"

Adrestia looks at me with a un-amused gaze, I look at her and bite my bottom lip, "Yeah... this is not a trick, but aren't you supposed to punish me? I did go behind your back."

"Come here," Adrestia nods her head at me, gesturing me to come closer.

Unrelenting, I take a few steps closer toward the Goddess, "Owie!" She flicks my forehead so hard that my head recoils back a bit.

"What was that?"

"That was your punishment."

I look at Adrestia confused out of my mind. However, she only let out a small, loving smile as she suddenly pats the top of my head. Her gaze is brimming with sadness while her smile says otherwise.

The way she caresses my head, it's warm, gentle, caring and calming. Almost like a mother touch, no, exactly like it. She's like a mother to me, I couldn't get enough of her touch, so I bring my head closer to her gentle hand.

Agnes smile as he witnesses the sweet moment from the side.

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything," Lord Hades, Lady Persephone, and Shin walk up the steps.

Adrestia is surprised by the presence of the three of them, but the most shocking thing she sees is the familiar golden-haired woman that is following behind them, Helen, my sister.

With deep longing gaze, Helen calls out to Adrestia, "Mitéra."

"Polýtimi kóri mou," Adrestia reply with teary eyes.

Agnes lean closer to me, "What did she say?"

I whisper back to Agnes, "My precious daughter."

Helen walks closer to the Goddess, but with a painful look, Adrestia takes a step back away from her daughter, "Mitéra, please... It wasn't your fault, and I never once blamed you for what you did, so please no more distancing yourself from me."

"I should have...fought to be with you, but I didn't."

Helen extends her hands to Adrestia, "I don't care about any of that, I just want to make up the lost time with you."

Adrestia was hesitant at first, but after looking at her daughter and considering an offer that she can't refuse, she takes hold of her hands and Helen brings her closer for a tight embrace.

I wipe away the happy tear that crawling down my cheek and grab for Agnes so I could cuddle him. However, my hand couldn't grab hold of anything. Perplexed, I turn my gaze to search for him, but Agnes is nowhere to be seen.

For some reason, I could hear a faint crunching noise coming from the ingredients table. I gravitate my sight to it and find Agnes, stuffing his mouth with delicious fruits like a chipmunk. Our eyes meet, he shrugs his shoulders, while I raise an eyebrow at him with a disbelieving smile and shake my head.

Shin sneak up behind Agnes and stares at him with wide eyes of curiosity. Agnes's body jerks upright in surprise after he notices the boy behind him. Agnes starts to back away from Shin, but Shin keeps following him. Agnes then starts running around the table, desperate to get away from Shin, but Shin keeps following him.

"Andre! Andre!! Andre!!!"

Ignoring Agnes's pleas for help, I turn away with a smile, "I guess let's start the barbeque then."

On the way to the grill, I bump my waist against the jukebox, putting on a song.

 

'The Zombies - She’s Not there.'

 

I dance to the music while preparing the Ingredients.

The sun crests over the horizon, casting an orange hue in the sky. It’s been a crazy day, but to tell you the truth, I love it here.

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