I left before Khaos could come to, before she could use her magic to strangle me or teleport my lungs into a fish. When it came to an enemy that controlled the universe around you, or rather was the universe around you, imagination is really the limit and unfortunately there's no ceiling to imagination with her. Yes, her, the same girl who just threw a godly tantrum because I mentioned her mother.
"Her Mater, she was killed," I muttered. "That doesn't make what she did right, Khaos is unpredictable and extremely dangerous. Who knows what they want with her."
"If I remember the story, her mater was killed in front of her and when she killed the murderer Olympus prosecuted her. Aphrodite wanted her dead but Hades wouldn't have it, they fought and Hades narrowly won in combat against Ares. However, Kori lived in Aphrodite's city so The Goddess made her life hell," Jack explained, seeing sails come over the horizon.
"She was just a little girl." I clenched my fists. "She was just an innocent little girl! And Olympus had no right to interfere with her protecting her family, or collecting a blood debt!"
The sea raged infront of us as something pulled in my chest. "Sara, calm down." Jack scolded.
I stopped and took a deep breath, "My sisters friend, she despises Aphrodite. I can now see why she does, I understand it trifold now since she's also a Daughter of Hades."
"The first daughter left a sour taste in her mouth, every daughter after made it grow until she couldn't stand it. I think the 18th Daughter of Hades was her breaking point, everytime one was born a disaster followed," Jack watched the ships draw closer as he rubbed his eye and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I have to tell them about what I saw here," I started, realizing somewhere in the train of thought that I'd sound crazy.
"Keep it brief, just say you saw her. Something tells me the gods have their own plans for Kori. That strange bit of prophecy undead eyes see," Jack sat down on the beach as the ship finally approached the bay.
"Jack, I need to tell you something—" but when I turned he was already gone.
One lone ship continued past the bay entrance and sailed past the entrance to the bay, the ship turning to be parallel with the shore. Andromeda jumped from the deck of The Argo, landing knee deep in water, and marching towards me. If you ever thought Lisa was scary, Children of The Moon were downright horrifying when they were pissed off.
"Sara Nessia Pearl!" Andromeda shouted, not my real middle name by the way.
I forced a smile out through fear. "Hi honey! Can I please board the ship before we start this?—"
I suddenly met the ground as Andromeda shoulder checked me down, Andromeda then grabbed my ankle and started shouting at me as she dragged me behind. I lost a lot of it when I went underwater, but the general message was to never do something that idiotic again. I don't know if she knew breathing underwater was something I just did automatically, but as she dragged me up the side of the ship I figured it was better to not dwell on it for long.
"—And if I ever have to yell at a GODDESS to get your location again, I will personally kill you then have a Child of Hades bring you back SO I CAN KILL YOU AGAIN!" Andromeda yelled, her hair had started to form streaks of white showing just how much energy she used.
Andromeda, and all magical demigods, are like power banks. The more power they use the more their physical form gives out, I've seen some lose their physical form in pieces and turn ethereal and others lose their voices or get markings on their skin. With that in mind, I don't think I've ever seen Andromeda hit a limit with her power.
"Andromeda….your hair," I covered my mouth a bit.
"My— My Hair?" Andromeda took some of her hair in her hand seeing the white streaks. She mouthed something as another patch turned white and her eyes widened.
"I didn't know you had a limit, Rose," Leonidas called out still wearing his blood red cloak.
"I only have one in light! Invoking a goddess isn't easy, I'd like to see you try it!" Andromeda snapped.
"I could if I wanted to, it takes less effort than you think," Leonidas shrugged.
"Then do it, Spartan." Andromeda spat, her words like venom.
"Fine!" Leonidas shouted back, he took his hand running his spear over the palm and held it over the edge of the boat. "Athena Chalkioikos! Come and be my spear!"
"Did he just?" Andromeda muttered.
"Leonidas! Don't!" I scrambled to my feet and ran to the helm.
A flash of golden light washed over the deck, blinding me briefly as the sound of a spear dragging across wood sounded out. I ducked behind a panel of wood by the helm, peaking out to see a fierce woman her grey eyes twisted in rage. She wore a snowy white, Roman style, dress with wine colored sashes over her shoulder. The spear she carried was overgrown with ivy at the edges and down to the grip, while the shield she carried bore the mark of Medusa coiled to strike her next victim. Minerva, The Owl Goddess, stood on our deck looking around as her leather colored hair bounced around where it spilled out from her helmet.
"Who summoned me!" She commanded identity, looking around as her armor appeared over her dress. Gold armor shimmered in the light, sending streaks of light through the air.
Leo raised his bloodied hand, crimson liquid still dripping into the ocean as his eyes widened with shock and terror. The Athena we knew was strict and cautious, Minerva looked like she was the opposite. I watched as she marched up the helm, her smile wide as she approached like a tigeress stalking prey.
"Spartan. You rang for me?" She sang out, her spear tip tapping against his armor.
"Yes—yes ma'am," Leonidas stood up straight, his voice wavering.
"What were your exact words, Spartan. I want to know," Minerva hissed. "I believe you called for Athena. Athena can't come here! She won't come here, Spartan! She won't be able to save you!" Minerva reared her arm back to strike, and a dark energy swirled around the spear tip stopping it dead in its path.
"You will not hurt him, Minerva!" Andromeda called out, her hands twisting and shaking as her fingers contorted. Her hair rapidly draining of color.
"Fine. I won't hurt him, Witch. But her on the other hand," Athena put venom in her words as she gripped my hair and yanked me to my feet.
I could feel every strand of hair tighten against my skull, dragging me up and pulling me aside. I got a good look at Minerva's face, and her expression was somewhere between anger and glee. Everytime I struggled her grip tightened, threatening to rip my skull clean off of my body like a anatomically accurate Barbie doll. When I had finally resigned to my fate, I noticed the spear was slowly inching its way through Leo's armor but Andromeda was keeping it at bay.
"Stop! Stop it now, Goddess!" Andromeda pleaded, her hair had waxed three quarters of the way through.
"Calling me has a price higher than blood. Who will it be!" Minerva ripped my head back as a cold dagger pressed against my throat.
My heart pounded, yet my veins ran cold. This was it, this was my fate. The Senate sent me here to die. That would be my final thoughts as blood trickled down my neck.
"Me! Andromeda let go!" Leo shouted.
"Now is not the time for sentiment Leo! I—I can, fuck! Just stop dammit!" Andromeda fell to her knee as her hair had lost almost all of it's color.
"Andromeda Rose! I have seen you take on legions of undead! The worst of monsters! You have conquered stronger gods in feats of magic! Do not let go of Leonidas!" I shouted down the deck.
"I'm— I'm trying—" Andromeda gritted her teeth.
"My, what a love triangle I've found myself in," Minerva's eyes flashed gold. "She doesn't love you the same way you know, her heart belongs to another."
"Shut up," Andromeda had a singular streak of white left.
"What will you do? Let her crush die so you can have her to yourself? Or let her die since you know you can't have her? Sure you can say your magic slipped, or that I'm too strong, but we both know killing him won't make her love you. What will it be, Andromeda Rose," Minerva's smile twisted as the spear inched its way into Leo's chest.
"Stop! So help me god I will drag Athena here myself and force you back in, you demented Owl!" I shouted as the blade pressed its way into my throat.
"Maybe I'll just kill them both! They can reside in Elysium together and you be alone again!" Minerva's knife was almost hugging my veins as the spear fell.
I looked down the deck and Andromeda opened her arms, tears ran down her face as she looked The Goddess in her eyes. "Me. Kill me."
Minerva dropped me where I stood, slowly picking up her spear, then moved down the deck. I begged Andromeda had some sort of plan, Minerva raised her spear as she reared her hand back to strike.
"Any last words, Daughter of Luna?" Minerva looked at her, watching as Andromeda fully gave in.
"Burn in Tartarus." Andromeda's hair went fully white as a singular burst of energy ripped through the ship in a blinding white light.
I heard ringing in my ear as Jason and Leo ran to the helm, wind ripped through the air against my skin. I tried to stand and stumbled against the railing, I looked over and saw Andromeda laying on the deck. I stumbled my way down the deck, voices pressing against my ears like cotton. I fell on the deck at her side, her hair like snow that draped past her shoulders. The darkness enveloped me at the edges of my vision, Leo came into my sight and gently lifted me up. I wrapped my arms around him quick, and the world went dark again briefly. When I opened my eyes again, I heard shouting and battle cries across the ship. Minerva had found us again.