Sorry! The lateness shall be explained at the bottom. Enjoy, my lovely readers!

Chapter Twenty Two

Point of View: Zianthos

I am met with instant protests.  

"Are you insane?!" Ishron blows a gasket and everyone else begins to raise their voices.

"Quiet!" My voice overpowers all of them and they snap their mouths shut. "I do not say this out of fear nor is it an easy notion for me."

"Why would you even suggest that?" Apollo makes me looks at him.

I take a deep breath. "I saw my mother."

"Zianthos..." Apollo fills with sorrow.

"No, my lord, listen to me. It was her, nothing Helios could have made up or summoned. I would know her presence anywhere." I persist. "Her warning was what spoke volumes to me and at first, I thought she just meant mine, but she means all of ours."

"I'm all ears." Arious whispers, though his expression reads devastation.

"'Your immortality is the answer.'" I repeat her words.

"That could mean anything." Marshall argues.

"When we are brought into this life, we are taught countless hymns, prayers, spells, and rituals and most are about purification." I press and they all share looks I can define as worry, panic, fear, acceptance. "We could purify Helios with one of the spells, any number of them could work, but instead of sacrificing some of our energy reserve, we'd be sacrificing our immortality."

"Could we be turned immortal again?" Raphael turns to Apollo.

Apollo shakes his head. "You could be turned into gods, but never again regular immortals, you would be giving up a gift in the eyes of the Fates."

"Well damn." Senna laughs and covers his face.

"It's not the only answer, but it is one of them and probably the most potent. We can make it our last resort." I calm them down. "Just be prepared."

"You should be the one to prepare the most." Zach whispers.

I shake my head. "Helios was right about one thing for sure, I am Zianthos, who belongs to Percy Jackson as a shield. I am just a shell. I am hiding from my past."

"Zianthos, it is more to us and you than just a safe haven. We were created to give a home where none was left." Deni snaps.

"Yeah, seriously, we are ready when you are." Wisthman speaks.

"We will follow you anywhere." Kaeger smiles proudly. "Even to Hell."

"Hell wouldn't be so bad if I knew I had friends at my side." Raphael comments.

"To Hell it is then." I look out the window at the setting sun.

This is more of a short, appeasing chapter. So, my lovely readers, I will update again hopefully on Monday, but if the rain continues, it might be tomorrow or Sunday. I'm trying to update at least once a week. I'll see you soon!