Raph sped through New York traffic. His bike squeezed through traffic, and beat red lights. The stress and anxieties of today melted away. My arms wrapped around his broad chest, I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the wind and the feel of his steady heart under my hands. Every once in a while he would reach back and rub my knee or leg and I would pat his chest, our way to communicate over the roar of wind and the fact I could hear, or see over his shoulder. We had come up with a way to communicate.

We came to a stop at a red light keeping the bike steady with his feet flat on the ground he reached behind and gave me a backwards hug. I squeezed him tight and smiled. He must have had music in his helmet because his helmeted head was bobbing, and parting my legs in time to some drum beat. He was broody and mean looking, but he was just a giant soft teddy bear and it made me giggle.

I patted his torso at the next red light. And pointed. He looked back at me, twisted around to sign, "really?"

I nodded. I had seen an ice cream place. "It's my birthday!"

"Son of Ares doesn't do ice cream."

I hung my head pouting. He grabbed my helmet by the chin lifting it up. He bumped his helmet with mine- helmet kiss. "What flavor are we getting." He signed with one hand.

"Yay!" I squeezed him tight. And did a small little happy dance.

"Sigh." He signed and shook his head, exasperated with my shenanigans. "What my birthday princess wants. My birthday princess gets!"

"Birthday princess wants mint chocolate chip!"

He steered the bike over and parked. We sat at a little table outside the shop eating ice cream and watched the traffic. He asked how school had been going. I told them about the monster attacks and how I hated school.

"I'm thinking...maybe spring break I just go to camp full time. I'm tired of being the target of monster attacks."

"Ya? Well Chiron is a great teacher."

"Ya I had him for history last year."

"Oh right."

We finished our ice cream, he told me how his school was and how most kids left him alone thinking he was some 20 something guy who kept failing school. I chuckled.

He helped strap my helmet, while I ran my hands up and down his torso, bugging him again, and again he pretended to be super annoyed, but I could feel his heart beat pick up it's pace and his sharp intake of breath. I smirked up at him. He just stared at me with his intense eyes. Finally he let go and smacked my visit down. I smacked his chest.

"Ready to go back?" He signed, walking back to the bike.

"I guess. I shouldn't be out too long. Dad will be worried."

Raph nodded and climbed on and held a hand out for me to help climb on. He held my hand an extra minute and raised it to his helmet- helmet kiss. I snuggle right up close behind him my hands wrapped around his waist and he took off. Weaving in and out of traffic. We got half way home when traffic became heavy and slowed right to a stand still. I peeked around looking at the jam of cars. Everyone was honking and yelling, angry fists out the windows. Raph slowly snuck between cars and worked our way to the front. I don't know what the mortals are seeing but it definitely wasn't what Raph and I were seeing.

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"You're seeing what I'm seeing?" Raph sighed.

"A full army standing in the middle of the intersection?"

A huge man stood in the front, he was adorned in Greek armour, a huge red mohawk made of horse hair on his helmet. He held a sword and was slamming it against his shield. Behind him an army of men in Greek armour, and mixed in between them were monsters of all kinds.

He nodded. This was not good. He pulled the bike forward. And over to the side and parked. We ripped our helmets off, we were pulling out weapons out. Raph held his sword and I had my bow. We ran to stand infront of the army. It was Raph and I against this small army.

The huge man was saying something and pointed his sword at me. I looked blankly at him. I looked at Raph, I slid the arrow back into my quiver, and shouldered my bow. And I turned to Raph.

"He knows I can't hear him right?"

"I don't know. I should ask."

"Just tell him to speak up."

Raph turned to the huge man, and spoke again. I studied his face this time. He had scars on his face and a nearly trimmed beard, his eyes were intelligent, but cruel. He was a tall and broad man, clearly some kind of military man, but I couldn't place him. He looked maybe 40s?

Raph looked back at me.

The man looked like he was now yelling, his face was reddening.

"Still can't quite make out what he wants." I signed calmly.

Raph turned back to the man and spoke. Raph's smirk was clear now. The man had spit flying from his mouth, and took a step forwards, ragging and swinging his sword around. Raph stepped in front of me, his own sword raised, the smirk gone. His angry snarl had replaced it. Every muscle was tense and coiled ready for a fight. He kept his free hand on my hip, like he needed to feel my presence, make sure I was still around. I had my bow gripped tight in my hand, ready to shoot.

Clearly this Greek General threatened me, or else Raph wouldn't have gone so protective. They were yelling something back and forth. I fixed all my efforts on this guy's mouth.

"...I am Agamemnon! Apollo disgraced me! I will get what is owed to me! I want my spoils of war!"

I placed a hand on Raph's tense back, feeling his anger immediately, every muscle was ready to spring into action. His hand was clamped tight around my hip.

Agamemnon...I had to quickly search my brain. Who was he, I recognized his name. And then it clicked when his men behind him all locked shields, spears held up and ready. Agamemnon, he was a king of Mycenae who commanded the Achaeans during the Trojan War. But I was trying to remember what his beef with my dad was. Why had Apollo disgraced him? I tapped Raph and he glanced over his shoulder.

"What's his need with me and Apollo?" I sighed quickly.

"He's claiming you as his spoils of war."

"Excuse me?!" I actually took a step backwards in shock.

"Spoils of what war? The Trojan war? From thousands of years ago?"

Raph nodded. And then the details of the story of Agamemnon floated to the front. He had sacrificed his daughter for safe passage, and then took a Priestesses of Apollo's from a temple, as a concubine. Apollo wanted his daughter back, as a father should and cursed the army with plagues until she was returned. And apparently Agamemnon felt scorned, and wanted me instead. Eww. This guy came back from Tartarus just to take me as a spoil of war? Also he was like 40 and I was 16. Gross.

I shuddered in disgust. And then as anger flooded my veins Agamemnon smiled in a greedy lust that made my stomach drop and my veins ran cold. He raised his sword and the men behind him took a step forward. They were ready to attack.

Raph tapped me to get my attention. "He says I either hand you over and we both go unharmed, or we fight I die and he still takes you captive. And has his way with you before he hands you to Kronos."

"Well, looks like we're dying today." I signed back. I am no one concubine!"

"No better way to die." Raph agreed. He raised his sword ready to attack and I had an arrow ready to go.

Raph and I had practiced fighting together all summer. We practiced being able to read each other's moves and communicate with just a few looks or touches. Agamemnon had his greedy eyes locked onto me. His arm raised, Raph charged. I planted my feet and let my arrows fly. Agamemnon stayed where he was, his army swelled around him like water flowing around a rock. Raph leapt, pushing off the shield and launched himself into the middle of the army.

That took them by surprise and men turned to fight him. Which gave me a chance to pick them off, their backs wide open. They dropped and dissolved into monster dust and ash. My arrows flew, most of them found a home, but some glanced off their shields harmlessly. The huge man came striding towards me. I clipped my bow back into my charm bracelet and pulled my knives from their holsters at my hip. Raph had an entire army to deal with, a spike of panic shot through me as I realized he could be easily overwhelmed.

This Agamemnon guy was huge and intimidating. He tossed his shield away, indicating he didn't think he needed it. He was laughing at me, mocking me. I crouched ready to fight. He lunged swinging his sword. I ducked under the swing, and spun to the side trying to stab his side. But he was fast. He blocked my attempt. For a man who lived in Tartarus for thousands of years, he was quick and agile.

He was playing with me, blocking my attempts. I knew he wanted me more or less unhurt, but still. The lust in his eyes made me shudder. I couldn't see Raph anymore. He was spinning around in a circle swinging and slashing. I ducked under his grab, and managed to slice his arm and as I dropped to my knees and spun away, I lashed out with my other knife, slicing his calf. I scrambled to my feet and ran. I stabbed one monster and sliced through another. I ducked under the shield and slid to a stop beside Raph. He locked eyes with me for a split second and nodded. We went back to back. I felt more comfortable fighting with him at my back. And surrounded by monsters and enemies then one of one.

We spun and twisted as one. Raph was able to read my moves and anticipate where I was going to be, so he had my back and still fend off monsters. We were surrounded and circled in on all sides. Agamemnon came storming through his men shoving them aside, I saw the anger in his eyes, he jumped slightly from the slice to the calf. He yanked a spear from one of his men. And tossed it at lightning speed. He wasn't aiming at me, Raph had his back turned fighting a few guys.

I dove, trying to knock the spear away with my knives. I wasn't as smooth as I could have been... In slow motion, I saw the glint of the spear head in the sun, Raph's exposed back, and then my body was moving.

And pain erupted through my body, starting in my side. I let out a wild silent scream. The spear sliced my side open. The pain was overwhelming. I fumbled my knives, they clattered to the ground. I collapsed to the ground. I felt the hot blood ooze from my side. The ground rumbled with huge footsteps and then my t shirt was grabbed and I was yanked up. Agamemnon's face came into focus. He was grinning in victory. I was spun around and held tight against his chest. He called something and his men stopped. Raph froze, looking around, his eyes locked onto me, and his face of battle rage twisted into horrified realization. He saw me bleeding from the side and held by the throat against Agamemnon's chest. I felt my captors chest rumble as he spoke.

Raph met my eyes, he looked scared, for the first time ever. He tossed his sword and dropped to his knees. I shook my head. Silently I screamed for him to fight. I'd rather die. I'd rather die here on my 16th birthday then be a concubine and then be forced to host Kronos's soul.

"Please Raph! Kill me! Please!"

Raph's eyes looked heartbroken. He had swords and spears poking him from every direction. I knew my plea was useless, he couldn't move without being sliced and diced. My eyes kept fluttering closed. Pain from the spear wound came in massive title waves, my head went dizzy with the pain. The crowd of warriors parted and my life couldn't have gotten worse. But it did. Happy birthday to me.

Malibu Barbie.

Or Eos the bratty goddess of dawn and sunrise, came strutting towards us. Her tight low cut dress, as skimpy as ever and her shinny pink high heels stepping through monster dust and disregard and broken spears. Raph twisted his head and if I thought he looked worried before now he was terrified. I could see his pulse throbbing through his veins so fast I was scared he'd have a heart attack. His face paled and his hands shook, no one else noticed, but I could see it. His head jerked, like he was fighting something internally.

For now she ignored Raph and walked past him and strutted closer. Her amber eyes locked onto me. He pink painted lips parted into a smile

"Well well well." I read her lips. "My dear brother's daughter!"

So the secret of my identity was out, at least a few of the gods knew who I was, and that wasn't good. I let go of my bloody side.

"Don't stand too close to me. I don't like the smell of burning plastic."

"What?"

I rolled my eyes. She looked up at Agamemnon who shrugged. She spun around and yelled into the crowd, "who knows ASL?" The men and monsters all shifted uncomfortably, and looked at their feet or became very interested in their shields. Malibu Barbie's eyes lit up as they landed on Raph, kneeling and held hostage.

"Oh what a treat! I remember you. You were my favorite play thing. Hard to break your mind and bend your will to mine."

Raph's face if possible went even more white, but his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. He said nothing.

"Bring him closer."

They dragged him over and dropped him right in front of me. My hands were coated with blood trying to stop the bleeding again, and my legs were shaking. If Agamemnon wasn't holding me up I would have collapsed.

Eos bent down, giving Raph a clear view of her chest if he looked at her. But his dark eyes were locked onto me, ignoring her. She got mad and grabbed his face forcing him to look at her. "What did she say?" Eos demanded.

"She told you to back up. Melted plastic smells gross."

She stood up and slapped me, her face twisted in rage. I saw fire flicker in her eyes. The same fire that flickered in my eyes right back, a fun family trait we shared. I could feel my strength draining out of me, but I wasn't going down without a fight and a few good snarky insults. My vision around the edges was going black.

"Don't tempt me child. My patience is thin and I am a god. I'd blast you right now if Uncle Kronos didn't need you."

"Save it Barbie. You're so dumb you wouldn't know how."

She looked at Raph who translated. Despite how scared and shaken he was he smirked. I felt Agamemnon's chest rumble and he said something. Eos waved her hand dismissively. He held me tighter, closer to his body. I struggled feebly. Raph went to try to reach out or get closer to me, but a sword pressed into his throat, I saw a trickle of red down his throat. He didn't seem to notice.

Eos crouched down in front of him, she trailed a pink fake nail down his cheek and forced his chin up. He gave her a sneering look.

"I'd love to have my way with his yummy little one. I'd chain you to the wall and have you serve me grapes. And when I'm finished with you...well let's just say, men are disposable."

My heart was racing. I didn't know how to get out of this. My knees finally buckled and I slid. Agamemnon's hand still held my shirt, but I couldn't stay up. He finally let go and let me collapse on a heap. His sword pointed at my neck.

"Nora!" I saw Raph cry, he tried to move but the sword tip pierced his skin a bit more. Eos rolled her eyes. She said something but we ignored her.

"I love you." I signed to Raph, my vision started to become blurry as the edges became more and more dark.. I could see the fear and worry in his eyes.

"I love you too Sunshine."

I knew the only way out of this was on me. I had the only way to save us. With my hands covered in blood, my fingers found my bracelet, and I fingered through the charms as discreetly as I could. My legs and arms were starting to shiver and shack. I felt hot and cold at the same time.  Raph was watching me intently. He realized what I was done just as I yanked the chain off.

He couldn't move much with the sword at his throat, but his eyes went wide and he gave me a barely there shack of his head.

The feather charm was instantly a beautiful red and gold Pheonix feather that erupted into flames. Those flames traveled up my arm, sending flames over my body. Bringing my arms close into my chest for a second, gathering all the power, all the heat and fire. I inhaled and as I exhaled I let everything out, giving everything I had in this blast, Eos couldn't get her fake nails into Raph again, I couldn't watch as he struggled with his mind again. I wasn't going to let them use me and then toss me to Kronos.

I realised all my emotions with the fire blast. It was like a bomb going off. Like a shock wave rippling outwards. Tongues of fire wrapped around and shot through each and every human, monster and mythical being. Each monster erupted in a flash of fire and was gone. Agamemnon erupted in a collam of fire. His shield clattered to the street. I saw Malibu Barbie screaming and stomping her heeled foot, the Pheonix fire swirled around her, it consumed her. She tried fighting the gold fire with her own godly fire, but The Phoenix fire was stronger, and the fire wrapped around her tighter and tighter until she exploded in a cloud of smoke and she was gone.

The fire shock wave was instant and the feather was signed even more. The flames disappeared, leaving the mortals unharmed. Raph scrambled over as I collapsed back, my eyes rolled and faded into blackness.

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