Apollo didn't move as I sat beside him on the bed. He was pale almost to the point of being grey and I was taken back to the last time I'd seen him like this. He'd nearly died then, and at the prospect of that being the same now, I couldn't stop my tears. Apollo's lips were blue, and where the claws had sliced at him, bandages now covered the area so I had no idea how bad it actually was. I wasn't sure I wanted to know either. I should have kept using my sword, if I cut off her leg she wouldn't have been able to tear him up like this.

"The damage was already done," Cain told me as if he could read my thoughts. His hand squeezed my shoulder and leaned into him.

I wish I could believe that.

Hades tossed what looked like a claw beside me on the bed. "What's this?"

"This was found in his shoulder." Picking it up, I expected it to be hard as a nail, only it was soft= like rubber. "It contained gold powder and it came free as soon as the nail would have cut the skin."

My stomach sank at what that would mean. "Deimos?"

"Deimos is fine. That one either didn't have this, or he was extremely lucky and it didn't work as intended." Hades confirmed.

"So, is Apollo going to be fine?" I looked up in time to see the pair share a look that told me I wasn't going to like what they had to say. "Just say it."

"They thought it was poison, which is why they came to me," Hades explained as I wiped my eyes. "But as soon as the powder was detected and that was found, Artemis left to find someone who might be able to help. I don't know why the metal is so toxic to us, if anyone ever works it out, well, no one has yet. We have to hope Artemis will find what she needs otherwise, I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say."

"I think most people would struggle with a wound like this full of powder." I suddenly remembered the last time he had encountered gold powder. "Valkyries make the powder. Artemis's arrows have it in them. You two fixed him last time."

Hades frowned as it took him a minute to remember. "That was a small dose, not this and she used the last of her remedy for it then too. Artemis and Hermes have gone to her old source. Hopefully with the truce in place between our countries now, they will be much more willing to help."

I nodded along, until his words sunk in.

"Willing to help?" I repeated. "You think they won't?"

Hades nodded. "It's an old practice, forbidden. If they don't make it anymore, they won't be making the antidote."

Kara chose then to appear, her face grim as she looked at us before her focus settled on Apollo.

"Any improvement?"

"Go and tell the Valkyrie to help," I demanded.

"What?" She frowned.

"Elise-" Cain started and I shook my head, standing up.

"He's dying because of a gold powder the Valkyrie used to make. You were one of them, do you know how to fix this?"

"No, it was outlawed before even my time. Elise, I'll do whatever I can, but-"

"Then do it." Kara hesitated, looking at the others for help she wasn't going to get. "Go! Now!"

She did and turning back to Apollo, I held his hand. Guilt was eating away inside. We knew we were going into a trap, and I still led the way. This was my fault. I watched Apollo's face, waiting for him to open his eyes, to smile, and tell us he was going to be fine. I followed the deep, slow movements of his chest and as Cain placed a cold cloth on his forehead, Apollo's hand squeezed mine; faint but it was something.

"I don't want him to die," I say softly.

"He's not going to." Cain sounded so sure and looking away from Apollo, Hades was gone so it was only us now.

"I appreciate you being optimistic, but you can't say that."

"I'm not being optimistic. I'm being realistic. I know you, and I know you won't let him." He shrugged, sitting beside me. "This happened before?"

"Ah, yeah. Eris was behind it, using the dark fae to do her dirty work." Leaning back, I kiss his cheek as he closes up. "Don't worry about it. It's in the past."

At some point, I fall asleep, and as I wake up, I realise it's just me and Apollo now. The cloth is gone from his forehead, but all of him is now damp with sweat. His hand is hot and clammy as I take it, and a moan of pure agony slips from his mouth as he attempts to move.

"Ssh, Apollo." I attempt to soothe, wiping his forehead and face carefully as his eyes squint open.

"Bunny?" I nod, new tears falling as his face scrunches up in pain. "It. Hurts."

"They're getting you something for it, I promise you'll be feeling better soon." I squeeze his hand tightly as he does it back, about three times as hard as he groans.

And then he's still, and quiet again. His eyelids twitch slightly, the frown on his face deepening before smoothing out. Short, sharp breaths ease off into the slower ones again and as Artemis appears, her eyes are already red and puffy.

"Art?" She sits on the other side of him, smoothing back his hair before collapsing on the bed and bursting into tears. "What happened?"

"There isn't any." She sobbed. "No one could help us."

I instantly felt numb. "Muz, he helped before. The bee goo?"

"He's without a Queen. He owed me a great debt, which was cleared when I received that. He's as much use to us now as Apollo's healing powers."

"No. There has to be something else we can do."

"Don't you think I would have done it? I'd give my life for him if I could, Elise!" She screamed at me now. "He's going to die, and it's because of you!"

I looked at Apollo, his breathing faint as I worried she might be right. Everyone came in then, and the mood was dark. They all knew he was out of options, and there was nothing any of us could do to save him.

Kara wasn't here.

"Where is Kara?" I ask, looking at Deimos.

"She's still with the Valkyrie. They don't have what we need. Kara is trying," He said softly. "Elise, I'm sorry."

I look at Hades, then Cain. Hermes rubbed Artemis back where she laid sobbing beside Apollo and even Ares looked saddened by this change in events. Aphrodite arrived, slipping through us to push Hermes away as she attempted to comfort Artemis and I just stood there not believing this was happening.

I fell asleep.

I just needed to wake up.

"Wait, Kara is trying? To do what?" Deimos frowned. "If they don't have what we need, what is she trying to do?"

"Negotiate. She thinks they do have what he needs."

"What he needs, and they just don't want to share it." It wasn't a question.

"Kara knows them. If there is anything there, I believe she can get it and-" Deimos stopped mid-sentence as Kara appeared looking completely devastated. "Kara?"

"I'm sorry." She looked at me, then Artemis. "I tried."

"Do they have it?" I ask her.

"Elise, it's not that simple." She warned.

"Do you think they have what he needs to survive this?" I ask again.

"Maybe?"

That was all I needed to hear. The problem I had now was, I had no idea where to find the Valkyrie.

"Good enough for me." Thinking fast, I simply went outside the room.

"She can't do whatever she's about to do!" Kara groaned. "Cain, she'll listen to you. Stop her!"

"What reason did they give you?" He asked instead.

"There isn't enough to share. They have a small supply that they keep for themselves only."

"We don't need a lot," Hades added.

"If they don't help, he's dead. Do you understand that?" Cain asked her simply. "If he dies, do you think she will just accept that?"

"No, but I tried. They didn't care, they don't want to help." Kara sniffed. "We need to get Elise before she does something we will all regret and you know it, but fine. I'll be the bad guy, I'll go get her myself."

I kept focused on Kara, tracking her power as I closed my eyes and prayed this would work. A second later, I looked around and it had. Kara was ahead of me, and the room looked oddly familiar. I couldn't work out why, and I wasn't sure I'd get a chance as every Valkyrie in the room had their swords pointed my way.

Talk about deja vu.

Then it really came back to me. This is where I'd found Kara when we came back here. These Valkyrie had once been her sisters, they had gone into battle against Hercules and the Berserkers with us. Now, they looked like they were one wrong move away from slicing us into a million different pieces.

"It's just me, again." Kara introduced, holding her hands up in submission yet as she turned and saw me, she came running over. "There you are! Please, whatever you're thinking. Don't do it."

As she grabbed my arm, I tensed and looked at her hand then back at her; she sucked in a deep breath and stood taller.

"I know it's Apollo, Elise. He's your friend, he was more once, but this is bigger than you and him and all of us. Think about what you're about to do."

"Funny considering how I'm usually giving you that advice?" I challenged, yanking my arm free. "What are you so scared I'll do, Kara?"

She didn't answer right away. Her mouth opened and closed, and she either really didn't know or she just didn't know what to say without making this all worse. Movement around us caught my attention and forgetting Kara, the Valkyrie had all lowered their weapons. Whispering was their new choice of defence and listening in, they just realised who I am.

"I thought she was dead."

"Isn't Kara the God Killer now?"

"Is she with child?"

"Didn't they make her mortal again?"

"Was she really one of the Fates?"

"Hi," I waved, moving away from Kara as the group almost began to relax. "I'm hoping you all can help me out. You have something I want. No. That I need. Kara tried asking nicely, and all that did was take away minutes of my friend's life that I would like to claim back."

I stood in the centre of a room full of warriors, and I'd leave with what I came for one way or another.

"Now I'm asking nicely, please give us what we need to save him." I wasn't asking nicely.

They all knew it.

Weapons were held a little tighter, those who didn't already have theirs at the ready did now and a lot of nervous glances were shared within the group. Twirling around, Kara looked just as anxious and ever so slowly the crowd parted at one side.

The woman coming over was different to the others, her clothes were more regal than the training gear that dominated the room. The red gown would rival the jewelled masterpieces Kara wears to the pretentious parties Aphrodite liked to have. A diamond chain ran across her forehead, wrapping around her braided updo, sparkling in the light as she moved to stop before us.

"I told you to leave, Kara. We are not concerned about your business." She glared at me. "Who even are you?"

"Oh, sorry. I just heard the whispers and presumed you knew." The whispers instantly went silent. "I'm Elise, and you are?"

"Valuna, leader of this sanctuary."

"You weren't here last time I came."

"She was away then, Elise," Kara spoke up. "Forgive my friend. Her emotions are-"

"Clearly understandable in the current situation. What will it take for you to share with us what we need?" I ask, meeting her gaze and holding it.

"I told Kara already. We do not have what you seek."

"That's a lie."

Rage flared to life in her eyes, the crowd taking a not so subtle step back. "You dare speak to me in this manner when I hold the only substance available to save your friend?"

"Well yeah. You may want to watch what you say as you just admitted to lying." I warn. "Think about this for a moment. You help us out, not only will it strengthen relations between our lands, if there was ever a time you needed our help, we would be more than happy to oblige."

"Elise!" Kara snapped.

"We are Valkyrie. We do not need help from Powers. The affairs of your lands do not interest us." Valuna flicked her hand, a clear signal of us being dismissed. "Leave us."

I shook my head. "I can't do that. Please Valuna, I will beg. I will do whatever it takes."

"Begone, girl." She ordered, giving me one final disapproving glance as she started to walk away.

"I told you I tried Elise, please let's just go back and-" Kara went to grab my arm, and I avoided her hold.

"Unlike our new friend here, I won't lie. I will do whatever it takes, Kara."

The clatter of swords falling and shields clanging together as they hit the floor echoed in the room and one by one, the Valkyrie were forced to their knees. I was impressed at how well they fought it, and I wish I didn't have to do this but Apollo was dying.

He couldn't die.

I'd lost too many already.

"I am not, girl." I snapped at this leader. "My name is Elise Bunting. I fought your Odin, I destroyed his army. And now, Leader of this Sanctuary, I am telling you that I will leave here with what I need. With or without your cooperation."

I stared at Valuna as she hesitated, worry in her eyes as she looked over her warriors. Kara stepped up beside me, and before I could tell her to shut up or even to just fuck off, she stood a little taller and this time, her hand took mine. She gave it a little squeeze, and daring to look her way, she actually smiled.

"Whatever it takes." She agreed.

Valuna smirked. "I was told that a time of great change is upon us. To be honest, I didn't believe it, and now I see you two. Perhaps it is not so hard to believe after all. You came, Elise Bunting, the girl of two worlds, as she said you would."

That got me. "Who said?"

Valuna held out her hand, a small purple box resting in her palm and as I took it from her, the image engraved on the lid surprised me. A feminine figure holding the triple moon symbol.

"Hecate?" I ask, unable to hide my shock.

"What?" Kara bumped into my side, looking at the box. "She's been here?"

"Weeks ago. She did warn me not to test your patience, that you wouldn't be in the mood." Valuna relaxed. "Release my people. You have what you need."

I did.

"Why didn't you just, tell me. Give it to me?" Kara demanded.

"I was given orders. It had to happen this way. I don't know what the test was, sweet Kara, but be assured, you both passed it." Valuna smiled at her, before dragging Kara into a hug. 

"I have to go. Thank you." I turned and was back in Apollo's room, Kara right behind me. "I got it."

"What?" Aphrodite spoke first, her voice croaky and broken as she kept hold of Artemis back as Kara instantly worked on removing the bandages.

"What do we do? Just pour it on?" Kara asked as Cain wrapped his arms around me. "Why aren't you helping?"

Looking up at him, I wasn't expecting to see the pain on his face. 

"No," I whispered.

Shoving Cain away, he fumbled back and I kept out of his hold, walking backwards into Kara who Deimos was reaching out to. Hermes sat in the corner, his head tucked up against his knees and Hades was gone. Ares too. The hole in the wall where I'd last seen him standing looked the perfect size for his fist.

"Kara, Kara do it." I held out the box, and as she took it I'm not sure if I fell or tripped onto the bed. "No, Apollo, we got it. I told you we're finding something to make you feel better. We did it. I got it."

The sweaty heat was absent from his hand. Now it was cold. Hard. Kara removed the last bandage and my stomach instantly heaved at what they hid. Deep, blistering cuts replaced the space that his shoulder and bicep had been; his chest was torn and exposed.

Covering my mouth, I fought down the bile that burned the back of my throat and dropping down to the better side, I waited and listened. A sense of familiarity hit then, memories of another time, another life as I held his arm close. Arms that used to hold me back.

Nights spent laying together just talking, looking up at the stars or watching TV. This body once felt like home, and now it was as if no one lived there at all anymore. I couldn't see, the room blurring as I waited for a shaky breath, the rumble of his guts despite having eaten so much of my mums cooking. I listened for his heartbeat, that solid, thumping I'd fallen asleep to so many times.

He was quiet.

Empty.

I couldn't breathe.

It was my heart that stopped only the roar of it in my head told me that wasn't the case at all. I couldn't see, the blur twisting everything in front of me into one big mess because that's what today had turned into; one big mess.

I thought he broke my heart that night in the hotel when he walked away.

That was merely a paper cut to this.

"No." I sat up and remembered how to breathe again. "No."

"Elle?" Cain was on his knees in front of me, his hands trapping mine and as I managed to focus on him, new, fresh tears came rushing out.

"I got it. I got the Valkyries' antidote." I tell him. "It'll work. It'll still work."

Cain's shaking, trembling and looking down, I realise it's me not him.

"Give it back." Kara's rage suddenly matched my own and looking at her, Deimos has the purple box in his hands.

"It's too late, I'm sorry, I am," Deimos argued.

Deimos was gone in an instant. The thud of him hitting the opposite wall made everyone stop and Kara snatched the box out of their air - right where Deimos had been holding it.

"Do it," I tell her.

"We have to try!" Artemis agreed.

Opening the lid the vial of white, shimmering powder starts to glow and cracking the lid off completely, she sends it down, all over Apollo's wound. I lost the battle with my stomach, again, but Cain was ready for me; a bucket replacing him as he holds back my hair and hums soft, soothing sounds. This time when he wraps his arms around me, I don't fight it and hold onto him like the lifeline he is.

"Come on, Apollo." Kara orders.

Artemis doesn't stop sobbing, and Aphrodite moves to sit beside Hermes who doesn't even look at her. Deimos dares to come closer, just in time as Kara turns to hide in his arms now and a cold numbness takes over me. I watch our friends grieve. I watch them mourning. I watch their pain and fear take over their faces.

I watch the powder settle, the glow it gives as it sinks into the cuts on Apollo's body.

I watch his face, unable to look away in case I miss something. A twitch of an eyebrow, a flutter of an eye. I want to hear his laugh more than anything in the world right now.

"Gotcha Bunny! Now, do you understand why I hate you putting yourself in dangerous situations? Bringing you back whenever you get yourself in these pickles is like, literally, the worst!" Apollo laughs. "I told you so!"

And then Cain will laugh too. "He got you good, Elle."

Yes, that fucking asshole did.

Only there is no twitches or fluttering eyes.

Apollo doesn't laugh.

He doesn't give me a big old, I told you so.

Portia appears and everyone reacts. They forget their grief and gather their weapons. The air is charged with power as any second they will take out their anger on her. As Cain moves, I do as well as I remain attached to his chest. He keeps his arm around me, holding me more than he should have to and Portia's face reflects the same sorrow we all feel.

What remained solid inside of me crumbles at the sight of the string that is more like twine in her hand. There is no glow, nothing threading to continue on and on. Just, nothing. Did she come as a friend, or as an enemy; pushing the blade in that little bit deeper?

"I tried before," Cain tells her, lacking the strength I'm used to hearing when he talks. "We did all we could."

They're talking, but it fades out as I just stare at the thread in her hand. Cain lets me go, taking my hands to remove them from his shirt. Looking at him for an explanation, he isn't looking at me, but at Apollo and Portia swiftly pulls me into her arms as Kara joins us.

"He's not gone yet," Portia says firmly, the only one in here taking charge and giving orders.

Then I see it.

She lets me take the thread and it's so much more than twine. It's life. It's everything. I breathe in, feeling the energy that remains, that still fuels the tiny little ember burning at the edges.

"I came as soon as I could.' She tells me, squeezing my shoulders as I watch the tiny light. "There might be a way to save him now."

Cain's knelt over Apollo his hand on the wound that glows white like powder. He's healing him. With the powder there, it's working. Artemis is begging, praying, on all that is and all that will be that it works.

"No." I shake my head. "No, he can't do this."

"What?" Kara gasps. "Elise- this might just work. Look, it's healing."

She's right.

Apollo's arm is nearly completely healed, the scratch closing until the skin becomes pink, and it spreads higher over his shoulder so it starts to take shape again. Looking down, the smallest spark starts to grow and as Hades returns, I meet his gaze which is full of surprise, before he takes in what's going on with one look.

"What happened?" He asks.

"Elise got the antidote from the Valkyrie," Kara tells him.

I stand with Portia, the mood of the room shifting as her arrival is forgotten. Everyone comes closer, and somehow we move to the back. Shock sinks in, while the adrenaline flooding my system makes me shaky again.

"No, he can't do this." I give Portia the thread back. "Cain, stop!"

I didn't want to lose Apollo.

I couldn't lose Cain.

The difference was crushing, and when no one moved to let me near, I made them. Grabbing Cain's arm, I forced him to stop.

"Elle, what are you doing?" He demanded.

"I love him, I don't want him to die, but you. You Cain. I need you, and you can't do this." I close my eyes as Hades manages to break free of my hold and I look in time to see him stop behind Cain.

"What the actual fuck is going on now?" He demanded.

"This isn't Cain's gift, healing. He can, but this. Healing Apollo. Bringing him back. I'm sorry." I cried, and looking beyond Hades if Artemis didn't want me dead before, she does now. "I can't risk losing both of them."

"Cain?" Hades voice shakes ever so slightly. "What is she saying?"

"It takes a lot of my, energy." He answers slowly, looking at me. "Elle, I should already be dead. Let me do this."

"No. I can't. You're not playing the hero now. I won't let you." I hug myself, trying to calm down but it has the opposite effect. "I know what making me come back did to you. I felt it when you saved Zane. You didn't even use all of my power, and I was still practically mortal for weeks later."

His eyes widen as I say that.

"If it doesn't kill you, it will make you a target and-" I eased my hold off everyone else, their fight too strong to maintain. "We can't afford that right now. Don't leave me. Don't make my only option the same as your mothers, and leave me to hide on that island and raise our son alone."

Portia held Artemis back now as Cain and I stared at each other.

Slowly he looked back to Apollo, regret all over his face as he nodded. "You're right."

"No! No!" Artemis screamed. "Bring him back, Cain. Now!"

She may be willing to sacrifice one brother for another, but I wasn't. 

Hades put a hand on Cain's shoulder, yet he looked at Artemis, then Hermes; all of them.

"Hermes, bring back Ares and Athena. Now." He ordered, turning his attention to Cain. "Use us, how she said you used her. We're the most powerful of our kind, if that doesn't do it, what will?"

"You'd do that?" I whisper,

Deimos and Kara moved beside Hades, nodding.

"We're all in this together." Hades gave me the tiniest of smiles and covering my face with my hands, I fell to my knees, completely falling apart.

"Stay strong, just a little longer now, darling girl," Portia whispered, holding me close as Ares and Athena arrived. "It's going to be over very soon."

Hades took control of the room, ordering everyone around the bed while explaining what would happen. There wasn't even a murmur of protest and as I went to join them, Cain shook his head.

"No. Not a chance, Elise. I'm not putting you at risk too."

Like everyone else, I did as I was told.

"No pressure," Hades smirked, putting his hand back onto Cain's shoulder. One by one they all held hands, closing their eyes and allowing their powers to flow through one another to Cain.

I couldn't breathe, and as my chest tightened, I slide down the wall while keeping them all in my sight. What I wasn't expecting was for Portia to put her hand over Cain's as he touched Apollo, a moment shared between the old friends before Cain did what he could to save his brother.

"Change can happen faster than you think. Look how bright the fire burns when it is one" Hecate mused as she appeared beside me, cross-legged on the floor. Everyone was too focused to even notice our newest arrival, and as she passed me the piece of string, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do or say to her. "Portia will be wanting this back. Keep it safe.".

"Why-" I stopped as she was gone, with nothing but a faint hint of smoke left in the air and now a pomegranate was left where she sat.

I wiped my nose, and eyes, suddenly able to breathe again and Artemis screaming had me standing instantly.

"Apollo!" She cried, abandoning her place as she climbed onto the bed.

As Cain stepped back, Hades steadied him and then I was there. "Are you okay?"

"Great!" He grinned, looking drunk more than anything. "I love you."

Relief made me dizzy as he kissed me, and I felt it then. The Power that still remained within him. It was like being hit with a sugar rush, sweet and sickly, yet addictive as my tongue tasted his.

"You feel it?" He asked slightly dazed, and, looking a lot better than when I'd seen him heal Zane.

"I do." Turning around, Apollo was covered by a still sobbing Artemis, yet as our eyes met, he held his hand out.

"Welcome back." I smile, and so does he.

"You." Apollo pointed at Cain. "You. Did. This."

"I can do it when I have to." He shrugs. "I had help."

Apollo looked around in surprise as if he'd just realised we were all there and the grey of his skin began to lighten. Until he just looked exhausted, and his head fell back, rolling to the side yet the smile lingered on his face.

"Let him rest," Hades ordered.

I looked at the thread in my hands, the light returning as I watched. Portia came to stand with us, and we both held it as it came back to life.

"I never expected any of this." Portia mused, taking it from me. "No vision ever prepared me for any of this."

Ares, Aphrodite and Athena all vanished, while the mood in the room lightened. Everyone seemed perfectly fine and there were no bad side effects plaguing Cain now. Hades spotted the pomegranate and looked at me as he stopped beside Cain.

"Hecate?"

"She dropped in," I confirmed.

"When?" Portia frowned.

I waved towards the bed. "She was here for barely a minute."

"I should go." Portia decided and disappeared too.

"Did she have anything to say?" Cain asked.

"Look how bright the fire burns when it is one." I lean up and kiss Cain again; he's back to feeling normal which isn't as disappointing as I expected. "You were amazing."

"Get. Out." Artemis suddenly ordered. Turning to look at her, I was not expecting the slap that followed. "You are not welcome here."

"Excuse me?"

"You were willing to let him die!" She screamed. "Get. Out!"

I touched my cheek, the skin that she slapped warm and tingly. "I didn't-"

"Artemis! You are way out of line!" Kara defended and Cain and Artemis entered a staredown. "What are you doing?"

"No, she's right," I admitted.

"Elise, none of this would have worked if you didn't get-" Kara started.

"But I made a choice, and I would have let him die." My vision blurred as I looked at Hades. "Make sure he gets that."

He nodded, and Cain's hand found mine. "Elise, you have every right to stay."

Looking at Artemis I didn't think I did.

"You can, I'm, I'm going to go." I decide.

"Elise?" Kara calls but I'm gone.

Standing in front of the wall of water I look out into the dark blue depths and just scream until my throat is hoarse and I can't do it anymore. Then I do it again anyway and only once I'm breathless and near voiceless, do I turn around and acknowledge Cain.

He sat on the end of the bed, the look on his face completely neutral as if he hadn't just seen any of that. I'm exhausted; breathing as if I'd just run a marathon and pushing my hair back off my face, apparently, I hadn't finished falling apart just yet. I moved fast, practically running to get to him and collapsed against his chest.

"Where ever you want to go, whatever you need, Elle. Did you want to go home?" He whispered as the lightest kiss was placed on my cheek where Artemis slapped me.

My brain was scrambled, and even trying to think about everything had it shutting down even more. I had no idea what I wanted, or where we should go, but I knew it didn't matter either. This. This was all I wanted, and I moved my head slightly from side to side before holding him even tighter.

"I am home."