Nov 6th, before 6 am

Takashi grips his blanket with white knuckles. His feet squirm from reliving the horrible event.

"Leave her alone!" He awakens in a fright. Heavy breaths leave his lips. The inside of his tent reminds him that he's safe from the monster. With a trembling hand, he wipes the cold sweat off his forehead. He opens his tent to a morning untouched by Helios' sun.

The crisp autumn breeze has him clutching his torso. No signs of Artemis, but everyone is still asleep. His hoodie provides some shelter as he walks away with sword in hand.

A tree not to far away from camp becomes his target. Remember what Odysseus and the others taught you. A strong mind is better than any blade.

But with each swing, his splintered mind attacks him. He never taught you. The prior you learned from him. You're just lucky that you survived.

"Shut up," he grits his teeth. "It's my body."

You mean a vessel that you have overwritten with our memories!

The time traveler tries to shake off the flood.

Do you think Penelope and the others deserve a fake?

"I'm not a fake."

Liar.

His grip tightens on the handle. "Just shut up!" His swings miss the tree entirely.

You're a horrible brother. How could you miss the signs?!

The tree is struck with cuts that wouldn't hurt a man.

"I'm the original no matter what you say!"

Something stops him from swinging. He turns. Artemis is holding his blade with one hand. He lets go to turn away from her.

You are an embarrassment to everyone-

Artemis turns him around into a tight embrace. "It's okay. It's okay. Let it out."

His body trembles against her. "I don't know what to do. I can't win against these thoughts," his voice breaks with raindrops falling from his face.

The goddess of the hunt holds him tight until he finally stops.

"I wish there was more that I could do, pupil. For now, come with me and let's hunt for some breakfast."

"Will I be a failure in that department as well?"

She crosses her arms. "If you do fail, then it's my fault for not teaching you well."

His lips part after hearing that from her.

"Grab your bow and arrows."

After returning with those items, Artemis takes him on a walk with the sun rising in the background.

She puts up a hand to halt and crouch down. Her index finger points to a few pigeons resting on a branch. She lets him get the first shot.

His muscle memory quickly prepares the arrow. He aims with doubt creeping inside.

He exhales upon release...but the arrow misses its mark. The sudden movement makes them scatter. Artemis shoots a few down while Takashi drops his bow.

"I am a failure," he clenches his hands. "It's not because of you."

Artemis sighs. "So are you going to be a failure forever or do you want to go back home?"

He looks down. "I-I do want to go home."

"Not with that attitude. Don't you miss them?"

The demigod looks up. "They mean everything to me. I just don't know if they will accept a replica of me."

"If you want the answer, then you must move forward."

"But how?" His eyes ask for a clear answer.

Her emeralds look up at him with intent. "Despite your powers not working, you still have divinity in your blood."

The hint digs between his ears. His heart feels a pound of pressure falling off. His mind erases a doubt. No matter what happens, he's still Kronos' son. From the realization, his aura network awakens with faint green wisps forming around his body.

The huntress grins with pride. "Throw a divine jab up into the sky!"

With his answer, the energy flies into the air before disappearing just above the treetops. Not as high as the cloud, but he happily embraces his teacher.

"Thank you!" He exclaims with heartfelt emotion.

"You're welcome. Let's see what else you can do."

"Okay. Stop."

Time freezes as he checks his watch. After 4 minutes pass, time resumes.

"Less than 6 minutes, but that's okay. I know I can get it beyond that point." His words rise with confidence.

"Let's have you take it easy for now."

"Okay. At least it's coming back together."

She taps her bicep while thinking back. "Your optimism reminds me of someone."

"Orion?"

"No. It's- never mind. Let's keep hunting and tell them the good news."

They come across more pigeons and the Olympian gives him the go ahead. The doubting thoughts don't pester him as he hits one through the chest. Artemis quickly takes care of the others before they head back to the camp.

"Great job," she punches his arm. "This is enough for now."

Helena and Echo are up as they near the site. Echo is smiling from ear to ear that his power came back since Helena wasn't moving for a bit. Flowers decorate the ground around them. Artemis' "daughter" springs up to hug him after the good news.

She quickly lets go. "I knew you could do it!"

"Had no doubt in you, Taki. What can you do now?" The nymph asks.

He spots a butterfly. "Let's see. Slow."

The butterfly is still flapping normally with Helena also being unaffected.

"How about rewind?"

Nothing happens.

"Fast forward?"

Nothing changes.

The corner of Helena's lips curl down. "I'm sorry. It must-"

"Whooooo! I can still freeze time!"

Helena smiles from the change in attitude. "How did you regain it?"

"Artemis helped me. No matter what, I'm still the son of a god. That hasn't changed. With the exercise sessions included, I should be stronger than ever when it all comes back."

"If you have time to chat, you have time to work out," the Huntress nudges his arm. "Time for mini boot camp!"

"Yes, teacher!" He takes off his hoodie and bows to her.

Helena turns her face away from seeing a glimpse of his defined lower abs. She takes off her warm cloak. Taki's heart skips a beat. Bicep peaks are hiding under her tan undershirt. He blushes from how the shirt embraces her toned body like a lover.

He shakes his head. We miss Penny. That's all.

Helena steps forward. "Can I join too?"

"Sure. We are going to do the same thing as before and go for as many as you can!"

Takashi and Helena do the complete circuit and he is not as wiped out as before.

"You have gotten better", Helena compliments without panting.

"Still in pain though," he grunts. "I wish I was like you. You could do all of that and not get winded."

She blushes from the compliment. "Have you noticed anything new about your body?"

"I have gotten more muscular, that's for certain. Penelope will be so surprised when I lift her up."

She mildly smiles. "She will like it."

"Is that some confidence I hear from you?" Echo jokes.

"I can't be Mr. Humble for too long. I need to take some pride in myself."

Artemis waves her bow. "But not too much or else I will hit you again!"

During their breakfast, Taki asks Echo about her second date with Narcissus. She happily sighs while telling them all how good he makes her feel inside. Something crosses her mind.

"Could you set up an alarm so I will have time to change? I will use the dust to get there quickly."

"You can count on me."

Echo later sets up some nicer clothes for today's date with Artemis helping her out.

The goddess holds a slender green dress. "How about this one? It accentuates your body well and will take his breath away."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. You should remind him how great of a catch you are."

"You have loosened up a bit. "It's how you were with Orion," she blurts out. She covers her mouth in shock.

An unexpected gentle smile is on the Olympian's face. "Orion definitely brought out the best in me. It doesn't hurt me to say his name now."

"I'm glad."

"Echo, he liked you. He said that we were lucky to have each other as friends."

The nymph smiles sweetly while a blue iris blooms. "I didn't know that. Have you thought about seeing him in Elysium?"

Her emerald eyes shoot down. "I have, but would he want to see me?"

"You should go when Taki gets his powers back. Orion would love to be with you."

"But what would I say since I-"

"Maybe you can start with "I love you," Helena chimes in. "An official one since he should be human now."

"She's right," the time traveler encourages. Since you changed your vow, there's nothing to stop you."

"But that vow was for Helena and them. Not for me."

Helena grasps her hands. Her lavender eyes tell her to apply that change to herself as well. The huntress grins out of appreciation. She turns her head to Taki while drawing her knife.

"I will be training you nonstop today until you get to Iphicles. Take out your sword and let's spar."

Helena is concerned, but she sees that Taki has assumed a defensive stance with his blade.

"Come at me!" He shouts.

Artemis runs towards him while slowing down her speed for his mind to process. She throws the knife from her right hand to her left and thrusts it at his center.

With a quick side step, he slashes up and to his right.

Clang!

He flips the blade to its flat side, aiming to hit her left shoulder-

Artemis crouches low. He hops over while swinging downwards-

Clang!

He backs away. "Don't hold back! Show me what it's like to fight a god!"

"Taki, that wouldn't be wise," the nymph warns.

However, Artemis understands his intentions. To prepare him in case Poseidon and him clash again. His whole being needs to understand what truly fighting an Olympian god is like.

Golden wisps surround the Huntress. "You asked for it, pupil. Attack me first."

Takashi rushes at her. His steps almost stagger warning him to run away. He thrusts his sword--

He blinks numerous times at the cloudy sky. His entire body touches the blades of grass underneath him. Artemis has one hand on his chest with her knife hovering over his heart.

His heart races faster than a rabbit. I didn't even blink.

"This is half of the speed I used against Narcissus," she gets off of him. "Your eyes couldn't even catch up with it."

The fear is swallowed down. "H-Half?"

He quickly stands up. His blade trembles from his fear.

"My turn."

Her feet vanish out of thin air. The flurry of her footsteps has him swing to his left, but it only catches air. He feels a moment of her leg making contact with his calves.

Thud!

His pupils shake. The goddess is pointing the tip of his own sword at his nose. She flips it over to the handle to return it to him.

With a quick grasp, he thrusts it at her shoulder--

His right arm drops like a sack of potatoes. Lifting up his arm is more trouble than it's worth to his confusion.

"I hit the pressure points on your arm," she explains. "Nice try though," she strikes them again.

He can finally lift it with ease. His body is telling him to give up. That there's no chance of progressing. Even then, he stands up with his sword. He feels his legs about to buckle underneath him.

I just need to get a fraction faster.

He sheathes his sword and has a hovering hand near the handle while lunging. The women are curious about this stance. With the emerald wisps present, he directs the energy to his eyes.

His 20/20 vision sharpens like a hawk onto Artemis. His feet pound the dirt. Within three feet, he thrusts his sheath and whips his sword out diagonally-

However, his back crashes to the ground. The force of the slam has him cough golden crimson on the grass.

Helena runs over to him. "Taki! Are you okay?!"

He wipes the blood away with his hand. Even in pain, he laughs.

"Did you hit your head too hard?"

Artemis is amused. "That's why you didn't use energy in the first two tries. You wanted to set a benchmark. Unfortunately, that was only a quarter of my true speed."

"Then that will be my goal. Even if I can't outclass you, I will close the gap."

Artemis doesn't sense any arrogance; she knows he will achieve it someday.

"You will get there, but what was that stance you just did?" Helena inquires.

"It's something I saw from a show called lai stance. A quick attack within the time it takes to draw your sword. Definitely needs some work," he picks up his weapon. He shakily manifests aura into his eyes and tries again.

Numerous times, his body crashes to the ground. The blade now acts as a cane to stand on his two feet, but he's left kneeling with heavy breaths. He forces his sword to point at Artemis.

The trees, sky, and ground swirl into each other. He falls forward, but the Huntress catches him with restorative hands.

He opens his eyes. "I'm sorry."

She rests him on the ground. "You gave it your best. Don't push yourself too hard."

He doesn't argue with her as he lies down. Helena goes to her tent and places a small pillow under his head. A sweet and relaxing scent walks into his nostrils.

"Is that lavender?"

"Helps me sleep well."

His watch goes off with an alarm.

"Time for me to change!" Echo picks up her dress and bag. A sprinkle of love dust opens a portal. "Feel better, Taki!"

"Have fun!"

"It's perfectly fine if you want to kiss him!"

"You will look great!"

With a wide smile and blossoming irises, she runs through the portal. She hopes that her beloved Naricissus will shower her with praise.

After a nice soak in the women's bathing area, Echo applies perfume that smells like lilies. She looks into the mirror's reflection, showing off her green shimmering dress.

Iphicles sees her leaving the gym. "You look great, Echo! You're going on a date?"

"I sure am!"

"It might rain today. Did you bring your cloak?"

"Oh, I forgot it. Oh, well," she shrugs. "Rain doesn't hurt."

"Have fun then!"

The mountain nymph skips her way to the inn and walks inside.

"I remember you from the other night," the owner greets. "You look lovely!"

"Thank you! Is Narcissus available?"

"I will let him know you're here. Would you like any beer or anything?"

She laughs. "Just water for now. Don't want to be too drunk."

He gives her a glass of cold water and leaves to find Narcissus. She waits by the bar for him.

The time on the sundial marches on with her thoughts. She pumps herself up with confidence in her looks, how he would look, and a possible future of children. She pats her cheeks to cool her racing her heart.

"One step at a time," she whispers to herself.

The owner returns. "I do apologize. Narcissus said he overslept and will be a little late. He's terribly sorry."

"That's okay. It gives me a chance to relax," she taps the glass...

Numerous guests of the inn come down for drinks and lunch. Echo's flowers wither as time passes.

"I don't mean to ask, but how long has it been since you spoke with him?"

He looks at the hourglass. "Seems like 30 minutes. Would you like any food?"

Her stomach grumbles from his question. "I will be fine."

"Okay. Let me know if you change your mind."

A couple sits next to her. The woman notices the mountain nymph. "Wow! You look so pretty. Are you on a date?"

"Thanks! Just waiting for him."

"Hopefully not too long," her boyfriend chimes in.

She notices the closeness as the man wraps his arms around his woman.

"How long have you been together?"

"It's been 5 months."

"3 months," the woman corrects him.

"It just feels longer with you. I'm already looking forward to our one-year anniversary," her lover rebounds.

"Awww, agapimenos," she kisses his cheek. "Would you like us to wait with you in the meantime?"

"It's fine. He's just a little late. Enjoy yourselves."

After a while, the couple leaves to go on with their day.

Echo taps her fingers on the cup repeatedly. "How much time has passed?"

"An hour, ma'am. Would you like a small plate of bread and fruit?"

"I will be fine. Thanks."

The addition of ten minutes makes her flowers wither away. Her fingers keep tapping away at the sides of her cup. She fights off the racing thoughts in her mind that she wasn't good enough for him.

A sliding plate interrupts her thoughts. The barkeep gives her a gentle smile to accompany the fresh bread, fruit, and hummus plate.

The aroma makes her stomach roar for sustenance. She goes to take a bite-

"I am so sorry, Echo!" Narcissus' voice carries across the hall.

Her anxiety dies down from seeing his face. A blue iris on her crown starts blooming.

He drops a bag he's carrying before grasping her rocky hands. "I lost track of time. I spilled some wine on a good tunic and had to redress myself," he kisses her hands. "I won't let you down like that ever again.You look absolutely amazing."

"You do as well," her heart starts to race.

The prideful demigod tells the barkeep he will pay for both of their meals. He reassures his date that she can order whatever she wants as well as dessert.

His sly fingers reach for the piece of bread, but the owner slides it out of his range. "That is for the young lady you kept waiting for over an hour."

Narcissus bites his tongue to stop his profane projectiles from flying out.

"It's okay," the nymph interjects. "We will share."

The barkeep holds back a sigh while shifting the plate back into place. He brings out scrolls with selected options. "Here's our menu."

Echo looks through it. "What's the fish of the day?"

"Baked Mahi Mahi with roasted tomatoes and onions. The chef recommends that."

"That sounds good. I will have that."

"I will have that too," Narcissus says between bites.

The owner keeps his eyes from glaring at the vain demigod.

"What about dessert?"

"Fresh baked honey cakes," he replies to Echo with a kind demeanor.

"We will have that too."

"And to drink?"

"Your finest wine for us", Narcissus answers.

"Alright. I will let the chef know."

The barkeep leaves to put their order in. Echo notices that her small plate is now empty.

The demigod feigns a guilty face. "I'm so sorry, my love. I should have controlled myself."

"It's okay. A handsome man needs his nutrients."

"I will make it up to you. I promise. Do you want to know something?" He waves her to lean forward. "This is my first date without my companions around. I'm really nervous when I'm alone with you."

His whispers make her face blush."You are?"

"No other person makes my heart race but you."

The blue, red, and white flowers on her crown are quickly plucked before they cover her face. The barkeep comes back with their goblets of wine. Narcissus goes to drink, but Echo raises a toast.

"To a clean slate."

Narcissus clinks her goblet with his and they drink. Over the course of lunch, the demigod attempted to steal a bit of fish from the nymph who playfully deflected with her fork. Her jovial laughter only brought a volcano of anger inside of him ready to erupt. But he reminds himself of the plan's success rate if he continues to manipulate Echo.

His ears block out the nymph's ramblings until she mentions Artemis and a man named Taki.

His head tilts. "Taki?"

"Takashi's nickname."

"You all have gotten pretty close to this stranger."

"He's more like family at this point. I know you both got off on the wrong foot, but maybe
you can both be friends. For my sake?"

He strokes her rocky hand. "For your sake. How's his training?"

"It's going great. He managed to improve himself each day," she hides the truth under layers of inner aura. "Since we're talking about futures, how do you feel about children?"

"Honestly, I don't want any kids," he brushes back his luxurious hair. "My mother was..."

His posture slumps in his seat. "She neglected me," his lie finally comes out. "And my father wasn't around to protect me when she—"

The feigned trembling of his shoulders makes Echo grasp his hands. "I'm so sorry. I didnt' know."

"But looking at you calms me down," he gazes into her eyes with crocodile tears. "Maybe we can adopt some kids instead."

Echo cracks a grin.

"And we will still make love to each other. We can use some of Aphrodite's potions for that," he whispers.

Her face turns redder than Agiorgitiko. Her irises continue to bloom from the overactive imagination.

"But that is too soon to think about. Let's finish our meals."

They eat their desserts; this time Narcissus allows Echo eat plenty to get on her good side.

When the bill is pushed to his side, he doesn't object. "I will take of all of our purchases, my future wife."

Echo beams from ear to ear from his last sentence. More beautiful flowers decorate the bar. The demigod walks her out of the inn to conclude their date.

"I had a great time, Echo. I look forward to the next one."

"Me too."

"Before you leave, I have a gift for you," he pulls out an elegant violet cloak from the small bag. A golden brooch holds it together at the neck of it.

"I don't know your favorite color so I picked this option."

She throws it on and twirls around. Softness and warmth flow around her being. "I love it!"

"It looks great on you."

"Tha-"

Her lips are sealed by his lips. Her body gets closer to him. She kisses back with hands draping behind his head, but he breaks it. He stops the next kiss with fingers on her mouth.

"There's always next time. Show off your boyfriend's gift to your friends."

The mountain nymph can only nod.

"How about we meet again tomorrow? We can take a walk in the garden they have here. How about 1pm?"

Her silent nod brings delight to the demigod.

"Bye, my love."

"B-Bye, future husband!"

She's overjoyed from how it sounds. She sprinkles some dust to return to the others while Narcissus walks back to his room. Upon locking his door, he rinses his mouth with water and spits it in the jar.

He's just glad that she's wrapped around his finger. He holds the peacock totem with a smile that hurts his cheeks. No longer will the son of Kronos breathe another breath. A stepping stone will be pushed aside to claim his glory.