A sunny sky smiles upon Takashi and Briseis who take a small stretch break.

Only one day left if we keep this up. "Briseis, what should I expect when I get there? What's the layout of the camp?"

She draws out the camp with a stick to the best of her memory. She mentions the wooden spikes, the coal mine, and where they are forced to stay.

"How many Trojans are there?"

"About 200 of us left," her voice drops with a heavy sadness.

He pats her back. "How many guards?"

"Probably 60 around, but more from Aulis. I don't know the exact number."

"Who's in charge?"

She wraps her arms around her body to hold herself. Unstable breaths match her racing heart.

Taki gets in her line of sight. "Deep and slow breaths with me," he starts a breathing pattern. After a few minutes, her breaths match the time traveler's. "Whoever he is, he must be a terrible man. I will make him regret what he did to your people."

The priestess grabs his hands. "Don't fight Stavros! He's sick and cruel. He killed the previous master to obtain control over us. He...made us watch him parade his corpse."

He strokes his fingers over her trembling hands. He will be stopped. I have something he doesn't have and he will be brought to justice. He gently holds by the shoulders. "Okay, I won't fight him unless it comes down to it. Freeing your people is my first priority. I promise you that."

His eyes bring her back to a familiar memory. She cracks a grin.

"Plus, we have help from your friends behind us."

"That's right. They are great shots, especially my cousin," she admits.

"We will make a plan to get your people out. My power over time will make it happen," he offers his hand to lift her up. He pulls her up and is surprised by a deep embrace.

"Thank you for helping us."

"Don't thank me until it is over. I will dismantle their whole operation so they won't hurt anyone else again. Are you ready to go?"

"I am."

They hop back on their horses to continue their journey.

Briseis sips water from Taki's canteen. "What is your wife like?"

His eyes soften. "She always prays for me before I leave for work. She gives me peace when I'm stressed out and her smile. Whew, her smile makes me appreciate her more."

"She sounds like a great woman," she smiles. "I bet she will be a great mother to your child."

"I don't doubt it. She can teach our daughter how to metal scream and I bet she won't stop doing that," he chuckles.

The priestess raises an eyebrow. "Metal scream?"

He displays on his phone a particular video. He points out Penelope with the macabre painted face. His wife performs a growling scream that blows the Trojan away.

"And her throat doesn't give out?"

"Nope. She can scream without hurting herself in the process. She is amazing."

"She definitely is," Briseis' nervously smiles. "Oh, I like how you talk about her. You really love her."

"I do and I'm going to make up for lost time when I get back," he grips the reins. "I won't ever leave her again."

"Oh, congratulations on your daughter. Are you happy being a father?"

Taki's silence sits between them.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"I am happy, but I always question myself. Will I even be a good father? My dad left me and my sister when we were kids. Will I be like him? Not that I would leave them, but fail just like he did? Those questions have plagued me since Penelope's pregnancy."

Briseis clutches his hand. "You won't. I don't know your father, but you're nothing like him. You are going out of your way to help me and my people. Your daughter is lucky to have you as her father."

"Thanks," he whispers through a smile. "Oh, is there someone you love?"

"There was."

He can hear the emphasis behind her words. Like a recent death.

"I met him during the war. He was an enemy soldier, but he was not like the rest of them."

His jaw drops from the unexpected love.

"Of course, I didn't like him because he was the enemy. I thought he was just a stupid brute, but he saved my life and surprised me. Still, he wasn't perfect. He did something I couldn't forgive him for...he killed a cousin of mine."

"I'm sorry."

"Even after that, he begged for my forgiveness since that day. I wish I had forgiven him before he died."

The foreigner processes her words. A complex love, but it's love nonetheless.

"And he died at the hands of my cousin who's following us. He thought he was saving me, but he was wrong. My love came to save me when Troy was–"

He understands with a nod. She gazes at him with a question. Could you go back in time and-

"I wish I could," he looks down. "I tried to think of home, but Poseidon won't allow me to leave."

She lets out a long exhale. "Since you have the power over time, do you think time heals all wounds? That I would forgive my cousin for what happened?"

"The wounds will still be there and they may open up again. However, it's how you deal with the pain that matters in the end. Holding onto resentment isn't healthy though. I pray you will find peace between you and your cousin one day."

Briseis smiles that he didn't sugarcoat it. His honesty almost reminds her of her beloved cousin.

"Since you have been here, what is your relationship with the gods?"

"You go first with that."

The priestess looks to her left, right, and above before opening her lips. "My people and I had a good relationship with some of them, but the end of the war changed things," she grips the reins. "They didn't save us when we called out to them that night. Ares and the others said they would protect us.

For almost 10 years they lived up to that promise. On the last night, however, they sent us a letter saying that they would turn their backs on us," her tears hit the ground. "Why would they do that?!"

She then covers her mouth out of fear of the gods listening in.

"It's okay to be angry," Taki assures. "Poseidon has been getting in my way and I don't know why. However, I will get home no matter how many times he interferes. He and the other gods will not stop me. Have Ares and the others spoken to you and your people since then?"

"They haven't. It's like they don't want to be around us."

"Shame on them then."

The Trojan jerks her head at him.

"If I was them, I would make things right for you and ."

She admires his bravery for speaking against them. Very few people would do that and get away with it. They keep making their way forward to Hyria...

Avgi pushes through the bushes. The little girl ignores the scratches on her arms to evade her captors. She finds a hole in a tree and slips inside it.

She feels something marching on her arms. A scream almost escapes her lips from the ants irritating her. She bites down on her lips, waiting for the guards to ride past her. As soon as the hoovesteps leave, she jumps out and rolls along the ground to get the ants off her. The Trojan settles her heart, but questions pop in her mind.

Where will she go now? Who could help her? And could she even find Briseis?

Another thought makes her eyes water. Tobias, the teen who most likely died to save her life. The little girl breaks down into tears from the possibility. After a few minutes, Avgi wipes her tears away.

"I need to be brave. But where could they be? Big sister, where are you?" She whispers to herself.

Her feet stay clear from the road. She comes across a wide river that's flowing rapidly. A toss of a rock doesn't tell how deep it goes. Even then, she cannot swim.

"She should be around here," the voice of one of the slave guards startles her.

Avgi holds her nose and jumps into the river. She kicks her feet to keep her head above the water. The current slaps her in the face multiple times. The water pushes her against a rock that she clings onto. She tries not to scream for help.

"Little girl! Get over here! You have no choice but to return!" One of the slave traders stretches the handle of his spear for her to grab.

"NO! NO!" She vehemently refuses.

"Do you want to die like the man who saved you?! Stavros will forgive you since you're small!"

The news silences her.

"You idiot! We were going to lie about that!"

As they argue, Avgi takes a chance to swim across to the end. The current sweeps her underwater. A log becomes her savior as she clings on for dear life. She kicks with her little feet to survive. The slave traders chase after her and throw a net before the drop ahead.

They start pulling her back to their side.

"NO!" She screams. She would rather die than go through that again.

Something cuts the net. The little Trojan falls over the drop. The log splinters into pieces from hitting the jagged rocks on the bottom.

"Damn it! She couldn't have survived that!"

"Stavros will be upset. Maybe finding the nobles will ease his temper."

"Maybe is the key term."

The guards leave the place to continue their search. Unbeknownst to them, Avgi is underwater with her mouth and nose covered by a hand. Oxygen freely moves into her lungs thanks to the stranger's help. After a few minutes, it gently puts her on dry land.

The Trojan can't believe her eyes. Her skin and eyes match the color of the blue river. The woman's teal dress with a singular shoulder strap flutters from the wind. Her muddy-brown ponytail passes past her diamond-shaped face and stops at her waist. She stands with pride at 183 cm.

"W-who are you?"

"No need to be afraid, little one. I'm a river nymph," her voice is as pleasant as a babbling brook.

The young Trojan steps closer to her. "My name is Avgi. What is your name?"

"Ismene."

"Thank you, Ismene."

"You are welcome, but I'm not done yet. I need to get you to safety. Where are your parents?"

Mentioning her parents makes heavy tears flow down her face. "They died. I don't know where to go. I don't want to go back to Hyria."

Ismene gently wipes her tears away. The mortal's tears along with the moisture from the dress get absorbed by her. "Is there someone I can take you to?"

"Do you know Briseis, Paris, or Helen? They must have come by you a few days ago."

The nymph puts a finger to her chin. "I remember seeing a young couple cross my river. I think they were running from the same men chasing you."

The little girl jumps from hearing something good for once. "Can you take me to them?"

"I don't know where they could-"

Avgi's lips quiver with watery eyes. Her heart almost sinks to her stomach before the nymph embraces her tightly.

The 183 cm nymph crouches down to embrace her. "I will help you find them, Avgi," she breaks the hug to wave her right hand.

She summons a wide jar with straps to scoop up a whole container of water. After putting it on her back, she waves her hand again.

The water from the river glows and reaches out to the Trojan. The bruises are removed from her skin, making her feel renewed. The dirt is washed out of her black hair to bring back its shine. Her clothes are instantly replaced with a matching teal dress of her own.

"Do you feel better now?"

She nods. The river nymph summons a small jar with string which is filled with delicious berries.

"You must be hungry as well. Eat these berries as we go. Hold my hand and stay close," she instructs.

Avgi grabs her hand and doesn't let go. Ismene recalls the direction of where Paris and Helen went, and they head that way.

----

Meanwhile, the slave guards that were stopped by Takashi had freed themselves. They vow to themselves to return with his body so Stavros could punish him. They curse with heavy breaths that their horses are long gone. The sound of neighing gets their attention.

The guards follow the sound to a single hut on a hill with blue roof tiles and a chimney. The chestnut stallion is too busy grazing on the grass to notice the intruders.

However, a single step on the hill warns them to turn away. The duo ignores that feeling as the fear of Stavros is stronger. One of them shushes the horse while the other goes to the door.

The second guard pushes open the mahogany door. There is a stone fireplace, a large wooden table, and a fixed wooden slab that holds a particularly large club. He goes to take it, but it weighs as much as a stubborn tree trunk.

"Shit, what kind of person lives here?"

Checking the cabinets, he pushes aside a wooden horse toy with a matching soldier to get to the baked bread. He scours for some money-

A noise from outside makes him jump. His quick hand grabs the pouch of drachma and he heads outside. His heart and the bag drop to the floor.

His comrade's body is cut cleanly in two with his intestines exposed to the air.

He sees his partner's knife and picks it up to defend himself. The encompassing shadow of the beast has him swing his knife!

The knife bounces off the golden fur. A single slap of the large paw separates his hand from the body. The guard cries out in pain. He thought his mind was playing tricks on him. Its four eyes are fixed on him without blinking. The furry mane brings his mind to one terrifying thought.

The Nemean Lion

Before he can do anything, the lion ends his life.

Helios' chariot settles again to declare the end of the day. Bright stars decorate the canvas of darkness with a half moon overlooking Takashi and Briseis. The time traveler gazes upon the sky with the wonder of a child.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Briseis asks him.

"It is. Penny and I wouldn't really see these kinds of stars at home. We would have to drive far away for this sight," he takes a picture with his cellphone. With a press of a button, he sends it to his wife to share the moment.

"Is that an instant painting you just took?"

"Want to give it a try?"

He teaches her how to access the camera. The priestess is amazed by the matching visuals the phone is showing her. Pushing the middle button elicits a snapping noise. Taki taps the gallery button to show her the finished product.

"What is this "gallery?"

"It's the place where all the instant paintings are stored. Tap with your finger and swipe to the right with your finger to see more of them."

A gentle smile graces her face from the next few photos. Her new friend cuddling his wife's baby bump. Another shows him assembling the baby's crib with help from Nicholas.

She swipes again and a picture of their friends are seen eating together. Taki points to Gregory and Misha who introduced him to his wife.

"How did you and your wife meet?"

"We met each other at college while studying for our master's degrees. Misha introduced us when there was a Greek Club Fair on campus..."

<3 <3 <3

Misha was dressed up in a tunic while serving some kalitsounia. She walked over to Takashi and Gregory whole entered the room.

"Taki, Greg! It's good to see you here!"

"You look great, Misha. You really look the part," Greg complimented.

"Thanks. What brings you two out here?"

"Just taking a break from classwork."

"It's a lot of work, but money will be rolling in for the both of us," Greg sighed.

"You can say, it will pay off one day," Taki spoke flatly on purpose.

Misha groaned while Greg laughed at his friend's joke.

"Your jokes are terrible. Oh, Taki. Are you dating anyone at this time?"

"Not since-," he stopped himself. "I'm just focused on school for the moment."

"You need to live a little," his best friend nudged him. Find you a new hot girlfriend."

"You're one to talk, Mr. Single," Misha jested.

"At least I'm playing the field."

"And made a lot of bad shots along the way," Misha shot back.

Taki didn't mean to laugh, but it was funny to him.

"I'm learning though, Misha. Nobody is perfect. I just keep moving forward," Greg chuckled.

"At least you're optimistic about it. Taki, I have a friend that you might like. Her name is Penelope and she's right over there," she pointed to the right corner.

Taki's heart skipped a beat. Her beauty in that tunic and her smile floored him.

Greg snapped his fingers in front of his face. "Earth to Taki. Earth to Taki."

"Sorry," he shook his head to refocus. "What were you saying?"

"Hey, man. Go to her."

"What should I even say?"

"Introduce yourself to her," Misha encouraged.

"Besides that."

"She loves learning about mythology and bad jokes too. Go for it. You never know what can happen."

Greg handed him a mint before giving him a gentle push.

You got this. You got this. Maybe you should turn around, his mind argued. His footsteps ignored his doubts as he found his chance to speak with her.

The table she's sitting at had Greek idols and creatures on it. There's a jar that said Greek Club written on it with dollars at the halfway point.

"Hello."

"Hello, patron," her voice perked his ears. "My name is Penelope. What is your name?"

"Takashi. Misha mentioned you to me."

"Oh, she did?"She looked at Misha who turned her head away.

"S-Since I'm a patron, would that make you a goddess?"

Penelope's laughter was honey to his ears. "I wish. I'm nothing like that."

"You could have had me fooled," he almost mumbled.

Penelope blushed from his remark.

His eyes glanced at the sign. "So you are a storyteller?"

"For a price."

"Okay. How about I pay you in three ways?"

Her eyebrows rose. "3?"

"Money to start with. I will also tell you a myth from my culture and a joke you might like."

"That seems like a lot for one story. I will also throw something in at the end if I like what you say."

Taki deposited $50 in the jar and sat down.

"Okay, Takashi. Here's the story of the 12 Labors of Heracles. We start with....."

He leaned in as her passion for the material flowed out of her mouth. More people were drawn to her and they placed money in the jar. She finished up the story and felt ashamed as if it was a lot to take in.

"Sorry about that," she nervously laughed. "It's one of the longer stories that I know from my studies."

He clapped his hands. "You shouldn't be sorry. That was great! I liked how passionate you got about this story. You are a great storyteller."

Her smile disarmed him again.

"H-How about those two things you mentioned?"

"R-Right. Have you ever heard of Akuma called Bakezori?"

"No, I haven't."

"My mom who comes from Japan would tell me this story when I was little. They come from the Yokai family, and they are haunted shoes."

"Possessed shoes?"

"Yep. My mom would say that if we don't clean or put our shoes away properly, that over time our shoes would be haunted and bother us all day. They would yell at us for failing to do that task. Apparently, there are also haunted house items."

"That is so weird," she laughed. Their laughter made them more comfortable. "Two out of three labors done. I'm ready for your joke."

"What does Zeus like to do in his spare time?"....Kraken a cold one with the boys."

Air whooshed out of Penelope's mouth. She clutched her stomach as tears rolled down her face. After a minute, she wiped her tears. "Whew! That was hilarious!"

"I got plenty more of those jokes where that came from."

"Tell me another one."

"What was a common game between the Greek gods?...Hydra and seek."

"Another one!" She laughed.

"I would like to tell you more, but it looks like I paid up for tonight. How-"

"How about we go on a second date then?" She finished before he could.

He blinked multiple times. "Second date?"

"I count this as our first date. Plus, that was my thing to sweeten the deal."

"Okay, Penelope. Are you free this weekend?"

"Not doing anything Saturday. It's my treat this time."

"Let's exchange our numbers then. I will get back to you about what we're going to do."

They exchanged their numbers.

Before he left, Penelope stopped him. "Since we're dating now, how about a kiss on the cheek?"

He took her bronze hand and kissed it. Penelope felt she was going to faint by his action, but she held herself strong.

"This will do for now. See you Saturday, Penelope," he walked away smiling.

Little did he know that his future was with her.


<3 <3 <3

"That's so sweet," Briseis awes. I see why you like each other."

"We are lucky to have each other."

She accidentally pushes the random button. A certain photo pops up that makes her blush. Taki's confused until he sees the photo, Penny in a lewd maid outfit.

He quickly takes it away from her. "Sorry! I forgot that it was in there," he stammers.

"It does explain why you can't keep your hands off of her," she jests while crossing her arms.

"You are making it weird," his face turns redder than a tomato. "Stop it."

The snap of a branch makes them draw their weapons. Takashi stands in front of Briseis to protect her.

"Who's there?!"

"Briseis."

That familiar voice makes her lower her weapon. Taki also lowers his weapon in response. Two hooded figures come out from the trees and they remove their hoods.

The woman has long golden hair that has muddied over time. Her blue eyes have dulled from what she had seen. Even then, her heart shaped face and porcelain complexion was almost unparalleled to Aphrodite's beauty.

The man who took off his hood has curly black hair that has the same shine as Briseis. His piercing brown eyes soften from seeing his cousin.

"Paris, Helen!" She embraces them both.

They wrap their arms around her.

"I'm glad you are safe, Briseis."

"Same here, cousin," Paris tells her.

The priestess takes a step back, remembering that he ended her lover.

Paris opens his mouth but stops himself. He walks towards Takashi. "I saw what you did to save her life. I was about to fire off those arrows, but you saved her before I could let them fly. You are something else, Taki."

They shake hands.

"My name is Paris of Troy, son of King Priam, and this is my love, Helen."

Takashi bows before him as respect for his nobility.

Paris stands him up. "No, I'm not a king. I have failed my people and I need to save them. I'm happy that you are helping us out with this."

"Don't sweat it."

They raise their eyebrows from that phrase.

"It means it's not a big problem for me," he explains.

Helen steps closer to him and looks up and down. "Forgive me, I haven't seen anyone with your look before."

Her beauty up close makes him blush. "I-I get that a lot. It's nice to meet you two."

"You are a demigod, aren't you?" She asks.

"I'm not. I don't know how I got my powers over time, but I will use them to help you."

"That doesn't make sense. You should be a demigod with the speed you displayed. Like a son of Hermes?" Paris adds.

"I never had that kind of speed before."

"That is strange," Briseis points out.

"Still, we can free our people from Stavros with your help. I know Briseis drew a map, but I know exactly where Stavros sleeps and the ammunition they have. Helen heard that you wanted a big distraction?"

"Let's talk about that, but in the morning. You both look tired. There should be room in the tent for the three of you."

"Let's take shifts watching," Paris insists. "Let me at least repay in some way."

"Okay. I have the first shift so take a nap. I will tap you to take over. "

"Are you sure?"

"Yep! For some reason, the moon makes me feel safe."

The couple go into the tent with Briseis followed after them. Paris and Helen lay down and cuddle while Briseis has her back facing them.

"Good night, everyone."

"Good night, Taki."

During the night, the men switch roles to stay alert. On Taki's next watch, the priestess clutches her head from the flood entering her mind. A few puzzle pieces become as clear as day. Takashi is close to defeating Stavros until a red vapor results in his lifeless body on the ground. Her scream startles the time traveler.

"Briseis, are you okay?"

"It's fine," Paris answers. "We got her."

Helen holds her close.

The priestess' tears won't stop dropping. "This can't happen to him," her voice wavers. "Don't let it be real, fate."