"Why are you here?", Artemis spits through gritted teeth at Narcissus.

The hunter keeps his distance, knowing what she can do to him. "I was just hunting in this part of the forest when I noticed you're training this foreigner. To think he could be a demigod? I noticed some rabbits running unusually fast in the middle of their run. So, he must have the power to affect the speed of others?"

"You guessed right", Taki bluffs.

The vain demigod stares at him. "Power over the aspects of time, son of Kronos?"

His eyes widen in surprise.

Narcissus stifles the laughter that's going to erupt out of his mouth. "You're really an amateur. She didn't teach you how to hide your aura from others? And I don't really care about your background. I'm here to give you an offer of a lifetime."

Artemis and the others are puzzled.

Takashi wonders what he's up to. "What's your offer?"

"Quite simply, to be trained by the future number one archer of all time. Artemis, no offense, is of the old generation whose time has come to an end."

Artemis crosses her arms in an amused manner.

"Takashi, isn't it? As you just saw, I'm an excellent marksman and you can learn a lot from the best. After you complete my regimen, you will be ranked third, maybe second archer in the world. Artemis will just drop off the list after we replace her and Heracles."

"Interesting. What must I do for you?"

"That power to affect time will be useful in securing my number one position. Plus, you get to move up the ladder-"

"No."

The abrupt response stuns the proud demigod. His smile twitches as he buries his anger. "Is it about what happened in the city? If I had known better-"

"You told me: "I don't care about your background." It shows that we have different end goals in mind, and it would be a waste of time if I dropped Artemis as my teacher for you. No thanks."

Artemis smirks. Helena didn't know him for long, but she knew he wouldn't join that vain archer.  Echo is silent as she peeks from the tree.

"Fine, then. In that case, goddess, why waste time training him when you have the perfect student right here?", he points at himself.

Helena and Takashi's eyebrows raise by how quickly the demigod changed his stance.

Artemis uncrosses her arms. "You don't need any training, well except for that attitude of yours."

Takashi hides his grin as he feels the same way. Helena laughs.

Narcissus is upset by her laughter. "Why yo-"

Artemis shoots an arrow that grazes his face."Watch your tongue or it may be the last word you will ever say."

The vain demigod clears his throat. "I am sorry, Helena. I'm usually in control of myself."

"Why do you want to be trained by me? I thought it was beneath you since I'm part of the old generation", Artemis throws his words back at him.

"I think you're looking for a replacement number 3 archer. I am that man."

"Settling as number 3 for now? Not really your style", Taki chimes in.

Both Artemis and Helena laugh from his remark.

Narcissus shoots him a dirty look while gripping his bow. "I am tied with Adonis but that will change shortly."

"If Artemis is number 1 and Heracles is number 2, then who was number 3?", Taki asks for clarification.

He looks at the goddess. "Tou know who number 3 is and I'm glad he is out of the way."

Helena covers her mouth in disgust as this man said a terrible thing about Orion. Within a blink of an eye, Artemis pins him against a tree with a knife to his throat. The tree cracks from the impact.

Her aura flashes to its highest intensity which makes it hard for Helena and Takashi to breathe. Her narrowing green eyes show the animalistic side that makes the prideful man's face turn white. Brown fur begins to form over her skin. Teeth sharper than any knife.

"He was more of a man than you will ever be. Even in death, Orion is still a better archer than you!"

She goes to put the blade through his throat, but Echo grabs her arm. Narcissus is surprised this stranger is defending him. She uses her mountainous aura to protect him but parts of her rocky skin start breaking from the immense pressure.

"Don't kill him! Please!", she pleads with tears in her eyes.

She turns her face to her. Even though the nymph has seen this side of her before, her pupils shake.

Artemis drops Narcissus to the ground. Her immense aura disappears along with the fur. "This is the second time I let you live. Thank Echo because there won't be a third. Leave right now."

He runs away in humiliation, dropping stuff along the way. The mountain nymph tries to follow him, but she falls.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that to you", the goddess shakily apologizes.

She goes to heal her, but Echo gently pushes her hand away. Her aura re-solidifies her skin from the damage. The cracks almost disappeared, but they are still seen by the Olympian.

"I will be fine. I just need to do something first."

She picks up some vials from the ground. Artemis knows what she's going to do, but she can't convince her friend to stay.

"If he even harms a hair on your head-"

"He won't", Echo assures before running after Narcissus. Taki goes to chase after her, but the goddess stops him.

-----

Narcissus leans against a tree to catch his breath. He then strikes the tree with his fist.

"That damn woman and foreigner. If she wasn't around, ohhhh, I would have-"

He feels a presence coming towards him, but it wasn't the aura of Artemis. The woman who saved his life walks out from the trees. Her eyes fixed at his feet.

"Are-Are you okay?"

He stands up tall. "Of course, I am! Never better. Wait. You're Artemis' friend. Echo, right?"

She nods.

"You stopped her from killing me. I must thank you for that. My life would have been over back there."

Echo's flowers bloom from his "compliment". She notices some golden blood coming down from the left side of his neck.

She points to the left side of her neck. "S-She cut you there."

He checks it and she's right. "It's nothing that I can't handle." Seconds pass, but the wound doesn't close up to his surprise. He suspects the goddess had temporarily severed his healing factor.

"Just some healing lotions and I will be good", he tells her.

He reaches into his knapsack to find none. Clinking. He sees that Echo has his healing balms with his first initial engraved on them.

"Did you steal that from me?", he confronts her.

Her rocky feet shuffle. "Y-You dropped this when you ran from Artemis."

"Are you calling me a coward?", he insinuates while walking forward.

She takes a step back. "No! That's not what I mean. I wanted to bring this back to you. I-I feel bad for what she did to you. I'm sorry."

The demigod smiles from her apology. "Just leave them on the ground carefully. I can apply that myself."

Echo puts them on the ground. It stings, but he rubs it in before applying a bandage. He uses the reflection of his knife to admire his work. He sees that the mountain nymph hasn't left him.

"Why did you save me?"

Echo's heart is racing. "I did it because-because-"

"Out with it!"

"Because I like you", she sputters out.

Narcissus reads her like an open book. Romantic feelings for him. Normally he would reject anyone who throw themselves at his feet.....

"I'm sorry for treating you like a thief. Honestly, I put on a tough guy act just to get under people's skin. I didn't mean what I said about Orion. He was my closest friend."

"He was? But Artemis said that you tried to have her hurt him."

"I didn't know that she had changed her hunting zones at the last minute. When I saw him with Artemis, I tried to save him, but it was too late. I'm glad she kept him alive."

"Why didn't you mention that to her when she confronted you?", she asks with confusion.

"She wasn't in the talking mood. It was wrong of me to say that I'm glad that he's dead. I guess I'm still mourning. Part of me is thinking that he's still alive. Silly, isn't it?"

The nymph shakes her head. "I see a stag while hunting and I let it go thinking it was him."

"So do I. I need to leave right now, but it was good to talk with you, Echo."

A wide smile accompanies the blooming flowers on her crown. She plucks them out to the ground. "I know we just met officially for the first time, but do you feel the same way about me?"

"Just not ready for us to be official yet. I have my dreams I need to accomplish first then things will work out for us."

"Okay. Be safe, Narcissus", she skips away with a smile.

Narcissus waits for her to leave before having a disgusted scowl on his face. He thinks about how to use her in his plan.

Meanwhile in California, Nov 4th 1:00 pm

A blonde woman with metal framed glasses rings the doorbell to Penelope's home. Her blue eyes smile at seeing her professor in pajamas with her daughter in tow.

"Hey, Lisa! I didn't expect you to swing by."

"I was in the neighborhood and wanted to check on you. I also brought some food." 

She holds up a bag of fast food from a burger place that Penelope likes.

She smirks. "Are you trying to bribe me with food?"

"Not at all. I would have brought wine too", she jokes while walking inside.

"Oh, where's Tommy?"

"He's at school right now and hopefully he will stay out of trouble."

"Oh, I forgot it was Thursday. These days have been a blur so far."

Lisa hugs them. "I wish I could do more to help."

"This is enough."

Her baby coos and Lisa offers to hold her for a bit. Penelope hands her over so she can eat freely.

"You are still the cutest little thing", Lisa tells her daughter.

"Don't let Tommy hear that. Hmm. This will hit the spot."

"Well, he's not around."

"It's good to see you again, Lisa", Aiko says after hearing them.

"Hello, Mrs. Watanabe. It's good to see you too."

"Saying my last name makes me feel old. Call me Aiko."

"Aiko. How have you been holding up since..."

She sighs. "...Some days, it's difficult to get out of bed. I always have my phone on just in case he calls. I get excited when I get a call, but sad that it's not from him."

"That's how I'm feeling too", Penny adds.

"I know you all miss him terribly. Have there been any leads?"

"Hikari said she's going to try something at her job to get a lead. Maybe the data she recorded will be helpful", Aiko informs.

"I pray that her idea will work. I know this little girl misses her dad too. Your daddy is such a funny man. He will make you laugh with his jokes."

There is some silence between the women as Penny finishes her meal and wipes her mouth.

"Thanks for the meal, Lisa. I appreciate it."

Aiko clears off the trash. "Musume (daughter), did you send the paperwork off?"

"Just waiting on their response that they got it."

"What paperwork?', Lisa asks. Penny tells her about the death certificate. "I should have kept my mouth shut. I'm so sorry for asking."

"You have been more helpful to me than you know. You deserve an update on what's going on."

"Things will get better. Oh, it's beautiful outside. Do you want to grab some fresh air?"

Aiko takes her granddaughter and motions with her head to leave for a bit.

Penny grabs her shoes and ties them up. "There is one thing that I have to get from the car."

She gets the keys to Takashi's car and unlocks it. She takes out the gun and holster from the glove box. Lisa is surprised. Penny tells her it's just a deterrent and that her husband taught her how to use it.

Penny and Lisa walk around the neighborhood. A gentle breeze rolls past them.

She takes a good whiff of the autumn air. "It's been a while since I've been outside like this."

They see missing posters of Takashi still hanging up with a number to call for any information on his whereabouts. Lisa imagines that it must be painful for Penny to see them.

"Isn't Thanksgiving at the end of this month?", Penny asks.

"It is. Takashi should be back by then."

"Do you have any plans besides the paper I'm asking you guys to write?"

"Not really. Parents will be coming in around that time to see me, but I'm open. Why?"

"Do you and Tommy want to come over for Thanksgiving dinner?"

"We would like to come."

"Great! Any food allergies or preferences?"

"No and Tommy likes to eat everything. Little guy has a blackhole in his stomach."

"Then he will eat well. We will have a large roasted chicken, some salmon, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, yams, and pecan pie."

Lisa licks her lips. "That sounds really good."

"It's the same food that we made last Thanksgi-"

Remembering the past holiday with Takashi made her stop talking. Lisa wraps an arm around her shoulders as they return to her house. She hugs her before leaving in a taxi.

Please be here by Thanksgiving, my love. It won't be the same without you.


Gaia,

Takashi resumes where they left off with their archery session. He picks up the arrows that he shot to reuse them-

He rolls out of the way! A target almost crashes to the ground. He keeps dodging as he hops to the side.

"Never let your guard down! No enemy will let you recollect your ammunition", the goddess yells.

He runs behind a tree to take his mark. He decides to try something while raising his energy. He gathers the energy around his arrow and fires it off. The arrow successfully goes through a target which breaks into pieces.

"Yes! It works!"

It's too early of a celebration as the targets went near him. He passes from tree to tree while gathering his aura. One target collapses after a successful hit.

The remaining eight targets then fire off arrows of their own to his surprise.

"Stop!"

The projectiles freeze, but the targets are then imbued with Artemis' aura that make them able to move with ease. With two quick draws, he shoots down two targets. However, he's low on ammunition. He runs to grab some of the paused projectiles while he's being chased. 

Wince!

His left leg is grazed by one of their arrows, but he pushes through.

He grabs a paused projectile and fires it off. A target fires off an arrow of its own, breaking the attempt. At the same time, a target hits him in the back of his right shoulder. This pain makes time resume against his will. Helena is surprised to see the destruction of what just happened and is concerned with the arrow in his shoulder.

He jumps behind a tree. He pulls out the arrow with a grunt leaving his mouth. He applies pressure while keeping an eye on the targets.

He takes this time to take aim, but a hiding target fires an arrow that knocks the bow out of his hands. He pulls his arm back from reaching for the bow. Arrows plunge into the ground where his arm could have been goes to pick it up. His left leg buckles from underneath.

Taki is forced to kneel as he tries to move. The targets now surround him from all sides, but they sit on the ground. The goddess approaches him with glowing hands.

"One of the arrows a target fired is a slow-acting poison. Because it's a tiny dose, it won't kill, just hinder a person's movements. You did your best."

She touches his shoulder and his left leg.

The blue poison leaves his body, making him able to move with ease. "You really weren't playing around back there."

"At least you know what to expect next time."

"Are poison arrows the only thing to watch out for?"

"That's just one type. I have special arrows that have different effects."

"Can you teach me those?"

"We won't start with poison because that takes absolute precision and carefulness. Don't want you to accidentally cut yourself."

Taki understands with a nod.

Artemis takes out a special arrow with a red fletching. The arrowhead is covered in a shiny residue. She summons three targets and puts some of her energy into it before firing.

The 1st target explodes on contact! Fragments from the first arrow land on the other two which also blow up.

His eyes widen, not out of fear. But out of wonder. "So like a grenade."

"Grenade?"

"My world has weapons that have a similar effect after you pull the pin and throw."

"That is amazing", Helena ponders.

"How do you make it?"

"Get out one of your arrows."

He does so and the goddess takes out a special canteen with a mortar and pestle. She pours out a clear, sticky brown liquid into the mortar. From her pouch, black volcanic ash is dropped in before mixing.

"Dip your arrowhead into it", she instructs. He dips it in there.

"And now we wait for it to solidify."

"How long do I wait until it's ready?"

"You can fast forward a few minutes."

"Fast forward."

As time moves faster, the liquid hardens around his arrowhead.

"Okay, it's ready."

"Play."

Time resumes. Helena's eyes widen since it happened quickly.

"Try it out. The key is not to put too much energy or else you will get hurt. Put less energy than what you use in your jab. Also, it's best to fire from a safe distance."

Taki understands while she summons two targets. Taki focuses a little of his energy into the arrow and fires it off. The arrow hits the bullseye and explodes on contact. The fragments land on the second target close to it and it blows up as well.

"Whoa!"

"Whoa, indeed! Best be careful with that arrow", Echo speaks out while returning to them.

"How did it go between you two?", Artemis asks.

"It went well. He likes me the same way."

The trio is surprised. Artemis wanted to say something, but she didn't want to lose her best friend.

"That's good."

"He told me that he has to accomplish some goals and that we will be together."

"Although his goal is to replace Artemis as the best hunter? Echo-"

Artemis stops Helena with a gentle hand.

Taki stays out of it. What could he even say to persuade her? "I hope it works out for you two."

"Thanks! So, you're teaching him the explosive arrow?"

"Yep! He seems to like it."

"I like it, but I don't think I will have much use for it. Maybe I will keep one or two in my quiver. I want to learn more about non-lethal arrows."

"Helena, can you come show him how to make the 40 winks arrow?"

"40 winks?", he asks with a tilted head.

Helena takes out a small jar and carefully opens it up. He pays close attention as she dips the tip of the arrowhead into the jar. Once it's ready, she finds a rabbit and grazes its leg.

The rabbit tries to hop away, but it staggers to the ground with closing eyes. Its moving belly gives Takashi relief that it was still alive.

Artemis heals the animal's wound. "Sorry about that, little guy. You are free to go."

The rabbit stirs up and hops away. Takashi grabs his arrows and dips a few of them into that poison. While they are drying, he learns more special arrow types that are non-lethal with one particular arrow that he pays close attention to.

He continues his training sessions with divine energy.

"Narcissus is right. I should have shown you how to hide your aura better. This will prevent other divine figures from getting the jump on you. Good thing is that he doesn't know the secret to activating your powers. Let's keep it that way", Artemis tells him.

She has Takashi sit down.

"You must be calm, but aware of what's around you. A balance of vigilance and calm. If you feel someone is reading you, you can use your aura as an inner shield to block them out."

"Like how you did to me."

She nods.

"How do I block them out?"

"The same concept as the outer shielding, but for your inner self. Let's try it again. Start with the head and piece it all together.''

Taki summons a thin solid covering over his head. He focuses some energy into his arms and legs, working down to his hands and feet. He imagines piecing them together, but it doesn't work.

Artemis claps.

"That is a huge improvement! You should be proud of that."

He then falls over, but Artemis catches him. She sees with her eyes that his energy is depleted with all that he's done. She lays him down on the grass.

"You did a lot today. Just rest for now."

Taki was about to argue with her, but she's right. Artemis scoops him up with ease and puts him into his tent to rest up. He goes to put on an alarm but falls right to sleep.

"What just happened to him?", Helena asks with concern.

"He overused his powers. He will be fine when he wakes up."

Helena exhales in relief.

"Let's go ahead and cook up some rabbits. I made sure that he will sleep for a few hours."

"He deserves that."

As time passes by, Takashi finds himself in the same vivid dream where he is encased in Poseidon's water. The trident has gone through his body and his loved ones are on the outside looking for him. He decides to end it differently.

He yanks out the trident with his left hand to the earthshaker's surprise and his aura flares up which causes a crack in the prison. He throws the trident at Poseidon which grazes his right cheek. Punching the barrier breaks him out. Poseidon is no longer there.

He coughs up some water and sees he is much closer to Penelope and the others.

"I'm right here!"

Penny looks at him. "Why did you leave us?"

"I didn't mean to, Penny. I was ripped away. You know I-"

"You said you wouldn't be like your father!"

Her words rattle his core.

"I-I know. This will never happen again. My dad didn't leave me. He went away to try and protect us, but he died. Let me explain everything", he stammers while holding her shoulders.

"And explain how you killed again?", Hikari's face turns to him.

His jaw drops. "Sis, why are you doing this?"

"You lost control and broke your vow again. The minotaur and Stavros. Will they be the only ones or will there be more?", Greg asks with narrowed eyes.

His heart sinks into his stomach.

"I thought I knew you, but who are you right now?", his wife questions.

"It's still me, my love. It's still me."

"Are you sure?", the voices from behind haunt him.

He turns and is horrified at what he's seeing. Three different versions of him that have died during the resets. The one on the left has a healed wound in his abdomen, the middle one has a missing hand with visible bite marks, and the final one whose body is half-digested.

"Are you really the same as before? Death can change a person in many ways", they speak as one.

"I was the original while you are nothing more than a copy. The real Takashi Watanabe is the one you see before you", the first one chimes.

"Lies! I'm not a fake and neither are all of you!"

"He's got a point. I'm talking about the original. You carry our pain and memories, but your body is not the same one you came to Gaia with", the half-digested one states with squelching guts.

"So what of it?! My loved ones-"

"You mean my loved ones! And you will touch them with those fake hands of yours?", the first one's gearing to fight him.

Doubt is seeping into his mind, but he shakes his head.

"Shut up!"

"It makes me sick watching you play the hero. Will you even make it back home in time, faker?", the one with bite marks insults.

Taki feels several bites on his body that cause him tremendous pain as the middle version vanished. The sharp pain in his abdomen from the piercing trident. His hand falls to the floor and he's bleeding out. A delayed reaction causes him to scream.

The final version also disappears.... Taki slumps to the floor. His eyes widen in horror. His insides are disintegrating from the acid on the floor. The acid works its way quickly up his body and gets to his neck.

"I'm not like you! I'M NOT LIKE YOU!", he screams while waking up.

Firm arms wrap around him. The goddess is in the tent with him. Echo opens the flap carefully and also embraces him while Helena stands outside with a sad look on her face. He notices a burnt hole in the top of his tent.

"I heard and saw you had a bad dream. I'm sorry I couldn't get you out of it", Artemis comforts with soft words while rubbing the back of his head.

He hugs her tightly as he cries.

"You're safe. You are safe here", Echo tells him.

His mind replays the nightmare with a haunting question. Is it all true?