Oct 30th 2:00 pm

"And there you...go," Penny finishes sliding the sleeves of the pumpkin outfit on her daughter. Her baby decides to put some of the sleeve in her mouth to taste it.

"That's not food, silly," she laughs. "Awww, you are so adorable! Halloween is tomorrow, but might as well prepare you for one of my favorite holidays," she quickly takes pictures and sends them to her parents. Her phone quickly buzzes.

"She is so precious! I could eat her up!"-Mama

"She looks just like you when you were little"-Dad

Her baby then coos for attention.

Her mother responds by tickling her stomach. "Who's my little pumpkin? You are!"

Her laughter reveals her gummy smile.

Ring, ring! Penny's phone goes off. Caller ID displays Lisa, one of her students.

"Hi, Lisa. How are you?"

"Happy Halloween, Professor Watanabe!" A grouped mix of loud voices shouts.

A wide smile graces her face from hearing her entire class."Happy Halloween, everyone!"

A cheery voice takes over the call. "We wanted to check up on how you were doing. Congratulations on the baby!"

"Thank you, Lisa. She is so precious. Can you take me off speaker please?"

Beep. "How are you doing, professor?"

"It's been some ups and downs," she exhales. "But I feel hopeful that he's coming back."

"He will. Do you know what's kind of funny? I remember when he showed up to one of your lectures. He raised his hand and made you laugh with a joke. But I can't remember what he said."

"He said: "Do you know why comedians were banned in Greece? Because nobody was allowed to get roasted after Icarus," she laughs while telling it.

Lisa groans from her side of the phone. "Guess that's your weakness. You were in tears from it," she lightly chuckles.

"That's one of the many reasons why I married him. You know, I was having an awful day until he did that. Oh, do you remember when you brought your baby to school?"

"I do! Tommy was crying his head off..."

Several years ago, Lisa was struggling to quiet her son. Shushing and singing a lullaby had no effect on him. Before Penny could offer help, Takashi walked down from his seat and gently asked her to rock him. He lightly rocked Tommy back and forth while walking around. With a calming tone, he mentioned the amazing job his mother was doing.

Tears streamed down her face from the needed validation. Penny handed her a box of tissues while her husband continued. When Lisa was ready, he handed her back a napping baby. She asked him what magic he used on him.

"No secret. Just wanted to give you a hand."

Penny smiles from the pleasant memory. "You know, that day made me think about our future. I knew he would be a good father and I told him that. He was nervous, but he looked forward to it."

"We want to let you know that we are rooting for his safe return. We also sent something for you and the baby. It should be there by now."

"Let me check," she puts her daughter in a bjorn before walking downstairs. She peeks from the door and sees a large box outside.

From: Historical Mythology 101

To: Penelope Watanabe.

Aiko takes the box inside and opens it up. Inside was a Greek children's storybook, assorted Halloween chocolates, extra diapers, some teething rings, and Halloween decorations. Penny's daughter tries to reach inside to touch the colors.

"Wow!" Her grandmother exclaims.

Penny almost tears up. "Thank you, everyone! This means so much."

"You're welcome, professor! Everyone chipped in and we are sharing info of your husband so he can be found quicker. And if you ever need to talk to another mom, I'm here for you."

"Thanks so much."

"You're welcome! Happy Halloween."

"Happy Halloween!" She hangs up the call.

"Your students are so generous," Aiko takes out a string of bats from the box.

"They are the best group I have ever taught."

"Let's go ahead and decorate!"

They decorate the front door frame with some "cobwebs." A string of cute bats dangle upside down near the stairs. Finally, mini plastic pumpkins splatter on the dining table and counter. It looks good, but Penny thinks something is missing. She goes upstairs to check her closet for a box marked Misc.

Her bronze hands brush aside the books, guitar picks, and autographs from her former metal band. She sighs with relief that the akuma masks from her second date are in there. Taki's blue mask with a goofy smile matches her mask in red.

After she puts it on, she goes to the mirror. "It's your mommy," she speaks with a low growl. "She turned into an Oni and you came out of her as a pumpkin!"

Her child's laughter gives her hope that things will be alright for them.

"You know, your daddy is also an Oni. He's on a trip right now, but he will be right back. He will happily show you his akuma ways," she snaps a picture of them and sends them to Takashi's phone.

Taki's bronze goddess kisses her daughter on the top of her head. "He will be home soon. I promise you that."

---

The time traveler's footsteps rush up and forward on the wide mountain path. A smile graces his face that he has finally made it to the place where he can get answers. I'm almost home, my bronze goddess! It won't be long now.

A temple embedded into Delphi comes into view. The inscribed message runs along the outer frame that his mind translates to: "Know thyself. Nothing to excess. Surety brings ruin."

Taki stops at the end where two lines split up at a fork. A line leads right into the cavern entrance guarded by two guards dressed in orange. A wooden box with a small slit rests by their side. Nobles and their servants stare at the main entrance while holding slips of paper between their fingers.

The other line has farmers and common workers who walk down to numerous women dressed in white tunics. His enhanced hearing picks up fortunes of their potential futures. Some are blessed with prosperous harvests while others had to save their drachma for a future disaster. Once they heard their fortunes, the farmers and workers offered their crops and proof of their works as donations.

Each fortune in that line lasted less than a few minutes of conversation.

A king scoffs at them. "If they had more money, they would know Mina is the best diviner besides Dionysus himself. She is like diamonds compared to them."

His servant nods. "Plus, her waitlist is something any person would fight for. A full conversation with her is worth more than a cart of gold."

I don't want to look down on them, Takashi thinks. They are helpful but...Mina would be my best bet. She must know a lot more, he steps in line behind the royals.

One of the guards hands him an assigned number slip. Once he's called, he can see Mina. The number 8 and I'm...6th in line, he clutches his tomati necklace while waiting out the silent tension.

The nobles are clutching themselves as if to keep warm from an unseen cold.

Footsteps finally exit the cave. A king and his servant. The king's pale face with distant eyes couldn't be ignored. The nobles whisper among each other.

"That poor guy."

"Must have been told something terrible. His fate is sealed."

"I wouldn't desire to be him."

"I mean the first one had good fortunes. Let's hope for the best."

Taki's right foot spells out his anxiety. What if there's no way home? Would all this be a waste of time? They won't be alive– NO! Stop thinking the worst. There has to be a way back. I plan to pepper my daughter and Penny's faces with numerous kisses!

"Number 3, please step forward and meet with the Oracle," the left guard announces.

The noble drops a financial donation in the wooden box before he and his servant enter the cave. While waiting, Taki eats some food to occupy himself. After half an hour, the 3rd noble eventually comes out with the same bitter face as the last one.

"Things will be better, my lord. Heed the Oracle's warning," the servant advises.

Taki clutches his necklace to still his right foot. He uses a slow breathing technique to also settle his heart.

An old man in an orange robe comes out of the cave to whisper something to the guards.

"Gentlemen, the Oracle is done for today. She will take no more visitors," a guard projects.

"We wasted a few hours for nothing?!" A noble stomps his foot like a child.

"When will she be available?!"

"Hold onto your slips to keep your place in line. She will be available next week."

This news made their eyebrows furrow, but they held their tongues. They start down the pathway.

"Why does she need a break? We have things to do. Are we a joke to her?"

"Shh. Don't let her hear you. We will wait in town for the meantime."

I can fast forward to next week, but what if Poseidon interferes again? I can't take that chance!

"Rewind. Play."

"That poor guy."

He walks to the 3rd noble and bows. "My lord, I understand that you have been waiting on your fortune to be told. Is it an emergency?"

"To me it is. Why?"

"Could I buy your place in line and-"

"You think you can buy me off?!"

The other nobles lean forward to hear more of this. The guards don't pay any mind as it's usual for nobles to switch places after negotiated compensation.

Taki puts his hands up to calm him down. "No disrespect, your majesty. I will give you all the drachma I have. I beg of you. I have an emergency as well," he offers his full bag of coins.

The noble laughs in his face. "I would never switch for that pitiful amount!"

"Fine. Let's rewind that."

He stops right before the line "That poor guy" is said. He waves his hand to double check for any movement and proceeds. Takashi walks up to the 3rd noble, pulls his royal hat down, and switches the slips. After dragging the two to his original position, he resumes time.

After taking off his hat, the statesman blinks multiple times. It has been a long time since he waited, but it doesn't matter. He's next.

"Number 3, please step forward to speak with the Oracle."

The noble and his servant walk up in confusion from the foreigner doing the same thing.

"Excuse me? I'm the one who's next," the royal proclaims.

"Show me your slip."

The noble obliges.

"You don't have the right number, sir. I called for Number 3," the guard informs.

"What are you talking about?! I have the right-"

His eyes pop wide open from seeing the number 8. Taki shows the guard his slip and the guard waves him inside.

"That's impossible! I had the number 3! I was also in front of this line and this new man came after us! He must have stolen it!"

The guard grips his spear from the baseless accusation. Sharp eyes send the noble back in line.

The time traveler hides his mischievous smile from his trick. Note to self, teach my daughter not to be a prankster like me. After a small donation, Taki follows the passageway. It winds downward until he sees the orange robed man. The man politely bows before walking him into a chamber that opens up.

To the right of him is a large water fountain with symbols of a chalice and a musical note on top. From his studies at Ithaca, he knows those are the symbols of Dionysus and Apollo respectively. On the basin sits a golden chalice near the non-toxic fumes of the shimmering water.

He is led to an arranged circle where he waits while the guards get Mina.

Red clothed legs walk down the steps. Her stomach is exposed under her matching midriff. Large bracelets dangle on her wrists. Her silky brown hair is free and flowing. Her face is akin to porcelain without a single emotion expressed on it. Following her is a wheat-colored woman carrying a scroll.

The Oracle sits down before him which he mirrors.

"Welcome, Takashi Watanabe. I've been expecting you."

His eyes widen. Before he can ask--

"My gift from the gods allows me to predict the future and reveal hidden secrets. Like Briseis, our gifts connect to the core of your power. Because of that, I also know that you switched slips using your power over time.''

His jaw drops. Guilt builds up in his throat. "I didn't want to do that. I-"

"I know what you did was a last resort. I know your motivation to get back home. Let's discuss it."

Taki exhales in relief. "Ms. Mina, tell me how to get home and why I was given these powers in the first place. I already have a suspicion that Poseidon brought me here since I've met him more than once."

The mention of the god's name confuses the others, except the Oracle who maintains a stoic face.

"I just have to perform a ceremony first so I can use my gift to full capacity. Maya, go ahead."

Her assistant, Maya, carefully scoops out the water with the chalice. Her grip makes the cup tremble from the hesitation. Takashi squints his eyes, questioning the situation.

"Everything will be fine," Mina assures. "This liquid is from the gods and only I can drink from it. I already drank it thrice today so everything will be fine," she raises the cup. "Gods of Mt Olympus, help your humble servant reveal everything to my client. Thanks be to you," she then drinks down to the last drop.

Maya drops her scrolls to stand directly behind her.

Mina's eyes stare off in the distance. Her bracelets dance around her trembling arms. Her eyes roll to the back of her head. Her body collapses into Maya's arms.

Takashi reaches out, but the guards stop him.

"The shaking will stop, sir. She has done this many times before," the guard can't hide his sadness.

The time traveler's stomach flips from the implications. Every time for a prophecy? Did-Did my rewind power not affect her? His eyes begin to well up from the unintentional pain he's putting her through again. Fortunately, the shaking stops.

With Maya's help, she stands back up. Her eyes shine with a rainbow aura surrounding her figure. "I appreciate your concern, Takashi Watanabe. It's alright. I'm used to this."

He clears the hitch in his throat. "Still, that liquid is awful for you. I'm sorry for-"

"Let's shift away from that topic," she interrupts.

He exhales. "When you're ready, tell me."

The Oracle kills the smile that was going to crack on her face. "To start...you are the son of a Greek deity."

Taki feels the air has been kicked out of him. His arms stretch behind him to break his fall. "That. doesn't make any sense...My mom hasn't shown any proof of...so my dad?"

"That is correct. It must be hard to hear considering your past."

"Of course, I don't believe it," he clenches his teeth. "He left our family. What proof is there that he was a god?!"

She points to the watch on his wrist. "Isn't that his gift to you before he left?"

He covers it in response. "Yes, but I wear it as a reminder to never be like him. What kind of proof is that?"

"Because your father was the god of time and space. The color of your emerald aura matches him. His name was Kronos and he didn't abandon you."

No, no, no. This can't be true. He never shown any sign of that...unless...NO! I refuse to believe any of this!

He clutches his necklace while thinking of his bronze goddess to subside his anger. "He left us when we needed him. I have grown up thinking to myself that he stopped loving us. That bastard is no father. If he really loved us, why did he leave?"

With a wave of her hand, Mina summons a pool of water between them. Her index finger draws out two separate spheres. She writes Gaia under the first one and Taki's home. A thin line of emerald connects the two places.

His heart crashed against his sternum. Not only is he in a different time, he's also in another world.

The Oracle points at the line with her words illustrating the explanation. His father, Kronos, was the keeper of the bridge of time and space for both worlds. Meticulous in his work, not leaving an error in sight. Until a Japanese woman caught his attention. Aiko Watanabe.

"...He found it interesting how she lived life freely and without a care in the world. A runaway car was going to hit her, but he decided to save her life in human form. They shortly fell in love."

The gears turn in his mind. Mom mentioned meeting dad exactly in that way. "Did she know the truth about him?"

Mina shakes her head slightly. "Before he left, he made sure to give your mom the thing she needed: love. Out of that love came Hikari and you. He loved you both dearly."

"Then why did he leave us?" He challenges with furrowing eyebrows. Faint emerald wisps appear, but his breathing keeps them back.
The bridge in the illustration trembles. "A god who had inherited his power over space wasn't satisfied. Avarice was their vice. They threatened to harm his new family. Kronos...died during their battle."

His pupils shake. Things start clicking for him, but he remembers one of his wife's lessons. "Wait. Wasn't Kronos imprisoned right after the Olympians overthrew him?"

"The gods gave knowledge to your world through the bridge and some things got muddled by the mortals' understanding. That's why some of the legends you read about aren't the same."

Perseus' death at the hands of Medusa proved her point. She continues that Kronos never threatened to eat any of his children. Mortals on Earth created that story as a lesson. For Gaia, Kronos loved all of his children.

"So...what about his wife? Rhea?"

"Although she was a deity, she died from childbirth for her children: Hades, Demeter, Hestia, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hera. Your father was upset by her loss and felt he couldn't move on until he met Aiko."

The haunting past adds coal to his doubt. She points to the water. A shaky exhale leaves his lips.

He sees a younger version of his mother deeply embracing a man with similar facial features to his own. Her fingernails dig deep into his trenchcoat to keep him in place. The TV screen behind them displays news of flash floods in their neighborhood. His sharp chocolate eyes notice the wisps of ocean blue which rattles his heart.

Aiko pleads with her husband not to leave them. Tears heavily crawl down his father's face. Although Taki can't hear his words, he can make out a few things.

"I don't want to leave you. I can't forgive myself if they hurt any of you. Tell them I left because I'm a terrible person," he gives her a large ziploc bag of important financial documents along with his watch for safekeeping. He gives Aiko a long, tender kiss before slowly drifting away from her. He opens the door of their apartment to the outside world where cars are swimming below.

Aiko reaches out, but he disappears after leaving the door frame. The final thing left from him was teardrops on the floor. Mina's illustration vanishes with the conclusion.

Taki' mind wrestles with the bombshell revelation. "T-This can't be true. Mom did say that he left us, but he can't be a god. Hikari and I would have displayed some abilities before I ever came here. This watch never-"

He remembers the watch glitching with the hands going forward and backwards. The strange emerald clock that gave him an escape from the attempted kidnapping.

"Before he died, he locked his powers into that watch until you were ready. Now, those powers are embedded in you. That item is just a reminder when you utilize those capabilities."

More evidence against his doubt. He grips his knees. Ready? Not even when my sister was-

"Another way to determine a demigod is by the golden ichor in your blood. Kronos hid that property so no one would question you and your sister."

The time traveler's heart skips a beat. The puzzle pieces fall into the missing places. "He left to protect us. He cared about us?"

She winces while clutching her temples. "This is a lot to take in, but we must continue while my power is at its fullest."

Poseidon's power over space also answers how Charybdis and Scylla's location suddenly appeared before Odysseus' crew. His fists tremble with a faint green aura. "He must have killed him to obtain his time abilities, but why wouldn't he just kill me to get that?"

"If it is him, then your father must have laid a seal on you to prevent him from killing you outright. Your death by Stavros' hand would have ruined his plan if Thanatos took you to the underworld. He must have taken your name off the list. He would have to do something to weaken it, but it's not coming to mind."

The three cracks on his watch answer him. "The resets?"

She nods. "However, I can't confirm how many times the seal would have to be broken. For some reason, this is escaping me."

"That's okay. If I get the second half of powers, where should I go to leave Gaia and return home? You mentioned my da-" Part of him feels uneasy to say that. "Kronos had a way of leaving through the bridge."

"There is a mirror of time and space that might be at Mt Olympus, but you're not strong enough to be up there. Breathing up there is like breathing through a straw. You also need permission from the Olympians to be up there. Even though you have Ares' support, the others may not allow you."

"Where can I go to get stronger?"

The puddle reflects a new location. A single hut with a blue roof on top of a hill. The colored lights in the Oracle's eyes dim and she collapses. Her assistant goes to catch her.

"Slow!" Time slows down and he catches her in time. "Play."

Her assistant and the guards are surprised by the sudden speed of the stranger. The Oracle is barely breathing.

"Hey! Stay with me", he gently squeezes her hands to give her strength. With a mindful intent to help her, the emerald aura forming in his hands transfers into her porcelain hands.

Her breathing is slowly going back to normal. She almost smiles from his action. "The person is...."

Taki brings her closer so she can whisper in his ear. His eyes widen from the identity of the stranger and the location.

"Be....safe."

"You too."

Her assistant and the guards escort her back to her room for proper rest. The orange robed man escorts the new demigod of time out of the mountain.

Takashi walks past the line in silence.

"That's what you get for what you did to me! Misfortune is what you deserve!" The noble he stole from taunts him.

The orange robed man whispers to the guard.

"Gentlemen, the Oracle is done for today. She will take no more visitors. She will be available next week."

The nobles in line throw a small fit like last time. With each step down, a smile cracks on the new demigod's face. There's a way back. Home is now in sight. At the bottom of the trail, he takes out his blessed wings.

The sound of crunching boot steps grabs his attention. An armored soldier wearing crimson wisps and the number two on his helmet gives him relief.

"Good to see you again, Takashi!" Ares embraces him.

"Ares! How's everyone? Did they make it to Aeolia?"

The deity tells them that they all made it and starting their new lives with him as their keeper. He whispers that Paris and Helen are also more intimate so children are in the near future.

Takashi explodes with happiness. "That's great! I'm so happy for them! Has Avgi started flying yet?"

The god of war mentions that Briseis constructed the wings after the little girl persisted multiple times. He laughs as that part hasn't changed. Ares describes how she has gotten a few feet off the ground but will keep practicing to Taki's delight. Upon the question of sleep, the scarlet eyes look downward.

"It hasn't been perfect. Some nights are peaceful, some nights remind them of what they went through. It will take time, but at least I'm there for them. I won't leave them ever again. And you?"

Taki describes the nightmares while holding his hands. He puts them to the side. He tells the god of war about his meeting with Mina the Oracle.

Red wisps foam from Ares, but his head tilts. "I'm not familiar with that name."

His eyebrows shoot up. "How? Kronos is your grandfather."

The god of war strokes his black beard, but nothing is coming to mind. "So...that would make us family in that case."

Takashi thinks about the family tree from what he knows and realizes he's right. "I'm technically your uncle? Which would make Poseidon...my half brother. But besides that, did you know about Mina's ceremony?"

The Olympian lets out a long sigh. "Apollo and Dionysus never wished for that. They went to the other gods to get rid of that procedure, but it had to be unanimous. Athena and Poseidon voted no."

Dark green aura wraps around his fists. The Trojans and Mina. Who else have they hurt?!

Ares clutches the demigod's shoulders. "I understand your anger, but they aren't important right now. Focus on getting home."

"I just wish I could do something to help. Did you show the gods Athena's letter?"

"We went to bring Athena to trial....but it didn't work."

The wisps die out. "What?"

Ares carefully tells him with disappointment. The Olympians for the side of Troy kept pushing Athena on the topic, but she threatened to judge Odysseus and all of Ithaca for the Trojan Horse. They had to back off.

Taki's body trembles. She would sacrifice the people he knew to hide what she did.

"Don't get involved with her. You already have Poseidon against you, don't add her on top of that."

Taki takes deep, slow breaths as the armored man hugs him tightly.

"We will find another way. Just focus on your goal and let us worry about that."

"Alright," the time traveler states reluctantly.

"Finally, Briseis, Avgi, Helen, and Paris miss your company."

"I miss them too.....Can you pass on this joke to them? What did the Greek god say to a woman after the new year festival? I can't believe I haven't seen you in a gyro."

"That's a good one! I will tell them that now." A pause of silence comes back with a smile. "Paris, Briseis, and Avgi love that joke. Helen groaned. I don't know why."

"She will get used to it," he chuckles. "Thanks, Ares. I know they are safe in your hands."

"Be safe, uncle," he smiles.

"Can you keep that part between us?"

Ares nods before disappearing into the forest.

The demigod of time is left to his thoughts. Maybe I can find a way to thwart Athena. There has to be a way, but I...I can't keep delaying home, a glance at his watch reminds him of the long departure. How his loved ones must feel in his absence.

Taki flies up and eastward to Thebes to meet the person who could help him. "Fast forward!"

He lets time flow quickly to avoid the three-day gap. His surroundings change with him at the road marker on the outskirts of Thebes. A forest with brown and orange leaves greets him ahead. After letting his mind settle, he puts away his wings and checks his watch.

The time is now 3:30pm, same day. He finds he had also left more voice messages. He plays one of them meant for Greg.

The message includes the intention to hang out more outside of work. "...Anyway, I won't be gone for long. Love you, man."

He sees another meant for Penelope and plays it. ".....When I come back, I promise to reject that promotion so I can stay with you and our baby........I know my love language is more of actions than words, but I promise to verbally express the love I have for you. I also want to wish you and our baby a Happy Halloween. I love you," he shuts the phone off afterwards.

The demigod of time steps towards the thick forest. "Time to meet another demigod."