Colorado, around 5:30pm. During Taki's fight with Heracles....

Hikari and her coworkers see a spike in energy levels. Her face gets pale as she grips the table for dear life. Dr. Hanson notices this.

"Hikari, are you okay? You don't look well."

"I just need to sit down for a bit."

A female coworker helps her outside the room and into a chair. "Would you like some water?"

"That's probably it. Haven't been drinking enough water."

"Be right back."

What I'm feeling is similar to that night that Taki.....No. Don't finish that thought.

She looks through the window to see that the energy levels have stabilized. She breathes in and out deeply. Her coworker comes back with a bottle of water.

"Thanks. I will be back there when I'm ready."

"Just sit for now. Don't overdo it."

"Just give me a few minutes. If I'm not well, I will stay here."

She sits down with her to keep her company. "Do you think we will figure it out and discover something great?"

"I believe so", Hikari asserts.

"It's unusual. You would usually question everything. What changed?"

"Call it a leap of faith. Doesn't hurt to try it out."

"If it works out, then we can use that energy to solve crises. The world will change as we know it."

I just hope we find my brother this way. Be safe, little brother. Don't be stupid and get entangled in things larger than you are.

Back in California, Greg sees his laptop reading off the same information. His heart almost jumps out of his chest. He feels his friend was fighting for survival until it stabilizes.

"Taki, what the hell are you up to?"

Misha stops the car on the side of the road to avoid a crash. She then gets the feeling that everything is okay with her friend.

"Damn it, Taki. Warn a friend first."

Penelope and Aiko felt a moment of dread when that happened, but it passed away.

"Son, please stop scaring me like that. You're giving your mom high blood pressure."

"S-Same here. We're too young for that", Penny half-jokes.

----------

Back on Gaia, Echo's stomach twists and flip flops. Her instincts tell her to hurry back to the others.

"I'm sorry, Narcissus. I have to go now. I will make it up on the next date", she quickly speaks.

"It's okay. I will write you next time."

Echo sprinkles some love dust on the ground and runs through it. Narcissus hides behind a barrel to bring out the peacock totem.

The mountain nymph's eyes widen from the destruction that greets her. Her heart almost leaps out of her small chest from an injured Takashi and a battle worn Heracles with her best friend. The dark purple on Artemis' face couldn't be ignored.

The vain demigod covers his mouth. "How are they still alive?!"

He contacts Hera and the totem lights up. "I know what just happened, Narcissus. That damn Takashi broke my curse over him. How did he know about what I did?"

"Our plan has failed. What do we do?"

"Keep watching Echo and let me know their next steps", before her totem light goes out.

Echo is in disbelief. "What happened? Where's Helena?!" A gasp leaves her lips. "What happened to your hand?!"

Artemis softly assures her that Helena and Iphicles are safe. She questions why Hestia's hearth refused to let her appear at Thebes.

"What happened to her?"

"I stabbed her", Heracles admits with labored guilt.

Her dirt brown aura flares out. "Why?!

Artemis stands in front of her with a healed face. "Hera placed madness on him and we fought. Taki had to fight him before I got here."

Echo's aura dies down after realizing something. "How did I not know of this? My ears would have picked up on this. If there was a whole battle....."

Artemis places a glowing hand on the ground. Over 20 feet below, long reaching roots connect to a white flower hiding under the city of Thebes.

"Her flower! It must have stopped the shockwaves from reaching Thebes. She planned for everything except for Taki's knowledge."

She directs energy to bring a petal up to the surface, but her emeralds widen. The white flower withers into nothingness. "Damn it. Accusing her without solid proof in front of the others would be costly."

Echo asks them what led up to that moment. Taki gently tells her about Hera's possession of Astro and his death.

The nymph's heart almost breaks from what that cruel goddess did to that innocent creature. That and almost losing her closest friends turns her bright flowers to a dull shade. Taki embraces her for comfort.

"Artemis, we all saw her symbol. Wouldn't that be enough proof?", he asks.

"Even if she lies, others will have doubts. We gods look down on killing relatives."

The mountain nymph turns her attention to Heracles.  "You monster!"

"Echo! Stop it."

"He hurt them! He's no worse than the monsters he had slain!"

"She's right. Do you need any more proof than that? End me, Artemis."

Echo steps back. She feels that he deserves to be punished, but for him to ask for his death?

She shakes her head. "Hera is to blame for all of this. She was at the meeting, but based on what Taki said".....A thought comes to mind. "Usually, a madness curse is set off by something. Iphicles was with you, right? Did he give you anything?"

"Just bread and flowers."

Artemis rushes over to the ruined hut. A bouquet of flowers catches her eyes, but it also disintegrates before she can do anything.

Something alerts her to check the cabinets that were partially destroyed. A toy soldier on a horse. What belonged to her late nephew. No peacock markings, but a question haunts her mind.

She runs back to Heracles. "The flowers have gone too. Brother, was this the only toy?"

"No, there was another set just like this one. But I couldn't find it since--"

The silence confirms in their minds a horrible realization. The missing toy had triggered his first bout of madness.

Heracles clutches his head. "I should have never taken them. Take my death as forgiveness."

"You dying won't stop her from going after me", Taki argues.

"What? Why would she go after you?", Echo asks.

"Maybe she's working with Poseidon."

Artemis realizes he could be right.  "With Athena included, it's too dangerous for you."

"Even then, I deserve to die. Having no control isn't an excuse for what I almost did. So end me so I won't hurt anyone else."

"That's it? You want to die instead of getting revenge on Hera for what she did?", Taki questions him with intent.

His striking blue eyes look up. "There's no point. Even if she's dead, I can't bring them back! Being alone is what I deserve. For everyone's safety."

Taki's mind now understands why the mighty demigod had turned him away at their first meeting. The self-hatred and guilt was eating at his soul and mind.

He clenches his left hand with a wisp of dark green aura. "I'm mad. Not just at you, but at myself. Helena got hurt because of me. I hate all the doubt that's been eating away at me and leaving me like this. Your family deserves justice for what she did. Stay alive, please."

Heracles sighs. "Even if I tell the truth, who would believe me? She's queen over all of us."

"We will find a w-- Wait. How did she know when to set up Astro at the right time? Somehow she is watching us."

Artemis stares at Echo's purple cloak while walking over. "I need to check your cloak."

She doesn't hesitate to hand it over. Artemis' glowing hand pops up a peacock symbol from the brooch. Their hearts sink to their stomachs before the symbol vanishes, taking away Narcissus' view.

He bangs his hand against his knee. "Shit! This isn't good." He scrambles away to hide his presence.

"Echo, didn't Narcissus give you this?", the huntress asks.

Her brown eyes narrow. "How could you accuse him like that?! Hera must have touched it without his knowledge."

Taki intervenes. "He wants to be the number one archer in the world. In order to move up-"

She shakes her head violently with tears in her eyes. "NO! He wouldn't do that! How could you say that about him?! Taki, take it back."

Artemis holds her shoulders. "We have no proof that he did this, but the motive is strong. Hera would have loved it if we killed each other--"

Echo glares with aura at her "supposed" friend. "Why are you not on my side?! My future husband wouldn't do this! I will clear his name!", before storming away.

Artemis grabs her by the wrist without any pain. "I'm sorry. You're right. I'm just on edge after fighting my brother. Forgive me.....please."

Although her aura dissipates, Echo turns her back to her with arms crossed.

Artemis throws out a hail mary attempt. "I will apologize to him in person. I won't read him as a sign of respect."

The nymph turns around. "You promise?"

The huntress touches her cheek. "You are more than a friend. You're my sister."

Echo hugs her with relief. "Thank you for believing me."

The goddess of the hunt hides what she is truly feeling inside. No one else would have known about Taki's presence except for him. I need to prove that he's behind it all.

A tug on her quiver alarms her. Heracles throws a poison arrow at his foot!

"Stop!"

The power allows him to snatch the fletching to their surprise. "Play."

Artemis carefully takes it away as Heracles gets close to him.

"Why won't you let me die?!"

"Dying won't bring them back! Just to confirm, aren't there some judges who determine if you would go to Tartarus or Elysium?"

He scoffs. "What of it?"

"You would have convinced them to be placed into Tartarus. I know what it's like to hate yourself. That you don't deserve the good things that happen to you. I refuse to let you go down that path. Bring Hera to justice."

Heracles ponders while the others are silent. "What happens to me afterwards has to wait. I will go to Mt Olympus."

Each step he takes staggers him away. Artemis keeps him from falling over with her arms.

"We need a plan, brother. Who knows what else she is scheming? Plus, she will be working with Poseidon to get rid of you and Takashi. He needs your help to get stronger."

"After what I did to him?"

"I lost some limbs. Died several times. I'm practically a zombie at this point", he half-jokes. "I forgive you, Heracles."

Heracles spins around from the casual tone of speech.

"Did you see my fingers anywhere?", he asks his niece.

The deity shakes her head with shame. He gives a light jab to the shoulder to cheer her up. "That's okay. I think Daedalus can make me some fingers."

"On a related note, someone already claimed credit for the Minotaur's death. His name is-"

"Not important right now", he interrupts Artemis. "Could one of you write to him and Galen of Ithaca so they can make new fingers for me? And Heracles, will you train me?"

Heracles reluctantly nods.  "We need to fix up the forest and my home before we start."

"I can fix that, with Artemis' help."

Golden and emerald auras blend as they both touch the ground. "Rewind."

The land heals from the scars of the battle like it never happened. Heracles' club returns with the Nemean armor draped around him. Taki's sword returns unbroken.

"Play."

His body almost collapses. Artemis throws an arm around him to get him up.

"Is Astro and the other animals alive?"

Artemis exhales with sadness. "Everything but him."

A slight disappointment cracks his face.  "There was an arm in his mouth. Maybe I can-"

"You can't bring back a person from the dead unless Thanatos deems it", Artemis instructs.

"Where's Astro? I can glean to see who he attacked", Echo insists.

Taki points over to where the pit. Echo runs over there and covers her mouth with both hands. The circumstances behind it makes her want to cry. "I'm so sorry."

She reaches out with her aura to get a glimpse of the bear's perspective. It was cloudy due to Hera's involvement, but the following wasn't.

Astro growling and tearing through the bars. His brother, Basil, tried to approach him, but the aura knocks him out. Astro busted through the bars to attack a human. Blood splattered as he bored his teeth into the man's neck before tearing off his arm.

Narcissus' friend, Michaelis. Echo's heart sinks to her stomach. She didn't know much about him, but he was kind to her. "I have to let him know."

"Astro!"

She recognizes the lion tamer's voice which breaks her heart. She draws some strength. "Astro is here!"

The lion tamer and some of the workers run in that direction, but Echo stops them. Her voice wavers as she tells them about his death.

His eyes widen when he heard that. He sinks to his knees from seeing his corpse. The acrobats hold each other as he questions what had happened to him.

"I killed him", Artemis interjects.

The tamer bows to her. "Goddess. Please don't be offended by me asking."

Taki is shocked by her taking the fall for him. It reminds him of what happened after his traumatic night. Heracles knows the truth, but he doesn't say anything. The circus performers recognize him, but they aren't too afraid because of Artemis' presence.

"He attacked my student and I had to put him down with this trap I made since my arrows were no use."

Taki goes to speak, but he finds something is stuck in his throat. He sees a partial amount of Artemis' aura below his chin.

"Forgive me for this. I know how much he meant to you, especially Basil. He was a good creature, but he got possessed by an evil person", the goddess states with a heavy tone.

"Who did this to him?"

"I don't know, but I will find and make them pay. You have my word."

"Could you give him to us so we can give him a proper burial?"

"I will take care of that", before Heracles slides into the pit to retrieve his body with ease.

The tamer leads the group over to the other performers that were looking for him. Basil sees his brother, but he isn't moving. He sees his brother's blood and cries out as they arrange a funeral pyre.

"On behalf of all of us, I want to say goodbye. He was a friend to all of us. I'm sorry, Basil. I know you miss your twin and we will miss him too", the tamer gives a prompt eulogy.

The flames dance while consuming Basil's brother. His sibling lays down with lifeless eyes fixed on the fire.

Unknown to the others, Artemis' lips quiver with a deep regret.

Takashi walks away with Artemis, Echo, and Heracles behind him. He gets to a good point out of earshot from the others. Artemis waves her hand to remove the blockage of his throat.

"How could you take the fall for me?"

"To protect you and them. I won't let them get involved any further. If I had just stayed, none of this would have happened. I'm the one to blame and I won't let you shoulder all of it."

"Because of me, Basil lost his brother. I know what I had to do but damn her! Helena got hurt because of her."

"It was Narcissus' friend, Michaelis, who got killed by Hera's doing", Echo regretfully informs them.

Artemis' eyes widen while Takashi's jaw drops. They never had a bad feeling about him.

"He was nice to me. I should tell Narcissus about it."

"Let us come with you to offer our condolences", Artemis insists to Echo.

"He would like that."

She sprinkles the love dust. Heracles folds his lion armor several times before they arrive outside the inn.

Although Heracles hunches down to hide his height, people start recognizing him while bowing to Artemis. A mother pulls her child close to her while turning away.

"Mommy, that's Heracles."

"Don't get too close."

"Why?"

"I will tell you when you're older."

The mighty demigod keeps his head down. A soft grasp on his right arm almost startles him.

"Still a little tired from today. Can you help me inside?", Taki requests.

Heracles can see it's a partial lie but is flabbergasted that the man he almost killed is helping him. He holds Taki on his side as they enter the inn. Some minds begin to change from seeing this display.

Once they got inside, Taki stands on his two feet. "Needed that. Thanks."

Heracles feels a smile cracking on his face, but he kills it. The last time was that morning with Megara and their sons.

"Heracles, is that you?", the barkeep asks. Heracles raises his hand to say hi.

Echo walks up. "Is Narcissus here?"

The barkeep leads them to his room and returns to his desk.

Knocking. "Narcissus? It's me. I heard about Michaelis."

The vain demigod opens the door with tears running down his face. He embraces her tightly. "My love."

Echo rubs his back while he buries his head into her shoulder. Artemis, Taki, and Heracles hide their suspicion.

"I'm sorry to hear about your friend. He must have meant a lot to you", Heracles mentions.

"Who-Who are you, again?"

"Heracles."

"The mighty hero?", he gasps while feigning his surprise. "Thank you for your words. He was upfront with me about how I treated Echo and he was right. I should have known not to treat you in that way. I'm such a stupid man! I wish I had told him what he meant to me."

"Mistakes will happen. I'm here for you no matter what", Echo dismisses his actions out of her love. 

Taki notices Narcissus' other friend isn't present. "I'm sorry to hear about him. He seemed nice. Where is your other friend?"

"Georgios is arranging his funeral pyre tomorrow with my money. I wish I could do more."

Echo kisses his cheek. "Everyone grieves differently. It's okay."

"We will pay respects to him tomorrow. What was his name?", Artemis asks.

Narcissus is silent. Shit! What was it?!

"Michaelis", Echo answers for him, thinking he's distraught.

Narcissus is internally relieved. "Please pay respects to Michaelis tomorrow."

"We will."

"I appreciate you being here, my future wife. You mean a lot to me."

"You too."

The others don't buy it one bit, but they don't want to lose Echo to him.

He puts distance between them. "I need some alone time to give him a proper burial. Please."

Echo gently grasps his hands. "Reach out to Artemis to contact me. I'm here for you, my love. If you need flowers, I can make a nice arrangement for Michaelis. Did he have a lover?"

"He didn't, but he believed in our love. Thank you for coming by."

They kiss and hug again before she leaves with the others. "I wish I could do more for him."

Artemis wraps an arm around her. "You are doing good enough." He's not worthy of your love at all. He's a lying little snake who probably had Michaelis killed.

She secretly "checks" her friend for any mischievous aura, but nothing is found. Takashi and Heracles think about confronting Narcissus on their own, but they decide not to. Hera could get involved again.

"I think we should all stick together from now on", Taki proposes.

"But what about the madness spell?"

"I got something to prevent that. I will do it before you fall asleep", the huntress declares.

After returning to the camp, they gathered their belongings before heading to Heracles' hut. After checking the area.....

"Close your eyes and crouch down for me", the goddess instructs with glowing hands.

The demigods listen and they feel her hands on the top of their heads. Artemis presses foreheads with Echo to protect her as well. Golden aura gently pours into them like honey. The trio feel a cap fortifying around their skulls. Her touch lingers before stumbling backwards.

Echo helps her lay down. "Are you alright, sis?"

She gently punches her arm with a tired smile. "It will take more than that to wipe me out."

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

"A good night's sleep should do the trick. Get my totem. I want to check on Helena and Iphicles."

Echo returns with her doghead with an arrow totem.

"Helena? Iphicles? This is Artemis."

Her totem glows in response.

"Artemis? Is everyone okay?", Iphicles responds.

Heracles' feet shuffle upon hearing his brother's voice. He can't forget that he swatted him through a tree.

"Everyone's safe, just tired. Heracles was possessed by Hera..... we now know that she was responsible for everything."

"She did that? That monster! Can I speak to my brother please?", his voice softens.

Heracles doesn't say a word as he walks inside his house.

"He's sleeping right now, but I will pass on the message", the goddess bluffs.

"Please let him know that I don't harbor any bad feelings. Let my family know I'm okay."

The mighty demigod's hand lingers on the doorknob from hearing that. He quickly closes it after him.

"I will. How are you and Helena?"

"I have some pain, but I'm fine. I am the brother of the strongest hero after all. Your servants have been taking care of Helena since she got here with your message. She's a warrior for going through what she did."

She proudly smiles. "That's my child. Is she available to talk?"

"She's resting right now. But I will let her know you reached out."

"I'm glad you're both okay", Taki chimes in.

"Takashi! Are you hurt in any way?"

"I'm fine. Heracles had me on the ropes, but Artemis saved me." Best not to bring up the missing fingers.

"I always knew you were tough. While I'm healing up, continue to exercise. I will contact Aphrodite to bring me back to Thebes."

"Heracles said he will help me with working out", Taki mentions.

"He did? Just a word of advice. He won't go easy on you."

"I don't expect him to."

"That's good." 

Shuffling feet in the background. "Taki, is that you?", Helena's voice interjects.

The trio are surprised to hear her.

"Helena, are you okay to speak? I want you to rest up."

"I'm fine, mother. I was worried about you all."

"I'm glad you're doing okay, my child."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine", her tired voice betrays her.

"Is everything alright?", her tone insists for an answer.

"After the fight, I healed Taki and Heracles. I also repaired the land and provided defenses for everyone's minds. Not too much for me."

"I know you're a goddess, but don't do too much."

"It's my job to worry about you, not the other way around. I know I healed you, but you need to rest for a few weeks."

"Right. Is Echo there?"

"Hi, Helena. I heard what happened and I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks. How was your date?"

She mentions the tea and flower date before breaking the news about Hera's possession and Michaelis' death.

"That's terrible", she gasps.

"We saw him today and I wish I could do more for him."

"You being there is enough. I pray he appreciates that."

"He does."

"Is Taki still there?"

He hesitates to speak. What could he even say? His guilt eats at him, but..... "Helena, I'm here."

Artemis gives him the totem and waves him away.

"It's so good to hear your voice. I thought the worst had happened."

He walks behind a tree to talk with her privately. "It's good to hear from you too. It will take a lot more than Heracles to put me down."

"You are a hero after all."

That word stings him. He can't forget that she was stabbed because of him. "I'm glad you're alright, Helena. I was....scared that I would have lost you."

Helena is silent as she feels there is more he has to say.

"If he had......I would have killed him." 

"You don't have to worry about it now. It will take more than what he did to put me down."

He chuckles. "Using my own words, huh?"

"I can't help it. You're better at using your words than I am", she laughs before wincing. "It still hurts. Shouldn't be laughing."

"I want to ask you something. Why did you protect me? I can heal and you don't. So why?"

"I wanted to help you. Even if it meant sacrificing myself to-"

"Don't do that! Don't throw your life away for me! I don't want you to get hurt again because of me, Helena", he first yells then softens his voice.

"I won't lie. I would do it again just so you could get back home to your family."

"Don't treat your life as if it doesn't matter! I will not use the dead as stepping stones to get me back home. I care about you."

He renders her speechless.

"I promise you that I will be the strongest demigod that Gaia will ever see. That I will protect everyone and get back home at the same time. That Mt Olympus will shake from my presence. So, rest up so you can see that."

"I know you will. I believe in you, Taki."

He can feel her smile in her words. "Thanks." He remembers that it takes Helena a while to calm down. "Did you know that I can fly?"

"You can?", she is in awe.

He tells her about his meeting with Daedalus and how he feels limitless in the air. He even describes taking Avgi up in the air.

"Avgi?"

"She's one of the Trojans I saved. She's like the little sister I never had. She actually calls me her big brother", he explains.

"Awww. That's sweet."

"She's not always sweet though. She can be bossy. She demanded I pick her up while walking."

"Like a princess?", she lightly laughs.

"Exactly. So spoiled. I don't know how Briseis handles her, but more power to her."

"I wish I could see them one day."

"I hope so too. I also gave Avgi instructions on how to make the wings so she will surprise you with her flight."

"That will be awesome to see......I want to say something to you in case I didn't make it."

"What is it?"

Helena's heart goes to speak, but she stops herself. "Never mind. It's not important."

"What you say is important to me. Go ahead."

"You make a lasting impact on those around you and that you should never change that part of yourself."

Taki smiles. "I won't. Rest up, Helena."

"You too. Good night, Taki."

"Good night."

The totem light goes out on a peaceful note. He leaves a voice message to Penelope and Hikari detailing what just happened before going to sleep.

-----

Ephesus

"There was more you wanted to say", Iphicles tells Helena.

She spins around, revealing a bandaged torso. "Were-Were you there the whole time?"

"Just towards the end. I know how you look at him, Helena. I saw it in the gym and you can't hide it from me. You really like him."

"Even if I do, what's the point? It would be disrespectful to their marriage if I went with my heart. He may not be the love of my life in the end."

"I just don't think that burying that part of yourself will help."

"I will do it if it means he gets stronger and goes home. I won't stand in his way. Good night."

She walks back to bed and one of the servants carefully tucks her in. The servant sets up a bed to keep watch on her condition through the night. Helena is sleeping on her side while clutching her lion plushie. Outside the temple, Ares' clone had made a barrier covering it while he keeps watch.

"I'm glad we both came out of this okay. Maybe time apart from each other is what I need. And yet, I feel sad when you're not around. I pray this feeling goes away", she whispers before falling asleep.