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Tartarus is a deep abyss;

A dungeon of torment and suffering for the wicked,

A prison for the Titans.

Tartarus is the place where the wicked received divine punishment.

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Epimetheus wants Hunter to open the gates of Tartarus -- a prison realm for Titans.

From a previous class with Mr. Metallicbutt, I remember the Titans were more of an extended family to the Greek gods. But instead of loving the gods as every family should, they ate them. Because of this, Zeus had to take drastic measures to cut up every titan into separate pieces and imprison them in a special place in the underworld.

Tartarus.

Every titan Zeus has ever killed now resides in that horrible place, trying to gnaw their way out and promising vengeance on the Greek pantheon.

My chest tightened, knowing it wouldn't bode well for us if a whole pack of Titans appeared. I sidled close to Poseidon. If the Titans get released, they will go for every god within a 40-meter radius. And with Poseidon being so close to the water well, he'll be the first god they'll pursue.

It made me wonder; If all Titans were supposed to be in Tartarus, how did Epimetheus escape?

Hunter glanced between the titan and the dagger buried deep into Dimitri's flesh. Fear filled his eyes as he spoke cautiously. "Okay. I'll do whatever you want. Just let him go, please."

The titan forced Dimitri to his feet with a clawed hand against his jaw. Dimitri staggered against the crimson-stained grass. His arms were still restrained to his side by one of Epimetheus' body-controlling abilities – an ability the titan mimicked from Liam.

Dimitri's black hoodie was stained with so much blood that it seeped into the jeans he wore. Epimetheus fixed Dimitri against him with the ever-present dagger that threatened to pierce the upper region of his lungs.

Epimetheus jerked a chin at the water well. "Open it. If you're not sure about how to use your abilities, you could always ask Hades to help you out."

Panic filled Hunter's eyes as he shook his head. "Hades has already made his decision. He's against opening the gates of Tartarus."

"I agree with Hades," A flash of white wings soared through the air before landing on the tree right above Hunter and Geovanni's (Sin of Greed) drakon form. "Opening the gates of Tartarus will release every titan locked in the underworld. You will single-handedly be ending the era of the gods. And that decision is irreversible."

Epimetheus rolled his eyes. "Hunter, If you open it, I'll personally make sure that none of the Titans attack anyone here, including your precious friend."

The titan glanced down at Dimitri who was getting paler by the second. Dimitri was losing blood. Whatever the titan had done to him, it had somehow affected his godly healing abilities, along with every other power he possessed.

Epimetheus continued, "Hades can be a little stiff, but even he cares about Dionysus and his vessel. Do you know what happens to the vessels of gods when they die? Dionysus' soul will thrive but Dimitri's soul will cease to exist. The souls of Greek vessels were always doomed to perish, allowing the residing god to take over. If Dimitri dies, you may try to resurrect his body, but it's only Dionysus that will come back to life, not him."

"Hunter," Dimitri's eyes met the younger triplet. "As long as the underworld exists, so will I."

Epimetheus laughed. "Come on, Hunter. Even you can tell he is lying." The titan's lips stretched into a smirk. "If you don't believe me, ask Hades yourself."

It was clear Hades had already told Hunter the answer. The triplet was visibly shaking, his fear almost palpable against the atmosphere surrounding us. As if in retaliation to his emotions, the shadows all around us began to twist and scream in anguish.

"Hunter, listen to me—" Dimitri grunted as Epimetheus continued to dig the knife into his shoulder, trying to silence him, but Dimitri didn't relent. "If you open the doors to Tartarus, the whole world will crumble. Think of the countless souls that will be lost."

Hunter shook his head. "Better to sacrifice the world than you. I can't let you die!"

My eyes widened but I couldn't blame him. If Liam's life was threatened, I would've done the same thing. Everyone remained silent, neither objecting nor encouraging Hunter's statement.

Zion's eyes were cast to the side, his irises flashing as he visibly tried to hold Zeus back. Pharoah (Sin of Pride), Geovanni, and Liam were silent as well. I wasn't surprised by their reaction either, because deep down, we all would've preferred to keep Dimitri alive.

Poseidon, who was still in control of Pedro's body, watched the scene unfold. I still had to get the god of the sea far away from Epimetheus, but as long as that delipidating water well still stands, he will be stuck here. The god of the sea didn't object to Hunter's decision, probably favouring what Pedro would've done. Pedro would've sided with Hunter no matter what.

The titan smirked at the deafening silence.

"Zion, don't let him do this. There must be another way!" Dimitri tried to catch Zion's attention, but Zion's face remained solemn. "If the Titans get released, Hunter will be the one in danger!"

That made Zion stiffened instantly.

"Open it!" Epimetheus barked his order at Hunter.

Hunter took one look at Dimitri before a certain resolve settled within his amber irises. He turned to the water well and stretched out his hand. Pitch-black shadows spread out along the ground like an extension of his fingers. They closed the distance between him and the crumbling structure, but before his abilities could take root, they dissipated.

Hunter grunted, staring at his hand in disbelief. "Hades is fighting me."

"Tick, tock, little boy. I don't have all day!" Even though Epimetheus looked impatient, his eyes were wide and crazed in anticipation. His focus was so glued to Hunter that he didn't realize a glitch in the space beside Eros, hidden well by the surrounding trees. The form flickered until Helena's small figure zapped into existence.

My eyes widened. Is she...using an ability?

Helena held on to the god of love while trying to balance herself on the huge branch. Her eyes were fixed on Dimitri, eyebrows furrowed before sending a hot glare to the Titan. Her presence didn't go unnoticed. Zion, the sins, Liam, and Hunter spotted her almost immediately. However, they didn't show a single hint of emotions in fear of Epimetheus catching a whiff that something was wrong.

A few of the surrounding crocottas noticed the new stranger and became restless. The others, just like Epimetheus, were focused on Hunter.

Helena flickered out of existence, and before I could comprehend what was happening, she was on the ground. Just as fast as she appeared, she vanished. How did she--

*She's using two of Hera's abilities.* Pandora's voice whispered against the edges of my mind, quelling my curiosity. *Invisibility and Speed.*

Hera's abilities? Pride swelled in my chest. That's amazing. How was she able to master it so fast?

*She isn't a lazy brat like you* Pandora responded almost immediately, and I tried not to roll my eyes.

Helena's focus remained on Dimitri. It didn't take a genius to know what she was about to do. As the Titan urged Hunter to try harder, she moved. Helena's speed was incredible, almost rivalling Liam if not better. She zapped behind the titan, and with a scream of pure rage plunged two daggers into the Titan's eyes.

Epimetheus' two clones screamed in unison before stumbling to the ground. My eyebrow furrowed, noting the surprising reaction. If one clone gets hurt, the other feels the pain.

Helena wasted no time as she grabbed Dimitri before speeding straight for Hunter. Hunter rushed to meet them halfway.

The clone Helena had attacked remained on the ground unmoving, but Epimetheus' second clone got to his feet instantly. He turned to the new arrival; eyes furrowed before recognition clicked.

Helena and Hunter held Dimitri up while Geovanni curled his two drakon tails around them protectively. Seeing the titan's line of sight, Zion moved before Helena; his muscles taut and poised for any attack Epimetheus might send their way.

But the titan didn't attack, he did the opposite. His clap echoed throughout the forest followed by a mocking laugh. "Wonderful play, Zion. I didn't see that coming."

Epimetheus thought Helena's appearance was part of the plan, but it wasn't. Helena wasn't supposed to be here. She didn't show any form of powers when we left star-crossed inc. Zion insisted it was better she stayed back since it wouldn't be good if Epimetheus realized that Hera had awakened and was almost defenceless. Yet somehow, she had convinced Eros to bring her here. Zion was just as surprised as the rest of us.

Pharoah moved closer to me. His voice was low as he whispered. "Keep your guard up."

My hair stood on end. Epimetheus' ability was mimicry. If he could copy my abilities, he could copy Helena's as well.

"Bringing Hera here only levelled up the playing field." Epimetheus cracked his neck and grinned.

Like a chip in a wall of glass, cracks appeared on his face. They stretched through his entire face and down his neck to the rest of his body. His skin peeled away to reveal a body that was completely made out of lava and volcanic earth. His good eye flashed a heated molten yellow, but his left ghost-white eye remained untouched. The titan began doubling his size till he was almost four times larger.

With each laugh, the titan's abilities stretched out to the surrounding crocottas. They began to replicate in number, almost thrice as fast. In seconds, we were surrounded by way more crocottas – a number almost a hundred times more than ours. Within the hyena-like masses, I spotted Phyllis and Ocypete, the harpy. They were grinning from ear to ear, with deathly pupils narrowed straight at me.

How did Phyllis join Epimetheus' army? Even more concerning, how did she get to meet Ocypete? Also...didn't I see Ocypete dead on the pavement when Eros killed her?

No, not dead, her body was still twitching. I cursed under my breath. I should've killed her then.

Even though Henry was dead, seeing those two just made my blood boil. I could sense their hatred burning its way towards me. It wasn't surprising -- I was the reason Liam and Eros nearly killed them.

The god of sleep stood next to them. He was the same as usual, dishevelled and dirty with a humongous belly that could house an eight-month-old baby. Surprisingly there was no beer in his hand and he looked sober, which was a first. It was the first time seeing him with a hundred per cent concentration and it was all trained on Eros; the god who had imprisoned him in Star-crossed Inc.

Helena straightened to her feet as she faced Epimetheus. "I also brought an army of my own."

Her eyes glowed a neon blue and immediately, an invisible veil fell away to reveal monsters of different sizes hiding in the trees. Epimetheus' eyes widened. He turned on the spot, his eyes scanning the skies in disbelief. He wasn't the only one who was surprised; Liam, Zion, Dimitri, the sins, and I were equally speechless.

Almost every Greek monster we had met at Star-crossed Inc. last week had shown up. They were Gorgons, Griffins, chimaeras, minotaurs, and so many others. They all hissed at Epimetheus, the urge to kill him blazed in their monstrous eyes.

The titan had claimed to have the ability to see everything with his left deathly white eye. Yet somehow, he couldn't see through Helena's invisibility.

Helena's voice rang through the forest, chilling me to the bone. Hera's motherly voice thrummed through her vocal cords, meddling alongside hers in a powerful command. "Kill him!"

Chaos broke out like a tornado, monsters dropping from the trees, no matter how odd the height, and clashing against the crocottas. Talons, claws, and fangs flashed as blood spilt. A few went straight for the Titan.

Through the messy throng, my eyes caught Zion, his eyes completely white as he pulled Helena into him and kissed her. Helena was flabbergasted and I watched as her body melted the moment Hera took over. Feeling slightly embarrassed to catch the two gods kissing, I turned to Poseidon beside me. His eyes were no longer a flashy blue but a dull one.

Pedro.

My breath caught for a moment as I watched him observe Zeus, in his brother's body, kiss Helena. "Took them almost ten years to get this ship sailing, but I approve."

I smiled, my body moving on autopilot as I hugged him, nearly toppling his crouching form to the ground. "Easy Chips, I missed you too."

He hugged me back, hand cradling my head. "We need to break whatever bond I have with the Tartarus-imbued well, remember?"

Bond. The word rolled in my head for a minute. That's when it clicked. That's it! Every bond works the same way. And there's only one person that could break and form bonds.

I faced the direction the king of the gods stood with Hera. My next decision was risky, but getting Pedro away from here has always been my priority.

With my heart in my lungs, I raised my voice and called out to Zeus. "Hey, jerk!"

The god turned to me, eyes flaming in annoyance.

I felt the tattoo on my wrist throb at his presence. Trusting the telepathic ability of the forced connection I shared with the king of the gods; I weaved my emotions into the bond. His eyes widened for a second before snapping his attention to Pedro. In a second, he was beside us.

Pharoah growled as he flanked me, claws and wings out in case Zeus attacked. The god completely ignored us and crouched before Pedro. He tilted his head in mild confusion. "You must be my brother's vessel."

Pedro made himself comfortable against the grass, his energy completely depleted, "And you're the asshole that constantly tries to kill Penny."

My jaw dropped at the blatant insult. Zeus only smiled. "Poseidon, Pedro. No matter which form you take, you keep forgetting who is the eldest brother. We shall have this talk later."

Zeus got to his feet and snapped his finger. Instantly a glowing line illuminated before us, stretching from the water well to Pedro like entangled ropes. Zeus waved his hands and instantly they dissolved into mists.

I moved instantly, intending to get Pedro back to Star-crossed Inc. Before I could make a step, Zeus grabbed my neck in a vice grip. I choked against his hold, feeling my windpipe getting crushed as he slowly brought me to my feet.

Pharoah made a move to attack but I signalled for him to stand down. Here I was, thinking Zeus was slowly warming up to me because of the bond he stole from Liam.

Either way, he couldn't hurt me because of the pact Zion made with himself and the entire Greek pantheon. Zeus is only allowed to kill anyone who poses a threat to Zion or anyone under his protection. I haven't killed anyone yet, which means I was in the clear. Zeus can't hurt me.

"Let her go, asshole," I heard Pedro struggle to his feet.

Zeus leaned close and whispered against my ear. "Insult me one more time, and you will suffer a fate worse than death."

His grip tightened further, bringing me even closer. My fingers tried to pry his hands away, but that only made it worse.

Zeus' eyes cracked like lightning as he spoke. "I was thinking of letting you in on a little secret." My hackles rose in alarm, dreading the god's next words. His face was mocking, almost like he was enjoying this little game of seeing me suffer. Mirth laced his tone as he uttered under his breath. "If I take control of Zion's body one more time...it'll be permanent."

So I'm back. To those who still stayed, Hello and how are you doing?

Please don't forget to vote, comment, and share. Love you all 💜

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