"Whatyou'd like to become in your next life?"

???

WEAPONS CLANKING, MEN SHOUTING, AND beast calling, the bloodbath was unavoidable. Blades curve around necks, spears penetrate flesh, and arrows aim for the heart or forehead. The metallic scent pollutes the smell of rain and earth and sweat.

Though I cast a shield over our allies, it wasn't strong enough. Our men are falling fast as we get outnumbered and overpowered by the minute. Perseus's strength kept him alive as he thrived in battle, putting down anyone who dared approach him. His blade imprisoned many souls, and his shield deflected hundreds of arrows. However, regardless of his strength, some had the upper hand and received their fair share of his blood.

I retreat to higher grounds, forming a forcefield around the castle to prevent the enemy from escaping and strengthen the shield around our allies. Pegasus aid to my weaknesses, carrying me on his back as we soar above the battlefield. Though Pegasus was new to men's world, he carried himself as a war horse, possessing the strength to push through any obstacles that stood in his way, keeping his carrier safe. Me.

I continued attacking from above, using a bow and arrow. The arrows are imbued with magic, instantly killing the victim as they shut down the mind and heart, enabling them to die painlessly. Many guards rushed to the roof of the towers to cut some distance between us. They held their arrow, but Pegasus needed only to extend his wings and swipe them off their feet, falling to their doom. I'm fully convinced we have the same wings.

My eyes scoured the castle grounds, and the king was nowhere to be seen. He wasn't fighting with his men or sitting on his throne. As I was about to cast a spell, revealing the king's whereabouts, Perseus yelled from below.

I froze, instantly spotting him on the battlefield.

"Those who are my friends, shield your eyes now!" He pulls Medusa's head out of the bag, holding it high so everyone can witness the truth before fate takes over.

She hissed as all the snakes of her head joined in, transforming everyone into the stone. My palms block Pegasus's visions and shut my own. The sound of men retreating and screaming occurs as though hell had reigned on earth.

And suddenly, it all went quiet, only the sound of rain and thunder remains. I uncover Pegasus's eyes, only to have him turn to see me.

"What?" I ask.

He neighs frustratingly, shaking his head and messing his mane.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Would you rather be turned into stone then?"

He neighs again, but with a sprinkle of attitude. Jeez, it's like talking sense to a teenager.

We descend back onto land that is now covered with statues. There were only a handful of men who remained intact.

I rush to Perseus's side upon landing. He's resting on his back, enduring the pain devouring his body. Even with his armor, he obtained many deep wounds around his body.

"It seems like that bitch's head is useful for occasions like this," he jokes, holding his stomach while the blood oozes endlessly over his hand.

With every ounce of power left in me, I commence healing upon him and our wounded allies. If only I could do the same for myself.

"Zelus," he catches me before I crash to the ground, and my staff evaporates into embers. My body felt like I was all flesh and no bones. I couldn't stand firm without having something to support myself.

"I'm alright," I force myself up, leaning against Pegasus.

"Perseus," one of his men points ahead. He follows their direction to see Dictys and the queen approaching through the castle doors. They were astounded by the statues surrounding them.

The queen, however, was mesmerized by a single statue that stood further from the rest. She stayed there with her hands covering her mouth and her eyes welled up. This is such an appropriate time to use the saying, it looked as though she's seen a ghost.

"Mother," Pegasus gave us a lift towards her. "What's wrong?"

"This man," she finally spoke as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "Do you know who he is?"

He studies the stone man.

"I don't," he concludes.

"He's your grandfather," she says. "It would seem that you have fulfilled the prophecy."

She shifts around, placing her hand on his cheek.

"The only reason he banished us is because you are fated to kill him," she now held both his cheeks. "He thought he could avoid that, but as my mother once told me, no one could escape the hands of fate."

A smile even more beautiful than a flower spreads across her face as she pulls him into her arms, relief that everything is finally well again.

"You did it," her eyes beamed.

And that was the last thing I saw before blood spewed out of my mouth. My eyes drop to a sword sticking out of my chest. Standing on the blade's tip was the hourglass where every feather had fallen. They lose their glow as the glass and fine wood turns to ash, flying with the wind.

Time's up.

By the throne is the king, who's cackling maniacally. In his hands are magic obtained from witchcraft sold by the black market. The sword was charmed with dark magic, which enables the death of any entity, god or mortal.

My ears ring as I crash to the ground. I watch Perseus marching at full speed toward the king, yelling with Zeus's sword in his hand. Though, the king had other tricks in his sleeves. Nearby, he picked up an abandoned sword and slit his throat. My visions blur out, but the red liquid rushing down his neck was apparent enough.

"Zelus," the queen's face interrupted my sight. She panicked as she didn't know what to do. She tried ripping some fabric from her tunic, but she wasn't strong enough, nor would it do any good. "Stay with me."

My eyes remain on Perseus, who's continuously stabbing the dead king.

"He needs help!" She yells at Perseus. He stops. With Polydectes's skull now crushed, he thrust a spear into his heart and raced back toward us.

Dictys had already left the castle in hopes of getting help. Though I doubt he'll make it back on time.

Perseus took his mother's place and lay my head on his lap. Polydectes's blood paint patches all over his face. Those emerald greens were bloodshot, with tears flowing endlessly, raining onto my cheeks. His nose leaks as he's stuttering for the lack of words to say.

"Hey," I force my words out, trying to reach for his hand. He grabs it in his without any hesitation. "Stop it; you're a prince. Do not mourn over a daimon."

He keeps my palm on his lips, lightly kissing it, allowing the tears to continue flowing.

"My fate is settled," I said, smiling. "I knew this was coming. I just didn't know it would happen so soon."

"Why didn't you tell me?" His tone fires up.

"If I did, your attention would lie elsewhere. And instead of saving your mother, you'd try to save me," I argue. "Your mother and the kingdom come first. Remember that, my prince."

"I could've saved both of you," his voice cracked, sniffling.

"No," I swallow, a sob caught in my throat. "You can't. Believe me."

I pull my hand back and reach for the skies, summoning my powers one last time. I detach my remaining wing. Forest green transfigures into gold, shrinking into the size of a thumb as I hook it on his necklace, together with the emerald pendant.

"I wanted to see the world with you after the battle is done," I start, accepting that my powers had finally abandoned me. My hands fell to my chest as I gazed into his eyes. "I wanted to eat the forbidden berries under a tall tree with you, pin you down during our wrestling matches, race in the river with you, kiss you every time I see you, love you when you feel as though you're not worthy of it."

I pause when I felt a sting in my brain.

"Unfortunately, fate says otherwise," I ignore the continuous pain that leaks out of my eyes. "Now, the city needs a king. Be a greater ruler than the previous one. Show them who Perseus is. A prince, a king, a friend, a son, a lover, a great man."

"I'll leave the two of you to say goodbye," the queen said, reaching down to kiss my forehead. "Thank you for adhering to your promises and keeping my son safe. If we meet in another life, know that I owe you a favor."

Her eyes glint with more tears. She strokes my hair before standing and walking away, leaving Perseus and I.

I pat the empty space next to me, motioning him to lie down. And after some hesitation, he did. Our eyes now face the dark sky drizzling upon us. It seems that Perseus isn't the only one mourning.

"In another life," he repeats his mother's words. "This life means nothing if you're not here with me."

"We will meet again, Perseus," I turn my neck towards him. He's avoiding my eyes. I watch the single tear sliding down from the corner of his eye. "Death is not the end; it's a new beginning."

"Demigods can die, but it'll happen in a very long time," he said. "One might say, forever. Unlike the Gods, we live longer than mortals, but we, too, die."

"Then forever, I'll be waiting for you," he finally turns to see me. My lips stretch into a smile, feeling the love radiating from those eyes. "Forever is such a long time, but it's worth the wait if it means I get to love you again."

"What you'd like to become in your next life?"

I'd like to know that myself. I doubt there's another life waiting for me. Maybe this is the end. I cursed myself by having Jonathan in this life; perhaps my future is screwed.

Where will I go then?

Will I cease to exist?

"I don't—" I tasted blood in my mouth and began coughing.

Perseus shut his eyes and ears, crying because he knew I wouldn't want him to lift another finger for me. I'm dying, and there's nothing he can do that's going to bring me back.

I remove my hand from my mouth and drag them against my tunic, wiping the blood off before laying them on his arm, assuring him I'm done.

"I don't know," I completed my answer. "Whatever's waiting for me, I'm ready."

He remains silent.

"What about you?" I asked, nudging his shoulders felt like a dagger stabbing my arm. "What would you want to become?"

"I want to be—" My ears started hearing muffles.

"I'm sorry; what did you say?" I speak, but I hear muffled words.

My vision blackened, my heartbeat began slowing, and it felt like my access to oxygen was expiring. The world muffled in my ears previously. Now, they ring, sluggishly shutting down everything. And suddenly, it became quiet as the final breath passed my lips.