April 3rd, 10 am


Takashi's alarm goes off. He hits the dismiss button. He finds himself determined to engage the day. He scans the area using aura to check his surroundings. It tells him that Ares is the only one with him.

He picks up his sword and unzips the tent. He taps his heart.

"Zone, FF2.5!"

He rushes out and an unarmored Ares clashes with him with a broadsword! Taki backsteps to find an opening but can't seem to find any in Ares' unarmored body.


He swings in a wide horizontal strike, but Ares parries it and kicks him back. Taki recovers quickly and charges forward. After he blocks Ares' sword, he feels a cut on his stomach. He steps back and finds Ares had used another blade. He doesn't complain as his healing factor kicks in. The god of war is preparing him for whatever Zeus will throw at him.

Taki suffers through more cuts, but he keeps going. He knows Ares is holding back.


"Ares! Give me more!"

The god of war obliges by sheathing his swords. A thin red outline of aura wraps around his body like a tight blanket. Takashi's eyes can't keep up with the movements as Ares steps forward and lands a single punch to the solar plexus that forces him out FF2.5


Almost all of the air leaves his lungs before his back hits the ground. A sharp inhale enters his lips, but blood is coughed up as he turns to the side. He tries to use his blade on the ground for support, but he can't even get one knee off the ground.

Ares' scarlet eyes encourage him. Takashi draws upon his inner strength and every emotion he felt since Zeus' trickery. The war god catches a glimpse of something as Taki taps his chest.

"Zone. F-

He falls into unconsciousness, but Ares catches him.

"Rest for now. Your willpower is a strong weapon. You will get there."

After he wakes up and does another sparring session, Taki notices he's not clutching his heart as much. Ares' methods are working for him. At some point, he will master this form and unlock the next level.

Ares hands him some bread to eat and he takes it to eat.

"Good job so far. Eat up and we will do physical training."

A pink portal opens up and a letter is dropped in front of Ares. He grabs it and sees a kiss on the envelope. He knows that this is from Aphrodite. He gives it a kiss which opens it up. He reads through it. Taki waits for him to tell him.

"They are holding the funeral for the Oracle and Mnemosyne today. She says most of the gods would be there. We need to risk it by leaving while this happens."

"But what about Helios?"

"I have a disguise in mind for that. But the reason we have to leave is because of Artemis. You know what she represents, right?"

Takashi remembers and Ares is right. They have to leave before Artemis gets a whiff of his scent and tracks them. He then questions why she hasn't found them already. Ares can see him thinking that question.

"I don't know what is holding her back from tracking us, but we can't lose the advantage."

"What time's the service?"

"Noon high."

Taki checks his watch. Right now it's 8am, Gaia time. He wolfs down the bread and they start the physical training.

--

Back on Earth, Colorado

Hikari receives a notification for the energy levels. They spiked up, but there was no feeling of danger as it settles down.

Could he be training to overcome the thing that stopped him? That could be the only reason since he's not in danger, she thought to herself.

She thinks about a particular message that Takashi had mentioned. That their father is the god of time and space, Kronos.

4 Mths Ago....

Hikari and the others were listening to his messages and found out how Takashi had received these powers.

"Could this be true?", Penny asked with uncertainty while looking at Aiko. Hikari wanted to know too.

"Mom, I didn't know dad well since he left us. Could he be what the Oracle said?"

Aiko thinks back with a hand under her chin.


"He was quite secretive, but never told me that he was a god. Still....he was always punctual when it came to us. I just don't know anymore."


Present

She takes a deep inhale as she gets ready for work.


Father, I didn't know you well. If you can do one thing for me, please protect my little brother. We need him back.

In California, Greg also receives the notification at work. He is relieved that his friend isn't in danger.

"Getting stronger, Taki? Keep it up."

Misha and Penny receive that same feeling. Penny smiles while playing with Karisa's feet.

"Mommy loves you", as she made funny faces. Karisa laughs. She later calms Karisa to put her down for a nap. She turns the baby monitor with the video display on. She leaves the room to go over her lesson plan for the week on her laptop. Tears hit the desk.


For several months, she has tried to stay strong for her daughter. Her strength pours out from her eyes. She lays her head on the desk as she sobs.

"I don't know how long I can do this. Please come home soon."

--

Back in Gaia,

Takashi feels his sister's prayer and Penny's sadness during his training. He stops and Ares doesn't question it. He could feel some of the sentiment that he's processing through. He sits down and thinks about them.

Big sis. I will come back to you. Our father was a powerful god and I can feel him guiding my path back to you all.


Penny, I miss you so much. It must be so hard to parent alone. When I come back, I will work hard to make sure that you will only cry tears of happiness over me. I will get stronger to protect you and Karisa. I love you.

Hikari feels her little brother's sentiment and it reassures her that her prayer will be answered. She tears up from feeling his presence and hugs herself.

Penelope feels her husband's words and presence comforting her. A sense of confidence and hope that lifts her head off the desk. She cracks a grin while wiping her face.

"I love you too. Stay safe, please."

Takashi "hears" her words and smiles. She still loves him after what Eris did to him and Helena. With this reassurance, he resumes his training.

---

At the base of Mt Delphi, the funeral service commences for Mnemosyne and the Oracle. Flowers of pink, red, and white cover the bodies up to their necks. Apollo and Dionysus force themselves not to cry. They won't let a glimpse of the foreigner survive another second.

Apollo blows on his flute a song to fit the occasion. Caliope and her sisters vocalize in harmony to commemorate the life of their mother and the Oracle. Oeagrus, her husband, is by her side to keep her standing. Tears stream down their puffy cheeks without end.

Orpheus looks on with bloodshot eyes as he lost another loved one.

Dionysus crosses his arms to hide his trembling hands. He hasn't taken a single drink of alcohol since The Oracle's death. He wishes Takashi would show so he can unleash his rage.

King Aeolus attends with his wife and his family except for Karisa. The king of Aeolia weeps as he grips the hand of the former deity.

"Thank you so much for everything. Because of you, I was able to move on and get remarried. I still have the poem you inspired me to write. Because of your help, my current wife fell in love with me."

He kisses her hand before returning it. His wife holds him as they stay in place.


The musical demigod feels a tap on his shoulder. His grandfather, Zeus, somberly smiles to support him. He latches onto the god of lightning.

"Grandfather, it hurts so much."

"I know. I'm sorry", as he pats his back.

"Maybe I can help you find that man", as Orpheus looked up at him.


"Don't. I forbid you", Calliope objected.

"She's right. I will make sure that he will be punished. Stay with your mother. I will talk to you later", as he walks away.


His eyes widen from surprise from an unexpected deity that attended. Summer-blonde hair that stopped at the middle of her back.  A warmth of an inviting sunrise surrounded by the dark butterflies summoned by her brother, Thanatos.

"Hemera?"

She turns to him. Her fair skin face is beautiful to adore. Zeus would usually seduce such a woman, but remembering her mother stopped him from even thinking about it.

To think she's a daughter of the warden. How did she come out of that monster?

"Hello, Zeus. I wish it was under better circumstances. I came to pay my respects to the Oracle and your late wife. It's so sad", the deity of daylight spoke with teary eyes.


"It means a lot that you came when you are usually busy with Helios."

"I'm still "working", but Helios is staying overhead until I move from here", as she pointed overhead to Helios' chariot.

"Even still, thank you. Do you have any leads?"

"No. But we will still keep a lookout for the foreigner. Once we find him, we will capture him."

"I wish I could help, but my job never stops", Thanatos tilted his head down in shame. Hemera lifts her brother's chin and hugs him. He cracks a smile out of appreciation for her.

"Zeus? Why won't you let our mother help you? Thanatos said you asked him not to bother her."

"Because she has an important role in Tartarus. Who knows if Takashi will try to free any prisoners from that place? Her presence is needed there. I trust she and her servant will know what to do once they see him."


"You're right. We can't have him release the Titans you put away. Mom will stop him right then and there. No one can defeat her. Oh, I'm sorry. That slipped out", she covered her mouth from accidentally insulting the Olympian king's strength.

"It's fine. She is a Primordial after all. Tell her I wish her well."

"I will. I will stay for a little bit before leaving."

Zeus taps them on the shoulders and the deities feel something has slipped from their minds. Through Mnemosyne's lamp, he removed their conversation about their mother and why he denied her help. He also included a false lie into Hemera that her mother told her to leave her out of it..

It's not perfect to alter their memories all together, but something this simple will do.

"Thank you both for coming", as he walks away. The siblings feel a little off but thinks it's because of the emotions from the funeral.

Zeus sees Aeolus as his next target. He won't let his plan fall apart.

"Aeolus."

The king and queen bow to him.

"Zeus, I am so sorry. I remember you and Mnemosyne loved each other so much."

"We really did. How do you deal with pain like this?"

"It's hard. The smallest of things will remind you of them no matter how much time has passed. But I think they would be happy to see you move on and find happiness again."

"Thank you, old friend."

Zeus opens his arms and hugs him close. The king embraces him back and feels something slip from his mind. Zeus does the same to his wife and their children.

"Give my best wishes to Karisa", as Zeus returns to Hera.

He starts "crying" again and Hera lovingly holds him close. Despite he had another wife and more children behind her back, she consoles the deity she loves more than anyone else.

"Athena? May we talk?", Hermes whispered.

"Certainly", as she casted a barrier over them for privacy.

"Do you know where Artemis is? I know Artemis wouldn't miss this because of her brother."

"I don't know. I'm also trying to figure out where Ares is. He hasn't been responding."

"Do you think that-

"No. Ares is a brutal god so he wouldn't go down easily. It doesn't matter what that mortal has for a weapon, Ares will defeat him swiftly."

"You're right. I-

He stops his sentence and points behind the goddess of wisdom. Athena finds Artemis has arrived at the service with Helena, her followers, and Echo. A funeral robe instead of her usual fur outfit to fit the occasion. Her face shows a broken sadness as she walks over to Apollo. He stops playing music after seeing her.

"I am so sorry, brother", the Huntress embraced him tightly.

Apollo breaks down into tears over his disciple as Artemis holds him up. She rubs his back while closing her tears from coming out. Her dogs sniff around for Takashi's presence outside the service. She uses her vision through them and nothing is found. Her followers prepare their weapons in case he shows up.

You better not show up if you know what's good for you. I will try not to rip you in half for making my brother cry.

"I wish I can take away your pain", she told him.

"Thank you. It means a lot to me that you're here."

She lets go to pay her respects to the former Oracle. The new Oracle is holding her teacher's hand in hers. Artemis places a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Maya, I am so sorry for how things have happened."

The new Oracle then receives something from Artemis' touch and is heartbroken again for what she had to deal with.

"I am so sorry, my goddess. That is so awful. How are-

"I will cope with my feelings once business is done. I can't waste time crying when things can be done. That was rude of me to say. I'm sorry", she realized how it came out.

"No harm done. I knew what you meant. I know Mina would have wanted me to keep going. But she was my strength. Despite how much pain she went through, she wanted to help others. I don't know how I can do it without her", as heavy tears run down her face.


Artemis wipes Maya's face with a cloth.

"Although she's not in the Underworld, she will live on in your heart and will never leave you. Mina will guide you as you step into your new role. We believe in you, Maya", as the huntress embraced her.

Hearing her words uplifted her a bit.

"I won't let you down", she bowed.

"I know you won't."

The goddess sees Aphrodite, modestly clothed, to be modest for the funeral service. She leaves beautiful flowers for both the Oracle and Mnemosyne and senses turmoil in Artemis. She embraces her.

"Your heart. It's-

"I know, but it should feel better after it's all over."

The goddess of love discreetly gives something to Artemis while holding her hands. Artemis can tell it's something that shouldn't be publicized. Because of Aphrodite's help with her and Orion, she hides the note out of view to read later. Aphrodite lets go of her and embraces Maya.

"It's good to see you here, Aphrodite", the goddess of wisdom approached her.

"I came on behalf of Ares as well since he's still chasing Takashi."

"Let him know I wish him well with his hunt."

"I will."

Athena has been suspicious of the goddess of how she knew to send Hermes to Boeotia. She briefly uses her helmet to peek into her mind without her knowing, but the goddess of love was prepared.

Graphic images of her, Ares, Hermes, Adonis, and other previous lovers having sex. Athena backs out and almost gags from the sight.

"Do you want to see more?", the love goddess teased.

Such a disgusting goddess!, Athena stepped away cautiously.

The gods and their respective servants wait for Takashi's arrival, but he doesn't show up at all. Meanwhile, Eris is enjoying the pain of what transpired in the distance.

"This reset of Takashi's has proven to be fruitful so far. I wonder what will happen next", as she rubbed her hands in excitement.

"So he didn't show up at all", Zeus told Athena.

"It would be foolish to attend a service with the gods present. I don't think he's a madman. He's probably trying to find a way to outwit us in some way. I'm going to keep researching and see what I can find."

The rest of the gods leave except for Apollo, Dionysus, Maya, their servants, Calliope and her family, and Artemis' group. Both the gods embrace the new Oracle and Apollo lulls her into a peaceful sleep to rest from today. He has his servants take her away and provides extra security for her.

Apollo summons a note and Dionysus hops on so they can search for the one who caused them all this pain. Orpheus stops them.

"Teacher! I'm not asking to get involved in the hunt, but can you teach me how to fight?"

"This is not the time, my son. We need to be home", Calliope argued while standing in front of him.

Apollo knows why he's asking. He would feel awful if something were to happen to his favorite student.

He looks at Dionysus. Although the god of wine is tapping his bicep, he nods to him.

"Calliope, I understand he just wants to protect you and his family. Let me help him."

Calliope reluctantly steps aside.

"Do you have your lyre?"

"I do."

Apollo starts teaching Orpheus a few moves using wooden dummies for demonstration. Artemis overlooks this and cracks a grin that his brother is still himself.

SHe uses Aphrodite's dust to return her and her group back to Ephesus. Her servants light up candles in memory of Mina.

"Echo, Helena. Can you come with me?"

"Sure. Do you need some company?", the mountain nymph asked.

"Yes, please."

They follow her to her room. She shuts the door and uses her aura to conceal their conversation. Echo and Helena are puzzled by her behavior. Artemis opens the note from Aphrodite.

"Aphrodite slipped me a message to avoid raising attention."

"Don't trust your father. Don't let him touch you."

The trio is confused and alarmed by the message. 

"Why would she write this?", Artemis pondered.

"Is there something going on that we don't know?"

"Master, what do you think?"

"Could she be compromised by Takashi? That she would be working with him in some way? No. That wouldn't make sense. She wouldn't help someone like him."

"What should we do?", Helena asked.

"Helena, write part of this message on my palm that only I could notice. I don't know who to trust in this case."

Helena takes some permanent ink and writes it as small as possible. The goddess clenches her hand. The tiny message remains.

"There's also something I need to tell you two. It's about Orion and Medusa."

They listen attentively to the story of her perspective and are shocked to learn that she would have admitted love to Orion; the truth about Medusa and Perseus' relationship; Medusa's death; and another tragic event.


Helena and Echo are crying from the list of tragedies. It was a lot to take in, but Helena does her best to write the gist of it down in case something happens.

Echo has a hand over her chest. She feels her heart breaking like glass. The mountain nymph doesn't understand why she is hurting so much. The crown of flowers on her head shrink and wither.


Helena and Artemis are puzzled, but they embrace her as she cries.

"Bestie, what's wrong?"

"I don't know", she sniffled. How she responded worried the goddess and Helena. Her usual rambling has shortened.

Artemis figures it must have been something she said.


"What was the part that hurt you?"

Echo tells her one word that makes Artemis embrace her tighter than before. Helena joins in on the embrace.

"Everything will be alright, Echo. I promise."

The tears finally stop, but something took its place for the talkative nymph. 

"You shouldn't be ashamed of how you felt towards Orion", she broke the silence with a flat tone.

"I am not, but what do you think of me, Helena?"

"You are still my mother who raised me in this temple. I'm not leaving you", she stated with confidence. Artemis tears up but she buries that feeling.

"Athena was there. That must have been so tough", Helena empathized.

"She will get what's coming to her one day. You got everything down?"

The main servant of Artemis nods. "Are you going to tell the others as well?"

"Yes, I can't continue to be a hypocrite to any of you. Let's do it now."

"Mom, please. You already have gone through a lot. Can your heart take it?"

I can't tell her about Basil and Astro. Yet, I feel like I told her already. Why is that?, the huntress thought.

"I will be fine with you both behind me."

"You know that I'm here for you", Echo tried to be chipper, but it was a false happiness.

"Thank you, best friend. No, you're more like a sister to me", she embraced her.

Echo cracks a small smile before it disappears. Artemis is escorted by them and tells her followers the truth. As before, most of her followers have left. Echo and Helena are upset at those ones that are leaving. Artemis holds them back and lets the others leave.

Echo embraces her "sister" tightly and weeps for her.


"I'm so sorry."

"It hurts, but not so much because of you. At least, I don't have to worry about their safety. I want you two to stay here with some of my dogs. I will be out hunting for him."

"Mother -

"Don't argue with me, my child. I can't lose you too. Same goes for you."

Echo goes to speak, but her sadness wouldn't let her. She didn't have the strength to argue with her. She nods solemnly.

"I won't be alone and I will keep contact on the hour. In case anything happens...

She gives them a pouch of Aphrodite's dust. Helena and Echo understand why and take it. With a flick of her wrist, some of her aura envelops the bag before dimming.

"So you can't come after me in case I don't make it."

She embraces Helena who's worried over her adoptive mother. Artemis gently shushes her.

"It will be alright. I promise."

She kisses her forehead and lets go slowly to embrace her sister.

"I wish I can take away your pain. Once this is done, I will be by your side."

She kisses her forehead as well before running out of the temple. She sprinkles some dust to open a portal and runs through it. Helena and Echo sit down together. She comforts the mountain nymph through her pain.

Artemis decides to stop at Aphrodite's temple in Corinth to double check something.