-Alkaios POV-
Pollux and I walked in silence, the heat of our blushes a testament to the awkwardness of the moment. The conversation with Aphrodite had been a thunderclap, a sudden intrusion that left us unable to meet each other's gaze. Aphrodite's parting words echoed in my mind, a chilling promise of "interesting" times ahead. The word sent a shiver down my spine, a stark reminder of how Aphrodite had once made Paris's life "interesting," a prelude to a devastating ten-year war.
The thought of any entanglement with Aphrodite deeply unsettled me, but it seemed fate had already sealed our involvement. A quick glance at Pollux revealed a mirror of my apprehension; her eyes met mine, and the shared understanding was immediate. Our cheeks flushed once more, then we quickly averted our gazes. A sigh escaped my lips, the weight of impending complications pressing down on me.
As we neared the assembled group, I reached for the door handle, a silent gesture of courtesy. "After you," I offered, opening the door for Pollux. She met my eyes with a nod, a subtle acknowledgment, before we stepped into the room. There, Castor, Heracles, Asclepius, and Chiron awaited us.
Castor's gaze fell upon Pollux, and his eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Sister! You look wonderful!" Castor exclaimed, springing from his seat and approaching her. Pollux beamed at her brother, her blush deepening slightly.
"Thank you, brother. Alkaios was the one who fix my hair and clothes," Pollux said, her gaze returning to me with a smile. Castor's expression shifted, a complex mix of anger at my closeness to Pollux and thankfulness because I'd helped her. Castor clearly admired Pollux's stunning transformation, yet I was the artist behind it.
"You did marvelously, look, Alkaios," Castor managed, a strained smile gracing his lips as he clapped me on the shoulder.
Seeking a change of subject, I turned to Asclepius. "Asclepius, how is Jason?" I inquired, genuine concern for his well-being clear in my voice. Asclepius's immediate grimace sent a pang of dread through me. "Is he..." I began, the worst-case scenario already playing out in my mind.
"No, Jason's condition hasn't changed, but he hasn't gotten better," Asclepius said, and I felt a relief wash over me. Jason hadn't gotten better, but at least he hadn't gotten worse.
"Asclepius, I have an idea I would like to explore," I said, seeing both Asclepius and Chiron lean forward with renewed interest. "Can you take me to where Jason is?" I asked, directing the question to both of them.
Asclepius practically sprang from his seat, his grip on my arm surprisingly steady. "Come, Alkaios," he urged, leading me through the palace corridors. "If the last few days are any sign, you can help." He chuckled, adding, "I kept Jason away from the civilians. I knew he'd complain." The thought of Jason's predictable grumbling brought a smile to my face; some things, I knew, were truly unshakeable.
The palace air was heavy with the sounds of suffering, coughs and moans echoing with despair. Each cry, each labored breath, only stoked my growing rage. Pandora, in her quest for vengeance against the gods, had unleashed a plague on humanity, and for that, I could not forgive her. I understood the anger directed at the divine, a righteous fury against perceived injustices.
If her aim was solely to inflict pain upon the gods, then perhaps I could have understood, even sympathized. I might have even agreed. For in a future untouched by their capricious influence, humanity might indeed thrive, independent and self-sufficient.
Yet, that future was not the present. My time spent under the tutelage of Chiron had revealed a truth I could not ignore: the gods, for all their flaws, had bestowed blessings upon the city-states of Greece. This divine protection had served as a bulwark against the encroaching darkness of monstrous creatures, a shield that allowed civilization to flourish. Could humanity survive without it? Yes, Stymphalos and the struggling populace of Koutalas prove that. Stymphalos had indeed weathered the storms; its survival had come at the cost of immense hardship, a constant battle against threats that the more fortunate city-states were spared.
The walls of these protected enclaves offered not only defense against beasts but also against the ravages of bandits and the ambitions of rival militaries. Koutalas and countless villages, however, bore no such protection; its people were exposed to every vulnerability. In this present era, for the common folk, the gods remained a necessary, if imperfect, safeguard.
The world was in flux, and with time, humanity's reliance on the gods would wane. But that time was not now. Thus, despite my burgeoning empathy for Pandora's plight, I could not condone her actions. She had to be stopped. Only when the dust settled, when the immediate crisis was averted, could I hope to address her grievances.
Asclepius and I finally reached Jason's chamber. The moans we had heard earlier intensified, now a heart-wrenching symphony of pain. Asclepius's eyes widened with a shared look of dread as we pushed open the door.
The scene that greeted me was one of utter devastation. "Asclepius, you're back!" Jason said, his voice weak and strained, cutting through the oppressive atmosphere. Jason lay propped up, like a king deposed, his once vibrant visage now a ghastly mask of suffering. Had it not been for the faint recognition in his eyes, I would have believed him to be entirely consumed by illness. My gaze sharpened, scrutinizing Jason's features. The proof was undeniable: his face, chalk-white and gaunt, was etched with the undeniable signs of sickness. Subtle tremors ran through his outstretched hands, betraying his internal struggle.
"Asclepius, I have a way to cure Jason," I declared, my voice firm despite the turmoil within. A flicker of hope ignited in Jason's eyes, a weak smile gracing his lips. "However," I continued, my tone shifting to a more somber register, "it is not a permanent solution. I can cure everyone here, present in this moment. But I cannot be everywhere at once, nor can I sustain this effort indefinitely."
Asclepius, a physician to his core, grasped the implication immediately. "You mean a temporary reprieve. This is our best hope for now. But what happens when the fighting resumes, when there is no cure to be found? People will die." Asclepius said his words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the grim reality.
I nodded, the weight of his statement settling upon me. Yes, I could ease the suffering here, within these walls. But what of those who would venture beyond, or those who would fall ill once this immediate outbreak subsided? If the cure's efficacy was tied to my presence, my intervention, then what hope would there be when I was gone? By the time news of a lasting solution could even reach us, it might be too late for the countless souls caught in the crossfire.
"A long-term cure is the best way to prevent future deaths," I said to Asclepius, my gaze then shifting to Jason. "Jason, I want to apologize to you. If I hadn't forgotten, we could have avoided you getting sick." I added as I bowed my head to Jason in earnest. In my haste, I had completely overlooked my ability to share my immunity with him.
Jason met my gaze for a fleeting moment before scoffing. "Please, Alkaios, you are not a god. You cannot see the future," Jason chided, flicking my forehead. Though I couldn't see Jason's expression, I could have sworn a smile played on his lips. "Now, what are you waiting for? I have been in this room for too long," Jason commanded, and a laugh escaped me. I had genuinely missed his typically haughty demeanor.
Just as I was about to mend Jason, I paused. "Asclepius, bring a Pithos," I requested. Asclepius's eyes widened, a flicker of remembrance passing through them as he recalled my ordeal months prior. He vanished and reappeared moments later, a Pithos in hand.
"Wait, what is that for?" Jason inquired, his brow furrowed in confusion, as I placed my palm on him. I focused, channeling the power of the Awakener and visualizing Jason imbued with the same divine protections I possessed. In an instant, color flooded back into Jason's ashen face. He seemed to emanate a faint glow for a moment before doubling over.
Asclepius was there in a flash, the Pithos ready, and handed it to Jason. Without a word, Jason grasped the vase and expelled the plague. Asclepius and I winced as torrents of black sludge poured from his mouth. We exchanged a look, waiting for Jason to finish his violent purge. I couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust as it appeared as though Jason was spitting out a full gallon of black mud.
When he finally stopped, Jason looked remarkably improved; his skin having regained its natural hue. Carefully taking the Pithos laden with the viscous black residue, I handed it to Asclepius. Upon a thorough inspection, Jason appeared to be in perfect health.
"Jason, stand up," I said. Jason hesitated for a moment, a silent protest I immediately quelled with a stern look. My intention was clear: to confirm his well-being. Under Asclepius's watchful eye, Jason submitted to a series of basic physical assessments.
"Jason, you're in perfect shape," Asclepius stated, his fingers noting everything down on a tablet as he documented his findings. All our tests had left Jason exhausted, and a pang of guilt tightened in my chest, even though he had already forgiven me.
"Asclepius, does Jason require anything else?" I inquired, my voice laced with concern.
Asclepius paused, a thoughtful expression on his face. "No, Jason is ready to be cleared," Asclepius finally responded. "I'd recommend he rest before he's cleared to fight," Asclepius said, casting one last scrutinizing glance over Jason before adding this crucial advice.
"Can you give Jason and me a moment?" I requested, and Asclepius's gaze shifted to me, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"If you need it," Asclepius conceded, adding, "Just remember to come and help me look over the other patients," before he departed, leaving Jason and me in a charged silence.
I found myself fumbling for the right words, the guilt a persistent weight. "Jason, I'm truly sorry, again," I started, the admission finally coming out. "I should have realized I could have shared my immunity." The words felt hollow, insufficient to convey the remorse that consumed me.
"Alkaios, we barely know each other. Everyone has secrets. I haven't shared my entire life story with you, nor have I revealed everything I've been blessed with," Jason said with a scoff, a hint of annoyance crossing his face. "That said, I am annoyed. Do you have any idea how long it's been?" he added, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Jason, it's barely been two moons," I said, taken aback, my confusion clear.
"Huh, it feels like it's been longer," Jason replied, his brow furrowed with bewilderment. I let out a laugh; the absurdity of the situation cut through my guilt. It had truly felt like an eternity until we arrived in Athens.
As I approached Jason, I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jason, please accept this as my apology," I said, my focus sharpening as a surge of energy coursed through me. I reached out, feeling the connection to his soul, a gentle tug drawing it from his body. "It is through hardship and strife that people can truly change. Life is full of obstacles, but with courage and justice," I chanted, my voice resonating with power. "With this, I touch your soul and release you," I concluded.
As the words left my lips, Jason transformed. An ethereal light enveloped him, and he watched in wide-eyed astonishment as his body glowed. He looked down at his hands, now pulsing with an otherworldly luminescence. "Alkaios, what is this?" Jason exclaimed, his voice resonating with newfound power. "I feel so much stronger than ever before," Jason said with a laugh, raw energy surging through him. He threw shadow punches, testing his new strength, each movement imbued with untamed force.
"Jason, this is Aura," I explained. "It's the light of your soul made manifest." The word "soul," snapped Jason's attention back to me, his face a mixture of awe and disbelief. "With your Aura active, you'll be stronger and can withstand more damage. But be warned, Jason, Aura doesn't make you invincible. You can still die from choking or suffocation. Also, be careful not to deplete all your Aura, or it will shatter." I finished explaining, and Jason stopped looking so awestruck.
"You mean my soul can shatter!" Jason exclaimed, his face contorted in horror.
"Just the barrier, Jason," I quickly reassured him, seeing his panic. "You will feel exhausted and need to recharge your Aura," I explained. Jason seemed to calm down, knowing that his soul was not in immediate danger.
"Last thing," I added, my voice carrying a hint of anticipation, "you will eventually develop an ability unique to you, Jason."
Jason froze mid-stride, his eyes widening in disbelief and a flicker of fear. "What? You can't be serious!" he exclaimed, his grip tightening on my arm as he shook me slightly. "You have a way of giving something so special, Alkaios. Do you know how many people would kill for an ability that does all this? Everyone, Alkaios, everyone!" Jason looked at me, his expression a mixture of bewilderment and awe. "You'll give me all of this... as an apology?" he asked, confused.
"Well," I confessed, a slight flush creeping up my neck, "I'd initially intended to give everyone Aura once our training was complete. But given everything you've experienced, it feels like the right time now. A way to make amends for the trauma you endured," I added, rubbing the back of my head.
Jason's jaw seemed to drop, his gaze fixed on me. "When will I get my new power?" he asked, his voice now alight with an almost uncontrollable excitement.
I shrugged, a knowing smile playing on my lips. "Who knows? I still haven't gotten mine. It can take days, weeks, or even years. The intricacies of Aura are still largely a mystery, even to me," I confessed, admitting my lack of expertise on the subject. "All I know is that it will happen eventually. All I ask is to keep this a secret, Jason. Can you do that?" I asked, a hopeful plea in my voice, trusting him implicitly to maintain this profound secret.
Jason beamed, his earlier shock giving way to a boyish grin. He clasped my shoulder, his laughter echoing, "Haha, I can do that, Alkaios. Now come, Alkaios, everyone must have missed me terribly." Jason said with an air of arrogance, yet his underlying affection was clear, and I laughed with him.
"What was that enormous cloud of dirt?" Jason asked, looking out the window. "It was massive; I could see it from here."
My laugh faltered, turning slightly nervous. "It's a long story," I said evasively, and explained on the way back. The explanation was a prelude to the dramatic events that had transpired.
It didn't take long for Jason and me to make it back to where everyone else had gathered. A collective sigh of relief went through the group.
"Jason, it's wonderful to see you," Chiron said with a smile, his eyes shining with relief at Jason's full recovery and return. Castor and Pollux gave Jason small, welcoming smiles. Heracles greeted Jason with a wide smile that promised a rather enthusiastic welcome.
As Jason approached Heracles, the colossal demigod surged forward, enveloping him in a mighty hug and lifting him entirely off his feet. "Heracles, stop!" Jason squeaked, his voice tight, and I could have sworn his recently gained Aura flickered and strained under the overwhelming force.
Heracles sheepishly set Jason down, wincing as the creaking of Jason's bones echoed in the silence. Jason shot Heracles a brief, annoyed look, but it softened quickly as he patted the demigod's enormous arm.
"Teacher," Jason started, his voice suddenly serious, cutting through the room's usual quiet. Everyone looked up. His tone was heavy, unlike him. "I have something to say."
Chiron met Jason's earnest gaze, his usual calm replaced by a flicker of curiosity tinged with bewilderment. "What is it, Jason?" he inquired, his voice a low rumble, as he studied Jason's focused expression.
Jason took a deep breath, his eyes briefly scanning the worried faces before settling back on Chiron. "Teacher," he started, his voice capturing everyone's attention, "while I was sick, I saw something." He paused, letting the suspense hang in the air. "When I was sick," he reiterated, his tone even, "I saw a black box spewing mud." Jason concluded.
The cryptic pronouncement hung in the air, met with a collective blankness. I, for one, tilted my head, struggling to make sense of the bizarre imagery. A quick glance around the room confirmed that my peers shared my confusion. However, it was Chiron's reaction that sent an icy chill down my spine.
His face, usually a picture of benevolent wisdom, had gone deathly pale. The color drained from his skin, leaving it chalky white, and his eyes widened with an expression that spoke of dread, as if he were staring into the face of an ancient monster. He seemed to have aged decades in mere seconds.
"Chiron, what is wrong?" Castor asked, his voice, usually so self-assured, was laced with concern as he mirrored my own observations of Chiron's distress.
Chiron let out a heavy sigh, the sound filled with resignation and crushing disappointment. "I had hoped," he began, his voice rough with emotion, "that Pandora had only gathered the residual fragments from where her Pithos first opened. But it seems I was wrong. Somehow," he finished, the words barely a whisper, "Pandora has found her Pithos."
I could only echo Chiron's sigh. The full implications of Jason's vision were lost to me at first, though the meaning of a "black box spilling mud" was obvious. I had a sinking feeling, a chilling premonition, that we were all about to face something truly terrible.
"Chiron, what's the plan?" I asked, eager to hear his thoughts. Chiron remained quiet, clearly pondering my question. Just as he was about to respond, an unexpected voice cut in.
"We strike," Jason declared. We all turned to him, taken aback. "Isn't it obvious? We have to strike. Castor and Pollux have the best teamwork. They travel all over Athens, striking down the Nosoi on the outer edges of the city," Jason explained, glancing at the twins.
"Castor, Pollux, have you finished developing the technique you've been working on?" Jason asked the twins. Castor and Pollux looked surprised by his question.
"Yes, we are nearly done. But how did you know Jason?" Pollux asked, confused. Jason scoffed as he smirked.
"A king must know his resources. I saw the two trails you left at camp. You two and I will draw out the Nosoi. Asclepius mentioned that this plague targets humans. So, the three of us will act as bait while Heracles, Teacher, and Alkaios ambush them," Jason explained. We all looked at him, surprised.
"Teacher," Jason said, "after we deal with the Nosoi, we'll head to the temple. But first, we need to bring all of Athens' citizens here. You could create a barrier to protect them all. Once the Nosoi are defeated, we can go down with no concerns." Jason finished. Chiron gazed at Jason, his eyes filled with pride.
"Well said, Jason," Chiron praised, then addressed us all. "We'll go with Jason's plan. Alkaios," he called, and I turned. "Asclepius and I need your help in the medical bay," Chiron instructed.
The two of us departed the room, arriving at the medical center Asclepius created. Inside, a grim tableau unfolded: countless Athenians writhed in pain, their moans a mournful symphony that filled the air, heavy with the stench of death. Many bore the visible marks of their suffering: grotesque, black bulbs engorged with pus. Amidst this despair, Asclepius himself moved with a frantic energy, a blur of motion as he attended to the afflicted.
Asclepius spotted us, his brow furrowed with urgency. "Chiron, Alkaios, it is good you are here," he said. "Alkaios, I require your help to cure one of these individuals," Asclepius added, gesturing towards the sea of suffering citizens. "I need to observe firsthand how your miraculous cure functions before I can devise a remedy of my own," he explained, his gaze sweeping across the desperate faces, each silently pleading for relief.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I focused my intent on Awakener and approached a woman cradling her child. "Bring me a Pithos," I instructed, channeling my divine protections to envelop the ailing pair. In an instant, a radiant glow enveloped the mother and child, and they were healed. Asclepius materialized beside me, quickly producing two Pithos for them to expel the lingering toxins. Asclepius and Chiron then meticulously scanned the now-healed mother and child with their magic. We continued this process, repeating it tirelessly for countless others.
Asclepius then led me to a group of guards, instructing me to use my sword to cut the plague from their bodies. Pulling out Reid, I quickly severed the plague's connection to the guards. My hands trembled with pain from the backlash. Asclepius observed the guards' faces changing. We repeated this process with the guards several times before I healed them.
"Healed Athenians are to leave. Prince Theseus has decreed that all Athenians are to remain in the palace agora. Food and water will be supplied," Asclepius declared while Chiron and I guided people out.
"Thank you, young lord," the mother whom I had healed said, her voice filled with gratitude. I merely shook my head, a cunning idea taking root as I regarded the pair.
"You really should thank Asclepius," I whispered. "He's the reason I could heal you both." Leaning in, I added, "Spread the word." I watched as the mother and daughter turned to Asclepius, their faces filled with awe. He glanced my way at the mention of his name, but I looked away, gently patting the young girl I had just cured.
Time became a blur as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. Throughout our relentless efforts, Asclepius remained engrossed, diligently studying the discarded mud and comparing it to the symptoms of his sick patients. One by one, the patients were dismissed from the room, wave after wave of them leaving with renewed health.
Eventually, Asclepius, Chiron, and I retreated to a quiet corner. Asclepius and Chiron began drawing my blood. "Asclepius, how are we progressing?" I asked, but my words seemed to sail past Asclepius, lost in his intense focus as he grunted in response. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his characteristic preoccupation.
"It's progressing, Alkaios," Chiron said, sensing my unease. "I believe Asclepius and I will have a cure by tonight. Of course," he added, a note of caution in his voice, "this cure will only be for the current strain of the plague. If it evolves again, we'll have to start the entire process anew." Though Chiron said this, his words still left me with a lingering sense of confusion.
"Chiron, how were you able to make a cure so fast?" I asked, curious, if I could remember Asclepius working in this for nights. Chiron nodded, expecting my answer.
"Alkaios, the reason Asclepius struggled so much is simple. This plague was intended for humans. Asclepius could have worked for many moons, but without human hosts, he would have made no progress," Chiron explained. "It also helps that Lord Apollo taught me the art of healing. Pandora may command the Nosoi, but Lord Apollo has been controlling them for far longer. Once I understood what I was looking for, it became easy to teach Asclepius," Chiron added, elaborating on his explanation.
While I was still confused, not understanding the finer points, I understood enough.
"Thank you, Lord Asclepius," I turned my head to see an elderly couple thanking Asclepius. Chiron and I snort at how uncomfortable Asclepius looks.
Asclepius silently nodded as the elderly couple bowed to him in thanks. A crowd of citizens then surged past Chiron and me, enveloping Asclepius. Chiron chuckled and moved to Asclepius's side, grasping his tunic. "Everyone, Asclepius needs to depart now. You can show your gratitude after this concludes," Chiron announced, earning a thankful look from Asclepius. "Let's go, you two; tonight we'll celebrate with a feast, as tomorrow we'll launch our attack," Chiron declared, his words prompting Asclepius and me to adopt a serious expression.
While the future was unknown, I suspected circumstances would deteriorate before they got better. The only good thing to come out of it was that everyone was healthy again. Had I foreseen the future, I would have reprimanded my younger self for my naivety.
Chapter 23: Plans of Attack End
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*Author's Note*
I wish you all a good night, and I'll see you in the next update.