Reunion
1352 Words
*Lea POV*
Father's arms brought me closer to him, he hugged me with the love and affection that he always gave me.
He patted my head, holding me in his arms.
"I'm so glad you are okay." He whispered and I could feel his warm tears falling into my hair.
"I'm sorry I didn't realize that was you the whole time." I sobbed.
Father shook his head.
"No, I am the one who is sorry. I was so focused on keeping an eye on you, to be sure you are safe that I didn't think about the consequences. I didn't know that it would bring you such a torment."
"You are a sorcerer." I've heard Asteria's voice and noticed that she stood close to me now.
"Yes, I was." Father nodded, letting me go but still standing close. He then looked at me again. "You grew up so much since the last time I saw you."
"Why did you encourage Lea to search for our pack?" Alex asked.
"I… when I realized what Lea's mother did, I kept thinking how could I help, even from here. I was close when the Goddess entered the Underworld with a wolf. I asked around the spirits and found out that you…" He looked at Asteria. "Helped the shifter soul to merge again. I thought that you may also want to help a young sorceress. I, even when still alive, had a small premonition gift. Legend that was known in my family said that we are the descendants of Pytia, Apollo's daughter who had a gift of seeing the future. I don't know if it's true, but I could see glimpses of what's to come. I focused all of my remaining strength and saw into the future and I saw Lea getting attacked. I panicked and somehow, was able to contact you through your dream. I showed you what I saw, hoping that you would find her before it's too late. And I wa right. Thank you, both of you for what you did for Lea." His voice cracked from emotions.
"What you did was brave and extremely difficult, you are a good father. Even in death." Persephone said, smiling to my father.
"Thank you, my Queen." He bowed his head.
"You were still alive when Lea woke her sorcery. How did this happen?" Asteria asked and I tilted my head.
Why is it bothering her so much?
I know she feels responsible for how her gift affected my life, but I don't blame her. I could never.
"Honestly I was shocked. One day Lea was a normal, happy, small child and the next, she had her first element awoken! It looked like it happened overnight. On the exact night that I had a night duty on the border. Our pack had warriors among both werewolves and sorcerers. I was one of them." Dad explained, looking genuinely dumbfounded.
"That… It can't be a coincidence. It's not happening like that. Do you have any suspicions of what could happen?" The Goddess asked with a frown.
"Knowing my wife, it could be something terrible, she was ready to do anything to reach her goals, no matter who she hurt because of that. Even if the one who suffered was her own daughter. She was obsessing over proving herself worthy to the Alpha. For some time I thought that they might have an affair. I don't know it for sure, just a gut feeling. She kept insisting that Lea has a potential, because of both our bloodlines, to be the greatest sorceress alive. She had plans to marry off our child to the Alpha son in the future, not bothered if they were mates." Father scowled and then looked at me. "I'm sorry you have to hear this, but you deserve the truth."
What?
Marry me off?
To that douchebag, Brian?
Over my dead body!
My mouth opened involuntarily in accompaniment of Alex's menacing growl. Asteria looked royally pissed as well.
"That woman… one day I will get my hands on her and it won't be pretty." She muttered.
All of us went silent for a minute before I could ask the question that bothered me so much.
"You died almost 8 years ago. Why didn't you move on? Staying here for so long must've been draining, you could move on." I said, looking at my father.
I hate that he suffered because of me.
"If I did, I wouldn't be able to contact you and I needed to know you're safe. My torment never mattered to me, I always wanted you to be happy and taken care of." He sobbed, my heart breaking for him.
I grabbed his hand and looked at him with a smile.
"It's okay now. I'm safe and I will be with Alex and Asteria. Thank you, for guiding me to them. You can go now. You deserve to rest." I said, half sad, because I don't think I can talk to him again and half happy, that he doesn't have to worry anymore and can move on.
Asteria stood next to me and nodded.
"I promise you that I… we, will take care of her The best we can. She is and always will be safe and loved. We treat her like our own child and she will always have parents in us. Thank you, for helping me find and save her."
Father looked at me and smiled.
"Now, when I know you are truly safe, I can rest. I'll miss you, my little Lea."
Out of nowhere, a boat appeared at the shore, with a very tall and pale ferryman, Charon.
Hades reached out towards him and put a large, gold coin into his boney hand.
"What you've done proves you worthy of entering Elysium. Your devotion towards your child is enormous. I grant you entrance to the field of Heros."
We all opened our eyes wide. Entering Elysium is a privilege worthy of the greatest of Heros and deities.
"My King… thank you… I, I'm not sure if I'm worthy." My father stuttered.
"Big achievements and heroic deeds aren't as important as the love and care you showed. Not many mortals are capable of that. You are more than worthy to enter Elysium." Persephone explained, her voice warm and sympathetic.
Father hugged me one more time and he whispered in my ear.
"I'm so proud of you, promise me to be happy."
I nodded, wiping my tears away.
"I promise."
He smiled and bowed to everyone on the shore, then, he climbed on the ferry. With a last glance at me, he waved and the boat moved forward, disappearing in a dense fog.
"Thank you, for letting me talk to him and for sending him to Elysium. I can never repay you." I told Hades and Persephone, bowing my head very low.
The Queen kneeled in front of me, lifting my chin with her finger and looking me in the eye, smiling.
"You have nothing to thank me for, I want you to be happy."
She put a small kiss on my forehead.
"With that I seal your powers inside, I'll reach you after you turn 16 to take it off and teach you how to use this gift. For now, play, learn and live freely as a child you are. Okay?" Persephone smiled and winked.
I giggled and nodded.
"Okay, thank you."
"Take good care of her." Hades said, looking at my new parents.
"Of course we will." Alex rolled his eyes playfully, teasing the God of Death.
Which, I don't think it's too smart, but Hades apparently does, as he laughed and shook his head.
"It's time for us. Our family waits impatiently, waiting for Lea's return."
"Not to mention the twins who want their parents back." I giggled and Asteria followed.
We all exchanged final courtesies and Hades helped Horatio and Asteria with opening the portal in the sky.
Before I noticed, H grew back his wings and lifted both me and Darius, flying towards the breach.
With my last final look at the Underworld, I smiled, hopeful.
- Writer
