Mixed Worlds

Chapter Twelve - A Lot To Process

            Jack turns a corner, and sees Ally sitting in front of his door with her head in her hands. “Ally?” He stands next to her, and holds his hand out. “Come on, we gotta talk.” She looks up at him, and he can see the tears streaming down her face.

            “Okay.” She takes a hold of his hand, and he helps her up. They go into Jack’s room, and cuddle up on the bed. “You’re going to ask me to listen to her, aren’t you?” She lays her head on his chest, and holds him tightly.

            “You’re so smart.” He sets his hand on her head and brushes through her hair with his fingers. “She says she can share her knowledge with you with a single touch. But you have to want it... I think it would be a good idea. It’ll be easier for you and for all of us if we figure this out sooner, rather than later.”

            “It’s just so much to wrap my head around. I thought my whole family was gone. And now I have a long lost mother who’s a Goddess? Then theres the bullshit with Lucas, finding Christian, whatever is going on with me and you, and now this? I’m a Demi-God? What else could possibly happen in my life? It’s so hard to keep up with everything.” She takes a deep breath, and sits up to look at Jack. “What is going on here?” She points to both Jack and herself.

            “Well, I’ve... I’ve cared about you for a long time Al. But if you need the time to figure your life out, then I can wait. I don’t want you to feel more overwhelmed than you already are.” He takes on of her hands in his. “I want to be with you, Ally. I want to build a life with you one day. I have since the day I met you.”

            Once again, Ally has tears in her eyes. But this time, they’re tears of joy. “I want that too Jack. Our lives will always be complicated, but I can’t imagine my life without you. It might take some time, but we might as well start living it now...” they both smile at each other, and Jack wipes Ally’s tears from her cheeks.

            “Have I ever told you that you’re an ugly crier?” He laughs.

            “Have I ever told you that you can be a real ass?” She shoves him and laughs. “Come on, we should go and talk to Athena before she changes her mind.” She gets up, and holds her hand out to Jack. “The sooner this is over the sooner I can eat.”

            “Maybe we’ll go out for food. Get some fresh air. We haven’t left the bunker in a few days.” Jack puts his hand in hers and they walk back to the briefing room. Ally makes direct eye contact with Athena , and sits across from her.

            “Okay. Where do we start?”Ally crosses her arms and leans her side on the table.

            “I am glad you’re here. If you wish, I have the ability to share all I know with you. As for training to use your powers, that may take some time.” Athena takes a book from the pile that Jack had picked out earlier, and slowly traced her hand around the book. Gold glitter swirled around the book like a ribbon, leaving Ally in awe. “This book now has the answer to every single question you may have. Whether it be about your past, the past of the world, and any creatures you have and will come in contact with. It is my gift to you. Use it as you please. Your training on the other hand, I can teach you myself, or you can use the book. The choice is yours my daughter.” Athena slides the book across the table to Ally. 

            “Don’t call me that. You just met me less than an hour ago. I do appreciate you wanting to help but please call me by my name.” She places her hand on the book, and spins it around so it’s facing her properly.

            “Of course, Ally.” Athena’s eyes become sad, and hangs her head. “My apologies. If you’ll excuse me, I will do what I need to do and then I must be on my way.” Athena stands up, and moves towards the other side of the table. “You must ask me to provide you knowledge so I know that you are sound of mind.” She holds her hand out, waiting for her daughter to join her.

            Ally hands the book to Jack, takes a quick look at Lucas, and she walks over to Athena. Her hand floats above Athena’s in hesitation. “Is it going to hurt?”

            “That I do not know, for I have only done this once before, but it was to another Goddess. We do not feel pain the same as humans do. I’m sorry I can’t give you a clear answer. But no matter the pain you must not let go of my arm. Understood?” Athena still waits for Ally’s hand to meet hers.

            “Understood.” She takes a deep breath. “Please share your knowledge with me.” With a clap of their skin coming together, Athena begins a to speak a language Ally has never heard of. A white ribbon of light appears and swirls around their arms. After what she thinks to be the first five or six sentences, her hand begins to burn. It’s bearable, but it still hurts. Athena twists her arm so that hers is on top and Ally’s is on the bottom, as if she is pouring something into her. The moment that happens, Ally grips Athena’s arm tighter, and cries out in pain. The burning suddenly turns into what felt like knives and razors tearing her apart from the inside. “What’s happening to me!?” She looks into Athena’s eyes, with tears streaming down her face. This is unlike any pain she has ever felt before.

            “Patience Ally. This is almost over. You must hold on!” Athena tightens her grip, and uses her other hand to hold Ally up. What felt like hours was only a few minutes. Athena turned their arms straight again, said her final words and let go of Ally’s arm. Athena stumbled backwards and fell to the floor. Ally has fainted, and is lying face down on the ground. Jack runs to her and turns her over so he can put her head in his lap. 

            “Al? Ally, wake up!” He’s pushing the hair out of her face and he shakes her to try and get her to wake up. “Why isn’t she waking up?!” He pulls her in close, and looks to Athena. “What happened?”

            “I have shown her everything. From the questions of the world and its wisdom, down to the art of war and the best strategies to use while in combat with every individual creature and monster. It must have been a lot for her to process.” Athena stands up and brushes herself off. “I do not know how long she will be asleep for, so it’s best to make her comfortable.”

            Lucas stepped forward, and offered Athena a cloth to wipe her sweat away. “We will.” Athena gives a the boys a nod and turns towards the closet door. She pulls out a key from the bronze cuff on her left arm, and puts it into the lock of the door. She turns the key and a bright light shines from behind it. She opens the door and turns back to look at Ally, who is still asleep in Jack’s lap, and smiles. She brushes the hair out of her face and caresses her cheek.

            “I know you will keep your word. After all, this isn’t the first time you have saved my daughter, and I doubt it will be the last.” She set the cloth onto the table, and went to walk through the door. 

            “Wait!” Jack said. “How do we get ahold of you if we need you?”

            “She will know how.” With a comforting smile, she walked into the beam of light that had appeared from nowhere. The light faded after she closed the door, and Jack and Lucas sat in silence.

          Lucas cleared his throat and rubbed his hands over his eyes.“What in the hell just happened?”