Where The Dead Ones Go Book 2 -Republic-

Chapter 8

"Now that's what I like in a man. The one who will spend so much for his beloved without batting an eyelash," the daughter of Athena announced approvingly at Morris. He bid Eight Hundred Million Drachmas for the lotus staff.

As expected, nobody dared to one-up the price offered by my cousin. The staff was awarded to him relatively quickly.

"Well, the only reason I can do that is that it is not my money which I am using, and I don't have a single cent of Drachma on my name," Morris said as he entrusted the staff to Gala and Eonia and ask the two to give them to Avesa later.

"Nonsense, can I look at the card that Irene gave you, Vivet?"

I looked at Ms Lunalla and nodded as I gave her my own black card from my handbag, which she touched and feel with her fingers the embossed letters there.

"Irene Iridis or Vivet Vivier. I am sure the card that Morris here is using is identical to this one, hmm?" the son of Thanatos nodded. Ms Lunalla giggled a little before returning the card to me, "If that's the case, the money you are spending is yours as well. I never imagined that the most frugal and money-centric woman I ever know in my life is willing to share her finances with others. But then again, it only shows how much she treated you two as her own. This means that her money is yours as well when all has been said and done."

"Irene Iridis, the self-made multibillionaire and one of the most wealthy women in the world. Her wealth is so much, it is said that she can support the whole viceroyalty's expenses for a decade easily," Gala said as she looked at Morris and me, "I always admired Zenith's mother when it comes to politics. Still, she told me that if I wanted to learn more about economics, I should beg your foster mother to teach me."

I laughed a little and nodded, "When it comes to making money, I can personally tell you that Ms Irene can definitely squeeze money in just about anything."

"Oh, I do know what you mean, Vivet," Ms Lunalla said happily as she looked around, "Well, now that we are onto the last stages of the auction. I wonder if the rumors are true?"

We all looked at Selene's daughter, who closed her eyes as if trying to sense something.

"Rumors?"

She nodded at Morris, "Yes. It is said that an absolutely rare item of wonderous and unknown origin will be auctioned tonight."

"So that is why they are letting us get the items earlier. They are saving their money for the best," I said quietly that made Taurei's foster mother nod in agreement.

"Quite so, Vivet. But I am inquisitive as to what that certain item is. I can feel the aura of it. It is something compelling, and one of a kind, and I asked Eonia and Gala to escort me here so we can see and feel for ourselves what it really is."

To our surprise, the lights suddenly dimmed as the auctioneer bowed respectfully and stepped back to reveal the final item that is draped in expensive white velvet.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have arrived at the final item for bidding tonight. As they all say, save the best for last. May I present to you all a wondrous item to which no immortal has ever laid claim. It was found at the far outskirts of the Republic of Anoixi more than a year ago by a border guard out on patrol. He then gave it to the government for safekeeping. Now, this marvelous thing can be yours with a starting bidding price at One Billion Drachmas! Remember, all proceeds will go straight to charity!"

He then removed the cover, and what we saw is really one of a kind.

I don't know if words can do justice to describe what is floating inside the glass box.

A single, pure, and pristine silver feather is glowing softly with indescribable power that I feel is older than the Olympians themselves.

"I don't know who the heck owns that, Vivet. But what I do know is that it is owned by someone as old as our parents."

"Yes, Morris. I recognize that suffocating yet awe-inspiring power. A primordial force of nature."

"Five Billion Drachmas!"

"No! Seven!"

"Eight!"

"Ten for the feather!"

The bidding quickly escalated higher and higher, but what gets our attention is Kairos, who is now just staring at the feather as if he is hypnotized by it.

"Kairos? Are you all right?" Eonia asked loudly as he refuses to even budge when she shakes her.

The daughter of Athena slapped him, but he didn't even react at all.

"That feather..."

"What is with that feather, bro?" Morris asked worriedly as he shakes our guard's shoulders to no avail, "Come on, man. What of it?"

Kairos suddenly pulled out his wallet and opened it in panic, "No! No, no, no, I don't have any money on me. No, it is so expensive, it will be lost to me if this continues. His Excellency doesn't have that much..."

"One Hundred Billion for the feather!"

"Make that One Hundred and Twenty Billion!"

"One Hundred Fifty Billion Drachmas!"

"Excuse me, I have the C.E.O of the Iris Delivery Service on the other line wanting to speak urgently to Ms Vivet Vivier or Mr Morris Mortheo?"

We looked around and saw the valet carrying a phone in his gloved hands.

"Take it, Vivet. I have to look after Kairos here."

"Keep him safe, Morris."

"I will."

I stepped forward and held out my hand as he gave me the phone before I took a deep breath and steel myself before talking.

"How can I be of service, Ms Irene?"

"What in Gearth are you doing, Vivet?!"

"Ms Irene?"

"Why are you not bidding for that feather?!"

Before I can even answer her, the auctioneer already announced the bid's current price, "Three Hundred Billion Drachmas for the feather! We are breaking record here now, Ladies and Gentlemen!"

"Ms Irene, its already Three Hundred Billion Drachmas..."

"Silly girl! Of course, I know! I am watching it live right now at home! But you didn't answer my question, why are you two not bidding? Is there a problem with our cards?"

"No, but..."

"What, but?! Vivet, why are such a mumbling fool right now?! What did Atomo do to you that made you act so indecisive?! I gave you the means to bid, so bid!"

"Ms Irene, I..."

"Listen here, Vivet. I want my mother's name to be in history as the most fabulous goddess there is, which is my only chance to do that. You two heard her story, you two are the children of the ones who uplifted her, and they know her worth. Now, I will ask you two right and now, and I am saying you two because I am aware that you and Morris are mentally connected. Tell me, do you two know my worth?"

Before I can even think of an answer, the line was cut off, and I handed the phone to the waiting valet.

"Vivet..."

I looked at Morris, who is trying to calm down the already crying son of Khronos in the lap of Ms Selene as Gala and Eonia are observing the bidding that finally breached Four Hundred Million.

"How much is our foster mother worth, Morris?"

"Probably even more than we can possibly dream of, and we can dream that's for sure, Vivet."

I started walking at the edge of the balcony for the first time and took a deep breath.

"One Trillion Drachmas for Iris Delivery Service!"

Even the auctioneer blinked at me as if he can't believe what I just said as everyone fell silent when they heard my voice.

"My Lady?"

"One Trillion Drachmas for the feather to be paid for by Iris Delivery Service!"

"One Trillion Drachmas for the feather! Any counter offers?"

No one even dared to say a word at all.

"Going once!"

Silence...

"Going twice!"

Even more deafening silence...

"Sold!"

Our class president and vice president heaved a sigh of relief as they look at me expectantly.

"Take it, Morris," I ordered my cousin, who disappeared from instantly and appeared suddenly behind the glass case containing the feather. The auctioneer, who is still in disbelief, swiped his card before handing it over carefully and bowing respectfully.

The son of Thanatos then carefully cradled the case, and he disappeared once more before reappearing beside me.

"I already have it, Vivet."

I looked at Kairos, who is just staring at the feather as if his very existence depends on it. I took the case from Morris and kneeled in front of our companion as I smiled and offered it to him.

"Take it, Kairos..."

"But I don't have any money to pay for it..."

"No payment required, Kairos. Think of it as my gift to you..."

"I..."

I placed it carefully on his lap as he slowly cradled it in his arms and started crying continuously.

"Thank you..."

Ms Lunalla patted the head of Kairos and nodded, "This feather belongs to him. Their auras are one and the same."

"Now that is one way of securing your future, Eonia."

I looked up and saw our class leaders giggling at each other.

"You bet, Gala. Now, I think we won the bet with Syden. You too, right, Morris?"

My cousin nodded and laughed out loud as the lights returned, and the auction came to a close, "Oh, yes, and you bet I will collect it from him myself."

"I seriously don't know what you three are talking about, but it's time to head home," I said curtly as me, and Ms Lunalla helped Kairos stand up carefully, "Call the president, Morris. Tell him to bring Jeeves, Seola, and Tina. I doubt we can take him home without them."

My cousin quickly followed orders as he called the presidential security detail to relay my directives as I bid my classmates and the foster mother of Taurei goodbye after they made sure that Kairos can walk on his own.

He is still quiet and just staring at the glowing feather that is now emitting a beautiful and pale silvery light as if rejoicing to be reunited with its one valid owner.

-0-

"Master Atomo, this is the remotest and safest place away from the population that I know of," the butler said as we looked around at the vast meadow around us an hour away from the capital city, "I highly doubt anyone is living here. This place is part of a nature reserve."

"And the security details?"

"All sent home, Master," Seola answered respectfully.

Tina nodded and heaved a sigh of relief, "There are only six of us here, Master Atomo. No one will be any wiser even if we detonate a bomb here."

"You heard that, Kairos? Unless you wanted us to leave as well, then just say the word."

His son shook his head as he began walking away from us towards the meadow's center, holding the case containing the single silver feather.

When he stopped walking, he carefully put down what he is holding and began taking off his suit until he is shirtless and what Morris and I saw surprised us.

Two large gashes still bleeding behind his back can be seen clearly thanks to the full moon's bright light above us.

"Oh, Young Master," Seola whispered as she and Tina cried at each other's arms.

"He has been enduring the pain for so long, can this finally be the end of it?" the butler asked hopefully his master, who just looked at me and inclined his head sadly.

"As they all say, only time can tell, Jeeves. Or rather, only he can tell..."

His son kneeled and removed the protective glass casing and carefully let the feather hover in his palms. He slowly stood up and raised his hands up and let the feather levitate above him.

I don't know how long we have waited in silence until all the hair in my body was raised, and Morris experienced the same.

"Vivet, this is bad!"

"The mortals will not survive, Morris!"

"Not if you protect them!"

I nodded, and the two maids screamed as I suddenly knelt in pain as my white wings burst forth from my back, ripping the beautiful and expensive gown that Ms Irene picked personally for me.

Morris groaned in pain as well as his own black majestic wings erupted from his back and tearing his black suit apart, leaving him shiftless before he summoned his scythe from the darkness. I followed suit when my mayflies produced my staff as I use it to stand up once more and balance myself.

"Time..."

"Vivet!" Morris screamed as the single silver feather suddenly exploded in a new and primal power with so much force, the trees around us are forced to bend close to breaking.

"Elpis: Benevolent Shield!"

The mayflies began conglomerating and forming my mother's barrier made of light, but I don't think it can make it in time.

No...

Not if it's against time itself.

Before it can ultimately form a dome around us, the barrier shattered after the feather pulsed once more. It began to multiply suddenly into countless pieces encircling Kairos, who is now levitating at their center.

"Vivet, you must!" Morris begged me as he pointed at Mr Atomo and the household being exhausted by the unknown force, and if I don't do something, they will die.

"Elpis: Pandora's Phitos!"

The moment I uttered those words, I knew I have just used what could possibly one of if not the most potent power, my mother can ever bestow upon me as I felt that my body, no, my very being is being drained of life force slowly as a gigantic jar made of ethereal golden light appeared and quickly encased us inside, ultimately protecting us five as it stands against the primordial wave of power continuously battering us with its indescribable might.

"Young Master!" Jeeves shouted as he pointed above, and we all gasped when we saw Kairos being entirely covered by the silver glowing feathers in a protective sphere.

"Vivet, I know you have just used most of your strength earlier, but I am afraid you have to do a little bit more if we are to survive what is to come..."

I closed my eyes as I try to catch my breath and hang on my staff to keep me barely standing as my knees are starting to buckle and weaken.

"Benevolent mother, goddess of hope, give me the strength needed to protect those I hold dear..."