My body started to ache and my body felt strained. I ran over to the hallway and saw Seth trying to open a ginormous cage.
Inside, was Khione laying lifeless on the floor.
I knew that I would be seeing my mother for the first time but I didn't imagine this. Her entire body lightly frozen over on the solid rock ground.
Seth tried to open the cage but it seemed he was having trouble. I took another look at Khione and I started to realize how much she looked like me.
I started to wonder how we could save her while she is frozen over.
I heard a loud crackle. I looked around our surroundings not seeing anyone. "Demigods," the thing spoke. "Her heart is frozen, there is no way you can save her without hurting yourselves. Just walk away."
"Not true!" I shouted. I felt a light breeze behind me and I turned around to nothing.
"Rital, I am close to getting this open, but make sure that monster isn't a problem." Seth said.
He continued to work as I walked out of the hallway to the opening. "Who are you?"
"You haven't figured it out yet? Well, I am Notus, God of the South Wind." Notus revealed himself as a tall forgive surrounded my heavy fog; therefore I could not be able to see him clearly.
"Why are you doing this?" I shouted desperately.
"For revenge on Boreas, my dear brother. I kidnapped his daughter!"
"Rital! The cage is open!" Seth shouted.
"Impossible!" Notus yelled. "Well, good luck trying to save her. You won't be able to! Ha! You lose!"
'What a child!' I thought.
Notus exited the cave and I ran to Seth and collapsed next to Khione.
I was surprised Notus left so easily and didn't attack me. But I didn't have time to worry about that. I held Khione in my embrace and pressed my forehead to hers.
"Rital," Seth said putting a hand on my shoulder. "I think she is gone."
"No, there has to be some way to save her... what do you know about frozen hearts?" I asked.
A tear rolled down my cheek. I didn't know why I was crying. She left my father and I when I was a newborn, giving me no mother figure to look up to. But she still gave birth to me, and she could have easily aborted me.
"Nothing much, we were never taught about them at camp. But think about movies, they use true loves kiss."
"Seth!" I slapped his arm. "This is serious. Those are fairy tales."
"There is one other way I know. But..."
"What is it?" I asked eagerly.
"It isn't safe for you to do."
"I don't care, what is it?"
"I am not telling you. It will be my fault if anything happens to you."
"Khione is a goddess, she will be able to help me."
"Okay... you have to absorb it."
"What? How?"
"Not sure." Seth shrugged. "Damn it! I shouldn't have told you that. You can't absorb a goddesses frozen heart without dying.
"Seth, I have to do this. Everyone depends on it." I uttered.
"Don't do it." He whimpered.
"It is either sparing me or protecting the entire well being of earth. There isn't much of a choice."
"There is always another way."
"Not this time."
I looked at him sincerely and glanced at Khione. I really didn't have a clue what would happen. But if this is my purpose, I will except it. There is not a better ending than sacrificing yourself for everyone else. Or saving your own mother.
My body was trembling from the fear built inside of me. I could really never come out of this cave alive. But I knew what I had to do, it was my turn to be a hero.
I positioned my hand on Khione's chest. At first nothing happened but ice and snow began to come up from her and made way into my chest. I continued and Seth stared at me with pleading eyes. "Rital! Stop! Your going to hurt yourself."
I could have easily withdrawn then, but I continued to absorb all the ice. More color began coming to Khione's cheeks making a small smile creep onto my lips.
"Rital please?! Stop!" Seth shouted.
I averted my eyes from his. "I'm sorry, I can't."
Another tear ran down my cheek knowing what was going to happen. My body was strained and I ached. I was finding it extremely hard to breathe and I knew I would soon be taking my last breathe.
I was so tempted to stop and let my body recover, but it was clear that I was almost done absorbing the frozen heart.
Seth started to cry besides me. I wanted to say something but I couldn't get any words to pass through my mouth.
I started wondering what it was like on the other side. I wondered if I would see my uncle, and if he would forgive me.
My mind soon went to everyone at camp and what there reaction would be knowing I was gone. Would they be happy? Or actually show sympathy?
I gave Seth one last look and our eyes locked. I took me last breath and gave him a desperate smile. "Goodbye Seth."
Like that, I was gone.