WARNING: Long chapter.
A new day begins as the sun slowly peaked through the clouds; snow finally stopped pouring, the landscape swamp with pillows of snow. Whereas Pollux, unaware of the time since he's still stuck at the bottom of this mysterious hidden room at the university; impatiently waiting for Asteria to wake up. He's still wondering what the hell was on that taser Tamitha launched at Asteria and got her into this state.
He sat pretty at the table where Asteria sat earlier, with his hands in his pocket seeking warmth. To kill some time, he recollected Tamitha's mesmerizing face and soft, tempting voice. Whatever timeline she's in, she still gets Pollux's attention even if she's not trying; simply because she's Anika Tamitha Hunter. The only girl he'll love for the rest of his existence. Those lovely smiles that make him want to kiss her and those familiar feelings of warmth he'd sense whenever he's near Tamitha.
He tightly closed his eyes as he imagines Tamitha in his arms, feeling Tamitha's warmth and flowery scent that constantly lingers on his nose. He swore to himself that the next time he sees Tamitha again, he'll give her the tightest hug he could ever give. That's how much he misses her.
A soft rustle interrupted his daydreaming. He quickly looked in Asteria's direction and stood up from the table, still hands in his pockets.
"Well, that took you a long time..." Pollux teased while walking close to the goddess.
"Shut up!" Asteria blurted. She tightly grasped at her hair because of the intense headache she's having. "What the hell did your girlfriend do to me?!" she scowled while trying to stand up.
Pollux let out a chuckle, making the goddess more pissed off, but Pollux's apathetic about it. He waited for her to recover completely—after all, she's a goddess, which was quite astonishing for Tamitha's invention to bring down a goddess easily.
"Why are you still here?" Asteria scoffed, still massaging her temple, and successfully leaned at the table for support, still shaken up.
"Tell me everything you know." The lad started with his voice filled with much authority, but he just earned a stifled laugh from the redhead goddess.
"I thought, 'prophecies are crap?'" Asteria air quoted to emphasize what Pollux said to her earlier. He just rolled his eyes at her and continued talking.
"Look, I don't have much time with your nonsense. If you don't want to tell me what you know, then solve your problem on your own—and I'm telling you this now; I'm not going down without a fight." His voice pierced through Asteria's system and made her gulped.
"All right, fine!" The goddess exclaimed when she saw the lad plodding away from the basement. She stood up properly and let out a deep sigh.
"W-What I said about Tamitha and Pearl is true. They're truly this generation's set of twins—I don't know whatever Zeus' up to,—and I genuinely don't understand why you're here too? And you have the amulet?! Why?!"
"What do you mean this generation's set of twins? D-Does that mean Tamitha's my sister?!"
Terror immediately registered in Pollux's face. Asteria, on the other hand, creased her forehead, completely flabbergasted with that statement. Pollux now looking back at her, completely invested in what she's saying.
"Each year, your father would try to create undeniably strong twins to help him defeat his enemies... unfortunately for your father; I would always foresee his plan, therefore each time he'll do this he always fails. And no, she's not your sister, don't worry. He would just do some spells to pass down his powers to those twins."
This time, it's now Pollux turns to crease his forehead, completely mind-blown with the information he's getting. A thought crossed his mind absent-mindedly as he harshly grabbed Asteria's hand and asked, "Are you fucking with me?" He gave her a blood-shot look agitating the goddess, tears almost escaping from her eyes because of the tight grasped Pollux doing into her hand which later on, left a big purple bruise on her hand.
"I told you, I'm not the enemy here! I'm telling the truth!" The goddess yelled as she yeeted her hands from Pollux's grasp.
When the realization hit him, he moved away from Asteria as he brushed away his hair away from his face. "S-So, father just brought us back here for his selfish reason?" The lad snapped.
"P-Probably, since you're the strongest twin, he has ever created..." The goddess agreed.
Frustration and betrayal prevailed on Pollux's feelings. He could not believe that he's only here because of his father's selfish reason—for all he knows was that he's here to save his brother and rewrite history about Castor's death. Then, that didn't content him and involved the person he loved the most. He won't let that happen, he'll do whatever it takes to save his brother and Tamitha from this.
"What can we do to prevent this from happening?" Pollux once again approached the goddess who's patiently waiting for him to recover.
"You wouldn't like this, but they indeed need to depart from this world..."
"No!" Pollux answered quickly that made Asteria jumped a bit. The lad rummaged through his thought, trying to remember something. Walking back and forth from this dusty, empty basement. "T-The amulet!" Pollux recalled. "The amulet eliminates any supernatural's power by saying t-the longing truth in their hearts... b-but they'll end up losing t-their memories."
Pollux sat next to Asteria at the table, feeling defeated. He just got the strength to be with Tamitha and now just to save her from getting involved in his father's wicked plan he needs to erase her memory... How great is that?
"G-give me three days..." He stammered. "Give me t-three days before I eliminate their powers."
Asteria looked at the lad hesitant to answer, she exhaled deeply, "Fine, but no more extensions, the day's nearing Pollux, the world needs our help."
He didn't waste any minute and hurriedly run out of this cold, empty basement. He checked his messages and saw Damon's message telling him that he left his car keys on the box in the storage room.
Pollux saw the pile of snow but he couldn't care less and just quickly headed to his car and started driving his way to the ranch. He desperately wants to be with Tamitha and he would not waste those three days he'll ever with her. He doesn't want to involve Tamitha here, therefore, as a result, they must never meet each other's path anymore after he eliminates her powers.
It just frustrates him that this was his father's plan all along—to cross paths with Tamitha so that the two-generation twins would help him battle his enemies. That's what he doesn't understand. He got a battalion of followers, so why seek help from a mere demigod.
As soon as he arrived at their ranch, he quickly asked Damon to step out so he could pitch him in with his plan: Damon's not on board with his plans, especially with all the secrets Pollux's planning to hide from Tamitha.
"I don't think eliminating her power would be much of a help Pollux, maybe it's better to just train her to use it so that she'll be in control of it," Damon suggested.
"No, Damon... that means she could end up battling with my Father's enemies. I would not allow her to sacrifice his life for my father's selfish intention."
"But don't you think your father's powers deteriorating? That's why he brought you up back here?" That made Pollux ponder, but what he does not understand; why does he have to include Tamitha in his plan? Like, he's already thinking about his brother's safety then now, he's thinking about Tamitha's safety too and he already went through this before and he does not want to make the same mistake again, that's why he'll do his best to keep Tamitha away from this chaos and focused on saving his brother.
His trail of thoughts got interrupted as soon as he heard those voices he's been longing for. There's something about Tamitha that calms and reassures Pollux in every situation he's in. And it fears him every time a thought of Tamitha battling with him, he can't imagine losing Tamitha once again.
He didn't waste another minute and just hugged her and just like that, those fears and worries disappeared. Just like magic, it's all gone. He's contented having her in his arms. But he knows that this would be just temporary because in three days he no longer does this stuff with her. He needs to face this upcoming war on his own.
Pollux tried his best to explain what's going on to them, without actually giving away the truth, although he's against revealing the truth to his brother. He knows Castor might help him with eliminating Pearl's power too. So, he released all the suppressed memories of Castor and it pains him to see his brother in that state he didn't want him to suffer but he needs him now.
"Anika, look at me. You have to calm down, alright? Take a deep breath for me, please, baby."
It pains him to see Tamitha in this state, but it needs to be done to help them sort this out. Even though he's kind of dubious about Asteria's prophecy, he can't deny the fact that she might indeed have something, so there's no better way to confirm it by seeking help with Tamitha's parents.
Finally, Tamitha calmed down and agreed to meet her parents, so they didn't miss any minute and quickly prepared to leave. Pollux promptly runs upstairs in his room to take a bath because he felt sticky because of all the dust and seat he gained exploring that peculiar hidden place.
He just grabbed a plain black shirt, comfortable jeans, a red sweater in case it got cold, and hop into his white air force shoes. He's kind of sleepy since he didn't get any sleep so he grabbed himself a cup of coffee while waiting for others.
When he arrived at their kitchen area, his brother, Castor who's cleaning up welcomed him, all dressed up; with his white long sleeves partnered with denim pants and white sneakers. Silence filled the room. He just shrugged it off and just prepared himself a cup of coffee.
As he grabs a mug from a cabinet, Castor finally spoke, "What's your plan?" Pollux opened up the coffeemaker and patiently waits for it to make him his coffee. He crossed his arms before directing his attention to his brother.
"What do you mean?"
"Why bring back my memories? When you didn't want me to be part of this? And why do you need to involve Tamitha's parents in this?!" Frustration was distinct in Castor's voice, earning a deep sigh from Pollux.
"You'll know soon..." Pollux replied shortly as he grabbed his cup of coffee and walked to the dining area to get himself two cubes of sugar for his coffee.
"I'm tired of being the person who's always left behind, P! Just tell me your plan for Pete's sake!" Castor's a ticking time bomb and with one more wrong answer from Pollux he'll probably burst out.
"Alright! Fine! But not here... not now." Pollux succumbed as he stared at his brother. Castor seemed to have got his brother's message and let it go for now.
Pollux hurriedly drank his coffee and wait for the girls at his car. Castor, determined to seek answers, followed by his brother. "What now?" Castor approached his brother, pissing Pollux off.
He stopped midway to his car and faced his brother. "According to Asteria, Tamitha and Asteria was a product of my father's plan. Turns out he brought us back here to team up with them to defeat his enemies." Pollux blankly stared at his brother as he explains what he discovered.
"Now, I wanted to check if any of this is true and I think Anika's parents could give us that answer."
"Then?" Castor still seeking more information with his arms crossed and creased forehead. Pollux exhaled, completely given up, and just gave him the answer he wanted to hear.
"If they are indeed twins, I need to stop them from getting involved. With the use of the amulet, I could eliminate their supernatural powers and live off as normal human beings but t-their... but their memories would vanish. They would not know our existence." a big lump on Pollux's throat impede him from speaking more.
Castor took a step back, completely astonished at what he just heard. He wanted to say something but his mouth remained hanged open. "Say nothing about this to the girls they would not approve of this, but this needs to be done, Castor. Whether or not we want this to happen. We have to protect them." Pollux grabbed his brother's shoulder as he says those words. Castor could only look at his brother's eyes and nod at him, still in disbelief.
They instantly act normal when they saw the two ladies approaching them. Pollux, act swiftly and went near Tamitha's side and gave her a sweet peck on her forehead. They got inside the car; Castor sat in the driver's seat while Pearl gave the lovers more time with each other, so she sat on the passenger's seat so the two would seat at the back.
Castor kind of against it, but he doesn't have much of a choice anymore. He just drove carefully to their destination. Damon went back to the university and left them with this assignment.
It was a one-hour drive and Pollux cherished every moment with Tamitha, and the lass is not complaining about it. She loves this sweet and clingy side of Pollux. It was a smooth ride and the next thing they know they were already there.
They quickly got out of the car and approached the two-story house in front of them. It's made of bricks that made the facade look rusty and old but as soon as you entered the place, they're greeted by a contemporary modern home complementing every material visible in the room.
"Mom, Dad! I missed you!" Tamitha excitedly greeted them as they welcomed her with a warm hug. Pearl jumps next to them earning a laugh from the parents. After that fun reunion, Tamitha introduced the twins to her parents as they excitedly greeted them.
"You should have told us you're going to visit. We could have prepared something for you guys!" Terra Hunter, Tamitha's mother, blurted out.
"So, what brought you guys here?" Theo Hunter, Tamitha's father, turns to ask questions. While Tamitha's in his arms. The mood quickly changed when they remembered why they were here in the first place.
"Why don't we have some lunch first?! I'm starving!" Pearl diverted as she massaged her stomach to express her hunger. She earned a laugh from the parents. They agreed and immediately prepared lunch for them.
While they are all busy, the twins looked around the house; they noticed that most of their photos were with Pearl. That speaks a lot for Pollux but what he can't contemplate is why were they only introduced as best friends? Why get rid of the other twin but kept them close? That just does not sit right with Pollux.
He needs to settle this once and for all. For all of their peace of mind.
The couple prepared garlic braised short ribs along with the vegetables prepared by the girls. They had a savory lunch and a quick catch-up. Then, the time has finally come, they'll ask the truth about Tamitha and Pearl.
"Mom..." Tamitha started, gathered at the living area sitting comfortably at their Gray McElhaney 70.1 Round Arm Sofa. "Mom... I-I, Are we—Pollux I don't know how to do this..." Tamitha cried as he seeks help from him, the lad approached him and grabbed her hands to calm her.
"W-What's wrong hon? You're scaring us." Terra worriedly grabbed her daughter.
"Am I your child?" Pearl straight off blurted out, earning a surprised look at every person in the room. "W-What?" Theo can't look straight into Pearl's eyes. "A-Am I your child?" Pearl said once more, but this time it has more conviction and almost on the brink of tears.
Terra suddenly burst into tears, Theo quickly approached his wife and comforted her. That reaction pretty much answered away. The room pervaded a lot of emotion. The lads genuinely don't know what to do, but they tried their best to comfort Tamitha and Pearl.
"W-why?" Pearl cried in agony as she grasped her clothes. Her heart was in excruciating pain.
"I-I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry..." Terra approached Pearl to hug her as she begs for forgiveness. Tamitha approached them as well and hugged her best friend.
"Believe us, we didn't want this to happen. We're very sorry my Adia Tamara–"
"No! Stop!" Pearl screamed and stormed off into the house. Castor quickly followed her. "W-Why didn't you tell us, mom?" Tamitha cried, sounded so disappointed, and abruptly followed her best friend, which now turns out to be her sister.
The couple left completely heartbroken seeing their daughters walked away from them. "Just give them some time to think this through Mrs. Hunter, it was too much for them." Pollux comforted. He let his brother do the comforting while he stayed here to fish for more information.
He slowly approached the couple who's sitting on their couch miserably crying because of what happened. Pollux tried composing sentences into his thoughts, but he can't seem to find the right words to say what he wanted to ask without actually offending the couple.
"Uhm, I don't k-know, the better words to say this... but why—I mean, what was your r-reason?" He can't help but stutter because he didn't want to force the two to answer but he desperately needs their reason now.
The couple gaped at him as they sobbed, "Z-Zeus..." Theo started. Pollux automatically creased his forehead just by hearing his father's name as his nose flared. He can't believe that his father got everything planned.
"Zeus ordered us to separate the twins and see if their powers would work its way to find e-each other," Terra explained.
"O-Of course, we were skeptical about it and did not understand what he meant until Adia—I m-mean P-Pearl kept getting sick, especially when she's around Tamitha. Out of fear, she's still a baby—our baby—we sent her to a secluded hospital to help her with her health but she's not getting any better until they pronounced her death..." Theo had a hard time recollecting the past, Terra held her husband's hand for comfort.
"Y-Your father approached us once again and helped –"
"H-How did you know I'm his s-son?" Pollux's eyes widen, surprised at what Terra stated. Terra gave her a small smile before proceeding with her story.
"Your father told us, that P-Pearl could not survive with the power he has given her, and that Tamitha's sipping the power out of her sister m-making Pearl way weaker. With that, we understood the purpose of why we need to separate the two. Your father then gave Pearl another chance to live. That's why we got no choice but to hide the truth from them; we're afraid to lose any of them again, P-Pollux. Now, that they know about this, what's going to happen to them?" Terra cried once more, worried for her daughters' safety.
Pollux explained his plan, where he would erase their memories to save them from getting involved in the upcoming war. Of course, like what Damon said, they're leaning towards teaching the twins to use their powers instead. But in the end, Pollux still convinced the couple with his plan. But the couple still wants to reveal the truth about the twins after erasing their memories, but of course, leaving the supernatural part.
When they got things finally settled, Pollux bid his farewell, then hurriedly went out of the room to catch up with Tamitha and his brother. He won't waste another time, for he's determined to make use of every minute of their remaining days together.
"Wait for me, my Anika..."