I opened my eyes, seeing the bright florescent lights of the infirmary I felt a surge of relief. Once my eyes adjusted I looked around and I was shocked at what I saw, I saw Emma next to me. I didn't say a word, her head was down asleep. I just looked ather and cried silently. I was so happy to see her, she looked as beautiful as ever. I just kept staring at her, she eventually picked her head up and I almost drew back from her. Her eyes, the same eyes that once had a radiant sparkle were now dead. No more shine and happiness in her eyes, her eyes were dead. There was no happiness, her eyes looked sad and lonely. But I expected nothing different, she was held captive for two years.
"Hey…" I said. I didn't know what to say to her, I felt like I should apologize for taking so long but before I could she reached up and grabbed me. She pulled herself onto my bed and wrapped her arms around my neck, and just started to cry. I didnt even think, I just held her. She cried into my arms for hours, when her tears finally dried up she just looked at me. I was dreading asking this question,
"What happened to you?" I asked, I knew I should have waited so I tried to take it back.
"I mean, you can talk when you're ready but I just want to help you through it.." Before I could continue she placed her finger on my lips, an obvious sign to shut up. Then she spoke,
"He tortured me… he raped me… all his monster allies… defiled me…. He said he loved me… he kept me prisoner… he beat me if I didn't make love to him…" She stated quietly.
"Please stop, I've heard enough." I said, I could feel my rage beginning to boil. I looked at her and she looked scared, she thought I was gonna hit her. I knew that Thesus wasn't himself, but I couldn't tell her that, at least not yet. I grabbed her face and caressed it, I had to get her mind back on track from all the trauma. I knew that the giants were responsible for making Thesus do this to her, I will kill them. I vowed that as soon as I heard what she said.
"I want to ask you something.." She said, her body shaking.
"Yeah?" I asked, fearing the question.
"Why… Why did you take so damn long…" She asked, her voice shaky.
"I'm sorry.. I was so focused on getting you back I didn't think, I couldn't think straight until the plan was set in stone. I can't apologize enough." I began, She cut me off.
"I don't care, I'm just happy i'm home…" She said shakily.
"I want you to help me, get back to the way i was… before.." She said.
"Of course, I will do whatever it takes." I said. I looked down at her, the small, weak person I saw was nowhere near the person I knew back then. She buried her face into my shirt, and just stayed there. I placed my hand on her head and fell asleep.
Hours later
I slowly awoke from sleep that I desperately needed to find Marco talking to Emma a few feet away from my bed. I just watched them, I knew Marco was like a little brother to Emma so I knew they'd be happy to see each other. Her eyes were filled with tears and sadness as she expressed her happiness to see him. They hugged each other,
"Josh was so worried about you, his sole focus was strengthening the army, and himself to get you back." Marco stammered,
"I was the one who could actually keep up with him, i don't think you get how much you mean to the two of us. You're like my big sister.." He said. He hushed his voice when he spoke,
"Did you hear what Josh did during the battle?" He asked.
"No.." She stammered. Then he went through all the gruesome details of how I killed Thesus and then completely destroyed the enemy camp, I watched her face go from disgusted to horror and back again. With each expression my heart sank further and further, I was so focused on getting her back I didn't care who I killed or hurt. Now that I have her back I knew I wasn't in the right place at the time, I felt a mountain of guilt on my shoulders.
"I didn't think of anything else other than getting you back." I said. They just looked at me, saying nothing. They walked over to me and sat on my bed, one on each side.
"Now that we're back together, we need to win this war." Marco said.
"I agree." I replied. "That's gonna be hard, they have raised more giants…." Emma said shakily.
"We would need the help of the gods…" She said quietly.
"Well then well just go to olympus and make the gods see why they need to help us." I replied, trying to be optimistic.
"I heard one word that can define the balance in this war….typhoon." Emma's voice shook at that word. I realized who the typhoon was, the bringer of destruction, who was the embodiment of a storm. I shook, getting the thought out of my head.
"It'll take all the gods to beat him, if he does rise they won't help us." She said, her voice sounding confident.
"yeah , he is the father of all monsters after all." Marco added.
"So we'd need something to help the gods with him so they have the advantage…" I pondered Then it hit me,
"What if we use the greek hero's of old to help us in battle, that way we'd have an advantage." I said. They looked from me to each other and back again,
"That could work…" Marco said thoughtfully. Emma remained silent however, I couldn't read her facial expressions.
"But we need a backup plan in case that doesn't work," Marco continued.
"Yeah your right.." I replied.
"I could ask my father for help," I said. I hadn't talked to him in two years, I doubt if he's even watching.
"That could work too." Marco said.
"Why don't we do both? You look up ways for the first option, and I'll see if I can reach dear ol dad." I said.
"Emma can stay with me for now." I said, patting her shoulder.
"Alright, ill clue Borus in on our plans and all that." Marco said as he walked out of the room.
"Why were you so quiet?" I asked. She didn't respond, I knew she was going through a tough time so I said,
"If you want I can move over some so you can sleep." She slowly nodded yes. So I moved over and she curled up in a ball next to me, I looked at her for a second then I turned away. I couldn't imagine what they had done to her over there, I was going to make sure that it never happened again. I sat up, crossed my legs and began to pray to my father.
"Hello my son, long time." My father replied to my prayers. I opened my eyes to see him standing there, shadowy as ever.
"Hello father." I replied.
"What seems to be the problem child?" He asked. Then I told him everything that had happened over the last two years up to today, absolutely everything.
"It is alright my son, your hardest test is yet to come. I will send some of your brothers and sisters to help you, but they must be convinced. They respect strength most of all, not just honest words but honest actions too." He said, pausing a moment.
"I'm afraid that is all the help I can offer you, but do not fear. For I am always watching you." He said, then I saw a smile grow across his face.
"Thank you father.." I said, holding back emotions.
"I love you, my son." He said, then he vanished into darkness. I opened my eyes into the real world, and I rapidly gathered my thoughts and what I would need to greet my godly family. I placed a blanket over Emma and let her sleep, I watched in silence for a few minutes. Just stared at her. I steeled my nerves and walked out of the room, I knew now the real work had just begun.