"I'm afraid I've forgotten the rules," Chiron said, scratching his head. "What do I do if I get a plus four card?"
"Seriously? You just gave yourself away, Chiron!" Hestia chuckled.
"Ah, of course," Chiron said, smiling.
"So...." Lee started. "What happened?"
Chiron raised an eyebrow.
"Well, you're not here leaving your duties so you can play cards with us of all people," I said, smiling. "What happened?"
Chiron mumbled something about kids these days. He put down his cards. "It's... well, news."
It was my turn to raise an eyebrow at him. "What kind?"
Chiron's face darkened. The corners of his lips turned down. "I- I don't know."
Hestia's dark red eyes glowed brighter. "What happened, Chiron?"
"My Lady-" Chiron began.
Lee and I put our cards down, not caring about the game.
"The trio have found the children," Chiron said slowly.
"Yes!" Lee pumped his fist in the air, grinning. "I knew they could do it!"
"That's lovely news, Chiron!" I said, high-fiving Lee. "I don't see why you were trembling on your tail ends to say that!"
Hestia was smiling softly. "They are skilled heroes," she said. "I trust Grover's journey was better with having Adam and Theseus around him."
Chiron just watched all of us for a few more moments. "That wasn't the only news, my lady."
I swallowed. Chiron's tone was not normal this time. His voice was actually cracking. Lee and I turned to the centaur expectantly.
"Chiron..." Lee started.
"We received an Iris-Message from Theseus this morning," Chiron sighed. "He informed us that... Adam Worth is dead."
I choked on my own saliva. My eyes started to sting with tears.
"He died an honorable death yesterday night while fighting off some Cyclopes," Chiron continued, his eyes shining with tears.
Hestia's palms were glued to her mouth. "Adam...." she whispered, her red eyes changing shades every moment.
Chiron sniffed. "They will be bringing the body tonight as they return," he said, his voice barely even a whisper.
Lee's eyes crossed over. He just stared at the statue of Alexandra.
"Lee?" I said, shaking him.
"Lee!" Hestia called.
My eyes went wide.
Lee didn't budge. He just stared on, like he was having a seizure.
"Lee," I said softly, "it's okay. It's okay. Theseus will be back before you know it. I'm sure we can find a way for Adam."
"The body..." Lee responded.
"Shhh," Hestia said. "It's alright."
And his eyes sort of went calmer, I guess, but I was too busy trying to catch his head as he fell on his back.
"To the medical wing," Chiron said. "Now."
I don't remember what happened all the while. I remember carrying Lee to the Big House with Chiron and Hestia. I remember Michael Yew coming in with a supply of ambrosia and nectar. He asked us to stay away while he helped his brother in recovering.
And so there I was, standing in front of the Big House, in the rain.
Thunder crackled overhead.
"Your dad still angry, huh?" I asked Mr. D as he sat in the front porch, playing pinochle with some wind spirits.
Mr. D looked up. To my surprise, he answered back, "Guess he's a little tense right now."
I scoffed. "Yeah, sure."
Mr. D turned back to his game, and put down a card. "I think I win," he said.
The wind spirits put their cards down, and went back to their work.
I just stared at the god. I could almost feel my eye twitch. He didn't seem to care about the fact that one of the best swordsmen in the entire world had just died fighting a Cyclopes. He didn't care whether a camper had just had a seizure and was currently in the hospital wing. All he wanted was to get rid of us, or get himself rid from the camp.
"Game of pinochle?" Mr. D interrupted my angry thoughts.
"No, thanks," I snapped.
"Helps you get things of your mind," Mr. D said.
"I don't know how to play, and even if I did, I wouldn't," I said, scowling.
Mr. D leaned back on his chair, relaxing. "Fine. Stop standing in the rain and have a seat."
I stepped onto the porch and sat opposite Mr. D, who snapped his fingers. I was dry at once. "Thank you."
Mr. D nodded. "Anything on your mind?"
I sighed. "No."
Mr. D snorted. "That's a clear lie."
I rolled my eyes.
"You're worried."
"Yeah, no kidding."
Mr. D sighed. "The first time I saw you, Ariana, I knew what kind of a hero you are."
"What kind?"
"The most skeptical kind."
I stared at Mr. D. I didn't understand a thing he was saying, but I wanted him to go on.
"You doubt anyone and everyone around you. You lost trust in your father, your sister... and now you're afraid you'll lose trust in the woman who once helped you."
My reaction was only natural. Tears stung my eyes at once.
"You trust Theseus. You trusted Adam. And when you trust someone, you become too loyal to them. So loyal that you would die for them."
Mr. D was calm and composed, but his eyes shone with an emotion that I had never seen before in him.... sympathy.
"But I would like to ask you to consider this," he continued. "My sister Alexandra does not only protect heroes from terrible fates. She is also the goddess of sacrifice. Besides, who knows what the Fates held in stock for Adam if my sister hadn't interfered?"
"His death could've been worse, you say?" I asked.
Mr. D shrugged. "You never know. Alexandra always tries her best, though. I know so much."
"How?"
"Because she saved me, too."
Alexandra saved Mr. D? I.... I didn't know what to say to that. I looked away, staring at the rain. "A battle's coming."
"Yes."
I didn't want to think about it just yet. I wished we could go back to before Chiron had given us the news. "What'll happen?" I asked.
"I don't know," Mr. D said calmly. "But whatever does happen, we must learn to have a strong heart until the end."
"'We'?"
"Those who are skeptical and loyal," Mr. D said pointedly. "Sometimes our greatest strengths are also our greatest weaknesses, hmm?"
"Your fatal flaw is being skeptical and loyal?" I asked the god.
"Was," Mr. D said. "Or maybe it still is. I am skeptical of my family. But I am loyal to those I already trust."
We looked on at the rain for a few more minutes. "You trust Alexandra."
"Among others, yes," Mr. D said after a short pause.
I turned to Mr. D now. "I've read about you."
Mr. D's eyes narrowed. "Yes?"
"Do you think you'll ever get over it?"
"Hmm?"
"The death of Ampelos?"
Mr. D looked away this time. His eyes were gleaming. "Yes, I suppose I have," he said.
I looked at him, confused.
Mr. D turned back to me. "Getting over someone doesn't mean forgetting them," he said. "It means honoring the dead in your heart and learning from their mistakes with your mind."
I don't know what part of his small speech did the job, but I felt something stir in my mind. "Learn from their mistakes.... Cyclopes."
"Cyclopes," Mr. D confirmed.
I smiled a bit. "Thanks, Mr. D."
I looked up, but his face had gone back to being indifferent. "Shoo, demigod," Mr. D said. "I want to play pinochle in peace now. That's all you get for a pep talk."
I stood up from my chair and dashed through the heavy rain. "If fire doesn't kill Cyclopes, then what will?"
I entered Cabin Nine with a grin on my face.
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