Chapter fifty

It had been that easy to end the miserable life she had become used to enduring. Talia didn't know what she was to do next. Say her final goodbyes to her friends and acquaintances or just make a run for it while she still could? Looking at the sealed letter she had penned to Denys, She briefly considered giving it to him herself. It would be awkward. She would be the backstabber and she just could not stand to see the people she cared about to be hurt by her. Solomon had no idea she would be going by her gamble tonight. Knowing the werewolf, Talia suspected he wanted the dust about her personal convictions and her father's timely arrival to settle before he spoke to her. She had discreetly handed her goodbye note to one of his werewolf buddies to give to him once the rose. Denys had no friends, at least no one she knew. She had planned to slip the note into his bedroom using magic but she feared he would find it before she was long gone and come for her potentially crashing his chances of lifting the trident and making Persephone twice as mad. It was what made her hesitate.

"Is something wrong?" Persephone asked, slapping the book of life shut and returning it deep in her chambers.

"No," Talia said, crumpling the paper in her hand slightly as she fought with her anxiety. "How do I leave?"

"You have tried escaping before, Haven't you?" It was not much of a question. It was crystal clear that the goddess knew. The goddess strode over to her side and gently snatched the paper from Talia's trembling hands. She opened it and took a brief look. "A letter to my son... Heartwarming but you should know he cannot get this. Not with the catastrophic atmosphere fuming this castle walls. However, I will hand it over to him if there is good news. The best thing you should now is run. Run to your mother Talia. Run to the life you used to know."

Acknowledging the goddess' urge, Talia broke into a run. Her heart hammered against her chest and her breath quickened as she whooshed past every door of the room that lead her one step closer to the outside walls. Soon, her feet were touching the raw earthy feel of the muddy earth deep under. A little while ago, the idea of a young woman running so far and fast past the streets of the cold village would be repulsing and worrisome to many but Talia relished at the prospect. It was like her feet were made to travel at speed and as light as the hooves of a spirited gazelle. Breathing steady and heart strong as she continued to sprint further and further out of civilization-a journey that took hours but not once did she stop. No one detested freedom.

As Talia approached the beautiful wall of clear water which barricaded her freedom, she thought of Denys, She thought of Solomon and the strangest, She thought of Sybil. They were strong and true emotions but it was not enough for her to turn back. Tomorrow, she was turning eighteen and her little girl dream was to see her mother bake truffle cakes. Nothing could beat that.

She fell in and indeed, Persephone had kept her word. The water accepted her. A warm sensation like heat engulfed Talia and her body instantly lit up with ethereal bright blue flames. She propelled her body forward, defying gravity and gliding in the blue until her saline-soaked skin finally felt the harsh touch of the first realm morning sun.

It was real. Talia could hardly comprehend seeing sturdy trees and chirping birds in the distance. She had become so accustomed to the world where fishes dominated the skies, she forgot how beautiful life here actually was. As she swam along the rocky shores thinking about her little village, her line of sight caught the view of a woman with black hair with white streaks, porcelain skin and rouge lips. The woman's eyes were puffy red and she seemed shocked to see life literally fly out of the water. Talia seemed to go static. She would recognize this Fae anywhere.

"Mom?"

***
Persephone reopened the account of the Trueborn bloodline.

"Talia Trueborn..." The goddess wished it was easier. The girl did deserve more but she didn't have a choice. She had been petrified when the demigod agreed to her conditions for freedom and so close to the trident wielding competition. Did the sisters of fate actually believe she would just let her go? Persephone eyes darted across the room to the seemingly harmless rose gold metallic mirror she had used to perpetrate the act.

"It is okay sweetie. You did what you had to do for the greater good." Poseidon's apparition pacified.

Of course, she couldn't kill Talia. The demigod had chosen such an auspicious time to take her freedom. With her word now in consideration, there was really nothing she could do other than trap the girl in the relic of the forgotten. That would give her enough time to figure out what to do with the girl. While the gloomy news pulled her down, there was a silver lining. Denys was sure to wield the trident.

"I think our boy will finally do it. He will wield that trident and become the King he was always meant to be."

"That is good news Persephone but if the prophecy is going just as planned. Don't you think you might be playing a part in fulfilling the prophecy?"

The apparition spoke her mind. He was only a reflection of her thoughts after all. But Persephone had this covered even if it was just for a short while. She had at least given the girl what she craved the most, It was the main reason the demigod could not stay according to letter.

"I doubt she will be finding out anytime soon that it's all rose-colored glasses. Even if she does find out, there are some realities we would rather not face."

Morning came fast. The sunrise illuminated the midnight blue sky as if it were igniting the most perfect flame. Soon, the nobles would be around to witness the herald of the next god of the sea. Persephone was about to order a warm bath when a soft knock disrupted her daydreams.

"Your Grace," The voice sent. "You have a letter from mount Olympus."

Mount Olympus? Persephone had a very pessimistic view about anything relating to the first realm but during a well considered afterthought, She had cause to believe it was just Zeus sending his blessings, or perhaps it had something to do with Orion.

"Come in.' She commanded.

The guard pranced inside, handing over the letter with an exaggerated bow. Persephone took a quick look at the rolled-up letter, sighting the imperial seal and immediately recognizing it as a formal.

"Inform the servants to bring over my bath." She told the anxious guard right before brushing him off to deliver her message.

Once the door was shut, Persephone broke the royal seal and read;

"It has come to the ears of the first realm that the second realm is in a state of disarray following the unexpected release of the high-ranking demon, Lilith. To protect our people who are currently honorary citizens of the second realm and ensure the surviving Prince does not suffer an attack worse from the hands of Hades or share a fate similar to his brother. His Imperial Majesty will be present at the trident lifting competition with his high ranking soldiers to prevent a colossal catastrophe from occurring."

Persephone crumpled the paper in a fit of blind rage. Not many people knew of the incident and Persephone knew her court was fiercely loyal to her cause even if they rarely agreed on her many ideologies. No one would rat her out to Hades. Knowing the kind of people around her, there was only one person who would go this far for her selfish goals. Yemoja did this. Persephone could easily spell out her goal. If Zeus was present at the competition, there would be some kind of media coverage. Yemoja planned to seal her victory on camera but she was gravely mistaken to count her chickens before they hatched. Denys was winning this. It was the one thing Persephone was dead certain of.