I couldn't breath. I don't know why but mom had this rule to make me wear clothes that are size or two too small for me, but this is starting to get too far. Why do I have to be on a corset in a ball? What can I do wearing ill fitted concert? Stand stiffly and not eat?

Not that I could say anything back to her. Mom had her ways to make me shut up easily. Today I can't say anything because It's Hazel Jones's and his husbands last day in Ashphodea. Tomorrow they are flying to Elysia.

I have never understood the criteria of when people can get the ticket to Elysia. Only criteria to it that I've had heard is that you have to be a "Loyal and trusted citizen of Ashphodea", to get to Elysia. It isn't always true though. My mom is a great example of that. My mom has been an important part of Ashphodea since the beginning, since like the rebuilding of Ashphodea after the war started with Tartaros and the Gorgos. She is a loyal secretary to Mr mighty Perseus for many years. Why hasn't she left for Elysia? Maybe she's thinking of me.

Maybe I'm just sad. I already missed Hazel. When my mom was working late, I spent several nights with her and her husband. She told me stories about the beginning of Ashphodea, Gorgo attacks and Elysia. She told me about when the first Elysia ship went up in the space with the first patch of humans worth saving from dying earth. Group of people became a part of history.

"Andi, stand straight. This is a nice occasion. Respect Hazel's day." Mom straightened her dress a bit and pressed a smile on her face that looked like she practised it. I don't understand why I have to dress into an ugly dress and she can into a a beautiful white dress that looked the same as other clothes she usually wore. It looked like she could do anything wearing it. I couldn't do anything without my mom's help. My dress had this giant hem got stuck under my shoe after every step. I don't know should I blame the dress or me.

I walked wobbly up the grand stairs of city hall. I liked the city hall. It was a very old building, oldest in Ashphodea. Only thing as old is the city up the hill. Tartaros looked a lot like the city in architectural sense. If I said this out loud tough, everyone on Ashphodea would murder me. I like to look at Tartaros's walls and the lights that came from there. I just... I just wanted to know what was going on by purely scientific reasons. I like research.

Hazel was waiting at the door outside of the front door. Hazel smiled at everyone that walked past her. She asked how everyone was and took every compliment people gave her. Her greyish hair were in a beautiful braid that just made her look like the nicest person ever. I tried to remember her just like that.

I only noticed Hazels husband when I was right in front of Hazel. He tried to look invisible and he kind of succeeded in it. I don't know if I know his name. When I visited Hazel, he was usually at work or doing something. Well, he can be mysterious still and keep his secrets to Elysia.

"Andi, darling, you look so beautiful. Teal looks so cute on you." Hazel grabbed me and swinged me around couple of times so hard my shoes almost fell off. Older woman looked at me with up and down proudly. Well, at least Hazel liked the dress.

Before I had time to thank Hazel, mom silenced me as normal: "Thanks again about the dress. You really need to give it."

Mom spoke so like a diplomat, like she was in a work meeting and not a party for Hazel. Or maybe it was. This wouldn't the first time for mom.

"Oh, it was nothing. It's good to leave something for Andi too." I should be grateful. I hated myself for not being grateful. This dress was the last present from her. I bit my lip so much it bled red. "What do you think about the dress, Andi?"

"I- I love it, thank you." I avoided looking at Hazel.

Thankfully it was normal that I wasn't the center of attention that long. Spot light switched quickly to Louis Braun, the great Perseus, that came just at the right time behind me. He walked towards Hazel and kissed her hand. "Hazel, you look dazziling. I wish tomorrow would never come."

I have never liked Louis. He was technically mom's boss and one of the most influencal people in Ashphodea, only below gods, but he pretended he was best friend with everyone. Only person who isn't uncomfortable with his friendliness was mom, that worshipped the ground Louis walked on.

"You're not the only one", Hazel said laughing, but that laugh felt empty, '" But Louis dear, this is a goodbye party. Don't you have anything else wear?"

Louis's hair and beard were so long, I have no idea if he has ever cut them. When looking at that and his boring black tux, he looked like he didn't make any effort.

"I have been to so many of these parties, I don't know what else I could wear anymore." Louis laughed and turned to look at my mom. "But I will never mind people who will make an effort. I rather be an admirer than the admired." I didn't even need to look at my mom. I can feel the warm feeling between them.

"Thank-Thank you Louis. Hazel-" I tried to steer the conversation away from the fact that my mom wants his boss, but no-one listened to me as usual.

"Oh, that reminds me, Julie and I need to go. Olympos needs us." Louis grabbed my mom's hand. "Nothing to worry about. I just need all the hands to make sure you have the best party possible." Those words were like a fire under mom. She started to walk quickly with Louis inside the city hall.

Hazel tried to say something but was too late. I was kind of worried about her. On the outside at least she tried to look normal but something was wrong with her. "Andi darling, we need to stay here to say hi to guests. You should go inside. Youth group is already inside."

I walked inside, which was last thing I wanted to do. Because mom left, I had no one I should go to. I was the only teen in Ashphodea who isn't part of the Ashphodea's youth group. It's competitive and sporty group that is opposite of what I like. But, I can't make friends here without being part of the group because the group has weird vendetta towards people that aren't part of their little club. Well, you even wants to be with them?... Maybe people who didn't want to be alone.

Assembly hall was filled with laughter. There was something nice about goodbye parties, especially ones that are are balls. Angels and demons were dancing together, dramatic music in their background. I grabbed my own mask and put it on. It's weird, but i have never liked masks. Everyone else in Ashphodea loved them. They liked to hide behind anything, was it a mask or a code name. In goodbye parties, it was a tradition to get dressed as your code name but now days no-one does it, just like me.

As I looked around the hall, I noticed a familiar face in the crowd, someone who actually liked the attention. Neela Hayer-Grey looked like the whole party was for her. She glided through the hall happily, everyone in the room following her with their stares. If everyone else in the room were angels and demons, she was a goddess, an actual goddess. She was dressed in a two-piece dress that looked glimmering. She looked like the only one that wasn't hiding anything.

When Neela noticed me, she ran towards me and grabbed me by the arms: "Andi darling, you look too good for just standing around. You have to dance with me."

Before I had time to protest, Neela and were in the middle of the dance floor. Everyone who was looking Neela were looking for me too. I would be in full panic mode if I wasn't with Neela.

I tried to dance with Neela but it was akward. I wanted to say something but nothing came out of my mouth. I only got strenght to say something when I saw something in Neela's hand. It was a ring. "What- When did you- When?"

Neela stopped. She couldn't stop smiling. "You can't believe how happy I am. It was so romantic. Louis is so romantic."

I wanted to throw up. I didn't want to be reminded about the fact that Neela and Louis are together. I have many reasons why I didn't like their relationship. One of them was my mom and Louis's weird relationship. Other being that they were just creepy together.

In Ashphodea's politics, Neela was in a very weird position. Everyone knows that the "Gods" are our leaders, even tough not all of them are still alive. Neela's mom used to be Hades before her passing. Now Neela's brother is unofficially part of the gods, with Neela whispering orders to him any chance she gets. As Neela's mom was Louis's boss, Neela and Louis have known each other forever. Immiditely when Neela wasn't a child anymore, Neela and Louis started dating.

"Congrats! You- You-" I tried to give a compliment like a normal person, but I could't think of anything. " I love your outfit."

"Oh, thank you." Neela spun couple of time. "I know you don't like dressing up, but I love it. I look amazing." Neela posed dramatically, which made couple people around us to look at Neela.

At that moment, we heard someone tapping into the mic behind us. Right of opposite side of the hall was a giant stage where Louis was standing. Behind him was mom and an other woman I don't think I've seen before. This was a sign I needed to find my place.

I was sat next to Hazel. Mom was probably eating with gods and the people of Olympos, aka Ashphodea's goverment. I wasn't even allowed near them because mom didn't want me to be involved with them. Well, I liked my table anyways.

Table where Hazel Jones sat was the strangest group of people I have ever seen. If you exclude Hazel and her husband, who are by themselves a very odd couple, a guy next to me was very small, with glasses that covered half of his face. Woman next to him was covered in jewels. Las person on our table looked like he was pure muscle. I guess I am part of this group.

When I sat down, Louis started his speech: "Welcome everyone!"

The whole hall got silent in seconds. A giant screen appeared behind Louis that made his face too giant.

"Friends and family, We are here for a very important reason. Family of Jones, you have been a very important part of our community for many years. Without us, we would have lost to our enemies up the mountain years ago. We will be most thankful for you."

Everyone around us raised their glasses. I looked at Hazel. She looked tired.

"This party shows you how much you will be missed. Hopefully when you are up in Elysia, you remember this day and smile. You will be greatly missed." Glasses started clinking all around us. "To Jones family! Let this day be the first day of the rest of your life."

Everyone was in such a trance about the speech Louis was giving, no-one noticed a dark shadow that was creeping behind Louis. People started to scream when the figure pushed Louis from the stage and pointed a gun at him. All the people that tried to come help were stopped by dozens of people around the hall wielding the most peculiar weapons. Even in our table, the muscular man had two sparkling pistols.

Then, the hall's main entrance exploded.