Something shattered, and it wasn't just the necklace Demetrius crushed in front of me.

I didn't know what it was exactly but. . . I felt something break loose. Something that was caged for a very long time. Something that was waiting for someone to free it from its chains.

Something. . .

Powerful.

The green dome surrounding us expanded, pushing Zeus and Poseidon away before disappearing into thin air. Raymond and Eloise stood up, looking around in confusion.

"What just happened?" Raymond said, gazing at the two boys who were collecting themselves from the unexpected 'attack'.

I slowly put my hands down, looking at them like they didn't belong to me. As I closed them into fists, a strange tingling sensation passed through my arms, and for a second, I thought I saw my hands glow a tinge of green.

Weird.

"Look out!"

Someone tackled me from behind just before a rod of lightning flew over us.

Groaning, I rolled over to see Eloise getting up from the ground. Pulling the string of her bow, the Artifact glowed and silver arrows appeared. She let go of the string and the arrows flew towards Zeus and Poseidon.

She glanced at me. "Get yourself up and stay focused."

Before I could say a word, she sprinted away as water projectiles came to her. I scrambled myself up and summoned a small barrier as a shield from incoming attacks.

The two brothers were both occupied with fighting against Eloise and Raymond. The latter were having a hard time defending themselves, especially against Zeus's fast lightning. I took a step forward but then hesitated, unsure of what action to take.

I took a deep breath. . .

Focus. Keep calm. You'll know what to do.

. . . then ran.

The moment Poseidon noticed me, he tore his attention from Raymond and hurled spears of water in my direction. The spears hit the barrier but barely made a scratch on its surface, making me continue on my way.

As soon as I got close enough, I made my barrier disappear in a snap then conjured another one but it surrounded Poseidon instead.

He banged his fists on the dome while looking at me with the same blank face. The remaining water he had in control formed into a hammer-like shape and slammed it on the barrier. With every impact, the dome vibrated. I felt some of the tremors traveling throughout my body.

"I'm sorry for this, Sei," I mumbled, then turned to the others.

Zeus was still shooting lightning at Eloise and Raymond, the former getting most of the attacks. But Artemis's Chosen evaded them with ease, twirling around like a deadly dancer while aiming arrows at him. Raymond flew above Zeus, which was probably a distraction, but Zeus didn't pay him much attention unless he got too close.

Just as Zeus produced another shot of electricity, I reached my hand out and a dome enveloped him, the shield stopping his attack from getting to Eloise. Like his older brother, he began using his power to crack it open. I ignored the weird buzz tingling under my skin as the electricity crawled around the barrier.

"It's about time we end this thing," I said out loud. "Rhea, show yourself! Don't make me come and look for you!"

Someone laughed. "That won't be necessary, dear."

I leaped away just as a column of water hit the spot where I was standing. From the remains of the burned mansion, Rhea emerged, a water sphere floating on her hand while holding the Staff of Hera on the other.

As I gazed at the Artifact, the voice from earlier chanted in my head.

Mine. Mine. Mine.

I tore away my gaze from the staff and shook my head slightly.

Take the staff. It is yours. Yours by right.

"Stop," I muttered.

"You called for me, Amelia dear?" Rhea said, tilting her head. "Finally coming to your senses?"

"I am not your dear!" I gritted under my teeth. "And you're the one who's supposed to come to her senses! You better surrender and give the staff to me so I could free Poseidon and Zeus from your control."

Rhea smirked. "Why would I do that? I thought we were going to negotiate."

"Well, you know what? You're not in a place to negotiate!" I yelled, then gestured at Poseidon and Zeus trapped in my barriers. "They're surrounded, and you're surrounded. They won't be helping you anytime soon, Rhea. Just face it, you lost."

From above, Raymond landed nearby. Eloise ran up behind Rhea, aiming an arrow on her head. She threatened to move the pointed object closer to her but Raymond warned her off.

Eloise grunted. "You'll pay for what you did to Demetrius."

"Oh please!" Rhea scoffed. "He deserved more than a lightning strike for betraying and abandoning me."

"Well. . . I think we all know the reason why he probably did it," Raymond said. "You're one crazy lady."

A snarl came out from Rhea's perfect red lips. "Let's see who's more clever once I do this."

Screams of agony burst from the distance. Turning behind me, Poseidon and Zeus knelt on the ground as they clutched their heads. The two of them lost the green tint in their eyes and were looking at us in despair.

Zeus moaned. "Help. . . me. . ."

My eyes widened, then looked back at Rhea. "W-What are you doing? You're hurting them!"

"Obey my terms, and I'll let them go," she said. "Try to be a hero, and your friends will suffer even more."

I could still hear the cries of the two brothers, suffering in pain.

Oh no. No. What should I do? They're probably facing their worst nightmares just like Athena. I need to help them.

There's no other choice but to do what she says.

Nostrils flaring, I clenched my fists. "What do you want?"

Rhea grinned. "That's more like it. Now. . . I want you all to take a long step back."

I didn't have to think twice and did as she ordered, stepping away from her. Raymond gazed at me, hesitant, before doing the same. Eloise remained firm, the silver arrow still pointed at Rhea's skull.

Rhea pursed her lips. "I said all of you."

Grumbling under her breath, Eloise reluctantly put down her bow and arrow and took a few steps back.

"Very good." Rhea looked at every one of us. "Give me all the Olympian Artifacts that you currently have. Now."

Raymond reached down his feet and took off Talaria one by one. Eloise simply tossed Argentum over to Rhea, who let go of the sphere of water on her hand to catch it in time, the clear liquid spilling on the ground.

When Raymond was done placing the sandals near Rhea, the latter looked at us rather impatiently. "Well? Where's the other one?"

"What?" I blurted.

"The hammer!" Rhea sneered, letting go of the bow. "Where's the hammer?"

Eloise and Raymond exchanged a glance.

"We don't know. . ." Raymond shrugged. "The mansion's burnt, and our friend Alistair's the only one who knows where he kept the hammer."

Rhea tapped her foot, her patience wearing thin. "Then wake him up and ask him where he hid it!"

The two Rogues walked towards Alistair, their gazes doubtful as they passed by me. I only gave them a curt nod. After that, Rhea and l were left staring at each other.

l have to do something. . . Something to buy us some time to make up a plan. But what?

I took a deep breath. "Why become evil, Rhea? What did the world ever do to you?"

Rhea shrugged casually. "Nothing much, to be frank. It's just my legend has been set in stone for so long it was about time l did something about it."

l raised a brow. "Legend? You mean the Greek myths?"

She waved a hand. "Yes yes, whatever you call it. Those tales of old have been broken ever since Cronus decided to be good of all things."

"What do you mean?"

"He destroyed the cycle," she said, looking at something—or someone—behind me. "And now here we are."

Cycle. . . Why does that sound familiar?

Rhea tilted her head. "You know... You don't have to follow the myths either."

"What?"

"Oh Hera, dear. You don't have to hide your true self." She began circling me, scrutinizing. "Everyone knows of your infamous temper towards Zeus and his lovers. The only reason you weren't able to take any other action against him is that he would punish you, like that one time, or worse. You couldn't even leave him as it would tarnish your title as the goddess of marriage. You had to preserve your dignity, but you were under his thumb."

I frowned at her words. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm not Her—"

"I know how it felt like, my daughter," she continued. "My damned husband dared to swallow his flesh and blood just because of some stupid prophecy. I couldn't do anything to stop him, I was helpless! That's why the moment my youngest child was born, I vowed to never let Cronus control my life again.

She finally stopped, smiling at me. "And you. . . You can seize control of your destiny, just like I did. Don't let the myths tell you what you can and cannot do. Join me, and together we can achieve many great things!"

My eyes narrowed. "l. . . l don't think so."

Before she could even blink, l grabbed the staff from her hold and distanced myself as far as possible. The moment my fingers made contact with the staff's golden surface, I felt a surge of energy rush inside me.

Taking a step back, I gasped. "Sa. . . Sagasitas."

Indeed. Use the staff. Use its power.

"Give that back!" Rhea growled. She was about to run to me when a green barrier blocked her way. Roaring, she hammered her fists on the barrier's surface.

l turned around to see Poseidon and Zeus still crying over the unseen torture happening in their heads. I tapped the staff onto the ground once and the two of them went limp on the ground.

"Zeus! Sei!"

Removing the domes surrounding them, I rushed to Zeus first. He was unconscious but was breathing normally. Then, I went to Poseidon next, who had the same condition as his brother. I sighed in relief.

They looked fine, but I think they would be sleeping for a while. . .

Scrambling myself up, l ran to where Athena and Demetrius laid. Athena was already awake when l got to her, blinking around in confusion.

"Amelia, what happ—"

l pulled her into a hug, but quickly let go as l realized what I did. She stared at me, stunned.

"Um, sorry. I got carried away and—"

To my surprise, she smiled at me. "It's alright. l. . . actually don't mind."

l smiled back.

She glanced at the staff I was holding. "Nice Artifact you got there, by the way. The gold and blue-green scheme suits you."

"Thanks. . . I guess." I twirled the staff around as if it was my old retractable one back home. "It looks—"

"You all won't get away with this!"

We both turned around to Rhea looking at us as she shook in anger. She didn't look like the kind, motherly Rhea I first met on my first day in Olympian High.

She was now someone different. Someone I didn't know anymore.

Well, maybe I didn't even know her in the first place.

Shaking her head, Athena looked back at me and patted my shoulder.

"I'm. . . going to check on the two," she said, pointing at her unconscious brothers. "Do what needs to be done."

She walked away to them, not giving her foster mother another glance. I headed back to Rhea.

"Just face it," I said as I stopped in front of her. "The fight's over. Give it up already."

"The fight is not even in the beginning." She grinned like a maniac. "By stopping me, you're only delaying the inevitable. They will come to you next, they will take the Artifacts and she. . . she will rise again!"

"Who's they? And who's she?"

"You'll see." She stuck her face closer to the dome. "You'll all see."

She began laughing hysterically. As I turned away from her, I saw Demetrius limping towards me with Eloise helping him walk. Not far behind them were Raymond supporting Alistair. I jogged in their direction.

"Are both okay?" I glanced between Demetrius and Alistair.

They both nodded.

"You saved us from a predicament far worse than any other." Demetrius wobbled to me, holding me by my shoulders. "I am forever thankful and proud of you, my little lotus."

I smiled at his words. I suppose he saw a good future ahead for him to say that.

"What are we going to do with her now?" Eloise asked, pointing at a caged Rhea.

Demetrius sighed. "I'm still not sure. Perhaps as soon as the mansion is restored, we coul—"

His words were cut off when the earth started to rumble. I yelped as I tried to steady myself and Demetrius. Eloise quickly helped me balance him. Alistair almost fell over but Raymond adjusted his support on him.

"I got you, man," Raymond said.

"Thanks," Alistair muttered.

Crevices appeared on the ground beneath us, and they rapidly branched out to where Rhea stood. As the cracks circled around her, the barrier I conjured suddenly disappeared. I felt like a chord inside me snapped.

I winced. "W-What's happening?"

Rhea screamed at the top of her lungs, and one of the fissures widened under her feet. The moment she tripped, she fell inside the opening.

My eyes widened. "No!"

I was about to take a step forward when Demetrius tugged my arm, stopping me from moving further. As Rhea struggled to pull herself up, her eyes began to water.

"Help me!" she cried. "Please! I beg of you!"

The ground trembled even harder, making us stumble and fall. Rhea lost her grip and disappeared.

We all stared at where Rhea just stood, our bodies tense even after the earthquake stopped. After a few seconds of utter shock, Eloise moved first and helped Demetrius get up. Slowly, the rest of us followed suit. Turning behind me, Athena had the same stunned expression like we did. I gazed at her in concern. She gave me a tight smile and went back to check on her brothers, who seemed to be stirring awake.

Then I looked at my father, my eyes still bulging out of their sockets.

"W-What the hell was that?" I asked. "Did the earth just swallow—"

"Yes." Demetrius closed his eyes. "Amelia, may I know what the clue said about the staff? Only the important part."

"I— uh. . ." I racked my mind for the clue's words. "If I remember it right. . . the last stanza said something about the Artifact being stolen by, um, 'a beloved one you have always known'."

I paused. Wait a second. Did it mean—

Demetrius pressed his lips into a thin line. "Please continue."

"Uh. . . After that, it said about her 'seeking revenge for what was once overthrown'." I shrugged. "I never knew what that exactly meant."

Out of nowhere, he gasped, as if taken aback. He took a step back, staggering. Thankfully, Eloise was there to assist him.

"It's. . . it's happening after all." His chin trembled. "S-She's coming back."

"What's going to happen?" I said. "Who's coming?"

Opening his eyes, he stared at me. His lips opened and closed as if thinking carefully about the next words he was going to say.

"She. . . was one of the primordial beings, the protogenoi, born from the void of Nothingness. From Chaos himself." He tightened his grip on Eloise's arm. "She was called by many names, but she was mostly well known as. . ."

My hands shook by my sides. I didn't have to read his mind to know who he was talking about.

He was talking about the Mother of All, the Earth Mother. His mother.

". . . Gaia."