-Jisung? Can I ask you something? Felix struggled to carry Yuqi's sword in his hand.
-Of course!
-Why are you here? I thought you were with Minho.
-Me and him are not meant to be together. All the odds are against us. I suppose... here is when I feel at peace. Home. Because everything stops. Time stops. Up there everything moves so fast. People die and I can't do anything but watch them. It's not the fact that Minho and I will never be happy together that haunts me. It's the fact that one day I'll watch him die. If he were to pick being a god of war, I would had watched him from afar and that would had been enough, but he's going to choose to be a nymph. He'll perish under my eyes and I can't even have the certainty that we'll meet again in the afterlife, Jisung felt tears building up in his eyes. How can a feeling so mundane have this much power over a titan and a god? How can a feeling described so beautifully by humans create such a terrible storm in my soul? And how can I not hate it even though I'm in pain?
-That's what love does to people, Felix caressed his back slowly. We're all equal before its power. I can only pray that you and Minho will always find your way back to each other.
-You two stay aside, Jeongin took his shield in his right hand and stretched his wings.
-Are you mad? He's the son of Tartarus! A part of the Underworld, Minho tried to convince Jeongin to let him join him in the fight.
-Maybe us 3 can- Chan tried to offer his help as well, but Jeongin refused it instantly.
-I want to fight him personally. I may lose, but I need this. For Hyunjin, he let out a nervous sigh.
-What a brave thing to say, son of Hermes! I respect the dignity you show in your last moments. Too bad those will be short, Seungmin smirked. Consider yourself lucky to become Athena's sacrifice. One of many, at least.
Seungmin held Nemesis's sword. He swung it in the air and sliced through the air, the blade clashing with Jeongin's shield right above his head.
-All I have to do is crack your shield and you're mine. I'll make sure Hyunjin sees your body afterwards.
-You talk too much for someone trained by a god of war and a master of strategy, Jeongin used his wings to pull himself back.
Seungmin, who had put all his force into his sword to crack the shiled, lost his balance as soon as Jeongin retreated.
Jeongin took the opportunity and flew above his enemy only to win himself some time to think of a plan.
"Think, Jeongin! Think! Nemesis can bring bad luck and can punish you for your sins. She has super strength and a lot of weaponry. You are the son of a messenger who flies after women and makes stupid deals that get him in trouble. What chances do you have?" Jeongin said in his mind.
-Punishment, huh? How hypocritical of you to punish me for nothing?
-You think so highly of yourself? Seungmin scoffed.
-I believe I did nothing wrong. Especially to you. Hyunjin chose me because I was the only one that saw his potential. That encouraged him to follow his dreams. That didn't care who his mother was. And if Athena is mad enough at him for losing the box to the point of sending her adoptive son to exterminate him, then I'll give you a new riddle: why did she have the box in the first place?
-Zeus gave it to her.
-That's not true. The box was on Earth ever since Pandora opened it.
-You're trying to twist my mind! It won't work. You can't make me doubt my loyalty towards her, Seungmin threw his sword in the air and slightly cut Jeongin's shoulder as the latter tried to dodge the impact.
The son of Hermes fell to the ground in pain and placed his shield in front of him to receive the sword strikes from Seungmin, each one more powerful than the other.
-Alright, let's say she had the box all along. Couldn't she come and take it back herself? She's the smart Goddess, right? Why did she send Hyunjin to find it?
-Because he was the one that lost it in the first place, Seungmin groaned as he became frustrated on the shiled who refused to crack.
-Maybe it's all a test to force Hyunjin to prove himself to her. To prove himself worthy of being her disciple sent on Earth. And you? You are helping him.
-She sent me to kill him!
-She sent you to be an obstacle for him to surpass. Nothing more than a toy.
-He didn't even find the box himself! He needed you to find it for him! Seungmin shouted as his eyes grew in a mad expression, sign that Jeongin's words were pushing some buttons.
-He recruited us. He was wise enough to see our quirks and use them as his wits. I am no different than a pawn for him. And my loyalty serves him well. Can't you see? He's our leader, our brain, our heart. And you? You're nothing but an old rock ready to sharpen Hyunjin's daggers, the son of Hermes smirked.
Seungmin swung his sword in the air once more, ready to strike with all his might when Jeongin rolled away, got up and hit him in the spine with the edge of the shield.
Seungmin fell to the ground and found himself with the shield at his neck and Jeongin hovering over him.
-One more reckless move and I chop your head off.
-That won't be necessary, son of Hermes, a deep voice snapped then all from the shock.
They looked around saw the high walls of Hades's Castle surrounding them.
-What in the name of Zeus is going on? Hyunjin widened his eyes as soon as he saw his best friend threatened to kill his childhood friend and new enemy.
-Lord Hades! This disgraceful god attacked me all of a sudden. Throw him in the pits of Tartarus! Seungmin tried to get Jeongin off of him.
-Who would had thought the son of Nemesis and Tartarus would be brought to his knees by the son of a jockster? Hades seemed amused by the situation.
-If Hermes is good at something, that is fooling people. I used that in my advantage, Your Highness, Jeongin explained.
He got off Seungmin and searched the room for the two people that mattered for him.
He ran to hug both Felix and Hyunjin tightly. Hyunjin seemed surprised by the gesture, but hugged back with a smile on his face.
-You're both alright, thank the gods! Jeongin let out a sigh of relief.
-And you? You're hurt, Hyunjin spotted Jeongin's arm and got worried.
-I'll be alright. You should had seen what I did to your friend, Jeongin snorted. What's with the sword, Felix?
-The daughter of Thanatos gave it to him, Hyunjin replied. He fought with her and protected us.
-You did? Jeongin asked Felix.
-I guess, Felix replied shyly.
-That's amazing! Jeongin hugged him again.
-They really look like a family, huh? Minho smiled weakly.
He was jealous of their bond. He was jealous of the love they had for each other. Something he might had never had.
-Minho... Jisung approached him with small steps. I'm sorry for lashing out at you! It was selfish of me to get mad at your choice. I apologize!
Minho took his sweet time to find a proper answer, but nothing came to his mind. He grabbed Jisung by the hand and engulfed him in a hug while kissing his forehead.
-We'll find a way to be together forever. I swear to you!
Jisung nodded and hid his face in Minho's chest to let his tears fall without being noticed.
-What do we do now? Changbin asked dead serios.
-We go and get that box back, Jeongin took a deep breath before stepping in front of Hades. Can you take us anywhere on Earth, Your Highness?
-I can. Is there a place you would like to be sent to?
-Ithaca.
Everyone froze and stared at Jeongin like he was crazy. And maybe he was.
-Ithaca? Jeongin, I have to tell you something, Hyunjin placed his hand on Jeongin's shoulder. We can't go there. If Odysseus finds Felix... Felix is-
-The son of Hector. I know, Jeongin whispered. I know we're carrying a ticking bomb with us, but that box is the only way we can stop the war from happening. Trust me on this, alright? Jeongin placed his hand on top of Hyunjin's to reassure him he knew what he was doing.
-Always, Hyunjin nodded and stepped back.
-We need Odysseus to take us to Poseidon! He has the box.
-Why are you so sure my brother has it?
-Because he's been at war with Athena for hundreds of years. This war would turn their dispute into everyone's problem. I'm certain Poseidon has the box hidden somewhere. And once we have it, we'll find Apollo, Hermes and your wife. I swear on my broken wings.
-Hard to belive Hermes managed to do something good in his life, Hades laughed. You have my trust, child. If you can bring Persephone back, you'll have the Underworld forever thankful to you. Once you're in Ithaca, I won't be able to help you. Act wisely!
-Yes, Your Highness! Jeongin bowed. But I have to do one more thing before you send us there.
-Proceed!
Jeongin turned around and looked at the group in front of him.
-I won't lie to you. It's going to be dangerous and we may not survive at all. You don't owe me anything. This is your chance to go home and forget about this mission.
-After all this time, you think we'll give up that easily? Hyunjin walked forward to face Jeongin.
-I don't want to go back home. This adventure means everything to me. I don't want us to be teared apart again, Felix added.
-I have to come. Mom is still missing, Changbin uttered. Besides... I grew fond of you guys.
-We promised to help you and we will respect it, Jisung took Minho's hand in his own.
-I'm coming just because I want to hand the box to Athena myself, Seungmin crossed his arms annoyed.
-I'm staying with you, Jeongin. I'd follow you to the end of the world, Chan bumped his back into Jeongin's since they couldn't look at each other as long as they were still in the Underworld.
Jeongin couldn't fully grasp what Chan meant by that and what was with the sudden change in their dynamic, but he was lying if he was to say he didn't feel anything when he heard those words.
-We're ready, Your Highness!
-Farewell, father! I'll bring mom back home, I promise! Changbin waved at the king of the Underworld.
-Goodbye, lady Miyeon! Felix waved. We'll bring you to Earth once we succeed with our mission! That is my promise!
Miyeon smiled widely and waved back.
-Take care of Master Changbin for me! I can't wait to see you again, Master Felix!
-Master? Jeongin raised his eyebrow.
-Oh, yeah! They are married now, Hyunjin dropped the bomb.
-THEY WHAT?? YOU BASTARD, WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SWEET INNOCENT FELIX?