Memoirs of an Immortal (The Immortal Series) (44 page)

I finally was able to breathe. I looked up and there throwing them off of me was my father.

“Get up and fight, NOW!” He shouted. I regained whatever sense I had.

“Father?” My mind drew a blank.

“Psykhe we can talk later. Now is the time you must fight!” He grabbed my shoulders and grinned. “This is what I’ve been waiting all this time to see. Now fight! Show me what my daughter can do.” He cried out.

I nodded hardly able to register that he was here in front of me.

‘
Are you ready?
’ His thoughts easily entered my mind. I shot him a look. ‘
Don’t look at me, Psykhe. Look at your prey.
’

My father’s back was on mine as he began to circle around. He easily fought them off. He had aged so much since the last time we had seen each other. I was amazed that he was still this strong. His body was still large, full of muscles, but his hair had now gone completely white. It was long and he had tied it up in a tight ponytail.

‘
What’s the plan daughter of mine?’
He silently asked, releasing me from my thoughts.

‘
I…I don’t know father? I’m truly lost now
.’ I had found it strange to speak to him this way. Had he always had this ability?

We both had our backs to each other, fighting off the numerous Diavolis that were encircling us. I wanted to say something, even though I knew it wasn’t the time. His mere presence brought me strength. He laughed. I didn’t realize how much I missed his low hearty laughter.

‘
Desperation brings out the best fights. Let us finish this.’
My father and I finally were able to fight back.

It was an exciting feeling fighting with him, both of us showing off our abilities. I could finally see the swiftness that my father held with his sword. He was able to attack several Diavolis at once. My father was no immortal, but he fought as though he were one. The legends of him were not exaggerated. He was special and I was in awe of him. His mere presence was overwhelming.

We battled until few were left standing. I reached for my blades to kill the last one, when it looked right at me.

“Psykhe” A Diavoli ridiculed my name “this may have been your victory now….but this is still far from over.” I threw my blade at him, I watched as he turned to dust.

Our fight was coming to an end. I studied the land around us. The fields were destroyed by the battle. Various gods were still fighting what was left of Diavolis army. The mountain was scorched. The trees were almost gone and the air was filled with the smells of decaying flesh. As I looked over the land, my father walked over to me. I could see that the years have been generous to him. His eyes were always so caring and loving, but there was something missing.

“I am proud of you.” He smiled, “Everything that I taught you, was to bring you the strength you needed to reach your full potential.” He patted my head, his hand gliding to cup my face.

“Where have you been?” I asked my tears on the verge of falling. “We went back and only found…” My voice cracked as I tried to speak of my mother.

“She died knowing we did what we needed to do. I won’t lie to you and tell you she died happily. Her heart broke when her daughters were all taken. I traveled to the places your mother and I stayed, wanting to somehow be closer to her.” He gave me a faint smile.

“Your eyes? Do they always stay that way?” He examined them.
‘I can’t Psykhe. I miss my wife, my love, my treasure.’

I looked at him understanding his pain. He no longer wanted to talk about my mother. We both turned out heads, both of us able to hear the thoughts of my sisters.

‘
Father? Psykhe’s with father.’
The desperate cries from my sisters were evident. He pulled himself from me only to receive his crying daughters in his arms. I stood watching them. My father filling a void that I didn’t know existed.

The battle had ended, but I knew it was far from over. Before I could examine my body and the damage I had, Hephaistos was next to me.

“Your wrists? Do they not hurt?” He looked frantically at me. I looked at him, his face full of scratches, his body marred.

“I’m fine, but you don’t look ok.” My hands feathered his arms.

“I’m a god Psykhe, I’ll heal almost immediately. It’s you that I’m concerned with.” He reached for my wrists, the pain only now registering. I yanked my hands away.

“Why? Is it because I killed Leonidas?” I spat out. His face pained with my question.

“I’m only worried about you…” His words trailing off, my ears began ringing. My body reacted on its own. The bile slowly rumbled through me, until I could no longer control the acid that flowed through my veins. My body convulsed and the bile began to spew from my mouth. I faintly remember my father yelling just before I passed out in Hephaistos’ arms.

My Final Journey

The bite marks that were left on my body were too many to count. My body was sore and over burdened. I still felt queasy, but the worst was over. My wrists had felt the brunt of my attacks. I needed to learn how to use my weapons more wisely.

My father was now staying with us. ‘
Get up Psykhe or I swear I’ll come up and get you myself.’
I laughed listening to my father speak to me though his thoughts. He had stayed the same and I was glad for it.

“What is it old man? Can I not sleep in peace? My body aches and now my head hurts because of your constant yelling.” I cried from my window down to the courtyard.

A smile was on my face watching him slowly turn his head towards my direction. “You maybe an immortal now, but I can still hurt you.” He said while laughing.

“Yeah I’d like to see that. Why don’t you try now? Huh? You’ll have the upper hand, now that I’m not fully recovered.” I challenged.

“Enough! Both of you. You’re both the same, I swear.” Eirene said disapprovingly as she walked out to the courtyard to join our father.

Both Eirene and I stopped and our head turned towards our door. We could hear it in the distance, someone was coming.

“What? What is it?” My father tried to gain our attention.

Not a moment later, a knock was heard on our door.

“Come” cried Eirene. Hermes strolled in with a side smile.

“Good morning.” He bowed his head a little and we did the same. “How are you fairing after the battle?” He asked looking at me.

“Cut it out. Why are you here? You never come here.” I accused.

“Psykhe!” Eirene growled at me.

I shrugged, “Well, he doesn’t.”

Hermes laughed. “You’re right. I’m here to personally request that you come tonight. Zeus has planned a lavish banquet to rejoice on our victory.”

Eva came walking out of the house, shaking her head.

“Why is it always a lavish banquet? Why can’t it be just a dinner?” She asked annoyed. She wasn’t far off, I was thinking the same.

“I think I had enough of banquets and dances to fill my lifetime. Thank you for the invitation, but I’m not in the mood for celebrating.” I dismissed him.

Hermes smiled at me, “So I’m assuming that it’s a no for everyone in your family?” He asked his smile not leaving his face.

“I don’t speak on behalf of my sisters on this. They are free to go. I on the other hand have plans for today.”

“Very nice. I never saw you wear that dress before.” Agape said, while sitting with Akhilles, who was playing a game of tavli with my father. As they played, both my father and Akhilles regaled on the past events of Troy.

“I thought you weren’t going to the banquet.” said Eva.

“Green always suited you Psykhe” Zoe added.

“Thank you and no I’m not going. I have somewhere I have to go.” I said, as I straighten my dress. It was a beautiful shade of green one that matched the colour of spring leaves.

“You always used to cheat Nikephoros! You haven’t changed.” Akhilles was infuriated, he hated losing.

‘You want me to come?’
Eva gave me a wink.

“Alone, I’m going alone.” I replied.

I walked to our battle room with Agape close behind me.

“Are you ok now that your emotions are back? I wasn’t to harmful was I?” She looked at me warily.

I reached for her face and caressed it with my hand.

“I’m fine now. You gave me what I needed and took what I couldn’t handle and for that I thank you. Thank you for taking care of me.” I kissed her on her forehead. “I have to go now, ok?” I looked through the room.

“Can I come with you? I honestly hate going to these dinners.” She pouted.

“Akhilles is going and you have to be a good girl and go with him. Now remember you have power of him. Use it wisely. You might be getting just want you want tonight.” I stuck out my tongue and watched Agape’s horrified face, as she stalked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

The room itself was dimly lit, as I searched the table next to the hearth and finally found what I was looking for. I unrolled the map and touched the land that I was planning on going to. The place I needed to be at.

I gazed at the land that I had ruled over long ago. It was lush and beautiful. The sounds of life filled the air and memories came flooding back. It had been so long since I’ve been back. I closed my eyes and let my senses take over. I could hear the rustling of the trees and I could even faintly hear the sounds of the city below.

Sparta had grown. Its city limits past where I had last left them. I let the smells of the fig trees bring me back memories that I had long forgotten. I reached up and touched my arm. I could feel the cool metal of my arm bands.

“Leonidas? I’m home. I’m back.” A hot lump in my throat stopped me from saying anything more.

I slowly walked to where I wanted to be. I could see that they had built him a great tomb, to honor his sacrifice and for love of his men and for his land. There would only be one like him, only one that would be fearless enough to fight, loving enough to spare his men. I slowly knelt down, tears blurring my vision.

“Do you still love me? Even now?” I whispered. “I don’t know what to do? Leonidas can’t you tell me what I should do? Should I never come back? Should I leave this place and forget everything?” Even the notion of it brought a pain in my heart. “You gave me a part of me that I never knew I had. You gave me a happiness that I could never replace. I was so young and naïve, even stupid at times. I caused you nothing but trouble, brought you nothing but difficulties, but you, you only loved me and I was not worthy. Was I? I couldn’t even tell you when you were alive. I couldn’t bring myself to say it. Me and my stupid pride. For as long as I live, for as long as I can, I will never forget you, ever.”

My tears slowly falling off my cheeks onto the ground in which he laid. I don’t know how long I stayed, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I knew leaving meant forgetting, meant the end of something.

I knew logically it was over, that I had a new life, but when I was close to him, when I was near him, no logic existed. I finally reached down to the tombstone and brushed off the dirt. “
Died in Battle
” was clear now, but a new part was added underneath. “
Our Great King Leonidas
” I lowered myself and kissed his tombstone. “Goodbye my king.” I peeled myself off the ground and opened another map that I had taken with me.

I walked through the portal and there I stood at Thermopyles. Even though over ten years had gone by, I could still sense the energy of the battle. The scars of the war were still very visible on the land. The mountains still scorched, but signs of life were slowly coming back. My heart was overwhelmed. Time does change things and in time even this will be forgotten.

I could hear grunting coming from behind me, a young man was writing something on a clay tablet. I walked over to see what he was doing. He looked up and acknowledged me. I smiled back.

“Can I ask you what you are writing?” I asked looking down at him. He was blocking my view.

“Well…” He said still groaning and working, “I’m finishing up my monument.” He finally stood up. “There!” He said. “Now, I’m finally finished.” I looked down and read. “
O Stranger, send the news home to the people of Sparta that here we are laid to rest: the commands they gave us have been obeyed.”

“Who are you?” I asked my eyes never leaving the stone tablet.

“My name is Simondes, I’m from Ceos. I was so impressed with the stories my father told me about Leonidas and his three hundred men. That I saw it fitting to pay tribute.” He smiled down at his work.

He had taken time to make a large mound of earth that was flattened out and a few stone were placed to make steps that led you to his tablet.

“I even brought the clay from Sparta. Here they say was the last stand that the king and his men made.” He clapped his hands together to take off the excess dirt.

“You are right, he was impressive.” I added speaking softly to myself.

“You knew him?” He asked his eyes wide and a little spectacle.

“I knew of him.” We both smiled.

“Well I’m done for the day. Do you want me to accompany you to the town?” He asked.

“No thank you, I’m going to stay here for awhile.” I said softly. He furrowed his brows.

“But it’s dangerous, especially for a woman.” He tried to persuade me.

“I think I’ll be fine.” I smiled.

He picked up some of his tools and began to walk down the hillside. I walked over to the end of a small cliff that was overlooking the valley. I watched as the sun bathed the land that my husband fought so valiantly for.

I felt a presence next to me. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Hephaistos stood behind me giving me my space.

“I refuse to remember him any other way. The Leonidas I killed wasn’t truly him. He was a distorted, devolved version. I could have never cared for him. It was here, where my husband died. It’s here, that his spirit lay. It was here, that proved the kind of man he was.” I said softly. Hephaistos quietly stood listening to me.

“Psykhe?” Iakhe spoke quietly. Her little voice sang. I looked over. Her body was not glowing, but rather looked very human, as she stood in front of me. “It’s ready.” She pointed at a large slab of marble. I nodded.

“What is it?” Hephaistos asked his voice low almost sad.

“This?” I pointed, “This is my tribute to my husband and his men. As I erect this monument with the names of all three hundred men, I will vow that no one on this earth will ever forget how courageously he fought. How they all fought. His name will be infamous. I will make sure of it, for as long as I live.”

We both looked at the names. I reached and touched the name of Dienekes. “Hello old friend, where are you now?” I took a deep breath holding back my tears.

“If you let me, I can erect it for you.” Hephaistos slowly reached for the large marble slab. He waited to hear if I would object. When I didn’t, he lifted it up as though it was as light as air and slammed it into the ground. It stood over the small cliff. “He would have been a great immortal had he lived.” Hephaistos said as he tried to comfort me.