Responsibility

We all knew Hali was some kind of big shot. We were not sure of how big her figure was, but even considering her foul mouth, that may have been my fault to begin with, but there was an air of elegance all around her that couldn't be easily masked.

Taking in the facts that she was a demigod and that it was a known fact at her place, we were all able to add up to a basic solution.

She is either very rich or very important.

But that had never been a deterrent for us. On our ship, those kind of titles were worth close to nothing. We were some kind of military force at the end of the day.

"Hali, tomorrow we'll arrive. Do you need us to do something?"

I was genuinely concerned and everyone felt the same way. Eurylochus went as far as suggesting we hid her on the ship until I had finished my business, but she refused.

"There's nothing to worry about. I'll take care of my issues on my own."

"Well, whatever you want half sardine."

She laughed off and each of us went to our rooms, but something was different. Hali had given all of us black tracksuits, it really felt like a military group and while she was heading out, we all could see the sorrow in her eyes.

"Odysseus, is there really nothing we can do?"

"I know how you feel, but if she doesn't ask it's not our place to interfere."

I reflected on that and how I myself had acted when these guys had stuck up their noses in my affairs.

"I guess you're right, on the other hand, when are you gonna make your 4th circle?"

Odysseus had successfully completed the ritual for the thunderbird spirit formula abusing an ungodly amount of my lightning, but the ritual settled very well, he was also ready to make his 4th circle, but was buying time for some reason.

"I'm really just thinking about what direction to take. If I chose darkness, it will be like starting anew for real, but if I make my old water circle the route will be easier."

"And you're not satisfied with easy things, right mr. I'm gonna make a smartphone powered by mana and nobody can stop me?"

"Hahahaha right!"

Yes, this bastard had fallen in love with the concept of long distance communication and was hellbent on creating stuff after coming back from my original world.

I guess he is a master craftsman at heart.

______________________

-Hali's POV-

The coasts of my home could already be seen and a weird emotion started to rise in my heart.

Of course I was happy about being back were I grew up, but after experiencing the freedom the world could offer me, after passing more then a month with Dimitris and the others, I noticed my own thoughts were changing.

I was a princess. Everything I knew from the moment I was born was reverence and responsibility.

When it was made known that I was a demigod, those weights increased tenfolds. My people didn't even dare to lift they heads in my presence, a testimony of the way my mother had ruled this small land, but the expectations everyone held for me increased even if they couldn't face me.

What am I even supposed to do with this power? What is it that they want me to do?

I had always thought I was born for greatness, but even that thought had changed a lot.

Not once had I been able to defeat Dimitris, even if we only used our weapons without aura and whatever he and Odysseus used.

I had tried asking my father, but he said we'd talk about it at a later time.

And now here we were.

Delos.

The birthplace of the divine twins.

The center of all sea commerce.

"We're almost there."

I was a wreckage of nerves, my mother may not have been a Daughter of the Tides, but she was a powerful daughter of the Shining chariot and her prophetic abilities were no joking matter. I knew she knew I was here. And my thoughts were proven right the moment we reached the port.

An entourage of the most prominent families on the island were waiting for me at the docks.

"Should we exit before you and make space?"

Odysseus, the most sensible and smart of all these men was ready to act based on my command. I was thankful that at least someone seemed to understand the situation.

Dimitris had just said that this was bothersome with an annoyed look, Eurylochus wanted to pick a fight with everyone, it seemed that after the betrayal of the majority of the crew he was continuously hitching to fight and Dimitris didn't have the time to fully satisfy him with his ever progressing studies on magic and spirit arts.

"No I need to be the first one out."

"Oh…"

"What?"

Odysseus was frowning and I immediately understood. Looking around myself, I couldn't find Dimitris or Merlin.

"What? When?"

"They said it was bothersome to meet, and I quote all those rich entitled bastards, and teleported away to go directly to the temple of the Sun."

"Fuck! Shit! Fuck!"

"What? They will probably meet nobody."

"It's my fault, I should have told them. My mother is the queen seer, she knows everything that happens here and is probably going to the temple to meet them."

"Fuck."

Even with all his love for Dimitris, Odysseus knew.

Dimitris and Merlin, especially if together, were completely unable to show any kind of respect towards authority.

_____________________

-Dimitris' POV-

"So you're saying that the queen here is Hali's mother and she is also a seer? Aren't we royally fucked?"

Merlin scoffed, completely unperturbed by my worries.

"Nah, we are both good actors, sure you seem unable to lie, but I know you can keep up a well educated look, also I'm a constellation."

"Oh well, let's just go see the temple, I doubt we'll be able to do anything today."

He just nodded and continued to guide me through the streets towards the temple of the Sun. A place creaky unmistakable.

The temple was fully plated in gold, a huge statue of who I assumed was Apollo, stood at its center and all around it, vases and paintings representing his domain: Sun, music, medicine and finally fate. But before we could even set foot inside the temple, a lady draped in gold approached us surrounded by nine maids. Blond hair and red eyes that were clearly analysing every our action and despite the different hair and eyes, her resemblance to Hali was uncanny.

I was not sure about the correct way to greet royalty in this time and place, so I just went with what I was most comfortable with.

I interrupted eye contact with her as soon as I took notice of her movements towards us. Knelt on one knee, my right hand across my chest and my left one behind my back.

My head slightly bowed to avoid looking at the monarch by mistake and when I herd she had stopped walking I spoke.

"I greet your Majesty, Queen Seer of Delos."

Merlin was shocked at my demeanour and while he greeted her with a simple "what's up?" He spoke in my mind.

"You bastard, I didn't know you had it in you."

"It's not like I can disrespect the bitch, she still is Hali's mom."

"You may rise."

The commanding of voice of the queen sounded and I moved up without thinking much, regaining my original posture.

"It's a pleasure to meet such an esteemed constellation, but who is this man? Is he the reason I wasn't able to peak at my daughter's fate?"

Oh fuck. My fateless ass can influence others this much?

"Nope, I can assure you Daphne, you coincidentally tried to peak at her fate every time she was in a time fissure, also you know the winter tournament."

"Wait is this bullshit real?"

"Yes, this bitch never cared much."

"If the esteemed constellation says so, it must be true, but still, who is this man?"

Merlin patted me, a signal to introduce myself, or so I guessed.

"My name-"

"His name is Dimitris, my disciple. He is also the second commander of the ship the princess has been traveling after completing her mission."

The queen looked extremely displeased, was I doing something wrong?

"You idiot, stop looking at her directly in the eyes."

Ah.

I hurried lowered my gaze and Merlin continued his discussion with the queen while I was dying of boredom.

I knew how to keep a poker face, but for how long did this woman intend to keep us here standing?

"I would assume you are tired from the travel, why don't you two join us at the palace, by now my daughter and your men should be there."

Fuck no. I don't want to meet those noble bastards.

"It's impossible Daphne. I brought Dimitris here to study, not to entertain nobles."

"Oh? it seems the esteemed constellations forget common courtesy."

I could see Merlin's vein popping. If this girl continued to push it without letting us leave, I could already see him turning her into a sapling.

Not that I disagreed. The mana around her was disgustingly clouded, just a step away from corruption.

But until Hali had finished her business, I couldn't act rashly.

"Your majesty, if I may suggest…"

"How dare you speak without being asked to? It seemed rudeness runs from master to disciple."

This bitch thinks she's untouchable.

I honestly was at a loss for words. I couldn't say shit because I was the first to be disrespectful towards constellation, but even I knew better. They may not touch humans directly, but…

"Apollo. Get your ass here before I get to you."

Haaaa… as expected.

[the Shining chariot asks who dares behave like a fool before his temple.]

"Me."

Daphne seemed pleased, she thought we were about to get smitten into nothingness and was grinning like a psychopath.

Wasn't she a seer?

I couldn't help but chuckle at her foolishness, something that granted me a mean look and a curse.

"You cretin. You think it's time to laugh? Just watch as my father destroys this avatar and then I'll show you your place."

Merlin laughed loudly at her comment, and I couldn't contain myself anymore.

"Hahahahaha yeah sure? Yo Daphne, why don't you use your prophetic powers to guess what will happen?"

"WHO GAVE YOU PER-"

[the shining chariot greets the mage of flowers]

[the shining chariot expresses his dissent towards his daughter Daphne, Queen Seer.]

[you have yet much to learn.]

Daphne's face crumbled, she clearly thought she had the upper hand in this situation, but alas, the Queen of the island almost fell to the ground in front of Merlin and I.

"I don't give a fuck about dissent. Can you bear the responsibility for your daughter's actions?"

[the shining chariot says that matters between mortals should be resolved between mortals.]

"Where is the mortal Apollo. Dimitris and Daphne are both demigods."

[fuck.]

"Yes fuck. Now get lost and send your daughter back to her palace."

The maids supporting Daphne were trembling in fear. The Queen herself was so shocked she didn't know what to do anymore, but all I wanted was to get inside the temple and start to make plans for my string of fate.

All this shit was going on for too long.

"Master, we can leave them to their own, I mean… at least let's give the Queen some time to save face and get herself together. Hali will think we are bastards if we send her back like this."

Merlin looked at me as if I was saying the greatest bullshit that could ever exist.

"Dimitris, we are bastards and she knows."

"For fuck sake! You sorry excuse of an incubus, give us something we can use to not come across as total gangsters!"

Daphne's face was losing colour for every word I uttered, the maids had full on lost consciousness. How could someone talk like I did to a constellation that even the great Apollo had reserves about?

"You…! Let's just go, the mana around this bitch is disgusting."

"Ohhhh! It wasn't just me then! Should I release the Paragon?"

Merlin and I were smiling at each other, a plan to piss off this entitled woman was slowly forming in our minds, that was until we heard a multitude of people running towards us and I knew we were in trouble.

"DIMITRIS!"

"DIMITRIS!"

Hali and Odysseus were running towards us followed by a multitude of nobles.

All of them with pale faces.

I exchanged another look with Merlin.

"We really are not suited to talk to people."

"100% agree."