Care

The three of us stand, alert, and run outside. I feel my heart fall to my stomach when we see what is happening.

Aunt Hestia is kneeling on the ground, hugging a clearly exhausted and injured Hermes close to her, mumbling to him in a comforting tone as one of her hands move delicately on his shoulder-blade. She doesn't see as we arrive behind her, but my brother, with his head supported by the woman, looks up and sees us, making us gasp at the same time.

One of his light blue eyes is not opening completely as blood runs to it's direction coming from a deep cut on his temple, a injury with a mix of blue and purple on one of his cheeks, some minor bruises on his face and larger ones all over the visible part of his body, the red liquid tarnishing his clothes and skin.

-In my defense, I did took care, but hydras are not very friendly.

-You should not get close to a hydra in the first place!

-At least the mail was delivered.

I sigh and the twins get closer to him, supporting Hermes and taking him to his room as I and our aunt follow. My siblings get into the room, Hestia going to make something for him to eat. I sit on the ground, laying my head on the wall, waiting for the door to open. For some reason, my eyelids go heavy, my head leaning to the left as my hands relax on my lap and I cannot avoid drifting to sleep.

This time I see a coastal city, a strange mist stopping me from seeing it clearly. I identify a temple, some stalls and people walking nonchalantly. I've never been beyond the Olimpus, so I cannot identify exactly where I am.

As I explore more I get closer to a tree, but not any tree. The same that I am weaving, the project I have, a...olive tree. I take one of the green fruits, inspecting it, but something on the branch makes me look up. Is the same owl that always comes to my room and it looks at me intensely.

-Sophia? - I ask without thinking - What are we doing here?

She - now I know it's a "she" - continues to stare, then gestures a little to the ocean and starts to fly. When I walk in the same direction my sandals get stuck in a opening on the ground and I stumble, falling quickly. As I look to the opening I see a spring of water, a distinct smell hitting my nostrils. Salty water.

-Why in the world would anyone want a spring of ocean water? - I ask to myself confused, getting up.

-Athena? - a soft voice calls me and I fell something on my shoulder.

I open my eyes, my aunt in front of me with a bowl that contains some hot soup.

-Oh, aunt Hestia. Is everything okay?

-Yes, dear. I just wanted to ask you to give this to your brother, I'll talk with your father to make him aware of what happened.

-Of course, I give it to him.

-Thank you, and take a nap after if you're felling tired, okay?

-I'm okay, auntie.- she moves her head in a quickly, positive motion, and helps me get up - Thanks.

-No problem, I'll go talk to your dad.

I see her walking a little bit and soon turn to the door. Sighing, I knock and wait for a answer.

-Come in!

When I do it I also look around. Apollo is cleaning some white clothe in a basin with water, his back turned to me, the clear liquid turning slightly red. Artemis helps putting what they used in place and Hermes looks at me from his bed, sit with some dressings on his legs, arms and a smaller one on his temple.

-Aunt asked me to give this to you. - I say getting closer and taking a seat next to Hermes, giving him the bowl.

-Yey, sick soup. - we smile a little. As far as I remember, every time we got even a little bit ill aunt make us soup. Not that I'm complaining, aunt's sick soup is great, but is also like a confirmation that we are not healthy.

-What happened, exactly? - I ask with concern when he starts eating.

-There's nest of hydras in Lerna. - Artemis says, her twin also turning to us - Hermes had to pass by and was not lucky.

-Nope! - he confirms popping the "p" and resuming taking a spoon full of soup - And I'm also no good with animals.

-Oh you were wonderful with mine. - Apollo says in a playful tone, crossing his arms. Like my brothers, I do not contain a laugh, Artemis snickers - I got my lyre though, so that's fun.

-You are very welcome, big bro. It is always a pleasure to make business with you.

The god of Sun rolls his eyes, smiling a little.

-You two are both dorks. - my sister says - Well, we probably should talk about the prophecy to Hermes.

-What about the prophecy? - he asks with something in his mouth. I hit his arm lightly and avoiding his injuries.

-Ew, gross. Don't talk with your mouth full. - he mocks me, receiving another hit and laughing.

-Artemis, Athena and I checked the prophecy to see if her theory could be right.

-Oh that the prophecy is incomplete?

-Not anymore. - he looks at the Moon goddess, his eyebrows raising - When Athena was there the other part appeared. - I realize them looking at me, the twins calmly, the third one shocked.

I hold my hands up, palms showing, and wave them quickly.

-Surpriiise.

-Don't "Surpriiise" me. - he says putting the bowl down and mimicking me. I can see he is happy with this - The prophecy is about you! Not Ares or another divinity, but you!

-Yeah, I noticed.

-So...what do we do about it?

-We could...try to talk with dad and Hera?

-No way this will work. - we all look at the older girl, her arms crossed as she lays on the wall - We all thought the prophecy was about Ares and she was not letting him go with us, do you think this will be any different? She's not just making him stay to protect herself, and I know I implied this, but she's also worried with what could happen with him, it's her favorite son after all. She is even more protective of you.

-So...run away? - Apollo questions.

-Probably.