Vampire Greek: The Burning King

When the blinding light faded they were standing in front of the Oracle’s door. They could hear Taryn crying inside, and someone trying to calm him down. Antearia reached for the handle and turned it slowly. Her kitchen was brightly lit and the dark red cloth was lifted up, revealing a living room area. A dark haired lady stood at the center of the room, holding Taryn and trying to get him to drink from a bottle. Her house had been cleaned up, there weren’t any chemicals or herbs around, and the candles were all neatly stacked together. She turned around and her jaw dropped when she saw them.

“Oracle! You’re... how?” She rushed to hand Taryn to Antearia, who’s eyes twinkled with tears. She hugged her child and kissed him on his forehead.

“I’m not here to stay.” She turned around and looked past the girls, who hadn’t noticed Apollo and Thanatos appearing behind them.

“I know what you’re plan is.” said Apollo. He walked past the startled girls and held his arms out for Tyran. Antearia handed him to him without speaking.

“A child. You’ve lost your mind.”

“No I haven’t. It will only be for a while. And he will not remain in Olympus. No one will.” She touched Apollo’s shoulder and both of their eyes glowed together, her’s green and his orange.

“Unbelievable. Are you sure? Aren’t there other possibilities?” Apollo stammered, clearly afraid of what he was seeing.

“They all converge at this point. Only after this will they branch out again.” The Oracle spoke in a cold, distant voice.

“If this is true, I don’t wish to see anymore.” said Apollo. She took her hand off his shoulder and both of their eyes went back to normal. He passed Tyran back to her before giving Antearia one last sad look.

“I have to prepare, and so do all of you.” He turned and looked at Willa and Caitlyn and gave them a forced smile.

“Good luck you two.” He scooted past them and then stopped and glared at Thanatos.

“Will she return to Elysium?” He asked with a threatening undertone.

“She will.” Thanatos replied softly, his shadowy demeanor stealing the warmth in the room. Apollo finally left and the woman who previously cared for Tyran followed him out.

“Antearia, what is your plan?” Willa asked her.

“You two will take Taryn to earth after he becomes the new Oracle. You will place him in the arms of someone you trust, because Caitlyn can’t take of him by herself when you are gone.”

“What?! Where am I going?” Willa exclaimed.

“And why can’t I go with her?” asked Caitlyn.

“Zeus is going to send you away. All of the gods will leave after Roman’s battle with Zeus, so the safest place for him will be on Earth.”

“Roman’s coming back? When will I see him again?”

“When you take Taryn back to Earth. But first,” Antearia tickled Tayn’s belly and blew a raspberry. The tiny baby giggled with delight and grasped for his mother’s hair. Her eyes began to glow its vibrant green for the final time, and smoke began to spew from her mouth. If she was crying, they couldn’t tell. She held him to her chest tightly for a moment before raising his face to hers.

“I’ll see you again. I promise I will.” she kissed Tyran on his forehead and the light from her eyes poured into his. The smoke spewing from her mouth did the same, and her body became pale, shadowy and translucent. The bright light that had filled the room vanished, and the candles began to float and ignite, circling the two of them.

“Catch him.” said Antearia, her voice suddenly a whisper. Tyran somehow fell through Antearia’s hands but began to float before Willa could catch him. Willa, still fearful, pushed some candles out of her way and grabbed him out of the air. He turned to his mother, eyes still glowing and uttered his first words in the Oracle’s voice.

“It’s okay.”

The glow faded and Tyran close his eyes, sound asleep. Antearia touched his face and her hand went slightly through it, causing Tyran to shake a little in his sleep. She knelt down to hug Caitlyn but went through her as well, so they did an awkward air hug and smiled.

“Watch over him. I’m counting on you.”

With that, she took Thanatos’ hand and walked through the door. Willa and Caitlyn followed them out just in time to see them sink into the ground, leaving behind a temporary puddle of darkness.