Mirabel wouldn't have suspected anything out of order if his parents hadn't had that look.

"Well, honey, he isn't here," they snapped, even though they tried to sound polite.

"I just wanted to gift him as it is his birthday," she said, holding a wrapped box.

"Well, why don't you give it to us? Perhaps, he's gone for finding a mate," said Mr. Winchester.

"I didn't know he went for that," frowned Mrs. Winchester.

And that was that. Mirabel's sixth sense kicked in as she rushed to find Hans and Zest.

"Zest! Zest! Hans!" she said, panting as she ran with all her strength.

"What?" they asked, scared at her approaching in that manner. Zest was explaining the different types of potions and Hans had been listening with rapt interest.

"I think..." she said, catching her breath. "Eric isn't at his home and his parents are acting all weird. I think Sera has a role to play in his disappearance."

Hans looked at Mirabel, frowning. "Mirabel, it's almost time for him to find a mate, so he could have gone for that. Traditions for the werewolves are different when finding their mate."

Mirabel paled visibly. "No, I just don't think so."

"Why not?" asked Hans as Zest elbowed him. "What?"

Zest gave him a look and led Mirabel away. "Don't think I haven't noticed it, but I wish you would've told him sooner."

Mirabel looked at her, wondering if she was thinking the same thing.

Zest huffed. "Are you serious? Hans might've not noticed, like the dimwit he is, but if people have sense, they have. So, spit it girl."

"He's gone, Zest," she sighed. "You think I don't know what his feelings for me are? He considers me...a servant only."

"Then, he is as stupid as a...as a," she struggled to find the right words. "As a moron."

Mirabel looked away. "Well, it isn't that simple."

"Nope."

"And you think he'll accept it? He'll probably oust..."

She was going to continue but Zest put a finger to her lips. "Just...I don't know, Mirabel, believe."

Mirabel seemed to ponder over it and then shook her head.

"I know one person," said Zest. "Come on."

She waved over to Hans as the trio made their way to Eric's chamber secretly. It was easy, considering that Mirabel was his servant.

"Now, I believe Veronica knows him the most."

They searched for her, and found her reading some book. "Veronica, we are in trouble. Or rather, Eric is."

Veronica squinted at them. "Well, what makes you say that? Is he not in his room?"

Three heads shook.

"Are you sure about that? He'd always tell me where he is going. What about...Sera?"

"That's our guess," said Mirabel, grabbing the chance. 

"Are you sure you're not acting out of...jealousy?"

Mirabel bit her lips. "I...don't think so. Well, ask their opinion then."

Veronica towards them.

"We think that that is true. The fact is...she is manipulative. In a desirable way."

"If I am right, I might still have some of my powers," she said, smiling. "After all, what's a nymph for?"

She went out into the woods and searched for a place.

"Wh-What pow-er-ers?" asked Hans. "Er-Eric never men-mentioned so."

"Perhaps because he was ashamed to do so," she said, crossing her legs, and closing her eyes. "Now, do not speak."

They kept silent even though Mirabel and Zest both itched to ask her what she was doing. They saw her repeat a few words as a strong wind blew. Lilac wind tinged with the smell of pomegranates.

She nodded a few times and then she seemed to be trying to control herself. She was trying to shut her eyes and open it at the same time. And then, it snapped open as she gasped for breath.

"Olympus. Eric is there. Guarding, it seems with the other factions. He's guarding Styx."

"Amoris..." said Zest, worried.

"Olympus?" asked Mirabel, her head spinning. The thought of him getting captured by the gods and some ruthless curse befalling him was unbearable.

"That's not the only thing. Sera's involved. And Amoris...she's in pain," said Veronica, biting her nails.

"I don't understand what Sera wants if she doesn't love him anymore. I thought it was power, but now that Eric is not the king..." said Zest.

Mirabel looked dazed, teetering slightly. "Phantasos!" she screamed.

Phantasos rushed up to their place once she'd called him. "What is it?"

"Eric..." she said. Her head was spinning slightly as she sat down, her head in her arms.

"I know. Amoris told," he sighed. "She saw the factions guarding Styx. Apparently, it seems that Athena is far more clever than we have predicted. She planted an idea in their head and well..."

"But, if we venture out there," countered Veronica. "There's no chance of even being alive."

"True. Even though we are gods, Amoris can't risk it and you know why."

Zest looked as though she was formulating something. "I can prepare a healing potion if we get injured."

Phantasos scoffed. "Like, if you get shot by Apollo? No way."

Zest looked at Hans. "Well? Any ideas?"

"We have a chance of winning," he continued. "But, to get Eric back safely..."

"That's-that's not the on-only problem," stuttered Hans. "Sera is behind this partly. Along with Nathan, we believe."

"Behind Eric acting like a crazed werewolf?" asked Phantasos.

Veronica sighed. "That boy...I only thought of his happiness even though I felt something was wrong with Sera...he likes her."

Mirabel looked torn.

Zest looked at Mirabel and softly shook her head.

Phantasos looked at the time. "Amoris has to meet someone who has promised help. I have to go. Don't try to get to Olympus. It's far more dangerous."

*******

Amoris' breathing increased or rather it seemed to be wedged inside her throat. "No..."

The factions lined up were a true nightmare she'd never predicted. She briefly wondered if the little friends she'd made were simply being sanctimonious; just to get back at her. Tears pricked her eyes as she started shaking.

"Give up, Amoris," said Nathan from the lake inside the ship.

"No!" she whispered. "No!"

Nathan squinted at Amoris' defiance.

"You think you'll win against a clever goddess like Athena?" asked Sera. "This place belongs to Zeus and he will rule."

Amoris frowned upon hearing that but quickly changed her features. Fear overtook her.

"Give up, darling!" croaked a voice and she Athena's huge frog-like eyes sneer at her.

Amoris ran out of Olympus, hunting for Klaus. She remembered Hades telling her that he'd repay her.

Klaus was talking to Candy as she burst in Christmas Land.

"Amoris? Is it time for the favor...?" asked Klaus.

Amoris nodded as she spoke. "But, your hair...that's not the only thing we need to bring back Rex right?"

Klaus shook his mane. "No. Candy, what do you think?"

Amoris didn't think her decision would be wise in this case.

"I don't know how Styx will wake. Klaus told me the story. But, I do know that everybody loves candy and gifts. And what do you need for a gift? A box, of course," she said. "You need a box for Klaus' beard."

"I don't think..." Amoris started but when she noticed Candy's cheeriness, she kept silent.

"I once asked Pandora for a box when I ran out of them. She was kind and she lent me one," said Candy gently.

The ground shook as a vine crept up, twisting into the air, carrying a gift wrapped up on its very top.

"Klaus," Amoris said, as she tried to steady herself. "What's happening?"

"Don't fear. Christmas Land helps those who speak the truth. It returns something when it is being spoken," said Klaus as Candy reached out and the vine bent, the box dropping into her hands.

******

what do you think might be there in the box?

Yours,

Rose