Word Count: 2268

Warnings: Very vague mentions of attempted SA, and I guess that's it??

RECAP: Thunder rumbled outside and the bond was sealed. "Well, then demigods. Go ahead. Impress and enchant me with your tales of bravery." They all looked at each other and wondered the same thing. "Can we tell you any story of our lives? Funny, sad, angst, happy, whatever??" Alex asked for everyone. "Of course." And thus, they began.

          "I'll go first." Alex said as she took a spoonful of soup. "There was this one time. I was going out and my father who is transphobic started hitting me for wanting to go out in a skirt. After the event was over, he pushed me out the door and shut it behind me. I lay on the road, hands bloody and body shaking when my youngest half-sibling came out with a glass of water. He walked up to me and asked me why I had blood all over my hands. I told him to go ask his father.

          So he did. And he came out, on the verge of crying. He came to me, and hugged me gingerly, as if he was scared I'd push him away. And then he broke down. He was apologising and was trying to wipe my cuts and his face, all simultaneously." Alex chuckled slightly memory and told Magnus to continue.

          Magnus told about something that happened to his mom and him when they were trekking. He, too, was happy with what he had told. Next was Nico.

          "Me and Bianca went to this library once. Our mom was there too. And it had all these comics. I think there was one of Captain America and Captain Marvel. I loved it so much. But they were a little expensive and we were buying them with our pocket money we've saved up. And my money wasn't enough. So I had to use Bianca's too. I felt bad but she insisted that I take them and I bought the books." He finished with a sigh of longing and Adri thought she heard him mutter I love you.

          They all turned to Adri and waited. "Alex, why don't you go again?? I don't have any happy stories." Adri tried. Alex stared at her. "C'mon. Someone go again." Adri said again, eyes downcast, picking the veggies in her bowl of soup. Nico noticed her discomfort. "That's alright. Tell us something." Adri took a deep breath. 

          "When I was younger, I saw this kitten and it was alone, so I got it to the Underworld. Persephone hated the cat because of how much it ruined her garden by doing its business in it. But she was forbidden from doing anything to the cat because of direct orders from Hades. It then lived for three years and sadly passed away last year."

          Nico laughed. "So that's why I kept seeing a random cat at random times. Cute." he said, staring directly into Adri's eyes. They held eye contact but Alex cleared her throat awkwardly. "Right. If you're both, er.. done, let's move on. What are we doing now??" "Maybe parental figures??" Magnus suggested. "Sure, I've got lots of those." Alex said sarcastically. "Sorry, I didn-" "Just kidding, I'll tell you 'bout this thing Blitz and I did."

           Alex talked of this one time that Blitz and her shopping and they ended up almost buying the whole store.

          Magnus went next. He told a story of when his mom dropped him at school and a young girl walked up to her and exclaimed, "Mom, LOOK!! Tinker-bell's real!!" Adri chuckled at what Magnus told them.

          Nico continued. "There was time, right?? Uhh.. Hades thought he wasn't being a proper dad for me and wanted to give me something. So he got he got me a chauffeur. Who was an undead. Who also had a French accent." he deadpanned. "Di Angelo. I wanna meet your dad. His sense of humour is everything." Alex told him. Nico thought she was joking, until he caught her serious expression.

          "His humour really is everything." Adri told Alex. "I'll tell you guys about this thing me and my dad did. So, I was crying one day. I was.. seven, I think. So he took me to the carnival. We played lots of games and went to the Haunted House and everything." A slight pause followed, as she reminisced. "Oh! And that was the first time someone told me I was truly special!!" She finished with a huge smile on her face, a slight sparkle in her eyes.

          "Wait, wasn't that your dream the other day??" Nico asked. Adri nodded to his question. "Was that the reason why you were both smiling in your sleep?" Magnus asked. "Aha... Yeah." Adri answered after a small nervous chuckle.

          "I'm not going to ask for the details." Alex informed, leaning back. Adri muttered a few words of protests while Nico went cherry red. "Also, can I get the recipe of this soup?? It's the best." "Of course." The woman said as she walked to a cabin and pulled out a book with a worn leather cover.

          "Miss. We've told you about ourselves, why don't you tell us about yourself??" Adri asked, pushing her now-empty bowl away. The woman merely smiled. "I am Jenna Horne." After seeing she wasn't saying anything else, Nico asked, "How old are you then, Miss Horne?" "I am currently 210 years old."

          Adri let out a sudden gasp. "You were alive when the last witch trials were happening!! You're a daughter of Hecate!! Were you banished or something??" 

          Jenna chuckled at her reaction. "Yes. Would you like to hear my story? I've never told it to anyone. Would you like to be the first to hear it?" Jenna was met four very enthusiastic nodding heads. "Now hear ye, hear ye, what a man could get away with." And thus, she began her tale.

          "I was born in a time when there were women being accused of witches everyday. The authorities hadn't even cared to properly verify whether the accused was guilty of being a witch or a sorceress.

          I was born to a man named Joseph Horne and an unknown woman who I later came to know was Hecate. My father told everyone that my mother had died when giving birth. My father was just a shepherd but he came from a wealthy family. He was well respected in our village due to his status and behaviour with people of the village.

          My whole childhood, I was treated like a princess and even my step-mother loved me. Everything was perfect. I had two younger brothers who practically worshipped me. I was happy and safe. Of course, there were the occasional monster attacks but my father, who was gifted with clear-vision managed to fight them off everytime.

          But I should've known better than to think this happiness and prosperity would last." Jenna's tone now took on a better edge. "One day, as I was strolling through the meadow, picking berries, our neighbour's daughter, Thomasine, began cornering me. She started wailing and accusing me."

          "Of being a witch?" Alex asked. Jenna nodded, her eyes blazing, and continued on with her story.

          "She said she caught sight of me talking to our goat. She called me the devil's accomplice. I managed to get home but that was a mistake. Our home was situated roughly in the middle of the village. It was a Sunday, I still remember. The priest of the church next door heard her wails. He came running out and asked Thomasine what was wrong.

          Seizing her opportunity, she spat the most hideous of lies. She called me a liar. She said I corrupted young men and invited men to my house in secret. I was fine with all that. I knew it wasn't true. But she had crossed the line when she said things against my father and mother. She said we were all made a deal with the devil so that we'd all remain prosperous and our farms would give good yield.

          That was when I lost it. I lurched towards her and before I even knew what I was doing, I slapped her hard across her stupid face. I was revelling in satisfaction until reality set in. Portrayal of rage in women was an aspect that was most associated with being the devil's accomplice in those days.

          I pulled my hand back and stared at it. I may have just sentenced my entire family to death. I looked around as the priest's eyes were widened in shock and Thomasine's eyes glowed with triumph. She faked crying and screeched out, 'Have you all witnessed what this witch had just committed!! '

          This got the attention of the whole town. My parents came running out, wondering what on Earth had happened. When they realized what went on, their looks of worry turned to looks of disappointment. Matters got much worse as authorities came in and said my entire family was to be burned at the stake."

          Adri raised a timid hand. "Why did Thomasine hate you?" Jenna smiled and they all noticed how much better she looked when she was smiling, rather than  glaring at the table. "Simply because I was much prettier. I was what they referred to as the ideal woman for marriage. I often got rich suitors and Thomasine couldn't tolerate this." She gave a pause to let that sink in. "Now on with my story."

          "It so happened that the king was visiting that day. We were all done for. Or that's what we thought. When he came around, he was overseeing our execution. I was sobbing for mercy and my eyes met his. Something flickered in his eyes. Most would've said love, but I say it's lust. He immediately called off my execution and asked me to marry him. I was reluctant but I knew it was my only chance to save my family.

          I agreed but on the condition that my family is also pardoned. He was eager as he wanted nothing more than to own me. So there was a grand procession and I got married to a man I barely knew. Things were great for the first week. But he later started getting bored of me. He spent time with other women. I asked about it and he blatantly stated that he got bored of my body.

          I was deeply hurt. I never knew of my divine heritage and thought that everything that happened was just my good luck. After about three months into the marriage, the king started getting very sick. He started having bouts of coughs in which he coughed out blood. Soon enough, he died.

          I was happy but I had to feign sorrow so I wouldn't be accused. But it came, sooner or later. The ministers suspected me of using witchcraft and I was chucked into the dungeon, just like that. I was starved for days and was only fed dried up portions bread and cold soup that sometimes was rotten. It was a miracle I managed to not catch any illness.

          My only joy was the cook. She was a frail old woman who gave me my food. She told me of the things going on outside and kept me informed about my families well-being. She often commented on how my beauty never deteriorated, even in prison. But that was of no joy to me.

          The day of my freedom started out bad. The guard who was incharge of my cell began desiring me. He decided that that day, he would have me. So when the candles were all put out, he crept into my cell and tried seducing me. That didn't work out, so he tried to force himself onto me. My pleads for help fell on deaf ears and even the other male prisoners merely watched, happy to be able to catch sight of the scene, one way or the other."

          Adri and Magnus stared in shock as Alex sat with her jaw clenched and Nico looked as if he wanted to back into the past and unleash a legion of undead onto the guard.

          "My saviour was one no one expected. The old cook walked in and with a snap of her fingers, everyone fell asleep. As she walked to my cell, the gate miraculously swung open and she walked in. She told me she was Hecate, the goddess of magic and witchcraft. She revealed herself to be my mother and aided in my escape. 

          She led me here and with another snap of her fingers, she cleared space and magically erected a cottage that would only be visible to demigods who need my help. The Vikings knew of me, hence the garnet led you to me. And I was also made a goddess, well, I am only immortal and I intend to stand here till the end of my time, guiding demigods like you."

          The time neared 1:30 as Jenna finished her story.(AN: I know the time skip makes no sense. Just go with it pls.) Adri broke the silence first. "I- Wow. I am so, so, absolutely proud of you right now." she said, wiping away a stray tear. "Uh.. Can I give you a hug?" she asked. "Of course, Adrienne." Smiling, she went and gave Jenna a huge hug.

          "That was one hell of a life. I'm just glad you're safe now." Alex commented. Magnus nodded his head to what Alex said while Nico just stared. He finally let out a sigh and turned to look at Jenna. "You. Are. An. Inspiration." he concluded. Jenna just laughed at what they all said and stood up.

          "Would you like to rest, or do you want information about the Dagger??" The four turned to look at each other and after a few seconds of silence turned and said they wanted information. Jenna shrugged and the bowls on the tables flew to a sink in the corner and a few big books floated and replaced the bowls.

          "Well, you can begin reading while I get you your lunch."

AN: Well people!! I enjoyed writing this chapter. It was just very fun. And sorry for making it almost twice as long as my regular chapters. I got carried away😅 Anyway, Thanks for reading and do tell me how you feel about my story.

Love,

Helene