With a strange sense of deja vu, I rolled over and found myself beside Eric. He snored softly, looking completely at ease with the world; one hand lazily stretched over his chest, while his other held a bottle of water. Slowly rolling into a sitting position, I managed to get it from his grasp and took a sip. It was still cold.

"I wanted that."

"Ssh, sleep. This is all a dream." I whisper, having another sip.

"If it was, it wouldn't be you in bed with me," he groaned, reaching out to snatch it back. "Sleep well?"

"I did, actually."

"Thanks for taking my bed too. Imagine my surprise when I finish for the night, exhausted, overworked, underpaid, and find all of that spread out like a starfish." He waved a hand in my direction. "You're just lucky I'm such a gentleman."

"I'd expect nothing less though-" I pause as I see the bedside clock. "How long was I out for?"

"About eighteen hours."

"Shit!" I run out into the bar where a small crowd is already gathering.

I hadn't planned on sleeping that long at all, but the bath had left me feeling completely chill and, well, here I am. Heading towards the back where Kara's room was, she's sitting in her chair in their private area, eating a burger while Artemis idly picks at a bowl of chips beside her while looking at something on an iPad. My iPad.

Artemis looked up at me and instantly blushes.

"It's been a while, lots of Kardashians for me to catch up on." She smirks. "I also notice you've changed your password."

"Yeah, it's a regular occurrence thanks to snoops like you," I smile at her. "I'm so glad you're here."

She gets up and hugs me tight, the feeling clearly mutual.

"I'll give you guys a minute," Kara gets up, taking her food with her so it's just the two of us.

"What the hell has been going on?" I ask as soon as we part. "I knew you couldn't have been killed, yet this um, Seer I know, saw you being attacked. He thought you'd died, and I met this genie who said she had helped you both and, I've been so worried."

Instantly I feel my chest tighten, the fear and image Matt had painted so clear and real, if she wasn't before me now, it would be so easy to believe it had been fact. She pats my arm, and we sit on the lounge, yet as she nods that fear of losing my friend returns.

"I don't even know where to begin," Artemis sighed. "How about you start, how are you?"

"Good. Great even. Do you know Eris?" I ask, watching her body tense and her face pale.

"Why and how do you even know her name?" Artemis finally asked after a minute.

"She has been calling herself the Prophet and finding idiots here to join her little doomsday cult with the sole mission to kill me." I shrug. "I'm looking forward to crossing paths with her again."

"Last time you faced her, I'm pretty sure I had to save you in this very room." Apollo limps out from Kara's room, still underweight and sick looking, but also much more himself than earlier. "After all this time, you still want to get involved in a war that isn't yours."

Muz had performed a miracle.

Shame he hadn't fixed that attitude too.

Artemis was up and fussing with more enthusiasm and care than I could muster in that moment. She helped him into the spot beside me where she had been sitting, instantly producing water and a small platter of fruits, cheese and meat.

"How are you feeling? Keep eating, put honey on everything. It'll help." She instructed.

"I'm fine, Art. I can feel it all working, just give it time." Even just saying that seems to take a lot of effort. His arm moves as if to reach for the water on the table, yet he instead sinks back into the chair. "Thank you."

"He does seem to be doing much better." I add, earning a glare from her.

"Could you get me some ice though, please," Apollo asks, and as she opens her mouth to answer him, he gives a tiny shake of his head and Artemis nods.

"Oh, right. I'll just go get some ice then." She quickly rambles, disappearing as quickly as Kara had.

"That was subtle." And then there were two. "How are you, really?"

"I've been better. I actually thought I was going to die, especially when I saw you.  Didn't think I would see you again, so wasn't sure what to believe." He frowned. "Every time I'd wake up, you weren't there. I was starting to think I imagined it until I heard your voice just now."

"I was with you. I didn't leave until last night. I also didn't plan to sleep for as long as I did." I admit. "But, I'm here."

I take his hand in mine and give it a gentle squeeze. His grip was weak, but there. I wasn't sure what to say now. Of course I wanted to know what had happened. I wanted him to know I missed him, that I was glad he was going to be okay. Instead, I reached over and got him a glass of water, helped him take a sip and as he only continued to look even more exhausted than he did earlier, I let him slide across so his head was in my lap. He laid down beside me, eyes slowly closing as a big sigh left him.  Idly I stroked his hair, the ease and familiarity of it the moment felt. Everything else could wait.

"Please tell me you're not really going to go after Eris." Apollo asked in one breath soon after.

"Even if I don't, it's only a matter of time before she comes after me. Again."

"It's not going to be like last time."

"I know."  This time I wasn't going to let her walk away. "Rest. Nothing is going to happen now, so ssh."

He was asleep in the blink of an eye and dropping my head back against the chair I wondered when I'd get my wish to see her again. More than that, I wondered what would happen next. Would the reappearance of Artemis and Apollo cause their sibling to join the party? It made sense, when one thing happened, my life had a way of exploding with all the things following. If I went out to the bar, I wouldn't be surprised if Eris was there waiting. Incase she was, I closed my eyes and ignore her, and everything outside of this room except for the slow, deep breaths of Apollo.

"Hunter?" Ailin's voice broke into my thoughts and looking up now, she stood there as grim faced as ever. Her eyes landed on Apollo, and a tiny smile appeared as she looked back at me. "How is he?"

"Alive. Artemis came with the bee guy and did their thing."

She nods. "I know, I came by earlier. We thought it best to let you rest."

"Thank you."

"I've had Genzo in voluntary custody since that night. I wanted to converse with you before proceeding."

"This was him buying my help." I tell her. "What are my options?"

Ailin looked thoughtful for a moment. "Whatever his reasons for this, you do not owe him a damn thing."

"Ailin, language!" I gasp. "What about keeping the peace and what all that?"

"You sent him back to his world like a common demon, blocking his usual channels of entry. Insult him regularly, and most recently, sent him through my bookcase. I think the time for politeness is over." She crossed her arms, glancing out at the bar before looking at Apollo again. "I will send him home. Ensure he understands there is no alliance."

Carefully I got up, easily able to replace my lap with a cushion.

"I'll come with you."

"You can stay. I understand."

"No, I'm coming. Art is here, the Valkyrie will help." I wave at Kara and she and Artemis come over. "I need to go for a bit. The Oni demon is still waiting, and there are things I need to do."

"But, what about when he wakes up?" Artemis asks, sounding surprised.

"You will be there for him," I tell her firmly. "I'm glad you're both okay. I will do whatever I can for you, but I have other duties that need my attention. He isn't- we broke up Art. He isn't my responsibility or sole priority anymore."

She gives a small nod, and leaves us. I don't look back at her, or him.

"With all that's happened, are you sure you don't want to stay with-" Kara hesitates, "them?"

"I'll be back as soon as I can. Keep them safe, call if anything happens?"

"Of course, but are you sure? You two may have broken up, yet what-" She starts and I shake my head.

"No. I have to see Genzo. Plus, now there are three of us here, who knows what attention that might bring. I need to sort shit out first."

One look at Ailin and we're back in her office.

"I'm proud of you Hunter." Ailin says as we moves to sit behind her desk. "I wasn't sure how his return may affect you."

"I'm not sure either. I don't think it's all sunk in yet."

"Perhaps. Yet, here you are." She begins to type away on her laptop, and seconds later Genzo appears in a dark mist of shadow demon which soon evaporates into nothing. "Genzo of the Oni, thank you for your patience."

"It's the least I could do. God Killer." He bows in my direction, the smugness radiating off him. Genzo thinks he has won. "How is your god?"

"His life has been saved, your timing was impeccable." I tell him.

"You say that like I had intended it to be that way, I assure you, I did not."

"I'm thankful to you for bringing him to us. It couldn't have been easy to do considering our last encounter."

"I have my ways, God Killer." He smiles. "Now you've had some time, and your boyfriend is saved-"

"He's not my boyfriend. This changes little between us." His smile vanishes.

"Your good deed has been noted, Genzo." Ailin stands, moving around her desk to stand beside me. "You may leave on your own accord."

"Leave?" Genzo chuckled. "I have little intention of doing so unless I am accompanied by her."

His big blue finger points my way, a new anger simmering just under the surface.

"I'm not getting into this and I'm still not going to lead your people in a battle, I know they won't be able to win alone. I will stand for no one but myself. The rumours you have heard are just rumours and anything I do is for all, not just for one."

"Ironic considering the last one I heard was that you were dead, yet here you are."

"Maybe I am, to some. Do what you can to keep that rumour alive, and when the time comes, know that your people will be spared."

"Elise-" Ailin started.

"That sounds like something, someone preparing to fight would say." His face seemed to brighten. "Does this mean you will end the war?"

"No. I can't promise that, but I am going to try."

"Try?" Genzo spits out. "You need to do a bit more than that!"

I shrug. "There's not much more I can do."

"So what do I do in the meantime before you decide to try and help us?" He growls.

"Be thankful I'm taking your word that you had nothing to do with the state Apollo was in, and that you are alive, after returning when I said not to!" I warn, stepping closer which makes him take a step back. "Ensure the rumour that I am dead continues, and let no one speak of what went on here."

"And if I don't?"

"Then you are bound to be the first place the Dark King will come looking for me. I've heard he has little mercy for those who go against him, especially if you've been talking with the God Killer." It's a threat that seems to work as I see him shudder at the mention of Cain, yet his eyes widen as he steps closer to me.

"They say it was the Dark King that slayed the God Killer. He outwitted her, removed her powers and made her mortal. Poseidon himself confirmed her corpse now resides in the bottom of his ocean where her screams make the Sirens weep." I stand firm as he stops. "Did you already try and fail to stop him?"

"I didn't try last time, and I am still here. Who do you think failed?"

Genzo laughed, a deep sound that came from his belly. "I shall do as you say. When you face him, and you will Girl, make sure you try this time."

From his pants pocket he pulled out a small green bottle and threw it at the space the portal had appeared a couple of nights ago. The green liquid hissed like acid before the portal sprung to life and with a final bow, he stepped through. As soon as it shut, I dropped down onto the lounge and Ailin sat beside me.

"Cain had The Magician working for him, didn't he? You were gone because he sent you back in time as a prison." She said slowly.

"Banished would the term more frequently used."

"The Twins, their return?"

"Possibly the beginning of how this is all going to end." Ailin growled. "I didn't want to believe it. After everything, that he would actually do that. If I told you, it made it real. I'm sorry."

Ailin said nothing, which possibly worse than any words she could throw my way.

"Did he really drop you in the ocean?"

"No. None of that part is true. He had these, handcuffs that blocked my power, but he let me go. I was left there instead. I keep thinking about it. Did he know I'd work out a way to leave? Has he gone back and found us gone? Is there anyway of things going back to how they were?"

"What threat is there to our world?" Ailin asked, any emotion gone in her .

"Unless, he or that Eris chick come, I think we will be okay. I'm going to have to go over there."

"And end up like Apollo?"

"I don't know." I admitted. "I could be okay, also might be worse."

"After everything that has happened, I don't doubt you or your ability Elise. I don't fear that you will not return to us, that you will not do all you can to keep this world safe. You have come so far from the girl I first met," Ailin turned to me, taking my hand in hers. "I worry about what this will do to you. You are still so young, and yet another burden has been placed upon your shoulders. I worry for you, what you may have to do and all that awaits."

"I'm not going to lose the plot again, if that's you mean."

"No, it's not. Even if you did I wouldn't hold it against you." She closed her eyes, a few tears falling. "You think you've seen the worst of it, but I fear that is yet to come."

"That makes two of us."

We sit there for a while. I didn't know what else to say, and clearly neither did she. It was nice to just be and share a second of peace. Everything was leading to a big moment, and I wasn't sure when that would actually happen, so this was a treat. Of course I had people waiting for me, issues to sort through, a plan to try and think of, as well as see Raya again and just like that my head began to ache.

On cue Ailin's phone rang, from the desk and her mobile startling us both. She answered simply, quickly getting up to her laptop. I didn't miss the new tension that radiated off her, or the way she snuck a few glances my way before putting the phone down.

"Everything okay?" I ask, moving to the desk.

"Oh Hunter, no it is not." She sighed. "I'll get a team in place and ready to go, but I need you now."

"What is it? What's wrong?"

She flicks her hand towards the wall where Genzo's portal had been and a map appeared. We moved over to it, and she zoomed in to a small red dot and pointed at it.

"We had a small team checking out rumours of a dragon in these mountains. It's cold up there, seemed unlikely, but the locals believe, it even made the news. No dragons, but something up there had destroyed a small settlement and made a meal of the villagers. I hadn't worried too much about it to be honest."

"So, there is a dragon?"

"I don't know. The team have just activated their SOS signal."

"Oh, okay, well, let me at it then." I shrug.

"I know you have other things to worry about, and-"

"Doesn't matter. I'm so gone I'm already there, almost. Just let me change and-" Even as I say it, my clothes alter so I'm ready for the snow only she cuts me off.

"There's something else you need to know before you go. Hunter, Zane is leading this team."

Of course he fucking is.

"Anything else I need to know?" I ask.

"Well, no, but you-" She starts only I don't hear anything else as I'm suddenly being hit by a blast of arctic air.

Looking around, I've come straight into a blizzard and seeing a dark shadow upahead, take myself there. I'm already cold, yet with the trees it's not as bad. Looking around, I don't see anyone or anything. I start to walk, thinking of Zane so this time I have a solid focus point on where I want to go and end up back in the blizzard, with nothing anywhere.

I call out for him but it's pointless. The words don't even leave my mouth due to the way the wind is howling and just when I'm about to go back to Ailin and see if there's anything else she can tell me, I notice a flashing light in the distance. I go there instantly, and wish I hadn't.

Sheltered by a small rocky outcrop,  the body is curled around a torch and a gun. Each hand blue and icy, with the face hidden by a mask, tucked down against their legs. It's not Zane, but it was someone. Another figure is just behind them.

I touch each one, and return to Ailin's office.

"How did- oh gods!" Ailin exclaims.

"How many were with him?" I ask.

"Four, he was number five." Three more remained. "I've deployed a team for back up. There's a witch among them, she's making a portal as we speak to join you."

I go back, sticking to the rocks, and trees, sheltering as best I can. Sensing the team arrive, I find them easily and it only makes me even more nervous. I can't feel anyone else around here.

"The signal is coming from that way." The taller woman points behind me, out into the nothingness. "What do you think Anita?"

"The debrief was simple. Bring them home." Anita answered, and I realised she was a witch.

"I've taken two back already." I tell them, as the man beside me nods and points in the same direction I had just come from. "It's bad out there, I'm not sure how we can find anything?"

"We have the tech to do so," He snapped, pulling up a scarf to cover his mouth before he started to walk.

The others fell into line and I noticed the rope that kept them all connected. Good idea considering, and as a shiver ran up my spine, followed by that creepy feeling of being watched, I let them go and followed behind, keeping an eye out for anything that may be lurking nearby.

"Do you feel that?" Anita asked me, practically screaming in my ear so I could hear her a few minutes later.

I nod.

The tall woman pulls on the rope, and we both look to the others were they had formed a circle. A red light flashed on the screen, yet there was no one here. We all looked down at the same time, then we started to dig before I stopped them, and putting my hand out forced the snow away to find a couple of backpacks. The guy with the tech, that suddenly seemed pointless went through the bag and missing the red smears on it was impossible. He pulled out the tiny black device and turned it off.

Closing my eyes, I searched for Zane. I blocked out the wind, the snow, the cold. I felt for solid ground, and reached out. I sought out a figure and felt the tug of energy from the ones around me, and then something else. It was powerful and not a person, the feel of it being so close made my stomach sink.

I grabbed Anita's hand and thinking of all of them, ended up back by the rocks where we had a bit of cover.

"Something is out there," I shouted.

"Who are you?" Anita asked, seemingly bewildered. I stared back at myself as reflective masks all turned to look at me. "You're not just a Hunter are you?"

"No, I'm not. There's something out there, big." I waved my arms as to get the point across. "We're being watched."

"I knew it. Hang on, let me help." She smiled, and under her breath began to mumble as she held her hands up to the sky.

Her chanting got louder, and louder, until the wind ceased and the snow stopped. The sky was dark and grey overhead, but the weather seemed to ease.

"You couldn't have opened with that?" I ask, daring to lift up my eye mask.

"I wasn't sure I'd be able to after doing the portal." She shrugged.

"What's going on?" The man asked, dumping the backpack at his feet.

I looked it over and checked inside, my stomach sinking. This was Zanes, I knew it was and then I saw his diary which confirmed it.

"Something is coming." Anita explained, "I don't know how long I can stop this storm for, ready yourselves. Hunter, are you alright?"

"No." I whispered, looking at the worn brown leather of the journal.

"Tarni, take James to that point. We can defend ourselves within these rocks." Anita takes control, giving orders and prepping her small team. They must be done when she comes back to me. "I'm sure they are around here somewhere, now the storm has stopped they may come out. Don't lose hope just yet hun."

Hope. Right now it was all I had.

Well that, and the two fuzzy dragons that just landed in front of us.