The bangs woke me up with a fright. Four steady explosions that ended with a pop, and had me out of bed before my eyes managed to open. Disorientated, with my anxiety, instantly peaking I felt the first tug of chest pain as my mouth went dry. Stumbling to the window, my legs ached with a cramp hitting my calf and taking what breath I was already fighting to keep as it spread through my whole leg.

More explosions.

I expected Hades or Kara to come rushing in at any second, and what a sight I would be. The God Killer, the unofficial next Queen of Olympus, suffocating with a panic attack and crippled by a muscle cramp. After a minute with no one around to witness my less proudest moment, I managed to get enough control back to open the window and the sight took my breath away all over again.

We were not under attack. There was no new wave of some remote army attempting to destroy Hades little hideout while I finally got to take a nap. It wasn't even a group of townsfolk coming this way with their pitchforks and canons, if they even had those, after deciding someone who has an alter-ego with the name Killer in it, may not be great Queen material after all.

It was fireworks.

Colours I had never imagined lit up the sky, their popping bang echoing up to us from the town below. I must have been out longer than I thought, what had only felt like a few minutes had clearly been a few hours with the return of the night. The main castle and region were lit up just as spectacularly, neon colours altered the appearance of buildings, gardens and pathways. The town was much the same and it was from somewhere in between the two that the fireworks were being set free from. I had never seen anything so beautiful.

Hobbling back to the bed, I dropped down and nearly fell back asleep. The thought of facing everyone already left what rest I had vanished, and there was just so much to do but I was so damn tired. I'd come here to hide, and avoid everyone for that very reason.

Joining Ares and Athena made sense at the time, checking on our soldiers and the town now the battle was over had been a priority. We sent the Berserkers back to their world with help from Hermes, the Valkyrie were now home too. The Warfield had been sent back out to the sea until they'd next be needed; something that amazed and terrified me much the same. Everyone was looked after as best they could be and it appeared the celebrations had already begun.

Looking around the basic, stonewalled room, I spotted the table and water. The glass was in my hand without needing to move and as I slowly woke up now, cramp and panic attack over, the gnawing ache in my belly roared to life instead of with the water gone too quick. When had I even eaten last?

Holding out my hand, the small portion of Pomegranate from Hecate I had kept appeared. It looked the same, smelt the same, and so I took my chances, finishing it off. Like before, it began to work instantly just with nowhere near the same potency. Thankfully it made the few hours of sleep feel like I had a lot longer a lot more as it removed the foggy haze around my brain. Stretching, I didn't even feel so sore now and no other little niggles decided to bother me either.

I made it downstairs and into the kitchen without seeing anyone. Food was out and still warm so I helped myself and followed the sound of music to the balcony outside I'd sat with Hades on what felt like months ago. Kara was curled up in one of the oversized chairs, her eyes closed and a peaceful look on her face. Two plates and wine glasses sat beside her on the table so I took the other chair away from there and let her sleep.

"You're awake." Deimos came out as I finished eating, surprise turning into his usual straight face. "Are you well?"

"I am. You?" I ask.

"Tired, a little sore. Nothing some rest won't fix." He shrugged, choosing to lean against the railings by me rather than sit. "We don't know each other well, you may even be doubtful of my intentions. My, history, and that of my brother-"

"I look forward to getting to know you Deimos. People change. I understand. Thank you, for everything you've done for me, for all of us." I genuinely meant it.

He smiled in that, blink and you miss it, way he had which was a shame because that smile was something else. I had a feeling there would be a lot to be revealed about the reserved and awkward, God of Terror. Glancing towards Kara I wondered what she already knew.

"The Others are celebrating." He pointed out another round of fireworks starting. "We've been watching them since nightfall."

"It's something alright." I stood beside him and closed my eyes, not sensing anyone else here. "Where is Hades?"

"He returned to the Underworld. He should be back by morning." He offers me a glass of wine and I take it. "What is it you wish to be called now, your Highness, Queen, God-"

"Elise is fine." I quickly finished for him.

"Elise, you should know that he took the cor- body," He hesitated. "He took with him, the former King in order to prepare him for the burial rites of this world."

My stomach sunk, and opening my mouth I didn't know what to say, suddenly coughing instead. That didn't help, my voice was croaky and filled with guilt as I managed to say something back.

"Did he?"

Deimos did a terrible job of hiding his confusion at my reaction, showing yet another glimpse of emotion. The third in only a few minutes; I must be breaking him already.

"You don't seem, how I thought you would be, considering. From what I know and also what Kara hinted about the two of you-"

"No, no. No." I ramble, stopping him again. "I mean, kind of, maybe but it's, well, it was war. Right?"

"Doesn't mean you can't, feel, things." He answered as awkwardly as I had.

"Speaking of things," I motion towards Kara eager to deflect. "What's happening with you two?"

His face paled and Demios turned back to the fireworks, taking a long gulp of his wine.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar." He stared at me blankly. "Fine, fine. Good luck with that. If you need some help, I could put in a good word for you?"

"Ah, not necessary. Thank you. I think it's time I retired for the evening." I tried not to laugh as he gave me a strange little bow and disappeared.

"Smooth, Queenie. Real smooth." Kara groaned, and looking at her, she pulled the blanket up over her head. "I hate you."

Clearly someone hadn't been asleep at all.

"I think he likes you." I go and sit on her lap, despite her grunt of protest and attempt at pushing me off. "Deimos and Kara, sitting-"

She reappeared looking furious. "Don't you dare!"

"In a tree. K-" Her hand slaps over my mouth, and reactively, I lick it making her let go. "Oh come on, you like him too!"

"Maybe. But I told you, I don't date your kind. Powers are just messy. I spent a good chunk of my life seeing you all as the enemy, another part of it hiding from your dramas and God of Terror, Elise. How is that ever going to be a good idea?"

"Where was that warning when I needed it like five years ago?" I rolled my eyes.

"Nevermind me, I know what you were doing. How are you, really? I'm sure Hades will give you a moment if you need to say goodbye. I can't imagine how this has been for you." She sounded as awkward as Deimos now.

"Yeah, about that." I slip down into the chair beside her as she wiggles over as much as she can; cozy is an understatement. "We did, well, something happened."

"I knew it. Finally! Explains some stuff, but oh Elise!" She gasped, a little too excitedly and I quickly stopped her.

"No, not that. Gods calm down, you sound like Penny." I roll my eyes and this time, I barely whisper to her. "I didn't kill him. He isn't dead."

"What?" She slaps a hand over her own mouth as she twists around to look at me better. "No wonder you're taking all this so well! He looked dead to me!"

"Hades will work it out soon if he hasn't already. It was just an illusion," I confess and despite the fruit feel exhausted all over again. "A quick fix to buy us some time."

"Well, shit. I mean, a good plan, I think, but what now? Everyone seems pretty happy with the outcome. Do you just intend to chuck him back on the throne and see if anyone noticed?" She smirks. "And you haven't-"

"Stop it! No, and well, no, maybe. I don't know. I really didn't think this far ahead, I just needed to get it over with. I was thinking Artemis could just take over the whole leadership thing. She wants change, she's been around a long time, the people would side with her, right? Maybe even one of the Others, someone on that Council they had set up before?" Neither options sound like a bad idea. "I don't even want to be Queen!"

"No Other could ever rule. The Powers would never allow it, the council that had been created was bad enough, and it was still Power dominated. Not only that, if it did happen, but the rest of this world would also just destroy this land and make it their own. They all want the God Killer. You should see the town, you're more than a legend to these people now. They won't accept Artemis or any others. You came once and left. I don't think they will let you go again."

"I will never be able to live up to their expectations. It's not humanly possible. Apollo was right when he warned me to stay away. It's dangerous and I've only made everything worse now."

"You're not only human Elise and don't ever say Apollo is right." She made a face, making me laugh. "I don't think you have the choice to back out though."

"Can't Portia just appear and give me some kind of cryptic, future inspired, clue over what I'm supposed to do next." I groan, resting my head on her shoulder as she slings an arm over mine.

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown."

"Who do you think you are, Ailin?"

"It's Shakespeare, Queenie." She sighs. "What about Cain? Has he got any ideas on how this could all play out?"

"I haven't seen him since this morning. We didn't exactly get into a deep and meaningful over everything, honestly, I don't even know where he is." The side of the chair is digging into my hip, and unable to ignore it I give up, standing over by the railing instead which makes Kara sigh as she stretches back out on the chair. "It's so beautiful here."

"We've only been here a few days, but I forgot how different it is to Earth. That world has been a refuge, and I love it, don't get me wrong, but here? It's home." Reluctantly she gets up and with a slight limp stands beside me. "And honestly, I'm not in a rush to get back. There is no danger here anymore. You won't be alone here, I've got your back."

"Are you hurt?" I frown, looking her over.

"Nothing major." She lifts a section of her shirt and the bruising is nasty. "Don't say a word, but Deimos will be here too. Whatever you need, you can count on us and the Valkyrie. Megan will be returning to your world to take my place with those who wish to stay. When you are ready, I want to introduce you to Frigg. Our lands have been at war for as long as the records have been kept, but I feel a time of peace is soon to be upon us."

"You've already got everything sorted out, sure you don't want to be Queen instead? I haven't even decided if I want more to eat, nevermind the rest."  The fireworks have stopped, yet there is a distant rumble of noise which tells me the party hasn't completely ended. "I'm probably wrong, but isn't Frigg, Odin's ex-wife?"

"Oh you do know some things in that brain of yours!" She teases. "Technically widow now. But she is a friend, also possibly the second closest thing I've had to a mother. Their union was not one of love, but one of necessity and well, for all the affairs he had, she had twice as many."

Kara shrugs as it's not a big deal at all and I'm not even going to go into it any further than that.

"Also, why the sudden change? When we were at that Valkyrie hideout, you didn't think you would ever want to stay here. Why would we want to make peace with a land that was at war with itself?"

She smiled. "A lot happened while you were sleeping. You were right Elise, the time of Kings is over."

I didn't bother reminding her that it wasn't me who had said it and instead we both just looked out into the night in comfortable silence. For a minute, my head felt clearer, the air cold and clean. A million stars replaced the fireworks, their presence quiet and calming; much like the moon that hung almost opposite us in all its full glory. Closing my eyes, I breathed in nice and slow, yet as I found myself calming down, I looked to the North now where the monstrosity that was Olympus sat. Slowly a feeling of dread began to creep back in.

"What am I going to do, Kara?"

"You'll work it out. You always do. Just use those fancy powers of yours, worked well for the last guy!"

"You're not funny, like at all. You should have powers, see how you like it." I mumble.

"Imagine that it would make Odin turn in whatever disgusting hole in Hell he's buried in." That seemed to please her. "Doesn't matter Elle, stress about it tomorrow especially once Hades is back, and tonight try to rest, sleep, recover. I'm going to bed and you should as well."

"Good night then. That's a good plan, for now, I guess." Kara smiles and goes inside, while I stay put.

I'm not tired, but forcing myself to sleep would be an easy way to kill a few hours until I would be expected to reappear. And then what? I could just imagine the twins arguing, Hades lurking, Hermes trying to give orders. It would be chaos. Without thinking, I take myself into the great hall and stand before the throne chairs.

It's already different to the last time I was in here.

Fresh flower arrangements line the walls, a few pillar candles burn at either end sending soft, warm light in the room. Everything shines and sparkles, overwhelming the senses on every level. Despite this, I sit in the large chair; back straight, head poised. I imagine the crowds of faceless people as I had already seen in this room. Hera and Zeus not so adoring subjects. All the Powers that created my worlds legends and myths. The bystanders that only come to witness the next great rise and fall of their leader. The pressure to perform already starts to land on my shoulders, and I wonder how long I will last.

I don't want this.

What the hell have I done?

"I'm surprised to find you in here," Hades greets as he appears on the stairs in front of me, causing me to jump at my surprise companion. "I thought we'd have to drag you in, probably kicking and screaming."

"Not sure why. I would never be that dramatic." I feel my mouth go dry as he approaches, a subtle smile appears and leaves just as quickly while every shadow in the room seems to flock towards him.

"I just came from the Underworld," He starts, tentatively moving to sit in the chair beside me.

He leans back, looking as rigid and uncomfortable as I feel before leaning forward slightly with his elbows resting on his knees as his fingers tap his chin.

"Deimos told me you'd gone when I woke up, so I'm surprised to see you here too."

"Are you though?" He quizzed. "Didn't think I'd get there and discover anything unusual or unexpected that might have me coming back sooner than expected?"

I smiled, hoping to maintain some level of innocence. "No?"

"No?"  I shake my head. "Hm, that's interesting. Because the strangest thing happened."

"Really?"

"Elise." He groaned.

"What? You clearly know now. What do you want me to say?" I huffed. "I didn't know you were going to disappear with it and I haven't even worked out what I was going to say to you and-"

"Maybe just a warning that he isn't dead!" Hades snapped back. "Art is really upset!"

"I know and trust me, I feel terrible, but I figured it was better this way until we worked it all out!"

"Worked what out? He isn't dead. Nothing changes."

"Technically, he is. You all saw it. The Others all think it. The rest of the world has heard the news and believe it." I point out.

"And when news breaks that, technically, he isn't? What then?"

"It won't."

"You know that for sure?" He challenges.

"Well, no, but-"

"And he agreed to this?" Hades continues.

"Yes, well, yes he did. It all happened pretty quick, to be honest and then suddenly I'm off with Ares meeting the soldiers and sorting out the Berserkers. It's not my fault you decided to disappear off the Underworld before I, well we, had time to sort out the finer details."

"Where is he now?" The sigh that leaves him makes me hold my breath and as he looks my way, I say nothing. "You don't know."

"He's around?" I try to assure him.

"Where?"

"Around!" Somewhere, in this world, probably; though I left that part out as I didn't think it would help the current situation.

"So that little fight charade, all an act?" He asks after a few moments, getting up to pace in front of me. "This is going to backfire royally if he just walks in here and-"

That's exactly what happens.

"Fuck." I groan, hiding my head in my hands as Hades turns to see Cain walking our way.

Talk about perfecting timing.