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[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

Characters: Athena and Triton, guest starring Pallas and possibly others if the need arises.
Date/Time: The Past!
Location:
Rating: R for violence
Warnings: Sadness, angst
Summary: The day Pallas died


The swords clashed and the laughing had long since stopped. The friendly spar was getting more and more competitive. Sweat was on the brow of both girls. They'd be at it for a long while, neither truly gaining ground over the other. Which was a first after all the years they'd been training with each other.

"Not getting tired are you?" Pallas panted out the half-joking taunted. "You're usually more spry than this, Athena."

The weapons sang, striking again and again against opposing shield and sword.

"What? Nothing to say?"

"Save your breath for fighting, Pallas," Athena rasped out, parrying the nymph's thrust.

"Afraid I'll distract you? You are wearing down!" Pallas sounded so pleased with herself.

Their swords clashed and Athena shoved the other girl back, pride slightly pricked. She didn't want to spar while annoyed, it wasn't wise. "Let's call it for the day."

Pallas blinked at her in shock. She'd been doing better than she ever had against her foster sister, and now that she might have a shot at winning, Athena was backing out? How completely unfair. "No way. We're not done."

The nymph charged and swung, Athena catching and deflecting the weapon with her own. The goddess backed up once again. "I'm serious, Pallas. We're done for the day."

"I'm not." And again the goddess had to parry the nymphs insistent attack.

"Stop, Pallas. I mean it." Athena then turned her back to the other girl. She never once thought that Pallas would do anything to her while her back was turned and she walking away. But the nymph was angry at being denied her first victory. And the anger made her irrational.

The nymph lunged, striking Athena in the back with her shield. The goddess stumbled forward, taken by surprise, but not truly hurt. Pallas then moved to press the advantage, stepping closer and slashing her sword at the other girl's back.

But Athena was too well trained, and the stunning effect of the blow had not worked on her. So she countered, pivoting and bringing her shield up to knock the sword away. Her own sword came up in a natural thrust in follow through. It plunged up underneath Pallas' sternum, the tip jamming harshly against the girl's spine.

For a long moment, both of them were frozen, staring at each other in surprised horror. Then Pallas swayed, and Athena moved to catch her. Cradling her foster sister in her arms, Athena half fell with her to the ground.

"No, no nono. Pallas! Pallas, no!" Athena felt panic bubbling up inside her, as blood trickled out of Pallas' mouth. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Pallas raised a hand and just managed to brush the backs of her fingers over Athena's cheek, before the life faded from her eyes and her body went limp. It took Athena's panicked brain several long moments before she registered that her sister was gone. And then she just started screaming.

Comments

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

Releasing Pallas was a struggle for her, but following his orders was easy. She could do that. So she let her foster sister go, and obeyed, rising and following him, her head bowed.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

Triton walked in silence, taking Pallas out into the sea. When he was in deep enough water, he whispered something over her--a prayer, or perhaps a farewell--and let the current sweep her out into the open water until she disappeared under the surface.

He was quiet, allowing her those moments of reflection.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

She followed him, even into the water, but kept a little behind him. He was so stoic even when he must be in agony. And because she knew that, she kept herself quiet and controlled. She'd had her moment of weakness and tears.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

Triton remained silent for a long time. Eventually, he spoke, as he turned back toward the shore.
"It's time for you to collect your things," he said. There was a roughened edge to his voice, the only thing to betray his emotion.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

It was like ice water had been poured over her. Her head shot up, grey eyes wide. "What?"

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

He laid a hand on her shoulder, his expression grave. There weren't any tears, but there was an ocean of sadness behind that look.
"Staying here is not an option," he repeated. "Your skills have been mastered. There is little else I can teach you. It's time you were back where you belong."

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

Back where you belong. The words cut like a knife. "Please-" Her voice cracked and she had to swallow and try again. "Please don't send me away."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"The agreement was that you were to stay until you had been sufficiently trained. You have now proven you are," he said. "You weren't made for the seas, Athena. It's time you returned to Olympus."

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

"Are you saying that because it's true, or to punish me?" There was no bite to her question, because she wasn't angry at him. Hurt yes, but she didn't blame him in the least for wanting to send her away. She didn't want it to happen, but she deserved it.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"I'm saying that my duty to teach you has been fulfilled, and now I must be held to my final obligation to return you to Zeus," he replied. "Gather your things and say your goodbyes. He doesn't like to be kept waiting."

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

So he wasn't going to give her a straight answer. So be it. She shoved down her hurt, squared her shoulders, and held her chin high. "As you wish."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"I will wait here for you. Give you the chance to do so privately," he said.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

Privacy tempted her to break down again, but she maintained as best as one could after killing her sister and being thrown out of the place she knew as home. It didn't take her long, even though she dragged a bit, stalling for just a but more time. But she didn't have an abundance of things to take away with her. Life with her foster family hadn't been about frills. So it was all too soon that she was walking back to met him.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"Come along now. We'll have to climb the mountain," Triton told her, and headed in the direction of the peak.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

She followed, only a slight pace behind and to his side. She didn't say anything, because what could she say? You couldn't argue with Triton when he'd made a decision.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

Triton didn't speak either. Didn't look at her. Whatever was going through his mind, he kept it to himself behind a stony expression as hard and distant as Olympus itself.

Finally, they reached the summit.
"I seek an audience with Zeus," he told the first Olympian he saw.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

The Gatekeepers exchanged looks and one of them went on inside, the other motioning for them to wait. Athena just stood stoic beside Triton, keeping her inner storm of emotions pushed down with the discipline he'd taught her. She was being thrown back to Olympus, and she couldn't make a scene about it.

A few minutes later, the gatekeeper returned and instructed them that Zeus would receive them in the throne room.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

Triton nodded his acknowledgment, and proceeded straight to the throne room.
"Thank you for seeing me," he said with a cool politeness.

"Triton, isn't it? What brings you here?" Zeus demanded.

"A bargain fulfilled, Uncle. Athena's skills are complete and her fosterage is at an end. I have brought her back to Olympus, as promised," Triton reported.

Zeus's eyebrows raised.
"So I see. Thank you for that."

"Just doing my sworn duty," Triton said, "If I am dismissed, then I will be on my way. I will not darken Olympus again."

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

So there it was. He was just going to dump her here and never come see her again. She refused to let the hurt show. Instead, she raised her chin a little higher, back straight, being exactly what she was: a formidable goddess that could withstand nearly anything.

"Lord Zeus, Father," she bowed at the waist formally. "I am ready to serve you, in word and action, to the best of my abilities. My spear, shield and knowledge are yours to command."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

Zeus laughed, a deep boom of amusement.
"Triton really has taught you well, hasn't he?"

Triton's mouth twitched in what might have been a hint of a smile, but instead he bowed curtly.

"Welcome home, my girl. We've been waiting for you," Zeus said, moving to embrace Athena.

Triton took that as his cue to exit, and started moving back toward the gates. No, he didn't belong up here in the clouds like she did. He belonged in the seas. He could already taste the salt water.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

If she'd been looking at him, she might have seen that hint of smile, might have been comforted by it, but she had her eyes lowered while in her bow to her father.

She was surprised to feel her actual father's arms come around her. And a second later, she was hugging him right back. She had been abandoned by the first real family she'd ever had, but she wouldn't make that mistake again. She would move the Heavens and Earth to keep Zeus as warm and loving towards her as he was right now. She would make and keep a place here on Olympus.... Where she belonged.

"I missed you too, Father. I'm...glad to be home." There was a bit of emotion in her words, but she would let it pass for happiness.