Sadia went to a small French village. When she was young, this wasn't France yet... She watched children playing as she slowly walked through. She slowly stopped at the top of a hill and fell to her knees, lowering her head and putting her hand on the ground. A tear rolled down her face before hitting the ground.
Sadia remembered when Cami died. She watched her be buried at the top of this small hill in the tiny town. They didn't have to dig a hole because Sadia had caused an earthquake that created the hole when she found out about her beloved sister's death. The terrain around was still oddly formed as a result of her sorrow. That was the day she found out her negative emotions could shake the world.
Sadia gripped the grass tightly as she spoke quietly, "Cami... Camilla... I need you... You always kept me human... But now, I... I don't even know what I am anymore. I was gone for...for so long... And... I learned I wasn't as strong as I thought I was... I act so tough, but I'm so scared. I'm so afraid. And look what our bloodline has become? Adelaine, hurting children and selling them off under the premise of an orphanage! And Chloe... She's better than I am. She could become stronger than me. Maybe I should give it all up and rest with you... I'm outdated. I'm old. I can't handle the stress, Cami... I'm not right for this job. All I am is a stubborn old lady at this point, who...who has a few good moves I stole from Hayes and Arcadia." She lowered her head, relaxing her grip on the grass slightly. "You would've been able to handle this... You always were better than me in every way... If it wasn't for you, I would've died. You kept me from falling too far down and from rising up too high..." She paused and sighed. "I forgot, Cami. I forgot what you always told me... It always kept me from going too far or from trying too little. I miss you... I thought I had a family with them, but all I am is the annoying tough girl. They have love. And... I love Hayes..." She bit her lip and stared at the ground. "But that's the problem. I will never be good enough for him, Cami. He's...he's amazing, and strong, and handsome, and kind - even if he acts like he's not... I always remember liking him. And now I love him...and he likes me, at least... But I shouldn't...I don't... I don't deserve him..." She began to cry. "I missed him so much those 800 years. I never knew time could pass so slowly. And I was so selfish, escaping because I missed them and putting them in danger just because I wanted to be with them again... They don't need me, Cami. The world doesn't need me. Chloe could've done it instead, like I planned. How could I be more important than keeping them safe? I shouldn't have let him out... Now he's...he's..." She sobbed. "I don't want him to hurt them... It would be my fault. I'm so selfish... I shouldn't have come back... They're all in danger because of me, Cami!"
She continued to sob, but suddenly, she was pulled to her feet and saw a blonde man with a dangerous smirk.
"I take it you want Ambros delt with?" the stranger asked.
Sadia was quiet for a moment then nodded. "I do..."
The stranger smirked more and Sadia was, oddly, intimidated. "And what would you be willing to do in return?"
"Anything," Sadia replied. "I just need them to be safe... I-"
He held up his hand to silence her. "Less talking. So anything?"
"Within reason," Sadia added.
"Well, that's subjective. I find you interesting. Firey hair, beautiful... In exchange for keeping my brother in line, I want you to bring me Grace. She will be all the bargaining I need," the man explained.
"What? Why does Grace have to be part of this??" Sadia frowned in disapproval.
"Because it's a lot more fun. Anyways, if you won't get her, I will."
"Wait, no, that's not within reason!" Sadia argued.
He chuckled. "Let's be honest. You said it yourself... You're not strong enough to stop me."
"Who are you?"
"The name is Zeus - and by the way, the legends with my name are my doing," he winked before disappearing.
Sadia immediately teleported to try to stop him, but he was gone...and so was Grace...
- ~ - ~ -
Grace's eyes widened. "Who are you?"
"I'm Zeus - your uncle," he explained casually.
"Why am I here...?"
Zeus rolled his eyes. "Because you're my hostage, of course."
Grace tried to reappear in reality, but she couldn't. "What...?"
"Surprised?" Zeus chuckled. "This is a prison. No one can get in or out unless I let it happen - not even your father. He thinks he's sooo smart... Well, he's not!"
Grace frowned. "What do you want?"
"I'm simply helping Sadia. I told her I'd make Ambros behave. She didn't want me to take you, but I usually get my way. Unless he doesn't care as much about you as he makes it seem..."
Grace frowned. "Why do you say that?"
"Oh, just going through the possible scenarios. ...You know you're just a figment of reality, right? You thought you were so human and were so heartbroken for some airhead. I could easily pull the thread holding you together and you'd just disappear. It's amazing how real you seem... Just a normal, seemingly human girl with his powers... He made you so weak, but also so strong. It's amusing, really. But I wonder if you being my bargaining chip will actually work..."
"If you don't think it will work, why am I here?" Grace asked, crossing her arms.
"You sound like him too!" Zeus chuckled. "And because, my dear niece... I find this amusing."
Suddenly, a huge hole broke in the wall and Ambros walked in.
"Hey, Amby," Zeus greeted.
Ambros walked over and picked him up by his shirt. "Zeus, why did you take her?"
"Because, it's amusing," Zeus replied, teleporting out of his grasp.
Ambros grumbled then glanced at Grace. "Are you okay?"
Grace nodded. "Yeah...mainly..."
Zeus brushed himself off then teleported beside Grace, grabbing a piece of her hair. "Now, be reasonable, brother."
Ambros's eyes widened. "Don't move, Grace. What do you want, Zeus?"
"For you to leave the poor earth people alone. Honestly, you act like you're 500 or something. What a child..."
Ambros's eyes narrowed. "I don't want to."
"At least no hurting or threatening, and only slight mocking. No enemy stuff and evilness. Got it?" Zeus asked, narrowing his eyes and pulling the strand of hair.
"Stop! Okay... Fine. Unless provoked, I won't harm or threaten them," Ambros agreed reluctantly.
Zeus released her hair and shoved her towards Ambros. "Good talk, brother. Now I get to have my own fun."
Zeus disappeared as Ambros caught Grace. He carefully fixed the small damage he caused her head.
"My head hurts..." Grace said quietly.
Ambros frowned. "I'm sorry... I fixed it though. In unreality, you have to be careful of anyone else like me... However... You're not defenseless here though, okay?"
"Okay..." Grace said, closing her eyes and leaning on him.
Ambros picked her up and held her for a moment, before bringing her back to Soren's house and setting her in her room. He tucked her in and then disappeared...
