Chapter 112:
Chapter 114:
Pythia POV:
For a moment we stood there. Staring at each other. I saw the chaos around us fastly coming to an end and as everyone started filling in around us I focussed back on the woman I called a mother. I knew it was just a matter of time before Lillith broke whatever this was.
“To the death.” My mother rasped out. She looked a lot older now, the wrinkles settling on her face.
“To the death. The real death this time.” I agreed. I used every ounce of my energy to storm towards her. My body was aching, pain shot through me in every direction. I couldn’t afford to back down. I had a husband and children to go home to. I had something she didn’t. I had love. She raised her hand and I stopped a moment before diving to the side. I looked up at her shocked.
“Are you serious?” I muttered. What was that? She stumbled to the side before she raised her hands again. The moment she released whatever it was something in me snapped. I held my hand up, feeling the familiar tingle in my body. A small beam of light escaped my palm, evaporating whatever it was. I stalked towards her, now mad that she had the audacity to try that. She started running towards me and I picked up the pace. Just before we collide the ground under us burst, throwing us in different directions. My back slammed hard against the ground, knocking the wind out of me. I groaned as I rolled to my side, I blinked a few times and noticed my mother was back on her feet. I sat up shaking my head when Alleys voice rang out,
“You can do this. You are stronger than you know. Kill her.” At her words my spine straightened. I could feel spirit rushing through my body. With each step I took the pain wasn’t as bad. My mother had that look in her eyes, one I had seen so very often. She was out to kill me now and that was okay, because now I was too.
We bolted towards each other, colliding in the middle. She swung her arms at me like a wild woman. Nothing was really sticking the way she wanted it to. I pulled my head back slamming it directly into her nose. When she stumbled back I pulled my arm back, driving my fist into the side of her face. She moved slightly so I caught the side of her neck. She raised her leg kicking me in the ribs. I grunted and stumbled as they cracked. She grabbed me by the hair and shoved my head down. I tossed my arms up to block her leg, but I wasn’t fast enough. My hands were shoved into my face.
I grabbed her by the legs and flipped her on her back. I climbed on top of her and reigned every punch I could to any part of her body. I was so distracted by my need to injure her beyond relief that I didn’t see that she had pulled a knife out until it was stuck as deep as it could go into my side.
“PYTHIA!” Tye screamed out. I stumbled back on my feet holding my side.
“Stay where you are. I’m alright.” I said weakly through the link. I saw Jackson and Stephan holding him back out of the corner of my eye. My mother got back to her feet. Her body swayed until she started laughing. I looked at her to see her face was covered in blood.
“That is no ordinary knife my sweet child.” She grinned. I looked down to see my skin was turned black around the blade. I looked back at her.
“You cheater.” I muttered. My vision was starting to blur. I grabbed the handle and ripped it out, placing a hand over my now gushing wound. I could feel spirit trying to work its way through me and Delilah was working overtime.
“You’ll be dead soon enough.” My mother whispered. The look on her face was triumphant.
“Then I’ll take you with me to death.” I whispered, twisting the knife in my hands before I grabbed the handle and slung it, sinking it deep in her chest. Her eyes widened and she hit her knees.
“You don’t deserve to be here or in Atheas realm. You deserve blackness. Your soul erased from this world and the next.” I stated stumbling towards her. Blood was pooling around her mouth. I hit my knees and held her face in my hands.
“It is a shame it had to be this way. Your selfishness, bitterness and the need for power controlled you beyond repair. I love you mother, but death is all you deserve.” I whispered feeling the warmth grow under my hands. A light beamed from my palms and my mother screamed out in pain. I held her within my grasp until she was nothing but ash. She was gone from this world. I shifted and sat on the ground. I pulled my shirt up to see the blackness was spreading.
“Shit. That’s not good.” I muttered.
“Pythia! Hey come here.” Tye said sliding across the ground. He placed himself behind me and I relaxed against him.
“You did great baby. I’m so proud of you.” He whispered.
“Let me see.” Lilith said moving my hand away. I heard her mutter something under her breath before she disappeared. I looked around to see everyone was surrounding us.
“Pythia! Oh goddess let me see.” Leia said running towards us. She hit her knees and tore the side of my shirt. She took her off and placed it over the wound. I winced at the pressure. Lilith came back and started mixing something.
“I’m tired.” I whispered. I could feel my body going limp.
“HEY! Keep your eyes open.” Ambrosia yelled. I felt the coldness of the herbs on my skin before it became numb.
“We need to get her to Julie. Now.” Lilith ordered.
“No need.” Lucindas voice rang out. She walked hastily towards us and everyone parted. She knelt down in front of me, a small smile playing on her lips. She placed a hand over my side and I could feel something being pulled out. I sighed in relief as the pain started to settle.
“There. That’s better. I won’t heal everything, but you will live for a very long time.” Lucinda grinned. I blinked a few times, my vision was clearing up and I could see everyone as I looked around. Even the wolves crowded around us.
“Is it over?” I asked.
“Yes, Yes it is.” Tye whispered as he kissed the top of my head. It was finally over. The war we trained so hard for. My mother being absolutely gone this time around. I felt tears prick my eyes.
“Oh my sweet girl.” Lucinda whispered as she hugged me. The pain we all endured, it was worth it. Relief washed through me. We were safe, our kids were safe and we could finally live somewhat of a normal life.
“Let’s get her to Julie.” Alley whispered. AS Tye stood up he held me tightly in his arms. I reached out for Lucinda,
“Stay with me.” I whispered.
“Always my darling.” Lucinda answered. In the time I’ve known her, she has become the mother figure I should have always had. That piece of me that felt like it was missing was now there. Lucinda held my hand as we made our way towards Julies office.
“Put her here.” Julies voice rang out. It wasn’t as harsh as it was and when I looked at her I noticed she was banged up too.
“You fought?” I asked.
“Of course I did. You look worse than me so lets fix that shall we?” Julie smirked and I nodded.
“I’d like to take a nap.” I said. Everyone froze and I heard Lucinda laugh.
“She will be fine.” She reassured.
“Alright, you take a little nap and we will see you when you wake up.” Julie sighed. I could hear how tired she was in her voice. I owed her so much. The last thought I had was of everyone in this room. I had to keep telling myself that it was over. We were all safe. The words I whispered to myself on repeat until darkness pulled me in.