Heath lectured on about the definition of monster according to google that he must have memorised. Did he really want an answer? No. Did he deserve one explaining how he came off as another blind worshipper of the Valises who would lick their boots if they asked, and it was a fact to Mason that she was a monster, yes. But the trial concluding held more importance to him so he let it be.
Ajax piped up again going on that there was some cursed item involved then Alex's second vision began. He inhaled sharply then closed his eyes as he heard the awful thump of his sister's head falling from her body. For some time, he kept his gaze averted to the ground until another God spoke. "We have all witnessed that Hades manipulated his daughter to carry out his work against Miss Valis, so, with permission from Zeus himself, the Gods of mount Olympus hereby sentence Hades, ruler of the underworld... banished. To Tartarus."
Mason looked to Hades accusingly, and rather than vanish in black smoke, Hades let himself be grabbed and taken away. Mason let it happen too, no retaliation or final goodbyes from either of them. Mason lowered his forehead on his fist. So Alex was innocent and Hades guilty according to her memories. Now he was as good as fatherless. Now there was no family to appease. Just more murderous thoughts. But he didn't want to brood about it in Olympus. As he got to his feet, somebody approached with a Goddess in tow and turned a notepad around to face him. What the hell?
~Um, hello, my name is Iliana and I am Demeter's daughter. I can't speak at the moment so this is how I communicate with people. Anyway, I just wanted to say I am sorry for your loss. I saw my . . own father get killed by a human . . when I was 5 and I still have nightmares. Momma told me to remember the good times though and that has helped. So maybe you can try to remember the good times. So I guess what I am trying to say is I know how feels to loss someone dear. I remember being very angry for a long time too and I withdrew from the world. I hope you have someone to lean on. That's really what I wanted to say.~
Was she a mute or what? Nonetheless, Mason sighed, preparing himself to be as civil as he could be. "Me too." At the moment it really was him against the world. "Do you know what happened to your father's killer? Did they walk away freely too?" Because they didn't so much as slap Alex on the wrist for her crime. Mason's eyes moved pass Iliana to Demeter. Gods were normally vengeful beings but he didn't think Demeter or Iliana had it in them to make the human pay. Unlike him.
"No disrespect, but if you hold me up, we're gonna have to ride together and you probably don't really want that. I'll see you back at camp." He shifted past her, patting the small thing's head gently and left the Acropolis. Then another dread struck him. The Underworld. Without somebody to keep it in check, many souls would cling to the hope of life, to try climb out of the place when they didn't belong anymore. "Fucking Gods!" He growled. It wasn't like the Underworld was a nice place full of fun and delight. That was already Hades' punishment.
He didn't have any gods or peers to catch up with. There was no reason for him to stick around. Looked like it was back to being a Hermit for a while. Or back and forth trips in the Underworld. A girl with dark hair and pale complexion was already saddled up and ready to go and as he got closer he knew the face. She was quiet and wouldn't bother him with idle chatter or as he recently discovered, writing. Perfect. "Hope you're not reserving a seat," he said and climbed on behind the girl. "Because you're my best bet."
Mason wasn't much for hugging strangers usually but he wanted to go and that took priority at the moment. He held her slim waist gently. "Sorry," he said in case she was uncomfortable. She'd have to deal with it though because he wasn't falling to his death today. He might have been more sympathetic and aware on other days, but today as she probably witnessed, wasn't his day.
Once at camp again, Mason dismounted and offered her a hand down. "Thanks. For tolerating me." Not that he had been much in the way of conversation, but a brooding presence holding onto her. Mason went to walk away but for some damn forsaken reason he couldn't just leave her casually. "Do you want to get food or something? Can I walk you to your cabin?" Even in his state, he couldn't just leave her without something to offer after flying with her. Besides a day or two earlier he was interested in getting to know what she was about.
He was relieved when Ares said the final verdict. Apparently Wes shared the relief and enthusiasm giving him a pat on the back. Duke smiled in return. It was over. It was finally over. Part of him wanted to leap down the wall and hug Alex but brothers first. If Duke and Wes were relieved, imagine Ajax's flood of emotions.
So instead, he headed to another demigod. His counterpart in a way, if they were to address their power of elements. "You raised some good points in trial. You should probably just work on execution, might get more respect that way." Liv possessed a real don't give a shit attitude, like an angsty teen so maybe his words meant nothing to her. And judging by the blood on her dress, she had already picked the wrong person to give that attitude to. Maybe she didn't give much of a crap about being respected but what was the point of talking if no one was going to listen? In the end, it all came down to execution.
"Are you ready to head out or what?" He gestured out of the Acropolis, arm out for the taking or decline. Either option was one he could live with. Duke was ready to return to his warehouse/cabin. It had felt like an extensively long day.
To Keith it still brought about a debate whether it was right or wrong. Sure, there were other options like a duel or holding Jennova on trial but if he had to fit his feet in Alex's shoes he wouldn't have had the most rational mind either. Nonetheless, the Gods dismissed it finding the villain behind it all and Keith let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
He turned his attention to the pretty brunette and shifted over to her. "So what did we think of that episode?" Despite the bad timing, Keith had to make light of a hefty situation otherwise he'd just crumble. Although it was arguably hyper insensitive. But Cherise didn't seem super PC. "There's so much drama and emotion present, it's actually a pretty accurate capturing of the atmosphere in camp. Are you and your sunshine and blossom up to the task?"
He sat up and looked all around the Acropolis, meerkat like. "Your friend didn't stay long." Self-consciously he thought he might have been the problem again, and almost asked if it was due to him but stopped himself. Keith had recently moved past the whole nervous rambling phase with Cherise and he didn't want to backtrack. He had learned by now the girl didn't bite.
"Did you um...maybe want to catch a ride together on the way back to Camp or...wait around here." Since he had taken so much of the girl's time he didn't see her talk to any God. He didn't even know which one was her parental figure. He'd be happy to wait around because there wasn't much back at camp for him so he was in no rush to return to his loner status.
In fact, a fraction of him saw an opportunity in the scenario of people leaving the Acropolis, either returning to camp or bonding with their parents. Maybe he could have a look at the magic pool himself. The more he toyed with the idea, the more it sung to him like a siren song. Keith had to know what had hurt him and he was attached to the idea that that water held a solution. It had accessed Alex's repressed memories.
Privacy or no privacy Keith edged towards the front row.
Keith almost tipped over the edge of the Acropolis hearing his mother's voice. "Huh? I wasn't -"
"You've changed so much. It's no wonder Andromeda is upset with me," she said looking Keith up and down. "My poor boy, I do hope you can forgive me." She stepped by his side. "I cannot undo what's been done and consulting the Pensieve will merge memories and warp your mind. But if you bury deep...if you surround yourself with support and those who were there last year, I believe you'll get your answers." Hecate hugged him briefly and left with a smile.
What she really left him with was more turmoil. But at least she gave him hints on how to fill in the blanks. Keith still felt her eyes on him, however, was more preoccupied on who to approach for answers and who he could class as support. When he had enough wondering, he headed to the horses waiting for a partner to appear.