The Titan War God Returns

The One

Nesse stared at the cheque and the note spread across her glass table. She read the words again and again, searching her memories for any clue, but nothing came. She didn’t know if this “Anonymous Super secret helper” was a man or woman, admirer or stranger. 

Every envelope had been the same- red colored with little stars on the corners, and the same words written in cursive: Your Anonymous Super secret helper. She had tried to trace the names on past cheques, but they always led nowhere.

“At least let me say thank you,” she muttered in frustration.

Her phone buzzed, Jules’s name flashing on the screen. Nesse froze, realizing she had slipped out of the party without telling anyone. She picked up.

“Nesse, where are you?” Jules asked. Her voice was calm, softer than expected.

“I—I’m in my office,” Nesse said.

“Alright, please don’t cry, my baby, I don’t—”

“Cry? Why would I be crying? What’s going on? I left because of an emergency at work,” Nesse cut in, frowning.

There was a pause, then Jules’s voice broke. “Vince is dead…” She burst into tears.

Nesse shot up from her chair. The words didn’t register at first. She hated Vince, but not enough to wish him dead. “What? Are you joking or—”

“No!” Jules cried.

Nesse grabbed her bag and ran out, heels striking the floor. By the time she reached the building, police officers were already swarming in and out. Guests crowded the ground floor, their faces pale with grief and shock.

She spotted her mother leaning against the wall, eyes fixed on the marble floor. When Jules saw her, she opened her arms, and Nesse embraced her tightly. Pulling back, Nesse searched her mother’s face. “What happened?”

“They said he shot himself,” Jules whispered, but her voice broke into sobs. “A gun was in his hand…”

The story sounded thin to Nesse, but she kept quiet. Her mind shifted to Vince’s parents. “How did his mum take it?”

“She collapsed. Minutes after the scream, she lost consciousness,” Jules said, wiping her tears. “And his father… he cried on Vince’s body, begging for forgiveness.”

Nesse pressed her hand to her mouth, shaken. Her eyes drifted toward a group of guests in the corner. They whispered among themselves, their stares locked on her. Jules noticed too.

“Why did you leave the party like that?” Jules asked.

“I had an emergency,” Nesse muttered, her eyes still on the group.

“They suspect you,” Jules said sharply. “They think you killed him because you left.”

Nesse turned to her in disbelief. “What? That’s ridiculous!”

Before she could say more, a man and woman approached. They wore stern expressions.

“Miss Nesse,” the woman said, “we’d like a word.”

“Me?” Nesse asked, her stomach sinking.

---

“Where am I?” Jane asked.

“You’re in a car. Have you ever been in one?” the man replied, his hands steady on the steering wheel.

Jane hesitated. To her, cars had only been loud, buzzing beasts she was told to avoid. People had warned her to run from them, not ride inside one. The thought unsettled her. She brushed her hands along the soft leather of the seat, trying to make sense of it.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” the man said gently. “You’re safe with us.” He checked her face in the rearview mirror and saw fear still clinging to her.

“I’m sorry for what those boys did to you,” he added. The words eased her slightly.

“Thank you,” Jane whispered.

The man and woman in the front exchanged a small smile, a silent reassurance passing between them. It made Jane feel a little less tense, though her fingers still fidgeted against the smooth leather of the seat.

“My name is Jane,” she said at last, her voice quiet, almost unsure if she should share it.

The woman turned slightly in her seat, her tone gentle. “I’m Diana. And this is Eric.”

Jane tilted her head, memorizing the names. Diana’s voice carried warmth, soft and soothing, while Eric’s voice had a calm steadiness that made her feel like he was someone she could lean on.

Diana continued, “We’re taking you somewhere safe. We’ll be there soon.”

Jane wanted to ask where, but the weight of the day silenced her. She leaned back, letting the air from the open window brush her cheeks until her eyes closed. Sleep came fast but restless, haunted by laughter, her racing heartbeat, and the memory of strong hands pulling her from danger. Each jolt reminded her she was in the car, until exhaustion finally claimed her.

A sharp jolt brought her back. The car had stopped. Her breath caught before Eric’s voice broke the silence. “We’re here.”

The sound of doors slamming on either side made her flinch. She shrank back instinctively, gripping her walking stick tighter. Then her door opened, and the hot rush of air and sunlight fell over her like a sudden wave.

“Easy,” Diana said softly. Her hand was firm yet careful as she helped Jane out, guiding her feet until they found solid ground. She pressed the walking stick into her hand, steadying her.

The car door closed again with a loud thud. Jane jumped, her balance faltering, but Eric’s grip on her arm caught her before she stumbled. His presence beside her was solid, reassuring.

“Stay close,” he said, leading her forward. Diana followed behind, her steps light but certain.

Jane walked between them, her stick tapping lightly against the ground. After a few moments, she noticed the shift in the air. The blazing sun disappeared, replaced by a coolness that spread quickly over her skin, soothing the heat. The surface beneath her feet changed too, the uneven grit of the street giving way to something smooth and firm.

Her ears sharpened to the silence ahead—until faint sounds drifted toward her. Voices. Far away at first, like echoes carried by the wind. She slowed, straining to catch them.

They grew louder with every step. Distinct words began to take shape, layered with emotion. Jane’s chest tightened. These weren’t just passing strangers.

“Is she the one?” a voice asked.

“She’s the one,” Eric answered. “But she doesn’t remember.”

Jane froze. Doesn’t remember? What did he mean?

“Where’s Ares?” Diana asked.

“He’s waiting,” someone replied.

They walked in silence after that. Jane’s chest tightened, her heart racing with each step.

“Please… tell me what’s happening,” she asked, her voice trembling.

“You’ll know soon,” Diana said. Her tone was colder now, nothing like the gentle one she had used before.

They stopped. Eric pushed open a heavy door, pulling Jane with him. They walked forward a short distance before stopping again. She felt it instantly—a presence in the room.

Slow, heavy steps drew closer, each one hammering in her chest. Then a deep, echoing voice spoke.

“Hello, Jane.”

Her throat tightened. “Who are you?”

“I am Ares.”