She woke up slowly, aching all over. Her vision was a little blurry, but she could hear monitors and feel the IV needle in her arm. Looking around, she saw that the room was dark, with a low light on, despite there clearly being sunlight behind the heavy curtains. Normally, sunlight might be nice, but she had a killer headache, and was more interested in some water anyway. Brandon and Vince were in the room, on either side of her bed, but both were passed out. Emilio was there as well, looking more haggard than she’d ever seen him, but also asleep. In the room there was a woman she was unfamiliar with – beautiful, with a deep tan, blue eyes, and hair so light in color it may as well have been white.
“Rest.” she said when she noticed Petra awake. “You’re going to make it harder.”
She didn’t understand what the woman meant, but fell asleep again anyway, strange dreams filling her mind. She was remembering bits of her life, but for the first time in a couple of weeks, she wasn’t having nightmares. Instead, they were pleasant memories, and they made her wonder. She never had found out just what had gone through Vince’s head the first night they met, for example – she’d only ever been able to figure out that she’d confused him. Likewise, she had no idea when Brandon had started feeling a real affection for her, rather than an appreciation for her loyalty. Answers weren’t expected, but would be nice, she could recall musing in her dreams, before things shifted, and she found herself somewhere else.
It was an open meadow, with a warm wind gently brushing the top of the grass and trees. A lovely, pleasant place to be overall, and she found herself wandering, trying to experience more of this beautiful place, with its view of a distant mountain. It wasn’t until later, when she first caught sight of what might have been other people, when a realization hit her. Where was she? Was she dead? A kind of panic overtook her, and she turned wildly about until she found the mountain again. It was very far off, but, yes…it looked like it could be Olympus, with the river Styx running beneath it. Breathing heavily for a moment, she began to flee back to where she had started from, freezing when she saw someone else there.
There was a young woman there, honey blonde hair cascading down her back as she sat in the midst of the field, humming and weaving sweet grasses and wildflowers. Slowly, Petra backed away, turning only once she thought she was out of earshot. It was then, however, that she was spoken to.
“Why do you want to leave here?” she asked, turning to look at her.
“M..my lady, I do not belong here.” she stammered.
“Do you not?” she said, tilting her head to the side slightly. “Many in my family would disagree.”
“Mistress, I am not worthy of your praise.” she said, feeling an overwhelming sense of panic at being addressed by the woman she was named after.
“You have done much, and you have been strong. You’ve made many of us here proud.” she said with a smile.
Petra fell to her knees, and bowed her head. She didn’t know how else to react. Soon, another voice joined in.
“My love, has your beauty awestruck another new denizen of our realm?”
“No, dear Hades.” Persephone responded. “This woman here believes she does not belong to us.”
“Oh? And who might we have here?” he said, his jovial attitude turning more businesslike.
“My namesake.” she said – you could hear the smile in her voice.
“Your..? Oh! Then we must have here. It would never do to have my brother or the others angry with me if she were to end up in Tartarus, now is it?”
Petra looked up to steal a glance at the couple. Hades wasn’t what she imagined he might look like, but the two together looked like a lovely and happy couple, contrary to some of the stories she had heard.
“Why don’t you think you should be here?” he asked, turning his attention to Petra, sensing her attention on he and his wife.
“Please…I’m not ready. I…just…please.” she begged. She didn’t want to be here now – not when she’d found happiness.
He waved a hand dismissively. “Your thread is not cut. You are here, I think, simply to meet with those who have watched you, watched over you, and appreciate your work.” he said, holding out a hand to help her to her feet.
Starting to relax a little, she took the hand of the God of the Underworld, and pulled herself up, only to be greeted with a gently hug by the Queen.
“State your name, and state it proudly.” she said with a smile.
“Kore Soteira Mykanos.” she responded.
“Do you know what that means?” Persephone continued.
“I only knew it to mean ‘maiden’.” Petra responded honestly.
“More like, ‘the savior maiden’.” she said. “I know you felt it didn’t suit you, but believe me, it does. Over the years, in ways you don’t understand, you’ve saved people. Their lives, livelihoods…and shown them that there are other paths. You’ve stood true to my name, I feel. For that, I thank you.” she continued, bowing her head slightly in additional thanks.
“You’ve helped keep a balance. While you may have felt you’ve kept things busy for me, you have not. Rest easy, knowing that the souls you’ve sent my way are being judged accordingly, and sent to their proper homes.”
“You’ve certainly made things interesting.” another woman’s voice said.
“And exciting.” a man next to her said. He wore red and black armor, and carried a spear and shield, both stained with blood from some long-ago battle.
“Ares…” the woman sighed. “I thought you had improved.”
“Just because I’ve tired of modern warfare doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate young Kore’s capability and actions on the battlefield.” Ares responded. “I suppose you just like her in a typical Athena brainy fashion.” he said, half-mockingly.
“Quite.” Athena responded. “I admire the fact she tries to calculate efficiency and the least amount of innocent casualties she can. It’s worthwhile, and as aforementioned, admirable.”
“Thank…you?” she said, astonished at the praise and admiration.
“You’re only asleep.” Persephone told her. “Remain here until you awaken – be happy and relaxed.”
“Thank you – all of you. Words cannot express how much I appreciate knowing you’ve been there for me.”
“We’re not the only ones.” a light sing-song voice said from behind her.
Ares grumbled. “Aphrodite, you don’t need to get involved in her love life.”
“I won’t.” the blonde said. “I just want her to realize they’ve been there for her longer and more than she may realize. That’s all.”
Ares and Aphrodite began to bicker a little then, while others rolled their eyes and moved away. Based on the argument, it seemed Aphrodite wanted to meddle ‘just a teensy bit’ and pout, while Ares adamantly told her to stay out of it.
She moved away to a quieter space while they argued, to contemplate all that had just happened, and to wonder how much she would remember when she woke up again.