𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇, Clarisse la Rue

𝐯. the lovers of life and death

STRENGTH
━━ act two, chapter five.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

MIKA CHO-HEE WAS GOING TO DIE.

   As a child of Hebe, youth and being able to feel free were things that she enjoyed about life — fair skin and lithe movements; going about her days without a care in the world. She wanted to travel to places, meet new people, experience and show the wonders of life to others.

But she couldn't.

When she was fifteen, all of her plans for the future came crumbling down as the signs began to show — it started with little things like coughing fits and sore muscles.

Mika didn't think much of it... until it got worse.

   Over the years, the pain increased. Her vision would fade from time to time, and her hands would glow a weird white light as they shook uncontrollably; it felt as if the energy within her was being sucked out by some strange force.

   Then, when her mother made an appearance as she was getting ready for a day out with friends — a day that was supposed to be her having fun — she was given the news of the curse. The early death she had never wished for. Of course, like always, it was the gods' doing. Her mother's doing.

   "I hate you!" Mika screamed, "I hate the gods!"

   Thunder rumbled. Hebe told her, "You shouldn't say such things, Mika. It wasn't my fault. Geras was—"

   "But it's true," Mika scowled, gritting her teeth and wiping her tears furiously, "I hate every single one of you. If Zeus strikes me down now, then I don't fucking care. I'm going to die soon anyways, right?"

   "Mika!"

   There was screaming — so much screaming — that the only thing she remembered that day were tears and vows to never speak to Hebe ever again... vows to never speak to a single god ever again.

   And she had stayed true to her word, for a while.

She'd survive the years being careful, only ever expending her energy on the occasional monster attack. Mika didn't go out as much as she used to, deciding to feel life through the calmness of it. But the pain was still there.

She took more ambrosia and nectar than a mortal probably should've to compensate for her aching and soreness. That was fine — her mother used to be the cupbearer of the gods, and although she wasn't anymore, her children were able to take more nectar and ambrosia than a regular demigod would. Children of Hebe came with a few perks, so it seemed. Not enough perks for Mika to forgive her, though.

   Mika knew when her last few days were coming. So, she decided to spend them in peace. She'd go to the same park every day, bring an apple and bite into it as she flicked through the pages of a book.

   That was when she'd met him, the day she was supposed to die. It was a month or so after she had turned twenty two — Mika was surprised she'd even lived that long at all.

   Maybe he hadn't meant to show himself to her, but Thanatos had. Mika's eyes were closed, and the world felt like it was coming to a stop with her last breaths. When she opened her eyes, she saw him in all his glory. Dark wings, a black robe and a handsome face.