Of Victory and Death - Chapter 2: Pippa

It was afternoon. I had just finished class, and today, was my testing day. It was also the day when I was to submit my paper that I’d been working so hard on. The sun filtered through the windows of the university library, casting long shadows on the worn tables and stacks of books. I sat at my usual spot, surrounded by scattered notes. The afternoon was quiet, the usual bustle of students subdued as everyone hunkered down for midterms.

Despite my best efforts, my thoughts kept drifting back to my mother's warning. What if there was something to her cryptic message? What if, in my determination to live a normal life, I was ignoring a genuine threat?

Shaking my head, I tried to focus on the paper in front of me. I had poured my heart into this thesis, exploring the intricate rituals and ceremonies of ancient Greek mythology. It was my way of connecting with my heritage, of finding a place where I belonged. But now, with the deadline looming, it felt more like a chain, binding me to this mortal existence while the divine world called out to me.

A soft rustling broke my concentration. Looking up, I saw Professor Langley, my advisor, standing nearby with a concerned expression.

"Everything alright, Elysia?" he asked, his voice gentle.

He was a tall man, with gray hair and even grayer eyes. His veins showed through his skin, as if he was a lifeless ghost, and his metallic glasses sat right below the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t old, no, he was just unique. He reminded me of my father—not appearance wise—but personality wise. He was helpful, and cared about me more than the others. Sometimes, I’d allow the thought cross my mind that he was divine, just like me. He had an ethereal presence to him, as if he knew my secret, but swore an invisible oath not to tell.

I offered him a tired smile, "Just feeling the pressure, Professor. Trying to make sure everything is perfect."

Professor Langley nodded, "It's normal to feel that way, especially with a project of this magnitude. But remember, it's not just about the final product. It's about the journey, the learning process. You've done remarkable work, Elysia."

His words were meant to comfort, but they only added to the weight I felt. The journey, the learning process—how could I explain that my journey involved balancing the mortal world with the divine, that my learning process included deciphering ancient prophecies while trying to live a normal life?

"Thank you, Professor," I said, my voice strained.

He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. You've got this."

I watched as he walked away, disappearing among the rows of bookshelves. His presence had always been a source of stability for me, a saving grace in the chaos of my life. But now, I felt more isolated than ever.

Turning back to my notes, I forced myself to focus. The minutes ticked by, each one bringing me closer to the moment when I would have to submit my thesis. But my mother's warning continued to echo in my mind, a persistent reminder of the world I had tried to leave behind.

~

I don’t know how I passed the exam.

I don’t know how I did it, I just did. And somehow, I felt relieved even through all the mixed feelings and the battle I was having with myself in my head. I exited the classroom and walked towards Pippa’s dorm-room. NYU's campus was always bustling with life, a vibrant mix of students from all walks of life converging in the heart of Greenwich Village. The buildings, a blend of historic brownstones and modern glass structures, stood tall and proud against the backdrop of the city that never sleeps. Washington Square Park, with its iconic arch, was the centerpiece of campus life—a place where students gathered to study, socialize, and unwind.

As I walked through the park, the summer breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. Street performers played music that added a lively soundtrack to the hum of conversation and laughter. The park was a sanctuary amidst the urban chaos, a green oasis where I often found peace.

I continued past the park and onto the tree-lined streets, the familiar path to Pippa's dorm a comforting routine. Her building, one of the older ones on campus, had a certain charm with its ivy-covered walls and tall, narrow windows. The entrance was a revolving door of students coming and going, each absorbed in their own world of deadlines and dreams.

Reaching Pippa's floor, I knocked on her door and waited. The door swung open, and there she was—Pippa, my best friend, her bright smile a welcome sight. I met Pippa when I was a first-year, when I had escaped from Olympus and made my name here in the mortal world. We met at a coffee shop—seems cliché, I know—but we clicked almost immediately. Pippa was a art major, she enjoyed splattering paint on canvas’, studying why Michealangelo was one of the greatest artists of all time. She loved creativity, which is something I ultimately lacked. We were a good foil, her and I.

I smiled as I laid my eyes on her. Today, her long blonde hair was messily thrown into a bun, and her shirt was covered in a mural of green, blue, and yellow watercolor.

“Elysia!” she exclaimed, taking a step back so I could enter.

I took the invitation, and stepped inside. Her dorm room was a collosal of colors, from red, to blue, to the most vibrant of oranges. She had a niche for color theory, which I of course did not. Compared to my dorm, hers was that of something from a coloring book. An interior deisgner’s dream.

“How was the exam?” She asked, sitting down on her bed.

I decided to opt for the rollie chair by her desk, and spun around a couple times as I answered.

“It was brutal,” I said, feeling a bit dizzy from the spinning, “I honestly don’t know how I made it through.”

Pippa chuckled, “You always say that, and you always do amazing. I swear, you’re like a phoenix rising from the ashes after every exam.”

I smiled at her metaphor, which, given my background, was more fitting than she knew, “Thanks, Pip. I guess I just keep surprising myself.”

“Hey, that’s the spirit!” she said, grabbing a sketchbook from her cluttered desk, “Wanna see what I’ve been working on?”

I leaned forward, genuinely curious. Pippa’s artwork was always mesmerizing, a blend of chaotic creativity and refined technique. She flipped open the sketchbook to a page filled with intricate designs and bold colors. It was a stunning piece, a surreal landscape that seemed to come alive with every glance.

“Wow, Pippa,” I said, my eyes wide with admiration, “This is incredible.”

She beamed. “Thanks! It’s still a work in progress, but I’m really happy with how it’s turning out. Art has been my escape, especially when things get stressful.”

“I can see that,” I said, still captivated by the details in her drawing, “You have such a talent for capturing emotion and movement. I wish I had half your creativity.”

Pippa waved her hand dismissively, “Oh, please. You’re creative in your own way. Remember that time you organized that whole charity event for the history department? That was amazing!”

I shrugged, feeling a bit bashful, “That was more about logistics than creativity, but thanks.”

“Still, it was impressive. We all have our strengths, Elysia. And besides, you’ve got a lot more on your plate than most people.”

I appreciated her understanding. Balancing my studies with my secret life as the daughter of two Greek deities was no small feat. I often felt like I was living two lives, constantly on edge, trying to keep my past hidden while forging a new path in the mortal world—which technically, I was. Maybe it was time I told Pippa the truth. It wasn’t like she would judge me. If anything she’d think I was crazy, and recommend I go to see a therapist. But there was something about Pip, something that told me she’d believe me, and somehow understand. I just needed someone to talk to, someone to guide me through the battle. And Pippa was the only one I trusted.

“Can I tell you something?” I asked.

“Of course,” Pippa said, her eyes softening with concern. She set her sketchbook aside and leaned forward, giving me her full attention, “What’s on your mind?”

I took a deep breath, feeling my heart race. This was it—the moment I’d been avoiding for so long. But Pippa deserved to know the truth. If anyone could handle it, it was her.

“You know how you’ve always thought I was a bit...different?” I began, trying to find the right words.

Pippa nodded slowly, “Yeah, but in a good way. Like you’re special. Unique.”

“Well, there’s a reason for that,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, “I haven’t been completely honest about who I am. Or where I come from.”

She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, “Okay, now you’ve got me curious…Spill it.”

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my secret pressing down on me, “I’m not just from another place, Pip. I’m from another realm. I’m...I’m the daughter of two Greek deities. My mother is Nike, and my father is Thanatos.”

For a moment, there was silence. Pippa’s expression shifted from confusion to shock, and finally to a sort of cautious understanding, “Are you serious?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the truth. I was raised among the gods, but I wanted a normal life, so I escaped and came here. I’ve been trying to blend in, but it’s not easy. Especially with everything that’s been happening lately.”

Pippa was quiet for a long time, processing what I’d just told her. Then, to my surprise, she reached out and took my hand. “Listen. I love you. But I… are you okay? I’m not saying you’re lying. I’m not saying you’re crazy. But the Greek Gods are of myth. You even told me that. Are you sure studying them hasn’t… clouded your mind a bit? Maybe you should take a break.”

I felt my heart sink at her words. I knew it was a lot to take in, but hearing her doubt me stung more than I anticipated. I pulled my hand back and took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check.

“I understand why you’d think that,” I said softly, “but I’m not imagining things. This is my reality. I can prove it to you.”

Pippa looked at me with a mixture of concern and skepticism, “How?” she asked, her voice gentle but firm.

I closed my eyes and focused on the essence of my heritage, feeling the warmth of Nike's power coursing through me. When I opened my eyes again, a soft, glowing light bloomed from my hand, casting a gentle illumination across Pippa's room.

Pippa gasped, her eyes widening in astonishment as she leaned forward to get a closer look, "Elysia, how..."

"It's part of who I am," I explained quietly, maintaining the light for a moment longer before letting it fade away, "There's more, but this is the easiest to show."

For a long moment, Pippa sat in stunned silence, processing what she had just witnessed. Finally, she spoke, "I... I don't know what to say. That was... incredible."

"I understand if it's a lot to take in," I said softly, my heart racing with a mix of relief and apprehension. "But I needed you to know. You're my best friend, Pippa. I couldn't keep this from you anymore."

She nodded slowly, still visibly trying to grasp the reality of it all, "I believe you," she said finally, meeting my gaze with newfound conviction, "And I'm here for you, Elysia. Whatever you need."

A sense of gratitude washed over me as I reached out to squeeze her hand, "Thank you, Pippa. I... I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Now, tell me everything. I want to understand."

I snickered, “That is a lot to ask. How about we take it one step at a time?”

“What else can you do?” Pippa seemed too excited to even hear what I’d said.

I sighed and ran a hand over my face, “I can sense the presence of impending death or of souls. I uh… that came from my father, of course. I can uh… and this might sound weird, but when I gaze into people’s eyes, it can cause them to briefly experience visions of how they die. Only if I want them to, though. Only thing I got from my mother was, well, the ability to withstand a battle, I’m pretty proficient in combat, speed and… it’s really not that special. I’m sorry if this is too much to take in.”

“Battle?” Pippa raised an eyebrow.

I simply nodded, bracing myself.

Pippa leaned back, processing everything she had just heard, "Wow," she finally breathed out, "I always knew there was something special about you, Elysia, but this... this is beyond anything I could have imagined."

"It's been a lot to handle on my own," I admitted quietly, "but having you know... it means more to me than anything.”

She reached out and squeezed my hand reassuringly, "I'm here for you, no matter what. But... does anyone else know about this? About who you really are?"

I shook my head, "No one here knows. It's been my secret, something I've had to carry alone."

Pippa frowned, "That must be incredibly lonely."

"It has been," I admitted, "But now that you know... maybe I won't have to carry it alone anymore."

A small smile tugged at Pippa's lips, "You won't," she promised, "We'll figure this out together. And who knows, maybe there's more to discover about your abilities."

"Yeah," I agreed, "But for now, can we just... be?"

Pippa nodded, "Absolutely. We'll take it one step at a time."