“Our heroes must learn how to become what is needed, when needed. Different times, places and universes. ”

Merlin to THE HEAVENS

Alex was happy when Penelope left the dining room, no happy wasn't the right word. Satisfied perhaps a better word. They didn't have anymore formal classes now, everything they were doing was their push towards exams and the future and they would succeed no matter what. The exams were the start to the next chapter of life even if the world was ending they wouldn't risk their continued life not being on plan.

The walk with Mrs Hodge was in silence, she knew and understood the need to talk but no pushing would ever be done. Their house mum had become a necessary part of life.

"Do you know my skill, I'm not an elemental, a healer or a timekeeper and our great bard is I think growing into her role. I don't understand." They asked the voice slipping from clipped rp back to bland mid western when back in the common room and alone with the kind but seemingly clued in woman.

"Well," she said, taking a long ponderous pause. Then she hummed softly. "I have an idea but, to be honest I don't know for certain."

"Why are you being so obstructive, no that's not the word. What are you trying to hide from me?" There was a definite level of confusion in what they were saying as they tried to put their tongue on the right words.

"I'm sorry dear, it's not my place to tell you. Just know you are special."

"I get it, we're all special in some way and I know I am just looking at me." They winked at her. "I have confidence I am enough but why am I last to know, to see?"

"Because stories are told in the order they need to be. Once upon a time never came at the end did it?"

"Well no, truthfully I'm just hoping they all lived happily ever after."

She snorted, the sound not like her at all. In Fact she had behaved what seemed like out of character in the last day or so, very obviously looking after their group.

"What I can say is I was sent here decades ago, it was as if a game of chess was being played by forces, gods or whatever we want to call them years ago even if we didn't realise the game was afoot. Yet we are here and now we are playing. You, we are not allowed and will not be allowed to break the rules. And now, I'm waffling like your history teacher. Though truth be told I'm far better equipped to teach that subject than he is the old buffoon." She chuckled and a warm smile turned on her face.

"You love your husband?"

"That I do, but he has no clue what is happening around him and that is okay. I've accepted that I am where I need to be even if I could have been more in this lifetime." Her eyes were wrinkled at the corner as she smiled. "Now get along and do what you need to, I have a feeling today is going to be your lucky day and you'll learn all about you.

They grabbed a couple of drinks and some snacks and then went to their own room to study. For whatever reason they sought solitude, peace had become a siren's call. Plus the study plan waited for no one, nothing and even the end of days couldn't compete. At least for now.

As the timer buzzed and called for a ten minute study break the pile of snacks were demolished, the hunger that had hit the friend group was actually a little disgusting so much so they almost wanted to agree with Penelope, the thought making them shudder. In another life they'd have quite enjoyed ruling the school with her all mean girl like but that wasn't the universes plan. The universe was no fun.

Their mind started to wander so even though the room had a definite chill they opened the window to let in some fresh air. IF everything was freezing they might not want to sleep. It seemed like the dreams not only made them all starve but also exhausted. Perhaps that should have been his question of Mrs Hodge, she might have been able to help with that.

Another hour of study followed before the edginess and unease hit them like a wave. When they walked into the common room it was empty, where easy company when it was needed? To make up for his absent friend he grabbed another sugary drink and sat at the table.

"My chameleon."

Their mom's voice, which was impossible as she was with her family in New York.

"Spoiled brat."

They were about to curse when they felt their fathers backhand swipe them to the floor. Licking the blood away and putting pressure on the split lip they looked around the room but there was no one with them was there?

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Then they felt a tug, like they'd been pulled away from danger. A tall lean figure stood in front of him in the friends clearing. Though they hadn't stepped outside and they were alone.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to you fast enough, that you know the darkness got to you first." The stranger swiped his thumb over their split lip and the pain simply vanished. "When we cross it gives the darkness a chance and sometimes they are faster, it can't be helped nor stopped, it's the rules."

"How come we're the ones playing and yet we don't know what the rules are?"

"A good question indeed but not one that I'm here to answer. I'm here for you Alex."

"And you are?" Alex asked if their tone sounded harsh and impatient and you know what they actually didn't care.

"I am here to help, my friend." The smile that crossed his lips held a hint of mischief. "You know me as Loki."

Alex's eyes almost bugged out like they were on stalks and they took in a couple of gulped breaths before he started to talk again.

"Yeah, alright. Whatever."

"After everything you don't believe me. Would you believe me if I tried to drag some more god's along with me?" The mirth was still there on his face.

"You're telling me I'm a god?" Alex's nose scrunched. "I hate to disappoint you."

"Not a god like me. No you're not as magnificent as I am. You are of the Heavens, you're a half god. Your mother is quite a lovely lady."

"Oh hell no." Alex could feel themself turning green.

"Too much information? I'm never sure, humans are so squeamish over things." Loki laughed gently.

"You are actually my father not that bullying as"

Loki cut their words off.

"I am your biological father, you have my genes but that man has made you tough. Helped you become what is needed." Loki said

"I'm calling bulls"

"No you're not, you've seen enough to know we're not messing, we've been placing chess pieces on the board for centuries. You are of the Heavens and you are a worthy representative of us. A spoiled half god wouldn't be any use to us, you." The god paused. "You will be amazing though your path to that greatness will be more challenging than that of your friends. You will need to discover things and you will." His voice dropped to a hushed murmur. "I've always been proud of you, my child."

When the common room doors flung open the god was gone, their actual damn father was a god.

Alex sat unable to speak for a good half hour while their friends rushed about concerned until Sophia was dragging Mrs Hodge with her.

"Alex won't talk, their colour looks poor. What should I do? How do I help?"

"I think this is something Alex must work on dear." Mrs Hodge replied. "Though likely food is required soon, I swear you'll eat the school out of food at the rate you're all going."

"I had a visit from my father." Alex said each word was hard won as their lips didn't want to work.

"How did the bully get in?" Aiden asked. "Do you need us to sort him for you?"

"No my actual real father." Alex stared at Mrs Hodge. "Couldn't you atleast have warned me?" She shook her head and smiled as they continued. "I can't believe it."

"This has got to be some good stuff." Aiden sat next to him. "Is it better than food because I really want food right now."

Mrs Hodges had left them likely to bring food Alex thought because that was one thing she could make sure there was enough of.

"Aiden mate, it's neither good nor bad stuff but it is I think one of the craziest things ever and I have no clue what it means for us." Alex stared at their friends.

"Oh stop speaking in riddles Alex." Georgia slumped into a chair. "Just tell us."

"My father is Loki." Alex replied.

"Like god of mischief Loki? Absolutely cracking news." Aiden looked up, a grin splitting his face. "It means you're all godly and can do all the work while we just sit and eat mountains of food."

"It doesn't work like that dear." Mrs Hodge had returned with a big lasagne, salad and enough garlic bread for a double the people in the room. "Alex is of the heavens. Their skills will take longer to show and be harder to master."

"Well that's just a steaming pile of junk." Aiden replied.

Alex had gone silent again as Mrs Hodge pushed a plate of food to him before anyone else. "Eat dear. You just need time to process that's all." Then she started to dish up for everyone.

When they'd finished eating and Alex had numbly just piled the food into their mouth, chewed and swallowed.

"I'm working on the time thing. I think it's slowing more there even if here it's normal and that's why our hunger is off the scale. It's still painful but at least I don't feel like I'm having a heart attack." Graham said.

Alex considered him for a moment. "Why do you not change your accent?"

"Why should I?" Came the reply, no attempt to hide his Scottish accent. "People can take or leave me. They don't like me, they can go somewhere else." He grinned. "I'm straightforward, I can't do the chameleon stuff you all do. I am who I am and I'm content in that."