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Chapter Text

The air, filled with humidity, was so heavy that Sirius could barely breathe. Or maybe it also had something to do with the strange silence filling the inside of their vessel. Whatever it was, he was praying for it to stop, clinging to his robe. He was sure that every single one of his companions could hear his speeding heartbeat as it was ringing so clearly in his ears.

Next to him, Peter was mouth breathing heavily, while throwing anxious glare at him. They were all crouching in dead silence, waiting for Sirius to say the word. But he couldn’t seem to find it. He could see on every single one of the faces surrounding him, the pain and suffering endured during these ten years of war. It seemed that nothing could bring these soldiers to stand once more.

In front of him, his brother Regulus was studying him with a suspicious frown, his wavy black hair sticking to his pale face. Although sweat was pearling and dripping on his forehead and nose, he wasn’t moving a bit, still and silent as a statue. Behind his back, he could feel the presence of James, who flashed him with a reassuring smile as he turned to catch a glimpse of him. The red headband he made himself from an overused robe was already stained with dry blood. His glasses crooked on his nose.

All thirty of his most vaillant companions were there. The Prewett brothers, Fabian and Gideon, were seated at the back, holding each other, foreheads linked. Next to them, Frank was studying the ground, his head resting between his hands. He was surrounded on both sides by Dedalus and Alastor, two strong men with hard shaped faces, covered with fresh scars. Behind Regulus was Mondingus, clearly keeping his distance from the younger brother, pacing silently at the front. Bartemius and Evan were elbowing each other while smirking at Mondingus’ obvious stress.

From where she was standing, Dorcas was glaring at the two boys, hands resting on her hips with authority. Next to her, Lily was pensively rubbing the pommel of her sword while Pandora was finishing braiding her hair in a complicated intertwining of blond strands.

While the night has been silent for three hours now, Sirius suddenly stood up, followed by every single one of his soldiers in a whisper of rubbing clothes and sore muscles.

He took a deep breath and put on his silver helmet.

“Alright soldiers, listen closely” he looked around him with fierce eyes. “For ten years of war the trojans killed each and every single one of us. Tonight is the night we make them pay. You’ll be the ones to draw out your swords and slay !” A whisper of agreement was spreading in the ranks.

“Think of your loved ones, they probably wonder where you’ve been. They’re growing old while you're stuck here” A frustrated growl rose from the dark. “Do what I say and you will see them again”.

“The trojans should be asleep by now. Alastor will lead the charge” said Sirius while tilting his head toward one of the scar faced men. He moved forward, the moonlight spreading through the cracked wood planks on his face and on the surface of his white blind eye.

“Fabian will flank the guards and Gideon will let you through the gates to take the city.” The two brothers nodded in agreement and Sirius turned back to the front of the vessel.

“Pandora will shoot any ambush attack, Lily, watch her back. Dorcas, you find Helen and protect her. Bartemius, avenge your father, kill the brothers of Mulciber.”

“Now is the time to find your inner strength, if I have to tell you this again, you won’t be there to hear it. Fight through your pain and exhaustion, ask yourself, what do you live for ? What do you wish for ? What do you fight for?”

Sirius was suddenly struck by a scent, sea salt and burned wood, spreading from curly dark-blonde hair caught in the wind. He could have swore that he felt his lover’s large and tanned hands resting on his cheek.

“Sirius.”

Regulus was standing before him, eyes narrowed.

Around him, his soldiers were getting in movement, clapping each other in the back and grabbing their weapons.

“Let's go” said Sirius while pushing him out of the way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As he landed on the dusty ground, Sirius was struck by the actual height of the wooden horse they were hiding in. Standing still on its four wheels before the enormous doors of Troy, the horse didn’t look all that gifty after all. Not with thirty blood-thristy men and women flooding from its abdomen.

“ATTACK !”

The peaceful night was immediately replaced by the sound of running footsteps on the ground, fleeing towards the doors, led by Alastor. As soon as Gideon managed to open the doors, Sirius was overwhelmed with the screaming women and children, woken up by soldiers trespassing their front doors. James, who was following him closely, was nowhere to be found within five minutes and Regulus was already sneaking behind a wall to hunt the survivors.

Sirius stood there for a moment, aware of every fight happening around him, every crossed swords and thrown knives.

He had given the order to murder every man of all ages while the women and children were to be taken hostage. Blood was spreading on the ground in violent splashes as a wave of Greek soldiers drowned the city.

Sirius came back to his senses as a man, coming at him with his sword raised up in the air, dropped dead right in front of him, one of Pandora’s arrows lodged in his stomach. He casted a look at the fortification where Pandora, protected by Lily’s fierce attacks against the trojans soldiers, was shooting one arrow after the other in a fantastic dance where no man was coming back from.

Sirius ran through the city gates where the battle was raging. He caught a glimpse of Regulus, a dagger in each hand slaughtering a trojan soldier who was protecting the entrance of one of Mulciber’s palace towers. Seizing the opportunity, he sidled past the door and began his ascension in the spiral staircase.

He climbed the final steps and pushed open the wooden door to end up outside, on one of the fortification walls leading to a gigantic golden double-door.

The sky, previously clear from any cloud, was now dark and heavy, growling with thunder. The first bolt almost touched Sirius who rolled on the side to flee from his imminent death. Without even a second to catch his breath, the second one hit him on the shoulder, spreading fire from his head to toe. He managed to stand up, his body bursting with pain as a flashing light radiated through the clouds.

“Who goes there ?” he growled in frustration.

Silence immediately settled on the battlefield, as if time had stopped, trapping Sirius who didn’t seem able to move anymore. The gods had their own way of playing.

Zeus’ deep voice emerged from the clouds in a mysterious tone.

“A vision, of what is to come, cannot be outrun, can only be dealt with right here and now”

“Show me how” asked Sirius.

“I don’t think you’re ready”. The sky was now bursting with light as Zeus’ prophecy spread itself and echoed on the city walls.

“A mission, to kill someone’s son, a foe who won’t run, unlike anyone you have faced before”

“Say no more,” asserted Sirius, “I know that I'm ready”.

With the absolute certainty that he was going in the right direction, Sirius pushed open the heavy golden doors with a grunt and stepped in the room, sword in hand.

The bedroom, as it appeared to be, was almost empty from any sign of life, except for the one piece of furniture, exhibited at the center.

A crib.

Sirius approached the child bed, careful not to make any noise. Sleeping peacefully on his back was a three years old boy, eyes closed and chest raising slowly in rhythm with his short breaths.

« It’s just an infant… » whispered Sirius, « It’s…it’s just a boy ! » he exclaimed looking at the sky. « What kind of imminent threat does he pull that can’t be avoided ? »

Zeus’ voice filled the room in an instant.

« This the son of Troy´s very own prince Mulciber. Know that he will grow from a child to an avenger. One fume with rage as you’re consumed by age. If you don’t kill him now they’re will be no one else to save. You can say goodbye to Remus ».

Sirius raised his head in shock, staring at the bright sky.

Sea salt, burned wood, tanned hands.

« I could raise him as my own ! » he exclaimed.

« He will burn you home and throne ».

« Or send him far away from here » tried Sirius.

« He’ll hunt you down to your shores »

« I would rather bleed for you ! » said Sirius as he threw himself to the floor, « I’m on my knees for you ! I’m begging you please… don’t make me do this. »

« This is the will of the gods. »

The night was suddenly dark and silent again. Living Sirius whimpering on the bedroom floor.

After a while, Sirius came back to his senses and took the child in his arms. He was no older than his own son Teddy. Or at least ten years earlier, the last time Sirus saw him, when he left Ithaca to go to war. Remus had held their child close to his heart as they kissed goodbye. Teddy was a young man now, thirteen or so. He probably didn’t have any memories of Sirius.

His throat got sore at the thought and he pushed it back before the tears came back rolling on his cheeks. Mulciber’s child was now awake and looking at Sirius with big brown eyes crowned with long dark eyelashes.

Sirius had already killed so many that his hands seemed to be permanently tainted with red. He had stopped counting years ago, when the screams became too loud, the blood too red and the corpses too heavy. He couldn’t make the difference between the living and the dead anymore, his soul was burdened and it couldn't be any different now. He knew the price to pay, endless pain.

Sirius took a dagger from his waistband and raised it above the child's chest. His hand was trembling, and cold sweat was pearling on his forehead. He placed his other hand on the child’s eyes and as he was lowering the dagger, threw it with rage against the opposite wall.

“How could I hurt you ?” he mumbled. He took a sharp breath and realised he had stopped breathing this whole time.
“Don’t look at me like that !” said Sirius to the child still cuddled in his arms, “I’m just a man, trying to go home after all these years away.”

He thought to himself that he was just trying to survive, but he knew deep down that he would burn the world to get back to Teddy and Remus.

He looked at the child and thought of the pain he’ll feel when he’ll come back knocking at his door twenty years from now, to take away the most precious things he had. He couldn't wait for this child to become a monster. One thought that comforted him as he stood up, was to know that he won’t have to become like him.

Sirius went to the balcony, holding the child in his arms, his eyes burning from the tears and the dusty air. Underneath, the battle had stopped, the Greek soldiers were regrouping the women and children while others were whipping the blood from their blades.

He could spot in the crowd his companions and it took him less than a minute to find James, handing Regulus a tissue to clean his bleeding forehead. He must have sensed him because James looked up, looking relieved to see Sirius only to raise an interrogative eyebrow when he saw the child.

The soldiers seemed to acknowledge Sirius’ presence one after the other and a worried whisper was spreading through the ranks.

Sirius couldn't hold James’ look as he raised his hand above the edge.

He didn’t wait for the body to hit the ground.

Sirius was already running down the tower’s stairs when he heard the women screaming in terror.

Chapter Text

Sirius was flying down the stairs at full speed and knocked himself against a cold and hard surface.

“Damnit Sirius !”

Regulus stabilized himself against the wall.

”Stop running around like a mad man and come. NOW.” he pressed as Sirius was catching his breath, his eyes blurry.

“Where are you going ?” asked Sirius while Regulus kept pulling him through the curious crowd. “Let go of me, you prat !”

”Fine. But keep it together. Now is not the time.” spat Regulus.

Sirius casted him a dark look and resumed his walk.

Everyone was in movement, taking the hostages to the boats elegantly aligned on the beach. Not less than fifty of them.

”They’re all prepping to leave. Alastor has regrouped the team, they’re waiting for you on the ship” stated Regulus.

”Helen ?”

”They’re taking her back to Spartia.”

”Good.” said Sirius. “How’s James ?”

”How could I know ?” grumbled Regulus.

Sirius casted him a knowing look.

“Right.” he sighs.

They were finally arriving at the boat where his companions were getting ready to leave. James was waiting for him, his back resting against the boat’s hull.

”I’ll leave you both” said Regulus as he headed to the ladder.

James watched him leave and turned to Sirius.

”Mate…“

”I’m okay James please let go”

”I… I’m not sure I can do that actually” said James.

“Well then please lecture me in your head ?” asserted Sirius. ”We have to leave. It can wait.”

”Sure..”

James had this look in his eyes, when he thought Sirius was about to break at any moment if you dared only to touch him. Sirius hated that look.

They climbed up the boat where they were greeted by Alastor and Regulus.

”Everything looks fine captain, luckily we suffered no lost and all six hundreds of your soldiers are waiting for the order” said Alastor.

”Right. Thank you Alastor, please regroup everyone on the deck.”

”Sure sir, coming right back”. Alastor left, followed by Regulus.

Peter was coming back from the boat’s hold and stopped abruptly when he saw Sirius.

”Hiya captain, you doing okay ?”

”Yes Peter. Please go wait on the deck with everyone.” said Sirius coldly.

“Yes sir, sure sir. I was just asking because of… well you know” he said hesitating.

”I do know Peter. I gave you an order” said Sirius while coming close to the trembling soldier.

”And I will go straight after sir but the others you know… well they were wondering if… you know… you shouldn’t take a moment befor-“

Sirius grabbed Peter by his collar and pinned him against the mast who cracked under the shock.

James hurried forward and grabbed his arm.

”Sirius let go. He didn’t mean it Sirius, let go”

Sirius casted a menacing look at his bestfriend.

“I will not, under any circumstances, let anyone question my abilities to get my men back safely on my boat, am I being clear ?” he spat.

”Yeah sir, loud and clear sir !” shout Peter.

Sirius let go of the man and headed to the deck, followed closely by James.

”Where were you ?” asked Regulus as they approached the small crowd.

”Just, motivating the troops and all” answered James with an apologetic smile.

”Yeah right. Well the troops are here actually Sirius, if you cared to say a few words”.

Sirius pushed past the two men and presented himself before the sixty or so men and women looking at him avidly.

”Six hundred men and women on this fleet, six hundred men and women who came back alive from this terrible war !” he screamed. A few of them responded by raising their swords and chanting war cries.

“We, here, together, have only one goal in mind, make it back alive to our homeland !”

”Six hundred soldiers with six hundred miles of open sea to cross. But the problem is not the distance, it’s what lies in between.”

”Ithaca’s waiting for us my friend, so full speed ahead !”

The crowd agreed in a common jabber and everyone left to get in post.

”Well captain,” said Regulus, arms crossed, ”what’s the plan ?”

“My family’s waiting Reg, we’ll figure it out”. Stated Sirius.

Once he arrived at his cabin, Sirius took off his sword and daggers and threw them in a corner with a big cling on metal. He almost tore out his shoes and laid on his bed, eyes wide open. Not sure if he could ever close them again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

He woke up the next morning, still sore from a sleepless night haunted by burning cribs and big brown eyes. Sirius went to the deck to find his companions at work.

The sea was still and the wind was blowing in their favor. With enough luck they’ll be home in less than a few weeks.

He found Regulus leaning on the barrier, hair in the wind. Sirius had to tie his own, from the same shade of black but way too long to be left flying free.

”How are we doing ?” he asked his second-in-command.

Regulus turned around to observe the working crew with his piercing green eyes.

”Looking good for now, they wouldn’t say no to food though”

”Yeah I know reg, did you get some sleep ?” asked Sirius

”Did you ?” snorted his brother

”Fair.”

”Where are we heading Sirius ? They are six hundreds mouths to feed and the war emptied our food store”

”Watch where the birds fly, they will lead us to land. There we will hunt for food” he answered.

”Whoever we find will regret crossing our path” said Regulus pointing at the exhausted and starving crew.

Sirius looked on his left to find James and Lily having an animated discussion.

”Looking for you boyfriend captain ?” snarled Regulus

”Why ? You jealous ?” said Sirius, raising a mocking eyebrow.

”As if.” he answered coldly and turned back to watch the quiet sea.

Sirius rolled his eyes playfully and waved to James.

He came immediately, Lily running after him easily spotted in the crowd with her long red hair.

She was one of his strongest soldiers, brave, agile, loyal. She also had a special place in his heart as she was Remus’ childhood friend back home.

Sirius used to be jealous of her relationship with his lover, but again, not everyone understood what He and James had.

”What’s up captain ?” asked James with a bright smile.

It always appeared that life was leaving its mark on everyone’s face but his.

”Nothing, Reg is harassing me because I’m apparently the reason everyone is starving on this ship” said Sirius pouting.

”I’m actually not !” exclaimed Regulus, turning his scandalized face towards his brother.

”I’m pretty sure you are” said James with a knowing smile.

”Mind your business Potter.” said Regulus with a frown.

”Sure !” answered the boy while messing playfully with Regulus’ hair.

”James what the-“

The two boys banter was suddenly interrupted by James exclamation.

”Look ! This way ! I see an island, and is that… light ?” asked James perplexe. ”Maybe they’re people lighting a fire ? They could share some food, who knows ?”

Sirius’ eyes narrowed .

”I don’t know… something feels off here. I see fire but there’s no smoke.”

”We should come from behind and strike first”. Stated Regulus. “We don’t have time to waste. Kill them, take the food, eat, leave”.

“No.” answered Sirius.

He turned his back to his brother to face James.

”James, gear up. You and I will go ahead. This time we’ll try and find a way no one ends up dead.”

”Sirius. Think for a second, we don’t know what’s waiting for you there.” said Regulus.

”Fine, give me till sunrise, if we don’t return, burn the place to the ground”

”Great” said James with a strained laugh.

Chapter Text

Sirius and James took a boat and left the ship moored. It was getting smaller and smaller as they approached the island.

After a while, James elbowed Sirius gently.

“Stop looking so serious you look like Reg, it doesn’t suit you”

Sirius scoffed.

”Yeah sure ! But it suits him I bet ?”

”Well.. yeah you know it does” said James sheepishly.

”I know you think it does ! You should probably make sure he knows it too. He’s in a mood these days it pisses me off”

”To be fair, he’s kind of always in a mood “ said James dreamily, ”haven’t you noticed ? He’s mouth does a funny twist when he’s anxious”

“Zeus have mercy James shut it !!”

James laughed.

”Yeah well, anyway, I mean we survived a war, I think I can wait a bit longer, I don’t want him to gut me. Actually…”

”James Potter I’m gonna throw you off the boat” said Sirius with a false menacing tone.

James just grinned at him and kept quiet for the rest of their trip.

They accosted on a small Island, entirely covered with lush vegetation. In his many travels, it was the first time he saw so many green bushes and lianas. He stepped on the shore and his feet sinked in the soft moss.

“So, that’s weird” said Sirius.

“Oh come on !” exclaimed James ! ”Fun is actually the word you were looking for”.

”Stop screaming damnit !” shushed Sirius.

James rolled his eyes and pushed Sirius out of the way to lead the walk.

The vegetation was dense, they were making their way through the bushes, sword in hand to draw a path.

“You know it’s allowed to relax, right ?” asked James innocently.

”Huh ?” said Sirius through his gritted teeth.

”I’m just saying, not everyone wants to kill you out there.”

”I’m fine James.” grunted Sirius.

“I mean, honestly, we’ve been through so much already I think we’re pretty ready if some sort of threat was to appear suddenly”.

Sirius didn’t respond and kept making his way through the vegetation.

“I get it you know” said James after a while, “I can’t sleep either, to much bloodshed”

”You can’t blame me then” responded Sirius.

”Sirius, I’m not ! But I hope you don’t intend on living on edge and not giving your trust to anyone again, that’s all” said James, ”I’m just saying, if we cross path with strangers, now may be the time to give it a chance ! Life’s pretty amazing when you greet the world with open arms”

“Oh please.” Sirius scoffed.

He had stopped to catch his breath and saw movement in the leafs above their heads.

”James quiet.”

James raided his head worried.

Suddenly some sort of fluffy blueish monkey dropped on the ground between them, smiling from their sixty teeth.

”STAY BACK” ordered Sirius while pointing his sword at the beast.

Another one dropped itself on the ground and Sirius caught James by his sleeve to bring him close. Beasts kept on falling from the trees, one after the other until at least fifteen of them stared at the two men through their gigantic black eyes. Their smiling mouths were huge compared to their bodies and filled with pointy teeth. They had long ears falling on their sides and a long tail.

”Ok Sirius wait.” said James, watching the strangers cautiously. “We don’t want to hurt you we’re only here for food”.

”Food ?” asked the beasts, all inclining their heads at the same time in an interrogative move.

”Stay back, I'm warning you !” shout Sirius as one of them extended their arm to touch the sword.

Scared, the beast stepped back.

”Six hundred soldiers are waiting for us to show our faces, if we don’t come back to the ship they’ll turn this place into blazes” he warned, lowering his voice.

One of them made its way between its friends to the front and presented Sirius with a huge basket of pink fruits.

“See !” exclaimed James, grabbing the food with avidity. “I told you life is amazing”

”I wish I could agree but look at this fruit, it’s glowing” Sirius breaks one of the fruit in half ”and filled with glowing seed”.

The fruit was producing a weird pinkish glow and was changing color according to its orientation to the sun.

“James, those are lotuses,” said Sirius anxiously. “It controls your mind”

“Oh right” said James, embarrassed and throwing his fruit on the ground. ”Friends” tried James with caution, ”would you know by any chance of other food to eat ?”

”The cave !” exclaimed the beasts in unison.

”Look, Sirius ! A cave !” said James with humor.

”Right. A cave” He sighed.

”Thank you friends !” said James.

The beats left suddenly between the bushes.

”We should probably follow !” said James as he hurried forward

Sirius was about to follow when a sudden flash filled his head violently, forcing him on his knees, holding his head between his hands to control the headache.

”Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you ?”

The powerful voice seemed to come from everywhere, from his head itself, vibrating in every cell of his body.

”Athena ?” asked Sirius with a grunt.

His mentor materialized before him, grabbing him by the chin to tilt his head.

”Have you forgotten to close off your heart ? This is not you” she said with disdain.

Sirius looked around and couldn’t see any of the luxurious vegetation he was roaming through five minutes ago. Everything was white and foggy, except for the full on armor goddess studying him with a suspicious look.

“I see…” she said pensively, ”you’re changing from how I designed you, let me remind you your purpose”

She came forward and pushed Sirius by his forehead.

”Wait-” He exclaimed.

The word had barely left his lips that he felt himself falling backward into the void.

He tried grabbing something to stabilize himself but he was free falling in complete obscurity.

The fall lasted less than a minute before he finally crashed on the ground. The landing has been less painful than he anticipated but he could already envision the bruises he’ll have the next morning.

He was standing in a sunny clearing in the forest, not far from his childhood home.

He could hear children laughing and the breeze singing. Nostalgia hit him violently. He felt nauseous at how much he was missing home.

Sirius recognized the memories immediately. He remembers the day clearly, the day he became a hero. That’s at least what his child self had thought when he had met the goddess of wisdom and war for the first time.

Athena had set loose a furious boar, only the most brilliant mind could kill. Sirius, cocky as he can be, immediately challenged his friend to help him kill the boar.

Sirius had tricked the best into throwing itself on his spear, killing it within ten minutes. He had then challenged the goddess.

”Show yourself, I know your watching me !” he exclaimed, looking around for any sign of the goddess.

”How can you see through my spell ?” said an intrigued voice.

He found Athena standing behind him and watching him curiously.

”Ahah I was lying !” said Sirius with pride, “I wondered if you’d fell for my bluff”

”Well, I did. Enlighten me, what’s your name ?” she asked.

”You first ! Then maybe I’ll do the same” he said with a grin.

”Nice try ! But two can play this game”

”Nah, don't be modest ! I know you’re a goddess ! You are Athena ! Witty and queen of the best strategies !” he exclaimed with excitement.

“If you’re looking for a mentor I’ll make sure your time’s well spend” she said with content.

”Goddess and man, bestest of friends !” he answered happily.

”We’ll see where it ends” she said, hiding a fond smile.

The landscape suddenly blurred and Sirius found himself alone again with his mentor.

”I knew you'd change the world, Sirius you are a warrior of the mind” she said, resting a hand on his shoulder. ”Don’t disappoint me.“