Athena swallowed. "You still haven't told me who you are."
He smiled again, patiently. "If I told you," he said. "You wouldn't like the answer."
"Try me."
He stepped close enough now that she could feel that strange warmth again, stronger this time, settling deep in her chest.
"Let's just say," he murmured, "I'm the part of you that never broke. The part that watched the world hurt you and decided to stay silent until the time comes to make them pay."
Athena's heart pounded violently. "That's not possible."
"Most important things are," he replied easily.
She stared at him, fear and curiosity twisting together in her chest. "…And what do you want from me?" she asked quietly.
The man's blue eyes softened just a little.
"I don't want anything," he said. "I'm here to remind you of what you already are, before you forget it completely."
"Okay, fine. Then tell me, what am I? Tell me. I want to know."
The man's smile widened, almost… fond.
