Legends of Ortygia

‘The Angel’

I have come from Ancient Lands, I have come from far, I will tell you all the stories that should not be told. Of the Power and the Glory, all. Forbidden tales of the Battles in the Twilight I’m the one that will bring you the Truth Ancient Words will be smoking in the Twilight. Battles here will arise, and I’ve chosen to see another day, and I’ve been chosen to tell another tale. I am the one who’s calling, I am the one, the Chosen One.

Power Symphony, Battles in the Twilight

‘’Don’t cry, Es, I’ll be back, I promise ‘’

The blonde girl just nodded and continued sobbing, clutching to her sister as if she was never going to let her go.

‘‘ For Athena’s sake, Es, it isn’t as if this was the end of the world! We can write to each other, and you know we’ll always be sisters. Besides, daddy will take care of you and he even told me he was going to start accepting trainees. Imagine that! Lots of children for you to play with’’

‘‘ But Cos, I... I don’t like other children... they are scary and keep saying I’m daddy’s daughter... I just want you, can’t I go with you? I promise I’ll be good ‘’

Cossette sighed. She still wondered why her father had insisted on her telling good bye to her baby sister by her own. Perhaps it was one of the tests he made her go through, so she would start ‘learning what it takes to be a saint’, but that didn’t mean that she had to like it.

‘’ Listen, if anyone ever dares to bother you, you just say that your big sister is watching over you, and won’t allow no one, no one, to harm you ‘’

The girl nodded, gripping her sister tighter. ‘’ I’ll tell them my sister is a Saint and she’ll kick their a... ‘’

‘’ Es! ‘’ said Cossette, giggling by her sister’s candour, A saint. Yes, she hoped to be one. She wanted to be one.

‘’ What? ‘’ asked the little girl, opening her huge eyes with an innocent stare.

‘’ You know what. No swearing, remember? Daddy says is not proper of a lady to swear! ‘’, she answered, throwing a pillow at her.

‘’ But you swear! ‘’, the girl answered back, trying to get rid of the huge pillow.

‘’ I’m no lady. I’m a saint! ‘’

‘’ No you are not, at least yet ‘’

The two girls stopped their game when hearing that voice and ran to their beds, tugging themselves tightly.

The huge man smiled at that. His wife would have been proud of their little ones, they were growing so fast that it almost felt as if he was losing them. And now Cossette wanted to be a saint, she wanted to follow his steps.

‘’ Have you say your prayers, girls? ‘’

‘’ Yes, daddy ‘’, they answered at unison.

‘’ Good. Cossette? ‘’

‘’ Yes, daddy? ‘’asked the girl, sitting on her bed. Her golden locks fell all around her face like a crown made of light. Athena, the other students were really going to mock at her for her angelic looks.

‘’ Are you sure you want to be saint? This is your last chance to back up, you know? ‘’

A huge smile lightened the girl’s face as she nodded, making her fuchsia eyes sparkle. He knew that look, he had had the same one when he was ask that same question, so many years ago.

‘’ Ok, then tomorrow we’ll go and tell the Pope about it. Then he’ll decide where your training is going to take place. And whom will be your master ‘’

‘’ Yes!... You don’t think he’ll let me train with you, don’t you? ‘’

He smiled. Yes, he had reasons to be proud of them, Cos and Es, the apples of his eyes. His wife had always said he would end up spoiling them if he continued doting on them in that way, but they were just all he had left, and the things he loved even more than his own life.

Finally, he sat at the foot of the bed, stroking his oldest daughter’s hair.

‘’ You know I let you do this with the condition that you wouldn’t try for any of the clothes that are under my care. I don’t want you to, and I simply won’t allow it. Besides, I’ve already taught you all I know! All your master will have to do will be pointing you a Cloth and there, you’ll get it ‘’

‘’ Dam... ‘’

‘’ Cos, you said swearing was wrong! ‘’ called a squeaking voice from under the pile of blankets, ‘’ Daddy, don’t let her go, she has swear! ‘’

‘’ My little one... ‘’ the man muttered, kneeling at his youngest side. ‘’ I guess you are under there somewhere, aren’t you? ‘’

The girl giggled as she popped her head from between the covers, her light brown eyes shinning mischievously.

‘’ Nope, not around here ‘’

The man smiled as he tickled his youngest. Although his daughters had their mother’s looks, Es had his eyes and spirit, calmed and patient. Cos, on the other hand, was a wild card. Just like her mother.

‘’ So, you don’t want sis to go, don’t you? ‘’

She shook her head, bright tears covering her eyes.

‘’ Why can’t she stay? ‘’

‘’ Es, what do I always tell you? You must follow your dreams, and do whatever it takes to make them real. Now, Cos has found her dream, will you stop her from accomplishing it? ‘’

‘’... nope... ’’

‘’ That’s my girl. Well, now go to sleep, Mrs. Polupl will come in the morning to watch over you, so you’d better behave, ok? ‘’

‘’ Yes, daddy ‘’

The man kissed his daughter on the forehead and walked to the door. Yes, he was proud of them, and had all the reasons to be.

.................................................................................................................................................

‘’ So, you like it? ‘’

Cossette nodded, too taken aback by the beauty of the place. All those columns, all the temples, they surpassed even her wildest dreams. Now she was certain of it, she wanted to be a saint.

A group of girls wearing masks walked pass them, talking in a language she couldn’t quite understand. They walked with such elegance and grace that she felt like a tomboy compared to them.

‘’ And you haven’t seen them fighting yet! ‘’ teased her father, holding her hand reassuringly.

This was going to be a long day...

‘’ No, let go of me, let go! You bully! ‘’

The green-haired girl kicked the young man who was holding her by the elbow and started running, until bumping against Cossette’s father.

‘’ Seems you are having some problems over here ‘’ he said, placing his huge hand on the girl’s shoulder, gentle, but firm.

‘’ Thanks, that girl has been nothing but a pain... ‘’ the man looked at Cossette and smiled. It was a gentle smile, it reminded her of her father, ‘’... in the neck ever since her arrival, but well, as you can see, I think she’ll make it ‘’

The man kneeled by Cossette’s side. He had light brown hair that smell of lavender and soil, and his eyes shone with a wise and gentle look. It was the first time Cossette thought of the word ‘handsome’

‘’ So, little one, is your father showing you the grounds? ‘’

‘’ No, I’m going to be a Saint. And I am no little one, at least not that little compared to you! ‘’

‘’ Cossette! ‘’, her father said, telling her off, ‘’ You are talking to a Gold Saint over here, you should be more respectful! ‘’

The young man laughed at this, taking his hand to his head. ‘’ She’s got spirit, my friend. And she’s right, what is she, ten? I’m just fourteen! As long as the coming apprentice are like these two, we’ll be swarming with great saints ‘’

‘’ I’m twelve... ‘’ she muttered, crossing her arms before her. The green-haired girl was pulling her tongue at her. Why was the boy comparing her to that brat was beyond her understanding.

‘’ I’m sorry ‘’ he said, stretching his hand to her, ‘’ I should have realized. I’m Aioros. You’ll hear a bunch of nuts around here calling me Sagittarius or Sir. Don’t pay attention to them, they are nothing but some freaking nut cases ‘’

Cossette giggled. She liked the boy. If all the saints were like him, training wasn’t going to be hard at all.

‘’ Mmh... seems you are ruining all the things I taught her, Sir. Well, as long as she doesn’t say them back while meeting the Pope, I think we are safe ‘’

The boy laughed again, pulling his tongue as he did so. Cute, yes, that was the word.

‘’ Perhaps if she does so, he’ll place her under my care, who knows? I might end up being your master, Cossette, would you like that? ‘’

‘’ Yeah, right, so he can kick you and punch you and grab you by the elbow as the huge bully he is! ‘’

‘’ Maybe ‘’ he said, winking an eye at Cossette. ‘’ Well, Shaina, shall we go? Your master is waiting for you, if you hadn’t want this to happen, you would have thought it twice before smashing your mask against the wall... for the fourth time... ‘’

‘’ Quite a demon you have there ‘’

‘’ Ochi, she’s nice, just like an angel ‘’

The girl looked up at him and kicked him at the ankle, smiling satisfied.

‘’ Yes... an... angel... ‘’, he went on saying, closing his hand at her elbow ‘’ Well, I guess I’ll see you around, and, Cossette? ‘’

‘’ Yes? ‘’ she asked, staring at the girl while she bit his hand with hatred.

‘’ Good luck! ‘’

‘’ Well, I guess you’ve met two of the craziest inhabitants of Sanctuary, still wanting to be one of them? ‘’

Cossette looked at her father and hugged him, giggling softly.

‘’ Yeap! Imagine all the things I’ll have to write Es about! ‘’

A proud father indeed.

..........................................................................................................................

‘’ So you’ve finally got out of that island of yours, huh? ‘’

Cossette watched the young man as he approached. He had a long grey mane, and a demon-looking mask covered his face. She clutched her father’s hand, feeling a sudden grip of fear around her heart.

‘’ My lord ‘’ She was surprised when seeing her father kneeling to that beast, she was certain that man didn’t deserve such an honour.

‘’ Pretty little thing you have here ‘’, the man went on, grabbing her by the chin. Cossette tried to fight him, but he was too strong. It wasn’t just physical strength, it was more than that. Just by looking at that inhuman mask, one felt completely unable to move, just like a prey, ‘’ And defiant too. Just like his father. A Saint? ‘’

‘’... ‘’

‘’ I’ve said, a Saint?! ‘’

‘’ Only if the Pope allows it, my lord ‘’

‘’ The Pope... yes... ‘’ The man let go of Cossette, who stayed where she was, looking at him. Her heart was telling her to go and run to her father’s arms, but her mind was stronger. Her mind was telling her that she was to be a Saint, and saints don’t go and hide in their parents’ arms.

Her mind was reminding her of Aioros.

‘’ I want to speak to you first ‘’

‘’ Yes, my lord. Cossette, do you remember the fountain at the garden? Wait for me there, will you? ‘’

‘’ Father... ‘’

‘’ She can come if she wants to. She’ll be a saint after all, won’t you girl? ‘’

‘’ Cossette, do as I tell you!! ‘’

She had never seen her father so angry with her. It frightened her even more than that masked man. Unable to stand it any longer, she left, walking at first, then running, faster and faster, leaving the temple behind her, then the grounds. People didn’t seem as wonderful as she had thought at first. In fact, they looked scary. The mesmerising female saints looked now like demons, with their painted masks and blank stare. Some would even looked at her, probably surprised at seeing her crying. It seemed tears were a rare thing at Sanctuary.

‘’ Whoa, what’s the hurry? ‘’, asked a familiar voice as two strong hands closed around her shoulders. She was about to say something when she saw the light brown hair and honest eyes.

‘’ N-n-nothing... ‘’

‘’ You’ve been crying? ‘’ he asked, kneeling at her side. ‘ It’s that obvious? ’, she thought, as she shook her head and watched her tears falling on the ground.

‘’ Got lost? Come on, that’s no reason to cry, I bet your father must be somewhere around... ‘’

‘’ He is at the Pope’s temple, talking to that awful man. He told me to wait for him at the fountain ‘’

Aioros stood up, staring at the temple. His usual kind stare had changed, replaced by one full of worry. Cossette thought she heard him cursing, but probably that was just a trick of her mind.

‘’ Well... I’d better go and wait for him... ‘’

Aioros returned his attention to her, suddenly ashamed. ‘’ Oh, sorry, I just got carried away. What do you say if I show you my favourite place of all Sanctuary? I bet your father will take some time in returning... ‘’

Cossette thought it for a while, but then nodded, smiling through her veil of tears.

‘’ Great! Follow me, my lady ‘’

She bowed at him as he let her walk first. Yes, his company would make her forget that horrible man.

...................................................................................................................................

‘’ So, what do you think? ‘’

Cossette looked at the deserted area where they were standing. Some pair of bushes and some rocks were the only things that stop the place from being a part of the Sahara.

‘’ Mmhh... It reminds me of my island... although there at least you have the sea... ‘’

Aioros laughed, sitting on a rock. Yes, he was cute.

‘’ Yeah, I guess you are right. But when it rains... you should see this place, the lightning smashing the earth, the rain battering the soil... ‘’

Yes, she could see it. In the shine of his eyes and the way those words made his face beam. A beautiful place.

‘’ Perhaps you could show me... I mean, if I am to train around here... ‘’ she said, sitting by his side while staring at her feet.

‘’ Sure, it’s a promise ‘’ he answered, looking at her with those brown eyes of his, ‘’ And I could even introduce you to my brother! He is about your age, so you could play with him on your free time! ‘’

‘’ I’m not here to play ‘’ she answered, suddenly angered by being treated as a child.

‘’ Seems I keep putting my feet right into it, ochi? ‘’

‘’ Yes, you do ‘’

‘’ Sorry... ‘’

Cossette started laughing so hard that her stomach started aching.

‘’ What’s so funny? ‘’

‘’ You look so doggy-like with that sorrowed stare of yours! ‘’

Aioros looked at her, confused at first, but then poke her at the shoulder gently. ‘’ Hey, I’m a Gold Saint, you should show me some respect you know? ‘’

‘’ Oh, yes, I forgot, a Gold Saint... don’t tell me, Canis Minor saint? ‘’

This time Aioros couldn’t hold on his laughter. The girl was like a breath of fresh air after all the training and all the things he had started to discover about Sanctuary’s actual rulers, specially the Pope’s brother. It was easy to be with her. Who knew, maybe the Pope would put her under his care after all...

‘’ Oh, damn, it’s almost dusk already, my father must be waiting for me! ‘’

‘’ Don’t worry, I’ll take you to him ‘’

‘’ Wha... ‘’

She stared at him as he took her hand and raised his Cosmo, golden aura surrounding them completely. It felt so warm, so safe, and so much powerful than anything she had ever felt before.

The world around them started to vanish, to break, making her grip his hand tighter, but he just smiled at her reassuringly, mouthing ‘Don’t worry ‘. She nodded, smiling softly and keeping her gaze on his. He was surprised by this. Of course he had known she wouldn’t be amazed by the concept of Cosmo, being her father a saint and all. But yet, there was something in her... not a Cosmo yet, but an aura... yes, she had a lot of potential indeed, she wouldn’t have any problems in finding the right cloth for her. A year of training, maybe two...

Then he allowed his Cosmo a final outburst, and the world disappeared under a veil of golden light...

When Cossette was able to see again, they were standing at the market, just by the fountain. A light rain had started to fall, making her hair stick to her face. Aioros wasn’t doing any better, his wavy brown hair now sticking to the nape of his neck. She would have started laughing at him, if it weren’t for the huge shadow that seemed to cover them both.

‘’ Cossette!! Where the hell have you been? I think I was clear enough when I told you to wait for me here!!! ‘’

She looked at the shadow, both confused and afraid. Aioros moved by her side, placing his hand reassuringly on her shoulder.

‘’ It’s my fault, I told her to join me for a walk ‘’

‘’ ... She should know that she has to obey her father above all... ‘’

‘’ She knows that ‘’

For a moment, Cossette thought her father was going to hit him... or her... but then, he just sighed, grabbing her by the wrist.

‘’ Dad... dad... dad, you are hurting me! ‘’

She was lucky Aioros was around to stop her father’s arm from hitting her. If it weren’t for him, she would be lying on the floor, probably unconscious.

‘’ I wouldn’t do that if I were you ‘’

‘’ But you are not. And she is my daughter ‘’

Aioros looked at the man for an instant, unable to decide. But Cossette’s hand on his made him release him.

‘’ He is right, he is my father. Let him go ‘’

‘’ Now we are going, you’ll be leaving to start your training soon ‘’

All the previous moments seemed to vanish when hearing him say that. She was going to be a saint after all! But... leaving? That meant her training wasn’t going to take place at Greece? Then...

‘’ Where I am going to study, daddy? ‘’

‘’ Elysium ‘’

....................................................................................................................................

Aioros watched them go, unable to utter a word. Elysium. He had heard of warriors being sent to train to other Gods’ realms, it wasn’t common, but it was possible. And yet, no one was ever sent to Hades Realm before. There were stories about it, though, stories of men gone crazy, whose path in life usually ended with suicide after years of bloodshed. And Cossette... Sweet Cossette was going to be sent there? It was... impossible.

Before he could realise, he was already running to the Pope’s temple. He had to do something, he couldn’t allow that child to be sent into that hell hole.

‘’ Going somewhere, Aioros? ‘’

‘’ Saga... ‘’

The cloaked figure walked to the young man’s side. A huge shadow against a ray of light.

‘’ I wouldn’t go to see my brother if I were you, you know? ‘’

‘’ You are not me ‘’

‘’ You are right on that, my friend. I was just giving you a friendly advice ‘’

Aioros sighed. After all, Saga was his friend. Despite all the weird attitudes he had been having, he didn’t deserved being used as an anger-releaser.

‘’ Thanks ‘’, he finally muttered, unable to say anymore.

‘’ Any time ‘’, shrugged Saga, before disappearing between the shadows.

....................................................................................................................................

The Pope welcomed Aioros with a bright smile, as he always welcomed any saint or trainee who wanted to see him. Yes, he would have rather being interrupted at a better time, with all the shadows he had started seeing lurking around Sanctuary, but still, being there for Athena’s saints was his number one priority. And more when it was Aioros, he had great plans for the young Gold Saint.

So it came to him as a great surprise when seeing the boy just ramming into the place and starting screaming like a madman.

‘’ Aioros, on Athena’s name, I can’t understand a thing you are saying! ‘’

‘’ I am saying, why on Earth did you send Cossette to Elysium? She’ll die there! ‘’

The Pope looked at Aioros, completely confused by his words.

‘’ Cossette? May I ask you who she is? I don’t think any of our trainees is called that way... and besides, if for some trick of my mind I can’t remember that person right now, you know too well that no one is ever send to train to that place ‘’

‘’ Don’t lie to me! ‘’ cried Aioros, although he already felt the Pope wasn’t lying.’’ Her father came here just some minutes ago... You can’t just forget about it ‘’

The Pope walked to Aioros’ side and placed his hand on his shoulder.

‘’ The only person who came here today, was Guilty... you know, that saint from Death Queen Island? It was weird enough, but well, I’ve had other cases of saints wanting to change their names... although ‘Guilty’ is rare enough... ‘’

‘Then why would a father want to send his daughter to Elysium?’, thought Aioros. But the answer didn’t take long to come. After all, it seemed his fears had been right.

‘’ I’m sorry, my lord, I should have never accused you of such a thing... ‘’

‘’ Aioros, my child, you know I don’t mind it at all, quite the opposite in fact. Justice should be a Saint’s first rule, not the words from another mortal, be it the Pope or not... Perhaps later on I can tell you more about that... I’m not feeling quite well lately... probably a late cold or something... Oh, you can go now if you want, Aioros, I think I’ll take a short nap... ‘’

‘’ Yes, my lord ‘’

.................................................................................................................................................

Esmeralda cried under her covers, mumbling a lullaby while covering her ears. But that wasn’t enough to stop her from hearing her sister’s screams as her father beat her in the basement. ‘It must be a dream’, she thought, ‘ A nightmare’. But the screams were real, and so where the sounds of her sister’s body slamming against the walls.

Suddenly, the sounds stopped.

For a moment, she thought that he had finally done it. He had killed her. But then, the sobs and screams returned. Soon, she stopped fearing them, she feared the silences now. At least if Cossette was screaming, that meant she was still alive.

After some hours, Esmeralda heard footsteps at the hall. Quickly, she blew out the candle that lit the room and pretended to sleep, as her father opened the door.

Esmeralda couldn’t refrain herself from gasping when seeing him. It was the first time in her life she felt afraid of her father. All his movements had changed, becoming more violent. And his face... A mask covered it now, carved like one of the demons that the villagers believed in. That monster couldn’t be her father... it was impossible.

And then she saw her. She saw her sister. Her father was holding her by her hair, as she fell limply on the floor, unable to stand. Blood covered her clothes, as well as her arms and legs. No one could look like that and yet live.

‘’ Esmeralda! ‘’

‘ Athena, no, please, don’t let him do the same to me, Athena’, she prayed in her mind, gripping the covers tightly.

‘’ Esmeralda, dammit! Pay attention when I’m speaking, girl!!! ‘’

She finally sighed and removed the covers from her face. At least if she was to die, she was to die with her sister.

‘’ Your sister is to leave to the east side of the island until they come for her, I want you to have her things ready at dawn, did you hear?! ‘’

‘’ Y-y-yes, daddy ‘’

The man got nearer her, a giant against a butterfly. ‘’ Don’t call me like that anymore, from now on you’ll call me ‘sir’, understood? ‘’

Esmeralda nodded, her eyes fixed on the limp body of her sister, whom he dragged as he walked.

‘’ That’s a good daughter, not like this one ‘’ Guilty held Cossette upright and threw her against her bed, cleaning his hand from blood and golden hair against his trousers.

‘’ Now, remember what I told you, Esmeralda, her things must be ready by dawn ‘’

‘’ Yes, sir ‘’, she answered, feeling how tears covered her eyes.

‘’ ... I know what you are thinking... you don’t need to worry, you’ll never be punished like that. You are a good daughter, while your sister is just a spoiled brat who will never be a saint ‘’

Esmeralda watched him go, unable to move. As long as she could remember, she had been taught that demons didn’t exist; that they were just a part of the villagers’ folklore. Now she knew she had been taught wrong, she had just seen one.

...........................................................................................................................................

She couldn’t say for how long she had stared at her sister’s body. It wasn’t until she saw her crawling into her bed that she was able to breathe again. At least she was alive.

But then, why wasn’t she crying? It was obvious she was in pain, but all she did was shake and tremble.

Deep inside her, Esmeralda wanted to help her, to heal her. But what could she do? She was so afraid of seeing the wounds, of seeing what Cossette now looked like...

Finally, she was able to make up her mind. Looking inside one of her drawers, she found her favourite dress, a yellow one with pink dots. Then, she slipped out of her bed and put on her slippers, making sure of not making too much noise.

After that, she took a jug of water from the table and walked to her sister’s side.

Ripping the dress into shreds, she put them all into the jug, taking care of not dropping the water on the floor. Then, she unbuttoned her sister’s dress. Cossette tremble at that, and even tried to stop her sister, but Esmeralda just stopped her and place one of the wet cloths on the deeper wounds.

‘’ It will make you feel better, Cos, believe me ‘’

Cossette nodded, letting her do as she pleased. She knew some water wasn’t going to help her, not even a hospital could, but being taken care of at least gave her some hope.

‘’ T-thank you, Es ‘’

Esmeralda nodded, trying to silence her sobs. She had never seen her sister like that, so weak. Enduring so much pain. Her back was full of red belts, while huge dark bruises covered her legs and arms. Her long golden hair was dyed in red, the blood making the strands cluster against each other. But the worst was her face. Her eyes were so swollen she couldn’t even opened them, and her lips were dry and full of small cuts. ‘What could have done to deserve just a beating?’, she wondered, as she slowly cleaned all the wounds and cuts, ‘ What could anyone have done to deserve something like that?’

After some hours, the pain didn’t numb Cossette’s senses any longer and she was able to open her eyes to a certain extent. She wasn’t able to move her legs yet, but at least she could speak, and what was even more important, she could think.

‘’ Cos... ‘’

‘’ Yes, Es? ‘’

‘’ Why...? ‘’

Cossette sighed. Why had her father beaten her? She hadn’t the slightest clue. He had never been a violent man before and least towards his daughters. But could she tell her sister about her suspicions? No, she was too young, and besides, it would put her in danger. After all, their father had said so, he had said he wouldn’t harm Esmeralda, and as long as he didn’t, she didn’t mind being sent even to the very Hell.

‘’ Don’t worry about that, Es, he’ll never do it to you, he loves you. And he loves me, it’s just that in a different way ‘’

Esmeralda nodded, although her sister knew she hadn’t believed her. Esmeralda could be a child, but she wasn’t a fool.

‘’ Let me tell you a story, Es, is about someone I met at Sanctuary... about a knight in shinning armour... perhaps that will help us forget, don’t you think? ‘’

.................................................................................................................................................

Esmeralda watched as her sister tried to take her bags without falling. She had forbidden her to help her in any way, and she had promised, so she just watched and prayed. Their father also watched, although she couldn’t say what was he thinking about. All the mask told her were terrible things, were nightmares. They weren’t real, couldn’t be.

‘’ Come on, faster, I don’t want to miss breakfast over you! ‘’, he screamed, pushing Cossette though the door. The girl fell on the ground with a loud thump, muttering a low curse under her breath.

‘’ Esmeralda, go and lay the table while I see this worm outside ‘’

‘’ Yes, sir ‘’ said Esmeralda, giving her sister a final look. Cossette look back at her and mouthed ‘I love you‘, before returning her attention to the ground and her bags.

‘’ Dammit, you aren’t even good at leaving! ‘’ said Guilty, taking the bags and throwing them to the shore. ‘’ Now, lets see if you can stand without thinking of that! ‘’

Cossette clutched her fists as she stood up, her legs trembling at every movement. Finally, she was able to stand on her feet and take a step at a time towards the bags.

‘’ Bah, ‘’ cried Guilty, walking to her and pushing her the other way, ‘’ Forget about the bags, you won’t need them anyway. Just head to the east, and stay there. In a couple of days, they will go and get you. If you don’t follow them, or if you try to resist them, then I’ll give them your sister. Now leave, I don’t want to see your ugly face around here anymore ‘’

Esmeralda, he was going to give them Esmeralda... Using all the strength she had left, she started walking, faster and faster. Before she realised, she was running, at a speed she had never been able to, surrounded by a flame-like aura... by Cosmo...

.....................................................................................................................................

The belt fell against her skin once again, as she stumbled to find somewhere to hide, to shelter herself from those lashes. But the demon was always able to find her, to destroy her hideaways and start hitting her all over again... screaming at her, cursing her...

‘’ I’ll kill your sister, girl, I’ll kill her. Remember that every time you feel like escaping, Cossette... Cossette... Cossette!!! ‘’

Cossette woke up with a start, closing her arms around her as a way to protect herself. Night was already falling, and the small shelter she had found in the rocks wasn’t going to help her much against the battering cold of Death Queen’s nights.

It was then when she felt someone placing a cover over her shoulders, warm hands steadying her gently.

‘’ Dammit, Cossette, for a moment I thought I’d lost you there... ‘’

Cossette turned around, unable to believe it. It just couldn’t be, she had to be dreaming.

‘’ Aioros... you... you are here... it can’t be ‘’, she muttered, clutching the cover with both hope and fear.

‘’ It is, Cossette ‘’, he said, stroking her cheek lightly, ‘’ Athena wasn’t going to let you go like that ‘’

‘’ Athena is a bitch ‘’, she said, flinching with pain at his touch. ‘’ I give a damn about Athena. I give a damn about fucking Sanctuary and the fucking Pope. All they did was turn my father into that... that monster. They allowed him to make me this ‘’ This time she was screaming, leaving the cover and standing up to show him her wounds. ‘’ A God doesn’t allow a father doing this to his daughter! A demon does, and that is what Athena is for me, a freaking demon!! ‘’

Aioros watched her in disbelief, taken aback by both her hatred and her looks. And what was worst, he felt he was responsible for part of it, he should have stopped Guilty at Sanctuary, he should have done something... why couldn’t he understand that Saga had changed? That his friend was evil? Why had he to be so weak?

‘’ Cossette, I... I don’t know what to say‘’

She sat beside him, taking back the cover. ‘’ Say nothing... can’t you just pretend that I am not a walking monster and hold me? ‘’

Aioros nodded, closing his arms around her. She smiled weakly, resting her head on his chest.

‘’ Thank you. For all of it... ‘’

..........................................................................................................................................

She woke up in the middle of the night, haunted by another nightmare, but it wasn’t her the one her father was beating. This time, it was Esmeralda.

‘’ They’ll go away some day ‘’ whispered Aioros. He hadn’t let go of her, then? Cossette giggled, looking into his eyes.

‘’ How are you able to stand me? I mean, the stink and all the wounds and that. I can’t even stand me myself! ‘’

‘’ Nah, it’s nothing, I had my share of bruises and cuts in my days. And believe me, you smell of roses ‘’

‘’ Yeah, bloody roses ‘’ she teased, although it didn’t sound much of a joke to either of them. ‘’ Sorry... ‘’

‘’ Don’t ‘’, he muttered, stroking her cheek. ‘’ Now why don’t you try to take a short nap? We have a long day tomorrow... ‘’

‘’ Tomorrow? ‘’ she asked as she cuddled against him, glad by his warmth.

‘’ Yes. I’ll take you to a friend’s place, he’ll take care of you. And if you still want to, he’ll make a saint out of you ‘’

‘’ But... ‘’ she started, standing up suddenly, ‘’ I can’t go, I have to go to Elysium... ‘’

Aioros took her by the shoulders, staring right into her eyes.

‘’ Listen, Cossette, Elysium won’t help you, that place is hell. And I mean it. All you’ll get by going there is getting yourself killed ‘’

He released her when he saw she was crying. Had he hurt her? But he had taken care not to grab her too tight...

‘’ Don’t you think I know that? ‘’, she finally whispered, brushing her tears away, ‘’ But I have to. My sister will die if I don’t, she’ll be sent there in my place... Wouldn’t you do the same if you were in my shoes? Sacrifice yourself for your brother? ‘’

‘Yes, I would’, he thought. But still, losing her like that wasn’t something easy to accept.

‘’ Someone will come for me here. And I will wait for that someone, and leave with him. I am thankful for all you’ve done, really, but I just can’t do that to my sister, I can’t have the life I wish for at her expense. So I’ll make a deal with you, I’ll turn around and count to ten, when I look back, you’ll go back to Sanctuary, no hard feelings between us, and who knows? Maybe will see each other some day, once I’ve survived Elysium! ‘’

Aioros watched her silently as she turned around and started muttering numbers. Survive Elysium? Perhaps she could... but at what extent? Her soul would be lost anyway. To go with him? No, he couldn’t save them both, Guilty would notice his Cosmo around the Island... and even if he didn’t, now that his daughter had developed her own Cosmo, he would notice hers disappearing. Either ways, Cossette’s sister was dead. There was only one chance for both sisters to survive, and that was if he killed their father. Something neither of them would allow.

‘’ ...eight, nine, ten. If you haven’t left yet, this is your chance, Canis Minor saint ‘’

‘’ You know I won’t leave you, Cossette. You can pretend I will, but I just won’t. I understand your decision and I know that I can’t do anything to change it, but I just won’t leave. I’ll wait here. With you. Until whoever you are waiting for appears and you leave with him. Lets put it like this, I’ll stay to see you off, nai? ‘’

Cossette couldn’t answer. What could she have said? That she was glad? That she was grateful? That she had wished he would say that? No, that was useless, it was only going to make the goodbye a lot harder.

‘’ Dammit, say something, I’m going mad over here! ‘’, he yelled, placing his hands back on her shoulders, taking care this time of not hurting her.

But some feather-like fingers made him stop shouting, as they closed around his hands and pulled him nearer.

‘’ You talk too much ‘’

‘’ Mmh... seems my brother found himself an ally, he always says that about me... ‘’

‘’ I wonder why ‘’ she teased as she turned around and cuddled against him. She needn’t ask him to hold her this time.

.................................................................................................................................................

‘’ Wake up, teddy bear, the sun is rising ‘’

‘’ Mmh... just a couple of minutes... a hundred and twenty, maybe two hundred... ‘’

‘’ Yeah, suuuure ‘’ she said, slumping against him and kissing his cheek.

‘’ What on earth... ‘’

Cossette giggled, helping him to stand. ‘’ It worked, didn’t it? At least you are awake now’’

‘’ Yeah... I guess you are right ‘’ he muttered, scratching the back of his head, ‘’ So, where is the fire? ‘’

‘’ At the volcano ‘’ she teased, taking him by the arm and forcing him to walk.

‘’ Whoa, wait, where are we going? ‘’

‘’ Well, as we have, like, no time to spend together, I thought we should make the most of it. And besides, you showed me your favourite place, it’s fair that I should show you mine ‘’

He couldn’t argue against that, could he?

It was during their walk that he realised how hurt she was. Yes, he had seen worst, but still, she was too young... to inexperience as a saint as to endure such a beating, it was almost a miracle. At first he had thought she had grabbed him by the arm just for the fun of it, but now he understood that she wouldn’t have been able to walk that long any other way. He felt like going to Guilty’s house and kicking life out of him by just taking a glimpse of her.

‘’ Here we are ‘’ she said, smiling softly.

‘’ Mh... doesn’t look much different from the rest of the Island ‘’

‘’ Fool ‘’ she said standing in front of him. ‘’ It won’t be that easy. Now, close your eyes ‘’

‘’ Nope, I won’t, you’ll throw me into some volcano or something ‘’

She pouted her lips and flung her eyelashes as she mouthed ‘Please’. If it hadn’t been for her bruises, she would have looked terribly cute.

Relenting, he obeyed, allowing her to guide him wherever she wanted to.

‘’ Now, open them ‘’

‘’ What the f... ‘’

‘’ No swearing ‘’ she whispered in his ear, knowing exactly what was he feeling. She had felt the same when her mother used to bring Esmeralda and her there, before daddy would come with the catch of the day, so they would all have lunch together... ‘ Don’t cry, Cossette’, she told to herself, ‘ not know, enjoy the moment ‘

‘’ It’s beautiful ‘’ said Aioros, still surprised by the field of flowers growing at their feet. A paradise in the heart of hell.

‘’ I told you ‘’ she muttered, ‘’ At least now you can say you’ve found something in Death Queen Island that made the trip worth it ‘’

‘’ Cossette, do you want me to throw you to that volcano of yours myself? ‘’

‘’ Huh? ‘’ she asked, opening her beautiful fuchsia eyes.

Aioros smiled, taking her by the hand as he led the way to the valley. ‘’ I am holding the hand of the thing that made this trip worth it right now, my lady, the rest is just pretty scenery ‘’

For once in her life, Cossette found herself wordless

.................................................................................................................................................

‘’ Cos... ‘’

‘’ Yeah? ‘’

‘’ If you knew something is wrong, would you try to fix it? ‘’

Cossette turned around and looked at Aioros’ eyes. They had been lying between the flowers, staring at the sky and saying what they thought the clouds look like. Until then, Cossette had discovered a dove, two horses and five kinds of butterflies. Aioros had said that for him clouds looked like clouds, period.

‘’ Why are you asking? ‘’

‘’ Just for asking. It’s a hypothetical question, you know? ‘’

‘’ Well, it depends ‘’

‘’ On what? ‘’

‘’ On whether the matter is wrong-wrong, or tiny wrong ‘’, she answered, combing her hair with her fingers.

‘’ And when do you know the difference? ‘’ he asked, playing with a strand of her hair.

‘’ That’s easy. If it hurts others, it’s wrong-wrong; if it just feels like wrong, but when you did it you thought it was right, it’s tiny wrong ‘’ she explained, freeing her hair from his grip.

‘’ I think I understand. It is like, well, if someone makes another person harm someone he loves, that’s wrong-wrong, and if I asked you if I could kiss you right now, it would be tiny wrong, am I right? ‘’

‘’ Why, do you want to kiss me? ‘’, she teased, tickling him.

‘’ I was being hypothetical here, Cos. But would you’ve let me?

‘’ Maybe. But then again, why that would be tiny wrong? Do you think it would have felt wrong afterwards? ‘’

‘’ I don’t know. Maybe if we like what we feel. Then it would feel wrong when you leave ‘’ he went on, scratching his head. Ever since the kissing subject was introduced, he was losing the whole point of the conversation.

‘’It wouldn’t feel wrong, doggie-saint, it would hurt, but I don’t think it would feel wrong. Except if you regret it after that... ‘’

‘’ I think we are making a huge deal about a simple... ‘’

‘’ ...hypothetical question. Don’t you dare saying it again, I got the idea. You don’t want to kiss me because it would feel wrong later on, period ‘’

‘’ Cos? ‘’ he said, looking at her mischievously.

‘’ Another hypothetical question and I’ll kick you ‘’

‘’ No, this one is for real ‘’

‘’ Ok, shoot ‘’ she muttered as she shooed a butterfly from the tip of her nose.

‘’ Can I kiss you? ‘’

‘’ Hypothetically speaking, yes ‘’

‘’ And for real? ‘’ he said, pushing a strand of hair away from her face.

‘’ I guess we don’t need words to answer that, do we? ‘’ she whispered as he kissed her softly on the lips.

‘’ ... ‘’

‘’ ... ‘’

‘’ Doggie-saint? ‘’

‘’ Yeah, Cos? ‘’

‘’ Does it feel wrong? ‘’

‘’ Ask me afterwards, for now it just feels like bliss ‘’

.................................................................................................................................................

If it hadn’t been for her father’s lessons on fishing, they would have starved to death; at least she owed the old man that. Aioros could be a Gold Saint and whatever, but still, he and zero technology –like a fishing rod without a rod- didn’t get along.

But where he failed, Cossette succeeded, and victory suited her.

‘’ We’ll have to tend to those wounds of yours after this ‘’

‘’ Huh? No, no, no, if you are such a good doctor as you are a fisherman, I’m in trouble ‘’

‘’ Excuse me, lady sun and air, but as I told you before, I had my share of wounds myself, and I hadn’t any pretty bruised girl to tend to me back then. So if I were you, I would accept the help of a handsome and intelligent young man such as myself and stop complaining ‘’

‘’ Young man perhaps. But handsome and intelligent? ‘’ she teased as she tried the fish.

‘’ Is it done? ‘’ he asked, leaning closer.

‘’ Not yet, why the sudden rush?

‘’ Because it gives me the time to take a little something from the mean cook ‘’ She was surely going to miss his kisses.

‘’ If we continue like this, we’ll burn the fish ‘’ she muttered between giggles.

‘’ No problem, I think there is a take-out place behind those rocks over there ‘’ he said, happy of seeing her smiling once again. He loved her smile.

The fish, despite all their interruptions, was just perfect. After that, Aioros took care of Cossette’s wounds, cursing lowly every time he made her flinch. And thinking how to make Saga pay for all the pain he had caused her.

‘’ It’s done ‘’ he said, looking at her back with a satisfied grin ‘’ After a couple of days you’ll be in perfect shape ‘’

‘’ Thanks ‘’ she whispered, cuddling against him as he placed the cover over her to keep her warm ‘’ You pet me too much, you know? ‘’

‘’ You are way too cute as not to pet you, Cos ‘’

She smiled as Aioros kissed her on her forehead, sleep taking her slowly...

‘’ What the fuck... ‘’

‘’ What is it.... ‘’ she said, opening her eyes once again, following Aioros’ gaze to the shore.

Time was up.

.................................................................................................................................................

The boat moved forward slowly, hidden by a veil of mist. The water around it was pitch black, thick as petrol, while the very sky seemed to darken at the boat’s appearance. It was a feeling of almost tangible darkness, to which even the Sun couldn’t oppose.

Aioros cursed lowly, holding Cossette tighter. This was it, the time for goodbyes, their last seconds together, before she... she...

Cossette placed her fingers between his, to calm him down. She had sensed his Cosmo boiling, trying to shine, but she couldn’t allow him to menace them. This was the beginning of her life, if someone had to greet them, it was her.

‘’ ... Come to us, my child... come to us... ‘’, muttered a low voice from between the mist, as the boat got to the shore.

She nodded, freeing herself from Aioros’ embrace.

‘’ I’ll survive it, handsome, just wait for me, will you? ‘’, she whispered, trying to sound brave despite her tears.

He nodded, stroking her cheek lightly. He wanted to be brave for her, to not show his fears, but he couldn’t, as tears also covered his eyes.

Cossette smiled, looking at her shirt. With a final gaze, she tore part of it and tied the cloth around his head.

‘’ There, that way you’ll have something to remember me. Although it does make you look like a bad copy of Ryu... ‘’, she said, trying to sound unworried. But still, her tears told her off. ‘’ Come on, you fool, say something, they are waiting for me! ‘’, she cried at last, grabbing him by the neck of his shirt.

‘’ ... ‘’

‘’ Dammit! ‘’ she screamed, pushing him away. Now she didn’t care about being brave, or crying, or anything. She had to go. She had to.

‘’ ... Come to us... ‘’, the voice kept telling her as a drowning Cosmo started to choke her, ‘’ ... Come to us... ‘’

Cossette nodded, raising her own Cosmo. Fire started burning all around her, the flames not even hurting her skin. Slowly, she started walking towards the boat. One step. Two steps...

Suddenly, she turned around, running back to Aioros’ arms and kissing him hard. He just held her, knowing it was the last time to feel her.

‘’ Return, that’s all I ask of you. After whatever is waiting for you there, come back to me. Do it ‘’, he babbled between sobs.

‘’ I will ‘’ she answered, moving away.

‘’ Cos? ‘’

‘’ Yeah? ‘’, she asked from over her shoulder.

‘’ You were right, you know. It does hurt ‘’

Cossette smiled with sadness in her eyes. Yes, it hurt.

With determination, she walked towards the boat, not looking back this time. A light rain had started to fall, but the drops didn’t touch her, drowned in her burning Cosmo. Only the growing darkness was able to touch her, to grab her under its spell.

‘’ ... welcome... ‘’ muttered the voice as she stepped onto the boat. She smiled at that, as she closed her eyes and allowed the darkness to devour her. And then, she was lost.

Aioros watched as the boat disappeared, leaning against a rock to prevent himself from falling. They had collapsed her Cosmo so easily, they had taken her away from him so swiftly that he couldn’t believe it yet. She was gone. Cossette. Forever.

But he wouldn’t let that go unavenged. He was going to find his answers this time, and nothing was going to stop him. He had to do it, for Cossette’s sake.

With a last scream, Aioros’ allowed his Cosmo to burn, to take all those memories away, gold aura slowly taking him home, back to his world. Back to Sanctuary.

................................................................................................................................................

Pain, pain takes our worries away. Blood... his? No, mine, I know its taste. Pain again. Avoid his hands, his legs. Play with him, do so, let him think he’s won. More pain, pain helps, it gives us a reason to give pain back. The floor... no, the soil, I’m on a puddle of mud, blood and debris, the main elements of this place, this hellhole. He is over me, ready to hit, to grant me that final blow... that final wish. I could just close my eyes and let go... No, Aioros, Esmeralda. I promised. I promised I would return. I promised that I would survive Elysium.

The mud feels warm under my feet as I stand. He is surprised; he didn’t thought I was this fast.

A blow on his jaw.

Now he is on the mud and I am over him. I like it, I like this feeling of victory. It tastes funny, just like my blood. Sweet and bitter at the same time.

He is moving; he wants to go on, wants to kill me.

Dodge. Daddy used to tell me that. Dodge again. He has me, he knows that, an open space just over my heart. He lunges. Cosmo. Yes, he has no Cosmo, and I have a volcano inside my soul.

He moves away, his hand is burned by my fire, my soul. My power. I run to him, allowing my Cosmo to grow, to engulf us both. Pain again. Mine. His. Everything entwines while fire surrounds us. He screams of fear. I scream of delight. Pain gives me delight.

He falls. My Cosmo stops burning. The smell of burned flesh and fresh blood makes me want to puke, but I choke it back. I’ve won. I’ve won.

...

‘’ Take his life, girl’’ uttered the ethereal woman from her throne, ‘’ That is your prize’’

Cossette looked at her under her veil of bloody hair. She looked like a monster like that, like a jackal, lurking over her dying prey.

‘’ I’ve said... ‘’

‘’ I’ve heard you ‘’, she uttered, a low voice coming from her dry throat, ‘’ Call your dogs, I’m not interested in your gift ‘’

Pandora shifted on her seat when hearing her. She had lost count of the times this little scene had taken place, the girl beating any enemy they made her face and then letting them leave. It made her feel both angered... and envious. In all her years at Hades’ realm, she had never found anyone to stand it like this girl did, to remain untouched from all the evil that seemed to ooze from the very walls. And that made her hate her even more, for having accomplished what she didn’t even dream of. To be free.

‘’ Hypnos, Thanotos ‘’

Even murmuring their names made her tremble, made her shake. She knew that, despite the servitude they showed her, they wouldn’t hesitate to snap her throat if the opportunity showed up. That empty charade made Elysium even more choking, more drowning. And made her hate even more the defiant look in the girl’s eyes.

With a fruitless delight, she watched the silver and golden figures looming over the small girl, closing their grasps around her lean arms to lead her to the dungeons.

Hoping she would break, Pandora’s gaze stood fixed on the girl’s, on those fuchsia eyes that had defied her so many times.

But she hoped in vain. All Cossette’s eyes showed were complete and utter triumph.

Doors, stairs, cells, more doors and even more stairs, going always down, like a gigantic spiral leading nowhere. She had tried once, when she had thought about escaping, to count the number of doors, of steps that lead to her dreadful cell, but it had been impossible, or she was too hurt to think, or the numbers just started to get too big to count, to even consider. Besides, after the usual stop at the torture chamber, she wouldn’t even be able to crawl by herself.

A door. No, a gate, carved with thousands of images too gruesome to remember. Thanatos had the key to that door. He opened it, allowing the glimmering metal of the many artefacts that were inside to greet them.

Handcuffs around her wrists, gashing her skin as they secure the chains over a pair of hooks against the wall. The sound of the whip against the floor, the clashing of the chain just centimetres from her skin. It wouldn’t be long for those weapons to find home, to slash her skin instead of the brick wall...

Pain.

Cossette’s mind drifted back to her Island, to her home.

Pain.

To Aioros’ arms, to his kisses, to the haven of his arms and his beautiful smile.

Pain.

To Esmeralda, to her tenderness and innocence, to her trust.

Pain.

To her father, to his teachings and care, to the love he held for her.

Pain.

To the Darkness and the Bottomless Pit of Despair. Then her mind drifted no more. It was gone.

One. Two. Three. The drops fell on her forehead, sliding down her cheek to her neck. Four. Five. Six. The water helped her, soothed her lashed skin, her wounded body.

‘ Endure ‘, told her a little voice inside her head, ‘ Withstand this, it won’t be long for you to be free once again’. Cossette smiled. It wasn’t the first time she heard that appeasing voice that seemed to give her hopes by just listening to it. It was a wonderful trick of her mind that helped her to go on, that gave her strength.

Slowly, she leaned against the wall of the damped cell, trying to ignore the pain in her chest every time she breathed. No light came into that cell, no sign of daylight, even of the stars. Just darkness. She liked that, it was like being asleep, as if all her days at Elysium were nothing but a very long nightmare, that in any moment could finish.

‘’ Open the door ‘’

Already? They wanted her to fight again? They usually took longer to find her a proper match, or simply allowed her to rest a bit, just enough as to stand and be able to walk on the arena, before those sadistic madmen.

The light from the torch was blinding, hurting her eyes. Sinister shadows seemed to hover over her head. A boy, a small girl, a giant.

‘’ Girl, I have news from you ‘’ muttered Pandora, surprised to find her object of disgust so vulnerable.

‘’ More letters? ‘’ said Cossette with a cynical smile on her face. Somehow Esmeralda had managed to smuggle some letters every now and then, which they gladly gave her. Of course, she was never able to answer them. It was just another part of their twisted plan, of their underfed wish to cause pain, to torture her not just physically, but also psychically. They made her live with the growing agony of knowing the life her sister was leading, the constant trial her life had been turned into, avoiding the man who used to treat her like a princess, fearing he would beat her the same way he beaten his students.

‘’ Yes... and news from Sanctuary ‘’

Sanctuary? Could it be? Perhaps... perhaps they had sent for her! Perhaps all the martyrdom she was made to suffer was finally coming to an end... Maybe Aioros spoke to the Pope, yes, that was probably it; he had found a way to take her back to the world of the living, to abandon this waste of tortured souls and humiliated beings...

Pandora nodded, throwing some envelopes at the beaten girl’s feet. ‘’ A man, the Sagittarius Gold Saint, betrayed Sanctuary by trying to kill the baby Athena... ‘’

‘’ No ‘’, she muttered, feeling afraid for the second time on her life, ‘’ It can’t be... he is the most loyal Saint Athena has ever had... ‘’

For an instant, Pandora felt sorry for the girl, finding that deep inside her, she understood. She finally did. They were the same, she and her, two idealistic fools who still believed there was a chance of happiness in their lives, when it was so obvious that they were doomed.

But pity was something she couldn’t have, no matter how much she would have wanted to comfort the girl, even to lie to her to save her from the pain she was about to suffer. She had to follow her orders, she had to do it, for her own hopes.

‘’ He was, girl... The Pope accused him of high treason and sent Athena’s most faithful Saint against him... he had no chance ‘’

Cossette felt like daydreaming. All those words, the whole situation, seemed too unreal, too bizarre. Aioros, dead? She had felt his Cosmo, it was still the most powerful one she had seen, he couldn’t just die, he had promised he was going to wait for her...

Pandora stretched her hand towards her, but took it back. She couldn’t do a thing about it, less now that her death sentence was already signed. How was she going to be able to go on living without her hope?

‘’ Prepare yourself. In an hour Hypnos will come for you, the arena is waiting ‘’ she whispered, wishing for her life to be different, as she closed the door to the girl’s cell, pretending not to hear her sobs

...............................................................................................................................................

Flowers. Butterflies. Clouds in an open sky. A horse, a dove, thousands of colours dancing around a girl dressed in a yellow with pink dots dress. A knight, a giant. A warrior with an open smile and pious eyes. A monster with a gruesome mask covering his even more gruesome features. A girl, hiding in the darks. A small puppy trying to get to her. A sword cutting the puppy’s head.

Cossette giggled when watching the wall and continued painting, ignoring the pain of her open fingers, twisted, curled, for being used as brushes, red, for using their blood as painting.

Pandora watched her from a cleft on the door. For some reason, Hades had told her to give her time, to keep her away from the arena for a while, and that ‘a while’ had turned into months. She would have rather kill her herself, than allowing her to become that crazed being that now spent her days and nights painting the walls, floor and ceiling of her little cell with her own blood. Pandora cursed lowly. The image of the girl smiling at her, defying her, was still so present in her mind, so fixed. And now it was difficult for her to believe that that creature was the same person, the same warrior with a soul that had gambled with her life just to preserve her principles, her loved ones.

At least, in her present state of insanity, she wouldn’t pay attention to the news she had to give her. At least she wouldn’t have to suffer from the same thing twice.

‘’ Girl... ‘’ muttered Pandora, entering the cell with care, trying not to stain her black silk dress with the blood of the floor.

Cossette remained absorbed in her own work, in her masterpiece, totally shut off from the real world. At least she was happy that way.

‘’ I know you can’t listen to me, girl, but I have to tell you this, my lord wants me to ‘’ Pandora sighed. No reaction, nothing. Another soul falling under Elysium’s power.

‘’ Your father’s dead, girl, he was killed by one of his students after he killed your sister. You are all alone now, or perhaps they are with you, there, in that imaginary world of yours? ‘’

Pandora backed up when seeing the girl stopping her drawing and looking at her from over her shoulders. She had never seen such a look, not ever in her years of living surrounded by demons and warriors whose bloodlust was incomparable. There was hate in them, and a thirst for vengeance that was even able to match Nemesis herself. Watching how she stood up, Pandora ran to the door, struggling with the knob to open it. Cossette just watched her, standing amidst the shadows, a demon worth of Elysium.

Pandora screamed as the demon-girl approached her, surprised by her sudden speed, by the strength her long body seemed to show, by the horrid look of her fingers, turned into deformed claws due to the scratching, the digging she had made them use of.

Finally, the door gave in and she was able to slip through it before the girl got to her. With despair, she closed all the locks, still trying to regain her breath.

A little calmer, she leaned on the door and peeked through the cleft.

A fuchsia eye was looking back at her, as a crazy laughter echoed from inside the room.

..............................................................................................................................................

The air welcomes me, the rotten, filthy air of this damn place, of this arena. I’ve missed it, missed it all, the battles, the screams, the constant gaze of Pandora, watching my every move.

Six men. Seems the woman granted me a splendid welcome, she must be glad of seeing me fight again. She’s seen nothing.

Hypnos and Thanatos are still holding the chains that secure me. Are they afraid of me? Probably. I have to contain myself from burning my Cosmo to break free, to burn them until there are nothing else bust ashes. But still, the waiting is too long. They have to let go; they have to let me attack them, those puny little men, looking at me as if they have just seen a demon. I laugh at them, at their scared faces and trembling limbs. Foolish beings, thinking their size can help them against me, against my wrath.

Hypnos hits me on my ribs to stop me from struggling. The fool can’t understand me, can’t understand at all. How can he expect to get a hold on the predator, when the preys are just waiting to be seized, to be taken away from their miserable life and granted the final gift of death?

But Thanatos understands, yes, he sees the world the same way I do; he sees the sublime in death, in oblivion...

‘’ Let her go ‘’, I hear Pandora say. I needn’t heard her again.

Thanatos and Hypnos are now nothing to me, and so is Hades’ bitch. All I care for now are my six little presents, my shivering preys.

The first one plays it brave and dares to lounge against me. Wrong move, my claws slash his throat so swiftly that I can’t even have the time to enjoy it. The second one thinks it twice. Thought it for too long. This time I go for the ribs, for the stomach, slashing the soft skin.

I hear the soft sound of his guts falling on the floor, blended with screams of pain. Pain that I caused. Lucky me.

The third one comes, followed by a fourth one. They seem to have agreed to make this a little bit more interesting by attacking me together. What a naive pair!

I dig my hand in one’s chest, as I grab the other one by the neck. Instinctively, I lower my head to his throat, sinking my teeth deep down his jugular.

His veins keep pumping as he screams and shouts, trying to grab what little life he has left, but he should know better, any resistance is useless against me, he simply had no chance since the very beginning.

Finally, he stops moving, hanging limply from the grip of my hand. I push him away, seeing my work. Four down, two to go.

One of them, who could be depicted as those huge men so called giants, is staring at me with an open mouth and terrified eyes. He is probably peeing and shitting his pants out of fear. The other one, a bit smaller, is standing in his fighting stance. I sense something interesting in him. I sense Cosmo.

‘’ It’s enough ‘’ I hear a voice saying. Enough? I am just getting started!

I look over my shoulder to see Pandora, standing next to her throne. She is staring at me with her shocked eyes and pale face. I point at her with one of my hands, taking it then to my lips, and licking the blood out of it. I laugh when seeing the woman averting her gaze, repulsed by my attitude. Well, she could shove her repulsion down her ass, they have given me six prizes, and I was taking them all.

‘’ No!!! ‘’ cried Pandora, when seeing Cossette dashing against the gigantic man. But it was useless, she had already grab him by the neck and pushed him against the floor. Then, she sat on his broad chest and started slashing and biting at his still living body, as if she were a wolf and he a rabbit.

Pandora couldn’t watch anymore, the image of Cossette’s blood-soaked face and deformed fingers; so twisted that they looked like claws, haunting her still.

She heard her laughing; a maddening laughter that echoed in her ears mixed with the final screams of the dying man.

Cossette grabbed the body and pushed him away, oblivious to everything but the man standing before her, her source of Cosmo.

He was a pretty little thing, with a muscular body and purple eyes, purple hair. This one still had hope in his eyes, had confidence that his Cosmo would grant him victory, after all, she had only used speed and strength attacks. Yes, violent and worth fearing, but still primitive compared to the use of Cosmo, to the power that only a strong aura can bring.

A shame his wasn’t as strong as the one Cossette had been hiding from him.

‘’ I don’t fear you, girl ‘’ he said, light blue energy emanating steadily from his body.

Cossette laughed at him, standing at her tallest while pushing her blood-soaked hair away from her face. He had a bronze level... maybe a silver one. Her father would have fallen before him, broken into tiny little pieces. But she wasn’t her father. She was Hell.

‘’Lumini dictis ‘’ he said, as a net of light beams formed around her.

She said nothing. She simply unleashed her Cosmo. And all hell broke loose.

The whole arena started trembling, shattered to pieces as tongues of fire found their way from the heart of earth. Flames seemed to cover everything, spreading from her body like a sea of lava, turning to ashes everything at its way.

Pandora took her hands to her mouth, totally taken aback. She had never seen anything like it, so destructive, so full of hate. It didn’t matter where she looked, the whole place was like a lava pit, burning to its roots. And at the middle of it all, stood the girl, engulfed by fire, the flames licking her body lovingly, harmlessly, not even burning her clothes. Yes, she knew the girl had Cosmo, she had always known, but not something like that, not so god-like, a Cosmo so powerful that energy wasn’t enough for it to manifest, but it had to be fire, the most destructive element on Earth.

And yet... yet, she had spared her enemy’s life. Flames, lava and fire seemed to avoid him, to pass by him, but never against him. At first, Pandora had thought the man was doing this by himself, that his Cosmo had protected him somehow, but then realised that she was wrong, that if he was alive, it was because she wanted him that way.

But that didn’t last long.

Cossette walked to the paralysed man, fire moving around here like a veil. He tried to get away, but was surrounded by the eager flames, waiting for him to move from that small circle that she had left untouched around him.

The girl shook her head, golden locks floating around her like a golden crown, and stretched her hand towards him.

The man closed his eyes and muttered a silent prayer to Athena, and prepared himself to receive the final blow,

‘’ You believe in her? Despite she abandoned you here? ‘’

He opened his eyes, surprised when finding his enemy staring at him with a confuse look in her fuchsia eyes.

‘’ I... I do ‘’ he muttered, remembering the vengeance he had promised against the Pope and all those that now corrupted his beloved Sanctuary, that spoiled the name of his Goddess and sent him to Elysium under the false charges of traitor.

‘’ Poor thing ‘’ said Cossette, stretching her hand towards him. The energy around him grew higher at the sight of the blood stained claw, suddenly urged by the memory of his Goddess, an urge that told him that he was in danger, that he was about to die.

But Cossette didn’t do a thing to attack him, just stroke his cheek lovingly, the warmth of her Cosmo soothing his mind and body.

‘’ You are so deluded, following a being that only seeks violence and pain under the flag of wisdom, I feel... so sorry for you ‘’

His eyes were wide-open when hearing her say that, that that being could speak against violence after gutting, slashing and killing five men in the most horrid ways he could ever imagine. And yet... there was something in those worried fuchsia eyes that made him feel... tranquil.

Slowly, he allowed himself being dragged towards her, to be hold by those arms that have just killed five men before his eyes, and to be kiss by those lips that still tasted of warm blood.

Pandora looked horrified as the flames around Cossette’s body grew, closing the circle around the man, licking his body, as he struggled to free himself from her embrace. A frightful shriek echoed all over Elysium. At first, Pandora thought it was the man’s, but then, she saw the way the flames entwined around the girl’s body, merging, blending themselves once and again, until forming a pair of huge, fire wings, that with every movement burned the soil and soul of Elysium.

‘’ Our lord was right... ‘’ murmured Thanatos, stepping closer. Hypnos nodded, following him. ‘’ She does have the mark ‘’

‘’ The mark? ‘’ murmured Pandora, unable to move her eyes from the man as his Cosmo was taken from him by the girl’s kiss.

‘’ She has it. She is a Harpy ‘’

Cossette felt how the man’s Cosmo was drowned by hers, feeding it, making it stronger. Every breath he tried to take; every amount of struggle he presented, just made it better, made his soul taste sweeter. She could feel him, hitting her back so she would release him, biting her lips, her tongue, just for her to let him go, but everything was useless, she had him, she wanted him.

The blue light mixed with her Cosmo, a just soul mixing with destruction itself, everything turning into one. The man’s struggle turned weaker and weaker as every last breath of life was sucked out of him. And finally, he took his last breath inside her mouth and stayed limply between her arms.

He was gone. She had him. She had his soul inside of her. She had his power.

But still she wasn’t satisfied.

Turning around, she stared into Pandora’s eyes that watched her from the heights of her throne.

The woman had a strange aura around her, something extremely powerful that seemed to shield her. She wanted to take that power. She wanted to see what it tasted like.

Cossette closed her arms around her body, feeling how her wings of fire followed her movements. Slowly, she closed her eyes and burned out all the flames that had destroyed the arena, leaving behind the ashes of her enemies, consumed by the hunger of her power.

Then, she opened them back.

‘’ Hellfire! ‘’

Pandora couldn’t even cry for help as she saw the girl moving towards her at an incredible speed, followed by a Tsunami of fire. Perhaps it was for the best, perhaps it meant that her ordeal was over...

But Thanatos and Hypnos were still around, and caught Cossette, each holding her by one of her arms. She just laughed at this, and stopped her Cosmo from burning, eternal dusk reigning once again in the land of the Lord of the Dead.

‘’ My, my, my, what a shame, I wanted to taste you, Pandora... I’m definitely certain that you are yummy ‘’, muttered Cossette, licking her lips.

Pandora just stared at her, speechless, wishing to disappear inside her throne, to escape her crazed eyes.

‘’ What? ‘’ continued the girl, fluttering her eyelashes with a disappointed look, ‘’ You aren’t happy? Not now, that I took the gift you’ve been offering me for so long? I feel so devastated ‘’

Pandora had to take her hands to her ears to avoid hearing her laughter. What on earth had Hades made her create??!

Thanatos punched Cossette on the face, just to make her stop, but all he got was a menacing look from those fuchsia eyes and a wicked smile. For the first time in his life, Thanatos felt that he had found an enemy worth of his respect.

‘ Give her your blood ‘

It couldn’t be...

‘ Let her drink, I see her future, she’ll be useful to us, but only if she becomes what her Cosmo shows us she is, only if she becomes a Harpy. And to do so, she needs your blood, she needs your blood to corrupt her, forever ‘

Pandora covered her ears tighter. She didn’t want to listen, she was tired of following Hades’ commands, of being his puppet, of being his Voice until the time came for him to return.

‘’ I... won’t ‘’ she muttered, ignoring the amuse look on Cossette’s face and Hypnos’ hand already moving to the knife on his belt.

A wave of pain ran through her limbs, making her fall on her knees.

‘ You will, I order you so ‘

Pandora nodded, brushing her tears away with her tunic’s sleeve. She had to.

‘’ You want to taste me? You will. The knife ‘’

Hypnos nodded, handing it to her. Pandora looked at it for a second, at its silver surface. And then slashed her wrist. Blood started flowing from the wound, flowing down the long fingers to fall on the ground.

‘’ Drink ‘’

The girl stretched her neck towards the inviting arm, as both Thanatos and Hypnos secure their grip on her. Smiling, she first licked the wound, feeling the sweet taste of blood filling her mouth once again. Then, she closed her lips around it, sucking from it as she kept her eyes on Pandora’s, wishing she could suck life out from her body as well as she was sucking her blood.

‘’ Enough ‘’, she muttered, trying to move away her arm, but Cossette had it secure between her teeth.

‘’ I’ve said enough! ‘’ Pandora finally cried, pulling her arm away. The bitch had ripped her skin, making the cut even wider. But a mist soon covered her arm, and the wound was gone. Hades’ ‘gift’.

‘’ I was right, you taste yummy ‘’ said Cossette, lowering her eyes, ‘’ A shame you didn’t die in my mouth, your soul must taste even better ‘’

‘’ Bastard! ‘’ cried Pandora, slapping her. ‘’ I won’t tolerate this any longer. Thanatos, Hypnos, take her to the torture chamber, she needs to learn respect ‘’

The two men nodded, dragging her slowly towards the gate, as Pandora closed her hand around her wrist, repulsed by the day’s events.

‘ Break free, I’ll guide you ‘

Cossette smiled. Her little voice was back.

‘ Do it, you fool, this is your chance ‘

Fool?

‘ Before they enter the gate. Or do you want to die down there? ‘

Die? Maybe, why not?

‘ You don’t belong here ‘

But she fitted just perfectly.

‘ Dammit, Egeria, it’s an order, won’t you obey me?! ‘

Egeria... Egeria... EGERIA.

Her Cosmo returned as powerful as ever, as she pushed the two men away from her, too surprised to stop her.

This time the fire wings formed naturally, as she shriek by the pain her Cosmo gave her. That was Pandora’s gift. She was now a Harpy...

‘ Now run. To the Styx. You’ll be safe there. Run! ‘

The Styx... to the north, the voice was telling her it was to the north... Egeria started running, faster and faster, feeling how a familiar aura soothed the pain from her own power, from her boiling blood.

But she wasn’t safe, not still. Hypnos and Thanatos followed her closely, as Pandora shouted the alarm and sent Elysium against her.

A wave of pure energy hit her back, making her stumble and roll on the floor. Thanatos’ power, she knew it too well.

‘ Up, come on, up! ’

Egeria obeyed, trying to ignore the proximity of her persecutors. But as soon as she gained some advantage, a group of warriors cut her way.... a group of fools, fresh blood, to slash, kill, and drink their power away...

‘ Attack ‘

She didn’t think it twice, as she sent a wave of fire against them, burning them to ashes... their blood, to get their blood and suck their last breath with a kiss...

‘ Run ‘

Yes, she had to run, she had to ignore the urges Pandora’s blood had made her prey off, she had to follow that voice, that voice that promised her an escape, an outlet.

But that promise seemed to vanish as she continued running and killing, finding only more and more desolation at her way...

‘’ Run as much as you want, there’s no escape ‘’, she heard Thanatos saying, and she was about to agree when she saw it.

The Styx.

The pitch black river spread before her like a snake, sliding until one of the many entrances of Hades’ realm... but it being an entrance didn’t necessarily mean it was an exit.

Egeria stopped at the riverbank, trying to catch her breath. The wound at her back burned as hell and her legs menaced to falter. There, she had made it, she had found the place, the Styx.

But... what then?

Thanatos and Hypnos were now just some steps from her, watching her with a maniac grin. Had she look like that some moments ago? While she took all those lives?

‘’ I’m disappointed, girl, we had high hopes in you ‘’ said Pandora, walking from behind the frightful men.

‘’ Now, accept the inevitable and take your punishment with honour ‘’

There? That was it? No more escaping, no more hopes, just a mad race to end up dying, falling into madness once again.

Egeria took a step back, but there was no way out, no exit, nothing, just the dark waters of the Styx, so dark and terrible like the day when they had brought her to Elysium, when Acheron drove her there, when hopes were still in her heart.

‘’ Thanatos, Hypnos, subdue her, I am tired of all this cat and mice game ‘’ murmured Pandora, turning around and walking back to the arena.

The two men approached when hearing her orders, a drowning Cosmo surrounding them. Egeria thought about subduing herself, about falling down her knees and just wait for them to sever her head. But something told her not to, a burning feeling in her heart, in her soul. To fight, no matter what, to fight and never give up. To fight and kill... or get killed.

But just when she was about to unleash her Cosmo, a blinding light appeared between her and her enemies, making them stop. A mighty Cosmo. A Goddess.

Pandora turned around, surprised by that energy, that aura. Hades was surprised by it too, she could feel him, feel his uneasiness.

‘’ Artemis... ‘’ she muttered, watching the black-haired girl that stood proudly between Hades minions and Cossette.

‘’ My goddess... ‘’ said Egeria, kneeling at her feet. Artemis nodded, placing her hand on her shoulder.

‘’ Pandora, I’m here to take what’s mine ‘’, said the Goddess, burning her Cosmo higher. A thick layer of ice covered the place as it spread, the same way Egeria’s Cosmo had done so with fire.

‘’ I can’t let you... ‘’

Artemis looked at the girl with her aquamarine eyes. They were deep and transparent, like a lake. But nothing tranquil lived in them. It was like if an utter darkness dwelled deep inside them, lurking, waiting to be unleashed. She knew well the feelings her gaze brought in others, the uneasiness, the doubt. They couldn’t tell what she was thinking, although they feared and suspected it was something bad. And she loved that.

‘’ You can’t? This girl is mine, and I will take her with me, your decision about it is purely nominal. You can’t stop me and you know it ‘’ Artemis said, smiling wickedly, ‘’ And besides, you already know what happens when you touch things you shouldn’t, do I have to make you remember that lesson all over again? ‘’

Pandora stepped back, closing her hand around her necklace. So she knew, the bastard knew...

‘ Let her have the girl... her blood is already spoiled by us, she’ll never change. A new harpy will be found, let her have hers ‘

Hades. It was the first time in her life she felt glad to hear him, to hear his words, his dreadful voice.

‘’ Fine, do as you please ‘’

‘’ But... ‘’ started Thanatos. This was a chance in a lifetime, to face a Goddess, an immortal. And one of the Twelve! Her head would be a precious trophy in his collection...

‘’ Thanatos, will you disobey your Lord? He has allowed his niece to go, so stay put ‘’

He nodded, turning around and heading towards the arena. Hypnos did the same, following him closely.

The ordeal was over.

‘’ Artemis ‘’ Pandora went on ‘’ You owe us for this one, remember it. Favours like this aren’t free ‘’

‘’ I know ‘’

‘’ Should I prepare your temple? ‘’

Artemis shook her head, black hair dancing around her like threads of the Night.

‘’ Ochi. I have what I came looking for ‘’ she said, her deep voice sounding like the wind between the trees, ‘’ Egeria, shall we go? ‘’

Egeria looked up at her. There was something in that girl, in those eyes, that soothed her very soul. That gave her hope.

‘’ Yes, my goddess ‘’

‘’ Egeria, then? So it’s true, you do choose your Guardians by giving them the name of their souls. A shame, I liked Cossette best ‘’

Artemis raised an eyebrow and shrugged. She was tired of that woman, that minion of her uncle. She despised her weakness, her lack of honour. And honour was something she valued greatly.

..................................................................................................................................................

Egeria couldn’t remember how long she had been walking behind that girl, following her, trying to memorise her looks, her movements, everything. It wasn’t that she wanted to stop, if it were for her she would have followed her forever, never keeping her gaze away from her back.

They went all the way through the Styx, not guided by Acheron like the last time she had been there, but walking by its shore, Artemis sometimes slowing to point her a twisted tree, a forest of cypresses, a fountain, a strange beast. Then, after some minutes that seemed like hours for the freed soul, the Goddess stopped.

‘’ We are about to get out of here, my friend. Darkness will engulf us both, but you mustn’t be afraid. Through it will get to Ortygia. Through it will get home ‘’

She nodded, feeling her heart melting under the gaze of those aquamarine eyes. Without knowing why, she closed her fingers around hers, smiling when seeing surprise in those eyes. Artemis smiled back, a wicked, yet pleased smile. And then she closed her eyes, unleashing her Cosmo, white energy flowing between them, covering Egeria’s skin with a thin layer of ice, when, out of a sudden, the light disappeared, eaten by Darkness.

Egeria felt the grip of fear once again around her heart, clutching to Artemis’ side like a scared puppy, whining like one; but the Goddess’ hand in hers reassured her, told her that there was nothing to be afraid of in the Dark. That she was always going to be with her there. That Darkness was her Goddess’ home.

A starry sky welcomed them when the darkness freed them. The trees around them danced a silent tune with the cool breeze that brushed the whole place, while far-off Egeria could her the endless song of the sea, a song she had learnt to love during her childhood days, back then when innocence still ruled her heart.

Before she knew it, she was on her knees, crying like a baby, all her memories returning as the sound of the waves broke the walls of her soul.

Artemis didn’t say a word, just stared at her, knowing that her decision had been right, that she had saved the right soul, that she had chosen the right warrior. She had had her doubts after the girl lost her mind, but she had waited, despite the disbelief of her Guardians. And now she was sure. The girl’s heart was worth saving.

Gently, she knelt by her side, pulling the girl’s head against her chest, holding her gently but sure with her long pale arms.

And then, she began singing. Her song was sad, yet it didn’t make Egeria sadder, on the contrary, it was like an scalpel, curing her heart’s wounds, making her whole once again.

And yet, she wasn’t ready to let go, she wanted to stay like that forever, against that source of tranquillity, protected by her Goddess’ embrace.

Missing her gaze, she looked up at her, through her veil of golden locks, enjoying the sight of those transparent eyes on her, of that pale complexion, of her angular neckline, of her long and delicate neck...

It was then when it struck her, the sudden rush of leaning her head against that neck and sinking her teeth deep in it, to drink that feeling of bliss from its source. To drink, sip by sip, drop by drop, that blood and soul, which seemed so powerful, so strong, that even she doubted her body could contain it.

Terrified, she pushed the Goddess away, panting heavily as she slashed her own chest with her claw-hands, so the pain would numb her senses and silence that voice that allure her to kill her saviour.

‘’ Don’t ‘’

Egeria stopped her torture at the instant she heard the waterfall-like voice commanding her. If that voice had told her to go on, she would have killed herself gladly.

Artemis walked to her, placing her hand over the girl’s chest. Egeria was about to move away, but she held her still, allowing her Cosmo to flow from her hand to the girl’s wound, healing it as well as silencing the voice.

‘’ There. I don’t want you to do a thing like that to yourself ever again, understood? I value your life highly, and I don’t want to lose you ‘’

Egeria nodded, surprised by those words. As much as she tried she couldn’t find anything in her soul worth valuing.

Artemis giggled by that submission, by that complete obedience of her words. Most of her Guardians had behaved that way when she had appeared to them, but luckily for her, they learnt to treat her like a friend soon enough, if not she would have died from the boredom.

‘’ Well, I know you must be tired, but there is still a little more to walk. I would have taken us to the Temple right away, but I always like to talk a bit with my Guardians before that. And I guess this forest has always been the best please, at lest the others won’t come here to take a peek at you ‘’

‘’ I’m not tired’’ said Egeria right away. Deep down in her, she knew she should have asked where this forest was, which Temple she was talking about, what on earth was that Guardian thing, and most important that all, who where those ‘’others’’. But she stayed silent and started to follow Artemis light steps into the forest, knowing that one way or the other, she was going to teach her all those answers soon enough...

.................................................................................................................................................

Egeria waited impatiently at the door of the Temple, sitting against one of its pillars. How long had it been since the last Guardian had left it? Hours, days perhaps. And still, some of them were still inside, discussing with her Goddess. Discussing whether she could be a Guardian or not. Discussing whether she was trustworthy or not. Whether she deserved such an honour or not.

Honestly, if she had been asked, she would have said she didn’t. Not because she would betray them, she would never do such a thing, she’d rather die than doing anything that might hurt or anger her Goddess. But because she wasn’t worthy. Because someone who still longed for taking the life and soul of those that stirred to help her wasn’t worth looking after the world by Her side.

And yet, Artemis thought otherwise. That was something Egeria had learnt over the last couple of month in Her Island, living between the most beloved and admired inhabitants of Ortygia. Her Goddess was a defiant, bad-humoured stubborn girl that once she set her goals, would never turn back, not unless she had accomplished them. And turning her into a Guardian had been her latest desire.

‘’ Still waiting? ‘’ said a blond girl walking towards her.

Egeria nodded, smiling at her. The girl smiled back, pleased by that tall, strong, wounded woman. Most of the Guardians where fearing she was never going to be able to regain the ability to smile after all she had been through.

‘’ I was walking by and was surprised when seeing you here, what’s it been? Three days? Four? You are not even stopping at the dinning room! ‘’

‘’ I want to be here when the Goddess summons me ‘’ she answered plainly, shrugging a bit.

‘’ I thought you would say that, that’s why I brought you this ‘’ The girl brought forward a basket she had been hiding behind her, full of breed, some ham and cheese, a jug of fresh water and a piece of cake.

Egeria was too surprised to answer, and simply looked at the girl and smiled again, as she sat by her side and started to unpack all.

‘’ Here ‘’ she went on, handing her a sandwich. Egeria took it doubtfully, but didn’t eat it, although her stomach was pleading her to do so.

The girl looked strangely at her, as if confused.

‘’ What’s the matter, don’t you like sandwiches? Mine are better than my sister’s, so you needn’t worry! ‘’ she teased, poking her elbow.

‘’ It’s not that... it’s just... well... You are too important as to sit next to one of my kin and watch her eat, Monoceros Guardian... ‘’

The Guardian looked at her through half closed eyes, surprised by those words, and then, started laughing, not a teasing laughter, but a pure and gentle one, just as gentle as her Cosmo and looks where.

‘’ Please, forgive me ‘’ she said, when seeing Egeria’s embarrassed face, ‘’ It’s just that it’s the first time someone says that to me! So that was why you never ate with us? Because you felt unworthy? ‘’

Egeria nodded, staring at her feet. Somehow she had realised that her over-respect for them had been wrong.

‘’ By Artemis, we did were wrong for not talking to you sooner, we thought you were stoic or something! If you had come to one of our meals you would have realised how wrong you were... but well, I guess tonight you’ll realise, you are coming to dinner, aren’t you? ‘’

‘’ It’s in the hands of our Goddess ‘’

‘’ Oh, she’ll wrap thing up this afternoon, so I wouldn’t worry about it! Artemis is getting bored with all the talking and she’ll probably send the next one in telling her that you are not ready to be a Guardian through the roof ‘’

‘’ If you order so, Monoce... ‘’

‘’ Now, stop it with that nonsense, the name’s Ifigenia, and we would be the ones honoured by your presence. Can’t you see that we are all akin? Artemis chose us all, created a bond between her and us, taught us that she is akin with us, that we should never treat her like someone superior to us, but as an equal. She taught us how much she hates that all-mighty crap and how she likes to share her life with us. If she told us all that, why should we, her Guardians, think we are better than any other whose been Chosen by her? ‘’

Egeria listened to those words in owe, words she had heard in Artemis’ mouth so many times, but never really understood. But now, that this girl, the youngest of the Guardians, repeated them with such candour, with so much love, she understood. Understood it all. And yet, she still had one last question.

‘’ Then why are you all against me becoming a Guardian? ‘’

Ifigenia felt surprised once again. What fools they had all been, taking that newcomer for granted! Against her? She couldn’t be more mistaken! If they had only approached her, talked to her a bit more, they would have realised, but still, they were too drawn into their own problems, into their own selfish doubts, into their jealousy by their Goddess’ long absences.

‘’ We are not against you, we are just scared for you. We fear that Artemis is asking too much of you by making you promise to follow her path, to turn you into one of us. Not because of lack of power ‘’ she said immediately, seeing Egeria frowning, ‘’ But because of all the suffering you’ve been through. You don’t deserve to go through anymore ‘’

Egeria swallowed those words in pain. It was because of her that they had defied their Goddess? They were asking her to give her a better life, to take her out of fighting?

‘’ Ifigenia ‘’ she said suddenly, the lost shine of her fuchsia eyes, the lost strength of her soul being found once again. The steadiness of her voice, the determined gaze, the whole of her attitude when addressing the Guardian had changed, and the girl realised that. The girl felt, for the first time, that she was talking to one of them.

‘’ I know I’ve been through hell, I’m not blind to that. But I also know that I’m not a helpless child who needs others to speak for them. I’m a warrior, and although I know it doesn’t speak too well of me, I enjoy fighting. I’ve been raised to fight and mature through it. And Artemis knows it. I know that you all meant the best, at least I know it now, but it would have been very nice of you to ask me if I wanted your help first, because, honestly, I don’t need it. Because, finally, now, I know I want to be a Guardian ‘’

Ifigenia smiled proudly. Yes, they had been wrong about her. The REST had been wrong about her. But she had always known. She had always known that this hunched, clawed woman was one of them, was a Guardian.

‘’ I’m so happy! ‘’ she said out of a sudden, hugging the woman. Egeria became stiff immediately, surprised by the change of attitude in the girl, that moments ago had been behaving like a benevolent Guardian and now behave like a spunky child.

‘’ Atalanta will have to pay, Atalanta will have to pay! ‘’ she went on, getting to her feet and dancing like a madman.

‘’ What are you talking about? ‘’ said Egeria, also standing up.

‘’ Ups! Talked too much...! Well, of the record, my sister and I made a little bet, you know... She thought that you were never going to get out of that ‘devotion state’, while I told her that you only needed to be talked to! And I was right!!! I’m finally going to be able to buy that pretty stuffed unicorn I’ve seen in town...‘’

The Guardian went on singing and dancing, jumping from step to step until she had got to the end of the stairs, and then all the way up. Egeria looked at her with surprised eyes, but also with a warm heart. The girl had given her something that she had lost long ago. The girl had given her back her pride.

...................................................................................................................................................

‘’ Artemis, please, stop behaving like a stubborn brat and start thinking... ‘’ said a lilac-haired woman, trying to gave her senses back to a Goddess who was sitting on the floor and playing with her wolf.

‘’ Look whose calling me stubborn, Arcade!’’ said Artemis to her wolf ‘’ If I’m not wrong, she was the one that wouldn’t go out of the house unless Mom was with her! Or I’m wrong, Dictina? ‘’

The demi-goddess crossed her arms around her and frowned. She and her sister -half-sister- had always been close, she being the High Priestess of her cult and all, but still, she felt that title was useless. Once an idea got into her sister’s head, it was impossible to make her change her mind, be it the High Priestess or the damn wolf the ones that advised her.

‘’ Dictina is right, Artemis, Egeria doesn’t deserve such a life, she’s been through too much... ‘’

Artemis raised an eyebrow and gazed at her Guardians, forgetting completely about her game with Arcade. This time, they had pissed her off. Standing up, she faced them. Seven of her eight had come to speak ill about her decision, three remained, but this time, they had been too far. Even Arcade got scared by the sudden change of mood of his mistress, and went to hide under the Outer Temple’s throne, whining like a puppy.

‘’ I never knew you thought the life you were leading was so harsh, Orion ‘’ she started, her voice as cold as ice and her stare as hard as rock, ‘’ I’ve never forced you to accept my offering, I’ve never forced you to share my fate. And still, you all accepted. But as it seems you are having second thoughts of it, you can all go from Ortygia. Come on, what are you waiting for, scram!!! ‘’ she yelled, unleashing her Cosmo. Never in her life had she felt so mad, so angered. So out of control.

‘’ Artemis, you know I didn’t mean that... ‘’ said Orion, his chest in pain by her words, by the way her Cosmo spread all over the Temple, all over the Island, covering everything with a layer of ice.

He had never meant that, to make her think that he thought his life next to her was a curse. Never. He would rather die that live away from her, away from her fate. His fate was hers, and would always be so.

Artemis was about to answer back when she looked into his eyes, those light brown eyes that showed a soul in pain. Yes, he hadn’t meant to, he was faithful to her, her most faithful Guardian next to Atalanta. They would never betray her. And yet, they suffered. But nonetheless, they had hurt her too much, too much as to forget her anger, too much as to subdue. Only someone could make her stop thinking of those words, only he could free her from her anger, so she could look back at her Guardians with a clear heart, and listen to their words without wanting to turn them into ice statues.

‘’ Call Egeria, I’ve taken my decision. And let the rest of you know that I’m leaving to Siberia for a couple of days after the initiation is over ‘’

Orion frowned at her words, but wouldn’t say a word. He had brought this to them all, he wouldn’t worsen things more.

But a figure in the shadows thought otherwise.

‘’ Are you going to see him, Artemis? ‘’

Artemis didn’t even bother to look back. She was finding it hard to control her anger, and knew that a confrontation with Atalanta was the last she needed.

‘’ I am ‘’

‘’ Again? I thought you had stopped... ‘’ added Dictina, feeling for the first time of her life, the touch of jealousy in her heart.

‘’ I have not. He is as much my chosen as you are ‘’

‘’ He is more than that, and you know it! ‘’ yelled her sister, surprised when hearing herself say that. That hadn’t been her wish, to pronounce those words, and still, she had done so. What was going on with them all?

Artemis turned to face her sister, standing centimetres from her. Her aquamarine eyes shone with anger, as the darkness in them seem to touch their surface.

‘’ What did you mean by that? ‘’ she asked, her voice as cold as a glacier.

‘’ You know what I meant... ‘’ said Dictina, unable to lie, unable to speak back.

‘’ I don’t. Come on, dear sister, speak your mind now, or keep that pretty mouth of yours closed forever. It’s your call ‘’

Dictina averted her gave from her, staring to the marble floor. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t say what she feared, what she thought of, when she wasn’t really sure. She couldn’t use jealousy as excuse, when such a feeling was practically out of Ortygia’s vocabulary. She couldn’t hurt her sister anymore.

Seeing that she wasn’t going to talk, Artemis moved away, trying to think in the peace of Siberia, so that her spirit would cool down. Why things were so difficult nowadays, why couldn’t they understand her?

‘’ So that’s all, you’ll turn that woman into a Guardian, despite all the pain that will bring her? ‘’

‘’ I will, Atalanta, and if you wish to speak to me, you’ll do so properly, not from the shadows ‘’

The Guardian obeyed, walking out of her hiding place. Artemis wished she hadn’t. The red-haired woman got under one of the torches, so her Goddess could see her. Her face was a mask of sadness, as tears ran from her red eyes.

Artemis swore to herself. Maybe they were right, maybe she had neglected them. Maybe she had spent too much time out of Ortygia, if not she would have noticed how bad things really were, if not she would have noticed her Chosen Ones’ pain and sadness, their need of her.

‘’ You’ve changed, Artemis, that man has changed you ‘’

Artemis lowered her eyes, feeling a different kind of pain in her heart this time. Seemed today wasn't her day at all.

‘’ If I changed, it has nothing to do with him. Or are you saying that a Mortal could change one of the Twelve? ‘’ she said, trying to lower her Cosmo. Lack of control, that was what her masters always told her.

‘’ But that doesn’t matter, that’s not the reason you’ve all came to speak to me. You came to speak for Egeria’s sake, and you’ve done so, now it is in her hands to accept it ‘’

‘’ Your decision?? ‘’ said Atalanta, this time crying, ‘’ As well as allowing the corruption of Athena’s Sanctuary to go on? As well as playing blind with the current ‘state of affairs’ in Poseidon’s Sanctuary? All those where your decisions, Artemis, and look where are they taking us! ‘’

Artemis couldn’t take it anymore, she couldn’t control herself any longer. Her friends had changed, they had turned into nothing but strangers. Or perhaps they were right, and she was the one who had changed...

But she was unable to think of that, she just couldn’t. She was a creature of the senses, of instincts, and right now they were telling her to fight, to end the pain, the ache in her heart, to silence those voices that accused her of so many things.

‘’ I’ve told you, we can’t act yet, not when the Gods themselves haven’t awaken yet, not when a menace between realms hasn’t been opened. We are peacekeepers, not wardens! ‘’ she cried, her Cosmo turning darker as she spoke. Control yourself, she thought, control it...

‘’ So you are saying that we should wait and see? ‘’

‘’ Yes I am! ‘’

‘’ That’s for fools! ‘’

‘’ By Zeus, Atalanta, will you defy my orders??! ‘’, she screamed, walking towards the Guardian, ‘’ We might be friends, but I’m still your Goddess! ‘’

‘’ Maybe you are not worth following... ‘’ muttered the Guardian.

Artemis stood still when hearing that. Lately, they had told her many things, but this was the one that hurt her the most. She had never expected one of her Guardians to say that, even less Atalanta, the one with which she felt more akin.

The Guardian felt as surprised as her Goddess was. Artemis had been more than a leader to her, more than someone to follow. She had been a sister, a mother and more than anything, a friend. A true friend. Someone to rely on. Yes, she had been going away quite often the past few years, but she couldn’t say she had made her a side. She had come and go, but she had also been with her when she needed it.

So why had she said something like that? Why had she accused her of something so terrible?

‘’ Go to your shrines, all of you, and don’t you dare to come into the Temple until I return. If any of you dares disturbing me, I will take you to the Forest and hunt you down ‘’, said Artemis, feeling how her Cosmo was pushing to be free, how it was taking her deeper and deeper into the Darkness.

‘’ Don’t you run from us... ‘’ said Dictina, about to close her hand around her sister’s arm. But before either the Guardian or the Goddess could react, a ball of flaming energy hit Dictina’s arm.

At the door, stood Egeria, surrounded by her flame-like Cosmo, the wings of fire dancing at her back.

‘’ An Harpy... ‘’ muttered Dictina, seeing for the first time the power of the newcomer.

Without paying them any attention, the woman walked towards the Goddess and knelt at her feet.

‘’ My Goddess, I know I shouldn’t have enter your Holy Temple in such a manner, but there is something I want to ask you ‘’

‘’ How dare you ‘’ said Dictina, standing between her Goddess and the girl, all past grudges forgotten when feeling her sister was in danger, ‘’ How dare you enter the Outer Temple without permission? This place is sacred! ‘’

‘’ Yes, it is, but it’s open to the Guardians, isn’t it? ‘’, answered Egeria, never leaving her gaze from Artemis’ transparent eyes.

‘’ Do you dare to speak of yourself as one of the Eight? ‘’ said Atalanta, walking to Dictina’s side, ‘’ That’s sacrilege, only our Goddess can determine who deserves such an honour ‘’

Yes, all past grudges were forgotten, all the jealousy, all the pain, everything. All they cared now was proving how proud they were of being their Goddess’ Guardians, her most trusted Chosen Ones, the Peacekeeper’s Children. Artemis’ friends.

‘’ You are playing with fire, woman ‘’ added Orion, walking to her Goddess’ side, ‘’ You may get burn ‘’

Egeria smiled, a wicked smile so alike the Goddess’. Yes, she was whole again.

‘’ Burn you said? I hope so! ‘’ The twin wings moved up and down, closing around the woman’s slim body, licking her skin, playing with her hair, as a shrill shriek made way through her throat, making Artemis smile, pleased.

‘’ Maybe yes, maybe not! ‘’ went on Dictina, her turquoise Cosmo surrounding her body.

‘’ River of Light! ‘’

Egeria fell against one of the pillars, which broke behind her. She had always suspected the Guardians were strong, but to that extent? Her fire wings had almost turn to vapour when touched by Dictina’s water based Cosmo. How could she be able to master such an aura?

‘’ My... Goddess... ‘’ she murmured, getting on her feet once again.

But Artemis did nothing, just stood where she was, petting her wolf and watching the fight with a glow in her eyes that could almost be mistaken for lust.

‘’ On Artemis’ name, stop that gibberish! Chime of Night! ‘’, cried Atalanta, her purple Cosmo engulfing the woman’s body, as her hands slashed her as if they were fangs ripping her skin.

Egeria fell on the floor limply, surprised when realising that she was still alive. The Guardians’ attacks were taking their toll on her Cosmo, and summoning it was causing her a terrible pain.

‘’ My... Goddess... Artemis... ‘’ she begged, crawling towards her, a trail of blood at her way.

‘’ You don’t seem to understand ‘’ muttered a male voice, as a figure stood before her. Looking up, she saw Orion, his light brown eyes fixed on her.

‘’ You’ve done wrong by entering this place without permission, why have you? ‘’

‘’ Because... because... because I wanted to introduce my pledge to my Goddess... because I wanted none to speak in my name... because I want... I want... ‘’

Orion looked over his shoulder at the Goddess, who stood still, silent, alert to every movement of her Guardians, of the woman who crawl on the floor. Then she nodded.

Orion nodded back, giving his attention back to Egeria.

‘’ Let me show you what it takes to be a Guardian ‘’

‘’ Feral Wrath! ‘’

Egeria saw with surprise how a dragon rose from Orion’s Cosmo, it’s tail smashing the walls, its claws breaking the marble floor. She looked at the beast’s eyes, in disbelief, as its head moved closer, its mouth opened, and finally closed around here, tearing her body and soul to pieces in a sea of lava.

Deep inside her, she knew she should have been able to stop a fire based Cosmo, being hers also one, but she simply couldn’t, the dragon was too strong, too wicked, it almost seemed to be made from the very fire that burned inside earth’s heart.

But she couldn’t think about it anymore, she couldn’t do a thing about it anymore. The world was melting at the beast’s feet and with it, she was disappearing too. At least she could be satisfy, satisfy for having died herself, and not with a madden conscience.

‘ Will you give up that easily, Egeria? Won’t you unleash the Harpy that lies inside you? ‘

That voice speaking right to her Cosmo... Pandora? No... it was something bigger, darker... Hades? But...

Artemis.

‘ Aren’t you willing to prove yourself to me? To prove us all that you are worth of asking for your heart’s desire? ‘

‘ Aren’t you?! ‘

The fire wings broke their cage and burned high once again, licking the marbled roof with their heat. The three guardians looked at them with owe, and yet, with a smile on their faces.

‘’ I am here... ‘’

... Prove yourself to me...

‘’ I am here to ask my Goddess... to ask the Queen of the Hunt... ‘’

... Prove us all that you are worth of asking for your heart’s desire...

Egeria stood up, her Cosmo closing her wounds, sealing them with its heat.

‘’ I am here to ask the Queen of the Hunt if I... if her Chosen One, Egeria... ‘’

... My Chosen One...

‘’ If I can follow her fate... ‘’

... Follow me...

‘’ If I can be one of her Guardians, if I can be her Harpy! ‘’

...Be reborn, my Harpy, my Guardian!...

‘’ Hellfire!!! ‘’

Egeria’s wings opened behind her, unleashing a sea of lava and fire, her tsunami. The whole temple seemed to rock as she approach the Guardians’ throats with her open claws, surrounded by her fire.

Atalanta was the one nearer, her delicate neck just waiting to be snapped, her lively body just waiting to be burned...

‘’ Aurora Execution! ‘’ whispered a waterfall like voice, as an aura of pure ice crashed against her tsunami of fire, vanishing it at the spot.

Egeria looked at her Goddess in surprise, staring at her hands, still shimmering with ice. The Temple, which had seemed to be in the brink of destruction, stood as strong as ever, with that raw beauty that seemed to rule all over Ortygia.

‘’ My Goddess...? ‘’, she murmured before falling on her knees, too weak as to even stay on her feet.

‘’ Yes, your Goddess, my Guardian ‘’ said Artemis, walking to her side, ‘’ My Harpy ‘’

‘’ I feel... the hunger again, my Goddess, I’m... I’m afraid... ‘’

‘’ Afraid? ‘’ added Atalanta, helping her to stand up.

‘’ Afraid I might not... not control it... Afraid I will end up hurting you... hurting you all...‘’

Atalanta looked at Artemis with sorrowed eyes. This had been their real fear, the true reason of why they didn’t want her to become a Guardian. Because of what was in stake if they tried to cleanse her soul.

‘’ You won’t control it, because that hunger won’t exist, I won’t allow it to eat you alive ‘’ said Artemis, ignoring Atalanta’s pleading eyes. All her female Guardians had been through the initiation, they all knew what it was like, what had to be done in order to become a Guardian. What their Goddess had to give. And giving it to Egeria might place her life in too much danger as for it to be worthy.

But Artemis seemed determined, and she had proved them all that she hadn’t been wrong. Egeria was strong, as strong as they were, and had the soul of a Guardian. Had the soul of a Chosen One.

‘’ Dictina, prepare the Inner Temple ‘’ said Artemis, taking her place as the ruler of Ortygia once again, ‘’ Atalanta, you take care of Egeria and get her ready... ‘’

The two Guardians followed their Goddess orders without doubts, without hesitation. All the feelings they had felt during their argument with her were now gone. She was once again the being they had dedicated their life to, the being they would follow to the heart of hell if it were necessary. Artemis was once again, the Queen of the Hunt, the Lady of the Wild Things. Their Goddess.

.................................................................................................................................................

Artemis used her Cosmo to summon Ifigenia to her side, as she fell on her throne limply, preparing her mind to the ritual she’d have to perform. Only she and Orion remained at the Outer Temple, as witnesses of the events that had just occurred.

‘’ My Goddess... ‘’ murmured Orion, kneeling at her feet.

‘’ Orion, my dear friend, it’s been long since you followed protocol with me... ‘’ she whispered, half there, half in her own world.

‘’ I’ve never asked for anything, my Goddess, and tried all my life to satisfy your highest expectations... ‘’

Artemis smiled, opening back her eyes and placing her hand on his shoulder.

‘’ And you have, you know that, you silly boy! ‘’ she teased, stroking his cheek lightly. If only she knew how much that affected him...

‘’ If it’s so, if I had fulfilled that, I want... I want you not to make Egeria into a Guardian! I beg of you, my Lady... ‘’

Artemis frowned, getting on her feet. Her red tunic followed her movements like a second skin, as her hair fell over her shoulders wildly, like threads of the night.

‘’ I’d thought this conversation was over ‘’

‘’ I don’t want to lose you, Artemis, that’s all ‘’

‘’ And you won’t, I promise. You’ve seen how my power is able to stop hers, nothing will happen to me, nothing will threaten me ‘’

‘’ Can you promise me that? ‘’ he said, standing up and walking to her. If that Egeria just as pinched Artemis, he would make her pay for that.

Artemis smiled. Could she promise? No, she couldn’t. But what was to win if there wasn’t any risk at all? Besides, it was the only way she had to save Egeria’s soul from Pandora’s spell, it was the only way to free her from Hades’ grip.

‘’ I’ll be fine, my Dragon. To prove you that, I’ll leave later to Siberia and stay for dinner, what do you say? ‘’

Orion didn’t answer. She hadn’t promise. She was in danger and he couldn’t do a thing about it. She was leaving to that to-be-saint land again, despite the confrontation they had had. He was losing her.

................................................................................................................................................

As Orion left the Outer Temple, a light green Cosmo started to shine in it. Soon, Ifigenia emerged from it, her aura dancing with her linen tunic.

‘’ So it seems she made it, huh? ‘’

‘’ Nai ‘’, answered Artemis, walking towards the stone door at the end of the Outer Temple. The girl followed her closely, jumping and dancing as she walked.

‘’ You knew she would, didn’t you? ‘’, asked the Goddess, placing her hand on the door and allowing her Cosmo to flow to it. Soon, the door opened, recognising the Goddess’ mark.

Ifigenia sealed the door behind her with her Cosmo, feeling the rush she felt every time she entered the Inner Temple.

Artemis Temple, unlike any other Temple, was divided in three. The Outer Temple, made of marble and silver, where the Goddess and her Guardians could roam freely. The Guardian’s bedrooms, the training grounds, the dinning room, the library and all the common rooms were around it, leading to it through hallways.

Then, there was the Inner Temple, a natural cave with an underground lake in it. Only Artemis and Dictina, her High Priestess, had free access to that Temple. The rest of the Guardians could enter only in special occasions, or when either of them allowed it. No men were allowed in the Inner Temple, be them Guardians or not. Artemis’ rooms and the Armoury where at the sides of this temple.

And behind the throne of the Inner Temple, was the Sacred Grotto. Only Artemis could enter there. Placing a foot in it meant certain death under the hands of the Goddess, even for the High Priestess.

It was because of this that Ifigenia felt so excited. It was long since the last time she had entered the Inner Temple, and felt glad that Egeria had opened that possibility for her. Unlike the sober marble walls of the Outer Temple, the Inner Temple hadn’t been changed by mortal hands. It was a huge cave, where some plants strove to grow, crawling through the walls like souls in pain, full of rocks and humidity. Stalactites and stalagmites stretched from both ground and ceiling, and the only light came from a pair of torches, one at each side of the ‘throne’, a part of the cave that because of the water, had taken the shape of one. But nothing of this was so worth seeing as the lake. Located at the centre of the cave, it almost covered two thirds of the Inner Temple, its dark waters humming a song of their own.

Since the beginning of time, the Inner Temple had been the home of most of the Ortygians’ rituals, and today was no exception. Today, a new Guardian was to be born. The Ninth and last of her kind. The Harpy.

‘’ Ifigenia, my dagger ‘’ said Artemis, stretching her hand towards the girl. She nodded, taking a plain hunter’s dagger from her belt.

‘’ Atalanta, Dictina ‘’

The two Guardians left the shadows when hearing their Goddess orders. They had both changed their purple and turquoise tunic for black cloaks. In their left hands, they held an unlit torch, in their right ones, a short sword.

Artemis smiled. It seemed everything was going as planned.

‘’ Egeria ‘’

Kneeling by the throne was the hunched woman. Atalanta had given her an orange tunic, for her fiery Cosmo, while Dictina had combed her hair and placed small silver moons between the golden strands.

Artemis looked over her shoulder at Ifigenia, who nodded in recognition. Then, they started walking towards the throne.

.................................................................................................................................................

Egeria opened her eyelids with pain. The world seem to rock and melt, so she closed them back. It seemed whatever Atalanta had made her drink before leaving her there had numbed her senses greatly, making her unable to tell where she was, who with, and if she was in any kind of danger or not.

Suddenly, she felt steps drawing nearer, although she couldn’t tell where they came from...

‘’ Muta quies habitat ‘’ said two voices at the unison. Egeria stretched her arms and tried to find out where they were coming from, but all she could feel was slippery rock and mud.

‘’ Nulla quies intus ‘’

The steps grew closer, until they stopped. She heard the sound of someone sitting, and then only silence.

‘’ Fos ’’

Egeria flinched when hearing that word. Somehow she was certain she knew it, she had heard it before. She could also understand what had been said before. She could understand it all. It seemed her senses where returning, as she could start to feel the aura of the persons around her.

‘’ Fegkari ‘’

She tried once again to open her eyes, relieved when finding the shadows taking shape before her.

‘’ Nyx ‘’

Egeria’s screams where heard over all Ortygia, as the vision before her unfolded, filling her with fear and dread.

A huge purple serpent spread at her left, so big that she couldn’t find its end. Its fangs where red with blood and venom seemed to ooze from them.

To her right, a river of stars run with all the might of its currents, able to even drown the Sun in its waters.

Before her, a unicorn, it’s horn showing its nobility and power.

And above all the three figures, a woman, in which light and darkness melted once and again, in a never ending dance. The stars shone on her hair, while the moon unfolded its beauty on her brow. Life lay in her right hand, while Death rested in her left one. Fortune and Vengeance stood each at one of her shoulders. To see her was to fear her. To fear her was to love her. To love her was to die for her.

‘’ Skatadi ‘’, said the woman, unleashing a Cosmo so powerful that Egeria could only but crouch and pray for all to be over.

But then there was nothing. No Cosmo, no auras, no voices. Just the sound of torches burning.

‘’ Egeria, open your eyes ‘’

Despite her fear, she obeyed. She had recognised that voice, the voice that had saved her once, that would save her again.

As she had expected, Artemis was looking at her from her throne with a worried look in her slanted eyes. To her right was Atalanta, holding a burning torch, and to her left, Dictina, doing the same. At her feet, holding a silver cup between her hands, was Ifigenia. The visions she had seen. The souls she had witnessed.

‘’ Thea... ‘’, she whispered, feeling her mouth dry and her eyes heavy.

‘’ Nai ‘’ answered Artemis, standing up, ‘’ Serpens, Eridanus, Monoceros ‘’ she went on, calling for her Guardians. They obeyed in silence, each knowing their part perfectly. The serpent and the river got hold of the Goddess’ arms, and each draw a long line with their swords. The unicorn, meanwhile, placed the cup under the flowing blood until it was full. Once it was, Atalanta and Dictina placed their hands on the wounds, and let their Cosmos flow, closing them immediately.

‘’ Aima... ‘’ whispered Artemis, lost in a world she could only see, " Tanges... aethera... ‘’

The Guardians listened at those words and nodded, each taking a sip from the cup. Then, they walked towards the lake and submerged the short swords in it. The dark surface turned pitch black for a moment, and then shone as if a star had fallen in it.

Egeria watched all this as if it were a dream, unable to mutter a word, as if she were nothing but a helpless child.

When the lake turned back to normal, the three Guardians turned their attention to the Goddess and Egeria, and bowed to them.

‘’ Thea... Polemistis... ‘’

Artemis nodded and smiled, watching how their Chosen Ones disappeared, each of them surrounded by their auras. Purple. Turquoise. Green.

Then, she turned her attention to the kneeling woman, who still trembled by the things she had seen.

‘’ So, you’ve seen us as we truly are, Cossette, you’ve seen our souls, as much as we’ve seen yours. A mighty Harpy made of ashes and fire ‘’

Egeria looked at Artemis with surprise in her eyes. It was the first time she had addressed her with the name her father had gave her, and somehow it sounded different in her lips.

‘’ Yes, Cossette. I give you back your name, because this is the last time you’ll hear it, this is the last time you’ll be attached to it ‘’

‘’... Cossette...’’ she repeated, as if trying to drink the meaning and sound of that word, trying to remember it.

Artemis smiled. Yes, she had made the right choice. Even Dictina had been surprised by that woman’s soul, she had felt it. It was pure fire, pure strength, and yet pure emotions.

Love and Friendship seemed to live in that soul.

Determined, Artemis took hold of the dagger.

‘’ Give me your hand, Cossette ‘’

The woman looked at the weapon, and then to Artemis’ face. She needn’t think twice.

The iron slashed her wrist easily, allowing the blood to flow down her arm.

‘’ Ortygia is an old land, more ancient than time... ‘’ started Artemis, watching how the blood fell on the ground.

‘’ Here, we rule through ancient and powerful rites. Words, songs, wounds, pain, pleasure, they are all the same under our eyes, they are all the source of our power if we know how to use them... ‘’

Egeria could feel the lose of blood affecting her, numbing her mind, but still, she listened, as an attentive pupil would listen to its tutor.

‘’ And the Guardians are the ones who know how to use them best. They pour their Cosmo, their whole beings, when it comes to that, to the rituals, to the power. To justice. To peace ‘’

Artemis closed her hand around Egeria’s arm as she kneeled by her side.

‘’ And they know, as much as I do, that the source of power is in our blood. That through blood, oaths are made. That through blood, life goes on. That through blood, we can all be one ‘’

As she said that, she brought her head closer to the wound, never moving her gave from Egeria’s fuchsia eyes.

‘’ You’ve asked to become a Guardian, and I have accepted. By doing so, you’ll become a part of me, as well as I’ll become a part of you. To share my fate is to give your life to me... ‘’

Egeria could feel Artemis’ lips around her wound, as she drank her blood and life. For the first time, she understood how her victims must have felt, the helplessness, the despair, the pain and pleasure, all.

She didn’t mind dying, she didn’t mind anything. All she could feel, all she could think of, was of her blood flowing from her body, being sucked out of her, not with the madden hunger she had used against her victims, but with gentleness, with care.

She didn’t even noticed when Artemis stopped and closed the wound with her Cosmo, leaving only a thin white scar, a reminder of what had just happened.

‘’ To share my fate is to give my life to you... ‘’

Egeria watched as Artemis got rid of her tunic and placed her long black hair over her left shoulder, offering her pale neck to her.

‘’ Drink ‘’

The rush, the voices, it all came back to her, whispering, screaming to her mind, to her Cosmo, telling her to drink her life away, to have her soul, her power...

‘’ No... ‘’ she muttered, trying to get away from her.

Artemis smiled, not her wicked smile, but a placid one, one that said ‘I understand’

‘’ Cossette... this is the only way for my Cosmo to reach yours, for it to entwined with yours... this is the only way to take Pandora’s blood from your body, to kill her curse... ‘’

‘’ You said it yourself, I’m a Harpy, all I care for is satisfying my hunger! I will kill you, can’t you see?! ‘’ she screamed, using all her strength not to look at Artemis, at her pale body that glowed with a light of its own, filled with life, at her delicate neck, that seemed to be calling out to her.

‘’ You won’t ‘’ said Artemis plainly, drawing the woman nearer her.

Egeria tried to fight her, to get rid of her grip, but the vision of that pale neck, under which blood flowed like a river, was too much for her.

Possessed by her hunger, by the voices, she closed her mouth on Artemis’ neck, sinking her teeth in the soft skin, gashing it, tearing it.

Artemis closed her eyes in pain, but didn’t move away. She just waited, allowing the Harpy to take her blood, her life, drop by drop. Unlike her, Egeria sank into her neck with such eagerness, with such a lack of care, that Artemis found it hard not to scream, not to use her Cosmo to close the wound. But despite of the pain, she could already see the Harpy’s Cosmo unveiling itself to her, the bird of fire flying towards her, to attack her or to submit, that only depended of Egeria’s soul.

But Egeria was too busy to worry over Artemis’ state. As she had hoped, the Goddess’ blood was like nothing she had ever tasted before. Pure power, pure energy seemed to come from that willing neck, from that soul. Sometimes it would be so strong that Egeria thought it would burn her throat, but it was worst the risk. Her senses got clearer with every sip, her Cosmo grew stronger, as Artemis’ waned.

She had finally got used to the idea of drinking the Goddess’ life away, of obtaining all she had to offer, when she realised the meaning of Artemis’ words, when saying she wouldn’t take her life.

‘’ Cossette, listened to that name for the last time, after this, you’ll just be Egeria... ‘’ Artemis unleashed her Cosmo to its fullest after pronouncing those words, every cell of her body boiling with her power. Egeria could feel the blood burning as she drank it, hurting her lips, her mouth, but still she wouldn’t let go, she wouldn’t stop.

It was then when something inside of her broke, as the blood she had taken started to boil, fighting against the voices, against the curse.

Unable to keep her senses while a war took place in her body, she grab Artemis tighter and continued on drinking, knowing that only her power could give her the bliss of silence, of being herself again.

Artemis dug her fingers in the soil, the pressure being too much. She had never thought Hades’ curse could be so strong, or Egeria’s hunger so great. But she had to hold on, she had to endure it. For Egeria’s sake. For her sake.

‘’ My Harpy, my Guardian... aima... tanges aethera... ‘’

Her Cosmo shone one more time, covering the whole temple with a layer of ice. Egeria released her and gave a final shriek, the same one she had given when attacking the Guardians, and then, fell on the floor, unable to move, to do a thing but rest.

Artemis moved away, covering herself once again with her tunic. Feeling her blood still flowing, she took her hand to her neck, to find the wound Egeria had opened. It was deeper than she had thought, wider. With her hunger she had almost tore her neck. Any other being would have die. Any other Mortal. But she was not one. She was a Goddess.

Her hand didn’t even shone as her Cosmo closed the open wound, leaving nothing but a thin mark. After all, she had triumph.

‘’ Egeria... ‘’ she said, walking towards the figure. The woman didn’t even move, so tired she was, so worn out. Artemis smiled, pleased by the strength of her power, which had been able to subdue even her uncle’s.

But that wasn’t the time to praise herself. She had something to finish. Sitting on the floor by Egeria’s side, she brushed some golden locks away from the delicate face and placed her hand on her forehead, seeking with her aura the one of the girl’s, using their bond to teach her the way to recover herself, to show her the way to best use of her powers.

The flames started to stir from Egeria’s body once again, burning her orange tunic as shining pieces of blue metal started to take its place, covering her body like a second skin, shimmering in power and glory.

At that feeling of warmth and energy, Egeria opened her eyes, surprised by her renewed strength, by that armour on her body.

‘’ My Goddess... ‘’ she whispered, relieved when seeing her alive.

‘’ Ochi, just Artemis, will you? What the hell, call me as you wish, I can’t remember the times I told you I hated protocol ‘’ said the girl, this time smiling wickedly.

Egeria smiled back, getting back on her feet. Although she had though the armour was going to be heavy, she was surprised when finding it so light, even lighter than her linen tunic. And yet, she could sense the power hidden in it, the strength.

‘’ Nice, isn’t it? ‘’

Egeria nodded, not sure of what to say or do now that the ordeal was over.

‘’ I’ve always thought that the Harpy’s Tunic was one of the prettiest, but don’t tell the rest, they are overly touchy these days. So what do you think we go to the Outer Room and celebrate, the rest are waiting for us there... Mmh, maybe I should warn Perseus that Ifigenia’s cakes are untouchable by anyone but me, at the last Festival of Torches he ate them all... ‘’

Egeria listened to the Goddess with high spirits in her heart, with that sense of wholeness and peace she hadn’t felt since she left Death Queen. Many things had happened to her since then, many times she had lost herself, and many others she had found herself. It had been a long road, and a hard one, but she felt content now that things seemed to look brighter, now that she had been given a second chance, now that she had a place to call home and beings to call family. Now that she was free once again. Now that she was Egeria. Now that she was the Harpy Guardian. Now that she was herself.

It didn’t matter what the future might hide, the battles she might have to face, the pain she might have to suffer, she knew now, for certain, that as long as she was surrounded by such wonderful beings as the Guardians, as long as she walked the same steps as her Goddess, nothing could go wrong. Nothing.

SE FINNI...