Everything was a blur. A flash of green, white, and blue. Athena had thrown herself forward, and now, somehow she was being jerked back.

  The blur became clear now, Athena looked back, wondering what was preventing her from coming back.

  It was a person with a white tunic, shadows hid their face and scars filled their arms. The portal had somehow grown a bit. The person was tugging on Athena’s boot.

  “Let me go!” Athena cried, trying to kick herself free.

  Ares looked back, and tried to yank Athena’s arm. But the person held a tight grasp.

  “You don’t understand!” The person cried.

  “I think I understand just well!”Athena cried as she retrieved her boot again and kicked the person away.

  The portal zipped shut, and the “No!” The hooded person had shouted had faded off.

  Athena hit the ground, her vision went blurry again, and the world went dark.

  -------------------------------------------------------------

  There was a ringing in her ears, she blinked her eyes open barely. She smelt a familiar scent, cedar and fresh dew.

  Her body was weak and her eyes stung.

  Someone was sitting beside her. Messy black hair...

  How familiar?

  When she fully opened her eyes, she recognized the person. Orion.

  He was sitting alongside her, asleep.

  She cracked herself a small grin, before forcing herself to sit up. When she tried to adjust herself, she realized he was holding her hand. Athen just blinked, before looking around.

  She was back in the medic room.

  Ares lay unconscious in a cot next to her. Bandages wrapped his stomach and scrapes covered around his eyes. Athena blinked groggily again, before noticing Andi rushing in.

  “Athena!Thank the Gods and ‘Ancients you're awake!” Andi whispered excitedly.

  Athena grinned. “Missed me?" she murmured.

  Andi smiled, before taking Athena’s other hand and wrapping it with more bandages. “Everyone, was scared, after you just-” her voice faded off. She looked up to Athena, then to Orion. “ Orion tried running after you, he said he saw you just,” Andi lifted her hands, and mimicked a POOF. “Poof!Disappear, scared the crap out of him. Out of all of us. But, it's okay, you're here now!’

  Athena flexed her fingers. “What can I say, I know how to make an entrance.”

  Athena looked over to Ares. “Hows he doing?”

  Andi looked over her shoulder. “Well, we checked his pulse and breathing. Normal. His stomach however, the gash was healing and his magic wasn’t holding. He lost a lot of blood,” she looked back at Athena. “But he's steady.”

  Athnea lifted her eyes, sleepiness flooded her.Her head felt woozy, and her vision almost went dark.

  “I’ve given you some numbing medicine to help with the pain. I notice some scratches near your ankle, nail marks. Someone tried to pull you back, I presume?Anyways, we’ll do a biopsy later, just to be sure you and your brother are alright. Please get rest Athena,” Andi murmured.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Athena nodded, shutting her eyes and letting sleepiness take over her.

  -------------------------------------------------------------

  She awoke in a crimson pool, lilies sprouted, dripping the crimson droplets. Instead of fear pounding in her chest, nothing did. Calmness sparked in her gaze as she crept forward. Athena wore a ruffled white dress, stained by the crimson waters.

  Hubris came into sight. His cracked face held no emotion, the bloodlust in his gold eyes had never faded. His black kuhiwa had swayed through the waters like a night shining pond.

  “Why have you brought me here?” Athena asked, eyeing the unusual place.

  Hubris laughed. “You came here, Athena.”

  She didn’t understand what the Sin had meant, until memories flashed like thunder and lighting.

  Athena had left her bed, not by choice, but someone–the same someone who had tried to pull her back had brought her out of her cot and dumped her in the river, the person was probably watching her squirm in the freezing waters now.

  “Anyhow,” her calmness flickered now, like a thread being pulled without patience. “Do you wish to discuss something?” Her tone was thin with patience.

  He nodded, turning around so she faced his towering figure. His white hair, pulled in a high ponytail, flung over his shoulder.

  “Because I have a proposition for you, Athena.” His voice was smooth as silk.

  Athena stood straighter, her eyes sharp daggers, slicing the air circling her. “And what would that be?”

  His voice was a low chuckle. “Eager. Just what I would need for an ally.” He hissed, crouching down until he was eye-to-eye with Athena. “So tell me, the immortal queen. Would you truly like to become immortal?”

  Athena froze, scissors were hovering over her thin thread of patience. “What in the name of everything holy would you ask me something like that?!” She hissed, her voice filled with disgust.

  Hubris stood, dusting off his kuhiwa. “Well, think about it. You could live up to your name, and I will have the power I finally desire. In return, no harm will come to you or your people.” He bowed slightly.

  “Then what will you do with this power you seek?” Athena scowled over her shoulder.

  “We, and the rest of my..fellow Sins, will destroy the Dasi Wisteria, and its creators. When people worship, it will be us. When people create shrines, it will be for us.”

  Hubris would have gone on if Athena hadn’t cut him off.

  “-We both know that's not what you want. If I did join you, as soon as possible you would kill off my kingdom, just for your own laugh. I’m assuming you can control the minds of all the other Sins, so I would not even flinch watching.” She scoffed. “My answer is no.”

  Hubris scowled, his golden eyes squinted with anger. “Is that so?”

  Athena didn’t move as his claws were an inch from her eye, seconds away from making her half-blind. Hubris’s form changed. His eyes rolled away, the cracks grew wild. His jaw unhinged, falling, and falling, and falling until it hit the ground. Jagged teeth sprout between its gaping hollow. His sclera lost eyes turned red, little veins grew spindly from it, black and gold. Black tears fell from the eyes. Athena’s face remained calm, though a spark of horror flickered in her chest.

  “We’ll meet again.” Athena said, shutting her eyes and her world went black…

  -------------------------------------------------------------

  Their meeting again had been sooner than Athena had thought, the next night actually. She hadn't woken up, just had sat in darkness. Athena wore a cream colored dress that swayed like an ivory river behind her.

  Pools of midnight swirled around her. The depth was unknown, and part of Athena felt like she was just floating less than walking.

  Bubbles began to form a couple feet ahead of her, before a huge massive shape took form of the water, two glowing dots were illuminated in the pitch black.

  Like two soulless yellow flames, the eyes stared at Athena. She tapped her hip once, thinking she would have her katana but she didn’t, whatever this was–she had to face it head on.

  Dripping with the mysterious black ink, the figure revealed itself to be a Nightmare. Like nails on a chalkboard, its jaw unhinged, revealing thousands of jagged edges called teeth ready to tear Athena apart.

  Her heart hammered with fear, without her katana, how would she fight this thing?!

  The Nightmare lunged, letting out a terrifying howl. It hit the water as Athena dodged, looking for anything she could use as a weapon. But nothing was in sight. As the Nightmares claws seeped into her collarbone, realization hit Athena hard.

  This could be set up by Hubris, so she could use her powers and he would know what he's up against.

  Now Athena has a choice, let herself die; or give away her golden move?