From Origins (Descendant Prophecies Book 3) (4 page)

Looking around, I
noted the ceiling was high. I tried to tilt my head back to try to find the end of it, but I couldn’t. It was like looking at a black hole, or looking at the night sky without stars. How was it bright in there? Where was the light coming from? I didn’t know how far we’d been walking…until I saw a puddle.

At first, that was all it was…just a puddle. But strangely, with each passing step, the puddle grew, expanding its length, its dimension, and possibly its depth. It seemed to be following us.

“What the hell?” Tim gawked in apprehension.

“We’re almost there. Keep away from it,” Tara warned. “We don’t know what it is.”

Amanda arched her brows in confusion, walking beside Noah. “Really? I thought it was water…you know, the stuff that looks like a clear liquid. I sure wish I could have some right now.”

“Isn’t it a bit too early or late to be sarcastic? You’re very good at observing the obvious,” Nick joked.

“Yeah, well….” Amanda stopped talking when Noah distracted her by creating animal shapes made of water in front of her. First, it was an elephant. It dissolved, then changed into a giraffe, then a dog, and then a lion. Amanda stuck her finger through it, but it never lost its shape.

“Here. Open your mouth.” Tara took out a dry, white cloth that was the size of her hand, breaking up the water animals with it.

“Open my mouth? What are you going to do, gag me with it?” Amanda backed away.

Tara opened her mouth and squeezed the cloth. Water dripped from it. “I’m giving you water through my cloth.”

“That’s…magical.” Amanda blinked in surprise.

One by one, we got our share. It moistened my mouth just enough.

“It is. One sip is equivalent to a cup full. That should help for a while.” Tara placed the cloth back into the pocket of her cape.

I didn’t know how long we were walking, but I knew we’d walked a long way, and what was once a puddle was now a full-blown lake of dull, murky water, leaving us a path to walk on.

“Now what?” Sarah asked. She had been mostly quiet during the journey so far. Holding her shield and sword in place, she was always ready for battle.

“We wait,” Tara answered.

Aaron picked up a stone and threw it into the water. From his position and angle, the stone should have skipped across, but instead, it dropped. Clouds of vapor wafted out where it had sunk.

“It’s acidic water. We can’t cross it.” Ian looked hopeless.

“We’re not going to cross it. Don’t you know your Greek mythology?” Colin stepped forward. “We’re waiting for the reaper.”

“Colin is right,” Zara intervened. “He’s coming as we speak.”

“You can see him?” I looked as far as I could, but I couldn’t see anyone.

Mason pointed. I knew he was going to do something amazing. He had developed the ability to operate his light to a different level. Light emanated from his fingertip, traveling in a straight line. It stretched and elongated. When it stopped, it spread like a spider web, and then…bam! It lit up like a huge flashlight, giving us just enough light to see a boat coming our way from far beyond. But there was no one on the boat.

When the boat was closer, I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination, but it seemed to be getting dimmer and the water looked like black ink—thick and heavy. The closer the boat came toward us, the darker it got. When it docked, a man appeared, wearing a black robe with a hood over his head, standing in the middle of the plank. I couldn’t make out his face. In fact, I couldn’t see it at all. It was just an empty space. But I could have sworn I saw a pair of yellow lights where his eyes should have been, if he even had any.

“One by one,” it said in a deep creepy tone.

The black boat wasn’t big, but it was big enough for all of us. There were no seats. I assumed we had to stand, but that thought made me feel uneasy, especially knowing if one of us fell in, the acid in the water would eat us alive. Luckily, there were poles that we could hang on to, just in case the ride was bumpy. I hoped it wasn’t.

“I’ll go first.” Zara stepped in front.

When she wasn’t moving, I knew it was asking her a question in her mind. Not again! One by one, everyone entered. Mason and I were last.

“You go first,” Mason said, giving me a tender kiss on my forehead. “I’m right behind you.”

“Okay.” It was strange to look into a black hole where a face should be. Though I couldn’t see the shape of his body, he towered over me, possibly eight feet tall.

Give me your happy memory
, it ordered.

You already know it.

That is not an answer
.

That is my answer.

“Sky, what are you doing?” Mason asked, resting his hand on my arm. So happy to see him, I had forgotten to tell him about how I tricked the last being.

“Trust me,” I said, and took a step onto the boat.

Something white and long whipped out, preventing me from going in further. I freaked out and cringed when I noted it was a skeleton arm, and seeing his boney fingers wiggle was a ghastly sight. When I looked down the length of the cape in curiosity, his shoes were covered. Images of his skeletal, bony feet popped in my mind. I figured he wouldn’t have worn shoes if the rest of his body looked like his arm.

“Let her go. You can have two of mine.”

“No, Mason. I’ll tell you,” I said quickly. “It’s when—”

“Too late. Once it’s spoken, you can’t take it back,” the reaper chided.

“It’s okay, Sky. You need your strength more than I do. I’ll be fine.”

Having no choice, I got on the boat and scooted over next to Nick, to make room for Mason. Seeing not one, but two white mists escape from Mason’s mouth was horrifying to watch. It seemed as though his face became pale, almost ghost like, and looking at everyone else, they looked the same way. I wasn’t sure if it was caused by the darkness of the surroundings, being that there were only a couple of lamps that hung on the boat, or my imagination. I hoped it was just my imagination.

“I gave you two. Let me enter.” Mason was waiting patiently for it to move its bony skeletal arm.

“I asked for one, but you gave me two,” it harped. “It’s like collecting tokens, not more and not less.”

“You’re kidding me. You said I could give you two.” Mason’s eyes were lighting up and his tone was on fire.

“I didn’t ask for two.”

“That’s it.” Mason’s light wrapped around its arm, the arm that prevented Mason from entering, and tore it off, then tossed it into the water. The arm sizzled from the contact with the acid water as the bubbles engulfed it, disintegrating it.

The being never made a sound, nor did it even flinch.

Mason hopped on aboard and turned to the being. “Next time you piss me off, it won’t be just your arm. We all cooperated and did what you asked. Now get us across.” Mason’s tone was demanding and he showed him who was in charge.

Next thing I knew, the reaper was gone. He was like Houdini. A second ago he was standing in front, then as soon as Mason said his piece, the reaper vanished to appear at the other side of the boat. What the heck? Not only that, he was steering the wheel with two hands. Strange! Mason had just ripped one off.

Mason held me close as the boat started to move. It felt like the boat was gliding on ice instead of floating on water. Not even a sound of the boat moving through the water could be heard. Though the boat was moving at a slow, steady speed, our bodies stood still like we were standing on land.

“Whoosh. Whoosh,” Nick whispered.

I turned to him and saw that everyone did too.

“What?” Nick looked at us.

“Shhh. You might disturb the water.” Aaron’s eyes threw daggers at Nick.

Nick shrugged. “It’s the sound it should have been making anyway.”

Leave it to Nick to lighten the mood. Mason shook his head with a grin. It was the second time I’d seen him smile since we got there; but then again, none of us had anything to smile about.

“What happy memories did you give the reaper?” I whispered to Mason, not wanting others to hear. I knew he couldn’t give me the exact ones, but I knew he could tell me a little bit about them and what triggered those thoughts.

Mason looked at me, surprised that I had asked such a question. “The first one was about my mom. It was during the time before Nick’s mom came into our lives. She was happy and so was I. We didn’t worry about the supernatural. We were living normal human lives.”

“And the second?”

“You, Sky, and my family. Remember when we had Thanksgiving dinner together at the cabin, right before you were taken by one of the vultures?”

“I do. How can I forget that night?”

“We were so happy, laughing, smiling, and talking about what normal people talked about and do. I hope we can get to that point one day.”

I caressed his face, wishing I could give him reassurance, to say something he could hold onto, but I couldn’t. We were far from being normal. And if by some miracle, we were able to bring Zeus and Poseidon back from the dead, then just maybe we could have a chance. Zeus and Poseidon could rule what was once theirs, and the descendants of gods could just be that.

“I like your happy memories, Mason. Maybe one day….” I had no words left to say. He knew as well as I did that it was nearly impossible, but we all could dream about it. There was still hope.

Soon after, the boat anchored. Once again, the reaper zapped into the air and appeared at the end of the boat.

“I’m not giving you anything from me, you creepy skeleton,” Amanda huffed, but I could see fear in her eyes when it turned face to face with her. I could imagine Amanda having chills down her spine, seeing through the emptiness, hoping nothing hideous would pop out from it.

“Don’t do anything hasty,” Zara warned. “We don’t want to disturb the peace. I don’t think it wants anything. It’s just escorting us out of the boat.”

“Oh.” Amanda cowered, letting out fake laughs.

Everyone got off the boat except for Nick, Mason, and me.

“Bye,” Nick said to the reaper. “Don’t want to ever see your face; or maybe I should say don’t want you to ever see my face.” He chuckled at his own joke as he jumped to shore.

“You get off first.” Mason gestured by giving me a slight tug behind my back.

Once I got off, I looked behind me. My heart started thumping faster, anticipating something bad happening, or Mason having trouble like the last time.

“You may go,” the voice said to Mason.

As soon as Mason’s one long stride got him off the boat, he tugged the reaper’s cape down to his level and put his face into that empty space. “For the record. I didn’t ask for your permission.”

I was afraid of what the reaper would do after Mason let go, but thank goodness nothing happened. Sometimes Mason could be arrogant and bold in a given situation. It was a part of him that I was attracted to. The boat started to drift backward, and a second later, it disappeared.

Mason was fired up today, but I couldn’t blame him. I was annoyed too when the reaper toyed with him before he got on the boat. What the hell was that for? It was already annoying that we had to go through a lot to get to Hades; anything more was just fuel for the fire.

“Now what?” Noah piped in, staring into pitch darkness that was covered by mist from the ceiling down.

“Be patient. It will appear,” Zara stated with excitement, but there was fear in her eyes. Just like the rest of us.

“What will appear?”
Everett asked.

Amanda pointed straight ahead, looking stunned. “That.”

As the mist evaporated like a slow moving curtain, a giant double door materialized. I could only see the thick, gold door and nothing else. It was almost as tall as the ceiling and as wide as the cave. I felt so tiny compared to the grandness of it. With fancy, intricate designs and inscriptions, it was beautifully crafted.

“Want me to knock on the door, or can I ring the doorbell?” Nick chuckled.

“No. You must tell it your saddest memory. Then it will let you through,” Zara explained, heading for it.

The fog that had covered the door was now floating on the ground. I couldn’t see my shoes.

“I’ll go first.” Zara’s cape swayed across the whiteness, and as always, Tara followed her.

I had thought the door would open, letting in one person at a time; instead, Zara went straight through the door. I guessed the door was an illusion.

When only Mason and I were left, I suggested he go first. Again, my reasoning was that it might not let him go through once I was in. Seeing Mason walk through it as I stood alone gave me goose bumps. I didn’t want the same bad experience happening again while we were separated. Thinking of my parents, and the reason why I was there in the first place made me braver and more determined.

“Give me your saddest memory.”

“I have none.” This time I decided to speak out loud instead of in my mind.

“Give me your saddest memory. You must give one to enter.” His tone was louder and more demanding than before. It was the same being. I could never forget the gruff, cold voice.

I didn’t want to give it mine, so I gave it what popped into my mind, another reason why I was there. “My saddest memory was the day the gods were divided. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades were once strong and united. They balanced their world with love and devotion to their people. Now, everything is gone because of greed and revenge. Nothing good can ever come out of these evil feelings. Look at where we are now. Almost everyone is dead. Where is Olympus, your home? Over time, the gods will be forgotten. They will only be a legend, a myth, and a story told from generation to generation. Some stories will be made up, and some stories will even be lies. This is truly tragic.”

“That is not your memory.” His tone was so fierce and strong that it made me jerk.

The voice was trying to intimidate me, but I wouldn’t let it. “Yes, it is. It might not be my personal memory, but it is a memory of the present.”

I didn’t know if my answer would be acceptable, but I got an answer when the door seemed less apparent. Thank God! Becoming one with the door, I walked right through. But never would I have ever imagined seeing this.

“Give me your
saddest memory.” He demanded.

“The day the assholes killed my mom. They didn’t need to kill her. She was innocent in all this. The war was between the gods, not the humans.”

He didn’t say a word after that, just let me through. Once I was on the other side, the first thing I saw was the fog. It was too dark to look further, but there was just enough light to see the walls of the cave and boulders, and the ceiling that was just as high as on the other side. But I was most stunned to see Amanda crying.

Spotting Nick next, I was just about to ask him why he wasn’t consoling Amanda from her cries when I saw him crying too. What the hell? And so were Everett and everyone else, except for the Oracles. Though they looked somber, their eyes glistened with liquid.

“What’s going on?” I placed my hand on Amanda, but she didn’t look up. She continued to sob as tears poured down her face.

“We are weaker now. The reason is, we are affected by the emotion we gave away,” Zara explained, sniffing.

“How do you stop this?” How wrong I was to think I might not be affected. My heart ached without warning, the kind of pain that ate me up, cutting into every piece of me—my bones, my muscles, my heart, and my soul…till it felt like I wanted to rip my heart out to stop the pain. Then the tears came, blinding my vision, and I had no idea why I felt this way. There was no memory from the past playing in my mind; it was just the feeling of sheer, unforgettable sadness.

“Not you too,” Sarah cried, rubbing her tears away.

“Wh…where’s…S…ky?” Everett had a difficult time with his words from weeping too much. I wondered what his saddest memory was, but I could take a guess and I would probably be right. I was pretty sure it was about losing his mom.

“Damn! I never cried so much.” Nick stood beside me. “Don’t tell anyone about this. This will ruin my reputation. I’m crying like a sissy, and I can’t control it.”

“Maybe Sky can stop this.” Aaron gasped, and his breath quickened from trying to stop the tears.

I wanted what Aaron said to be true, but I also didn’t want Sky to see us this way, especially me. It would break her heart. Maybe she would be affected too. I was also surprised to see how much the color of our skin had changed. Placing my hand out in front of me, it looked like a zombie’s hand—dull and dead. I knew pieces of us would die and our powers would weaken, but I didn’t know we would look like this.

Now that I had no tears left to shed, I needed to try to control this urge. I closed my eyes and slid down against a boulder, waiting for Sky. I hoped it wouldn’t be too long.

“Mason?”

I stood up to see Sky looking baffled. I would have too. Having her hand on my arm gave me warmth, easing the coldness and emptiness I was feeling.

“Sky.” I stood up and embraced her, hoping this pain would go away from her touch and presence, but it didn’t.

“What’s wrong with everyone? Why are they crying?” she asked.

Tara stood before us and answered. “It’s our saddest memory. We can’t stop.” She wiped her tears with her cape.

“It’s too much to bear.” Kneeling down on the ground, Aaron’s hand was over his heart.

Sky walked away from me, away from us. “Why are you doing this?” she shouted. “They’ve given you what you wanted.”

“Your friends are paying the consequences of your words,” he answered. I was surprised to hear the being speak aloud. “They are feeling the pain of all gods that have suffered over the centuries. You did not give me your memory; therefore, you do not feel the pain, but your friends will suffer the wrath of your doing.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This being was cruel. Skylar looked at us with tears in her eyes. The sight of her friends bent over and aching from the empty memory that wasn’t theirs must be killing her.

“Stop! I’ll give you what you want. I’ll give you a piece of me.” Sky shuddered, hugging her arms around herself.

“It’s too late, little girl. If you play games, I’ll play them too.” His tone was cunning, and I could tell he enjoyed toying with us. Was this Hades himself, or an evil being that guarded the underworld? I didn’t know.

“Then I’ll give you something else. Anything you want. Just stop the pain,” Sky begged.

The evil laughing sound echoed harshly around us, so piercing that I had to cover my ears. “This is going to be fun,” he said. “Pick door number one or two.”

Sky glanced around and so did everyone else. “What door? There’s no door?”

“Are you too blind to see, little girl?”

Sure enough, two doors appeared behind the darkness, similar to the door that we’d entered through, but the size of a bedroom door.

“If you pick the right door, you’ll get to see Hades. But if you pick the wrong door…well…need I say any more? It was nice playing with you.”

“Okay. I’ll do it.”

As soon as Sky said those words, the pain in my heart stopped. It was as if nothing happened. The tightness that coiled through every inch of me vanished. We all gathered around her and waited to see what would happen next.