image [https://i.imgur.com/SveQIoq.png]
No! Styx exploded into movement, covering the distance between her and the Fates in seconds. Caleb’s life string was identical to him. Vibrant with dozens of glittering rainbows reflecting off the polished marble floor. Still, there was a softness to it. Almost like it represented a dozen warm hugs during a long-awaited reunion. The sight of it made her heart ache because she knew the result.
The Three Fates would cut it and end his life. But she couldn’t escort his soul. Until she recovered, he would resemble lost souls searching for rest. He didn’t deserve that. She didn’t deserve that.
Anubis held Caleb back, still entranced by the thread’s siren call. He struggled weakly, more fixated on the spectacle than breaking free. Styx didn’t relent in her frantic race towards him. Caleb’s glittering strand wove between Past’s fingers, vanishing seamlessly into the threads twisting around her robes. The cord continued wrapping about Present’s fingers, its radiance lending her skin a soft glow. Yet the illumination accentuated the dark ink spots speckling her hands, making them appear like tiny pools of fathomless depth.
Future pulled at a glinting metal sphere on her robe, and gleaming scissors appeared. The glowing surface reflected everything perfectly. The radiance made her tattoos gleam and shimmer.
“Don’t you fucking dare!” Styx cursed. “Don’t touch him!”
In a last-ditch attempt, she dove at them, snarling at the mythical being. But it was hopeless. Styx was too late to save him. With the string stretched tight between them, the blades came down. Everything went slowly as that instrument of demise slid ever closer.
image [https://i.imgur.com/uFfFgOL.png]
Styx sucked in a breath, the final breath that would be without burden, that would be free. Because after this moment, she would lack a complete soul. With Caleb gone, she would lose that part of herself.
A soft clink echoed through the room as Caleb’s life string impacted the scissors. Styx collapsed to the ground, waiting for the hollow feel of absolute loneliness to consume her. Glittering red exploded outwards, blinding everyone and everything.
Instinctively, Styx turned, covering her eyes with her elbow. In a flash, the light was gone. When she blinked away the halos that remained, she stared, dumbfounded. Caleb’s life string was intact. It still glittered and pulsed with the raw energy of a vital human.
Lost, she glanced at him, only to find him slumped on the floor. She rushed over and pulled him into her lap. Instead of the soulless husk she expected, he was breathing softly.
“What in the hell?” Styx asked. “What is going on?”
“I’m unsure,” Anubis said.
The Three Fates gathered close and spoke in hushed voices. They tugged at the string, stretching and manipulating it.
“The mortal,” Past said.
“Is no longer mortal,” Present said.
“He is immortal,” Future said.
Startled, she looked down at him. He seemed unharmed, everything felt the same. But how could this have happened?
“I’ll return shortly.” Anubis vanished with a pop.
“How did this happen?” Styx asked.
Present tapped her chin. “Could it be the spell the demons used?”
“Yes,” Past nodded. “The human tried to sacrifice himself.”
“Death’s magic directly influenced him.” Future rubbed a tattoo.
“You saved him Death,” the three said together.
Before she could really process that, Anubis appeared again. In his hands, he carried a plain goblet. The surface was molten brown with smudges of tarnished gold. Inside, a clear liquid sloshed.
“I have the Holy Grail,” Anubis said.
“Good, that will revive him.”
Styx eased Caleb up so he was leaning against her. Anubis crouched closer and dribbled some of the liquid into his mouth. As he swallowed, a warm relief trickled through her. Caleb wouldn’t die here, instead they could look forward to a glorious life together. One that lasted forever.
Unless the demons won.
Then they’d all face the end and whatever that brought.
“He’ll be fine after some rest,” Anubis said.
Styx nodded and cradled him. Inside, she was chastising herself. It was her fault that things got so far. That she didn’t sense the growing pain and discomfort through the bond. All her focus was on solving her own problems, wallowing in her own trials. And because of that, she nearly killed her soul bonded match.
Her selfishness nearly cost everything.
“We need to talk about what happens next, Death,” Future said.
“Don’t you already know that?” Styx snapped.
“No, I don’t.”
“The demons have overpowered us,” Present said, adjusting the single cord around her waist.
“They have limited our sight,” Past sighed.
“But that’s not what we’re referring to,” Future continued.
“We need to talk.”
“About you.”
“And what we are going to do.”
Styx didn’t look away from him. There was something completely wonderful about seeing him here, in this place. It wasn’t tangible, like how the flickering light moved across his skin. It wasn’t how the magic seemed to press in close to him, inviting him to bask in its presence.
No, instead it was closer to joy. Happiness that he accepted this realm without reservations. That the hints of death that lingered or the ominous signs and portents did not repulse him. And now that he was truly an immortal, they could stay here forever, together.
“What are you going to do?” She asked them.
“We have to open you up.”
“Expose the error.”
“Find the problem.”
Styx let out a breath. That would be painful, and not at all fun. Being opening up was exactly like it sounded. The Three Fates would cut along the edges of the Creator’s spell that formed her. Then pry apart the halves to expose her very essence.
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Only then could they see and hopefully repair the damage the demons inflicted. That was the only way. The only chance they had. Because she couldn’t go on like this. Couldn’t remain cut off from her purpose.
Styx squeezed her eyes shut, knowing that it was a necessary evil, but still so reluctant. “If that’s our only option.”
“What’s your only option? What happened? Is there a reason I’m lying in your arms? Not that I’m complaining. It’s just I can’t remember how I got here. Please tell me it wasn’t embarrassing. I hate being an embarrassment.”
Styx knew exactly what that rambling meant. It was an indescribable pleasure to look into his eyes. Those vibrant, beautiful eyes that she’d come to love so much. Caleb smiled that lopsided grin that she adored.
image [https://i.imgur.com/ZXxiVxk.png]
Without hesitation or waiting, she pulled him into a searing kiss. The reassuring heat of him burst through the soul bond. Nothing else mattered, only he did, only having him close did. When she finally released him, a delicious red filled his cheeks.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Are you feeling okay?” Styx asked.
He squished his brows together. “Yeah, actually. The aches and pains are gone. I feel sort of rejuvenated. Like I just spent four hours binging Love Like the Galaxy in my softest pajamas and had an entire bag of garlic and onion popcorn.”
She exhaled, reassured that he was back. “That good?”
“Yeah, that good. Why?”
“Because we were going to kill you,” Present snickered.
Past laughed. “Stone cold dead.”
“Dead as a doornail,” Future said.
Caleb shuddered. “Why would you do that to me? I thought you liked me?”
“It’s not about like or dislike.” Future adjusted her sleeves.
“It’s about our role,” Present said.
Past shoved a finger at him. “It’s because you were down here too long.”
“Oh, what happened?” he asked.
“You’re immortal,” Anubis answered.
His eyebrows shot up and he stammered. “Immortal? How? What? Where? WHEN!?”
“We guess.” Past motioned between the three of them. “When the demons trapped you and tried to sever the soul bond.”
“You protected Styx,” Present said.
“Very admirably,” Future cooed.
“That probably resulted in some power transference,” Anubis said.
“Oh. Is Styx okay? I didn’t…” Caleb’s face went pale. “OMG! Did I cause this? Is it my fault that she can’t escort the dead? I’m so sorry! Take it back! I don’t want it. You need it more! Please! Take it back.” He burst into tears.
Styx huffed and patted his shoulder. “No, Cal. It wasn’t you. That’s not the reason I can’t hear the dead.”
“Probably.”
“Maybe.”
“Perhaps.”
“What?” Caleb startled.
“We’ll figure that out.”
“With spells.”
“And magic.”
“And pain,” Styx signed.
“Pain?” Caleb jumped to his feet. “No way! I won’t allow you crones to hurt my Styx. No way. No how. It will not happen!”
He stood protectively in front of her, blocking Styx from the Fates. She grinned. It was such a great comfort knowing that he would protect her. Never before had anyone done something like this. Usually, she was the one facing danger.
“I’m sorry, Cal,” Styx said. “It has to be done, but I don’t want you there.”
Hands on his hips, he spun around and glared. “No! If you have to do this, then I’m going to be right there. I will not have you facing this alone. Nope, nope, nope. Never. Ever.”
“He is sooo precious!”
“Makes my heart go pitter patter.”
“Disgusting.”
Styx accepted his hug as he wrapped her in a tight embrace.
“It will be hard,” she said into his chest.
“Doesn’t matter. I will not let you face it alone,” he said into her hair.
“Well! The sands of time wait for no one,” Present said, clapping her hands together impatiently.
“We must make haste! The future approaches,” Future exclaimed, checking her golden pocket watch.
“No time like the present!” Past said cheerily.
Styx steeled herself with every thread of courage and determination she could muster, bracing for an ordeal worse than hell itself. Worse even than the nightmarish preppy college frat party she once endured, where drunk boys relentlessly hit on her as pop music blasted migraine-inducing beats. She had suffered through the cheap beer, jello shots, and greasy fast food, but this would surely exceed that agony. At least frat parties eventually ended—there was no escape here. All Styx could do was tighten her resolve and withstand the torment to come.
Hell or not, they needed answers, and this was their only option. Thankfully, Caleb gripped her hand tightly as they crossed the center of the library towards that ominous black door. Usually, Styx really enjoyed the Three Fates domain. It was quirky and welcoming, but today it meant pain and blood. Caleb still joyously pointed out everything new he saw, and she welcomed the waves of excitement that pulsed off him.
Present shoved open the door, a burst of smoke billowing from the darkened room.
“Ohh! So mysterious,” Caleb said. “This is better than that the Haunted Labyrinth I went to last year. Super great.”
Despite the oncoming uncomfortable events, Styx smiled. She could just imagine him in a haunted house, squealing and jumping at every little scary thing. Present motioned them inside and Caleb gasped.
“This is so cool!”
And it was.
image [https://i.imgur.com/UW8koU7.png]
They entered the large main room, a magnificent ancient tree dominated the space. Its gnarled roots wove through the stone floor, bulging the stone and arching like waves. Branches stretched up into the forgotten and unseen shadows of the high peaked ceiling. The trunk twisted in eternity knots that were carved with age-old runes and patterns.
The leaves were glowing and shifting softly with arcane magic. They represented the forces of karma and destiny. Nestled in the tree’s roots, a small, still black pool rested. The obsidian surface of the pool reflected no light, but it showed rippling images of past, present, and future events.
This is where her pain would take place, at the root of the great Fate Tree. The roots would glow with magic when the time came. The leaves would quake. The bark would shimmer. And it would bring her suffering beyond understanding.
“OMG!” Caleb fanned himself. “OMG!”
“That is Past’s area.” Styx pointed to an offshoot.
Caleb’s eyes went wide. “Epic.”
The domain of Past resembled a scene straight out of the History Channel. Ancient ruins of forgotten civilizations, crumbling columns wrapped in vines. Shattered mosaics in faded hues depicted long-decayed scenes of heroes and battles. The floor was a maze of broken stone tiles and exposed earth, with the roots of the Fate Tree snaking through. Old artifacts of worn swords, armor, and shards of potter lay cloaked in cobwebs. At the center sat a single stone chair, draped in tattered cloth.
“I can tell,” Caleb said. “Very, past.”
“That is where Present resides,” Styx said, pointing to another area.
Present’s space was crisp and clean, full of gleaming metal surfaces that reflected distorted images. Golden-blue lights glowed coldly from sleek panels along white walls. In the center was a hovering orb of pure light encased by rotating metal rings. Strange machines with blinking lights dotted the floor, with grids of black wires and cables snaking along the floor. They joined the roots of the Fate Tree to flow like an ocean across the polished floor.
“Great cable organization!”
“That is where Future works.” Styx pointed to the last area.
Future’s realm was more organic and dreamlike. The floor resembled dark water that reflected an endless starscape dotted with floating stepping stones of polished black. The Fate Tree roots wove around the stones, clutching them tight. Nebulous clouds of silver, purple and blue mist drifted through the air, hiding and revealing towering black stone monoliths covered in highlighted runes. Strange vines clawed up the structure, scattered with flowers that gave off motes of light. In the center sits a simple stone well ringed by emerald moss and small white flowers. A faint blue glow and soft humming sound comes from its depths.
“We don’t have forever.”
“Take your place Styx.”
“We will begin.”
Before she moved, she motioned for Caleb to sit on a nearby bench. Unsure how to express the importance of his cooperation, she hesitated.
“Listen, Cal. You need to remain here. No matter what, you cannot approach me.”
“But I’m immortal now. I can’t die.”
“That’s not true!” Future yelled out across the room. “Immortals can still die.”
“Yep, I can site plenty of examples,” Past said.
“So don’t interfere,” Present added.
Styx squeezed his hand. “I’m allowing you to stay, because I want you close. But if you approach the tree, I will have Anubis remove you. Then you’ll be on the other side of that door. Do you understand me?”
Caleb chewed on his lip. “You’re making this sound terrible. What’s going to happen?”
“They’ll cut me apart.”
“It’s crazy!” Present shouted.
“But…but…”
Styx shook her head. “It needs to happen because this is the only way to determine what’s wrong.”
He pouted, but eventually nodded. “Okay, I’ll hold you after.”
“Thanks.”
With a shaking breath, she turned and walked towards the Fate Tree. Usually she enjoyed sitting here. As a powerful magical device, it was almost like bathing in pure magic. But today, that magic was something to fear.
Trying to hide her shaking muscles, she sat at the base of the tree, letting the immense power wash over her. Waves of anxiety and fear were washing down the soul bond now, and she tried to calm him by smiling. But he remained unconvinced.
With little fanfare, the Three Fates gathered close and started chanting. Future brought out the scissors and made the first cut. Everything Styx contained erupted in extreme agony. It was searing hot and vibrantly cold. It was immense pressure and fathomless nothing. A colossal pressure weighed her soul down only to give way to an unfathomable sense of nothing, of being unmade.
She calmed her breathing, focusing on the well of strength inside.
The next cut brought the first whimper to her lips. Another cut brought beads of sweat. The next quivering muscles.
Still, the Fates sliced along the seams of her magic inside. Each movement bringing more agony and suffering. From the edges of her vision, she caught Caleb. He clutched the seat with white knuckles. His eyes never left her, and the tears on his cheeks caught the light.
Styx held on to the shreds of her sanity, begging the Creators that this was the fix needed. Past, Present, and Future continued to cut and chant, slice her open and peel her apart. But she stayed focused on Caleb, burring herself into him. Finding whatever relief she could.
Then, with a snap, everything went dark, and she was lost.