Miseria laughed. It was a terrible sound, full of dread that seemed to permeate the air. The undead legion at her command lifted its hands and took a step forward.
“We don’t need to kill you.” Mo chuckled. “There are chambers in these catacombs where no one will find you in a thousand years. Our friends here will be delighted to show you the way.”
“There was never any understanding, was there?” Aida screamed at Mo. “Humanity is just a game to you.”
Disa, her expression one of amused detachment, toyed with the sphere in her hand, her gaze flitting over the skeletal army with a hint of dark anticipation. “Let me assure you, this is no game. It’s our time to thrive,” she remarked, her voice laced with cold mirth. “Our essence thrives in chaos, in the unraveling of order.”
“You made your choice, Aida.” Mo winked at Luciano. “And your choice was a bad one.” A sinister grin spread across his face. “Besides, your desperation is palpable, and it’s delicious.”
Miseria raised her hand, directing her macabre minions. Aida’s heart raced with terror. Her eyes caught Disa’s. “Please, please, I pray, don’t do this.” Aida’s voice was barely a whisper, full of the dread of a fate worse than death.
The skeletal warriors advanced, their movements slow and deliberate, each step a chilling echo in the vast chamber. Luciano and Aida, rooted to the spot by a mix of terror and disbelief, watched the inexorable approach of the undead host. Even the transient joy that Euphrosyne’s touch had instilled in them was quickly overshadowed by the palpable aura of death Miseria exuded. Bones clicked and clacked as the skeletons moved, a morbid symphony heralding their impending doom. The chamber seemed to contract around them, the walls echoing the dread pulsing through their veins.
The skeletons were mere feet away when Disa’s expression shifted, a flicker of caprice crossing her divine features. “Let’s see what chaos truly looks like,” she mused, her gaze settling on the petrified pair before her. With a fluid, unpredictable motion, Disa hurled the sphere toward Aida and Luciano.
The little ball arced through the air. Aida instinctively reached up and grabbed it. Without hesitation, she threw it on the ground at Effie’s feet. It exploded, a translucent bubble of gold forming all around them. The skeletons bounced off all sides, their handsrattling against the shield, the bones collapsing on the floor in defeat. With every fallen skeleton, another took its place.
“The key!” Luciano urged. “Here!” He pointed at a tiny keyhole low on one of the chair legs.
Aida fumbled for the key in her jacket pocket, not finding it at first, but finally she felt it, warm to her touch, in the deepest corner.
She crouched and slipped it into the keyhole just as the golden bubble gave way.
30
January 2021
An overwhelming sensation of pure, radiant joy pierced the gloom that had wrapped itself around them. It was akin to a sudden burst of warm sunlight breaking through the darkest of clouds, infusing Aida with a lightness that banished Miseria’s oppressive weight from her soul. Her heart swelled with an all-consuming love. The feeling lingered for a moment before a happy scream pierced Aida’s euphoria, pulling her back to reality.
Disoriented, Aida stumbled and fell against a... couch? Luciano was nearby, pulling himself up off the floor.
“Aida!” Yumi rushed toward her, pulling her into a fervent embrace. “I wasn’t sure we’d ever see you again! You did it! You really did it!”
Aida hugged her friend back, holding her tight. She knew her tears were wetting Yumi’s hair and shirt, but she didn’t care. She was alive.
A gentle voice brought her back to the present. “We don’t have much time.” Aida looked up to see the goddess of happiness and joy smiling at her. Effie wore a perfectly tailored white suit with a subtle shine that caught the light. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders in a profusion of obsidian locks.
They were in Felix’s living room, which seemed like a sanctuary compared to the horrors of the catacombs. Felix had collapsed into a nearby chair, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. Effie went to him and took his hand. “I give you my aegis.” As soonas their hands touched, the tension drained from Felix’s body, replaced by a serene calm. A slow smile spread across his face.
Aida let Luciano pull her up from the couch. He put a protective arm around her, and she leaned into him, relieved they were both in one piece.
“Now we go to Pandora,” Effie said. “Come close. You all need to be there.” She held out her hand, and each of them laid a hand on hers.
In the blink of an eye, the five of them stood in the middle of Pandora’s kitchen. Muffled voices seeped in from the living room. Effie put a finger on her lips.
“Helen, listen carefully. The idea of Pandora being real is a dangerous myth. Whoever fed you that story was manipulating you, trying to take advantage of your good nature. They want your money, your identity. This is why you need to come with me.”
Aida recognized Fran’s voice. Luciano recognized it too, grabbing her hand and squeezing it.
“I don’t know,” Pandora said in a wary voice. “Maybe it’s you who is trying to manipulate me.”
Fran sighed. “That’s not the case, Helen, and you know it. I’ve supported you every step of the way. I helped you build this life—this apartment, your job. I found you when you were lost, with no memory. If I hadn’t helped, you might have been in a far worse situation. Please, let’s not waste time. We need to leave now.”
Pandora’s voice was firm but calm. “While I appreciate your help, I’m choosing to stay here. I’m happy with my life.”
Fran gave a harrumph. “Of course you are. You are the happiest woman on earth.”
“I’m glad you agree,” Pandora said brightly.
