Agony split through her head as if her skull were being cleaved in two. Images flashed across her mind. Water. Sol. Sunshine. Leaves. Sand. Sol. Seaweed. Grass. Sol.
Sol, Sol, Sol…
Trivia screamed, throwing her head back as she slammed the door on her mental construct. Her shields, her thoughts, her vision all vanished, leaving nothing but quivering pain in their wake. She hunched on all fours, nausea coursing through her until she felt she might retch.
With a hoarse cough, she looked up, then let out a yelp of alarm, scrambling away.
Midas was unconscious, floating in the air in front of her. His golden hair fanned out before him, his arms outstretched as he lay there, suspended.
He… was in the dark void.
Andshehadput him there.
“Midas?” Trivia asked hesitantly.
He didn’t respond.
“Shit,” she hissed, inching toward him. She shook him by the shoulder. “Midas!”
Still no response.
What had she done to him? How could she reverse it?
Thinking fast, Trivia closed her eyes and mentally reached for Midas once more, this time with no construct or shields in place.
An onyx wall slammed into her, sending her reeling. She staggered back, barely catching herself before she landed on her ass.
Panting, she sat up, gaping at Midas’s form. How had he done that? How were his walls so strong, even when he was in the void?
Then, a low laugh echoed around her, and her blood ran cold.
No, no, no…
Footsteps echoed, and before she turned, Trivia knew it was Pandora.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?” the goddess crooned.
Trivia’s stomach hollowed, and she closed her eyes, willing Pandora to leave. This was just a nightmare. It wasn’t real. Perhaps Midas was projecting this very image into Trivia’s mind. Any moment now, he would withdraw and laugh at her for falling for his trick.
“I knoweverythingthat goes on here,” Pandora said, her voice growing closer.
Trivia finally whirled to face her, not wanting the goddessto come any closer. Feigning a confidence she did not feel, Trivia lifted her chin. “If that’s true, then why let us carry on for so long? Why not stop it right away?”
“Because I enjoy toying with my prey before striking.” Pandora’s mouth stretched into a wide smile.
Trivia’s eyes narrowed. There was something… off about Pandora. The darkness in her eyes wasn’t as potent or lethal. There was something hidden in their depths. Something she did not want Trivia to see.
“That was you?” Trivia asked, gesturing to Midas’s floating form.
“Yes.” Pandora sniffed. “I grew bored.”
“So, are you here to punish me then?” Trivia asked. “If so, what are you waiting for? Do it.”
Pandora’s nostrils flared. “You do not command me, child. Watch your tongue.”
But as Trivia stared at the goddess, she did not feel fear. A strange curiosity overtook her. Pandora was hiding something. And Trivia intended to find out what it was.
“Have you found a way to free me?” Pandora asked, clasping her hands in front of her as if she were some demure princess. “If not, I’m afraid my darkness will have to play with that charming sun god again…”
