Gods, he hated the desert. This miserable terrain only made him yearn for his home in the Underworld. Even with the enchantment partially broken from the destruction of Pandora’s box, the Underworld was still preferable to this.
At long last, they reached the ruins of Sodara, and the witches stopped, removing parts of their armor and sitting on chunks of concrete and debris to rest. Cyrus was somewhat mollified to see the witches panting and covered in sweat—proof that the trek had been grueling for them as well, even if they hadn’t shown it.
They passed around waterskins and rested in silence, all of them too fatigued to speak. Cyrus squinted in the distance, knowing the Voiceless Jungle was close by.
He was both eager to end the journey, and dreading what he would find on the other side.
“We can’t be the only ones who have noticed,” Mona said softly, still breathing heavily. “Surely other witches, other deities, have realized the Titans are dabbling in powers that could destroy the realm.” She glanced at her sister. “Surely we can’t be theonlyones seeking to end this?” Her voice sounded hopeful and uncertain at the same time.
“You forget that our sister has done an exceptional job at destroying two of the three realms,” Prue said in a dry voice after taking a long gulp of water. “Whatever gods remain are busy picking up the pieces of their lives. Whoever might be able to help us is either dead or too afraid to show their face.”
“Trivia is not to blame,” Mona said, her voice surprisinglysharp. “She’s been manipulated by the goddess Pandora for her entire life, and she’s strived tirelessly to make amends for her wrongdoings.”
Prue blinked, and the other witches fell silent at Mona’s outburst. After a long, awkward moment, Prue said softly, “I—I didn’t know.”
“I know.” Mona sighed. “I’m sorry. I suppose I have a soft spot for tortured souls possessed by a dark presence.” Her voice turned bitter, and her eyes grew distant. It wasn’t difficult to understand she was thinking of Evander.
Prue touched Mona’s hand. “Perhaps it’s better that he isn’t here. Perhaps this means he’ll be kept safe and survive all this.”
Cyrus swallowed hard, realizing Prue was implying the eight of them wouldnotsurvive.
“Perhaps,” Mona said doubtfully, chewing on her lip. “I also wonder about our mother. I don’t believe she would abandon her own realm.”
Prue’s brows knitted together, her expression tightening. Cyrus intertwined his fingers with hers and offered a gentle squeeze.
With a shaky breath, Prue said, “It’s possible Gaia has her own matters to deal with. I haven’t seen her since I sent her to find Pandora—er, Trivia.”
“They both left to rebuild Elysium with Sol the sun god,” Mona supplied. “I haven’t heard from any of them since then.”
“Pandora’s darkness is still out there,” Cyrus said grimly. “And if Trivia is trying to distance herself from the vengeful goddess, then it’s likely those dark forces have targeted her.”
When Mona and Prue looked at each other with equally worried expressions, Cyrus knew this conversation wasn’t going anywhere helpful. With one last sip of water, he turned to the witches. “Are you ready to continue?”
Before they could respond, the ground began to quake. Cracks formed in the dirt, spearing in every direction. Concrete split, and glass shattered.
Cyrus grabbed Prue and pulled her to the ground, shielding her with his arms. Dust and dirt filled the air. The quaking intensified, roaring so loudly that Cyrus’s ears throbbed.
Screams pierced the air, and Prue shouted, “Mona!” She tried to move, but Cyrus tightened his grip around her, holding her in place.
When the air stilled and the dust settled, Cyrus slowly lifted his head, blinking against the hazy fog that surrounded them. A few witches coughed. Some had shifted to their serpent forms in self-defense.
Cyrus coughed and waved the dust out of his face. As soon as he released her, Prue darted forward in search of her sister. Mona was on the ground, partially concealed by a mountain of ash. Prue helped her sister up, dusting her off and wiping the ash from her eyes.
“What was that?” Mona choked, brushing the soot from her body.
Cyrus went perfectly still as the air seemed to whisper around him. The hairs on his arms stood on end. The back of his neck prickled with the sensation that someone was watching him.
Then, as he squinted through the haze of dust and ash,he made out the jagged edges of a massive fissure that had split through the broken city. Cracks covered the ground, but his eyes were drawn to a gaping pit that yawned before them, ready to devour them whole.
It looked like Tartarus. The very air seemed to thrum with the same energy as the place he detested most in all the realms. Unease and nausea spread through him, making his skin clammy as he recalled just how horrifying that place was. The visions he had seen… The terrifying array of emotions he had experienced…
Mona suddenly stiffened and stepped forward, her eyes wide. “Evander?” Her voice was filled with part shock, part relief. A wide smile spread across her face. “It’s Evander! I can hear him!”
She tried to surge forward, but Prue clamped down on her wrist, holding her in place. Cyrus strained to hear, but there was nothing but eerie silence.
“What are you doing?” Mona snapped, jerking her arm out of Prue’s grip. “Let me go to him!”
This time, Cyrus grabbed her hand. “Mona. No one is calling.”
