Thunder clattered in the sky, and once more, rain began to pelt the sidewalks. She’d meant what she said in the U.B.E.R. She didn’t know what she would do, but she was going to give it her best.
Right now, the Sleeper and his army had the nectar of immortality. Getting it back was the first step.
“Ready?” she asked Baby Boo.
From behind her came an enthusiasticCheep!
With that, Aru closed her eyes and walked straight through the boundary. The enchantments on it pulled at her. And yet she felt veiled in crackling static and the smell of ozone that always followed a thunderstorm. If she wanted to, Aru knew that she could reach into her pocket and find a small Ping-Pong ball awaiting….
But she wasn’t ready yet.
She could feel her power like a string pulling tauter and more powerful with her restraint. And so Aru held off for the right moment…the right action.
Aru imagined a hundred things waiting for her in the labyrinth. Maybe Brynne and Sheela, Nikita and Mini were already locked in battle. Maybe Rudy was creating chaos with his sound stones. Maybe, just maybe, the goddess Nidra had released Aiden and his feet had just hit the ground, his scimitars waiting for her bolt of electricity to light them up….
She envisioned the sky split down the middle while the Otherworld’s army and the Sleeper’s troops charged one another in the most epic showdown the multiverse had ever seen. And there would be outcries of joy when she showed up, alight with all her demigod power.
What she did not imagine when she stepped into the labyrinth was…
“Ugh, it’s just Aru.”
Okay, one—rude. Two—the audacity?
Aru blinked. She, Brynne, and Mini were standing in darkness, their faces barely visible in the light cast by the Sun Jewel lantern. As her eyes adjusted, Aru caught a faint shimmer far above them, like the skin of a great membrane blocking the labyrinth from sight. Far away came the grunts and shuffling of soldiers.
“What—”
Brynne lifted a finger to her mouth, shushing her. Mini waved a hello with one hand. In the other hand, her Death Danda was raised like a scepter, casting a violet shield over them that was almost invisible except for the slight oily iridescence it left in the air.
Nikita and Sheela said everyone has gathered at the access point, said Brynne through the mind link.All they’re waiting for is for us to break the barrier.
Hi, Aru!came Sheela’s voice.
Aru jumped a little. Usually you had to be somewhat close to another Pandava sister for them to hear you, but Sheela had spoken directly into her head.
I found a new power. I like it. See you soon!
Hi? And, I guess, bye?said Aru, but one half of the Pandava twins had already disappeared.
We knew you’d get here soon, said Mini, smiling.
Yup, added Brynne.We figured it’d only be a matter of time before you realized how to get your powers back. And then you’d charge through the gates, lightning bolt blazing and all that….By the way, whereisVajra?
Waiting for my signal, said Aru, glancing up at the pitch darkness above them. She couldn’t see it, but she knew her lightning bolt was there.But how did you know I’d get it back? I was so…mad! And…and…
At your lowest point?suggested Brynne.
Despairing?added Mini.
Aru swallowed hard.Yeah.
We figured, said Mini.That’s how I felt before Dee Dee came back.
Same thing with Gogo, said Brynne.
I guess sometimes it takes being powerless to understand what it means to be powerful, said Mini thoughtfully.
Huh, said Aru.I like that. Now what?
