“This century would be great,” Clotho drawls.
Her bullying has the same effect as Sin’s no-nonsense training voice, and I step into the glow of a nearby sconce, letting everyone see me.
It’s time to see if my prospective career in writing motivational quotes actually has merit.
“Everyone here has been imprisoned by Need,” I call out in a shaky voice, only to choke as I hear my words project throughout the cavern.
Heat flames across my cheeks, and I clear my throat.
I clench my hands together, hoping it looks confident. “Right, I’m going to try that again. Uhm, my name is Vivian Ryans, and I was prophesied to bring about a new era to all the realms.” Pausing, I swallow before adding, “No pressure, right?”
A few nervous laughs trickle through the crowd.
I’m pretty sure most of them just died of second-hand embarrassment.
“I gave you the ability to inspire. Stop making me look incompetent,” the demon child hisses.
My eyes widen in disbelief, but my trembling slows, just a little. I scan the endless rows of faces, taking in their haunted expressions.
Something squeezes in my chest. They deserve nothing short of the truth, no matter how terrible I am at vocalizing it.
I take a breath, and my hands drop to fists at my sides. “I was terrified when I learned about the prophecy. I was afraid of not being enough, and of letting my loved ones down. But fear doesn’t keep people safe. It keeps us small… obedient. Exactly the way Need likes us.”
The words send anger surging through me, chasing away some of the wavering in my voice. My tone grows stronger as I continue, “At some point, every one of us fought back, only to be locked away for it. And now, I’m asking you to fight again. Not because of some obscure prophecy, but because you deserve the chance to take back your freedom.”
My gaze sweeps over the crowd, and I catch the flicker of something fragile but growing – hope. My heart gives a painful thump.
“I can’t guarantee we’ll win. But if we do, you’ll be free… whether you choose to fight or not.” I pause, feeling my blood heat with fierce determination, and try to funnel it into my words as I finish, “But if you do decide to fight, I promise I’ll be there, fighting like hell beside you.”
There’s a beat of silence after my definitely-not-going-to-win-any-awards speech, before the room erupts into a deafening roar of applause and overwhelming cries of ‘yes.’
My heart soars.
I’m not alone.
Not wanting to make them sit in their cells for a moment longer, I close my eyes and focus on my Reaper energy. I try to project it to the rest of the prison, only to feel the threads stretch and weaken.
There are thousands of cuffs and locks to break, and my power isn’t keeping up.
Still, I don’t give up. Back in the forest of the forgotten dead, I was able to amplify my Reaper powers. Tuning out the sounds around me, I search for my Creator energy. I can feel the golden light just belowmy collar. But when I try to tug on the power, it won’t come.
Sweat beads along my brow as I pull again, this time using some Reaper energy. The silver light teases along the collar’s edge until it coaxes out the faintest hint of gold. The two energies twine together, and I gasp, wrenching my eyes open.
Silver light explodes, momentarily blinding me. It feels like my Reaper power has been hooked up to a massive battery as I try to aim the blast at every chain, cuff, and lock in the prison.
The light dims, and I swear there’s a faint trace of violet in the glow. But as the clatter of metal hitting stone echoes around me, I shove that thought aside for later.
Looking up, I find some cell doors are open, while others have vanished completely. But one way or another, no one is trapped anymore.
I expect everyone to sprint for the exit. Instead, I’m shocked when hundreds step out of their cells, only to stop at the edge of the path.
All of them stare down at me.
My throat tightens, wondering what they’re waiting for.
Clotho comes to stand at my side and raises a brow. “They’re waiting for your instructions.”
Chapter 33
