It was dark all around. Ares knew he was in a tunnel of sorts; there was light at the end, so he kept walking for what felt like an eternity. He was walking away from the light. Every time he turned back, it was still just as close, like it was following him or like he had been moving in one spot.
"It's useless to run," a disembodied voice spoke. Ares looked around but didn't see anyone. He continued moving forward.
In front of him, a faint light appeared. The light grew until it was twice his size. Then it shimmered for a second before Selena appeared. Her body was almost transparent, so Ares knew she wasn't really there.
Selena looked at his determined expression and laughed in frustration. "I've never seen anyone stubbornly walk away from the light before, and I'm an immortal!"
"Return me to Aria."
Selena blinked. "Weren't you prepared to give your life for hers? Are you regretting your choice?"
"Never!"
"Then why are you making things difficult?" Selena groaned, her expression exasperated.
"If she is still going to die, then the exchange is a fluke!"
Selena paused and narrowed her eyes at him.
"And you want to negotiate, is that right?"
"My life for theirs," Ares stated.
The two parties stared at each other; neither backed down. Then Selena sighed with a small smile.
"Fine, if you walk into the light like a good ghost, then I promise to let your lover and the rest of the Acabi live out this lifetime."
A small red thread circled the goddess's pinky finger. She studied it with a dull smile. "Huu, when was the last time I made a covenant with a tiny mortal?"
She sighed. "It's a pity really; she will forget you and move on, get married, have kids, and make wonderful new memories, and she won't remember she loved you... or that you loved her."
Ares didn't react. Once he saw the thread around her finger, he turned and started walking towards the light. Selena watched his back with a deep look, then her image disappeared. Ares' hand curled into fists as he passed through the light.
***
Garsam settled Klaus down in an empty cabin. Immediately, she showed him the place, and he kept teasing her all the way till her cheeks were about to drip blood. She was not used to it at all. In Royal Pack, she was the cold unapproachable Princely Heir, with the Acabi and the others she was just another friend. But with him, she was a woman, and that is just so different yet appealing. His thin lips appeared in her mind. Mmm, so very appealing.
She walked into the house not noticing the extra pair of shoes at the door.
"Mom, I'm home," she called.
"In here, dear," her mom replied. Garsam entered the kitchen with a rosy grin. She first saw her mom stirring something in a pot; it smelled delicious.
She sighed. "Mmm, what's for dinner..."
Then she saw the girl seated at the dining. Her expression turned cold and reserved.
"Miss James, you're here as well?"
She stared hard at her mom who suddenly decided not to look away from the pot.
Miss James was the daughter of a Pack warrior. Her father was one of the strongest in the pack, so her family was a little popular. They had never really spoken before; even at school, they simply acknowledged each other whenever they crossed paths. Over a year ago, Miss James's mate unfortunately died in a freak accident.
Miss James rose from her seat and bowed slightly. "Princely Heir."
"Please sit."
She sat down and immediately looked down at her plate. Aside from being outside her social circle, perhaps another reason she didn't interact much with Miss James was that the girl was a little dull. She wore plain clothes, she didn't do gatherings, and she generally minded her business.
Not knowing what else to say, they lapsed into silence. Garsam sat down and slowly twirled the fork on the table.
Garsam felt a slight nudge in her head. She turned to her mom and saw she was giving her a look. Garsam turned away pointedly, ignoring her mother's prompt to start a conversation. Damm it! She was a girl; she will not be forced to woo another girl and especially not by her mom.
Whatever appetite she had disappeared. She stood up abruptly and announced.
"I'm going to bed."
She heard her mom call her name, but she didn't turn back.
In the kitchen, Miss James twined her hands together. "Thank you for inviting me, Luna, it is getting late; I should head home."
The Luna Queen protested. "But I wanted you to stay for dinner."
Miss James shook her head. "Perhaps another time, your majesty, but lunch was very tasty, thank you."
The Luna Queen nodded and sent her off. "Then see you tomorrow."
Miss James froze for half a second, and her smile was a little crooked as she bowed. "It will be my honor, Luna Queen."
After Miss James left, the Luna Queen stormed towards Garsam's room, turned the knob, but the door was locked. She knocked on the door.
"Sam," she called.
Garsam groaned into her pillow. "Go away, mom."
The Luna Queen frowned in frustration. "She's a perfectly fine girl!"
Garsam shot back. "So am I!"
Garsam dozed off pretty fast. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a familiar misty wasteland. She was in Vhail.
She stood up and walked towards the fire. Vhail was cold as always, but compared to the freezing temperature at her pack, this place made her feel warm and toasty. She walked around the fire and waited. Soon enough, Aria came. Her eyes looked sad.
"I guess it's time," she said.
My heart thumped; I had been expecting this since our fight with Virgo, but I didn't feel at all prepared. Klaus was waiting for her, and her mom needed her; she didn't even manage to make any plans. On the other hand, Aria seemed rather composed.
"I'm not ready," Garsam admitted.
Aria smiled. "Is this a sort of thing someone can ever be ready for?"
"That's right," Garsam laughed. "Hey, do you think Ivy will be here?"
As soon as she asked, they heard a rustling sound, and Ivy walked into the clearing.
"Ivy!" they shrieked in unison. The two girls swarmed around her and enveloped her in a big hug.
"Oh, you're awake," Aria beamed.
Ivy hugged them back. "Ah no, I'm not awake."
The jolly girls paused and separated; Aria and Garsam looked at Ivy.
"What do you mean, not awake?" Garsam exclaimed.
Ivy shrugged. "I'm not, see."
She held out her hand; they hadn't noticed before because they were happy to see her, but she looked a little... transparent.
"Are you dead?!" Aria shrieked, covering her mouth.
"Oh no no no," Ivy shook her head and denied. "I mean, I'm here right, you guys still remember me, so no way I'm dead."
Aria and Garsam heaved a sigh of relief. They had been frightened for a minute there.
"Woah, I just had a scary thought," Garsam glanced conspiratorially at Aria and Ivy. "What if one of us has died, and we've totally forgotten the person?"
Aria flicked her head, and Ivy laughed.
"Tch, how is that possible?"
Garsam pouted, rubbing her head. "It is so possible; Selena said so, remember?"
Aria rolled her eyes. "Not possible," she insisted. Her heart ached for a second, and she rubbed it with a frown.
Whoosh. A giant screen appeared in front of them. Selena's profile appeared on the screen.
She looked at them with a smile.
"I never congratulated you on your Burden success."
Aria resisted the urge to holler. If she was gonna kill them, then she should get it over with and save the speech for those who give a fuck.
"Now that your burden is over, you can rest," she smiled. Her beautiful smile seemed to calm the anxious girls down.
"Live a good life," Selena continued. "And make the most of it; it is your last lifetime after all."
Aria froze. She must not have heard well.
Ivy stuttered. "You...you mean we get to...live?"
"Of course."
No one knew who started it, but five seconds later, the girls were screaming, hugging each other, and jumping in circles.
"We're not gonna die," they sang again and again.
"Garsam, Ivy," The goddess called.
The dancing trio broke up and looked up at her with wide grins on their faces. Even Aria started to feel that the goddess didn't look half as annoying as she did a minute ago.
The goddess addressed Garsam and Ivy. "Ivy, the final spell took a toll on you; luckily for you, your friends were there to help, but you still need to sleep some more and recharge; you need another five months of rest."
"Garsam, because you held onto their hands during the spell, Scar was also affected by it; he will remain in slumber for at least a werewolf year."
Garsam clenched her fists; with everything happening, she had totally forgotten about Scar. She sighed in relief. At least he wasn't gone forever.
Aria blinked at her. "How long is a werewolf year?"
Garsam whispered a reply. "About three human years."
Aria gasped. "So long? Will you be okay without him?"
Garsam nodded. "Don't worry, I've still got my strength; no one can beat me yet!"
"And my sister?" Aria asked.
The goddess frowned. "Only she can determine when she wakes; perhaps if you purge your mouth and speak kindly to her, she just might wake up quickly."
"Wait," Garsam called out as the screen started fading. "Why did you suddenly change your mind and let us live? Will there be another Burden?"
The three girls turned to the screen.
"No," Selena denied. "Some paid for your lives."
"Who?"
"Does it matter?" And the screen faded away.