Pandora's Curse

“My sisters, my children, my home...” Aello raised her hand, silencing the crowd for once. “For too long, we’ve kept to the shadows, scavenging and scurrying in the dirt like rodents when we were Gods who ruled the skies! We were feared!” Aello snarled. “Humans and others ran in terror at just the sound of crackling thunder, fearing it was us! Now, we are just a joke. A story, a myth for bad times. Now, we will give them the nightmare they dreaded!” Aello turned to glance at her sisters, who raised their wings high above their heads, her sneer widening.

“Thanks to Zeus himself,” Celaeno stepped back briefly, handing something to Aello. “We will take back the skies and this world until they bow before us with his very creation!” With a final shriek and howl, the crowd joined Aello in roaring their anger and bloodlust to the roof. My blood dropped in trepidation as my gaze narrowed in on the item in Aello’s hand and from my spot several yards away, I felt the unsettled eerie and warping of my world.

“War!” I hiss, grabbing his fist tightly as glance at him in terror.

“I know. I see it. The problem is getting it before Aello and her sisters do anything.” The three of us duck back under the wall.

“They are riled up.” I muttered, glancing up and back to War and Cupid. “We need a distraction. Unlike normal people, a riot could be a good start.” Warren’s eyes light up pure red and he nods sharply.

“That’ll work but I need to get close to one or two without alerting others.”

“It might not be enough still.” Cupid muttered. With a growl, he started searching through his jacket and pants, pulling out items. “There’s still a lot of harpies. If a fight breaks, they might be killed on sight and things will be back to normal, just more excitement.”

“Short of blowing ourselves up, there’s not much-” Warren muttered, ignoring the glare I throw at him but Cupid clicks his fingers, nodding excitedly.

“Unfortunately, we could do that.” Cupid glanced around briefly. “Start a fight, I’ll jump in. War, do your thing and more and all we need is to distract them long enough for Pandora to get the box away.” I look back and forth between the two, unable to process on what they were they thinking of doing.

“Hold on,” I hiss, lowering my voice as it raises slightly. “You’re not seriously thinking of blowing yourself up!?” Warren meets my glare, not answering and my eye twitches in horror as I shake my head furiously. “First of all, how can we trust you!? Not that we trying to accuse or anything but you show up out of the blue and-”

“Don’t need to believe me,” Cupid gave me a haughty sneer, turning his nose up. “But I’m doing my duty to a friend and well, an old friend. I didn’t expect anyone else to be here but guess what you are. So, War-”

“No fucking way!” I snarl, glaring at Cupid before glaring at Warren. “No! Absolutely no! That’s not-”

“I’ll leave you two to figure this out because of course we are not on a tight schedule at all.” Cupid scowls, crawling away a feet. I glare after him before turning to Warren, shaking my head in horror as I lean in close to keep my voice down.

“Warren, that’s not-”

“Pan,” Warren cut me sharply, meeting my gaze evenly. “It’ll help.”

“B-but, you’re, you’re blowing yourself up! Literally killing yourself! For me, no, you can’t that’s not right, War! You don’t deserve to go through that!” Warren’s eyes run over my face, scrutinizing me as I stare at him. His face softens and glancing past me briefly to where Cupid was waiting before turning back to me.

“It’s not fun. Trust me, I know. But I’m not killed permanently. I’ll come back. And trust me,” He leans his forehead against mine as I shake my head in disagreement. “I’m coming back alright.”

“Warren, no, you said you could feel it, experience it and I don’t want you to, not like that...”

“Nobody has cared enough to think that way, Pan but I’m coming back. I promise, Pan.” He suddenly clasps my face between his hands forcing me to look at him. My eyes sting hotly as scowl at him but he shakes his head. “No tears now. No getting upset. I’ll be back. I’ll be angry. I’ll be fighting. I got your back and I need you to have mine now, Pandora.” My head was shaking but finally nodded reluctantly as I gripped his wrists tightly for dear life. “I’ll be starting a commotion. Once that has gone out of wack, I’ll be throwing myself in. In that time, you need to pull yourself together Pan, get the box somehow while Cupid keeps the masses distracted until I come to.”

“Okay, okay,” I whisper, nodding tightly, keeping my eyes on him. “I’ll be okay. I promise. I promise, War. You just, better come back quick and never ever do this again.” War gave me a quick grin.

“Anything for you.” And suddenly his mouth was mine, kissing me hard and deep. I closed my eyes as I leant against his mouth, enjoying the brief break from everything around us, kissing him back until he pulled away and suddenly we were back, gazing at each other once more. “Ta léme stin álli plevrá, Pandóra.”

“Ki esý, Horseman.” I murmur and watch Warren hurry after Cupid and the two men disappeared down the other side of the stairwell, leaving me alone where I stood.

Ok, Hera! Zeus! You need to have my back for once at least in this! You want me to get that stupid box back, you got to help me out now. Okay, okay, let’s do this.

I crouch behind the wall, occasionally peeking over as I hurry in the other direction from Warren and Cupid, and finding stairs behind rises of boxes that could keep me mostly hidden as long as I kept low and fast and quiet. And hope no one decides to use them. I could hear Aello talking over the crowd, to her kind but I didn’t focus on that too much, just focusing on getting down these stairs without being seen. I was a few steps from the bottom, when a shadow brushed over me and I froze, heart stuttering in terror.

But the harpies back was to me, its black and white wings pressed the stairwell and I took an uneasy breath in shock, allowing my heart to start up once again. Bloody hell! Okay, okay, three steps away! Two steps...now I got to get behind those crates! Curling below the wall at the bottom of the stairs, only just peeking through, I was unable to see past the flock of feathers, wings and bodies that swarmed before me. I couldn’t see Aello. And if I couldn’t see her, she damn well can’t see me.

Okay, no one is looking, we go in three...Deep breath in...two...One! Run! I push off the stairs, not daring to look at the crowd and in what felt like I was a deer in a wolfs den for minutes, I scurried behind the crowd and slammed my back against the crate closest to me after a mere second or two. Panting, slowly getting my breaths under control, heart thundering wildly, and my palms sweaty and cold.

Okay! We got past! Now, just to get around and wait...

I followed my route behind the boxes, keeping low and out of sight, listening for any close movements. Except suddenly the sounds of harpies were heightening from somewhere, followed by squawking and snarls, furious and cheering howls, almost rhythmically-

Like chanting!

“SAVE THE FIGHTING FOR OUT THERE, YOU FOOLS!” Aello shrieked from somewhere too close, making my skin prickle. I was getting closer to the stage. Oh God! They were fighting! Then, soon-

My back jolted suddenly when something snarled low and distant behind me, shaking the large box I was leant against. Stumbling away in terror and shock, just barely keeping my mouth shut. The thick, leather cloak over the large container, the corner flaps as though something heavy was breathing through it.

Something big.

Oh, do it! Just do it! Peeking around the edge, seeing no one near or looking at me because the commotion was growing louder and the screams higher. A low snarl rumbled inside the crate. I raise the cloth high enough until I find the lock and a piece of plastic latched through a loop. On the piece of plastic was the word-

Oh my Hera! Why? Why on Earth would Aello bring these things here? Not even Aello could control these beasts. And they didn't pick sides, though. Squeezing my eyes shut, unable to believe what I was about to do, but I raised the thick metal plate that kept the door of the crate closed with a slight clank. I tensed, holding my breath but the sounds of fighting grew louder and I could hear Aello snarling in fury. There was no way they could hear me. Keeping close to the wall of the crate, I loosened the door until it creaked open just barely.

Now, you really need to move!

“STOP THEM!” Aello’s voice screeched painfully over the screaming din and the bloodlust grew furiously as I ducked under another cover, releasing another lock on a crate, not even thinking anymore except distraction. I didn’t want to think about what will happen anytime soon-

“NO! STOP THEM! FURIES, CATCH HIM-”

BOOOOMM

A blast of air shook the room powerfully, and screams rang through the open basement. A powerful blast of air rattles the crates around me, showering dust and feathers from above to down. I slip up against the box, my whole body rattling against it as I slip onto the floor, clutching my head, my hair flying around my head. I could hear Aello’s screams somewhere over the ringing din. Shaken, panting, heart stilted from the sudden shock of the blast, I keep up against the box panting heavily, sweating gathering in my hands. He’s going to be okay. He’s going to be okay. A low creak out of the corner of my eyes, I freeze, clutching the next breath in my throat. I see the first crate I unlocked and the door to it swing open ominously, the second one swaying under the flap.

I’m going to be okay, just need to move now-

BOOOMM

I cried out, smacking my hand over my ears with a cry as a second explosion rattles the room even more, the force of it pushing me away. Crushed dust and residue fall from all around, showering the basement in broken residue, dust, feathers and things I didn’t want to imagine. The screams grew panicked and less loud, but my ears were ringing, unable to hear more past that. The screams of harpies in shock howled painfully through the air. Panting wildly, chest rising and dropping heavily, my heart tempers and stutters in my chest. Shakily, I crawl to my knees and hands, unable to stop trembling, feeling cold and and numb, my jaw clacks loudly and a cold sweat is gathering all over my body.

He’s going to be okay! He’s going to be okay. It’s War! He cannot die! You just need...need to get up and move already before something finds you already! Trembling, not quite taking in everything in sight, but I forced myself to quickly shuffle away from the crates I released but not before loosening the latch of the one I just been leant against. I didn’t dare look back to see if something had left the other crates I’d released. Just keep moving. Just keep moving. That’s all I need to do. Just keep moving. And release these boxes and keep a distraction going.

A loud snarl echoes inside the basement and screams follow suit, followed by more animalistic howls and roars and the sound of fighting and screaming could be heard. Peeking between the crates, I couldn’t see much except for a blur of movement all around of feathers and bodies and maybe more. Crouching close down and hurrying around, I peeked around a sudden larger opening between crates and could see a narrow opening in which it lead to the make-shift stage of crates.

I couldn’t see Aello, nor her sisters-

But there!

Sitting on the edge, away from the crowd, sat a simple wooden brown box where no light touched it and a crowd of harpies and strix swarmed in a crowd, fighting each other or something huge that barreled through a group of them and a huge drop and break in the middle of the room and balcony overhead where War, Cupid and I had come through. My stomach curdled at the slight traces of red briefly flickering in the distance. Swallowing it back, I leant back against the crate.

Do it or fail. There’s nothing else for it.

Gripping the long, curved knife Warren gave me in preparation, I straightened, I slipping around the corner, keeping my eye out behind in case-

A shadow swooped over me and I jumped away, leaning back against the crate, only for the harpy to continue on its way without seeing me. Heart crashing rapidly against my ribcage, I crossed my chest, cursing. Eyes up as well, you idiot.

Keeping an eye out, I creep through the narrow gap, keeping my eyes on the prize, and thankfully seeing no one else on stage but I knew, Aello would definitely not be far. And if she saw Warren, she’d know I was here. They just wouldn’t expect someone else to be here as well.

Suddenly, my body was wrenched backwards, the box fading until it disappeared from sight and I felt myself stumble back. My back hit the wall hard, knocking my head a little but something light flew straight at my head, glinting like knives.

DUCK!

I ducked, stumbling away but not before Ocypete slammed her foot against my hip, throwing me onto the ground. I skidded over marble, dust and crumbled stone, my back aching. Quickly, I jumped to my knees and feet, crawling under and avoiding her swipe at me and stumbling back, keeping my eye on her. Ocypete sneered at me, wagging her finger at me.

“Naughty, naughty.” I glowered at the harpy and she grinned widely, her gold eyes glowering excitedly. “That’s a bad idea, little girl.” And she lunged again, her talons swiping the flap of the crate and I strike out quickly with my knife. The sharp edge of the blade, edges along her forearm, and she snarls lowly, shaking her bleeding arm. “Now, that’s just made me mad.” Without care of my strikes as I continued to swipe my knife at her, she gripped my wrist which still held my knife and held me off the floor. She only grinned in delight at me, eying her nicks and cuts along her arms.

“Not anyone can make me bleed.” I sneer back at her.

“Guess I’m not just anyone, skýla.” In a move I wasn’t sure would work, I released my knife, letting it fall between us in a split second and thinking as fast as I could, I snatched it up with my free hand. Her eyes widened briefly but I didn’t hesitate, throwing my arm forward towards her abdomen. I felt the knife tear through thick flesh, muscle and something soft. Ocypete’s body shudders violently and suddenly my body is wrenched aside like a rag doll and I skid over the floor and landing against the crate behind the stage. Gasping, I pull myself up slowly and feel something release in my hand as I do, my eyes widening-

“You pathetic wretch. You don’t think you can seriously stop us? Hah!” Ocypete, wrenches the knife out, letting it clatter to the floor and sneers darkly. “The horseman might’ve killed some of us, but there are still plenty of us and around the world! You’re just a mere ant against a mountain!”

“Maybe,” I spat, grinning wickedly, excitement thrumming in delight. “But people have faced worse odds! And I can make it difficult for you all anyway!” Ocypete snarls but I suddenly grab the door handle, seeing her eyes widen briefly and pull it open wide. The edge of the door slams against the other crate next to it, closing me out from behind it. The box shakes and Ocypete snarls and screams as something lunges through. Turning around, I slip through the narrow gaps toward the stage, the box returning to my sight and I grip the edge, hauling myself over the side, ignoring the cuts and splinters as I dig my shoes and fingers in the crates in my desperation. I hear a familiar screech, but I ignore it and the squabbling crowd below, focusing on the box. Three feet...two feet...I lean down, reaching for it and my finger curl around the smooth exterior-

“NOOOO!” A shriek rings out just above me. A shadow swoops over me and suddenly a furious crack of thunder rumbles violently inside the basement. I feel my body slammed down on my front and kicked aside and suddenly my body dropping-

Until something sharp and painful grips my collar and hair, hauling me back up. Breathing raggedly, I roll over, meeting Aello’s furious yellow eyes, her wings towering over me tremble angrily.

“You almost got me there, Pandora! But, to think you would think were close enough!” She screams at me. “I’ll kill you in ways for even thinking you had the chance-” Some feathers rustle up against her face, flying past her and my hair flutters around my face. She snarls, facing the crowd and my heart jumps. In the middle of the rubble and crowd of harpies, a rising whirlwind is growing stronger and faster, picking up feathers, dust, debris, the the tornado growing less clearer as the dust and dirt join the mix. The harpies are backing away nervously, some trying to fly away but the storm becomes stronger and even a few harpies are pulled within the tornado which reaches high ceiling, widening further. Red lighting flashes within ominously. Glancing at Aello, taking the moment of distraction, I suddenly roll to my feet, jumping up and she sees me but I slam against her, reaching for the box and yanking it out of her hands. But her nails dig in and we struggle, with me holding on for dear life.

“You may have War providing you help, but you’ll get nowhere with an army between you all!” Gripping the box, she pulls it aside, throwing me with it and I hit the stage hard with a gasp. She drags me back, rolling me over and hauling me up in her grip, forcing me to face the crowd.

“I have your gift now, Pandora!” Aello whispers cruelly in my ear. “And not even Zeus himself would dare stop me. He created us, he can deal with the consequences of his creations!” Aello screeches at me and the screams of the harpies grow louder and the storm rumbles dangerously, an ominous black shape within the storm making the crowd edge back with hunger and nerves. With a flourishing sweep, Aello’s sisters suddenly drop loudly beside her and in synchronized beats and with matching screams, the air and sound in the room is swept back in a violent wave just as strong as the two explosions together. I clap my hands over my ears, barely blocking the painful shriek in the air. The storm suddenly breaks in a burst of thunder and crackle of lightning, dropping heavy chunks around and clumps of debris, feathers and dust together. Aello stares at the dark figure with violent crimson eyes and snarls furiously as Cupid stands beside him, facing a crowd of harpies. “NOT EVEN YOU, WAR HORSEMAN WILL STOP US! Because you, have no family! You are and will always be, forever alone!” Aello sneers into the crowd. I struggle against her grip as she rises me higher. “AND YOU’LL WATCH THE ONLY LITTLE BIT OF FAMILY YOU HAVE LEFT IS TAKEN FROM YOU!” Aello throws me down, forcing me through gravity onto the stage with a body trembling thump and my body groaning in protest and disbelief. Aello’s foot shadows over me, preparing to tear through me when something strikes through the air, cutting through Aello’s shoulder as she barely shifts out of the way. I quickly roll away, jumping off the stage but Aello doesn’t follow. Despite the creatures within the crowd and the sudden fury and anger, Aello is grinning in delight beside her sisters. “YOU’LL BE THE FIRST TO WITNESS THIS, HORSEMAN! FOR TAKING MY VERY SELF FROM ME, I’LL DESTROY YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU LOVE! Holding the box aloft in one hand, Celaeno hands her something slight and small and flickers golden in the light-

NO!

“NO!” I scream, scrambling to my feet.

“AELLO, NO!”

“DON’T DO IT!”

Ocypete and Celaeno stare down at the crowd with their own wide, face splitting grin, and Aello slips the key into the box.

Click.

I hear the click despite the excited screams and roars of monsters all around me and my heart and blood thumping deadly slowly in my ears. The click reverberates through me like a vibration. Like the lines of fate calling me, saying I failed.

Aello twists the lock and the world trips and my vision spins, the terror and desperation wreaking havoc as I run through the crowd, trying to push my way back to the stage. No! No! It can’t be!

Aello meets my eyes as she finishes twisting the lock and smirks darkly and flips the latch and I hear myself screaming, someone else screaming behind me and I can hear the silence drop and the pin with it that screams with thousands of bloodlust voices.

We are free.