Chapter 26 #2
“Why are you doing this? The queen will destroy everything including you.” I grip my sword tighter.
“Do you know what it’s like to only be known as Boreas’ daughter? No one knows my name or even likes what I give to the world. All this beautiful snow is wasted on humanity.” A woman steps out of the ice storm.
Her long white hair is wild around her shoulders. Her white toga style dress shimmers under the flames lighting the sconces on the walls.
“You really think we all weren’t judged for who our parents are?
That’s laughable. Until I started helping the gods, no one bothered to call me by name.
It was always daughter of Zeus this and daughter of Zeus that.
Was it frustrating? Hell yeah, but I didn’t join a mutiny because of it. That’s just stupid.”
“You made a name for yourself, though. Not everyone can,” the nymph yells.
“Sure you can, but this isn’t the way to do it.
” Kira holds her hands up. “I’ve made a name for myself when I didn’t think it was possible.
It just took one interaction and my own choices to help when the world is in danger.
You can make a choice to do good and you can fix your own life without helping the queen destroy everything. ”
“A choice?” she scoffs. “I don’t have a choice but to help the queen. She will give me the power I need to make people remember me.”
“C’mon, Kira. She’s a lost cause and we have to keep moving.” I study my fingernails.
“What do you mean a lost cause?” The nymph closes her hand into a fist and the swirling snow vortex spins toward me in a rush.
I dive out of the way just in time, but it sucks Jayden into it. He shouts and shadows swirl around him, dropping him right next to me on the snowy ground.
“If Kira can’t do it, I have hellfire or shadow chains. She can’t control the snow with her hands tied.” Jayden reaches for me, offering me a hand up.
“I vote the chains. I don’t want to fuck something up and melt the ice caps or something.” I dust the snow off my pants.
“Agreed.” Raven nods. “We could do more harm than good by killing her. We can chain her and then take her to Zeus once we finish this with the queen.”
“Okay, Jayden, do it.” I nod to him.
“Stop. You can’t turn me over to Zeus. He’ll destroy me.” She raises her hands and the snow shifts on the ground, rolling and pulsing beneath our feet.
“What is that?” I ask. “Is she…”
“She’s building a damn snowman.” Raven shakes her head. “This is not on my bingo card for the labyrinth.”
“I don’t think it was on anyone’s radar for a magical maze on Mt. Olympus.” Jayden’s shadows swirl and writhe on his arms.
“Keep control. Kira? Can you use your fire on the snow monstrosity?” I ask.
“With pleasure.” She holds her hands up, flames bursting to life on them.
Arms of ice reach for her as she lobs a ball of fire at the snowman. It bats the fire away. The contact melts its fingers off, but they quickly reform and reach out for her again.
I flick my whip at the snowman and the electricity crackles along the edges but hardens the snow instead of melting it or electrocuting anything.
“I’m no use here and I don’t think we can take Frosty here down until we stop her magic.” I point at the nymph.
“I’m on it.” Jayden steps toward the nymph, his shadows balled in his hands. “Last chance to give up before we take you down. Since you attacked us, we’re taking you to Zeus either way, but you can stop this and his daughter will ask him to be lenient.”
“The king of the gods doesn’t do leniency. He’s scorched earth and you know it,” the nymph screams.
“For the sole person to save his reign? I’m pretty sure he would grant her request even if she wasn’t his daughter.” Jayden lifts his hands higher.
Shadows pulse in his hands as he waits for her answer. She glances around, unsure but her gaze hardens as it lands on me.
“You shouldn’t exist. You can offer me nothing but punishment when the queen will reward me for bringing her your head.” She gestures with her hand and Frosty grows even taller before us.
“Seriously? Do you all have the same handbook? Does one have to be delusional to work with the queen?” I ask Raven.
“It sounds like it. Who was the last one to give you that speech?” She adjusts her grip on her swords.
“Aphrodite, just the other day. A literal goddess couldn’t beat me only days ago. Like some nymph with a snowman can now.”
“That’s right, the Titan was months ago before you were supercharged.” Raven nods.
“You don’t have a chance. Stand down.” I take a step forward.
“Your magic doesn’t affect my monster.” She grins. “I can take you out with it.”
“Wrong answer. My magic may not affect the snowman, but it will damage you.” I crack my whip, and my magic sizzles along the edges.
The nymph yelps as the whip circles her arm and electricity cracks against her skin. I yank her arm, dragging her closer, and Jayden releases his chains. The snow monster collapses in a pile of slush as she’s wrapped up in the chains.
“It doesn’t matter what happens to me. You can’t beat the queen. She knows you’re here and what you’re after.” She struggles against the chains. “She will never use that throne again. You will lose everything, and I’ll laugh as this world ends so it can be remade.”
As the snow melts, the ice cracks, making the ground unstable. I stumble to the side as the ground breaks open into a chasm.
“Jump,” I shout.
I take a running leap and roll to the other side of the five-foot chasm. Raven rolls on my side while the chasm continues to grow. The others move too slowly. Jayden waits until everyone is across before jumping for it himself.
“Jayden, watch out,” I scream.
The nymph sticks her foot out at the last second, tripping him up and he stumbles. He falls just short of the side of the cliff. His hand grips the side, but his fingers slip enough that I can’t reach him.
“He’s going to fall.” I lean over the side of the ledge and reach for him.
“I can’t hold on, baby,” Jayden grits out.