Chapter 9
Nine
The shaking stops almost as abruptly as it began; instead, a mysterious smoke has blanketed the arena, making it difficult to see anything further than Orion standing next to me. Lenny disappears, as do the other competitors and their chaperones. “What the fuck?” I ask Orion in a hushed whisper.
“They love a grand entrance.” He whispers back, sounding entirely amused.
The fog clears, and there they stand. Twelve divine beings emulate complete power. They’re utterly terrifying.
“Greetings, and welcome.” A male steps forward, his head free of hair and shining, his voice booming throughout the coliseum. “What a blessing it is for you all to be here.”
A blessing for whom exactly? As I look around, I’m shocked that some contestants are nodding along eagerly while others look distrustful or downright angry.
At least I’m not alone in my feelings here.
“My name is Pluto Lazar, the leader of the Kosmos who will monitor this year’s Gemini Games.
” He looks deceptively kind. His frame is thin yet sculpted, with angular facial features hidden beneath a copper goatee.
Pluto is robed in a silken multicolored cloak that falls to his feet, containing each color that represents the astrological signs.
The cloak is embellished with symbols resembling the sun, moon, and stars.
“We stand before you grateful and determined. You, the chosen ten, have collectively been selected as best able to restore our treasured Gemini constellation. A crucial constellation, as you well know, in providing energy and power to each of your worlds. The constellations are the only constant.” Pluto pauses, diverting his attention to each human standing around him, patiently waiting for each of us to repeat the phrase back to him.
The guy is good; I’ll give him that. The remaining Kosmos stand effortlessly still in a straight line, hands alternately clasped in front and behind their bodies.
“Power is not granted without sacrifice or effort, though. Our divine council has created a series of challenges. In these challenges, you will be tasked with finding and successfully collecting enchanted fragments of moonstone. These shards have been forged in moonbeams. These gems are not only pure magic but also a symbol of strength. A strength that you all possess.” Okay, Pluto, you lost me at enchanted moonstone.
“Each trial has been designed to challenge the traits of a Gemini uniquely. While we cannot disclose the nature of the challenge beforehand, the Astral assigned to you as your sponsor will provide clues as they work to train you for the specific tasks.” Why do I feel like he is saying a whole lot of nothing?
“Ten shards of moonstone are required to fulfill the constellation. Collect the most, and you shall be rewarded. I will not deceive you—danger is at play. The goal is simple: persevere or perish.”
I numbly shift my weight as Pluto’s words play on a loop in my mind.
He’s passed the baton to someone else now, who is reviewing the details regarding training, but me?
I’m stuck on “persevere or perish.” Others have taken a defensive stance as well, and by others, I mean the strikingly handsome man who couldn’t take his eyes off me during my tantrum.
This time, he catches me staring, and I refuse to look away first.
“Zellie, pay attention.” Orion scolds me while still focusing on the Kosmos in the center of the arena.
“My apologies for being stuck on this guy telling us we need to win or die,” I seethe, putting as much venom into the statement as I can.
“You will not die, Zellie.” Orion sighs. “That’s what I’m here for. Someone should have warned me about your dramatics.”
“My dramatics? We’re being used as free entertainment with our very lives at stake. This is a dramatic situation, Orion.”
“Ouch, back to the full name. You’ll be fine, I promise. Now pay attention; they’re almost done.”
I school my features into a calm mask even though every fiber of my being is infused with anger. How did I wind up in this situation?
“... you’ll have a month to acclimate to Astralis and partake in regular training with your sponsor.
I trust that you’ll make the most of this time.
The challenges will take place each month, with the last happening just before the summer solstice.
Your sponsor will now lead you to your housing.
May the stars guide you. The constellations are the only constant. ”
What’s constant is this nightmare giving me a headache. The teams slowly disperse, some faster than others. My eyes linger on the back of the man with wild energy. “When can we get some information about the others?”
“You all will get acquainted soon enough.”
“Very specific, thank you, Orion.” I angle my body away from him to ignore his response and make a plan with Lenny to find each other once we’re settled in. Only when I’ve finished do I return my attention to the Astral impatiently waiting beside me.
“Ready?” Orion doesn’t wait for a response before taking off towards the door we first entered.
“No.” I unwillingly follow. What other choice do I have? It’s time to persevere.