Pandora's Curse
Chapter 4

I felt the screams of fury before I heard them.

My blood ran cold despite the fire and heat around me. The screams echoed in the early morning air, the pitch of a horse which released a real nightmare upon us.

I released upon us all.

It was coming for me!

The box sat numbly on lap, my fingers barely holding it, shaken and numb I was as I stared upon our broken ruined city of Olympus and the chaos and destruction I had unleashed upon my own home. My own people. My own mother.

Smoke, pillars of enormous black clouds drifted from the raging fires from huts and on burning corpses, the smell of blood and smoke and death, a burning horrific stench. Broken away momentarily from the destruction before me as the box twitched between my fingers, rattling like a mouse within trying to get out. I tightened my grip on the box, as if I could hold it together somehow and the tremors within slowed and a strange kind of fury and despair wracked within me.

We wish to be free.

Free us! NOW!

The inhabitants within this box had felt and tasted freedom and power...they wanted that back.

But my gaze fell upon the few bodies in the ground mere feet from me, bodies gray already, eyes burned from within leaving hollow blackness in the sockets, the skin still puckering and bubbling from the tremendous strain on their bodies that they experienced not too long ago.

What have I done? I did this. I did this to them!

I felt myself freed several hours ago and yet, I was not free like I had always wished to be. Instead, I became my own worse prison. A prison where I chained myself too because of selfish whims I pushed to.

Was it completely my fault? Who else could I blame without further inciting the God’s wrath?

A wrack of fury burned within, ugly and crimson, and the sky rumbled its agreement or Zeus himself did not appreciate my thoughts. An ache in my hand, the corner of the box stabbing into my finger as I gripped onto it for dear life for my anger to run through, rocking back and forth in pain and guilt.

Distantly I could see shadows of people as they scurried away from the burning ruins of our city. The screams of beasts within the city had them running faster, grabbing anything they could or just leaving without care. As I watched the shadows of survivors escape from possible death, a glint caught my eye. Flinching from the sudden brightness, as I saw something laid in the palm of a deceased man who lay face down on the earth.

Bolting upright, I crawled quickly to the body and grabbed the bronze key in his palm, my skin shuddering in terror and pocketing it away, glancing warily around me in case anyone was in sight.

I couldn’t afford to let anyone...or anything see what had just happened.

Slowly, I stand up, though my legs felt weightless and unbalanced, exhaustion hitting me hard, amongst other feelings as I stared at the billowing smoke and fire and the obvious inhuman shapes within the darkness that scourged upon the bodies left behind.

Oh Olympus, what have I done!?

Screams of people suddenly rang through the air, alongside cackles from above, that rang painfully in my head. Swooping shadows grazed above the stained skies and the people, prepared started to run or threw anything they could to defend themselves.

It would barely help. As I ran with the crowd, bodies were picked off the ground or slammed into from above, igniting a spray of blood and dirt as they thundered into the ground with a thunderous boom.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the panic. My blood ran frozen as I stumbled, glancing back in terror and like I had hours ago, a thundering shadow blew through the ash and smoke, hooves thundering into the earth, matching the tremors in my heart. I could hear them thundering closer and closer from behind inside the screaming crowd. I could just see the harpies avoiding the approaching shadow, they had right to fear.

And no matter how fast I tried to run, my lungs burning from the smoke and ash and dust, my body withering in exhaustion and despair, I felt its presence a mere second before my foot caught something and I stumbled to the ground painfully. The box rolled out of my arm away from me from stopping to a halt upright. Around me, the shapes of people were distant and faded, slowly dying out as beasts from within the skies took over them.

Shadows suddenly rolled over me, darkening around me like an aura. Fitting it was as I slowly crawled to my knees, ignoring the stinging ache on my knees and palms as I turned around, facing up to my approaching death. My right palm ached further, remembering the cut from its sword still healing. The hooves, massive enough to crush a mans head scuffed the ground, the grunts heavy and aggressive as it stared down at me through its steely crimson armour. It sat atop the horse, completely black from my sight as it blocked out any light from my viewpoint on the ground. The only light coming from it was within its helmet, the eyes that glow an eerie, terrifying crimson and stared down at me with nothing to read upon, except my own fear and anger I felt upon the hand dealt to me.

“No...” I shiver, trying to keep my voice calm and strong, though it wavered heavily. “I will do nothing! But do not! I had no choice.” It was both true and felt horribly like an excuse for what I had done. The glint of firelight hits its long, powerful sword, wickedly curved as he raised it slowly, he raised above his head and the horse reared up with a blood-chilling shriek.

No more death! Please!

"Parakaló, óchi pia." I faced the horseman, chin raised, tremors running down my spine as I awaited for deaths hand. "I did what I had to do." I glare at them.

“Pandora?”

“W-Warren? Sorry, I was just...”

“You went far away there, for a second.” Warren frowned deeply and my mind drifted instantly to that very memory I just witnessed. Eyes of glowing crimson and eyes like a warm autumn day or night, depending on his mood. Warren pushed a large glass of water to me and I gratefully took a sip as the cool water refreshed my body from within. “Pan, what is it you need to explain.”

“Warren,” My hands shook as I laid my glass down on the table. “There’s...there’s something I need to explain to you. About the box.” Warren frowned deeper but settled back in his chair and I followed suit, my hands shook in my lap, my fingers fidgeting and locking nervously together.

“The box,” I sigh again. “The box was created for chaos and my own inner workings, to put it so. And in that regard, the box was made for me. And when I say for me, I mean, only I can open the box and...release the creatures, the monsters within.” My hands twisted nervously, trembling on my lap as I tried to focus my gaze on Warren. “Others tried to open the box after I did the first time. They couldn’t. Only me.”

Warren blinked, his face softening and he shook his head.

“Okay then, but that’s a good thing, Pan!” He leaned over the table, hands outstretched in front of him as he gave a faint relieved smile. “It means Aello can’t open it-”

“She can.” I murmur, dropping my gaze and I can hear Warren shift impatiently.

“What do you mean?”

“I uh, I don’t know who did this exactly. I don’t know which God is responsible. Zeus probably because he started this in the first place,” I shook my head, frustrated as I chewed on my lip before raising my head to meet Warren’s frown. “But someone, made a key. For the box.”

Warren’s face grew slack.

“But it doesn’t exactly, open the box like I only can.”

“Really?” Warren’s voice grew quiet and dark and I flinched under the emotionless tone.

“I can open the box without the key to release the inhabitants within, free them upon this world, for instance, you. The key, however, doesn’t exactly free its prisoners. The key frees the creatures within, into the person who used the key on the box. It, the ones inside, they take over the one with the box and key.”

“You mean...”

“Possession.” I swallowed. Warren’s face grows slack at the information, blinking once, twice and again slowly.

“But...but how? I mean,” Warren stood up suddenly, pacing up and down. “There are thousands of...inhabitants in there, I remember that.” His eyes grew shadowed, his skin paling slightly. “How does one thing possess-”

“It’s not just one thing.” I sigh heavily. “I’ve seen it happen. After I had accidentally freed you and others originally and brought...the other horseman and other creatures back into the box, people had seen me. So they took the box from me. Unable to open it until they saw the key and unlocked it. I watched as I could feel all those horrors, all those creatures inside that box swarm into just one body, slowly destroying them from within. If for a moment of freedom they were looking for, they only got it for mere seconds or minutes before all of those beings...”

“Killed them. Consumed them, destroyed them within. The power the creatures express into one human body is too much for a mere human. A strain, a virus.” Warren finished blandly, jaw clenched, eyes blackened like soot. “I’ve witnessed possession before.”

“Yes. I saw multiple people try and I couldn’t stop them. If for a brief moment, they had power enough because thousands of creatures had swarmed into them like they were a vessel. I don’t know how something non-human would take it though.”

Warren remained silent as he stood across from, facing away from me as he stared darkly at the floor, hands on his hips as his shoulders rose and fell slowly, tersely.

“So, while they won’t be free exactly, I don’t exactly know what could happen if something inhuman and powerful like Aello would be able to do-”

“Aello,” Warren started, his voice low and too quiet. “Is powerful.”

I swallowed heavily.

“Aello is the oldest of her sisters, the first harpy, basically, pureblooded, like her sisters. SHE, runs her kind. Maybe not quite so much anymore. But Aello, even as she is now,”

“What do you mean as she is now?”

“She’s wingless.”

I blinked startled at that thought.

Harpies were known for their incredibly powerful wings which could create huge gusts of air that throw back even an ogre off its feet for meters. Like hawks, they hunted by swooping, cutting through air so silently it was impossible to hear them coming sometimes. A harpy without wings, was basically a flightless bird waiting to be picked off by a predator. To think, Aello has been without wings for such a long time, it was shocking to think how she managed to live and survive and still retain respect amongst her own.

A harpy having no wings had no status amongst her own kind. One of the three having no wings...

“How did she become wingless?”

“That’s not important.” Warren snapped, his tone changing that made me double-take as his tone specified something further. He’s not telling me, why? He knows Aello from the past, but it’s something else. I flinched as he whirled around to face me, eyes blazing as he glowered at me. “What’s important is why the fuck you haven’t told me this already?”

“I-I don’t know, I’m sorry...”

“You’re sorry!” He laughed. “Of course you’re sorry. You’re always sorry for everything.” My hackles rose as I glared at him. “If you’re truly sorry Pan, then this isn’t something you should’ve hidden in the first place! Hell, even you understand the magnitude of how serious this could be! I mean,” He ran his fingers roughly through his hair, eyes blazing around the room in a fury. “Fuck’s sake Pandora! It’s been over two weeks, Aello could be onto us. If Aello even tried this, and we still don’t know if she has or hasn’t, I wouldn’t be fucking surprised if she survived such a thing! She could be biding her fucking time then, I certainly wouldn’t put that past her! Not only that, she might end up being able to control those within the box and in her, my brothers...” His voice faded at the end and my heart tightened with guilt and pain at the realization of what could happen.

“Warren, I wasn’t even sure...I mean, I had hoped we would replace it, replace Aello before anything could happen, so I-”

“So you wouldn’t what, Pandora?” His voice darkened, eyes narrowing sharply on me as the blazing blackness just became smooth onyx that stared at me coldly. “So you wouldn’t have to tell me this? You wouldn’t have to tell me about this extra little info?”

I stood there, unable to look away because I shouldn’t and couldn’t. I met his gaze evenly, shoulders slumping as the guilt wrangled my chest. A heavy laugh left Warren as he nodded slowly.

“So you wouldn’t have to tell me.” Warren answered for himself, his voice cool and heavy but there was a note of hurt in his voice and I flinched, my gaze dropping. “Because you don’t trust me.” His voice trailed off like a cold breeze.

“That’s not true!” I snapped, raising my head to glare at him. “I do trust you, I just-”

“You’re scared I would abuse it! Take the box from you and use it!? You know what, let me settle your conscious right now!” His eyes burn alight with that terrifying red glow within. “I have no doubt, I would have the power to control all shit inside that box. I’m made for evil and chaos and all fucked up stuff, I’m also made for power. I could damn well try! But,” His eyes narrow in slits as he sneers at me. “I wouldn’t do it, even if it was offered to me on a silver platter, free of charge. Because anyone who craves power, more power, is a powerless fool. A fool who has no control of their own power. Does that make you feel better, Pandora?”

“It’s not about that, Warren!” I stand from my chair and coming around the table until I stood a couple feet before him, guilt wracking through me but the damage was done. “I do, I trust you, but...” I trail off, unsure of what to say and he scoffs, throwing his arms up mockingly.

“Of course. You trust me but you don’t trust me. It would be easier on yourself if you admitted that. Am I just a pawn in the end, Pan? Just here to do your bidding so you don’t put me back in the box? And to think, I mean,” A pained expression crossed over his face briefly before passing until it was a cold, severe mask. “What was that this morning? Another one of your gifts received from the Gods? Did Aphrodite teach you how to be a seductress, hoping to keep me wrapped around your little finger-”

THWACK

Gift? Seduce? Used?

My blood ran cold after that sudden raging fire, the blood dropping from my face as the words blasted over me and I stood stunned, my knuckles throbbing but I barely felt it. My heart ached as I stood trembling before him as Warren turned back to face me, cheek growing red.

“How dare you?” My feet move backwards, away from him as I stare at him with burning eyes. “How could you say that?” God, that fucking hurt more than anything. More than being body slammed by a harpy, or a hydra, or a bloody ogre. Warren’s face twitched as he stared at me coolly, but for a second I almost thought I saw a flicker of regret in his eyes before the cold replaced it.

“I...I gave...” I stammer blindly, eyes watering as I glower at him. No, no! Don’t cry. Don’t cry dammit. “I made a fucking promise to you, a deal! I wouldn’t back out of that! And I definitely wouldn’t lie about it or use you! I’m not like you!”

“Wow! I use you do I? Oh, I guess my affection in bed means I’m just luring you to a false sense of security just to get what I want!”

“I wouldn’t know!” I snap. “I don’t know you, Horseman! I didn’t create you, make you, do anything except accidentally free you on this world! You’ve lived a long enough life to get by and get your way. Talk about learning to seduce! It’s not like you’re the most open person out there. Not too long ago and very long ago, you despised me. How could I know you don’t still feel that way! There’s nothing between us anyway.”

“I see.” He hums, glancing away briefly, nodding tightly. “You’re right, there is absolutely nothing between us, about us. I’m just...making use of the time with my promise.” He scowls viciously at me. “And I made a promise, Pandora.” He glowers into my eyes, shaking his head harshly. “But right now, your words of promises mean nothing.” He glares over my head, backing away from me slowly.

We stand several feet apart but it feels like a colossal chasm that stands before me, deep, cracked and filled with darkness and it hurts.

But I wouldn’t his forgive his words.

Just as he won’t forgive my words.

“I’m late now.” War suddenly mutters, eyes blankly staring away from me and he turns and storming off. “Feel free to tell me more hidden truths later okay. I wouldn’t want to miss it.” Warren stormed out of the living room, throwing his coat over his body.

“Gamó, Gouóren!”

“Ki esý, Pandóra!” The door slams behind him, leaving me in the echo of our words bouncing around the walls and in my head. Numbly, I slump against the wall, my breathing heavy and my eyes water as I squeeze them shut, wrapping an arm tightly around myself, barely holding together as I slowly fall down the wall.

Outside, thunder rumbles ominously.

Men are cruel.

But so am I.

I groan inwardly, burying my face in my hands as the shower poured around me, though I could barely feel the hot water hitting my icy skin.

What have I done?

I shouldn’t have hidden that from Warren. I knew that now and I knew it sometime ago but...War is right. I’m scared. Scared of losing that trust. Scared of being let down. Maybe...

Scared of myself.

I turn the tap off, stepping out of the shower with a heavy sigh, throwing the large, fluffy white towel around me as I dried myself numbly, glaring at my reflection as it flickered before me. My hair, a dark brown instead of honey brown, due to the water, my hazel eyes listless and angry, full of guilt.

The girl in the reflection was so different from the reflection I had seen months ago. I wasn’t even sure if it was a better or worse reflection of myself right now. Physically, I was better than I had bee. I had some slight muscle and fat on me, rather than just skin and bones, my hair longer, healthier but I felt sick, sick to my stomach. I hurt like I had been punched in the chest and I despised Warren at the moment for that. I despised myself for this.

I know he regrets it. I wasn’t stupid, I saw some regret but his words were true with hurt and anger. But I couldn’t forgive him for saying such a thing either. He can go to Tartarus for all I care right now. I chastised myself at that, scowling at my reflection. It works both ways though. I wanted to concede but I also didn’t want to. I had started this but...

It is what it is now. Warren will come back and we’ll do what we need to do and go from there. Right now, I couldn’t do shit. And that was infuriating. Fuck’s sake, why am I just standing here?

Dressing quickly, I go back downstairs, stomach rumbling as I scowl at everything and finish the rest of my breakfast though it was all cold now but my stomach craved it. My eyes fell upon a little clay pot with a single brown twig sticking out with tiny little green sprouts protruding from its little branch arms. I could almost feel the judgement as the twig stood arms extended.

“Don’t look at me like that Daph.” I groan. “I didn’t know what to do. I’m meant to keep it safe, yes but I’m allowed to be cautious...even though it hadn’t been warranted. Christ, I don’t even know what to do now.” I stood up from the table, shoving my plate away, grumbling as I paced up and down the dining room, talking to myself or maybe Daphne. “I’m no help at all. I mean, what could I do? Aello is gone, hiding now. She’d be too scared to face Warren or she has something planned. I also have no idea of where anything could be that would be a safe haven for a harpies nest, much less what it would look like. Much some mountains, hills. Maybe underground.” I could still feel judgement from the stick right across from me. “Don’t judge me, I’m thinking.” I scowl, wringing my hands together, utterly frustrated and still bubbling from my argument with Warren. “I mean, even if Aello had the key, it’s not like she would actually know what it was for instantly. I mean, the key is an unknown. The box is now old news but the key is...how would she know to take it anyway? It’s not like she knew.”

Because she’s like a hawk. She’ll take anything if it could serve her.

“Who would know where Aello could be? Who would know anyone’s...” I pause, hands mid-air as I cursed inwardly. As if on a prayer, or someone shouted a hallelujah, a brief splash of sunlight slowly dropped through the window and something flickered in the corner of my eye. Flinching, I glance over my shoulder to the kitchen counter where a box laid open and a bunch of pearls sat upon glimmered softly at the touch of sunlight.

I could...Could I? Warren may actually kill me. Oh, I’ve got to do something instead of just him.

Growling, I push back from the table and grab the box with the pearl necklace and close the lid. Warren isn’t here. Besides I can’t sit down and do nothing while he’s trying to do something. I can at least try and do something. Decision made, I place the box on the counter and quickly hurry out of the kitchen, running up to my bedroom and scourging for some clothes to wear out. I throw on some dark blue jeans that fit me snuggly and a blue button shirt with a jacket for the cold morning. Grabbing my phone and the small handbag Daphne had originally given me with all my cards and money, slipping on my sneakers I hurried down the stairs as I slowly figured out how to do the ordering for a car to pick me up.

I threw one last look at the pot in the kitchen.

"Efcharistó Daphne. I’ll see you later.” My phone beeped, alerting me to someone’s presence and I hurried out the door, using the spare key that Warren had after misplacing his old one.

God, I hope Pan or Dionysus are still there.