The Immortal Game

by Talia Rothschild

  As soon as he heard them coughing the water from their lungs, he dove back in.

  Demitri was still out of it. Braxtus clenched his teeth as he grabbed the god around the waist to drag him to the surface. When Braxtus forced his head through the hole, Galene and Iyana were there, reaching down to help pull Demitri through.

  They spread him out on the rocks, next to Kostas, and Galene pounded his back until he, too, choked up water. The gods lay there, breathing normally, still unconscious.

  Braxtus turned to the goddesses. “You okay?” he asked hoarsely.

  Iyana combed back her wet hair. “We’re fine now. They burned up faster trying to block the hole, but”—she shook her head in amazement—“I can’t believe you made it.”

  “We’re not out yet.” Galene looked around them.

  “But your armor—” Braxtus started.

  “It’s scorching. We don’t have time to let it cool.”

  He nodded. “The lava’s coming this direction. We have to move.”

  Iyana bent down to pull Demitri to his feet, but was too weak. Galene moved to help her, and together they hoisted him up. He sagged sideways. Iyana gave him a shake, and his eyes fluttered. He groaned, and the goddesses put their arms around his waist to support him.

  Braxtus slung his shield on his back and crouched. Lifting Kostas, he pulled him on his shoulders and stood. Kostas was heavy but manageable, for now.

  “Let’s go.” He cast an anxious look over his shoulder at the pursuing fire, then took off in the lead, his friends stumbling in his wake.

  The path was still an upward climb, which at first proved nearly impossible for the struggling three. He stopped twice to let them catch up, concern mounting to near panic as the light behind them brightened. The longer they raced on, however, the more sure-footed they all became, until Demitri shook off the supporting arms and marched along on his own. Kostas still hadn’t moved.

  The tunnel came to a dead end. Braxtus stopped. Galene pushed by him and pressed her body up against the rock, moaning in appreciation.

  “The sea is here,” she said, patting the wall. “I can feel it.”

  Braxtus glanced at his cut-up hands holding Kostas in place. “Then we’ll have to break through it.”

  “The lava,” Iyana warned. Turning to look back, they watched the liquid below them climb with a fevered frenzy. Braxtus set Kostas down and took his poor, damaged shield from his shoulder.

  “We’ll need to do this together.”

  “This wall is thick.” Galene hit it with the flat of her hand. “If the sea hasn’t broken through already, what makes you think the four of us will be able to?”

  Braxtus scowled at her sudden pessimism. “All right, I’ll heat the rock, and you, Galene, see if you can get the sea to push from the other side.” Galene opened her mouth, looking unsure. “We have to try!”

  She closed her mouth and nodded.

  He stepped up to the wall and pressed his hands against it, channeling all the fire and heat in his body. It poured through him into the cold stone, flames lighting under his fingers.

  “You three try to break it. I’ll bring up the colder currents,” Galene said as she moved beside Braxtus. “The contrast in temperatures might help the rock crack.”

  Braxtus’s hands and arms started glowing, followed by the rock around them. “Are you ready?” he asked. It probably hadn’t been long enough, but if the growing light was anything to go by, they didn’t have much time.

  Iyana and Demitri stepped up, and Braxtus brought his shield forward.

  “One … two … three!” All three of them slammed into the wall together. Braxtus felt his tunic rip as his shoulder smashed into it, but he ignored it, stepping back.

  “Again! One … two … three!” They pounded over and over.

  There was a deep crack.

  “One more!” Demitri yelled. They threw their entire bodies onto the wall.

  “Watch out!” Galene screamed.

  The rocks crumbled, and a tsunami slammed into them. Iyana’s scream cut short, and they were blasted off their feet, knocked backward from the sudden, crushing impact.

  Kostas! Braxtus lunged in his friend’s direction. He thought he touched him for an instant, but then it was all a white, pounding blur as he tumbled down the slope toward the lava.

  The water level dropped, the flow stemming.

  He windmilled once, then regained his feet.

  Galene was standing in the middle of the shaft, her face screwed up in concentration as she held the tidal wave at bay. The hole was a window to a wall of water, begging to crash through. Steam rose up from behind them as water met lava.

  Demitri pulled Iyana to her feet, and then another person staggered upright, dripping and shaking his dark curls.

  “Good to see you awake, Kostas!” he shouted.

  Kostas’s face broke into a wide grin. “You did it.”

  “Let’s get out!” Demitri shouted over the hiss of steam and the roil of water behind them. He and Iyana staggered for the exit, and Braxtus sloshed behind in pursuit.

  For the first time in his life, he happily threw himself into the cold, blue sea.

  28

  IYANA

  Iyana’s heart raced with the thrill of freedom, of safety.

  Galene used her currents to carry them far and fast. Whenever Iyana glanced back, she could see black bubbles flaring with red from the sloping rocks behind them, a cloud of darkness staining the water. They wouldn’t have lasted another five minutes.

  When they’d gained some distance, a laugh burst from Kostas. They slowed and everyone pulled up, gathering in a circle. Braxtus whooped and clapped his best friend on the shoulder.

  Iyana felt a smile tug at her lips. Demitri slung his arm around her and pulled her into him, kissing her temple. Her heart panged, but she kept her smile on, looking around at her celebrating friends.

  “You did it, Braxtus!” Kostas turned to him.

  Braxtus shook his head, but his dimples showed his pride. “We all made it happen.”

  Except for me. Iyana’s smile became harder to fake. She’d been no help. Again.

  “Here.” Braxtus pulled the shimmering orb from his pouch and gingerly extended it to Galene. “I’m so glad I didn’t have to take this to the Olympians! You should be the one to do it.” His hands were cut and stained with ichor, but his warm eyes laughed as Galene happily returned the avyssos to her pouch.

  He said he’s in love with me.

  Heat rushed through her at the memory of his words, the feelings she’d locked away swarming her full-force again. She sucked in a small breath. Demitri, who still had her pinned to his side, glanced down at her. She flushed deeper under his gaze, hoping he wouldn’t be able to read her.

  He cleared his throat. “Where’s the closest island, Galene? I believe it’s time to find some land.”

  Braxtus smiled even wider.

  Galene nodded and closed her eyes. The currents around them rocked harder as she focused. “We can make it to the closest one in a few hours. Let’s head there to sleep and plan our next steps.”

  “Will we swim the whole way?” Braxtus asked.

  “No. I’ll take us on the tides.”

  “Are you sure?” Kostas studied her. “We’re all tired, and that’s a long way.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Galene smiled at his concern. “Let’s head toward the surface. The tides are easier to control up there.”

  They complied, kicking for the surface with unbridled enthusiasm. It took several long minutes, but soon the glare of the sun appeared rippling on the water above them. Rays of light scattered from a passing school of silver fish. Iyana was surprised the sun was still up. Time had been hard to track since the labyrinth.

  She longed to swim the last several feet and break through into the air, to feel it rush into her lungs, to wake her gift and play with the wind. Not too much longer, she told herself. She was hopeful she’d get to feel the sun on her skin be
fore they rested for the night.

  Water swelled around them and pulled them along. Iyana let it, trying to adjust herself so she didn’t drag. They seemed to move faster this time. Iyana suspected it was both because Galene had gotten better with her ability, and because they were much lighter without their armor. Braxtus, still wearing his, had to paddle along to keep up, but he wasn’t complaining. She kept her eyes averted from him, busying herself watching animal life. Schools of fish darted through the water, their weightless, synchronized movements reminding Iyana of birds navigating the sky.

  Birds. Her heart soared at the thought. She never imagined she’d be so excited just to see a bird.

  Their good moods lasted a while, then faded back into exhaustion. Galene’s face tightened as the afternoon wore on. Suspicious that it wasn’t all tiredness, Iyana propelled herself to her.

  “Are you worried?”

  Galene nodded.

  “I can’t imagine Anyss making it past that volcano. I think we’re in the clear.”

  “Unless she realizes we already got the avyssos and goes back. Then we’ll have all of Chrysander’s people on our tail.”

  Iyana bit her lip. “Maybe…”

  “The next steps are just as scary, you know? Not only do we have to figure out how the avyssos works, capture the rebels, and convince Chrysander to run, but then we have to return to Olympus and convince them to hear out our story without getting struck down on the spot.”

  “We’ve gotten this far.” Despite me. You haven’t needed me one bit. “We can make it.” She kept her voice even, so it wouldn’t betray her emotion.

  Galene took a breath. “I feel selfish even wondering this now, but … Even then, after we save Olympus from destruction, what if it’s not enough to retract their sentence of exile? The prophecy still stands against me.”

  Iyana touched her shoulder but didn’t know how to respond. My worries are nothing compared to hers.

  Galene fell silent, her focus returning to the tides.

  Over the next hour, the seafloor sloped up. It rose, all tangled reeds and rocks, pushing them toward the surface until Iyana exhaled all the water from her lungs and burst into the sun.

  She gasped and coughed a little, blinking water from her eyelashes as the others surfaced around her. It was cooler than she’d expected, the sun hanging low on the horizon, but she reveled in it. The blue sky was clear and welcoming. Ahead was a small island—a sandy beach leading to a rocky black cliff that jutted into the sky.

  The tide dragged Iyana forward until her sandaled feet touched down on sand, the water retreating to her waist.

  Galene spread her arms. The tide rushed forward in response, white foam cresting the small waves, smacking into them to propel them forward. Iyana’s hands hit the sand and she struggled to get to her feet, but before any of them rose more than halfway, another wave crashed into them, sending them back to their stomachs.

  Braxtus spat out a mouthful of sand. “We can walk!”

  Galene nodded feebly, and the tide slunk away from them, leaving them deposited on the shore.

  Iyana staggered to her feet, legs shaky from going so long without weight on them. Demitri caught her arm, helping her regain balance. “Thank you,” she mumbled, wiping the worst of the sand from her attire.

  Wind swirled around her almost before she’d realized she’d beckoned it, like an instinct. She welcomed the rush of the air on her skin, closing her eyes. But the chill cut through her thin tunic. Goose bumps rose on her arms, and her teeth began to chatter. Regretfully, before anyone could complain, she stilled the breeze.

  “We can find some shelter against the cliffs,” Kostas suggested.

  “High tide is coming in,” Galene protested, voice weak, “and I can’t hold it at bay.”

  “Up the cliff, then.” Demitri pointed to a steep slope that led up to the top of the cliffs. Iyana’s heart sank at the trek.

  The woebegone group trudged through the sand, but after only a few steps, Galene stumbled and collapsed.

  “Galene!” Iyana hurried over, dropping to her knees. Kostas stooped to help her back to her feet, but she wouldn’t, or couldn’t, get up.

  “Imallright,” she mumbled.

  “She didn’t tell us how much energy she used traveling on the tide,” Iyana groaned.

  “She probably hadn’t recovered from overheating before she started.” Braxtus sounded worried, too, as he crouched beside Iyana. “She should be fine with rest, though.”

  Without another word, Kostas gathered her into his arms, lifting her from the sand.

  Braxtus collected sticks as they trekked uphill, and eventually, exhausted as they were, they made it to the top of the rocky slope, overlooking the sea two hundred feet below.

  Completely soaked and caked in sand, Iyana dropped to the ground, huddling close to the others. Kostas lay Galene down carefully, brushing her hair back from her face under Iyana’s watchful eyes. She felt a small twinge of jealousy at their simple, new affection.

  The cold that sank into her bones was almost enough to make her wish they’d stayed underwater, but Braxtus arranged his firewood and lit it with a sudden burst of flames. Heat radiated from the little fire, and Iyana shivered in delight, then loosened her hair from the braid it had been in for far too long.

  “Sleep tonight, hunt and plan tomorrow?” Kostas suggested wearily.

  They gave murmurs of agreement. Despite the hard rocks, Iyana was sure she would sleep more soundly than she had the entire journey underwater. Hopefully, Braxtus could catch up on some much-needed sleep, too.

  She raised her eyes to him. A jolt went through her as she found his already on her. Heat flowed between them, not from any fire, and she dropped her gaze back to the flames.

  She’d wanted him to tell her his feelings for so long.

  Like he could sense her thoughts, Demitri moved closer to her and ran his fingers through her wet hair, gently untangling it. Iyana rubbed her eyes and curled up on the rock, acting too tired to reciprocate the affection. He didn’t say anything, just pressed his lips to her jaw before stretching out beside her.

  What am I supposed to do?

  One by one, her friends dropped off into slumber.

  She had been wrong about her good night’s rest: Both discomfort and her racing mind battled the exhaustion that had seeped into her bones. After a long time on her back, staring at the stars and trying to clear her mind, she rolled onto her stomach and watched the sticks smolder their way down to embers, savoring the last of their warmth as she listened to Braxtus’s soft snores.

  Demitri stirred.

  Iyana stilled, not really wanting him to know she was awake. She heard him get up and peeked through her hair, seeing his vague silhouette in the dim light.

  His feet were sandaled, and his footsteps seemed too loud as he moved past Braxtus and Kostas, over to Galene’s sleeping figure. Demitri knelt by her side and swiftly untied the pouch on her belt. Iyana raised her head an inch off her arms, bewildered.

  He felt through the pouch, then withdrew his hand as he found what he was looking for. She caught a glimpse of the gleaming avyssos before his fingers curled over it. Galene didn’t stir as he tied the pouch back on her belt.

  She opened her mouth to call to him, but sudden, unexpected fear prickled at her. There was something in his furtive movements, in the way he stood and surveyed the scene, that made her keep her mouth shut.

  Demitri rose to his feet and turned away. He didn’t look back as he walked off, his footsteps and silhouette fading into the darkness.

  Iyana stared after him, nerves and uncertainty rushing through her. What is he doing? She got to her feet and looked at her friends. She moved past Braxtus, who had plenty to dislike Demitri for already. Past Galene, who she knew would never trust him again.

  “Kostas,” she whispered, gently shaking his shoulder, “Kostas, wake up.”

  His head lolled, his breathing deep and even, but he didn’t stir.


  She shook him harder. He gave no response, so she smacked his cheeks. Nothing. What on Gaia—?

  She grabbed Galene’s arm and shook it. “Galene?” Her voice trembled as new fear gripped her throat. When she didn’t respond either, she turned to Braxtus. “Braxtus, get up! Braxtus!” She seized his face, hands cupping his cheeks. “Braxtus!” she pleaded quietly, searching his face. His expression contorted, and he looked troubled, but he didn’t open his eyes.

  She let go and straightened, mind racing. Then she laced her sandals and gripped her quiver of spikes, swinging it onto her shoulder, just in case. Before she could change her mind, she turned, running quietly in the direction she had seen Demitri go.

  Mist coated the ground, clinging to a vast expanse of black rock that stretched out ahead. She couldn’t see the horizon line, just the darkness rising up until the glimmer of stars, blurred by fog, interrupted it. It took a few minutes of a light jog in the direction he had gone before she spotted his silhouette and slowed.

  He stood at the edge of the cliff, staring out at the sea. His arms were crossed, and as she crept closer, she could see the tightness in his shoulders. She paused, watching him. And waited.

  Come on, Demitri. Do something, Iyana silently begged. Test out the avyssos’s powers or something, so I know what’s going on. But the longer they stood there, the more her suspicions mounted and her fears increased.

  Before she thought to stop it, a breeze responded to her anxiety, first ruffling her long hair into her face, then reaching Demitri and catching his tunic. He dropped his crossed arms and half-turned toward her, blue eyes cutting through the darkness.

  “Hello, Iyana.”

  He didn’t sound surprised, or concerned in the slightest, that she’d followed him out here.

  Taking a breath, she gathered her courage. “What are you doing?”

  He beckoned to her, and she cautiously stepped up beside him, despite the dizzying drop now at her feet. Far below, a narrow strip of beach hugged the cliffs, thinning as the tide rolled in.

  “We have to talk,” he said, taking her hand.