by Raine, Eliza
‘Make it stop!’ I screamed, without even knowing I’d formed the words, black spots beginning to obscure my vision. I needed to be out of my skin, out of my body, away from the intolerable pain. Panic engulfed me as I realized I couldn’t feel my limbs anymore and I toppled forwards, landing hard on my shoulder, my head thumping against the ground. I gulped down air desperately as my paralyzed body continued to fail, my skin feeling as though I was burning alive. I blinked through the tears, and realized that I was burning. I was covered in flames, the ground around me catching and crackling. Fire. My brain repeated the word over and over, the agony tearing through me making me unable to think straight. Water. The thought forced its way through the flames. Water. Water. I tried to find the water. I tried to sense it around me, I tried to pull it to me, tried to envisage its cooling, soothing feeling. But the water was gone. I couldn’t find it anywhere. A low laugh filtered through my scrambled thoughts.
‘The fire has you now, Pandora. I knew I’d be able to draw it out of you. How does it feel to be destroyed by your own power?’ I couldn’t respond, even mentally. The pain was too much for my body, and I knew I was losing consciousness. ‘And it’s not just you that you’re about to destroy. It looks like you’re about to burn the whole school down. They’ll all die with you.’
I barely registered his words as haziness began to take over, the pain finally ebbing away as I felt my eyes start to close. They’ll all die with you. You’re about to burn the whole school down. The words floated around in the haze, and some part of me knew that they were the worst, most important words I’d ever heard in my life.
‘Pandora!’ The raspy, ancient, angry voice tore through the blackness. ‘Pandora! Don’t you dare let go!’
‘Nix? Nix, I’m on fire,’ I told the bird, unable to think of anything else to say. The pain was almost gone. ‘I can’t feel my body.’
‘Pandora, you need to wake up! For the sake of everybody in this school, you need to wake up!’
They’ll all die with you.
A bolt of pain shot through the inkiness and I gasped.
You’re about to burn the whole school down. They’ll all die with you.
I felt more pain, the blackness receding fast, replaced by roaring orange flames licking around my face. Everything was on fire. Agony gripped my body again and I screamed.
‘I can’t do it Nix!’ I cried, trying desperately to lift my head but failing. I saw movement and then Nix, his tiny bird body the same color as the flames around me, landed inches from my face.
‘Yes, you can. Your body is paralyzed from the pain, you need to control the fire. It’s coming from you, it’s your own power, your soul, your being. You can control it.’
I remembered how Neos had shown me how to set my hands alight. I had felt no pain then. I needed to stop fighting the fire, I realized. I needed to let it in. I took the biggest breath I could manage, and opened myself to the vicious flames.
For a split second I was sure I was dead. Everything stopped, my surroundings vanishing, replaced with nothing but crimson red. The pain was gone completely, but so was my body, and Nix.
‘Where am I?’ I spoke the words aloud but didn’t finish the sentence before the world around around me began swirling and tumbling, dancing and sparking, leaping and heaving. Flames engulfed everything, and then, with a jolt, I could feel my arms. And my legs. I was back.
I lifted my head, and instead of pain by body was filled with strength. I leapt to my feet, expecting to feel dizzy or sick, but my limbs felt powerful and fast. I looked down at myself and felt another surge of strength. Every inch of my body was aflame, and so was the ground around me, flames licking up the sides of the elemental building. Neos stood in front of them in his lava monster form, burned vines scattered around him and a look of surprise on his one eyed face. The others were behind the only thing I could see that wasn’t on fire, a small wall of water with my mom’s staff glowing in its center. All except Icarus, who was beating his wings above me, relief and love written across his wide-eyed face as I met his eyes. I would save him, and my mom, and my friends. I would save the school. Power like I’d never felt before was aching to be released, battering fiercely at my control. I would fix my mistakes.
‘My power might destroy me, Neos, but not today,’ I hissed and scooped up Alifthoros with my burning hand. The blade shimmered as red light met the blue glow, then the colors merged and purple light beamed from the sword. I channeled every bit of my clamoring power into the weapon.
Magic burst from the blade, a stream of fire and water, twisting around each other as they powered into Neos. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, the flames shimmering into purple as they melded with the water. Neos shouted as the stream began to wrap itself around him, and I started to run, as fast as I could, towards him. The box was lying on it’s side, flames licking around it, and I called to the ocean once more. Willing the ocean to understand my plea, I shouted up to Icarus. Thom had joined him, his massive wings beating hard.
‘Aim for his eye!’ I shouted, and watched as they dove through the air, Thom’s glowing scorpion tail pulled back tightly, ready to strike.
I sprinted on towards Neos and relief washed through me as I felt drops of water on my face as I ran. I sent silent thanks to the sea. It had understood me. Rain, falling harder and faster, began to douse the flames around us, extinguishing the burning grass and buildings. Extinguishing everything except the fire that still danced across my skin.
My stream of purple magic had pinned Neos’s arms to his body, but fire was bursting from his solitary eye as Icarus and Thom tried to approach him. He was so focused on them, he hadn’t realized that I had reached him. I raised Alifthoros and slashed it across his black, cracked ankle. He bellowed as he stumbled, then began to crash to the ground. I leapt out of the way, and as he fell I saw Thom’s stinger fly out from his tail, and hit Neos bang in the middle of his eye. The Titan screamed, his lava monster form flickering for a moment as he writhed on the ground. Arketa and Zali ran towards us through the pelting rain, the box in Arketa’s arms.
‘Throw it!’ I shouted, sending the purple twist of fire and water to catch the box as she launched it into the air. Like a lasso, the stream of magic wrapped around the box and I hurled it at Neos.
‘Nooooo!’ he screamed as he began to shrink, black smoke billowing around him as he and the box flew towards each other. With a final burst of power I smashed the box into his writhing form and fell to one knee as he disappeared into it.
30
The wave of relief I was expecting didn’t come. I could hear the others cheering, and I was dimly aware that we had won as Icarus landed beside me and slammed the lid closed on the box, but I felt no joy or happiness. I felt hot. I was still on fire.
‘I can’t stop it,’ I whispered, as I stared through the pouring rain at my flaming hands.
‘Dora?’ Icarus reached out for me, but pulled his hands back at the heat. His black wings were slick with rainwater.
‘I can’t stop it,’ I repeated louder, looking into his piercing green eyes as I stood up.
‘Stop what?’
‘The rain, the fire... I have to leave.’ I realized the words were true as I said them.
‘What? No-’
‘I have to leave now, or you’re all in danger!’ I shouted over him. My mom had sprinted up to us, her eyes full of concern.
‘She’s right, Icarus, we need to get her somewhere safe.’
I let out a bitter laugh.
‘Safe? There’s nowhere I’ll be safe from myself.’ The flames covering my skin leapt higher, and the rain pelted down harder. The ocean around the floating academy was swirling and churning, as turbulent as my insides felt. I’d let too much power come to life inside me and I knew I couldn’t contain it much longer.
‘I know what to do,’ said a voice, and I turned slowly to see Dasko.
‘Leave!’ I shouted but he held his hands up, his eyes pleading.
<
br /> ‘I want to atone for what I’ve done, please, Pandora, let me help you.’
‘How? How can you help her?’ barked Icarus.
‘Neos gave me many powers centuries ago, including the power to make my body live much, much longer. Let me give you that power, Pandora.’
‘What? You can do that?’ Icarus gaped.
‘I believe so, yes. That kind of magic may be forbidden from being created by the Olympians now, but I don’t see that it breaks any laws to transfer already existing magic between us.’
I stared at my tutor, his warm brown eyes looking beseechingly into mine.
‘You... what would happen to you?’ I asked him. What was he offering to give up for me? Dasko paused.
‘I don’t know. But I have lived a long life, and one that I am no longer proud of. My intentions were good, I swear, but you were right. I allowed far too much to be put at risk in pursuit of them. You could do so much good in this world, Pandora. I’m begging you. Take my offer.’
‘Take it,’ said my mom and Icarus in unison. I looked between them through the pounding rain, Icarus’s face tear-streaked and eyes wild, my mom’s filled with fear.
‘Please, Dora,’ gulped Zali, her big amber eyes filled with tears too.
‘Listen to him,’ said Thom, shirtless and fierce-looking beside her.
‘You need to survive this, Dora,’ said Arketa, her blue eyes fixed on mine. ‘I think this world needs you.’
A flurry of gold caught my eye, and Nix fluttered beside me.
‘This could be your only chance, Pandora. Take it.’
But how could I live at the expense of another? Even one who had betrayed so many. I would always know that the cost of my own life was theirs.
‘I can’t. Not if it will kill you,’ I said, and Icarus let out a sob.
‘Dora, please.’
‘What if I can guarantee that he will live the rest of his mortal life normally?’ boomed a voice, and my magic surged inside me as Oceanus rose from the storming sea.
‘Oceanus!’ I breathed.
‘You must make your decision immediately, Pandora, you have very little time left.’ The flames on my skin surged in response to his words, and I became acutely aware that he was right.
‘If you can guarantee that then, yes, I’ll do it,’ I said in a rush. Oceanus beamed at me.
‘Good,’ he said, and clapped his enormous hands together and everything went black.
I opened my eyes slowly, blinking up at a white stone ceiling.
‘Where am I?’ I croaked, and Icarus’s bright green eyes appeared above me.
‘The infirmary, in the academy,’ he said. ‘You’re OK.’
‘Better than OK, actually,’ I heard Arketa drawl, and turned my head cautiously. I felt like I’d been hit by a train, my whole body aching intensely. Sitting along the bed next mine were Zali, Thom, Arketa and my mom.
‘What happened?’
‘Dasko gave you his power. Welcome to living a really, really long time,’ Icarus beamed at me.
‘Is he OK?’ I said, struggling to sit up.
‘Yeah, he’s over there. Fantasma said it’ll be a while before he wakes up, but he’ll be OK.’ I turned to my other side and saw Dasko sleeping in the other bed in the small room. ‘Do you feel any different?’ Icarus asked me, peering into my face.
‘No,’ I said, frowning. ‘I mean, I don’t feel like I’m about to explode any more...’
‘Well, that’s definitely an improvement,’ grinned Zali.
‘Is everyone in the school safe?’ I asked.
‘Yes. They saw everything. We’re basically heroes,’ said Thom happily. ‘Oh, and Oceanus put the school back where it’s supposed to be.’
‘Where’s Nix?’
‘Sleeping over there, on the shelf. Seems the fight took it out of him too,’ said Zali. ‘You were so brave, Dora,’ she said, and my mom nodded as she stood up. She came to stand beside Icarus and took my hand.
‘I can’t stay here in the academy for very long, but I promise I will visit you tomorrow. I’m so very, very proud of you. Few would put others’ lives before their own as you did.’ I stared up at her, happiness washing through me.
‘I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks mom,’ I said, and she smiled before turning and leaving the little room.
‘She’s right, you know,’ said Arketa, and I turned to her. ‘I don’t know many people as brave as you. Maybe you’re not so bad after all. Even if you have made some really, really stupid decisions.’
There was a knock on the door, and Chiron strode into the room, hooves clopping and face fierce.
‘Chiron, we’re so sorry-’ I began, but the centaur held his hand up.
‘On behalf of the Olympian gods, I am here to tell you that your expulsion of a dangerous rogue Titan has been noted. It has been argued successfully that you were under his evil influence when you set out on your highly inappropriate quest to wake up Oceanus, and that therefore you should not be punished.’
‘Argued successfully by whom?’ I whispered, a wave of relief crashing over me.
‘By me,’ he answered, his expression softening. ‘On behalf of the school, I commend your fearlessness, all of you. Your strength of will and ability to work together saved hundreds of lives. You embody the spirit of Olympus Academy.’ A warm feeling spread through me and my smile grew as his words sank in. ‘And there are a few more people who would like to thank you,’ he said, and stepped away from the doorway.
‘Tak!’ screamed Zali, leaping off the bed as Tak entered the room, followed by Kiko, Alexsis and Demitra. A huge sob escaped Arketa and she launched herself at her best friend. Tears filled my own eyes as Kiko and Arketa hugged, both weeping as they squeezed each other tightly. Tak wrapped his arms around Zali, then Icarus, before coming over to my bed.
‘I heard you might beat me at swords now?’ he said, a wicked grin on his face.
31
I slept solidly for the next twelve hours, my body utterly exhausted. The next time I woke I thought the room was empty, apart from Dasko’s sleeping form on the other bed, until I heard the sound of soft, lapping waves. I sat up, and saw an old man at the foot of my bed, his white beard entwined with coral and starfish, a matching crown on his head pushing back his long hair. He had intense, gleaming blue eyes.
‘Oceanus,’ I breathed.
‘Pandora,’ he nodded at me.
‘Thank you. For saving me.’
‘I didn’t,’ he shrugged. ‘Dasko was right, if I had broken such a sacred Olympian law and given you life extending power, I would have ruined any chance at future peace. And as much as I wanted you to live, I couldn’t do that. Peace in Olympus had to come first. But transferring existing power... it was a smart idea.’
‘He’s a smart man,’ I said, an edge to my voice.
‘He has made up for his mistakes, Pandora, as have you. And now you must learn to live with immense power. You are something Olympus sees very rarely.’ I looked at the ancient god, his weather-beaten human face relaxing me.
‘What does that mean?’
‘Right now, it means very little. You should continue your studies and learn to use your magic. But in the future it may mean you have to make decisions that affect a lot of people.’ He tilted his head at me. ‘You must make sure you have the confidence in yourself to make the right decisions.’ I looked at him thoughtfully.
‘You know, for the most powerful god in Olympus, you make a really nice old man,’ I said. He chuckled.
‘The thing about power, Pandora, is that it is usually those lacking in it that want to show it off. Those with plenty should be content with just knowing it is there if they need it.’ I thought about that.
‘Will my power get any stronger?’ I asked him, nervously.
‘I doubt it. But you will learn to do more things with what you have. You will need to be careful.’
‘Is Zeus mad you’re awake?’
‘Zeus is always mad
about something. But we have spoken, and he is not going to cause trouble.’
There was a wicked gleam in the god’s eyes, and I gulped.
‘I don’t suppose you saw a boy named Vronti with him? His sister was one of the students taken by the Keres demon.’
Oceanus shook his head.
‘No, but Chiron told me of the twins. They will not be continuing on at Olympus Academy.’
‘Good,’ I said. ‘What will you do next?’
‘Well, I need to find my place in Olympus. And this whole ‘twelve realms, twelve gods’ set up isn’t going to work.’ His eyes twinkled as he spoke.
‘You’re going to create a new realm?’ I asked, my eyebrows shooting up.
‘Yes. And you will be welcome there whenever you please.’ I stared at him.
‘I’ll have a home? Outside the academy?’
‘Should you need one, yes. Although it seems my ship has become quite fond of you.’
My mouth fell open.
‘I could live on the Tethys?’ My stomach flitted with excitement and Oceanus laughed.
‘I suppose so. You must finish your studies here first though. And you must do well.’
I nodded enthusiastically. I couldn’t think of much better motivation to work hard than a god’s own flying pirate ship.
‘Thank you,’ I said to him, again. ‘But there was one last thing I wanted to ask you.’
A knowing look crossed his face.
‘Let me guess. You want to be able to go home.’
‘Just to say goodbye,’ I said quickly, in case he thought I was running away from everything I had just committed to. ‘My mom got my birthday wrong and... well, there was no time to say goodbye.’ Fresh tears welled up and I wondered how I could have any left at all. ‘Would you be able to send me there, just to say goodbye?’ I asked, my voice tiny as I held my breath and prayed. Oceanus chuckled again.
‘Pandora, you don’t need me to send you anywhere. Have you not been listening?’ he asked gently. ‘In many ways, you are as powerful as a god. You can visit your father and sister as often as you like.’
