'Ocean-eyed serpent. Harken to the call of thine destiny- thine fate!'
The orchestra of voices echoed in a space that she could not recognize. It ebbed and flowed as if she were existing within a space where water and fire reigned supreme. A realm constructed by dread and venomous vindication which pushed Adamantia off the edge of insanity.
On this realization, the blondette became aware of her frozen body. She could not move yet her mind mirrored the world as if it wished for her to witness an incoming prophecy. Adamantia began to panic, hyperventilating yet her lips failed to pucker and when she finally attempted to study herself, she saw herself posed in contrapposto.
Her skin was no longer warmed by the sun as it had lost its brilliance. It was white like marble, the same goddamned marble she saw standing akimbo on the steps of various temples. The sheer audacity of those stoic pieces of rock, standing as if they had ruled the world yet, the stood in the eye of dilapidated history.
Adamantia knew that something was off. This was not a dream and it was proven from the feminine chants that bounced in the distance. It seemed as if it originated from the depths of the dreary landscape yet, it was as loud as a bullet being fired in her ear.
'Fall asunder to the message, O'fighter!'
The space forced Adamantia's stone eyes to turn towards her hand. One of her hands held the serpentine locks of her mother's mane. Despite it being made out of stone, the snakes seemed to move in her tight grip, begging for breath which her hand did not allow. As for her poor mother's head, her lips were slackened, a face marred by betrayal and blood.
Adamantia wanted to look away, her heart unable to fathom the state of her mother's past. 'Not again. Not again! I swear, if this is another ploy-'
Before she could finish her curse, a blood curdling scream filled her ear. She couldn't quite pinpoint to whom it belonged to for it felt as if her throat was beginning to rip itself apart. But she knew the voice wasn't hers- Mother?
Upon the realization, Adamantia's eyes was redirected to her other hand which held a terracotta hydra. Upon its brick red façade, a story was painted regarding the defeat of Medusa by the hands of Perseus. Athena stood behind him, pointing her mighty sword toward the scene as if directing the entire battle, pretending to be the guardian of the champion.
'The gall. Lies. LIES! ALL LIES!' Adamantia's voice was projected in the artificial universe, attempting to struggle against the marble casing but it hardly cracked from her ferocious spirit. 'SHE WAS YOUR LOYAL SERVANT, ATHENA! SHE LOVED YOU AND YOU BETRAYED HER!'
Suddenly, the hydra began to spurt out water. Its flow increased until it seemed as if it was a waterfall but its direction began to ascent. Defying the very force of gravity, the water began to rise, arcing itself until it entered her mouth. The force was so great
Acrid venom dripped from her voice but it was met with laughter. It ignored her cries as it continued to laugh until its pitch had begun to match her anger. The voice wailed with her, pretending to match her emotion but it was mocking her instead as an ignorant child would stomp on an ant hill
Without remorse it laughed and wailed until she could not hear her own cries anymore.
'Tears of thine! Fall if they must but so will your sword fall against the throat of the oceans and infinite wisdom.'
Finally, the ring leaders of the realm materialized from nothingness. Conceived from the womb of the metaphysical, three women appeared as if they had torn the fabric of the reality. Cloaked by the very scene, their fingers were the only part of their bodies that was revealed to her eyes.
Skeletal digits held a bright red thread, it was so vivid that it looked like it would catch fire. The three figures circled her, continuing their wail and stretched out the thread until it formed a circle about her frozen body.
The three pulled on the thread and a series of images began to flash about Adamantia's view. It was so overwhelming that she couldn't understand the intent behind it and it wasn't as if she could look away to regain some sort of control.
'What is this!' Adamantia screamed but the damned women continued to croak out their demented songs. Forcing her mind to regain the power, the daughter of Medusa studied the series of images in front of her therein, finding a glaringly obvious pattern with the series.
Poseidon. Athena. Lightning. Tartarus. Fall of Olympus and finally, Kronos.
The fates seemed to screech, the sudden rise in their pitch seemed to cause a crack in the casing where Adamantia's body was encapsulated within. Crack by crack, pebbles of gold fell from the fissure around her feet.
'We are the fates! Heed our warning, dear daughter of the serpent! We follow no one but the weave of the infinite destiny!'
A final image flashed about her deep blue eyes and swimming within them was an image of a woman shrouded in a golden light. The sight of her brilliance warmed the very air of the, otherwise, nightmarish abyss.
'Ahmanet?'
The woman's eyes widened before relaxing as if her very eyes were smiling at Adamantia. The blondette attempted to release herself from her stony prison but to no avail. She tried to call out to Ahmanet but the woman simply turned away, playfully gesturing for Adamantia to follow but for a reason unknown to her, she felt that the brown-skinned woman was heading towards her own doom.
Her heart fell to her stomach as Adamantia watched Ahmanet frolicking within a field of golden crops until a swarm of locusts bloomed from the earth in an explosion of obsidian and death. In a single breath, all that was left of Ahmanet was a skeleton and a half-eaten eye that was cursing the woman.
'Why didn't you save me.' Whispered the skeleton.
***
"AHMANET!"
Adamantia woke up. She sat up straight, a burst of pain shooting through her spine from the shock of the very movement. Locks of blonde snaked across her moist skin in intricate swirls and waves. Sweat dripped from her burning skin, staining the bedsheets a deep color seeming like dried blood under the light of the bedside lamp.
Adamantia was wheezing audibly, her throat croaking in the process as if she did not have water for years. Little did she know that her hands were trembling as she ran them through her damp scalp, attempting to make sense of the lucid nightmare?
However, she knew it was a ploy of the fates. Once in a blue moon, did the woman sought out to speak to any being in the universe from their accord. She has only heard legends of those crooked old spinsters but oral traditions could hardly justify their terrifying presence.
"Fuck…." Her voice quivered, still trying to process just what the fates had shown her. Adamantia released a great sigh, hugging her knees into her chest as she watched the curtains below. The windows leading to the balcony were slightly open to allow the city's cold morning winds to enter.
She watched the city skyline with interest. The red lights of the telephone towers blinked in the dark sky, casting its ominous light against the spotless buildings near it and eventually, within her own room. Suddenly, she caught sight of an anonymous figure in the corner, hidden behind the billowing curtains. If not for the blinking lights, she wouldn't have caught the shadow move.
Springing into action, akin to a snake uncoiling itself to strike at its target, Adamantia took hold of a pillow and chucked it at the figure. Underneath the pillow lay a karambit knife which she held with deadly precision, aimed at the figure's throat when she leapt at it.
Before the knife could connect with skin, an arm shot out from the darkness revealing golden brown skin adorned with jewelry of gold.
"It's me, Ada…..calm down. It's me."
Red flashed between the two finally revealing the figure to be Ahmanet. Her flushed cheeks and pursed lips caused her heart to skip a beat. Adamantia, realizing that her armed hand was captured within the hold of her friend's grasp, caused the girl to lose her animosity. Within seconds, she relaxed herself, causing the golden eyed girl to smile and released her.
Embraced by the cool air, the two shared a warm greeting and walked out to the balcony, leaning against the railing as they stared out to admire the hushed city.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Ahmanet whispered, turning her eyes towards Adamantia who was tying her blond locks into a loose ponytail.
"N-no…It's fine. I just had…..a nightmare. Or I think it was a nightmare." She began to rub her temples, turning herself around so she may rest her back against the cool metal.
"What kind of nightmare?"
"I don't know, Ahmanet. That's the thing, the fates have a cruel way of delivering their prophecies. It feels like they were forced by an unknown force to terrify me."
Ahmanet couldn't help but release a single chuckle, disguised by a puff of chortled air.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh at the girl who got scared by the baba yaga."
Adamantia smiled, stretching her neck so she could have a clear view of the deep indigo sky. "Still, it doesn't excuse the fact that you were lurking in my penthouse. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
As if the golden eyed girl was suddenly exposed, her eyes flickered away from Adamantia's playful gaze. She coughed into her fist and hid her lips behind her palm, pretending to seem disinterested but her eyes betrayed her by displaying warmth. Or…interest.
"Nothing just…."
Adamantia had leaned over, her face inches away from hers thus startling the woman. "Nothing, what?"
For a few seconds the two gazed into each other's eyes, excavating for feelings that may rise within each other but the Egyptian lady was the first to snap out of the stupor. Suddenly, she stood taller, no longer influenced by the blondette's sensual gaze.
"I have something to tell you. It's of utmost importance."
Adamantia was silent for a bit before she sighed and returned to her original pose. Folding her arms underneath her torso, her gaze had turned stone cold before she replied to her dear friend. "Let me hear it."
Ahmanet gazed into her eyes. The two were silent and in that air, palpated a thousand words. Adamantia had a sinking feeling that whatever her friend wanted to communicate was so daunting that her friend was having difficulty in communicating it.
For what seemed like an eternity, Ahmanet finally moved from her position. She paced for a bit before leaning beside Adamantia on the railing, shoulder-to-shoulder.
"Oh what do I say, I know you will just rush into the situation without a second thought!" the woman sighed, glaring into the skies as if cursing the Gods who roamed above the ether without a care.
"Just say it, god damn it."
"Very apt, Adamantia. Gods be damned. You just answered the question," her cryptic comment was laced with sarcasm but she continued nonetheless knowing that her friend had no patience for poetic thought, "Remember when you felt something ominous?"
Adamantia raised a single brow, prompting for the Egyptian woman to continue and better explain herself. From the looks of the crinkle in between her brow, Ahmanet couldn't help but smile thinking that she looked very much like a grumpy feline.
"Yes, and? It was just a feeling. Unless the gods have a hand in fabricating that too then…." Adamantia rolled her eyes and flung her hands in the sky as if wanting to slap the very air.
"What am I to do? Everything I fucking do- hell, even if I breathe, I owe it to the fucking gods! What's next? They help me shit as well?"
Ahmanet stared at her friend mid-outburst. She was observing her, understanding the reasoning behind the reaction. Her mother was not only betrayed but cursed by the Goddess, to whom she entrusted her entire being to. Since divine comedy was their favorite pastime, they sent a naïve champion and filled his ears with lies.
He killed his mother and fables were written in his name while the Gods continued laughing, knowing very little yet, their pride was going to be their downfall.
"I understand but we need to treat this matter quietly and a bit elegantly."
Ahmanet was about to rest her hand on Adamantia's but retreated it. The two could not deny the tension that bloomed in the air whenever they would frequent each other's company. It was so thick that one could cut it with a dagger but the two girls would deny it.
Perhaps to keep the illusion of a close friendship standing. It was due to this that they have survived thus far so they couldn't jeopardize their chances of survivability.
But…
"Fuck being tactical. I'd rather storm in there and filet that son of a bitch, Poseidon and feed him to his own subjects!"
Adamantia pushed herself from the railing and snapped to face Ahmanet, her finger pointed at the woman as if to put weight to her words even further.
"Ahmanet, even Gods bleed. They might spin their honeyed tales but they can be killed and so will my blade will prove that point. I'll sever both of their heads and prove it to Olympus!"
Ahmanet groaned and took Adamantia's shoulder, shaking her softly.
"The time will come and I promise you their blood! But I don't want you to die a pitiful death before that, why can't you understand that?"
Ahmanet's voice held controlled desperation that mayhaps betrayed something else entirely. Her sunset eyes were shining in the darkness, hypnotizing the other woman into submission. She was no longer fueled by anger; rather, she had instantly relaxed. Akin to a Hydra being put to sleep in the sea by the siren's grace, Adamantia watched as Ahmanet's eyes quivered, seeming glassy.
The blondette bit her lip and looked at their feet, seemingly lost in thought.
"Listen to me, Adamantia. Heed my warning- just for once, be careful. That's all I am asking from you….can't you just do me this one favor?"
Adamantia turned her eyes back at her friend. Their gazes transfixed, where one was soft the other was stone-cold.
"I don't care."
Ahmanet sighed and left her be, walking back to the railing where she rested her back against.
"I don't care about myself. I don't care if this is a suicide mission. I just want the Gods to pay for their crimes. They can't just keep parading around the world thinking that we are their playthings!"
Ahmanet was deathly silent, arms crossed and lips trembling as if she were discussing something to herself.
"What? Don't give me that attitude. You know what I am like and yet you stay…"
"BECAUSE! I-" Ahmanet stopped herself from speaking further. Her lips began to tremble, attempting to form words but nothing came out yet, the silence said everything.
That was what made their relationship even special. Without saying anything, they seemed to clarify everything but, they could never seem to annunciate it to each other as if they were afraid it would break whatever they had.
"You, what?" Adamantia asked quietly.
Something loomed between the two, a rising emotion.
"I….I don't know what to tell you." Ahmanet hesitated but Adamantia stepped up and took her hand in hers.
"Do you remember how we met?"
Ahmanet hummed in response, smiling lightly.
"Yes… yes I do," she suddenly began to laugh before she continued in between giggles, "Imagine, fighting all of these battles. Killing numerous emperors and gaining so many riches and yet, I buy you a mere pin-ball machine."
"Let's be honest, we bonded over that machine."
Ahmanet continued to laugh, keeling over.
"If by bonded you mean facing, yet another demi-god's wrath? I don't think we had bonded. I swear, you Greek gods and your egos."
In a dramatic display, Adamantia puffed up her chest and began to adopt a persona that would rival Aphrodite. "Since I love you, I will spare you from my wrath, you curr. Not many can utter such nonsense in my presence and walk away with their lives."
Ahmanet raised a brow and smirked. "Wait. What did you say? Love?"
Adamantia's body was suddenly frozen in place. "No, I didn't say that."
"Hmmm…." Ahmanet hummed playfully, her eyes speaking for her emotions.
"Oh hush, you!"
Ahmanet laughed and shook her head.
"Okay, okay! I give up. Alas, we have experienced many battles. Millennias of wars between Gods and humans… we have seen it all. This friendship between us, forged by suffering and time, I don't want this...whatever it is to be destroyed by one's ego."
Ahmanet sighed and looked into her companion's eyes. "Don't be like them, Adamantia. Be better."
Adamantia was going to say something but was distracted by the light of the rising sun. Colors of gold, lilac and blues filled the sky, like ink dispersing in water, the sky brilliantly changed colors.
At that moment, the two wondered whether should they be allowed to feel hope. Since Apollo was assigned to pull the sun over the horizon, the two couldn't help frown knowing that the world was dependent on these omnipotent beings.
"That pompous motherfucker, does he have to be so dramatic?"
"He is Zeus's son isn't he?"
"It's in the genes."
Adamantia hummed, her nose slowly kissed by the comforting warmth of the rising sun. In a sudden, she stretched her arms above her and patted Ahmanet's back, leading her inside her spacious penthouse.
"Anyways, we should take a nap. I have to visit a shelter that I recently sponsored. You are going with me, whether you like it or not."
Ahmanet rolled her eyes, smiling from ear to ear. "I can't say no to a comfy bed and a wonderful company… but what do I look like to you?"
She turned to Adamantia whose eyes were lit with mischief. At that moment, Ahmanet knew that she may pass a comment on her ancestry therefore her father. The woman was bold enough to speak her mind so, before her father could feel offense from the dark depths, she raised her hands in metaphoric surrender.
"Okay okay! I'll go with you just please, don't answer my rhetorical question. I don't want my father to howl in my ear."
The two laughed and continued to whisper away until they hit their heads on the pillow. After a few hours, the two girls fell asleep in each other's embrace.