kaleidoscope gold ● jason grace

a

They only had to walk through the mist for a few minutes before they reached their next goddess; which was good because Daria hated it when Jason was upset with her.

It got increasingly darker as they exited Akhlys's realm, and while neither of them were very afraid of the dark, this was nearly a pitch black scene. Because they couldn't see very much, everything felt smaller, like the walls were closing in. She heard Jason's breathing get more labored.

Nyx saw them before they saw her. She was almost too overwhelming to take in, an overwhelming darkness. Even her wings, the horses that drew her chariot, were darker than Nico di Angelo's sword.

The horses snarled and bared their fangs at Daria. The goddess lashed her whip – a thin streak of stars like diamond barbs – and the horses reared back.

"No, Shade," the goddess said. "Down, Shadow. These little prizes are not for you."

Which meant that Nyx wanted them for herself. Daria tried not to think too hard about it.

"Listen," Daria started. Though Jason hadn't said anything, she had been on too many quests together for Daria not to realize when he was panicking. Daria reached out and took his hand as she was talking, rubbing small circles near his thumb. "Gaea's not going to be too happy if you kill her daughter. So might as well save everyone the trouble."

Nyx cracked her whip again. "Gaea has no influence here. I'm afraid Tartarus and she are in a bit of a lover's spat," she shrugged. "Most likely, because of your existence, child."

Daria didn't really want to gossip, but she couldn't think of any other plan in the moment. "Oh? But, my mother always told me that you were a bit of a pushover. Always scared of her."

"She said...." Jason's eyes stared at nothing wanely, trying to block out everything. But he looked like he caught Daria's drift. "That you hid behind your children because they were more powerful than you. Darker."

He was giving Daria a hint. Play to her insecurities, his inflection said. It's her vice.

"My children..." Nyx seethed. "Useless creatures. No, I am the darkest of dark! You will fear me!"

Everything grew a few shades dimmer, which Daria had thought was impossible. Jason tightened his grip so much that Daria was worried he was going to draw blood. "Eh, Day is more impressive. At least I can get a sunburn. I mean, have you ever heard of a nightburn?" Daria had never gotten sunburnt before, but it looked like it hurt.

"Hemera!" The goddess shrieked. "My daughter is not stronger than I am. I will not allow it!"

Daria faked a yawn. "See, the thing is...I've never heard of you. My boyfriend here, he reads a lot so he reminded me, but even he forgot about you for a minute." She paused, cracking her trademark grin. "Well, a couple of minutes actually. I guess you're not that cool."

"I'll prove it to you!" Nyx exclaimed suddenly, and even though things were going to plan, Daria hadn't been trained to fight blind. "We'll have a contest to see who is the most terrifying. Children," She called. "Come show these darling demigods how strong your mother is."

Nyx lashed her whip again. The darkness congealed around her. On either side, an army of

shadows appeared-more dark-winged arai, which Daria was not thrilled to see; a withered man

and a younger woman in a black toga, her eyes gleaming and her smile like a serial killer's. More kept appearing: dozens of demons and minor gods, each one the spawn of Night.

No doubt Jason could name every single one of them, but he seemed frozen in place. The only thing she could make out was the golden gleam of his sword, even though it would be no use fighting. She kept her hand in his, listening to his shallow breathing instead of the cackling of the arai.