Love & Chaos 2: A New Pharaoh for Egypt

Chapter 3

Echoes of the Past

Liz had only slept for three hours. Apparently, Artemis had instructed her crew to see to it that she went undisturbed for at least that long. Shockingly enough, despite the nightmare, Liz felt a new energy coursing through her - one that wasn't caused by epinephrine. She felt alive and ready to take on the world, which was good, considering the fact that she would have to.

Leo still sat with her, trying to keep her calm as she explained the nightmare. He didn't really seem to believe that she hadn't had nightmares while she was at school, though. Zach had joined them to hear just what was going on, and didn't seem surprised that his mother was on the loose once more.

"So that's what really ties us together, then," he noted. "Chaos is bossing around the Circle, so they all have the same goals: kill Liz, take over the world."

"Yeah, I really wish they didn't intend to kill me. I mean, I have a set death time... It's a bit of a fixed point... I just would hate for the entire universe to crash and burn due to my death happening at the wrong time. Monsters never even tried to kill me because they knew that it would put the entire world at risk. Except for... that thing... But that's all said and done, now."

"We're about set to fly, but Liz, I noticed a familiar ghost around here, and I need you to do something for me, please." Leo helped Liz to her feet and led her off the ship and into the wooded area.

"Who are we looking for?" Liz asked, her curiosity growing.

"Echo."

As they reached the intended destination, Liz saw it, a scene exactly like she had imagined. Team Narcissus, the arrogant fool himself, and a sweet girl, standing silently off to the side.

"I met her once before, when the Doors of Death were opened... What do you think it means?" Leo asked anxiously. "She stayed with him when I should've saved her, but her curse..."

"Let me." Liz approached the girl and decided to try and make the conversation easier. "Echo?"

"Echo," the girl replied, affirming.

"Are the Doors of Death open?"

"The Doors of Death open," she confirmed, nodding.

"I can free you from the curse," Liz explained.

"From the curse?"

"I'm more powerful than Hera."

"More powerful than Hera?"

"Yeah, Pan gave me the right to his throne, I'm sorta the queen of nature, and I want to help. If you want me to help, then I will help."

"I will help."

Liz looked back at Leo, uncertain if this was really going to be an easy conversation. "Will you please leave Narcissus?"

"Leave... Narcissus?"

"Echo, he only loves himself... Please, come with us, I will let you speak with your own words again," Liz insisted.

"Own words again..." Echo looked at Narcissus, and Liz knew that like before, she didn't want to leave him. Still, she looked like she was completely done with the stupid curse.

"Meeting you again, to Leo, it's a second chance, his chance to really save you. The Doors are open, and now the world is full of second chances."

"Now the world is full of second chances," Echo agreed.

"Please, let me - let him - let us save you," Liz pleaded.

"Save you..."

"I can do it. I can put my hands on your shoulders and make the curse leave. You can go free, you don't have to go back to the Underworld, you can start again, in this world, you can be the messenger for our army, if you so choose!" Liz explained. "I can stop the curse."