The Widow's Belladonna (Natasha Romanoff X Fem)

Gift

Ten years later....

Bards play a lovely tune below as the beaten child rise stronger from the deceitfulness of her sire. Tethered by the steel cord, Theodora grasps tightly leaning over the edge of the slated roof overlooking the radiant mountain of Greek deities. The golden gates thrown open as the almighty King of the Mountain rumbles in laughter welcoming everyone in celebration of their beloved golden child. Her eyes soften at the sight of her radiantly fierce cousins Athena and Artemis who had defiantly gone against Hades orders to leave her alone. The sisters were mischievously sneaking into the old library when they had visited just to see her. They taught her many battle skills, setting a foundation before Hades had other plans. Old wounds scorch her skin as Theo peers through her leather hood, fiery eyes fixated on the devil himself, her target.

Thrusted into a disastrous world to rid her of the only thing that made Hades enraged, her fiery spirit. Broken and beaten whilst struggling to survive the harsh life in the red room academy, only to become victorious with her stealth and skills that made her invincible as death himself.

A tick formed in her jaw with the haunting memories of medical and psychological abuse she had endured only to have crawled her way back to where it all started, for revenge. Her eyes glaze over the lone balcony lit by the roaring fireplace placed perfectly below her. Unguarded by oblivion that their golden child was untouchable, Theo's grip loosen as she free falls forward with her eyes solely focused on the cobbled landing. Three quarters of the way down, the cord digs into her skin numbly as she clenched her hand shut. Droplets of crimson red laced with gold drip from her palm drenching her sleeve as she stills herself hovering over the balcony entrance.

Gleeful voices ring from the room over the birthday celebration of Hades' pride and joy.

"Orianna you look absolutely stunning," a melodic voice squeals.

"You'll be the talk of the mountain with that elegant dress," another stammers happily.

"Crimson red is definitely your color," a squeaky voice adds.

"Thank you," a low angelic voice returns piquing Theo's interest. She knew that voice almost instantly as her brow furrowed in confusion. It seemed sad in a way, she thought before she disgustedly dismisses it.

"Come on Ori, your ball is about to start," the first voice squeals in excitement.

"Go on ahead, I'll be right down," Orianna remarks calmly causing Theo's confusion once more. Theo rolls her eyes focusing on the task ahead before she heard a group of footsteps retreating. The door clicks soon after before shadows danced in the entrance of the balcony. She stood still smothering herself against the wall before a beautiful raven haired young woman appears gazing out into the full moon. She stills her breaths against the sight of her radiant sister keeping herself stealthy as the dark night.

Her sister floated gracefully to the edge like a Princess she was before a heavy sigh sounded with a collapse against the stone barrier. She watched vividly before Orianna's silent whimpers reached her ears.

Orianna's eyes shot up to the moon brimming with tears, "mother," she wails softly, "I only ask of one thing for my birthday. Even after all these years I ask of you for the same repeatedly," she pleads, "please take me to the ends of the earth if need be. Grant me this wish, take me to Teddy and I'll forever be grateful for the life that's been bestowed upon me. Tell me she's still fighting, tell me she's still breathing, tell me she still has that fiery spirit that I admired time and time again. Bring me my best friend and I'll ask nothing more," she whimpers wiping her tears.

Theodora's eyes narrow in anger though in her heart the words had touched her in ways she couldn't imagine. Even after the years of mistreatment and cruelty, her sister never wavered from loving her even when everyone despised her greatly. Riddled with contemplation, Theo takes a deep breath already made the decision as she silently releases her hold. Her feet lands silent as a cat as she stood darkening the light from the room. A sharp gasp escaped Orianna's mouth before Theo glances down at Hades' treasure.

A sharp knife brandishes from her sister's hand, "who the hell are you?" she roars confidently wielding the blade.

Theodora was amused by the spoiled daughter of Hades before her bloodied hand reaches for her hood. She lifts her chin slowly towards the moon, "some will say I am death. Many despise me, envy me, even banish me to the unknown. But I say," she pauses stripping back her hood as moonlight hair falls over her shoulder, "your birthday wish," she finishes staring her sister in the eyes.

Orianna's eyes widen with surprise as the blade clatters to the floor. Before Theo could blink, frail arms engulf her, stunning her on the spot. "Teddy," her sister whimpers. Tendrils of raven curls sway from the ricketing cries as her sister clings to her. Oddly, Theo slowly wraps her arms comfortably around her sister and in a split second, a hand swats across her chest causing her hiss.

"What was that for?" Theodora scoff taken back.

Orianna wipes her tears, "you.... you are," she stammers unable to breath between her cries before her arms found Theo again, "I'm sorry," she murmurs. "You gave me fright and now, I... you made me into a babbling fool," she stutters.

Theo rolls her eyes as her lips curled into a soft smile. One expression she deprived herself from in years. She takes a deep breath, "apologies for turning you into a babbling fool," she teases.

Orianna chortles tenderly before retracting herself to gaze upon the very person who knew her even better than herself. Grief haunted her as dark memories flooded into her mind causing a sadness to adorn her face, "Teddy," she murmurs guiltily.

Theodora stiffens unsteadily as her sister's sadness creeps into her bones. She slowly shakes her head, "Anna, you don't have to say it," she whispers causing a hitch in her sister's breath. "Honestly, I didn't know what to expect when I came here. My heart was tainted with hate beaten into me and I must confess that I was blinded by rage from Hades. And I... I am riddled with tremendous pain caused by him. Maybe I expected that you had forgotten me so my mission would've been easier," she stammers.

Orianna takes her hand interrupting her words, "how could I ever?" she interjects before her hand whips to a lone chain that was concealed in her dress. She rips the chain from her neck brandishing the elaborate golden locket that held both their pictures.

The banished daughter of the Underworld lifts her very own broken chain from her pocket. The golden locket bent and beaten before she gingerly opens it to reveal their very own picture.

"You kept it," Orianna muses as her fingertips grazes the beaten locket. Her smile radiates as she gazes upon her sister who had stood against all odds and yet was completely beautiful despite the worn out leather that adorn her body. Her smile deepens as the fiery sister she prayed for was even more beautiful than she had imagine. Her hands ruffle tenderly into those lush moonlight curls, "I can't believe how beautiful you are," she compliments.

"I could say the same for you Anna. You've grown into a beautiful young woman," Theodora returns sweetly. She shakes her sister's hand out of her hair, "enough, you're embarrassing," she teases shoving her hand away.

Orianna scoff playfully swatting her sister, "still the same," she comments before knocking sounded from the room.

Theodora stood still as a rod before melting into the shadows.

"Please don't go yet," Orianna pleas softly.

"I must go now," Theo replies hurriedly.

"But," Orianna gasps troubled as she shakes her head.

Theodora melts from the shadows wrapping her arms around her sister, "find me in the mortal realm Anna," she murmurs as her sister clings tightly to her. With her untamable powers, she mystifies into black mist disappearing into the night with a sweet echo of happy birthday.

"Happy birthday sister," Orianna whimper sadly before she takes a deep breath concealing her sadness. She lifts her chin defiantly as she had seen Theo done repeatedly before disappearing behind the soft white curtain.