The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 86--Misunderstandings

Okay, I might've been a little dramatic earlier. Just a smidge. But honestly, waiting for the bus in middle school had nothing on this. Back then, I was just cold; here, I was a glorified ice sculpture, frozen right down to my subatomic particles. I felt like one of those frozen dinners that says "microwave for three minutes," but stays icy in the middle.

Except, instead of a microwave, I had adrenaline.

Slowly, the sensation of existing started to trickle back into my limbs. My head stopped feeling like it was being used as a drum set by a heavy metal band, and I could actually feel the fabric of my clothes against my skin again. That was a start.

But let's be real: I was in no condition to fight a heavy door, let alone a primordial deity.

Surprisingly, Eternity didn't press her advantage while I was rebooting my nervous system. She just stood there, posing like she was on the cover of Villains Monthly, her massive sword resting casually on her shoulder.

"You aren't going to win," she said, sounding bored.

"I'm still standing," I quipped, trying to keep my voice from cracking. "And as long as I have functioning knees, anything is possible."

"Is that so?" She tilted her head. "And what about your girlfriend?"

I knew looking away was a rookie mistake—Rule #1 of dueling: keep your eyes on the pointy object trying to kill you—but I couldn't help it. I glanced toward Aridne.

It was bad. Like, really bad. Just as I'd feared, Aridne was running on fumes. Her strikes, usually precise and deadly, were lagging. She was purely on the defensive, desperately parrying blows that came too fast to track. Niyomina, on the other hand, looked fresh. She wasn't just fighting—she was dissecting Aridne, pushing her back with lightning-fast attacks that left no room to breathe.

It didn't take a genius to see how that match would end.

"Any chance you'll be a good sport and let me tag in against Niyomina?" I asked, turning back to Eternity.

Her answer threw me for a loop. "I can save her."

"Would it be improper to say I don't believe you? Because I don't. At all."

"One word from me, and the fight stops."

"Niyomina won't like that," I pointed out. "She looks like she's having fun."

"And since when have I cared about what she thinks?" Eternity scoffed, brushing a speck of imaginary dust off her shoulder. "She's my subordinate. She isn't here to think, but to listen. If I say stop, she stops."

I narrowed my eyes. "Fine. And . . . what exactly is the price tag on this miracle?"

Her reply was a single, terrifying word: "You."

I actually stumbled back. In the theater of my mind, End choked on her popcorn. Say what now?

"Look, lady," I said, holding up my hands. "It's not even been an hour since we met. We haven't even exchanged friendship bracelets yet."

"So? You're perfect."

I blinked. Okay, this was definitely not the conversation I prepared for. "Um . . . I-I'm taken."

I wasn't, strictly speaking. But the alternative was saying "No, I'd rather eat denim," and I had a feeling she wasn't the type to handle rejection well.

Eternity looked genuinely baffled. "Really? Who would want you?"

"Hey!" I exclaimed. "I'll have you know I'm a catch! A lot of people want me. Well . . . er . . . maybe not a lot. It's a niche market. But still, it's rude to say that to someone's face when you're literally . . ." I didn't want to finish that sentence.