Better Angels

Chapter Twenty-One: Victoria

Shit.

"Now is that how you treat your husband after many millennia, princess?" Erlik grinned like a feral cat, and crossed his arms over his chest.

I was very aware of how the god of death towered over me even as I stood up on shaky limbs. I glowered at him and straightened my spine; I would not allow myself to show weakness in the presence of this monster.

Husband. As if? I rolled my eyes.

"You do realize that I can hear you?" Erlik said in annoyance. "Your thoughts aren't protected anymore."

"Obviously, if the likes of you and Gaea can get through," I said through gritted teeth. "How did you even manage to get past Gaea?"

Erlik shrugged. "She isn't looking for anyone to be getting in. Not to mention there are back doors into you mind that I created a long time ago. Apparently, she isn't aware of them just like you weren't."

"Back doors?"

"Evet." Yes.

"You're disgusting," I spat.

Erlik merely smirked. "It was always so much fun using those doors in your most private of moments. Wreaking havoc, creating fear, disturbing your mind. It has truly been my only source of entertainment for a while."

"I doubt that. I haven't felt your presence in decades."

"Just because you didn't feel me doesn't mean I wasn't there." The god winked at me. "Most of the time you were... well occupied. Oh, to see my wife with another man. How it pains me to see her succumb to the influence of a palace guard, a mere mortal." Erlik feigned distress and sobbed. "Oh the betrayal. How can I ever go on?"

My hands curled into fists as my frustration began to boil to the surface. "Are you saying that you were there – "

"For every private moment you and Xavier... pardon me, William shared? Why yes, yes, I was. And might I say your sighs and blushes are things that I'm sure to never forget. What about that time under the stars in Italy. I believe that was in the mid-1400's. Now that was certainly a scandal. Or just before the United States entered World War Two right before William shipped out to Pearl Harbor. Though, I suppose you wouldn't remember that. Or in your precious Camp Halfblood in the Poseidon Cabin? I can still hear the faint trickle of the waterfall, and feel just how happy and at peace you were. And when your brother, Percy, walked in on the two of you making love well that was just priceless." Erlik winked again and laughed.

"You smarmy, disgusting, excuse of a god!" I marched up to him and raised my fist waiting for it to connect with his perfectly straight nose. Erlik easily caught my fist in his hand and overpowered me. Typically, it would be more of a struggle, but Gaea's constant assault had left me weak.

"Gaea has weakened you, exponentially." His voice became laced with concern and he set his hands on my shoulders which were now shaking from exertion. "Benim tatlı prensesim, what have they done to you?" My sweet princess.

I fiercely shrugged off his hands and rubbed my bare shoulders. "Why do you care? I'm practically in this mess because of you."

"Evet. I suppose you are right." Erlik confessed.

"Is that a twinge of sadness I hear in your voice, Erlik? Does the god of death feel more emotion than just anger and hate? I'm surprised." Even to my own ears I could tell that my voice had lost its natural quip. I sounded tired. Ancient, even.

The god of death cleared his throat, and straightened his pullover, although, it hadn't been out of place. "There is no time for sadness and regret, I'm afraid Benim tatlı prensesim. Marethyu sent me here in hopes that you might be able to help us."

I scoffed weakly and leaned against the wall with my eyes closed. I was fading quickly, at this rate Gaea would consume me in a matter of days.

"I highly doubt Josh sent you here. He knows better, and you should know that I wouldn't fall for this sort of trick."

Erlik's dark eyes flashed with anger and low growl emanated from his throat. "And you know better than to test me, Victoria." His voice was laced with poison and a warning.

I rolled my eyes. "Do you really think that after all these years that I would be afraid of you?" I laughed bitterly. "I hate to break it to you, but you're not exactly the biggest threat out there. You don't even have that much power left. You're weak, and soon you will fade out of existence just as countless of your brethren have before you. You will lose in the end." My voice climbed louder.

"Believe it or not I'm actually here to help you," the god snapped at me, halting my angry words with a finger held up in silence. Erlik pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Honestly am I not allowed to help my lady is death every once and a while?"

"Hmmm how about," I paused to think. "NO! Especially because you killed me, tortured me, and cursed me to live a life haunted by death! You have never desired to help me! You have only sought to hinder me as I struggled to make this world better, and struggled to live!"

"I want to help now!" Erlik brought his hand to his chest almost as if he was making a pledge. "Let me help you!"

"Then what changed?" I shouted. "You are a monster who only ever looked out for yourself! Since when have you cared about anything besides yourself and power!"

"Since the world has fallen into chaos and you are the only one who knows anything." The god of death sounded sad and defeated. If I didn't know who he was I might have believed him.

"Isn't chaos and destruction kind of your department, Erlik? That's all that you have ever brought to this realm," I pointed out not falling for his act.

"Chaos and destruction by my own hands, yes. Not by the act of an insane earth goddess who desire to kill everything in this realm, which includes me."

"So, you're in this for self-preservation? Well at least now I know that you're being honest. That is something I can believe." I crossed my arms and tried to conserve some energy.

Erlik sighed darkly. "She's eating away at you. You don't have very much time life, do you?"

I looked up at him and my eyes were met dark eyes filled with regret. This god who I had despised for so long pitied me. I couldn't understand what part of him had changed. When we first met millennia ago he was a man who only desired power. All he wanted was to control my fate. Erlik forced me to put duty before my own feelings. My duty was to save my people from his wrath. Because of him I learned that this sort of thinking was vital in every age. As much as I hated to admit it Erlik made me stronger. He made me into the person I was today even if he did it through eternal torture and a curse. Because of him I was a warrior.

"'I am more than capable of separating feelings from duty!' Those were the words you shouted at me when I challenged your resolve all those years ago." Erlik smirked sadly. "So, Victoria what are your feelings telling you now."

My gaze didn't leave his even as he stared into the very depths of my soul. This god knew me like the back of his hand. "My feelings are telling me not to trust you, and that I despise you and everything you stand for."

"And what about your duty to your people? What must you do to save them and yourself?" Erlik's gaze challenged me. "What are you going to do, Queen of Light?"

"It is my duty to do whatever it takes to save them. Even if that means ally myself with you." I stood tall, not allowing the walls of my prison to support me any longer. I inhaled deeply through my nose and rolled my shoulders back to regain the stature of a soldier. My fists tightened at my sides, and my stance widened. "As a protector of this realm I will save my people no matter the cost."

Erlik reminded me of my purpose. I would not give up so easily.

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