Time's Darkness

Chapter 4 - Descending into Hell, Willingly

Of course, since I was me, it had to end. One day, I spotted demigods approaching her house while she was out and hid.

"The satyrs were wrong. There's no one here, at least not a demigod," said a voice I clearly recognized as Saul's. So Chiron had replaced me already. Great.

"They weren't wrong," said Sandor. My eyes widened from my hiding place behind the wall. If Sandor was here, I was screwed. He could sense power of people he knew. He definitely would sense mine.

"What?"

"There was a demigod here. I can feel the lingering energy."

"Really? As far as I know, you can only detect powers from people you know."

"Actually I've been working on that. But I know this person really, really, well. I think Ebony was here."

"Ebony?"

"Yeah, it's powerful. I couldn't mistake it."

"You think that kid's more powerful than she is," Saul muttered.

"Maybe but she's pretty powerful," Sandor said, making it evident that he thought I was extremely strong and Saul was wrong.

"There's a difference between powerful and having power. Ebony only has the latter."

"Oh, really?" Sandor said angrily.

"Yeah. You and I are powerful. You have power. Your power makes you seem more powerful but you have skill to back it up. Ebony lacks skill. All she is is a demigod with a powerful father and some convenient powers."

I clenched my hands but didn't move away from my spot. I did not train for nine years to be insulted like that. I got to camp and trained way before Saul and he was the son of a war god, of course he was a good swordsman!

"Tell me she didn't beat you."

"She did but her father is Hades, it's obvious she has a higher power than me. That's a birthright."

"You just don't want to admit someone could be better than you," Sandor said. "I'm looking around. I actually want to find Ebony."

"She betrayed us, Sandor!" Saul yelled. "You don't want to admit that your little friend left you! She abandoned all of us demigods! We could save the world but she left! Ebony left us to die!"

"No she didn't! Caden didn't want to go with her! He threatened to completely destroy everything she loved!" Sandor yelled. How would he know that. Caden told me alone. Unless, Sandor heard everything? "He wouldn't go because you made everyone hate her!"

"I didn't have to make them! She's just a girl with a bad attitude and uncontrolled powers!" I clenched my fists at Saul's words but I saw tendrils of darkness appear and I couldn't control it.

Sandor didn't reply. Instead I heard his footsteps coming closer and then he was in the doorway behind which I was hiding. Sword raised, he brought it down.

In a moment my ring was off my finger and the sword was there to parry Sandor.

His eyes widened. But I had turned and ran.

"Ebony! Come back! We need you!"

"No, you don't. You need my heritage," I said as I flung myself out the door. "Find someone else! Someone who people like! Maybe one of your unclaimed is who you need!"

"Ebony, just stop. All I want to do is talk to you! You can't outrun me!"

Sure, Sandor was faster but I had my own tricks. I solidified darkness in front of me. Suddenly, I was Aladdin, flying faster and higher on my magic carpet of darkness.