Elysian House: Edge of the World (3)

Chapter 21: The Offering

Viola

All the years I've been afraid of the dark was torture. Despite the fact that my logical mind was entirely aware that I was probably just crazy and the monsters I saw in the dark weren't real, and the only reason they appeared was because of the trauma I'd undergone as a child. It was all too obvious to me that I was simply not well in the mind and I probably had to go to the doctor's to figure out this mess that was my mind. 

But despite the intense fear I felt every time the lights turned out, it felt like childs play when the storm rolled in. The ship rocked back and forth as we took off into the sea, with the Royal Guards moving about the ship quietly. The storm clouds looked as if they were personally sent by the gods to tear us down.

The dark clouds were stomping in like a wild stampede and with it came the cold winds, and the festering waters. It sent a chill all over my skin and goosebumps broke out on my skin. I had no idea what was in store for us, but I knew that the idea of falling into the deep, dark water below sounded terrifying, especially knowing the storm would keep me held down.

I guess I maybe had a fear of the water, too. It was weird knowing my twin sister, in a past life, was a pirate.

The storm clouds were rolling closer and I could clearly see the lightning crackling in the sky. I could have sworn a few times, when the lightning zapped in the sky, I could see a large shadow in the clouds. 

But maybe it was just my imagination. Or at least, I hope so.

Riley stepped beside me, while I was staring off into the distance, at the approaching storm. She must have sensed my worry, because she laid a hand on mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. 

"Don't worry," she said, running her thumb over my fingers in a soothing motion. "We'll make it through."

Sometimes I wondered why she was always so calm about everything. I remembered a time when she was always the worried one, always fretting over everything. I looked over at her, noting the unnatural beauty the Darkness had left on her, and how much darker her features looked now compared to then. Maybe the Darkness left behind an unwavering confidence as well.

"Does Olivia even know where the Fleece is? How do we even know we're heading in the right direction?" I wondered out loud, shaking my head down at the water. "I mean, what if Snow already has it?"

"Look," she said, leaning on her elbows on the edge of the ship as we drifted quietly across the water, "you have to stop worrying so much. It's four of us, against Snow. And we already have two of the artifacts." 

I looked down at the shield strapped to my arm, and then to Pereus, which was always hanging on Riley's waist. "But you know Snow has--"

"The Darkness, I know," Riley quickly said. "But these artifacts will help us. And so will everyone else. Our friends are here this time, and this time... we're more prepared. Viola, I will not let the Darkness or Snow win again." 

If only I had that magical ability Thalia seemed to think I have. I looked down at my gloved hands and wondered briefly if I really was this Witch she believed me to be. I tried to think of a time where I did something unexplainable. Perhaps the time I mysteriously healed after we'd gotten out of the Paris catacombs, chased out by the dogs.

Was that an example that I could have magical properties? Was I not entirely human?

"Storm ahead!" Yelled out one of the Royal Guards. "Should we keep going?" 

"Yes, don't stop," Riley replied, the air of confidence she had made anyone on board immediately do exactly what she said. It felt as though she were the captain herself. "We go straight through."