Haidou

Fall

Abaddon clutched her wrist and she jerked to a halt, slamming into the cliff's side. Falling ash coated her skin.

"Gods," he breathed partially hanging from the edge.

Kore stared back at him, heart galloping in her chest. Then she tossed her head back and laughed. Slowly Abaddon grinned and began to pull her up, mumbling under his breath. Heavy clumps of ash fell as he heaved, causing the laughter to die on her lips.

"Let go," she cried. She clawed at his hand, screaming as the last of the ground disappeared beneath him. Air whipped her hair around her face and pressed the fabric of her blouse against her skin. Abaddon's hold on her wrist never loosened as he barreled towards her. His free hand clutched her waist and the world spun.

His head made a sickening sound on impact, his body snapping into hers. She gasped for breath, slowly forcing herself onto her knees.

"Abby," she croaked, shaking his arm. When he didn't stir Kore gently prodded the back of his skull. Her finger slipped over the torn skin slick with warm blood. Softly pressing a shaking hand against his cheek, she lowered her head, huffing a sigh of relief when his breath fluttered over her cheek. She tried to calm herself as she took in the bleak shades of grey surrounding them. The only color came from the crushed flower petals and blades of grass that had fallen from above. The cliffs towered above them, impregnable. The delicate scent of asphodels hung in the air although there were none in sight. Rustling in the distance had her leaping to her feet, briskly snagging her blade from her boot along with the length of chain ever-present at Abaddon's hip.

"Goddess," Georgios greeted as he came into view. "What a surprise to see you here."

Kore's shoulders sagged with relief. "Yes, I suppose it would be, but I am grateful to see you. Abaddon is hurt, and I have no idea how to get home. "

"Unfortunately, while we have you there is somewhere else we must take you first. "His smile was apologetic as a number of other polemistés flanked his sides, glowering at her with open aggression. At the tip of his head, two broke away from the group and stalked towards her. She took a step back, casting an uneasy glance at Abaddon still bleeding and unmoving behind her.

"What is this," she hissed.

"This is natural order being restored. Everything being returned to their place."

"You dare speak to me of my place? Remember your own, Elder."

His expression darkened just as one of his men reached her, roughly snatching her arm and jerking her to his side. Without thinking she plunged the blade of her dagger into his throat. She wrenched it free and shoved him away as he clutched at the wound, crimson oozing through his fingers. A calloused hand closed around her throat and she brought the dagger down on his wrist, severing it cleanly. Her attacker staggered back with a scream. Kore leapt onto his back, wrapping the chain around his neck. He clawed at the metal digging into his jugular, grasping for her with the other. Fingers fisted in her hair, tearing strands from her scalp. She cried out but tightened her hold. Giving one final jerk, she heard the satisfying crack of his spine snapping before she lost her grip. She fell on her back with a thud, the dagger, and chain falling from her hands. She saw a flash of bright blue and twisted, the sharped stone sending a cloud of ash into the air. Scrambling forward, she sank her teeth into the thick flesh of an ankle. When she broke through the skin he howled, knees buckling as the heavy sword clattered from his hands. Struggling to her feet, blood dripping from her lips, she lunged, scooping it up and drilling it into his skull. She let go quickly, regarding the glowing bolts of blue crystal sparking through dark obsidian with disgust.

Wiping her mouth Kore spun around, searching for Abaddon amongst the carnage. He, along with the others, had vanished, leaving a trail of blood behind. As she staggered forward a heavy form crashed into her side, sending her flying. She slid across the ground, coughing when ash filled her lungs. A dagger dug into the flesh at the base of her throat and she froze.

"Long live Lord Hades," a triumphant voice whispered in her ear.

"Live long he did," Kore laughed, letting the stone bite further into her skin, ignoring the pain it caused. "May I live forever."