Souls Endure (The Souls Trilogy Book 3)

by Anne B. Cole

  A bolt of lightning struck his left foot. He began shrinking at a rapid pace. Instead of fear, elation filled him and he raced through the mouse-sized escape.

  Chapter 48

  The Trial of Defeat

  Sam

  Blinding white light forced Sam’s hands to his face and he fell to his knees in soft, cool, wet sand. A wave of water crashed against his back and knocked him over. When the sea receded he found himself on the shore of an island.

  “Congratulations. You have made me a very rich minor god with your defeat of Manticore,” Asclepius’ voice boomed.

  Sam’s eyes adjusted to brilliant sunshine, but he couldn’t see the god anywhere.

  Two large groups of tourists walked along the narrow strip of beach, heading inland to explore the island. A sandy ridge and broken ruins of an ancient wall triggered a memory. He raced across the sand. “This is Delos, the island where Gretta and I died.” Whirling, he searched the area frantically. “She’s here. I can feel her presence.” A surge of anger filled him. “Where is she, Asclepius?”

  No response.

  Sam approached a young couple who were holding hands and stepping over a crumbling wall.

  “Excuse me, I’m looking for my wife,” Sam slid to a halt in front of them.

  “This tour is scheduled to end by three-thirty. When we return to the hotel we can—”

  “Stay in bed for the rest of the day,” the man interrupted the woman and tugged her to his side. He kissed her neck and whispered in her ear. She giggled at his suggestions.

  “Excuse me? Hey, can you hear me? See me?” Sam touched the woman’s arm. His hand melted right through her bicep. She frowned and shivered.

  “Cold? I can think of a few things to do to warm you up.” The man rubbed her bare arms and guided her along the path.

  “I’m a ghost?” Sam held his hands in front of his face in disbelief. He shook his head and scrambled over the wall in search of Gretta.

  “She’s over here, Sam,” Asclepius called. The minor god waved in the distance and pointed to a group of tourists wandering among the lion statues.

  “Gretta.” Sam literally flew to her side. Not wanting to frighten her, he stopped within inches and restrained from touching her. Her blue eyes looked through him. “Why can’t you see me? You’ve seen spirits in the past. God, you’re beautiful.” His gaze dropped from her sun-bleached hair and tanned face to a noticeable baby bump. “Asclepius, how long have I been gone?”

  “Time is different on Delos. Gretta’s been here four, maybe five months. You’re correct. She cannot see your spirit. Her powers are limited while her body focuses on developing the unborn. Poseidon gave her sanctuary on the island. She is safe from all danger. Even Hades. Tourists come and go and time varies. During the day she is able to converse with the tourists. At dusk she becomes invisible and a force field surrounds her, keeping her safe from all evil. Tour guides don’t remember her since their memories are adjusted the moment they leave the island.”

  Asclepius pointed to a beautiful temple. “She sleeps there at night. It’s visible only to her and any spirit or god. Take comfort in the fact she is well taken care of.”

  “She looks so sad,” Sam mused.

  “She mourns for you.”

  “Am I dead to her?” A creepy feeling of dread filled him.

  “Yes and no, Sam. Look behind these stones.” He pointed to a group of ruins formed into a small circle. “You are dead, but your spirit has not been destined to a final location. If you fail the third trial, you will move on and your body will begin to rot.” Asclepius sniffed the air when they approached his lifeless human body. “Still alive.”

  “Don’t be morbid.” Sam refused to stare at his own body. Instead, he flew to Gretta’s side and touched her cheek. Disappointment crushed him when she continued staring across the rolling waves, completely unaware of his presence. “When can I return to my body?”

  Asclepius shifted his stance and frowned. “You have one more trial to complete.”

  “Let’s do this.” Sam tore his focus from Gretta and readied himself for battle.

  Asclepius sighed. “Your final test is The Trial of Defeat.” He paused for a long moment. “It is a timed trial. You will automatically fail if you take too long. No human has ever conquered this trial.” He leaned in close. “Strength is your weakness. Victory cannot be your goal.”

  Lightning crackled through the air and thunderclouds rolled in from the sea.

  “I’ve angered Zeus, must be on my way. Good luck, Sam.” Asclepius began to fade.

  “Wait. What are my odds? Did you bet for or against me?” Sam called.

  “Victory is not your goal. If you lose, we both win.” The minor god winked and disappeared, leaving Sam dumbfounded.

  Lightning slashed the cloudless sky and struck at Sam’s toes. Without flinching, he watched Gretta’s eyes widen in curiosity.

  “Gretta? I’m right here. I’ve made it through two of the trials. One more to go.” He touched her cheeks with both hands. “Close your eyes.”

  She obeyed and fell to her knees. His attempt to catch her failed, yet he knew she felt him.

  “I promise to do everything in my power to complete the last trial.” He kissed her lips and caressed the bump of their child. A sudden lack of confidence struck. “I love you, Gretta. No matter what happens, I’ll always be with you.”

  “Your time for good-bye is over, mortal,” Zeus boomed. Lightning slashed the sky. “The Trial of Defeat begins.”

  Bitter cold darkness swirled, plastering Sam’s arms to his sides. He stood on unsteady legs, chilled to the core. Gretta, the island, and the sea vanished. A desperate need to conquer the trial coursed through his soul. The ground beneath his sandals shifted. Unable to keep balance, Sam toppled to a slanted, dusty ground. Clunking against stones and shrubs, his flailing soul picked up speed as he careened down what seemed to be a mountainside.

  Battered and beaten, Sam thudded to a halt. His face pressed against a warm, rough, rock which appeared sparsely covered with some kind of stringy moss. He jerked away and pushed himself to his hands and knees. A dense fog surrounded him and cloaked his surroundings.

  “You have one minute to defeat Orc. Fail, and you will be eaten,” Zeus roared. “Your time starts, now.”

  “Where are you, Orc?” Sam demanded. “Show yourself.”

  A grunt echoed from far above.

  The ground shook and the rock he landed against suddenly rose into the air. It slammed to the ground at Sam’s feet. A surge of wind cleared the fog and dust to reveal an enormous, hairy foot with the most repulsive stench Sam had yet to encounter.

  Sam scrambled to his feet. The pulsating wave of obnoxious foot odor stung his eyes. His head reached no higher than the giant’s ankle and it took precious seconds for him to appraise his foe. Filthy, hair-covered, bowed legs attached to a pair of sour feet. An ape-like body with knuckles hanging past his knees bent low to assess its victim.

  Orc’s pig nose snorted black smoke and its crimson slit eyes glowed, casting a pink tint over gray-green skin. Warty lumps, oozing with puss, covered its face, arms, and chest. The back of a grimy hand, the size of a truck, slammed Sam’s body into the air. He skidded across the ground and rolled to a stop, crumpled and broken.

  Thundering footsteps approached. Sam braced himself for another attack. Fighting back would be fruitless.

  The world shook as the beast squatted to eye its victim. Drool slobbered over razor sharp fangs and double rows of bone crushing molars. The immense head tilted and roared in victory. Sam covered his face with his arms when the stench of Orc breath inundated his senses.

  Victory cannot be your goal. If you lose, we both win.

  Asclepius’ words echoed in his throbbing head as precious seconds
ticked away.

  “I concede.”

  Sam struggled to stand and straighten, understanding defeat would lead him to the worst possible existence for a soul, Tartarus. The script ‘A’ branded on his forearm caught his attention.

  The Orc tipped his head and held both arms into the air in victory. Fire spewed from pointy ears, lighting the skies. The giant bowed to an unseen audience and dropped to its stomach, rolling with laughter. A massive mouth opened wide and beasty hands corralled Sam. A purple tongue unrolled to his feet.

  “No turning back.” Sam inched forward. Pain sluiced through every part of his soul. Repulsive breath, nastier than the creature’s feet, encompassed him. “Despite your smell, I’m not changing my mind.”

  The ‘A’ on Sam’s arm began to glow when he climbed on Orc’s tongue. With each step on the fleshy runway, the burning mark intensified.

  Sam trembled as he approached Orc’s cavernous mouth. Concentrating on his love for Gretta and their child, he stepped inside.

  Lips smacked shut.

  Darkness fell.

  Chapter 49

  Morning Tea

  Gretta

  A warm breeze tickled Gretta’s cheeks. The scent of ripe apples invaded her senses, causing her tummy to growl. She blinked away traces of a forgotten dream and carefully rolled to her side. Shifting her weight, she leaned to the silky curtains surrounding her bed and parted them. The first traces of dawn filtered into her sanctuary along with an urgent need.

  “Come on, kiddo. Nature calls.”

  She tossed the covers and swung her feet over the side of the bed. Adjusting the nightgown over her sizable girth, she lowered bare feet to silk rugs and stepped away from her canopied king size bed. Marble tiles led the way to her open-air bathroom complete with a walk in shower and pool style bath, mirrored dressing nook, and a closet filled with an endless supply of garments.

  Gretta ignored everything and headed straight to the toilet with a bladder screaming to release. After relieving herself, she toddled to the basin to wash her hands. Sweet scented soap filled her head with visions of mouth-watering pastries.

  “Ouch, keep the kicks to a minimum, big guy. Or I’ll need to pee again before breakfast appears.” A series of nudges and squirms resulted, and Gretta cradled her roundness. She gazed toward a table with a plate of fresh biscuits, butter, and honey. A pitcher of water and a cup of tea sat next to a vase of yellow roses.

  “Breakfast arrived.” Taking a deep breath of the floral scent, Gretta sat on a cushioned chair and broke open a biscuit with a silver knife. “Anything I want or need magically appears, sometimes before I even think about asking. Everything except the one thing I want the most.” She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her unborn child.

  “I want your daddy to complete the trials and return.”

  Silence.

  Gretta opened her eyes with a sigh. “Apple butter would be lovely.” She recalled the scent she woke to and a cup of spicy jam floated over the table.

  “Please join me,” she urged, hoping the invisible demigod servant would spill the latest gossip of Sam’s trials. She watched a generous dollop spread over the flaky halves. After eating the final crumbs of the biscuit, she licked her lips and reached for another.

  “Impossible to resist. I dare say, it is the finest batch ever produced from my orchard.” Delicate hands spread additional jam. Within seconds, a goddess became visible and sat in a chair across from Gretta.

  “Thank you, Aphrodite. It is the most delicious I’ve ever tasted.” She hesitated, “Have you heard any news about the trials?”

  “Have another biscuit. You need your strength.” Aphrodite batted her eyes and slid a plate full of biscuits dripping with jam and honey in front of her.

  Before Gretta took another scrumptious bite, fireworks boomed in the distance, lighting the northern skies with green, blue, and white lights followed by a shimmering cascade of pink sparkles.

  Aphrodite clasped her hands together at her chest. “His love for you is great.”

  “What’s going on?” Gretta asked. The first rays of dawn peeked across the sea, casting hues of orange and yellow in a beautiful compliment to the festive explosions to the north.

  “Drink, quickly.” Aphrodite passed a teacup. She frowned at Gretta’s pause. “Do as I say, or you will miss your opportunity with the man you love.”

  “Sam?”

  “Drink,” Aphrodite whispered. Now. She mouthed the command.

  Against her better judgement, Gretta sipped the tea.

  “This isn’t—”

  Aphrodite pressed one finger against her lips in warning.

  Gretta drank the sweet concoction until the cup emptied. The liquid warmed her insides, tingling every inch of her body.

  “More?” The desire to drink a gallon of the beverage consumed her.

  Aphrodite’s ruby lips curved into a smile. “Come, let’s watch the sunrise.” She helped Gretta to her feet and led her to the beach.

  “But I—”

  “Trust me.” She winked and continued in a louder voice, “A morning on shore will be good for both you and the unborn.” Aphrodite took her by the arm and hurried to a cluster of rocks next to the sea. With a casual wave of her ageless hand the largest boulders changed into luxurious cushioned recliners. “Have a seat. I won’t leave you this morning.”

  Gretta obeyed and cool water slid beneath her bare toes. A sudden dizziness filled her head and she slumped against the cushions. “What was in—”

  “Trust me. I’ve almost forgiven you about my ring.” Clasping her hands to her chest, she fluttered long lashes. “Remember, I’m the goddess of love.” She cast a wary glance over the sea and into the sky. “Take my hand. I’ll protect your mortal body and the unborn. You have one hour before Zeus will recover from his morning tea.”

  “You drugged Zeus?” Gretta gasped. A giggle erupted within her when the goddess nodded.

  “Shhh.” Aphrodite quivered with excitement. “Go to your room. The curtains around the bed grant complete privacy. Your love awaits.”

  Gretta jumped to her feet and hugged the goddess.

  “Enough, you’re crushing my hair.”

  “Thank you.” Gretta sprinted across the sand, feeling like a feather. Too light. She gazed at her flat stomach.

  My baby is gone? My body, too? Terror gripped her and she spun her ghostly being around. She lock eyes with Aphrodite. The goddess stretched and tilted her face to the morning sun. She raised a human hand within hers, one which remained attached to a very pregnant body.

  Aphrodite released my spirit. The goddess’s words repeated through Gretta’s head. Your love awaits.

  “Sam.” She flew to her open-air room and paused at her bed. The curtains were drawn. Instead of their usual transparency, she couldn’t see through them. Light snores sounded and she cried out in immediate recognition. With a quick glance to shore, she waved to the goddess, who continued to hold her mortal hand.

  “Thank you, Aphrodite,” Gretta whispered. She parted the curtain and slipped into bed.

  Chapter 50

  A Minor God

  Gretta

  “Aphrodite arranged all of this? For us?” Sam questioned in a tone of disbelief.

  Wrapped within his spirit after a passionate reunion, Gretta savored his warmth, his touch, his being. She felt him tense and his spirit withdrew from her. He reformed, pressed to her side as a separate entity.

  “Aphrodite said she has almost forgiven me about wearing her ring. She drugged Zeus to give us time together.” Gretta inched closer, her spirit pulsing with need. “Right now she’s protecting my body and our child.”

  “We shouldn’t trust her.” Sam rose, ready to part the curtain.

  Emptiness f
looded her spirit and she immediately dove into his arms and chest, entwining her soul within his. A low growl escaped him and she giggled at her boldness. Their excitement rippled. They fell to the pillows and melded together, creating sparks of ecstasy. Waves of energy swirled around them and their love peaked. With a cry of sheer pleasure, she nestled within him and allowed their energy to regenerate.

  “Never leave me again,” Gretta gasped.

  Sam’s spirit quivered in response. “I don’t believe I have the strength to go anywhere.”

  She peeled her head and shoulders away from his spirit and laughed. “Have I worn you out, husband?” She watched his lips curve into a grin. With the slightest nod, he drifted into a blissful sleep.

  “Sam?” She nudged his arm and it flopped to the bed. “I should have been more attuned to what you must have been through.” Cuddling against him, she stroked his arm.

  “Ouch.” Jerking her fingers away from a scorching heat, she pulled from his spirit and knelt by his side. “What did they do to you?” The mark on his forearm radiated. She gripped her own arm.

  “Why is your mark of Asclepius scarred deep into your soul and mine merely resembles a sailor’s tattoo?” She scrutinized every inch of his spirit for wounds and found none. Still concerned, she snuggled beside him in a protective spoon. Melding to his soul, she drifted to sleep.

  Boom!

  Gretta bolted upright.

  “Come back,” Sam murmured and touched his hand to the small of her back, sending shivers up her spine. “I need your strength.”

  “We’re safe if we remain here.” Flashes of brilliant light popped around them. Gretta scanned the inside of the drapes, unable to see through. “I think we’re safe.”

  “Mortal, show yourself.” The command split the air and rolled shock waves through the island.