Indignation

by Celinda Santillan

  They have been waiting patiently for the Oracle of Delphi. Astator explained that they have to be careful with the Oracle of Delphi, her half-sister, because anyone can easily accuse her of helping in the disappearance of the heir. Astator has informed her of everything that is happening. Dias has been searching everywhere for her. The God has declared war on Hades. The reason is still sketchy to anyone. Alyssa has asked Astator to not inform her of anything that involves Julian. She doesn’t want to know about the happy life he’s living with Annalisa.

  The past month has been like a blessing to her. She’s fear from wondering eyes, and isn’t in constant danger. Following Astator into the portal has been the best decision she has made in her life. It seems like the freedom she has here has made her calmer, more mature. She has missed prom, graduation, she doesn’t even know about college anymore, but everything seems worth it. She doesn’t ever want to leave. She feels content with her new life. The hut is like a home she can cherish and not feel lonely.

  The portal is a transport to a hidden world that only can be entered by certain beings. The form is always of a type of city of place, but no one wonders around the streets. No one makes rules. Everything is lived by the way you want it to be. The best part of the portal is you can change the setting with a thought of your mind. You can create friends, a house, and the top of Maccho Piccuh. Everything is possible in the portal, you just have to believe.

  Anhk-Life

  ”There still no sign of her?” Julian runs his finger through his dark hair as he leans on his motorcycle and talks to Miranda.

  “The God has his sense open for her, but she hasn’t appeared.” Miranda says with sadness in her voice.

  It has been over five months that Alyssa has disappeared into the portal. Annalisa slipped one day and told them that Alyssa will never be found because Selene gave her a gift of transporting into the portal. Everyone was shocked at the revelation because no one has made it into the portal and ever appeared again. The myths about the portal is that it’s like the Heavens, once you go in you can’t come out, but if Alyssa has done that before then that would mean that she can come out at any time. That thought gives them all hope to keep searching.

  Miranda ties her strawberry blonde hair up into a ponytail. “How’s Annalisa doing?” She asks him.

  “Yenta called some of her contacts to have them control the other person who also possesses her body.”

  “Is there luck?”

  Julian shakes his head. “No, she’s getting worst.”

  “Has she said anything about Alyssa?”

  “Every time we mention her, she just cries. Annalisa won’t be helping anyone find Alyssa.”

  Miranda takes a seat on his motorcycle. “You need to rest Julian. Forget about the war and Alyssa for a few hours.” It’s a lot to ask of him, but he needs it.

  “I can’t do that. The blood oath had open up a connection with her. Not knowing if she’s dead or alive is driving me to my own insanity. The war is just making everything worst.”

  She lays her hand on his should in understanding. The war has been unexpected on all of them, except her. She sees the horror of the Heavens and the Underworld as they all prepare to go into war. The God blames Julian for his heir’s disappearance, and since Julian has underworlders as his Loyals and followers, he declared war on the Underworld. To her surprise, Hades is backing up Julian. She doesn’t think too much on it since it’s probably Persephone’s causing. The Underworld goddess has a strange care for Julian, but she can’t find a reason for her to be.

  Miranda lives in fear of the events that is slowly unfolding. Everyone prepares for a war that can kill millions of mortals and immortals, and Alyssa is still nowhere to be found.

  <><><>

  Alyssa walks down the Egyptian desert they have created with their minds. Her uncle Astator walks beside her in his usual black suit and hat unlike her plain top and jeans. She still can’t believe how a man who is hated, and seems evil to the community, is so gentle with her. He tries to scare her, but he doesn’t pull it off like he did before.

  “I am dangerous.”

  “You don’t seem like it.” She teases him.

  “You want me to show you?” His bright red eyes glare at her, trying to make her see fear.

  She puts her hand to her chest and gasps in fake horror. “Is this the part where I run from the big bad demon and think turn him into a small white fluffy bunny?”

  He rolls his eyes, a gesture she has taught him. “You sure are irritating.”

  “But you love me.” She argues.

  He walks without looking at her. “You also assume too much for your own good.”

  “You should just admit that you love me. I’m your favorite niece.”

  “Being stuck in a room with Melissa seems to be looking better each day.”

  Her mouth gapes. “That’s so mean.” She laughs knowing that her half-sister hates his guts.

  Alyssa stops when Astator stops walking. “Uncle, is this it?” She stares at the place surrounding her. There’s nothing, but sand and a moon. No trees. No form of life. It looks like a desert from the movie ‘The Mummy’. Usually deserts are hot, but since its night the desert is as cold as ice.

  “Your sister is always known to set the most convenient place.” He says with heavy sarcasm.

  “How is Melissa like? You know, as an Oracle?”

  “The same fashion diva she always is, but more elder in her language.”

  A spectrum of light burst far off in the middle of the nowhere. Melissa appears wearing a long black coat with nice fitted pants. The black scarf is neatly wrapped around her neck. Her raven black hair shines when the rays of the moonlight hit it. Melissa looks older than her, but not too old. She’s maybe a few years older than Alyssa. Melissa is beautiful and the way she walks is held with confidence that of royalty. Her violet eyes actually match hers in perfection. It’s the same shade of violet that they inherited from their mother Selene.

  The Oracle of Delphi comes up close Alyssa with warning eyes. “Hello, sister.”

  Alyssa smiles at her. “It’s nice to meet you Melissa.”

  <><><>

  The Oracle doesn’t smile back. “I wish I could say the same.” She says in a cold voice.

  Alyssa turns her head to her uncle who finds the exchange amusing. She raises her eyebrow at him in questioning.

  “Melissa.” Astator greets the Oracle.

  “Astator.” Melissa says with disgust. “You shall never change. I have no liking in you as the day I first laid eyes on you.”

  “Why don’t you just tell him that you hate him then?” Alyssa mutters without thinking. Melissa glares at her and she looks away. That wasn’t supposed to come out of her thoughts.

  “I am the Oracle of Delphi. I know my place, so sister, know yours.”

  “Now, Melissa, Alyssa has not done you harm. I suggest you follow your quest and treat her as the heir of the God she is.” Astator defends her.

  “I remind you, Astator, that I summoned her, not you. Your presence is not wanted here.” She snaps back.

  “Don’t put me into this.” Alyssa exclaims. “I’m okay with him being here.”

  Astator chuckles before he wraps his hands around Melissa’s neck. That action shocks Alyssa to no end. Melissa struggles as her legs dangle in thin air. “Stay in your place, Oracle.” He threatens. “I maybe Uncle to you, but I shall not allow this behavior in my presence. If you chose to disobey me I will cover the sand with your blood.” He threatened.

  “You cannot kill me.” She breathes out.

  “I never said I would.” Astator’s red eyes hold power that makes Alyssa flinch as she watches him choke Melissa. Her half-sister’s face color is turning into a shade of blue. Now she knows why he’s so feared by many. She can see the fear and hate in Melissa’s eyes.

  Astator drops the Oracle to the ground. Melissa stands up with her head held high. “Alyssa. Follow me.”

  She turns
to her uncle not knowing if it’s a good idea. He smirks at her in devilish form. “I said I was to be feared.”

  The comment has her laughing. “You’re not that scary.” She says before she follows Melissa away from Astator.

  “Your uncle is protective of you. I understand, but Alyssa, I am not here to discuss his lack of control. I am here to help you.”

  “Why are you helping me when it’s totally clear that you hate Astator?”

  “We are birthed from the same mother.”

  “Actually I was created.”

  Melissa rolls her eyes at Alyssa’s technicality. “My meaning is that we share a mother. If I have a sister, I will help her because we share the same blood.”

  Alyssa nods. Melissa takes her cold hands into hers. Melissa’s eyes open and stared out into her eyes, but not really seeing, it was more like hearing. Her body shivers, and her eyes turns silver. Her low whispers are said so fast that Alyssa can’t even hear a single world. Melissa’s hair begins to flow with the wind. The sand around them rises like walls and covers them from view. Melissa blinks, but doesn’t let go of her hands.

  ‘You have choices to be made.’ Melissa’s voice echoes in her mind.

  ‘War is approaching. Return to the well-known home you know and love so well. Enjoy the last night because your choice involves a day of no return. That is if you chose love over life. What is it you chose?’

  “I chose love?” Alyssa confusingly answers not knowing what the question really means.

  ‘King Julian’s life line fades as war approaches. Once he died in the hands of love, he shall meet his true death in war. Only the ending of the war between the Heavens and the Underworld could save the immortals from extinction. Only one choice may save Julian from death roll.’

  Alyssa slowly understands everything. “What is it? I’ll do anything.” She didn’t notice the tears running down her face. Her desperation to save Julian’s life is what clouds her mind.

  ‘The blood of the Sacrifice and the death of the Sacrifice. One drop of blood falls, as the others follow. Soon the heart will stop as the life is drained from the Sacrifice’s veins. A heart stops, the blood runs, and war is done.’

  When the war is done, Julian is saved. Alyssa is slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together. She frowns at her Half-sister. “Sacrifice? What do you mean?”

  ‘Sacrifice is chosen by the beings with most powers. No other can replace the Sacrifice. Born of two powers, but destined to one will.’

  “Who is it? Who’s the Sacrifice?”

  ‘The Sacrifice is the one who has reappeared once again to find love in a forbidden man. The one whom is known to be daughter of a witch and The God. The one with the mark. The hidden mark of life.’

  Melissa trails her fingers to the side of Alyssa’s face. The touch burns on contact. Melissa looks straight into her eyes and she complies to do the same. Her reflection appears in those turned black eyes. Her eyes widen as she notices a cross-like sign with an oval top that covers one side of her face. It’s noticeable, but her bangs can cover it.

  ‘Anhk. The symbol of life.’ Melissa reveals.

  Realization hit her. She’s the Sacrifice.

  Melissa’s eyes turn from black to purple, just like Alyssa’s. The walls of sand drop. Alyssa collapses to her knees. Melissa does the same from the lack of energy.

  “What have you done?” Melissa screams at her. “What have you done?” the Oracle hysterically screams while pulling at her hair.

  Alyssa stares at her half-sister in shock. She didn’t do anything. “I didn’t do anything.” She whispers out loud with her hand running at the mark on her face. The tears soak her fingertips.

  Astator comes to her side and drags her away from

  Melissa. He opens a new portal and leads her away from the desert. They leave the Oracle of Delphi on the floor to recover from the possession her mother, Selene, just took of her body.

  The War

  Alyssa is escorted back to the hut by her uncle Astator. Her mind is spinning from all the things she’s finally going to let go. Brandon, Jim, Dev, Emily, college, Miranda, Julian, her life. She’s going to give up everything to save the man she loves. She wishes that she can feel brave about it, but it’s too much now. The cup has overflown with water. She asked for all this to end. She wanted normality and now she’s going to get it. Death is the only way she will escape all the immortality that has turned her life upside down. Death is now her best friend. Long ago she decided to commit suicide because she was raped. She felt like her life was an embarrassment. She chose to die. Now death choses her as his next victim.

  “What will you do?” Astator asks her.

  Her sad eyes meet his worried ones. She sits in front of the fireplace like in a trance. No more tears. No more fear. No more hiding. She lets the warmth cover her skin. “I will sarcifice myself to end the war between the Underworld and the Heavens.”

  <><><>

  “War is approaching.” Yenta announces. Her voice heard through the long redwood table.

  Julian doesn’t comment. He remains silent, sitting at the head of the table with Hans and Yenta at his sides.

  “I called Gabriel.” Miranda plays with her hands on her on the table. They have all gotten together to form a meeting, but no one discusses their plans on the field. “The God has decided to put him in front line in war.” Miranda lets a tear slip. She looks like the definition of mess just like Julian. His hair has grown longer. There’s even a beard that shows.

  Julian shakes his head at her. She’s not allowed to share that with the enemy. As much as they all want to think otherwise because they have tolerated each other from the hunt to find Alyssa. The Elims and the underworlders are now enemies that will fight against each other. Julian is on the side of the Underworld. “Are you underestimating his skill to stay alive?” Hans comments.

  “He can be killed.” She looks around to every single one of them with revulsion showing in her eyes. “We all could be killed. Especially the ones in front line.”

  Hans nods. “We all are strong. We will see who wins.”

  “The war is tomorrow.” Caledonia avoids everyone’s eyes.

  Yenta nods, not in the mood to insult the goddess. “At sunrise.” She clarifies to everyone.

  “The light will be long.” Hans states.

  Nathaniel, the Head Elim Guard, bows his head to his thoughts. “It’s all happening and there’s no way to stop it.”

  Yenta abruptly stands, shocking everyone. “We need to fight with honor.” She says with a newfound voice of courage. “Your heir.” She points at the Heavens’ side. “Our queen.” She points at the Underworld’s side. “She will come back and when she does she needs to see our realms still intact. We will fight, we will fight for Alyssa.”

  Miranda stands up from her own chair. “Yenta’s right. We fight for her and for courage.”

  “For honor.” Hans stand to join them.

  “For love.” Caledonia joins the group.

  “For peace between the realms.” Nathaniel stands.

  “For our past.” Gabriel’s voice booms. He moves to take Miranda’s hand as she leans on his shoulder in affection.

  Julian stands. They all silently stare at him. He looks around to see each and every face. “We fight for ourselves in hopes of her return.” He raises his fist above his head. “To us!”

  They follow his gesture. “To us!”

  <><><>

  Today is the day. After last night, how can Alyssa find it in her heart to say goodbye? Why can’t life be fair for once? In the last couple of months she has discovered so many things about herself. It’s all coming down to one choice that ends her mark in this world, both mortal and immortal. Her dream was all flashbacks of her past.

  The day she met Brandon when they were kids. She remembers him stealing her lollipop, and when she reached out to take it back he freaked out because she was a girl. Brandon’s eyes and blonde-brown hair loves her like a sist
er. She doesn’t know how he will feel about the thought of her being gone forever. They both had plans, dreams, and goals. They’re friends for life. Brandon Vinson, Brady, her best friend.

  Jim Hort is the most amazing guy she could have ever met. He’s so talented, smart, charming, sensitive, and on top of all that, he’s in the military. He fights for hi country to no end. He’s brave. Jim has been with her through most of her dark times. Without him and his empathy, she doesn’t know if she would have had the courage to take control of her life. His blues eyes always calmed her. He will make a difference one day. Hopefully he knows it. Jim Hort, Jim-Jam, isn’t only her friend; he’s like a brother to her.

  The Adviser Elim, Miranda. That blonde has stood by her when all those revelations were revealed. She held her hand, and told her that everything was going to be alright. Miranda has advised her and made her see everything through a different light. The Elim has truly warmed her way into her life since the very first dream. Miranda needs to know that she’s a strong woman who deserves to be happy and be loved. Only Gabriel will be able to do that. Miranda, the preppy blonde who struggles to talk in the form of this century.

  The Keepers have a sense of nature to protect. Dev and Emily posed as her parents, they sucked at it. They at least need to babysit to gain experience. Even with finding out that they are nothing to her, her heart tells her otherwise. Emily wasn’t around much, but she still sees her as her mother. Dev has always been there for her even when he wasn’t there at all. He loves her like a daughter. Dev and Emily, her parents by heart.

  Dias. Most people look up to him as a God. They all worship him, thinking that he’s perfect, but he isn’t. Even with all his imperfections, she knows that he cares about her. He named her his heir. He wouldn’t do that unless he cared. Dias, her real father.