“Oh, I was just headed to your apartment.”
I stared dumbly. “Why?”
She shifted nervously in front of me and I instinctively backed away. She pushed out her chest. “It’s a big day, you know. The trial. I was thinking, since I might… die.” She shook her head as if to shake away the word. “I wanted to claim my kiss… you know… for good luck.”
I’d never seen Lyrica so fragile. If the third trial had her this worried, to the point where she was basically giving her last goodbyes, I at least owed her this.
I nodded somberly, but inside I felt a surge of confidence that even Lyrica knew my Yessi was going to kick her ass today. I leaned in, feeling relieved that with this kiss all my business and dealings with Lyrica would be over, forever. This was the end, and I wanted her to feel it. I kissed her, pushing enough emotion into it that she couldn’t deny that I’d paid my debt in full. Thank you, Lyrica, for helping me save Yessi. Goodbye.
43
Yesenia
“What were you thinking?” Thea hissed as she grabbed my bicep and pulled me out of bed.
I shook her off, still holding the sheet around me as I glared at her. “I’m an adult, Thea. I can have sex if I want to.”
“You’re setting yourself up for heartache, Yesenia, and him too. Did you forget your soul is broken? That you always die in the third round?” Her voice raised to a shout.
I clenched my jaw, trying to bite my tongue, and failed. “I haven’t forgotten. I also haven’t forgotten that you neglected to tell me that Jiro was the one to break my soul.”
I was yelling back now, my chest heaving as I continued. “I remember clearly. I remember every life and every fucking death—all twenty of them. I’m not some naive child, Eidothea. I can feel the pain of each life, but I can still feel the joy from them like it was yesterday. I’m not going to deny myself happiness just because it could end in tragedy.”
She threw her hands in the air. “And what about Jiro? He’ll be left here to mourn you.”
That took the wind out of my sails, and I collapsed on the edge of the bed—speechless. Thea sat beside me, her arm going around my shoulders in a comforting half hug.
After a moment of silence, she spoke again. “I’m just worried about you both, Yess. You’re my friends. If you die today, I’ll mourn you just like I mourned Nora. If you survive, I’ll miss you but I’ll be content knowing you’re alive and well.”
I leaned into her, my head resting on her shoulder as I sighed. “I know, Thea. It’s a messy situation. Either way, I’ll never see either of you again. It’s going to suck, but I’m also not going to regret the choices I made here. I’m happy that Jiro and I got a chance to be together. I’m glad you and I became friends. I’ll miss you guys for as long as I live—and that’s going to be a long human life.”
“You’re broken, Yessi,” she said in a small voice.
“I’ve been broken my whole life, at least this time around, and I never let it stop me. I’m not going to start now. Besides... knowledge is power. I remember my past experiences now. That’ll help me survive.” It has to.
Thea turned, hugging me fully. “I hope you’re right.”
“I am... but if I’m not... will you look out for Araceli and Andy? Manny too?”
Thea pulled away and grasped my hand in hers. Strands of the water that continuously ran around her body, the source of her magic as I now recognized it to be, circled our clasped hands as she spoke in a confident voice, “I swear to keep them as safe as I can—and happy—for the rest of their mortal existence.”
The water around our hands glowed as it always did when Thea invoked her power as tears blurred my vision. “Thank you.”
She nodded, releasing her hold. “Now go shower. We don’t have much time.”
I did as I was told and, after a brief inspection of my wounds, now nonexistent thanks to her healing the night before, we made our way to The Hallowed Gate. We walked arm in arm and I drew strength from her as I looked down at my red battle suit. No matter how the tournament ended, this was the last time I’d wear it. The last time I’d make my way into Olympus. It was bittersweet. I would miss living in the Underworld, but I didn’t belong there. I belonged in the mortal world. I belonged with my sister.
Thea jerked us to a stop, pulling my thoughts from my sister. My gaze snapped up from my outfit—onto Jiro and Lyrica. They were kissing. She had her arms wrapped around his neck as their bodies fitted firmly against each other.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” I shouted, ripping my arm away from Thea’s. I stormed over to the pair.
They broke apart. Jiro turned to face me, all the color draining from his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.
“Pinche culero! You couldn’t wait until I actually fucking left to move on to the next,” I shouted.
My eyes watered as hurt welled in my chest, and I furiously blinked away the tears. He didn’t deserve them. He did, however, deserve my anger. “I’m glad I never have to see you again.”
A part of me wanted to punch him, just like I had when we met, but he wasn’t worth the wasted energy. I wasn’t going to lose an ounce of strength over a man whore. I needed every bit for the upcoming trial.
My gaze flicked to Lyrica, a grin lighting up her face. “I really don’t know why you’re so smiley. He dropped your ass for a mortal.”
I turned my back on them, my hair whipping Jiro in the face as he tried to speak to me. “Yess, wait!”
That was all I heard as I walked through The Hallowed Gate.
I arrived in the receiving hall—same as I had the first time I’d stepped through. The only difference was that this time I wasn’t eagerly awaiting Jiro’s arrival. This time I was glad to be away from him.
“Yesenia,” Thea’s voice echoed around the room before her body had finished reforming. I turned to look at her and she pulled me into a hug. “He’s a jerk, but don’t let him be the reason you fail. You have to win this trial. Your sister is counting on you. You can’t let Araceli down.”
Her words were the magic balm I needed. My heart still hurt like hell, but Thea was right. Her words were eerily similar to the promise I always made my sister. I’ve never let you down and I’m not gonna start now.
“You’re right. Let’s go. I just want to get this over with and devour a carton of chocolate ice cream.”
She smiled sadly before linking our arms together again. “You win this tournament and I’ll make sure the carton magically refills itself.”
“Deal.”
44
Jiro
I was frozen. Every cell in my body ached and my immortality couldn’t do shit to stop it. Not like this. I knew I’d have to say goodbye to Yessi when the tournament ended, but I wasn’t going to lose her like this. Fear tore through me. If Yessi went into the trials unfocused, she was going to die.
I knew how it must’ve looked. I needed to get to her to explain myself, now. I was about to throw myself through the portal when Lyrica grabbed my arm to stop me. I yanked my arm away. “This is your fucking fault!” I shouted.
She put her hand on her hip. “We had a deal, Jiro.”
“You planned this, didn’t you?”
She smirked. “Not exactly, but I have to admit the timing was pretty good.”
I felt my anger flare. “Why are you laughing?”
“I just don’t understand why you’re getting all worked up about some girl. What the hell is so special about her?”
“Didn’t you see how fucking happy I was? And what do you do? You try to wreck it. If you cared about me, like you say you do, you wouldn’t pull shit like this. Yesenia doesn’t— She doesn’t fucking hurt people for the hell of it.” Lyrica dropped her gaze. “And I fucking hurt her when all I wanted to do was give her the best chance at surviving.”
Lyrica wiped her face but turned away before I could see a reaction. “Whatever, Jiro.” She whispered, “I just wanted a little bit of luck.�
� She stepped through the gate and I sighed with frustration. I paused to make sure Lyrica was all the way through before moving, trying to formulate an apology for Yessi in my head. I needed to make her understand that she was everything.
I stepped forward and slammed into a white wall of nothing. No. I knew what it meant, but it didn’t stop me from trying again and again. Once again I slammed into the wall of light, begging it to take me. My time in Olympus is up.
I smashed closed fists against the wall, the crack of it echoing through the caves. No, Yessi needed me. I had to get through. I didn’t understand. Zeus said I could stay in Olympus for the whole tournament. Did he change his mind because he was worried Herc might lose? Did Lyrica do something to the gate? I had no fucking clue, and every second I wasted on this side, Yesenia got one step closer to the trial. I punched at the wall until my blood splattered across it.
“What is it, Jiro?” Hades asked.
I turned. “It’s locked. I can’t get through.”
Hades’ demon form flared to life, the talons jutting from his fingertips. “Why?”
I exhaled. “I don’t know.”
“Sabotage,” he said in a whisper that crackled like an open flame. “Does that mean he fears her?”
“I need to get through,” I said, looking up to him for help.
“I can do nothing now, my son. But if she wins, I will have the power to unlock the gate for whoever I choose.”
My son? Had Yessi’s performance convinced Hades she could win?
“I’ll unlock it the moment I become King of Olympus and you shall have your reward.”
Before I could respond, he slipped through the gate. I knew that’s what he was after, I knew that’s what all the gods who entered were after, but Zeus’ champion won every year. I couldn’t remember a time when I thought we had a chance—until now. What would happen to the world if Hades came to be King of Olympus? I shuddered at the thought. I’d been so focused on getting my mother back, I hadn’t seriously considered it.
I gasped as I turned back and sprinted toward my mother’s chamber. She’d been worried about this outcome all along. I ran to the edge of the magma pool where she slept. “Mother,” I said.
She surged from the lava, bringing her snout close to my face. I felt heat permeating off her scales, her dark eyes sorrowful and glossy.
What will Hades have the power to do if he becomes King of Olympus? He won’t have all of Zeus’ powers, right?
My heart sank into my stomach as she shook back and forth. Fuck. Even if Yessi’s victory would set her free, she wanted Yessi to lose. No. All the air sucked from my lungs. If Yessi won, the entire world would burn.
45
Yesenia
I entered through the same double doors as I had the previous trials, not really paying attention. As much as I hated to admit it, I couldn’t get the image of Jiro and Lyrica’s lip lock out of my head.
I drew up short when I noticed the ground I absentmindedly stared at wasn’t the platform at all. Lush greenery surrounded my feet, causing me to look around in shock.
I was in a dense forest. The only indicator that I was in the right place was the floating camera orbs that were broadcasting my every more. I slowly turned in a circle as I looked for Dionysus. I didn’t see the announcer, but I did note a glass bottle nestled at the root of a nearby tree.
I retrieved the bottle, sliding out an old bit of parchment that was corked inside. I set the glass down and unraveled the paper.
It read:
Mortal: Yesenia Rodriguez
Welcome to the final trial!
Alone you enter and alone you can win, but beware!
In the first two trials, champions entered alone.
Today, you all compete at once.
After you finish reading the instructions, this message will turn into a map.
You must locate Medusa, obtain a severed snake’s head from her hair, and make it to the finish line indicated on the map.
Choose ONE weapon.
Dionysus
As soon as the announcer’s name echoed in my head, the words stretched and contorted along the page. While I should have immediately started utilizing my time, I found myself panicking instead. Medusa?! How was I supposed to defeat Medusa? I knew I was strong, but I was still just a mortal. The task was so monumental that, for the first time, I feared for Araceli’s future. I feared for my life.
Shaking off my terror, I studied the map that the reformed lines created. It was an old map, but it showed my location and which direction I faced. I was grateful because I had an abysmal sense of direction. As I tried to determine the best route, a loud pop came from several yards behind me. I let out a yelp, like a total chicken shit, as I turned to the source of the noise.
A rack of weapons now stood under the shade of a giant oak tree. It looked just like the one Jiro had conjured during our cloud training—except this one contained steel weapons. I immediately reached out and grabbed the hell dagger. I was most comfortable with it.
As soon as my fingers wrapped around the hilt and I lifted it up, the rack holding the rest of the weapons disappeared. Guess they were serious about that one-weapon-only thing.
I took a moment to attach the dagger’s sheath to the garter around my thigh before turning back to the map. I began walking, pleased to notice that the arrow that represented me moved to match my progress. I reached the red X labeled Medusa within ten minutes.
I looked into the giant cave mouth and let out a groan. What was it with the Olympians and caves? Moss covered the entrance, making it look eerie. I wished I could just bow out, but Celi needed me.
I removed the dagger from its sheath and gripped it firmly in hand, quickly transforming it into a scythe. The weapon gleamed, its edges visibly sharp. I held it at the ready and walked into the cave.
Procrastination wasn’t going to do me any favors in the strength trial. I found myself hoping I was the first champion to arrive—-an odd wish, to say the least.
I made my way deeper into the cave, the passage becoming so narrow I had to walk sideways. I briefly wondered if we were all given the same way in because there was no way Hercules or even Pitt would fit.
After what felt like forever trekking through the dark, the tunnel began to open up. The stifling darkness eased the further I traveled until eventually it was bright. In what I assumed was the heart of the cave stood a beautiful clearing. Pillars of stone and lifelike statues decorated the area. I heard a bird chirp and looked up at the sky. There was no ceiling obstructing my view even though I knew I was deep in a cave. The effect was disorienting.
As I walked closer to the center, holding my scythe firmly in hand, I closed my eyes and moved through the clearing toward my target, sticking a foot forward to feel out my surroundings as I blindly felt around with my hands. It was a posture I’d seen my sister use many times.
I heard a woman’s voice, though I couldn’t understand the words, and ducked behind one of the realistic statues that dotted the clearing. As she drew closer, I took a step to the left and froze as a hand touched my hip—a stone hand. My stomach lurched as I allowed myself to think about the fact that the statues were people. It was a fact that I’d known but buried in an attempt to preserve my sanity. I didn’t want to become one of them, a forgotten memory frozen in time. I pressed my eyelids tighter together in fear, knowing that I had to be careful or I would meet the same fate.
I’d spent too much of my journey thinking about my trainer and not enough focusing on the task at hand. I mentally shook myself as I made my way toward the voice, dashing from statue to statue in an attempt to stay hidden.
I used my scythe’s reflective blade to peek around the corner as I reached a bend to make sure Medusa wasn’t lying in wait before I slammed my eyes shut once more. I stopped outside another tunnel entrance and folded the map. I stuck it in my bra, with the hope that it’d remain safe, and crept into the room.
Medusa stood with her back to me, mumb
ling to herself. I returned my weapon to its dagger form as I creeped up on her. Pure terror flooded my veins and made it hard to breathe as I crept closer. I couldn’t look, for fear of turning into a statue, but not being able to look around for other competitors worsened my anxiety. Medusa wasn’t the only danger I faced. Hercules’ promise of pain and death circled through my mind as I stalked closer to my prey.
“Stop, human.” Her back was still facing me but I slammed my eyes shut anyway. “Tell me… why are you in the tournament?”
“My mother sold my soul to save my sister’s life.”
“And you want to free your soul? Why not trade it for the soul of your sister?”
“Because I want my soul so I can remain with my sister. I need to keep her safe.”
“Hmmm.” The hum sounded in my ears, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. “Interesting. Who is your god, mortal?”
“I don’t have a god,” I snapped, “but I am fighting on behalf of Hades.”
Hissing rang in my ears, no doubt from Medusa’s multiple heads. “Then you’d better try to behead me. If you fail, he’ll punish everyone you’ve ever loved.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, Medusa. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want to save my sister.” My voice cracked in earnest as I spoke, tears running down my face even as my eyes remained shut.
This was it—I was going to die. I was a good fighter, thanks to my past lives and Jiro’s training, but I couldn’t fight blind. I waited for the strike that ended my life when I heard a grunt of pain from Medusa.
She grabbed my hand, placing what felt like a garden hose in my hand. “You’ve passed, child. This is the strength trial but, what champions always fail to understand is that there is more than just physical strength.”
The Trials of Olympus Page 15