Chapter 10 : Twins
And so the story kicks off again! I actually wrote out a story plan, it's quite exciting, I never plan anything! I apologise for the lateness of this chapter, but I have been very busy with schoolwork for my exams lately, it sucks.
Minerva's heart was beating fast. The little box was sitting on her kitchen table, wrapped in a purple silk ribbon. Still she could feel its power causing the walls to vibrate, it was watching her. Supping at her tea, Minerva had been engaging it in a staring match for about an hour. She hadn't had any sleep last night because of it, and was in an extremely bad mood. The box's mind curled up gently like a satisfied cat, watching her every move.It was draining all her energy like a parasite, and when Minerva was tired, she was as grumpy as a mule.
She tried to conjure up a barrier around her mind, knowing it wouldn't be strong enough to block the power of the box, and it wasn't, the barrier failed almost instantly.
Draining the last of her tea angrily, she picked up the box, ignoring the way the world lurched sickeningly as the box absorbed her, and stuffed into her waist bag.
"I don't care when Master said he wants you, I'm getting you off my hands now!" she hissed at it. The box sat quietly humming to itself. She stormed out of her little kitchen and through the room where she performed all her readings and thrust open her front door. A couple of schoolgirls who had been reading her door plaque had fallen over from shock as this angry, raven haired woman whirled out like a thunderstorm. Minerva recognised them as her "fans". They came in about two times a week and worshipped her like a Goddess.
If only they know what I really can do, Minerva chuckled to herself, as the girls shouted out her name behind her.She turned, her cloak whirling around her dramaticallyand gave them a quick, fiery glance and the girls shrieked happily. Dear Gods how pathetic. Even so, she enjoyed the attention they gave her, just a little bit, it was nice to feel adored once in a while.
The early morning brought a new life into the city. Shopkeepers were starting to set up their stalls on the side of the streets, fighting amongst themselves for the best locations. People milled about the streets, heading to work or school. Minerva pulled up her purple hood and watched the cobblestones pass by beneath her feet. Finding the usual spot, down a quiet side street, she mumbled the words of Summoning. Nothing happened. The stupid box was blocking her mind waves. She let out an agrieved hmph and started walking as fast as the box would let her towards the Umbris.
Two hours of huffing, cursing and shoving later, Minerva arrived at the top of the Umbris, carrying a small, suprised mouse who had once been a security guard that has unfortunately got in her way. She let the mouse go, and collapsed onto her knees, the little box was laughing at her. Shaking her bag furiously she grumbled,
"You are not helping!"
Never had she been so tired before. Just a little way off, the Master was standing with his back to her, the soft light of day encasing him in a halo of illuminesence. Heaving herself to her feet, Minerva stumbled towards him, sweat dripping off her face. She bowed low, her nose gently brushing the ground.
"Master...I have brought it for you..." she murmured. The Master turned around slowly.
"Minerva, didn't I tell you to bring it at midday?"
"Yes I know Master, but I could not stand its powers any longer." Cool fingers tilted her chin up, Minerva averted her eyes, staring fixatedly at a bird in the sky.
"No, you are only weak after all. We could not expect you to endure such an object."
"We, Master?"
"Yes, for we are close now. Give the box to me." The fingers released her, Minerva fumbled in her pocket for the box, then grabbed the Master's tanned hand and thrust it into his palm. The Master started to shake. Minerva remained on the ground, kneeling, her eyes on the hem of Master's pale green robe.
"Oh my, this is it, the power that will free us..." Minerva looked up at the box. The Master was trying to open the small catch on the lid. He paused, Minerva knew he was looking at her.
"Do you even know what this is? You are meant to be a witch, after all." He grabbed her hair at the top of her head, and pulled hard.
"Ah! Master!"
"So stupid, this box is an Eraser." The Master's grip tightened, Minerva closed her eyes against the pain. Master's lips touched her ear lobe, and she felt them moving softly as he spoke. The movement gave her chills up and down her spine, and his honey-like voice made her tingle.
"Do you know what that is? An Eraser is an object that can remove even the most powerful magical seal. Long ago, the Gods sealed away all the powerful demons of the Netherworld in order to protect the living. Power-hungry wizards created these boxes to remove the seals on the demons, so that they could gain their strength. Now, they are going to free me as well."
Minerva tried to struggle out of the vice-like grip, but it only made it worse. Then, the Master dropped her, now more interested in the Eraser, his face was vivid with excitement. The Umbris gave him an odd glow.
Master opened the box. There was a sudden, horrible moment when the whole world around Minerva seemed to be sucked into the little box. She felt the wax in her ears crackle, the blood pound in her head. The image in her eyes swirled and lurched, the Master became twisted and bent into horrible shapes. Minerva opened her mouth to scream, but instead felt vomit rush up through her throat. She heaved painfully. Laughter echoed from what sounded like miles away. Minerva peered upwards through her hair.
The Master was...dividing. Part of him was on one side of the box, and part of him on the other. He shimmered and melted and became solid again. Minerva felt her stomach churn looking at him. She cradled her head in her arms, tears streaming down her face from pain. After what seemed like forever, the sensation suddenly stopped.
Sobbing quietly, Minerva looked up slowly, and nearly fell over from shock. There were two Masters there, staring at her. One was the original Master, the new one had blue robes instead of green and his eyes were pure gold. The new Master turned and hugged the old one.
"Geryon...Geryon, we are one again." Geryon? The Master's name was Geryon? Master smiled.
"Yes, Moryon. I have restored us."Moryon released Geryon from the hug. Moryon's voice was also different to Geryon's. Geryon's was soft and thick, but Moryon's had a lightning bolt edge to it. Moryon shuffled away and glanced around him, then he looked back at Geryon.
"I am hungry Geryon. What is this place?"
"This place has much food for us. The heart here is magnificent, and there are many innocent people." Moryon and Geryon both laughed in unison.
"I knew you would not fail me," Moryon smiled, "now we can devour this place, now we are free from the seal." He caught sight of Minerva.
"My my, what is this? Prey already?" Moryon licked his upper lip, but Geryon threw his arm out in front of him.
"No, she is my servant. A witch, we have much use for her. Besides," Geryon smirked, "her heart is too blackened to taste good anyway." Minerva scowled, but she had to admit he was telling the truth. The Master didn't feel like her Master anymore. In her arrogance, she had thought she had understood what he was. Strong yes, but not magical. Now, he had split into two twins, almost exact replicas of each other. Now he was strange and unknown and different, and Minerva hated not being able to understand what was right in front of her. What was going on? Minerva's pride prevented her from asking that question.
"Silly little human." Moryon bent down and looked at her with haughty disdain. "What back-street occult library did you dig her out of, my dear?" Minerva's brow furrowed and her hands clenched as she tried to bite her tongue. How dare he mock her! Geryon glared at his twin.
"She is not important right now, Moryon. Minerva," he turned to her, "leave now, when I am in need of your services, I will call." Minerva bowed.
"Yes, Master." She got up swiftly to her feet, and strode away. Not even a thank you? After she further bloodied her already sin-sooted soul to get the Eraser for him? Minerva fumed silently. She wondered, in the back of her mind, what those two were planning. Moryon had said they would devour the world. Whatever it was, it wasn't her business. The fate and doings of others did not concern her, she was merely looking for her own happiness.
Moryon and Geryon watched Minerva's retereating back silently. Then Moryon touched Geryon's arm gently.
"My dear, have you found it? The heart?" Geryon smiled at him.
"Yes, " he walked away from Moryon's hand. "We must be patient, in the meantime, I have scouted out many good hearts for us to feast on. They will swell us with strength, and then we will be invincible."
Moryon's lips curled with delight. He giggled and pressed his fingertips to his lips like an excited child.
"Perfect."