Okay..we're back tracking here. This chapter takes place right after Athena kills Erik.
Here's the big pay off to the question...WHAT THE HELL IS ATHENA DOING IN THIS WORLD?
Enjoy!
-Nico
Athena brushed past Erik, trying to quickly get out of the room before he died. His face had twisted into such an ugly mask of shock and betrayal; she could not bear to be near him for one more moment.
The syringe still tight in her hand, Athena moved towards a relatively empty study in her mansion, placing her hands over her ears as she heard Erik in his death throes.
Her blood was racing with rage she had never experienced before. He was going to leave her. He was actually going to leave her for that girl…
She had taken a twisted pleasure in revealing that she wasn't pregnant after all. The confession had bubbled out of her right after she had plunged the needle into his chest. She had wanted to hurt him…to make his last moments on earth as terrible as possible.
And yet, even now as the room where she left Erik grew quiet, she still had a seething desire to hurt him…to destroy him.
Athena walked back into Erik's death chamber, barely taking note of her now dead husband before throwing the syringe into the fire, jumping slightly as it exploded and melted into oblivion.
The destruction sated her momentarily, so she picked up a nearby manuscript Erik had been working on and threw that in too, reveling in the black smoked that destroyed his musical talent.
She felt alive with power. In a frenzied rage, she began a rampage, throwing as many things as she could find into the fire…manuscripts, vials of ink, sofa cushions…anything she could lift…laughing hysterically as the flames began to spill into the room, licking at her skirts.
Manically, she ignored the flame and tossed one final item at the blaze…Erik's brandy jug.
Athena screeched as the flames engulfed her, and then everything was dark.
When Athena awoke, there was nothing around her. No floor beneath her feet, no ceiling over her head. Just the blackness, and the terrible coldness that accompanied it.
"Hello?" She called, wincing as her voice bounced off nothingness, piercing her ears. "Is anyone there?"
"Not just anyone…"
The voice was as dark as her surroundings, husky and tarnished. In the echo, Athena could hear thousands of people screaming in horrendous pain.
"Who are you?" Athena asked, now frightened. "Where am I?"
"You are where all truly evil people eventually wind up," the voice informed her. Athena watched in horror as a figure began to matriculate in the darkness, taking on the form of a young man, no older than she.
He was pleasant enough to look at, with short black hair and smooth skin.
But his eyes…terrible black eyes that never blinked.
"I'm not evil," Athena whispered as the man approached.
The stranger tsked, a smile on his lips. "Now we both know that's not true," he said, almost sympathetically.
"Who are you?" Athena repeated, now shaking from the cold.
The man smiled again. "I have so many names, Athena," he sighed. "We would be here all day if I were to list them." He moved towards her, inspecting her frightened face. Softly, he whispered, "I can give you a hint though."
Athena nodded wordlessly.
With a flick of the man's wrist, brilliant light surrounded Athena, causing her to momentarily close her eyes. When she opened them, she faced a scene of torment…
Writhing half-dead bodies littered the floor, some grasping at her ankles…some screaming for a death that would never come. Flames exploded from all angles, continually burning and reburning each of the tortured souls…
Athena's mouth opened in a soundless scream as her eyes darted from disembodied skulls to bubbling corpses to the screams of a bleeding,disemboweled woman.
Just as quickly as the scene was displayed it was gone, leaving both Athena and the man in darkness once again.
"Oh my God," Athena sputtered.
"Please," the man held up a hand. "I think you know that I'm not God. Just simply…God-like."
"Hell," Athena whispered. "I'm in…hell."
The man nodded. "Very good Athena! I'm impressed!" He exclaimed sarcastically.
"So I'm…I'm…" Athena grappled with the idea.
"Dead," the man supplied. "Burned to a crisp."
"And you're…you're…" she began to cry.
"At your service." The Devil bowed slightly, still smiling. "I've been waiting for you, Athena," he said, running a searing hot finger down her cheek, causing her to cry out in pain. "It's true that evil lurks in the heart of most men…but a woman? It's a rare find."
"What do you want with me?" Athena asked, near hysterics.
"Let's think here," The Devil said, placing a mocking finger to his chin. "What could the Devil possibly want from a dead human?"
Athena's eyes widened with realization. "My soul…"
The Devil clapped his hands together. "Really, Athena! You're a quick one! Can't put anything by you!"
"You can't have my soul," Athena told him.
"You haven't heard my offer yet," The Devil countered. "I'm a businessman first and foremost, Athena…and I believe I can provide you with something you truly desire."
Athena cocked an eyebrow, now listening. The Devil smiled.
"That mean old Erik," he said, pouting his lip a bit. "He was going to leave you…all alone…with nothing," The Devil smirked. "How dare he?"
Athena's eyes darkened with rage.
"But what if I told you that the life you were living never really happened? What if I told you that it was an alternate reality, given as a gift to Erik by an incredibly misguided angel?"
"I'd say you were lying," Athena replied.
"But I'm not," The Devil told her. "Take my hand."
Athena didn't move.
"Just take it," The Devil rolled his eyes. "The burners are off. I promise."
Athena reached her hand out, gasping as The Devil grasped her fingers.
And all at once, Athena became aware of everything. Of Charles. Of Erik's second chance.
Of everything.
"How?" Athena whispered as The Devil pulled away. "How is it possible? I had a childhood…I have memories before Erik!"
The Devil sighed. "If I had to explain all the details, you would never be able to exact your revenge. For now, you'll just have to accept that this is true." He looked around the room, then up towards the ceiling. Then, very quietly he told her, "He can do anything he wants. He's God. If he wants you to have memories, then you will. If He wants to create a working alternate universe…He can."
"What are you offering me?" Athena asked, her voice deadpan.
The Devil rubbed his hands together. He had her.
"I'm offering you a second chance," he told her. "Right now, as we speak, Erik is planning an escape with his precious Christine…"
"I know," Athena interrupted. "I saw when you touched me."
The Devil nodded. "Just re-emphasizing for effect," he said. "How would you like to go back…and destroy him once again?"
Athena squinted her eyes. "What do you have against Erik?" She asked.
The Devil shrugged. "Nothing in particular," he admitted. "I just want your soul. And also, to teach that Charles a lesson not to mettle."
"Do you make a habit out of teaching Angels lessons?" Athena asked.
The Devil's eyes darkened. "When necessary," he said curtly. Then, more pleasantly, "Do we have a deal?"
Athena thought. "What if I say no?"
The Devil shrugged. "Then you will be judged and probably end up here anyway."
"So why even bother offering me this?"
"I like to cause trouble," The Devil said. "Obviously."
"If I go back, I'd like one more thing possible," Athena informed him.
"And that is?"
"I want to know where Erik is, at all times."
The Devil snapped his fingers. "Done."
Athena took a deep breath. She was already damned, so her actions now were meaningless, right?
And why not indulge in one last vengeful act against the man who had wronged her?
"I believe we have a deal," Athena said, extending her hand.
The Devil shook it.
"Now I have a request," he said.
"You're supposed to make requests before the deal is made," Athena told him.
"I don't think you'll have a problem with this," he replied, pulling a stunning red cape from the air.
Athena looked confused. "You want me to wear this?" She asked.
The Devil smiled. "Yes," he said, his voice hissing. "For effect."