Chapter 22

(Ryan)

The cell door swung open with a groan, its hinges seemingly stiff with age—an unsettling prospect considering that Ryan knew Akane had created it merely days ago.

Just another reminder that time behaved strangely in Malivore's dimension…

For a moment, he and Landon just stared at one another, united in an uncomfortable silence.

"If you're coming with me, you're going to have to do everything I say," Ryan said finally.

"Sure," Landon agreed, stepping out of the cell. "I mean, within reason, of course."

"No," he corrected. "Everything means everything."

"Because you're such a trustworthy guy, right?" Landon asked sarcastically.

"You have no idea what's lurking out there," Ryan said. "So, if I tell you to do something, I have my reasons."

"And let me guess, none of those reasons are to keep me alive?" Landon asked dryly.

"Truthfully? No," Ryan answered. "But for Hope's sake, let's just say our interests align at the moment."

"I'm not completely helpless, you know," Landon said. "I'm a phoenix," he said proudly.

That had to be one of the dumbest things he had ever heard…

Ryan considered him for a moment, trying to determine if this was another one of his brother's pathetic attempts at humor, but his unwavering look of determination seemed to indicate he was, in fact, serious.

"Are you for real?" Ryan asked, choking back laughter. "You may not be a golem, but you're sure as hell not a phoenix."

"And how would you know that?" Landon asked defensively. "I literally burst into flames and come back to life."

"Interesting," Ryan mused. "Still not a phoenix. Trust me — I know my monsters."

"Than what am I?" Landon asked, clearly still annoyed.

"Not sure," Ryan admitted. "But whatever powers you have, they're something Father wants. And that is why you're going to do everything I say."

"So what first, bro?" Landon asked, rolling his eyes.

God, he missed being alone.

"You're going to cut me," Ryan said, already regretting his stupid plan.

"What?" Landon asked stupidly. "I mean, I don't object, but why?"

"You don't need to know why, just do what I say," Ryan replied, handing him the knife he kept strapped to his belt.

Landon watched silently as he took off his suit jacket, exposing the last decent dress shirt he was probably ever going to wear.

"Just across my back, but not too deep," Ryan warned him. "But it's gotta leave a pretty good mark— Ow!" he yelped.

Landon had obviously relished the task, wasting no time making the cut, leaving his shirt ripped and bloody.

"Done," he said with a grin. "So far, I like following orders."

Ryan just glared at him, gathering his suit jacket over one arm and pulling a set of handcuffs off of the wall.

"You're wearing these," he said, cuffing Landon before he had a chance to argue. "Now, follow my lead and don't say anything," he warned.

Landon looked significantly less pleased than he had a moment ago, already fidgeting with the cuffs binding his wrists.

What a baby.

The pair made their way up the basement stairs, with Ryan holding the knife to Landon's back.

"Akane!" he shouted as he opened the basement door. "Akane, I need to talk to you," he called.

A moment later, Akane appeared around the corner, relatively unsurprised to find him holding their prisoner at knifepoint.

"What's all this?" she asked, with only moderate interest. "Huan said we weren't moving the prisoner until he came back with the tribrid."

Landon opened his mouth to speak, but Ryan pressed the tip of the knife into his back in silent warning.

"Huan just sent word that we're to move ahead with Landon while he scouts for Hope," he said.

Just as he predicted, a look of doubt crossed Akane's face—he could see her calculating behind those dark, intelligent eyes.

"He said nothing of the sort to me," she said skeptically, drawing closer.

"Huan said if you needed proof, to show you this," Ryan said, turning around to reveal the wound across his back.

"Oh, he really does have a temper," Akane laughed in delight. "If that's the case, then I guess I have no choice but to go with you," she said.

"Guess not," Ryan agreed, pushing the knife into Landon's back once more to keep him from talking.

Akane snapped her fingers and in an instant, the entire house and all of its contents vanished, leaving them standing in the middle of Malivore's wasteland once more.

"Good thing I pack light," she said with a sly smile.

"So, how's the family reunion going?" Akane asked as they walked along the rocky path.

"Oh splendid, thanks for asking," Landon replied, jangling his handcuffs in her direction.

Akane laughed. "Oh, Clarke, your little brother is adorable," she said. "I've really started to like him!"

Ryan remained silent—he had learned that giving Akane any kind of reaction was a dangerous game to play.

Unfortunately, Landon had yet to learn the same lesson.

"Oh, you like me? Am I supposed to be flattered?" Landon asked angrily. "You may have fooled me once, but I know what you are now," he said.

"But I've always liked you—" she said in a perfect imitation of Hope's voice. "I love you, Landon," she said in the same voice.

Landon stiffened beside him, clearly unsettled, but Akane wasn't watching Landon; she was watching him—waiting for his reaction.

Ryan tightened his jaw as he attempted to curb the intense wave of emotion that washed over him at the sound of Hope's voice. He wasn't about to give Akane an ounce of satisfaction.

"Come on, boys," she said, in her own voice. "We've got to pick up the pace if we're going to beat Huan to Malivore's little house of horrors."

Ryan stopped midstep, "Beat Huan?" he asked carefully. "I told you that Huan told me—"

"Oh please," Akane said, cutting him off. "I know Huan didn't contact you. But don't worry, I'm flexible."

Landon cast him a nervous glance.

"Because your deal with my father is to deliver Landon…" Ryan said, putting the pieces together.

"Bingo," she said with a smile. "You actually did me a favor—I deliver my end of the bargain while Malivore is still in a good mood. You know, before he realizes that Huan let Hope slip between his fingers!"

"Cash in your chips early…" he said.

"Now you're getting it. Too bad you had to get that little ouchie though," she said, trailing her fingers down his back.

Ryan jerked away from her touch, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

"So what now?" he asked. "If you figured out that Huan never asked me to move Landon, than you've realized that I never intended on letting you deliver him to Malivore."

They had stopped walking.

"What's next is up to you, Clarke," she said, suddenly more serious than he had ever seen her.

"I have no plans of sharing the credit of bringing in Landon," she said. "So if you still want to impress daddy, you can try to beat Huan to Hope— or you can just give up and walk away," she finished with a shrug.

"Funny," Ryan said. "I don't like either of those options."

Akane just smiled.

"I was hoping you'd say that," she said, eyes gleaming dangerously.

With the snap of her fingers, Akane the woman was no more—in her place was a ferocious looking fox, at least the size of a large wolf.

The fox had brilliant orange fur and luminous yellow eyes, but most impressive was the creature's many tails that fanned out around her— as beautiful and mesmerizing as dancing flames.

Ryan and Landon both took an instinctive step backwards. Akane bared her fangs, letting out a low growl.

"Uh, Clarke?" Landon asked with uncertainty. "What are your orders now?"

"Run," Ryan answered, swallowing the lump in his throat.

(Hope)

"I am Echidna, Mother of Monsters," the creature answered. "And depending on how you answer my questions, this may be the last conversation you ever have…"

"Your questions?" Hope asked the snake woman who called herself Echidna. "What questions?" she asked skeptically.

"Actually, our questions " Echidna replied coyly. "Mine and my daughter's," she said casting her gaze towards the back of the cave.

Hope stiffened in the monster's grip— As if things weren't bad enough, she was about to be outnumbered.

She watched with bated breath as a dark shadow at the back of the cave began to move, suddenly alive and under its own power.

However, Hope was surprised by the creature that came out of the darkness. Instead of another snake-like creature, what emerged was something else altogether.

The creature was both beautiful and horrifying—the head was that of a woman with a powerful, regal bearing, yet the body was that of a lioness. If that wasn't enough, powerful feathered wings rested on her back.

Suddenly, realization dawned on her.

"Your daughter is a sphinx?" Hope asked, uncertain of which creature she should be keeping a closer eye on.

"I am the mother of many monsters," Echidna said. "You should be honored to know that I also consider you kin."

Hope was unsure of how to reply, so she remained silent.

"But to answer your question, yes, the Sphinx is of my blood," she said, relaxing her grip around Hope's chest.

"Now for my queries— The first question is, how did you arrive in this realm?" Echidna asked.

"I came here of my own will," Hope answered.

"Why?" the Sphinx spoke for the first time, her voice sweet like honey.

Hope turned her attention to the creature, who was watching her with a piercing stare.

"I came to destroy Malivore," she answered truthfully.

"Malivore has imprisoned many of my children, and for that, I owe him no kindness," Echidna replied, expression hardening into something deadly.

It sent a chill down Hope's spine.

"But do you know the price of entering this dimension?" the Sphinx asked her.

"Yes," Hope answered softly.

"Good, then you will be able to solve my riddle," said the Sphinx.

"A riddle?" Hope asked, not liking where this going.

"Yes, a riddle," the Sphinx answered. "There is a prophecy," she explained. "And if you solve my riddle, you will be rewarded with its contents."

"And if I don't?" Hope asked, glancing towards the cave's exit.

"Then, we will have to assume the prophecy wasn't for you and your fate will be— inconsequential," Echidna answered.

"Tell me your riddle," Hope said, attempting to hide the fear she felt.

The Sphinx smiled and recited,

"You have me today,

Tomorrow you'll have more;

As your time passes,

I'm not easy to store;

I don't take up space,

But I'm only in one place;

I am what you saw,

But not what you see.

What am I?"

Hope took a deep breath. The Sphinx had said that if she understood the consequences of entering Malivore, then she would be able to solve this riddle…

What isn't easy to store but takes up no space?

She closed her eyes, unable to bear the weight of the creatures' stares upon her.

What you saw… but not what you see?

The answer came to her like a punch to the gut— memories.

That is why the Sphinx had said she would be able to answer—the price of entering Malivore is everyone's memories…

"Memories," Hope answered quietly, feeling the familiar pricking of tears behind her eyes.

"Correct," said the Sphinx with a delighted smile.

Echidna released Hope from her iron grip, allowing her the freedom to stand on her own two feet.

"What's the prophecy?" Hope asked, putting a safe amount of space between herself and the pair.

"Are you sure you wish to hear it?" the Sphinx asked. "Prophecies can be a burden…"

"I'm sure," she said.

She needed all the information she could get…

The Sphinx looked to Echidna who inclined her head in assent.

"Very well," she said. "The prophecy is this," she said, holding out a scroll in her fearsome paw.

Hope took the ancient looking piece of paper, carefully unfolding it as she read—

The Little King is cold and empty,

He stands in the shadow of the Hill

But the shade is of his own making

The Dream Bearer seeks absolution,

Caught between the orbit of two suns

One provides warmth and the other heat

Union both threatens destruction and promises salvation

What was taken is now given willingly

Only light can cut through darkness"

"Another riddle?" Hope asked dismayed.

But before the Sphinx had a chance to respond, Hope was struck with a sharp pang of fear.

Fear that was not her own…

The two monsters exchanged a knowing glance, retreating back into the shadows.

"Wait!" Hope shouted, but the feeling of panic came again, even stronger this time.

Despite her better judgement, Hope turned to leave the cave. If Clarke was in danger, then Landon may be too…

Hope tucked the scroll into her pocket and followed the feeling, letting the fear spur her forward.

This way, this way, this way… the bond whispered in her veins.

She pushed herself onwards, ignoring the burning in her chest, which now ached from both the crush of the serpent's tail and the pace of her sprint.

Finally, she spotted them—Clarke and Landon were running towards her at full speed, a massive fox in close pursuit.

It must be Akane — this must be the kitsune's true form.

When Clarke caught her eye she felt his relief as if it were her own—next to him, Landon screamed her name.

"Run!" Landon implored. "Hope, run!" he shouted.

Like hell.

"Ventus!" Hope shouted, stretching her hands outwards, releasing a torrent of wind that sent Akane flying backwards with violent force.

The attack took the kitsune by surprise, allowing Landon and Clarke the opportunity to get behind her.

"Hope, we have to go," Landon said. "Huan's looking for you and—"

Hope ignored him, stepping forward to face Akane, who was now upright once more, and definitely pissed.

"Back off," Hope warned her. "Unless you want to die right here, right now," she finished.

Akane merely snarled in response, summoning a host of blue, floating balls of flame.

"Death it is," said Hope with a shrug, summoning fire into her own palms.

"She's not working with Huan anymore," Clarke informed her. "She just wants Landon—that's the bargain she struck."

Hope nodded in acknowledgement, sending her flames forward, but Akane leapt skillfully out of the way, using her own fire as a shield.

"Lihednat Dolchitni," Hope hissed, closing off Akane's airway, causing the fox to thrash and sputter.

A dark part of her delighted in the sight… It's what she deserves…

But suddenly, where one fox had stood, there were now half a dozen—identical in their appearance and fury.

"More illusions," Clarke murmured darkly.

It quickly became impossible for her to tell which kitsune was real, causing her spell to slip.

"Dammit!" she yelled.

They were surrounded—identical foxes encircled them within an unearthly ring of fire.

Suddenly, two of the foxes sprang forward, one took Landon and the other Clarke— pulling them roughly by their shoulders, teeth sinking into flesh.

"No!" Hope screamed, uncertain of where to focus her magic.

"Release them!" she shouted.

"Time to make a choice," Akane's voice floated into her mind, cold and cruel.

Clarke had told her she was after Landon—that had to be the real Akane… right?

And yet—

Clarke's pain and misery flooded her mind. She felt it all, the physical pain, the emotional pain— she could tell he was breaking in every possible way.

She looked desperately between the brothers, Landon watched her with terrified eyes, yet Clarke wouldn't look at her at all— eyes downcast and body limp, he seemed resigned to his fate.

"Too slow," Akane mocked.

In perfect synchrony, the foxes released their respective victim's shoulder and went for the throat, fangs already glistening with blood.

"VADOS!" she screamed, sending a wave of destructive energy towards Akane, tears of anger pouring down her face.

The pair of foxes vanished, the real Akane taking Landon as her prize, the illusion leaving Clarke behind.

Hope froze in horror.

What had she done?

She stared at the spot where Akane and Landon had been, now empty.

Finally, she turned to Clarke, who was watching her with open shock.

"You—you picked me?" he asked, voice cracking in disbelief.

Hope was shaking so badly she could no longer stand—she fell to her knees, burying her face in her hands.

She felt him draw close, kneeling across from her…

"Why?" he asked, reaching out a trembling hand to touch her shoulder.

"I— don't know," she said, voice breaking as she began to sob. "I don't know—" she said again, fearing she may be unable to say anything else ever again.

This couldn't be real, this couldn't be real, this couldn't—

Suddenly, Clarke reached out and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace.

"No one has ever picked me…" he said, voice barely above a whisper.

His words only triggered another wave of sobs as she pulled him closer, digging her fingers into his back, reassuring herself that he was solid and real.

Her grip was surely hurting him, but he gave no complaint.

"It's okay," he said softly, rubbing soothing circles on her back. "It's okay," he said over and over again as she cried—the phrase was like a mantra, holding her heart together as the rest of her threatened to break apart.

When she finally looked up, she saw that he had been crying too—tears streaked his face, just the same as hers.

They stared at one another for a moment as their breathing synced, easing into a gentle rhythm. She felt a wave of warmth and comfort come over her, whether they were his emotions or hers, she couldn't tell.

"Hope, I—I have to tell you something," he said, eyes shining as he reached out, gently brushing a tear from her cheek.

She nodded weakly, not trusting herself to speak.

"I— I think I'm in love with you," he said quietly.

She froze in shock, completely unable to process his words.

This must be a mistake, another trick—

"It's okay," he said quickly. "I don't expect my feelings to be returned. But I wanted you to know. I need you to know… Hope—I'm someone you can trust."

And in that moment, she felt it. The liar, the manipulator, the masked man, was gone. This was no trick, this was real.

"I don't know how, but somewhere along the way, I stopped looking out for just myself. Maybe it was subconscious at first, but I know it now— you are what I'm fighting for."

"Ryan," she breathed, "I—"

She stopped, words failing her— What should she say?

"It's okay," he said with a thin smile. "You don't have to say anything. I know I have to earn your trust."

She felt the smallest of smiles return to her face.

He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her cheek, the small gesture causing her heart to flutter in response.

"Let's go get Landon" he said, as he stood. "Let's make things right."

"The word sphinx comes from the Greek Σφίγξ, apparently from the verb σφίγγω ( sphíngō ), meaning "to squeeze", "to tighten up." This name may be derived from the fact that, in a pride of lions, the hunters are the lionesses, and kill their prey by strangulation, biting the throat of prey and holding them down until they die. There was a single sphinx in Greek mythology, a unique demon of destruction and bad luck. According to Hesiod, she was a daughter of Orthrus and either Echidna or the Chimera, or perhaps even Ceto."