Chapter 28 ~ Katerina
Katerina was sat on her bed, reading a thin book she had brought with her. After the strange fiasco at the Star Lotus Hotel, they had sought out this motel that seemed safe enough and Katerina paid for six rooms. When she arrived back at her room she instantly took a shower; the water was cold but she didn't mind, as long as she got to clean herself. She changed into some black sweatpants and a baby-blue tank top for the rest of the evening. They had probably three hours of sleep before they went back to their normal struggling quest. She read for a little while before drifting off into a deep sleep.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself lying on the dusty rock floor, her right side aching with agony. She sat up, abruptly, and dusted off some grit off her clothes. She looked around and saw that they were in a cave, and there weapons lying around. She recognized Adrian's black sword, crawled over and picked it up.
There was a battle raging all around her. Instinctively, she ran over to the side, at the edge of the battle. She saw Courtney and Logan fighting her friends - she couldn't tell who they were.
"No!" She turned and saw Nethrys kneeling over a fallen figure, his back hunched and his voice broken and hollow. Logan noticed it too, and grinning evilly, he threw the shaft of his spear at Nethrys, who didn't seem to notice.
He couldn't save her, She thought sadly, But maybe I can save him. With tears running down her eyes, she ran in front of Nethrys as the spear gutted her. It was ice cold, and she felt her breath leave her at once.
Her vision blurred and she sank to the ground. Looking up, she saw worried, horror-stricken faces. "Thank you," She felt a shift in her body, and closed her eyes. Her friends were the last things she ever saw darkness became her only friend.
Katerina shot up from her bed, sweat dripping down her neck down to her back and nose. She was panting, gripping onto the sheets, and her hair was drenched from the sweat. I'm going to die? What - no, I'm not going to die. I'm immortal, for Hades's sake. Her face became more paranoid as she remembered the line from the prophecy - and lose a loved one they once held dear, - and if possible, her face became even more frightened. Trying to make herself steady, she thought, Katerina- don't be silly, it was just a dream. Relief washed over her, and she got changed and went outside her room, and banged her room shut as if that would make her memories dissolve into nothing.
Adrian barged into their room, "Hey sleepyheads!" He gave Trudy a good-morning kiss, ignoring Katerina's choking-and-dying skit she was silently acting out. She stopped as the dream came back to her. Hm. Too soon?
She looked over to her right where light was seeping through the silk curtains, causing an illusion of saturation. The lights reflected of her, making her look like a kaleidoscope of colours; blue, red, green.
Getting up and stretching, Katerina already ran out of things to do. And of course, because her mind wasn't occupied, the horrible dream came back to her. She took a shower and changed into a fresh set of clothes. Wandering along the corridor - which was filled with rooms for her quest-mates, she came to a stop in front of the only one who could make sense of her strange dream. She knocked on Vytoni's door, and the occupant half emerged halfway behind the door, her eyes unusually tired-looking, "What?"
"It's me, Kat- can I come in?" Vyt opened the door further to admit her. Katerina looked around the room, which was practically empty except for a bag on the foot of Vytoni's bed, unlike hers and Trudy's room, which was littered with clothes and wrappers from their midnight snack. You can't really see her personality by just looking, Kat mused, Is that a good thing, or bad? She was the only one who didn't have to share a room, so the other bed in the hotel room was clean and empty.
Katerina jumped onto the vacant bed, hopping on it a little bit then jumping down into a cross legged position on the bed, "Hi."
"Hm."
"Uh... your hair is down. You should wear it like that more often." Vytoni raised her eyebrows, pointedly twisting her dark brown hair into a bun. Katerina abandoned the attempt for small talk, instead watching the other girl silently, wondering how she should phrase her question.
"So I uh - had this dream last night?"
"You did?" Vytoni's semi-vacant and bored expression morphed into slight curiosity, and Katerina felt the overwhelming need to shake her shoulders and yell into the ear.
"I did," She confirmed, "And - well, it was a little weird. There was this fight, and I kinda jumped in front of a spear to save Nethrys? Does that imply anything about our quest?" She looked hopefully at her half-sister, but she only regarded her with dark, thoughtful eyes.
"It depends," Vytoni finally replied, "I don't think it was a dream. Or, in this case, a nightmare. I think this is your fear landscape. Maybe. I can't be too sure - hold on," Vytoni gave Katerina a look close to amusement, "Your fear is dying? Wow, that's ironic."
Katerina shrugged and blushed over her fear slightly. "So a fear landscape is like what Trudy and Kyle had right?"
Vytoni nodded, "Exactly like that, except for Trudy it was Monophobia and for Kyle it was Aquaphobia."
"Um.. What?"
Vytoni rolled her eyes, adding, "Loneliness and Drowning."
"And for me it was dying."
Before Vytoni could reply, the door was flung open and banged against the wall. Nethrys was at the doorway, panting, "Team meeting in my room!"
"A little privacy please? You could at least knock!" Vytoni muttered to herself, though it was loud enough for everyone to hear. Nethrys pretended he didn't.
"Meeting about what?" Katerina asked, standing up from the now messy bed. Nethrys shrugged, so Kat went out of Vytoni's room, feeling rather than seeing the other two share a look before following her out.
They entered the room of Godlings. Scarlett was probably in her room -mean thing- and Wolfe was still tied up on his bed, his gray T-shirt wrinkled, with earphones forced into his ears - apparently the person who called this meeting did not want him to be listening.
Adrian and Trudy were sat cuddled up on the couch which was pushed against the window. Trudy was in an oversized hoodie and some pajama shorts, her caramel hair in messy bun. Lysandra had her reading glasses on, and a book on her lap opened at the middle. Katerina sat down on the armrest of couch, her feet propped next to Trudy and Adrian. Vytoni sat on the floor leaning against the farthest corner of the room, already fully dressed in her usual black tank top, denim shorts and worn out combat boots, subconsciously twirling a silver dagger in her hands and still looking weirdly tired. Nethrys sat next to her, careful to keep his distance but sending concerned glances from time to time, fiddling with hem of his black shirt and tapping a finger impatiently against his jean-clad leg. Elektra was still in her green flannel pants that stopped at her knees, with an old, concert shirt that was at least a few sizes too big for her. Enryx was wide awake, already dressed in his usual blue shirt and jeans, draining a pot of coffee.
"Can I have some of that?" Katerina asked gesturing to the warm coffee pot. Enryx had just finished the last drop, but he nodded sheepishly and got up to make some more. Rosamynd walked in, with her flannel pants tucked over her heels and a bathrobe half-tied, revealing a faded Beatles shirt.
"Who called this meeting?" Katerina eyed Enryx, already knowing it was him.
"I did! And it's about our new friend here, William," Katerina rolled her eyes at the mention of his name, and the word 'friend'.
"What about him?" Katerina said speaking on behalf of the confused faces.
"Enryx and I were thinking of what to do with him, we can't keep him tied up forever. He's gonna smell of sweat and dirt, we can't keep accompanying him to the bathroom and he needs to lead us to Phobos and his croonies," Nethrys explained the situation, keeping his eye on William, who was squirming slightly - though Katerina wasn't sure if he was just moving to the music.
"William," Wolfe saw everyone looking at him and shrugged, pointing at his headphones. Rolling her eyes, Katerina reached over and plucked the headphones off his head. "What are you guys talking about?"
"Just about how we dispose of you," Elektra said brightly, making Wolfe grimace.
"So have you reconsidered working with us?" Lysandra asked him hopefully.
Wolfe snorted, "You think we go on one little adventure and suddenly you're my best friends? But yeah, I have." He didn't say more.
"Can you give us any information about your father or his minions?" Enryx questioned him.
"All I know is that, their starting from the most southern of florida, working their way across the United States."
"What are they starting?" Adrian furrowed his eyebrows, deep in thought - Well, as deep as his thoughts can go.
"The Revolution of Fear."
Uneasy silence filled the room and settled there for a few moments, until Rosamynd finally broke it, "The Revolution of Fear? What's that?"
"It's the age of fear. Desolation," Wolfe's eyes looked hollow and shaken as he explained, "Phobos will take over, through the work of his daughter and nephew, Courtney and Logan. And, well, me, if I still count. If I ever counted," William looked so bitter Katerina didn't know how to react.
"Anyways," He continued, "They want to take over the world. And everyone in it. Phobos would be worshipped, the God among all Gods. Out of fear, of course. And if they fight..." He shuddered, looking down at his shoes, "Well, let's just say it's not gonna be pretty. He literally feeds off fear. How something like that be defeated is beyond me."
"Is he telling the truth?" Enryx looked at Nethrys, who was scrutinizing him, an aghast expression slowly dawning on his face. Katerina already knew the answer.
"The thing is," Elektra said slowly, surveying Wolfe carefully, "The prophecy says to have eleven. We are not technically eleven. He is a captive right now. So we need to make a decision."
"William Wolfe, will you serve and promise to be loyal to us, your team members and this quest?"
"I promise!"
"You promise to use your powers and abilities to against the people you have once worked with?"
"I promise!"
"Good! We'll vote on it, and see." Enryx decided, "All for him staying?" Katerina found herself the first to raise her hand, along with Trudy, Enryx, Nethrys, and to her surprise, Vytoni. Friends close, enemies closer, no doubt.
"All for him being held captive still?" Rosamynd and Adrian raised their hands. Which means that Lysandra and Elektra abstained.
"It's settled," Enryx untied his sphinx rope then held his hand out to shake, which Wolfe did, "Welcome to the team."
The rest of the day was spent studying and understanding Wolfe's powers which proved to be very interesting. His power was a mix between Phobos' and Nyx's powers, so he was able to merge his body completely into shadows. The shadow form can be either anatomically identical to his normal form or just into any sort of shadow he wanted to transform to. He could absorb and manipulate the shadows and darkness around him and change the size, shape and intensity levels. He could sometimes absorb light from a light source such as a lamp. Being a shadow manipulator, he is able to better operate in the dark environments, and his sensed heightens to compensate the absence of light.
He tried to understand the rest of the team's powers and abilities as well; Enryx and Elektra's amazing accurate archery, Rosamynd's naturistic growth powers, Lysandra's mystical spell-casting, her half-sister Vytoni's weaponry skills and magical runes -combat magic-, Adrian and Nethrys's insane combat fighting and sword skills (And Nethrys' inbuilt lie detector), Trudy's ability to change appearance and her metal molding hands, Katerina's camouflage power that she had gotten from Hades and her trusty dagger called Kalypto.
William introduced us to his sword, which was silvery black with slight curve with an indigo hilt. He had named it on the spot 'Sabershadow'. It was made of Cimmerian Silver, coated with Stygian Ice then painted a black colour. It was mined and forged in the Elysian Fields, which was the final resting place of the souls of the heroic and virtuous. It was cooled in the River Styx very like a Stygian Sword.
After a full day of training and skill enhancing, Katerina settled down in her bed after taking a warm relaxing shower to ease off the tensions in her body. She pulled her hair up into a side braid over her left shoulder after she blow-dried it. She snuggled up into her bed, while Trudy was off with Adrian somewhere. She lied on her left, facing the window. She noticed flashing illuminating lights coming from the sea. Moving closer to the window, Katerina peered at the light show... Just around the block. She glanced at her alarm clock at the side of her bed: 8:53 pm. She had just enough time to change and make it down to the beach, without anyone noticing her.
Katerina smiled at the blissful scenery; the sun had set and the stars were out. The sky was painted black and the moon partly hidden away. She had changed out of her camouflage patterned shirt and forest green shorts into a sleeveless spring green dress, it was cut off at the knees and had a brown belt around her waist. She still had her boots on but they were the only ones she brought with her. There was music coming from an open deck beach party that was overlooking the sea. Couples were dancing with one another, twirling around, bowing. She sighed a little but forced a smile. Walking down to the beach house, she thought about the past month or two she had with the team and with the deadline drawing near. She shook the thoughts about the end out of her head. Tonight will be a fun night.
She hadn't danced in a while. She recalled some steps that her friend, one of the nine muses Terpsikhore had taught her. Terry, for short. Terry had been her dance teacher since she could remember, teaching her all kinds of dances and techniques. She began to dance among the crowd for several minutes until the music turned slow. Others instantly grabbed their spouse or partner.
"Hey, princess," Katerina turned to face Wolfe, who was right next to her, sneaking up as always. He was wearing a simple white shirt under a black leather jacket which he left unzipped and black jeans paired with converse.
"What do you want, William?" Katerina rolled her eyes and made her way to the drinks table where there was a fountain of punch spouting from an everlasting source and things for the younger ones, like soda.
"Wolfe. Just call me Wolfe," He corrected, pouring himself a cup of sprite, adding three ice cubes specifically.
"Ok. What are you doing here, William?" Katerina asked, putting emphasis on the word 'William'. She, too, poured herself a glass of pineapple punch and drowned it in one gulp, reaching for the punch bowl for a second glass.
"Just wanted to enjoy my freedom," William sighed, staring at the dancing couples swiftly moving across the deck along to the slow music. "Do you dance?"
Katerina nodded, desperately wanting to be dancing there with a polite gentleman instead of drinking by the table. "Have been able to since forever."
"You must be good."
"I don't personally think so," Katerina shrugged and filled up her cup up to the brim of pineapple juice again.
"Well, you must be if you've been learning it for fourteen years or longer,"
Katerina shrugged again, feeling non-responsive, "Won't know till you find out."
Wolfe put down his cup and walked towards her and stood inches away from her, towering over her. "I do want to find out," He whispered and picked up a golden strand of hair that was lying open over Katerina's left shoulder. He twirled it around his finger, What is he doing? He dropped the streak of gold and grazed his hand across her shoulder and down her arm softly. Picking up her hand he bowed down and kissed it. "Katerina, may I have this dance?"
"Uh- sure," Katerina said, surprised, and trying her best not to giggle she put down her drink and curtsied politely. She was led onto the dance floor, William's firm hand entangled with hers. She looked down at their hands, and stifled a giggle.
William put a hand on her hip, just as a new track began. Slow music, She thought. He poised up their held hands while Katerina put a hand on his shoulder. They moved their feet to the music, their steps matched as they travelled along the deck floor. The steps were simple, it was a simple step forward-tap, step backward-tap. They progressed into trickier dance moves that Katerina didn't know Wolfe could manage to do. He twirled her around, her dress floating around her. Katerina was blushing slightly, trying not to make contact with his dark, stormy eyes. But his eyes met hers anyway, looking deeply into her royal blue ones. He twirled her around once more then dipped her. She cupped her hands behind his neck, holding on. His face was inches from hers, gazing into her eyes and wrapping his arms tight around her waist. Holy Hades, is he going to kiss me? The music faded away then a fast paced music began, the other couples danced to the rapid beat of the music. Smiling, William pulled Kat back up and began to dance the tune. Of course he's not gonna kiss me, after all we're practically enemies. I'm dancing with the enemy. Katerina giggled and danced along with him, spinning and turning fast and doing sharp movements. William chuckled and held onto her waist, leading her around the dance floor.
After an hour of dancing to Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and other famous mortal artists. They stumbled out of the door that led to the beach, the waves were lapping at the shore line, soaking the sand. They were still gripping hands in a dance poise.
"I had no clue you were the dance type of guy!" Katerina said unable to control her laughter.
"I wasn't planning to tell anybody!" William said chuckling. "Wasn't it uncomfortable dancing with a dagger in your boot?"
"No, there's a little slot on the inside of my boots." Katerina slipped off her both of her boots and stood barefoot on the sand that was still warm. Handing her shoes to William, she felt the tiny golden rocks slipping in between her toes. He peeked into her right boot, and shoved his hand into it, Katerina looked down at her feet, she started to dig a small trench with her toes. Finding many crystal-like shells that were hidden under the shore.
Wondering what was so intriguing about her boots and daggers, she looked up to find William running away from her, holding onto her shoes. She bolted after him thought it was hard to sprint due the the softness of the sand. William was laughing, jogging across the beach. Katerina glared at him, though she was giggling to herself, and chased after the menacing boy. She could see that after he turned and saw that she was chasing him, he slowed down a bit. She finally caught up to him and tackled him to the ground and pinned him down.
"Why'd you run off?" Her face suddenly full of fury though she was frowning.
"I was just kidding around, princess!" His face full of laughter.
"Don't call me that!" Wolfe pushed her off him and rolled on top of her, pinning her and he leaned down, till they were closer than a centimetre. Katerina wrapped her legs around his waist and grabbed his shoulders and shoved him upward so he did a forward roll over her and Kat ended up on top him down again, sitting on top of his chest; his legs flopping around trying to get a way out. "This may come as a shock to you but I've never had royal duties or royal perks!"
"Okay fine! You're not a snobby bimbo," William gave in. Katerina smiled and rolled off him and lied down on the sand. Wolfe rolled onto his side and faced her, propping his elbow up and resting his head on his hand.
"Hey uh-would it be okay if I did something that was inappropriate?"
"Not appropriate?"
He leaned his head forward and pressed his lips against hers, their lips overlapping. Katerina's eyes shot open in surprise and shock but she soon softened her lips and kissed him back. She placed her hands on his chest, half pushing him away - half relaxed. Her heart was pounding rapidly with nervousness and excitement and so was his. William finally pulled away, he had moved above her during the kiss.
"Why did you do that?"
"I uh- wanted to!"
"Was that what was so not appropriate?"
William made a shy nod, his cheeks flushing deep red against his fair skin. "I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have." He scrambled up, dusting the sand off his black jeans. He offered his hand to Katerina. She looked up at his frowning lips, lips that had just kissed her. Katerina grasped his hand and he pulled her up onto her feet.
"Don't be, it's fine," Katerina whispered.
They walked up the slight hill to towards the motel, which yellow neon light was broken so it only read 'M-tel'. The light on the 'E' was flickering on and off. Citizens were walking down towards the deck party which were now starting a bonfire on the beach and lighting lanterns into the sky.
They walked up the slight hill to the their motel building, it was old-fashioned. Katerina had rented a whole mini-house with five rooms and a couple of bathrooms and kitchen. They even had a small little car park, in front of their motel building. Walking towards the carpark, she started thinking about the kiss. Why?
They stopped in front of the motel door and fumbled for her keys which were inside her boot slot as well.
"Do you keep everything in there?" Wolfe asked, clutching her arm but immediately let go after realizing Katerina noticed it.
"Not everything, just the basic keys and dagger."
Katerina finally found the motel key, it was a thin silver piece of metal with tag on it that read 'Room 024'. She slotted the key into it's lock and turned it multiple times to unlock it then opened the door. William gripped her arm and pulled her back as she began to walk in while banging the door shut. He pulled her into a deep kiss, one hand was on her waist the other still grasping her arm. They lingered in one position for a moment but Katerina found her lips spreading on his, as if they belonged there. Katerina raised her arms from her sides and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in close. They remained like that, their lips moving against each other. Her arms rested on his shoulders and around his neck while his was on her waist.
William finally pulled away and pulled a finger to her lips, "Shhh." He smiled and kissed her cheek and disappeared into the shadows. Katerina's cheeks flushed red, and hastily turned away from Trudy, who could spot it in an instant.
She settled in her covers, feeling restless - though not necessarily in a bad way.
~END OF CHAPTER 28~