Broken Wings
A raving storm over took the island of Crete. Waves crashed, as wind howled angrily threatening to tear off roves and destroy fishing vessels. Creaking, groaning a young solider shifted himself around as fear slipped beneath his platted armour chest. Eyes transfixed onto the door leading into the Labyrinth. A dim light gave him a perfect view of peach coloured stained steps; his grip tightened upon the handle of his sword while sandals dug deep into the dusty ground preventing him from bolting. 'Hurry up. Hurry up.' Silently pleading the solider stepped forward in three quick strides, sweaty hand grabbing the edge of the door bracing himself to slam it shut.
"Ahh!"
Crying out into the night would've drawn attention, the wind however choose that moment to wail loudly. Eyes unblinking; chest heaving he looked down towards an irrated male.
"You weren't going to leave us down there where you?"
Shaking his head stuttering out a cowardly apology, the second male rolled his eyes pushing the solider out of his way as he clambered up the last few steps. Behind him a group of men followed carrying the unconscious body of Melinoe. Staring down at the dusted face, shimmering ebony hair and parted lips allowing a few innocent breaths to escape, the solider dampened his lips blinking owlishly. His body soon tensed feeling a sickly warm breath against the back of his neck.
"Pretty sight huh. The only survivor. Want to know how she didn't perish?"
Looking towards her open lips staring at the two slightly parted teeth, the solider shook his head while his stomach twisted.
"Didn't think so."
Laughing cruelly the male walked towards the large chariot waiting to take them back to King Minos.
Three hours earlier.
"Beast? Come on this isn't funny..."
Stamping her foot like a child Melinoe folded her arms tightly against her chest, blowing away a strand of hair which rested against her cheek. Goosebumps graced her bare arms as she rubbed at them in a futile attempt to get some warmth through her. A scuffle followed by a growl caused Melinoe to spin around sharply, eyes wide as her heart raced. Fear? No. Excitement. Biting down on her lower lip, toes curling against the ground Melinoe spun around colliding with a mixture of fur and flesh.
Shadows blurred across the walls. Laughter mixed with grunts travelled through the empty hall ways. Laying sprawled on her back, a sea of ebony silver curls pillowing her skull, Melinoe looked up towards the grinning face of Beast. He was crouched both knees either side of her hips, right hand pressed against her left shoulder while his left hand remained in the air as if ready to strike. Dampening her lips with a swipe of her tongue, Melinoe let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Head swimming as body began to glisten with sweat; they'd been at this game for almost an hour.
"You win Beast. That makes three out of seven."
Beast huffed, eyes rolling as Melinoe couldn't contain her giggle. Fighting with Hades had never been this fun. Hades. Father. A gentle pressure upon her cheek caused Melinoe to flinch, eyes snapped towards the warm pools of Beast's concern. Rising her hand she gave his wrist a gentle squeeze rubbing gently to sooth him.
"It's nothing. Come on. Another four more tries and you just might beat me."
Melinoe couldn't be positive if her words had any effect on Beast; even as he rose up helping Melinoe stand, he was just as clever at masking his emotions.
Beast gave Melinoe a head start. Melinoe didn't argue. After jogging through one passage way to the next, she found a refuge with three possible ways of entrance this gave Melinoe the advantage to make an easy escape. Forcing herself to grin even while Beast was slowly starting to find her Melinoe found her mind wondering. She'd been down below the surface for over a month. Still, no sign that anyone would come to her rescue. A low growl snapped Melinoe back into attention, eyes darted from one entrance to the next finally deciding to take the middle, Melinoe quickly dashed through just as Beast came out of the far left.
Hooves glided to a halt. Tail swishing Beast turned facing the middle entrance, grinning in triumphant he stepped forward slowly.
Ten feet above their playing ground the door to the Labyrinth creaked open. Flaming torches in hand three men descended down the steps. One solider stood on watch his belt heavy with Crete coins. Hidden amongst the shadows, the other soldier's lay on their sides, throats cut clean open.
Unaware of the oncoming danger Melinoe cursed under her breath. A dead end. It stared back mockingly. Chewing on her lip she turned around, freezing as she saw Beast's hot breath puffing through heavy shadows. Fingers began to curl as magic danced at her fingertips. It was so tempting. Backing up quickly swallowing back a thick grunt, Melinoe tried to make herself seem invisible without the aid of magic. For a moment it worked. Beast stood in the door way, his head risen up as thick leathery nostrils flared inhaling every scent. Blinking his eyes slowly, he turned looking directly towards Melinoe.
"Oh crap.."
Breathing out a curse Melinoe lunged to the side as Beast charged. There was no laughter. Both playmate's minds filled with unanswered questions. While Melinoe focused on pinning Beast in order not to answer questions, Beast focused on pinning Melinoe to gain answers to why she looked so sad and lost. His confusion made him snarl as he stretched his body to the right just missing Melinoe as she stuck out her left foot causing Beast to land in a unmanly heap on the floor.
'You need to relax.' Hecate's past teachings made Melinoe scrunch up her face into a yell.
"Shut up!"
Screaming in rage Melinoe grabbed hold of Beast's arm twisting it dangerously. Beast roared. Thriving around on the ground like a fish caught on a rope. Freeing his second hand from bellow his stomach, he swung striking Melinoe. A sharp crack filled the air. Melinoe crumbled to the side, wincing in pain as Beast monovered himself so that his body was plastered against hers. His eyes swam with unspoken emotion as he gazed down. His large hand hovered over the delicate necklace. Melinoe angled her gaze in order to watch. She remembered when he presented it to her. The hopeful shine in his large eyes. All Melinoe felt was a wave of nausea. If it hadn't been for Beast's growls of attempted human words Melinoe would've tossed it across the room.
Eyes brimmed with tears, the heat of Beast's palm brought Melinoe back to the present.
"Beast I.."
Words became cut off. Not because of the large emotional lump forming within her throat, but by thin leathery lips gently pressing against hers.
No words were able to express the shock which coursed through Melinoe's veins. While her lips continued to tingle, tears stung the corners of her eyes. Pressing the palm of her hands against Beast's shoulders Melinoe forced him off, wincing as pieces of crumbled stones slipped down her three week old toga. She could feel his large brown eyes looking towards in her concern; confused emotions quickly turned to anger. How dare he kiss her. It wasn't fitting. At the same time it was Heaven. Arms instinctually wrapped around the back of Beast's neck dragging him closer against her. Hearts thumping loudly, neither heard heavy boots scrambling towards them.
Melinoe didn't understand what had happened. Her body was hoisted away like a sack of straw, screams of protests followed swiftly by cries of pleas passed her lips, as she witnessed men caked in armour holding Beast down with life threatening blows to his head. It sickened her. Her stomach twisted. Hands trembled, pulsing with magic. Beast roared. He thrived, puncturing ankles with the tips of his horns. Nothing stopped the men. With a swift blow to the back of her head, Melinoe became limp. If she was conscious her cheeks would've flushed in humiliation.
The present...
As her body rocked against the uneasy gallop of the chariot, Melinoe's dreams began to take her away to another world.
The air felt sickly sweet against her sweaty knotted hair. Goosebumps covered her knees from where the freshly grown crops swayed.
"Lykaios. My name is Lykaios."
Melinoe knew that voice. She remembered it from a previous dream, before everything in her life turned upside down. Tenderly taking a step forward, Melinoe peered around the large bent tree. Heart swelling at the sight of her parents. Stretching her hand, Melinoe was surprised when her fingers disappeared through her fathers head without him even flinching. All to quickly the scenery changed. Melinoe tried to keep up. The seasons changed; crops began to wither, cattle grew sickly.
"Your mother waited for him. She tried everything to find him."
Melinoe didn't turn towards the Oracle, it didn't surprise her that she would be here. Rubbing her bare arms, in order to reduce the chill traveling down her spine, Melinoe watched as Persephone stepped out of the once grand looking house carrying supplies.
"Come. You know the ending to this story."
Melinoe was torn. She wanted to remain, to witness how her parents were able to break through the lies, that caused her to snap so easily. She tried to think, to stay on track, but the scenery was already starting to change.
Walking behind the Oracle Melinoe only now noticed the change in her fiery red hair. Streaks of grey travelled in different directions, wrists an ugly purple, knuckles burst like she literally ripped the shackles off. Feet caked in mud. Extending her stride, to walk by the Oracles side, Melinoe felt like she jumped into an icy lagoon. Forest green eyes, now a deep shade of black. They reminded her of the Fates.
"Where are you taking me..?"
Melinoe asked trying to hide the fear travelling through her.
"Your father kept you hidden from the world above your own. But not for your whole life."
Acting like a fish out of water, Melinoe looked towards the Oracle, no longer afraid of her haggard appearance. The Oracle remained silent. Once more the scenery began to shift, the earth looked younger, radiant, far from the dark vision of when Melinoe's mother searched for her father.
The air felt crisp. Orchids sprouted from the ground surrounded by razor grass blades. Childish giggles followed by a mothers worried tone, it caused Melinoe to turn her head. A gasp passed her lips. The area. It wasn't Demeter's island; they were on the island of Crete. The Oracle stepped forward, blinding her left sight of vision. Melinoe's mouth was to dry to snap. Inches from her feet a younger version of herself came scuttling through the grass, locks dark ebony. Behind her a much younger and shorter version of Beast.
Melinoe shook her head slowly. The hairs upon Beast's shoulders and lower half looked more like raven feathers. They flowed through the wind. His head lowered horns pointed towards her younger self back, though his mouth twisted in a childish smile as he huffed and puffed. Beast was playing. They were both playing. Tears sprung at the corner of Melinoe's eyes.
Tripping, rolling in the grass young Melinoe giggled with glee. Beast stumbled falling growling while keeping his horns out of her reach. That didn't stop Melinoe from reaching up touching the long curved horns, the tips of her fingers grazing across the sharp points causing her breathing to hitch, as a small droplet of golden crimson blood trickled down her finger. Older Melinoe looked towards her larger hand, not surprised to find a very faint scar staring back at her. Younger Beast whimpered. Taking hold of her wrist in his faintly hairy hand, he stuck out his tongue dragging it across the small puncture.
"Brace yourself.."
The Oracle whispered.
Unsure of what to expect Melinoe allowed herself to watch. She couldn't understand how these memories were lost. Why couldn't she remember any of them? Lost in her own thoughts a shrill cry snapped out of her daydream. Persephone. She came running towards the pair, eyes wide and frantic. In a bid to move things turned bloody. Quickly. Young Beast spun himself, causing his long claws to slice open Melinoe's side. The jagged wounds resembled the same scars she'd pondered for years.
Forcing herself to turn as the scene caused her stomach to churn, Melinoe looked with anger towards the Oracle. Blaming her for everything that had happened.
"Why did you show me this?!"
Melinoe shouted. The Oracle didn't even flinch. Letting out a sigh which caused her hunched back to shiver, the Oracle continued to watch.
"To show that you and Beast are tied in more ways than you think. You were both hidden from the world. Melinoe."
Melinoe dampened her lips with a swipe of her tongue before shaking her head stubbornly. None of this made sense. How did Beast get out? Why was she even on Crete? Eyes grew wide as saucers, she turned towards the Oracle who continued to watch as Beast scampered away while young Melinoe wept due to the pain of the cuts.
"The Fates.."
At the mention of the ancient sisters, the Oracle briefly shuddered as if someone poured ice cold water over her head. Never the less she nodded.
"They wanted you to forget. For their purpose. Your love couldn't be one created by sweet childhood memories. Only true love can break the curse."
The Oracle turned looking towards Melinoe with a mixture of emotions in her eyes.
"Its time to wake up."
Truly sorry for such a long delay. Had HUGE writers block along with personal issues effecting pretty much everything. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review. Also a brand new 'One-Shot' of Hades & Persephone will be posted up very soon.
- Signed The Broken Ghost