She spat out a mouthful of blood. It ran down her chin, neck, and onto her white dress in large droplets.&nbsp;	It took her a lot of effort not to fall over. She leaned onto a nearby tree to try and catch her breath.&nbsp;While her breathing was getting slower and steadier, she looked down at herself.&nbsp;	She had bruises and cuts all over her arms as far as she could see. Her previously purely white dress now barely resembled its original look.&nbsp;It had holes all through it&nbsp;and&nbsp;the color matched the&nbsp;darkness of the night sky&nbsp;more than white clouds.&nbsp;With her healthier hand, she reached down and pulled the skirt of her dress up to reveal her beat-up legs. She could only imagine just how many scars she would receive from this particular night.&nbsp;	“Pandora? Pandora!” Her companion rushed towards her from behind a tall tree.&nbsp;	Her golden curls flowed around her face&nbsp;and&nbsp;her hazelnut eyes examined Pandora. The girl’s features were the complete opposite of Pandora’s. Her pin-straight locks fell at the sides of her scratched face like curtains. Her stormy blue eyes met the hazelnut ones.&nbsp;	“You’re alive,” the blonde girl breathed a sigh of relief and wrapped her arms around Pandora in an embrace despite both of their ribs being, most definitely, broken. “Thank the gods you’re alive,&nbsp;mi amor.”	“You don’t look too well yourself, Inge,” Pandora noted as she pulled away from the hug. Inge nodded so subtly that it was easy to miss. “I hate those cyclopes,” she said the word as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth. “The next time we come across them, I swear I’m going to stick my sword up their -” Pandora cleared her throat, causing the blonde to shut her mouth.&nbsp;	When she cleared her throat, another wave of nausea came over her&nbsp;and&nbsp;she bent forward in case something more than just blood&nbsp;came&nbsp;out of her mouth.&nbsp;	“Too early to say that. This quest has just begun&nbsp;and&nbsp;I’m certain this wasn’t the worst thing we’ll&nbsp;come across. Besides, lady Artemis warned us, didn’t she?” Pandora raised an eyebrow at Inge, who&nbsp;simply&nbsp;nodded again.&nbsp;	She sat down on the mossy ground of&nbsp;the forest they stood in&nbsp;and looked up at Inge.&nbsp;She just now noticed her companion had her sword unsheathed. “We’re safe here, don’t worry,” Pandora tried for a convincing tone, but it came out&nbsp;rather&nbsp;nervous and self-doubting than confident and assuring. Nonetheless, Inge sheathed her blade, so it&nbsp;now&nbsp;hung around her belt like a warning for any coming creatures.&nbsp;	After a few minutes, Inge sat down next to Pandora. “Let me heal you, love,” she urged as she began rummaging through the leather bag that hung over her shoulder.&nbsp;Pandora didn’t respond. She just sat there, staring into the darkness of the night. Her eyelids began to fall. Her vision darkened even more. It was just blank space in her view now.&nbsp;	The sound of a liquid in a bottle&nbsp;being shaken&nbsp;and the feeling of something wet rubbing against the scars on her left leg told her Inge was trying to help her.&nbsp;	With difficulty, she opened her eyes and gazed at the girl&nbsp;in front of&nbsp;her. Her rich curls swirled around her head like small snakes as the wind rustled through the trees surrounding the two of them. She was on her knees with her hands in the air&nbsp;and&nbsp;her eyes closed. Pandora might’ve mistaken her for being in a trance if she didn’t know her as well as she did.&nbsp;	“I always forget about your healing powers,” Pandora smiled&nbsp;softly&nbsp;when she felt her ribs mend back together in her chest.&nbsp;When she looked down at her arms and legs, the bruises were no longer there.&nbsp;The cuts had been closed and turned into white, barely visible scars.&nbsp;	“I cannot fix those, I’m&nbsp;sorry,” Inge motioned towards the lines&nbsp;that&nbsp;were&nbsp;now engraved&nbsp;into her skin. Pandora shook her head dismissively, “they can be a reminder of how far we’ve come together.”&nbsp;	Pandora caught a glimpse of Inge’s smile before it disappeared as quickly as it came. She loved the smile.&nbsp;The way her cheeks rose to those beautiful brown eyes and her crooked teeth were revealed. Pandora loved every second of that adorable smile.&nbsp;	“We’ll both make it out alive. I swear it.”&nbsp;	“You … swear it?” Inge’s face changed from expressionless to full of fear and horror in&nbsp;a matter of&nbsp;seconds. “You can’t do that,” Inge was trying hard not to let her voice crack. “This forest is forsaken to Horkos! If you break that oath … ” At that moment, her voice cracked and caused her to stop talking. Pandora shuddered at the thought of what might happen if&nbsp;the oath she swore wasn’t fulfilled.&nbsp;	When she looked&nbsp;at Inge again, she could see just how exhausted the girl was despite trying to hide it. “Rest. I’ll be on guard duty this time.”Inge didn’t even have time to respond before she closed her eyes&nbsp;and&nbsp;her consciousness drifted off to sleep. Her whole body leaned forward,&nbsp;making her head lay&nbsp;in Pandora’s lap. The brown-haired girl couldn’t help smiling. Her hand instinctively reached out and touched Inge’s hair. She began running her fingers through&nbsp;it,&nbsp;soothingly.&nbsp;	She tried to stay on guard, making sure no creatures attacked.&nbsp;But it didn’t take long&nbsp;and&nbsp;her&nbsp;breathing slowed&nbsp;and&nbsp;her chin rested on her chest.&nbsp;	She woke up to the sound of howling wolves. Her eyes snapped open. The first thing her gaze landed on was the pack of around ten wolves who circled them, snarling. Every single one of the wolves had a faint dark-blue aura surrounding them. Their eyes were pitch black. No white, just pure black. Their sharp claws were digging into the dirt. The sight made Pandora shiver. She swallowed, although her throat and mouth had gone&nbsp;completely dry&nbsp;just from the presence of those creatures.&nbsp;	She quickly got to her feet and hauled Inge, who was&nbsp;just&nbsp;waking&nbsp;up,&nbsp;up.&nbsp;“Sword,” she&nbsp;said into her ear, hoping she’d understand despite waking up a minute ago. Pandora grabbed her own weapon, a dagger. She held it in her right hand, ready to protect herself&nbsp;and/or&nbsp;her companion. She didn’t dare look since she was terrified of looking anywhere but at the wolves, but she was pretty sure Inge unsheathed her sword as well.&nbsp;	The blonde was fully awake now. “Those aren’t Artemis’ wolves sending us another message from her, are they?” She asked, her voice sounding small compared to the howls and growls of the large animals. Pandora shook her head. “Erebean. They’re from Erebea,” she realized as her eyes wandered over the body of the nearest wolf.&nbsp;	“Which means …” Inge turned&nbsp;her head&nbsp;to look at the brunette. Pandora saw the fear in her eyes.	“Yes. My father likely sent them to hunt us. Kill us in the most gruesome ways possible and retrieve our bodies,” Pandora said with distaste.&nbsp;	“He still didn’t get over his beliefs even after you left, eh?” Inge shook her head as if the information&nbsp;disgusted&nbsp;her. She got no answer from the other girl. It was&nbsp;obvious&nbsp;what the answer was, though.	“Let’s do this. I can’t let my father win.” Pandora gripped the hilt of her dagger, which, as she instantly realized, was a horrible mistake.The pack took that as a sign and attacked.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

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The Lit Up Sky

The Lit Up Sky

maya_writ3ss

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Maya Burke

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