What evil plans does Eris, the goddess of chaos, strife, and vengeance, have in store for Lyden, Brooke, Emmet, and Alloria? Will they be able to go through with her dark desires, or will they balk and let two worlds die?
*
Eris
Brooke's fingers are entwined in my own, as the goddess of strife, vengeance, and chaos looks at her. The redhead glances at me, and I can see uncertainty in her gaze. The moment only lasts for a second, and Brooke turns back to face Eris, shoulders squared and ready.
"What would you have me do?" she asks. Eris's smile grows feral and hungry.
"It is a simple task, difficult in the doing," the tattooed woman replies cryptically. "Simply tell the generator your true emotions."
The mermaid blinks in confusion for a few moments, before turning to me. "I love you, Lyden," she says, her voice full of conviction, "with all my heart."
That familiar warmth fills my chest, and I can't deny my own feelings for the mermaid. "And I love you," I tell her, giving her hand a squeeze.
"Ah, but that's not all, is it mermaid?" Eris chimes in, her voice solicitous. "There is more, festering just under the surface. Come on. Be completely honest with him. He deserves it after everything he's done to you."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Brooke defends herself. "I love him with all my heart!"
"Tsk, tsk," the goddess chides. "Didn't I say it would be difficult?" She contemplates us, even looking at where we're holding hands and shakes her head. "Looks like I'll have to assist."
Before either of us can react or think, Eris points at Brooke. That's all. She just points.
Brooke throws my hand back at me, and I turn to look at her. Anger suffuses her features as she glares at me.
"Brooke?" I ask uncertainly.
"You want to know the truth,
Lyden Snow
?" She twists my name with scorn, and I realize that Eris's power is working on her. I remember how I'd felt with just that one small touch. What would it be like to have the goddess intentionally concentrate on you? "The truth is: I resent you! I gave up everything to save a child, and for what?" As she speaks, her voice rises. I do my best to let her words roll off me, knowing that this is Eris's doing. They still sting, though. "To be with a man who can't even keep his cock in his pants. Every time I turn around, you're fucking someone else. I even had to kill my old mentor, and when I thought I could finally die in peace, you went and brought me back. Because of you, I've been tortured, tormented, and treated as if I'm not the one that's been with you the longest! Look at you! You're a wimp that can't handle what life sends at you. Oh no, someone's hurt poor Lyden's feelings. He's probably off pouting somewhere. Stop crying, you're a grown man!"
By the time she winds down, my eyes are tearing up. Despite myself, each word coming from her feels like a spoon trying to dig out my heart. Each new gripe blindsiding me.
"You don't mean any of that," I say, my voice soft, but carrying in the darkness around us.
"Oh, but she does," Eris crows. "These are the emotions and thoughts she keeps locked away. Buried deep in her heart, these things are festering. Better to let them all out, wouldn't you say?"
"You're making her say those things," Emmet yells, surprisingly speaking up despite his terror of the goddess.
She turns her dark shadowed eyes on the balding man and smiles. The Paladonic Healer's face loses all of its color as he steps back.
"I am not the outsider, capable of controlling others, Knight," her voice is now firm, having lost its jovial quality. "My power simply allows what is buried deep to come out. I can unlock the secrets of your soul. What you do then, is up to you."
"L-Lyden?" Brooke's voice quavers, but I can't look at her. Even if Eris had forced those words from her, they had to have come from somewhere. Deep down, Brooke really feels that way about me. "Lyden, I'm so sorry. I love you."
Despite myself, despite knowing how much it will hurt, I have to ask. "Is it true?" I wait for an answer, but only silence greets me. "Is it
true
!?" I shout, finally turning to look at her. The redhead pulls away from my glare. I can see fresh tears staining her cheeks. "Is that how you truly feel about me? Am I just some mistake you made when you were younger?"
"Yes. No! I mean. . . ." She stumbles over her words, and I wait, my heart thundering in my ears. "I never thought of you that way, I promise. I know what I said hurt you, but you have to know I love you Lyden."
"That doesn't answer my question," I state firmly. Her head drops, and she sobs for a second, while I continue to wait.
Her head slowly nods, and I feel my heart break. "I guess it was buried down deep. I meant what I said, about never thinking of you like that. Yes, because of you, my life has been chaotic, and at times terribly painful, but you've always been there for me. You've helped me more than you've ever hurt me. Sometimes I get a bit jealous of your other women. It hurts to see you love so many, but I know that I alone can't take care of you. You need every one of us. Not just for the sex, but for what we do to help you out. Every one of us has helped to make you a better person, and stronger. Even Areth," she adds with a light chuckle.
"What about the part about me not being able to handle what life throws at me?" I ask, my voice oddly calm compared to my emotions.