Erinyes Game

Your hand is shaking so much that you can barely point your finger, but you do. You point at Ares, along with everyone else.

“You all…” He’s the only one who is pointing elsewhere, at Hera, whole facial expression doesn’t change. “I’m really not a Fury! I don’t want to die, please—”

Ares’s words turn into screams as his metal choker glows red hot, redder than his hair. Flames erupt from it, burning the flesh off his face and neck, burning right through his skin. His body falls forward, hitting the table and staying there.

Apollo and Aphrodite, sitting on either side of him, quickly get out of their seats and back away.

“I can’t believe we actually did this…” Aphrodite mutters, and you get up to wrap a comforting arm around her shoulders. She looks up at you. “Do you think he was telling the truth?”

You shrug. “Who knows…I just feel awful about this. What a terrible way to go.”

On the other side of the table, Demeter is shaking like a leaf. Zeus and Hera are standing on either side of her, trying to comfort her, but she shakes them off and runs out of the room.

“I’ll go after her.” And Zeus follows her.

Hades decides to say through the loudspeakers, “Congrats on an interesting Moirae phase! The Nyx phase will begin in about thirty minutes, so please head back to your rooms before then. Have a good night,” he says jokingly before falling silent.

“I hate him,” snarls Artemis. “What a thing to say before one of us is going to be murdered.”

You shake your head. “Don’t pay attention to him. Maybe that Charon person will protect the right person tonight, we’ll see.”

“Ah, yes,” Athena says, almost to herself. “Charon is the name of the ferryman who guides spirits across the river Styx to the land of the dead. This time, though, Charon is doing the opposite to prevent us from dying.”

“Let’s hope Charon gets it right,” sighs Aphrodite. “Shall we head back?”

You nod and follow her out of the judgement room and up the stairs. Hermes trails after you to his own room.

“Have a good night, ladies.” And I hope to see you both tomorrow. His unspoken wish.

“You too, Hermes.”

The others shut their doors, leaving you alone in the hallway, lost in thought.

You hear a strange noise from the stairway. Glancing around, none of the others are around, probably now getting ready for bed.

You have 2 choices: