Erinyes Game

You blink blue and green stars out of your eyes before getting up.

“Ah, good morning, Hestia.” Hades’s unwelcome greeting makes you groan.

“I really didn’t want to hear from you right now,” you say.

“That hurts, I thought you’d miss my voice.” He sounds like he’s pouting, which doesn’t make you sympathize at all. “In any case, today should be quite interesting.”

“Oh, is the game finally ending?” You perk up hopefully.

Hades laughs, making you uncomfortable all over again. “We’ll see, Hestia. Wait for Moirae. You’ll get your answer then.”

“What does that even mean?” You demand, but he says nothing more.

Not hearing anything else, you leave your room. Making your way to the kitchen, you find Hephaestus and Aphrodite deep in conversation.

“You…you’re both alive?” You gasp.

“No one died!” Aphrodite beams. “That means Charon is still around!”

Hephaestus smiles at you. “Good to see you, Hestia.”

As you get yourself some food, you try to think. “I’m glad we’re all still here, but shouldn’t the game be over?”

“Either the game will be over tonight, or…” There’s still one Fury left. Aphrodite doesn’t say it aloud, but it’s implied. Ugh, you really hope not.

After breakfast, you pause in the kitchen doorway as Aphrodite and Hephaestus head in different directions. You turn back for a moment, glancing at the fruit bowl on the kitchen counter that you hardly pay attention to. Something looks different—noticing that there’s a pomegranate on top, you pick it up to get at the seeds before looking back to the doorway.