Erinyes Game
You wake up to an entire basket of pomegranates, sitting on the nightstand by your bed. Confused, you pick one up and eat some of the seeds before leaving your room for the final time.
Someone is waiting for you at the base of the stairs. The man from your dream, even more handsome in real life, dressed in purple and black. He smiles warmly at you in greeting and extends a hand to you.
“Good morning, Hestia.”
You know that voice. Taking his hand, you smile right back. “Hello, Hades.”
The two of you take a short walk and he guides you through a secret hall you never noticed before, leading you outside the facility. Breathing in the fresh air, you don’t let go of Hades’s hand.
“I’m very surprised that you’ve accepted me so easily, my dear,” he says. You admit to yourself that you agree, but you don’t say that out loud.
Instead, you shrug. “I had a realization last night. Somehow it all felt right, like this is the kind of role that I belong to. That I belong with you.”
He smiles sweetly, as if he ever had any malice in him, but you know. You feel like you’ve known him for ages.
“Being a regular player won’t suit me anymore,” you add.
“So you would like to continue playing my games?”
You nod. “And I can come up with new ideas, but I’d love for you to surprise me.” You can’t deny that thinking back on this game gave you a thrill, sent a pleasant shiver down your spine. And you won over everyone else, too, maybe you'd like another win under your belt.
Hades looks surprised, but pleased. “Your enthusiasm is contagious, love. If that is what you wish, then I will grant it.”
You beam up at him, eager to get started. You’re already in the right mindset for the role you want, and looking into Hades’s eyes, you know he would give you anything.
Just weeks later, Hades tells you that a new game is ready. You can’t wait to get started, and while Hades still has to render you unconscious so that you enter just like everyone else, you make sure he doesn't get rid of your memories. You don't even object to being temporarily knocked out, knowing that once you open your eyes, the fun would start all over again.
Waking up, you stare up at the harsh fluorescent lights up above. You hold a hand in front of your face, seeing a thick metal band around your ring finger.
A bunch of women—including yourself, there are fifteen—are sitting around a circular table. Everything about this reminds you of the Erinyes Game, but this time, you will not be helpless.
Hades announces the rules, calling this the Mousai Game. Instead of being called Olympians, all of you are the Muses, though three of you are Gorgon sisters, meant to kill the others. There is an Oracle, but you’re not very worried about that. There is no mention of a role similar to Charon, so no one will be protected during the Nyx phase. You have to stop yourself from laughing aloud and thanking Hades for that.
When instructed, you reach under your chair to find the piece of paper. Your name is Melpomene, and you are a Gorgon. You can’t help but let a predatory grin take over your face. Those other two Gorgons had better not hold you back.
You wouldn’t hesitate to abandon your sisters, if that’s what it took to win.
Someone is waiting for you at the base of the stairs. The man from your dream, even more handsome in real life, dressed in purple and black. He smiles warmly at you in greeting and extends a hand to you.
“Good morning, Hestia.”
You know that voice. Taking his hand, you smile right back. “Hello, Hades.”
The two of you take a short walk and he guides you through a secret hall you never noticed before, leading you outside the facility. Breathing in the fresh air, you don’t let go of Hades’s hand.
“I’m very surprised that you’ve accepted me so easily, my dear,” he says. You admit to yourself that you agree, but you don’t say that out loud.
Instead, you shrug. “I had a realization last night. Somehow it all felt right, like this is the kind of role that I belong to. That I belong with you.”
He smiles sweetly, as if he ever had any malice in him, but you know. You feel like you’ve known him for ages.
“Being a regular player won’t suit me anymore,” you add.
“So you would like to continue playing my games?”
You nod. “And I can come up with new ideas, but I’d love for you to surprise me.” You can’t deny that thinking back on this game gave you a thrill, sent a pleasant shiver down your spine. And you won over everyone else, too, maybe you'd like another win under your belt.
Hades looks surprised, but pleased. “Your enthusiasm is contagious, love. If that is what you wish, then I will grant it.”
You beam up at him, eager to get started. You’re already in the right mindset for the role you want, and looking into Hades’s eyes, you know he would give you anything.
Just weeks later, Hades tells you that a new game is ready. You can’t wait to get started, and while Hades still has to render you unconscious so that you enter just like everyone else, you make sure he doesn't get rid of your memories. You don't even object to being temporarily knocked out, knowing that once you open your eyes, the fun would start all over again.
Waking up, you stare up at the harsh fluorescent lights up above. You hold a hand in front of your face, seeing a thick metal band around your ring finger.
A bunch of women—including yourself, there are fifteen—are sitting around a circular table. Everything about this reminds you of the Erinyes Game, but this time, you will not be helpless.
Hades announces the rules, calling this the Mousai Game. Instead of being called Olympians, all of you are the Muses, though three of you are Gorgon sisters, meant to kill the others. There is an Oracle, but you’re not very worried about that. There is no mention of a role similar to Charon, so no one will be protected during the Nyx phase. You have to stop yourself from laughing aloud and thanking Hades for that.
When instructed, you reach under your chair to find the piece of paper. Your name is Melpomene, and you are a Gorgon. You can’t help but let a predatory grin take over your face. Those other two Gorgons had better not hold you back.
You wouldn’t hesitate to abandon your sisters, if that’s what it took to win.
