Mythos

Ceremony

I laid in bed for hours, crying, I missed my opportunity to escape. Who knows if they are even looking for me anymore. Who knows if they even have search parties for me out there. I dont even know if I'll ever get out of here. But I really need to get out. But how will I when i cant even climb that ledge without proper gear.

My muscles hurt and my knees and hands still burn from the scrapes. I dont ever want to see Othniel ever again, i knew he hated me but the way he was going to hurt me really had me scared.

From the height he had me and was willing to drop me, he wouldn't have killed me but broken a few bones. And that's what scared me, that pain that i was going to be inflicted upon. I had a broken bone once, when i was little. I still remember the excruciating pain from it.

Othniel did drop me, i knew it was going to hurt very much as soon as i hit the ground. From that distance, my breath would have left my lungs from the impact. Leaving me gasping for air, not only that, but trying to scream as the pain would shoot through my body.

I hate myself more for crying the way i was, for feeling so terrified of Othniel, but he had shocked me. Thankfully Wyvern showed up, who knew what else he would have tried to do to me.

Fae has been trying to get me to come out of the room and join her. Trying to cheer me up, but i cant get up. I cant move. My body is full of despair and sadness.

I will never get to see my family and friends now more. Everything that i worked hard for. I was so close to getting a promotion at work. I was going to be trying to work on my magic with Liam.

I wonder how he is doing. We had hung out a coupe of times, but we never did anything other than laugh and drink, then he would go home. He always made me frustrated.

And mom? Yes she was so annoying, but she has always done everything she could because she loves me, yes setting me up with others did annoy me but she was always worried I was alone. She has always made sure i had everything i needed. The best clothes, the best school books and backpacks. When i chose my carreer she was upset, but she did suport me and my decisions, always had something to say about it. But was there every step of the way.

I feel tears coming back up. I miss my mom. And dad as well. Always has been my hero. The way he would back me up when mom was bothering me.

I sit up tears falling down my cheeks. I cant be here! I cant! I need to go home, but how? I cant climb that damn wall. And the others won't let me. I need to speak to Kire. Convince him somehow.

The door then opens and Hollow pokes her head in. "Hey, i wanted know how you are doing."

"Um feeling neutral." I say

Hollow looks at me confused. "I am trying to feel better." I say.

"Oh, well the ceremony is tomorrow i wanted to know if you are interested in helping out. Maybe it'll help clear your mind." Hollow asks.

I look down, not knowing what to do.

"I am sorry you are feeling this way, i wish i could do something to make you feel better." Hollow says.

"You are kind Hollow." I say.

"Come with us, clear your mind." Hollow begs.

"I cant clear my mind here." I say.

"Exactly, some come out of the home." Hollow says.

"No, i mean here, down in this giant cave. I need fresh air, up in my world." I say.

"Oh, home sick." Hollow says.

"I just want to go home. I dont want to be here." I admit to Hollow."

"I am sorry. Maybe Old Mother will change her mind." Hollow says. "Maybe getting Kire to talk to her, would help. I would hate to see you go though."

I look at her in the eyes. "You would?"

"Things were kind of boring before you got here, and we are having a ceremony for the first time in years!" Hollow says. "Everyone is excited."

"Why dont you have yearly ceremonies? Or even holidays?" I ask her.

"Holidays?" Hollow c***s her head to the side.

"Yeah like, we celebrate, halloween, and its when everyone in one night dresses up in a costume, can be anything, and we eat candy. Also we celebrate thanksgiving. A time where we all come together and be thankful for everything we have. And then my favorite Christmas." I look away and smile. "We all give each other presents and enjoy being with family."

"Wow they sound fantastic." Hollow's eyes are full of wonder. "What else?"

"Oh we have New Years parties and Independance day celebration and birthdays." I say.

"And this are all celebrated in one day?" Hollow asks.

"No, most are celebareted in different months. Plus there a lost more. We are always busy all year, and we love it. Some times birthdays land on a holiday, but times in different days. My birthday in in July. Summer and fun time." I say.

"So there are so many celebrations?" Hollow looks down at her feet. "I guess being down here for so long we just dont do much, dont know the moon phases any more."

I guess i am not the only one home sick. I feel bad for them. I bet they would love to explore the earth again, spread their wings and enjoy the fresh night air and the changing of weather.

"I am sorry." I say.

"Hey, its not your fault, i dont care what the dragons say, they are just bitter." Hollow says.

"Why are they so bitter?" I ask her.

"Um, talk to Kire. He'll tell you. Or Othniel." Hollow says.

"Ill speak to Kire." Ugh not Othniel.

"Now, want to come and help since you know more about celebrations?" Hollow smiles at me.

"Fine."

"Yay!" Hollow excalims. "Lets go!" Hollow grabs my arm and drags me with her. We head outside and see the comotion. Fae and Jasmine are running around carrying items. Fae sees me and smiles bright.

"Athena! You are finally out!" I hear someone say. I turn to see Sol, a small girl, with yellow hair, she seems like a teenager. She does love hanging out with the mermaids, then gets mad when they wont stop talking about themselves. Seems a little childish to me.

"Hey Sol." I say.

"Rain, wanted to see you." Sol says.

"Why what happened?" I ask her.

"She just wanted to talk to you." Sol says. "I dont know why she wouldnt tell me?" Sol says in a sour way. I laughed out loud.

"Theres that smile we have been waiting for." Fae says as she walks towards me.

I look at Fae and smile. I have been sad about everything happening.

"What did Othniel do?" I hear Jasmine ask. I turn to her and all eyes are on me.

"Yeah Wyvern said that he found you cowering in the corner crying." Fae says.

"I dont want to talk about it." I say. "I am sorry." I feel embarrased. Now that i think about it i was cowering in the corner crying like a little baby. I was a huge cry baby. I hate myself for being a cry baby.

"Are you sure?" Hollow asks.

"Yeah, i am sure." I say say looking away. "What can i help with?" I ask as I try to change the subject.

"Well i am trying to make some wine." Jasmine sings the word wine. I smile as i follow Jasmine and help her out. The rest of the time, i keep my mind of things as i help prepare things for the ceremony. I try to keep my mind from feeling homesick.

Once everything was finished, everyone took some of the things and began decorating. I stayed up in the fairy ground, putting everything in line. I didnt want to run into Othniel, i started to kick myself for being such a wimp. Maybe i was just mad at him. No angry at him for being such an asshole.

After everything was ready, i went back inside, Fae had made a fruit salad, the way i taught her. She loved it. We ate and laughed a bit. She has become such a good friend to me. If i ever do manage to escape, i dont think ill ever be able to forget her. I dont think I'll ever be able to forget any of this, ever.

The next day Fae woke me up excited, like a little kid on Christmas day. She had my cloth ready, a beautiful light blue color. They didnt have enough material, for everyone, so i am basically wearing a strapless short dress. Great. I would only wear this at the club, well no even. But its all they could give me.

When it was time, Wyvern came by and took me down to the waterfall. There i met with Jasmine, Hollow and others. Fae then came by.

"Athena! There you are!" Rain said when she saw me. Oh yeah i forgot Rain wanted to speak with me.

"What is it?" I ask her as i walk up to her. She sits on one of the rocks, her tail catching my eyes. Its weird how i havent been around them. A long time ago little me would have been trying to swim with them. I would have gone crazy just to touch their tails.

I sit next to Rain and smile at her.

"I just wanted to talk to you." Rain said as she brushed her hair with her fingers. "My tail looks so shiny today."

"Yeah it does." I say. I try putting on the best smile.

"Anyway, we never finished our talk, I hear you have been telling the fairies about human traditions and i wanted to know more." Rain says.

"Know more of what?" I ask her.

"About the human world." Rain smiles.

Sienna and Luz come and sits next to us.

"Yeah tell us!" Luz says.

"Dont just tell everything to the fairies!" Ria says.

"We are more incredible than them!" Luz says.

"You are just jelouse we have legs and can fly." Sol says.

"No we are not!" Sienna says as she splashes Sol.

"Hey!" Sol shrieks.

I begin to laugh, feeling a little bit better.

"Let me go wash up." I say.

"Awe come on, we barely talk." Rain pouted.

"I promise i would tell you anything you want to know tomorrow." I promised her.

"You promise?" Rain grabbed my hand and looked me deeply in the eyes.

"I do." I say, i then get up and go to the other side and wash up, a while later. The ceremony starts Old Mother is sitting by the table that is full of food and drinks, she is smiling and clapping her hands as the fairies dance with some other dragons. Yet they all give me the same dirty look. Wyvern then sits next to me and smiles. The only dragon not to hate me and i am so glad.

Fairies then begin to do a dance around the fire, jumping and swaying as they dance. Its so very nice to see.

Fae then comes to me and grabs my hand.

"Oh no! I dont dance." I freaking out.

"Come on!" Fae pulls harder. Wyvern then puts his hand on my back and pushes me foward. f**k .

"Come do it like this." Fae says, she lifts her left leg and then stomps it and twists her body gracefully. "Try it."

I do the same as she does. "Yes you got it." Fae then does the same but with her right leg, and i follow her lead.

"Good job Athena!" Hollow shouts. I dance with them around the fire and the music gets louder and speeds up. I begin to laugh hard as i dance. I then see the dragons all glaring at me, except for Othniel his expression i cant tell, but i don't look at him much. I hate him.

As i keep dancing the music changes and the fairies invite the dragons in the dance, welp thats my cue to leave. Wyvern then stands in front of me and puts his hands around my body. His dirty blonde hair in his eyes.

I try to get away from him, but he pulls me close and we dance together. He twirls me around, as we dance to the drums. The other fairies laugh and shriek in joy as we all dance. I get the hang of the dance and then i seperate from Wyvern, as we switch partnes. I end up with a guy named Akne, he is one of the male fairies i barely get to see. He has a cute boyish look and the most cutest dimples ever. I laugh as he also twirls me around.

We switch again and this time i land in the arms of another dragon, he seems nice, but not Wyvern nice, yet also not as mean as Othniel. He seems like he wants this part to be over with, which i cant complain. I get it!

We switch again and i almost bump into Odette, she ignores me mostly but i can feel her side eye. Jesus that girl really has some issues.

With out looking i end up dancing with Othniel. I feel my heart speed up and my hands get sweaty. My back tingles as my blood runs hot and cold. Fear and anger run through me. Othniel grabs my hands but i pull them back as if i got burned.

"i wanted to apologize." Othniel says. But I have no time for this.

"Drop dead." I say as we switch partners once again. I land with Wyvern who seems concerned.

"Is everything ok?" Wyvern asks as he looks at Othniel.

"Yup." I say and we keep dancing, this time i stay with Wyvern. I then end up drinking more wine than usual. s**t where did i put my cup?

"Here you left this by that table." A girl with dark golden hair hands me my cup.

"Thank you very much!" I say as i grab the cup and down it. Yuck why does it taste bitter?

Othniel then appears out of nowhere and yells at them as they begin to laugh. Who is that? More dragons? Why is every color i see merging with other colors?

The music sounds so far away, yet i am in the middle of the dance floor. Wait am i dancing? Or falling? Falling no i am flying! Weee! The darkened sun is starting at me, yet its moving back and forward. Ha so funny.

"Athena?" Huh? Who called me? Mom? Oh s**t if she finds me i am grounded!

I begin to laugh at how funny her face looks when she is angry. Wait am i laughing? I think i am. Why does everything feel so weird?

"Athena!" Oh my goodness these guy's eyes are on fire! How? I reach to touch them but where are my hands?

"Get your hands off her!" Who has their hands on me? Is he hot?

"I am trying to help!" Wow that voice is very deep!

"Get out of the way!" Wrong THAT voice is deep! "Bring those dragons back here, I'll deal with them!"

"Hey!"

"What did you do?" Huh who is yelling? Oh skin so soft! Soft soft, softidi soft. ooh is this hair? Its very soft, like i have my hands in water. Oh my maybe i am swimming. I am thirsty i can drink some of this water. Water that taste like wine. Oh maybe i am swimming in wine. Ha so funny. Ugh, what's with that burning sensation?

Its in my chest. I am being burned alive from the inside out! Help!

"Athena? Athena..."

Ow my head hurt! Why did i drink so much? Ugh what is today? Where the hell am I? Oh god i am not wearing any clothes am I? I feel the blankets under me, they feel so unusual. So strange.

I open my eyes and find myself in the shack. So i havent been dreaming, but actually stuck in this Underland place. Wait what happened last night? I dont remember a thing, after drinking that wine. The wine the dragons gave to me.

Oh my god they tried to poison me! f*****g assholes. I move the blankets around but my arm hurts. I let out a gasp as i wince to the pain. What in the hell?

What is that? Is that a burn mark? What did those dragons give to me? That looks strange, its a circle of a dragon, its weird.

I try to touch but wince at the pain.

"Dont touch it. wait till it heals." That voice made me jump. I turn to see Othniel sitting in the corner of the table.

"What the hell did you do to me?" I yell.

Othniel looks away. Angry. Why the hell is he angry? I should be the one angry.

"Answer me! What is this?" I ask him. He looks at me and sighs. His eyes a blazing fire color. Theres anger, resentment, but also unsure.

The door opens and Kire walks in followed by Old Mother. What in the hell is going on?

"Kire, Old Mother? What are you guys doing here?" I ask them.

"We are here trying to discuss what happened." Kire says.

"i dont understand, what happened?" I ask. I am so very confused.

"You havent told her yet?" Kire asks Othniel.

"Told me what? What is going on?" I feel my heart beating fast.

"Calm yourself." Othniel says. I look at him confused.

Kire turns to me as sadened expression on his face. Before he speaks Othniel cuts him off.

"It was Wyverns fault." Othniel says.

"What was Wyverns fault, what did he do?" I ask, my think my blood pressure is rising.

"That mark." Othniel says as he points at my chest.

"He did this to me?" I ask. I wince as i touch the mark.

"No, will you shut up and listen." Othniel yells.

"Othniel!" Old Mother raises her voice.

"I wouldn't have to if you just get to the f*****g point!" I yell back.

"When the dragons gave you that mixture, i noticed what was going on, you started to fall and i caught you. I dont know what happened you just kissed me. Wyvern then tried to pry you from my arms, i was taking you back here, to Fae's but in the process i ended up marking you." Othniel says fastly.

Marking me? I kissed him?

"When a male dragon marks a female, they claim them." Old Mother says.

"Basically saying." Kire stops and looks back at Othniels. "You are his now."