First Temptation
1085 Words
Every step onto the ancient bridge made my insides twist. Was I doing the right thing leaving Quix behind like this?
It had to be… He might not remember the Sins, but I did. It was safer for him to stay behind and me to confront whatever evil plans this one had in store. There was no way I'd be lucky enough to stumble across another like Eros.
The island before me almost glowed with an eerie, otherworldly light. I expected nothing less from the likes of them.
The second I set foot on the dying grass his emerald eyes met mine as they glinted in the strange light. "Little mermaid, you've finally made it." The man sprawled lazily on the ground with one leg hooked over the other. His dark hair looked soft to the touch and framed his sweet face, that contrasted with his fine suit. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it."
"What do you want?" I snapped. My legs ached and I worried about the time I had left. The last thing I needed was to transform on this side of the bridge and be stuck.
"What do I want?" the man chuckled, his voice smooth honey. "You already know that answer. This little quest of yours needs to come to an end."
Okay, I'd bite. Maybe he wasn't aware of just what I knew. "And what would that be?" I questioned, I took a step closer but kept my distance from him.
He leaned over and plucked a flower from beside him. The light that was inside of it dimmed at his touch. "The fight against the Sins. Why waste your lives over and over again? Why not give in and let yourself enjoy what life has to offer you this time?"
I swallowed as I thought about it. Would it really be so bad to stop this senseless battle? I'd lived and died so many times now and each of the fates of my past had been suffering.
His eyes met mine and he smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Greira, and I've been waiting for you since the moment I felt your birth."
"Waited for me for what? To offer false promises and unrealistic dreams?" I scoffed. "You're not the first sin I've dealt with."
"I'm offering you the chance to step aside and let fate's pieces fall into place. In return, I'll give you immeasurable wealth. You won't have to do anything but enjoy life."
I laughed in his face. The man pulled back startled, blinking at me. "All I have to do is stand by and watch you destroy the world, right?" I shook my head. "No, Greed, for I know who you are. You won't see me submit that easily. Take back your trinkets and your promises of material possessions. All I want is to get my mates back."
Greed recovered himself and watched me with hooded eyes. "It's a shame then, little Mermaid."
I flinched at his voice. "What are you trying to trick me with now?"
He picked another flower and methodically plucked the flowers off one by one. "You believe that every word I tell you is false, but you're wrong. I'll give you a warning, sweet siren. If you continue on this path the only thing you'll find at the end are countless regrets. For your sake, you should turn back now before the losses pile up."
"No matter what you offer me, Greed, I'm never taking it," I hissed.
Greed shrugged and effortlessly got to his feet. "Very well. Maybe the next time we meet you'll heed my words far more carefully." He stepped closer and I took a step back, almost back onto the bridge.
"Stay back," I hissed.
"Oh, I would calm down if I were you. It would be a real shame if my little brother got all mad at me for accidentally killing his beloved. Don't worry, Coral, I'm sure we can come to an agreement soon. It will only be when we've exhausted all methods of negotiation that I'll agree to fight."
There was no way I could trust him, but still I wasn't sensing any hostility. "What are you hiding on this island, Greed?"
"Greira," he corrected. "You can consider it a little reward for your hard work, but this is really only the first step in your journey. Think long and hard about this path because once you go too far, there will be no returning."
"Move," I snarled.
He smirked and pulled a small black box out of his pocket. The box still had grains of dirt and mud clinging to it. "I believe this is what you seek. Are you sure you want to continue?"
His emerald eyes pierced mine as he opened the box. Inside a stunning blue sapphire was nestled in a bed of fine cloth. "What…?" I whispered. The strange urge from before overtook me and I reached out. My fingers skimmed the surface of the jewel and the sky lit up as a map scrolled across the heavens.
Power flooded into me and a song tore from my throat. It was long and sweet and full of longing, but I wasn't quite sure for who. My heart clenched as every note grew louder and the map before me danced and spun in time.
It went faster and faster until I thought I was going to be lost in its infinite swirls before it came to a sudden stop and the world still swam around me. I almost fell over and Greed caught me before I tumbled to the ground.
"Careful, little mermaid," he scolded as he helped me back to my feet. He tapped my forehead with his index finger. "How do you feel?"
Why was he acting like this? I swatted his hand away and glared at him. "I can handle myself, thank you." It was a struggle, but I got out of his grasp and back to the bridge with the strange jewel hovering beside me and echoing the strange song from before as the map hovered in the air above me.
"Take care until we meet again." Greed bowed to me and turned and walked away.
I would never understand these sins. With a sigh, I turned and crossed the bridge. On my third step my foot plunged through the rotted board and I screamed.
And on the other side of the bridge, a voice screamed back. "HOLLY!"
- Writer
