Pandora's Curse
Chapter 23

“Don’t touch her!” The cold steel disappears and my heart jumps into my throat as I feel bile rise. Warren appears in front of me, swiping away the curved weapon. “No more, brother.”

Brother...brother...It really is- I did it! I freed just them...somehow...

Warren suddenly turns around, his crimson eyes meeting mine and his shoulders drop as he reaches down and my hand shoots out naturally for him and I feel him pull me up to my feet, swaying shakily. He wounds an arm around me, keeping me pressed at his side but away as he faces the figure in black before him, dropping his sword and raising his other hand, palm open to him. The figure in black shifts, appearing more clearer as the horse snorts aggressively and two more figures in the dark appear on giant stallions with glowering coal eyes. I notice the bodies laid all around, smoke wafting from their bodies as they seem to melt and I refuse to look any clearer for my stomach still wants to expel many things from earlier today. Or yesterday. One figure atop of a stallion, stops a couple yards before Warren and I, pulling the horse to a stop. It was easily the largest of the four horses, - a shock after meeting Adam but was a beautiful white stallion with a mottled grey and white mane with pale grey and white armour and cloth. The figure atop of the white stallion dismounted, swinging a leg over they hopped off smoothly, armour clanking darkly as they landed and they slowly straightened, a powerful, steel long sword in hand and helmet over their head as the figure strides towards us slowly. I clasped Warren’s shirt, pressing harder against him but Warren didn’t tense or move except lower his hand and face the figure in silver armour with an even expression. The pale horseman stops before us and my heart beats the seconds spaced before us as War and the horseman face each other. Then I feel Warren’s feelings in the tightness of the back of my shirt which he grasps tightly and trembles. The horseman’s eyes burn through the helmet, barely visible but Warren’s eyes glower brightly and the tension remains thick and dangerous.

“Adelfós.”

The voice was rough and harsh from within the helmet and Warren’s body tightened but a breath left him as he blinked, wide eyed momentarily.

“Nai adelfé.” Warren spoke and another beat passed. With a crunch, the horseman suddenly slammed his sword into the ground to hold, making me flinch but Warren’s grip on me loosens as he completely faces his brother. Who reaches up and pulls off his helmet and hanging atop of his sword hilt. The man that stares at us was...nothing alike to Warren at all. Skin that was pale like his horse, eyes that I knew had to be a wintery grey blue that glittered like steel at us. White hair that dropped down to his shoulders in slight waves and towered over me.

But was the exact same size and body and intensity as Warren.

The cold, cool expression the pale horseman had on his face as he gazed over Warren changed slowly but suddenly his right corner of his lip turned up into a smirk. With a breath suddenly Warren jerked forward, hauling the man into his embrace, arms clapped around his back as Warren’s voice shook.

“I’ve missed you, brother.” Warren rasped and the horseman chuckled, patting Warren on the back, a grin suddenly brightening his face and fading away the ages of agony and terror and pain.

“Ópos mou éleipses ki esý, Pólemos.”

And as if the coast was clear, I watch stunned and...joyful as the two brothers embraced afterall this time when two other figures slipped through the dark towards the two, one all in complete black steel and leather armour and the other in a grey and green steel armour. I heard the clink of steel and thuds of weapons as they dropped to the ground suddenly four men stood before each other.

“It’s been far too long, brother.”

“Far too long.”

“Good God in Hell, this is fresh air I believe.” The one in green rasped, slipping off his helmet and turning his head upwards to breathe in the air deeply. His skin was pale but not white like the white horseman, with ash coloured hair slicked back into a tie that hung below his shoulders, his grey and green eyes glimmered with overbearing awe as he gazed upwards. “I don’t think I’ll ever be used to the freshness.”

“Amen man.” The one in black sighed, “God, it’s good to be out of that infernal wreck. Now bring it in!” He shoved aside the green eyed horseman and embraced Warren tightly. “Aye brother, it’s been too lonely without you whipping us into shape like you used to.” Warren laughed aloud and my heart swelled, unable to hold back the teary smile.

“Well, god forbid I need to start now.” They all laughed with each other.

“How long has it been?”

“Where are we anyway? And what the hell was all that about?” The questions came forth as the three horseman started throwing their questions at Warren. And while I watched, unsure of what to do, the black horseman, the one who had carried me here quite roughly and had held up a long black, pole with a terrifyingly long, curved blade at the end to my throat, suddenly flickered to me and I tensed, heart freezing as I hold my breath. These may be Warren’s brothers but...

Maybe they won’t take too kindly to their jailor.

“I think maybe you’re lady friend needs a moment, brother. Do you need a moment, love?” Four eyes turn to me suddenly as if realizing they weren’t alone and I tense nervously.

“I-uh-” I stammer, unsure of what to say but Warren immediately turns to me and his eyes falling upon me as though he remembers I’m here and suddenly he’s grasping my face in his as he checks me over.

“Christ, Pan, I’m sorry. I had to send you away but are you okay, what happened-”

“I’m fine.” I clutch his wrist, smiling faintly. “Empousa was waiting for us but,” I glance at the black horseman who watches us alongside the other horseman. “your brother saved me. I’m okay though.” Warren curses in relief, pulling me into a tight embrace.

“Thank God.”

“Needless to say, we are obviously very behind in this beautiful moment.” One of them spoke up, a snarky tone cutting through and I flush bashfully. Warren loosens his grip on me, slowly turning to his brothers, almost warily. The black horseman smirks at us, brow quirked. “There’s obviously a lot to explain. But I think we figure out some.” His expression flickers to worry and tension as the horseman stare upon me and I tense nervously.

“You are Pandora, then.” The white horseman mutters, his expression cool and expressionless as his gaze sweeps over me.

“Naí.” I mutter, squirming under their gaze.

“I see.” The white horseman mutters, his expression growing darker. “Then I suppose that is it.” A cold, ruthless silence expands over the group and I falter sickeningly.

“Well, it was fun while it lasted I guess.” The black horseman sighs and I tense in shock when he steps forward, holding out his hand which he holds my box in his hand. “But we’re happy to save our brother, even if it’s just for a moment.”

“Do we really have to go back?” The green eyed horseman sighs, shoulders lowering and Warren tenses beside me. My box slackens in my grip as I stare at the men before me. They...what? They’d accept the box to return to?

“I’m, I’m not returning you to the box.” I say quickly and Warren’s head turns to me with a snap, eyes widening slightly as I gaze at the Four Horsemen before me, meeting their gazes one by one before landing on Warren. “I’m not sending you back.”

“Sovará!”

“We aren’t going back in there?” Warren stares at me silently, his gaze deep and dark and so intense it makes my chest constrict and keeping my chin raised as I meet his gaze I reach for his hand, taking it in my own.

“I made a promise. And I trust you.” All of them under Warren’s guidance I do but now I do even more. Warren’s face softens before a soft smile graces his face. “And, Warren needs his family back.” Without a moment for a breath, suddenly Warren’s arm around my shoulder pulls me in and his mouth meets against mine, rough and heady as I kiss him back, missing the way his lips felt against mine after so many hours of not.

“Pantodýnamos Días, alítheia aderfé?” A bunch of irritated groans make us pull away, me blushing deeply but Warren keeps a tight hold on me. The horseman in black, grinning wickedly as he smirks at his brother.

“Wait!” The green eyed horseman steps up, hands raised as he cuts us off sharply, glowering at me. “Hold on! We aren’t going back in there, right? No tricks right? You’re not tricking our brother and us right?” He glances at War as if waiting for his words and Warren smiles lightly, pulling me close. I gape in shock at the insinuation but before I protest, I stop myself. I didn’t really have anything to say except no, I wasn’t lying. To them. To War and myself. I made a promise and Warren kept his promise and more for me. If there was anything I could do for him, I would do the one he wished for more than anything.

He deserved to have his family back.

“You’re not going back in there.” I shake my head, look at the box in my hands, feeling drained and tired. “I swear. I, uh, we all deserve a chance at a life.” Everything goes silent as the three of them glance at each other, no prominent expression or anything. Warren doesn’t appear tense of nervous.

The horseman in black suddenly stands before me, gazing down at me with a cool expression before he suddenly takes my hand in his hand and bow smoothly before me, his hair, pitch black and hung below his shoulders swayed as he moved like a mist. His eyes were much darker than Warren’s, just black completely.

“Then I thank you for not sending us back in there and for the fun we just had. I have to tell you, it’s different somehow. More...fun. Less serious for us. It was always so dark and violent in there.” He winks at me and I laugh, shaking his hand back. “Anyways, I am Death, the Fourth Horseman and it’s a pleasure to meet the woman who obviously has a hold on this block of stone’s heart. Didn’t think he had one.” I couldn’t help laugh aloud at that. In response to Death’s introduction, the other two horsemen approached.

“I am Famine, the Third Horseman.” The Horseman with the grey-green eyes spoke, smirking like Death as he tipped his head delicately but didn’t shake my hand. I noticed Warren tense as if he believed he would.

“I am Conquest, the First Horseman.” The white horseman finished off the introductions with a tip of his head to me. “I appreciate you calling for our help previously and to help our brother. We felt the pull, all of the inhabitants within the Abyss being pulled in like a suction to be used and drained.”

“You heard our pleas?” I questioned. Death nodded.

“Yeah, we went along with because why bother but then we heard a voice saying to fight back against it and then a voice that sounded like our brother. So we forced the others to leave the Pull and yeah. Guess it worked.”

“It did. You saved us all.” I nodded gratefully, smiling lightly, grimacing slightly as my chest and stomach aches dully.

“I’m assuming you’ve both had a very long day?” Famine gestured to the bodies partially melted away as he grimaced in distaste. “Didn’t think I’d be facing a Hydra first time out of the Box.”

“It’s been a long day and night. And it’s a very long story.” Warren shook his head, pulling away and gesturing ahead. “But a story to tell over food and drinks.” Immediately the Horseman looked so much more lively at the prospect of food and drink.

“Food and drink, yes!”

“God, how long has it been without food and drink? I only had a smidge once freed and I’ve been craving!”

Frowning as I stare at Warren questioningly. “Is there nothing to eat or drink inside the box?” Warren grimaces, throwing a dark glare at Death who raises his hands innocently.

“There is the...prospect of food but we don’t need it to survive. The box keeps us alive. Let’s leave it at that.” Oh my god. With a cheer, Warren leads his brothers through the woods, glancing back at me but I smile and gesture for him to follow after his brothers. And trying to ignore the dull, sickly ache in my abdomen. I need food and sleep and water. A low nicker and warm breath beside my face, I glance over to see Adam standing beside me and the three other horses alongside him.

Adam’s brothers as well.

A beautiful dark, wine coloured stallion. A stallion of pure white. The blackest onyx bathed over another stallion and the last stallion a beautiful steel. Smiling brightly, cringing as my muscles throb, I reach up to stroke Adam’s snout. “I haven’t forgotten what you did for me, my friend. I owe you apples by the load.” Adam snorts in agreement, tail flicking out and we follow the Four Horseman’s merry laughter back to War’s home.

The walk back to Warren’s wasn’t as long as I assumed but I could feel exhaustion clouding over my body. Yawning deeply, freezing in my steps as I run a hand over my forehead which throbs painfully. I can hear Warren regaling tales of what’s transpired these last couple months and probably the length of time it has been. The joy is pure and strong as I hear the excitement and delight in War as he speaks animatedly with his brothers, his eyes bright and a huge smile on his face.

It was hard not to smile at his expression. Despite the sick curdling feeling in my stomach. Holy Hera, what a damn day and night.

We found and defeated Aello and her sisters.

Found my Box and the key with it.

Attacked by the Lernaean Hydra and Empousa.

And now the the Four Horsemen were all free.

It was...a lot to take in. Emotionally drained and tired, sore and many, many feelings stuck in me I just wanted...peace and quiet and sleep. Some water. God, I feel sick. Like really sick. Cringing, I hunch over slightly, rubbing my chest, grimacing at the sick sensation I was feeling.

I heard the sound of thundering hooves and with a wild whinny, four large stallions, led by Adam, ran into the field next to Warren’s home and into freedom. Warren glanced back at me, reaching back to take my hand in his and pulling me close while the other horsemen continued towards the field, watching their horses frolic and enjoy the freedom and peace and quiet.

“Efcharistó, Pandóra.” Warren hummed quietly, pressing his lips to the top of my head and I smile tiredly, leaning into him with a sigh. “For this.”

“Kalós írthes, Gouóren.” I smile up at him and his lips press against my eyelid softly before he pulls us forward to home. I could hear the awe and delight as War’s brother’s followed us to his home and inside, marveling at everything.

“What on Zeus’s name is that?”

“This is very soft and comfortable.”

“Never thought I’d be happy to lie on a stone floor next to a fireplace.”

“Bring on the food and alcohol!” Death shouted, raising his fists.

“Oh bloody hell, yes!” Famine groaned. “Alcohol is a must have right now!” Warren laughed loudly at his brother’s boisterous warrior grumblings and followed them further into the house.

“You’ll be alcoholic’s before I get through to you, wouldn’t you?” While Warren busied himself with his brother’s, I made myself scarce and took my way to the bathroom, grimacing sickly as my stomach and chest ached and curdled strangely. It felt...like I’d felt this way before.

I was colder than I realized as I slipped off my jacket and eying my reflection, I sighed despondently at my sight. I was a mess. Blood and sweat and dirt stained my face and bits of skin showing. My clothes were torn and dirtied. But I felt worse internally. Not sore muscles and exhaustion but sickly, tired, drowsy as well. I felt weak. Shaking my head, I turn on the sink, cupping my hands under the cold water and splashing it over my face and refreshing my skin which felt cold and hot at the same time. Grabbing the hand towel, I run it over my face, cleaning and drying off my skin and trying to ignore the tight, uncomfortable feeling curdling deep inside me. My throat was dry as sand and dirt and it hurt just swallowing in anyway. My reflection meets my gaze, tired hazel eyes that appear almost lackluster and worn down.

I place over the hand towel over the rack when suddenly a sharp but dull ache trembles through me. Gasping, I hunch over, clutching the sink desperately as my stomach roils and burns a trail upwards and I push away quickly, collapsing to my knees in front of the toilet and feel the bile burn its way up my stomach to my throat and into the toilet. I gag and sob sickeningly as I throw up into the toilet for minutes and minutes until nothing is left.

I don’t...feel good. Something’s not right.

I manage to stumble up to my feet, reaching for the sink to wash my face again and rinse the rancid bile taste out of my mouth but it was still there. And my stomach roiled and I groaned, slumping against the wall.

Oh...I’ve felt this way before.

Coughing dryly, I push away from the door, panic rising slightly and into the living room, my vision shaking and doubling. I could hear the voices of cheer and joy aloud and the smell of something cooking but my stomach twisted painfully and I gasped silently, clutching my chest.

Oh God...no, this can’t be-

“- don’t suppose there’s a place for one to relieve themselves, huh?” Blankly, I turn to the voice in front of me, that appears from out of the kitchen and dining room. Death was grinning cheekily, I think as he asks but suddenly his expression drops. “You okay, Pandora?” Swallowing, I open my mouth to speak but my vision suddenly swims and gasping painfully, I shake my head, twisting my hand in my shirt over my chest as I feel my body growing heavy. I lose my gravity and feel my body falling. Death suddenly lunges for me. I feel something holding me up but I don’t feel it at the same time, my body growing numb as my breathing grows tight in my chest. "Skatá! War! WAR!”

My body drops to the ground as voices rise up somewhere and I hear Warren shouting and suddenly I see him and I can just feel his arms around me, trying to hold me up as we collapse on the floor.

“Pan! Pan, what’s wrong? Where are you hurt? What happened?” He yells at someone, his brother as I gaze up at him, clutching my chest as my heart tremors painfully and I feel the sickening sensation growing tighter and stronger as if a sweeping wave washing over me.

“War,” I rasp, feeling my eyes burn as the realization dawns on me slowly and agonizingly painful. How cruel. So much for the plans and dreams I could’ve hoped for. Another cruel punishment. “W...War, I...” I feel my body slacken further, slowly feeling more cold. “I’m so...co...cold right now...”

“No, no you’re okay. You’re hurt but you’ll be okay! I’m here!” He looks up frantically to his brothers as I feel him clinging to me in his lap and arms. Oh, I’m going to miss this. “Please! You guys, I need-”

“War.” Death cuts him off suddenly but Warren snarls quietly. “I can feel her fading brother. Her soul is leaving.”

“NO! She’s hurt, we can help her-”

“War, it’s not...” I gasp, feeling my chest tighten and words were becoming much more difficult to breathe out. “It’s...it’s not...I did...did what I was brought for.” Warren stares down at me, eyes wide and stricken.

“What the hell are you saying, Pandora!?”

“I...I died...long ago...I remember this...this feeling...” I wheeze, fisting a hand over my shirt and his. “I...It hurt and I felt sick...but, my time...is up again.” I wanted to bawl but my body was a machine barely functioning anymore. “War-”

“No. No it can’t be! You-” Warren shakes his head violently, clinging to me tightly. “You shouldn’t - they shouldn’t, no! It can’t be-”

“Brother-”

“NO!” Warren’s snarl makes my ears rings and I whimper painfully as my heart wobbles in agony. I didn’t want to go! I don’t want to go, oh god, why? Please, don’t let me go! But as I laid in Warren’s arms, gasping through a tight sick sensation crawling through my body, I wanted to just cry at the injustice of it all. Because this was it. It was over.

“Warren...” I sob, barely able to raise my arm and clutching his chest, tightening my fingers in the torn pieces. “War, I’m...I’m sorry,” Warren continues to shake his head, eyes pitch black and glistening brightly as they redden slightly. “I...I, I’m sorry...War, you need to know, th...that...these times with you, I-I don’t regret it. I don’t regret you.”

“Pan, don’t-”

“I...I...need you to look...look after...” Shakily my hand reaches into my breast pocket, fumbling out the key which drops with a clatter, for my arm was too tired to hold up any longer. “There’s...no one, I trust more with it than you. All of you. And I...need you to look after, each other, okay?”

"I will..." War nods, gritting his teeth as someone kneels beside us. War glances at Death who gazes down at me, sadness in his black eyes and he shakes his head.

"There's nothing I can do, War. Her soul is being called." Warren's head drops as my heart sinks with the tiny sliver of hope. Oh why? Why did you do this? I don't want to go!

“War, look at me..." I gasp, eyes shutting as the pain quivers through me and I tremble in agony. "I-I"

"Don't talk, Pan, it's okay-" Shaking my head, I sob my words out, ready to scream them if I have to.

"T-thank you...for the best...adventure...and for, being there always. I need you to know, I am so glad, I found you...or you found me, because it was worth it...and I...I...wanted to see more things, that you wanted to show me,” I laugh weakly, feeling my eyes burn but nothing spills out. I grimace as the pain tightens around me and my body feels heavy. "I...I don't, want to go, War" I sob through the pain and Warren's voice cracks above me as he cries silently. "I don't, want to be alone."

“I know...” Warren rasps, glancing up briefly, an almost desperate pleading look in his eyes. “Please...oh god...” He chokes, shaking his head and pulls me in closer. I feel his chest against my cheek and I can feel my body relax further as I listen to his heart thump beneath the muscle and flesh. “I wanted to take you to that place...the diner that serves food fit for a warrior, because you are a warrior, dammit!” I laugh and cry softly against his chest, my gasps growing heavier as I try to fight for more air. "You’re the bravest warrior I know and, and you would surpass me no doubt.” He chuckles weakly. "You're not alone, princess. I...I'm here always and you...

"..." I can't speak, my vision darkening around the edges as I lean into Warren's chest, taking the warmth of his body with me as the cold drips out of my own body. My own life...leaving me. I almost see a thin line of red and I want to laugh bitterly. Those old hags...My chest doesn't feel so tight now but I can hear my heart thump...thump slower and slower.

But Warren's voice is loud and clear and following me into the dark.

"...you would've loved Christmas. The Holidays are beautiful. You're eyes would look so beautiful if you got to see them and hopefully one day you will, Pan. There's, there's big pine trees decorated on every branch with lights and tinsel and globes of joy and beauty and the food, would've made you go crazy. You would love it, Pan."

I would've loved it, War. And I wish I got to see it with you. Warren's voice follows me as the light goes out, the last sound to join me in the Abyss.

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