Chapter twenty
The Ceremony of Grekheim
With a loud bang, Elizabeth had been sucked into the crack.
Within seconds, Elizabeth found herself floating in midair, her large eagle wings flapping comfortably as she went. The breeze swept across her face, and the clouds nearby were so exquisite that they vanished with a pop when you pocked one soft between the middle.
"We meet again, Dolores." A soft voice rang in Elizabeth's ear.
She glanced over her shoulder. It was Lady Athena.
Lady Athena took her hands, and together they landed softly on the cloud floating beyond. She snapped her fingers twice, and amidst the misty clouds, Elizabeth was shocked to see something huge emerging through the clear vapor.
Gliding gradually toward them was a golden chariot.
She stared, mouth drawn down in an astonished curve as the chariot took a halt in front of them, merely inches away, its golden glow shimmering through the shafts as a ray of sunlight sprayed under its sparkling windows, the half-drawn curtains swayed with the breeze, and the steps glistened in a shower of glimmering light.
A shower of brilliant gold gleamed on the chariot doorframe, where the Twelve Deities emerged from the carvings in vivid relief. Delicate cloud patterns embellished both sides of the handrails, their dense, billowing forms seeming to surge past the wheels, flowing over the sacred chariot, while pieces of polychrome glaze glistened radiantly in the sunset’s fading glow.
An invigorated man pulled over and stepped out. His golden beard and braid swung in the sunlight, his golden eyes glinted with surprise and delight.
His long, yellowish robes flapped noisily in the breeze. He patted the horses on the head and headed toward them.
“Ah, Lady Athena, and this, our little heroine, eh?” He chuckled and bent down to stroke her hair.
“Lord Apollo, let’s get the Arouse Ceremony done. Or it’ll be too late.” Whispered Lady Athena crisply and climbed into the chariot with Elizabeth.
It was an entirely different experience compared to riding a moon carriage. Her head was directed toward the open sky as strong gusts of wind slapped her across the face while the carriage ascended higher toward the heavens.
She felt the chassis wobbling slightly beneath her boots. With her hands gripping the side rails tightly, her knuckles whitening as the chariot accelerated, soaring toward the celestial realm.
Elizabeth briefly glimpsed the terrestrial land below, yet she felt a subtle sensation of tumbling uncontrollably; the chariot seemed to coil and twirl within the cloud layers, and she had her feet stuck to the floor, in case she would loosen her grip accidentally and fall from the sky, which was no joke. The horses snorted and clawed through the ethereal clouds. As they continued their ascent, Elizabeth suddenly caught sight of a glittering golden structure overhead, with its gilded tower piercing the sky, perched above the mists shrouding the mortal world. Its snow-capped summits were illuminated by ethereal sunlight filtering through the universe’s veil, where sacred sunbeams shimmered perpetually.
The divine garden was lush with nectar streams and ambrosia trees. Beneath were lagoons of laurel sap, and holy radiance cloaked the saintly palaces adorned with fine silver and gold on marble surfaces.
Music of transcendent quality resonated from the large windows of Mount Olympus. The horses neighed and their hooves clacked against the clouds as the chariot suddenly jerked to a halt. With trembling legs, Elizabeth stepped off, massaging her throbbing wrists, and headed toward the sacred palace, accompanied by Lady Athena and Lord Apollo. Reaching the golden palace, Lord Apollo snapped his fingers twice, and the massive oak door creaked open. The grand hall materialized silently, with the crystalline corridor gleaming under the sunlight streaming through the upper windows. Chandeliers suspended from the soaring ceiling cast a silvery light across the floor. Maidens stood on either side of a large golden door, which bore the statue of Zeus gazing upon them. The sound of heels striking the crystal floor drew their attention. The maiden rose and courteously welcomed Lord Apollo.
She grabbed the doorknob, knocked softly across the smooth surface, cracked the door open, and they entered.
It was a solemn hall that stretched over their view. Gigantic torches flickered golden, illuminating the hall while a candelabra rose high above their head. Colossal windows spread through the walls while crystallized galaxies coiled across the ceiling.
A bonfire blazed in the hall’s center, sending wispy plumes of smoke curling upward; sparks flickered and danced, glowing like scattered clouds of starlight overhead. At the very heart of the gathering, he sat enthroned on a seat forged of pure gold. One hand clamped around a bolt of lightning, the other draped casually over the armrest. His robe’s hem spread out beneath his feet, which rested on a silver taboret, and a radiant golden aura enveloped his head—he, the Sovereign of All Gods.
On the eleven golden thrones flanking his, the other deities sat bathed in golden light, sipping nectar and ambrosia. Hestia alone perched on an obsidian taboret positioned in the hall’s middle, her gentle hands cupping the sacred flame that illuminated both the mortal realm and the immortal paradise.
The Gods raised their heads and nodded curtly to welcome the three into the Sacred Hall.
“Welcome, our heroine.” Thundered Lord Zeus as he suddenly rose from his seat and advanced toward them.
Elizabeth flinched, taking a few steps back, and stared straight into Lord Zeus’s sharp eyes.
“Now, now. Stop staring me like a hawk.” Lord Zeus chuckled and patted Elizabeth softly on the shoulder.
"Thank you for unsealing Grekheim to the rest of the world," he said solemnly, gently stroking Elizabeth’s large wings, which fluttered nervously behind her. “That is what I should have done," she replied cautiously.
“Relax, my dear. We held a council earlier and decided to confer upon you a special ceremony," Lord Zeus declared, turning to speak with Hestia. Elizabeth stood motionless, overwhelmed by an inexplicable wave of enthusiasm—a kind of quiet thrill of anticipation.
Hestia swung around on her heels, her long black hair flowing as she rose. Zeus returned to his seat and, with the other eleven deities, lifted their glasses of nectar high over their heads and then set them down gently. The nectar hovered midair, shimmering with dazzling light as it blended and evaporated into a big, floating soap bubble. Iridescent hues danced on its fragile surface as it floated toward the sacred fire in the center.
At that moment, Lady Athena spoke calmly through the radiance, "Begin, the Ceremony of Arise.” Suddenly, beams of gorgeous lights shot from every marble embedded on the walls and soared toward the bubble, which was now pausing right in front of Elizabeth.
“Now, dear, please close your eyes and relax. Do as I instruct," Lord Apollo’s voice echoed through the hall.
Elizabeth closed her eyes, feeling the intake of suddenly warmed air. A pleasant, squishy veil of cloud enveloped her, as if she were wrapped in a thin layer of mist, sinking into the endless nectar and ambrosia — the lagoon of coziness. She felt a churn flicker inside the depths of her soul, a prickling sensation stretched over her body, tingling every nerve, while a gentle breeze caressed her cheeks.
She felt herself ascending into thin air, surrounded by celestial veils of crystal, as the temperature rose and sweat emerged on her forehead.
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Rubbing her trembling palms, she suddenly found herself drenched with water, running down her neck, soaking her shirt.
Cold liquid poured over her head, her loosened hair sticking to her cheeks, and the veils tightened around her, cutting into her skin so tautly she could barely breathe. A strange, scorching sensation erupted from her stomach, boiling through her entire being. Although her eyes remained closed, she perceived sights.
Scarlet streaks appeared on her hands, seemingly alive, spreading across her skin, digging into every joint, crawling over her veins, and wiggling into her insides, as she drifted above a sizzling mass. Her muscles numbed, and she could no longer sense her surroundings.
“Open your eyes, relax," came the clear voice she believed to be Lady Aphrodite. Hesitantly, Elizabeth fluttered her eyelids and looked around cautiously. She was suspended above a blazing sacred fire, encased within a silvery soap bubble. She looked back to see Lady Aphrodite rising from the ground and pressing her palms against the bubble. She spun around (thank Jesus that she did not fall), as other deities gathered around, their palms on the bubble’s surface. Multicolored glows flickered over their fingertips, encircling her and spreading across the surface like a tightly woven net. Below her, the fire crackled and licked at the hem of her garments. A sudden, excruciating pain struck her, her eagle wings fluttering faintly behind her. She then noticed her wings beginning to glow, with warmth and flickering light enveloping her, gradually fading into a breeze.
Glamorous strands of lights appeared to swirl into view, and the Eye of Horus emerged from the mists, gliding toward her. It paused in midair, emitting gentle radiance over the net. Curiously and cautiously, Elizabeth raised her hand and touched the floating symbol with trembling fingers. The Eye of Horus tilted and projected a beam of dazzling white light that enveloped Elizabeth in its powerful vibration, accompanied by a resonant echo.
With a sharp crunch, Elizabeth found herself on solid ground.
Hoisting herself up on her elbow, she realized she was stranded at the edge of a dense, lush forest.
Suddenly, she heard music emanating from the depths of the woods. She slapped herself on the face and confirmed that she was indeed wide awake as the intense pain sent a bruise blooming over her cheeks. Straightening up, Elizabeth proceeded into the forest. Sugary liquid dripped from the thick treetops, blocking the sight. Autumn leaves scattered and coated the path ahead; luscious, ripe fruits hung from the branches overhead.
Elizabeth pressed on; leaves crunched faintly beneath her boots, and a gentle breeze brushed her cheeks. And occasionally, birds would perch on her shoulders, sending a thrill down her spine.
She advanced deeper into the forest.
Out of the corner of her eye, she found something shimmering ahead that caught her attention. Elizabeth squinted through the gusty wind that tousled her hair, yet she could see nothing except for the thick greenish clouding over her head.
She headed closer and closer toward the glimmering dot.
She suddenly skidded to a halt, her mouth agape.
Through the suddenly intensified gusts that buffeted her face, her braid flying over her shoulders, and her large eagle wings flapping loudly behind her, she noticed a vast lagoon gradually coming into view.
Excitement surged within her. Elizabeth ran toward it, her footsteps echoing as she moved forward. She knelt at the edge of the clear lagoon, gazing in awe as the wind sent ripples across its surface, reflecting her image.
She stared at her reflection.
Looking closer, she saw a lady with flowing golden hair gazing back at her from the lake. She grasped the edge of the lake and leaned forward; her large black wings flapped joyfully as she beamed.
Elizabeth pressed her finger to her lips, and the lady in the lagoon did the same.
Curiosity flickered inside her. She touched the water’s surface with her finger, causing the reflection to tremble. Sparkling lights shimmered within the reflection, rippling softly, as if being scooped up from the water; it rose slightly from the water’s surface.
As she watched, a faint, indistinct silhouette glided toward her, swirling and shifting under the dazzling sunlight, blurring amidst the mist rising from the water. All she could see was a faint shadow, its face rippling and shimmering.
Shifting gradually, as if torn from the middle, revealed an elegant woman’s face that smiled at her.
As the body of the figure emerged from the mist, Elizabeth found the most beautiful lady she had ever seen gliding toward her.
“I am the goddess Frigga,” she proclaimed, gazing at Elizabeth.
“So you are the one who has intertwined my soul,” Elizabeth whispered, filled with awe.
“Yes, technically, but you played the principal role; you possess courage within your veins. That is why I chose you—since you escaped your father’s prison, I shall bless you for your deeds,” replied Goddess Frigga crisply.
Suddenly, Frigga’s image flickered and shimmered within the misty air. Within moments, more images broke free from the silhouette and floated just above the water.
Three alluring young ladies emerged from the vapor, waving toward her.
“We are the Norns,” they whispered simultaneously. Their large wings extended behind them as they sat inches above the water, spinning wheels while iridescent threads flowed from their fingertips, weaving the Web of Fate.
Urd, with short, curly hair and holding a golden scale, stepped forward and placed her fingertips on Elizabeth’s forehead.
“I present to you the Past,” she whispered.
A rush of ancient scent filled Elizabeth’s nostrils. Her body trembled as she opened her eyes, glimpsing faint images of the past: Ginunaga shrouded in mist, Muspelheim further south, where the frost giant Ymir was born. She watched amidthe misty vapor as the gods took an ash branch to fashion a man named Ash, and an elm branch to create a woman named Embla. Odin granted them life and soul; Vili endowed them with reason and movement; Ve bestowed upon them feeling, form, and speech.
Urd waved her hands swiftly, and the images vanished. Verdandi, her long silvery hair flowing behind her, clasped a goblet of sacred water from the Well of Urd and advanced.
She poured the water over Elizabeth, who allowed the sacred liquid to cover her.
“I present to you the Present,” she said.
Elizabeth blinked and saw her friends pacing anxiously across the lawn, near the gap she had broken in the air. She saw her mother weeping near the cushioned sofa, praying for her safety, and she observed a large bulletin board in her former school’s assembly hall with an inscription: “Where does Miss Bianca go? Disappeared on the last day of school, where the unfortunate incident involving Elizabeth Jordan, the murderer, took place—she mysteriously vanished after collapsing on the lawn near the town park.”
Elizabeth gasped, clutching her chest.
Suddenly, the images swirled and disappeared.
At the same time, Skuld, the youngest sister, stepped forward, her braid swinging behind her as she placed her entire palm on Elizabeth’s heart.
Gentle lights lingered in her fingertips as she announced, “I present to you the Future.”
Elizabeth felt her body seize with a sudden tremor. “Close your eyes,” Skuld whispered firmly.
Elizabeth obeyed, shutting her eyelids, yet from every nerve and pore, her sight seemed to extend into her body. Every muscle relaxed, and vision glided inwards. Her veins bulged, and light stretched from her palms across her body.
She perceived fire consuming the Grand Cathedral; she saw Atlantic transformed into the headquarters of the Evil Scarlet; she saw Percy collapsing beside her, Emily drew her sword from his body, drenched with blood; Datura raising her sword and stabbing at her; the Fairy Lord laughing as he decapitated the last soulblender; and the door to Grekheim engulfed in flames and vanished forevermore—
Suddenly, she was snapped back to reality.
As if being pulled from an infinite abyss, a tingling sensation of anxiety and desperation overwhelmed her as she straightened up.
She was once again within the Sacred Hall atop Mount Olympus, caught between worlds.
Melodic, eccentric music echoed endlessly within her ears; she sensed that every feather shimmered in silvery light, as a voice louder than ever whispered, "The power of Self-healing I shall give to you, and shall heal not only physically but also something deep inside. And I wish you would understand the Future.” The music abruptly ceased. Elizabeth ascended into midair, her entire body shimmering with amber light as Lady Artemis lowered her hands.
Elizabeth felt a tremble, and she descended. Her wings fluttered gently beside her as she landed softly on the crystal floor.
“That was—well—thanks," she sighed, wiping sweat from her forehead. Lady Aphrodite chuckled softly, and Lord Zeus beamed at her with appreciation. “You have performed a commendable deed for us, and we have so much more to be thankful for. Here, may Lady Athena guide you on another brief journey," he boomed, startling Elizabeth.
He then waved his hands, laughing heartily. “Lady Persephone shall lead you to the Reflection of the Past in the Underworld.”
A graceful lady shrouded in mist appeared at the doorway, holding a curved scepter topped with a plain crystal orb.
Lady Persephone approached, her cold eyes sweeping the hall and settling on Elizabeth.
"So, you are our savior, are you?" she murmured coldly, her voice sending a shiver down Elizabeth’s spine, yet she remained calm and poised.
“Good, Hades is currently away, so we might seize the opportunity to sneak in. It will be perilous, and the consequences severe if he discovers us," Lady Persephone said cheerfully. "But I am willing to try," she added, taking Elizabeth’s hands nonchalantly. Lady Athena grasped her scepter, and together they lifted it high, then slammed it hard onto the crystal floor. The orb was suddenly illuminated by a mysterious violet glow.
Cracks spidered across its surface; a viscous, glassy liquid oozed out, seeping through the fissures, as misty vapor puffed out. The floor beneath them shattered violently, suddenly split open into a deep abyss. They tumbled downward amid the swirling mist, which wrapped around them like snakes, as golden sparks sparkled, trailing behind them. Cold liquids dripped from above as the ground trembled violently during their descent. The scepter flickered with fierce lights as it twirled sharply.
Glittering with vicious lights, they suddenly gave a hard twirl.
Elizabeth screamed as her hands slipped from Lady Persephone’s grip, her palms covered in filthy sweat, but Lady Athena caught her in time. Panting, she could faintly glimpse the outline of a hound barking at an eerie cave entrance.