We Faced a Goddess

It was her… It was Nemesis. People began to scatter as she shrieked again. My ears popped and suddenly I couldn’t hear anything. I ran through the crowd looking for Keres. I found myself outside and the doors shut behind me. How could I be so stupid? How could I not remember what happened in my vision? I had to remember the rest.

There was a bright light and Keres flew across the room. Not thinking I broke the glass on the door and got back in. People began leaving very fast from where I came in. My ears popped again and I could hear. I helped Keres up and she fretted over my arm. I pulled bandage out of my bra and wrapped up my arm. That part I was prepared for.

“Look out!” I heard Erik scream. He knocked us out of the way as a sword flew through the air at him. He managed to dodge it thank goodness.

“You can’t protect her.” Nemesis laughed. The sword went back to her.

“Where’s my father?!” Keres screamed at her.

“He’s nothing of yours child.” She hissed. Keres got angry and charged Nemesis. She lept into the air and tackled the goddess. Erik and I ran to help her. She was rolling around with Nemesis. Both were fighting to pin the other down. Nemesis pinned Keres and took her sword to her neck.

I wasn’t thinking. I just jumped and pushed Nemesis off of Keres. The blade of her sword sliced the palm of my hand. Christ on a bike it hurt. Realizing what I had done, I panicked.

Nemesis kicked me in the stomach and I flew off of her. I landed on my back and had to wait a second to get up. I was already tired. Fighting took a lot out of you.

Keres was already on her feet and tried to fight Nemesis while dodging the sword. It seemed like her adrenaline wasn’t allowing her to feel tired. Erik tried to help but ended up getting punched in the face… by Keres.

“Oh, my gods!” Keres paused to help Erik. “I didn’t mean that!” I pulled Keres and Erik back to dodge Nemesis’ blow.

“You can’t help her!” Nemesis screamed.

“We can protect her.” I said.

“And we will.” Erik added.

“Stupid children,” Nemesis cackled as she stretched her wings and stood. “You can’t beat me.” Nemesis lunged thrusting her sword toward us. Keres ducked while Erik and I jumped back. “I am a goddess!”

“Why didn’t we think to bring a weapon?!” I screamed.

“What are we supposed to do, shoot a goddess?” Erik asked. “Pistol whip her?”

“And it’s not like you can just go to the mall and get a sword!” Keres yelled while trying to block Nemesis’ sword.

“Okay enough sass!” I ran to the refreshment table and grabbed a platter to use as a shield. I ran to Keres and blocked her from a blow. She struck again and cut the platter in half. I let out a nervous laugh then dropped to the floor trying to avoid Nemesis’ sword. It caught me on the shoulder.

“Am I the only one getting cut here?” I asked exhausted. Nemesis drove her sword down at me. I rolled out of the way and the blade got stuck in the floor.

“At least Keres didn’t punch you in the face.”

“I said I was sorry!”

Erik ran and grabbed Nemesis’ arm. Without hesitation, he bit her wrist. She released her sword and Erik ripped it from the floor. This was very unfortunate for him...

Erik was whipped around as Nemesis tried to bring her sword back to her. He flew around the room and all we could do was watch in shock and fear. She slammed him against the ground hard enough to knock the wind out of him then called her sword back to her. Keres and I ran to Erik.

“Now,” Nemesis laughed, “let me finish this.” Nemesis reached her hand and pulled it back causing Keres to drop to the floor with a loud thud and slid back.

“Keres!” I tried to run to her but Nemesis sent her other hand out and I flew backwards. Nemesis had one foot on Keres’ chest and had the sword to her neck.

Tears were streaming down my face. I promised to protect her and I couldn’t. Another person I love was about to die and I couldn’t do anything about it. I tried to fight forward but only got a few inches from where I was. It was almost impossible for me to keep going.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment. We were all helpless. We were all going to suffer. This was it… I’d lose Keres and never see Ambrus again. Erik and I could be spared but what would we do. Our friend… our girlfriend was about to die in front of us and we couldn’t do anything.

Everything was quiet until the clock struck midnight and Nemesis laughed. That sound will forever echo in my mind and my nightmares.

“Oh, would you look at that.” Nemesis smirked. “Happy Birthday Keres.” Nemesis drew her sword back and thrusted forward.