Pandora's Curse

On the open road out of New York, we drive in complete silence for close to an hour. Briefly disappointed at seeing the bustling city of New York disappear and momentarily worried when War said home, since going back to his wasn’t safe anymore.

But it was easy to see the direction we were going wasn’t the same way and he made it clear it wasn’t. I didn’t question it any further. Preferring to slump back in my seat and let exhaustion take over my body. My shoulder was throbbing painfully and stinging from the cuts under the bandages and there was no water or food in the car. Half asleep for the majority of the drive until I realized the further we drove, it grew more greener, more trees, more nature than the city. The sky grew greyer the further we drove and the temperature dropping further, I shivered slightly.

Warren leaned forward slightly, reaching for the air con and turning on the heater and immediately it grew warmer.

“Sas efcharistó.” I murmur, rubbing my palms and trying to warm up my fingertips.

"Parakaló." Warren answers shortly and it was silent once again and I pursed my lips tightly, guilt lashing at me as well as more. I didn't know where to even begin with what to say and how I felt about this morning. It was strange to think that in half a day, I had...sex, with Warren, we got in a nasty fight, a fight which was still lingering among other things, Dionysus was slain - sort of - in front of me by harpies. I faced Aello again, Warren and I were chased by gremlins and now we were going into hiding.

If I didn't leave today, would we be able to stay safe at his place? Did I just fuck it up further now? I made things even more dangerous for War and I-

"If I hadn't left...we wouldn't be going into hiding as a precaution." The words left me mouth before I could stop myself. I stared angrily out the window, fists clenched on my lap. "I made it worse." War didn't say anything and I pondered if he even heard me at all.

"Pandora," I started at my full name and glanced at him from the corner of my eye. His face was still blank, cool, his eyes facing ahead but there was a flicker in his eyes. "Whether it was your fault or not, there's no point in dwelling on it. As long as we are safe, that's all that matters right now. I mean, whether you trust me or not, that's up to you."

Wow...just wow.

Barely holding my words back, I stare out the window, eager to avoid him and I heard him sigh heavily in frustration.

"I shouldn't have said that." He sighs. "I shouldn't have said a lot of things. But it doesn't take from the fact-"

"I don't...I don't want to talk about it now, Warren." I kept my gaze away, eager to drop it in case the floodgates burst through and right now wasn't the time for it.

"Fine."

It became silent once again and Warren shifted in his spot and I readied for him to speak.

"What happened?"

"Pardon?"

"What happened? You went to see Pan and Dionysus right? Did you see them? If so..."

"Right, well, yes I found...Dionysus." I saw his body turn to dust and...my eyes flickered down to my hands which I pulled out of the sleeves of the jacket Warren gave me. A dark brown faded but stained my palms and fingertips.

"Pandora?" I looked up at Warren, swallowing heavily.

"Um, I found and talked to Dionysus, he, well, he assumed we had the box safe but was disappointed further to find we didn't and hydras had been involved. Said hydra's are not the most easy-going,"

"That's an understatement." Warren pursed his lips tightly and I shivered, eyes closing tightly as I slump back against the seat. "Anyway, I explained the box was missing already thanks to the harpies and we came under attack by the harpies and strix, they came through the elevators and the ceilings. Absolute mayhem. Oh my Hera and then there was fire and I...oh holy crap!" I started to burst into laughter, clapping my hands together as the laughter escaped me. "I-I jumped, I jumped off the balcony, on to a harpy. I jumped!"

"The bloody hell, Pan!" Warren cursed, tightening his fist on the wheel as he scratched his cheek. "Though it does not surprise me anymore." He suddenly smiled faintly. "You did it saving others."

"How did-"

"I know you too well." It grew silent after that and I started to speak, but no words were coming out.

"Pan,"

"Huh?"

"Dionysus. When I mentioned him, you seemed..." His face softened slightly and I felt the car slow down along the straight and narrow road. "Where did Dionysus and Pan go?"

"Pan, I-I have no idea. I didn't see him again once the attack happened and Dionysus..." My hand trembled in my lap. "He, uh...he was k-killed...or..."

"His human form." Warren's face darkened and his eyes shifted to my stained hands and he grimaced tightly. "You watched a God mortal body physically destroyed. But you don't need to be too upset, Pandora. God's cannot be killed and definitely not so easily. He will merely be healing upon Olympus and eventually return to continue his debauchery." He gave a tight smile, facing front ahead. "But, still, even winning against Dionysus, any God, even in a mortal form..."

"It was Aello."

Despite the controlled heat coming from the heater, my skin started to sweat slightly and I grimaced internally. Warren's face hadn't changed except his eyes had gone pitch black and the red storm flickering faintly within. Other than that, he barely reacted. His silent rage was enough.

"Aello showed herself, already. And she tried to kill you." Warren spoke, his voice cool but their was an obvious strain in his voice. "Delightful. Bet Aello was quite...thrilled."

"Yeah...That's putting it lightly." I turned my attention out the window, Aello's appearance rattling in my mind, her many horrid, yellow eyes glinting with delight and hunger and fury into one. The wings on her face, the ear-to-ear split mouth and bloodied smile as she grinned down at me. "I've never seen a harpies real form up close before." My hand instinctively went to my neck, feeling the faint ache of her grip. "She wasn't so eager to kill me just yet."

"A pure-blooded harpy is...quite the sight. But Aello and her sisters are slightly different though equally terrifying."

Terrifying indeed. Imposing, giant, formidable, Aello's wings didn't help. Towering over me like a mountain blocking the sun-

"Why didn't she kill you?" I sat up straighter, and my bore my gaze towards Warren, stunned and the thought hitting me in terror.

"Because she has plans and I don't think she's opened the box yet, War! Her sisters, they don't live on this continent, they live separately-"

"Her sisters, fuck! Of course, she's reaching out to them!" Warren cuts in, horrified realization settling in his expression, eyes widening. "She'll share the power with her sisters so she's waiting for them. Christ!"

"Warren-"

"Unfortunately, we might know when her sisters arrive. The three haven't been united for a long time indeed and when they do..."

"What happens?" I swallow heavily and War glares darkly out the window, his eyes faraway.

"History repeats itself."

Silence resumed the rest of the drive and after waking from my nap, I was startled to realize just how grey and dark it was outside. It was still midday and the sun was nowhere in sight, behind heavy, stormy clouds.

"It looks like it's going to be a storm tonight." I murmur, peering up through the window and Warren hums.

"Not quite." Open fields of grass travelled alongside us and Warren turned down a narrow path onto gravel road towards more wooded area. Trees surrounding us, blocking out the sky mostly as Warren travelled further into the woods until ahead, through a slight opening of trees and the front of a large open field, a house stood ahead of us.

The car pulled to stop before the house as I stared up at it in awe. It was beautiful. A stunning house indeed.

"Here we are." Warren sighed, turning the car off and stepping out and I followed after him, staring up at the house before us. Not a cabin in the woods but a house in the woods and hidden from the trees near the edge. A beautiful, two-floor, structure made from wood but open and beautiful from just outside. Dirt and grass lay around a gravel path to the front of the house, a couple stone steps leading up to a wide front door. A door easily wide enough for Warren and taller than him with some glass panels on either side for looking through.

The front of the house, looking into the open field ahead was spaced along the wall like one giant glass window and curtains drawn over the windows inside. The second floor had smaller but still large windows running across the front of the wall. Warren popped open the trunk of the car and pulled out a large bag and slammed it shut with a thunk and brushed past me to the door. He opened the door smoothly and sighed deeply as he stepped inside and I followed quickly, stepping into the dark.

"Make yourself comfortable. I have to go turn the power on." Warren disappeared back outside once he dropped his bag down and I stepped further inside, following the slight trail of light from the peek between the curtains along the window. I went over, pulling the curtain apart on one side, and was faced with fresh view. Trees lined over the side, casing over the house and tunnel-vision into an beautiful, green field that was shadowed by grey clouds.

I heard Warren enter through the front door and with a click, the lights were on, revealing the decent and open living room, kitchen and dining room. My mouth parted slightly. It was a beautiful place indeed.

"You made it, didn't you." There was no denying that because it had the same feel as Warren's home back near the city. The walls were a dark, reddish, glossy brown with parts of it stone and marble in the kitchen and the fireplace in the living room. A mantel where the fireplace was mostly empty except for a couple pictures and frames. A large couch and a few sofas, settled on top of a wide, round, thick navy blue rug surrounded a coffee table, facing away from the wall of windows, but facing the wall with the large T.V. on it. The floor was mostly wood then the kitchen was grey, smooth stone. A dining table with just one chair sat at the head, filled me with a sense of loneliness. Stairs led upwards to probably the bedrooms and bathrooms. There wasn't much in the way of decorations or personalization here like it was back at his other home.

"Yeah, I did." Warren mutters, stepping further in and stooped next to the fireplace and sighed. "Need firewood. It's gonna be cold tonight."

"It's beautiful." I couldn't help but say and Warren glanced at me evenly but gave me a faint nod before glancing away and then out the windows before looking to me and a strange, almost excited gleam lit up in his eyes.

"It's been a while. Wanna come with me?" Without waiting for an answer as I ponder in confusion, he turns and steps out of the front door and I hurry after him down the stone and dirt path and over the mounds towards the edge of the trees.

"Where-" I glance back at the house and I notice a small wooden shed on the other side of the house with an open door and squared gaping windows along the front wall.

A stable?

"It's been a while since I've been here and I come here to get away from work and...enjoy the peace and quiet. And it gives me time to see Adam. He can get irritable if I'm gone too long." Warren mutters, as we stand on open grass. Trees surround us like an arena and the clouds appear lighter now.

"Adam? Who's Adam?" Warren only smirks and suddenly places two of his fingers in his mouth and lets out a loud whistle that pierces through the open air, echoing faintly. He drops his hand, staring ahead, eyes dark but there was something in them that was far from lethal.

Distantly, a bone-stiffening scream echoes through the air, coming from the other end of the field. My body tenses without realizing, goosebumps rising on my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end as my foot slides back shakily. Heart stuttering as the scream, inhuman and familiar cuts through the air. On the other end of the field, the trees are fading from view as a heavy fog creep over and the clouds above grow darker. A soft breeze rushes by, chilling me to my very core even further as the squeals grow slightly closer. Much like a distant memory, a large, towering, dark shape thunders through the fog, seemingly dragging the fog along behind it. The hooves thunder over the ground, echo my thundering heart beat. A memory of red and black and ash and smoke changing to dirt and grass and grey fog.

The horse thunders across the field, its approach slowing as it grows closer until its trotting towards us. War steps forward, hand outstretched and the horse lays its head against his palm, allowing Warren to roughly stroke along its snout as it snorts roughly.

The War Horse.

It was bigger than I really remembered. Easily towered over Warren, with incredible muscles along its body. The hooves could easily crush a persons head. Its coat was a beautiful but unique colour; a dark, red wine sheen. Its mane, much like its tail, was darker in shade and hung over its neck, long and smooth and glossy and fluttered softly as it moved.

Christ.

I was stumped, standing in place as I stared at Warren who affectionately acknowledged the - no, his horse. The War horse. The war horse who brought along calamity and war alongside its dark rider. An ominous figure, sat atop a huge horse, shadowed from the smoke and red dawn, eyes glinting a red storm. Sword raised above, glinting silver and red steel as it cast its-

"Th-this is Adam." I stammer, swallowing and Warren smiles softly as he looks over at me from where he was stroking the horses neck. "He, he's um..."

"Big, yeah."

"Y-yeah. Big. Could crush me if he wants to." I swallow and War rolls his eyes as Adam nudges against Warren snorting aggressively, hooves nudging the grass. "Could crush my head like an egg..." I murmur, growing cold as its approaches, snuffling against my side and then against my hair, its body making me feel like a baby bird.

"Unless you plan on trying to kill him, myself or I give the word, he won't crush you or anything." Warren smirks from he was standing, arms crossed. "But he is checking out the intruder." I glare at Warren, scowling tightly. He laughs, approaching closer and pats his rump. "I forget, it's been a while."

"Yeah, it has." I sigh and glance up and find the horse eying me, its eyes black except from the flicker of red within; like Warren. "He's immortal as well."

"You can stroke him as long as he sees what you're doing." Warren speaks curtly, standing close. "Yeah, he is. My best friend. My partner. My companion."

"You leave him here alone?"

"He's more than capable of looking after and feeding himself. He has freedom and remains hiding mostly from other humans so as not to get caught. Not that it would matter." War's smile was humorous. There was a story there indeed. War reaches into his pocket and suddenly grasps my hand, placing a bunch of cut of fruit and vegetables on my palm. Immediately, Adam drops his head to my palm, rough lips smacking against my palm, tickling me as a smile cuts across my lips as I let out a laugh.

"He is beautiful. Especially in a different light. With different eyes and a different...perspective." I murmur the last part softly but I couldn't help but look over at Warren who stares at me intently, eyes dark and searching. My throat convulses heavily at the intensity and Adam snorts roughly, shoving against my shoulder lightly. War suddenly steps behind me and before I realize what he is doing, he places his hands on my hips and I'm hauled up over Adam's back.

"Warren?" I yelp, arms instinctively curling over Adam's side and my body settles on Adam's back, my hands immediately grasping at the horses thick mane and hunched over, reeling at the height I am at now. "Warren! N-No, it's been so long-" Adam starts moving and I grab on for dear life, well aware of how high up I currently am. How painful would a fall from this height be? It shouldn't be too bad-

"You're fine." Warren from behind chuckles, his voice fading as Adam started trotting away much to my despair. "Just hold on to him. Falling off a horse can hurt." Oh for the love of all things holy! I wanted to curse back at Warren but Adam moved faster and I couldn't dare let go of him for fear of falling. I close my eyes, barely peeking through as Adam canters through the field, snorting softly. A low whistle from somewhere and I feel Adam slow down from his light jog, turning around. Oh thank you! I'm safe!

"Time to go in. It'll get cold later." Adam knickers loudly and slowly trots ahead of Warren and I grasp his mane in terror as he moves over uneven terrain towards the stables while being careful to not pull on it, lest he decide to throw me off. Adam trots through the grass towards the edge of the trees, towards the homemade stables beside Warren's house. Inside, the stables were decently sized, bales of hay against the far corner and all around the floor. Soft lighting above filled the stables with a soft, warm glow, enough to appease the soul with some warmth. Adam casually standing as Warren strode in, a dark ominous shadow that became a figure of warm hues and power as he stood next to Adam, stroking his side, speaking softly in a language that was unfamiliar.

"That...wasn't so bad." I couldn't but murmur, smiling bashfully but Warren didn't look up straight away but his lips curled faintly. "I haven't ridden a horse since I was a child and that was not the best experience. I remember crying. A lot. My mother laughed at me." Warren hummed quietly, looking up at me and his lips twitched.

"Every first experience is a story." His eyes were faded away before he shook his head and he was back in the stables. "Here we go." He stepped towards me, arms stretched to me to help me down. I leaned over gripping his shoulder as his hands grasped onto my waist-

"Aahh!" I yelped as Warren pulled me off Adam's back but the sharp ache radiating from my side had me dropping partially. "Oww, christ." I groan.

"Shit, Pan!" Warren released my waist as I hunched over, gripping onto his shirt as the throbbing pain tremored down my side. My stomach curled nauseously and my head felt a little heavy as I groan in pain against Warren. "What is it with you falling apart every time I'm not around?" I straightened up, rubbing my tired eyes. I could feel Warren's hands on my shoulder as I pulled my hands away and gazed up at him. Warren's gaze searching over my face and he rested the back of his hand against my forehead. "How do you feel? Honestly."

"Like crap."

"Well, at least your honest." Then his eyes travel down to my right side where the ache was dwindling down and his hand ran my arm, leaving goosebumps that I tried desperately to ignore. Tenderly, very gently, Warren pinched the bottom of my shirt, his fingertips barely grazing my skin and I could feel a heavy flush working its way throughout my skin. Holding my breath, as Warren raised my shirt slowly up until-

"That is a doozy." Warren hummed, lips pursed tightly as he lifted his gaze back up to me. "Did you do this jumping off balconies?"

"Of course. I got my battle scars from Aello already, I need one for every action I take." I glance at the bandages on my shoulder, grimacing painfully. Warren scoffs, groaning irritably as he straightens up and lightly runs his fingers over my growing bruises. My side twitches uncomfortably and an unsettling flush of heat spreading through like a fire. I push my shirt back down, trying to ignore the heating in my face.

"Well, at least it's not broken...a bloody miracle. You have someone looking out for you, I guess." Warren sighs. Great, I guess. Adam knickers softly beside us both and I smile softly, scratching his forehead, stroking his mane out of his eyes.

"Well, you're not so bad now are you." I hum, stroking his mane. I couldn't help the smile as I admire the stallion. "He is beautiful by the way." I turn my smile to Warren, who stares coolly at me. He doesn't reply, eyes sliding to his horse as I look back at Adam.

"Yes, beautiful." Warren mutters and moves away, leading out of the stables, the tone in his voice ringing heavily in my head and sending a shiver down my spine. I sigh heavily but turn back to Adam, a weak smile gracing my face. "He's a grumpy one. How did you put up with him for so long?"