Chapter 20

The entrance to Eris"s throne room revealed a surreal spectacle, defying both logic and aesthetics. The room was an extravagant nightmare, a collision of grandeur and bad taste. Twisted sculptures adorned with gold boas and pulsating energy flanked the path to Eris"s ostentatious throne. I was most leery of the mist that curled around every corner. It was like an anaconda seeking a victim.

As I stepped forward, surveying the macabre display, I lifted one corner of my mouth. "Ah, the interior decorator really went all out with the "insane megalomaniac" theme. Very on-brand for you, Eris."

Eris, perched on a throne that seemed to defy the laws of geometry, raised an amused eyebrow. "Phoebe, darling, your wit falls flat. Although, I do appreciate your flair for commentary."

Aidon, his jaw clenched, stepped forward, his gaze locked on Eris. "Enough of your games, Eris. Leave Phoebe alone and end this madness."

Eris chuckled, her laughter echoing through the surreal chamber. "Oh, Aidon, dear. If only you understood the grand design I"ve woven for your babies and Salem. This is destiny in motion."

Destiny, my foot. Prophecy and destiny could be changed. We all had free will, and that changed things. It was one reason seeing the future was a rare and unpredictable talent.

I crouched and felt the crackle of magic on my fingertips. Just in time, too. The battle ignited with an otherworldly spark. Aidon, with a determination etched on his face, summoned his powers, creating a barrier of light between us and Eris. Stella, Todd, Tseki, and Murtagh readied themselves for the impending clash.

Eris, however, rose from her throne with a fluid grace that belied her chaotic power. "Aidon, darling, always the obstinate one. I know you better than anyone. You see, your powers are but a drop in the ocean compared to mine. We complement one another and have always been fated to be together."

Aidon's face screwed up in disgust. "You don't know me. But, Eris, I implore you to reconsider. You don"t want to do this. My parents won't be happy with you."

The goddess had balls of steel. The mention of Hades and Persephone didn't even faze Eris. Her laughter rippled through the room. "You think I have a choice. But I don"t. You cannot change destiny, Aidon."

A flare in Eris's power preceded the arrival of countless of her Chaoslings and the witches in her cult. An intricate dance of magical energies colliding in a battle erupted in the next second. Aidon and Eris clashed and their powers entwined in a struggle for dominance. I felt the magic leave my hands and head toward the goddess. It was instinctual. I hated seeing Aidon in danger.

The room vibrated with the intensity of the confrontation. I had to focus on other things and leave Aidon to the goddess. It wasn't only my kids on the line. The precarious balance between chaos and order was as well.

Aidon"s voice cut through the chaos. "Eris, you leave me no choice."

In a flash of blinding light, Aidon unleashed a surge of his powers, forcing Eris to recoil. I could see the strain on Aidon"s face. The conflict within him as he confronted an adversary who refused to yield. There were consequences to taking her life. It was a huge thing for another god or goddess to do to another. And he would be ostracized for it.

I lost track of them as I kicked and threw magic at witches and Chaoslings alike. I was surrounded and doing my best to remain on my feet. The pain in my chest made fighting difficult.

The battle continued in a clash of powers and ideologies in the surreal throne room. As the two sides collided, I refused to consider how the choices made in this moment would reverberate through the fabric of existence. It had the potential to change life on Earth.

The battleground surged with otherworldly energies as the clash between our small group and Eris"s creations intensified. The creatures were twisted amalgamations of her chaotic magic. They howled and snarled, and their movements were a chaotic dance of malevolence.

I fought alongside Aidon, Stella, Todd, Tseki, and Murtagh. Each of us was a beacon of resistance in the face of Eris"s cosmic onslaught. The air crackled with magic, and the fabric of Eris's pocket realm seemed to pulse with hostility.

But the toll on my body was becoming undeniable. With every fireball I tossed, a jolt of pain shot through my side. Breathing became a laborious task, my ribs protesting the strain. I wondered why it hurt so badly. I hadn't fallen that hard. The answer hit me like a ton of bricks. I must have broken a rib, courtesy of one of the babies, which made each movement agonizing.

I stumbled, my legs threatening to give way beneath me. Stella, her eyes wide with concern, rushed to my side. "Phoebe, you need to rest. You can"t keep pushing yourself like this."

But I couldn"t rest. Not while the fate of my babies and Salem hung in the balance. I clenched my teeth, determined to soldier on, but a wave of dizziness washed over me. I sank to my knees, gasping for breath. I was a sitting duck and a liability to my friends.

Stella, Todd, Tseki, and Murtagh formed a protective circle around me, their expressions a mix of fear and determination. "We"ve got you, Phoebe. Just catch your breath," Stella reassured me, her voice a comforting anchor in the chaos.

A fresh wave of Eris"s creations surged toward us, their snarls and growls echoing through the cosmic battleground. I conjured a magical bomb, ready to fight despite the pain that radiated from my broken rib. Tseki"s eyes flared with his dragon power as he blew a line of fire at our opponents. It was far more effective than my balls of witch fire. It deflected the creatures" attacks. Murtagh"s sword sliced through the air. Todd"s gun crackled as he fired. And Stella unleashed arcane spells with precision.

But it wasn"t just the creatures we faced. A few remaining witches in Eris"s pocket realm joined the fray, their allegiance to their goddess evident in every spell they cast. The battle became a chaotic symphony, a cacophony of magic and clashes that resonated through the distorted dimensions. And I sat in the middle of my friends, unable to help with more than the occasional enchantment.

As I struggled to stand, Stella wound her arm through mine. I couldn't sit on my ass and do nothing. The determination in their eyes fueled my resolve. Each breath felt like an ice pick was stabbing through one of my lungs, but I managed to toss a few magical bombs. I used every ounce of strength I had to fight back with them.

Stella"s eyes reflected both fear and courage as she locked them with mine. "Phoebe, we"re not letting them get to you. We"ll shield you, no matter what. You don't have to keep fighting."

"Yes, I do," I insisted.

Together, we formed a human shield against the onslaught of Eris"s minions. The battleground pulsated with vibrant hues and a swirling maelstrom of variant energies. They danced to the discordant rhythm of the clash between Aidon and Eris. The throne room was now an abattoir of bloody bodies, scared marble, and crumbling decor. And what an improvement that was.

Eris"s form was a kaleidoscope of chaotic colors as she taunted Aidon with a sly smile. "Oh, Aidon, you always were a challenge. But deep down, you can"t deny the allure of our shared moments. The stolen moments, the forbidden touches. You enjoyed every second in my bed."

Aidon"s expression remained stoic, his eyes locked on Eris. "You mistake resistance for desire, Eris. Those moments were a charade. A mirage in the vast desert of your deception. You manipulated my boredom."

Eris"s laughter echoed through the fighting. "Deception? Aidon, you underestimate the power of desire. It"s a force that transcends reality, and you can"t escape its grasp. You want me. You always have."

Aidon"s response was a cold glare. "Desire is a flame, Eris, but yours is a destructive fire that consumes everything in its path. I never understood true desire until I met Phoebe. I won"t let you harm her or our children."

Their verbal sparring warmed my heart. Any jealousy or insecurity I felt melted away, leaving nothing behind. Aidon loved me more than he ever had anyone else. And he thought I was beautiful, smart, and talented. Nothing else mattered.

I stumbled into Tseki when the ground rolled beneath our feet. The backdrop transformed, mirroring Eris's emotional turbulence. She was going to bring her home down on us. I turned to tell my friends to run and stopped myself. They were fighting for more than just me and my babies. We couldn't allow Eris to win now.

Undeterred by Aidon"s defiance, Eris intensified her assault. "Aidon, my love, you can"t escape the truth. Our connection is undeniable, and your futile attempts to resist only make our erotic dance more exhilarating."

Aidon"s response cut through the cosmic cacophony. "Your delusions won"t change the reality, Eris. I"ll fight to the end to protect what truly matters."

It was practically impossible to catch my breath, and dots appeared in my vision. I had to stop throwing spells or risk hurting one of my friends. The battleground crackled with intensified energy as Aidon unleashed a surge of power, challenging Eris"s distorted illusions.

Though weakened, I drew strength from the unwavering support around me. It was the only reason I was able to stay awake. I was a lucky damn woman to have these people in my life.

Aidon"s powers surged like a cosmic river, weaving intricate patterns of magic I couldn't comprehend. I'd never felt him use this level of power. He always refrained because it would cause too much devastation. His magic clashed with the chaotic energies emanating from Eris. Each surge of power was a deliberate strike, an attempt to sever the ethereal ties that bound the goddess to their lives. I marveled at the sheer magnitude of Aidon"s abilities. It was a testament to the strength of a father"s protective instinct. Mothers weren't the only ones fierce as hell.

As the magical vortex intensified, Eris"s form flickered like a dying ember. The goddess"s pride was wounded, and her powers were in disarray as she faced Aidon"s unwavering determination. Aidon"s gaze pierced through the maelstrom as he issued a stern ultimatum. "Enough, Eris. The shit ends here. Surrender, or face the consequences. You know you're on the verge of dying, and I have a person who can absorb your powers without consequence. I promise you I will not hesitate to continue until there is nothing left."

Eris, battered and on the verge of defeat, nodded in reluctant agreement. "Fine, Aidon. I"ll stop trying to take your babies. But know this – I won"t forget."

"I want the ties binding you to your little cult gone, too," He insisted.

Aidon didn"t immediately lower his guard, and I sensed his wariness. The lingering doubt that this might be another ruse from the goddess of chaos. However, to their surprise, Eris began to comply with Aidon"s demand. She unraveled the ethereal threads that connected her to the Order of Umbra.

A mixture of relief and caution made me dizzy. Or that could have been the lack of oxygen "Aidon," I whispered urgently after Eris vanished, "we need to get to Clio."

Aidon carefully scooped me up in his arms. "Is everything okay? The babies?"

I nodded my head. "They're fine. I have a broken rib, though." He was moving swiftly through Eris's house and heading for the way home before I finished that thought.

Stella wiped the sweat from her brow as she walked next to us. "Eris might have backed down for now, but I doubt she"ll give up so easily. We dodged a bullet, but the storm might not be over."

Aidon snorted. "There's no doubt about that. We will be ready if she comes back after us. She's weakened and knows we aren't easily beaten. She's as likely to pick another victim as to come after us again. And if she does, I"ll get my parents involved. They won't hesitate to end her life."

The cosmic battlefield, now stained with the remnants of the battle, bore witness to the fragile truce that hung in the balance. I knew that the true challenges were yet to come, but those were concerns for another day. My babies and I were safe and headed home. That's all my exhausted body could handle.