Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

" I s it just me, or does this place look different compared to last time?" Eve asked quietly.

My gaze swept over the space. In the heart of Apollo's sanctuary, the library stood like a monument to knowledge. It had towering shelves reaching up to brush against the vaulted ceiling which was adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from ancient myths and legends. The scent of old parchment and ink was even heavier this time. There was also something else. I sniffed and searched my mind for the odor. I couldn't be certain, but I swear there was a faint aroma of myrrh and maybe sage.

As we stepped into the hallowed halls of knowledge, shafts of golden sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows. They cast vibrant patterns of colorful light upon the rows of ancient tomes and scrolls that lined the shelves. Like last time, each book pulsed with the weight of the information it contained.

The priest led us through the corridors of the library. I hadn't realized it before because we hadn't gone this far inside, but the place was like a big maze. Our footsteps echoed softly against the polished marble floors and merged with the low murmurs throughout the place .

We arrived at a secluded alcove nestled in the farthest reaches of the library. The air there thrummed with an undercurrent of ancient power. Here, amidst the shadows and the silence, the priest's fingers danced over the intricate patterns etched into the stone walls. They lit up with a flash and then the wall slid aside silently, revealing a small chamber full of scrolls and old books.

The priest entered and walked to a section where he looked over the ancient scrolls. "Did you tell him what we were looking for?" I asked Damon in a low voice.

Damon nodded his head. "I explained as best as I could. He's seeking out the scroll he believes holds the answers we seek."

I shot a smile to my friends as we watched patiently. My pulse raced when he seemed to find what he was looking for. With a sense of solemnity, the priest carefully retrieved the scroll from its resting place. He cradled it in his hands as if it were a priceless treasure. I imagined it was. There was no doubting it was ancient and likely worth a lot of money. Its surface was adorned with faded symbols and sigils. I had no idea what they meant, but it looked like passages I'd seen in ancient Greek before.

"This is the scroll," the priest murmured in broken English. "It holds the information you've ask for."

"What does it say?" Eve asked.

The priest began to read from the scroll. His voice echoed through the chamber. Each word resonated with ancient power and mystique and what I assumed was ancient Greek. That didn't help us at all. I had no idea what he was saying.

Faith shot me a wry grin. "I should have taken that refresher course in ancient Greek. Do you understand anything with that magical encyclopedia of yours?"

I shook my head. I didn't get an understanding of languages along with the gift from Artemis. Damon stepped forward and cleared his throat. "I will translate. I just need to hear more so I don't get it wrong." He said something to the priest who then continued reading .

"This is about a prophecy that speaks of a son who will rise to power, overthrowing his father and plunging the world into darkness," Damon told us when the priest finished.

His words hung in the air. Each syllable was weighted with the gravity of the situation. A chill ran down my spine at the ominous implications of the prophecy. It was as if the very fabric of fate itself was unraveling before our eyes.

"Is that exactly what he said? Prophecies are vague mutterings that are more confusing than anything," I replied.

"The prophecy speaks of a son, born of blood and fire, who shall rise to power," Damon replied. "He shall cast aside the bonds of kinship, betraying his father's trust, and in his ascent, he shall bring about a darkness that shrouds the world in despair."

While Damon was speaking, the priest moved to a polished oak table and laid the scroll out. He pointed to the volume as we huddled around him. The scroll was weathered by centuries, yet it had a distinct energy about it. It wasn't what I had come to associate with Apollo. My magical encyclopedia popped up then and informed me it was created by an oracle millennia ago. Was that why the script upon it had an ethereal luminescence?

"How does this help us with what Miletus did to turn Apollonians without their agreement or involvement?" I asked the priest.

The priest folded his arms and stuffed his hands into the sleeves of his midnight velvet robes. "Use it to stop Miletus."

Damon said something in Greek to the priest who replied. We stood there and listened silently before the priest finally turned to us and said, "This prophecy is about Miletus. If you stop him, the others will be safe."

"But there are different versions of this prophecy," Damon interjected. "I recall hearing about them when I was young. I was asking him to show us the others. I believe we may be able to determine if this will help us if we can look at all the information. "

Faith's jaw dropped open for a couple of seconds. "Different versions of the prophecies?" she asked incredulously. Her gaze darted from the scroll to the rows of shelves, each laden with secrets waiting to be unveiled.

The priest gave us a clipped nod and moved over to another section of scrolls. His fingers traced the faded glyphs etched into the shelves. "Indeed," he replied. His heavy accent echoed around us. "The seers of Apollo have passed down their interpretations of the Dark Prophecy through the ages. Each was imbued with their own insights and wisdom. Most believe the first is correct."

I leaned forward, my gaze fixed on the ancient scroll spread on the table. "That sounds like a recipe for confusion. Can we see the others?"

Damon snorted and leaned against the edge of the table. "That's an understatement. Prophecies can be daunting to discern. And determining the truth amidst the plethora of interpretations is even harder," he admitted. "But perhaps within these variations lie the keys to unlocking the prophecy's ultimate meaning. And that is where I believe you will get your answers."

The priest inclined his head. "I will find it for you." The priest's footsteps echoed softly against the ancient stone floors of the chamber as he made his way through the shelves of scrolls and manuscripts. His weathered hands deftly plucked a particularly-aged volume from its resting place. The leather bindings groaned in protest as he carefully opened it on the table.

I watched with anticipation as Damon's eyes scanned the faded pages, his expression a mask of concentration as he delved into the information contained within. "This is another version," Damon murmured as his fingers traced the intricate script. "It begins the same and then adds, ‘Beware the shadow that slinks through the night, for it foretells the unraveling of destiny. Only through the ultimate sacrifice shall the light be rekindled, but at what cost to mortal souls?'"

Eve leaned in closer. Her keen eyes absorbed every word as Damon continued his reading. "That sounds just as awful. So, we've got shadows. That could refer to the shadow weavers Miletus worked with."

Damon tilted his head from shoulder to shoulder. "That's possible. It's easier to interpret these after the fact."

The priest set a scroll down in front of Damon, and the demigod immediately started reading it. "This next begins the same as the first. This one has a different ending," he informed us. "'In the heart of chaos, a champion shall emerge, wielding the divine power of the gods. But with great power comes great peril, and the very fabric of existence hangs in the balance.'"

Faith's brow furrowed in contemplation as she absorbed the words. "Could he have wielded the power of your father when he turned the Apollonians?"

Damon carefully rolled up the scroll and set it aside for the priest to take when he returned. "I cannot see how he would have managed that. My father would not have tolerated it. His punishment would have been swift."

Tegan pursed her lips and gestured to the book the priest was holding while they spoke. "And what about the next version?" she asked.

Damon's voice remained steady as he turned to the next prophecy. "It seems as if these have all been built off the original version. This one adds, ‘From the depths of despair, a beacon of hope shall arise, their fate intertwined with the threads of destiny. Yet, even the bravest of souls may falter in the face of true darkness.'"

"At least that one has a bit of hope in it. It's not all doom and gloom," Eve observed. "Are there more?"

The priest nodded and held up a finger. "One more. I will return it." He took the scroll and returned it, then moved to another shelf. Opening the old book, he placed it on the table in front of Damon like he had done the others .

Damon read through a bit and then lifted his gaze. "I bet you can imagine how this one starts."

"With ‘He shall cast aside the bonds of kinship, betraying his father's trust, and in his ascent, he shall bring about a darkness that shrouds the world in despair,'" Faith chuckled.

Damon nodded and dropped his gaze to the page. "This one continues to say, ‘When the stars align and the heavens weep, a chosen one shall be revealed, their path fraught with trials. But with courage as their guide, they may yet triumph over the forces of oblivion.'"

Eve looked over the parchment in front of Damon and said, "There is one common thread among all these variations."

"And what might that be?" Faith inquired. Like me, her curiosity was piqued by Eve's observation.

"Apollo," Eve replied solemnly. "They all involve Miletus getting his father. We cannot allow Miletus to have contact with Apollo."

"Apollo?" Faith echoed incredulously. "How in the hell will we be able to manage that? We're talking about a god."

The puzzle pieced together in my mind thanks to the help of my magical encyclopedia. "That's not all. The hunter's soul," I said. "He just needs to channel his father's power. It doesn't have to be long. And Miletus now has Shannon. He has everything he needs if he gets close enough to his father."

Eve's expression turned furious at the realization. "That won't last. We will save her. In the meantime, we need to keep quarantining the hunters at Black Bounty because once we save Shannon, we can't allow Miletus to get to anyone else."

Faith nodded in agreement. "And we need to strip Miletus of his allies. It's the one thing that will weaken him."

Tegan's eyes widened as she turned to Faith. "Without his allies, he'll be significantly more vulnerable. He definitely won't be able to follow us and slow us down. He will be limited to what one person can accomplish. The only reason he has gotten as far as he has is because of his Milens."

Eve's jaw clenched. "Indeed. We must act swiftly. But where do we begin?"

Tegan spread her hand around. "There has to be some way to stop the Milens in one of these books."

With her suggestion, I turned to the priest with a sense of urgency. "Are there any books here about the Milens and how to stop them?" I asked.

The priest regarded me solemnly. "There are many," he replied. "Follow me."

With a silent nod, the priest led us to another section of the library, where rows upon rows of volumes awaited our perusal. As we began to sift through the books, I was overwhelmed and wanted to scream. Most of them were in Greek, and I didn't know the language. Damon glanced through those while the rest of us chose the ones in English.

With each page turned, we delved deeper into the mysteries of the ancient texts. I prayed as I searched, hoping for any shred of information that could give us an edge in the battle against darkness. My eyes began to droop, and fatigue weighed me down. I hadn't eaten dinner, and it was catching up with me. I tried not to think of my hunger or exhaustion as the soft rustle of pages and the occasional whisper of conversation filled the air.

It seemed like hours had passed in silence while we searched for something that would help us. I reached for another weathered volume when Eve's voice broke the quiet reverence. "I think I found something!" she exclaimed.

Glancing over at the book she was reading, I wanted to growl. "You can read ancient Greek now?" I teased.

Eve rolled her eyes, undeterred. "No, but I have a feeling about it."

Faith snorted. "Your feelings beat my pile of nothing. It's worth a look. Can you interpret it, Damon? "

Damon joined our little circle and peered over Eve's shoulder with interest. "Let's see what we've got," he mused. "This is about the Purification Rite. It's a complex and arduous process designed to cleanse the corrupted essence of Milens and restore them to their original state."

Faith whistled as she raised an eyebrow. "Sounds promising. I like your gut, Eve. How exactly does one go about that?" It was clear she wanted this to be the answer, but she was holding out hope.

Damon ran a finger down the page as he read. "Well, first, there's the preparation phase," he explained, gesturing to the words on the page. "They set up this fancy chamber with herbs, crystals, and all sorts of symbols of light and purity. It's like stepping into a sacred temple."

"If we have to lure them into a place like that, this might be a no-go," Faith interrupted.

"Indeed," Damon agreed. "But we can't assume anything. We need the full picture first. There are ways to set up the chamber and call on its power from afar."

"Damon's right," Eve replied. Her eyes were shining with anticipation. "What comes next?" she prompted.

"The Milen must confront their past actions and acknowledge the darkness that has consumed them," he recited. "They're encouraged to reflect on the pain and suffering they've caused, fostering a genuine desire for transformation." Damon's words wove a tapestry of ancient ritual and mysticism.

Faith nodded, her expression contemplative. "And then?"

"Then comes a symbolic bath," Damon explained. "The Milen is immersed in a mixture of purifying herbs and blessed water, as if washing away the stains of their corrupted essence."

I leaned in closer, captivated by Damon's storytelling as he continued to recount the details of the ancient ritual. Part of me noted that wasn't going to happen. As if she'd heard me, Eve said, "I can accomplish that with the elements. I just need a way to figure out how I can attach it to those with a Milen's heart from afar." She was thinking and processing out loud and keeping my hope alive as Damon continued.

"You're brilliant, Eve," Damon told her. "Now, as the purification progresses the Milen may experience intense physical and emotional sensations as their corrupted essence is transformed. It's like a journey into the depths of their soul."

Faith's gaze flickered with understanding. "Is there anything else? Or is that it?" Her curiosity matched mine.

Damon turned the page, his fingers tracing the ancient words with reverence. "There is a final stage. The Milen is then guided to reconnect with their inner divine spark. Their original Apollonian essence, if you will. Through deep meditation, visualization, and affirmations of their renewed commitment to the light, they reclaim their true nature."

My heart sank. "Damn. That isn't something those who wanted to join Miletus will be willing to do. The spell was so promising, too," I remarked. "I can't see most Milens lining up to atone for their sins."

The look Eve gave me was ablaze with determination. She shook her head and scowled at me. "There are ways around everything. And there are those who haven't chosen to turn. Those from Harmonia Grove," she countered. Her voice held so much conviction that I believed everything she said. "I can use it to help them. And I might be able to alter it to strip all Milens. I just need some time to think about it."

I nodded in acknowledgment. She never ceased to amaze me. She didn't see obstacles or impossibilities. She looked for ways around in the face of adversity. "Ah the power of a best friend who happens to be a formidable witch," I told her with a smile. "You are truly a force to be reckoned with. I'm glad you're on our side."

Tegan nodded in agreement. "While you're figuring that out, we need to ensure Apollo returns home safely. We can't have him around to be used by Miletus."

Faith nudged Tegan. "Agreed. But how do we manage that? It's not like we can force him to return to his side of the veil."

I pondered the question for a moment and looked at our relic hunter. "Perhaps there's a magical lasso?" I suggested with a spark of mischief glimmering in my eyes. "My magical encyclopedia is giving me information about their effectiveness in subduing even the most powerful of beings."

Tegan laughed. "It's something to look into for sure. I don't recall having had one in the vault before, so it's not something I can tap into with my powers."

"I like having a direction," Eve interjected.

Faith snorted and gave her a look. "Sure because finding a god and forcing him to return home while also finding a way to save Shannon and retrieve her soul should be easy peasy."

Eve snickered. "Don't forget I need to figure out a way to alter the Purification Rite to cast it over all Milens without them being near or buying into it." When my friends put it that way, I wanted to scream about the injustice of it all. It didn't look like I was going to get those tacos any time soon.