could start fresh elsewhere. How unfair is that? To be left broken in all aspects while the other side of the spectrum gets to start fresh while being praised in a beloved home filled with warmth, love, and the sight of a wondrous future."
Lifting my head up once more, I looked directly at him as he stared at me with interest.
"No matter which way I see it, what you describe is a reality for those who taint themselves with darkness to seek true revenge."
"Do you not fear the consequences?"
"The fear I hold is never seeing my four lovers again," I confessed with a softened voice that shook. "My greatest fear is acknowledging the truth that my father's twin stole not one or two but four amazing, selfless men that have grown up by my side when each of their own parents discarded them as waste. Men who were considered rejects, but who conquered every challenge the world brought to them, only to be stolen at their highest peak. Accepting their forever absence brings more fear to me than ridding every thread of evil in this power system that's covered up by money and power."
I took a deep breath then let it out and closed my eyes.
"So to answer your question, I don't fear the consequences for I'm currently living through the consequences of my weaknesses. Due to my inability to sense the lingering danger around us and lacking the swiftness to protect the people I loved the most, it cost their lives and my survival. This internal suffering that must be masked for the sake of my own sanity is punishment, but if sitting upon that throne gives me access to where I must go, so be it."
"Then let me ask you," he whispered. "Where do you need to go?"
"To the Underworld."
He stared at me with a blank expression, but I remained in place as I stared right back at him. He finally nodded his head, as if he only now understood my response.
"Brave child," he muttered. "Then do what you must to sit upon this throne, but heed my warning. No one comes out of this test unscarred. You will be wounded by the suffering of those who've died in the shadows of these walls, and their screams will haunt you. However, if you survive this, you will meet the one who can aid you in this conquest and achieve what your heart desires the most. Do you understand?"
I slowly nodded.
"Very well," he replied and began to walk down towards me. He didn't stop before me but walked past - his words reaching my ears the second we aligned.
"May the throne test your worth."
He disappeared like fading dust, his body crumbling into ashes as the cloak of red blew around the room that grew darker until all I could see was the magic circle beneath my feet.
It began to glow a turquoise green, and I felt the warmth of my tattoo as my eyes scanned the lines that spread forward until it connected with the next ring.
Before I took a step, I felt a small weight on my right shoulder, and there was Marigold in her pixie form. I was surprised by her white attire, having gotten used to her older form and black dresses.
Her hair was left loose, those green strands in soft curls while her white dress glowed slightly, like her almost transparent wings.
"Marigold."
She lifted her head up just slightly to meet my surprised gaze, and though her expression wasn't as lively as it once was, she gathered the strength to give me a slight smile as she bobbed her head in encouragement.
"I'm here through thick and thin," she reminded with that quiet, high-pitched voice of hers. That made my eyes soften just slightly as I nodded in return and looked forward.
At least I wasn't alone for this new trial.
Taking a step forward, I walked two more steps, which landed me in the middle of the circle. The world shifted around me then, until I stood in what felt like a night club. The music began to drift in, as though it had been on mute and was now turning up into its loud booming base. I looked around at the beings of shadows, all of them dark with figures that reminded me of people, but none of them carried faces.
It was like watching various silhouettes of people walking around and moving to and from the bar that was a few steps away from me. My eyes