Page 46 of Wild Hunt
The finals were always a battle royale, which meant that power would come into play as much as prowess and experience. Dionysus, Daphne and I had learned to work together, complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully we could keep it up.
Odin stood from his throne and approached the contestants. There was always an air of sagacity about him, but I knew the truth. He was every bit as corrupt as any of the gods, wisdom aside.
“You’ve all done remarkably well,” he began. “And you should all be proud of your performance. It’s been many years since we’ve had so many strong contenders at all levels.”
The entire time he spoke, my skin crawled. I just wanted him to get on with it so I could expose him for the enabling bully he really was.
“As I’m sure you all know, the standard test for the final rounds is a battle royale, but a remarkable crop of competitors requires a remarkable challenge,” he continued.
We all glanced around and the fact that even Loki seemed surprised by his father’s words didn’t bode well.
“What is he talking about?” I whispered.
Dionysus shook his head, staring forward. “No idea.”
Further down the arena, two servants wheeled in a cart full of silver goblets and one large decanter. The liquid sloshing within was a vibrant blue swirled with glimmering flecks of gold and it glowed like an enchanted brew.
“You’ve all proven yourselves worthy in the arena, but the true test of will is the battlefield within the mind,” said Odin, his eyes glinting with amusement. “In order to compete in this test, you will drink a potion that will submerge you deep beneath your subconscious mind where all your darkest fears and desires reside. Only by conquering them as they appear to you will you be able to claim victory.”
“So we’re not competing as teams?” Hades asked, frowning. For once, I was glad he spoke up because I knew Odin wouldn’t take kindly to any questions from me.
“You are not,” Odin answered. “This will be a test of the individual, and there can be only one victor. The first to break free of the potion’s influence and regain consciousness will be the winner. The others will lose by default, at which time they’ll be given an antidote to pull them from the unconscious state.”
Murmurs rose up from the crowd and the contestants alike. None of us were prepared for this, but that should have been a lesson in itself. When it came to the gods, nothing was predictable.
I eyed the potions as a servant filled each goblet and started handing them out one by one. When he came to Fenrir, I noticed the solemn look on his face. We were all wary, but I could imagine that whatever lurked beneath the surface of his subconscious was far more troubling than most.
Was this even safe? Not that Odin would give a shit if it wasn’t.
“This is insane,” someone muttered further down the row.
Odin looked up with a sharp gaze, missing nothing. “Those who do not wish to partake may resign.”
The first year who’d spoken up looked like he was going to piss himself. He finally set the goblet back on the table and ran offstage.
“Anyone else?” Odin asked, glancing at each of us.
The stage was dead silent. No one else was going to back out, for better or for worse.
My mind was racing as the man placed a goblet in my hand and I stared into the swirling liquid. My own subconscious held enough shadows to be wary of taking it, but I couldn’t back down now.
“Down the hatch,” Dionysus muttered, throwing back the liquid. I followed suit, drinking quickly to be rid of the bitter taste sooner.
I didn’t feel anything at first. Servants came around with cots, which didn’t bode well. A first year dropped suddenly and looked like he’d been asleep the entire time.
Dionysus sat down before he could pass out and Daphne and I followed his lead. My head was beginning to spin, and I laid down since that felt like the only safe position. I shut my eyes until the spinning stopped and when I opened them, I was in the middle of a great empty field.
Was this supposed to be my mind? Because if so, that was hella insulting and I didn’t have anyone but myself to blame.
I stood slowly, trying to get my bearings. Everything felt solid enough, but I knew better than to take even my next step for granted. Just because this world wasn’t real didn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous.
Chapter 26
Hades
When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at a pale blue sky. It was all blue or gray for as far as the eye could see, and what I could see wasn’t much. Rocky cliffs, streamy clouds.
Something was wrong. This wasn’t the place I visited when I dreamed, or even meditated.
