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Cerberus

Chapter 12: The Fates' Design

Sneak Peek

“Hemala," Kamila scowled at her sister. “What do you mean you can't divine his heritage?"

“Just as I said," Hemala shrugged. “Whatever god or muse that usually speaks to me went silent the moment I asked the question. It's honestly quite nice not knowing exactly what's going to happen for a moment. Not tripping over my own thoughts. Is this how you all see the world?"

“Mother help us," Kamila pinched the bridge of her beak. “Try again."

“It won't work," Hemala said flatly to her sister. “The only thing we'd be doing is angering the gods that give me this gift. If they don't want to tell me anything, I can't make them tell me. I can only get louder."

“Well, then we're about to bang some pots and pans," Hemala scowled.

“What do you guys want at this ungodly early hour," Tiahna yawned as she shuffled into the kitchen. The three of the sisters were in their pajamas, Hemala was wearing pink felt pants with sheep printed on them and a green tank, Kamila had black silk pajamas, and Tiahna wore a tank top and panties.

“Finally you're awake," Kamila huffed. “It's about time you answered my call."

“Yeah, your call," Tiahna looked up at the ceiling where a dent had been put into it from where the owl had smacked a broom to get her up. “What do you want?" The hare sighed as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

“She thinks if we do group casting I'll be able to divine something more about Flynn," Hemala stated flatly. “Honestly, I don't think it'll work."

“Well, our diviner has spoken, good enough for me," Tiahna yawned. “And shouldn't we, like, let our brother have his privacy or whatever."

“I doubt that the mutt is aware of his heritage, let alone cares if we look into it," Kamila huffed. “We're closer to breaking a seal on Hecate's prison than we've ever been. I'm not going to leave Flynn's heritage to chance, or have this situation be some cruel joke of some pompous god that loves watching us suffer. So get your butt in this seat and hold hands."

“My goddess," Tiahna groaned as she shuffled to the breakfast nook where her sisters were at, set her coffee down and leaned back in her chair, her head hanging over the back of it, her ears dangling as she lazily held out her hands. “Let's get this over with."

“I could do with a little more respect for the craft," Kamila had her nose turned up, but she took her sister's hand and held out her other one to the nightingale.

“I just want to say this is a bad idea," Hemala took a deep breath before taking her sisters' hands.

The sisters focused their breathing, their energy moving from one palm to the other in a clockwise motion. Green, red, and yellow energy tingled around the three of them, mixing and furling as it swirled and twisted into the other like sands caught in a current.

“Forces that be, we call upon you for guidance. The mothers' three ask that you tell us of our brother in spirit Flynn Al'Vargr—HUUUUGKA!"

Hemala gasped, her hands gripping hard onto her sisters' as her dark eyes glowed golden.

“Holy shit! What the fuck!" Tiahna shrieked.

“Silence," Hemala spoke, her voice echoing off the walls and rattling the rafters. Her voice sent a golden wave of energy out and smacked Tiahna. The hare yipped, but then was out cold. “Now you." Hemala turned to face Kamila.

“You're not the first god I've faced," Kamila scowled. “Let my sister go."

“You'll have your sister, but not before you get your prophecy you've been clamoring for," the possessed Hemala growled.

“So it is the Fates that Hemala communes with," Kamila crossed her arms. “I don't care about your prophecy. I only want to know Flynn's lineage."

“We cannot tell you that," Hemala's voice echoed off the walls.

“Oh, now that's interesting," Kamila smirked. “You can't tell me that? Must be some powerful god if they can even influence the fates."

“You look for meaning in words that have none," the Fates hissed and chattered.

“The Fates' words can be twisted, but they are never meaningless," Kamila had a dark sneer. “You taught me as much the last time we spoke."

“Yes, we warned that you would make a magic that would put all your mother's works to shame," Hemala smiled, light pouring from her beak. “Will our warning fall on deaf ears once more?"

“I don't have to listen to this—"

“BUT YOU WILL!" Hemala's hand gripped Kamila's wrist tighter to prevent her from moving away. Kamila tried to pull back, but that fist gripping her was like iron, her sister's eyes a duo of radiant suns demanding her attention. “You've tempted us time and time again, and we have warned you at every turn. You and your pride will be the death of five souls by the end of your journey. The blood of both Flynn and Cerberus will stain the sands of Poseidon's shores. The sisters will no longer be three and the all of Olympus will come crashing down on what remains of your coven."

Kamila glared at those eyes and glowing beak with distain, defiance bore on her face as she stared down the Fates. Hemala's hand started to loosen up, but Kamila snapped into action and gripped her wrist, yanking her closer and gripping her neck and forcing her to look Kamila in the eyes.

“But does the seal break," Kamila demanded.

The Fates looked surprised at first, but a dark grin spread her beak, light pouring out as a third eye split across her forehead.

“Your unyielding pride will be the end of you one day, Kamila," the Fates rumbled through their grin. “That's not a prophesy. We need not look into the threads of fate for an ending so clearly woven by one's own imperious hand."

“Does the seal break," Kamila snarled, her eyes burrowing into that third eye as she demanded an answer.

“At the cost of five innocent souls?" The Fates smiled, their eyes turning up into mocking bows before she answered. “Yes, the first seal will break."

“Good," Kamila huffed. Then Hemala whent limp.

“W-What?" Hemala blinked, her eyes returning to normal. “What's good, what happened?"

“Nothing," Kamila let go of her sister. “You were right, it backfired. We got nothing. Now help me with our sister."

“Oh shit! Tiahna!" Hemala sat up and went to her sister. “Is she okay? How long has she been out?"

“Probably less than a minute," Kamila came over to Tiahna and helped sit her up. As soon as she did, the hare stirred before opening her eyes.

“Fuck me, I have a splitting headache." Tiahna groaned, putting a hand to her forehead. “Did I black out or what?"

“Well, you seem fine," Hemala inspected her sister before turning to Kamila. “Are you okay?"

“I'm unscathed," the barn owl nodded. “I managed to counter just as the backlash happened."

“Oh wow, backlash?" Hemala put her hands over her beak before her brow furrowed into anger. “I told you it wasn't going to work. Seriously Kamila, you can be so brash sometimes."

“Hey skanks!" Cerberus shouted as he opened the patio door and dipped his head in. “You all okay in here?"

“We saw a flash of light," Flynn came in, his pants tattered and stained, his fur wild and filled with leaves and twigs. “Is everything okay?"

Kamila stared at the two, her eyes incredulous before she answered.

“Everything is fine," she spoke short and plane. “You two wash up and pack your things. We're heading for the seal tonight."

“Really? So quickly?" Hemala asked. “We haven't gotten any signs that it's time."

“It's time," Kamila spoke firmly. “I'm tired of watching you two roll around in the dirt all day. As effective as it may be for teaching you your magic, it's unbecoming of one of the sisters to be communing with beasts like this."

“Hey, you can cut me loose any time," Cerberus snarled.

“Cerberus, it's fine," Flynn put his hand up. “I oddly feel…good about this. I feel ready. Like…Like it's my destiny or something." Flynn blushed a bit at that, and Cerberus didn't make things any easier.

“You bitches and your damned destinies," Cerberus rolled his eyes and started back for the woods. “Destinies are meant for heroes, not for little chicken shit shorties like you."

“Ignore him," Flynn waived him off. “He's just baiting me because he's horny again." Flynn chuckled before pausing and noticing Tiahna. “Oh, are you okay?"

“She's fine," Kamila tried to dismiss Flynn's concerns, but then thought better of it. “You've had healing training, right? She might have suffered a mild concussion."

“What? There's no such thing as a mild concussion," Flynn dawned his nurse's expertise and came over to check Tiahna who fussed over being able to heal herself. Flynn reminded her that attempting to heal head injuries can be very dangerous and started to asses her.

“Hemala," Kamila spoke up. “Why don't you go start breakfast. Tiahna seems to be in capable hands."

“Yes, of course," Hemala nodded. “Thanks Flynn. You're a lifesaver."

“You got it," Flynn shot her a thumbs up before going back to the hare, creating a light on the tip of his finger with magic. “Follow the light Tiahna."

“I know the drill," The hare sighed, but complied.

“Good, when you're done, you can get cleaned up proper," Kamila nodded. “I don't need you stinking up our truck on our way to the coast."

Kamila then stepped out, looking back at her siblings. She forced down the sour and justified anguish in her gut before she spoke under her breath.

“We'll meet each other again in another life," Kamila justified. “And then we can take on the other seals together."

***

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