Nanny used to say that we’re all special in our own way, that we’re all heroes in someone’s eyes. Looking back, I’m sure she was referring to friends, family, lovers… but it’s the same way I’ve always thought of my doom: a hero somewhere meant to slay me not once, but three times.
But no, my nemesis is Lutheria herself. I am initially speechless: there’s no hero aiming to save the world from a dreaded gorgon, no idealistic youth trying to save the world from the scourge of the Snake. But despite my initial fear – the Lady of Dreams’ crystal scythe is the stuff nightmares are made of – I am reassured, my life must have a purpose if someone this powerful has taken notice. Maybe, despite my cynicism, we are stirring things up...
… and that is definitely a good thing given the other horrors in this temple: mad maenads, killing vines and human flesh served as food. But in one room, a spark of hope - a necklace with Theo’s family crest – and the look of hesitant hopefulness on his face was like a ray of sunshine on a rather horrifying day.
I am also having a diplomacy withdrawal. You’d think that after so long fighting in this temple, I’d be convinced that brute force is the most effective argument here. Yet, I decide to go into Demetria’s banquet hall well prepared, argument in hand and perfume on… and seemingly just to prove my naiveté, she just goes out and blurts my prophecy within the first sentence. Still, persuasion may not work with our enemies, but definitely worked to save those four foolish girls from the grasp of the twisted dryad. Maybe a lesson learned on what my skills are best used for.