The figure adjusted their clothes and looked around, and then towards the horizon as a growing sandstorm was approaching. The figure turned and looked at the Runethors left behind, this storm was going to peel their flesh from the bones if they did not help.
The figure paused and then making a decision threw crystalized Aether at the Runethors, the two majestic animals seemed to be intelligent as they nodded at the figure and munched on the Aether Crystals.
A moment later they turned towards the storm and neighed in defiance as brown light blazed from their bodies as they waited for the storm to hit.
With quick steps, the figure entered the building ahead and pushed through the rotating wooden door which was almost falling from its hinges. The place appeared to be a bar but there were no occupants except for a single man whose head was placed on the counter and from the snores emanating from the figure, was deep in sleep.
The man had a face that had a weathered look on it as if he had lived under the sun for decades, he had multiple scars on his face and his blond stringy hair had been bleached by the sum until it was nearly white.
Behind the man was a bloody knife that was hung on the wall. The knife must have seen intense use as the blade was chipped and there was dried blood caked heavily on it, with pieces of hair stuck near the hilt of the blade.
Reaching the counter, the hooded figure knocked sharply but received no replies. After waiting for a while the hooded figure knocked on the countertop again, but this time the knock was accompanied by a flash of lightning that jolted the sleeping man awake.
“What!” The man called out harshly, “Why are you interrupting my bloody rest?”
“I am looking for someone.” The hooded figure spoke softly.
The eyes of the man squinted as if trying to see through the hood of the inquirer before coughing and spitting out phlegm that was red with blood on the counter where he used his sleeves to clean it up.
At that very moment, the sandstorm hit with a loud boom like a meteorite slamming into the ground and the building shook. The hooded figure was about to turn to see what was happening outside but they were interrupted by the man behind the counter,
“Well, don’t just stand there, who are you looking for?”
“I am looking for Mydas.” The hooded figure spoke.
“Really? Wow, finally that bitch has a contract after all this time. Damnit, I lost the bet. So that would mean I have to lose half my liver…. Fuck!”
The man turned around and retrieved the blade behind him, and unceremoniously thrust the blade into his stomach, he grunted in pain as he began to saw into it with a maniacal frenzy.
His eyes were popping out due to the pain, and sweat was popping out on his forehead, and with blood spraying out everywhere including on the hooded figure who flinched, he successfully cut out half of his liver, and dumped it on the counter.
The organ was still pulsating and dripping with blood, and the hooded figure nearly gagged from the smell coming from the internal organ.
The man who just cut out half his liver gasped in pain, “She would be with you shortly, fucking bitch.”
The man bent down and a series of disturbing creaks and pops began to emerge from his body, when he straightened he was no longer a man but a woman.
His thin blonde hair had transformed into a rich black hair that curled and fell down delicate shoulders. All this framed an oval face that was bewitchingly beautiful.
The lips of the woman opened, “Hello dear, I am Mydas, and you have summoned me.”
The hooded figure paused and pulled back the hood exposing features that were also familiar and beautiful—Circe Boreas.
She shook the dust from her clothes and looked at the beautiful woman behind the counter. She was a little shocked by the transformation as the woman before her was still bleeding profusely from her stomach but if she felt it, there was no indication in her smiling face.
Circe had a strong stomach, but the strange and the eerie had always left a hollow feeling in her soul. Recently she had been exposed to a weird side of reality that she had never would have thought existed, and a secret about her past that threatened to shatter her worldview and everything she held dear.
Clearing her head she spoke, “I am here for a Safety Box placed here by a member of my family, she is…”
“I know who she is,” Mydas interrupted and I also know who you are. Wait here I will retrieve what is yours and bring it to you. The payment for this service has already been given.”
Circe did not have to wait for long before Mydas returned with a small black box, Circe stretched forth her hand to retrieve the box but Myrdas held it tight, not letting go.
Circe looked up, a look of annoyance in her eyes, and Myrdas smiled at her and Circe’s anger retreated when she saw the pity in the eyes of this strange woman.
“I will warn you Circe Boreas, what is inside that box will change you, and you might be consumed by a rage that would lead you down a path you cannot go,” Myrdas said the words in a tone that made Circe’s mind shake for she recognized it.
How could she forget the way Nana spoke, the intonation and quirk of speech were as recognizable to Circe as her own face, after all this was the voice that had been beside her for the better part of fifty years.
Myrdas’ tone returned to normal, “I have delivered the safety box and the message, our deal is over…. Or do you want to make a new deal? There are many services I offer, and the price would be fair. I can assure you of that.”