A little info about these goddesses.

Read on my dears :)

My plans of charging toward Damon like a mad bull flew out of the window the moment I saw him.

His rugged beauty is like a force of nature you can't miss even if you want to. He is freshly shaven and his chocolate brown locks is brushed back neatly, something he does after his shower. He's wearing a white round neck collar button down and the sleeves are folded up to his elbows exposing his tanned arms.

He's on the phone talking to someone

I gritted my teeth.

He's sticking out in the room like a sore thumb. Why am I even acting this way?

I should just let things go. Really?
Yes, really because I can't let him affect me in ways I can't really understand on top of fighting Eris.

I can't be his ghost. I'm not Emilia Hawthorne.

"Raven" Cassandra called when she saw me and Paul approaching "Damon just came back from the Elements, he said your friends are all fine" she said, her eyes were kind and warm. Of course, how can I forget those people? I got so caught up with my own issues that I momentarily forgot all about them, speaking of which, where is Dr. Hudson?

"I'm happy to hear that but do you know where Dr. Hudson is?" Cassandra nodded

"Yes and he'll be joining you and Damon when you go to The Moirai"

The Moirai. I wonder what will they be like, are they as mean as Eris? I hope not. I've had enough dose of evil in my life.

He is finally done with his phone call and when he shoved his phone in the back pocket of his pants our eyes met. I thought it will be another one of our stare down but he smiled at me, actually smiled.

Trust me. His smile says. Then the contents of his old journal played back in my head. Uh-huh, thank you very much but I don't think so.

When he walked to where we are I gave him a tight smile.

"Ready?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. I just nodded and hid my face from him when I looked at Cassandra instead.

"Can you tell me where Dr. Hudson's room is? I'll tell him we're leaving" she waved a hand in front of me dismissively

"Don't worry about him, I had Von call him" I easily covered my dismay with an easy smile and I know that I can't avoid Damon forever, at least not while I'm still alive.

I saw Damon look at me quizzically, a firm reminder that his focus is on me.

Not you, Emilia Hawthorne's face.

I look at him and tried to hide what bothers me. Although I know that the day will come when we eventually have to talk about it.

"Is something wrong Raven?" asked Damon, still looking at me with a little crease in the middle of his eyebrows. I pursed my lips and nodded before I excused myself.

"I'll go change, be right back" before turning on my heel not waiting for Cassandra or Damon to respond.

When I went back at the main living room, Dr. Hudson is already there talking to Damon.

When I neared them, Dr. Hudson greeted me and pulled me in for a hug. He told me that the reason I haven't seen him this past couple of weeks is because he's been busy meeting with his fellow Elements, convincing them to help us.
After a few more talking, Damon says it's time to go, and we did.

********

The drive took one and a half hour to the main city with busier streets and taller buildings. Damon pulled up in a massive parking space in front of huge modern building that stands out because of the unusual way the glass windows are arranged; it looked some kind of a symbol. The establishment is wide and has a certain urban feel to it without taking away the sophistcation. The glass windows gleam under the sun and I shaded my face with my hand as I shot out of the car.

We made our way out of the parking lot and neared the entrance. There is a huge silver sign board that hangs high just above the automatic revolving door that reads 'Needles and Threads'.

Two men in all black suits halted us, one of them holding out his hand. Dr. Hudson moved forward right in front of me.

"We are here to meet the designers" he said in a serious manner.

Designers? What does it have to do with the dagger?

The man holding up his hand looked at us and he is obviously skeptical. "Reason of visit?" he asked after a few seconds. This time Damon is the one to step forward his hands casually shoved in his pockets

"We're here to have something tailored" his voice is cool and commanding. The man his talking to pressed something in his ear while talking and nodded a few times.

"Your request to enter has been granted. Leave all of your weapons with the receptionist in the lobby" we all nodded and proceeded.

We entered the building and I was stunned just by how beautiful the interior is. Pink with floral design carpet dominated the whole floor, mixture of purple and carnation fabrics are artfully hanged on the ceiling as canopies. There are a couple of chandeliers that illuminates the whole floor even with the lack of natural light. The entire appeal of the interior is inviting and elegant, it's a stark contrast compared with the Erinyes fortress.

"You know if you want new sets of outfits we could've gone to the mall. Bespoke suits are expensive" I said absentmindedly as we cover the remaining distance to the receptionist's desk.

Dr. Hudson looked at me incredulously then smiled "we're not really here for bespoke suits. You'll see" his voice is teasing and I hear a smile in it.

We reached the receptionist's desk and the two men I'm with both pulled something out of their pockets. My eyes bulged. They're weapons looks like guns but it's made out of crystal and I just can't figure out how the hell it fit in they're pockets. I made no comments about it and just quietly followed them. All along Damon keeps on stealing glances at me and I ignored the tension that has always been present between the two of us.

We reached the elevator and Damon pressed the button for the top floor. It was the quickest elevator ride I've had and when the cart's door opened the floor is almost empty.

It's so bright; there is no other furniture but the three identical tables with three different single sitter sofas behind it. There is also a huge machine that weaves myriad of threads into a huge golden spinning wheel that is attached to a wide bronzed colored cutter that resembles a guillotine and it makes me flinch each time it cut the threads. I feel like my neck is the one being cut with it, I shuddered.

There is something weird about this place, the kind that makes your skin crawl and causes your spine to tremble.

"We're here" Damon announced looking at the thread producing machine.

Then all of sudden three tall inhumanly beautiful willowy women appeared. They are almost identical to each other except for their dresses.

The one on the left is wearing a beige portrait neck dress with wrap skirt that falls down her ankles with a slit that shows her right knee. She's also wearing a gold chained opera necklace with a spindle pendant.

The one in the middle is wearing a taupe split sleeved dress with asymmetrical skirt. She has a thick gold bracelet that wraps around her wrist all the way up just below her elbow; the design seemingly resembles a measuring tape.

Lastly, the one on the right is wearing a coffee colored tube column dress with a white thin braided belt, she only has one earring and it's a pair of scissors. All of their hairs are pulled back in a bun.

"What is the reason for this untimely visit Erinyes?" the woman on the right asked, her voice is low but soft and for some reason that made my skin crawl even more. Damon sighed frustratingly.

"We're here for the dagger of divine light" Damon explained, the woman in the middle tilted her head to the side and stared at me, Dr. Hudson inconspicuously moved forward and covered me a little. Something in me says that these women are what they call The Moirai and I don't feel good about this at all.

"I see that your paths intertwined yet again" the woman staring at me commented, her eyes hinting a small smile. I can see that Damon tensed so did Dr. Hudson. I feel the familiar ache of panic building in the pits of my stomach. I gulped.

Damon put his hands on his waist and said "you tell me why, then. After all you control our fates." His voice is sharp and he's obviously agitated.

All three women smiled the kind that makes little kids cower, the kind that gives you nightmares. Sweat ran down my spine.

"What an awful curse it is, to have your heart be dedicated to only one" the woman on the left voiced, almost teasingly but sad.

Damon's jaws were corded and his bloodshot eyes were murderous. The temperature in the room seemed to drop lower by the minute. Dr. Hudson pulled me completely behind him, but I can't just stand here and know nothing of what is happening.

Damon beat me to the punch "we're not here to discuss what transpired hundreds of years ago, we're here to ask your help to find the dagger"

All three women looked at Damon head on. Their inhumanly beautiful faces gave nothing at all. After a minute they looked at each other as if their having a telepathic conversation.

"Stay quiet Raven, just let us handle this okay?" Dr. Hudson whispered I look at him and I can see that he is seriously not going to take no for an answer. I nodded then asked.

"They are The Moirai, right?" he nodded then I asked again "what are they exactly?"

He let out a small sigh as his brows marred.

"They are the personification of fate. The woman on the left is called Clotho also known as the spinner. She is the one who spun the thread of life.

Next to her is Lachesis her name means unbending and she's also known as the apportioner of lots, she measures the thread and she decides how long the person lives.

Lastly, Aisa meaning inexorable or the one who can't be turned. She is the cutter of the thread of life. She decides how a person dies then cut their thread." The certitude in Dr. Hudson's tone made my insides clench.

I get it now. They design our fates.

It means they know what exactly will happen to me. They can easily end my life just like that. Our lives are literally hanging by a thread.

Sweat keeps on trickling down my back and suddenly it's harder to breathe. Dr. Hudson gave me a tight lipped smile and reached for my shoulder to give it a reassuring squeeze.

"Very well, Erinyes" Aisa started "we shall assist you, but with no more than words." Her voice was thick and stern, the voice of a goddess who doesn't allow any room for arguments and or compromise. Damon's adam's apple bobbed.

Dr. Hudson shifted on his feet "we need more than words, there will be a war and we need as much help we can get."

Aisa: ''we do not''

Lachesis: '' interfere with''

Clotho: ''anyone's inescapable fate.''

The three of them responded alternately. Damon is physically restraining himself from whatever storm his head is brewing with. Aisa laughed mockingly, stepping forward.

"The path that your heart threads, Erinyes, is intertwined with the thread of death. Do not attempt to cross it yet again for it will only lead you to your heart wrenching fate"

It was not a warning but a vow and something stabbed my heart with shear sadness. How can someone's fate be that tragic? How can something such as love, that is freely given, be that hard to grab. I look at Damon, and it was a sight of a man who is longing, sad and broken down.

When I noticed Damon gritting his teeth I moved forward "Please, just help us. According to what I've heard, our fates are already determined and I do not believe that Eris is meant to win this war" I pleaded shamelessly, wearing my vulnerability.

Clotho seems to take pity as her eyes softens "Child, what you're seeking cannot be seen."

Lachesis interjects "what you're seeking cannot be touched"

And finally, Aisa contributed with their riddle like answer "but it is within the will forged with fire that can ignite the torch that will determine the darkness' demise"

What is that? It's there but not really? How the hell are we supposed to find it then?

I look at the three goddesses to see if they're toying with us or they're doing some kind of ploy, but there is none not even a hint.

Both Dr. Hudson and Damon seems to be deep in their own thoughts just like me. A moment later Dr. Hudson asked ''How are we going to find something that is out of reach and out of sight?''

''Do not mock us with your word play, there are lives at stake here!'' Damon rebuked fiercely, his appearance changing mildly along with his anger. I was horrified, I can still remember the Erinyes true appearance when they are truly angry. His skin is starting to have scales.

''Damon don't!'' I chided, afraid of what might the goddesses will do.

''Damon, control your temper remember what you're here for!'' Dr. Hudson added.

Damon seemed unaware of what we're saying as his bloodshot eyes were intently pinning the three goddesses. Aisa tilted her head in a way that will make you feel scared right down your very soul. I rushed to Damon's side and tried tugging him, he wouldn't even give an inch.

''Let the man be, child. For he can never have what he truly desires.'' Aisa snarled and looked at Damon wantonly. My heart is beating fast and hard against my chest as my eyes volleyed from the angered goddess and the equally angered Erinyes.

I look at the two remaining goddess but they just stood restively not even blinking their eyes. I look back at Dr. Hudson signalled for him to do something but just shook his head weakly.

''This is something we can't come in between with, we need to let them settle this on their own.''

''What? Are you insane? She could kill Damon!'' I asked vehemently, hands flailing up and down. Dr. Hudson shook his head once more and I can now feel the panic up in my neck, choking me.

Damon bared his teeth, lips trembling, stance preparing to fight ''That's because you always toyed with my fate. You don't deserve your position, you are not just and fair!'' His voice boomed across the room. Aisa's eyes narrowed, eyes radiating heat of anger.

''How dare you insult me? Do not think highly of yourself, you're no more than a peasant and your insignificant miserable life does not amount more than any other malcontent human being walking this earth!'' The goddess snarled, her voice dripping with hate and wrath that the walls seemed to shake.

Fear is a far cry from what I'm feeling. And before I can see what was happening Damon and Aisa is already on each other's throat.

''No!'' I screamed. I was about to move forward, pull Damon, get in-between them, anything! But Dr. Hudson swiftly caged me in his arms, effectively stopping me. I tried to wriggle free, thrashing my way out but he had me on a death grip.

The goddess removed her earring designed as a pair of scissors and split it in two then it became two long individual double edged blade.

''Now let's see what you've got, insolent half-wit!!'' The goddess challenged, eyes blazing with absolute resolution to do damage. A tortured cry erupted from the back of my throat as I pleaded the goddess to spare his life, my attempt is futile.

Damon's appearance completely changed. It was a sight of a monster, a creature so frightening you'd want to run and hide. But I don't care about that, all I want is to keep him safe and away from the angered goddess. Fear and helplessness wrapped painfully in my chest.

''Please Dr. Hudson, do something!'' I pleaded the man holding me, but he remained rooted still caging me.

''Raven you need to calm down.'' He chastised.

My eyes widen in his face ''calm down? Calm down?! She's going to kill him!'' I screamed at him, mist forming at the corner of my eyes. I wanted to help him, wanted to run over there and do everything I could to stop Aisa but I was held captive.

Aisa pushed Damon so strong that Damon almost fell on his back but he managed to keep his balance by digging his nails in the concrete floor, leaving deep scrape marks.

He trudge hell for leather forward, striking vehemently using his claws but Aisa dodge every blow with ease and grace like a dance made for death. The goddess laughed mockingly and it triggered Damon's anger more. He keeps chasing her kicking, punching and striking but the goddess made it look like a game.

''Are you done?'' She taunted ''mind if I show you how to really fight?'' And she did. She swayed the blade toward Damon, the first strike cut through the air leaving a crisp sound as the blabe glided. The second strike, however, managed to graze Damon's cheek just by the tip. Blood trickled down his cheek to his neck, he did not even wince.

''Damon!'' I called helpless. I feel like fainting any moment now. The death grip on me tighten even more, firmly securing me where we stood. ''Please no!''

They rounded each other, sizing each other then attacking from every side. Aisa is tireless, swaying the blade back and forth like feather. Damon caught one blade in between his hands then he pulled it so Aisa moved forward toward him. When he reached her, he clawed her and managed to cut her upper arm. The goddess cried a chilling sound of violence. She moved back a little and touched the fresh wound. He staggered backwards, resting a little.

''You worthless peasant! And all this for her?'' The goddess exploded, pointing a finger at me ''is she worth it? She was never meant for you! She was meant to be killed by you, not to love her. She can't even recognise you!'' Damon's eyes grew cold.

My eyes went impossibly wide. Me? My eyes travelled from Aisa to Damon. His eyes were terrible to look at. My heart hammered in my chest.

Me and Emilia Hawthorne are the same person? How?

''I'm not Emilia Hawthorne'' I found myself mumbling with trembling lips and shocked eyes. My body went limp, I suddenly felt weak.

''Child, believe me when I say that, you are her and all of the other names before her with the same face. You just continued to live the same tragic fate from the moment you were born until the day you die.
Nothing changed, we tried but it led to more deaths for innocent lives. We can't compromise on that. Its you or hundreds of innocent lives, that's the truth.'' Clotho expounded somberly, her eyes searing on mine.

I wanted to cry, wanted to burst into tears but I couldn't. I feel too tired, exposed and confused.

Meanwhile the two angry creatures are still fighting. Aisa is not pulling any punches, if she continued, and she will, Damon will certainly die. The anger radiating off of them can be felt from a mile radius.
All the blow and scratches made screeching cries and howl that would fit perfectly in a nightmare.
Aisa is every inch of a warrior, her moves were gracefully calculated and it scared me even more specially when Damon has far more wounds than her.

I wanted to say something, and Clotho is certainly saying something but I'm not hearing them, I don't hear anything except the sound of my own heart beat, bruising the inside of my chest.

I look at Damon, see his horrible appearance and the anguish in his bloodshot eyes.
This is all my fault. Every damn thing that happened is because of my existence. Erinyes only fall in-love once and that will be it and he fell in-love with a sinner like me.

My eyes blurred with the unshed tears. ''Enough'' I whispered no more than a breath. ''Stop it,'' I demanded a little louder. But I saw the two fighting creature continue on with there violence, I felt angry, hurt and hate all at the same time. ''Stop it, now!'' I screamed.

All of a sudden, light begun pouring out of me. From my hands, my feet, my body, everywhere. I feel hot, intoxicatingly hot all over my body. Dr. Hudson abruptly let go of me.

''Raven!'' He said aghast ''what is happening to you?'' His eyes were wide on my face.

I have no idea what was happening but just like that both Damon ang Aisa stopped. No, they froze. They're both frozen from where they stood.

''Impossible!'' Clotho and Lachesis both said in unison, baffled.

My body begun to shake, weak at first then it became so strong that my teeth chattered as my head lolled back and fort. ''Please. . . Stop'' I cried out before I went blank.

●💀●

Hi there my wonderful modern bookworms. How do you find this chapter? I hope you all liked it.

What do you think of The Moirai? Are they evil or not?

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