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KRYPTOS: chapter one

These walls, the ones that seemed to imprison her, never changed. Yes, they spoke to Pandora through the redness they were stained in, but the words never changed. Words coded in mystery that couldn’t be solved. Murmurs that took breaths through the walls, the curtains, and the beds. They slipped in through the windows and cracks of the ceiling. The walls were constant, unmoving, and closing in. For sixteen exhausting years, Pandora stared at these four red walls, hoping for something to be there. She’d looked through all twelve windows of her home, walked past all 24 pillars, and studied every corner. She knew every inch, every crack, and every room of the often empty house.

Her father, Tad, chose this house when he was elected one of the assembly members for the small city-state of Ioannina. With an ocean behind it, and a marketplace in front, it was impossible not to take it. Plus, with a young wife and a child on the way, the setting seemed friendly enough for a new family. Now, with the only one person in the house, the atmosphere was heavier than bricks. Tad was on an important trip, discussing politics with the neighboring city-state, and Pandora’s mother, Regime, had died in an accident involving the ocean when Pandora was two.

On a normal day, Pandora would watch the daily bustle of the market place. She’d maybe even go outside, but today it was raining. The people were inside praying to Zeus, and thanking him for the water. Pandora hated days like these. Pandora hated rain in general, but today was a bad day.

It was her birthday. At sixteen she’d be chosen a husband, and be expected to bear him a boy. Yet, she couldn’t think of a harder, more boring life for her to achieve.  It would be hard enough to find someone who’d commit his whole life to her, and look at her face every day. Her hair resembled the flame of a candle, and went up to her shoulders unevenly, ever since she accidently got it stuck between two rocks, and was forced to chop it away. She was very short and stubby, and had a hard time finding fabrics that would fit her. Her nose was similar to that of a crow, and so was her father’s. In fact she looked very similar to her father, the only thing that was her mother’s was the fiery red hair, and the blue eyes.  Of course, her unappealing looks did damage her chances of becoming wed, so did her attitude. Having rage, a temper problem, or a disliking towards incompetence were all bad qualities to have, but rolled into one, disastrous, clumsy, female - well that was just chaos waiting to break out of its small cage.

As mentioned before, today was Pandora’s birthday, and because of her own anger, she was alone. You see, Pandora mindlessly cast out all of the servants that normally bustled around in a low murmur. To be cast out of the house before breakfast was quite normal for the workers. In fact, they enjoyed seeing that side of Pandora. She was like their daughter, each one having a small part of raising her. When she got riled up, a light shone in her eyes, reminding them that the lovely girl was still in the body suppressed by anger and sadness.

Today was different to everyone though. Pandora had no reason to kick them out today. They’d barely walked into the house before Pandora ran down to the scullery maids and screamed at them to be gone, and not to come back until the week her father was due. Well, they couldn’t help but wonder what she would do, all alone for two weeks, but they remained, unanswered. Pandora’s tactics were, to put it bluntly, be alone. She wanted to escape her pressures and be alone. Yet, sitting face to face with it, she realized, she had just wanted someone to confide with.

The rain continued to come down in its watery sheets, creating disfigured music in the process. Pandora sighed, laying down on the ground in such a way young ladies were directed not to do. She was a most interesting sight, lying on the floor like she was being stretched from different sides.  She desperately longed for something, anything to do with her time.

It was at that moment, she remembered The Box. The Box was no bigger than the size of the leather journals her father brings home, and no thicker than a plank of wood. It was surrounded but iron, formed into the shape of ivy, growing over the dark mahogany wood. Its top was black, like obsidian. It seemed like black glass. Pandora had the only key to this treasure, and she had been warned countless times never to open it, but since when has she ever listened to someone else’s rules. It was the obvious thing to do, considering it was such an important year, why not start it with something crazy.  She didn’t know if something was in The Box at all. Maybe lie in the wooden shape, possibly superstition, and maybe even disappointment, but nothing that could harm anyone.

She ran through the empty corridors faster than she had ever run. She had the slight hope, the dimmest light of optimism, that The Box had something that was connected to her mother. It was the last gift Regime gave Pandora before drowning in the ocean. It was the last time Pandora saw her mother. Regime was healthier than a horse, and could swim like a fish. It was this that made her death such a mystery. Pandora refused to believe Regime died, rather she was taken. It had also occurred to her that this was planned, and The Box was a clue to find her. That was the hope that she clung on to as she entered her dark room facing The Box

Its dark mysteries swirled through the air, letting Pandora breathe them into her empty lungs. Murmurs rang through her ears, as she approached the mystique object. Chills went through her as she heard a word, one she couldn’t make out. One that came from The Box.

For fourteen years she had had The Box, and for fourteen years she had talked to it. It knew her secrets, her sorrows, her emptiness, her happiness, and everything in between. She had once imagined something alive was in the box, a pet of sorts, but those were days of her childhood. Those fourteen years would pay to be something- someone. Someone who’d respond to her, who’d talk to her about their life, who’d- Pandora stopped. She was getting ahead of herself. The Box was too small to hold a living things. Plus, how would this thing be alive with no food, no sun, no anything. The Box was empty, it had to be.

Nevertheless, Pandora must open it. Her hands shook, reaching the iron, ivy key that had lived on a chain around her neck. With her eyes shut and her breath held, she yanked the necklace right off. She crouched to The Box that sat patiently on a pedestal. Pandora became aware of the sounds around her. The rain pounded on roof, demanding to be let in. The building lit up from the lightning, and shook from the roar of thunder.

Her eyes remained squeezed shut, and her heart raced in her ears. She put the key in The Box, slowly in case she had any regrets. She finally opened her eyes and turned the key. The Box shook uncontrollably, Pandora backed up until her back found the wall. The Box let out a scream before flinging itself open. A blinding light appeared through the top. It was too much for Pandora to handle, she collapsed, falling into a dreamless sleep.

****

It was still dark when Pandora woke in her bed. She’d been out cold for three hours, and the events were coming to her slowly. The Box. She shot up, but regretted it instantly. Her head filled with pain, and her back was so sore she could barely move. She tried to get up anyways.

A voice stopped her.

“I would not do that if I were you.” It spoke. It was too dark to see who it belonged to, but it came from the opposite corner of the room.

“Wh-who is there?” Pandora squinted her eyes in attempt to see anyone.

“Should I feel offended that you do not know? We have known each other for fourteen years of your existence. I have listened to you every day for fourteen years. I suppose I should not be upset. I had no voice to return the words to you. I apologize.” There was sadness in the melodic voice. It seemed to reach into Pandora’s heart, and ease her nerves.

“You were in The Box?” Pandora slid of the bed and began to crawl towards the voice, despite the pain.

“I should have known you would not have listened. Pandora?”

Pandora stiffened at the sound of her name, but then continued. “Yes?”

“You are going to a wall.” The voice responded in the same all-knowing tone.

“No, I have this house memorized-” She was cut off by her body making contact with a wall. She grunted and turned in a different direction, still unable to see anything.

“You are stubborn Pandora. Why is that?” laughed the voice.

Pandora huffed, “Why should answer your question, when you are deliberately ignoring mine?”

The voice laughed. “My, my Pandora. There is another wall.” Pandora stopped and stuck out her hand. Sure enough, a wall. She turned and went in another direction.

“How can you see in this darkness”, questioned Pandora.

“My eyes know darkness. They were born in it. They thrive in it.” The voice stopped and changed the subject, “This is like a strange game. Do you like this game? Why, I haven’t played a game in years.”

Pandora gave up crawling and sat on her knees. She noticed her window, and the dawn almost approaching. She crawled towards it until her back was to it.  “This game does not make much sense. What if we play a question game?”

“What are the rules to this game?” The voice said excitedly.

“You have to ask me five questions. If I get them all right you show yourself.”

“Is this what you want to do?” Pandora tensed. No one had ever asked her that, they always just assumed.

“No.” Pandora stated, “but if this is what takes to see you, I shall do it.”

The voice sighed, “Then why not ask me to reveal myself?”

Pandora had never thought of that, but something in her told her it wouldn’t have worked. “You wouldn’t have done it, even if I did ask.”

“Then what makes you think I’d do it now?” The voice whispered maliciously.

Pandora gaped for a moment and then spoke the truth, “I do not know. A feeling makes me believe that you want to be found.” The first light of day began to pour through the window. The room remained dark except for a patch by the window.

“ Well, Pandora, do you really want to see me?” There was something playful that wrapped itself in the voice.

“Yes.” Pandora kept her voice flat, trying to hide the anticipation she felt.

“How many questions was that?” The voice laughed

“It was four. Were you engaging in th-” Pandora had not realized the game had begun. Five questions she’d answer correctly, and unintentionally won the game.

Light finally broke out of the clouds, illuminating the room. The voice couldn’t hide, even if she wanted to. Pandora’s eyes searched until they landed on a corner. There lay a ball of blackness that Pandora recognized as the obsidian top of The Box.

“Well, I guess you won the game.” the figure whispered. The figure began to rise, revealing dark, long, bronze legs. Pandora could discern the ball of obsidian to be something of wings. Slowly the wings opened. There before her stood a woman, clothed in black, hiding her face by keeping it down. The wings were like glass on the inside. They gave no sign that the outside was black, rather the light shone through them, and whatever was behind them was seen. The only reason Pandora knew the wings were there, was a crack that stretched to the middle of the right one. They trailed behind the woman and she put them back. She lifted her head, to reveal the most beautiful face Pandora had ever seen. Her short curly hair was pulled back into a light purple ribbon, and her eyes were so dark, it seemed like night had creeped its way into them. The woman’s lips were painted in a deep red that resembled wine. Her dark skin, was the exact opposite of Pandora’s pale, pasty one. She looked like she was in her twenties.

The woman bowed her head, “It is a great delight to finally make your acquaintance Pandora Vera Agni.” A smile appeared on the woman’s lips, but all Pandora could do was blink. A million question swam through her mind, but not one would reach her lips. The woman sat down in front of Pandora and looked into her blue eyes.

“I can see you have many questions. It’s alright, you may ask” She said

Pandora spit out the first one that reached her. “Who are you?”

The woman did a small laugh to herself, “I am not a who, rather a what. For your sake, I will give you a name to call me by. I’ve been called many different names, but Morgani Esu Illibus seems to fit me at the moment.” Morgani spoke with ease.

Pandora said it twice to get used to it before continuing, “Why were you in the box? How did you live? How long were you in there? What are you? Where did you come from? Were you always in the box? Was there anything else in there? How did you fit? Was it uncomfortable? How old are you? Are you going to hurt me? Wait, are you going to eat me? What did you eat while in there? How did you get in that box? Why was it locked? Why didn’t anyone want me to open it? Did you have a home before this? What-”

“Pandora stop.” Morgani had her eyes closed, and kept her lips firm. “Please stop. I thought I could answer your questions but I can’t yet. At least not all of them.” She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, “I was in the box for 17,436 years 3 months 8 days and 15 hours. I was alone, besides the darkness and the many voices of people who owned me. I do not intend to hurt you, nor will I eat you. I did have a family before I was put in the box. Oh, how I wish they are safe. To be perfectly honest, I do not know my own age.” Before Pandora could say anything, Morgani continued, “M-may we please go outside? This is the first time in 17 millenniums that I have seen light. I’d like to feel my freedom.”

Pandora was taken back. She was not expecting her to ask permission to do anything. She shook her head in shock, “ Yes, of course.”

Morgani was out the door before the sentence came out Pandora’s mouth. Pandora chased after her, and found her in the corridor leading outside. The sun stopped exactly where Morgani’s bare feet were. From where Pandora was standing, she could see Morgani shake and hold her breath. She looked at Pandora, searching into her eyes for reassurance. Pandora just smiled and gave a small nod.

With a shaky hand, Morgani slowly reached out to the sun soaked air in front of her.  Her breath hitched as she stepped out and let her whole body absorb every drop. She fell to the ground and clutched the grass in her hand. Her eyes closed in complete ecstasy and opened a second later in frenzy. She stood and ran to Pandora, who’d watched the subtle event from the corridor.

“ Pandora,” Morgani said in a hush tone, “ may I go see the ocean? I know you fear it, but Poseidon is my friend, he would never hurt me. I promise I will return to you. Please let me see him. Please.”

Pandora could not deny her this simple right, so she simply nodded. Morgani broke into a grin and sprinted to the beach that sat behind Pandora’s home. She did not stop running until she was waist deep in the salty water.

She knew every god had a call that would get their attention immediately, and she knew Poseidon's.  She submerged herself in the cold water, whispered his name, and let out all the air left in her lungs.  He was already there before she came up, for only four beings knew his call; His brothers and her.

He appeared to her in his human form, white hair braided down his back and eyes bluer than the ocean. He could not do anything but stare, and eventually brought his hand to her face.

“ Is it really you? Gone for decades, returned?” His voice was a mix of shock and grief. All she could do was nod. “Nyx?” The word sounded so foreign to her, but again she nodded.

“I am called Morgani here.” Poseidon’s face broke into the biggest smile ever to be seen.

“ It really is you.” He said while pulling her into a hug, “ Morgani, where did you go? Everyone has been searching for you.” He pulled away, still holding her at arm's length.

She looked away from him, “ I was imprisoned in a box, I was just let free. Please give me time before we discuss this.” He gave a curt nod, “ How is my brother?”

Now it was his turn to look down, “ He vanished 4 days after you did. He gave me a note, saying he would find you.”

“And no one went after him? No one called him? No one helped?” She looked at him in frustration.

“ I did. I have not stopped looking for you, Morpheus, or Erebus!” He let her go, “ You’re the only one who knows his call.”

Morgani stood in disbelief, “ Erebus too?”

He paused, giving her a curious look, and in the attempt to change the subject he spoke, “Your human form looks very similar to your natural one. Your wings do not completely fade away. Why?”

“ They are damaged.” She said mindlessly as she paced in the water, “ Why would Erebus disappear?” she mumbled.

“ For two reasons. He is out to find you like the rest of us, and he is a blood knight now.”

Morgani stopped abruptly, hitching her breath. “ No.” She breathed, “ How dare he? A slave to that monster?” Her voice rose with anger, “ Killing innocent souls? Of course he would. We all knew what he was. Darkness. It is name and function. Yet, I never did think that is what defined him. He was darkness, yes, but the way he went about it was not frightening. Now he is fear. Not only does he strike fear and darkness into people’s lives, now he takes them as well. Damn you Erebus. Never satisfied  with the gifts of the world. How dare you break your promise to me? How dare you break me!” She took in a breath and laughed at herself.

“ Morgani, settle down” Poseidon tried to move her to the sand bank so she could sit. No avail.

“ How could I be so foolish! I trusted you with my life. With her life. You took them both. I am now a hollow shell of a god, and she… she never saw the light of day or the dark of night. Erebus how could you betray us both.” It hit her then, “ Poseidon? Who has been doing my job of night?”

“ Apollo sets the sun, and your sisters scatter the darken skies with stars and a crescent moon. Never a full in your memory. Night, to be exact, has not been here since you left, and dreams are now just folktales of the humans.”

“Morpheus,” she whispered, “ How could you let them go dreamless? Where are you brother? Where is your light? Your spirit? Your dreams?” She refused to say what she thought. She could not bring herself to say that he might have gained the same fate as her. She was about to go over the events when a sound stopped her.

It was a sound of a whale, a dragon, and a horse blended into one. Only one creature could make that sound.

“ It looks like someone else missed you as well.” Poseidon chuckled.

“ Levi! Is that you?” Morgani squealed and walked into the deeper water. The beast made the same noise in return.

One thing before we continue. Sea monsters have the worst reputation than dragons, and of course are fear more than anything, but it is all wrong. Sea “monsters” are no more than misunderstood sea puppies. Take the Leviathan for example a giant, bigger than any ship, kinder than any person.