The world had fallen silent. Once, the village had been filled with music, voices, and the hum of daily life. Now only the wind moved between empty streets, rattling shutters that no one would close, brushing past figures that no longer breathed. Statues — hundreds of them — stood where people once lived, faces frozen in fear, gestures reaching for help that never came.
In an isolated temple on the hill, Metis and Sophos lived as if in a dream they could not escape. What had begun as a comfort — sharing meals, whispering in the quiet night — had turned to unease. The stillness outside crept into their hearts.
Sophos stood at the temple door, fingers tracing the wood grain as though the feel of it might give him courage.
"I need to go out for a while," he said softly, eyes on the horizon.
Metis turned, her voice sharper than she meant. "Out where? There's nothing left.
"I just need to think. Maybe I'll find something. Some answer."
Her arms folded tightly. "Or maybe you're looking for someone else."
"That's not fair," he said, voice strained.
"Nothing's fair anymore," she snapped. "You keep leaving me here. With this curse. With myself."
He took a step toward her but stopped, helpless. "Please. Trust me. I'll come back."
Metis said nothing. She only turned away, her face hidden, as if she could block out everything — even him. Sophos left, the weight of her silence heavy on his back.
...….
Thalia stood among the stone figures, waiting. She looked thinner, pale from sleepless nights.
"Sophos," she breathed when he arrived.
"Tell me you have something."
Her eyes filled with tears. "We do. But you won't want to hear it."
"Tell me anyway."
"The curse can break. But only if Metis… if she's sacrificed."
Sophos froze. The word felt like a blade.
"No. We'll find another way."
Thalia's voice trembled. "You think I want this? I love her too. But look around — how long can we let this go on?"
"I won't let her die for this. I won't," he said, stepping back.
"Sophos—"
But he was already gone, vanishing into the shadows of the ruined village.
Thalia remained where she stood, her heart heavy. The stone faces seemed to accuse her, or maybe beg her. If Sophos can't choose, then I must.
She went to Athena's temple. The great hall felt cold, the goddess's statue towering above her.
Thalia knelt. "Please. Show me another way."
Athena's voice echoed, neither cruel nor kind. "If Metis must fall, let it be by a hand she trusts. Only then will the curse lift."
Tears ran down Thalia's face. Why does mercy cost so much? But she rose, determined, though her heart felt broken.
....
The temple where Metis waited seemed darker than before. As Thalia approached, Metis turned. Her hair, touched by the curse, rippled like snakes ready to strike. Her eyes glowed with suspicion.
"Why are you here?" she demanded, voice low, dangerous.
Sophos appeared behind Thalia. "It's all right. Just speak to her."
Thalia took a breath. "Metis, come with me. Let's pray. We'll ask the gods for help. There must be a way to end this together."
But Metis shook her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "No. I don't want their help. I don't want their forgiveness. This curse — it's mine now. I embrace it."
And Thalia, heart sinking, realized how far Metis had drifted from the woman they both once knew.
Thalia took a careful step forward, swallowing her fear as Metis's cursed hair hissed and writhed. The glow in Metis's eyes softened just for a moment, as if something inside her was fighting to break free.
"Metis," Thalia said gently, voice trembling but steady. "You're kind. You always have been. Don't let this curse make you forget that. Remember how you used to give your last coin to the hungry? How you stayed awake all night tending the sick? That's who you are."
Metis blinked, her chest heaving with ragged breath. For a heartbeat, Thalia saw a flicker of the old warmth in her friend's face. But then — a flash of red light in Metis's eyes, dark as blood.
"Stop!" Metis cried, voice echoing like thunder through the empty air. "Leave me! Just… leave me."
Her voice cracked on the last word.
Thalia stumbled back, heart breaking. She turned, tears burning, and fled the temple steps. Her mind raced. I can't let this be the end. I need to act — now. Maybe a spell. Maybe…
Her gaze found Sophos, who lingered at the edge of the ruined path, watching with sorrow. She signaled to him, beckoning him over.
He came, wary. "What is it? What did she say?"
Thalia wiped her cheeks. "She's slipping away. I tried. But it's like… like she's already gone inside. Sophos, we can't just stand here! There must be a way."
"She's still Metis. Somewhere in there."
"I need your help!" she insisted. "We could try a spell — I can't do it alone. You're close to her. She trusts you. Please."
Sophos hesitated, torn, his jaw tight. "You want me to help with this? With… a sacrificial spell?"
"She's cursed the whole land! Do you want to look at these statues forever? At her like this forever?"
The words stung, but they struck truth. Sophos turned away, breathing hard, then nodded. "All right. But listen — if we're going to try this, there's one place we need to go first."
"Where?" Thalia asked, desperate for hope.
"The village riverside," he said grimly. "Where the sirens live."
"Sirens?" Thalia frowned. "Why? What good will they do?"
Sophos rubbed the back of his neck. "Their waters… the ones the sirens sing to at dusk. I use it — it helps Metis sleep through the night. It calms what the curse stirs in her. If we can get some, maybe she won't fight the spell. Maybe she won't feel it at all."
Thalia hesitated, then nodded. "Let's go. Before it's too late."
Without another word, they set off toward the riverside, the air heavy with what was to come.