A Vow to ones self

  The same night a young girl is once again in the dangerous oceans of time. Laurel stands above the turbulent waters with shaky legs. Tonight there are only the two others dancing hers here.

  Before Laurel can get her bearings, the red-dressed her rushes over. "I'm so glad you're alright! I was so worried," the red-dressed her cries. The red-dressed her's arms wrap around Laurel and crush her in a bear hug.

  The flexible her in exotic clothes also runs over and jumps on both of them, joining the hug. They stay that way for a moment, content with sharing this happy moment. Their foreheads touch as the embrace becomes more relaxed. Laurel thinks it is strange usually such close contact with someone she'd only met a few times would be uncomfortable. But instead, they all feel at peace together.

  Laurel can't help but laugh after the tension breaks. "I'm fine, alright! Don't worry," she says gleefully.

  "That's right, we are hugging like this, and we don't even know your name," the red-dressed her says without releasing the hug. The red-dressed her arms are now laid limply around Laurel's neck to give a bit of space.

  "Name? I'm Laurel, aren't you guys me? I should know my own name," Laurel responds in confusion.

  The flexible her in exotic clothes explains, "We are so different with completely different lives. How can we have the same name?" She then pokes Laurel's nose with a giggle. She then quickly escapes with a backflip. As she stops, she bows and says, "I'm Thalia."

  Laurel smiles brightly and says, "That's so strange. Nice to meet you, Thalia!"

  The her in the red dress purses her lips. She is jealous of Thalia's exciting introduction. She gently releases Laurel and spins away, causing her skirt to bloom. As she ends, she bows while holding one edge of her dress far up in the air. "I'm Angela! I won't be outdone," Angela snarks, sticking her tongue out at Thalia.

  Laurel almost falls over from laughing as she holds her stomach in pain. The others join in, and the young girls' laughter echoes off the ocean waves filling the world with mirth. After calming down, they came back together to talk.

  Laurel can't help but sigh, "I'm jealous. I wish I could dance beautifully too."

  Angela grabs her arm comfortingly and replies, "We've been dancing since we were young, and you just started. I'm sure you'll be dancing just as well soon enough."

  "As long as you're having fun, it doesn't matter how you dance," Thalia adds.

  "Even if you say that if I don't learn to dance, I'll eventually die, right?" Laurel says, pouting.

  Angela once again pulls Laurel into a hug. "I'm sorry. Last time must have been so scary for you."

  Laurel shakes her head, "no, it was my fault for not being good enough."

  "It all worked out in the end. Aren't you two making too big a deal out of this?" Thalia asks with her head cocked to the side.

  "Have some compassion," Angela snaps at Thalia.

  Laurel shivers as she remembers the ordeal. "Oh yeah, I guess I met a god then," she mentions absentmindedly.

  "What? I've never heard of meeting a god in the ocean before!" Angela says in surprise, her eyes opening wide like saucers.

  Laurel then explains her ordeal to them. How a baby's cry broke reality, and she saw a vision of the battlefield, how it made her feel like her brain was going to explode, then about the promise to herself thing that she didn't quite understand.

  "Alright, that's pretty rough," Thalia agrees, "But at least you got to meet a god. That's pretty awesome!" she says with a thumbs up.

  "I'd rather not meet a god if it's going to be like that," Laurel replies with a bitter smile.

  Angela holds her chin and furrows her brow in deep thought. 'She looks pretty cute thinking like that,' Laurel thinks. She then realizes that she is basically complimenting herself and starts to blush with embarrassment.

  "He must have been talking about us, right? He clearly knew the situation, so we just need to make a promise to each other?" Angela asks.

  "I don't know," Laurel admits.

  Thalia wraps her arms around both of their necks and pulls them in. "Who cares what can it hurt to make a promise? Best case scenario, something awesome happens worse case nothing right?" She reasons.

  Angela shakes her head, unconvinced, "If you make the wrong promise, it could be bad, right?"

  "Don't worry. Let's do it," Thalia continued to push.

  "Why not?" Laurel asks Angela.

  "Fine, you win," Angela sighs in exasperation.

  Thalia pumps her fist in the air with excitement. "Alright, what should we promise?"

  Angela shakes her head, "Something minor is best; let 's not make a mistake."

  "Right!" Laurel agrees with a nod.

  All three girls focus on what to promise. A chant pops into their heads as if it'd always been there. They all look at each other with wordless surprise. All of them stare at each other for a time in mutual confusion.

  "What was that," Laurel whispers fearfully.

  Angela crosses her arms as if to hug herself. "A chant invoking a god… That's a bit."

  Even Thalia feels apprehension now as she intertwines her fingers nervously. "Isn't that what we wanted, though? A god hinted at it after all," she rationalizes.

  As they shake in fear, Laurel remembers something the officer said. "A promise is like a contract with no binding features," she repeats.

  "What does that mean?" Angela asks.

  Laurel just shakes her head. Thalia, on the other hand, laughs. "Doesn't that mean it's safe? We can throw it away whenever," Thalia concludes.

  "We're invoking a god, a G, O, D," Angela reminds.

  Laurel sucks in a deep breath for courage, "Let's do it. He didn't seem to have any ill intent," she says.

  The girls look into each other's eyes and nod. With their resolve sit, they begin to chant, "We are of one soul. Though time and dimensions may be between us, we are of one will. We promise by the goddess of chains and bindings that in the darkest of moments, we will stand together." As they chant, the rattling of chains surrounds them.

  "When we ascend, we will ascend as one. Let the tumultuous times be subdued and the myriad dimensions bound together. As the three dancers of this one soul, we are as one from this day forth! So promises, Laurel, Angela, Thalia."

  Upon completion, golden chains appear from the center of their chest, locking them together. It feels as if their souls have been shaken to their cores. Everyone coughs up blood and turns a pale white. Laurel stumbles dangerously, almost falling into the ocean. As she trips, the chains pull taught saving her. However, it makes everyone feel uneasy as the chain tugs their souls. Angela and Thalia quickly grab Laurel and hold her tightly as they all try to stabilize themselves.

  A goddess covered in chains smiles down at the girls. Every type of binding binds the goddess' arms and legs. "I guess I'll have to thank Raul," she muses with a kind smile. Though the three didn't know they were visited by a goddess this night, her boon will forever tie them together.

____________

  At the Harlyn palace, things are in chaos. The most powerful of the clan has gathered to discuss the future. Enyo stands in front of them in the grand hall, surrounded by her peers. She looks at them with fiery eyes.

  "It's time we reclaim our past honor! The older generation no longer holds us back. It is our time. Are we in agreement?" Enyo shouts.

  "The Generals agree onward to victory!" the woman clad in majestic golden armor responds.

  "The truth-seekers are prepared," a woman dawning a green cloak that covers up all her feature confirms.

  "The romantics are of one mind as well," the woman dressed in revealing clothing giggles.

  "Everything has long been prepared. The logistics division is ready," a woman smudged with soot salutes.

  "Since we are all women of Harlyn, we won't back down. Let them once again shake in fear!" Enyo yells. She then looks to the generals, "Lockdown space and prepare to unleash your strength," she commands.

  "Yes," the generals say while slapping their chest.

  Next, Enyo looks to the truth-seekers, "Let them be chained by the truth unable to wiggle free."

  "As it was in the time of Evelyn and Raul, it shall be again. Everyone will know the truth and not be able to mislead anyone," the woman cloaked in green confirms.

  Enyo now looks at the romantics and orders, "pull them into the murky swamp of lust and power."

  "Of course, dear," a woman from the romantic faction says seductively. She walks forward and wraps her arm around Enyo with a sly smile. She then leans in and whispers in Enyo's ear, "What of the agreement?"

  Enyo stands firm, only looking at the woman with a sidelong glance. "Don't worry. No one will have to lead their love to death," Enyo states. She then pulls the woman in front of her and says in a low voice, "but it's their own fault if they get in our way. Those who contribute more get the credit."

  "I'll make sure they all understand," the woman says with fluttering eyes.

  Enyo walks over to the logistic leader and pats her shoulder. "It's time to reforge the war horns," she informs.

  The logistic leader's eyes open wide in surprise. "The expenditure has been approved?" she asks in excitement while grabbing Enyo's arm.

  "That's right," Enyo nods. She then turns and addresses everyone, "Now let us go inform the troops."

  She then pushes open the large doors to the outside. The leaders of the clan follow her in a unique procession into the sun. The strength of these women can bring down clans by themselves. They strut onto the landing overlooking the lands miles above the woman-made construction that can rival mountains. As they look out into the distance, the sky and ground is covered with golden armored women waiting quietly.

  "Those old clans cower in fear flinching at the slightest noise. Our mothers, while strong, cared too much for petty gains. Let the new age begin!" Enyo bellows, sending her voice thundering across the whole planet. The sun reflects on Enyo's fluttering golden locks, and her scarlet eyes demand fresh blood. She can only be called a goddess of war.

  "OOOHHHHH," the planet erupts with the endless cheers of Harlyn's warriors shaking it to its foundation.