Cronus Awakened Chapter 10 The darkness was thin, punctuated by dozens of iridescent stars, and bands of cosmic dust trailing along. Hues of every kind were represented in the cascading, ever shifting display of light. Alex turned his head, looking around. He recognized this place. This was where Hecate had taken him. So she must be nearby... “Alex.” The voice resonated with light, yet sounded strangely hollow. Almost insubstantial. “Hecate?” One of the distant stars had begun to move. Shifting and twisting itself into a vaguely human shape. “Yes.” “Why am I here?” “Because you need to be.” “That doesn’t tell me anything.” “Don’t be so hasty, child.” “Hasty!? You freaking teleported me to some random creepy place, and you expect me to listen?!” Immediately, the atmosphere began to change. The stars seemed to dim, as if being drained, and color gradually began to drain out of the scene. “Watch your tongue.” Hecate whispered, her resplendent form still unmoving. “NO. I don’t have to follow your orders!” Alex glared at her, seemingly oblivious to the rising temperature and the ever-growing darkness. “SILENCE. YOU WILL FIGHT FOR GOOD, NOT YOURSELF.” The sky suddenly extinguished itself, as did Hecate. A pressing feeling of dread and regret formed in the pit of Alex’s stomach. “YOU ARE BLESSED WITH THE POWERS OF LIGHT AND THE STARS!” The sky seemed to compress in onto itself, growing denser and darker. Like a void. “Do not underestimate them...” The air seemed to be tearing itself apart, the very air nearly sucked out of his lungs... And then it was bright again, the stars blinking on as if nothing had happened. “Do you understand...” She whispered. Alex, still dazed, nodded. "Good." Hecate said, handing him a small silver dagger, the hilt if which was carved with an elaborate pattern of the#moonand sun.