Page 56 of Legend of Scorpio
“Don’t be pedantic. It is merely a protective shell for what’s inside, which you will retrieve, or else.”
“If you couldn’t do it, what makes you think I can?”
“Because it’s been foretold,” Monroe stated bluntly.
“You’re insane.”
“I like to call it determined. I am also impatient, so let’s get to it.”
“I don’t know what you expect me to do,” Rebecca grumbled, stalking for the orb.
“Touch it, rub it, spit on it, pee on it. I don’t know, but do something!” Monroe snapped.
“And if nothing works?”
“Then you’ll try again. And again. Oh, but each time you whine about failing, your bonded Zodiac over here will lose a finger. Or a toe. I wonder if there’s ever been a one-eyed warrior,” Monroe mused aloud.
“You’re a sick bastard.” A rare expletive slipped from her lips.
“No, I’m a man who’s been waiting a long time to find this relic, and I am out of patience.”
“What’s it supposed to hold anyhow?” she muttered as she reached for the orb. It vibrated faintly in her grip.
“As if you don’t know.”
“Would I be asking if I did?”
“What’s your mate have to say?” Monroe glanced at Scorpio.
“Don’t ask me. First, I heard of this thing was a few days ago when I was told to find it.”
“Surely your seer had more to say,” Monroe stated.
“Yeah, she said if we didn’t get our hands on it, the world was fucked.”
The reply punched Monroe’s lips. “That’s not what our seer has told us.”
“Oh, and what exactly did yours say?” Scorpio asked.
“That it was one of three objects of immense power.”
“Did you ever stop to wonder what kind of power?” Rebecca interjected. “Doesn’t seem like the good kind to me. Why else would someone have gone through the trouble of hiding them so thoroughly?”
“Because the Zodiacs think themselves superior to humans.” Monroe sneered. “And yet, I look at this one, and I don’t see it.”
“Let me out of this contraption, and I will impress you with my special skills,” Scorpio taunted.
“How about you be quiet, or I’ll put you down for another nap,” threatened Monroe before turning to Rebecca. “Open the orb.”
She bit her lip, rather than asking how. She had no doubt Monroe would enjoy punishing Scorpio if she didn’t at least try.
But try what?
The orb in her grip no longer vibrated, nor did it feel warm or cold for that matter. Her lips pursed as she lifted it to eye level. It definitely did not weigh as much as expected, nor did its metallic surface reflect anything. She shook it and heard nothing, no sloshing or rattling, making her wonder if it was even hollow.
“Would you stop screwing around?” huffed Monroe.
She paused. “How about you calm down? You asked me to open it. Since I haven’t the slightest clue how, I need to study it first, see if I can figure out its puzzle.”