by Jessica Cage
"She's heavy. It will take all of us to get her there."
"What about the Sphinx?" Iris turned to Asa. "Can you carry her there?"
Asa shook her head. "I tried to shift back on the bridge, my magic is limited, using it to call the sea has depleted me and it will take a while to build back up."
"I guess that means you can't ask the water to help us out either?"
"I doubt it." Asa looked out to the water. "I can barely feel it now. I'm much like Tethys, the longer I'm without it, the weaker my connection is. Crossing the volcano was like going years without being near the sea."
"We'll just have to do this together." Delilah smiled at Asa. "It may take some time, but we can do this."
Even with the three of them working together, carrying Tethys was a struggle. It seemed the closer they got to the water, the heavier her body became.
“Can someone please explain how a woman, who is barely my size, feels so damn heavy?” Iris asked as she struggled to keep up but felt relieved to see the others were having just as much trouble as she was. Being the human with two immortals was a challenge.
“She is a titan, maybe that title comes with added weight.” Asa grunted and sighed as the scent of ocean finally began to overpower that of ash. She could feel the connection between her and the water rebuilding with each step that brought them closer to the shore.
“This should be good enough. The ground isn’t so hot anymore,” Delilah held out her free hand to call to the beings she thought of as her own children. In the distance what looked like grass waving in the wind was really the movement of bodies. Ranging in length and width, they came to answer her call. Snakes in all sizes approached the women. When they made it to them, despite the muffled squeal of Iris, their bodies removed the weight of the titan from the women’s shoulders and transported the limp woman down the remaining slope of the volcano.
“That is one freaky talent you got there,” Asa laughed, as she bent over and sighed as she shook her arms. “But thank you! My shoulder felt like it was about to give out!”
The three women followed the transport forward to the edge of the shore where the snakes then fed Tethys’ body to the water and quickly retreated to dry land. The titan floated out with the tide and the women who freed her watched as the ash covered face was then swallowed beneath the surf.
"Well, that's not what I expected." Iris sighed and dropped to sit on the ground. “Was anyone else expecting a grand show? I mean, I thought the water would dance and the fish would sing. Something magical after all of that!” Iris spoke as they stared out to the ocean waiting for some reaction from the soft ripple of waves. Nothing happened; it had been five long minutes since Tethys sank beneath the surface of the water and Iris was getting antsy. “Should we be doing something right now? I don't think we came all this way to let her drown!”
“No, I think it's best that we wait. I can feel it; there's something out there, there’s activity beneath the waves. Whatever is going on out there, its best we don’t do anything to interrupt it.” Asa stepped forward and knelt aside the shoreline. She dipped her hands into the small waves that washed ashore and felt the pulsing in the water that verified everything she’d just said. The magic within the water was strengthening with every passing moment. "The sea has her ways, her rituals. Tethys is home and the ocean is quietly rejoicing. The best thing for us to do now is just let what needs to happen."
“Asa is right,” Delilah agreed, “I think that we need to wait. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it too. There's power in there. There's something strong and we must respect it. We must have patience.” She sat on the sand covered ground. “We will wait as long as it takes.”
“So I'm assuming that power you're feeling is Tethys?” Iris asked.
“Perhaps,” Asa stood, “or maybe returning her to the sea had awakened something else within. There's only one way to find out.”
“Wait and see, right.” Iris pulled the water bottle from her bag and sighed as she was reminded that it was empty. "I could use something to eat or drink. I know you two are magical and the water is feeding you energy and strength, but I need actual food and fresh water if I'm going to be of any use to you. Do you think there is anything edible on this sand float?"
“I’m sure there is, I will have the serpents bring you something.” Delilah stood and walked away from them.
“She said she’s going to have snakes bring me food, right?” Iris whispered to Asa. “I didn’t hear that wrong.”
“That’s what she said.” Asa laughed.
“This ought to be interesting.” Iris looked over her shoulder at Delilah who was summoning the snakes that obeyed her command. She returned to them reclaiming her seat on the ground beside Iris.
“You will have food soon.” She smiled and Iris nodded in return.
The three stared out to the water for so long that the rays of sun had completely faded deeper into the mahogany tones that told of days end. While they watched and waited for absolutely nothing to happen, Delilah made sure that Iris had what she needed. Her slithering babies reappeared and with them they carried ripe fruits to eat and fresh water from a waterfall in the center of the island. Asa worked a bit of magic over the clear liquid to be sure it was pure enough to drink before the three gulped it down. Iris wondered how the snakes had crafted the tightly woven cups used to carry the water from tree bark without the help of hands or opposable thumbs but kept her questions to herself. Magic. She told herself, magic could apparently do anything, and was grateful that she wouldn’t have to suffer with the dehydration any longer. She thanked the tiny one who brought her what looked like orange grapes and laughed as it skittered across her legs and disappeared into the tree line.
Once fed and hydrated, the three women decided to set up camp at the shoreline. Simple shelter was constructed with the help of Delilah’s friends and they settled in for the night and watched the ocean that moved in its normal rhythm. If it wasn't for the magical pulsing that Delilah and Asa could still feel bearing down their bodies, they would have been worried that they failed, but with each passing hour the feeling only grew. While they waited, the sun escaped the sky completely and the mortal member of the trio was lulled into a deep slumber by the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore.
Asa and Delilah whispered through the night about all the things Delilah had studied about the past. She asked Asa questions that always stood out to her about monsters and myths. Asa verified what she could and scoffed at some of the tales that had been told. The world was a complicated place and it seem that whoever was put in charge of raising Delilah, wanted to shelter her from that fact. Just before the sun rose, Delilah asked that she may see Calypso, and after making sure that Iris was completely unconscious, Asa abided. She dropped her veil and allowed her true self to shine.
“Why do you still hide yourself?” Delilah traced every inch of the dark beauty that stood before her. “You are so beautiful, that shouldn’t be hidden.”
“I’ve gotten so accustomed to the mask; besides it protects me. I can live the life I want, without being gawked at or causing any trouble. Men, and women, can still feel the pull even when I am in my mask. That will never go away, but I cannot exist in the world as I am.” Asa stretched her limbs to the sky and allowed herself to enjoy the freedom of Calypso once more before she was replaced yet again by the average appearance that the world around her knew. “It’s the reason I lived on an island in uncharted waters. It wasn’t because I wanted to be alone. I was there because I wanted other people to be safe from me. This beauty, it’s a curse.”
“That is quite sad, I do enjoy watching you, the true you.” Delilah sighed as Asa sat across from her in their makeshift shelter.
The dark stretches of water lightened in front of them as the moon gave way to the rays of light that bounced off the surface in warm the water beneath. The day would break soon and the feeling of the magic in the ocean had shifted and calmed. Tethys would emer
ge soon; they could both feel it.
“What do you think will happen?” Asa asked Delilah who’d dropped her eyes to look down at Iris who slept peacefully on the ground between them.
“What do you mean?”
“When she emerges from the water. Do you think she will help us?” Asa kept her eyes locked on the horizon as she pondered their future. The pressure of magic turned into a steady pulsing that became faster, stronger until it felt like a soft hum that vibrated the air and the ground beneath them.
“I don’t know. I hope so. If what the witch said in her notes is true, we will need all the help we can get." Delilah pulled her gaze from the woman who'd inched closer to her and looked out to the water and then up to the sky. "Either way I intended to continue my quest. With or without help, I will make Athena pay for what she did.”
“Well, I’m on your side, whichever way this goes.” Asa stretched her arms over her head. "It’s the way it was meant to be after all."
“Thank you, Asa. That means a lot.” Delilah sighed. "Even with the witch's prophecy, you could have chosen to go another way."
"Honestly, if it had only been by Lehela's word, I probably would have told you two to kick rocks," Asa laughed. "I suspect that is why she made sure you had that medallion, with my mama's voice to tell me to do the right thing. Hell, and at this point, I owe you, you saved my ass from being lava dust! Could you imagine coming all this way, battling gods and sea monsters, to slip and fall into a volcano!”
"We would have told the story heroically, as you say, most of what I've been taught was embellished. Perhaps there was a great monster made of magma and you fought him to the death saving us and frying your own ass in the process!"
"Yes, please be sure to add the ass frying!" Asa laugh echoed back to them and Delilah couldn't help but join her. As the two joked about different ways they would embellish the tale of their journey, the last of the night slipped away and the ocean began to stir.
“Iris, wake up,” Delilah gently nudged the sleeping woman to pull her from the depth of her unconsciousness. “Something's happening.”
"Huh?" Iris rubbed her eyes as she sat up.
"I think it's time!" Asa hopped to her feet as if she wanted to dance. Instead, she remained still and pointed out the motion of the water which spiraled in an unnatural way.
Delilah helped Iris to her feet and together they stood watching the water dance in celebration. Asa moved in front of them swaying her hips in rhythm with the water and rejoicing. In the distance, the sensual figure of a woman rose slowly from the surf. She remained still for a moment as the winds blew wild strands of dark hair that held streaks of blue, in every direction. The woman did her own dance as she stretched her hands to the sky as if celebrating her freedom. The squeals of Asa drew her attention to the shore where her rescuers stood awaiting her. By her command, the water lifted into waves that wrapped around her legs and carried her forward to them.
As her bare feet touched the sand and dug into the granulated earth, the pulsating magic that moved against Delilah and Asa finally ceased. Firm legs carried a curvy body coated in bronzed skin and covered only by thin fabric which hid nothing thanks to the water that soaked it.
“Who awakens me?” The sultry voice of Tethys was both alarming and relaxing as it boomed from her chest and vibrated the air around them.
Delilah stepped forward. “I do," she waited for Tethys to focus on her before she continued. "I need your help.”
“Help? What is it that you want me to help you with, child?” Tethys watched Delilah carefully. The water behind her rose and fell with each breath she took.
“I need to take down a goddess," Delilah spoke firmly, "Athena. I've been told that I'll need your help to do that.”
“You think that I should help you kill Athena?" The small smile stretched her lips as she considered the request. "Why would I do that?”
“I have no idea, but as I said I was told to find you and ask for your help.” Delilah spoke honestly. "I know that the titans and the gods have not always been on great terms, hence your condition when we found you. Perhaps it was hoped that seeking your own revenge would somehow persuade you to join us."
"Who told you to find me?"
"A witch from your time, named Lehela."
"My time? And what time is this?"
"It's the twenty first century, year 2019." Iris offered and then quickly quieted again when the titan shot her a stern look.
"So much time lost," Tethys sighed. "The witch, her name is familiar. Still, I must say that I –"
Her words halted and her eyes widened. She swept her gaze over to Iris but frowned apparently disappointed with what she found. Her eyes continued to search her surroundings until she found the plain face that caused her more confusion, “You, I dare not believe it. How is it that you’re here? You do not look like her, but the feeling is the same. How is this possible?”
“I’m sorry, what?” Asa shrugged and looked at Iris and Delilah who were just as confused.
“You should have died, ages ago. But you’re here. How?” Tethys held her hand out and with no command of her own, Asa crossed the sandy shore to meet her touch. The titan’s hand pressed against Asa’s cheek and with the soft stroke of her fingers, the mask that hid Calypso fell away.
“Long story short, a god screwed me over,” Asa leaned into the loving touch and confessed. “How do you know me?” She smiled adoringly at the woman who freed her and reveled in the glory of her touch.
“Long story short, as you say,” Tethys beamed with pride, “I am your mother.”
"I'm sorry, you're my what?" Asa found the will to step back from the woman despite the sharp drop in her stomach when she disconnected from her touch. "Are you insane?"
"No, my sanity is quite intact despite my years in hell.” Tethys cracked the joke that fell flat with the three women who gawked at her. “What I say is true."
"I beg to differ; I think all that time inside that volcano may have done some damage." Asa frowned and took yet another step away from the woman. The hurt look on Tethys’ face as she further retreated was like a punch in the gut. Asa didn’t want to hurt her, but she also didn’t trust that Tethys wouldn't snap. Hell, the woman thought Asa was her child, who knew what other delusions she had rattling inside her mind. "I knew my mother, she was a beautiful nymph, with eyes like mine, and she died in my arms. She was not a titan who I've never even seen before!"
"Well of course, that is what I asked Callirrhoe to make you believe. We had to protect you. You weren't as strong as the others, but you were beautiful, heaven sent. Your father and I agonized over separating with you."
"Atlas," Asa started but Tethys waved her hands wildly ending the thought.
"Oh, no." Tethys laughed with disgust. "There is no way I would let that barbarian touch me. Your father is Oceanus. We feared for your life and trusted our daughter, your sister, to watch over you and keep you safe. She was the gentlest of our children really, we knew that we could trust her not to turn on you. The kids had a way about doing that. Trust me, Callirrhoe did some terrible things in her lifetime, but when she saw you she fell in love, like most would, considering that allure you have. Interestingly enough, hers was not nearly as strong as yours. That was why we feared so much for you."
"I don't believe any of this." Asa shook her head. "How can you tell me everything about my life was a lie and do it so flippantly. As if your words haven't just wrecked everything for me?"
"Your mind tells you to doubt," Tethys approached Asa this time, "I understand that, and I am sorry, but what I say now is the truth. Perhaps I could have done so with more care. I ask you child, forget the ramblings of mourning in your head now, tell me, what does your heart say to you?"
"It tells me you've lost your mind and that you're even crazier than I thought you were if you honestly think I am going to stay here for this!" Asa took off running and dove into the water.
"Asa!" Iris called after her, but th
e woman disappeared beneath the surf.
"Do not worry, she will return. Her heart is heavy, her mind flooded with confusion." Tethys turned to Delilah who hadn't moved and yet a tear fell from her face. "You, with the sad soul. You are the one in need of my help."
"Yes," Delilah offered with worry in her voice. She wasn’t so sure that Asa would return despite what the titan said.
"As you have brought my daughter to me, I will help you with your cause to defeat the goddess Athena.” She displayed a smug smile. “It will be nice to get a bit of payback for what was done to me and my siblings. Why is it that you seek to destroy her?"
"It is because of Athena that I never knew my mother. She was taken from me before my birth." Iris grabbed Delilah's hand giving her strength as her voice cracked.
"Ah, hence the sadness within you now. It is good that you have this one beside you.” She nodded to Iris who clung to Delilah. “The connection there is strong. Who was your mother, child?"
"Medusa," Delilah answered.
"Medusa," she paused. "Poseidon, that is why I feel such connection to you. You are of my blood, a daughter of the sea." Tethys held her arms open and just as Asa had, Delilah gave into her will and dropped Iris' hand to approach her. Tethys wrapped her arms around the woman who sobbed. "It is okay child, you are safe, you are home." She looked at Iris who watched their exchange with happiness and for the first time since she’d stepped out of the water she smiled at the human. "Athena will pay for having harmed you. You are mine and I protect what's mine."
It was hours before Asa returned. She climbed from the ocean with eyes red from tears and an expression that gave life to the struggle within her. Three sets of eyes watched every step that carried her towards them, no one said a word as she made a beeline to Tethys and looked up at her loving yet firm face.
“It’s true. Isn’t it?” Asa asked. “I feel it, I want to deny it but it's the truth.”