<<<>>>
Dan just stood and took in the area. To his right was a well-worn path lined with small boulders acting as a fence between the path and the barren dirt that stretched off into the mists. The path wound its way past bare trees and disappeared when it went under a large stone archway. He figured the distance was about 100 yards or so. No other pathways presented themselves so Dan shrugged and took the path to his right.
The distance was deceiving, the stones certainly appeared closer than he'd thought, but as he hiked, the stone archway stayed the same distance from him as when he'd started walking.
He figured it had taken him a good fifteen minutes of quick walking to finally arrive at the archway. He looked back, and the shore had disappeared in the mist. He paused and looked up to the arch and discovered runic carvings in the top of the arch. After the arch, the path branched off, with one heading to his left, the other straight ahead, where the gloom brightened somewhat. To his left, the gloom thickened, if that was possible, and had a peculiar orange tinge.
"Tartarus," he said to himself.
"Yes, the glow is from the Phlegethon."
Dan almost leapt a foot into the air. He wheeled around and saw a tall thin woman, dressed in a lavender gown, holding onto what could be the largest black and white dog he'd ever seen. It would make a Great Dane look like a toy chihuahua. The dog pulled at his leash, an exceedingly thin black chain.
The woman had bright lavender eyes, a thin face, her reddish hair pulled back into a loose collection of curls. She held herself with a regal posture. She bowed her head slightly.
"I trust you are the mortal known as Dan?" she asked.
"Yes," Dan finally managed. "I'm Dan."
The woman smiled and allowed herself to be dragged closer to Dan. The enormous dog sniffed at Dan's clothing. It pushed its wet nose into Dan's crotch and snorted. Dan tried laughing and pushed at the dog.
"Don't worry about him, he's just a puppy. Good thing he likes you," the woman explained. "I'm Persephone, wife of Hades, and this is Spot."
"He's a big boy," Dan said as Spot washed his face with a tongue that had to be at least 4 inches wide.
"Yes, he's usually distrustful of strangers," Persephone explained as she struggled to reel in the excited dog.
"I was expecting a three-headed guardian," Dan said.
"Oh, we tried that for a while. It was a mess. Poor thing kept demanding to move in three directions, and it'd over eat, since all three heads had to have dinner."
Persephone finally had Spot under command.
Dan looked back up to the archway, and the strange lettering.
"It says, roughly, 'Carpe collo tuo'." Persephone smiled. "Grab your neck. Supposed to be an attempt at whimsy."
"I see. It sounds better in the original Latin," Dan muttered
"Walk with me. We'll be at the palace in under an hour." She turned and headed down the trail, Spot walking on her left side. Dan caught up, and the three walked at a fast pace.
The path continued to lead downward, then it leveled out as they drew close to the blueish light.
"Those lights," Persephone began, "My husband had the engineers install them, to counteract the red glow."
"Where does the light come from? We're underground, right?" Dan wondered.
"Technically, that's correct. But we're actually in an altogether different realm than where you live," Persephone explained. "So, we're surrounded by what appears to be solid stone, but it's a projection. If not for it, you'd see the edge of your own galaxy. Hades created this effect as it kept the people from going crazy at the depth and breadth of creation. Frankly, I much prefer the view of the stars, it's breath-taking."
"Okay. What about when I went through that cave? I was on earth," Dan pointed out.
"Hades once explained to me that it was an energy projection into your environment, and the minute you crossed through the wall, it delivered you here." Persephone shrugged. "It never has made any sense to me."
"So, one second I'm in my world..."
"Yes." The pup suddenly pulled Persephone to a spot off the trail. "If you'll forgive me. Spot needs to run a bit."
She removed the chain from his collar and Spot took off running. He loped across the ground, kicking up dust with each stride. Persephone watched for a while, then looked up.
"We have company," she said, pointed towards the red glow.
Dan looked up, then dug in his backpack. He drew out a pair of binoculars. He quickly sighted a massive copper dragon, its wings spread out. A small figure was seated on the dragon's back.
"Is that an actual dragon?"
"Yes," Persephone said through tight lips. "May I borrow that device?"
Dan gave them to her. She brought them to her eyes and watched for a moment. "Yes, that's the bastard's air patrol. They've captured or killed all the servants I've dispatched to spy on Tartarus. The ones who were killed returned, but only one wanted to try again. He's not been heard from since."
"Wait, what?" Dan asked as he took the binoculars from Persephone. "Died, then came back?"
"Yes. It's complicated," Persephone said, turning to watch the pup run between boulders. "I need to get him back on the chain. If he's detected by that monster, he might wind up as supper."
Dan dropped his backpack and joined Persephone in calling the dog. Dan put his fingers in the sides of his mouth and whistled loud enough to be heard for miles. The dog stopped and stared. Dan whistled again, and the pup came running.
Persephone grabbed Spot by the collar and hooked him up. "That's a nice trick. If you have time, please show it to me. Spot usually ignores me."
"I learned to whistle as a kid," Dan answered, picking up his backpack. He paused and watched the dragon turn overhead and head back towards the red glow. He could see the scales on the creature's belly reflecting the light of the palace.
"They're growing bolder. They used to just fly along the border between Tartarus and here, but now he's well away from Tartarus. That means the energy barriers have been taken down."
"Like a force field?"
"I don't know what you mean. But it was a barrier that kept them in Tartarus," she said as they started walking again.
"How much further?" Dan asked as he fell in step beside Persephone. He looked around, and it appeared as if his surroundings were straight out of a foreign black and white movie. Skeletal trees rocks, and boulders outlined against a gray mist. He was expecting a flash of lightening, illuminating a robed figure in the distance.
"We're practically there," Persephone said.
Dan turned back to the path and was amazed to see a tall pyramid shape looming up in the distance. Shafts of light illuminating the structure. His eyes followed the shafts of light upwards until they disappeared in the mist.
"I wasn't expecting a pyramid," Dan admitted. "When I heard the palace, I thought of a castle or something."
"It's hell to keep clean, and it's drafty and cold. But, it's home."
"I guess this is where everyone back on my world got the idea for a pyramid?" Dan asked.
"Unlikely. Hades made a trip through time, just checking on your realm, and spent some time in a marvelous city of light. When he returned, he described this structure, so the engineers built it for him," Persephone explained.
"A city of light?"
"In a desert, swarming with people in clothing like yours. And each structure had games of chance, where your kind passed the time," Persephone explained.
"Vegas? He got the idea for his pyramid from a casino in Las Vegas?"
Persephone just shrugged. "He used to travel between times and see how you humans were getting along. He said it gave him hope for your species."
Persephone led Dan towards the magnificent black pyramid.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Brianna followed a heavenly scent downstairs.
She stopped a minute and looked around. The aroma was coming from the kitchen. She crossed the living room and poked her head in.
She spotted Delfina stirring a large porcelain stockpot on the stove. Due to her height, Delfina was standing on a small step-stool. She was busy adding various ingredients to the pot.
"Oh my god," Brianna said, breathing in. "Is that what I think it is? It smells wonderful!"
Delfina turned. "It's pancita. Mother needs a special blend of herbs, spices, and proteins. So, I whipped this up."
Brianna sat at the table, and reached for Dude, who was seated and supervising Delfina. Dude leaned into Brianna's hand, and his purr was loud enough to drown out Tisiphone's motorcycle.
"I really missed this guy," Brianna admitted.
"Appears he missed you as well," Delfina commented as she added another ingredient. She finished stirring and placed a lid on the pot. "This will be ready in a few minutes."
She joined Brianna at the table and listened to Dude purr. "He's a loud one," she observed.
"Yeah, he's always purred like this around me." Brianna continued to scratch him on the neck. He moved closer and began head butting Brianna.
"My Uncle found him the week after he moved here from LA. A tiny orange kitten was sitting on the porch, like he was waiting for my Uncle to open the door and let him in," she said as Dude rubbed against her chin.
"Yes, all of our pets choose us," Delfina pointed out. "Some have traveled long distances to meet up with their human."
"I understand now, but I would have had no idea of what you are talking about just a week ago," Brianna said.
Alecto picked that moment to walk in from the backyard. She stopped, sniffed, and turned to the others. "What is that?"
Alecto was worn out from practicing with her Katana. Sweat dampened her red jersey and her hair was soaked.
"That is supper, if you ladies still eat," Delfina replied.
"I don't know about them, but I sure still eat!" Brianna explained.
"It'll be ready in ten minutes, just enough time for you to get cleaned up. We're having supper like civilized people, here at the table, everyone together," Delfina said, glowering at Alecto.
Alecto stared back at the old woman, then nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
She passed Tisiphone descending the staircase. She stopped and whispered, "We're to be ready for a proper sit-down supper. In ten minutes."
"Who said that?" Tisiphone whispered.
"Delfina," Alecto answered.
"Then we'd better go change, and in a hurry," Tisiphone said as she turned and followed Alecto up the stairs.
Ten minutes later, Tisiphone entered the kitchen and found the table set for a proper supper, soup bowls and small salad plates in front of four place settings.
Brianna was setting water goblets at each spot. By the stove, a bed tray was being readied by Delfina. Tisiphone had changed into tailored black satin pants and a white loose-fitting blouse.
Tisiphone stood silently, then raised an eyebrow at Brianna.
"I guess sit anywhere," Brianna explained. Brianna had changed into one of Alecto's kimonos, light blue with decorative flowers across the sleeves.
"Not before you take Mother her tray. There's no way she can join us," Delfina said. She picked up the tray and gave it to Tisiphone. "Take this to her. Make sure Hermes stays with her, and tell him to make sure she eats it all."
"Yes, ma'am," Tisiphone whispered heading out. She passed Alecto, shook her head, then continued on to the stairs.
Alecto had dressed in a flowing red robe-coat, which sported an embroidered dragon across the back. She looked approving at Brianna.
"Pick a spot," Delfina ordered. She sat at the head of the table and watched as the other two took their seats. "It helps to make a big deal over one meal a day. It encourages a sense of family even if you don't have any family."
She lifted a large bowl and spooned a large helping of the stew into her bowl, then handed the ladle to Brianna. Tisiphone arrived and took a seat next to Alecto.
"What is this?" Tisiphone asked, watching as Alecto spooned a large helping into her bowl.
"Looks like stew," Alecto said.
"Smells wonderful!" Tisiphone said as she spooned a huge portion into her bowl.
Once Tisiphone had sat the serving bowl down, they all grabbed a roll and started to eat.
Delfina listened as each one voiced the same thought. The stew was excellent.
Brianna ate quickly and finished by mopping up the remaining broth with a roll, she looked at Delfina and smiled as she ate the last bit of bread.
"My Uncle Dan used to take me to this small diner outside of town, on Saturday afternoons. I'd have a bowl of this almost each time, I love it!"
"What type of stew is this?" Alecto asked.
"A little bit of this, a little bit of that, lots of garlic and beef stock," Delfina said, smiling.
"It's called pancita," Brianna said. She then looked at Alecto and smiled. "Chili pepper, lime, oregano and tripe."
"Oh," Alecto said as she finished her bowl. "What's tripe?"
"Cow's stomach." Delfina said, a slight smile played across her lips. "Plus, some sliced carnie asada."
Tisiphone's eyes went wide. She looked at the lumps floating in the broth. She delicately picked out a piece of the odd wobbly bits she had suspected of being unusual. She dipped a roll into the liquid.
"I'm not really into eating recently," Tisiphone confessed. "I ate none of the crawfish I brought back."
"Meg snatched that up and took it on a dinner date," Alecto explained. She continued eating the stew, locking eyes with Delfina. "If you want to weird me out about food, I spent a lot of time in parts of the world where one never wastes any part of a slaughtered animal. In fact, I had to hide Issa while I was there, too many old women were eyeing him for a family meal."
Delfina laughed, and went back to her meal, shaking her head.
Upstairs, Hermes sat with Gaia as she slowly sipped her stew. Her's was more broth and very little meat. She could only use her right arm to eat, her left arm hung limply.
Hermes' brow was furrowed in worry, watching his lifelong friend slowly eat, her spoon wobbling, often spilling the broth. He finally stood up and moved to sit next to Gaia. He took the spoon from her hand and glared at her.
"You're far too weak to feed yourself, Mother," Hermes grumbled. She sighed and sat back.
"Fine, pretend I'm the baby and feed me," she sighed.
Hermes picked up the spoon and a napkin. He dipped the spoon and held it up to Gaia. Then he'd pat her chin and slip the spoon into the broth for another taste.
"You should have some yourself, you don't know what you're missing," Gaia said between sips.
"No thank you. I watched her make this, the kitchen smelling like a wretched abattoir all day," Hermes fussed. "I'm not the least bit interested in allowing myself to behave like a mortal."
"You're missing out," Gaia said, smiling.
"I doubt that," Hermes said as he spooned more broth. Gaia stopped him by gently placing her hand on his arm.
"I've had enough, thank you," Gaia said, leaning back against the pillows.
Hermes carried the tray and placed it on a table by the door. He turned around, his eyes took in Gaia. Her face was a mess, around all the bruises and scratches, the skin was yellow. His eyes narrowed, and he sat next to her on the bed.
"Perhaps I should go to the Palace and check on Dan's progress," he sighed. "I'm quite useless here, you have plenty of help."
"Nonsense," Gaia shot back. "Thanatos is down there to lend assistance. Plus, it gets him out of the way if Sorath attacks again, which he is likely to do. I don't think I hurt him that bad. He'll be angrier than before. So, if that demon is up here attacking us, Dan might be able to sneak into where Meg is being kept."
"And you know this how?"
"Just a hunch, a mother's instinct. Mine is quite good, you understand," Gaia said, then her eyes slowly closed, then snapped open.
"You need your sleep. I'll have one of the sisters look in on you in a bit," Hermes said as he stood and went to the d
oor, pausing only to pick up the tray.
"Send up that delightful child, Dan's niece," Gaia said, her voice muffled.
"Certainly," Hermes said as he left the room. As he walked down the hall, Dude passed him. The cat slipped into Gaia's bedroom and hopped up onto the bed.
Gaia allowed Dude to snuggle against her, and both fell asleep in a few minutes.
<<<>>>
Goering struggled to keep up with his escort. He was summoned to Sorath's chamber, told to report forthwith, upon pain of torture. His thick legs could hardly keep up with Themis. He arrived outside Sorath's chambers out of breath, his face beet red. Themis opened the door and shoved Goering into the chamber.
Stumbling forward, he saw his leader seated on the edge of the bed, facing away from the door. He took a gulp of air and bowed his head.
"Your imminence," Goering managed to say.
"You're as red in the face as one of my imps, fat boy!" Sorath said, twisting and locking eyes with the fat Nazi. "Take a minute to collect yourself. I want an update on my air force."
"The training continues, sire." He gulped more air. "Not that it will do any good, the lizards can't fly anywhere except in the Underworld. The engineers have managed to breech the barrier, so they're ranging further outside the perimeter. A mortal was spotted earlier, escorted by that bitch, Persephone."
"A mortal?" Sorath labored to get on his feet. He unfolded to his full height, almost touching the eight-foot-tall ceiling. He turned a reddish-yellow eye on the German. "A spy from the Furies, so he's not just any mortal. Dispatch some spies to the main palace. I want to know who this mortal is, why he is here and what he expects to accomplish."
"Yes, sire."
"And one other thing. Get with my engineers and figure out a way to have my air force fight when we strike the surface, or I will melt that fat off your body to use in soap." Sorath leaned towards Goering and allowed his breath to wash over the German.
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