Lyre

by Helen Harper

  Not all of them were at work, of course. More than once, Oz caught sight of bodies hunched over small tables, as if involved in matters that required great concentration. It wasn’t until he passed a pair who were barely three feet away that he realised they were playing with dice, whiling away the long unrelenting hours of eternity. Oz couldn’t help wondering if this would be how he ended up – not good enough to make it to Elysium nor bad enough to be punished with Tartatus and instead, caught in limbo between the two. It wasn’t a particularly exciting prospect. There wasn’t a single shadow of a doubt which direction Yuri would be bound in, of course. Oz smiled grimly to himself and continued plodding forward.

  After what seemed like several hours, there was an odd break in the landscape. Close to the path he was treading on, a steep hill loomed up ahead. Oz could spy a figure straining to move up it. He walked a little faster, curiosity getting the better of him. When he realised what was going on, he gnawed at his lip in confusion. It was a man wearing nothing more than a loincloth. He was straining to push a vast round boulder up to the top of the hill. As Oz watched, his muscles bulged, veins popping out across his arms and forehead. His feet dug into the ground while he inched upwards where the hill got impossibly steeper. He was barely halfway up when his foot slipped and he was forced to spring out of the way as the boulder slammed back down, gaining momentum and filling the air with a dull rumble. It wasn’t until it hit the flat ground that it began to slow, eventually coming to a rest a few feet in front of Oz. The man trudged back down, head hanging. Without even flicking a glance in Oz’s direction, he moved round to the back of the boulder, which was so large it reached his collarbone, and began pushing it again. Oz forced Yuri out of his mind. He could afford to lose a few minutes. Down here time seemed irrelevant anyway.

  ‘Hey!’ he shouted.

  The man didn’t turn.

  ‘Do you need any help?’

  Still, he was ignored. Sweat dripped off the poor fellow’s forehead, landing in a series of steady drips onto the smooth stone. Oz bounded over to his side.

  ‘You’re trying to get this to the top of the hill?’

  He received a grunt in response. Unfazed, Oz nodded to him. The reason behind the action was completely inexplicable but then so was the entire existence of the Underworld in the first place. ‘Two pairs of hands will be better than one,’ he said, insisting.

  The man grunted again but he did, at least, shift over slightly. Oz joined him, choking slightly as he realised just how heavy the damn boulder was. After a moment or two, however, he managed to adjust his position enough to make it seem possible. He found a rhythm, using the edges of his shoes to find purchase in the ground below, and, together with the silent man, rolled it slowly back up.

  The higher they got, the harder it became. It wasn’t long before Oz’s clothes were soaked in sweat and he started to appreciate how effective it would be to wear nothing more than a strip of fabric to cover his modesty. He considered himself fairly fit; he certainly spent enough time at the gym, but his arms still screamed in painful protestation. Oz gritted his teeth and continued to push. The hilltop wasn’t too far away. They’d make it.

  Unfortunately, just as the man next to him started blinking as if unable to believe how close they actually were, the boulder hit some kind of rut. Oz cursed and pushed harder, trying to lift it up slightly to get it over. He used everything he had, confident that between the two of them they could get it past the tiny obstacle. His hands were so slick with sweat though that he began losing his grip on the stone. He huffed, straining with every ounce of energy that he had to give. Sadly, it wasn’t enough. Just when he thought they’d make it, some sort of invisible force seemed to push back against them. Oz’s hands slipped further and then he was falling away as the boulder shot past him and all the way back to the bottom. Frustration filled him. He clenched his fists and hot tears rose to his eyes. Damn it all to hell. He wasn’t going to fail. He couldn’t fail.

  Something hot and heavy landed on his arm. The man, with a look that could be described as nothing other than resignation, grunted again.

  ‘Just give me a few minutes,’ Oz gasped, struggling to maintain any kind of equilibrium. ‘Then we’ll try again.’

  ‘No,’ the man said, surprising him. His voice was rough and grating as if he’d not used it for a long time. ‘I will try again. You must continue on your own journey.’

  ‘But…’

  ‘You are a lifer.’ It wasn’t a question.

  Oz nodded.

  ‘Persephone. Focus on her and you shall have more luck.’ He raised his pained, exhausted eyes. ‘Thank you for your help.’

  ‘Really,’ Oz said, ‘I can help you again. I’m sure…’

  ‘No. It is pointless.’

  His brow furrowed. ‘Then why do you do it?’

  ‘We all have our burdens. Some are merely more visible than others.’ He turned and began trudging down the hill.

  Oz watched him for a moment, unsure about what to do. Eventually, he made a decision. Whoever the man was, he was right. Oz had to deal with his own burden first. He joined him on the slope, patting his shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie. Then he continued on his own journey yet again. Weariness was beginning to overtake him and he had moments where he wondered whether he was actually in the middle of some bizarre nightmare rather than wide awake. But then he thought of Yuri and his resolve always stiffened.

  *

  Oz couldn’t have said whether it was morning, noon or night when he finally caught sight of the large castle. It was made of dark stone and, as a result, had been concealed against the dark backdrop of the mountains. He knew once he saw it, however, that he’d finally reached his goal. He stood stockstill, staring at it for one long minute. Then he started to run.

  There were no guards on the gates. There was no-one to greet his entrance and no-one to bar his way. He supposed it was because Hades had no need for such fripperies. His rule over the Underworld was absolute. The thought of what Oz was about to ask for made him shiver. He’d been so focused on getting to this point that, now he was actually here, he felt absolutely terrified.

  Slowing to a walk, he made his way through a long hallway. It was lit on either side with torches of flickering flame, throwing shadows across his path that rose up and then subsided with every step he took. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination or not, but the walls seemed to be narrowing as he plunged deeper inside. He wasn’t particularly claustrophobic but his throat was starting to constrict and his skin felt prickly. Oz squared his shoulders and told himself to stop being so skittish. He was here. There was just one final obstacle standing between him and Yuri. And he was damned if he was going to let it stop him.

  At the far end of the hallway, there was a plain oak door. Oz looked at it for a moment then, with one deep breath, pushed it open. His eyes were greeted with a scene of absolute warmth: a roaring fire, a long table laden with food, and two grand thrones where a couple were seated. The man, wearing a burnished crown and with one heavy leg thrown over the armrest, raised his bushy eyebrows at Oz as he entered. Presuming it was Hades himself and, unsure about the etiquette he was supposed to follow, Oz stopped and bowed. There was booming laughter then invisible hands propelled him forwards.

  ‘A human!’ Hades rubbed his palms together and nudged his wife. ‘Let’s make a guess, shall we dear?’

  The woman next to him rolled her eyes. Her hair was long and golden. Oz had spent a great deal of time around perfectly groomed women and he’d never seen anything of its like before. For good measure he bowed in her direction also.

  ‘I’m thinking lover,’ Hades continued. ‘Ripped from the world above far too soon. Cancer? Car crash?’

  His wife tutted. ‘He’s the singer.’

  ‘Ah. Of course. Antaeus has already joined the queue for Charon, you know.’

  Oz started. He wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or annoyed that Medusa had made good on her word and dealt with
Poseidon’s son on her own. Part of him had wanted to take that revenge for himself. It meant there was no-one to expend his anger on. He reminded himself that it wouldn’t matter once he had Yuri back in his arms.

  ‘I’m here for Yuri Tateno,’ he announced in a clear voice, tilting up his chin and daring to meet the god’s eyes. ‘She was killed by an Olympian and therefore should be returned by one.’

  Hades shook his head. ‘Dear boy, it doesn’t work like that! Persephone, I swear they get more naïve every day.’

  Oz ignored the insult. ‘We’re in love.’

  ‘As are many. What makes your love so different? Why are you so special?’

  ‘It’s not me who’s special,’ Oz said. ‘It’s Yuri. She deserves better.’

  Hades’ eyes gleamed. ‘Everyone dies. Whether she is here now or here later, it makes little difference.’

  Oz stood his ground. ‘It makes every difference.’

  Persephone leaned over and whispered something in her husband’s ear. He looked at her speculatively, before nodding. ‘Bring the girl in question here.’

  Oz held his breath. Surely it couldn’t be that easy?

  ‘Because I’ve heard good things about you, I will allow you a moment to say goodbye. It is more than most receive.’

  ‘No!’ Oz took a step forward. ‘That’s not fair! Release her. I demand you release her!’

  Hades got his feet, a thunderous look on his face. ‘You demand? Who are you to demand?’

  ‘Love, he’s grieving. Allow him a little leeway.’

  ‘He’s taking too damn much,’ the god growled.

  ‘Your Majesty,’ Oz began, before a small voice interrupted him.

  ‘Ozzy.’

  He spun round, catching sight of Yuri’s tiny frame. He dropped all pretence of bravado and rushed towards her. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she reached out for him. He stretched his hands forwards to touch her and brushed against nothing but ice cold air.

  ‘No,’ he shook his head. ‘Yuri!’ He twisted back to Hades. ‘Let me touch her!’

  ‘I cannot.’

  The dull ache in Oz’s chest expanded. He returned his focus to Yuri, moving as close to her as he could. His eyes raked her face and for a long moment he was unable to even speak.

  ‘I know.’ She smiled sadly. ‘I feel the same.’

  ‘It shouldn’t have happened.’ He choked. ‘He shouldn’t have done that to you.’

  ‘At least we had that one perfect afternoon,’ she soothed.

  ‘No. You shouldn’t be doing that. You shouldn’t be trying to comfort me. You’re the one who…’ He couldn’t even finish the sentence. He gazed back at Hades and Persephone. ‘Release her,’ he pleaded.

  ‘No.’

  Oz stared imploringly at Persephone. ‘Please.’

  She shook her head, although her eyes were filled with empathy. ‘It is not my decision to make.’

  He opened his mouth, ready to launch into song but Hades held up a palm, forestalling him. ‘No singing. I think we can take it for granted that your music is powerful. That does not mean I want to hear it.’

  ‘Ozzy.’ Yuri came up to his side. Her form flickered, adding weight to the fact that she was no more substantial than a shadow. ‘You came for me. And for that I will always be grateful. But you need to go back. You need to live your life. It’s the only way I’ll be able to find peace. There are so many other women out there…’

  ‘Don’t!’

  ‘Ozzy.’ Her expression was pained. ‘Don’t waste your life on a ghost. My mother did that. You know she did. You need to move on.’

  He balled up his fists into tight, stubborn hurt. ‘I will not.’

  She raised one elegant hand to his face as if to touch him, then withdrew. ‘You will.’

  ‘I can’t.’ He looked at Persephone. The man with the stone had said to focus on her. But despite her wet cheeks, she was not going to help. He had to think more laterally. He forced himself to calm and thought of what Medusa had told him about the Underworld King and his partner. ‘My Lord Hades, you must love your wife.’

  Hades frowned. ‘What of it?’

  ‘You loved her so much that you kidnapped her. You brought her here and wouldn’t let her leave. I simply want to do the same.’

  ‘You are human. I am a god.’ Hades shrugged as if that explained everything. ‘Humans are fickle creatures, ruled by their emotions and prone to rash action. It’s completely different.’

  Oz, suddenly, knew exactly what to do. ‘Rash action?’

  ‘Yes, you…’ Hades didn’t have a chance to finish. Oz leapt forward, grabbing hold of Persephone and dragging her towards him. He curled one hand round her throat and glared at Hades. ‘Don’t think I won’t do this. Don’t think I won’t kill her.’

  Hades seemed to grow in stature. His eyes ablaze with fury, he took one threatening step forward. ‘I will squash you like a fly.’

  ‘But will you do it before I snap her neck?’

  ‘Ozzy! Stop this!’

  ‘Your wife for Yuri,’ Oz said, keeping all his attention on the god. ‘It’s as simple as that.’

  ‘You dare to come here and do this?’

  Oz snarled. ‘You bet I do.’

  The expression on Hades face darkened even further. Then he threw back his head and laughed. Oz was so surprised he almost dropped Persephone.

  ‘You think this is funny?’ he yelled.

  ‘Oh,’ Hades said, wiping away a tear, ‘I think it’s hysterical. Finally, we have a human who has some actual balls.’ He gripped his groin and laughed again.

  ‘I will kill her!’

  ‘No, Osbourne. You won’t. But I admire the effort.’

  ‘This is about her life,’ Oz shouted. ‘How can you be so fucking blasé? How can you…?’ He released his grip on Persephone and backed away, gasping.

  Hades gazed meaningfully at his wife. None the worse for wear, she returned the look, giving a half-smile. ‘Do it,’ she said softly. She moved down to Yuri and took her hand. ‘Do it.’

  ‘It’s never been done before.’

  Persephone shrugged.

  Hades rolled his eyes. ‘Women. Very well.’

  Oz stared at him, no longer daring to even hope. ‘You mean she can return with me? You’ll let her go?’

  ‘Yes, yes. But I can’t have word of this getting out. Anyone hears about your little stunt and I might just take it all back.’

  Oz turned to Yuri, drinking in her features. ‘It worked,’ he breathed.

  ‘You can take the exit tunnel back out,’ Hades continued. ‘She will follow behind you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Oz murmured, no longer able to look away from the woman he loved.

  ‘But if you look back, just once, she will be gone forever. You need to wait until you return to your world to look at her again. Understood?’

  Yuri and Oz simply gazed at each other.

  ‘Understood?’ Hades roared.

  Oz started. ‘Yes. I understand. Don’t look back. No problem.’

  Persephone shot her husband a wary look. He narrowed his eyes at her, warning her to stay quiet. ‘Leave now before I change my mind.’

  ‘Thank you!’ Oz bowed. ‘Thank you so much! If I can do anything, say anything…’

  ‘Just leave.’

  He nodded vigorously. ‘I’m on my way.’ He gave Yuri a final brilliant smile then followed the direction Hades was pointing in. They’d just achieved the impossible.

  *

  Once Oz had disappeared, swallowed up into the dark tunnel leading back to the human world, with Yuri trailing after him, Persephone frowned.

  ‘You’re a fucking bastard, Hades.’

  He shrugged. ‘You didn’t think I was going to let him threaten you and get away with it, did you?’

  ‘Maybe they’ll make it,’ she said softly. ‘Sometimes love does conquer all.’

  Hades scoffed, marching over to the table to grab a leg of turkey to gnaw on. Petitioners always
made him hungry.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  THE TUNNEL, 2014

  The tunnel may have been narrow but its walls were smooth and dry. Truthfully, it could have been the slimiest, smelliest, most rank place on earth and Oz wouldn’t have minded. With Yuri behind him – and the promise of her return to life – nothing else seemed to matter. He did feel some relief at not having to traverse back through the rest of the Underworld to leave, however. He had no desire to confront Cerberus again.

  ‘Are you still there?’ he asked.

  ‘Of course,’ Yuri responded. Her voice sent a frisson of delight down his spine. ‘I can’t believe you succeeded. If I’d known this were even possible…’

  ‘What?’

  She took a moment to answer. ‘My father.’

  ‘You couldn’t have done anything. You heard Hades. This is the first time he’s ever allowed anyone to leave. And you were nothing but a child then.’

  ‘What about Brittani?’

  This time it was Oz who took his time replying. ‘I don’t know. I couldn’t have fathomed that this was even remotely possible back then.’

  ‘That doesn’t make it fair.’

  ‘No, it doesn’t.’

  ‘Children die every day. Husbands, wives…’ She drew a shaky breath. ‘Why should I be the one to be allowed to escape death?’

  ‘It’s not an escape,’ Oz said firmly. ‘It’s a temporary reprieve. Don’t we deserve it? After the way Olympus has messed us around? I don’t just mean Poseidon and Antaeus and Pan. Medusa and Sibyl have had their parts to play.’

  ‘They really tried to keep us apart?’