The Underworld

Atalanta barfs next to the door of the underworld.

“Will you be ok?” Nikos asked as he rubbed her back.

“You two can rest here, Nikolas and I will return as soon as we can.” Theodoros said.

“I’m coming too!” Atalanta said as she stood. “I have to help as much as I can.”

“I won’t stop any of you, but you must consider the danger.” Nikolas said.

“We have. We’re here now. Let’s go.” Nikos said.

“Haha, Nikos has become even braver than I, off we go!” Theodoros said.

The first challenge of the underworld is the flight of stairs made of hot red stone that burn the feet. A simple trial for the four, their success met by a woman reaper at the bottom of the stairs. The room is made of black stone with green moss, the hallway at the end leading into the first realm of the underworld.

“It’s been some time, Nikolas. Will I have the honor of bringing you to this realm soon?”

“Keres, should the day come I hope you will be gentle with my soul.” Nikolas said.

“Hehe, now it is time for me to warn you all. You will fail. Return. All your gifts will mean nothing in the underworld.” Before Keres can finish, the group walks by her. “Will you not take my warning?”

Nikolas laughs as he waves goodbye. “If there's one thing mortals and Olympians share it is stubbornness, bring us some food if you get a chance, Keres.”

“Fool, souls do not eat. The last to return was Hercules, remember that.”

“Remember our names then, prepare to tell the next about us instead.”

Letheion, first realm of the underworld known as the passage of memories. The realm is a large garden with the souls of animals wondering about the architecture of the realm made of marble. A city at first sight, but one created from the memories of those who pass and lose the right to them.

Here, the group loses their abilities. Nikolas his gifts, the Olympians their supernatural talents. From the buildings in the realm, souls of beautiful women and men float out and approach the group. They whisper into their ears, promising of joy and pleasure should they come with them, their temptation difficult to resist as the realm dulls the senses of those inside.

“Not this time, the most beautiful woman waits down below.” Nikolas responds to the souls around him. “Theodoros, perhaps you may take one of their offers.”

“Please, Atalanta is the only woman in my eyes.” Theodoros covers his mouth. “Dear, this realm is curious is not.”

Atalanta blushes as Nikos laughs before speaking. “Come, any longer and it will be more than our senses dulled. It seems they will seek to set us to sleep if we remain too long.”

“Correct.” Keres said, floating alongside the souls just above the group. “Are you all still confident in your journey? You’ve been walking for quite some time now.”

“I can never know unless I try. Even if I die, I’m sure the others will make it, but I will save her from such strife. Most of all, my desire to see her should be enough to keep me alive.”

“Hmm, so be it.” Keres disappears.

Pirephoros, second realm of the underworld. Often considered hell itself, it is a prison filled with scolding steam where souls of the condemned are kept. The heat is never ending, the souls within the ever-expanding hall of cells begging to be freed as they suffer an eternity of pain.

Nikolas and Atalanta fight against souls that have managed to escape their cells.

“Tell me! Where is the exit! Tell me!”

“Nikos!” Theodoros grabs Nikos who was dazed by a surprise attack.

“I’m fine, let's keep moving.”

The group manages to get past the angered souls that attack them and the deafening voices that call out to them as they pass by. Their pleas leave horrifying images in their heads, but soon their hearing is deafened as their bodies begin to succumb to the heat of the realm.

Nikolas sits next to Theodoros and Nikos as Atalanta keeps watch. The end of the realm offers respite, but they must continue below.

“How surprising, you all still stand.” Keres said as she sat next to Nikolas.

“As I said. Are you not impressed by our progress in a single day?”

“A single day? Would you like some food?” Keres said as she sent plates floating to the group. “My reward for entertaining me. But I will offer this to you as well, it has not been a day but weeks since you arrived.”

“Weeks?!” Atalanta said.

Nikolas looks at his body, then at the others. They’ve all lost a dangerous amount of weight and are exhausted, their bodies far worse off than they thought as their senses continue to worsen after the second realm.

“You are in the worst shape.” Keres presses her scythe against Nikolas’s chest. “You are no dead man. How surprising. I was sure I would be here to collect at least one.” She said before disappearing once more.

“We must go.” Nikolas said.

“Atalanta, Nikos, Nikolas, you all go. I will stay here.” Theodoros said.

“What? What do you mean?” Nikos asked.

“I can sense the souls following us. If they cause trouble below it could mean death, I will stay here and defend this door.”

“Then I will stay with you.” Nikos said.

“Nikos, I cannot promise your life. I am willing to sacrifice myself here.”

“As am I, but together we stand a greater chance of living do we not?”

“Please, let him stay with you.” Atalanta said.

“I, fine. You two, make sure you return with Calista.”

Thanasion, realm of the wailing river. A realm as long as the endless river which contains souls that sing, cry, and screech. The rest of the realm is simple land with white trees spread throughout. It’s the final resting place for most souls.

Upon entering, both Atalanta and Nikolas are sent to their knees. The wailing souls by the entrance rattle the brain, both visitors dragging their bodies forward until they gain enough distance to regain their bearings and return to their feet.

“Are you ok?” Nikolas asked.

“No, but we must continue. I will follow you.”

The two continue, only stopping once past the humming souls. The next group screeches at Nikolas, all blaming him for their deaths. Thousands from villages, more which he has killed, others that join in to heckle the visitor.

Atalanta pushes Nikolas forward. “Even if all else were to hate you, I know of someone who never would.”

“Thank you, Atalanta. But…”

The two are stopped, the screeching souls causing the river to rise until their hands manifest and grab Nikolas.

“Nikolas!” Atalanta grabs Nikolas. “Do you not believe in her?!”

Nikolas weeps. “I’m sorry. For all your deaths, for all the pain I brought. I will always be too much of a coward to face you all and apologize. Not just for my actions, but for failing to help more. But I cannot stay here. There is much I must do, there is someone I must see.”

Atalanta wins the fight against the souls, pulling Nikolas away and running forward with him until they reach a quieter portion of the realm.

“Thank you, Atalanta.”

Atalanta sits; her body beaten by the souls that sought to take Nikolas with them. “You faced them. And I believe you will do so once we return as well.”

“That would be interesting to see.” Thesmoros said. “May I ask, do neither of you fear death?”

“Only if I must face it without succeeding.” Nikolas said. “When the time comes, you will find me with a smile.”

“I hope to be the one then.”

Nikolas falls forward, through Thesmoros who fades away, and into the arms of Calista.

“You are a fool. You should have let me be.” Calista said.

“I cannot. The world needs you. I need you.”

“Was my boat not enough? You must now claim me as your own as well?”

“If you give me the honor.”

“It is only yours.” Calista kisses Nikolas, his journey successful as he falls into her arms once more.