Dream

As Barth and Darren enter the Bakery, Krista greets them. Looking over at his son, Erebus can see the happiness in his face. Erebus does not understand love; He had always been so strange to the god of darkness. Despite that, Erebus has been around mortals long enough to recognize it.

“I shall leave you now.” Barth says.

“Where are you going?” Darren asks.

“I have an errand to run.” He answers. “I think I am ready to begin my quest. Besides, the hour grows late and you need rest.”

As he turns out of the Bakery, darkness envelopes him and he vanishes. Looking around at his new surroundings, he returns to his true mortal shape.

“I haven’t been here as a physical being before.” He says aloud. “It seems so different this way.”

Stretched out below him lies the first level of the Underworld. He spots Charon’s vessel on the Acheron, ferrying souls as he always has. Erebus jumps down from the precipice on which he stands and lands in the field below. Asphodel flowers dot the landscape being forever trampled but never crushed under the feet of the virtuous damned. Erebus makes his way through the ghostly crowd toward the palace in the center of the level.

 

ɂɂɂ

 

Solution is asleep on my bed, and I am sitting next to her. She is still unconscious, and I take this opportunity to talk to her, but really I am speaking to myself.

“I do not know what to do, Solution.” I say, “On the one hand there is Ana. She is adorable, and sweet, and apparently she already loves me. But then there is you. You are beautiful, strong, and intelligent.

“That is not even my real problem.” I continue, “How am I going to defeat Erebus? I barely know how to use my power, and what little I can do is no match for him. I am not sure how much the gods can help, if they can at all.”

My head falls into my hands until I notice Solution stirring; she grunts in pain, and then stops moving, her face becoming peaceful.

A noise in the corner grabs my attention. I assume a rat or something, but I cannot see it in the shadow. The shadow…Erebus’ face flashes in my mind. And I get a sense of dread. Horrible pain flairs throughout my skull, tearing my brain to pieces. What the hell is happening?

 

ɂɂɂ

 

“Lord Hades.” Erebus says.

“You get the hell away from me.” The king of the Underworld growls.

“I must say I love what you have done with the place.” Erebus continues. He looks around the black palace, a somewhat demonic mirror of the one in Olympus. Hades’ pale face practically glows red in the unnatural light.

“Leave us!” Persephone screams.

Erebus barely glances at her. “Kindly quiet your wife.” He instructs.

Hades raises his hand, and Persephone goes quiet.

“What do you want?” Hades asks their uninvited guest.

“Something simple, something complicated.” Is his answer. “The simple one is your acquiescence; the complicated one is your power.”

“My power?” Hades repeats.

Erebus does not respond, but puts his hand on Hades’ head. Black tendrils pierce his skin, burrowing down painfully. He raises his fist to his attacker, plowing it into his side.

“Don’t fight it; it will all be over soon.” Hades falls to his knees, gasping as his power is leeched out of him.

“What…of the other…two?” Hades asks.

“They will have their time eventually.” Erebus answers, “But for now, I will take the king of this place.”

The tendrils continue to burrow their way through Hades’ body, wrapping around him until his formerly white skin becomes black as the marble his palace is carved from. His shape starts to lose its substance, becoming a vaporous mist. Erebus can feel Hades’ very soul start to fade away, and before it does, he recalls the black tendrils into his hand, bringing with it the evanescent form of the god of the dead.

The black vapor dyes Erebus’ skin the same colour that Hades’ had been. The blackness fades away, revealing a different man than had stood there before. His black hair is shorter, styled in the way Hades’ had been, with most of it brushed back and the rest covering half of his now younger face. His body is more slender, and he has shrunk a few inches. His black cloak and armour now fit him more loosely, enveloping his form rather than framing it.

He raises his hand and studies it. “Do I look different?” He asks aloud, his voice, though younger, conveys the same malice it had before. “Do you feel this, Aether? Can you sense it?”

 

ɂɂɂ

 

The pain subsides after a moment and I study my surroundings. What just happened? Something feels…different; off somehow. The image of Erebus’ face in my mind reminds me of my drive. My purpose in coming here, the reason I have taken a human form. My purpose is to stop Erebus. Nothing else matters as much as that. I can deal with these emotional problems after the world returns to what it should be.

Although, I am going to have to make use of one of these emotional problems. Aphrodite’s plan could be extremely beneficial. If I can cure the corruption of the Resistance, then the fight against Erebus may turn in our favor.

I wanted Solution to be there for the planning stages, she would be a huge help. However, I do not like the condition she is in. So I pull the blankets over her and head to the throne room.

My journey is interrupted by Aphrodite herself. Morpheus stands behind her, face to the ground as usual.

“We got sick of waiting.” Aphrodite says.

“Did you feel that tremor?” I ask her, ignoring her statement.

“You did too?” She asks.

“It tore through my head with an intensity like no other.” I answer.

“I didn’t feel whatever it was, but Zeus said he felt something horrible was happening. Anyway.” She says. “Are you ready to try this?”

“Yes.” I respond.

“Hey Morpheus?” Aphrodite says, “Don’t you think it might be better to use your room for this?”

“Now that you mention it,” he says, “It just might.”

“Great, lead us to it!” Morpheus takes the lead, and once again we come to a large gate. This one, however, is colored black.

“May I ask something?” I say.

“You? Ask whatever you want.” Aphrodite says, following Morpheus through the gate.

“Funny. Tell me, what is it with you guys and gates?”

Morpheus and Aphrodite both turn suddenly. “I dunno.” Aphrodite says.

“They are useful, and they look nice.” Morpheus says.

“Alright then.” I say. “What do we do?”

“You go sit in that chair there.” Morpheus says, “Aphrodite, you take that one.”

The room is small; it is also dark, the only light comes from a hearth at the far end. Morpheus, ironically, has no bed. However, there are several plush chairs in the room. I sink into one, and I nearly fall asleep right there. The only reason I do not is Morpheus lightly slapping me.

“Try to keep awake until I say otherwise.” Morpheus tells me. “That goes for you too.” Aphrodite had almost fallen asleep herself.

“Hold on.” I say. “How can we be sure that Ana is sleeping now?”

Morpheus sits in a chair facing ours. “It’s night on that side of the world. I would guess she is. And without needing to guess, I can sense her dreaming. But to make it clearer, Aphrodite, focus on the love in Ana’s heart.”

“Got it,” Aphrodite closes her eyes, and after a long moment they open, glowing red. “Alright, got her. Morpheus and Aether, we all need to grab each other’s hands. That way our powers can converge through Morpheus and I to reach her.”

We do as she says, and focus. I picture Ana’s face. Then Morpheus gives me the command to let myself fall asleep. Within mere seconds, my consciousness slips away. The room disappears and I find myself standing in a foggy space.

I had expected Morpheus to come in with me, but he is gone, as is Aphrodite. I wander around for a while, until I come across a mirror. No, it is a window. I look through and I can see Ana with…me. Ana is dreaming about me, how sweet of her.

 

ɂɂɂ

 

The young god watches in horror as his king is absorbed before his very eyes. He turns against the pillar he was hiding behind, sliding against it until he sits on the floor. His long black hair falls in his face. He brushes it back and looks at the bracelet on his wrist, a gift from a mortal girl he met long before. Around it is the word “ORA” repeating itself. This makes him smile, before a pleasant voice startles him.

“Were you hoping to go ahead of schedule?” He looks up with a start to see the new form of Erebus. Handsome like his old king, but a cruel fire dances in his eyes.

“I…uh.” He can think of nothing to say, instead deciding to save himself. One moment Erebus is reaching for him, and the next thing he sees is a man strapped to a burning wheel. He finds comfort in the sight, being in a familiar place.

“What do we do now?” He asks to no one in particular.

 

ɂɂɂ

 

They are sitting together, snuggling in front of a fire. I find this sweet for a few moments, but then I start to get uncomfortable, watching this. I tap on the window, and the scene vanishes, all except for Ana, who is now sitting on the floor alone. She looks sad, and nearly starts to cry.

“I apologize for spoiling the illusion.” I say, making my presence known. Ana looks up at me, and her eyes widen.

“Aether, is that you? What happened?”

“This is me, the real me.” I inform her. “I am using Morpheus to be here, in your dream.”

“I’m dreaming now?” she says. She looks around in wonder, “Wow.” Suddenly her face reddens. “Oh my god! What did you see?” the poor girl looks horrified.

“I saw something very sweet that touched my heart.” I say. Ana looks relieved, but then confusion comes over her face. She covers her face with her hands and starts sobbing into them.

“Ana! What is it?” I ask, going over to her. I try to put my arm around her, but she pushes me away.

“I don’t understand!” She yells. “Darren told us so many things about you. So many terrible things! I don’t want to believe him, but I can’t help it! I’m scared, Aether. Tell me what’s happening!”

Poor girl, this must be torturing her. I put my arms around her and she tries to push me away again, but I do not let her. Eventually she stops struggling and rests her head on my chest. She only reaches my shoulders, I realize

“Darren has filled all of your heads with lies.” I tell her. “Erebus has corrupted Darren, and through him, corrupted all of you.”

“What does that mean?”

“I did not betray any of you. You all know me, I never lied to you. However, Darren did. Erebus corrupted Darren with his power, and through Darren’s words has invaded your mind.”

“How do we deal with it?” Ana asks, stepping away from me.

“Honestly, I am not sure.”

Ana’s mouth falls open, then she laughs. “Wow, that really is you.”

“What do you mean?” I ask her.

“Only you would rush a plan without even knowing what to do.” She continues laughing, the sweet sound warms my heart with its melody.

“I do wonder though, what can I do about this? None of us thought of what to do once I got here.”

“What do you mean ‘us’?” Ana asks.

“I have been on Mount Olympus, with the other gods.”

Fear once again darkens her face. “Darren told us that. He said you were scheming against us.”

I shake my head. “I assure you, Ana, my only thought was of how to save you all.”

“Really?” she asks.

“I promise, after all, what would I gain from deceiving you?”

“I guess you’re right. So what are you gonna do about the corruption?” She says.

“I do not know. Evidently my mere presence here is not enough.”

“How do you know that?”

“I can sense the corruption. It is weak, but it is present.”

Ana looks around, “Where is it?”

I laugh, “It is not something that we could see. It is a presence, not a physical force.”

“Oh, maybe that’s why it’s so dark in here.”

“Perhaps it...” Wait.

I shush Ana, who has begun humming, and focus on how dark it is. I try to make it brighter, but it does not work. I focus harder, and suddenly knives tear through my face and I go flying back while Ana screams.

I sit up to see a horror like nothing I could have imagined. It looks something like a lizard; larger than I am and with a vaguely human shape to it. Its enormous snout filled with row after row of razors that undoubtedly could rend flesh without any kind of difficulty. Its skin looks to be made of condensed vapor the color of night.

I bring my hand to my face and wince upon touching three horrid gashes across my cheek. This thing only narrowly missed my eye. I get to my feet and am about to attack when I realize I have no weapon. I look for Ana, and find her lying on the floor. How can somebody be unconscious in a dream?

I start running over to her, but the creature blocks my path. It roars at me, and I skirt around it. However, the beast follows me. It is not trying to attack me; it only wants to keep me away from Ana. I see; this is the corruption from Erebus, taken shape.

I focus my energies into my hand, and to my pleasure I see what I want: a little ball of white energy. I hurl it at the monster, and it goes flying away. I have only bought myself a few seconds, so I rush over to Ana and try to wake her up. Her eyes open after a few moments.

“What is it?” she says drowsily.

“Ana, I need a weapon! Quickly!”

“For what?”

“To defeat the monster that is trying to kill me!”

The monster is coming back. “How am I supposed to get you a weapon?” Ana asks.

“Just imagine my staff; you know what it looks like, yes? I need you to picture it, and bring it here!” Ana closes her eyes, and her nose scrunches up. Just as I am sure my staff is about to appear, the monster returns and knocks me a few feet back. It stands protectively over Ana once again.

“Please, Ana! I need you to bring it here!”

“I’m trying!” She yells, “This isn’t easy!”

The monster’s eyes start to glow, or a reverse glow, like black holes.

“I thought I would never get in here!” The words come from the direction of the beast, but its mouth is not moving. The voice I cannot place though it sounds familiar. “Have you any idea how fragile human minds are compared to ours? Of course you do, that was your whole reasoning for this.”

The words make no sense to me, but sense tells me that this is Erebus. Why does his voice sound different? “How is it that you are here?”

“Do you really think it so difficult for me to follow you? My power is spread all throughout this place. I sensed you the moment you came here. And now, I will make my success inevitable.” The monster springs forward, baring its teeth.

Its knife-like claws slash at me, and it is all that I can do to dodge them. Oh please hurry up, Ana! The monster opens its mouth, and a dark blast of energy comes out of it. I jump out of the way, and try to summon a ball of light to retort with. I manage to create one, and throw it at the monster. The ball hits it between the eyes, but this only seems to anger it.

“Hurry up, Ana!” I scream.

“I’ve got it!” She yells back. She throws the staff at me and I catch it without a thought. I am about to attack when I notice a button near the bottom of it. I push it and a spearhead pops out of the end, adding two feet to the weapon.

My confidence renewed, I charge the monster. It swipes at me, and I try to impale it with the spear. The monster is faster than I anticipated, and it lands a blow to my chest. I fall back, and the monster jumps on top of me. I try to hit it with the spear, but it just knocks it away. 

The monster rears its head back, and slams down, its razor teeth tearing into my raised arm. I scream in sheer agony. I continue screaming and through it I can hear Erebus laughing. He bites my other arm, nearly ripping it off. He then rears up yet again and starts tearing my chest apart with its claws. Eventually I stop feeling the blows; it is just pain upon pain. My body goes numb, or have the blows ended? I open my eyes and see a spearhead through the chest of the monster.

Ana is standing behind the beast, holding the spear tightly.

“Get him!” she yells.

I try to focus my energy again, but nothing happens. The monster tore apart my arms and chest. If this were not a dream, I would be dead. The monster begins laughing again, and turns on Ana; she pulls the spear out and stabs him in the head.

I did not know that Ana could be that strong. Or that brave. She looks over the monster at me and, despite my wounds, new strength flows through me. I get to my feet and summon all my might. In each of my hands blinding light shines. I jump on top of the monster and shove one into his face, the other where I think his heart is.

The beast rears around, “This will only help one of them, Aether,” it shrieks, “Are you sure that you can defeat hundreds of beasts like this?” The monster’s eyes turn white, and I place both hands over its heart. I focus, and the beast starts shrinking, it solidifies into muscle and bone, and grows white fur, its roar turns into a hiss. After a few moments Ana and I are looking at a small white kitten.

“Oh my god, it’s so cute!” Ana shrieks, picking it up. “But I don’t get it, what is this?”

“A kitten. Darren still has the power to spread Erebus’ corruption. Which means that all of this would have been for nothing. However, that cat holds my power inside of it.”

“So this cat is…?” Ana asks, still holding it.

“Protection.”

“So, I’m gonna be normal now? Darren won’t be able to lie to me again?”

“Well, that is on Darren. But you will no longer be forced to believe him.”

“Great! So…what do we do now?” Ana asks.

“I am going to wake up back on Olympus. As for you, try to act like nothing has changed. Act as though you still hate me.”

Ana pouts, “That’s not gonna be easy.”

I pat her head, “It will be alright, just act as you have been.”

“So…you’re going now?”

“I will not have to until you wake up.”

The kitten jumps out of Ana’s arms, and goes exploring the space.

“What are you going to call him?” I ask Ana.

“I dunno.” She replies, “What do you think?”

I flash back to one of the things Zeus told me I did, and a name comes to me, “how about Ganymede?”

“That’s really weird.” Ana says, raising her eyebrows.

“I was informed that before I became mortal, I killed a man named Ganymede.”

“So you wanna name my new cat after somebody you killed?”

“Well, yes, to honor him.”

Ana goes over to the kitten, picks him up, and it tries to attack her nose. The kitten is almost as cute as Ana, though in a different way. It falls out of her arms, and she giggles and starts playing with it.

“Ganymede, huh?” she says, “I’m gonna call you Ganny instead.” Close enough, I suppose.

Suddenly, the space starts shaking.

“What’s going on?” Ana says, getting closer to me.

“It seems that you are waking up.”

Fear appears in Ana’s eyes, “That means you’ll go away.”

“Yes, but do not worry, I will make sure we see each other again.” Ana jumps into my arms, and I hold her close until everything fades and I sit up in my chair.

Author's Note

As always, just tell me what you thought. Please leave a review so I know what can be made better and what you liked.

Reviews

[Nonnye]

If I had read this chapter first I would say to you: You have made me want to go back and read what I missed! As I did not I will simply say well done!

[Xavier Lee]

Fantastic!