Episode 10: When Tartarus freezes over
Skipping along happily Ceres hummed a lively tune with a happy Xanthe walking beside her. Spinning suddenly on her feet she turned to Xanthe stating joyously.
"What a great day."
"Mhmm."
"That last warlord wasn't so much of a challenge as he was a laughing stock."
"That's what happens when your buckle unexplainably snaps and your running through the streets in your under clothes screaming like a little girl, Potidaea will be a much happier village now."
"That's true, I'm a little surprised though…they were a lot more charitable towards us than I expected."
"Words been getting around, even small towns like Potidaea have heard of us, they most likely thought nobody would come to their rescue."
"You mean they heard of you, it's not my name they speak in awe when we walk into a village, it's yours. Speaking of heard of us, you really need a new title something to…I don't know…"
"Strike fear into the hearts of non believers?"
"Very funny, I meant something uplifting something that gives people hope…I've never even met this Murder Princess but…I know Xanthe and I think this Xanthe deserves a new title."
"That's kind of you but I'm fine with just being me."
"You're right, I'm happy with you just being you too…now onto something more urgent. Don't you think it's high time I learned something new? Like I don't know, how bout' that flipping move you do? Or teaching me how to jump like you do!" Xanthe chuckled but answered firmly.
"I don't think so, I had to strengthen my body before I even considered jumping let alone flipping. You're strong but you're not quite where you need to be to start jumping."
"Fine, fine…so what can you teach me?" Xanthe sighed giving a side ways glance towards Ceres and thought quietly before replying with a thoughtful smile.
"I think it's high time I…introduced you to some unique people."
"Who?"
"You'll know when we get there, we're quite a ways off but…I think it's a trip well worth taking."
"If you say so…"
"I know so, trust me when we get there you'll be happy I decided this."
"Mhmm." Suddenly the ground quaked, shaking violently, sending Ceres to her knees as she tried to regain her balance. Screaming aloud over the noise she asked frightened.
"What's happening?!"
"I don't know! Get behind me!" Following her instructions Ceres shakily made her way behind Xanthe, who'd dismounted Aella and unsheathed her weapon, standing as if the ground wasn't trying to throw her off her feet. The ground then ripped open, smoke and flame burst forth from the ground then disappeared suddenly leaving Hades to stand before them in all his wake. Tall, straight dark brown hair slicked back from his face exposing his full sharp eyebrows and black eyes. Slightly pale in complexion, he was quite handsome looking to be in his early thirties. Dressed in black armor depicting more of a European style, a cape as dark as midnight swung behind him the inside a red darker than blood.
"Hades…" Laughing amused Hades raised his hands in a surrendering gesture.
"Relax, Xanthe, I'm not here for you…I've a request of you, if I may?"
"What would the great Hades need of me? If your on a request that I fill Charon's boat to the brim I'm going to have to turn down your request."
"Of course not, this is a matter most urgent and very dire…something if not put right again, I will not allow death to allow anyone to die, those that are dead will not pass onto the underworld, and further more…the world will forever remain incased in ice buried by snow."
"There better be a very good reason for this strike or I'm calling your boss."
"My Helm of Darkness has been stolen as has my wife, Persephone, by Sisyphus."
"Sisyphus…but how? Isn't he already dead?"
"I see you are familiar with him, yes…I don't know the details nor do I care to share them. All that should concern you, is that you're the only one who can put this right again."
"Not the only one, you're just reluctant to go to Hercules for help…alright I'll play along." Sheathing her weapon Xanthe stood listening as Hades relayed what he knew.
"I don't know exactly where he is going…it is…difficult to pinpoint him when he's wearing the helmet, I do know however the cause of his death."
"Me too, a sword through his abdomen by his own brother…on Zeus's orders and I can't say I blame the man this time."
"Indeed, his crime was most…horrifying, then you should know where to go."
"Yes, is that all?"
"Yes, good luck…Xanthe, do not disappoint me." As loudly and dramatically as he appeared he disappeared once more beneath the soil of the earth. Ceres stood shaking her head in disbelief stating aloud.
"I can't believe that just happened, that was Hades, right? I'm not just going crazy?"
"You'll find Ceres, that gods and goddesses need mortals more than mortals need them and they know it. When they find someone to be exceptional and well placed, they try to manipulate said person to their own means, usually. Be happy it was Hades, he by far the most reasonable and well tempered of the gods."
"That…is a scary thought."
"Let's go, we're going to take a little detour…"
"Don't we always?" Pulling Ceres onto the back of Aella, they rode on swiftly, the sky darkening to a tinted gray as snow began to fall. Shivering Ceres held onto Xanthe tightly teeth chattering.
"I-It's starting…to get really cold…" Xanthe glanced up at the sky knowingly replying quickly.
"I know…we need to get to a village fast…buy what we need then get a move on, fast."
"You think it's going to get worse?"
"A lot worse, If we don't return the helmet and Persephone, especially Persephone, the crops will die, lakes will freeze over…kingdoms would buckle under that pressure." Kicking Aella into a gallop she rode faster the wind whipping their faces bringing tears to their eyes. Finally arriving in a small village, they quickly brought Aella to a stable and ran off to get what they needed. Switching to a more winter outfit, Ceres slipped on thick dark brown animal skinned boots, black pants, a white long sleeve shirt underneath a violet shirt. Dawning an animal skin coat the hung down past her knees she closed it tight, her hand bundled up in wrapped linen to cover her hands. Xanthe kept to her original outfit making a few modifications longer, wearing snug black pants underneath and a black shirt underneath, over top she wears a long black animal skinned coat with wolf fur lining her hands wrapped up like Ceres'.
Stepping outside once more, after getting what they needed, the weather had only worsened. Hopping atop Aella that rode on, pushing on through the hard weather unable to see feet in front of them.
Ceres- "How do you know we're going the right way?!"
"Landmarks, you can barely see them now but they're there, we're almost to the city!" Bodies numb despite their protection from the cold, the sight of the city gates fueled what little fire they held inside of them as they trudged through the gates. Once inside they stabled Aella who'd whinnied exhausted before leaving for the inn whose door they slipped through, the fire immediately warming their bones. The inn half full the people met them with sunken eyes and tired expressions, the silence bringing on a new weariness. Ceres plopped down on a seat with Xanthe asking almost breathless.
"What do we do now? It's only getting worse outside…I can only imagine what's happening now that people can't die."
"I'm sure there's chaos erupting somewhere, we're in a more secluded city…so it's less noticeable here but we're right where we need to be. If Sisyphus went anywhere it's here, this place used to be his kingdom…until it was taken from him."
"Revenge?" Xanthe nodded solemnly stating.
"Even the greatest man falls prey to his emotions from time to time, especially hate. I know the anger he's feeling right now…feelings of betrayal, hatred, hurt, and pain."
"Because his brother killed him?"
"That's precisely it, contrary to popular belief blood may be thicker than water that isn't what keeps family together. Agelaus never got along with Sisyphus, despite this though they trusted each other explicitly with the other's back. Aside from their wives and children they were the only family the had, who truly understood the other. Agelaus is just as cunning and sly as Sisyphus but unlike the latter he doesn't take advantage of his skills, he's a respectful man. Sisyphus on the other hand is a deceitful, conniving man who does anything to get what he wants.
When Agelaus stabbed him in the back, there's no doubt in my mind Sisyphus wanted revenge at that very moment; it's bitter sweet but to people like us…it's the best kind of candy."
"People like him you mean?" Xanthe looked on over at Ceres explaining regretfully.
"No, me too…revenge is what turned me into what I was before…I didn't amass an army for monetary gain or because I liked it. I did it because I wanted revenge, innocents were only obstacles or stepping stones I used to get my way…to get to the people who murdered people dear to me. It's a twisted feeling…to kill someone, like it but at the same time…know you lost a part of yourself in the process. It can go one of two ways over time, one the killing just becomes second nature or two…the guilt crashes into constantly over time like wave that only grows bigger and bigger. Revenge is just a twisted form of justice, able to justify to yourself that murdering that person is the right thing to do…that it needs to be done, you want it to be done."
"Over time you just…lose yourself to it and at the end of it all, when you've found you've taken care of those who hurt you the hate is still there, bigger…angrier more blood thirsty. Next thing you know there's only two things left to hate, only two left to go after…either yourself or the world and I chose the world."
"Yeah but…you changed…you're not the same person you were before."
"Maybe not but that person will always be a part of me, I cannot deny it…like ripples in water they may go away after a time but…the cause of the ripples will always remain, it's a part of it now." Ceres couldn't speak, knowing her limited understanding of the world paused her arguments and gave rise to questions about herself. Changing the subject to change the mood she inquired carefully.
"So what do we do now then? If Agelaus is the one Sisyphus wants…shouldn't we go to the castle to warn him?"
"I'm going alone, with all this bad weather the guards will have locked down the castle, it will be difficult getting inside."
"But-"
"I'm going to have a hard enough time entering the castle myself, believe me…if there were any other way I'd let you come."
"I understand."
"Good, take this…set us up for the night…I don't know how long this will take so try not to get into any trouble while I'm gone, hm?"
"Got it, be careful Xanthe."
"Careful, that's me." Pushing off from the table Xanthe left Ceres alone, storming back out into the blistering winds. Keeping her head bowed low enough to lessen the effects of the cold wind she peered up to watch where she was going. Not even a guard posted at the wall, due to the severe weather, Xanthe pulled out two daggers and began scaling the wall. Her fingers protested violently as she held on tightly climbing higher still past the walls until she crashed through a window into an abandoned room of the castle. Shutting the window behind her she looked around, the creaky wooden floors protested at her every movement while forgotten furniture was clothed in cobwebs.
Recognizing this as the abandoned room of Sisyphus, Xanthe spun around alarmed and cautious. Opening the creaky door peering out into the hall guards' patrolled the halls, even more effectively due to the circumstances. Sighing tiredly, Xanthe shut the door thinking for a moment before slipping out into the hall, masterfully slipping past the guards as if she were born of the shadows. The howl of the wind outside combined with the marching of boots, created a strange symphony to her ear. Spotting King Agelaus' room, Xanthe quickly strode through the door unnoticed to happen upon a quite alarming scene.
Sisyphus stood towering over Agelaus' who sat on his knees holding a terribly injured arm, bleeding profusely. Sisyphus in appearance is more akin to a wizard having short trimmed salt and pepper hair and a trimmed goatee. Wrinkles around his eyes and laugh lines around his mouth indicate a mush fulfilled joyful life. Bushy eyebrows above twinkling blue eyes gave the impression of a wise man. Dressed in a long violet cloak lined with gold, the last thing he was wearing before he died.
Agelaus retained more color in his hair having grey on the sides of his black hair, full eyebrows above steel blue eyes. Nose straight and his lips full he was quite handsome for his age, dressed in light brown pants tucked into expensive brown leather boots. Wearing a black shirt underneath a white coat with many golden designs, rings lining his fingers. Sisyphus looked on over at Xanthe in surprise speaking highly entertained.
"Xanthe! Of all the people Hades sends! I was…expecting you. Gods are too prideful you know, for once he should try to ask Hercules for help!" Xanthe stepped up to him confidently antagonizing him.
"Shouldn't you be pushing a rock somewhere?" He held out his hands welcomingly turning his attention away from Agelaus.
"Come now, Xanthe! You of all people should understand how I feel! To be murdered by my own brother?! I dare say…the same nearly happened to you didn't it? Difference is where your brother failed mine succeeded, still the wound shows." Agelaus retorted defiantly stating.
"It was your own fault, Sisyphus, your brought the wrath of Zeus on you by yourself! Even I'm not so foolish as to defy a god! Your punishment was well deserved for the crimes you've committed…" Sisyphus looked down at him heavily amused while at the same time twisted with anger.
"You never change Agelaus…all the potential in the world and you refuse to put it to good use, such a pity. It didn't and still doesn't bother me, I'll tell you what does though…your murdered me…when my back was turned. Indeed the fact that the killing blow was even dealt, by YOUR hands of all people…wounds me more than the dagger. You still haven't told me why…is it because you cower before Zeus? Or because you're just a coward in general?"
Xanthe- "I'd say good King Agelaus did the right thing, the only thing he could've done. Why should he be punished for you and your crimes?"
"Xanthe, What about you and your crimes? Hmm? Does that make it right that your own brother, Eryx, beat you and left you for dead?"
"No, it doesn't, not because of what he did but for why he did it. Eryx wanted power for reasons befitting common criminals. Agelaus killed you because he was ordered to be a god no less and to stop the crimes of a mad man who just happened to be his brother." Sisyphus smirked amused stepping back from Agelaus and strode the window confidently stating aloud.
"I'd be careful what you say to me, Xanthe, it's not like I wasn't expecting this kind of reaction from Hades or Demeter, your little friend included." Xanthe froze in alarm as Sisyphus smiled almost greedily evilly amused nodding confidently.
"Yes, I know about your little friend…most would just dismiss her as unimportant but I know better, you wouldn't travel with her…if she wasn't important to you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, that…if you don't play your cards carefully…you'll never ever see her again." Laughing highly amused he began to faded away into nothing as he dawned Hades helmet.
"Bastard!" Xanthe cursed after him, forgetting Agelaus she dove out of the window uncaring of the distance as she plowed through the snow making her way to her friend as fast as she could. Once inside the inn, she found the people strewn about the floor out cold. Frantic her head whipped around as she searched for Ceres, running upstairs to find Ceres' thing but not her friend herself.
"Ceres!"
Head pounding her eyes felt as if they'd implode in on themselves at any moment as she tried to open them and focus. Low lighting revealed she sat somewhere deep inside of a cave, chained by her wrists and ankles to a wall. Her mind finally clear she jerked hard trying to free herself to no avail, suddenly the soft voice of a woman spoke to her.
"I wouldn't bother if I were you, these chains were specifically crafted by Hephaestus to hold a god." Jerking her head to the right Ceres' eyes widened at the sight of Persephone whose beauty mirrored the four seasons. Brown hair with a copper tint like the leaves of autumn, full arched eyebrows covering ice blue eyes of winter. Her features carved like that of statue perfect and delicate, her full lips held a small sympathetic smile that brought the joy of spring. Though, versatile in character she had this warmth that was no doubt that cause of summer. Dressed in a simple green dress with gold lacing on it, Ceres couldn't help but stare at her in awe.
"Y-you're Persephone, aren't you?"
"That I am and you are, Ceres, Xanthe's friend. It seems Sisyphus has captured you as a means to keep Xanthe away but…I feel as if that would have the opposite effect."
"Where ARE we?"
"In a cave, somewhere near Parnassus…I can't explicitly say how close we are though. The storm outside has…limited some of my abilities…"
"Huh, so…we're stuck here then?"
"For the time being but I've no doubt that my husband and my mother will find a way to free us."
"Uh huh…say while we're stuck like this, can I ask you a question?" A small warm understanding smile appeared on Persephone's lips as she answered kindly.
"The secrets of the underworld can and will only be known to the dead but…I will say this…you need not fear death."
"…it's not the death part that scares me." Suddenly Persephone's eyes narrowed in confusion and curiosity as she thought aloud.
"I was expecting help but…not his help…"
"What? Whose help?"
"Proteus…"
Xanthe paced back and forth in the inn, distressed to the point of violence, her thought whirling as she tried to think of a way to find her friend. Suddenly, bursting through the inn doors, strode Proteus, tall with dark brown hair down to his shoulders and sea green eyes. His lips slightly thinner than average and his build consisting of lanky muscles. Dressed in a long aqua colored coat and a black shirt underneath, his dark brown pants tucked into dark brown boots. Xanthe whirled around staring at him with deadly eyes.
"Proteus, what do you want? I'm a bit too busy to be doing any favors for Poseidon right now." Proteus raised his hands reassuringly answering carefully.
"Now, now, believe it or not, Poseidon and you want the same thing…for Sisyphus to free Persephone and be returned back into the under world."
"Really? And I'm supposed to believe you?"
"If you want to save your friend, you'll take his offer. Outside is Pegasus, he will take you too Sisyphus's lair…once there you can fight him and save your friend and release Persephone returning things to the way they were before." Xanthe turned towards him suspicious stating defensively.
"I don't have much of a choice, I don't know what Poseidon gets out of this but…I'm not going to pass his offer up." As Xanthe went to leave Proteus stopped her staring her straight in the eyes saying.
"You know that the helm of darkness turns the wearer invisible but it doesn't mask anything else…you can still hear him, smell him, feel him, and sense him. Whatever you do don't let him kill-" Stopping himself suddenly Xanthe narrowed her eyes more suspicious then ever.
"Thanks for the concern but I already knew this…" Lingering for only a moment Xanthe shook it off storming outside to see the beautiful Pegasus. As white as snow, she would not have spotted him had he not been moving about. Walking up to him awed, Xanthe bowed respectfully to receive and intelligent bow in response much to her surprise.
"Thank you for this…" Slinging herself atop him she held on tightly to the golden reigns and found herself lifted into the cold white sky flying at a speed that astounded her. Off and off she flew, it took her hours the direction of the flight surprising her as the sight of Parnassus rose up before her.
"Here…?" Descending sharply before the sight of Parnassus, Xanthe found herself clinging onto Pegasus as he crashed purposely through the thick forests, hitting the hard ground with a jerk. Gathering herself as he trotted on purposely she found the creatures of the forest not making a noise, unsure if this had anything to do with the weather or Sisyphus, Xanthe found herself more cautious than usual. The familiar feel of a set of eyes on her made her twitch cautiously, peering around seeking for said person. Echoing out from the forest Sisyphus spoke as smoothly as ever.
"Xanthe! How odd…that you should get here, divine intervention then? It matters not! The harvest will just be…earlier than planned. I was hoping the gods would be able to witness but it cannot be helped…I would've spared your friend had you stayed away, I wanted a live witness after all." Yelling out threateningly, Xanthe countered.
"You don't want to do this, Sisyphus! You think your punishment was bad before, just think what they'll do to you afterwards!" Her eyes finally caught sight of a cleverly hidden entrance, flinging herself off of Pegasus she ran towards the entrance crashing through to enter a thin rocky hallway. Slowing down to practically a stop she peered around carefully. Small almost invisible holes in the sides of the walls, gave away the brutal trap that would skewer it's hapless foes with sharpened spikes.
"Clever…Sisyphus…but only if it were that easy." Knowing she looked down at the ground, dirt as soft as sand did not give away the location of the switches that would set the trap off.
"Guess I'm going to have to get crazy." Stepping back she then flipped as fast as she could through the hallway, barely missing the spokes landing on another switch which had sent a hanging log, which had been fastened to the shadowed ceiling, fast at Xanthe. Reacting quickly, Xanthe jumped to the side so closed to be grazed by the log she could chilling feel the wind it created. Pushing herself off the ground the familiar voice of Ceres yelled out to her.
"Xanthe! Behind you!" With a spinning kick Xanthe sent the invisible Sisyphus into a wall knocking him breathless. Knowing he was no longer there Xanthe spun around cautiously thinking fast, as she spun quick dodging quick slashes from Sisyphus gaining a cut upon her cheek. Touching it quickly, she stepped back unlatching her whip egging him on.
"Come now, Sisyphus, you're good…" Spotting his foot prints on the ground moving finishing her sentence with a swing from her whip.
"…but you're not that good." The whip sounded wrapped around his ankle, yanking hard she'd sent him sprawling the helm falling from his head exposing him. Staring up at her with venom and rage, it only gained a highly entertained animal smile as she antagonized him.
"Don't tell me that's ALL you had? The show was just getting started!"
"Xanthe! Don't take this away from me! Let me have it!" Grabbing him up by the collar she'd slammed him into the wall next to Ceres, unsheathing her blade she'd broke the chains binding her. Xanthe then proceeded to yank the key from around his neck handing it to Ceres ordering.
"Here, take your cuffs off then free Persephone…we'll leave Sisyphus to Hades and friends." Doing as she was told Ceres unlatched the cuffs running to Persephone eagerly stating proudly.
"I knew Xanthe would come…and now we're free!" Persephone walked free of the chains watching as Xanthe dragged him over to the chains and locked him up. Ceres held up the key asking Xanthe for guidance.
"What should we do with this?" Xanthe took the key and stepped up to Persephone handing it to her.
"This belongs to you, I think…despite what your husband and mother say, I think the final say of his punishment should be decided by you." Persephone gently took the key, nodding in agreement.
"Yes, thank you Xanthe…is there any reward you wish in return?" Xanthe looked on over at Ceres who smiled happily stepping up next to her friends side answering.
"If you could just get the world to return to normal that would be fine with us." Persephone bowed respectfully with a small smile.
"That will be done, thank you again, Xanthe and it was a pleasure to meet you…Ceres. I'll make sure that Sisyphus gets his just desserts, he'll be taken to trail on Mt. Olympus. I will make sure the gods hear of your heroic deed, I'm sure there is something more we can do for you." Sisyphus yelled out in great anger, his face turning purple.
"I'll not forget this! You, of all people should've understood! I will get my revenge and in the end…you'll pay along with them!" Just the pure hate that emanated off of him made Ceres flinch hiding behind Xanthe in fear. Persephone stepped towards him, the power of a goddess over flowing as she ordered aloud.
"Charon!" Like before, the ground began to shake but not as violently as black smoke swirled into the form of a cloaked figure. The black cloak hiding his face, only two yellow eyes peered out from underneath with an ominous glow, golden chains on both wrists hung low exposing his unnaturally white hands with claw like fingernails. Bowing low he greeted her with a deep rumble surprising Ceres he would've thought a hiss would be produced from his tongue.
"Persephone, it is great to see you're well…Hades helper was well chosen."
"Agreed but that's not why you're here, Charon, I need you to tell Hades that I'm alright, in turn I know he'll tell my mother. Afterwards, I want you to immediately start working to ferry the dead to their respective places, tell Thanatos…I'll not have another soul suffer a minute longer. As for me, I'll be taking vindictive Sisyphus to Olympus for his trial…Zeus, no doubt, is already aware." Charon bowed deeply acknowledging her request.
"Of course, right away my mistress." As auspiciously as he appeared, he returned to the underworld. Persephone and Sisyphus then dissipated in a white mist leaving Xanthe and Ceres alone to their sluggish minds. Plopping down onto a rock Ceres held her head stating with a dazed visage.
"…I think…I need some time to process what just happened." Sitting down next to her, Xanthe rested replying tiredly.
"Take your time…I need to as well."
"I just…I mean…was I really just kidnapped BY Sisyphus then locked up next to Persephone? Not to mention Charon! Xanthe there are times…I really can't believe half of the things I go through with you."
"Get used to it…warriors like me aren't in great supply these days or rather…we can't be everywhere at once." There was a small pause before Ceres admitted carefully.
"That wasn't the most…disturbing thing either, what was most frightening was Sisyphus. Before you came I…I mean watching the man…he didn't even seem a man anymore. There was something demented about him…he lacked humanity, all he could keep mumbling about was how he was going to make everyone suffer." Xanthe didn't answer for some time before asking.
"…have you ever been so angry with someone you just wanted to clock them over the head?"
"Multiple times but…I never actually did anything."
"This anger…is a lot like that, only far more violent and much more…painful. It blinds you to reality, next to impossible to get a grip when all you can think of is making the person who hurt you hurt worse. Ever have somebody reveal a secret of yours you never wanted to get out?"
"Y-yes…"
"Betrayal hurts, doesn't it? It stings and sits on your heart, did you ever trust that person again?"
"No…I couldn't, it just…it hurt too much, I was afraid they'd do it again."
"Now imagine that kind of pain, one hundred times worse…coupled with the every day fear of enduring physical pain and losing even more than what you had before. That's the kind of vengeance, I…and Sisyphus are going through…the only difference between me and him is…I'm not acting on this pain. When you hurt so much that the pain is there even in your happiest moments…you can't turn away, it makes you face that betrayal day in and day out. The only way you could ever possibly began to heal from this kind of wound is to have somebody reach out to you and you have to be willing to listen. You need someone there who is able to fill the hole in your heart, without that person or persons you're lost."
"Hatred…isn't there anything you can do to stop it?"
"There is…one way I can think of, you need it's counter part…love. Mediocre I know but…the truth isn't always unique and enlightening to a higher state of mind. The things people devalue, like love and it's importance…usually leave a longing much akin to starvation once taken away."
"It's just too sad…to think of."
"That's life for you, it's a hard lesson to learn and eventually everybody learns it one day. Come on, let's go…looks like Persephone kept her word." Pushing off from the rock they'd walked outside to the warm greenery of summer. Pulling off her coat Ceres smiled happily up at the clear blue sky stating aloud.
"Whew! It's hot…I think we better head back to the village, I need to change back."
"Agreed, I'm already starting to sweat."