My heart was pounding with adrenaline – again. By the Gods, would this day ever end?
I calmed as I read the boy's Aura. He was clearly a Godling, pure and simple. But what was he doing at the entrance to the Underworld? He started to move towards us, but I instinctively threw up a physical shield to stop him.
"Who are you, and what is your business with us?" I called. He chuckled.
"You keep strange company, Rhianna, daughter of Poseidon," he commented lightly. "I am Peri, son of Zeus and Nemesis, sent by our fathers to assist you along your journey." I glared at him, still suspicious. Maria made to move out of the shield bubble, but I held out a hand to stop her.
"I was told that there are only two Godlings living, Adon and myself." He snorted in a most undignified way.
"Here's a quick lesson on the Gods: They tell you exactly what they want you to think. Never trust what they say as the truth unless they are under oath." The words were bitter, but his tone was uncaring and almost blithe. It must have been obvious from the look on my face that I didn't believe him, for he went on to say, "Can you tell me honestly that they have never lied to you?"
I thought of my heritage; Poseidon and Amphitrite never told me that my mother was a demoness. I wondered what else they had lied about.
"Have you proof of your purpose here?" I called, changing the subject to a more comfortable direction. He held up a not in the way of a response, and I took a hesitant step forward, dropping the shield. I tensed, ready for an attack that never came. He handed me the parchment. Sure enough, there was a signature on it from both Poseidon and Zeus. I looked at Maria, who shrugged.
"Makes sense," she said. "After the other one was turned to stone, they must want you to have some help." I winced. Adon…I tried to clear my mind from him.
"Fine," I snapped. He smiled.
"Let's get going, then. You don't want to waste any more time, and from what I've been told, you only have four days left." We started walking in silence.
* * * *
I couldn't help but keep looking back at Rhi as we walked through the stone passageway that was the entrance to the Underworld. She wasn't talking to me, although I had no idea why. She held a murmured conversation with the Empusa – Maria – from time to time, but not often.
It was her aura kept drawing my eye, for no matter how many times I looked, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Every time I looked at this wondrous beauty, I was reminded what I truly fought for. The Cause, which had been awaited for many centuries and had been secretly worked on by many Heroes, Godlings, Half-lings and even some Gods, had been waiting for her.
I realised that I was staring, and she was glaring right back at me. I wrenched my gaze from her. I decided that I must not pay her more attention than I already have. She must remain unknowing of her true destiny – for now, at least
A/N Um...sorry?
Well, the summer holidays are here now, so I can concentrate on writing.
Bye for now, not forever!
Maddy