Hades massaged circles on his temples and exhaled exasperatedly. "I still don't understand. Why are they doing this?" he asked Erebus as they all watched Menthe drive her mean-looking fire chariot to the starting line beside the queen's black skeletal one. Since Kore only had one chimaera, Nyx kindly asked Styx to make the number of chimaeras equal.
Erebus, who was sitting on a love seat to Hades' right, started peeling a lemon and stated matter-of-factly, "Aidon, if there's one thing I've learned from the eons of being married is that women are wonderfully complicated. You need to learn to simply go along with their brilliant albeit mysteriousideas sometimes."
He locked eyes with his gorgeous dark wife beside him and offered her a wedge of her favorite sweet lemon. Nyx gladly opened her lips to receive the small tribute and smiled gratefully. As they continued to hold each other's loving gazes, Nyx whispered, "You are as sweet as the lemon, dear" before she placed a curt kiss on his lips.
Hades slightly lowered himself and inconspicuously blocked his eyes from their private moment lest he felt like an intruder (even if his mind began to fantasize doing the same things with Persephone).
"Please. Don't be so longwinded. It's disgusting." Tartarus scoffed as he suddenly appeared on Hades' left in a gust of sulfuric smoke, splayed on his chair, his left leg propped on the chair's arm like a lazy bum with a platter of grapes on one hand. "Admit the fact as it is – women are crazy and incomprehensible creatures. Goddesses are worse." He rolled his eyes, "But as you have experienced firsthand, Underworld nymphs are a whole different race, different species of women altogether. Mix your wife and your mistress together and this is what you get. If I were you, I'd just enjoy the fact that two women are fighting over me and capitalize on the entertainment."
"Mistress? You're calling the nymph you forced on me my mistress?" Hades growled under his breath. "Please do not associate her with me."
And no. My wife is fighting me for my supposed mistress who's definitely fighting for my attention, he thought furiously.
Erebus suddenly clapped him sympathetically on the back.
"Aidon dear, you will be wise not to listen to unhelpful pieces of advice," Nyx said, finally giving her two-cents on the matter, patting Erebus' hand, and giving Tartarus a warning glance as she did. "Women are no different from men. We also have pride, dear. Just like any other sentient being, we have ideas we want to defend and we have a multitude of means to do it. This race is just a way for both Kore and Menthe to express their ideas in a more competitive and decisive setting."
"Ideas!" Tartarus sneered condescendingly. "Whatever it is that they're fighting for, it doesn't change the fact that there will be a winner and a loser. And of course the winner will have an evening with Aidon as prize." He glanced at Hades slyly. "Heh. You better give Menthe her prize when she wins."
Nyx clapped her hands and beamed. "Oh now that is a wonderful idea Tartarus! I didn't know you could be so romantic."
The Pit god simply rolled his eyes and snorted in an "I know I'm a genius but I'm definitely not romantic in any way" way.
Hades looked around, clearly uniformed and displeased about him being the prize of this game; but judging from the expressions of the three ancients, it seemed like there wasn't a problem with that arrangement. They simply could not be serious.
Styx appeared on the middle of the track between the two racers with both her hands raised, ready to give the signal. Kore whipped her head towards Menthe as the nymph mouthed inaudible words.
"I still think Persephone would win," said Erebus, his voice laced with a subtle barb towards his brother.
"We'll see," Tartarus said, plucking a grape from his plate and brushing off the Dark god's confidence with his own.
As soon as Styx brought her hands down, the two chariots burst into action as they started to race along the oval track, full speed ahead.
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Menthe's words were still ringing in Kore's mind and it prevented her from concentrating on the road.
"Lady Kore." (There was a hint of mockery when she said 'lady'.) "When I win, I will give you a piece of information that will help you get out of the Underworld quicker."
"What?" Kore asked, facing the nymph.
Menthe smirked. "I'll tell you the source of the Asphodels."
That gave Kore a pause. If she let Menthe win then not only would Menthe go to Tartarus, she would also make her return home easier. How was this advantageous for the nymph? Would she really go that far just to prove her obedience to Hades? She shook her head and banished the thought right away.
Following Erebus' advice, Kore didn't hold back and gently ushered Daisy to run as fast as he could by tapping the reins on his back thrice. Daisy understood the command and ran neck in neck with Menthe's chimera until it was time to reach the first curve. Immediately a wave of nausea hit Kore. She held on to the rim of the chariot as she tried to steady herself and her stomach. Not to worry, she thought. It's just an oval track. It would be over soon.
Before they could reach the turn, however, the track suddenly morphed.
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"What are you doing?!" Erebus snapped his head towards Tartarus, who was wearing a smug grin, his hand outstretched.
"A circular track seemed boring to me. So I couldn't help but add a few…obstacles," he said, his face like that of a child aware of his mischief but was unrepentant. "Besides, no one seems to mind but you."
Indeed the bloodthirsty nymph audience's thunderous cheers became louder; Nyx still wore her unreadable grin while Hades continued to look on with marked apathy, both of which were deliberately ignoring the brothers.
The dark god was severely offended. "That is foul play!" he said as he gripped the armrest until his knuckles turned white. Was he the only one who seemed genuinely worried for the spring goddess? Not even supposedly 'in love' Hades had bat an eye with how dangerous the track had become!
"All is fair in love and war!" the Pit god retorted evilly as he finally began to sit up properly.
"Nyx?" Erebus turned to his wife.
"Oh dear, I must admit I am fond of the addition," she replied smilingly, her eyes shining with excitement at the traps set on the track.
Nyx, this is not the time to turn sadistic! Erebus thought with slight panic. "Aidon?"
"Why not? I'll allow it," Hades said, leaning on a fist as he watched the race track become more interesting. Like he said before, he wanted Kore to lose.
Erebus needed an ally fast. "Aidon, you honestly want a romantic evening with Menthe?"
Hades didn't say anything but realization seemed to dawn on his face. They were absolutely serious about making him the prize. Which was worse? Compromise his sense of justice, the only constant in his incomplete existence, or have a date with Menthe? He became lost in his thoughts as he gave it serious consideration.
Erebus sighed. Finally, someone else cared.
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The coliseum shifted its shape to accommodate the new convoluted obstacle track. Both Menthe and Kore had to halt for a moment as the ground began to cave in and reveal a particularly narrow rock bridge with lava flowing beneath it.
That was just the first obstacle. The once simple circular track had twisted and turned with different traps scattered across – there were thick swamps, pitfalls with sharp rocks underneath, giant pendulum blades, rings of fire – and probably more unseen traps.
Kore gulped and paled while Menthe smirked and chuckled quietly as she drove her chariot through the hazardous track with glee. Whose idea was a boring circular track anyway?
Kore bit her lip and took in a deep breath. She almost threw her teacher a despairing glance but instead replaced her expression with a determined one. No. I'll deal with this. Somehow.
Up in the raised podium, Erebus buried his head in his hands as he sighed. He willed himself to simply calm down. Everything would pass as the Fates dictated. There was no point in worrying anymore. Nyx rubbed her husband's back comfortingly while Tartarus snickered at Erebus' hunched form. Hades just took a sip of his pomegranate wine, still considering the pros and cons of making Kore lose.
Both women entered the narrow bridge together but Kore soon realized that the rock bridge kept narrowing until only one chariot at a time can cross. Menthe ruthlessly shoved her chariot against the goddess, showing her what the strip was for. Kore's right wheel fell out of the bridge prompting the goddess to scream in panic as she began to grasp on the reins tightly.
Hades tensed as he watched Kore struggle at the edge of the bridge. When more rocks gave way under the weight of the tipping chariot, the king stood up. All three primordial gods observed the young king with the same unreadable expressions.
Daisy had to fight against the tension of the reins to pull both goddess and chariot to safety. Menthe took advantage of Kore's predicament and pushed her chimera forward, leaving the goddess behind. Fortunately, the chimera was able to pull her to safety. Daisy paused and looked at the goddess who was breathing hard and trembling in fear. Kore forced a smile on her pale face and said, "Thank you, Daisy. Let's go win this race!" The chimera grunted in reply and galloped forward.
Hades heaved a silent breath of relief and turned around. The primordial trio immediately pretended to have never laid eyes on him.
The two racers ran single file. Kore had learned that it was much safer when she was not so far behind. The nymph had tried all sorts of underhanded techniques whenever Kore gained even a small inch ahead of her. She had thrown daggers (which Kore dodged by leaning over her chariot to puke), tried to bump her off track, and even shot streams of flames from her chimera (which Daisy countered with his own). Kore never once thought to attack Menthe back. She merely dodged everything the nymph had to offer. They followed the contours of the race track; over, under, sideways and even looping. The loops were the worst for Kore's delicate system. Near the end of the race, Kore's face was nearly indescribably green.
Finally the end was in sight. They were a half kilometer away from the finish line! Kore internally rejoiced as she pushed her chimera a little harder, determined to overtake Menthe for that final stretch. For the last obstacle, they had to pass through a thick, poisonous green bog, which shot tendrils that acted like a frog's tongue. And of course, the racers were the proverbial flies.
Menthe and Kore were neck in neck as they ran through the strip of rock. They desperately avoided the green slimes shooting at them, contorting this way and that in their chariots (even the chimeras had to perform their own acrobatics). Unfortunately, the chariots were not capable of dodging the slimes. Menthe's wheel was caught by one of the sticky jets and was immediately dragged off track.
"Menthe!" Kore yelled as she stopped her own chariot.
The nymph's first reaction was to push her chimera faster. The chimera roared as it tried to pull the chariot up but the lake was also determined to grab the racer within its slimy depths. Suddenly another tendril shot up like lighting and caught the nymph's ankle. Once Menthe's feet were caught things started to turn for the worst.
Menthe slowly sank into the sludge. The chimera, in its desperation, turned its serpentine tail and spat corrosive poison on its harness, freeing it from the sinking chariot.
"Help me!" Menthe begged the vicious beast. The beast looked at her, as if assessing her situation, sniffed and moaned helplessly. Even if it wanted to, it couldn't do anything to help her. Menthe cried softly as the bog's poison began to burn the skin off her feet.
"Hold on, Menthe!" Kore called as she disembarked and began untying Daisy from her chariot.
"No! Stop!" Menthe grunted as she tried to pry her feet. "Why don't you just go on? I can handle this on my own!"
That made Kore pause as she looked at the struggling competitor. "I refuse to leave you here," she replied. "So don't worry. I'll get you out of there okay?"
The goddess acted quickly. She fashioned a makeshift rope from the special leather belts that were used to harness the chimeras. She used all of their harnesses and threw them towards the nymph. When she threw the leather rope toward Menthe, it was a few feet too short.
"Menthe! Can you wade? Try to grab on the rope!" Kore instructed as she braced herself to pull.
The nymph, who had sunk to her knees, tried to move her legs. But when she tried, her feet stung. The liquid had already finished eating through her skin and began to damage her flesh. Tears of agony streamed down her face as she tried to reach for the end of the rope. "I can't!" she cried helplessly. "I can't reach it! Don't bother with me already. Just go! Go! Isn't that your goal? Come on, Persephone! This is your chance to win! I'll be alright once you win the race!"
Kore bit her lip and leaned down to tear her skirt to shreds. "Sorry Menthe. I'm not one to abandon friends so easily. If you don't like how I treat my friends, well that's unfortunate but right now, whether you like it or not, I'm going to save you!" She quickly attached the strips of cloth to extend the rope and tossed it once again. It was so close, just a foot beyond Menthe's reach, but still the nymph couldn't grab it.
"It's no use, my Lady," Menthe whispered softly in despair. "The Fates have deemed me too impudent to live. I don't deserve salvation. Please just leave."
Kore shook her head. "Just be quiet and believe in me!" she yelled back exasperatedly before she turned her attention to her chimera. "Daisy, quick! Give me your tail."
The chimera immediately obeyed and turned around to wrap its tail around Kore's wrist. Kore slowly lowered herself to the bog. The water immediately reacted and began shooting its tongues at the goddess however the other chimera, Menthe's steed, fired its flames, providing cover for both of women.
"Thank you," Kore breathed as she threw the rope once more. This time, Menthe was able to grab it. "Alright Daisy, pull!"
Both goddess and chimera pulled with all their might, slowly dragging the wounded nymph safely to shore. Menthe's looked down and whimpered at the sight of her legs. "I can't continue to race. I don't think I'll be able to stand anymore."
"Look at me, Menthe," Kore gasped as she cupped the face of the nymph. "I said I wouldn't abandon you - not to Tartarus, not to a bog, and certainly not on this dirty floor. Come, let's finish this race together and I'll tend to your wounds."
A fresh stream of tears trickled down Menthe's cheeks. "Why?" she wailed. "Why would you go to such lengths for someone as insignificant as me? I don't understand you! Are you just stupid?"
Kore laughed. "I don't know. You're my friend. Do I need another reason?"
Menthe laughed too despite her sobbing. "You are hopelessly stupid! A stubborn idiot!"
The goddess shrugged playfully. "My mother always said that I was a stubborn girl."
Daisy approached and knelt down. It was a sign for both women to climb onto its back. Kore helped Menthe climb on first before she mounted onto the chimera too. When both women crossed the finish line, a cacophony of cheers welcomed their victory. The five river deities – Styx, Lethe, Phlegethon, Acheron, and even reluctant Cocytus – stood up and clapped. By unanimous decision, the winner of the race was Kore.
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Nyx wiped the twinkling stars from her eyes. "That was beautiful. Oh, Erebus, she's simply a darling! How I wish she was my daughter."
Erebus wrapped her in a one-armed hug. "Oh, my love, I already think of her as one of our own. She's an Elysian. It would be a pleasure to make her a guardian of my realm."
"Oh that's a wonderful idea!" Nyx exclaimed. "What do you think, Aidon?"
Hades didn't take his eyes off of his wife. "Yes. That sounds like a fine idea. On the other hand, I think I have an interrogation to prepare for."
"That wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be," Tartarus remarked as he stood up from his seat. "Menthe is spared from my realm and, from the looks of it your queen will take care of her. I've had my fun. I shall tend to my own duties now." He turned around and disappeared in a flash of flame.
"Oh don't mind him, Aidon," Erebus scoffed. "He simply hates losing, that's all. I hate to think about what he'd do to his poor, unfortunate shades though."
Hades didn't answer. He simply continued watching his queen, who waved cheerfully at the crowd. Kore turned and waved at Hades and Erebus with a look of triumph, gratefulness and expectation.
A/N: This chapter was a pain to write. I didn't know if I wanted the chariot race detailed or not. I kept adding and subtracting until I got frustrated. In addition, I couldn't find the right music to write this with. I was in a state of 'muselessness' - I hereby coin that term. I kept procrastinating on this one until I read the latest comments and I finally just said, 'It doesn't have to be perfect, right?'. So please bear with this super duper imperfect chapter. (Ugh. Makes me feel like I shouldn't even be posting this stuff).