"Father, what exactly is the Kraken?" Luke asked.
"Would you like to see it?" Jareth asked as he twirled a crystal in his hand.
"Yeah!" Luke exclaimed.
"Really? We can see it?" Liam asked. "Is it big?"
Melody hugged her father tightly. "Is...is it scary?"
"Calm yourself, princess," Jareth whispered as he rubbed her back in soothing circles. "I'll simply be showing an illusion. The Kraken was destroyed long ago and can't hurt anyone anymore."
"I don't want to see it." Melody's muffled voice said as she buried her face in her father's chest.
Standing, Sarah placed Liam on her throne and reached for her daughter. Jareth held his hand up to stop her and handed the crystal to Sarah. "You won't have to see it, my darling." Jareth held her close and stood with her in his arms. "Your mother shall show the Kraken to your brothers while we wait outside, is that acceptable?"
Melody looked up at her father, tear stains down her small cheeks. She nodded and looked to her mother. "I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry for Mel," Sarah said softly as she wiped the girl's face with a handkerchief. "It's perfectly normal to be afraid of things."
"Even for a Princess?" Melody asked.
"Especially for a princess and even for a Queen or King," Sarah told her with a gentle smile.
"Father's never scared though," Melody argued.
"Now that is most certainly not true my dear. I'm afraid all the time." Jareth explained. "I'm afraid something might happen to you, your brothers, or your mother. I'm afraid I'm not doing something correctly when it comes to raising the three of you. Afraid I may not be able to solve all your problems." He kissed her forehead. "Being afraid doesn't make you weak." He smiled at Sarah and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Now, Precious, I shall take our little Princess outside. Show the illusion to the boys and we'll return once you're done."
"Sure." Sarah smiled and watched her husband take their daughter outside before turning to the boys. "Are you ready to see the mighty Kraken?"
She rolled her eyes as both boys agreed enthusiastically. She tossed the crystal into the middle of the room and when it hit the floor a large monster appeared. It appeared to be the size of a troll but below it was a small city, Sarah guessed it was Argos or one of the many cities it was sent to destroy. To Sarah, it looked similar to the creature from the black lagoon in the old films she watched as a child. At least its top half did. The bottom was a long serpent-like tail with fins.
The boys watched with wide eyes as the beast destroyed the small city below. She never understood why boys loved to see things destroyed. A few moments later the illusion vanished and Jareth returned with Melody. "Happy boys?" he asked as he sat down once more.
"Yeah!" they both exclaimed.
"It was great!" Liam shouted.
"That city didn't stand a chance!" Luke added.
"How did one human defeat such a thing?" Liam asked.
"Well that, my boy, is where our story continues."
~*~*~*~*~*~/.../*~*~*~*~*~
Jareth sat on Athena's bed and watched her pace. "You're truly worried for this mortal."
Sighing Athena sat beside the Fae Prince. "I don't like needless sacrifices. Thetis didn't have to demand Andromeda's life. It was her mother that insulted her. She's doing this just to get back at Perseus."
"Perhaps the lad will find a way to defeat the Kraken," Jareth suggested.
"Impossible. No mortal man can beat him."
"What about an immortal one?" Jareth grinned.
"No! no, you can't risk exposing yourself." Athena bit the end of her thumb nervously. "If anyone knows a way, my uncle Posidian will. After all, he looks after the creature." She stood and headed for her door. "Coming?"
Jareth sighed and took his place on her shoulder as her faithful owl, Bubo. "Do you think he will help the mortal?" he hooted.
"I believe so. Thetis has been a thorn in his side for a while. Plus it would earn my father's favor." Athena whispered.
"Even if it means killing his pet?"
"The Kraken is hardly a pet and I'm certain my uncle hates having to unleash the beast on cities," Athena responded quietly as they approached the Lord of the Seas.
"Did you need something child?" Poseidon asked when he heard her approaching.
"I was wondering if there is indeed a way the Kraken could be defeated?"
"Planning to lend your aid to young Perseus?" Poseidon grinned.
"Perhaps, but mostly I'm curious if a mortal is even capable of completing such a task."
Poseidon rubbed his chin and thought a moment. "Perhaps, but it would be just as dangerous as the Kraken himself."
Athena grinned inwardly as her uncle told her of a possible way to beat the creature that could level cities.
~*~*~*~*~*~/.../*~*~*~*~*~
"While Athena was planning how to help young Perseus, on Earth, the Prince was trying to find his own solution."
"But Father, why didn't Athena just tell him what she learned?" Luke questioned.
"Once again you're getting ahead of the story." Jareth chuckled. "While Athena was learning the way to beat the Kraken, Perseus was informed that the only ones who might know of a way to beat were three old witches. But going to see them wouldn't be an easy feat either. You see these women liked to eat men."
"Gross!" Melody cried out.
"why would they do that?" Liam asked.
"Same reason you devour your mother's pies. They liked the taste." Jareth answered. "Anyway, without thinking of his own safety, Perseus set out the next day to find the witches. While he was preparing for his journey, Zeus called a meeting of the Gods once more."
~*~*~*~*~*~/.../*~*~*~*~*~
Zeus was pacing in front of the others with his hands behind his back. "Perseus is moving into danger." He stated calmly.
Grinning, Hera stated, "He will find the Kraken somewhat more formidable than Calibos."
Looking to Athena, Zeus asked, "Your helmet is gone?"
"Deep in a swamp. Lost forever." Athena replied with a nod. Jareth shuffled on her shoulder trying not to laugh knowing that the helmet had been returned to Hades already.
"Replace it with some other gift." Zeus looked away thinking and then grinned and turned back to Athena when an idea struck him. "Your friend. Bubo, the owl. Give Perseus your owl. It is all-knowing, all-seeing." Horror washed over Athena's face as she realized what her father was asking. "Give it to him. It is my wish. My command."
"Never!" Athena exclaimed once Zeus was out of hearing range. She hugged the owl tightly to her chest and stormed out of the room.
"Not so tight love." Jareth hooted. He sighed once she released him. "It's alright my dear. You know I'll return to you."
"That's beside the point. I refuse to give in to his demands any longer." Athena marched down the halls with purpose. She headed straight up the mountain to the forge.
"What can I do for you, Athena?" Hephaestus asked as he set his hammer down and wiped his brow. "Need another weapon for the mortal?"
"Actually I need something much more complex, but I'm certain you can do it." Athena grinned. "I need you to make a metal version of my owl."
~*~*~*~*~*~/.../*~*~*~*~*~
"The golden owl!" Liam interrupted.
"Yes, my boy, this is where this little fellow comes in." Jareth laughed lightly as he patted the owl's head.
~*~*~*~*~*~/.../*~*~*~*~*~
The task was difficult but in no time he had formed the body of an owl that looked close to the one sitting on Athena's shoulder. As Hephaestus filled its belly with gears and springs, Athena rubbed Jareth's feathers affectionately. "Hephaestus will do what he can. Brass and iron are no substitute for feathers... but he's very skilled and ingenious."
"I'm sure it will be a fine creation, but what about your father?" Jareth asked with hoots.
"Let great Zeus rage till even Olympus shakes. But I will never part with you, my beloved Bubo." Athena continued to stroke his feathers and whispered softly. "My sweet Jareth."
"Dearest, how will it help the moral though?" Jareth questioned. "It may have gears and be able to move but it won't have a mind. Will you control it the entire time?"
"I hadn't thought about that," Athena admitted. "I suppose I'll have to."
"I have another idea." Athena didn't know owls could smirk, but Jareth certainly could.
~*~*~*~*~*~/.../*~*~*~*~*~
"What was your idea, Father?" Melody looked at Jareth expectantly.
"I brought the little guy to life," Jareth stated plainly. He picked the owl up and examined it once more. "I gave him a little bit of my spirit. I was connected to him at all times. Just like I was able to communicate with Athena or anyone I chose while in owl form, so could this little guy. At first, only Perseus could understand him, but later he talked with others."
"So you were controlling him?" Liam's eyes lit up. He always liked tinkering with mechanical things.
"In a way," Jareth responded. "I was aware of everything he saw and did, but he did have his own free will. I simply passed on information to him which he used to help Perseus."
"But how did passing information help? Didn't he do anything interesting?" Luke seemed disappointed.
"Well, the first thing our little friend did was lead Perseus to the Stygian witches."
~*~*~*~*~*~/.../*~*~*~*~*~
Once Hephaestus finished building the little owl, Athena carried it to the mortal realm, just outside the city of Joppa. "Are you sure this will work?"
"Of course it will," Jareth stated as he summoned a crystal. We'll be able to communicate with the little guy and see what he sees through my crystals." He placed the crystal against the owl and it vanished.
A moment later the mechanical owl's eyes opened and he flapped his wings experimentally. He made several clicks and whirls but to Jareth and Athena, it sounded like, "Hello, who are you? Who am I?"
"We are the ones that gave you life. Your name is Bubo and we have a very special mission for you." Jareth answered. "Are you ready?"
"Yes! I am ready to be useful!" The golden owl bounced on the ground.
With a smile, Jareth explained the mission to Bubo and soon the little owl was on his way. He flew as fast as his metal wings would take him in order to catch up to Prince Perseus and his entourage. He found them wandering around lost. He few close and landed in a nearby tree. Unfortunately for Bubo, the tree he landed on was dead and the branch broke, sending him tumbling to the ground.
The mortals had spotted him and when he fell to the ground, Perseus rushed to his aid. He lifted the golden owl up and held him up.
"Oh thank you! I must have been too heavy." Bubo replied with beeps and clicks that Perseus was able to understand.
"Too heavy for the dead branch, eh?" Perseus chuckled.
As the others gathered around to see the little owl, Ammon asked, "How do you know that?"
Looking at his companions feeling very confused, Perseus simply said, "He told me."
"Told you?" Andromeda asked. She reached for the little owl and pulled her hand back when he made more clicks and clacks.
"His name is Bubo," Perseus informed them.
"Do you understand all those clicks and wheezes?" Ammon asked unbelievingly.
"Perfectly clear to me," Perseus stated as he stood with Bubo.
"I'm here to help." Bubo chirped happily. "I can lead you to the shrine if you'd like, and I'm sure you would since you seem to be lost." No one, but Perseus could understand Bubo, and that was fine by him. He had been told to help this mortal, not the others.
Ammon mumbled to himself, "It's another gift from the gods. Like the sword and the helmet." He couldn't believe how lucky this young Prince was to have the Gods' favor, but he knew it would certainly add to the epic tale he would compose later.
"He can lead us to the shrine," Perseus stated when he saw that no one else had understood the little owl. He placed him on a thicker branch that was able to hold his weight and watched him flap his wings one at a time as if testing to be sure they would work.
Turning his head around backward, Bubo called out to him, "It's just ahead to the North. The witches live in a tower at the top of a mountain in the cannon. Follow me!" As he took to the sky, Perseus and his entourage hurried to their horses and galloped after their new friend.
Bubo led them deep into the cannon that ran between the mountains. it was rocky terrain and several times he had to land to wait for them to catch up. As they got closer to their destination, Bubo shouted down to them, "We're almost there! I can see the Tower!"
He flew around surveying the area as he waited. He kept forgetting that horses and humans traveled a lot slower on land than he did by air. Eventually, they reached the base of the mountain and the mortals had to leave their horses.
"It's just up here," Bubo said, "Not much further." He landed on a rock and watched the men gather their shields and weapons. The soldiers started up the mountain, but Perseus stayed back a moment. "Is everything alright?" Bubo watched him have a tender moment with the Princess before making his way up as well. "Oh, yeah I guess you should be prepared for anything. These witches do eat men after all."
As he took to the skies once more he watched Andromeda, Ammon, and two of the soldiers start to make camp. "Don't worry!" He called down to Andromeda, completely forgetting that she couldn't understand him. "I'll make sure he comes back safely!"
As the men struggled to climb the mountain, Bubo flew around anxiously. Occasionally he called out "Careful!" or "Watch out!" As they approached the top, Bubo began to get nervous.
He wasn't sure where the information came from but suddenly he knew how to deal with the witches. "Perseus!" he called out when the man had reached the top. "They're blind but they have a crystal that lets them see. I can grab it for you, but if I fly in now I fear they'll hear me."
"Don't worry, my little friend. Thallo will take you." Perseus stated as he headed for the door to the tower.
"Oh, that's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?" Bubo clacked as Thallo reluctantly grabbed the little owl and followed Perseus.
They stopped at the door and quietly Perseus told Thallo to take Bubo up to the window at the side of the tower. "Wait for my signal, Bubo."
"I hope this works." Bubo clicked as Thallo carried him to the window.
From the window, Bubo could see everything. The room was dark and dirty. The three witches were arguing over who had "the eye" as they called it. They knew a man was near and Bubo's stomach would have flipped, if he had had an actual stomach, when a had popped out of their cauldron.
"Have no fear. I come in peace." Perseus called out as he slowly entered the tower.
The first witch snatched the eye from her sister and grinned, "Come a little closer so that we can get a better look at you."
"We are honored by your visit." the second witch said sweetly as she took the eye and looked him over.
"What can we do to help you?" asked the third witch.
"Uh..." Perseus hesitated. Would it really be as easy as simply asking them? "I need your advice."
"Then you must come a little closer. You see, my two sisters here are somewhat deaf." The third explained.
"I still can't hear him." the first witch complained.
"Suppose we were to move a little closer to him." the second witch suggested. All three began to cackle and circled around the cauldron. When a hand reached out of it once more, the second witch shoved it back own into the murky liquid.
Seeing the hand, Perseus knew the stories about them eating men were true. He glanced up and saw that Bubo was in position, so he watched the witches move closer to him and waited until they were close enough that he could have swung his sword and hit them. " Now!"
Bubo swooped down at the witches shouting "Beware foul witches!"
"Noise, what's that noise? What, what? Where is it?" the witches shouted their voices blending together making it hard to tell who said what.
Pass after pass, Bubo div bombed the witches, his metal talons scraping across their hair, their shoulders, and their foreheads. "Fear me! I am the Mighty Bubo!"
"Bubo! The eye! Go for the eye!" Perseus ordered.
"Oh right!" Bubo dove at the witch holding the eye and grabbed it out of her hands. "Here you go!" he called as he dropped in right into the man's hands.
"Where is it?"
"What is it?"
"What's wrong?"
"It's gone! The eye!"
"Don't drop the eye!" the witches became frantic as they realized the eye was no longer in one of their hands. All three dropped to their knees and searched the ground with their hands.
"Oh, no! Where's the eye?"
"You have it?"
"Never fear," Perseus called out to them, "It is safe." He held the eye up even though they had no way of seeing it.
"Give it to us! Give it back!" The witches cried.
Smiling, Perseus nodded to the others at the window, who made their way to join him by the door. "On one condition."
"Anything!"
"We must have it now!"
" You will have it," he assured them. "After you have answered my question."
"Ask, then." one of the witches demanded.
Bubo landed on a rock in the room and watched. "Now maybe they'll give him the answer."
"How may a mortal man face and defeat the Kraken?"
The witches laughed. "The Kraken is invulnerable. 100 men could not fight him." one witch said her voice full of laughter at the ridiculousness of the question.
"An army could not kill him." her sister added.
"Nothing is invulnerable. There must be a way." he insisted. He refused to believe that they had come all this way and risked their lives for nothing.
"Perhaps, one way." One of the witches tilted her head and considered the possibility. "But a way even more dangerous than the Kraken itself."
Perseus gripped the eye tightly. "Tell me," he demanded.
The witch held out her hand towards him and offered, "Give me the eye and I'll tell you."
Knowing better than to trust a witch, Perseus shook his head. "First, tell me." he insisted.
"The head of Medusa. The Gorgon!" she exclaimed.
Sensing his confusion, her sister explained, "One look from the head of Medusa can turn all creatures into stone. No matter how huge and powerful."
"And her blood is a deadly venom." the other witch added before laughing and shouting "A Titan against a Titan!" All three witches laughed maniacally at the impossible task the man was inquiring about.