Chapter XXI

Had I stated I was getting a déjà vu yet? Because I surely was. Getting chased by those mercenaries, having to get past a lethally poisonous dragon and now on top of that I was looking at Atlas. Or at least someone who looked like Atlas, jarringly so, with one shocking difference, literally.

Instead of the admittedly handsome, deep tanned skin, this one however had pale skin, covered in red branching scars, like a tree. they covered the entirety of his skin, as if he had been struck by lightning. But if one ignored that big difference they looked way too similar. Same extremely tall and bulky build, same stone grey eyes, same black hair.

This didn't exactly put me at ease, nor did his rather friendly waving, which by his sheer size and black cloaked appearance was still threatening. However, the way the cows parted for him did, because it made one thing obvious, this was Menoites, Hades' herdsman.

Aiding this rather obvious conclusion was of course said herd of sable-black, perfect cows surrounding us and when I said black I meant full black, black horns, black skin, Hades even their eyes were full black without a spot of white. They were beautiful and extremely numerous, over a thousand just in sight I estimated and the herd stretched further beyond that.

"Greetings, mortals," He called across the pasture of gray grass with a booming voice, not unlike that of Atlas. "I take you are here to help me?"

He crossed the pasture with swift steps, making far faster headway through the herd than we did. Especially since our progress was hindered even further by the fact the cows crowded us, gently rubbing against us. And if the hundred cows surrounding us weren't enough of an obstacle, Eleanor slowed down to pet the cows happily, being joined by Bianca after some encouragement.

"Strange," Bianca remarked. "animals usually don't like me all that much..."

"Well," Eleanor said. "They are your father's cows after all. I mean they are not just friendly, they really seem to love you-"

It was as if the earth rumbled as Menoites laughed, though it didn't sound like Atlas at all, it was not a proud laugh, nor a condescending one, just one of genuine amusement.

"Yes," He mused. "they are always happy to meet new people, seeing how few there are down here."

Menoites looked at Bianca quizzically for a moment, before smiling.

"But of course they are no normal cows," He said, stating the obvious. "they are creatures of the underworld, which is why they adore you, you are my master's daughter, Bianca, if I am not mistaken?"

Bianca didn't answer or even react for a few moments as she just looked at Menoites funny for a few moments before throwing me a glance. Her eyes were questioning and I shrugged, though I faintly started remembering another immortal of the same name... But it was clear that she had the same thoughts I did, he did look like Atlas.

"Forgive me, Lord Menoites," Bianca started and he frowned. "but you seem-"

"Familiar?" He asked with another deep chuckle. "I heard you met my brother, but be at ease, there is no need to be afraid of me or for such formalities, my pride never did me any good anyways."

"Your pride?" I repeated before it clicked in my mind. "Ah, I now remember your story, a cautionary tale about excessive pride I guess."

"Indeed, pride," Menoites pondered, his voice for a moment becoming harder, before softening again. "but there is some silver lining to it. I have grown content with how things are."

"I apologize if it is a difficult topic for you," I started carefully, unsure of the exact myth. "but how did things come to be as they are?"

"It is no bother," He said, waving it off. "I was a fool, there is no need to hide that. Truly it seems ludicrous looking back, I thought I could stop the three brothers before they even came out of Tartarus again."

"It, eh, didn't go well, I take?" Eleanor asked, her expression pitiful, though Menoites just chuckled again.

"A vast understatement, but yes," He said, amused. "Zeus alone was more than a match for more, even without his new Master Bolt, I see that now, but with it I truly stood no chance."

"So, what are you doing here?" Eleanor prodded. "Shouldn't you be in Tartarus?"

"Whether I should be is an interesting question, girl, but I am quite glad I am not," Menoites said, willfully misinterpreting the remark. "As to why and how I am serving Lord Hades? Let's just say I returned from Tartarus shortly after he had claimed his throne. He was young, ambitious and eager to gain servants. We came to a... mutually beneficent agreement."

It didn't sound particularly voluntary, but the Titan seemed happy enough and I guess herding cows forever was far better than Tartarus. And I wasn't going to complain, an enemy turned ally, no matter how, as long as they were loyal, was far greater of a success than simply a defeated enemy.

"Not to hasten anything," I said, wanting to get to our task. "but I believe we have something to discuss?"

"How right you are," He said darkly and turned around. "follow me, we shall talk somewhere better suited."

With little other choice he led us up a hill which overlooked the entire area. Before us a decent sized valley stretched long and far, entirely filled with groups of black cows, grazing the gray grass covering the Plains of Asphodel. He threw a worried look across them, before turning back to us with a sigh.

"Thank you for following my request," He said and shook his head. "I simply cannot leave them out of my sight more than necessary currently, perhaps I'll catch this thief yet."

"Straight to business I see," I stated as I looked at the cows. "so what can you tell us about this thief?"

"Not much," Menoites said with a defeated sigh. "it is truly shameful really, I haven't lost cows for centuries.. and now this?"

"But you said it yourself just now. You haven't lost a cow in millennia, clearly you are a capable herdsman." Eleanor consoled him. "who could steal from you?"

"I do not know even that," He said and crossed his arms. "I have lost some of my animals before, but those were just rogue hellhounds or so and I always caught and punished anyone who dared."

"Not so this time, I take?" Eleanor said and he nodded. "But who could get away with stealing from you then?"

"Heracles did," I couldn't help but remark and he turned to me.

"True, that he did," Menoites agreed, though he shook his head again. "but it was much more that he beat me than that I didn't catch him, which I did."

"Well, we can stand here all day, discussing what we can't do and don't know," Bianca interjected. "or we could actually discuss what we know."

"Yes, you are quite right," He said and turned away again. "Come on, I'll lead you to where the last theft happened, it is not too far from here."

He didn't wait long for us to answer, instead decisively turning and marching off, we had little choice but to scramble after him, because any waiting would have meant being left behind by the huge strides he made. I suppose the distance we traveled wasn't all that far in his dimensions, but I was seriously getting tired of marching by now, eventually though we arrived at our destination.

Trampled and grazed gray grass showed that it hadn't been too long since the herd had passed through here. Before us the white river Lethe flowed, seeming almost serene and calming, which I suppose it would be in a way. But I knew well enough that this river was possibly more dangerous than the Styx, you could survive the Styx's waters, but those of the Lethe would wash away your memories, even if your body was still there. I doubted there was coming back from that, in a way it was a sort of death.

"Is that safe?" Eleanor asked, looking at the river. "I mean grazing them near the Lethe?"

"Most know to keep their distance from it," Menoites started with a shrug. "and even if one gets to close, as impractical as it is, they are not sentient, it is not really a big problem for them."

"I guess that is somewhat reassuring," Eleanor said and looked around. "So is there anything in particular here we need to see?"

"Well, in a way it illustrates my problem quite well," He said and gestured around. "I found nothing here, at least nothing of use."

"So why bring us here?" I asked confused and a smile played over his lips.

"I found nothing here," He repeated. "but you might be able to."

"Still, I am sure not just you but other of Father's servants have tried as well," Bianca said. "tried and failed. I do not see how we should have success here then?"

"No false humility," Menoites told us. "you mortals have possibilities we immortals do not have, you can go places we cannot and ignore rules we are bound to."

"Perhaps you are right," I said, though I couldn't really see anything of use either. "but still, we need information. Do you have any idea who might want to steal Hades' cattle and even more so, get away with it?"

"Not many, at least for the latter, as to first, billions," He said with a chuckle and I exchanged confused glances with my two companions.

"Sorry, Lord Menoites," Eleanor said. "but I don't think there are even a million people alive who even think his cattle exists."

"You are quite right, not a million alive," He said, just increasing my confusion. "but those billions are dead."

"Dead?" Bianca asked. "But what would my father's subjects want with his cows, even more so, who of the dead would dare oppose him?"

"If you ever took the time to speak to someone from the Fields of Punishment when they aren't currently getting torn apart," Menoites said, smiling. "well, let's just say they don't speak of your father with the respect he deserves."

"I can't fathom why," Eleanor remarked dryly and Bianca rolled her eyes.

"But what is it they'd want with them?" Bianca asked skeptically. "Surely not just to spite him."

"Most of them not, that you are right about," Menoites said. "but tell me, you are capable of summoning the dead, aren't you?"

"Barely," Bianca said uneasily. "but I'd lie if I claimed it comes easy to me."

"No matter," Menoites waved it off. "as long as you know how to do it."

"Of course," Bianca said, not seeing what he was getting at. "a certain ritual, together with a sacrifice of mortal food or... blood."

"Precisely," The herdsman said. "And what is it that draws them to it, especially the latter?"

"They can draw a bit of life from it," Bianca said, her eyes lighting up. "it allows them to properly connect with the mortal world again."

"And there is only one true source of blood down here, my cows." Menoites told us.

"So you are saying our thief is a dead man?" I joked before prodding further. "Still, I don't quite get what they want with it, when Oddyseus or Aenas summoned the dead, it's not like they came back to life, they only were able to speak for a short while."

"They drank normal blood, and only a small amount of it," He argued. "but the connection those cows carry between life and death is special, with enough of their blood-"

"Are you claiming that a shade could return to life?" Bianca asked wide-eyed and he nodded.

"It hasn't happened before," Menoites admitted. "but I am rather sure that is what the thief is planning on."

I guessed that already was a bit of help, but there were still many other essential questions left unanswered.

"So, how many animals were stolen exactly?" Eleanor asked. "That herd still looked massive."

"It is my obligation to make sure it stays that way," Menoites said proudly. "but still, there were more before, in just this one theft a hundred were taken-"

"A hundred?" Eleanor asked, bewildered. "How can a hundred animals disappear without trace?"

"Of course they left tracks," Menoites told her and she cocked her head.

"So why aren't we following them?" Eleanor inquired.

"Because they stop after a mile or so," The herdsman told her, annoyed. "as soon as they leave sight behind a hill."

"Teleportation?" Bianca suggested and Menoites shook his head.

"I doubt our thief is capable of that," He said firmly. "and I would have noticed."

"So we know neither who our thief is, nor how he did it and as far as we can see there no clues around," I summarized discouraged. "or am I mistaken?"

"You are not," Menoites confirmed unhappily. "and I am afraid I must start returning to my cows soon, I am not comfortable leaving them alone for much longer."

"Wait," I quickly stopped him. "What if we need to ask you something important? Or manage to catch the thief?"

"You know my name don't you?" He asked with a grin. "I am still an immortal, just pray to me."

He disappeared in a swirl of shadows, leaving the three of us alone in this deserted, quiet part of the Underworld. The only sound was the flow of the Lethe not too far from where we stood, but except for it there was nothing to be heard.

I sighed again, this could take quite some time, time we didn't have to spare, if we took too long we could fail, even if we made it to our destination.

"So..." Bianca started, looking around. "Do we have an actual plan?"

"Are you saying we can't rely on your intuition this time?" Eleanor asked with a smirk.

"Well, no one is perfect," Bianca said and turned to me. "But seriously what are we doing?"

I looked around and my eyes fell on the white waters of the Lethe again. Even if it was an exceptional one, it was still a river and any river had naiads, even those of the Underworld, as was evident by the story of Minthe. I doubted my status as son of Poseidon would be too helpful down here, but usually Naiads were rather helpful, if you avoided getting dragged into their body of water.

"I know what we are doing," I told her with a smirk. "questioning some witnesses."

"Huh?" She looked perplexed. "If you haven't noticed, there is no one around."

"Are you feeling alright?" Eleanor asked, with mock-concern. "Did a stalactite hit your head?"

Deciding to ignore them I simply confidently strode to the banks of the Lethe. Compared to the Styx and Acheron it looked rather pleasant, inviting even. But I knew it was perhaps more dangerous than both and I had no intention of joining Bianca in the no-memories club, so caution was without doubt well-advised.

I crouched down with a few feet of distance between me and the river. Usually you didn't have to put much effort into finding nymphs, unless you were a lust-filled god, in which case they often very sensibly did their best to avoid you.

But seemingly they weren't so eager to talk to me in this case, I spotted the fleeting shape of a young woman, quickly dissolving into the river's water. I moved forward and touched a finger into the river. It wasn't as subconscious as normally, but I stayed dry without too much effort. I turned back to the others.

"Alright this might sound mad," I said and looked to the river. "But I'm going in there."

"Yep, you are not alright," Eleanor stated, perplexed. "I think you are in for a mental checkup."

"I couldn't agree more," Bianca agreed, sounding concerned. "Thee, are you sure you know what you are doing?"

"More or less," I said with a shrug. "but I think it is the right course of action."

"Reassuring," Bianca said, rolling her eyes.

"Just trust my intuition, will you?" I asked with a smirk.

Someone chuckled behind us and we turned to face them. A tall, graceful woman stood there, her long golden blonde hair was braided, a quiver hung from her hip and bow across her back. Her eyes were amused but carried a dangerous look in them, instantly I felt myself grow cautious.

"Atalanta!" Bianca called with happy surprise. "What are you doing here."

"Hello, my girl," The huntress said with a smirk. "I come bearing a message"

"A message?" Bianca asked, surprised. "From whom?"

"Your sister wants to talk to you," Atalanta said before looking over at us. "to all of you."

"My sister?" Bianca asked, confused. "We are not talking about... her, are we?"

"No, not Melinoe," Atlanta said and I heard Bianca sigh with relief. "Your other sister."

"Makaria?" Bianca asked and Atalanta nodded. "What does she want?"

"You will find out soon enough, won't you?" Atlanta asked, smirking. "Come on, just follow me."

Easier said than done, remember how Atalanta supposedly outran horses in the myths, yeah, I could definitely believe that now. That woman was fast, and to think she was merely mortal, truly astonishing. Not that it helped me appreciate having to run after her again, any further. Thankfully she slowed down when we reached Elysium, passing through one of the smaller gates on its glistening white marble walls.

Even if she hadn't slowed I was sure I would have stopped in awe anyways when we entered. Elysium was beautiful from the outside, but from the inside it was even greater. Everything seemed so bright and happy in Elysium, not a single soul wandering its streets seemed truly bothered by anything.

To say I looked around interested would have been a vast understatement, Elysium was fascinating. A mix of cultures, time periods and everything else was reflected by its houses alone. Elizabethan manors filled some neighborhoods, while others could have been found on some overpriced California hillside in this day and age.

But far more interesting that its buildings were its residents, not that I recognized anybody, which was unsurprising, I guessed the great heroes were only a drop of water among an ocean of unknown good people. Still, I would have loved to know wether certain heroes truly were here.

"Looking for anyone in particular?" Eleanor asked, as if reading my thoughts.

"Yeah," I admitted. "The original Theseus."

"I am sure he is here somewhere..." Eleanor said, amused and I shook my head.

"I think you misunderstand," I told her. "I am not sure if I want to see him here."

"Really?" Bianca asked, surprised. "I always felt you like your name."

"Oh, I do," I agreed. "there are many admirable things about him, but this doesn't change the fact he did a lot of messed up stuff, especially later on."

"If only Mr.D could hear you say that." Bianca commented.

"As if it'd make a difference to him." I said, and smiled.

We walked through the city, heading very directly towards the glittering blue lakes in its midst, in which the Isles of the Blest sat. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander throughout the crowds, most of which looked at us curiously, I guess there weren't many living visitors here. Frankly I had expected to recognize at least someone here and maybe get a glimpse at Odysseus or so, but I didn't. Rationally speaking it only made sense, Elysium was small, but there still were millions of souls here, the odds of recognizing someone were astronomically low.

We came to one of the many piers reaching into the lakes, boats were moving on them, seemingly without anyone to row them, I guess no one had to work here. People were boarding on and off from them at regular intervals, some with clear destinations, others simply joyriding seemingly.

Not long after we were sitting in one of the boats which moved towards the islands. Around us the water of the lake glittered, though I couldn't help but wonder just where it came from, it didn't seem to belong to any of the rivers of the Underworld, being strangely normal.

"Can I ask where we are going?" Bianca said, looking at Atlanta, who smiled.

"The place most heroes only dream of going to," She explained, sounding longing. "The Isles of the Blest, where her palace is, she is Elysium's ruler in case you have forgotten."

Atalanta pointed to a white marble palace rising in the middle of the islands, gardens decorated its terraces and surroundings. Yet it still had a certain simplicity about it, though I wasn't sure that was the right word, because it was majestic sure, but it wasn't as imposing as Olympus was for example.

"Say, Bi, have you met her before?" I asked, wanting to prepare myself for this meeting.

"Makaria?" Bianca asked unsure. "No, she spends most of her time in Elysium, she is the goddess of blessed death after all."

"So you can't say how this will go?" I asked unsurely.

"Oh, we'll be fine, I think," Bianca said. "You were quite diplomatic with dad after all."

"Thanks," I said, though I didn't agree. "he didn't really seem convinced till you talked with him though."

"Nonsense," Bianca insisted. "he didn't even threaten you once, sure I had to talk to him, but I had expected that anyways, you did great."

I blushed at the praise and looked away, becoming awkwardly aware of the fact how close I was sitting to her on the boat. I would have enjoyed it, if it wasn't for the fact we were being intently watched by Atalanta and Eleanor, the latter of whom looked very entertained. Blushing even harder as I felt Eleanor look at me, I cleared my throat.

"Anyways," I said, eager to shift the topic. "I didn't know you could speak Italian?"

"Huh," Bianca looked surprised before she smiled. "yeah, neither did I two months ago."

"So what changed?" I asked, interested.

"I learned Italian obviously," Bianca said and I gave a dry laugh.

"In two months?" I asked, disbelieving, either Bianca had a terrifying talent for languages, or there was more to it.

"Well, I had quite a lot of time," She said, though it was clear I was still unconvinced. "plus, I think I didn't actually learn it, more like re-learned it."

"Uh, huh," I said, still doubtful. "related to your whole amnesia situation I take? Any other memories returning?"

"No, not really," She said, biting her lip. Clearly she was holding something back, but I didn't want to prod.

The trip across the huge lake was surprisingly quick and soon the boat stopped at the pier of the majestic island. What surprised me was how deserted it seemed, sure there were guards here and there, and the occasional servant strolling about, but it was nearly empty beyond that. Atalanta seemed to know where she was going without any guidance however, very clearly navigating through the gardens.

We followed her up the steps to a large white marble pavilion. Inside a woman, whom I assumed to be Makaria, looked out over Elysium, from the comfort of an ornate reclining couch. She turned to us and a brilliant smile appeared on her face.

"Ah, finally, there you are," She said and turned to Atalanta. "thank you for getting them, you are dismissed."

"Of course my lady," The huntress said and bowed, before hurriedly disappearing back down the stairs.

Makaria walked over to us and I looked at her properly. She was admittedly stunning, her long black hair curled behind her, her eyes a bright shining blue, not unlike that of the glittering lakes around.

It was hard to say how old she was in her current form, eighteen, perhaps nineteen. I forced myself not to stare, I already was pining after one beautiful daughter of Hades, no need to get a crush on a far more unattainable one.

When she came to a stop before us, she did something I did not expect and neither did Bianca seemingly.

"Finally I get to meet you little sister!" She exclaimed happily as she hugged her tightly. "I am sorry, I was just so terribly busy before, but now is the perfect time, isn't it?"

"I am happy to meet you as well," Bianca said awkwardly, yet happy, clearly overwhelmed. "Though I don't know what you mean."

"Why you aren't here to visit family, are you now?" Makaria stated as she pulled back. "You are here on a quest, and I'm here to help, which conveniently allows us to talk."

"Help us?" Bianca asked. "How?"

"I'll explain everything in due time, my dear," Makaria said and clapped her hands. "But for now you are my guests."

A couple of new couches appeared and she gestured us to sit down, which we did without complaint. Tea sets and cups started floating near us, serving themselves, pouring pleasantly smelling black tea.

Usually I was not one to deny a good Darjeeling, but I was pretty sure it would tie us to the Underworld for all eternity. The same went for the, admittedly very enticing, blueberry cake which landed on a plate in front of me, but unlike Percy I had the willpower to withstand blue food.

"Lady Makaria," I said and she turned to me. "forgive me, but we can't eat this, can we?"

"Oh, I am so sorry," She said, genuinely surprised. "You are right, of course, I just get so few guests, mortal ones at least, I am not used to your limitations."

She clapped her hands again and the food was carried away, except for hers and Bianca's. She didn't look in the mood for eating and while Bianca looked hungry, I assumed she was far too polite to eat when we did not. Not that I would have minded, but still I thought it was cute. Makaria looked back at Bianca.

"Though these limitations are in a way the answer to your question, sister," She said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Bianca asked, just as confused as me.

"There are possibilities you mortals have, we immortals do not," Makaria said with a smile. "even those of you who are truly and fully mortal."

I furrowed my brows, Menoites had said something similar, but what did they both mean. What great solution was there only mortals could access and what did she mean with truly mortal. I exchanged a look with Eleanor. She looked no less confused than Bianca and me.

"Lady Makharia," She said hesitantly. "I do not think we can quite follow."

"Patience, my girl," Makaria told her. "What I am trying to say is, you heroes can go where you want, challenge who you want and such, you can ignore rules we immortals have to follow. Even those of life and death to an extent and many of you have come here for that."

"But, I do not see how that should help us?" I asked, still confused. "I am not looking to bring someone back or anything like that."

"Perhaps," Makaria conceded. "But there are other reasons heroes came here."

"We are not looking to take your dog," Eleanor said.

"Or your mother, that is," I added on and saw her smile, clearly amused.

"Sure, that is why demigods mostly come here, on daring, or often rather foolish quests," She said with a chuckle. "but those are not the only heroes that came here, are they?"

"Odysseus," I realized, deciding to ignore the fact he was not entirely mortal either. "he came here for information."

"Yes, and he got it from the dead," Makaria said happily. "but only one of them truly helped him find his way."

"Tiresias," Eleanor muttered, concluding before me as I remembered the tale.

"Who?" Bianca asked and sometimes I forgot just how knew she still was to this world, five months wasn't a lot in the grand scheme of things.

"He was a prophet," I answered her. "although fully mortal, he got his ability from Athena after she felt herself forced to blind him after he-"

"Stumbled upon her bathing?" Bianca completed for me, rolling her eyes.

I smiled, indeed that was what happened. Though in an amusing twist I realized that those stories only existed with Athena and Artemis, which was... strange. Did other gods just not have a problem with being seen in compromising positions by mortals? Or maybe they just didn't bathe in public spaces and then had a problem with people seeing them. Still prophecy and being blinded was a far better deal than being turned into a stag and eaten by your own hounds in my opinion.

"Yes, he stumbled upon her bathing," I confirmed, before elaborating. "either way, he was very apologetic about it and so she gave him the ability of prophecy and the power to understand birds."

"But that is not all she gave him," Makaria said and took a sip of tea. "otherwise he would have been of no use to Odysseus in his deceased state."

"He found him the Fields of Asphodel, didn't he?" Eleanor asked and Makaria nodded. "But how did he talk to him, the other shades there seemed utterly mindless."

"That was because of her last gift him, for his mind to never decay, neither in age, nor in death." Makaria explained and I realized what she was leading at.

"Which means he could help us, even here." Bianca concluded and Makaria nodded happily.

"Quite right, sister," She told her, with praising tone

"But how are we to find him?" Bianca asked. "The Fields are damn near endless."

"You won't have to," Makaria told us with a glint in her eyes. "He will find you instead."

"You want me to summon him?" Bianca half asked, half stated.

"Precisely," Her sister said. "perhaps you should consider a sacrifice, blood preferably."

"And what then?" Eleanor asked. "Will we receive a prophecy from him?"

"Tiresias usually speaks in riddles," Makaria replied. "and even then it will take quite a bit of effort to get him to share his knowledge."

I nodded thoughtfully and Makaria rose from her couch, she strode over to the edge of the pavilion and leaned on the railing. Really, the goddess was quite nice and helpful, perhaps the nicest immortal I had ever met and she seemed to do it all without gain. I couldn't help but remember Kronos' words about allies, but quickly shoved those thoughts away.

There was no way he could have predicted this and so far Makaria didn't do anything questionable. She didn't want anything from us, nor did she force us to do anything. She simply told us what we could do and, frankly, I was very thankful for her advice, because I saw this as the best bet to solve this. Plus I felt really bad for even considering distrusting her.

"It is late at night in the world of living by now, you surely are tired by now." She stated concerned. "You can stay the night here if you want. It is much more pleasant than camping in the Fields of Asphodel, unless you enjoy risking being crushed by falling rocks."

"Thank you, sister." Bianca said and Makharia smiled at her.

"It is no bother, my dear," The goddess said. "I must sadly return to my duties now, but come visit me some time, will you?"

"I'll try," Bianca told her and she nodded happily, before melting into the shadows.

"That was quite nice," Eleanor noted and I hummed in agreement.

"Yeah," I said genuinely. "Seems we'll be catching this thief in due time yet."

Thanks for reading as always,

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