Chapter Thirty-six

The Weave

I laid in Ariston's arms and examined my engagement ring. The blue gold band was engraved with Greek key symbols.

"It is the symbol of eternity. Eternal life, love and friendship." Ariston told me, I smiled at that.

"It is perfect." I told him.

I looked into the eyes of the god who will soon be my husband; they were by far more beautiful than the diamonds glittering on my finger. It looked to me as if two pieces of the vast, breathtaking blue of the sky had been used to create Ariston's eyes, a color so beauteous and breathtaking. Knowing that we were soul mates, that his eyes had been created for me to gaze into, his body made for me to hold… it did not seem real, yet at the same time I knew this was meant to be, that we were destined for each other. I do not think I have once doubted that fact since the moment I met him.

I brought my lips up to meet his as his hand caressed my back and my hands caressed his bare chest, all the while loving the tingles doing so sent through my body. The potent magic in this one kiss brought us into another state of existence, and the most incredible thing was that every kiss felt like this. Whether the kiss was sweet, soft and tender, or wild, passionate, full of a desperate need for more, either way, each kiss we share cast the same spell upon our souls, an enchantment that could never be undone.

"I love you so much." I said breathlessly with a huge smile.

"I love you, my Mera. With all my being." He proclaimed with all his soul behind every word that left his sacred lips. Our smiles grew and I looked at him in wonderment.

"I am still amazed," I told him. "I get the prince, white horse and all." He laughed.

"And I am blessed with the most beautiful," He kissed my neck once. "Sexy," He kissed the hollow of my throat. "Extraordinary," He kissed my shoulder. "Loving," He kissed my nose. "Brilliant," he kissed my forehead. "Perfect goddess that has ever existed." He looked into my eyes again.

"I am not a goddess yet." I reminded him, he just shook his head with love in his eyes.

"You have always been a goddess in my eyes." He said. "You are the goddess of my love, of my very soul. I will always adore and worship you for all that you are." I smiled at the passion and truth in his words and leaned up and kissed him again.

"We need to tell Kallisto now that it is official, and we also need to go down to the Underworld to see the Moirae." Ariston told me. I saw in his eyes exactly what I felt, that neither of us wanted to move from our bed, from how we were holding each other right now.

"When?" I asked

"After we tell Kallisto?" He suggested. I sighed and nodded, I wanted to get this over with so we could return to our bed, to being alone. We were not alone together enough for my liking.

"I think we could use a shower first." I said, he agreed with a smile.

The shower ended up being longer than we had planned; we never have been quite able to keep our hands off of each other. When we got out I went into my grand closet to choose a gown. I chose a white gown of crinkled cloud silk in an ancient Greek style, it was held together at the shoulders with pins of carved lapis lazuli and had a band of the same stones going around my slim waist. For jewels I went for a dangle necklace of emeralds set in adamantine and a bracelet to match on my right wrist. For shoes I wore flats that were beautifully designed with ribbon and lapis lazuli, and not to mention wonderfully comfortable, almost like slippers but with much more class.

Tianna came and put my hair up with a silver hairnet and placed a headpiece that matched my necklace and bracelet. I excitedly showed her my ring and she offered her congratulations; she was genuinely excited for Ariston and I. Ariston and I were on could nine! I do not know if I have ever felt such joy within him.

I could not help giving Ariston a once over when he walked in. He wore a gray silk suit that was perfectly tailored to his incredible body and had dark green scrollwork on the sleeves and pockets of the jacket; the color matched the emeralds I wore. His shirt was a dark blue and his tie was white with a sapphire pin and cufflinks with black shoes. He looked beyond incredible.

We went into our living room and called for Kallisto. She appeared wearing an off white cloud silk gown with cap sleeves and a wide sash of gold tied around her thin waist. With the dress she wore gold jewelry. She looked stunning.

"It is official!" I told Kallisto, holding my hand out to show her the ring. "Your father and I are going to be wed."

"Congratulations!" She said and hugged us both. "I am so happy for the both of you."

"Thank you, daughter." Ariston said with a huge smile.

"Would you do me the honor of being one of my bridesmaids?" I asked her. She looked touched.

"I would love to." she said, honesty in her eyes. I hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you." I said to her with a smile.

We talked for a few minutes more before Kallisto excused herself, saying that she was meeting Aaron. When she was gone, Ariston draped a white cloud wool cloak over my shoulders and fastened the gold broach at the hollow of my throat. The soft cloak went down to my feet and at the bottom it was embellished with more lapis.

"The crossing of the Styx can be cold." Ariston said.

"Couldn't you just keep me warm?" I asked him.

"In front of Charon?" Ariston asked with a raised eyebrow and I blushed. We both knew that was not what I meant.

I smiled up to him and he took me into his warm embrace, his wonderful golden essence enveloping us as his form turned to golden light before settling back into the god I know so well. We arrived on a sandy beach a moment later, a deep feeling of peace hung in the air, which had a slight chill to it.

It was dark but I could see well enough and hear the gentle waves lapping at the great shore. The first thing I noticed when I took in my surroundings were the spirits; they were transparent and each a different hew of white or gray, some shining so brightly and some more dull. Ariston told me that the color of their soul showed their purity and the level of the good or evil within them from their actions and the trials in their lives. The most pure spirits are a bright white and the most evil are a dark muddied brown, almost black, and there are nearly countless shades in between the two. He also told me that some gray shades were not evil, they had just been through too much and had forgotten how to shine.

I saw almost every age and hue; there were only a few that were pure white, most were a little more muddied. In the afterlife they would be judged, the purest souls go to the Isles of the Blessed, the Heaven of Heavens. The ones whom have lived a good life and are good at heart will go to Elysium. There, none go without food, none go without clothing or anything they need. There is more than enough of everything for everyone to have what they want. The souls can try their hand at any and every honorable craft and pursuit they desire or just relax day in and day out. Many times, crafts they learn there are transferred to their future life. They will not age here, they will not be in pain, they will have a peaceful and joyful existence.

I asked Ariston why anyone would want to leave such a place, his answer was simple; children. Unlike the gods, mortal spirits can make love but they cannot bare children without being in a living vessel.

The spirits that have made mistakes in their lives and need to work through them before they are reborn, will go to the fields of Asphodel to contemplate their lives, make amends and find peace.

The truly evil of the souls are sent to Tartarus where they will be punished until they are broken down, their souls stripped of their evil, after which they are placed in Asphodel, where they will be slowly healed as they come to a new understanding of their mistakes, and how to not repeat them in their next life.

Souls that were evil in one life often end up doing great deeds in the next to atone for sins they do not even remember. But if the soul is evil enough and cannot be purged, it will be destroyed for the sake of the others.

The spirits around me wore a range of modern clothing. It was easy to see for some of them how they passed by what they wore. One man wore a firefighters uniform that was burnt, his helmet crushed. In his arms was a little boy whom could not have been older than six; his clothing was burnt as well. I felt tears in my eyes, my throat constricting as I looked at them. I understood at once that the firefighter had died while trying to save that boy. I also noticed how most of the damage and burnt clothing was on the fireman's back. He had curled his body around that child to protect him, I realized. Now that is a real hero. They both seemed at peace now; I was thankful for that even though I did not know them.

None of the spirits seemed frightened, they seemed at peace and I could not find it in me to be scared of them. They were quite; none spoke in the peace that surrounded them and us. Some of them looked at Ariston and I with curiosity; they knew we were living, but none approached us.

The beach extended in both directions, if there was an end, I could not see it. All the souls were walking towards a long dock where beautifully carved wooden ships waiting to carry them across the Styx, the River of the Dead. The waters beyond were just as mind bogglingly vast as the beach and dock.

In the very distance of the horizon there was a point of light as small as a star. I was drawn to it and to the warmth, peace and joy it promised to provide.

I looked up to Ariston and he gave me a smile, then guided me down to the dock. The souls parted way before us. A finely carved boat awaited us at the dock. The ends of the boat rose up and curled outward in a beautiful design, and there was a seat with padded cushions and pillows to recline on. A man sat at the oars, dressed in a black robe. Ariston stepped into the boat, then offered me his hand and helped me in.

It was quiet, peacefully so, as Charon rowed us across the Styx. The only sound was that of the oars softly dipping into the water and rising again. It was dark as night and there were stars above. They were not the stars from Earth, I knew that much by the constellations, none of which looked familiar. The peace around me seemed to seep into my very bones. It felt like floating. I could only guess it was an effect of this realm; it was incredibly welcoming.

I smiled. So this is what is it like for those whom cross over. I have always wondered about that as most people have, but I was not dead and neither was the god who reclined on the silk cushions next to me, holding my hand.

The peace and silence were so sweet that I did not dare break it. I looked at Ariston; his eyes were a thousand years away. He worried; even though we are soul mates, he still worried.

If you keep that face up you are going to get wrinkles, I thought to him.

He smiled and almost laughed at the impossibility of that as he looked over to me. The worry was within him, even though he did what he could to mask his fears, they were still apparent to me.

The last time I crossed this river it was to beg Persephone and Hades to let me see Elianna one last time. Ariston thought to me. It was against the rules but I had hoped they would make an exception for me. They did not however. They said that I had to let go of her and work on finding a way to move on with my life.

I placed my hand on his cheek and rested my forehead to his, he held me tenderly. I cannot lose you, he thought. I was uncertain if he had meant for me to hear that or not.

It is going to be alright, my Ariston. I love you, I thought tenderly to him.

I love you, my Mera, He replied.

I could not have said how long the ride across the river was, it could have been moments or hours long. There was a strange sense of time down here. It reminded me of those moments between Ariston and I, how time has no meaning.

The light in the distance had grown brighter; it was now like that of the rising sun. An island appeared on the horizon and soon the shore came into view. The water lightened into a beautiful dark blue then faded into lighter shades of turquoise on its way to the shore. The hills were covered with huge green leafed trees that looked to be at least a thousand years old judging by their size, and grassy planes were dotted throughout the landscape. There were roads and paths made out of cobblestone that sparkled slightly in the light, and red rose bushes ran along the sides of the paths. I could feel some life coming from the trees and plants. I knew that without my enhanced sight I would not be able to make out such details from the vast island before me.

The beach itself ran all around the island and there was at least a hundred feet between the shore and the cliff face. The sand was the color of gold and here and there sparkled brilliant colors. Gemstones, I realized, the grains of sand are made of gold and gemstones. It was truly a stunning effect.

Once I had taken in the scenery, I gasped in wonder at what was before me. On a hill stood a grand palace of gold veined black marble, the intricate detail put into the architecture was jaw dropping. From the many balconies jutting out from the awe-inspiring structure, some with silk awnings in brilliant shades of reds, violets, greens and blues, to the carvings in the marble itself, it was clear that this was an abode built for a king, and a rich one at that. The dark marble was a beautiful contrast to the brilliant colors of the landscape, it was mysterious, fastening, rousing my curiosity, making me long to see what was within what could only be the palace of a king. The island and its dark palace took my breath away.

"That is Hades and Persephone's palace. This part of the Underworld is theirs alone." Ariston told me. "Speaking of whom."

On a long dock of black gold veined marble stood the King of the Underworld and his Queen, both of whom were dressed in black. Hades was a strikingly handsome, almost imposing figure. He was tall, with possibly the palest skin I had ever seen, ebony black hair and black eyes. His dark clothing held the same color as his hair and eyes, a cloak slung over his broad shoulders.

Upon the dark gods arm was an incredibly beautiful woman who could be none other than his wife Persephone. She resembled her mother Demeter, with her oval face and green eyes, only hers were a brighter shade than her mothers, they were the color of the first leaves of spring. Her skin was also her mothers, a light golden tan, the same as Hera's. Her hair was a shade of blond that looked something like the color of wheat, honey and sunshine. Her body was slim and shapely, which was accentuated by the gown she wore. The dark color of the gown brought out the brilliance that was her beauty, from the color of her eyes, to the shades of her hair, to the hue of her skin.

The royal pair wore diadems of adamantine embedded with sapphires and emeralds. Hades also wore an armband around his right bicep made of the same metal and stones, and Persephone wore an incredible necklace of sparkling white diamonds that led down to the incredible emerald center stone. Matching earrings adorned her lobes.

Charon rowed us up to the dock and tied it off. Ariston got out of the boat then helped me off. We walked up steps to where Persephone and Hades stood. We bowed to them and they bowed their heads in unison to us.

"Welcome to our realm." Hades greeted in his cool voice with a slight smile.

"My thanks." I said with a smile.

"The carriage to the Moirae awaits." Persephone said after we greeted each other.

We began to walk up the path, my arm was through Ariston's and Persephone had her arm through her lords. Persephone and I walked side by side since the path was wide enough.

"My congratulations on your engagement." Persephone said with a warm smile.

"Thank you! Ariston and I are very excited." I showed her the ring with a smile.

"That is beautiful," She said as she examined it. "We did not wear rings when my husband and I wed. My husband gave me this when engagement rings came into fashion." Persephone held out her hand to show a beautiful ring with large black and pink diamonds. The black diamond sparkled in an oddly fastening way, giving off its own colors.

"That is stunning." I said in amazement.

"Many gods gave their spouses rings when they came in fashion." The Queen of the Underworld laughed. "My sister Ennina thought it was the most ridiculous idea the mortals had ever come up with, 'how can a ring show my union to Cronus and how much he means to me?' She had asked. Cronus eventually convinced her to wear it and soon after she found that she liked it." I smiled as I looked away from her to take in my surroundings.

"Your realm is stunning." I complimented.

"Thank you. We enjoy it." Persephone said, giving her husband a smile, which he returned, before looking back to me. "When you have time, I would love to show you the rest of our home."

"I would truly love that." I told her. "Your palace is beyond belief!" Her smile widened at the complement.

"How is your family?" Persephone asked. "I hear you and Ariston are visiting them."

"They are well, thank you for asking." I said to her. "They were somewhat shocked when they saw Ariston, they expected him to be younger, but they warmed up to him after they got to know him."

"My father was happy for myself and Hades," Persephone told me. "He knew we loved each other. It was my mother whom would not have the union, which is why I ran away with Hades and married him before she knew of it. When my mother found out, she ordered my father to dissolve the union. When he said he could not, she swore that he would regret doing so."

"I am sure you have heard the stories. My mother withheld life from the earth, forbidding anything to grow until I was returned to her. It was a year before she finally accepted that this is what I want. Part of that had to do with the fact that soon after Hades and I became husband and wife, I became pregnant with our daughter Hecate." Persephone stated. "My mother regrets what she did, but I know that she did it out of love for me. She did not know Hades; few truly knew him. And now to hear the stories the mortals tell of my husband…"

"I have you as my wife," Hades said softly with that ghost of a smile on his lips, his eyes vividly alive as he gazed upon his beloved. "I care not what they say of me." She looked up at him and his smile grew to my astonishment.

He was never one for smiling, not until he met her that is. Ariston thought to me. She taught him how to smile again.

I glanced to Ariston and smiled before looking back to our path to see that it had come to its end. A beautiful ebony carriage awaited us, drawn by two enormous black steeds with flowing manes and tails that could have been made from strands of silk. We turned to face Hades and Persephone. I looked at the King of the Dead, and that was when I realized something.

"Your eyes are blue." I said to him in surprise, he smiled to me.

"That they are." He told me, seeming amused by my sudden statement.

His eyes were a very deep blue; I began wondering how many people mistook them for black. I knew that most feared looking into his eyes. Yes, he was a powerful god and I held great respect for him, but I did not fear him.

"We must attend to our duties. The carriage and Charon will be waiting when you are ready to return." Hades told us.

"Thank you." Ariston said.

"It was wonderful seeing you both again." Persephone said to us.

"And you sister." Ariston said.

"It was wonderful to see you as well." I told her.

The King and Queen of the Underworld left in golden light. Ariston helped me into the carriage before climbing in and sitting next to me. I was glad there was no top on the carriage for the ride. I enjoyed looking at the sky and the trees that hung above us.

"Where is Cerberus?" I asked, speaking of the three-headed hellhound from Greek mythology. I had always wondered about him. Ariston smiled.

"It is pronounced Ker-ver-ous, my love." Ariston said. "And he is guarding the entrances to Tartarus and Asphodel. Only one has ever escaped his watch." I knew Ariston was speaking of The Nameless One.

The ride took ten minutes and soon we came upon a grand mountain. A grand building was carved into the side of the mountain with huge double doors of carved ash with dark scrollwork; they stood fifty feet tall and twenty feet wide. Green vines grew around the door and up the building.

Ariston and I got out and walked to the doors, which swung open for us to a dark room. Ariston and I looked to each other, no words were necessary, our gaze said it all in silence. We turned and walked through the doorway together.

The doors closed behind us. There was a great feeling of vastness all around, as if nothing and everything was surrounding us at the same time. Ariston had told me that the Moirae exist outside of space and time, and with the feeling around us, I could believe it. All was dark, black, but for the loom which glowed brightly before us. The loom was mind bogglingly huge, billions of threads all constantly moving and intertwining with others in amazing patterns. Every color in existence and some that cannot be described colored the threads.

I knew the goddesses from what Ariston had told me of them. Clotho was the youngest; she looked to be about my age and was the spirit of innocence. Atropos was a wizened woman and Lachesis was of an age in between the other two. They represent the past, present and future, the beginning, middle and end of all things.

Clotho spins the thread that represents a mortal's life and Atropos cuts the thread to a certain length of the mortal's life. The thread is then given to Lachesis to weave into the loom.

Lachesis floated above a section and took it into her hands to weave it in a different way, there by changing or creating an event. It is said that you could find the meaning of the universe in the loom if you knew how to look at it. I wondered where Ariston and I were, where our paths were headed together.

"Greetings Mera, Ariston." The goddesses said in unison.

"Greetings." I said.

"Greetings." Ariston replied.

"You are soul mates, and you shall be wed." Lachesis said as she worked. Ariston told me about this, that they already knew the questions we would ask before we asked them. "The path you walk is not an easy one. Your trials will test you on levels you never imagined possible. Dark days are before you both; great sadness's will mingle with your joys."

"This is what we are guiding you towards," Lachesis said as she pointed to a gathering of threads into a brilliant point of light. "The final demise of the Nameless One." I stared at the loom for a moment, looking at all the threads, wondering which ones belonged to Ariston and I. I parted my lips to give voice to a question when they answered it for me. "Yes, Mera. Ariston will be taken from you, and soon."

My heart sunk but for some reason no tears came, only a feeling of acceptance and a sadness as vast as the loom. I already knew this before she told me, I realized, since the dream I have known.

I was frozen, my heart was pounding and I could not breathe. Ariston wrapped his arms around me from behind and held me close. My eyes were on the Moirae and the loom unseeing, but I saw them look to Ariston.

"Yes, Ariston. Mera will die, it is fated," Ariston's arms tightened around me protectively. "No, there is no way to change this, this must come to pass. From her death will come three great gifts, gifts that will mean the turning point in this war."

"There has to be another way." Ariston begged.

"There is none. The events that will lead to her death will be the only way to retrieve The Box. Mera must die." Atropos proclaimed.