Amari412: The 'Shadow Land' is in-between, death and life. Thanatos was only there to mock Melinoe. Well Zeus isn't the brightest bulb when it comes to this story, but he plays a huge part in it, the further we go. Thank you for the review. 'Skin Deep' will be updated in a couple of days.
Welcome :
To Athens
Light burned through Melinoe's twitching eyelids. Rising up slowly, groaning as pressure of stones became removed from her back, she grew tense. Never before had the light in the Underworld been so bright. Pushing aside strands of her hair, whilst rubbing away the tiredness from the corners of her eyes, Melinoe took a moment to look around unfamiliar surroundings. Where the River Styx should flow was now a light blue stream. Rays from the sun caused it to sparkle like precious jewels. Rising herself slowly upon her knees, Melinoe extended her hand. Feeling the heat of the water, she pulled her hand back in fear. Clasping hold of her wrist, she examined her palm expecting to see it covered in blisters. Nothing. Only a few trickles of sweat.
"Extraordinary.."
Breathing out a faint whisper, her ears seemed to prick. The faint sound of music in the distance, made Melinoe turn around slowly. Pressing up against the rock bolder, she peered over. What she saw next took her breath away.
Men. Women. Children. All dressed in colours Melinoe only imagined as a child. Tables covered in food. A large roaring fire situated in the centre. Ribbons danced, with each swaying wrist and hip. Hair lose from painful bounds, danced in tight circles. Scattered around, men dressed in silver armour. Some held drums others tortoise shelled lyres. They played together in tune. The music enough to make Apollo sea green with envy. Sandaled feet tapped. Even worthy soldiers grinned and laughed. Women spun on the tips of their toes, clapping their hands above their heads. Children ate corn.
What amazed Melinoe the most was the beautiful singing. Everyone sung. Even the old who had to lean against wooden staffs, or remain seated.
"Bringer of seasons. Destroyer of cold plague.
Our crops grow with pride. Our offerings only from your very best.
Hear our song of praise.
With every year that passes, you destroy our fear of death and darkness.
We don't need to think of where our end will be.
Our scared fire remains strong. Smells of your bounty bring us joy.
Thank you for all you've given us.
Thank you goddess Demeter for your gifts. We continue to rejoice with every spring.
Bringer of seasons. Destroyer of cold plague."
A rising from behind the rock boulder, Melinoe edged closer towards the dancing group of citizens. She had to remind herself that these people were alive. They weren't shades. A faint gasp passed Melinoe's lips. A young child with shimmering green eyes, peered towards her. Resting upon the child's head, a flower. Stretching her small hand, the child handed Melinoe a ribbon.
"For you stranger. Everyone dances to Demeter's song.."
Taking the ribbon with care, as if Melinoe feared it would break in her hand. Trembling finger tips stroking the fabric as if it was a masterpiece.
"Thank you..."
Smiling brightly the child, spun around laughing in rejoice to be reunited with other children, who looked towards Melinoe with awe. There was no fear in their curious eyes. It seemed they had no idea who she was. Why would they? Melinoe hadn't even meet half of her relatives on Olympus. A part of Melinoe, told her she should show these humans who she was. Though watching as each human danced. Sung. Or simply ate; Melinoe found herself being pulled into the beauty of the festival.
Arms out stretched, Melinoe laughed in delight. The child who gave her the flower, spun around running underneath tables. Crawling through adult legs, in a daring game of cat and mouse with the other children. Melinoe laughed in delight. So much freedom. If only her father could see her now.
After dancing until her feet began to grow sore, Melinoe looked around. The sound of cheering not to far from her left, caused Melinoe to turn. A crowd was slowly starting to form. As her curiosity began to grow, Melinoe quickly jogged down to get a better view. Mutters of bets, followed by hushed whispers of calculations caused Melinoe's brow to crease.
"What's going on?"
She finally spoke to no one in particular. A young man turned, seemingly taken back by her question, but never the less answered it quickly as if fearing he would miss something more exciting than an unknown goddess with pale skin and dark ebony hair.
"A race of course. It happens every year."
His snipe remark made Melinoe's noes scrunch up at his rudeness, though instead of making a remark, Melinoe found herself leaning forward in an attempt to get a better view.
Horses thundered past. Hind quarters quivering. Each rider braced on their powerful backs, clutching something created by Demeter. The winner would be blessed with good crops for the remainder of the year. Jumping up and down with excitement, Melinoe found herself screaming, cheering. Blazing eyes focusing on the ebony black mare with a white star on her forehead. The mare's nostrils flared, powerful hooves kicking up dust, tossing it behind her with little care. With teeth barred a second mare, dapple grey in colour charged, ears pinned listening to her rider screaming for her to go faster. Neck extended the dapple grey was able to breath down the black mares spinal cord.
"Come on! Your almost there!"
Fists waved franticly in the air. Everyone held their breath. The dapple and black were now neck and neck. Bracing themselves around a tight corner, bodies clashing, hooves almost becoming a messy tangle. Melinoe's eyes becoming so large they might jut pop from her skull; a joyful cry passed her lips. The black mare had won. Melinoe couldn't explain the toxic sensation running through her veins. When she defeated her father all she felt was primal power. But this was different. Spiritual. As if she was able to connect with more than just her own ego. Leaning across a powerful arched neck, slapping it with over enthusiasm. The rider's grin didn't become greedy nor a sneer when the grey mare trotted up to his side. Each rider nodded. One for congratulations the other for good sports man ship.
Cheers became muffled as a young woman stepped forward carrying a basket full of corn with herbs, even a few flowers. Melinoe had to cover her mouth seeing the very same flower her mother created.
"Gifts from Demeter. May they bring your family a year of good harvest."
Taking hold of the basket, cradling it against his chest the rider beamed with pride. Melinoe however couldn't find herself to bask in the cries of celebration as the rest of the crowd. There was something hidden in the riders eyes. Sadness. Loss. None of the words fitted the description. As he turned his head grinning to all who cried out in joy, Melinoe was able to catch his eye. A cold sweat broke out. Body trembled.
"No! Help me!" Figures ran in a blind panic. "You can't take my son!" Soldier's armour flashing. Swords pinning a screaming woman against the wall. "No! Alexander!"
Stumbling forward, hand clasping against her chest Melinoe took in deep gulps of air. Eyes ringing, turning terrified screams of the large crowd to white noise. It was only when shooting pain travelled through her shoulder, from a scrambling woman, did Melinoe finally gain her vision back from endless blinking to remove the white spots. Melinoe had no time to scream. Charging with fire hidden in dark orbs, the black mare was hurtling towards Melinoe with the look of a rabid beast. A mixture of warmth and pain wrapped its self tightly around Melinoe's waist, forcing her feet to lift from the ground.
Watching as chipped hooves ran inches past her head, Melinoe laid dazed. Where her side should've been cut with jagged rocks, all she could feel was a soft warm mound. Realisation came quickly when the mound shifted. Quickly removing herself with heated cheeks and guilty eyes, Melinoe looked down towards her saviour. The rider. Though Melinoe knew she didn't weigh all that much, her mouth opened to rain down apologies, even if it was his choice to drag her out of danger.
"Are you alright?"
Melinoe's brow creased in confusion. Words were spoken, yet her mouth remained a gap like a caught fish. Watching as the young man stood up dusting himself off, trying to hide back a wince as a few rocks scattered around their feet. Melinoe found her cheeks flushing even deeper realising that he was the one who spoke.
"I'm fine, but what were you thinking? You could've been hurt.."
The rider arched a brow. Looking towards Melinoe as if she'd grown a second head, a smile graced his lips.
"Well, your welcome."
Turning, watching as the rider limped towards a group of men who tried in desperation to still his mare, who continued to rise upon powerful hind quarters, neighing loudly in distress. A shiver travelled down Melinoe's spine. Could it be that the mare saw her as some sort of threat? Rubbing hands up her bare arms in a bid to get rid of the sudden out break of goose bumps, Melinoe walked back towards the celebration. Though the crowd silent and edgy after the sudden less than exciting sceptical, they all tried to get back in the spirit. Walking towards a large table covered in food, Melinoe found herself just staring at the sizzling food which sent waves of tasteful smells.
"What'll be stranger?"
Melinoe almost jumped out of her skin as a kindly voice broke over cooked food. Looking to her left expecting to see the owner of the table, an elderly gentleman was putting a variety of different food on his plate without so much as a pouch full of money. From the stories Persephone's explained about the upper land with their laws, Melinoe felt fearful. Catching her look the gentleman let out a chuckle.
"Everything is free. Help yourself."
Looking down towards the food, Melinoe was tempted to turn, but a loud growl from her stomach, forced her hands to snatch up a plate before anyone was able to make a comment.
A great fire burned brightly. Sticks held themselves high as if they were able to touch Olympus its self. The same musicians from earlier now sat upon the ground. Drums held protectively by crossed legs. Sweaty palms beating cow hide sending a mixture of sounds through the air. Children danced around the fire, while their mothers watched on with care. Couples covered in thick cloaks. Even with spring just around the corner, the air still carried a chill. Sitting a few feet away from the celebration, a bowl of warmth broth bringing a sweat to Melinoe's face, she watched on. After what started off as a bright day, it only dawned on Melinoe that night was coming. She held no place to rest.
An awkward sound of someone clearing their throat caught Melinoe's attention, but she didn't turn from her reflection within the broth.
"Excuse me. May I sit with you?"
Melinoe simply shrugged her shoulders. With her mind focused on sudden realisation that she was to far from home, with no knowledge of returning to the cold walls of the Underworld, nothing seemed to matter anymore. Scuffing of shoes, caused Melinoe to turn.
"I should've known it would've been you.."
Chuckling lightly, the male leant forward, causing his shoulder to brush against Melinoe's. Melinoe hid back her hiss, the bone still tender. Sitting in silence, listening to the fire crackling or children laughing playfully, everything seemed so peaceful. Back in the Underworld Melinoe would pine for stories. For sound. Something about sitting during the end of a festival made Melinoe wish that it would remain like this. Her wish went unheard.
"I know everyone around Athens, but you remain a stranger to me. What's your name? If it's to bold a question."
A ghost of a smile tugged at Melinoe's lips, eyes sparkled with mischievous.
"I don't give out my name to strangers."
Melinoe mumbled as she brought the broth to her lips, taking a careful sip. Melted potato. Cheese and herbs sloshed around her mouth. The same chuckle passed his lips. Leaning back allowing shadows to cast over his face, his legs to stretch exposing ebony clothing.
"My name is Alexander. Now you remain the only stranger here."
His wit humoured Melinoe. Placing the bowl upon her lap, she turned finally giving him her full attention. Her smile no longer a ghostly apparition.
"Melinoe. That is my- Alexander?"
Terrifying flashes of earlier foresight burned Melinoe's mind. It took all of her strength not to suddenly run from his presence. Whether it was because he was shadowed by the dark, or scratching the back of his neck, Alexander didn't seem to notice Melinoe's sudden discomfort. He laughed as if they passed an old joke. Melinoe starring towards the fire, watching it dance, occasionally playing out what she saw.
"Don't judge. Your name is just as unique as mine."
Nodding numbly Melinoe brought the broth back up to her lips, where she took a large gulp, burning her throat in the process. Alexander's hand upon her shoulder almost caused Melinoe to choke. She turned seeing a mixture of concern in his eyes. Gulping down her mouthful before lowering her bowl, Melinoe didn't ask what was wrong, only starred at him.
"Come on. The festival is ending, I'm going to guess you have no place to spend the night?"
Melinoe wanted to argue that she in fact did. The chill in the night air however forced her not to act so quickly. Eyes lowered before she nodded. Zagreus allowed his hand to gently squeeze her shoulder, stirring her out of a selfish sulk. Smiling like a true gentleman he stood up, but not before stretching out his hand for her to take.
"You'll be staying with me. My home is always open to those who need it."
Melinoe couldn't help but wonder if this was a genuine example of a man with a good heart, or just someone who wanted to take advantage. Her conscious nagged at the back of her mind. If what she saw was true, then Melinoe would make sure she would be there to stop it. Instead of accepting his hand, Melinoe stood up from the ground, without even a stumble in her footing.
"I accept your offer. I'm not however a damsel in distress."
With his hand still in mid air Alexander looked taken back, if only for a moment. Curling his fingers, he nodded his head flashing a toothy grin. Melinoe was like none of the other women of Athens. It amused him.
"Come along then."
Watching Alexander's retreating back, a coy smirk stretched Melinoe's lips. With her head held high she walked quickly after Alexander, unaware of the flames which morphed into an eye. The very same eye that the Fate's held so protectively. As a large bucket of water was tossed over the flames, causing the ground to hiss as if in pain. Branches falling in a heap of black soot; no one noticed the sound of distant cackling.
"What a terrible web we've woven. For as each passing second she draws nearer to her fate. Sacrifices will soon be shipped out. The questions once more rises: 'Who could ever love a beast?'
After the dark chapter I thought it was only fair to liven up your spirits with this upbeat chapter. =) The song is one I made up after doing some research on prayers similar. Hope you all enjoyed it. Look forward to your reviews.
- Signed The Broken Ghost