The next morning, when Marinette came into Gabrial's front room, she could tell that he was becoming more and more impatient with her. He had only given her one sneer that morning, and since then had avoided eye contact as he paced the room, hands clenched behind his back.

"Now, today you prove that you are able to get your husband only the best to eat and drink." Gabriel said. "For a wife must always be able to get her husband the best she can possibly get him. Even if you are the best cook in the world, you cannot do anything with poor quality ingredients."

Gabriel turned to a nearby table and picked up a goblet. "You will take this goblet to the spring that feeds the river styx, where you will fill it with water and return to me without spilling a drop."

"And where, if I may ask my Lord, can I find this spring?" Marinette asked.

Gabriel smiled. "That's for you to figure out, my dear." He gave her the goblet and turned back toward the door. "Return here by sundown with a full goblet, or you will never again see my son." He told her, and left the room.

Marinette looked at the beautiful crystal goblet in her hand. She gripped it tight, and went to walk out the doors. She'd find the spring somehow. She could ask for directions, or find a map, or something. She'd find her way.

Meanwhile, Adrien was working to do his part to help Marinette. His father believed he was still bedridden, but instead the young god flew up to Olympus. His shoulder still ached, but when he had a purpose, he found it easier to take the pain.

He flew up to the grand palace at the very top of Olympus, and threw open the doors. "Lord Fu, I request an audience." He called.

Fu turned to him. "Adrien. I have not seen you in a long time. How are you?"

"Well, to be honest, I could be better." Adrien told him. Fu was not one of the gods that feared Adrien, but he was still a bit intimidating to talk to. He was wise, powerful, and ancient, not to mention the ruler over all of Olympus.

Fu looked at Adrien's shoulder. "I can see that. Tell me, why is it you came?"

"I wish for your permission to take a wife."

The old king's eyes went wide. "You have finally decided to settle down? I must say, this is a bit of a surprise. Does your father know?"

Adrien nodded. "Yes, although he doesn't want to allow it. I know he won't listen to me, but I don't care. I want this more than I've ever wanted anything!" Adrien cried, his eyes once again starting to fill with tears.

"So you came to me hoping that I could change your father's mind?" Fu asked, and Adrien nodded in agreement. Fu looked out through the window, and down at the Earth below. "It seems that your father and the woman you want as your wife have struck a deal. She promised to prove herself worthy to him. I am sorry, but I cannot break any deal made by another god." Adrien's shoulders slumped.

"So, you can't do anything?"

Fu turned to face him. "I never said that. I have many ways to influence such matters." He smiled. "I cannot force your father to accept your bride, but I can help her earn his acceptance." He gave a small nod towards a corner of the room. Suddenly, a small green spirit came flying out.

"Wayzz, I want you to find the maiden Marinette, and lead her to the spring of the styx. If she proves she is worthy, I expect you to help her gather the water."

The little spirit nodded. "Of course, master." It said, and flew out the window.

Adrien smiled. "Thank you, Lord Fu." He bowed before his king, who gave another soft smile.

"You are welcome, my boy. Now go. Marinette might soon need your help as well."

Marinette wandered away from Gabriel's palace, keeping her eyes opened for any nearby travellers, houses, or shops, but she was not successful. Gabriel seemed to live in the middle of nowhere.

She walked down the road for a while, but soon she saw a small glowing green light. Follow me… She heard, although it wasn't quite hearing. It was like the little voice was in her mind.

With no better options at this point, Marinette followed the little green light. It lead her off the road and through a forest, until they reached the side of a nearby mountain range. I'll meet you at the top. The voice said, and the little green ball if light floated up the side of a nearby cliff.

Marinette looked at the cliff in front of her, wondering how to properly scale it with a goblet in her hand. She looked to the forest, and saw some thin, rope-like plants nearby. Her own belt had snapped a while ago, during her trek to Gabriel's temple, but she supposed she could fashion one out of these vines.

She worked for about a half hour, carefully weaving the plants into a belt, making sure to weave a loop for the goblet to rest in. She then began scaling the cliff, climbing higher and higher, her hands getting scratched and bruised as she did so. But she persisted, and eventually she reached the top of the cliff and pulled herself up, sweat pouring down her face.

The little green light floated there, looking at her. She looked it straight back, unafraid. After facing Gabriel for the last few days, nothing could scare her.

The light eventually dimmed. "I see. You are worthy indeed." A little creature said.

Marinette looked at the creature. "Who are you? You look like the servants that I used to have, back when me and Chat…" She trailed off, remembering the time she spent with Chat. Tears started building up behind her eyelids, but she shoved them back down. She would see him again. She would see him and apologize.

The little creature smiled. "I am Wayzz. My master sent me."

"And who is your master?" Marinette asked.

Wayzz shook his head. "You should know by now that we cannot use names." Marinette nodded in understanding.

"Thank you for leading me here. Where is the spring?"

Wayzz looked down into the valley below. "Down there."

Marinette looked down, and saw a terrifying sight.

The valley was filled with monsters of all shapes and sizes. There were so many different colors and shapes, Marinette could barely keep anything straight.

"The spring water cannot fall into the hands of mortals. For them, the water is too pure. It's deadly. So the akuma guard this valley."

Marinette should have known that Gabriel was trying to kill her. "So how am I supposed to get the water?"

Wayzz smiled. "I will fly across and get you the water. But it will be your job to get it back to Gabriel's without spilling a drop."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Wayzz." She bowed her head towards the creature.

He nodded back and grabbed the goblet out of her hands. He flew across the valley, carefully avoiding the akuma as he filled the goblet. He flew up out of the reach of the akuma, and carefully brought the goblet before Marinette.

"The rest will be up to you." The little creature said, and began to fly away.

"Give your master my thanks!" Marinette called after it.

"I will!"

Marinette watched as Wayzz flew out of sight, and then looked around. She had to scale a cliff without spilling water, and she couldn't let the water touch her skin. She needed something to cover it, but what….

She looked down at the rags of her dress, and then at the vines that cascaded down the side of the cliff. She smiled. She could make this work…

After ensuring that the cover she made was tightly secured, and the strap around her waist was strong enough to hold the goblet's weight, Marinette began her climb down. It was tiring, painstaking work, but she had to ensure that none of the water came out of the goblet.

She eventually made her way back to Gabriel's, and once more stood before the god. Upon seeing the goblet, his pale face turned flame red.

"Who helped you?!" He demanded once more, but Marinette remained silent.

Gabriel fumed and yelled at the girl, demanding how she had accomplished the task. He was so furious that he didn't notice Adrien's snickers from the nearby stairwell.

Adrien had never seen his father this angry. In a way, it was impressive. Marinette brought out more fury in Gabriel than anyone ever had. And yet she, a mortal, looked him in the eyes as he raged, no hint of fear on her face. The more he looked at her resilient expression, the wider he smiled. The dirt smudges on her face and the ragged state of her dress didn't matter to him; he had never seen her look more radiant.

Soon Gabriel stormed off, ordering Marinette back to her "room." Adrien didn't want to see her leave, but he had to stifle a laugh when Marinette gave the retreating figure of his father a mocking bow. That was the spirit he had fallen in love with, and that was the spirit he knew would eventually win out over his stubborn father. All she needed was a little extra help, and this time he wouldn't leave it up to anyone else...