It had been a few good and surprisingly, peaceful weeks since the incident with the Sun. There was not much going on in the underworld, something Myrrhine was thankful for; considering how Hercules kept drawing trouble like a magnet.
First, it was the eternal rivalry between Athena and Ares that almost got all of them killed, and then Phil's trial due to a mistake of Wonderboy; in his attempt to impress an Amazonian. It was at times like that, the witch was thankful the underworld had some peace.
It allowed her to get a break, study more magic, practise and ignore Hades. Speaking of the god of the underworld, he had been pretty…busy the last two weeks. Planning something big obviously, but he did not tell anyone about it; not even the two imps.
Myrrhine did not give it much of a worry and instead, focused on the free time she currently had…until one morning. The moment she entered the kitchen to find something to eat, she found food already prepared.
Only that it was not normal human food and it was not for her, because it was some creepy human-like finger in some sort of sandwich form. The girl stood by the door and blinked, seeing the 'exotic' delicacies. She had been used to it by now, considering the diet of the God she worked for, was rather…peculiar to put it gently.
Upon noticing her, Hades grabbed the plate. "Ah, Myrrhine, baby! Just on time! What do you? Do they look hideous enough?" he asked, bringing the plate too close for her liking.
Pulling a face, she pushed the plate to the side with her hand and walked deeper into the kitchen. "If I say yes, will you stop showing them to me? Whom are they for, anyway?" she questioned, leaning on the wall, hands in front of her chest.
She pushed a few curly strands off her face and kept her blue eyes on him. If that food was for him, he would not have asked for her opinion. So, the simple and obvious answer was the fact that he was preparing them for someone else. The right question was for whom?
"The fates, duh," he said as he let the plate on the counter and moved to fix the chalices and any last details on the table. "I need to ask them about something important and you know how they can be. " he said before he put his best-exaggerated impression. "We do not say the future to anyone"
The witch rolled her eyes, grabbing an apple. It was one of the exotic apples grown especially in the underworld, most specifically in the Elysian Fields. She had free access and she often snuck in there to enjoy some more normal-like foods, when she did not want to go to the upper world.
The moment she took a bite, the three women did their usual sudden appearance right behind her; making her almost choke on the slice of apple inside her mouth. As she coughed, Hades pushed her to the side.
"Ladies, you are right on time! Please, take a seat" he said, putting all his good manners into use.
The three women giggled once they saw the prepared table and took their position, as Hades passed around the finger sandwiches and some other 'treats' he had made for them. Meanwhile, Myrrhine had regained control and was chewing on the apple quietly on the side, watching.
Hades was too busy to remember her and the fates did not seem to care either, too focused on the special treatment being given. The witch could have left, but she speculated Hades' plan would go very wrong, so she decided to stay and enjoy the show.
"Anything for my beautiful ladies. Allow me, to fill your chalices with a little more hemlock" the god said, doing exactly that.
"Oh Hades, you charmer," Clotho said, giving Hades an eye and causing Myrrhine to feel a need to throw up.
She stopped eating the apple, feeling her stomach was not willing to have any more food after witnessing that.
"Clotho… you are such a tease" Hades continued the theatre and Myrrhine realized it was her time to go.
For she could not take it any longer. That was certain. And yet, as she was close to the exit of the kitchen, she finally heard her boss making his move. She came to a halt, ear stretched to listen carefully; still not having been noticed much by anyone else in the room.
She listened as Hades snatched the eye and tried to make it work for him, but he could not. Before he knew it, Clotho and Atropos were crawling on his back and trying to take the eye back. In the end, it was Lachesis who dumped the rest of the hemlock on Hades, putting out his blue fire for hair and snatching the eye back.
The Witch placed a hand in front of her mouth, enjoying the dramatic and amusing scene. If only someone else could know how the mighty Hades got defeated by three old hags and some hemlock. It was a great tale that, unfortunately, she could not share.
At least, she got the chance to witness it and amuse herself at the sight.
"Oh come on! Just this once!" Hades begged as he pulled the container off him and looked at the three women.
"None shall see the future beyond the fold. Not even the Lord of the Underworld" Lachesis said and the three of them disappeared along with the eye.
Myrrhine did not comment anything, already having foreseen that outcome. At least the one where they denied his request. Everything else…was just a great bonus. Hades looked around before his muscles flexed, in seconds, his upper body and face got covered by orange flames as his temper got released.
"Pain! Panic!" he shouted, his voice reaching everywhere in the palace. "I need a sheer!"
To his surprise and Myrrhine's, the two imps brought him endless papyruses. "Maybe this will help" Panic suggested.
Hades took one scroll and opened it, before taking a seat. "A seer catalogue" he realized, muttering out loud. Myrrhine walked casually around the table, standing next to him and leaning to also read; her curiosity had taken the best of her.
"Directory of fortune tellers, psychics and clairvoyants" the witch read out loud and lifted an eyebrow. "Why do you need a sheer, anyway?"
Hades dismissively moved his hand. "Just to check for something I have in mind. You wouldn't understand" he said, his eyes never leaving the papyrus. Myrrhine felt offended and was about to open her mouth to speak when Hades flipped the page and a familiar face showed up.
"You must be kidding me" she muttered under her breath, feeling the need to also take a seat on a chair.
For on that page, among the many seers, it was none other than Cassandra. The worst part, though, was the fact that Hades got interested as well. "Promising amateur. Hot upcoming prosper with a bright future. Rating…4 crystal balls…!"
Pain and Panic happened to glimpse above Hades' hands as well and once they noticed the face, something familiar rang into their mind.
"Hey, Myrrhine" Pain started, drawing his attention. "Isn't she that girl you hang out with at School?" he asked, making the girl harden her glare at him.
Panic lifted one finger as if he also remembered. "Yes. That's her. Cassandra, right?"
Myrrhine was about to choke the two imps but before she could, two hands were placed on her shoulders. Hades leaned slightly, standing now behind her. He guided her to the table where the picture and ratings of Cassandra were visible on the papyrus.
"So, sweetheart. You know this girl?" he asked, his lips inches away from her ear.
The young witch tried not to focus too much on that or the fact that she had very little space between him and the table, making her pretty much trapped.
"Yeah…but not of her psychic capabilities. I doubt they are as good as the catalogue says" she told him, trying to hide the urge to openly argue with him.
She did not want her friend to be anywhere close to any God, especially that specific God. Adding the fact that he wanted to recruit her and that could ruin her cover, let alone their friendship.
In the past, she wouldn't care but she had started to sort of getting used to the teenage Seer. They spent time together and considering that she never had any sort of friends on the island with her mother, she did not want to lose it now.
Hades did not seem to truly mind her answer, as he increased the grip on her shoulder and kept her there trapped for a little more. "Well, worry not. We will find how good she is, very soon" he then turned to the Imps. "Boys, prepare my chariot," he said and finally let her go. He took a few steps back and 'pushed back' his fire hair. "How do I look, baby?"
"You want my honest opinion?" Myrrhine said, making them drop his smirk.
"You have to ruin everything, don't you?" he said before he let out a sigh. "Don't you also have to go to school? Keep an eye on that Jerkules?" he said as he remembered it and before the teenager could say anything more, he waved his hand in a dismissive motion.
Myrrhine was bothered by everything. She knew she could not truly stop Hades from recruiting Cassandra, but also did not want to doom the young girl into the same fate she had. On her way to school and during classes, she kept thinking of ways to help Cassandra and ensure she turns down Hades.
Yet at the same time, she tried to think why would Hades need a sheer for the future. For if it was one of his great plans to overthrow Zeus, why hadn't he done it before? Or why would he trust a sheer now with it? Considering how optimistic he always was about his plans.
Finally, during the break, she managed to find Cassandra. She was sort of hiding behind a pillar, eyeing Hercules and Icarus. The young witch had noticed her friend acting oddly during classes and sort of avoiding the boys.
When she gently touched her shoulders, Cassandra turned with a shocked look on her face. "Are you alright? What's wrong?" she asked, her voice a low whisper.
Cassandra looked around them to ensure they were alone before she leaned closer to the taller girl. "I saw a vision. The most frightful, hideous, apocalyptic vision ever! I swear, words cannot describe it" this made even Myrrhine feel uneasy and glance around, before waiting for her friend to continue. "It was at the festival, tonight. Icarus and I were kissing in front of everyone, even gods and goddesses. I need to make sure this will not happen" by finishing her sentence, she had taken a very serious expression and had even grabbed Myrrhine's toga.
Gently, the taller girl released herself from the grip and gave a nod. "Is this why you have been acting so odd, today?" Cassandra gave a nod and went back to spying on the two boys.
Before Myrrhine could somehow warn or ensure Cassandra doesn't do anything with Hades, the teenager knew she had to help with this problem; or else Cassandra would never take her seriously.
She looked towards the table and an idea popped into her mind. "Why don't you ask Hercules, for help? If there is one person, who can keep Icarus and ensure this doesn't happen, it's him"
Although the boy was quite clumsy and was not always, successful with his plans, he always managed to save it in the end. Plus, it was a simple thing that even he could do. She also wanted to hope that if Cassandra talked to him, she would calm down and then Myrrhine could ensure she doesn't make any deals with Hades.
"You think?" Cassandra asked and Myrrhine gave a nod to her head.
Then, the two teenagers walked toward the boys. Hercules was the first to notice them and waved his hand a little bit, motioning for them to approach. Upon seeing Cassandra, Icarus got into his usual mode.
"Hey Cassandra, have you seen someone drinking a whole smoothie and taking it out of his nose right after?" Before the girl could say anything, Icarus showed exactly that.
He jogged down the liquid, drinking it all and even the straw. He then closed his mouth and pushed the liquid out of his nose and into the cap. He then finished by miraculously pulling the straw from his ear.
"Cassandra, are you okay? You are as white as a marble" Hercules questioned, getting worried as indeed their friend had paled.
Myrrhine acted fast, pushing gently Cassandra towards Hercules and somehow distracting her from the sight of Icarus. "She is alright. She just has something very important to tell you"
"What is it, Cassandra?" Hercules asked, clueless about everything.
"Uhm…I cannot tell you here. Icarus, Myrrhine, if you will excuse us for a moment" the sheer said, grabbing the demigod's wrist and pulling him away.
"Take your time" Myrrhine muttered as she sat next to Icarus and left out a sigh.
Myrrhine remained quiet, watching Cassandra pulling Hercules towards the back gardens, ensuring that no one was close to hearing her vision, especially Icarus.
The girl grabbed her cup with some water and took a few sips, remaining quiet. Her mind was on overload between trying to find Hades' plan that would request a sheer and an excuse to ensure Cassandra doesn't make any deals with the said God.
"Hey, Myrrhine" someone called her name, forcing her to halt her train of thought.
"Hmm?" She glanced at Icarus she played with the water in her cup, by tilting it in a clockwise motion.
The girl was much taller than Icarus, forcing her to stare down at him. She also had that face but the short boy was too ignorant to truly realise or mind it.
"Whom will you take to the festival with you?"
The question caught her off guard and made her stop moving her cup. She hadn't truly thought about it if she would be honest. She had been too busy with the current situation and we'll...the festival was all about inviting someone and spending a special night with them.
It was celebrated across Greece, but it was known that in Athens, it was the biggest and the best amongst all of them. Yet, the fact remained that you usually took someone there.
The problem for her was the fact that she had not been asked, for...obvious reasons. She also did not consider asking anyone, for the topic of that festival was not something she truly cared about at that moment.
She spent 16 years of her life, watching and learning only of lustful love. All the men coming to her mother's island, including her father, slept with Circe only for her beauty. There was never true love shown anywhere.
"No one I guess. Wasn't truly thinking of attending either" she confessed, leaving her cup down and breaking the silence that had been created.
Icarus seemed to be disappointed for a moment with her answer as if expecting something else. Yet, there was still hope in his dark eyes.
"Well...why don't you invite Hercules? I mean...he hasn't been asked yet...and you two seem close..." Icarus tried, obviously wanting to pair his best friend with her.
"Me and Hercules...?" She could not help but scoff at the idea.
It sounded more like some crazy plan of Hades to find more information on or weak spot of the demigod and tell her boss. Although, Icarus seemed to be pretty serious about it.
This put her into deep thought. They were the same age and Hercules seem to have a sort of spot for her. Taking into consideration that he always talked to her about everything...he did that to others but there seemed to be a degree higher for her case.
They had worked a little bit together during projects or when he was caught into some trouble again. Although, a lot of things were clashing when it came to their character and interest.
The biggest of all things is the fact that she worked for Hades. It was because of him that she was trapped in the school and befriended the demigod in the first place.
She shook her head slightly, finding any more thoughts to not be worthy. Considering the simple fact that it was not a priority at that moment.
Plus, just because Hercules had not been asked by anyone...it did not mean that he wouldn't later. Yes, he was very clumsy and didn't exactly know when to stop talking but he did have his god strength and was known to everyone by now, that he was training to be a hero.
There should be at least one girl interested in that package, right?
Eventually, the duo came back and Cassandra seem to have calmed down a little bit. However, it was soon after that they had to return to their classes and that made it impossible for Myrrhine to talk to her friend. Thankfully, she did have some free time after school.
And so, after agonizing slow passing lessons, they were free to go. Myrrhine had offered Cassandra a walk to the Agora, wanting to discuss something with her. She found the place the most suited because it did not have a lot of people to make the young Witch uncomfortable but had enough to ensure Hades would not try anything yet.
"Look…uhm…Cassandra…" Myrrhine cleared her throat as they walked side by side, trying to think how to approach the topic. "Look, about your visions… and your abilities…"
"Hercules will ensure Icarus and I do not kiss. So, there is nothing to worry about the vision, anymore" Sheer said.
Indeed, their clumsy friend had gone to visit Icarus and talk to him; ensuring he didn't kiss Cassandra. Or at least, that was the plan he had told Myrrhine before he flew away with Pegasus.
"Yeah…What I am trying to say is…I saw your name at the Sheer Catalogue" she brought up the sudden topic, finding it better to just lead from there since she could not exactly talk about Hades.
"You did? I have a good rating, right? It was an idea to get some more money, considering how my parents do not like me spending much" she said, ignorant to the obvious danger behind her ad.
"You do…I am just saying that maybe it's not so safe. I mean…what if someone powerful asked for your services? They can trick you into some contract that you cannot escape" Myrrhine stopped walking and looked at Cassandra.
The red-haired girl looked at her, with a lifted eyebrow. It was not like Myrrhine to talk that much into riddles and the way she talked about that unlikely scenario, felt odd. Yet, Cassandra did not have any vision at that moment or generally that included her friend; which was kind of odd to her.
Before more could be said, her eyes landed on an approaching Hercules, with his Pegasus. She forgot the current topic being discussed between the two girls and turned to focus on the Demigod. "Hercules. How did it go?"
Myrrhine turned, cursing the very bad timing of the upcoming Hero but she hid her thoughts behind her usual expression. She turned her body, standing next to Cassandra and waiting to hear his progress.
"Well…" the demigod started, rubbing the back of his head. "It did not exactly go…as I had planned…"
Cassandra rolled her eyes at him. "Did you force him to swear to never get within a hectare of me, again?"
Hercules almost blushed from embarrassment and tried to keep his cool, something that did not go unnoticed by any of the two females. "Sort of…He is…picking you up…at 7…"
"What?!" Cassandra said, feeling her stomach turning.
"I mean he is sort of a…smooth oscillator"
"Cassandra…" Myrrhine called, placing her hand on her shoulder only to be slapped away.
"It was your idea! Don't!" she shouted back, pointing a finger at the female. "I think I am going to get sick" without another word, she headed for the closest bathroom.
Myrrhine went to follow her but Hercules grabbed her wrist gently, stopping her. "I think, we should give her some time"
The young witch was about to argue but agreed in the end. Leaving out a sigh, she hang her head slightly and went to seat on a bench. "This was not what I had in mind" she mumbled, feeling a migraine forming.
Hercules sat next to her and stared at his hands. "I am sorry. I messed it up. It was my fault"
The teenager shook her head a few times. "No. We both did" she said and pushed some curly hair out of her face. "Stupid Festival" she muttered under her breath but Hercules heard her.
He cleared his throat, looking around as he tried to muster the courage. "Speaking of…well…the festival…" he cleared his throat again. "Are you going with...anyone?"
His words made her look at him, remembering what Icarus had told her back at the cafeteria. Her light blue eyes met his darker blue eyes. "No, not really" she admitted, the next words leaving her mouth before she could control them. "Are you offering?"
Her question seemed to shock both, causing their cheeks to flush a pink shade. They cleared their throat, but it was Hercules, who spoke next. "I mean…if you want to…we can go….as friends, of course"
Myrrhine found his offer sweet and she was about to turn him down when she thought of something. If she were to go to the festival, she would be able to keep an eye on Icarus and Cassandra and ensure the kiss does not happen. Before she could give her answer, Cassandra finally approached them.
To their confusion, she seemed to be in a very good mood, compared to how she was a few minutes ago. When she finally explained why…it made Myrrhine pale.