I began to trudge the streets, recounting what I can recount. I knew my name of course, I was Zagreus, son of Hades the king of the Underworld. Saying that out loud would make me look like a fool. Though, I wonder why my father had not yet communicated with me in some sort of way. Could I have been on his bad side before I plunged into sleep for that long? Then again, he could be around here somewhere in disguise. He could blend in with the mortals, watching. I could have sensed his presence one way or another, but I did not feel anything at all.
If he was around, he might have done a great job blending in than me. I still felt awkward wearing my clothes. I was in the form of a teenager, and I tried to mimic the movements of those around me. I did capture a few people's attention along the way. Back in my previous century, I usually had guises too in order to travel the mortal world. I was either a priest, a diener or an inspector, any job that was close to the dead. It was easier to walk in those streets because people were all grey and nonchalant unlike in my present predicament where I get stares at every moment.
Still, I was left to wonder why I was here. Chronos did not even bother to enlighten me about anything except nonsensical matters. Maybe he would appear again, if I could manage to capture his attention again or maybe there is a way to summon him. I have not tried that before, and I lack the will and power to try. I guess you can never catch time. I was feeling weaker at every moment. The soreness and tiredness began to settle since my stagnant state.
If I call back to my father, will he ever listen? I knew something was not right. I cannot feel any speck of power within me, yet, Chronos was able to detect my presence. Then again, he was bound to the space he occupies.
These thoughts progressed as I turned left on a street. The buildings had gleaming glass panels over them. Some were old structures made of bricks. There was a savory smell coming from the restaurants up ahead; the smell of pizza? The city lights began to be much harsher against my eyes. I kept my head low, thinking and thinking. Surely, there was some place here – a gateway – where I could go back.
I let out a sigh. This place was too unfamiliar. London would have been a much easier place to navigate in. Maybe this was a punishment, for what? I have to find the others, maybe they could shed some light on pretty much everything. I thought about the uncomfortable feeling I had when I heard "Morpheus."
"Dreams," I said under my breathe. If I could find him, maybe he could answer my questions. He must have known something since I was asleep for that long. All my questions led to an ultimate problem: how the hell am I supposed to find him if I cannot even feel my power or even bring myself back to the Underworld.
I was weighing down more impossible options, when a sudden movement caught my eye. "Hello," said a high-pitched voice my head. I was taken aback, I instinctively looked for anyone suspicious around me or if anyone also heard the telepathic voice (because why not?). Little did I know that I was not supposed to be looking for a person or an entity.
Standing in front of a shop window was a black cat, pleasurably licking its paws. It had an emerald collar attached to its neck with a tag that I can barely read. It returned my stare once it noticed me gaping at it, well you can't blame me, as far as I can remember, telepathic communication with cats was not a skill of mine. Its eyes were a pool of gold with a tiny speck of black as pupils. When it shifted its gaze, its eyes seemingly turned into a different hue.
"Did you just…?" I asked, clearly dumbfounded. I figured that if I asked it back in my mind, it would provide a response the same way it delivered its greeting. The cat did not stop from cleaning itself. I was deemed to believe I was crazy when it lifted its head again and began to scrutinize me with its brilliant eyes.
"Nothing like being judged by a cat," I suppressed the thought, afraid it might hear me. Out of all things to be afraid of, cats were not on that list, or maybe I should think about that carefully next time.
It purred like a motor. "The mistress will be pleased to see you. Interesting, indeed," it said over the purr. Its ears perked up, its tail wriggling side to side.
"The mistress? What do you -?" on cue, the cat pranced towards the opposite side of the street, enjoying my utter cluelessness. I swear, I would be thinking more about cursing cats the next time I see them. Seeing my present predicament, I was left with no choice but to follow the creature. I wanted to find out who this 'mistress' was, and if she knew anything about my present situation. Anything.
It would have been easy if the cat just stopped in a particular place and a doorway suddenly appeared right there. Deep inside, I slightly wanted the black cat to disappear. It led me nowhere. We had crossed a dozen of roads. I was almost hit by a truck because I was too focused on following the damned cat. Come to think of it, will I be teleported back to the Underworld if I die? I can't be too sure. I lengthen my steps and stared at the traffic lights every now and then. This side of the city was much dimmer, I was comforted by that fact, at least.
People had sneers and frowns plastered on their faces. If it were not for the familiar police sirens and the intense music on this side, I would have thought that I crossed another world. Big neon lighted signs were floating through the dark streets. Clubs they were called. They had strange and obscene fixtures on them. That ticked me off, I instantly focused on the cat to get away.
The cat did not talk to me for the length of our walk. it was frolicking on the sidewalk and occasionally, it would pounce towards bushes and apartment steps. Its tail stood up, I thought we have reached our destination. We were still on the side with billboards and blinking lights. Then its tail swayed again, turning right on an alley wedged between a red brick building and a festive bar. The building did not show any signs that anyone was inside of it, the blinds were drawn shot and no light was passing through the windows or even the rooftop.
The alley was very dark except for the lantern attached to the far side of the red brick structure. There was no exit on the other end, but the cat did not stop or stared at the obvious dead end. It continued to walk leisurely, pleased that I was still following it. I would have abandoned the idea and go back to the main street. But as I turned around, a door appeared on the side of the building, right beside the lantern. I blinked, seconds ago it wasn't even there. Could it have sensed my presence? Maybe it was a gateway.
I drifted my gaze towards the cat. It planted itself on the spot in front of the door. It looked at me expectantly.
"What is this?" I asked, unsure.
"A door, obviously," it retorted. It frowned and returned to licking its paws, finding it more interesting than answering my questions properly.
I approached the door. It was made of glass with a wooden frame. The frame had peeling purple paint on it. In faded gold letters, the name "Madam Fate's Magical Emporium" was embedded on it. The smaller and much crusted letters told me that it also had "And other whatnots". There was a faint glow emanating from the inside. I was not excited to find out those 'whatnots' were, but I grabbed and turned the rusty doorknob anyway.
The smell of strange herbs welcomed me instantly. The fumes spilled from jars on the wooden counter. It was situated at the middle of the yellow-lit room. The remaining sides had ceiling high shelves stacked with more jars and a variety of plants I cannot possibly name. I directed my gaze towards an old rotten shelf on my left side. It had all sorts of knickknacks like skulls that had jewel eyeballs, triangles with ancient inscription, five-sided stars, rings, masks, and boxes that bore "Ouija" on them. Two torches were now attached on either side of the door, casting an orange tinge in the eerie yet homey ambiance.
The cat came right behind me. It jumped onto the countertop and finally settled its place there. It did not bother to talk to me in any sort of way, a 'meow' might have been enlightening. I talked too soon. Sounds came from inside a doorway at the right far wall of the room. The curtains were drawn, yet I could see smoke and light coming from the inside. There was mumbling in short pauses.
The creature did not object, so I walked carefully towards the source of the smoke. The wooden floor creaked under my weight. I peeked into the curtains, there was a round table in the middle of a smaller room. Tapestries covered most of the wall, only a small bookshelf occupied the other side. The mumbling came from a corner near the table, not visible from where I was. I entered the room. For some reason, the light felt harsh on my skin. I saw the source of the droning sound. Slumped on a chair with her hands spread across the table was a woman covered in various sorts of garments from head to toe. There were beads and an assortment of jewels attached to her attire. Her robes also had ornate silver runes and alchemy symbols. Her table had a crystal ball at the middle (very typical) and cards with interesting characters on them. I began to remember that these were called 'tarot cards'.
Despite of my presence, the woman continued to produce her droning sound. Smoke came from below the table, spreading like fog across the floor. The table shook as she mumbled vague words under her breath. After a few moments, she slowly rose from her trance. The only exposed part of her body was her eyes and when she opened them, neither pupils nor irises could be seen. Her eyes. literally had drifting white smoke within them, just like the fumes from her table. I had noticed that wrinkles were apparent under her eyes.
"What is it that you seek?" she said in a raspy voice like she had just woken up from her slumber - which she might have been. "Tell me what you desire. I shall seek and fulfill it."
"Err..." I eloquently said. Sometimes you can forget the strangest thing of your life. I racked my brain up once more. I knew of this (do note 'knew'), but I was too busy thinking of a response.
The woman seemingly got tired of my hesitation. I did not even know if she can see me through those smoky eyes (that sounds so strange for some apparent reason). She was about to return to her state of mumbling when I interjected.
"Wait!" I shouted "I know you... you're"
The woman snapped from her trance. The smoke retreated from her eyes revealing fierce emerald ones. She squinted then her eyes finally widened in shock.
"It couldn't be..." her voice was no longer like nails on chalkboard.
"Hi?" I said again articulately. I was buying myself time to remember.
"Zagreus!" she said, quickly standing up. "Why have I not sensed you here?" she grabbed my shoulders and looked intently on my face as if she couldn't believe I was really there.
She did know me, yet I couldn't place her name. I knew she was a deity, of magic even - which was already an obvious thing to guess. Why did I suck in remembering names? I hope the cat did not hear that.
Suddenly, I dawned to me. "Hecate?" I said like I was asking her if her name was that.
"Yes," she replied, so her name is indeed Hecate! "How did you find me?"
"I eerr... followed your cat." I said sticking my thumb toward the doorway.
"Mandisa!" she called. I guess that was the name of the little cat. The creature obeyed her mistress and entered the room. Her gaze towards me did not change, she still bore the same judging eyes.
"You found him eh?" she asked.
Mandisa stared incredulously and nodded. She started to lick her paws again.
"He was an obvious lot, wandering in the streets completely clueless. He had a smell" she said in a telepathic manner.
"Hey!" I said. Hecate simply tilted her head. Both of us heard the cat loud and clear.
"I find it so strange I can't even detect your presence. But Mandisa here has a keen sense even I cannot predict. Don't you Mandisa?"
Mandisa purred proudly. She decided her work was already done. She trotted out of the room, back to her usual spot.
"You know, your cat has some attitude," I said after Mandisa left.
"Oh, let her be. She was quite proud to begin with. Maybe too proud. She can't go parading her pretty face now in that state"
" Wait so she was human before?" I wondered why I was surprised.
"Of course, she was! You go too proud and poof, you're gone. She should thank me I didn't turn her into anything else. Oh, I had plenty of ideas... but enough about me. Tell me something dear," she beckoned for me to seat down. I was not expecting a free palm reading.
I told her the first memory I can remember in this time, which was sitting on that abandoned rooftop. I told her that Chronos suddenly sensed me and began to give me weird clothes. I told her about the extent of my memories, which was not so much. After my narration, she paused and pondered. Her bangles clicked as she tapped the table.
"It is strange. How come time can sense you, but I can't? Oh, who am I kidding he's time... still" she was talking to herself, lost in thought.
"So, can you answer any of my questions?"
She froze at that moment. "I wish I could, Dear. But it is beyond anything I know of. Even my magic prevents me to do so. When you disappeared, I thought you were gone forever, touched by death rather than its twin. It. sounds improbable, I know but who knows really... I just can't..." her face twisted in confusion, or rather her eyes were. She sounded convinced by her words at first, then she had conflicting thoughts about it.
She let down the cover of her face and stared at me. She calculated her thoughts for a while. Finally coming to a decision, she said, "You have to seek them. Prove yourself worthy to come back. Find the answers. That is all I know. Someone would help you along the way, that I know of," she said it with such intensity that it bore right through me.
I guess Hecate wasn't much of a helping and sincere kind of goddess. She had the facade of malevolence on her, yet she cared about me that much to say those words. Something was holding her back that she did not even know of.
She stood up and was bound to exit the room.
"Wait, if I'm going to seek for them, how shall I do it?" I was hopeful to gain at least a speck of answer from her, but even she didn't have any clue. I was asking a witch goddess here, so I wondered about my chances. She could at least give me some advice or directions to where to go next.
Hecate pursed her crinkled lips, "I cannot intervene that much, but I was about to get to that. A few monsters are on the loose. At your state, you don't stand a chance alone. I have an idea to where you can find help. This may be the most awful idea I can imagine."