35 DAYS TO ESCAPE
Jujutsu Tech, Afternoon.
It's been nearly a week since the special grade mission, Megumi earlier this morning came to deliver the news of Tadashi Okazaki's death to his mother. He was only able to grab his nametag as he bowed to profusely apologize to the woman for not saving her son. She said that she was the only person who will grieve him and it made him feel awful, it brought him back to the pointless fight him and Itadori had back at the detention facility.
Back at Jujutsu Tech Megumi was making his way to the frack field where the second years were training him and Nobara for the Goodwill event. But as he walked his mind was clouded by one question, what people did he want to save? Reaching the track he spotted Nobara furiously running away from a sprinting Panda who surprisingly was quite fast and able to keep up with the orange haired sorcerer. Maki and Inumaki noticed Megumi coming back and Maki reprimanded him by saying "You're late Fushiguro, hell was keeping you so long?"
"Why do you care?" Megumi replied with his trademarked rudeness.
The two were silent for a moment as Megumi, looking for some sort of answer to his burning question, asked Maki "Zenin… as a sorcerer, what type of people do you want to save?"
"Huh? What does it matter if my actions save anyone?"
"I knew I shouldn't have asked you."
"SAY WHAT?!"
"FUSHIGUROOOOOO!" Nobara yelled as Megumi just now noticed she was being swung around by Panda "QUIT ASKING INTERVIEW PREP QUESTIONS AND SWAP PLACES WITH ME! I WANNA GO BUY A CUTE TRACKSUIT BECAUSE THESE UNIFORMS SUCK AAAAAAA-"
"And, here, we, go!" Panda yelled as he tossed Nobara as she landed flat on her face and now very dizzy.
"What the hell are they doing?" Megumi asked.
"Falling practice." Panda gave him a thumbs up.
"Mustard leaf." Well said Inumaki.
"You both kinda suck in close quarters."
"So-" Maki twirled the training staff she carried and beckoned Megumi with her hand "see if you can land a blow on us, then we can talk."
…
Late At Night
Inside a room hidden within Satoru Gojo's estate was Itadori watching some b-tier action movie. He was in the midst of his cursed energy training, the task was simple, he needed to constantly watch movies while holding one of Principal Yaga's cursed corpses which took the form of a cute teddy bear with boxing gloves. It wasn't as cute whenever it woke up and proceeded to beat him up, he's supposed to keep a constant flow of cursed energy pumping into the doll for the doll to stay asleep. Right now he's on his longest streak without getting punched in the face as the movie he's watching was pretty investing.
But there was something about this movie he didn't like, the movie was about a girl who was about a princess who had everything taken from her. Her kingdom fell to ruin by a malicious entity and was saved by a witch who trained the princess her entire life to take back her kingdom. The girl constantly struggled with weakness and constantly doubted her ability to save her kingdom. To Itadori this movie reminded him of someone all too well and it bugged him, watching this movie it felt too close to Melinoe's story but that just had to be a coincidence right? He really doesn't wanna watch this movie anymore but it was almost over so he might as well make it to the end, he's just gonna take a sip from his cola and-
The cursed corpse upon Itadori taking a drink got socked right in the face by the stupid boxing glove wearing bear and made him spill his drink. "Don't attack me while I'm drinking soda!"
"Then don't drink." Gojo bluntly tells him.
"But you can't watch a movie without chips and soda!"
"Yeah you're right." Gojo chuckled before hopping off the table he was sitting on watching Itadori's progress. "Welp Gojo's gotta run so just keep hanging in there."
"Is this really gonna make me stronger?" Itadori asked using his hand to keep the cursed corpse away from him.
"Trust in the process, Yuji."
"If you say so… but just one more thing."
"Shoot." Gojo asked as he was about to leave the room/
"Do you think we're ever gonna see Melinoe again? That tall buff lady said that she was where she belonged but she wouldn't stay long. Does that mean she'll come back to us or what?" Itadori asked as he felt down just mentioning her name, after all in his mind it was all his fault she died and even though she told him that death doesn't keep her down for long he still felt awful about killing one of his friends.
Gojo was silent for a moment as he frowned too hearing Itadori worry over Melinoe. "Nem can be pretty cryptic sometimes, I dunno how she even knows Mel in the first place but just don't lose faith, trust me I bet she's doing fine and will be back before you even know it. Alright I gotta really go now, catch you later."
Gojo left Itadori as the pink haired teen simply went back to watching the movie. Gojo is right, Melinoe should be fine. She's like the toughest girl he knows so she'll be back soon, and if she doesn't she might have already found her family. He's kinda hoping for the latter.
The movie is finally over and the credits began to roll, good he can pop a new movie in. The movie wasn't bad but he just didn't like how much it reminded him of his currently deceased friend. But the main actor was good, Venus Love was her name apparently and she not only played the main character but directed the movie too, impressive stuff. Also she was pretty hot too so that's a plus.
…
INSIDE MELINOE'S "DREAM"
"Is that anyway to greet your family after all this time, granddaughter? Did that witch not teach you any manners?" The Titan of Time sat on his throne while looking up towards the ceiling. He had to shield himself with his hand as blood dripped down from the ceiling, and on the ceiling was strung the princess of the dead with her limbs severed from her torso along with her head being held by a hook made of sand holding her by her eyelid.
"Y…you blasted… we aren't family! ...I'll kill y-you!" Melinoe struggled to get the words out feeling nothing but intense rage for The Titan of Time.
"Please, since when has that ever worked out for you?" The Titan chuckled, "I rather not waste our precious time here granddaughter, we have matters to discuss."
"There's nothing I want to discuss with you!" Melinoe yelled in anger. The hook attached to her eyelid was released from its solid state and her head landed right into Chronos' hand as he brought her up to his eye level.
"I understand you are in a predicament, yes? Nyx is holding you in the underworld and you are under a strict time limit. You haven't even made it out of Tartarus yet and you've wasted 3 days asleep as your body adjusts to that foul concoction. Not to mention that you have three more sections on the underworld to get through, do you remember how long it even took you to get to me with the help from Olympus? How do you expect to get back to the witch without all by yourself?" The Titan of Time questions the princess of the dead.
"I will get out of here even if it's just on my own, and why do you care whatever is going on with me? You lost to Sukuna, remember?" Melinoe taunted and in result had her head smashed through the armrest of the Titan's throne.
"I admit that I underestimated the sorcerer, he bested me once. But the next time shall be different, and you are going to help me, granddaughter."
"And what makes you think I would ever even consider helping you. You took everything from me and I will never forgive you even when the last star fizzles out and dies!" Melinoe yelled with anger in her voice at the suggestion made by The Titan.
"Oh granddaughter, you need me. I can grant you the power to rival even the most powerful sorcerers of the modern age. You'll be able to escape the underworld with both hands tied behind your back, you'll be able to meet your family again and The Witch. I don't ask for much from you granddaughter, only that upon coming across Sukuna's vessel, you allow me full control over your body and we destroy Sukuna and his vessel. After that I'll disappear and you'll never hear from me again, does that sound fair granddaughter?" Chronos laid out the deal but Melinoe didn't even want to listen to him. The thought of having The Titan of all gods inside her head made her want to puke. Then comes the part about killing Itadori, she wouldn't do that in a million years even if her escape depended on it.
"You can take that deal back to whatever hole you crawled out of to get here Chronos, I refuse!"
"Really? Oh well, that's the best offer you are getting out of me granddaughter. I'll leave you alone for now but I know you'll come crawling back, just know that I won't be so generous next time." Chronos tossed Melinoe's head up as the sand holding up her severed body disappeared and Melinoe's body was pulled back together. Before she even had time to feel her body being back in place she was sent up right through the ceiling and into the ocean of sand.
…
Underworld, House of Nyx
Melinoe's eyes fluttered open as she shot up in shock as she could feel her heart beating at the speed of Hermes. The memory of what happened during her dream began to come back to her and she checked all over her body for where she was dismembered but nothing, no scars on her arms, legs, nothing on her neck when looking into the mirror of night. But she noticed something, a scar on her waist, a large one that covered her like a belt. Since when did that get ther- Sukuna, all of her problems in modern day are starting to sprout from him.
She gazed at her reflection and, did she get taller? Now looking at herself in the mirror of night she was… different. She feels and looks stronger, she strangely has a lot of energy, her body brand new. Whatever that cursed brew did to her… she felt incredible like she was a whole different person. There's only one thing to do now, time to bring her new self out for a test drive.
Walking out to the training yard which served as the exit to the House of Nyx, upon exiting her brother's room her attention was immediately brought to the sound of a summoning circle often heard when going through Tartarus when new wretches would appear to send her back to The House of Nyx. Melinoe took out her Sister Blades ready to fight but when her foe appeared, the smile on Melinoe's face could not be any bigger. Even without the commander's usual attire on, Melinoe recognized Schelemeus the instant she laid eyes on him. "Commander!"
The skeleton likewise was happy to see the princess of the dead and greeted Melinoe "Hey kiddo!"
Melinoe out of instinct was going to hug the once Commander of the Crossroads but stopped herself to ask "May I, commander?"
"Bring it in, goddess." The skeleton opened his arms to Melinoe who was surprised when the princess had him in a near death grip if he wasn't already dead. "WOW KIDDO YOU GOT TOUGH!"
Melinoe quickly stepped back letting go of the former commander and bowed to apologize "Sorry commander, I'm just not used to my new strength yet…"
"Hey kiddo, less apologizing and more bashing my bones in. I don't get paid to be your talking buddy so let me have it." The skeleton told the princess
"Yes commander!" Melinoe grabbed her sister blades, and quickly brought her strength down upon the skeleton. Her strikes hit down upon Schelemeus like thunder with the training master letting out his usual sounds of pain. With a flurry of blows Melinoe took down her trainer as he turned to dust. But no need to fret because no matter how many times you strike the bloodless commander down he'll always come right back good as new.
"I'm back."
"How was that commander?" The Goddess asked for feedback.
"Might just be the old age talking but you hit like a true goddess!" Schelemeus gave words of encouragement.
"Thank you commander, I feel absolutely incredible right now. My body has never felt so… amazing."
"Well why don't you go show the underworld what's what, or keep beating me. Whatever floats your boat."
"Thanks commander, I'd like to say farewell but I'm pretty sure I'll be back here soon." Melinoe said walking to the exit of the training grounds waving to the skeleton.
"Give them hell kiddo, you got this." Was the last thing Melinoe heard before she dropped into Tartarus for another Attempt at escape.
Dropping to the ground, once again cracking the floor to the entrance of the house Melinoe sprinted towards the first gate where wretches would usually guard. Melinoe sprinted to attack but to her surprise, her foes disappeared with only two swings of her sister blades as the next gate opened for her to leave. Despite her surprise of the weakness of her foes or more so of her newfound strength Melinoe put her worries aside and continued through the underworld.
…
The difference was night and day from the girl she was almost a few days ago. Her enemies felt as if they were moving in slow motion, every strike felt like it had actual power behind it, for once in her life she didn't feel weak. With another room cleared Melinoe rushed to the exit eager to clear the next one, but instead what she was greeted to was a near empty room that rested nothing but one shade. In a sarcastic tone they said "Oh wonderful, the monkey is back…"
It was clear as day the man in the shade in the monk robes wasn't pleased to see her judging by the scowl on his face, even now he was still in his lounging position Melinoe saw him in the first time they met. She didn't really want to talk with him but for some strange reason these rooms wouldn't open if you didn't talk to the guest inside, strange isn't it. Melinoe walked up to the man in monk robes and before she could even get a word out she was immediately interrupted.
"You know I didn't expect you to take my words literally, whatever reason do you have to taint yourself with cursed energy? You're dead, what reason do you have to attempt to grasp at a higher power?"
"My purpose is that I'm going to escape the underworld, it's a long story but I can't stay here. Not when my family is still out there, and now that you mention it I suppose I'd also wish for a friend and sensei of mine to not feel so guilty about my supposed death."
"Sensei? Someone like you has been learning about Jujutsu?" The man in monk robes sat up right when he heard such a thing with a look of bewilderment on his face.
"Yes, it was by a man named Satoru Gojo."
The shade was silent for a moment, his expression, the silence, it told her everything she needed to know. "Do you happen to know him?"
"He's… a friend. How has he been..?" The sorcerer asked with his tone of voice changing drastically from what it was before.
"He's been well…"
"Does he still have an ego the size of a country?"
"Absolutely." Melinoe answered without any hesitation resulting in a chuckle from the shade.
"Sounds like the same old Satoru…"
"It sounds like you two are close friends, would you mind telling me more?"
"Sorry but you don't get information like that for free, get me one of those cursed cards and I'll tell you everything you want to know." The sorcerer said with a sly grin on his face.
"You're gonna have to bargain better than that, you're a sorcerer correct? Teach me how to use cursed energy, I feel it inside my body yet I have little to no clue how to use it, if I can control my cursed energy I bet I could easily make my way out of here."
"Hmm… I don't know, in case you weren't aware I was considered a special grade while I was alive. So my services won't come as cheap as a simple card, you're gonna have to offer me more than that." The man in monk robes smugly suggested.
"Special grade?!" Melinoe was surprised by that revelation and knew that bargaining wasn't going to be easy, she was going to need to offer a lot "Well, in case you weren't aware, I'm the princess of the underworld and soon to be its lord. Whatever you request that it in my power I shall see it done, you have my word."
The monk looked surprised hearing that he was speaking to underworld royalty, but the smile on his face only grew bigger as he had just received the perfect opportunity. Getting up off the ground the man in monk robes came up with his offer. "My apologies for my lack of manners princess, you should have led with that the first time we met. Here are my terms, I teach you the basics such as how to awaken your cursed energy and how to properly use it. But in return, I request you allow me to return to the world of the living, sound like a fair deal?"
"Okay… I believe I can help you with that, but may I ask what you plan on doing when you return back to the world of the living?" Melinoe asked.
"It's nothing too complicated, but I simply wish to see my wife again. I can only imagine what she must be going through in my absence."
"You're married? I would have never guessed, but either way I accept your terms." Melinoe held out her hand to solidify the deal between them. "My name is Melinoe, and you are?"
"Suguru Geto, pleased to have you under my wing Melinoe." The special grade remarked then shook Melinoe's hand, solidifying the deal between them.
…
Author's notes
The Underworld arc is taking longer than expected because so much is just going on, I recovered from my sickness but Final Fantasy 14's Dawntrail came out and I've been back on my grind. I'm a Gunbreaker Main btw.
I'm gonna try to squeeze the rest of this arc into 2, possibly 3 chapters, next will be a shorter chapter as a training arc and to set up a relationship between Geto and Melinoe which will be important for the future.
After we get out of here it's going straight into the Mahito arc and we stray little from the main timeline. I can't wait.
Gods I really wanna write Todo so badly! I've been plotting in my head how I want to write it along with various other things. Todo cracks me up so much and is a godsend of a character.
I believe that's all I have to say, thanks for reading and feel free to comment because I like reading comments.