Odyssea visits the Underworld and meets Hadessa, queen of the Underworld. Image by LEEROY Agency from Pixabay 3.1
Odyssea and Circes reached the land of the Cimmerians, which was a place that was always in darkness. They managed to find the portal to the Underworld, which Circes had overheard Hermisia talking about one time. The entrance to the Underworld was through a cave which could only be accessed by the river Oceania. “Do you have any clue where the other eye pendant might be?” Odyssea asked. “We’ll have to ask around,” Circes said. “It could be anywhere. Surely someone has seen it.” The river soon turned black and became the River Styx. The ferrygirl turned her fierce eyes on them. She wore a long black cloak and hood, reminding Odyssea of some ghost from the depths of a swamp. She shivered but reminded herself to be brave. “What are you doing here, Circes?” the ferrygirl demanded, holding her staff like she wanted nothing more than to smash it against his face. “And you, Mortal,” she turned on Odyssea. “You’re not even dead yet. You smell like you’re still alive.” “Why, hello to you too, Charona,” Circes managed a stiff smile. “Still angry about the time I stood you up?” “I’ll never forget it,” Charona hissed. “But anyway, what’s an undead mortal and an exiled immortal doing here in Hadessa’s domain?” “May we come aboard your ferry to the land of the dead?” Odyssea asked. “We need to find a lost pendant so we can get Circes out of exile.” Charona laughed mockingly. “You want to get that thief out of exile? He’s a power hungry maniac! And, wait a second, what’s that?” she spotted the pendant around Odyssea’s neck. “I’m looking for one similar to this,” Circes said. “Have you seen it?” “I don’t recall,” Charona narrowed her eyes and thought. “All right, then, come onto the ferry.” As Circes took a step onto the ferry, Charona swung her staff against his calves, causing him to fall backward into the river with a splash. “No!” Odyssea shouted. The current took Circes away as he flailed his arms, trying to grab something to hold onto, but he was out of reach of the ferry. Odyssea leaped onto the ferry, shoved Charona aside and grabbed the staff. Charona fell into the raft and stared after them sullenly. Odyssea guided the raft to where Circes was and helped him back on board. Circes shook the water from his hair. “I guess I deserved it,” he said. “Charona holds grudges and I played a prank on her a few centuries back.” “I’m so glad I’m not immortal,” Odyssea muttered. She led the ferry to the shore and they alighted on land. The place was dark and cavernous, and they could see a palace in the distance, shining with gold and midnight hues. It was surrounded by a tall skeletal-looking gate, and a large dog with three heads was standing sentry. “Is that gate made out of bones?” Odyssea pulled her cloak closer to her as if to ward off the fear that swelled in her. “I think so,” Circes said. “But what we really have to worry about is that hound, Cerberus.” “I didn’t expect the dog to be so… gigantic,” Odyssea trembled. “Hey guys, what are you doing here?” a voice called out and a young woman came forward from behind the dog. She was holding a black puppy. “Tyresia?” Odyssea asked. Tyresia handed her the puppy. “Here, hold the puppy. If you get her scent on you, you’ll be able to get past her parent, the great Cerberus.” Odyssea took the puppy in her arms and it licked her face. “Tyresia, what are you doing here? Are you dead?” Odyssea asked. “No, actually, I’m just passing through. I had some messages to deliver to various people.” Odyssea passed the puppy to Circes. “Is there a place where we can talk?” she asked, her voice trembling. “I’m staying in a little hut with the ferrygirl, Charona,” Tyresia said. “We’ll talk there. You can rest a bit before meeting Queen Hadessa.” “I have to meet Hadessa?” Odyssea shivered again. She wasn’t too keen about meeting someone associated with dead souls. “The person you really need to worry about is Persephonus,” Tyresia said. “If you cross him, he’ll cut off your head.” Odyssea gulped. “This way,” Tyresia said. “Follow me.” They walked for several minutes along the river, seeing Charona’s hut in the distance. Odyssea had a pounding headache and rubbed at her temples, shutting her eyes for a moment. “Are you all right?” Circes put an arm around her. “Maybe I have some herbs that can help you. Tell me your symptoms.” “My head hurts but I’ll be okay,” she said. “I just need some rest.” Circes rummaged through his bag, managed to find herbs that hadn’t been damaged from the river, and handed her a flower. “Smell this flower and your headache will go away,” he said, placing it in her hand. Odyssea did so and her headache began to recede. “Thanks,” she said, and the three resumed their walk and arrived at Charona’s hut. 3.2 “I really don’t want to be here,” Circes placed the puppy on the floor. The dog scampered away. “What if she comes back and tries to hit me again?” They were standing in Charona’s main room, which had a hearth and fur rugs on the floor. It looked very cozy and comfy. “Use this,” Odyssea handed him her sword, then followed Tyresia up the stairs and into a small bedroom. The room had a fur quilt and various pillows. They sat down and Odyssea put her head in her hands. “I don’t even know where to start,” she said tearfully. “First, I receive this quest to find allies so that my kingdom doesn’t get killed by a future enemy. Then I was separated from my crew and now it’s just me and Circes by ourselves. And, on top of all that, I’m on another quest to find the second eye pendant so that Circes can return it to Poseidona and be released from his exile. This is too much and I don’t know if I can do this anymore.” Tyresia placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know it’s a lot,” she said solemnly. “But trust me when I say that this side quest will actually lead you to your main quest. They are connected.” “Really?” Odyssea looked up and wiped a tear from her eye. Her shoulders shook a bit and she tried to stop the tears. “Don’t rein it in. Just let it out,” Tyresia said slowly. “I promise there is no judgment.” “I’m just so sick of crying and being sad and scared and uncertain all the time,” Odyssea sighed. “I just want to know something for sure. I want to be certain. I don’t want to fear the future. To fear what might happen to my kingdom if I don’t succeed. Everyone’s counting on me and I don’t want to let them down. If it all hinges on me, then I feel like I’m getting run over by a giant chariot!” She burst into tears and her shoulders shook. Tyresia wrapped her arms around her and patted her back gently. After a few minutes, Odyssea’s tears subsided and Tyresia moved back and brushed the hair from Odyssea’s face. “You’ll feel better soon. I know it seems overwhelming now,” Tyresia said gently. “But it will all be worth it in the end. These adventures will create in you the person you’re meant to be.” “What if I just want a simple life?” Odyssea whispered. This was a secret she hadn’t dared tell anyone before. “Odyssea, you weren’t meant for a simple life,” Tyresia said. “You are brave and you are way stronger than you feel right now. You will see it in time, trust me.” “I believe you,” Odyssea wiped another tear. “I just don’t feel the glory one would feel after these trials end. I feel like there’s a huge burden over me that I’m trying to carry before it crushes me.” “Like Sisyphus and the rock,” Tyresia said. “I know the feeling. Let me tell you my prediction, Odyssea. You will live a long life and will marry someone you weren’t expecting to. You will be happy with him. Your father will choose someone for you, and you will love him.” “Why doesn’t he just tell me who it is?” Odyssea said. “Why keep it a secret?” “I’m afraid I’m to blame for that,” Tyresia said. “I told him not to tell you, for fear that it would be a distraction. But everything will work out in the end. It has to be this way so that you will find the person you’re meant to love.” “Okay, I trust you,” Odyssea took a deep breath. “How do you feel?” Tyresia asked. Odyssea sighed. “I feel a bit better, like at least one burden has been lifted from my shoulders.” “That’s good,” Tyresia said. “And how is the eye pendant working out for you?” “Well, I don’t really know what kinds of powers it has or how it’s supposed to help me get to where I want to be. But it did give me hope when I was stranded with Circes on his island. I was a jumbled mess and was about to marry him to seal my fate. Then I found the tapestry and learned about the other eye pendant and hope sprung up in me again.” “You got through it and you are stronger because of it,” Tyresia said. “When things seem too bad and overwhelming, remember that it’s all temporary. It won’t last forever. A new path will appear and things will work out.” “But that’s hard to know. To know when things will work out,” Odyssea said. “When I was on Circes’ island, things looked so bleak and I couldn’t see the end, because the future is uncertain. And because I live in the present. I even talked to Atheno at one point but then he abandoned me.” “You have to accept the uncertainties,” Tyresia said. “This is how you’ll survive. This is how you’ll get through the dangers and the obstacles that you’ll face. Tell me now, how did things go at the start of your journey?” “Well, it was very embarrassing,” Odyssea’s face reddened in shame. “We landed on the island of the Lotus Tree, and I happened to eat the lotus and ended up being a liability to my friends. I hung out with one of the lotus eaters and the next day my crew members found me having breakfast with him and his family and talking about marriage.” Tyresia laughed. “It was so awkward!” Odyssea laughed too. “My crew had to tie me up and force me back to the ship. I guess it’s a funny story to tell my future children.” “You’re right. That is a great story,” Tyresia grinned. “But one thing that bothers me, though,” Odyssea said. “I made such a huge mistake then and what if I make another mistake again, a mistake that can’t be rectified so easily. What if I make an error so significant that it causes the entire downfall of Ithaca?” “Don’t let your fears take over,” Tyresia said. “This kind of thinking will eat at you until you believe it. Instead, visualize completing your quest and defeating the future enemy. Imagine your kingdom in prosperity.” “But I still worry,” Odyssea said. “I want to be prepared for what may come.” “That’s good,” Tyresia said. “But let me tell you a little secret. How does a person become a good warrior? They’re not born a good warrior. Everyone starts off as a bad warrior and works hard at it until she becomes a good warrior. Keep that in mind.” Odyssea took Tyresia’s hands in a gesture of friendship. “I’m glad we ran into you here. If you hadn’t been here, I might have given up.” “That’s why I was here,” Tyresia smiled. “I knew you’d be here and that you needed to talk to someone. And so I ventured down here so I could help guide you.” Odyssea embraced her again. They heard shouting downstairs and the whining of a puppy. “Let’s go before someone gets killed,” Odyssea grinned. 3.3 Charona had returned after her shift was over and she had a thing or two to say to the newcomers. “You stole my boat!” she yelled at Odyssea. “Do you know how many people fit into your tiny raft? I had to keep rowing it back and forth forever just to get people across!” “You knocked my friend in the river and I needed a way to save him,” Odyssea countered. “Look what this idiot has done!” Charona bellowed. “He’s wearing my favorite chiton! It’s mine!” “What did you expect me to do?” Circes said. “You shoved me into the river and my chiton got drenched. So I found something dry to wear.” “Give me that!” Charona grabbed the hem of his chiton. “Don’t you dare!” Circes shouted, and lifted the sword he held. The puppy scurried away into another room. “Everyone, calm down!” Tyresia got in between them. “Charona, I’m sorry, I should explain. I’m here on business, as I’ve told you, and these were the people I was waiting for. Is it all right if we stay overnight and then leave tomorrow?” “These people are thieves and liars!” Charona shouted. “I don’t want them in my home!” “Charona, please do me this favor,” Tyresia pleaded. Charona folded her arms and turned away. “All right,” she finally said. “As long as they behave. And do the dishes and such to repay me for my kindness. You can start by cleaning up after the dog.” The puppy finally came out, whimpering, and Charona gave it some food. So much for resting, Odyssea guessed. But she shrugged and agreed to the terms. Circes cooked and Odyssea scrubbed the dishes, the puppy begging for food by their ankles. “It’s like having my own personal servants,” Charona was grinning now. “And the food is very tasty, Circes.” “Don’t get too used to it,” Tyresia laughed. “I’m pleased you enjoyed the food,” Circes gave a small smile, wondering if Charona’s anger was cooling. That night, they slept in the main area on pallets, while Charona and Tyresia slept in Charona’s chambers. “So, are you going to tell me?” Odyssea said as she lay on her pallet. Circes was in his pallet a few feet away. “Tell you what?” he said sleepily. He’d been about to drift off to sleep. “Tell me what happened between you and Charona,” Odyssea said. Circes sighed. “It was a prank. Hermisia had set us up on a date, and instead of showing up, I hid myself. She started crying right then and there, and I was going to surprise her by jumping out from my hiding place, but then felt embarrassed for making her weep. And so I stayed hidden.” “Do you like her?” Odyssea asked. “It was a long time ago, but yes, now that I’ve seen her again, my feelings have rekindled. But she did knock me into the river. That girl holds grudges like you’ve never seen.” “She’s very passionate,” Odyssea agreed. “I think she’d be a strong ally, though, once we become friends.” “I suppose,” Circes said. “I still have bruises from her staff.” “Yeah, but you don’t hold grudges,” Odyssea observed. “That’s right, if Charona gets that anger towards me out of her system, then I’d be happier to be around her.” The next morning, Odyssea made breakfast and Circes scrubbed the dishes. “Charona,” Circes said, before they left. “I wanted to express how sorry I am that I stood you up on that day and made you cry.” “Who told you I cried afterwards?” Charona asked suspiciously. “I was there, just hiding,” Circes said. “I was going to come out but I felt horrible after standing you up and hurting your feelings.” “And now?” Charona stood close to him, while Circes continued washing dishes. “I would like to try again, if you’re interested,” Circes said. “I think you’re amazing, and if I can get out of my exile, then maybe I can visit you.” When Odyssea walked into the kitchen, she witnessed Circes and Charona kissing each other. Odyssea smiled and silently retreated from the room. Tyresia led Odyssea and Circes to the gates of Hadessa’s palace. They had brought the puppy with them, and Cerberus took one sniff at them and stepped aside so they could enter the gates. “See, told you the puppy would work,” Tyresia winked. The palace was the color of the night with glittering lights and stars everywhere. Odyssea and her companions followed the main path and arrived at the main doors. An impossibly tall guard wearing a black hooded cape beckoned them inside. Odyssea hesitated, trying to quiet the tremor in her hands. Tyresia turned to glance at her in concern. Odyssea took a deep breath and walked forward. After they were let into the main hall, Hadessa and Persephonus came over to greet them. Hadessa was a young woman with hair the color of the night, and eyes so dark they could see right through your soul. She wore a midnight blue peplos and wore snake ornaments around her arms and neck. Persephonus, on the other hand, had bright yellow hair and light green eyes. He wore a light green chiton and silver cloak. “Welcome to our palace!” Hadessa said, all her teeth showing. Odyssea gulped and tried not to seem afraid. She soon found out that Hadessa knew all their names. “Circes, nice to see you again,” Hadessa grinned. “And you too Tyresia. And you…” She approached Odyssea and took her hands. “I am delighted to meet you, Odyssea, Princess of Ithaca. I hope you will like it here.” Odyssea nodded. “Thank you, Queen Hadessa,” she tried to stop the shake in her voice. She nodded to Persephonus, who just stood there with his arms folded and a bored look on his face. “I am searching for an eye pendant that looks like this,” Odyssea showed them hers. “We want to find it and return it to Poseidona.” Now that she’d framed her request, she let out a long breath to calm her pounding heart. “Ha! Poseidona! She’s too scared to come here herself, I see. Sends a mortal, an exiled child of the gods, and a seer to do the dirty work for her,” Hadessa laughed. “Well, it was kind of my fault,” Circes admitted. “I had stolen it from her. If I retrieve it and return it, my exile will end.” “So you basically just want to get out of the consequences for your actions,” Persephonus spoke as if bored. “I want to make things right,” Circes said. “So that you can leave your exile and not be alone anymore,” Persephonus said. “Basically you’re just doing this for yourself. How very valiant of you,” his voice dripped sarcasm. “Isn’t that what we’re all trying to do?” Odyssea spoke up. “Trying to progress? To better our lives? Yes, it sounds selfish when you put it that way. But Circes has good intentions and his helping himself will allow himself to benefit others by his skills with herbs and healing. Selfishness is only when we neglect others.” Persephonus gave her a death glare and Odyssea wondered if she’d gone too far. Hadn’t Tyresia told her to watch out for Persephonus especially? Odyssea hoped she hadn’t made a grave mistake by speaking up. “We hope you’ll stay with us for a few days,” Hadessa grinned. “We’ve prepared your rooms and we’d like to invite you to have dinner with us this evening.” “We’d be delighted,” Odyssea smiled. “But before we do that, if I may, I’d like to have a private chat with you, Hadessa.” Inwardly, she hated the thought of being anywhere alone with Hadessa. “Of course, my dear,” Hadessa said, even though they looked like they were around the same age. “Come to my suite and we will talk.” “I’m coming too,” Persephonus said stiffly. “Anything you can say to Hadessa, you can say to me.” “My dear, won’t you let Odyssea and I speak privately for a few moments?” Hadessa said sweetly. Her voice reminded Odyssea of a serpent slithering on the ground. “I don’t trust her,” Persephonus hissed in his wife’s ear, but stayed back. “I’m sorry about my spouse,” Hadessa said as they entered the suite. “He sulks when he’s away from the surface. I guess I’m to blame, since I kidnapped him and forced him to marry me. Now, please tell me what’s on your mind.” “Well, you didn’t answer me about the eye pendant. I was hoping you had seen it and could point me in the right direction,” Odyssea said. “You get right to the point,” Hadessa grinned. “But I don’t believe I know anything of it. You may want to ask Persephonus, he keeps track of the jewelry in the palace.” 3.4 Odyssea and Circes asked for an audience with Persephonus. “After dinner tonight,” he told them sourly. “I’m very hungry and can’t help you on an empty stomach.” Odyssea and Circes exchanged glances and prepared themselves for dinner. Hadessa had servants send in new chitons, cloaks, and peploses for the guests to wear. “I gotta say, Hadessa has flamboyant tastes,” Tyresia said, staring at the boldly colored clothing. There was violet, bright blue, and indigo with starry patterns on them. Dinner was tasty and the three companions made sure not to eat any pomegranates. After dinner, Persephonus finally granted them an audience in his chambers. “Hadessa suggested I ask you about the pendant,” Odyssea said. Persephonus leaned back in his chair and stared at the wall. He sighed. “I believe I might have seen it somewhere. There is so much jewelry in the palace that we have an entire jewelry room dedicated to it. Come with me and we can look around.” Odyssea noted that Persephonus hadn’t answered the question directly. They arrived at the jewelry room and entered what looked like an enormous museum, with display cabinets and glass display cases everywhere. “Wow,” Odyssea looked around in awe. “It will take us forever to look through all these,” Circes said. “It’s arranged by type,” Persephonus said. “The pendants are all on that wall.” Odyssea and Circes spent a good part of the day searching through the pendants but didn’t find the eye pendant of Poseidona. They met Tyresia in the guest quarters and slept in their pallets for the night. “Maybe we’ve missed something,” Odyssea said the next morning. “I mean, the pendant has to be around here somewhere. I think Persephonus knows where it is but doesn’t want to tell us.” “Why don’t we ask the judges?” Circes asked. “They might have seen something.” Odyssea and Circes headed to the judges’ table. Mina was sitting at the center, and she looked up as they approached. “You’re not even dead,” she said to Odyssea. “And you can’t even die,” she said to Circes. “We’re not here for our judgment,” Circes said. “We’re searching for a pendant in the shape of an eye. It belongs to Poseidona, and we’re going to return it to her. Have you by chance seen it?” Mina regarded them. “Yes, now that I think about it, I have seen something similar,” she said. “I believe Persephonus has one just like it.” The next evening Hadessa invited them to a feast. There would be food and dancing. Odyssea, Circes, and Tyresia felt a little out of place when they arrived, since everyone was dressed in stolas and togas, more formal than the companions were used to. As soon as they arrived, some servants ushered them into another room, where they presented them with a selection of formal attire. “Hadessa insisted we give you several choices of clothing to choose for the party,” the servant woman said. “Circes, please go with Damon.” A servant man arrived and beckoned Circes to follow him to another room. The woman introduced herself as Zoe and pretty soon she had the young women dressed spectacularly for the party. Odyssea wore a dark blue stola which reminded her of the waves of the sea. She remembered her days of depression on Circes’ island, how she’d often stare out into the waves and feel nostalgia. The gown shimmered like sunlight shining on the water. Tyresia wore a glittering scarlet stola. “For the underworld, this is way too bright!” she commented. Circes soon joined them, wearing a sparkling toga, white like snow with yellow diamonds at the hems. The three companions glanced at one another and chuckled to themselves. Zoe led them back to the main hall and they joined the party. Tyresia reminded them to stay away from pomegranates. And Odyssea stayed away from any food that even slightly resembled a lotus fruit, inwardly cringing when she thought back to that time. Circes seemed to just stuff his face with whatever goodies he found. Odyssea remembered that immortals didn’t need to eat, so for them it was just for enjoyment. Odyssea realized the crowd had quieted and the lights had dimmed, as Hadessa and Persephonus walked to the dance area, hand in hand. Actually, it seemed more like Hadessa was dragging Persephonus to the dance floor. He looked as if he’d eaten something sour. Something glinted at his neck and Odyssea did a double take. It was the pendant! She wondered why Persephonus had lied to her and her companions. Odyssea needed to talk to him and this was as good a time as any, so she made her way forward. Hadessa was having trouble getting Persephonus to dance with her. The entire dance looked stilted and awkward. The people around them had started dancing as well. Odyssea noticed that Charona had arrived and she and Circes were dancing in the corner. Suddenly someone grabbed her arm and Odyssea was whirled around. Once the world stopped spinning and she regained her balance, she found herself being dipped by Hadessa. Odyssea’s heart hammered from fear and Hadessa pulled her back to an upright position. “Will you dance with me?” Hadessa asked with a grin, the whites of her teeth reminding Odyssea of the gate of bones that surrounded the palace. “I thought I already was,” Odyssea said, trying not to show her annoyance…and fear. “Please, no more fast spins,” she said. “All right,” Hadessa agreed. She took hold of Odyssea’s hand and placed the other around her waist. Odyssea didn’t know much about dancing, so she followed Hadessa’s lead. The whole dancing thing felt clumsy to her. “You’re way more fun than Persephonus,” Hadessa smiled. “I don’t suppose you’d want to trade places with him?” Odyssea stared, trying to figure out if Hadessa was joking or not. Would Hadessa really just trade someone as important as a spouse? As if the person were a mere possession? “I was joking, of course,” Hadessa laughed. She spun Odyssea in a slow circle and then pulled her close so suddenly that the breath was knocked from Odyssea’s lungs. “Sorry, I forget how fragile humans are,” Hadessa said. She’s playing with me, Odyssea thought, feeling unnerved. They kept dancing, Odyssea looking out for other couples so they didn’t bump into one another. “Talk to me,” Hadessa said. “I want to hear all about you.” Odyssea tried not to flinch at Hadessa’s bony hands and tight grip. She plucked Hadessa’s hand off her waist and slowly pushed her away, making it look like a dance move. Odyssea didn’t appreciate Hadessa’s advances, nor her immortal strength. Hadessa tugged her arm and reeled her in, circling an arm along her back. Odyssea ducked below the arm and stepped out of the hold. “Don’t fear her,” she heard a whisper in her ear, but she didn’t know where it had come from. She thought she heard the flap of wings and wondered if Atheno had sent his owl to warn her. Odyssea took a deep breath and met Hadessa’s eye, then marched forward with resolve. She placed both hands on Hadessa’s waist and began to spin her, faster and faster. Hadessa laughed as she spiraled. Finally, as the song was ending, Odyssea brought Hadessa to an abrupt stop and dipped her mercilessly, so that Hadessa’s head almost touched the floor. She stood her upright again and Hadessa swayed a bit in her arms. Odyssea grabbed her hand and pulled her to the balcony. “Wow, that was amazing,” Hadessa was laughing. “I’ve never had so much fun!” But Odyssea wasn’t laughing. “I really like you,” Hadessa inched closer. “No, I’m engaged,” Odyssea said. “My father has arranged it.” “Oh, how dreadful,” Hadessa said. “But since you entertained me tonight, I would like to give you a gift. What do you desire? I have a few ideas if you’re interested.” She gave a sly smile. Odyssea thought for a moment. “I wish to borrow your helm of invisibility,” she said. “For one hour.” Hadessa’s eyes widened and she stared at her in shock. “May I at least kiss you?” she asked. “Then I’ll let you borrow my helmet.” Odyssea started to turn away, but Hadessa took her hand gently. “Please,” she said. “Just one kiss.” “All right,” Odyssea sighed. The thought of getting so close to Hadessa would normally have made her shiver with fear. But she recalled the voice in her ear, telling her not to fear, and her resolve returned. Hadessa embraced her and gave her a soft kiss, not wanting to let go, but Odyssea gently pushed her away at arm’s length. “Thank you,” Hadessa sighed. When Odyssea and her companions left the party, Odyssea had the helmet tucked under her arm. 3.5 After changing out of the sparkly clothes, Odyssea put on the helmet of invisibility and stole into Persephonus’ room. She had climbed up the balcony, as silently as possible, and then gone right in. Thank goodness the windows had been open! Persephonus had retired to his chambers and his servant Damon was putting away his jewelry. He placed it in a wooden box on the vanity. “Can you believe how shameful Hadessa was?” Persephonus said sourly. “Dancing with that mortal like they were lovers. Everyone will be talking about it now. I just want to get out of here and see my father again. Hadessa can’t keep me here.” Persephonus lounged on the bed and sighed. “And then Odyssea and Circes want that pendant,” Persephonus said. “That’s the only thing keeping Hadessa in check.” Odyssea listened closely. After the servant left, Persephonus extinguished the lamp and got in bed. Odyssea waited until she could hear soft snores, then she stole over to the vanity and opened the box. She picked up the eye pendant and as soon as she touched it, a flash of light lit up the whole room. “What the?” Persephonus was instantly awake and gasped. He looked right at Odyssea. “What are you doing with Hadessa’s helmet?” he asked. He grabbed Odyssea by the neck and she dropped the pendant. As it fell near her own pendant, a bond was made, and a field of energy appeared in the room. Persephonus dropped his hands from Odyssea’s neck. Odyssea made choking sounds as she got her breath back. “I forgot you also have a pendant,” Persephonus said. “Please,” Odyssea said. “That pendant belongs to Poseidona. She needs it back.” “But this is the only way I can see through the helmet of invisibility,” Persephonus said. “I don’t want Hadessa using it to spy on me.” “What if we can convince Hadessa to send you back to the surface?” Odyssea asked. “Then will you give us the pendant?” “Why would I want to go to the surface?” Persephonus said sullenly. “Down here I live in a palace and am King of the Underworld.” “True,” Odyssea said. “But you were kidnapped by Hadessa and she gave you a pomegranate, which forces you to come to the Underworld for a time every year. What if we can get you up on the surface sooner so you can see your father?” There was a gleam in Persephonus’ eyes. “Yes, I think I should like that,” he said. “And how are you going to convince Hadessa to let me go?” “I will talk to her and get back to you,” Odyssea promised. “Okay, but if you ever break into my room again, I will send Cerberus after you!” Persephonus threatened. “And after you’re just a pile of bones, I’ll throw you into Tartarus myself!” When they found Hadessa, the young woman was busy brushing her dog Cerberus and playing with the puppies. They explained the whole situation to her. Hadessa turned to look at them and grinned. “If I let him go earlier, what will I get in return?” she asked. “I am lonely down here without Persephonus. That’s why I kidnapped him in the first place.” “What do you wish for?” Circes asked. “Well,” Hadessa thought about it. “I want Persephonus to be with me, always.” “But when you two are together, he misses his father and you don’t even spend any time together, really,” Odyssea pointed out. “Are you saying Persephonus wants to be rid of me?” Hadessa asked in a dangerous voice. “Not at all,” Odyssea said. “Just that he misses his father. If he sees his father, he won’t miss him anymore, and will then want to return to live with you.” “I see,” Hadessa rubbed her chin. “Perhaps if his father is with him all the time, Persephonus will get tired of him.” She thought for a moment and then smiled. “All right then,” she said. “I will send Persephonus to the surface, and he can stay with his father for as long as he wants. Sooner or later, he will miss me and will want to come back down here. It’s a deal!” Once they had the pendant in their hands, they met up with Tyresia once more and walked together to the portal. “I will part ways with you now,” Tyresia said. “I still have some business to attend to.” She hugged Odyssea fiercely. “Be brave, Odyssea. You still have more obstacles to face. I know you will get through them. You are stronger than you know.” Odyssea hugged her back. Charona was there, and she ferried them across. “Once I return the pendant to Poseidona, I will come back to you,” Circes said to Charona. “Or you’ll stand me up again,” she said. “I promise,” Circes took her hand. “I still have feelings for you and I’d like to see where this goes.” “It’s your last chance,” Charona said. “If you don’t return like you said you would, I will know that your promises are meaningless.” “Here, hold on to this for me,” Circes handed her his bag of precious herbs. “You’re giving me this?” Charona asked in surprise. “Yes, I am coming back,” Circes said. “See you soon!” He leaned in and they shared a kiss. After they exited the land of the Cimmerians and were back on the raft, Circes called to Poseidona, who arrived riding on a killer whale. She put out her hand and Circes returned the pendant. “It’s centuries late,” Poseidona said. “But I’m glad to have it back. You are now free from your exile. I’m going to extend a punishment to you, though, and I hate that Odyssea will be affected by your folly, but this is how it has to be.” Then she raised her arms and sent a violent storm after their small boat, crashing against the raft and tearing it in two. Odyssea and Circes got separated, the waves taking them in different directions. Odyssea gripped her eye pendant and held on tightly, as if it would somehow save her.
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