Fate of the Blessed

Tae-Seong

The door slammed shut as Shanti and I passed through before it disappeared with a poof of smoke. It left us with no other choice but to move on forward. This land differed from where we had just come from, so I took a moment to scan the area. Instead of the luscious green, welcoming atmosphere of the clearing, it was bleak and grey, with a menacing tone that settled around them. It thickened the air, making it hard to breathe. My heart was heavy in my chest, and a sudden despair entered my body. I pushed the feeling to the back of my mind. It was like my limbs were wading through thick mud.  

Got to stay positive. I must focus on the words of Papa Legba.

I looked down to see Shanti smiling back up at me. I gave her hand a small squeeze; we continued on, but it was slow going, considering we didn’t know where we were. Where could this Charon be? The surrounding trees were dead and brittle, the shadows casting an ominous tone. A river lay to the left, but even that was stagnant, its dull brown waters unmoving, still taunting us. It didn’t flow like normal rivers, but a fog swirled around on top of the dull brown water. The whole place was sinful and evil. 

“Mr See-on, what are we going to do now?” Shanti said. 

I smiled at the mispronunciation of my name; it was cute. I had to stay alert. The Jeoseung Saja could be anywhere. They were the harbingers of death. A battle was going to be inevitable.

“Why don’t you call me Tae?” I suggested, smiling. 

“Okay, Tae, I like it.” she skipped along with me, but our steps were stilted and slow. We were too hyper focused listening for any little movement. The heaviness against my chest tightened.

How am I supposed to fight anybody when my body doesn’t feel my own?

A snapping sound echoed through the woods. I stopped and pushed Shanti behind me before I drew my sword from its scabbard. I put my free hand on her shoulder in silent reassurance. She clutched the bottom of my shirt. She was about to speak, but stopped when we heard the snapping again. This time, however, it was closer. They let a screech out and it flew across the air. It was so loud Shanti put her hands over her ears, and I winced as my ears rang.

“What was that?” Shanti’s voice had taken on a shrill tone.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I listened, ready for the next moment. A shadow darted in front of us. We both took a terrified step back. A black claw shot out and caught Shanti’s shoulder, leaving a deep gash in its wake. She screamed in response; I swung round to face the direction it came from. I slashed the sword in front of me; it was slow and clumsy, but it hit nothing. Shanti was crying behind me, clutching her shoulder. The claw flashed out again. She cried out in pain before losing her footing to collapse to the ground. It caught my shirt, leaving three marks in its wake.

The Jeoseung Saja, it had to be. Just great.

A figure materialised in front of us, but no features adorned its form. It was like black smoke. It stood there for a split second before it flew towards us. I slashed my sword again; it sang through the air, connecting with the Saja, instantly dissipating it. I dropped to the ground, my legs giving way, the small exertion taking a lot of energy out of me. The very air was sucking away our life-force.

I struggled to my feet, scooping Shanti in my arms, taking off as fast as my uncooperative legs would take me through the barren forest. As I broke the trees, a small cabin sitting next to a rickety jetty, and an old worn boat met me. I knew the Saja was still behind me, enjoying their hunt. I stumbled, crashing to the ground with Shanti; they were close, the black smoke was lapping at my feet. I pulled myself up, grunting as I lifted Shanti back into my arms. The Saja was closing in. I willed my legs to go faster. As I got closer to the fence, I noticed the orange bushes planted around the perimeter.

They ward off evil! We have to make it.

Just as I was about to burst through the foliage, a glacial claw clasped my shirt, yanking me backwards. I flung Shanti out of my arm, shoving her past the bushes. They couldn’t get her there. I crashed to the floor. The black creature hovered over me, one of its claws outstretched. The smoke-like claws went into my chest. It was trying to rip my heart out. I cried out in pain. It withdrew its hand and recoiled backwards.

“no... soul...” it hissed before dissipating.

I rolled onto my side, coughing as I tried to catch my breath. I crawled through the orange trees. Strength slowly returned to my body, and I could breathe again. As I took in a greedy deep breath, I pulled myself up onto my shaky legs, stumbling to get back to Shanti, who was lying on the floor whimpering. I scooped her up into my arms.

No soul? What did it mean by that?

“Let us in she’s bleeding. Please,” I banged on the door as hard as I could, fearing it might split under the pressure. The door swung open, and I fell inside without being invited. It slammed shut behind me.

“What in blue blazes is going on in here?” the mystery man asked, but stopped when he noticed I was holding a bloody Shanti. Her face had taken on an ashen tone, and she whimpered in my arms. She was getting weaker. Her body was limp and a dead weight in my arms.

The old man crossed his arms “I will not help for free; I will seek a payment.” The indifferent tone in his voice brought a shudder up my spine. I fished into my pocket and flung the obol at him. He caught it with surprising dexterity and brought it up to his eye, scrutinizing it. He pocketed it before turning back to me.

The old, wizened man was more than a little rotund. He was thinning on top and dressed in a grubby vest and pants. “Lay her on the bed,” he motioned towards a small cot in the corner. I hesitated when I saw a three-headed hound snoring loudly on a worn rug in front of it. 

Oh, give me a break. This night cannot get any weirder.

“Pay no intention to Cerberus, he won’t bite.” The man said impatiently. He was now rummaging through a cabinet full of strange potions, pots, and other oddities. I placed Shanti gently on the bed and brushed a sweat-soaked strand of hair from her face. 

“What happened?” he asked. 

“A Jeoseung Saja attacked us.” 

The man shook his head in sympathy. “They’re claws hold poison,” he explained as he pulled out bandages and a tub of ointment. His voice held no emotion, just a cold reality.

“Move out of my way son, put her down over there. Hurry,” he said, motioning again to the cot in the corner.

He squeezed past me; I moved out of his way to sit on a small wooden chair. He busied himself tending to Shanti, who held an unnatural sheen, she’d already passed out with the pain. A strange ointment, the colour of seaweed, was slathered onto her skin with a generous covering. I scrunched up my face at the slimy substance being slathered over her shoulder. It didn’t like all healthy but I had no choice but to obey.

“It’ll help draw out the poison,” he explained as he finished dressing her wound.

Charon pulled a care-worn blanket over her before he turned around to face me. The 3-headed dog, Cerberus, was watching me, its black eyes never wavering. It was not happy to be woken from its slumber. I paced back and forth, keeping one eye on the beast. 

“Stop pacing my boy, you’ll wear a groove into the floor.” The portly man chuckled.

He clocked me, eying Cerberus. “Don’t worry, he’ll not hurt you, well unless I told him too” He gave a deep belly laugh, but I just stared back in horror.

“Ah not the most talkative of fella’s, no matter.”

The beast let out a great big huff and turned his back on me before he placed himself on a rug. It closed its eyes and went back to sleep, disinterested. Wasn’t this supposed to the beast that guarded the gates of hell?  

“Not that I’m an expert on Greek mythology but aren’t these 3-headed beasts supposed to be more,” I paused, searching for the right word I settled on “fierce?”

The old man gave a wry smile. He turned away from Shanti and put away the ointment on a shelf that looked like it was going to collapse at any moment. 

“You’ll find, my boy, that myths and stories are often exaggerated.” He let out a bellowing laugh and busied himself rustling a teapot and cups.

“My name is Charon,” he said, thrusting out his hand. 

“Tae-Seong.” I took his hand, and he returned the gesture with a vigorous shake before letting go.

“Well Tae-Seong it is very nice to meet you.” He radiated a jolliness that seemed infectious. When he told me to sit, I obeyed. His tone was commanding I couldn’t help, not too. Taking the chair closest to Shanti, I spun it around before sitting on it. I rested my arms in front of me, but my body stayed taut and alert.

You can never be too careful.

Shanti was sleeping now, snoring softly. Her face was still pale, so I silently prayed that she would be alright and hoped the ointment was working. I had only just met her, but I still couldn’t allow a child to die.

I’m a bastard, but I’m not a monster.

“She’s lucky that one.” Charon said nodding towards her as he busied himself rustling pots and pans. He put two cups on the table and poured amber liquid into each before sliding one to me, and then plonked himself down on another chair. His large girth brushed the table as he did so.

“It was only a scratch, the ointment should draw out the poison.” He continued, chuckling to himself. I didn’t return the sentiment. My thoughts were elsewhere. Charon picked up on the shift in tone.

“Tell me about it, sonny,” he commanded

I took a deep breath, my chest rising and falling as I let it back out again. Where would I even start? I didn’t know what was going on myself, so I told him about waking up, meeting Shanti, and how she had pleaded with me to find someone called Amara. When I had finished telling him our tale, Charon sat back in his chair, his brow furrowed. 

“Hmm,”

It was difficult not knowing what to do as I always had a plan; I needed no one else’s help before. It was a strange notion to me, but at this moment I would value the old man’s insight on the matter, even if it was to tell me I was ridiculous and delusional. A little girl I’d never even met before, wanting me to save someone I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have done this at home. Why would I do this now?

I need to learn all the information I can. It wasn’t my problem.

“I see your predicament, sonny.” He said.

My back straightened and leaned forward to listen to what Charon had to say. 

“I’ll help any way I can, my boy.” He said, and I gave a clipped nod in gratitude. After all, what did I have to lose if I helped Shanti? However, afterwards I would be out of here. I didn’t need the dead weight slowing me down.

“Tell me what I can do?”

“Papa Legba said that we needed to cross the Acheron, that’ll take us to Aeron’s place.” I said, looking over to where Shanti lay, still asleep. Guilt clawed at my insides. I should’ve been more alert. It was my fault she got hurt.  Charon put his chubby hands to his chin “I know the place, we’ll leave in a few hours, get some rest sonny.” He said as he rose from his chair. Charon waddled across the cabin and opened the door before closing it quietly behind him.

I felt weary, my eyes heavy. I looked over at Shanti. Cerberus was laying in front of her, standing guard. She seemed to have that effect. They all seemed to take an instant liking to her lively nature.

How did I get myself into this? Maybe I’ll at least find a way out of this place.

I picked myself off the rickety old chair, found a corner in the room, and sat down, resting my head against the wall. It wasn’t the most comfortable of arrangements, but I had slept in worse places. I welcomed the coolness it provided; I closed my eyes and felt the darkness envelope me like a blanket.

Am I willing to die for a girl I haven’t even met?

I shrugged, if got me out of this place I’d do just about anything. It is a means to an end. As soon as I’ve found her, I’m out of here. My thoughts slipped away from me as I fell into a dreamless sleep.