Vampire Greek: The Burning King

Charon pushed his boat away from the edge with his pole and plunged it into the water. He started rowing and within seconds the boat had picked up speed, going faster than before.

“Where are you taking me then?!” Roman demanded, trying to keep his balance.

“You are a monster, and monsters have a special place down here in the Underworld. You are going to Tartarus.”

The water got murkier and trees started to appear along the horizon, which only connected darkness with more darkness. There was barely any way to tell where the river ended and the sky began, but all around them they passed by trees, grass, and huge rock formations that looked like mountains. Suddenly they entered a swamp-like area, and the boat slowed down.

“I’m not a monster! I’m not even a vampire anymore, see?” Roman lifted his lip and showed his teeth.

“That is because Zeus purged you body and soul of all impurities. You are no longer damned, but you are doomed to this fate because of your actions.” Charon stopped the boat and Roman noticed that they weren’t just at the edge of the river, they were at the edge of the world. On the side of the boat water flowed down into a bottomless pit that stretched on for miles on either side of him. Maybe even forever. It looked so seamless you couldn’t tell the water was going anywhere until you looked over the edge.

“No, no man, you can’t be serious.” he backed away from the edge as Charon wrapped his hand around the back of his neck.

“Wait man, wait! I’m sorry! Okay? I didn’t mean to kill that guy it was an accident, I lost control and-”

“His death is not the reason you are being cast into Tartarus.” Charon voice was deep, unfazed and uncaring.

“Then what is?!” Roman was frantically trying to pull himself free. In response to his squirming Charon lifted him off his feet and held him over the chasm.

“After attacking the daughter of Zeus her blood ran threw your veins. Zeus’ own blood. In addition to shaming Zeus it also gave you, a modern creature, properties you shouldn’t have possessed. We can’t let there be more of you.” Charon snapped Roman’s neck and his fighting ceased, but his heart continued to beat. Finally Charon let go and watched Roman’s body as it plunged into darkness. After a moment he looked up to the sky and sighed. “This is the wrong way to do it, Hades.”

#

“So what are you two going to do?” Barry asked the girls.

“Jump in, obviously.” Caitlyn replied, pouring one of the bags of sand into the tub. The water turned pitch black and began to steam, but it was still cold to the touch. Caitlyn noticed that her hand no longer got wet when touching the water and she stood up to hop in the tub.

“Wait,” said Willa, grabbing her wrist. “Apollo might be lying. We saw Tyran for ourselves, the Oracle said he was her secret. Maybe she managed to hide him from the gods, but what happens to him now that she’s gone?”

“This is just another reason we need to find her, soon.” said Caitlyn. “Come on.”

Caitlyn put one foot one foot in the tub and shivered. “Wow, it’s cold.”

She climbed all the way in and laid on her back, completely submerged like a dark baptism. When her face was completely covered, she disappeared.

“Holy crap.” said Claire.

“I better go.” Willa climbed in the tub and pinched her nose.

“Wait.” said Claire. “Do you think… there’s a chance that Roman is down there?”

Willa stared at her for a small moment before responding.

“Maybe. I… I hope not, but if he is, I will find him. I will save him, I promise.”

Claire nodded and Willa fully submerged herself in the water, disappearing in an instant.

“What do we do now?” asked Barry.

“We finish cleaning up your mess, I guess. Roman’s coming back, I know he is.

#

Willa opened her eyes and saw the darkest sky imaginable. She sat up on a beach that was freezing cold, and the ocean was black in front of her. She heard Caitlyn’s voice to the right and turned and saw her small figure next to group of shadows.

“Caitlyn!” she screamed, standing up and running toward her. “Get away from them!”

Caitlyn turned and saw Willa running full sprint. She motioned for her to hurry.

“Quick! Help us!”

“Help you do what?” She asked when she reached her.

“We’re trying to keep them from wandering away. If they aren’t ready for Charon when he comes back, they’ll never make it to Asphodel.”

Caitlyn observed the shadow people. Three of them were walking aimlessly with a vacant look in their eyes. Four others were trying to convince them to turn around and go back. They even grabbed them and tried to turn them around, but it did nothing.

“They won’t listen to reason.” A shadow man explained to them. “They don’t remember who they are, they don’t know where they’re going.”

“Yes I do.” said one of the three men, still slowly walking away. “I’m going home. Wherever that is. I’ll know when I find it.”

“Your home isn’t here!” One of the girl shadows shouted at him. “You’re dead, we all are, don’t you realize that?!”

“No.” said the guy. “I’m going home.”

“Willa, can’t you try something?” Caitlyn pleaded. “You’re a goddess!”

“A goddess?!” said the four in unison. They bowed at Willa’s feet. Even the lost three turned and stared.

“Uh…” Willa was at a loss. What could she do?

“Goddess of what?” asked one of the three.

Crap. I’m screwed.

The four kept bowing but lifted their heads, expecting an answer.

“She is a daughter of Zeus, and I am a maiden of Aphrodite.” Caitlyn said confidently. “We are on a quest-”

“Caitlyn,” Willa interrupted. “That’s enough.”

“I don’t have time for quests. I need to go home.” One man turned away and the other three followed suit.

“Wait! I’m sure you have someone here, in Asphodel or wherever you’re meant to go, waiting for you. Just come with us, and you’ll find them.”

“Yes!” said the girl, standing up. “Listen to the goddess, she knows better than us.”

“No need.” said a deep voice behind them. They turned and saw a tall old man carrying a long staff, his boat anchored in the distance. The three lost ones turned and blinked, as if they suddenly woke up from a dream.

“Everyone, head to the boat. And you two, tell me about your quest.”