CHAPTER 183
CHAPTER 183
We gathered in Rowan's study because it was the only room large enough to fit everyone comfortably. The Tamzyns stayed outside in the garden, their massive forms visible through the windows.
Mother had conjured a map of the Underground on the floor, glowing symbols marking different regions. All along, Pelagius stood beside her, arms crossed, studying the layout with dark eyes.
Reya paced near the window while Ixion sat quietly beside Josh, their hands intertwined.
And Rowan stood next to me, close enough that our shoulders touched.
"It's time to put our thoughts out and figure everything down to the last detail so we avoid mistakes," Pelagius started. "But everyone must remember that the safety of this plan is dependent on it being a secret. I believe you are all important to each other and if one person is compromised, the entire mission will be a bust."
"I trust them," I said, looking him in the eyes.
"Alright then. Terra, you can begin."
She looked radiant yet there was a cloud of worry on her green form.
"The Underground is vast," Mother began, gesturing to the map. "Hades' domain is here, in the center. To reach it, you have to cross the River Styx. There are only two ways in. The River Styx, which is the main entrance. Or the Path of the Beasts, which requires walking the beach path first. That could take days, maybe weeks."
"So River Styx is our only option but then, Zebub," I breathed, realizing that beast still terrified me.
The anger I had in me against him was still there but I'd learned to pick my battles. Running in headfirst cost me precious lives that I couldn't recover from ever again.
"The Tamzyns will fly you to where the River Niger and River Benue meet," Mother said, pointing to a spot on the map where two glowing lines converged but remained distinct. "They flow together but never mix. It's quite a symbolic place, a threshold between realms. But from there, you'll access the Styx."
"Oh thank goodness, we can bypass him and his horde," I breathed, my relief palpable.
"Swimming through the barrier between the earth and the River Styx, however, is where the problem lies," Mother's voice lowered.
"What's wrong with it?" Ixion asked, sitting up straight.
"At the path where the three waters connect, there are many three headed crocodiles. They're not of one world but of all three, combining Hades' anger and shadows, Hell's cunning and magic as well as Earth's wit and sharp fangs. You'll have to survive the short swim between them and the fall from the top onto the Ferryman's boat."
My heart beat faster.
"How do we survive that?" I gasped, imagining the absolute worst.
"Come on!" Pelagius yelled, irritated. "You're still thinking in small fonts? You have the power of three gods in you! Some silly crocodiles shouldn't be a big deal for you."
"And you have us too," Jock added through the bond.
"But I don't want you guys to fight," I whimpered, scared.
"Well, now you have to let us, sorry," Nala chuckled, excited at the prospect of putting her life in danger for me.
Their confidence poured into me and I felt Rowan's hand squeeze mine.
"Once we're at the Styx, what then?" Reya asked, returning everybody to the matter at hand.
"The Ferry will take you to my wolves," Mother continued. "They're currently staying away from Hades' path, don't involve them in this even if they beg you to. He's been trying to take them from me for a while now."
I remembered her wolves, the way meeting them completely changed my life.
"You should probably bring them up here," Pelagius said to her.
"Is it safe?"
"It's your world, you can make it safe, dear."
"Alright then," I interrupted their stare, it was getting weird. "We'll try not to alert them of our presence because I know they'll try to help. We fly off to Hades' domain, rescue Claire and get back out."
"Ha! If only it were that easy," Ixion sighed. "The Thonicks alone will turn us right back to where we're coming from."
"Oh I remember the Thonicks," Mother said, a hint of a smile gracing her face before she hardened. "But they're not your major concern, they respond to authority. Walk in with confidence, don't show fear, and they might let you pass without immediate challenge. But if Hades has alerted them to watch for intruders, you'll have to fight."
"He knows I'm coming," I said. "He gave me a deadline."
"That's why we're leaving tonight. Surprise is our best element."
"Tonight? But Ixion will be too tired to fight," his husband complained, echoing our thoughts.
"You're not fighting tonight," Mother corrected. "But you'll begin the journey today, he'll know and begin to prepare. I have a resting port for you in Africa where you can recharge, rest for the entirety of tomorrow. Then in the evening, it's a short flight on your Tamzyns to the rivers."
"We're all going?" Reya asked, looking at the entire room.
"All of us here are going to my resort but only you, Celeste, the Tamzyns and Ixion will fight."
"But what about me?" Rowan spoke up for the first time since the meeting began.
"We'll talk about this later babe," I said to him, rubbing his leg a bit.
I could sense an argument and I didn't want it happening in front of everyone.
"Well that's about it on that end," Mother breathed out.
"That's actually a perfect plan because I know for sure he has eyes on this house and might know when we've left."
"Yes," she said to me. "But now we have to go into the other part of the plan. The extraction and the other reason you're going down there."
"What is that?"
"You're going to weaken Hades so much that he won't be able to hold us down in his domain when we get there."
"I'm going to fight him? Directly?"
"Why else did I give you my powers?" Pelagius grunted.
"I thought… oh."
"You will fight my brother, Celeste," Pelagius piled on the terror I felt in my heart. "And you will bring him to his knees. Then I'll come and take him up to the others for judgment. Don't fail me!"