Ch.6: "Bob Oracle's Inferno" / The Underworld

[Legendary Sidekick]

"War."

Hades seems to leave his answer at that one word.

(Seconds pass.)

His office door opens, and Hades says to Apollo, "Good of you to join us. These fine ladies are Sigrlinn and Kelleia. Sigrlinn was just asking what Ares' rule would be like."

Apollo says, "She may find out sooner than she expects…"

There is a wheezing out in the hall, and the slow dragging of feet. It is just outside the door. Hades seems calm, but his inquisitive expression suggests he was not expecting Apollo to bring a guest…

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn blinks at Hades' blunt answer to her questions. "You make a very vivid point, sir."

In the seconds that follow, she mentally updates Artemis on their whereabouts, and the discussion about Zeus potentially choosing Ares as his heir. We're still waiting for Apollo to get here, but I don't think it'll be too much-- oh, here he is...

She sits up a little straighter as Apollo comes in, and dips her head a little when Hades introduces her, but can't think of what to say besides "Hello". Somehow "Nice to see you again" doesn't quite seem fitting, given the circumstances.

She tilts her head at the wheezing out in the hall, sending another thought to Artemis. Someone else is here too, but I can't see who yet. I don't think they can walk or breathe very well -- if people do breathe at all down here.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

It is unclear whether the man in the hall can breathe or simply thinks he has to. (Hades does seem dormant whenever he is patiently waiting. Now that you think of it, Hades doesn't breathe. But other Departed seem more life-like, so it's possible that they inhale and exhale out of habit.)

Apollo says to Sigrlinn, "Ah... I remember you. It wasn't personal, but... no matter, now. Heph's machine defeated me." (He doesn't seem to realize Sigrlinn was one of the mech pilots.) "I will never again obey my father."

Hades is about to reply, but he is rendered speechless as the wheezing man enters the door.

The man is naked, though his beard drops below his waist to provide a degree of modesty. His skin sags in a way that hints at being muscular in his youth. As your gaze rises to his face, you know you have seen him before--but he didn't look so feeble. The only feature that gives away who this man is is the hole in his forehead. Protruding from the hole is a silver arrow.

He looks at you with a dim-witted expression. "Ha! I knew my lightning bolt zapped you girls! Kill them again, son!"

Apollo rolls his eyes.

"With your golden arrow," Zeus goes on in a pathetic, senile tone. "That's a, whattayacallit... an order. Kill."

Apollo says, "Shut up, dad."

Hades glares at his brother. But he does nothing to him, for now.

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn smiles slightly and nods at Apollo's words, and decides not to mention that she helped pilot the mech who killed him. In any case, she already got her chance to avenge the harm done to Heph's maidens, so... "No hard feelings, then, I hope?"

She gapes open-mouthed at the figure who enters next. No sound escapes her mouth, but her thoughts are a cry that Artemis will be able to hear. It's Zeus!

She shuts her mouth after a few seconds, but her thoughts continue, somewhat calmer. He's... nowhere near as strong as when we saw him last. He's still got your arrow in his head; I think it's made him senile. He wants Apollo to shoot us, but Apollo's not listening. I don't know what Hades is going to do.

 

[tbgg]

Kell tells Sigrlinn, "He is the god of war, and is his father's favorite, if the rumors I've heard are correct. I fear this means he may be much like his father."


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Artemis replies, My arrow's been stuck in his head for an entire week? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised—I never miss—but… what exactly is my father doing in the Underworld. If Hades is truly against him, my father would easily be killed. Unless of course his presence in the Underworld means…



Zeus notices his son and brother are doing nothing at all.

"Me Almighty! Do I have to do everything myself?" He faces the two of you. "Die again!" Lightning flows from his fingertips—

—but the arc travels from his hands to the arrow in his head! Zeus is shaken violently. He makes a gargling stutter—"g-g-g-g-g!"—then drops flat on his back. Black smoke rises from the hole in his head.

Apollo says, "It's bad enough my sister killed you, dad. You don't have to embarrass yourself further."

Hades says, "By all means, embarrass yourself to your heart's content."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

(Before Zeus Enters)

Kell tells Sigrlinn, "He is the god of war, and is his father's favorite, if the rumors I've heard are correct. I fear this means he may be much like his father."

"Or worse," Hades replies.

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn instinctively throws up her hands, as if that would shield her from Zeus' lightning--

--but it seems she has no need. She lowers her hands slowly, staring at the charred Zeus in bafflement. She thinks again to Artemis, According to Apollo, your arrow killed Zeus. He just tried to zap us with lightning, but your arrow caught the bolts and sent them into him! I don't think he's likely to hurt anyone anymore.

 

[tbgg]

Kell asks Hades, "Is Zeus' body dead like Apollo's currently is, or is he merely exercising a...prerogative...to visit your realm?" She adopts the tone one would use when asking where the cockroach that just entered the room came from. It is not the tone of one who fears cockroaches, but rather of one who is resigned to the possibility they might have to kill said cockroach. She is determined to show Zeus neither fear nor respect nor awe. Exactly the sort of thing one who is drunk on their own power hates. 'He is small and weak and pathetic,' she tells herself firmly. 'A truly good being would have no need to rub others' noses in their power. They could exercise their power to fight when needed, but do so in service to the common good. Not the way this wretch does it.'


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Hades notes Kell's tone. It's apparent he approves.

"Oh, it is better than you realize, Miss Silvertide. My brother has not only been killed by his own daughter, but he appeared here as he last remembered himself—with her arrow lodged in his brain. He could will away the arrow and then maybe have the intelligence to will clothing onto his body. He could have a younger form. I do not even know why he chose a form so elderly!

"Normally, I would demand you do not harm the Departed. In this case, I would call it a strong suggestion. If you were to kill him, he might create a new body without an arrow in his head. Then he would be quite troublesome, and potentially dangerous. Let him remain an idiot, which I suspect he will be as long as that arrow remains in his head."

Though Hades does not read Kell's thoughts, it's apparent she's thinking some harsh words toward Zeus.

Hades adds, "As long as you do not tell Zeus to pull the arrow from his head, you are free to say to him whatever is on your mind." He looks at Apollo. "And here I thought this would be a dull meeting. I do hope my dear brother wakes up soon."

Apollo sighs. "There is the matter of the sun, or lack thereof, in the Overworld."

Zeus rises suddenly, "Now that's what I'm talking about! You went and got beat by a girl, and I had to call in a favor so the cocks'll have something to crow about! Yeah, they'll have a sunrise, but who'll get the last laugh when Olympus tries to run the West without me?" The old king looks puzzled. "Seriously? Who? 'Cause I don't think it's so funny."

 

[tbgg]

Kell asks Apollo, "How long can the Overworld last without a sun, and what favor do you think your father is likely to have called in. Would Ares be able to do your job?"

She then regards Zeus with cool eyes and speaks her first words to him calmly. "While I think it's likely you probably do know a few things about running the West, most of us CANNOT STAND your style of leadership. As far as I'm concerned, you're nothing more than a despotic king whom I have no respect for and no loyalty to. If you could be trusted to guide and mentor a new ruler, there might a meaningful future for you yet. But everything I know about you tells me we'd be stupid to even consider it. You're only nice when you're plotting something evil. If it were possible, I'd give my life to see you executed for good so that no one else ever has to suffer again from the poison in your heart and in your deeds. I know only one thing about you: your own people do not feel safe around you, and as far as I'm concerned, that makes you a failure as a man and a leader in all the ways that matter. You can make people cower in fear well enough, but they only serve you either because they are your toadies and want whatever scraps you throw them or because they're afraid of punishment. But I doubt very seriously that any of them care for you out of love, nor would they stand with you if the chips were down because they truly believed in you. For that kind of loyalty, you'd have to win the hearts of your people, and that, Zeus, is something you know absolutely nothing about, to your own detriment and the detriment of every person who depends on you."

She meets Zeus' gaze unwaveringly and unflinchingly, probing the old man deeply, letting herself truly see him as the weakling that he is. She does not much care what this being thinks of her, and if he manages to kill her, well, she hopes her martyrdom will inspire others to stand up to him. She knows only that she's had enough.




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[Legendary Sidekick]

Apollo looks like he's about to speak over Kell, but he doesn't. Kell says her piece uninterrupted.

Zeus' only reply is, "Back in my hey day, I'd a-learned you."

Hades says mockingly, "I wonder what 'lesson' you would have taught a nymph."

"Bah, I ain't prejudiced. She gets the same lesson I'd give to any hot chick. And how I'd do it is take on the form of a certain..." Zeus looks deep into Kell's eyes. "...Mr. Cobbler. Like so!"

Zeus does not change into Vin. He doesn't change shape at all. Instead, a pair of brown leather shoes appear on his feet. (The only other article of clothing on him is a pair of black socks.) He looks at the shoes.

"Hot diggity dog!"

 

[tbgg]

Kell replies coldly, "Yeah, well, you would have fallen flat on your sorry pathetic butt. I'm not exactly like other nymphs." She doesn't mention knowing Zeus' secret, being a virgin, Aphrodite's training, or what Vin told her about it not being him if he appeared to be trying to pressure her. The less this foul being knows of anything she has going in her favor, the less his chances are of figuring out how to use it against her.


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[Ireth]

Sigrlinn stays quiet while Kell and Zeus exchange words, wondering why Artemis hasn't responded to her yet. Surely something like this would be worth talking about!

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Artemis seems to be projecting some emotions with her thoughts. There is a hint of remorse, but most of the feelings are positive…

I never miss. Since the birth of Athena, my father has been vulnerable to my attack and mine alone. It isn't that I failed to consider that. I just didn't expect to have a clear shot. He came into my domain and I shot at him to keep him from finishing you. I thought he teleported away, but… it took him a week to die.

If you can stand talking to him, ask him how he spent his last day on Mount Olympus.

If you will me to, I can see through your eyes and hear through your ears. Let me show you how that works.

Sigrlinn is able to see a faint vision of Aphrodite, Helix, Hess and Penni. If she closes her eyes, this image becomes perfectly clear. Otherwise, it is barely visible and does not significantly impede Sigrlinn's vision. She hears Artemis' voice (as a faint whisper if her eyes are open, or clear as a bell if her eyes are shut—and shutting her eyes also blocks out the sounds of her surroundings)—Artemis says to Penni, "Sigrlinn can see you right now."

Penni hops onto an outstretched hand. She asks, "Did you tell Apollo how we kicked his butt?"

"Hey," Artemis says. "That's my twin you're talking about."

"He had it coming. Anywho, can Sig hear me?"

"Yes."

"I hope you can still be a pilot as a human, Sig! We kicked Arty's twin's butt!"

If you will it, I can have the same clarity as your surroundings.



Zeus considers Kell's tone. "Engaging in feisty-cuffs, eh? I'd just go after your friend." He looks into Sigrlinn's eyes. "Oh, I know your type. I just gotta do a bit of a gender-bender." Zeus snaps his fingers. All that happens is his brown shoes become a pair of red high heels. He's still wearing black socks. His body hasn't changed at all. "Aw, phooey."

Hades says, "Before I confine my senile brother to the eighth plane, do either of you ladies have a question for him? Not that I am confident he can answer it in a way that makes sense."

Apollo says, "I'd rather discuss what to do about the sun."

Zeus shakes his fist. "Jumping Jupiter! I told you I called in a favor to replace your defeated butt. The sun'll come out tomorrow—no thanks to you!"

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn listens as Artemis responds to her, closing her eyes briefly to test the clarity of the visions the goddess sends.

She frowns as Zeus meets her gaze, and stifles a snort of amusement as his brown shoes turn into red high heels. At Hades' words she nods and repeats the question Artemis suggested. "How did you spend your last day on Mount Olympus?"

She waits to see if Zeus will answer before allowing Artemis to borrow her senses and witness the reply for herself.

 

[tbgg]

Ch.6: "Bob Oracle's Inferno" / The Underworld

Kell looks at Zeus. "Did you ever even once love Hera, your own wife? I don't mean did you have sex with her because we all know you're so pathetic you can only rape and force and violate and beguile. What I mean is, did you ever care, even one time, about how your behavior made Hera feel?" Kell's pretty sure she knows the answer to this regardless of whatever cockamamie line comes out of Zeus' mouth. But she has her reasons for asking this particular question.

She asks Hades, "Is the eighth plane that place with the trees? Can you force some kind of vision on him in which he experiences being raped over and over again from the victim's point of view, and make it so the only way to stop the vision is by admitting the wrong he did?" Kell rather likes this idea - it's harsh, but just and fair.

She ignores the jab about Vin. She refuses to give Zeus the satisfaction of a response.

She tells Apollo, "I agree that we need to talk about that, but let's wait until the old man is out of here, unless you'd like to ask him who he got to handle sun duty?"


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Hades shakes his head. "That was the fourth plane. I did not want you to see the three below it. The eight plane is currently vacant. I reserved a special place for my brother, though I did not expect Artemis to send him here so soon… or that it would be her, to be honest. She and Zeus once got along."

"We were close once, too," Apollo ruefully adds.

As for what Zeus has to say, he doesn't have a response about Hera. He says of Artemis, "She was my brain-child… though Athena's the one who literally jumped out of my brain. Both disappointed me in the end. Bah.

"My final hour, you ask? I called in a favor, so you can bet your bottom silver that tomorrow, there'll be sun. Aside from that, I had a terrific headache and pissed my beard. Oh, and I'll bet you wanna know who gets Olympus. Well, Ares is my son, but so is Heracles, and his wife is mine and Hera's daughter, so he gets a stab at dad's favorite chair too. If he can take Queen Hippo's belt, the mountain's his, and Ares can go jump in a lake if he can't stop a mere demigod. Ares might want to ensure Heracles fails. I wonder which will win, or perhaps there's a plausible third. Heh."

"You have more immediate concerns," Hades assures Zeus. With those words, a column of ice shoots through the floor, encasing Zeus. The ice blackens and obscures Zeus from view. "I will deal with him later." Turning to Kell, he adds, "What you have in mind can be arranged, in addition to other arrangements. I would like Athena to council me on this, in order to ensure that what I have in mind is justice, not revenge. I lack the desire to become my brother."

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn wrinkles her nose at the mental image of Zeus wetting himself. "Who did you ask to take over Apollo's duties with the sun?"

She asks Artemis, What are your thoughts on all of this? Do the others with you have anything to share, or things they want to know? She hopes everything she's seeing and hearing is reaching Artemis loud and clear.

 

[tbgg]

Kell tells Hades, "I think the key would be in whether the rape was particularly sadistic or not, but by all means, consult Athena. I 'd be curious to hear her counsel on the matter. I think some of the points to hit are that it's painful, it's against their will, the shame and powerlessness the victim can feel, and some of the impacts that come afterward, like how the victim struggles to feel safe again and to trust their own senses about who is safe to be around, and how it can completely spoil sex for them, at least for a time."

"The fact that he lacks the guts to admit he never once thought about how his actions affected Hera are why I will NEVER respect him," she says of the figure in ice.

"Is there a way to ensure that neither Heracles nor Ares succeeds?" she asks, thinking of Heracles' raping of the Amazons. "I don't think either of them has what it takes to be a good leader."


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