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

[Legendary Sidekick]

Sigrlinn

The black column that contains Zeus rises through the ceiling. When it is gone, there is no trace of Zeus or the black ice, nor is there any damage to the room.

Apollo says to Sigrlinn, "It's just as well. He won't say who's taking over my post, but that I'd figure it out in the morning. Or would if I were in the Overworld." Eying the circlet, Apollo says, "Sorry, sis. You tried to warn me. I thought if I bided my time and play his game, Olympus would have a just king. Instead, dad made me more like him."

Artemis says to Sigrlinn, Tell him all is forgiven, except Orion. That, I will never forgive.

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn shrugs one shoulder at Zeus' lack of response. "Well, it was worth a try."

To Apollo she says, "Artemis says she forgives you for everything, except Orion. She'll never forgive that."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Kelleia

Hades nods in agreement. "Both would make poor leaders indeed.

"I expect brave ones like yourself might come to the amazons' aid. I believe Heracles would prove to be a worthy foe, but you have powerful friends. As for Ares, I should point out to you that Apollo fell to Hephaestus' machine, and Zeus fell to an arrow loosed from a bow crafted by Hephaestus. Olympian weapons defeated Olympians, and my understanding of the knife that slew Hephaestus was Asgardian. Bear that in mind should you ascend Mount Olympus."

 

[tbgg]

Kell tells Hades, "It's not like I've ever particularly aspired to be a killer of the gods, but if that's what it takes to keep someone evil from taking over, I suppose you can count me in. Who would we want for the position, though? Who do we think would do a better job?"


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[Ireth]

Sigrlinn inclines an ear toward Kell's and Hades' conversation, and suggests, "Maybe Athena? She's the goddess of wisdom, right?"

 

[tbgg]

Kell nods to Sigrlinn, "Yeah, I wondered about both her and Apollo, too. Or either of them supported by a council of the other gods. And a way to remove anyone who gets too power-hungry."


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Apollo says, "I may need to keep the light shining in the Underworld. Besides, my sister deserves the mountain more than I do."

Artemis says to Sigrlinn, Oh, not me… I never waned to get into politics.

 

[Ireth]

"She's not the political type," Sigrlinn says. "Who else does that leave as options?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Artemis adds, I thought Athena was an excellent choice, honestly.

Apollo responds to what was relayed from his sister. He looks directly at Sigrlinn as he speaks to his sister.

"You were always the smart one, sis. Athena's wise, but you're smart. You outsmarted dad when you were three, and even took him down with one of the gifts he gave you that day. Power never tempted you. Not being the political type is the reason you would lead well.

"Don't be so quick to dismiss this idea."

…brothers. Oh, tell him I'll talk to Athena about this.

Hades rises.

"It seems things have changed. With Zeus here, his toadies will squabble over the throne. The result could be a surge in the population here in the Underworld. It may be a good idea for you two to assess the situation.

"You have my word that Hera will be safe from Zeus here, if you still intend to have her celebrate the wedding. I do not how she will react to the death of her husband, of course. Will you still go to Hesperides next? If so, I can guide you and Icarus to the River Styx.

"That is not to say I am showing you the door. If you have any questions for me, you are welcome to ask. Whatever chaos awaits the world, leaving now or a few minutes from now would make little or no difference."

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn smiles as Apollo speaks, and dutifully relays Artemis' answer. "She'll talk it over with Athena. Then I guess we'll see how it goes."

When Hades speaks, she says, "I think we should tell Hera about this as soon as we can, so Hesperides sounds like the best way to go next." She looks at Kell for another opinion.

 

[tbgg]

Kell looks at Hades, frowning. "I believe Icarus was going to stay with Heph for a time? Will this path to the River Styx take him back there?"

"I agree, Hesperides should be next. But I keep thinking there's something I'm forgetting to ask. Is there a way I can be in touch with you if I should remember what it is?"


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Hades replies, "Mr. Oracle wishes to remain here for a while. Find a hearth and there may be a way. If not, there is always time to converse when you personally escort Hera here, if that is the plan.

"Speaking of the hearth, I will see Icarus finds his way out the way he came in."

Artemis tells Sigrlinn, It might be frightening for the boy to travel through the hearth on his own. Please give my brother the circlet. Tell him it's a gift to his priest's son. I'll let the boy stay here with his parents and guide him out when he's ready.

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn listens to Artemis, then takes off her circlet and holds it out to Apollo. "This is a gift for Icarus, the son of your priest. Artemis says she'll let Icarus stay here with his parents for a while, then guide him out when he's ready, so he doesn't have to go through the hearth all by himself."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Apollo accepts the circlet.

"I'm sure that's not the only reason she's having you give this to me."

He puts it on. He says to Artemis aloud, "I'll hear the I-told-you-so in a minute, first I have something to say to... right. I almost called her Leto. I didn't know." He frowns for a moment, but grins in amusement. "I didn't know that either.

"So, Sigrlinn. I wanted to apologize for using my arrows against you. I also think you deserve to be congratulated for reaching my sister. And not just for that, now that she's told me you're the human who operated Heph's machines. Even the metal maidens--one named Penni in particular--say the battle would have been lost without you.

"You saved hem from me, and believe it or not, you saved me by sending my soul here. I don't resent you at all. Even when I tried to kill you, you did nothing wrong. You just had the misfortune of bearing a message. I chose my father over my sister, and because of my choice, one of us had to die. I'm glad it wasn't you.

"So here's a tip to help keep you alive: if you face another Olympian, you'll need a weapon that can harm an Olympian. Heph can forge such a weapon, and I imagine an Asgardian weapon would be just as effective as an Olympian weapon. Arty and I are strong, but Poseidon and Ares are much stronger. Even Heracles, though a demi lacking in some immunities, is not to be underestimated."

Apollo looks into Sigrlinn's eyes, then Kell's.

"I get the feeling fire magic would be foreign to both of you. But there is something I can do to help you."

Apollo opens his palm. A flame appears, and from the flame is an arrow with an orange feather on it. The feather is bright and engulfed in a pink flame. It doesn't feel hot if you put your hand close to it—just pleasantly warm. If you touch it, it is just as pleasant. The fire doesn't burn you or cause any discomfort. (It would need to be covered if you wanted to be stealthy.)

"This is an arrow with a phœnix feather. You can save one life by shooting the heart of one who has passed on."


((SIGRLINN HAS 1 PHŒNIX-FEATHERED ARROW!

@Ireth, you'd need to shoot at a time when you're not under duress. Basically, not during a battle. If an NPC you care about dies, you get to cheat the death—even if I intended for that NPC to die for story reasons, you still get to undo the death of your choice.))

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn listens solemnly, and smiles when Apollo congratulates her on reaching Artemis. "For my part, I accept your apology. I'm sorry we had to meet in such a violent way. I hope it didn't hurt too much when I blasted you." That mental image is going to stay with her for a while.

Her eyes widen at the sight of the phoenix-feather arrow, and she takes it gingerly. She's pleased to discover it doesn't burn her fingers. "Thank you. I have a bow that Brynhild gave to me, but I don't know if it has any magical properties. I always thought it odd that she gave me a bow in the first place, since ranged weapons are taboo for her followers. If I wanted to devote myself to her, I'd have to give up being a Huntress. I'm still between options at the moment."

 

[tbgg]

Kell gazes with curiosity at the orange phoenix-feather arrow. "That's some arrow. Don't you just know Buck would love that?" Kell finds herself to be feeling glad Apollo and Sigrlinn are not to be enemies.

She stands back out of the way, mentally reminding herself of all they have to speak to Hera about: performing the marriages in Hades, Zeus' death, staying in Hades for the duration of the war between the Olympians, using Kell-Pi as a counselor and smoothing the way for a conversation about that between Hera and Aphrodite, a new vision for Hera as the goddess of marriage, and turning Callisto and any other of Zeus' conquests back into humans. They will be talking for a while, it seems.


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Apollo says to Kell, "This Buck fellow might like this gift. Anyone would, or would think they would. However, this fire will only burn for Sigrlinn."

He turns to Sigrlinn, "I hope when you do use the arrow, it will not be a painful choice. If two people you love fall dead, you can only save one. And once you save a life, you can never do it again."



Hades patiently waits for the conversation to wrap up. Once it does, he leads you toward the River Styx…

 

[Ireth]

Sigrlinn nods. "I'm guessing that means the arrow will burn up after one use, then? Good to know."

She follows Hades toward the River Styx, looking around curiously and wondering what will be there. Not to mention how they'll get across, or downriver, or whatever they plan on doing.

 

[tbgg]

Kell tells Apollo, "Buck runs a group known as the Orange Phoenixes. Sigrlinn and I were members. The name came about this man by the name of Judge Xarris was burning people to death, usually not justly. Sometimes they deserved punishment, but not execution. Sometimes they were innocent. Often they were badly burned. Sometimes they died. He started the group because Xarris killed his wife."

Kell then follows Sigrlinn and Hades down to the River Styx.


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Hades shows you the way out, though there is an apparent boundary that he cannot cross. A harpy named Henrietta guides you the rest of the way. You pass by Cerberus and Medusa. Both are sleeping. As you pass by stautues of men Henrietta assures you, "The gaze of stone won't affect us. Athena gave her this gift to protect her from men. She stays here in the hopes that none will look for her." The harpy is apparently a friend of Medusa. She's not the monster you may have heard about.

"Oh, but there are monsters out there," the harpy goes on. "Be careful as you head to the overworld."

She flies up for part of your climb to make sure you ascend the western edge of the world safely. She tells you to head east through Deadwood, and you'll know Hesperides when you see it. "Medusa and I would pass for normal there," the harpy says before flying back to the depths between earth and lower sky.

The walk to the east brings you through desolate land. First there is nothing but rocky ground. Then a forest... but the trees here are long dead. The first sign of life is heard in the east: some male voices calling out to each other...