ATN 3: THE JAR IN THE MAZE

FIRE GODDESS IN THE FIRST ROUND

The next morning, we told the Amazons everything. None of them were sea spawns, so they didn't get any call. Tina persuaded the three to go ahead of us. We bid them goodbye with tight hugs, and wished them all the luck, after breakfast of course. Rhian, Riya and Hiya took to swimsuits, and jumped into the sea. They didn't take oxygen masks. They breathe under water.

Right after that, all of us moved to the Labyrinth entry. Tina and I had packed our bags. We had our Atlantium armor discs in our pockets. As we were getting ready, I told Dadai, "Take care of these guys, and prepare for war. The attack won't happen today, but it will happen soon enough. So, be ready, right?"

"Yeah, and you, be careful. And come back. Promise me you will come back."

"I will." 

"Jay da, Iris is calling you." Abhro came and said.

"I'll go. But listen, Abhro. Be nice, and be brave. If it is too late for us to join if the war starts, don't be afraid. Know that we will join. You two are all I have here. And I know you are gonna do great."

He nodded. I gave them both a hug. Then, I ran to Iris, who already had Tina with her. "Listen to me." She said, "As soon as you get the first turn, go right. Until you get help through divine intervention, which won't take long, whenever confused, go forward, and then, right."

"Okay." Tina said.

"Meanwhile, you should focus on getting your portal power back." I said to Iris, "Any idea how?"

"Yep." Iris said, "I already talked to the Queen. We will find it together."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Long long ago, when I was a young goddess, the one with a temper, I killed two Amazons out of anger for insulting me. Ares punished me with no access to Themiscyra. Over the millennia, that got reduced to banishment of portal work. But that incident changed me completely. I buried the girls with honor. And then, I went to Delphi to find peace. There, I was told that Zeus wanted to see me. He, then, gave me the job to stay in Atlantis, and take care of the demigods. Having loved kids all my life, I came here. Now, the Fates have given me another chance for redemption. I will need to find the place and ask for forgiveness. I can't revive them, since that creates a disbalance between the living and the dead. I'll get it, don't worry. Focus on your quest. Okay?"

"Alright."

Within ten minutes, we entered the Labyrinth, to a huge cheer by the Atlanteans behind us. The Amazons just clapped. As soon as we entered, the way behind us closed. A sign that there was no turning back. If we had to return, we had to find another way. Iris had said to go straight, and then right. I looked at Tina. She looked at me. She kissed me on my cheek, and I held her hand. Then, we looked forward.

Except for, uh, there was nothing to look forward to. It was smoky up front. Tina took out her armor and put it on. She signaled me to put mine on as well. I did, and took my wand out. Tina took one of her swords out. She said to me, "You plan, I execute." I nodded in agreement.

We walked straight, and entered a room, which had faint light from burning phosphorus. It had dark walls, but the floor was marble made. We walked ahead, and found a door out of this room. I pushed it, and it opened. We walked out, and came to a crossroad. "Go right." Tina said.

We went right, and entered a room, which seemed very warm and cozy. There was proper light, and there was a big fire burning at the center. "Hello, children." A voice spoke behind us. We turned and saw a woman of about thirty. She had a brown cloak on, which covered her hair, except for the slight bits. Her hair was brown. Her face was beautiful, very very powerful, and kind. Her smile was as pure as it could be. Her eyes were glowing red. She walked towards the fire and sat beside it. "Come, sit. I have been waiting for you." I remembered Iris's words, 'Help will arrive when things get confusing inside.' Here was our help.