Fate of the Blessed

Chapter 13

Tae-Seong

I felt a tugging sensation; it was pulling me from my darkness. I tried to fight it; the black void of nothingness was a welcome distraction. I was loathing to give it up, to wake into the nightmare I had found myself in.

No, just a little longer.

I opened my eyes, giving up. Even though I didn't want it to, the world came back into focus. I groaned as I stretched. When my senses returned to normal, I caught the jolly features of Charon inches in front of me. I took an involuntary jump backwards, knocking my head on the wooden wall behind me. Charon chortled in response. I rubbed my head, frowning.

"Come on, my boy, we've got work to do." He said, clapping me on the shoulder.

I wiped the sleep from my eyes and climbed to my feet before I looked over to Shanti. Cerberus was guarding below, as she was still asleep. I thought about checking on her until I heard a low growl. Cerberus was eying me with suspicion.

"What are we going to do with Shanti? I can't just leave her here?"

"Cerberus will look after her." He said, but it did not impress me. Although I was loath to admit it, I would not leave a child here by herself. It wouldn't be right. Especially not with a 3-headed hound from hell.  

"I can't do that. She is my responsibility."

I admitted to myself even though a short time ago I was planning on leaving her alone. I shook the thoughts away, because I shouldn't have been so callous.

Charon looked at me with deep sorrow and understanding in his eyes. He walked to the window, letting out a low melodic whistle. I observed him, my eyebrows peaked with interest. A high-pitched whistle came back in response, the window flew open, smoke entered the room momentarily blinding me. As it dissipated, it revealed a young woman with flowing snow-white locks that reached her ankles; she wore a shimmering pearl dress. I had never seen such beauty before; it was bewitching; she smiled shyly at me. Charon looked between the two of them, laughing as he introduced her.

"This is Orphne, she is a nymph around these parts, she helps the dead of the Acheron keep calm. Otherwise they will pull unsuspecting souls into the waters to be lost forever." He added the last part with a smile. I did not return it.

I noted a flute hanging by her side. She gave a low curtsy, giving a bright smile that made her silver eyes sparkle with delight.

"She can't speak, but she will look over Shanti as she sleeps."

Cerberus had woken. He padded over to her, nuzzling her leg before returning to his spot. He turned to glare at me, huffed, then settled into his space. I got the feeling he wasn't fond of me. Not like I cared; it wasn't as if I was going to be best friends with the beast. She made a shooing motion with her hands and pointed towards to the door. She cocked her eyebrow before placing her hand on her hip. Her message was obvious. Hurry and get out.

"You're right my girl, it's time to go Tae-Seong." Charon said. 

"Wait, hang on, do we have any kind of plan? I can't leave Shanti here with some stranger!" 

"Only the best, my boy, we wing it." My mouth flew open in shock. No plan, oh God. He ignored my pleas. Instead, he pushed me towards the door with surprising strength. He picked up a large oar with his free hand. I had no choice but to follow.

This is a fool's game. No plan, wing it, what the hell?

Orphne waved us out, then began playing her flute. A beautiful, haunting melody echoed through the door as it closed. Outside of the dust covered front, beyond the ancient wooden fence, there was an even older jetty through the mist. At the end stood what I could only describe as a gondola of sorts. It looked as if it was going to fall apart at any moment.