Atlas Of Megaras

The Damp Cave

The cave wasn't being I think I was supposed to be. I had a war to fight right. I was decked out in my armour. But there was not a speck of blood. The cut on my arm wasn't there. Not one on the chest. Wait if it had been treated. Everyone would know. Was this why I was in a cave?

"Not exactly that." I jumped back. I had never seen anyone move so fluidly and quietly. A man in green chiton was standing holding a clay tablet. His sandals were made of gold. I could tell because they looked to be made by a skilled artisan. What kind of idiot gets shoes made of gold?

"Where did you come from?" He rolled his eyes. "Actually, who are you?"

"How many times! How many times!" he ranted. "Follow me." he yelled before he walked away.

"Okay sorry, sorry." I muttered. Maybe he knew the way out!

I was about to follow him.

"No." Someone grabbed my shoulder pulling me back.

"What where did you come from?" Prince Hero's grip was digging into my shoulder. Why were people coming and going without any sound?

"Prince. What are you doing? I think that's the way out." Prince Hero pulled me further away from the path the man went down earlier.

"Shut it." I jerked my hand out of his grasp. "Don't pull me around like a cart."

"Seriously you can't be starting a fight right here!"

"Right where because I have no clue where I am. Other than a dark and musty cave."

"Oye! She's a dumb one, isn't she?" Mr. Gold Sandals was leaning against the wall of the cave.

"Says the man wearing..." Prince Hero's fierce gaze made me stop. I sighed, great just stuck in a cave with Mr. Glittering Shoes and Prince Hero.

"You're simply speaking dead." The blood in my veins froze. I couldn't breathe. Nope can't be. I didn't die, did I? I would remember dying. It's not something you forget. Especially as a Captain dying on the battlefront would be traumatic.

"No, I'm not." Prince Hero sighed.

"Most people actually don't remember..."

"No stop. You held my hand. If I were a ghost..." I held up my hand, "It would just..." The hand passed through him. That wasn't supposed to happen.

"Wait a minute." Mr. Gold Sandals sighed as I tried to hit Prince Hero. My fists just went through his torso.

"Oh, okay... okay that is new. Are you sure he isn't dead instead?" It could be thing. I mean it could also be a dream. But the look in their eyes.

"I'm not dead!" No...NO...I'M NOT DEAD. Please no.

"Don't worry...it's really common with dead people." Mr. Gold Sandals shrugged at Prince Hero.

"I'm not dead." Breath in. Breath out. Leaning against the wall for support, I could feel myself losing breath. Please don't be dead. I hadn't lived. I HADN'T LIVED.

"You lived actually for almost 22 years. It's not a bad life span."

"Shut it." Prince Hero placed his hand on mine. I looked at him confused. How could he touch me? Is this a nightmare. I maybe just going mad.

"My father is God of boundaries. Navigating the one between life and death is difficult but not impossible for me." How nice. He has helpful powers. And I cannot even get thunder. How useless.

"Let's go!" he tugged on my hand. Could I just leave like this? Will I turn into a ghost? A vengeful one? Why was he helping me?

Mr. Gold Shoes spoke up, "Her soul is not something you can just take away." Prince Hero turned to face Mr. Gold Shoes. "Why not. My father's job is to guide souls. I'm just not guiding her to death, Thanatos." Prince Hero tried dragging me away. I looked at Mr. Gold Shoes.

"What he is..." I turned towards Prince Hero. "He is the God of Death!"

"Does it matter?"

"Of course, it does! I don't care if you are a Prince or a demigod." Veins were popping out in his head. He was angry. Very angry! Thanatos wasn't going to let go of a soul he had harvested. He never did. And I don't want to end up like Sisyphus. Lugging around a rock for all eternity doesn't sound good.

"How about this. if I win against you. You let me leave with her. Else she can go on with you."

"Fine. There is no way a mere mortal can win against the God of Death." I badly wanted to remind him about Sisyphus or the time Heracles bet him.

"But you haven't decided the type of competition." I muttered. Great I felt like my life was on the line even though I was dead.

Prince Hero's eyes twinkles with joy, "I have. It's trickery!"

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WELL I'M NOT DEAD YET!!!!