Quest of the Half Gods

Chapter 10: Γαλάτεια

"We have one shot at this," Galatea whispered to Orpheus and Jason as they stood, staring through a spot at the gate separating Asphodel from the palace grounds. "Are you ready?" She asked, turning to face the son of the sun god. Orpheus set his jaw and nodded. He looked around before closing his eyes and furrowing his brow. Galatea watched as the man stretched his hands out in front of his, sweat beading on his brow before a flicker of sunlight appeared between his balms. The orb of light grew bigger until a shadow formed around the rocks that they hit behind. Galatea took a deep breath and placed a hand on Jason's shoulder and one on Orpheus,' bracing herself for the shadow travel. She released her breath and welcomed the cold, dark feeling of the travel. 

The trio emerged from the shadows in Persephone's garden, the shadows cast on the ground from glowing crystals around the pomegranate trees. Galatea swayed slightly from the effort of the travel but forced herself to steady. "Come on." She said as she took off running through the trees. She noted that the influence of the goddess still seemed to thrive in the garden and, now that she thought about it, the entire Underworld, though it seemed to be stemming from the garden. Weird. She thought. 

Just as Galatea was about to turn to her friends to relay the next point of action, she ran smack into one of Prometheus' minions. The shade, which she had identified to be the spirit of King Tut (from what she'd seen in school textbooks,) gasped and stepped back in shock. Galatea's eyes widened for only a second before she regained her wits and moved with the speed of a panther, slitting the man's throat. 

Jason and Orpheus stood with their eyebrows raised in shock. "Well?" Galatea asked, "Come on!" The boys grabbed her hand and together they slipped once again into the shadows, emerging in a palace corridor. 

"Where are we?" Orpheus asked, looking around, his glowing dagger illuminating his face. Galatea took in their surroundings. "Σκατά!" She cursed, "We're on the wrong floor." She ran a frustrated hand through her hair and turned to her companions who squinted in the darkness. "How are you seeing so well down here?" Jason asked. "There has never been that much light down here, to begin with." Galatea huffed. Suddenly, Jason's eyes widened as he was grabbed from behind by an unseen force. Orpheus yelped in surprise, waving his dagger blindly in front of him. 

Galatea reached for her own when she felt two cold hands grab her from behind. She growled and her hands ignited in violet flames. She elbowed her attacker and shoved her burning hands into their face, knowing by their screams that they were soon to be sent into Chaos. She looked up and saw Orpheus behind Jason, closing his eyes as he stabbed Jason's attacker. The shade fell to the ground, melting into nothing. The trio stood back, breathing heavily from their fight as the last remnants of the shade were whisked away on a cold draft. Jason cleared his throat, "Well, I guess you can die twice." He said, gulping. "It's going to Chaos," Galatea said, knowing it was true. Orpheus turned to her, "How can you know?" She took both of their hands as she said, "I can feel it leaving my father's realm and going somewhere where death cannot control it anymore." Orpheus looked nauseous. Galatea took a deep breath, "Third time is the charm." 

When they emerged, Galatea immediately fell against the nearest wall, darkness threatening to overtake her vision. "Galatea?" Jason asked, kneeling at her side, concern on his face. Galatea closed her eyes and held up a weak hand. "I'm fine." She panted, struggling to get up. Jason shook his head, "No you're not! What's going on? Using your powers down here shouldn't be tiring you out like this!" Galatea tilted her head, "Yes, well, technically, I didn't go through the entire process the way I should have. I don't even know if I'm actually dead or not." She admitted. She shook her head, "It doesn't matter. Either way, we have to keep going."

She pushed herself up and fought herself to keep from throwing up. "Let's go."

Galatea drew her knife and looked down the corridors leading to the cells. She frowned, "There's no one here." Orpheus shrugged, "I didn't think there would be anyone here." Galatea and Jason turned to him in confusion, "Why?" they asked in unison. Orpheus looked at them like they were crazy, "No one knows how to revive the gods! Why would anyone try to rescue them?" Galatea had been ignoring this vital piece of their flawed plan until right then. While it did make their job a lot easier, it also pointed out that they wouldn't be able to complete it for the time being once they got the gods out. 

Jason, who had continued ahead while Orpheus had spoken inhaled sharply. "What is it?" Galatea asked, rushing to his side. She turned where he was looking and cried out, rushing to the bars of the cell to meet her father. "Γλυκίνη!" He exclaimed as he grabbed the bars of the cell. 

Wisteria. Galatea thought giddily. Her father's pet name for her. The poisonous flower was Galatea's favorite to grow. Apollo had shown it to her on their trip to Greece when they were younger and when she'd returned, she hadn't stopped making the plant bloom in the gardens of the Underworld. Hades had looked at the flowers around him and stated that if Galatea liked them so much that she should rename herself after them. Galatea had laughed and said that maybe she would. Her father had referred to her by their name ever since. 

"Father!" She said, tears streaming down her cheeks. She heard gasps from behind Hades and instantly realized her mistake. The other Olympians joined Hades at the bars of the cell and looked between them. "Father?" Athena asked, her voice full of disdain. Galatea glared at the goddess. She had always been cold toward Galatea, who had never excelled in any kind of academics. Galatea raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you curious why I'm here Athena?" She asked. Galatea's eyes flitted briefly to the rest of the Olympians, stopping briefly on Hera who seemed to be at a loss for words at the sight of Jason. Poseidon raised his hand, "I think we all are." Galatea straightened her spine, relishing in the satisfaction of holding the fate of her family in her hands. You all treated me as less than for hundreds of years and now I am here to save you. Funny how things work out. 

"We're here to save you of course." She said, a smug smile tugging at her lips.