Once Upon a Story [ SLOW UPDATES ]

Healing the Future

Prompt: The fates are terribly sick, and if they die people will cease to be. The character is tasked with curing them.

Index (sourced from the internet):
ávyssos - abyss
Ilíthios - idiot
patéras - father

Word count: 2108
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"What do you mean, the fates are sick? What sickness can they suffer from?!"

"If we knew, we wouldn't have asked for your help."

"What about Asclepius? I'm sure the god of all things medicinal can be of service."

"He tried and failed."

"Hecate—"

"—would never willingly help us." Hermes sighed. "You're our last hope, Ávyssos."

"The world is doomed if I am your last hope." Ávyssos gave a hearty chuckle, placed a firm hand on Hermes' shoulder and smiled. "I'll help. You're my partner in crime, and I need you alive and well to play my tricks."

"I'm glad you think so highly of me." Hermes brought them to Mount Olympus. Ávyssos was immediately on guard. The divinity surrounding him churned his insides.

Even the breath of that three-headed dog doesn't make me this nauseous. Ávyssos forced his feet to keep walking after his friend.

"If Zeus kills me, I will haunt you till the day you die."

"That's quite a long time."

"I have plenty to spare."

"Hades will be there, and so will I." Hermes looked around and pulled the boy down to whisper in his ear. "If anything happens, I'll take you away. You can hide in my cave until you're safe."

That gave Ávyssos the comfort he needed. He followed his friend to the throne room, where the gods sat in their divine glamour. The boy kneeled before them, a sight that shocked the Olympians.

"Greetings, gods of Olympus."

"I see you've learned your place," Hera responded. The boy pressed his lips in a thin line to stop himself from saying a fib, only for his devious tongue to get the best of him.

"Well, I've learned that mostly fools have a place here, so I'm not particularly sad about my position." He stood, wearing a proud smile. His snark riled up a few Olympians, and Hades enjoyed the scene. Hermes sighed at him for causing trouble the second he arrived, but it only made the boy snicker.

"I did say mostly," he pointed out. "Considering quite a few of you spoke up, I can only assume you consider yourself the ilíthios."

"Insolent child!" Zeus roared. The skies rumbled, and Hermes silently prayed to Tyche for a miracle.

"Apologies. I forget how fragile your egos are." Ávyssos smiled so innocently it made the gods revolt. They wanted to send him out.

"Brothers, please, remember why you called the young boy to us."

Hades had gained everyone's attention, and they seemed to recall why they had sent Hermes after him. Ávyssos was thankful his teacher had spoken. His tongue wouldn't have ceased spouting nonsense had the gods continued complaining.

"The fates are ill with a plague we are unfamiliar with," Zeus started. "Even Asclepius fell short of easing their pain. The witch will not help us; you are our only hope."

"You place a great responsibility on my shoulders," Ávyssos stated. "What makes you think this feeble man is capable of such a feat when your grandson failed?"