Fear of Erebus

Under the Earth

I could feel the rough texture of dirt as each little grain eased through my fingers. A soft bed of warm grass edging around my head like a welcomed pillow. The earth felt pleasant - unlike its horrid humanoid persona.

"Lady Artemis?" A faint little voice called but it only seemed to intensify the throbbing pain in my head. I closed my eyes tighter, hoping desperately that maybe I could fall further into a calming slumber. "Lady Artemis?" My perfect bliss seemed to tremble weakly, the peacefulness interrupted. My eyes strained slightly as they fought to open properly, and the vague throbbing at the back of my head dulled a little as I was met by vibrant concerned eyes. "Lady Artemis, are you alright?" She asked, leaning back and giving me room to sit up.

Hesitantly, I put my hand to my head, hoping there wasn't any serious wound or eternal disfigurement. "Lady Artemis?" My head snapped to her direction at an inhuman pace, surprised that she was still there, kneeling next to me, a golden goblet resting in her hands. The recent occurrences seemed like a whirlwind of greys and whites, Erebus' shadows turning to a faint echo at the edges of my memory. And I thanks the Fates for the power of Nectar.

"Where are we?" I groaned, wiping the slight dust from my eyes, before gazing around at our surrounding. We were in another cave. But this time it seemed... nicer. Warmer, at least. A ceiling of smooth rock, an infusion of dusty yellows and desert reds, and a carpet of lush green grass, illuminated by ghostly golden glow. And despite no obvious direction of exit, I felt somehow... relaxed? Safe. The magical undertone felt homely, and I immediately thought of Hestia- her never-ending presence of support and comfort. Home. Family... Then I remember my brother.

My stupid, dying brother. Lying limp and cold in his bed on Olympus, the sun no longer warm. And somehow, I felt as if I had failed. Gods, I hated him but he was still my baby brother, my responsibility.

"Lady Artemis?" I looked back to Rachel. My brother's oracle. She looked better, far better then she had in Erebus' imprisonment, and although her hair was still unruly, a colour of life seemed to have returned to her person. She looked at me with those eyes- and I could tell that she knew how I felt. I shook my head, I can't afford to show my emotions- I can't afford to be weak.

"I'm fine." I muttered, pulling myself to my feet and taking great care to analyse the cave properly. It was no bigger then the Oval Office in the White House. And in the centre, a natural spring- overflowing with an endless shimmering gold liquid; the source of the light. "What is this place." I whispered, not really expecting anyone to reply as was hypnotic flow of the gold seemed soothing and welcoming, vibrating with an enchanting pulse of ancient magic.

Almost as if it were alive...

"We're not sure." A rough voice breathed out. I looked up instantly and saw a shadowed figure in the opposite corner, and I could just make out the ghostly bone structure of the Augur as he sat enchanted by the spring. "When we work up," he started, clasping at the wall as he slowly pulled himself up. His eyes never leaving the golden glow. "When we work up... We were... here. We don't know why and we don't know how." He paused and licked at the dryness of his lips. "I just know that we need to get out." I looked behind me to where Rachel stood and gave her a quizzed look. She only shrugged helplessly in reply.

I glanced back to the Roman and watched as he cautiously shuffled closer to the pool, a nervous tick climbing up his arm and I could tell by one look in his eye that he wanted to touch it.  Whatever it was.

I swallowed and tensed my jaw as I gave the pond a last hatful glare. If I had learned anything over the course of my life, it was that nothing good ever came out of temptations like these.

"Don't do it boy!" I barked, only to watch him step even closer, his arm now outstretched and his eyes seemed misty as if he were in a trance. Curiously, just as I were about to stalk over to the stupid boy, the light of the spring began to flicker. Every time the roman stepped closer, the light became more frantic.

"Lady Artemis?" Rachel worried voice was barely heard before a loud rumble encased the walls around us and an invisible force threw us back- far from the reach of the pool. I landed hard on my arm, my head knocking against the back wall only momentarily before I slid to the floor. The sound of earth moving and shaking seemed to escalate as it washed out the distant pained scream of a woman.

I quickly glanced up to see Rachel only a few feet away, crouched down with her hands over her head, and I steadily pulled myself to my feet, determined to reach her.

However, I froze at the sight that presented itself. As the thunderous ground seemed to quieten and the dust began to settle, there in the wall; a set of stairs had been carved, twisting and winding their way out of the cave. Towards the top, I could just make out the natural light that flooded through.

A small groan stirred beside me, and I glanced down to see Rachel hesitantly look around. I smiled slightly, grasping her upper-arm and helping her up.

"Is that what I think it is?" She muttered brushing the dust from her hair.

I gave her a nod and looked back to the stairs. "A way out." I said firmly.

No sooner had I said those words, the Augur sped passed us and up the stairs with no further warning. "Octavian, wait!" Rachel's plea fell to deaf ears as she quickly raced after the stupid boy.

I sighed deeply, before making after the two. Stupid indeed, what kind of person thinks it's a good idea to just run out with no plan, no back up plan and no way of protecting ourselves? Gods for all we knew this will probably lead us into another trap, the Oracle and the Augur will probable die, and I don't even want to think what will happen to me. I mean I don't even have my weapons any more! Gods, I hate...

My musing instantly stopped when I felt a shift take place as I made it to the top of the stairs. A blinding white light melted into a heavy grey sky, and I could feel my roman counterpart take over.

There we stood, at the top of Temple Hill, overlooking the streets of New Rome and in the distance; the Roman Barracks. I looked over my shoulder as the cave mouth sealed itself and by some unexplained miracle, we had made it to Camp Jupiter.