Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Throne of Leaves

  Jace’s steps faltered as he retraced his path from the Underworld, his mind consumed by recent events. The route the wisp had led him before now seemed like a distant memory, and without its guidance, he found himself lost in the maze of corridors. The darkness pressed in around him, a living, breathing entity seeking to consume his very soul. Whispers slithered through the air, carrying half-formed words that made his skin crawl and his sanity waver. Whether he pressed on or turned back, both choices filled him with dread.

  A flicker of light appeared before him, bobbing in the air and beckoning him forward. “Oh, thank the Fates. It’s you.” He followed the green light, winding through the twisting paths, guided away from the route he had been on.

  As he trailed the wisp, Jace couldn’t shake the feeling that the Underworld itself was watching him, unseen eyes following his every move. The wisp guided him through narrow passages and around sharp corners; the path grew more convoluted with each step. Despite the complexity of the route, the wisp never hesitated, always knowing exactly where to go.

  The tunnels gradually grew colder until his breath formed visible puffs in the air. He pulled his dark tunic closer.

  “Where are we going?” Jace asked. “This doesn’t feel right.”

  But he was committed now, with no way back. Small bits of ice formed around the edges of the path.

  Finally, the wisp stopped at the entrance to a hidden grotto, a secret you’d never find unless you knew where to look.

  A warm light hummed from the grotto as billows of fog drifted out, obscuring everything. The wisp hovered for a moment before vanishing, leaving Jace alone in the glowing chamber. He took a cautious step forward, his eyes scanning the room through the white haze.

  As the fog lifted slightly, it revealed a mist that cloaked the high ceiling, creating the illusion of a swirling, tempestuous sky. Tiny flakes of snow drifted down, blanketing the floor in a soft, shimmering layer.

  In the center of the grotto, a pool of deep blue water glowed with an ethereal light, its surface shimmering as steam rose from it like a hot spring. Jace’s eyes were drawn to the figure standing in the middle of the pool, her form bathed in the radiant glow. She was a vision of beauty and danger, her dark tresses cascading down her back like liquid silk, framing her perfectly sculpted features.

  Jace froze in place, unable to decide if he should back away or move closer. The foggy glow from the pool seemed to intensify, casting a mesmerizing light on her skin.

  “Don’t be shy,” she said, her voice smooth and inviting, a rich melody that sent a thrill through Jace. He stood frozen, his feet rooted to the spot.

  “Come here,” she commanded softly. As if drawn by an invisible force, his body moved of its own accord. He approached cautiously, taking in every detail of her form. The pool’s glow pulsed as he drew nearer, resonating with an ancient power.

  “There’s a good boy,” she said, her full lips curving in a way that made his heart skip a beat. “Hand me my robe, would you? It’s just there.”

  Jace noticed the white robe draped over a nearby rock. He hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on him, then picked it up and approached her. She stood, water streaming off her skin, her naked body a vision for the gods. Looking away with every ounce of will left to him, Jace handed her the robe. Their fingers brushed, and his face flushed, a shiver running down his spine as if the very fabric of her robe held a touch of destiny.

  “Thank you,” she said, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that spoke of eons. “You’ve been brave to come this far. Now, let’s see if you can go a little further.”

  She slipped the robe on, the thin fabric barely covering her. “My name is Persephone.”

  “Uh, I’m Jace,” he stammered, his thoughts slightly clearer now that she had put on the robe.

  Snowflakes gently drifted toward them, but seemed to dance and just barely miss her each time.

  “Oh, I know who you are. I hear you’ll be doing some work for my husband,” she said with a playful lilt, her voice as warm as a flower basking in the sun. “He’s been so very busy lately. It seems demon possessions are on the rise once again. He’s always juggling so much, so I’m glad he’s finally accepted another Chosen. You’ll do your best to lighten his burden, won’t you?”

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  Jace nodded, his words caught in his throat.

  “He’s told you about your part in all of this, I assume? About that thing on your finger? About your past, Jason Rolander?”

  Her use of Jason’s real name snapped him out of his daze. “What? Do I know you? Are you a Traveler?”

  She laughed, a sound like delicate wind chimes. “No, dear child. But I know you.”

  “How?”

  She seemed not to hear him as she roamed to a small alcove in the wall. As she walked, the earth rose, and plants bloomed in vibrant greens, blues, and reds, weaving together to form a large, plush chair before her. No, not a chair. To call it a chair would be like calling the sky big or a snow-capped mountain quaint. It was a throne of leaves and life amidst the snow.

  Jace shivered again.

  “Oh, the cold? My mother’s doing. She seems to think she’s being funny,” Persephone said, a touch of exasperation in her voice. “I missed her birthday, and she has her ways of letting me know when I’ve displeased her.”

  Jace’s eyes widened. “Your mother can influence the Underworld?”

  Persephone shook her head, a wistful look in her eyes. “When Hades is paying attention, no. He has absolute domain here. But, I don’t mind so much. You do miss the seasons while away.”

  A moment of silence passed between them, filled with the echo of dripping water and the soft rustle of newborn leaves.

  “I love my husband dearly, but he sometimes forgets that I straddle two worlds. There are matters from my other life that need attention from time to time,” she said with a soft, wistful smile, her voice as smooth as silk. Then, as if a thought had just struck her, she said, “Say, you wouldn’t mind helping me with a task or two, here and there, would you?”

  She tilted her head slightly, the casual gesture belying the hidden weight of her words, her eyes twinkling somewhere between mischief and sincerity.

  “Oh, don’t worry,” she continued with a reassuring smile. “It won’t be too difficult. Just an errand, every now and again.”

  Why do people keep saying that? Jace was starting to get concerned about how the Citizens of Mythica measured difficulty.

  He was about to agree when he felt a sharp pain in his hand. Looking down, he saw a thin line of blood trickling from a pinprick on his finger. He scrutinized the jeweled eye of the ring.

  Did you just bite me? he wondered.

  A cold breeze swept through him, prompting him to look up. For a fleeting moment, he thought he saw a shadow of worry—or perhaps a scowl—cross her face. But as swiftly as it appeared, it vanished, her expression returning to one of serene dominance.

  Jace hesitated. Deep down, he knew that whatever task this woman had in mind would not be easy or safe, and he didn’t like the idea of keeping secrets from Hades—endless torment being on the table and all. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to flatly refuse her. Was he not allowed to do some light questing on the side?

  He wanted to agree to everything she said, to bow at her feet, to worship her. Her charisma must be through the roof. He felt drunk, his senses overwhelmed by her presence.

  Could the game really affect me this much? The thought unsettled him deeply.

  It’s all a game. He reminded himself. However, the sentiment felt more and more like empty words.

  “It depends on the task,” he managed, the words feeling heavy and foreign in his mouth.

  She smiled as if he had just passed a secret test. “Nothing too out of your way,” she said, reaching out a hand towards him. Jace accepted it, and she pulled him close to her until they were mere inches apart, her scent intoxicating.

  Jace tore his gaze away, swallowing hard, his throat dry, unable to find his voice.

  “Help me, and it’ll be worth your while. I know many truths, Jason—dark, terrible truths, but also wonderful ones, the kind your heart desperately yearns to know. Agree to help me, and I will share some of that truth with you.”

  He nodded slowly, his eyes locking on hers. “Yes.” Was the only word he said.

  He immediately felt a surge of dread, like he had just failed a test of wisdom and willpower.

  Her smile widened as she let go of Jace’s hand, leaning back and resuming her luxuriant air. The room began to warm, and the snow slipped away like a forgotten dream, melting into the earth. From it, plants grew with the life and energy of Persephone’s smile.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Hidden Quest

  Persephone’s Errand

  You have agreed to undertake an unknown task in the future.

  Rewards: Variable

  Consequences of Failure: Variable

  Suddenly, a loud crunch echoed as stones hit the floor in the distance, the sound bouncing off the walls of the cave. Her eyes became fierce and alive all at once, jolting Jace out of his trance-like state.

  “You need to go,” she said. “Now.”

  Jace’s heart lurched in his chest.

  “Pik,” she called. The bouncing green light that had aided him before reappeared, bobbing eagerly. “Take him to safety. Avoid the main routes. You know what to do.” Pik hummed in assent.

  Jace turned to see the green wisp swirling around his head before heading to the entrance of the grotto. It waited there, bobbing anxiously.

  He hurried down the path behind Pik, glancing back only once to see that Persephone and the grotto had vanished. The path was narrow and winding, with shadows dancing at the fringes of his vision.

  After what felt like an eternity, spectral lanterns flickered in the distance, guiding Jace toward the riverbank. As he got closer, the hooded and imposing silhouette of Charon, the boatman, emerged from the gloom, standing tall and silent as the night. Pik hummed briefly before vanishing.

  Charon turned slowly, his movements deliberate and unnerving. Despite the hood obscuring his face, Jace could feel the weight of his gaze.

  Without a word, Charon gestured toward the boat.

  “Let’s get outta here, Joe,” Jace said, showing his medallion tattoo as he stepped forward. The cold, damp air enveloped him like a shroud, and the still water reflected the spectral lanterns. They set off, gliding into the abyss, the sound of the oar dipping into the water the only break in the silence.