Thousands of years in the past
Atlantis
Amanda followed the angry group into the arc where people swarmed the stairs all the way to the top. She couldn’t see if anyone was watching them from the very top, but she had to assume that since she saw some leaders trapped in their offices, Zeus had to be up there, fully aware of the chaos on his hands.
“We want warm weather! Give Persephone back to her mother!” the crowd chanted over and over.
Amanda could hardly breathe from the people pressing in on her from every side. She had never been surrounded by so much anger and resistance, and she hoped she would never face such a situation on her planet.
Someone grabbed her shoulder.
Gasping, she looked over her shoulder and groaned in dread when she realized it was Pallid.
“Why did you run off like that?” he demanded. “I had the hardest time finding you.”
“What are you going to do? Kill me?” she asked.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not going to kill you,” he yelled above the chanting people. “We need to go someplace quiet. Take me to my living quarters.”
She couldn’t believe his audacity. Why would she take him to the perfect place where he could kill her with no one there to witness the crime?
He misunderstood her hesitation. “There are so many people here no one will notice us disappearing.”
His words registered through her overwhelmed mind. He was right, she knew. He could easily inject her with the needle, and no one would see it. So if he wanted to harm her, he would do it here. Maybe, then, his aim wasn’t to hurt her.
“Why?” she asked.
He groaned. “I can’t fill in all the blanks, especially here.”
“If I do what you ask, will you tell me what you’ve been planning?”
“Deal,” he finally agreed after thinking about it.
She hoped she wasn’t making a big mistake. She closed her eyes and used her magic to take them to his old living quarters, which was a small apartment near the arc.
“It’s freezing in here,” he said as he ran to close his open window.
“I heard you plan to kill someone,” she told him. “I overheard you talking to that man at the store you took me to.”
He walked back over to her and invited her to sit on the only chair in the small room. He sat on the bed across from her and set down his cane. “How much did you hear?”
“You told him you were giving it to a friend who didn’t want to go to the Underworld.”
“Naturally, you assumed I meant you.”
She nodded. “How could I not? You don’t like me.”
“That’s not true. I may not agree with a lot of beliefs you hold about yourself or other people, but I wouldn’t say that I don’t like you. I’m sure under better circumstances, we’d get along just fine.” He paused. “If you need further assurance, however, I’ll tell you the truth. I would never harm the daughter of Ann and Hathor. I have nothing but respect for your parents.”
This fact did comfort her. “They have mentioned you when they told of the time they went to Atlantis. But when they did, they also emphasized the need to destroy this place.”
He winced. “Yes, they weren’t too happy with this city.”
“But you are.”
“It is my home. I was created here.” He glanced around the room. “It was a great city in its time. I admit it’s not as ethically sound as it should be, but it’s my city. Imagine if someone asked you to give up Raz.”
“Raz’s future doesn’t threaten the lives of the Augurs and Olympians. I have a pact with both groups of people. I am bound to do everything I can to save their lives. Sometime in this city’s past, the six main leaders made replacements of themselves. When Atlantis rose on its own, the replacements began to form. Once those replacements mature, the Olympians will die since the replacements and Olympians cannot co-exist. Then the Augurs will die when the replacements attack them. The Olympians need to stop this process from happening, but they forgot the password. The Augurs said you are the only one left who remembers it.”
He stared at her for a long moment then shook his head. “I did see some clones forming, and they were in the exact image of the six leaders. But I do not have a password. Who told you I had it?”
“The Augurs and Olympians.”
“I’m sorry, Amanda, but I have no idea what they are talking about. I didn’t even know the leaders made replacements of themselves.”
She bit her lower lip. The Augurs wouldn’t lie about anything. Pallid had to know it.
“Is it possible there is another Infer who has a Stone of Immortality?” he asked.
She shook her head. “You’re the only one left. That’s why I need your help.”
“How can I know a password to something I didn’t know existed?” He stood up, walked over to the window, and looked out of it.
“Maybe the leaders told you but you forgot it,” she replied.
“I was made to remember everything. It’s impossible for me to forget a single detail.”
“Maybe the leaders made a mistake while they were creating you. Maybe you can remember 99% of the events you experience.”
“No. I know that it isn’t true.” He rubbed his eyes wearily.
She stared at him, wondering how it could be that he didn’t know the password. She felt so lost. What was she supposed to do now?
Looking at him, she realized he was frustrated that he couldn’t remember something as simple as a password. Suddenly, he didn’t seem as strong and indestructible as she’d assumed. He was human. He had his own set of strengths and weaknesses, just as everyone else did. He just managed to hide it better.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
He jumped at her question. “My name?”
“Do you have one?”
“Yes.”
“And it’s not Infer Number 177, is it?”
“No. That’s my title.”
“I know it’s not Pallid. That’s the name my parents gave you since they didn’t know what else to call you besides ‘the man in white.’”
He chuckled. “That’s why they called me Pallid. I had wondered about that.” He turned back to her, still laughing. “It fits. It means white.”
She sighed. “You’re not going to tell me your name, are you?”
“No. Back in my past, shortly after Persephone married Hades and returned to her mother, I vowed I would never tell anyone my name again.”
She blinked. Of all the things he could have said, this was the last thing she expected to hear. “Why not?”
“A name is personal. When someone knows your name, they can get close to you.”
“You know my name, and we’re hardly close enough to be friends.”
“I mean, it exposes you on a different level that can lead to intimacy. It can be emotionally connecting.”
“I don’t think so. I think it’s just nice to call you by your name instead of a description of what you wear.”
“So we disagree. It’s not the first time. I’m sure it won’t be the last.”
She waited for a minute before saying, “You promised me you would tell me why you bought the needle and poison to go with it.”
He took a deep breath. “I intend to kill the person who was responsible for this city sinking into the ocean.”
“One person sank it?”
“No, but he is the one who started the war that led to its sinking.”
“How did he do that?”
“He tried to steal the leaders’ Stone of Immortality so he could overthrow them and rule Atlantis by himself.”
“What was his name?”
“Avar. He was a little higher than the Augurs in intellect and ability, though he was an Augur himself. The leaders wanted to create the perfect person, and except for his pride, he was perfect. That’s why I made note of what he was borrowing from the library. He’s drawing together his battle plans.”
“So that’s why you don’t like him. But Pallid, if he hadn’t tried to overthrow the leaders, then they would have made more of him. Then what? There would be no room for anyone with any imperfections? Would other Augurs who didn’t meet up to his standards be cast into the Underworld? Would you or I have a place above ground?”
He seemed to consider her question.
“Who has the right to define perfection anyway?” she asked, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. “Who are the leaders to be playing God with all this technology? What is the point in being human if you can’t be unique?”
“So if I kill him, then that helps get rid of the quest to make the perfect person.”
“Or it will motivate the leaders to make another one.” She chose her next words carefully, knowing he wouldn’t like to hear them. “I just met the Olympians after I became queen. They seemed so nice and accepting of human imperfection. Even they aren’t perfect, though they are extremely beautiful. I just can’t believe they used to be this petty and shallow. They even cast out their own citizens who aren’t worthy enough to be seen in this city.” Her eyes filled with tears. “This is not the kind of world I want to be in. It’s too cold and unfeeling.”
She missed her sister. She hoped Katherine was alright in the Underworld. She had a sudden longing to go see her, even if the Underworld was the most miserable place on Earth. When she got back to Raz, she would make things right with her sister, if Katherine would have anything to do with her. Amanda wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t. Not after all the mean things she’d done to her.
“Atlantis doesn’t have to be a cold and unfeeling place,” Pallid softly said.
“With the way things are going, how could it not be?” She didn’t speak with the intention of hurting him, but by the way he winced, she knew her question stung.
“I need to rest,” he finally said. “I have some things to think about. Do you want me to take you to the guest quarters?”
She took in her surroundings in the small, one-room apartment. “Is it nearby?”
“It’s down the next floor.”
“Why is your place so small? With the elaborate wealth of this city, shouldn’t you have a bigger place?”
“I did, but I lost it when my wife left me.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t know you were married.”
“It’s not something I like to remember.”
“Why not?”
“You’re too curious for your own good.”
“Considering you were romantically interested in my mother, I think I have a right to know.”
He grinned, despite the awkward topic. “Your point is well made. Alright, since you wish it, I’ll tell you. The leaders paired me up with a female Infer, and they married us in hopes we would produce more Infers. I loved her. One day, she was involved in an accident that disfigured her face, so she went to the Underworld. I didn’t realize it until I followed her down there that she had intentionally disfigured herself because she couldn’t stand to be with me. She was very unhappy with her life up here so she escaped. I left her in the Underworld and went back up here. We shared a big and luxurious apartment, but when the leaders realized what had happened, they placed me here. By then, they had learned all Infers were incapable of reproducing among themselves anyway, so there was little point in giving us special privileges. They still respected us for our memories, but that was about it.”
“Oh. I’m sorry,” she replied. She couldn’t imagine how awful it must have felt to be rejected by a member of the opposite sex, but Katherine was aware of the feeling. Again, she felt a twinge of guilt at the memory of her indifference to her sister’s feelings back on Raz.
“The trip wasn’t a total loss.” He shrugged. “I got the Stone of Immortality while I was down in the Underworld. It’s ironic if you think about it. The ability to live forever is buried in the walls of that cave, yet it is a place where you wish most for death.”
She cringed. She couldn’t wait to leave so she could get Katherine and Jake out of there.
“Is there anything else you wish to know?” he asked.
“No. I will go to the guest quarters now.”
He led the way to her temporary quarters.
“You won’t leave without me, will you?” she asked. “I don’t want you to leave me alone in this city.”
He smiled. “I promise that after I am well rested, I will come and get you.”
She felt much better knowing that. This was a city she didn’t want to be in without his protection.
***
Meanwhile, the tension in the arc was getting worse, and Zeus was worn down. He hated to confront Hades, but he finally admitted it was inevitable. Hades might not have been the head leader, but he was, by far, the most intimidating one. Zeus dreaded his encounters with Hades.
He glanced down at the crowd of people chanting that he give Persephone back to her mother. He cringed. The people were getting more demanding. If he wasn’t careful, they would have him overthrown. He was safe for the moment. The guards were faithfully blocking the people’s way to the very top of the arc where he, Demeter, and Hermes stood around the large mirror.
What he had just seen in the mirror chilled him to the bone. If he didn’t agree to Demeter’s terms, the people would conspire against him and send him into exile on a vacant island where he would die because he was no longer under the Stone of Immortality’s protection. He knew what he had to do. He just had to gather the courage to do it.
He glanced at Demeter, who stared at him, her cold gaze uncompromising. She would only accept victory.
“You win,” he finally told her. “I will go down to the Underworld and force Hades to give Persephone up. Hermes, I need you to guide me through there since you know that place.”
Hermes nodded his agreement.
Demeter smiled for the first time since her daughter had disappeared. “Once she is back, I will bring back the warm weather and sun. Then things will prosper once again on Atlantis.”
Zeus sighed. “Yes, I understand.” He turned to the crowd of people and brought the microphone up to his mouth so they would hear him. “Citizens of Atlantis, this is Zeus, your head leader.”
The crowd, recognizing his voice, immediately grew quiet as they anxiously waited for him to continue.
“I will bring Persephone back,” he said.
Their cheer was deafening.
He put the microphone down. “Apparently, they’re pleased.”
“As am I,” Demeter stiffly replied. “My poor daughter has suffered greatly at the hands of that brute. I will never forgive him for what he did to her. He will forever feel my wrath.”
“I don’t think he’s concerned about that,” he replied. “Hades doesn’t let anyone scare him. There’s a reason he rules the Underworld. No other leader would be able to handle that kind of misery.”
She frowned at his compliment of Hades. “Just bring her back.”
He motioned for Hermes to follow him. He would bring Persephone back, and then Demeter would restore the pleasant weather and they could enjoy their city again. Hermes wore his sandals with the wings on them and carried him, so their journey to the entrance of the Underworld was swift, which was good since the bitter cold pierced their skin like knives.
Once they were in the cave, Zeus breathed a sigh of relief. “When Demeter is mad, she doesn’t show any mercy.”
“Which is why I pressed so hard for a quick resolution to this problem,” Hermes said. “The stairs will lead us into the depths of the Underworld. Cerebus guards the gate down there. It is there the old man will take us to Hades’ mansion.”
“Cerebus? I had forgotten about him. He’s the dog we first cloned, but he mutated and grew three heads instead of one, which is why he was sent down here.”
“He’s very loyal to Hades, and I think Hades is fond of him, too.”
“Hades would like a monstrosity like that.” He shivered at the thought of having to see the mutant again.
They flew through the corridor, saving time on their journey. When they reached Cerebus, they were shocked to see that Cerebus was eating a large juicy steak.
“Is it possible the monster is actually happy?” Zeus whispered, awed by the possibility.
“When I came through here earlier, he was greatly disturbed. His mood has indeed improved,” Hermes told him.
“That is odd. I wonder what the change could be due to.”
They landed on the ground and walked over to the dog that angrily barked at them.
Zeus jumped back, startled. Was it possible the dog knew the reason for their arrival? He knew that if Hades wanted Persephone there, then the monstrosity would defend Hades’ wish, even if it had to fight. Although Zeus would not die in such an encounter, he didn’t relish the pain he would have to endure in such a fight.
“Let them pass,” the old man interrupted Cerebus. “It will work out.”
Cerebus looked at the old man then obeyed him.
Zeus wondered why the old man was reassuring the dog. What did the old man know that Zeus didn’t?
“Come, Zeus and Hermes,” the old man said, waving them forward.
“He’s happier, too,” Hermes whispered to Zeus. “It is very odd. It’s as if this world became a different place in a single instant.”
They silently followed the old man to the boat.
Zeus heard laughter and cheers in the distance. He was confused. Wasn’t this supposed to be a miserable place?
Hermes shrugged, just as baffled as he was.
He sat back in the boat and waited to meet Hades. Perhaps once he did, he would understand the source of the joy he heard echoing through the cave.
***
Thousands of years in the past
Atlantis
Gaius, Octavia, and Julius landed their spaceship on one of the buildings in Atlantis. They cloaked it so that it appeared invisible to anyone who might look at it. It was strange to be in the past where their ancestors were born.
This was where their roots were, and though they had an exact duplicate of the city on their own planet, it was a new experience to actually walk through the streets, their coats and gloves protecting them from the sub-zero temperature and blizzard that surrounded them.
“Remember, we must do everything at the right time,” Gaius reminded his friends. “Right now Zeus is in the process of bringing Persephone back to her mother. Once she is back, Demeter will take this storm away. Then we can rid ourselves of these heavy coats.”
“When will we meet up with the Infer?” Octavia asked, pulling the hood closer around her head.
“When the compromise between Hades and Demeter is made. We must not change that. It is crucial to the fate of the Underworld people that we allow that to occur. Besides, the Infer won’t seek his target until this storm passes.”
“I hope he will listen to us,” Julius said.
“We have proof if he needs it. He has the small mirror with him, so he can verify our words.” He paused before continuing. “We must also allow the Infer to spend more time with Queen Amanda. Her words are beginning to win him over. She will help him see what Atlantis was really like.”
She would have a greater influence on him than that, but Gaius withheld that revelation. The best way to preserve future events was to leave most of it a mystery.
“For now, we bide our time,” he finally said. “Soon we will meet with him.”