Argolis was preparing for war. It was plain to see: fresh fortifications stretched across the plains, and patrols moved along the roads. I stayed out of their sight I didn't need conflict right now.
Yet my heart whispered otherwise: aid Sparta, sow sabotage, weaken the enemy. The thought was tempting. I would never forget my home and when it called, I would answer.
Reaching the mountain ridge, I stumbled upon the mouth of a cave and began my descent. It twisted like a serpent, deep into the bowels of the earth. With each step, the chill of the underworld sank deeper into my skin. I must have descended hundreds of meters before the path ended in a sheer drop.
I looked into the abyss. Absolute darkness reigned below nothing could be seen. Only by sheer will did I push back the gloom enough to make out faint outlines. Even so, what lurked in the depths remained hidden.
But there was no fear.
I stepped forward and plunged into the void.
The fall didn't last long. It was as if I had crossed the boundary between worlds. I drove my spear and shield into the wall to slow my descent, and soon crashed hard onto solid ground.
The cave was carved from stone smooth walls and slender pillars stretched upward, vanishing into the dark. The floor was flat, paved with stone slabs. At the far end, a bridge began, suspended by thick chains hammered into the ceiling.
As I stepped onto the bridge, a deep growl echoed from the darkness.
"Rrrr…"
The Hound of the Dead stirred. Its eyelids lifted, and its eyes blazed with a hellish light. Three heads moved in perfect sync, each maw exhaling tongues of flame. This was Cerberus, just as the old myths described a beast of the underworld, with a single purpose: to guard the gates of the dead.
Thick iron collars encircled its necks. It was massive, nearly matching Skallias in size, but far more terrifying than most monsters. And with good reason: Cerberus was the Eternal Sentinel. He had served since time immemorial, and he would stand guard until the end of all things. As long as the Underworld existed, so would its protector. He could not be killed but he could be stopped.
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A plan formed the moment I saw the chains holding the bridge. All I needed was to bind the beast keep him from pursuing me. First, wear him down. Force him to burn his strength then lock him in place.
I had nearly closed the distance when fire burst from all three mouths. It merged into a blinding, roaring storm. I raised my shield. This was no ordinary fire it burned not just flesh, but soul. The air ignited and breathing became a struggle.But I held firm.
When the flames finally died down, I saw the shield glowing red-hot. On the outside, it was molten but inside, it remained cool.
I began to close in, dodging blasts of flame hurled from Cerberus' heads.
When I got close enough, the beast lunged, trying to swallow me whole. I dove beneath its bulk, striking at its legs short, quick blows meant to unbalance. Cerberus snarled and tried to crush me under its massive paws, but I was faster.
Two heads dropped low and spewed fire, flooding the ground around us. I slipped from beneath the body, then leapt and drove my spear deep into its side. Using it as a foothold, I vaulted upward, climbed onto its back and called the spear back to my hand.
I slid toward its neck and activated Raging Storm, slamming the spear with fury. It pierced one of the heads a piercing roar shook the cavern as the beast thrashed violently. Cerberus managed to throw me off. I flipped mid-air, landed on my feet, and summoned the spear once more.
Energy surged through me I was ready for a focused strike.
I charged forward, deliberately provoking a bite. Cerberus reacted instantly: jaws flew open and the head lunged down. At the last moment, I stopped and struck. The spear tore through flesh, and with the torrent of blood came a burst of power that tore part of its jaw apart.
"ARRR-RAAAAARGH!" The roar thundered off the stone walls. Columns of flame erupted from the torn mouths, and the last unbroken head howled in fury. The underworld was set ablaze.
My shield, as if alive, surged with my will. Invisible engravings lit up across its surface, weaving into intricate patterns. They wrapped around me like a protective sphere, deflecting the flames that sought to consume me.
Through the raging fire, I picked up speed and soared upward, breaking through the scorched flesh of Cerberus and piercing him through. Blood burst from the wound like lava.
Cerberus crashed onto the stone slabs, the ground trembling beneath his weight. One of his heads still twitched, trying to rise, but in vain.
With a swift strike, I drove my spear through the head. The beast went still. But mere moments later, one of the fallen heads jerked again he was regenerating too fast.
I tore the chains that held the ancient bridge and began wrapping them around his body, dragging him toward the stone wall.
"R-R-RAARGH!" one of the heads came back to life and lunged at me. I caught its jaws, and in that instant, a memory flared how Skalias had once killed me in battle just like this. But this time was different I was far stronger. I forced Cerberus's maw open, slipped from its grip, and without hesitation, drove my spear into the skull. The metal pierced the bone, and the head collapsed, lifeless.**
I secured the chains. Wrapped them so tightly that not even with help could he break free. I imbued them with my will, leaving a command behind: hold Cerberus until I alone decide to release him.
When everything was ready, I finally stepped through the gates of the Underworld.
Mist curled at my feet, thick and soft like cloth. Soon, it enveloped me completely. Visibility dropped to only a few paces. Beyond that, there was nothing. I turned back there was no exit anymore.
But no illusion will stop me.
"Traitor! How dare you walk the earth?" a voice called from the darkness.
"You killed me," came a familiar tone.
I struck the ground with my spear. A booming sound echoed through the fog. The air quivered, and the shroud of mist pulled back. The voices fell silent. My eyes burned with inner light. For the first time in ages, I invoked the Fallen. But I summoned only one.
"Damocles. You called, and I came," a voice spoke behind me.
He appeared by my side, his features taking on their living form. I held out my hand. He did the same. I pulled him close, embraced him, and clapped his shoulder.
"It's good to see you, brother," I said, my voice restrained.
"Then tell me why have you come to the Underworld?" he asked, looking straight into my eyes.
"I came for Charon. He will tell me all he knows… and pay for what he's done," I answered coldly.
Damippus was silent for a moment. His voice turned heavy:
"Then tell me how will the souls cross the Styx if you take away their guide? Those who wander here suffer more than the living can imagine. To earn passage, they endure fear, pain, and despair. Are you ready to condemn them to eternal wandering, without hope of peace or rebirth?"
"I'll find a way," I replied calmly.
"But you're not a god. How will you do it?" Damippus asked.
"I'm a man. And sometimes, men perform far greater miracles than gods," I said.
"Then walk this path," Damippus answered. "I believe in your strength. But promise me this if you don't find a way to replace Charon, don't kill him."
He pointed the way forward. While he was under my protection, the laws of this land would not touch him. He could walk freely.
"You know he may have played a part in your death," I said, barely holding back my rage.
"No more than you did," he replied.
His words pierced me. My heart clenched for it was a deed I would never forgive myself for.
"But I've forgiven you," Damippus added.
"I swear," I whispered.
To kill everyone who caused me pain, without caring for the consequences do I lack the courage to stop? Or is true strength found in rising above it all?
I don't want to look back with regret. I don't want to fear the consequences of my choices. If I must walk this path, then let it be to the very end so that one day, when I turn back to face my past, I can say with all honesty:
I did everything I could, and it could never have been any other way.
Author's Note
I'll need five days to come up with a follow-up plot. Now it's important to start the canon and all its events so that it looks good, so here goes.