Descent into Tartarus

by David Thompson

  Thanatos had cautioned him against any contact. Especially with demons. It's possible that they're on the lookout for Persephone's spies, but a human might pass without much notice, as long as he kept his mouth shut. Thanatos had explained that immortals gave off an energy that was easy to spot, like a special scent.

  As he hiked, the glow from the river of fire got noticeably brighter as the blue glow on his right grew dimmer. Eventually he began to hear a grunting sound. Like someone trying to move a great weight. The sound was coming from the left, and it grew louder the further he walked. The landscape started to change from flat with black sand to more of a rocky terrain, but it was still pretty flat.

  After another hour, the landscape opened up to reveal a valley well below him. The grunting was louder. He sat on an outcrop and dug out his binoculars. He scanned the sky while chewing on a hunk of jerky and didn't find anything flying. Then he began a scan of the valley. About mid-way up the far edge of the valley, a series of very steep inclines went from the bottom of the valley to the far side.

  About midway up one incline he spotted a huge man, dark skin and almost nude. He was able to make out the man's physique from this distance.

  "Huh," Dan commented as he swallowed. He watched the man as he pushed a massive round stone up the incline. He rested the binoculars on his thighs as he rested, watching the condemned man. "Poor son of a bitch."

  "Yes, it's never wise to piss off a god."

  Dan almost leapt off the outcrop, and he twisted around to see who had sneaked up on him.

  "Didn't mean to startle you, sir," the old man added. He paused next to Dan and regarded the man across the valley. "I often come out here to watch him struggle. He never makes it, and each day he starts again."

  "I'm familiar with the... Story," Dan said.

  "Excuse me, but I am Salmoneus, I was that man's father-in-law before my death," the man said. "I asked to be allowed in to supervise his punishment, he caused my family a great amount of grief."

  Dan just shook his head and stood up. He lifted the backpack and turned. "Is there a footpath or a route across?"

  The man nodded. "Yes, bear to your left, it's several hours' walk."

  Dan sighed and nodded. "Thank you, sir," he said and started walking.

  When he was well away, he sighed. He'd have to be more careful. Souls here aren't supposed to eat, and he was caught eating. It was a relief when all the old guy wanted to do was watch his son-in-law toil away. He picked up his pace and started looking for a trail to take him around this chasm.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Megaera sat with her back to the wall, across the cell from the prone figure of Ideaus. She didn't kill him, that was impossible, but she'd definitely broken him. He'll eventually fade away and return to somewhere in the center of Tartarus. Once condemned to Tartarus, a soul would always return unless pardoned by Hades. With Hades gone, a pardon was highly unlikely.

  Her eyes lost focus, and she simply stared at the far wall. Her nausea was finally passing, but the hunger pains still tore at her. As much as she wanted to, she refused to even look at the tray. It was as dirty as the cell floor.

  There was a scraping noise outside the door. She pushed herself up along the wall and debated making another try at escape. She was weary. Her bones ached and her eyes stung with fatigue. She slid back down the wall, pulled her knees up and rested her head on her arms.

  The door cracked open and a demon guard appeared. He glared at Megaera and then at the figure of Ideaus.

  "Did you kill that slave?" the guard demanded.

  "No, he tripped and fell. Repeatedly."

  Another guard appeared and entered the cell. He grabbed one of the slave's arms and dragged him out. Ideaus could only glare at Megaera as he was dragged out. She gave him a salute, using only one figure. The first guard pulled the door shut, leaving Meg to herself.

  As the huge guard dragged the slave down the corridor, Bune stepped to the first guard.

  "I don't think he got her to talk, boss," the guard said in a deep, gurgling voice.

  "Yes, that's obvious," Bune sighed. She was getting the best of him, between her attacks and outright defiance. "She didn't try anything?"

  The large guard shook his head.

  "She might be starting to break. We may have to try other methods." Bune stood for a moment, staring at the closed door, then turned and walked away, following the body of the slave. He looked at the broken man in the eyes and grinned. "Take him outside for the reward."

  Ideaus' eyes began to close in thanks.

  "Well, the reward is for the dragons, as you will be fed to them before you disappear. That way, when you return, it will be with the pain of being torn from limb to limb." Bune chuckled and turned down another corridor.

  At the far end, a slim girl appeared. She wore a torn black T-shirt advertising a surface rock group and tight black jeans with torn knees. This is Melinoe, youngest daughter of Hades and Persephone. Her pale red hair was hanging across her face. Bune walked towards her, knowing what she wanted.

  He bowed slightly. "Yes?"

  "Have you talked to the big guy, yet?" she asked.

  "About what?"

  "MY reward, pops. Now that the Furies are either destroyed or captured when can I go topside and get to redecorating that house? I have a lot of ideas, paint the walls maroon, with black ceilings." She flashed a bright grin. The new piercing in her bottom lip reflected the torch-light.

  Bune's eyes narrowed. He despised this child and now she wanted her part of the bargain. Make a deal with the devil's daughter, you had to pay a price, eventually.

  His hand flashed out, and he grasped the offending jewelry in her lower lip, and he tugged her to him. "Listen child, no one gets anything until we are victorious on the surface."

  "You asshole! That fooking hurts!" she yelled. She tore at his hand with her long nails, drawing greenish blood. He released her and pulled his hand back. He watched the blood ooze out of two deep cuts. His black tongue flicked out and licked up the blood.

  "Gross!" she said. "I'm leaving! I've had enough!"

  Bune grasped the back of her t-shirt and pulled her to him, twirling her around. He picked her up and dangled her in front of his face. His green eyes sparkled.

  "You really expect your mother to take you back, after what you have done? I think not, child," he said while she kicked and twisted. "Be thankful I'm not giving you to the fighters as a play thing. You'd go a long way towards pleasing them and raising troop morale."

  He let her go, dropping her to the corridor floor. She glared at his back as he slowly walked down the corridor and into the darkness. She looked up as a guard stood outside Megaera's cell. She walked towards the guard, eying him for any sign of weakness. This was a new one. A demon she'd not seen before. He was in all red, tall, his leathery skin a deep rusty color, no noticeable neck supporting his ball-shaped head. He had a helmet with a red dragon emblazoned on the front. He eyed the girl as she approached.

  "Can I see the prisoner?" Melinoe asked.

  "Sorry, miss. Only the boss is allowed in," the guard said, his voice a deep rumble.

  "I just want to see her. I never got to meet a Fury," Melinoe said.

  "No." His answer was final.

  She sighed and walked back down the corridor, dragging her black nails on the wall.

  The demon just shook his head and returned his gaze to a blank spot on the opposite wall.

  <<<>>>

  Grimes had spent the last hour in his tent. Mable was being interrogated by Genda, and Grimes tried to remain calm as he awaited his fate.

  His tent flap was pulled aside as Genda marched in and stood at the foot of Grimes' sleeping mat. Grimes quickly stood and bowed his head.

  "Your dragon gave testimony that supported your version of events. However, the man was not and is not an immortal. Spies near Persephone have alerted us to a mortal who is in possession of technology that was able to render him invisible," Genda told Grime
s.

  Grimes began to relax.

  "Come along. A few more details need to be dealt with," Genda said, leading the way out of the tent.

  As soon as Grimes exited his tent, he was grasped on both sides by muscular soldiers.

  "Sorath wishes to deal with you himself. You are to accompany these gentlemen." Genda watched as they dragged away the pilot. He turned to the dragon. "I expect he'll be back in a few hours. I trust Sorath to be merciful. In any case, he will return to you."

  Sorath sat on his throne, his side still bandaged. He watched as the soldiers dragged Grimes into the room, and to the raised throne.

  "What's with this man?" Sorath mumbled.

  "He lost the suspected mortal intruder," Themis offered. He held up a sheet of translucent paper. "The full report from General Genda."

  Sorath glanced at the page, then let the paper go. It glided through the air to land at Grimes' feet.

  "I haven't time to read such nonsense. Pilot! What do you have to say for yourself?" Sorath demanded.

  "Sire, I lost sight of the man when he used magic to disappear," Grimes managed to get out.

  "So, I read. It's vitally important we capture this man. Alive and unharmed, so that I may question him. You understand?"

  Grimes bowed his head and said: "Yes, sire. You can count on me!"

  "Good. Good. I'm in a good mood. Not only did I manage to destroy Gaia, I also destroyed the Furies. So, I shall be merciful." Sorath said, his mouth twisting into a sadistic grin. "I realize the situation was utterly out of your control, yes?"

  "Yes, sire!"

  "I'm glad you agree," Sorath said, reaching out towards Themis, who was now offering another sheet of paper. Grimes remained standing with his head bowed.

  Sorath reached out with a claw, dipped it in an ink pot and made a mark on the paper, then handed it back to Themis. "Follow this demon. And remember, I was merciful!"

  Themis went to Grimes. "Follow me please."

  They exited the throne room and Grimes began to feel a lot better. His mood began to improve until Themis led him down to a darkened room. He saw two more demons, one was preparing a lethally sharp knife. When the demon looked up, he grinned widely, showing a row of saw-like teeth. The two demons stood on each side of a tilting table with restraints. A cauldron of glowing coals cast a red light in the room.

  "What? I thought–"

  "You'll only lose the left arm. As ordered by Sorath. Feel grateful. The last man who crossed him was flayed slowly, and is still hanging on the battlements, until he dries out. Which will be awhile as we keep wetting him down." Themis grinned. A large demon grasped Grimes and pulled him to the table. "Do be brave. The arm will grow back in a few weeks, perhaps quicker!"

  Themis watched as the man was strapped to the table, continuing to struggle. He twisted away while the large demon ripped the shirt from the left arm.

  "Now, this might sting a bit," the grinning demon said as he began to saw slowly into the flesh of Grimes' left shoulder. Themis watched a moment, then left the room, shutting the door to quiet the screams of pain. He glanced at the paper again and shook his head.

  He opened the door again, to see Grimes passed out. Hemery was finishing removing the arm. "I neglected to tell you, Hemery, the boss said it was ok to use a sedative."

  Hemery laughed. "Whoops." He looked at the pilot, shook his head and went back to the table. He pulled a flat-edged iron out of the fire. The tip glowed a brilliant orange.

  Grimes was starting to wake up when Hemery pressed the hot iron against the gaping wound. Blood and flesh sizzled. Grimes cried out again, then his head slumped to his chest.

  "Too late, boss," Hemery apologized. "Maybe next time?"

  "Certainly, next time," Themis said, leaving the room.

  <<<>>>

  Black Palace

  Themis shuffled his feet, waiting for Sorath to finish chewing out a delinquent guard. Literally. Sorath had the demon dismembered, and he was eating the poor bastard. All while the demon's dismembered head watched in terror.

  Finally, Sorath swallowed and turned a beady, red eye on the guard's head. "Take the rest of it out to the wolves," he ordered. He belched loudly and turned his attention to Themis. "What's next?"

  "Sire," Themis started. "The new division is ready for your review."

  "New division?"

  "Yes, one of Rommel's ideas. He stole it from Himmler, who is still off wandering the lava pools. So, we hope that you'll be impressed."

  "Himmler? What do we call these new troops?" Sorath said, standing, and stretching.

  "Schutzstaffel. But I feel we'll have a more original name before long," Themis said, waving towards the far portal. "They're assembled in the courtyard."

  Sorath strode to the far doorway, slapping aside the black cloth hanging across the opening. Themis followed as the huge demon walked down a corridor and towards an arched opening. He walked out onto a balcony and looked out upon the immense courtyard several stories below.

  "My, oh my," Sorath whispered.

  Below, in straight lines, stood a hundred tall demons in a deep maroon uniforms, their round heads covered with black helmets with a dragon emblazoned on the front. In front were four taller demons. These had huge chests and no necks, so their red round heads sat directly on their body. On their heads were small caps with black leather brims, and they had flowing black cloaks draped off their shoulders. Each demon stood ramrod straight.

  "Where's Rommel?" Sorath said, not taking his eyes off the assembled troops. As soon as he asked, there was a roar as a small dragon appeared from the right, entering through an arched doorway. It was pulling a chariot, in which Rommel stood, eyes on Sorath.

  "Well, I'll give the bastard this, he knows how to make an entrance," Sorath murmured. Sorath walked out further and stood at the edge of the balcony. "What will we use them for?"

  "They're bred for ultimate loyalty. I suggest initial use as palace guards and as guards in the cells, as we're expecting a few more prisoners," Themis pointed out. "They can't be bribed and will stand guard for days if not relieved."

  "Very nice," Sorath said as he made a leap out from the balcony, and drifted to the courtyard, landing on both massive legs with a solid thump.

  He marched to Rommel, who stood at attention.

  "I see you have recovered, sire," Rommel said, holding his salute.

  "Battle does that, it is very healing to attack and prevail," Sorath growled. "What are you calling these demons?"

  "They're based upon the old Schutzstaffel." Rommel told Sorath. "They're a hybrid between the abigor and zepar demons. I'm rather fond of the name Zeparriors."

  Sorath's eyes narrowed as he glanced sideways at Rommel. "Yes, you would. I prefer Rouge Guerriers. Yes! The R'giers."

  "Very nice, sire!" Rommel said, upping his ass kissing to well over eleven.

  "Assign a handful to the prison. A few to march around the palace, and task the rest to find that damned mortal that keeps eluding my dragons," Sorath ordered. "See to it, General."

  Rommel saluted and turned to the tallest demon. "Leidesdorff! Take 5 men to the cells, for guard duty, assign 5 more to guard the palace. The rest will form search parties with the dragon squads, search and capture!"

  Sorath was grinning as he turned and walked back the palace. He paused and crouched, then he leapt up to the balcony. He landed hard, shaking the structure. Themis held onto the balcony railing.

  "As soon as that mortal is captured, have him brought to me. Unharmed. I need to know why he's here and what he thinks he can accomplish," he ordered as he passed Themis.

  Themis looked back out onto the troops. The R'giers? It rolled off the tongue. He shrugged and followed his master inside.

  <<<>>>

  After another hour of hiking, Dan came across some ruins of more buildings. Most were small, missing walls and looking like they'd collapse in a slight breeze. After walking around the ruins, he was satisfied the buildings were deserted. He decided
to make camp in the smallest, which had only one door and no windows, so he didn't have to be concerned with intruders. Inside, he saw a pair of brackets on each side of the small door, so it could be secured easily enough.

  He scouted around for any small planks he could find and entered the room. He shut the door and secured it as best as he could with the planks. He settled in the center of the floor and unpacked his backpack. After cracking a light stick, he spread things out and attempted to clean the bronze armor after he'd used it digging a shelter. He ate a small amount of jerky and tried to relax.

  He stretched himself out, using the backpack as a pillow. Fatigue caught up with him and he was quickly snoring softly.

  Much later, he awoke with a start. The room as completely dark, the light stick having dimmed and stopped emitting light. He fumbled in the dark and cracked another stick. The room has filled with a yellow-green glow. He repacked his gear while chewing on another piece of the jerky.

  In a few minutes, he was ready to continue his march. He pulled the plank away from the door and peered outside. No change in the light or gloom of Tartarus. He blinked and ducked back inside.

  Grasping the crystal, he activated it as he stepped outside. He surveyed the air and didn't see anything, but the small hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. Something was different.

  He circled the buildings, made sure the dim blue glow was on his right and began walking. He spotted movement in the far edge of his vision and he turned. Overhead were several dragons flying in formation. Dan felt the comfort of the crystal in his left hand and he began walking again. One dragon passed directly overhead, an enormous orange beast. He became uneasy as it dawned on him the beasts might be able to smell him. He began walking faster, hoping to make it to a line of brush to his left. Another dragon passed overhead, and he quickened his pace.

  He entered the brush, which was thick, black and came to about his waist. He knelt and looked up. The dragon that was overhead was the copper one that had found him earlier. It beat the air with massive wings, its long head scanning the ground. The pilot was also scanning the area.