Vampire Greek: The Burning King

“He didn’t tell us how to get out, did he?” Caitlyn asked as the wandered the fields. They had been walking for seemingly hours and her feet were starting to hurt.

“We have the powder, but I don’t see any water, so we’ll have to go out the same way we came in.” They stood atop a small hill trying to look over the crowd of people. New people were popping up every second, she just had to focus on where.

“There! Did you see that? That dude just appeared, and the air around him rippled. If we’re fast enough, maybe we can get through one.” Willa and Caitlyn hurried through the crowd, muttering quick apologies as they pushed their way through. The people appearing out of nowhere all had looks of shock and confusion on their faces as they immediately bumped into dozens of people. Willa felt a pain in the pit of her stomach. This is all they will ever know. They may not find their loved ones, or happiness ever again. A man materialized right in front of their path and Willa pushed him aside to get to the ripple.

“Sorry!” said Caitlyn, arms raised. “We’re in a rush.”

“I can feel the other side, but I can’t make it through!” Willa exclaimed. She managed to get her hand through the rift, but it wasn’t allowing her to go any further.

“Caitlyn, you try.” Caitlyn joined her and they both pushed against the rift, but it was like pushing against a cold brick wall.

“I almost got it, I almost got it!” Willa forced between breaths as people began to watch. Finally, the ripple began to shrink and disappear, forcing them to pull away. Willa swore as she shook her wrists. Her hands were ice cold and there was a bruise circling her wrists. She looked down at Caitlyn’s and saw the same on hers.

“Are you alright?” Willa asked as she checked them.

“Yeah, I’m okay. It almost worked though, I could really feel it out there. You ready to try again?”

Another ripple appeared in front of them again, but a long, grayed hand reached out towards them. It was Charon, it had to be.

“I guess we don’t need to.” Willa replied, smiling. She grabbed Caitlyn’s hand and reached out for Charon’s.

“Wait, is that the way out? Take me with you?”

“Me Too!”

“How do you two get to leave?!”

A couple men began running toward them and before Willa could utter a word Charon practically dragged them through the ripple, almost pulling off Willa’s arm.

“OW! You could be more careful, you know.” she snapped.

“Or you could act like a goddess,” he growled. “And make your own portal to escape.”

Caitlyn stood behind Willa and waved at Charon, who stared at her but made no response.

“I take it your side quest is finally over?’

“Yeah,” said Willa, stretching her arm.”It is.”

“Then you know where Asphodel is. I won’t be pulling you out next time. I hope you return the Oracle to Apollo, and I hope nothing evil gets in your way.”

“Aww, thanks.” Willa grinned. “You might be nicer than I thought.”

“No, I’m not. Get out of my sight.” Charon stepped down onto his boat and his staff elongated into a pole. He drifted away quietly, no longer acknowledging them.

Willa took Caitlyn’s hand in hers and they walked through the cave. Instantly, they were hit with the sweet smell of all kinds of flowers. The entrance of Elysium was set up like a huge garden, and unlike Asphodel, it wasn’t random. This appeared to be the only way in. There were beautiful statues and marble columns creating a pathway, and big bushes lined the sides. They were clearly on a mountain, but all they could see was a flat area with flowers for miles. Little houses made of random materials were sprinkled about, but there appeared to be no rhyme or reason in which they were placed. They could hear laughter and chanting in the distance, so they decided to follow the sound. Nearby on the edge of a cliff, about a hundred men and women were gathered together. Most wore white or brown linen while some were dressed in armor. Those in armor stood closest to the edge, and edge, and they were all cheering on one man who was waving goodbye and shaking hands. Willa and Caitlyn discreetly joined the crowd and looked on in curiosity.

“NEXT LIFE! NEXT LIFE! NEXT LIFE!” They all chanted. The man took off his chestplate, turned away from them and threw it backwards. The presumably former soldiers all clamored for it, tackling each other and climbing the piles of groaning bodies in an attempt to claim the piece of armor. In the end, a dark skinned man with dreads claimed the chestplate. Some cheered in celebration while others bemoaned their defeat.

“Enjoying the show?” A woman asked them. They looked to the left and saw Antearia resting her back against a tree with a pale skinned, dark haired woman in lap. They were having a picnic, and Antearia was feeding the woman grapes.

“Oracle!” Caitlyn squealed.

“Yes?” said the woman, not Antearia. Her pupil was nonexistent, The iris was dark and fluid, like pools of oil in her eyes. Caitlyn and Willa both stared at her in surprise.

“You two look confused. I told you back at my home that I was not the Oracle, only a vessel. That should’ve been clear from the obvious possession.” Antearia and Caitlyn both laughed.

“Why do you make Antearia sound so creepy when you take control of her? It’s scary.”

The Oracle shrugged. “Weak connection, I guess? There’s no such thing as a perfect vessel. You completed your quest though.”

“That’s right, we finally found you!” Caitlyn turned to Willa and gave her a high five.

“Not that. I mean finding your father, discovering your lineage, and making the choice on your own.” The Oracle smiled and threw a grape at her, which Caitlyn unsuccessfully tried to catch with her mouth.

“Yeah… you’re right! What does that make me though? A demi-demigoddess? Or a semi demigoddess?”

“What? Now you’re confusing me!” Antearia reached in her picnic basket and offered them some food, but Willa shook her head.

“This is good and all, but we are here on an urgent mission. Olympus needs an Oracle, Apollo sent us here to retrieve you. Even worse than that, Your son has gone missing Antearia. Apollo didn’t find him in your house-”

“He deceived you to protect me. Apollo is the only god that knows of my child. You can’t hide much when working with the god of truth and prophecy. Tyran is safe, probably with nymphs or something.”

“You seem very… nonchalant to be dead. Don’t you miss your life? Your son?”

Antearia took a drink from her chalice. When you’ve known about how you’re going to die for weeks, months in advance, you grow to accept it. I know small parts of Tyran’s future too. He’s in good hands. And he’ll be in better hands soon” she said with a mysterious smile. “Besides, look at this place. It’s paradise! The only thing better than this is a couple miles...mhmmm,” she waved her hand and pointed in a random direction. “That way.”

“Okay, but we still need to get you, er, her, out of here. You have to be the Oracle again.”

“I’m always the Oracle. I just need a vessel again. I say we sneak Antearia out so she can say one last goodbye to Tyran and then we find a new vessel for me.”

“I thought someone had to be chosen.” Antearia replied.

“Someone has.” she answered as she stood up. The Oracle helped Antearia to her feet and then quickly embraced her in a tight kiss. Her hair began to float and her body started to glow green, becoming slightly transparent.

“This.. this isn’t how I became the Oracle last time.” said Antearia.

“Well it’s happening now.” The Oracle said her final words as she turned into light and got absorbed into Antearia, who appeared frozen in place as it all happened. When the Oracle was finally gone, Antearia exhaled and green vapor came from her mouth.

“It’s time to go.”