z
  • Home

Young Writers Society


16+ Language

The Daughter of War - Chapter 36: Into the Depths

by Elektra


Warning: This work has been rated 16+ for language.

Chapter 36: Into the Depths

It was quiet, a little too quiet for Josephine’s liking. Aphrodite floated in front of them, humming what seemed to bae a lovebird’s ballad of some sort. Jase stayed a couple feet behind them—which put Josephine right in the middle. The air was thick, almost tangible, carrying a scent of damp earth mixed with an ethereal musk. Each breath Josephine took felt heavier, as if the weight of the souls surrounding her added a burden to the very act of breathing. A faint, omnipresent whisper invaded the silence after a while; it was a concoction of voices that ebbed and flowed like the tide in Poseidon’s oceans. They spoke in languages long forgotten, their words unintelligible but filled with emotion—sorrow, longing, and sometimes, an eerie calm. Josephine grew used to these sounds the more they trekked, but it seemed like Jase didn’t.

Everything seemed to slow the more they explored Tartarus. They’d often come across graves, the headstones were ashy and blurred, as if nobody laid underneath the soil anymore. Granted, there was really no soil—they were walking on volcanic rock and long forgotten memories.

Just as Josephine was about to speak, she noticed a slender figure just beyond the next horizon. It seemed to be moving closer to the three of them with pristine quickness.

“Don’t worry,” Aphrodite hummed, “It’s just one of The Shades.”

The Shades was a term used for millennia, specifically to describe the spirits or ghosts of the dead. The Shades were believed to retain some aspects of their earthly personalities and memories but were mostly shadowy and less vivid versions of their living selves. In the Underworld, Shades could be encountered in various realms, such as the Asphodel Meadows, Elysium, or Tartarus. But this specific shade, was different. Josephine’s blood began to thicken.

“Mother… I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Josephine whispered.

“Of course it’s not,” Jase intercepted, “We’re not going to find good shades to help us. Here, of all places. We’d be lucky if one decides to be a decent enough soul to see through the looking glass and put their pride aside.”

“Hush, children,” Aphrodite put her hand up.

The Shade emerged from the abyss. Its form was a twisted parody of what it once was, a dark specter of malevolence and corruption. Its body was a tangle of shadows, a mass of swirling darkness that seemed to devour the light around it. Its edges were jagged and constantly shifting. Where its eyes should be, two burning coals glistened with an intense, troublesome red.

Its face, if it could even be called that, was a grotesque mask of anguish and fury. The features were distorted and warped, twisted into a permanent snarl. Wisps of shadow leaked from its mouth with each breath. The Shade's limbs were elongated and skeletal, ending in claw-like fingers. Weathered, spectral rags hung from its body, shreds of what might have once been a grand robe.

A chilling aura surrounded the shade and the group. The air grew colder, and an oppressive silence fell, broken only by the faint, sinister murmur that seem to project from the shade itself.

Josephine’s heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing louder in the oppressive silence. She could feel the malevolent gaze of the shade piercing through her, a chill creeping into her bones. Aphrodite, however, floated with an air of calm detachment, her serene presence almost mocking the terror that gripped Josephine.

The shade stopped just a few paces away, its fiery eyes flickering as it regarded them with a mixture of curiosity. The air around it shimmered with a cold, dark energy, and the whispers grew louder, as if the souls of the damned were trying to communicate through the Shade itself.

Aphrodite’s voice, soft yet commanding, broke the silence, “Speak, shade. Why do you haunt this path?”

The Shade’s mouth twisted into a grotesque grin, shadows curling from its lips as it spoke , “You trespass on hallowed ground, Goddess of Love. What business do you and your mortal pets have in Tartarus?”

Josephine shuddered at the Shade’s words. Jase stepped forward, his jaw clenched, anger burning in his eyes. “We seek Persephone,” he declared, his voice steady despite the fear, “We need to find her.”

The Shade’s laughter echoed around them, a sound devoid of any warmth or kindness, “Persephone… The Queen of the Underworld is not so easily found. She wanders the deepest, darkest corners, far beyond the reach of living souls.”

Aphrodite’s expression remained unyielding, “We will find her,” she said firmly, “Will you help us, or will you stand in our way?”

The Shade’s grin faded, replaced by a look of contemplation, “Help you? Why would I aid you in your quest?”

Josephine found her voice, though it trembled as she spoke. “Because… because you were once like us. You were once alive, with dreams and desires. Help us, and maybe you’ll find an ounce of peace.”

For a moment, the Shade’s eyes seemed to soften, the shadows around it less turbulent. Then, with a sigh that sounded like the rustling of dead leaves, it spoke again, “Peace… a distant memory. Very well, I shall guide you—for now. But be warned, the path you seek dangerous, and not all shades are as… accommodating.”

The shade turned, its form shifting with the darkness. Aphrodite followed. Josephine and Jase exchanged a glance, a mix of determination and fear in their eyes, before hurrying after her.

As they walked deeper into Tartarus, the whispers grew louder, the shadows more oppressive. But with each step, Josephine felt a flicker of hope. They were closer to finding Persephone, and with the help of the shade—however begrudgingly given—they might just succeed.

Jase stayed close to Josephine. Despite the Shade’s guidance, he remained aware, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger. Aphrodite floated serenely ahead.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached a cliff, with a narrow staircase that led downwards into the depths. The Shade halted at the edge, its fiery eyes flickering with an almost reluctant respect, “This is the entrance to the deepest reaches of Tartarus,” it hissed, “Beyond this point lies where Persephone is kept. But beware—the way is guarded by horrors that even I fear.”

Aphrodite turned to the shade, “Thank you for your guidance, shade. You have done more than enough.”

The shade’s form seemed to waver, the shadows around it becoming less distinct, “Remember, Forbidden Child,” it rasped, fixing its burning gaze on Josephine. “Not all battles are won with strength. Sometimes, it is the heart that must prevail.”

With those cryptic words, the shade faded into the darkness, leaving the three of them standing at the edge of the cliff. Josephine took a deep breath, the air still heavy with the scent of damp earth and musk. She looked at Aphrodite and Jase.

“We have to find her,” Josephine said, her voice firm.

Aphrodite nodded, “We will. Stay close, and trust in your instincts.”

They descended into the cliff, the path steep and treacherous. The deeper they went, the colder it became. The ground beneath their feet shifted from volcanic rock to a strange, pulsating substance that seemed to react to their presence.

At one point, a creature of pure shadow lunged at Jase, its claws glinting with a deadly sheen. Josephine reacted instinctively, flames erupting from her hands and engulfing the creature, reducing it to nothingness. Jase gave her a grateful nod, his eyes reflecting admiration.

Finally, after what felt like an endless journey, they reached a vast, empty plain. In the center stood a figure, tall and familiar.

“Is that…?” Jase asked.

“No, no, it’s a trick,” Aphrodite said, glancing around them, “This is all a trick. Damn, Hades…” she sighed.

“What do you mean?” Jase asked and moved in front of Josephine.

“Hades knows we're here. He's playing with us. That figure... it's meant to deceive us, to draw us into a trap,” Josephine said in response, not giving Aphrodite much time to answer.

Josephine squinted at the figure in the distance. It seemed to shimmer, almost like a ripple in a body of water. As they approached cautiously, the figure began to take on a more distinct form—Persephone.

"Persephone!" Josephine called out, her voice echoing across the plain.

The figure turned slowly, her eyes meeting Josephine's. For a moment, there was a flicker of recognition, but it was quickly replaced by a look of fear, "You shouldn't be here.”

Aphrodite stepped forward, her presence commanding. "Persephone, we've come to bring you back. Where are you?”

Persephone's eyes flickered, “You don’t understand,” she said, her voice trembling, “Hades has bound me here. If you stay, you’re in danger.”

Josephine’s gaze remained steady. “We know the risks. But we’re not leaving without you.”

Before Persephone could respond, a deep, rumbling laugh echoed across the plain. The ground trembled as Hades emerged from the shadows with his dark presence. His face grinned with a cold, calculating malice as he surveyed the intruders.

“Ah, my beloved wife,” Hades said, his voice light yet demanding, “And her would-be rescuers. How cute.”

“Why do you have her here?” Josephine asked, standing her ground, “What did she do that was worthy of a punishment like this?”

Hades glanced at Jase, sighing in disappointment, before looking back at Josephine, “She betrayed me—and you, Josephine. She became friends with you to relay information back to Hermes.”

“No, no…” Josephine shook her head, “She wouldn’t.”

Persephone's face contorted, "Josephine, please, you have to believe me. I never betrayed you!"

Hades chuckled darkly, "Oh, the lies you tell yourselves. She did it to protect you, I think. But in the end, all she did was seal her own fate."

Josephine's heart pounded in her chest. The shadows around Hades seemed to pulse with his every word.

"I don't believe you," she said firmly, "Persephone wouldn't betray me."

Aphrodite stepped forward, "Hades, enough of your games. Release her. She has suffered enough."

Hades’ eyes narrowed, his grin fading, "You dare to command me in my own realm, Aphrodite? Perhaps you have forgotten your place."

"I have not forgotten. But neither have I forgotten my duty to those I care for. Persephone belongs with us, not here in this twisted prison."

“Oh, and what will you do if I don’t let her go?” Hades asked, circling them as if he was a predator and they were the prey, “You don’t have any proof that she didn’t commit treason.”

Aphrodite's eyes flashed with divine fire, "Proof or not, we will not abandon her to your cruelty. You underestimate my strength, Hades."

Josephine took a step forward, "We are here to take Persephone back, and we won't leave without her. If you refuse to let her go, then we'll fight for her."

“Will you, weak one?” Hades chuckled, “And how do you think you’ll manage to get past me and my realm?”

Josephine squared her shoulders, her hands igniting in flames, "We'll find a way," she said, "We didn't come this far to give up now."

Jase stepped beside her, "Together, we're stronger than you think. We're not leaving without Persephone."

Hades' gaze shifted between them, demonstrating a mixture of amusement and irritation in his face, "You are brave, I'll give you that," he said, "But bravery alone won't save you here."

Aphrodite's voice was calm, "We don't need to defeat you, Hades. We only need to free Persephone and leave your realm. You know as well as I do that she doesn't belong here."

Hades' expression hardened, "You speak as if you have a choice. This is my domain, and I am its master. To defy me is to wish for death."

Josephine's flames burned brighter, "We are not afraid of you. Persephone's place is not here, and we will see her freed."

A low growl projected from Hades, the shadows around him thickening, "Very well. If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get. But know this: you will regret challenging the Lord of the Underworld."


Is this a review?


  

Comments



User avatar
109 Reviews

Points: 12392
Reviews: 109

Donate
Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:04 pm
View Likes
goodolnoah wrote a review...



Image

Hello there, one of King Koopa’s loyal henchmen, here!

Hello again! ~ Writing Commentary

The air was thick, almost tangible, carrying a scent of damp earth mixed with an ethereal musk. Each breath Josephine took felt heavier, as if the weight of the souls surrounding her added a burden to the very act of breathing. A faint, omnipresent whisper invaded the silence after a while; it was a concoction of voices that ebbed and flowed like the tide in Poseidon’s oceans. They spoke in languages long forgotten, their words unintelligible but filled with emotion—sorrow, longing, and sometimes, an eerie calm.


I am not sure if it’s because I’ve been reading other works in between your last chapter and this one, but returning to your writing is a true treat! This and later descriptions are so well written! They spark a great mix between being necessary, easy to read, and deeply interesting!

Josephine found her voice, though it trembled as she spoke. “Because… because you were once like us. You were once alive, with dreams and desires. Help us, and maybe you’ll find an ounce of peace.”


It’s interesting that Josephine is the one to offer kindness to this shade. I think her ferocity in these recent chapters made me forget that she is probably one of the kinder (maybe even kindest) Olympian deities. She’s had scrapes with death plenty of times. Plus, her connections with Persephone and Nyx probably allow her to understand deeper than the others. Just a character moment I thought was interesting…

The shade’s form seemed to waver, the shadows around it becoming less distinct, “Remember, Forbidden Child,” it rasped, fixing its burning gaze on Josephine. “Not all battles are won with strength. Sometimes, it is the heart that must prevail.”


This is an interesting saying. If our characters are to face Hades soon, I am not sure if they could come out alive…Perhaps they will have no choice but to find some alternative way. Hades is still pretty elusive and I think he has more up his sleeve.

Hades glanced at Jase, sighing in disappointment, before looking back at Josephine, “She betrayed me—and you, Josephine. She became friends with you to relay information back to Hermes.”


Uhm…WHAT?

Some recommendations…

It was quiet, a little too quiet for Josephine’s liking. Aphrodite floated in front of them, humming what seemed to bae a lovebird’s ballad of some sort.


I think you mean “be” instead of “bae” here.

Love and…Hades ~ Story Commentary

Josephine, Jase, and Aphrodite travel through the underworld to meet Persephone and Hades, who reveals that Persephone has been hiding some things from Josephine…Naturally, this does not stop them, and they resolve to take Persephone back home no matter what.

Will the assistance from Aphrodite be enough to defeat Hades?

Light and Dark ~ Closer

I see this chapter as a buildup for the big fight. We have a good idea of where the characters are physically, and mentally. I saw you’ve been talking about this “big fight” on your wall, so I am excited to get around to reading the next chapter!




Elektra says...


Thank you!!! <333



User avatar
393 Reviews

Points: 81236
Reviews: 393

Donate
Fri Jun 21, 2024 4:40 pm
View Likes
RavenAkuma wrote a review...



Hello, My Friend!

Yay, so glad this book got an update! It's me, Raven, and I'd like to review the next chapter in this great story using my Familiar method! Let's dive in, shall we? Heh heh heh...

What The Black Eyes See...

Ooo, with help from Aphrodite, Josephine and Jase are able to convince a shade to guide them even deeper into Tartarus, and finally, they are able to find Persephone. But it seems they won't be leaving without a fight from the lord himself...Let's get into the details though.

Where The Dagger Points...

I don't really have any recommendations to make for this one! Great writing job!

Why The Grin Widened...

First, right off the bat, I loved being able to read your descriptions again:

The air was thick, almost tangible, carrying a scent of damp earth mixed with an ethereal musk. Each breath Josephine took felt heavier, as if the weight of the souls surrounding her added a burden to the very act of breathing. A faint, omnipresent whisper invaded the silence after a while; it was a concoction of voices that ebbed and flowed like the tide in Poseidon’s oceans. They spoke in languages long forgotten, their words unintelligible but filled with emotion—sorrow, longing, and sometimes, an eerie calm.


Beautiful yet eerie; this not only perfectly established the setting, tone, and atmosphere, sucking the reader right back into the story, but as I said, it's just absolutely beautiful! I also loved how you described the shades, as they sound super creepy and added a bit of a scary element to the story -perfect for the underworld. Great work there!

The dialogue between Aphrodite and the Shade caught my attention; it was great, as Aphrodite was so commanding and the Shade was so callous, but I was also afraid that it would be too risky, or it wouldn't pay off. Glad to see I was wrong about that, but this...

“This is the entrance to the deepest reaches of Tartarus,” it hissed, “Beyond this point lies where Persephone is kept. But beware—the way is guarded by horrors that even I fear.”


Ooo...such foreboding words O.O

(I also loved the imagery you added ~)

Finding Persephone, even if it was a trap, felt like such a big moment! I loved seeing the conflict caused by Hades's accusation of her betrayal, and Persephone insistently denying it. It was only natural for Josephine to ultimately side with Persephone, but the words just leave you wondering.

The strength and determination reflected in Josephine and Jase as they stand their ground, with Aphrodite to help, is such awesome staging for a grand fight! I'm so curious about what Aphrodite is capable of! And that ending...

A low growl projected from Hades, the shadows around him thickening, "Very well. If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get. But know this: you will regret challenging the Lord of the Underworld."


AWESOME!!

Our Mad Thoughts...

Overall, that was an awesome chapter to set up what I'm sure will be an epic fight, nicely done! :D

Image




Elektra says...


Ahhh thank you!!! <3




i am neither a loose leaf nor do i like loose leafs. really, i am a piece of wide-ruled looseleaf paper.
— looseleaf