DESCENT INTO THE UNDERWORLD

Charon called out to us. When we arrived in the Underworld, the yacht changed into a giant sailboat. Charon paddled the boat forward as we came upon a black river littered with pollution. Plastic bottles and soda cans were carried by the current as they ended up in other waterways. I wasn't a scholar in Greek mythology, but I knew the name of this famous river.

"That's the Styx, isn't it?"

"Yes, boy," Charon sighed. "The Styx was a beauty to see, until after the Industrial Revolution. Then you humans started your own pollution revolution and brought about the global warming crisis." I couldn't argue with him there. Coal, oil, and other nonrenewables have dominated the industry for about two hundred years. This led to what some describe as "the defilement of the Earth." But that's a minor issue at the moment.

We passed upon scores of souls standing in droves. I saw the fear in some of their eyes as they shoved their hands in their mouth. If a coin wasn't put in your mouth, Charon wouldn't ferry you to the afterlife. The same went for those who weren't given a proper burial. Few souls offered Charon a drachma. Others made excuses about why they had no payment, and some even tried to force their way in. Charon dismissed all of them, saying it was their fault for not believing in the gods. I was surprised that people still thought the Greek gods existed. Perhaps they had an encounter with one? Atheism was surging in the modern world. The only religions people believed in nowadays were Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddism. If this is how Charon makes money, he must be losing millions by the day. No wonder he looks so gloomy. I thought it was just because he dwelled in the Underworld.

Up ahead were two colossal black gates. A three-headed dog was guarding them. Cerberus. It looked like a cross between a Siberian Husky and a Malamute. Charon dropped us right next to the hound. "As I said, your death is not my responsibility. You better remember to tell Hades about the wage increase and the worker benefits." He ferried back to get more souls. Helen embraced me from behind, her arms shaking. Cerberus must have frightened her. Vittoria nodded towards the dog. "What are we going to do about him?"

"Not sure. Maybe Cerberus will be a good dog? Hold Helen for me, will you?" I walked up to Cerberus. "Hey, there! I'm Yiannis, the son of Hades!" I announced. "These two are my friends, and we need to talk to Father. So, um... eww." One of the heads licked me. Cerberus wagged his tail. It looked like it wanted to play. I found a stick on the ground and threw it. "Fetch, doggie!"

"Yiannis!" Vittoria scolded. "This is no time to be playing games!"

"I know. Take Helen with you and blend in with the crowd of souls over there. I'll keep Cerberus busy, so wait for me." I used to hate dogs when I was a little kid. Now I wanted one. The hellhound that licked all over me at DGH disappeared a day later. Chiron said it went back to the Underworld. I hoped I could see it again, and maybe even domesticate it. A pet hellhound would be great!

After a few rounds, I waved goodbye to Cerberus. The dog whimpered, but I promised I would play with him again. I caught up with Vittoria and Helen, both of whom kept their distance from me.

"You smell of dog drool," they covered their noses.

"Shut up," I said. "We need to get going now." Now I saw souls densely packed together in groups, moaning. The terrain was barren, except for a few dead trees. The souls were inanimate. "Why are they just standing there? I thought the afterlife would be a tad bit interesting."

"Well, for most people, it isn't. These are the fields of Asphodel, Yiannis," Vittoria said.

"Fields? The place makes a desert look lively!"

"Most people live ordinary lives. They didn't do heroic or wicked deeds and so aren't rewarded or punished. They continue to be the way they always have, existing quietly and peacefully. It's far better than Tartarus."

Next up were the fields of punishment. It was something out of a comic book. Souls were brought to flying courts, where the furies took the role of jury and judge. They grabbed the soul after a verdict had been made and flew off with them somewhere.

"The Furies judge a soul before deciding where they end up. The fields of punishment are for offenders who committed lesser crimes. Tartarus is where all the famous douchebags are. Hades is a fair ruler. He doesn't punish people for disbelieving or disobeying the gods; he only decides on their actions," Vittoria anticipated my questions.

"You sure know a lot about Greek mythology," I noted. "Ever since we started this quest, you always knew something about some entity or history."

"Yeah, but that's to be expected, right? We live in a world where the greek myths affect our lives, for better or for worse. It would be stupid not to know something. Ignorance is not a blessing."

"Agreed."

I saw people being whipped. A man rolled a rock up a hill continuously. Another was partially submerged underwater, and a grapevine hung over his head. When he reached for a grape, the vine receded from him. When he stooped down to drink, the water vanished. The punishments got worse as we trudged along. Eventually, we came across a massive chasm. Flames were raging at the bottom, and I heard screaming. It made me want to go insane.

Suddenly, time froze. I wasn't the one who did it, but I felt that the whole Underworld had been frozen in place. There's only one god with this power.

"Hey, dad. What's up?"

Kronos snickered. "Hello, Yiannis. I've stopped time around the whole Underworld. Nobody will see our little... transaction." I opened the bag Ares gave me(it was the black bag I gave him at Manetta's) and took out Poseidon's trident. I threw that down the chasm along with Zeus's master bolt. "Everything is going smoothly, don't you think, Father?"

"Too much so for my taste. I'm almost scared that things are a little too easy."

"Is that your way of saying things are going well? You're making me anxious."

"Yes. All you have left to do is convince Hades and Poseidon. Ares will become quite useful now." That reminded me of a line from the prophecy: "You will face the god you have deceived, who will turn into a willing chess piece." Thinking of the Oracle's voice gave me goosebumps. Poor Ares; if only he knew.

"Should I go to Hades now, Father?"

"Yes. Hades will notice if I use too much of my power any longer than this. Keep Helen safe."

"You got it." Everything went back to normal. I closed the black bag and slung it over my shoulder. In the distance, I saw a palace the size of a country. It was obsidian black, but colorful lights hung around it. Crystals and gems seemed to be growing on it, and although I couldn't see them precisely, they had to be valuable. This was a god's domain, after all. I would expect nothing less. "Let's go," I told Vittoria as I began walking. I held Helen's hand. "Up next Hades's castle."

Well, up next actually turned out to be paradise. If there was a heaven in the Underworld, I thought this was it. Although I wasn't physically in it, I saw it past my left. Multicolored flowers I've never seen before stood in stark contrast to the rest of the Underworld. I heard laughter and joy, females singing males flirting. Leaves whistled in the air. The terrain was now filled with hills, valleys, mountains, forests, and houses the size of Charon's yacht. This had to be Elysium.

Vittoria was about to say something, but I stopped her. "I know something this time. Elysium is wonderful, isn't it?"

"Yeah. The Isles of the Blest are spectacular, at least from the pictures I've managed to find." I must've looked lost because Vittoria started explaining again like she was Siri.

"The Isles of the Blest is a special place. The highest place for those who do good deeds. If someone is reborn into the world three times and gets into Elysium three times, they are sent to the Isles of the Blest."

"That sounds impossible. Three times?"

"Yep. But let's forget about that." Vittoria pointed towards the castle. "If we stop this war, we might be able to get to that heaven I just described. So what are we waiting for?"

The gate was ten times my size. It was guarded by zombies and skeletons armed with bayonets and wearing military attire. They let us pass as the gate slowly girdled open. I knocked on the door, which magically opened, and the three of us entered my other father's home.

A hallway displayed paintings and portraits of Hades hung on the walls, and some famous individuals. I saw Napoleon, Hitler, Mussolini, Cao Cao, and other brilliant military figures. I'm guessing these were Hades's past children, and they all had a thing for being legendary strategists.

The corridor seemed to last forever until finally, we came to a room full of winding stairs and doors. A voice spoke to me in my head. "The food will get cold." A door opened, and I went inside, finding a table set up with four platters of roasted chicken and a light layer of rice, and a man sitting at the head.

The Furies who had been following me knelt before the man and stayed at his side. The man himself had pale albino skin, a strong figure, slick black hair, and pale black eyes. He radiated fear and paranoia. He was the first god I've met who struck me as godlike. Dionysus and Ares paled in comparison.

The man motioned toward a chair. "As I'm sure you know, I am Hades. Don't be afraid. Eating food in the Underworld does trap one here for a certain period, but I can let them free. We will discuss the theft of my helm also." The four of us sat next to each other. We tore through the chicken and had finished the meal quickly.

Hades smiled. "Now then, which one of you will testify?"

"Testify to what?" Vittoria asked.

"That this theft was the plot of Zeus. He has been growing restless about me and my brother Poseidon. No doubt he plans to kick us off the council and weaken our powers."

"My lord, despite what it may look like-"

"Silence!" Hades's voice was deafening. "I have been accused enough times already. I have helped my brothers and sisters on the council, and for generations, they have treated my children and me like garbage. The only evidence they have is my own bitterness, citing it as my motivation. While it's true that I hate Zeus, I have shown loyalty to the council, something Athena admits. It is only because of her that my name has not been tarnished with lies and malicious gossip." Hades turned to me. "What about you? It would be a cruel irony to find my own children suspects me."

"It sure would," I concurred. "However, I do believe you're innocent. While it isn't definitive, I do have proof that Zeus might have been responsible. All I know for sure is that you are indeed innocent, Father."

"Let's hear it." I showed the infamous black bag and flaunted it to the Furies. "You do recognize this, right?"

"Lord Ares gave that to you," one of the Furies scowled. "What of it?" I opened the bag and dumped its contents. Hades's eyes widened as he saw his helm fall to the floor. "How very... interesting," Hades cackled. "So, Ares gave you this?"

"Yes," I nodded. "While I was in the Underworld, I felt the bag become a lot heavier. I opened it and found this amazing item in here. I'm sorry if this is all I have."

"No, Yiannis, you three have done well. However, Zeus's little bolt isn't here. I'm betting Ares still has it. He'll probably kill you right after you leave the Underworld and leave the weapons near you. This way, Zeus will feel vindicated and declare war. Poseidon will follow."

Vittoria's eyes narrowed at me. "Yiannis, why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't have time to. I noticed it when we entered this place. Besides, I told you now, didn't I?"

"What about Ares? He'll be after you and Helen."

"Yes, and he'll have the master bolt with him. I need to get the bolt back either way, so I have no choice but to fight him."

"Ares is a god of war! You're acting like besting him in combat is a walk in the park!"

"I don't need to beat him; I just need him to reveal that he is the thief." I faced Hades. "I have a plan that might prove your innocence and lead us to the truth."

"I'm listening," Hades said.