Chapter Eleven: I Ask My Dad For Permission To Risk My Sanity

''' Chapter 11 '''

''' I Ask My Dad For Permission To Risk My Sanity '''

I came out of the shadow by the River Styx, on the same bank that my father and I had talked for the first time on. Hades was there.

“Connor,” He said, “We finally meet in person, but what brings you here?”

“Father, I have come to take the soul of Madison Benoit back to the world above,” I told Hades.

Hades looked grim, “The ability to bring dead souls to the world above is a request I have only allowed once, to the hero Orpheus. The Fates have said that if one is to bring the dead back, they cannot turn around to look at the spirit, or the spirit may never return to the Earth.”

“I know father,” I said, “But I must do it, I can keep my head forward.”

“The myths say that Orpheus’s curiosity forced him to look back, but it was really a curse. It is a curse dubbed the Curse of Orpheus. It puts unbearable curiosity on the hero attempting to bring the soul back to Earth. It is impossible to withstand. Plus the dangers of failing are immense.” Hades explained sadly.

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 20pt">“What dangers of failure?” I asked.

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 20pt">“If you fail to bring back the soul, you lose your mind. You will go insane, and become immortal. You will forever live on the Earth, insane, and without the chance to ever enter the Underworld to see the souls.” Hades told me.

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 20pt">This was a serious threat; it was something that would be unbearable. But I couldn’t fail, I wouldn’t fail.

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 20pt">“Father,” I said, “Please, I-I love her, and I can’t live without her.”

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 20pt">“My son, do you see that steep road leading up to the sky? That road will take you to New York. The soul will be brought back to Earth after you reach sunlight, but she must be returned to camp before she awakens. Do you understand?” Hades asked. I nodded.

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 20pt">“Then go,” he said, “and good luck.”

<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 20pt">I turned and walked to the long, winding road ahead.

Chapter Twelve: The Curse Of Orpheus