literature

Diary of Tisiphone Chapter 6

Deviation Actions

Published: Feb 22, 2013

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Literature Text

“We have much to discuss.”

I stared at the god of the Underworld, mouth hanging open. My mind went over the past two years. It had not occurred to me, the ramifications of my actions. I never thought that I was destined for Ellisium....but I knew of the worse holes in Hades. Hanging my head, I asked in a shallow voice. “Are...are you sentencing me to Tartarus?”

Silence.

I heard him take a breath before murmering, “Do you believe you deserve that fate?”

“Perhaps I do. I have done nothing good in my life.”

“Not from where I am sitting.”

I looked up at him. What good had he seen? Lord Hades waved a hand in the air between us and the space rippled. I saw my reflection in front of me – A younger me, dressed in rags and my hair mussed. I watched the sixteen year old me toss myself in front of my newly adopted brother, Menaclese. A thin stick struck my back and I winced as I watched the stark red begin to seep through my rags and coat them in blood. Then I spun to face the man who struck me, eyes flashing red quickly before returning to normal.

The image vanished...but I still saw that bastard – Menebrax – and myself. This time, I was backing away from him, holding bloody shears. I stood by a doorway as women of all ages began to file in. I saw my lips move – and although there was no sound, I could hear my words in my ears as if it were yesterday. Again, my eyes were briefly flashing a crimson red.

I stared as the images faded for the second time. Now I watched as my brother stood in front of me, drawing his sword against our father. I darted in front of him and the blade entered my stomach. My right hand flew to my mouth as I watched, wide eyed. My left hand touched my middle tentatively where I remembered the wound being. The me in front of me gasped for breath and coughed up blood. Father and Menaclese fell beside me and Amphilocus dropped to his knees. His eyes were filled with tears but I ignored him as I glared. Red filled my eyes, turning the whites vibrant and my brown irises dark. I called him out for trying to murder our father and began to draw the curse symbol for Nemesis on his face.

Hatred filled my stomach as the image faded and I was once again staring at Lord Hades and Lady Persephone. The god crossed his arms over his chest. “Three times, you gave up regards for yourself in favor of saving others. Is that not noble?”

I blushed and looked down. “Hubris has been the downfall of many, my lord.”

His mouth twitched wryly. “I see, indeed it is.” He glanced to his right and waved a hand. I heard the soft flutter of wings and an ebony skinned woman landed beside his black throne, wings wide an magnificent. Her hair was a nest of snakes and her eyes were red. Like the red I had just seen in my own eyes thrice now. I stumbled back, gaping. The woman gave a vial of liquid to Lord Hades, turned to me and smiled softly before fluttering away.

Lord Hades uncorked the vial and glanced at it's contents. “I have few trusted...employees here. I hold them to a higher standard than most and so their numbers are small. I feel you would be a valuable edition to our ranks.”

“Ranks?”

“My Furies.” He tilted his head to indicate at the woman who just left.” Each guardians of humans and punish those who act against humanity and the gods. This is the blood of Nyks. It shall transform you, if you wish.”

I was wary. A guardian of sorts? What good could I be? I was no warrior. And I would always be haunted by my memories as a human. I would never be able to see the good in those I was protecting. That would be very problematic, I could tell. As if reading my thoughts, Lady Persephone spoke, voice soft as spring. “This would be a new start for you. We can make you forget the past...begin anew.”

I considered the proposal. I could make up for my past. Protect people forever...and forget the betrayals I had suffered. It seemed like too good to be true. Still, I walked forward to him, kneeling on the step of his throne. He lowered his arm to level the vial in front of me. I took it from his hands.

“What...what must I do?”

“Drink it. It will bring you new powers unlike any you have ever imagined. And you can begin your new life here with your sisters.”

My eyes dropped to the vial and I took a deep breath. Squeezing my eyes shut, I brought the glass to my lips and tipped my head back, the blood flowing down my throat.

***

“Oh come on! It's a simple game of fetch!” I laughed hard as my hell hounds fell over themselves to catch the bone I tossed. Did they want to bring it back, of course not! I ran over to them, wading in between the four large fur covered bodies. “What would your mother's say? What good hell hound cant even perform a simple order!”

One of the larger males bumped against my leg and I bent down to kiss his head lovingly. I thoroughly enjoyed my job as their mistress. They could be bloodthirsty, overprotective, and powerful. Yet still be big puppies no matter how many years passed. Even Cerberus himself was a big softy. At least...around me. They knew better than to be sweet to intruders, spirits, and the like.

“Tisiphone!”

I turned, grinning as Megeara stepped into view. At once, the hounds started snarling and snapping their teeth at Meg...who simply glared at the lot. I put my hands on my hips and looked down at them. “Oh, shush, you four. Tis only my sister. Off with you, you silly creatures! We'll play more later.”

They tossed a few more reproachful looks at Meg, who returned the expressions with one of disdain. They ran out to the wider areas of Hades and Meg grabbed my hands. Her eyes were bright and her snakes writhed cheerfully. “You have your first mission!”

A feeling of nervous excitement erupted in my chest. I had been working in Hades for ten years...I was the baby who barely knew her own powers...I was only good with the hounds and it was all I was relied on for. I didnt even know what my stance was on humanity. My sister's were the judge and jury of adulatory and war...Was I just a kennel worker? Still... “A mission? Truly, Meg?”

“Yes! I must go on one of my own...but someone is needed to reign in Alekto...you know how our sister can be.”

My anxiousness deflated slightly. A retrieval mission. That was all I was good for at this point. Not that I blamed them...I was still nothing but a fledgling Fury. I nodded despite my reservations. “Tell me what I shall do, sister.”

Not a few hours lager, I was aloft in the air, flying amongst the clouds in the human realm. I had never seen such things before...there were not as many colors or things such as clouds and sunlight in the Underworld. No wonder Lady Persephone left four six months each year...this world was breathtakingly beautiful. I flew to one of the white puffs to see if it was as fluffy as it looked. I was pleasantly surprised to feel light mist tickling my coal colored skin. I laughed brightly, spinning in the mist, enjoying the wind on my wings. As I dove backwards, I was shocked when I bumped into someone else. Yelping, I spun backwards to look at my sister Alekto.

Her hands were as bloody as her eyes and her clothes were stained red. Narrowing her eyes, I could hear the hiss of her Black Mamba snakes. My smile upon seeing her faltered. Her voice was scratchy. “What are you doing here?!”

“I...I was tasked to tell you to come home.”

She relaxed and crossed her arms. “Already? It was just getting good too...you should have seen that fool Paris. Humans are so stupid.”

I glanced below us. We were far enough up that we could see the land but not the details. Though if I squinted, I could make out faint black dots moving in mass numbers. Hands grabbed my own as I started to drift downwards. I looked up at Alek, who shook her head. “Oh no, dear one. You dont want to get involved in that mess yet. You have much still to learn before you can meddle in their affairs.”

I nodded and flew back up to her and she gave me a quick hug. “Come on, little sister...I shall race you home. Last one there guards Tartarus for the next decade!”

She shot off like an arrow and I gave a shout of protest. The silly woman knew she was the fastest flyer in Hades. I grumbled under my breath. “Tartarus duty again, eh...?”

I started flying after her, flapping slowly to savor the wind. I didnt know why I was not to meet humans yet. I meant plenty of decent souls each day. Living creatures couldnt be too bad...could they? As I neared a low mountain range, a loud whistle caught my attention. Faltering in my flapping, I fell a short distance and looked below me. I was shocked to find how close to the ground I had fallen. I could see a human walking amidst a field of fluffy, cloud like animals. Curiosity peaking, I flew closer, darting around a rock formation. As my sandaled feet touched the earth for the first time, I had to hold back a giggle of happiness.

“Come here, you blasted bleater!”

The starkly male voice caught me off guard and I jumped when one of the fluffy creatures darted around the corner of my rock hide out. I reached out to curiously touch it's soft-looking fur. When my hand passed through it's fur, I instinctively gave my form solidity. If the creature was startled to see a girl appear out of nowhere, it didnt react. My fingers tentatively reached for the soft fur. I giggled a the sensation and that of the fact that my skin had turned the soft pink fleshy tone of a human. That was certainly new!

“Who's there?!”

I gasped. My body was flesh; my laughter had been heard and had given me away! I ducked deeper into the rocks as footsteps entered my previous haven. The man spoke again. “I said, who's there? I'm armed – come out and show yourself!”

Again, my curiosity tugged at me and I tentatively moved out of my hiding place. The human in front of me could not have been older than two and six...two years younger than me. I heard him draw in a sharp breath as he straightened and lowered his short blade. Blue eyes, as clear as the sky behind him, stared at me, wide in shock. His hair fell to his shoulders, curly and dark blonde – I guessed that it was as soft as the curious creature by his side.

I bit my lip and raised a hand to my chest. I could feel the heat rush to my cheeks at his gaze. The man's mouth moved for a second, words never emerging from his lips. The wind picked up around us, playing on the edge of my himation and blowing his cloak back to reveal a slender but muscular build under a simple cotton tunic. A sling was tied to one side of his belt and a small sheath for his knife was on the other side. Finally, the stranger took a deep breath and closed his mouth, adjusting his stance. His hand fell to the head of the 'baa-ing' animal. “What kind of nymph are you...?”

I blinked at his softly masculine voice. It startled me and made my face heat up again. “I am not a nymph.” Not that I knew what one was-I had heard several spirits accuse them over the years for their deaths. I wasnt sure I wanted to be one.

“...what manner of spirit are you then?”

“I...I am myself.”

He nodded slowly, crystal eyes never leaving me, barely blinking as if he thought I would disappear if he blinked. The wind picked up between us again and this time it felt like it was stinging against my new mortal skin. I had never felt the sensation of being 'cold' before...it was really odd and uncomfortable. I rubbed my hands over my arms, looking up at the mountain tops above us – covered in snow. It was still far from us (we were at the bottom of the structure) but the chill touched me to the bone.

Realizing my discomfort, the man quickly unfastened his cloak and closed the distance between us, wrapping the cloth around my shoulders. It was still warm from his body heat and after his calloused fingers clasped the pin, I felt him lightly brush my hair back from my shoulders. I shivered again, but it wasnt from the wind. The small creature hobbled over to me and butted it's head under my hand. I ran my fingers over it's fur again.

My human looked down at it and back up at me. He stammered again, placed an arm around my shoulders and began to veer me out of the rock formations. I was surprised so I allowed him to lead me – his strength surprising me in such a slight body. We entered a field full of the white, fuzzy animals and they surrounded us, bleating loudly. It was so cute and adorable! I wanted to cuddle them all – though it was sad that they didnt seem as intelligent as my beloved hell-hounds.

I lifted my eyes and saw a cottage in front of me. It was small – big enough for one or two people. Despite it's size and dilapidated look, it seemed warm, cozy, and loved. He pushed open the door with one hand and sat me gently down on a large, soft, pillow. He moved like water as he went to the small fireplace and began striking two stones together, causing a spark to hit a few small logs in the bottom. As he started the fire like an expert, I watched him quietly – curiously. He was my first human to meet...and he was nothing like what I expected. From my sister's descriptions, I thought a human would be cruel and mentally impaired. From the spirits, I expected them to be haughty and arrogant. This one was thoughtful, quiet, and seemed VERY intelligent.

After a large time of silence between us, he sat down in front of me, handing me a freshly warmed piece of bread. “I am sorry I dont have more...it is small quarters. Only me, so I do not keep much available for guests. Speaking of...” He glanced away and then his blue eyes found me again. “What were you doing up in the mountains so poorly dressed?”

I ducked my head. I couldnt tell him I had been flying...that this was my first time to change forms. I searched my mind for an excuse. “I'm sorry...I did not know. I'm from...from the village.”

He raised a dark eyebrow, disbelieving. “The village. How odd...most of the villagers dont venture up here without some cloak or furs or so mot. I live here so I am quite used to the chill.”

My face burned again from being caught in my lie. “Not the village close to here...a farther one.”

“Mmhm.” He nodded and leaned back, evaluating me. I squirmed under his scrutiny. After another moment of silence, he sighed but rubbed a hand through his hair with a small smile. The simple tugging at the corner of his lips made my stomach do flip flops. “Alright. A farther village. If you say so...I can hardly believe you're a thief after my flock.”

“A thief?!' I sat up straight, insulted. He laughed loudly, shoulders shaking. I gave him an arch look though the flip flops in my middle continued incessantly. He crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the side, curly hair bouncing at the movement and his eyes shining. Oh...he was teasing me. I looked down at the bread in my hands and brought it up to nibble on silently, embarrassed.

“What is your name?”

I opened my mouth to respond but stopped myself short of speaking. It suddenly occurred to me that I probably should not reveal to him my true name. One thing I learned quickly in the Underworld was that names were power. I did not know this man – he might not be as kind as he seemed...he might use it against me. I pursed my lips and ducked my head, glancing up at him through my eyelashes. He didnt seem to surprised. I returned the question to him: “What's YOUR name?”

“Cithaeron.” His answer was automatic and was flawless in tone and lilt. I breathed in sharply when he spoke it...there was almost a musical quality to the name itself.. I nodded slowly, eyes never leaving his. My mind was reeling...I kept repeating the name over and over and over in my head – eventually adding a tune to it, humming it in my silence.

“Though...if you will not give me your name, what shall I call you?”

His question broke my trance and I sputtered. I didnt know how to respond...I knew any manner of name from the spirits I met every day...but I couldnt bring one forward now. He – Cithaeron – smiled again and glanced around his cabin, eyes lingering outside the window. He held up a finger to me, not using words to ask me to stay where I was. My eyes followed him as he left the cabin. Not a few seconds later, he was back inside, twirling a golden yellow flower between his fingers.

My human knelt in front of me and pushed the long hair that covered the right side of my face back behind my ears, holding it back by placing the flower to rest behind my ear also. He was so close to me now that I could see a faint amount of freckles against his tan skinned...I could see flecks of gray in his clear blue eyes. My breath caught in my throat at his nearness. When he was satisfied that my hair and the flower would stay where he placed them, he pulled back, fingers lightly tracing my cheek when he moved away. Finally, I let out my shaky breath. “What is it called...?”

“It's called Celandine...if you cannot provide me with a name for yourself...I would like to refer to you by the same name – that of a beautiful, golden flower.”

I let myself smile freely. “Yes...I think that's perfect.”

“I'm glad you think so...it's nice to meet you, Celandine.”

A heart full of love
A heart full of song
I'm doing everything all wrong
Oh God, for shame
I do not even know your name
Dear Mad'moiselle
Won't you say?
Will you tell?

...Sorry. I wrote this while watching Les Miserable (best musical EVAH) XD

***Name change to the story due to character confusion***
So yes....she's now officially lost her memories! YAY! Because she no longer has her horrific memories to dwell on, she gets to be a normal person...enjoying playing with and training the hell hounds and at this point in the story, she's about 28...(though not for too much longer *coughcough*).

Real Mythology: There is some speculation about the origin of the Eyrines (furies)...so

and I contemplated using Nyks blood as a source. Cithaeron was a shepherd. Tisiphone was not only the guardian of Tartarus, but also was said to have trained the hell hounds as well as Cerberus.

Made up by me: Rhea losing her memories to become a more happy individual (which makes her becoming the fury of unrelenting anger so much fun later...) and took on a human form (her old human form to be exact...not that she knows that) to visit the earth.

Rhea: