171 - A God, Persevering

Lin

Today has been a mixture of relief, agony and nerves.

I have money again, but my period decided to bring in pain again, and my anxiety is paying yet another visit. I suppose everything balances out.

Despite it all, I'm doing my best to persevere.

My emails to aid groups were returned, and even though they were unable to directly assist me, they gave me some useful information, which I will definitely keep in mind for future reference.

Part of me is still scared of never leaving this house, but I know better.

Yesterday was a time in which they filled out lists, which they likely started on today. If that's anything to go by, they probably take my situation quite seriously.

As I roll through solutions to make myself comfortable, I realise that my crystals are a good source of calm.

So I'm keeping a crystal in my pocket like I used to every day again, because somehow, I know it helps.

Just as I slide said crystal into said pocket, I hear a knock come from the nemeton door. I shove the rock from its makeshift doorframe, and shooting through the opening comes Styx.

He's not Hades!

Yanking the door shut, I swivel around to face her, as she pants, scrunching up what looks like his reply in her sweaty hands.

This thing is bugged. Could you light the fire?

I nod, loading up the firewood, and flicking on my lighter. The room begins to smell of burning elder, and Styx tosses the accursed paper into the flames, sending demonic screeches echoing around the nemeton.

Fucking hell, that man's asking fer trouble.

Sweeney stands in the doorway between the kitchen and the cinema room, frowning.

Ναι, he is. He might still rule, but not for much longer. It's a losing fight for him.

Styx steadies her breathing as she sits up on the sofa, rolling her shoulders back.

Myself and Achlys have been leading the fight to depose them. It's only a matter of time until the real Hades and Persephone get their thrones back.

She sighs, about to run her hands through her hair.

Wait!

I pull over one of the pails, full of blessed water for this exact kind of scenario.

Put your hands in these. You don't want your hands near your head right now, especially after handling cursed items.

She nods gratefully, immersing her hands in the water, and Sweeney grimaces as the screams erupt yet again.

Gods on Earth...

My Maman peers out from behind Sweeney, pinching the bridge of her nose. She glances at Styx.

You're not supposed to be here.

But I have to be.

She nods.

How's the front line?

Styx releases a breath.

Gross. But we're winning.

Aye. I'll assume he knows of Lin's position, then?

She nods.

He wanted to use the opportunity to bribe them, but we figured he'd do that.

She points to the drawstring sack I got yesterday.

You need to get those to Ploutos for cleaning. But wear gloves.

Maman nods.

I'll do that.

As this all transpires, I realise what's happened.

You tricked him.

Styx smirks.

You got Chrysos to take those riches to make it look as though Hades was reaching out. When he gave me the bag, you knew I'd write to Hades whether he was the real one or not, and he'd therefore seek to garner approval by pandering to me about loyalty or family before either trying to hex or kill me.

I sigh, shaking my head.

But you got here first.

But I got here first.

I chuckle.

You, Achlys and Chrysos are absolute masterminds.

She laughs.

Οχι, the fake Hades is just gullible. He thought he'd planted the sack. Chrysos managed to debug the bag itself, and the gold, but the rest he couldn't do on his own, so other people will have to deal with the silver and gemstone bars he gave you. 

Either way, he just fell right into our trap, because now he most certainly won't get approved by you - and he'll most likely get arrested by the intergalactic authorities once they find out what he did, so...

Styx shrugs.

Most of it was his own doing.

I grin.

I love you guys.

She smiles. 

And we love you right back.

Taking her hands out of the water, she hugs me, sending water dripping down my back.

Styx! 

She cackles, and I shake my head, joining her in her mirth, which has become ours. I realise that Sweeney is grinning, too, as I lean into Styx's shoulder.

For a minute, I take myself slightly out of our embrace, and rest my hands on her shoulders.

Are you staying tonight?

She nods.

I probably should.

I smile.

Great! 

I show her to the guest room made specifically for her. It's been a while since she visited, but I always make sure to dust it, as my parents make sure to dust other rooms (usually their parents' and siblings' rooms, but some other people's, too), so when we enter, the room is spotless. 

I made sure to house her in the area that the springs run through, as she is technically a naiad, so she needs a constant water source to keep her alive. Knowing this, it is a surprise that she travelled all this way to make sure I didn't touch anything bugged.

Ευχαριστώ.

I nod.

Παρακαλώ.

I leave her to bathe, and return to the cinema room, where Sweeney has now taken a seat.

Is she good, lad?

I nod.

In the spring.

He sighs.

She could've sent a bird.

I know. That's what worried me.

Do ye think they're winning?

I pause. Whilst I am a time God, it's hard to really say, given that technically, I hail from two cultures with two different underworlds, and the one that I'm assigned to isn't the Greek one, but the Gaulish underworld. I do have enough experience to know one thing, though.

I can't say. But I know Styx is telling the truth.

He nods.

Aye. That I can believe.

He passes me the pack of Marylands again, and ruffles my hair.

Get some rest, lad. We'll do the rest.