Lies and Betrayal

We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.

Tad Williams.

I had eventually fallen asleep and was woken up by a servant summoning Tal away from me. The palace was safe enough, and she could handle herself, so I got up and redressed myself for the rest of the day. I already had a pounding headache going on, as it was probably unwise to drink so much Tequila the previous night.

We were all hurried towards a basin with some kind of ceremony occurring. Whilst myself and Pepper were watching intently, some of the others had taken chagrin to the upcoming sacrifice. Luckily, nobody made a scene and my father-in-law was reborn successfully, with Tal also standing nearby in a dress, we were soon summoned to his private chambers for a discussion, and questions.

We told Huitzilopochtli what memories we had retained in exchange for asking questions of our own. Tal and I asked questions regarding our ressurection, or at least returning us to earth where we could do s ourselves and Huitzilopochtli revealed he had no such plans, as fate would just repeat itself. The others asked questions along those lines, all except Rhiannon who wanted to sleep with my father-in-law. I don't know what she was getting at, but it seemed like a waste of a question and worse, it upset Tal enough to cause her to storm off towards the door.

Huitzilopochtli was telling Tal not to disappoint him, to stay here in luxury, not to go against fate because she couldn't change things. Something inside me just snapped. Huitzilopochtli was a coward. He knew we could change fate - he was just too scared to do so. I stared him in the eye and told him as much.

Bad enough that he keep my and my companions in this gilded cage, bad enough that he lie to us, but to endanger the people back on earth for what? To keep us safe? To keep him safe? No, that wouldn't do.

The accusation obviously struck a nerve because he was unable to hold his composure, his face transformed into one of hideous bestiality and he ordered me gone or he'd kill me. Let him, I knew I had won this show down, and I knew it was something he would never forgive me for.

I held back the urge to run, and left with Tal and the others (discounting Rhia and Wuyi). Tal quickly moved off and I spent the rest of the day racking my brains as to our next course of action. When the sun fell, the two women who had been with Huitzilopochtli reappeared. We exchanged our opinions on what each had done. I called them cowards for assenting to his will, they called me a fool for earning his ire, we then split ways, personally, I felt that they may have had a point.

I found Rupper who had found himself a phoenix, the regal old bird was demanding freedom, so we assented. There was some initial screw ups as the phoenix set everything it touched (including my coat) on fire, but we got around that problem and returned with Cal to Tal who had persuaded Huitzilopochtli's retained, Painal to aid us. If I had just kept with Tal, I could have known that he two was lying to us and planning betrayal and none of what happened next would have occurred.

We rode the litter through the skies again. Tal refusing to even acknowlege the other women, other than young Kelly, who had frustrated me earlier by having that spider follow me again. I was about to tell Tal that she'd forgiven Rhia before when she had apparently laid with her father, so she should do it now as well. Unfortunately, we had no time, and everybody began to panic as to what to do next with Painal surprised us.

Rupper set the old bird free, the phoenix valiantly fighting to slow us down. Kelly knelt down to pray, and I grabbed at the memory still in my pocket in the hopes I would get some kind of revelation. I did, but not the kind I expected. I saw the hideous true faces of the Keepers, and I saw them slaying someone I did not know. Scratch that, I was the someone, but it was not me.

Whilst I was reliving this memory, Tal had stabbed herself in the heart and Wuyi and myself worked to restore her to health. Great winds were erupting around us and Pepper was thrown out. Tal was safe. I trusted Rhia, trusted Wuyi to look after her whilst I saved my best friend. I'd already said my piece to them, now they just had to prove themselves to Tal.

I leapt from the litter, hearing Rhia shouting out in rage at me for abandoning Tal. No matter, Pepper was struggling whilst she fell. I used my own weight to fire myself towards the bird and managed to wrap myself around her. Soon, we landed on the ground, creating a path of destruction as we slid through the earth. No matter, Pepper was safe and in the distance, the litter had stopped.

At that moment, I knew that if I wanted to, I could fly back to the litter just as easily as I allowed myself to fall through the air. That didn't matter for now though, for in the distance a small cottage had drawn my eye.

My secret aired.

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.

~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Today, I told Tal that we were married. I also admitted that I love her. I can't shake the feeling that the first time around it would have take much longer for our feelings for each other to become manifest, but I was forced to reveal my hand by Tal's father, who was obviously already aware of the marriage.

For a while, Tal had been telling us that we had to move, that staying with Reginald was not a good idea. Finally, we managed to convince the other of this and I lead them out of the room towards the stairs. I heard a thud behind me as Tal waited behind, but decided to leave it be. Rupper apparently had heard something as well, as he stormed off with Wuiy close behind playing peacemaker.

What exactly went on with either of them, I do not know, but for the sake of the units integrity, I may have to bring them together to talk about it. I'd heard and seen many of the Keepers closing in on the group, including at least one moving around above us but I considered that to be our best option. I soon found myself alone with Kelly, who I ordered to wait whilst the others regrouped. She spent the time waiting in the shadows, I now know conversing with her damned spider.

Kathy was busy emulating a statue, and drawing crowds as it appeared that uninhabited clothes were floating doing so. Of course, this would draw the keepers but I could not do much without the others. Soon enough, Tal and Rhia re-emerged, so whilst Cal was sent to scout outside, I sent Pepper to search the foundation for Wuyi and Rupper, which took some explanation but eventually took. Within the minute, I heard her screaming, so Tal and myself headed off to find her, followed closely by Kelly.

It was Sawu. The glass spider had grown jealous of Peppers tracking skills and webbed her up. I deftly cut her down, and then turned on Kelly my eyes full of rage. How dare she trap Pepper. The fool girl could have killed my closest friend. I heard Tal behind my soothing the bird and immediately softened. It was an accident, but I would have to watch out for that spider. I did not trust it in the slightest around my Pepper.

Finally, Rupper and Wuyi returned, having almost been attacked by Keepers near the front door. Ushering them back to Rhia, we found her trying to persuade Kathy to move. I was getting pissed at the constant charades, so moved to the Shakti and ordered her to get a move on. After she conversed with Rhia she agreed to do so, in exchange for some sort of gift. The implication being she wanted to sleep with Rupper or myself. Not bloody likely.

We managed to escape and it turned out that the Keepers could not see us, so we slipped past them and headed back towards the caves, where a storm was brewing due to Thanatos' grief at his brothers death. The storm did not bother me much, but I could see the others were getting injured by it. Wuyi, Rhia and Rupper ran to the caves to calm Thanatos, and apparently succeeded because the storm ended whilst Tal, Kelly and myself were speaking to Tal's father, The Big H. My Father-in-Law.

That's right, Huitzilopochtli himself had appeared from the mists at Tal's beckoning, and after forming a protective sheaf about us all, bade us to speed on our way to reblock the underworld before returning at sunset. Just as we left, he referred to me as Tal's husband. Now we really needed to talk. Before that though, we needed to close the underworld. We did so, Rupper and Kelly taking memories of Hypnos and ordering us around. We all managed to recover and even I managed to slip out of the underworld, but not before taking a memory string which resonated with me. Never know when such a thing will come in use.

We met with my Father-In-Law again and wer taken to his realm. It was something of a paradise, and the environment certainly loosened me up for what came next. Not to mention the abundant alcohol. Tal and I were taken separately, and finally I was forced to face facts.

I told her everything of our wedding day, of how we were married. She told me of how she had once killed me. I told her of my doubts, of how I was afraid that our motions could make us weak. She kissed me. I returned it. Finally, we re-established our true bond. Finally we reaffirmed our love in more than one way. I felt at peace, but still at the back of my mind had niggling doubts. I decided it was nothing I could do anything about for now, and pushed it away as we went to meet Rhia and Wuyi.

I'll admit, I took surprisingly well to teasing the girls, and then finally explaining what had come to pass. Amusingly, Rhia threatened to kill me if I ever hurt Tal. I don't think I could ever do anything to upset Tal, she's just too strong, too open with herself. Unlike me.

Finally, we started serious talk, once again of Kathy and of what we were to do next, but the conversation was too much, and the women all fell asleep. I stay awake. Thinking and watching.

The Happiest Day of My Life?

The sum which two married people owe to one another defies calculation. It is an infinite debt, which can only be discharged through eternity.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I really need to speak to Tal. Alone.

Once again, we I woke up in a cave, with Pepper on my chest. Tal had already got up and taken her string from the Lute, and was offering me my own, so shooing Pepper I took it. It glowed, a powerful white glow as I took it but didn't do anything else, which I believe secretly, I was pleased about. I took it and wrapped it around Peppers glove.

I'd spotted an archway out of the cave, blocked by a boulder and as the others took their own strings with more eagerness than myself I decided to check it out. It was far heavier than anticipated, so I started checking it for weakness whilst the others were doing whatever it is they do. Prometheus confirmed to us that was the way, but he was unable to lift it himself. Taking hold of Tal's spear, I broke off a few chunks to make it easier and with extreme effort and a little help from the others, we managed to move the boulder out of the way.

Behind us, Kelly had eaten her string, for some fool reason and found out that is how to get the memories back. Everybody dug in in excitement, leaving just Rupper and myself. I thought about leaving my memory be, but Rupper inspired me to go for it.

"If all my friends jumped off a bridge, would I follow?" He said before swallowing. Well, i'd jumped off more than enough heights, so I could not skip out on this one. I rolled up the string and swallowed.

I suddenly found myself in a chamber, with stained glass windows. Some kind of church? The room was full of people in a mix of modern clothes, and more traditional looking garb. Lot's of beads. I was wearing a Tuxedo, and as I looked around, I saw a powerful figure dressed in eagle feathers opening the door to let in a group of four women carrying some kind of litter, with Tal within.

My first thought was it was some kind of funeral, or sacrifice, but Tal stepped out of the litter and... well, she looked stunning, my heart sped up, I just wanted to move in and kiss her. Feelings I am not accustomed to overwhelmed me as a ceremony was held. A marriage ceremony celebrating both of our cultures, and both of our love for each other.

My father was watching. Unexpectedly, I recall, as we were married. Tal and I were married.

I'm still trying to compute that. Was Rhia right all along? Do I have hidden feeling for Tal? Were we man and Wife? My memories indicate so.

My mind was still abuzz, when Rupper gave me a cigarette and I walked following the others down the path. Tal was trying to speak to me, and I was perhaps more abrupt than I should have been. I really can't afford feelings now, all we've worked for, all the respect i've earned. It would be unravelled by such emotional weakness. I put it to the back of my mind, figuring I would get time to sift through later and speak to Tal about it then.

She herself seemed to be having trouble with her memories. Perhaps she had seen the same thing.

We left the caves, amidst pain. A membrane stopping us, but I pushed through, the metaphor for birth not lost on me. In this case, rebirth, rather. Our celebrations were cut short as Prometheus left and Rhia revealed our ordeal is not yet over. We're still dead.

We went to the urban sprawl I could see. I had no idea where I was, someone said Naples. Never heard of it. Someone else said that was in Italy. I've never heard of there either. Eventually, despite the others fooling around, enjoying haunting the place, Tal managed to find someone who could see us and hurried us to his office, away from the Keepers, who were later explained to be alien lawmen. I didn't think we had anything to fear from the law, but Merrywether said we're spectors, and well, spectors are illegal.

Getting inside, we went through a list of options to get our bodies back. The simplest was just finding them and sacrificing criminals in our place, but predictably, half the group disagreed. There were other options, Shabti's, which would involve exploring my own past in order to find the workshop I made Kathy, the Egyptian Book of the Dead- we'd need to go to Cairo. Rhia suggested her father, he is after all, a ferryman himself.

We didn't have time to make up our mind, as shortly after we worked out we'd been dead for six years, we also realised we let other ghosts out with us. We'd have to find somewhere safer to discuss our options, and I still need to speak to Tal.

Dream a little dream of me.

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."
Edgar Allen Poe

Where had I left you?

Oh, yes the Harpies. I immediately set to work, taking down any that I could with my rifle, concentrating on the largest of threats. Whilst I was working away effectively enough, Tal and Rhia decided to jump at the damned things and as a result, Tal had started taking a battering from all the exertion she's been putting herself through.

I really should take them down the gun range one day, it'll mean a lot less hurt in future. I have a sword of my own, but you don't see me jumping off cliffs with it. Well, unless I really have to.

After she had managed to free Rupper who had got himself taken hostage by four harpies , still not ready for battle for battle (Note - speak to him about his drugs in dangerous situations.) I ordered her to stand back as we took care of the rest. Obviously, she didn't listen to me and leapt off the cliff again, this time tearing off the wings of one of the harpies and sending herself plumetting down the cliffs of Tartarus.

Seeing little choice, I left the others deal with the harpies up top and aimed myself at that one, and jumped myself, sending it, myself and Tal smashing into the cliff side. She fainted as we hit the ground, saying something in Spanish. Probably some sort of reprimand for risking myself for her like that. Maybe I wouldn't have to do so if she didn't throw herself about with such abandon. I performed what first aid I could, and rested her head on my lap to prevent blood loss from her head. Calling her name, she woke up saying "I did it again". Hopefully she'll learn something from this, but I seriously doubt it. This is probably going to keep Rhia amused for days.

Having a look at the map Tal had got from Joshua (or should I call him Epimetheus as he revealed himself to be?) We headed off into the swamp. Tal voiced her concerns about Kathy and how the others were treating her. This issue would have to be dealt with soon, but I needed more solid facts before I could make a decision. Best to keep her with us for now.

Joshua having revealed himself as Epimetheus and his brother as Prometheus, we decided the best place to get away from the harpies was the swamp, where we discussed our options, amongst a growing sense of tension in the group. Our best choice to escape was through Hypnos and his brother Thanotos, the lords of Dream and Death here in the underworld.

This will come with the added advantage with the possible recovery of our memories. My feelings are mixed on this. Whilst they are undoubtedly important, what happened next made me realise I could recover my past to discover I am someone I don't like. C'est la vie, I guess. I can deal with that when the time comes.

Before we moved on, Tal decided it would be a good use of our time to consult Fate about Kathy. It's not anything I really understood, but any information we could get would be useful.

She found out that Kathy is the Avatar of a Greater Titan, something called a Shabti created by myself, though apparently for a good cause. When it was revealed (rather dramatically with a burning book) that Kathy still could turn back to what she was, I stepped away from the group to mull things over, leaving an opening for another big argument.

I decided that we need to keep Kathy with us. I knew this would piss of Tal, and as much as I like to present a united, sensible, front with her, in this case it was just not doable. Plus, it would do the group good to show them I am willing to listen to all of their opinions when we are divided. The majority were for keeping them, so in the interests of group harmony, I sided with Rhia and Wuyi. Kelly and Rupper had not really expressed much of an opinion.

Besides, I have no reason to doubt Tals (and Fates) word that it was I who created Kathy, so in a way I must be responsible to watch over her. Any trouble she can cause will be partially my fault. As I thought, this pissed off Tal, and she told me to fuck off. It was much more painful than I imagined, but nothing I could really change.

Rhia suggested if we wanted to get rid of Kathy, that I stay here with her. I can't say I liked the idea too much, but it seemed fair, though I worry how far they could get without my hand to help guide them. More arguing and eventually Tal walk off on her own to settle down. I follow her to apologise, but it must just seem like I was only doing so in order to get the coins to the ferry we needed.

I offered Tal the chance to lead the group to the river, but she took the rear so I lead the way ahead. Whilst I was doing so, Rupper took the opportunity to ply the others with drugs, but only Kelly accepted. I feel sometimes that her girlish crush on her is more because he is there, rather than any real feeling involved. He certainly doesn't seem to reciprocate it. As we reached the boat, we paid to get on and Prometheus followed on by killing the Ferryman. That seems... dangerous, but there is little I can do about a Titan now.

Rhia had to take the reins of the boat, and for the most part, it was smooth sailing. I stood at the head of the boat, trying to look into the distance. That turned into a foolish choice as we came upon a waterfall, heading deep into the caves. Danger as always, forced us to work as a team as we cleanly tore away most of the dangers of the cave we were falling into. The fall however, got too steep and we all hit the floor of the cave. Luckily uninjured.

We woke on the shore, which was now made of gold. Pepper was actually sitting on my chest, preening her feathers almost absentmindedly. Joshua and his brother were nowhere to be seen, so we took the only available option and headed into the castle that was up ahead of us.

Once inside, there seemed to be some sort of party going on, with a naked child beating a dead man at video games. This turned out to be Hypnos, so at a complete loss, I challenged to beat him at his game for our memories. I really don't know how to deal with children. I hope to hell I haven't got any floating around.

After finding out where the memories were stored, I went to look at them, to see if there was any way I could find my own. The others used their own methods. I saw one memory which somewhat called to me, and with encouragement from Rhia, took a grab. It was a bad call on my part, I got some other poor saps memory of his death. A soldier during World War I, throwing himself in front of a mortar to save the life of his commander. A hero. Hopefully when I do find mine, I can be as proud of myself.

Tal had done the job for me it seems, having found a Lute with her memories tied to one of the strings, and checking, my own were there as well. I suggested to Hypnos we make a trade, and the only thing he was interested in was Rupper's Bass. Fair enough, I thought, he can get another.

Rupper didn't like this idea, and began strumming the Bass, after Hypnos gave an impromptu speech about rebelling against the man, or something. I think the guitar must be from Rupper's father. The Dream God was distracted enough by the music for Tal to steal the Lute from his hands. Then he did something very stupid, he ran to the river Lethe, and stuck his head in there, drinking more and more before finally collapsing. Could Rupper have destroyed the God of Dreams using the power of Rock and Roll?

Stupid idea, i'll have to ask about that later, but for now the cave was collapsing., and Kathy seemed to be turning. I went for my gun but as I did so, I blinked and opened my eyes.

We'd just fallen from the boat. We were on the dusty shores of the River Lethe, Pepper was perched on my chest. Prometheus and Joshua sat nearby. If it was all a dream, how come Tal still had the Lute, and there were new bodies on the shore?