Chapter Text
It had been days since my death and rise to Elysium. I am a man known as Odysseus, a renown Greek Hero who had lived through the Trojan War, and the perilous odyssey back to my kingdom of Ithaca. After a peaceful death on my bed, I managed to enter Elysium and was faced with 2 options. One, I could stay in the paradise of Elysium and live for all eternity. Or two, I can rebirth twice and achieve Elysium in both the rebirths, thus granting me access into the Isle of the Blest.
Me and Penelope had looked into the gated community once before. It was an ABSOLUTE paradise. The wildlife and plants were all peaceful and lush green. The streets were clean, the people were all very happy. I mean, who wouldn't be? The houses were all as big and luxurious as it could be, there were balconies that overlook beautiful sceneries, the architecture also had a large palette of variety, I could see houses that screams Greek architecture, there were also a few houses which resembled architecture from other kingdoms and time periods.
I could imagine a beautiful life with Penelope for all eternity here. Of course, we first needed to enjoy and experience Elysium. For all I know, it could be our last time being here. On top of that, there is also the abundance of work that we needed to do. Like, what on Zeus's name is a paperwork? Why do people subject themselves to this? I have no idea what gone through these people's mind!
That by itself took days to read through the large pile of texts. Luckily though, it was in Ancient Greek. So it was much easier for me to read and understand it. The paperwork had consisted of mostly terms and conditions which comes with rebirth, such as some details about the Isle of the Blest, the memory wipe details, and many other factors to consider. Once I was done with it, we were one step closer to rebirth.
Before we continue, there are some matters that I must settle in order to rebirth with Penelope. Which is to actually rebirth WITH her. For that, I must call an audience with Hades, King of the Underworld.
I walked into a large chamber in the palace, the throne room of Hades. The chamber was in a circular dome shape and about 50 meters tall. There was a golden chandelier that hung in the centre of the chamber and had lighten up the room really well. The chandelier had a large assortments of jewelery around it as decoration. The floor patterns depicted a beautiful mural of Hades, Cerberus and his many different domains in both Roman and Greek.
At the very end of the room, sat the King of the Underworld himself, Hades. He was dressed in a buttoned up white shirt with a red bowtie and crimson waistcoat. He was also wearing a dark red overcoat which dropped below his knee level. He had sunken eyes with black pupils, long black hair, and skin which were pale in colour. He also emanated an aura which makes people tremble unto their knees.
The silence in the room was loud. I could feel his eyes glaring down on me. At last, I spoke. "I've come to plea for a special case for my rebirth." I tried to be as calm as I could, but deep down I was terrified. This man is one of the three elder gods, all of them having so much power that it terrifies me. I've already had a terrible experience with the god Poseidon in my time alive and I could proudly say that it is not a fun one. Hades stared at me, cold and calculating. "Speak the case, king of Ithaca."
"I want to rebirth with Penelope, my wife. However, being rebirthed also means that our memories would be washed away, and that we would be assigned to different places and different parts of time. Therefore, I want to plea for a special case. I would like to be intertwined with Penelope. We can be born and live close together in the same town. I want to remarry to her and live my life with her again." For a short moment, my heart stopped. I was unintentionally holding my breath, whilst waiting for his response.
Hades sat on his throne, still quiet but now thinking. He was stroking his chin. Still considering about it. "I shall grant the plea. However, I must warn you, king of Ithaca. Your next life will not be as easy as you would think it is. It WILL be harder than your previous life. Do you accept this term, Odysseus?"
Upon hearing his term, I let out a huge sigh. What could possibly be worse than the life I had lived through? I've fought cyclops, witches, gods. I am ready for whatever challenges that cross my path. I took a breath and confidently spoke. "I accept these terms, lord Hades."
"Then you shall proceed with your rebirth, king of Ithaca. Go to the River Lethe, the 2 skeletons here will guide you there." He waved his hand in the air, and 2 skeletons climbed out of the ground and stood at attention beside his throne.
"Penelope will be waiting outside of the palace. Safe journeys, Odysseus." He then waved me away, as if shooing me from his chamber. However, I sense no rude motives, just tiredness. I was king once, I can sort of relate to his tiredness. But, his case is tenfold in comparison to mine.
Once I exited the palace, I saw Penelope standing by the garden. Gazing upon the beautiful flowers that were planted there. She had dark, long and flowy hair. She wore a beautiful white chiton. Her face had dimples and freckles. Everytime I see her, I feel complete and utter joy. This time around, I had good news to share and she looked absolutely stunning. I can just melt right here and there due to how happy I am. My heart started to pump with excitement.
"Penelope! Good news!" I ran towards her and tackled her into a hug and twirled around whilst she was in my arms. She smelled amazing as I sniffed her hair in the hug, the best I could describe it is that she smelled like fruits. Penelope was laughing giddily as I continued hugging and twirling her around. Then I finally set her down.
"Are you ready?" She asked me, whilst looking into my eyes. Her eyes had a sense of warmth and gentleness that I could not describe.
"Always." we then share a kiss. Her breath smelled like flowers. My insides were starting to get all warm and fuzzy. Once I pulled away, we held hands and followed the skeletons to the River Lethe.
It felt like hours, we were walking for quite a long time. Walking down hills, then going uphill. There was even a part where we had to climb a mountain. I took this opportunity to spend some more quality time with Penelope before forgetting her. I helped her get through some tough ledges which were hard to climb. All the while chatting and enjoying our time. Once I've reached the top, I extended my hand towards her and pulled her up and continued walking. The skeletons leading us said that we still had a long way to go. So, we had long talks and chats about many funny stories that had occured in our life while we were walking.
There was one time that Telemachus had accidentally tripped over a root of a tree whilst trying to replicate my exercise routine of running through a forest. I didn't get to see it first hand but Penelope did. From what she said, it was absolutely adorable and hilarious. He had huge puppy eyes afterwards as he looked at her and pointed at the scrape on his knee. She'd also shared a time when Antinous had made a fool of himself in front of the townsfolk by trying to propose to her upfront, as to which she declined and even insulted his brutish appearance and personality. Apparently this had left the townsfolk snickering and gossiping about it for a week. We shared a good laugh when she finished talking about it.
Before we knew it, we were already standing at the riverbank of the River Lethe. It's white flowing waters were mesmerising. It was even glowing. In fact, it lighten up the area nearby.
"This will be the end of the line for you two. After bathing in the river, you will be unconscious. We will then transport your cleansed soul into a new-born fetus where you will start living your life. Any questions?" One of the skeletons said flatly, it seems that he had done it many times till the point where he doesn't really care about it anymore.
Penelope and I exchanged looks, then looked back at the skeletons. "No questions."
"Alright, please take this time to do any farewells, as you will forget them forever." The skeleton continued speaking in a flat tone.
Penelope and I shared one more kiss with each other and embrace in a hug. I felt scared and nervous at the same time. It was almost as if my stomach is twisting. This will be the last time I would see her.
No! this will not be the last time.
She then pulled away from the kiss.
"Promise me that we'll meet each other again."
"I promise."
She took the first turn to bathe in the river. The 2 skeletons were already standing in the river. I hadn't noticed it until now, but they were wearing specialised suits. The best way I could describe it is as if they are in a hazmat suit. It seemed to help as they aren't forgetting and thar they aren't afraid being in the river. They held Penelope by her waist and shoulder, then dunked her into the river, as if baptising her. Five seconds had passed, they then pulled her away from the river and laid her on the riverbank, just beside my feet. She was already unconscious.
I took one last look at her face, she had beautiful facial features when she's asleep. The cute dimples, her freckles, her slightly opened mouth. She looked so cute and at peace. I could spend all day looking at her, but deep down I know that she'd already forgotten me. I then focused back on the skeletons. I took a step into the river. It's was very cold, I was already starting to forget things. First came my birthplace, then my birth date, my mother's face and name, then the friends that I have met throughout my life. The skeletons grabbed onto my shoulder and waist. Without further notice, they then dunked me into the river. It felt like -10 degrees but I wasn't suffering from hypothermia. My memory had faded at this point. Everything from my name, all the way to my accomplishments, and also my muscle memory. I can't even remember how to string or shoot a bow. However, one piece of memory still lingered ever so slightly, Penelope..
Soon enough, I completely forgot about her too. I closed my eyes and drifted into unconsciousness.