Cynus

The headwaters of the Styx were wider than the Acheron. Caleb couldn't even see the other side, but he knew it was there. He knew that in the dark, misty distance lay the answers he sought. Somehow, he knew that the only way he'd get the truth from Orpheus would be to journey there, to approach the seat of Death itself, even though it walked beside him. "The Styx, mightier than all," Orpheus observed. "Hate is the strongest force in the afterlife." Caleb gave Orpheus a sidelong gla

Maybe. I honestly don't entirely know why Orpheus is the way he is. Orpheus was written as a means of understanding myself, and some of the negative feelings I was having towards love at the time of writing this. I've since come to terms with what I was feeling, and I wish I'd understood it better then, because what I was feeling at the time had nothing to do with Chris, whom I loved and still care about deeply, but there were unresolved feelings regarding someone else who had wounded me, and those feelings were making it very difficult for me to fully connect to Chris. I think in many ways, Orpheus was a reflection of my own self-doubt regarding my inability to fully commit to love. I think this part in particular was probably written from the immense amount of anger I had toward myself, and how that translates to my worldview. Is Orpheus jealous? I'm not sure, but he does definitely see something he doesn't understand, and he knows he's supposed to, and that lack of understanding definitely infuriates him. I remember pointing this out to one of my beta readers after they read this part. Someone was asking me how Ethan was so easily defeated. What I was going for here was to show an example of principles of magic in motion. You have the will, pure emotion, and knowledge. Ethan showed up to the fight with all three, and then he was strong, all Orpheus had to do was break down one of these three things. It may seem on the surface that Orpheus was breaking down Ethan's will, but Ethan's will crumbled on its own when Orpheus sabotaged Ethan's emotions. I realize this may have been exactly how you read it, I'm simply trying to elaborate upon the point you made regarding Orpheus sowing seeds of doubt. So I don't think the question is about Ethan being so easily broken, but rather whether Ethan was ever fully repaired in the first place? You've given me much to think about. There's actually a way for me to defend Orpheus here, but I think it would create too much of an opportunity for a spoiler to the astute observer, so I will have to let that point go for now. However, I would really like to address the point in the future, and so if you remind me I would be glad to bring it up at the end of the story. For me, Orpheus was a package deal from the beginning. I didn't know exactly where he would take me, but I knew there would be both positive and negative traits, as there usually are when I'm trying to make an imperfect human character. Regardless of what he may be now, he was at least at one point, human. But yes, he definitely gave Ethan something he was not expecting. I really like where you're going with this. One of the things I like about pantheistic religion is how it normally involves imperfect gods. Hades, for instance, had many imperfections, many humanlike traits. He loved as humans do, even to the point of obsession when he kidnapped Persephone and brought her down to The Underworld. Death itself, or perhaps the underworld itself, certainly has plenty of that uncompassionate, emotionless, and remorseless quality that you describe. It's in the rivers, the landscape, and in Charon from the Forest Service. But what of the ruler? Is the ruler the same as the land he/she rules, or is it imperfection trying, as always, to rule a system that was in place since long before there were beings to use it? What we humans try to control is sometimes astounding. I like your bright light analogy, too. I look forward to further insight from you.

The thing about the underworld is that most of these people don't realize that they're even in it. Most people don't have to consciously make the choice, because they are simply living out their fondest memories in Elysium. It's only those few such as Orpheus, Eurydice, and Caleb who can see beyond the veil and recognize the afterlife for what it really is. For most in this interpretation of events, you simply remember until you forget, and the river Lethe slowly drowns you until you finally find yourself immersed in its forgetful waters. The Lethe isn't necessarily a negative force, it's much like the natural decay of a fallen tree in forest. It has lived its life, and it is now making way for new life to form. These are just musings I'm having after the fact though, as I'm sitting here contemplating some of the changes I'm currently going through in my own life. Like everything in life and death, it's all up to interpretation.

He will indeed! This is definitely a battle of youth versus experience, and though Ethan may be a powerful warlock, he is just a warlock.

Thanks! Seems like a fun channel.

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Ethan arrived on Liz's doorstep, shivering from head to toe. He'd barely made it out of the mountains alive, wrapping himself in the emergency blanket his mother kept in the car. The roads had been treacherous, and he'd been forced to take them slow, as he could barely move his fingers and toes to operate the vehicle. Several times he'd had to stop and let the heater warm him up just to be able to move, and in those moments his emotions had nearly overwhelmed him. He'd had to drive to esc

Welcome to the party, Les. I'm glad you've been reading it elsewhere. I've heard only a little bit from the other websites where the story is hosted, which is sort of why i've been posting more quickly here. Here, there's a response, so I'm honoring that interest. But I hope you do keep supporting the other website for sure. I also appreciate the compliment, and I hope the story continues to satisfy you. May it remain as delightfully unusual to the end. Thank you for reading.

The pebble is just a symbol. If you remember chapter 1 . . . As for where you can find an atheist in the afterlife, I believe the warden addresses that one when she's introduced back at her reception desk. Maybe I should've restated the atheist one here? I'm learning things. But yes, more answers also await ahead! Thank you for the comments and for reading!

Probably just to wash his hands to cleanse them from the ashes of memory. This sentence is completely nonsensical, but I'm bloody proud of it!

PLEASE QUOTE OR LIKE THIS COMMENT SO I KNOW YOU ARE COMMENTING. (Admins, I realize this is two chapters in quick succession, but they're so short!)

All the buildings looked the same, but Caleb was certain he was heading in the right direction. It was as if he could sense the Styx flowing ahead of him, could sense the end of The Underworld. The farther he walked, the more he understood, the more he could see. And he was beginning to understand, even as the world shifted around him, he could see the pattern in the shifting. He felt, if he studied it long enough, he could learn to manipulate it, to bend it to his will and recreate the l

You'll have to let me know if you're right once we reach the end. I believe most of the hints are in play already, though there might be a few more to come. Orpheus makes such a good ruler though, don't you think?

I believe Orpheus would be the first to ask, "What is evil?". Or perhaps, is Death evil?

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Ethan struggled to his feet, brushing off branches and snow from his clothing. He stared back at Orpheus, who glowered at him from the binding circle at the mouth of the cave. Ethan saw the recognition in Orpheus' eyes, but even if he hadn't, he would've known his familiarity from the level of malevolence Orpheus projected from his being. "You know who I am," Ethan said. "You know why I've come." "Ethan Pallet," Orpheus confirmed. Yes. I recognize you from Caleb's visions. You are

I could write Orpheus and Eurydice forever and never run out of tears. Or perhaps was too blind to find her? Or unwilling to look back. I'm grateful for your comments, and glad that it affected you in that way. I keep seeing parallels between characters that I didn't remember consciously making as I wrote the story, but they seem clear to me now. Eurydice . . . oh, that poor woman. Though he did take the water with him. What will he do when he reaches the end if he finds a different answer than the one he expected? But yet there remains hope, for Caleb sought the edge after all. What will he find there? Would Orpheus even believe him? I think all those questions are valid ones, and indeed we'll have some answers. I wonder what you'll reason out before we reach the end.

Ethan, trapped by his own hubris. It is indeed the fate Liz feared he would face. How unfortunate. But what is Orpheus' angle? You're right that the promise still stands. Hah! It's a good thing I am Orpheus, so that pesky warlock might get more than he bargained for. Haha! What a lovely response! Don't worry, more to come. Much more. We still have a part 4. Hope is the name of the game here. Someone has to hold onto hope. Liz does. Keep that in mind. For all her change of heart, she has held on the whole time in caring for her dear ones. Yep, that pager that drpaladin mentioned was Ethan. What is Orpheus' angle? The next Ethan chapter (which will post tomorrow) will give us much needed answers. Is Ethan really anywhere at all . . . now there is a question. But that is also a question we can always ask when someone becomes obsessed. How often is the phrase "I don't know you anymore" offered up as a prayer by concerned friends and family for one who has lost their way? We should start a psionic snow-plowing company. Make millions.

I hope it clears up for you. Caleb is currently feeling like his entire quest may have been pointless. The pain of the pebble is just a sign that he can still feel when everything seems intent to make him numb. Time flowing in two directions. That deserves a link, my friend! Thank you for the comment.

Jake's a wounded soul, but he's trying to heal now. Liz sees that in him, much as she still give him shit for his bad habits, she's reforming him. It's an example of life moving forward which the universe hopes Ethan will see.

PLEASE QUOTE OR LIKE THIS COMMENT SO I KNOW YOU ARE COMMENTING. "My lady has come for me, she waits beside the waters of forgetfulness, calling my name on a song I once sung, but no longer remember the words. Why can I no longer hear her?" - Orpheus, in some forgotten age. I realize this may not affect anyone in the same way, but I cried all night after writing this chapter... I hope you appreciate it for what it is.

It wasn't long before Caleb realized he was lost. He saw many people throughout Elysium, but he didn't feel approaching them would get him anywhere. None of them paid him any heed, they only seemed concerned with whatever pleasant images they saw ahead of them. He, on the other hand, remained fixated on the memory of Ethan's declaration. Ethan was an atheist. Ethan remained in the dark. 'How long had he been in the Underworld?' Caleb wondered. Had it been years? Centuries? Time pa

Even the best people sometimes make the strangest choices. She has her reasons for getting with Jake. Maybe she sees a side of him other people don't see? Ethan should worry you.

I will be posting another chapter tonight, but unfortunately you'll have to wait until at least tomorrow to find out what happens next to Ethan.

PLEASE QUOTE OR LIKE THIS COMMENT SO I KNOW YOU ARE COMMENTING. Do you hate me? I know you hate me. Sorry guys, the chapter ends where it ends.