Legends of Olympus (On Hold)

Rock Climbing

Hedone's POV

When Eris told me we were going to pass through Tartarus' navel, I didn't think she meant rock climbing.

Kumapit ako sa isang bato at itinuwid ang aking binti na nakatukod sa kabilang dako ng makitid na lagusan. Pahaba ito na paikot, at nangangamoy bulok na keso.

Was someone seriously not in charge of cleaning Tartarus' belly button?!

Inangat ko ang aking sarili at naghanap ng maapakan. Nakaramdam ako ng matigas na bato kaya tinapik-tapik ko ito gamit ang dulo ng paa ko at tutukuran na sana ito nang bigla kong marinig ang boses ni Eris.

"I told you not to step on my head or else you'll kick it off!"

Her voice echoed along the dark tunnel that we were in.

"Yeah, well I can't see anything!" reklamo ko. "And why didn't you just fly up and brought me a rope or something?"

"It will take me a full day!" aniya. "We haven't even arrived in the navel yet! So climb if you do not want us to get stuck in this tunnel!"

"But I'm tired!"

It was true. I was sweating profusely and the smell of rot is starting to stick on my skin. My arms are numbing and my legs are almost trembling from lifting my whole body.

"Stop acting like a spoiled deity and start climbing!" galit niyang sabi.

Inirapan ko siya at nagpatuloy sa pag-akyat.

I mean, I guess this was better than passing through Tartarus' anus? 

And though I am afraid of the dark, I have Eris with me that I can't see but I know was just below me.

"My hands are bleeding, you know," pagbibigay-alam ko sa kanya.

"So is my neck after being cut off."

"Who did your stitches, anyway?" Sinigurado ko munang maayos na nakabaon sa lupa o sa loob ng pusod ni Tartarus ang isang malaking bato, bago hawakan ito at ginamit bilang leverage ng pag-akyat ko.

"And staples? Really?" dagdag ko, saka naghanap na naman ng batong maaapakan pagkaangat ko.

"I did," matipid niyang sagot.

"Huh." Binitawan ko ang manipis na batong nahawakan ko at naghanap ng iba. "You deserve it, I guess."

Hindi na siya nagsalita pa kaya nagbukas na naman ako ng bagong usapan.

"So, how big is Tartarus exactly?" I asked, curiously.

"I know what you're thinking, Idonís."

Palihim akong napangiti pagkatapos niya akong tawagin sa Griyegong pangalan ko. Ang una kong pangalan. Ang totoo. 

I am Hedone, but I am also Idonís in Greek, that translates right away to the English word, 'pleasure.'

"No, I am seriously curious," giit ko. "I am one of the younger generation of gods and goddesses, you know, and I am not fond of visiting the Underworld except when I come to deliver a few of my potions to Persephone."

After a few seconds of silence, she finally answered, "Tartarus is unimaginably big."

"When we get out of here..." Isang ideya ang namuo sa utak ko. "Can you let me get a glimpse of his-"

"No."

"But we're coming out of his navel!" paalala ko sa kanya. "We're just close!"