Page 11 of The Dark Labyrinth

Penelope took off the lid and pulled out the thick book. It was bound in indigo leather, and the golden title read:The Lost Tales of the Magicians.

"With everything that has happened this year, it got all of us thinking about Atlantis and the past. We thought we would write some of our stories for you," Alexis explained. "It's what I have spent most of my time collating while you have been in the sea."

Overwhelmed by the treasure, Penelope hugged it close to her chest. "Thank you all so much. I know it's not always easy to talk about the past. We have made something for you too, Alexis."

Penelope pulled out the wooden box and handed it to him. With a curious smile, Alexis opened it. The smile faltered.

"This... This is..." he said, eyes wide as he looked around the table. "You can't give me this. I'm not qualified."

"Alexis, you are Nereus's heir as head of the magicians and always have been, whether you wanted to recognize it or not," Phaidros said bluntly. "You are also the head of this family, and you deserve to wear the robe of your office."

Alexis took it out of the box and ran his fingers over the golden Living Langauge. "I never thought I would see one of these again."

"I found mention of it in the book and got it recreated for you," Penelope replied, resting a hand on his knee. "I think it's the only type of robe you don't own."

Alexis kissed her quickly before putting it on. "If that is how you all feel, none of you can complain about what happens next."

"Oh no. I know that look. What have you done now?" Aelia asked.

Alexis's grin was a wild thing, magic crackling about him. He clapped his hands. "Everyone up and follow me. We are taking Penelope for an adventure in history."

CHAPTER SIX

Alexis led them through the atrium and into the wider gardens, the Grand Canal glittering with the reflection of the lights from the buildings. It was a view Penelope had missed, and Poseidon's magic hummed in her veins as it reached out to connect to the water. Penelope slipped her hand into Alexis's larger, warm one, her heart as full as her stomach.

Torches mounted on tall iron poles sparkled through the trees. Penelope's breath caught as they came into a glade that she was sure hadn't been there before. A large black mouth of an entrance was between two tall carved pillars.

"Oh, Alexis, you didn't..." Aelia said from behind them.

"Absolutely fucking not," Zo added. "Not that. Not now."

"Yes, now," Alexis replied, turning to them. "I wanted to give Penelope a winter tradition from Atlantis, and a Dark Labyrinth was the answer."

The yawning darkness called out to Penelope, whispering against her skin, daring her to enter.

"Is there a minotaur in the center for me to fight?" Constantine asked, sounding far too excited by the prospect.

"That will depend entirely on you," Phaidros said. He was the only one who didn't look curious or frightened. He was eerilycalm. "I used to do the Dark Labyrinth every year to honor her. I still remember the sound of the priestesses coming through the streets of the village where I grew up. They would sing hymns to her, and everyone would know the labyrinth was ready for the year."

Penelope looked at Alexis. "Hymns to whom? Who isher?"

"The goddess. We called her Asasarame, but she has been remembered in many iterations. She is the great goddess who was in charge of all life and death," Alexis explained.

"But... I thought Atlanteans worshipped Poseidon?" Penelope asked, trying to catch up.

"Poseidon worship was only popular in the capital and amongst the aristocrats and magicians. Most of the Atlanteans, those who worked within nature, honored Asasarame. If they didn't, she wouldn't bring the spring for the crops," Galenos explained. "I suppose you could compare it to the much later Eleusinian mysteries with Persephone and Demeter, Penelope."

Penelope suddenly remembered where she had read the name Asasarame before. She had delved deep into Minoan culture, and the name was one they used for their goddess too. "She was the Lady, or Potnia, from Minoan Crete and Thera?"

"Yes, that was what the Keftiu called her. Same goddess, same energy, different face, as usual. They built their labyrinths of stone instead of magic, but the idea of it was the same. We did trade with them, so the ideas traveled too," Aelia explained with a wave of her hand. "I was a priestess of Poseidon, but many of us still went to do the old rites at the solstices. The Dark Labyrinth in the winter brought the spring. The Gold Labyrinth in the summer to prepare to go to the underworld for winter. Are you sure you want to do this, Alexis?"

"Why are you all so worried about it?" Penelope interrupted before Alexis could answer Aelia.

"Because the Dark Labyrinth forces you to confront all the shadows of your year, your own personal minotaurs, so you don't take them into the new year with you. Think of it as ancient therapy," Zo said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"It's well overdue, is what it is," Lyca said and crossed her arms making her biceps flex. "This is an excellent idea, Alexis. Nereus would approve. We all need to deal with our shit from the year and walk into something new."

"Thank you, Lyca. I'm glad someone else thinks it's a good idea," Alexis said before turning to the others.

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