Page 54 of Orpheus
I never experienced the dark and gory parts of the Underworld as were described to me. It wasn’t until the love of my life, Orpheus, ventured into the Underworld and I was summoned to Hades’s castle where I had to navigate the darkest depths of the morbid kingdom to try and return to the surface with my lover. These parts of the Underworld were vile, and I was glad that I never had to roam them like so many others had to.
Orpheus was the best thing to ever happen to me in all my life. I grew up among the Earth nymphs, learning their spells and dance rituals. I was also forced to serve the minor god, Aristaeus, who abused me to no end. I only ever pictured a world of routine for me. One where I spent my free time in the woods, communicating with nature through song and dance.
But Orpheus was the breaker of this chain. He gave me such a new purpose in life that I had not anticipated. I loved him more than anything. My early death was a shock even for me, but I grew to accept it. Even in death, I knew that Orpheus gave me a life worth living. A life that had meaning. And for that, I would be eternally grateful and love him forever.
The fact that he even risked his life to return to the Underworld to retrieve me spoke volumes. Despite him getting so close to rescuing me, only to fail, I could not fault my lover. I held no blame over him, yet I’m sure on the surface he held such a burden on his shoulders for what became of me. I wish I had the chance to tell him that I forgave him and that he should never feel so guilty for the end result.
If anything, being here in Elysium brought peace into my existence. I danced in the luminescent forests, lit up by the halcyon, pink glowing sun. I bathed in the springs filled with the most alluring white and lavender flowers. The Underworld was not all as bad as it seemed.
But I was lonely. If only I had Orpheus here to experience this tranquil, majestic place with me. It saddened me to know that here I was fine and well, while he was likely on the upper world going through such anguish and turmoil over my death.
I prayed every day in the florid, lit up forest, hoping Orpheus was okay and doing well on the surface. I planted my knees firmly in the dirt, interlocking the fingers on both of my hands with my eyes closed, when I heard an alluring voice speak from behind me. “You really are worth the fight, aren’t you?”
Instantly, I opened my eyes and spun around to see a breathtaking woman approach me. Her long black hair was stunning. The voluptuousness her body presented was captivating to anyone. But what stood out to me the most were those glimmering aquatic eyes of hers. A clear crystal ocean that you wanted to dive right into.
I vaguely remembered this woman when I was at her castle just a while ago. She was the Queen of the Underworld. She was Persephone.
I knew better than to simply reply back to her. So, I bowed down in respect before I spoke. “My queen. I am not sure I understand what you speak of.”
She had a seductive smirk on her face. “You were one with the Earth nymphs on the surface, were you not?”
I nodded to confirm her suspicions. “Yes. That I was.”
“And somehow you managed to capture the attention of the best musician known in all of eternity?”
I wasn’t sure if this was a question the queen was asking or simply an acknowledgement. However, I had no intention of letting her think I was unworthy of Orpheus’s love by any means. If only she knew of the moments we experienced together.
“Our connection went beyond his skills as a musician and mine as a dancer. There was an undeniable passion and love that we shared. One that I could never picture experiencing with any other human in all my life. Orpheus was my everything. He gave me life, meaning, everything I could ever want and desire,” I boldly told her.
Still, Persephone held a confident stance about her, despite my contradiction. “Do you realize that out of the millions that walk the Underworld, not one soul here could claim that a living mortal braved the peril to come down here to try and retrieve them, to return them to the surface?”
I shook my head. “No. I did not. But I am beyond thankful that Orpheus made that attempt. And although he failed and is likely not forgiving himself for failing, I have no quarrel with him. I love him now more than ever for doing what he did. Even if I never get to see him again, I will always love him, more than anything in my entire life.”
Persephone then approached me, placing her smooth, delicate palm on my shoulder. “Young man. Let me rephrase my earlier question into an actual declaration.You really are worth the fight.” She left me an endearing smile before she turned around and began to walk away from me.
Just as she was about to completely disappear from my sight, she craned her neck to lock eyes with me. “Life on the surface is so overrated. Do you not think that?” She swept her hands through her brilliant dark hair as she asked this.
“If only mortals realized how gorgeous this paradise in the Underworld truly is,” I replied.
“Yes. But not just anyone can remain here in Elysium. Only those most worthy have that privilege,” she apprised. “I truly believe that, as a mortal, spending an eternity here with the one you love is more than anyone could possibly wish for. What better place is there to spend your existence?”
I could not argue with the Queen of the Underworld on this point she was trying to make. Elysium was a paradise I never knew existed. And now that I had spent plenty of days here, I never wanted to remain anywhere else. The only thing that was missing to make thishomeperfect was Orpheus. How I longed to feel my lover hold me once more. I needed his soft lips against mine, his warm, silky touch against my skin. It was a feeling I craved every moment of the day.
“I cannot agree with you more, my queen. But this place does become lonely after a while. If only you had someone who could be by your side to appreciate this place with.”
Persephone’s grin widened even more as I made this proclamation. “Yes. And only those who have the truest of loves can remain in Elysium for eternity.” She stepped towards me, grabbing the back of my neck, firmly planting her forehead against mine. “Listen to me, Eurydalos. Although I may be Queen of the Underworld, I can truly admire pure, undeniable love. The love shared between you and Orpheus is one so strong that it is practically incomparable to any I have known in all my existence.”
Her words seeped into me. I could feel the tears levitating to my eyes only to flow right out of them. “But what good is that love now?” I questioned. “If I cannot show him how much I love him.”
“But you can, Eurydalos. See for yourself…” she confidently stated, as she backed away and strode off.
“Eurydalos!?” I heard a voice shout out. “Eurydalos!? Are you here!?”
I turned towards the violet luminescent forest, only to see Orpheus approaching from it. “Yes, I’m here! It’s me Orpheus!” I called back to him.
He sprinted towards me, his arms squeezing me tight in an embrace, when he finally found me. “Is it really you?” he asked. “Tell me I’m not dreaming.”
“You’re not,” I placated him with, rubbing his back up and down in a soothing manner as we held each other. “But how are you here? I don’t understand.”
