The Chimera (Legends of the Dark Creatures Book 2)
Chapter Thirty-Five: Ethan's Last Resort

The vibrations rippling through the floor underneath Ethan’s feet grew more intense. Cerberus was coming. The keeper and guardian of the Underworld was approaching to settle the score he had with Ethan; one that bore millennia of history.

The searing heat and pain of being pierced by a thousand blades still coursed through Ethan’s body. The curse that only she could have put on him was certainly taking its toll. It was not enough to destroy him but it was certainly meant to torment him.

The air vibrated viscously when Ethan heard another roar could from the dark end of the corridor. A fight with him can’t be avoided, Ethan thought.

He reminded himself that he was on borrowed time. Ashley’s return to the world of the living meant the Physical Link between them was severed. The link was an anchor that prevented the destruction of his soul and with it broken, Ethan only had about an hour in the Underworld; which, given the time density in Hade’s Palace, was almost two hours back on Earth. Also, because Ashley was no longer linked to him, it meant his body could be destroyed at any moment.

Perhaps I was right to trust the little mermaid, Ethan thought as he wondered what exactly Ashley had done to convince his brother and Talya not to destroy him.

However, before he could come up with a conclusion Cerberus appeared. Human history depicted the beast as having three heads but Cerberus appeared before Ethan with seven large heads, each resembling a large dog with two blood-red eyes and fangs sharp enough to pierce through dragon skin. In actuality, Cerberus could manifest an almost infinite number of heads. Those remained as phantoms that watched every inch of the Underworld.

“W—what is that thing?!” yelled the Hunter who’d attacked them earlier.

The fear in his eyes made him look as though he’d have much rather stayed unconscious.

“The explosion you had caused earlier wasn’t meant to destroy me,” said Ethan to the Hunter. “The grandmaster who sent you here knew I couldn’t die found that poison. But it seems she placed her bets on a far more deadly foe.”

“I refuse to believe that Grandmaster Silvia would do that to me!” the Hunter exclaimed. “She loves me and she said so herself.”

“Wake up and face reality, Hunter,” Ethan said, his gaze fixed on Cerberus. “You died the moment you entered the Underworld with your physical body. Your soul is all that remains now and even it’s about to experience the wrath of the Hound of Hades.”

“What are you talking about?”

Turning to the Hunter, Ethan said, “Cerberus is the only creature in the Underworld with a power that even Hades never possessed... The power to devour souls. And guess which types of souls he takes pleasure in partaking?”

The Hunter’s skin became pale. He knelt, face down in front of Ethan.

“Please mighty Chimera!” he shouted. “Tell me what I can do to save my soul!”

“You can always try to sing for him,” Ethan said. “It did work for Orpheus.”

“Are you mocking me?” the Hunter asked.

Ethan studied Cerberus. The creature was ready to fight but wouldn’t attack until Ethan had settled his business with the Hunter. Cerberus hadn’t changed at all, Ethan thought.

With every soul that Cerberus devoured he gained another phantom head and more power. However, Cerberus could only manifest seven at a time; at least under normal circumstances.

Cerberus roared, signaling Ethan that he was growing impatient. Ethan looked at the Hunter who was desperately staring back at him.

“What would you do to save your soul?” Ethan asked.

“I am a guy who came to the Underworld because of being infatuated with a woman,” the man answered. “Don’t ask me what I am willing to do… Just tell me what I have to do.”

Humans never ceased to amaze Ethan. “What’s your name?” he asked the Hunter.

“Marcus,” replied the Hunter. “Marcus Stone.”

“Well then,” Ethan said, raising his hand. “I will be sure to collect payment for saving you this one time, Hunter. Avik Thilak.”

A black mist formed below the Hunter’s feet and he fell into the portal that opened.

“Your sympathy for the human race will always baffle me, Chimera.” Cerberus was speaking in the ancient tongue of the gods; yet another gift his master must have left him before he disappeared.

“It wasn’t sympathy I felt for him,” Ethan replied, speaking in the common tongue. His gaze met that of Cerberus. “Everything and everyone serves a purpose and what I did with this human is exploit that.”

“Really,” Cerberus spoke. “Then tell me… What purpose did your Lenora save? Was she just another human you exploited?”

Ethan didn’t answer.

“Ah yes,” Cerberus said again, this time walking towards Ethan. “One of the rules of the Chimera… He never lies. And the other rule, if I’m not mistaken is… He never cowers away from a challenge.”

“Are you challenging me, Cerberus?” Ethan asked. “Need I remind you of what happened the last time we fought; not that you’d have any recollection of a battle where you fell within seconds.”

“Oh, things are very different now.” This time all seven of Cerberus’ heads were talking.

Suddenly, Ethan was no longer standing in the hallway of Hades’ Treasury. Cerberus had done a Dimensional Shift, pulling Ethan into his Pocket Dimension. They both stood on a large bridge of rock. Cerberus’ pocket dimension reminded Ethan of the underworld cavern in which he fought the Dark Trinity. This one however was much bigger. Everywhere Ethan turned, he could see rocks. Below them was a fiery pit of hot boiling lava; which served to torment some unfortunate souls of this realm.

“I wouldn’t want to sully the sanctity of my master’s Palace so we fight here. And as I said, things are going to be very different from last time. Also, I believe you came looking for this.”

Even Ethan’s eyes widened when he saw it. A glowing thin string, about the length of an adult human’s arm. It had appeared out of thin air and Cerberus grabbed it in one of his mouths.

“A string of fate,” Ethan said.

“And not just any string of fate,” Cerberus said, his voice even deeper than before. “Her string of fate. She is the reason you came here right?”

“How is it that you can remember?” Ethan asked. “My mother made sure no one did; not even the gods.”

“Defeat me and not only will you have the answer to that question; you will also have want you came for. And I assure Chimera, it’s not going to be easy as last time.”

Cerberus’ voice carried no doubt, and Ethan was about to replace out why.

Dark mists began to gather around the cavern. Ethan was taken aback when he saw creatures that looked exactly like Cerberus surrounding him. All of them had seven heads of large dogs. Ethan counted fifty of them.

“You are the only one my master has ever granted the right to a string of fate,” Cerberus said, all his clones talking in unison. “After he disappeared with the rest of the gods, I was left here with no purpose, not knowing whether he would return. But when that Hunter came and willingly dropped this particular string here in the Underworld; I was sure you’d return.”

“So how’s this, Chimera? I realized if one body couldn’t contain the infinite power I can wield then I will divide and conquer. I can only use this technique inside my pocket dimension and as long as I am here…” the creatures all shouted in unison. “I am everywhere.”

Ethan could not help but be amazed. Cerberus must have spent eons in the Underworld perfecting this technique.

In exchange for this string of fate, I ask that you do something for me. When the time comes; please show my trusted servant and friend the path that he should take. The Underworld is a lonely place but if he can replace true purpose, then consider your debt paid, Ethan.

The words of Hades played through Ethan’s mind. Cerberus indeed had grown and right now— even though he had not realized it— he wielded power that could have rivaled Hades himself had he been around.

Ethan fell into a defensive stance, his senses on high alert.

“Are you ready Chimera?” one of Cerberus’ heads shouted.

“Why don’t you come and replace out?” Ethan answered and the battle begin.

Two of Cerberus’ clones attacked from behind. One of them launched its fangs at Ethan, who dodged by jumping into the air. Another attack can from above but Ethan quickly avoided its claws and slammed a gust of air at the creature. The force threw it against the rock wall. Ethan closed his fist and a sharp rocky spike shot out and impaled the huge creature. It disappeared into a thick black cloud and rematerialized in the air.

Ethan used his air manipulation abilities and maneuvered in the air, dodging a multitude of projectiles and direct attacks. He was about to attack with his fist when suddenly the pain already afflicting him became so severe he couldn’t move a muscle. He fell on the rocky bridge that was a few meters above the lava. Cerberus attacked Ethan while he was down. Using only his mind, Ethan controlled two large rock projectiles at his opponent but they were easily deflected and Cerberus landed one of his paws on Ethan, pinning him on the ground.

“I commend you, Chimera” Cerberus’ forms said together. The one that had him pinned down brought one of its heads closer to him. “Even with your soul being ripped into shreds, you still fight. I found it strange that you were not unlocking any of your seals but now I understand why. You fear your demise.”

Cerberus’ observation was only partly correct. The main reason why Ethan couldn’t bring himself to use the power behind his seals was that the curse put on him was directly tethered to his soul and unlocking any of them would only accelerate the disintegration process.

However, Cerberus was wrong in saying that Ethan feared his demise.

Ethan’s fingers dug into the ground below and a hole formed through the ground. Cerberus quickly jumped off to the other rocky bridge while Ethan controlled a gust of air around him and remained suspended in mid-air.

“I have been dead for over a hundred millennia, Cerberus,” Ethan said. “I don’t fear death; for it has nothing more to take away from me. My existence only serves one purpose and right now you are a hindrance to my goal. Before your master left, he made me give my word that I’d one day show you the path to replaceing your purpose. I never understood what he meant until now.”

“Wh—what are you doing?”

All of Cerberus’ different forms had widened eyes when Ethan closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. They could sense it... the immersed aura emanating from him. Ethan was hoping he’d win this battle without the power in his seals but he was wrong. Not only was Cerberus much stronger than he anticipated but he was also running out of time.

“When is a dark creature at its most powerful?” Ethan, with his eyes, closed, asked Cerberus.

“That’s easy, Chimera,” Cerberus said. “A dark creature is most powerful after devouring the blood of a living creature.”

“That has always been a misconception,” Ethan answered. “Blood does grant us power, yes, but power is useless if it cannot be properly used.” Ethan could feel his aura emanating and revolving around him. “Cerberus… Just like every other creature… We dark creatures also become powerful because of one thing.”

Slowly Ethan opened his eyes, his aura had manifested itself into a dark mist that blew around him so fiercely even Cerberus could approach him.

Seal of Blood… Release

Ethan unlocked that seal that contained the power of his vampire side. The dark aura gathered around him and was absorbed into his body. Black symbols appeared around Ethan’s body; including his face. His fangs and claws extended and his hair grew twice as long; almost reaching his waist.

“The Zelkian Vampires. An ancient race; one now extinct,” Cerberus said. All his forms around the dimension focused on Ethan. “They may not have been the strongest but as far as speed is concerned; they were the fastest amongst all the dark creatures. Of all the dark creatures, these were the only kind the gods played a hand in creating. They were used as assassins during the first Divine War and were later destroyed by their creators.”

“But, tell me something, Chimera. It’s been fifty thousand years since you killed the human you loved to acquire this power; or rather… To fully become the Chimera. Yet, from what I have gathered, you have never used anything beyond two seals at the same time. How is it that even after fifty thousand years, you still haven’t mastered this power?”

Ethan looked at the sharp dark blood-red claws that had extended from his fingers. “Master this power you say? That’s impossible. Not after what I did...”

“What you did do? What do you mean?”

“Some secrets should be left buried Cerberus. I am running out of time so why don’t we end this?”

For a creature almost as large as a two-floored building, Cerberus’ movements were both fast and fluid. He came at Ethan at full speed. However, Ethan had enough. The was boiling anger within him. Perhaps it was because Cerberus had brought up Lenora; simply reminding Ethan of the monster he was.

So this time, he was going to fight like one.

Cerberus slashed his claws at Ethan and right before they could make contact, Ethan moved so fast that it must have looked like he vanished in front of Cerberus. Ethan charged towards Cerberus’ other forms and in less than a second, he decapitated four of them using two conjured blades. The dark aura that had surrounded him earlier could be shaped into any form of weapon and Ethan had in his hands two broad swords.

His boots touched the ceiling of the cavern and he leaped in the direction of another of Cerberus’ duplicates. Two more suddenly materialized before him but he twisted his body and span so powerfully that he sliced through both of them. Ethan landed on a platform and so three more creatures materialized.

“It’s no use,” they said. “No matter how many of my clones you kill, I can keep bringing more .”

Cerberus was right.

The Phantom Blades in Ethan’s hands disappeared back into his body. “As long as this pocket dimension stands, you have an endless supply of power,” he said. “And if that’s the case, all I have to do is destroy this dimension.”

Ethan released the dark aura that dwelled inside him. The rocks around the cavern began to crumble and Cerberus’ clones started disappearing until only one remained.

With as much power as he could muster, Ethan launched himself at Cerberus.

“How can this be?!” Cerberus roared, also coming at him at full strength.

Red flames burst out of all of Cerberus’ mouths; aiming for Ethan. The flames of the Underworld; flames meant to torment the souls of those who dared to escape this place. But Ethan was no ordinary soul.

Cerberus gasped when Ethan raised one of his hands and controlled the ball of fire coming at him. Ethan redirected the flames at Cerberus, who dodged in mid-air and attacked Ethan with his large fangs. Ethan kicked the side of one of Cerberus’ faces, sending the creature to the ground. The dimension was falling apart, crumbling in the wake of Ethan's aura.

He landed in front of Cerberus.

“How can you still be so powerful?” Cerberus asked. “The rumors I had heard of the most beautiful warrior in all creation were true. But seeing you fight… It’s almost as if…” All of Cerberus’ eyes widened in shock. He must have seen it. Glowing red marks had spread all over Ethan’s body; his soul had only minutes left. But that’s not what Cerberus realized.

“‘When is a dark creature at its most powerful?’” said Cerberus, repeating the question Ethan had asked him earlier.

“And I see you’ve finally found the answer?” Ethan replied and sealed his vampire power.

The dimension vanished and Ethan found himself standing in the same hallway as earlier.

“You have won this battle, Chimera.” Cerberus surrendered. “As much as it angers me to say this, you have something that I don’t have, and as long as that fact stands I can never defeat you.”

One of Cerberus’ heads leaned forward to Ethan and slowly opened its mouth. Ethan pulled the string out of fate out of Cerberus’ mouth; ignoring the creature’s foul stench. Holding the string of fate in his hand, Ethan sighed in relief.

A string of fate, the necklace he possessed back on earth, and most importantly; Ashley and Samantha.

“Now only one more piece remains,” Cerberus commented.

“You still haven’t told me how it is that you remember what happened that day,” Ethan responded. “The spell my mother performed made everyone forget her... Even the gods sucumbed to it.”

“You can blame the goddess of love for that,” Cerberus remarked and Ethan was sure he saw a smirk on one of his beastly faces.

“Aphrodite was the only goddess my mother trusted. But in the end, even she was placed under her spell. The risk was so great. No one had to remember.”

“And yet you do remember,” Cerberus said. “But perhaps it’s time I was fully honest with you. Indeed, Aphrodite never remembered. But like you said, your mother— The great Rygeen, Marina Thalassa-- also trusted her the most amongst all the gods; so much so that she left her a message immediately after making her and the rest of the realms forget that tragic day. A message that contained instructions on how to do the impossible… The very impossible thing you’re trying to do, Ethan. Though, I doubt your mother expected that you’d be the one to do it.”

“I understand why Aphrodite did what she did when she came to me that day,” Ethan said.

“She once told me you were the only dark creature she ever fell in love with,” Cerberus said. “She even managed to convince Zeus to give you a place among the gods and yet you turned the chance down. It crushed her you know.”

“After what the gods did to my mother, I would have rather spent an eternity in the fires of Hell than a second as one of them.”

"And yet you still saved them."

Ethan didn't reply to Cerberus' last remar and began walking. He got what he came for and now came the hardest challenge.

“There is no way for a soul to leave the Underworld. The portal you used when coming here has already been closed and any moment now your soul will give in—“

“Avik Thilak”

Ethan chanted the same spell he'd used before his battle with Cerberus. A black portal appeared on the floor and Ethan dived in. His boots touched the soft muddy ground that was near a calm river.

He heard a loud thud come from behind him. Cerberus had jumped into the portal after Ethan.

“That’s why I never come to this place,” the large beast growled in disgust. He had reverted to his normal form of only having three heads.

“You came”

Ethan heard the Hunter’s voice from behind one of the trees. He was still wearing his ridiculous hooded cloak but now his face appeared to be normal since most of his physical body had already been eaten away by the curse of that realm.

“Good thing that you didn’t stray away otherwise the many creatures of this side of the realm would have given you a very unwelcoming greeting,” Cerberus said to the Hunter. “Can I devour him now, Ethan?”

The Hunter’s already white skin became even paler.

“Unfortunately, he does have a purpose to serve,” Ethan replied.

“You are always up to something, aren’t you?”

The voice was soft yet it resonated throughout the area. It came from the fog that covered the river and soon after, a boat with a tall figure puddling it came forth. The figure was cloaked with a dusty black fabric and their face couldn’t be seen.

Even Ethan could hear the crackling sounds of Cerberus’ clenched teeth.

“I have always hated that vile creature,” Cerberus said.

Ethan could understand Cerberus’ anger but he hoped he wouldn’t succumb to it.

“Wait, that’s the Ferryman of the Underworld,” the Hunter said, staring at the figure on the boat. “Charon right? He was the one who brought me here.”

Ethan quickly grabbed and stopped a dagger that had been aimed in the direction of the Hunter.

Having just escaped a painful ordeal, the Hunter fell to the ground with his eyes still wide open. The dagger flew from where the Ferryman stood. Ordinary eyes couldn't have seen it being thrown.

“Let me tell you this,” Ethan said to the Hunter. “Charon is a name dreaded by the one who stands before us. But what she despises the most is anyone who refers to her as a man.”

The hooded figure dropped the hood of her cloak revealing herself as a woman with beautiful snow-white skin, long black silky hair, and sharp dark eyes.

“It’s been a while, Zia,” said Ethan.

“Even after what I did, you remain the only one who calls me by my real name,” answered Zia, smiling at Ethan.

“What you did was almost ruin the life of my master and mistress you wretch,” barked Cerberus.

Not everyone knew this but if it wasn’t for Zia, Hades would have probably never tricked Persephone into eating a fruit from the Underworld. While she appeared as a human, Zia was a Shadow Wisp; and a very powerful one at that. Hades took her in after she was banished from the realm of Xanathroth. Together with Cerberus, she stood by him for millennia and before she knew it, Zia had fallen in love with the lord of the Underworld.

However, when Persephone came into Hades’ life, Zia couldn’t contain her jealousy. So day after day, she poisoned Hades’ mind with her seductive words, targeting the insecurities he had over Persephone rejecting him. She didn’t use her hypnotic powers for Hades would have sensed it. When Hades finally succumbed to Zia’s compelling words, Zia thought Persephone would finally hate Hades but the opposite happened; Persephone forgave Hades and the lord of the Underworld took Zia into the Void of Absolute Truth where— fearing her existence— Zia divulged the truth.

Once again, Zia was banished; this time from Hades’ Palace. She was not only banished but also punished; cursed by Persephone to wonder the River of Lost Souls as the new Ferryman.

This was the story that Ethan had heard from Zia herself.

“I have regretted what I did for thousands of years,” said Zia. “All I want to be free once again. The man I loved left this realm with the woman he loved; there is nothing left for me here.”

“You deserve what you got, Wisp,” growled Cerberus. “That said, I would have no complaints if you left this place and I never saw your face again.”

“Then it is settled,” Ethan said. “I need a way out of this place, Zia wishes for freedom, Cerberus wants her gone and the Hunter seeks to save his soul from Cerberus. What if there was a way we could all get what we want?”

Ethan clenched his teeth when the pain burning through his body intensified and the glowing red cracks around his skin grew.

“Perhaps your current predicament is making you delirious, Ethan,” Cerberus said. “Not even a being as powerful as you are can break a curse cast by a goddess. It pains me but this wretch is trapped here forever.”

“True, the curse placed on Zia can never be broken,” Ethan agreed. “It not a product of magic; the Ferryman was a new being created by the gods. But still what if someone else became the Ferryman?”

Zia’s eyes widened and Cerberus’ jaws dropped.

“You speak the impossible, Ethan,” Zia said, with tears in her eyes. “No such power exists.”

“Such power was never meant to exist,” Ethan said, his breathes quickening. “But there is a way all of us can get what we want. Also, I will have to erase your memories; for what you will all see if you agree to this is something that even the Supreme Beings fear. Of all my powers, it is my greatest. There is no time left for me to waste and this is my last resort… Do you all agree?”

“If the Chimera says there is a way, then there is one,” Cerberus said. “You do what you need to do.”

“I’m already dead,” said Marcus. “I am assuming that I am your candidate for becoming the Ferryman. It seems to be better than being eaten.”

“I will be forever in your debt, Ethan,” Zia said. “I don’t know how much I will be able to remember after you cast this spell but perhaps one day I will help you the way you’re helping me.”

“Zolan Mithia Entiri Forith”

Ethan cast the spell that put all three of them to sleep. Zia fell on her small wooden boat and the Hunter and Cerberus fell on the ground.

Now came the part that Ethan didn’t mention to them. He was about to used a power he never understood. Unlike his other abilities, Ethan had no control over this one. This power had a will of it's on and only ever manifested when Ethan's existence was threatened; making his current predicament the perfect time to use it.

He walked over to the boat and carried Zia to the shore. Ethan closed his eyes and was about to do something that if found out would shake the very balance of the realms; just like Ashley did.

In a way, we are almost the same…

“Perhaps we are, little mermaid,” said Ethan to himself. “And by now, I am sure you have finally found the strength to make one of the toughest choices of your life; that at the very least, earns you my trust and respect.”

...

Thank you for reading this far.