Chapter Text
Where am I? Feathers…peacocks…
“Good morning, Perseus.”
I wish I acted braver, but I could only scream “HERA” when I saw her. The Queen of Olympians. What the hell does she want from me? I was lying on an old yet soft lounge couch adorned with gold and cow’s skin. Next to me, an abundance of ambrosian cookies and a carafe of nectar filled a small table.
“Do you remember anything, Perseus?” asked Hera.
It was a straightforward question with a straightforward answer. The issue was, I couldn’t recall much. I racked my brain to remember just anything; however, all my previous memories felt like a dream.
“By your face, I could tell you don’t. You are Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon, that’s all you need to know for now. Most importantly, I have a quest for you. I need you to fetch me a hydria of water.” the queen demanded.
This must be a dream. Water? That’s the quest?
“Well, I could just get you one right away if it is that simple-”
“It is NOT that simple, Perseus. That water is the water of truth. Found in the cavern of Mnemosyne. I need that water for my plan. Have your fill of ambrosia and nectar until you feel better. This bag should help you with your quest.”
And with that, the goddess left. I had a fair share of those cookies, it felt familiar but I wasn’t sure. However, there was something more important— the quest. Where am I going to find the cavern of Mnemosyne? Where should I start?
I checked the bag Hera gave me. Tent, drachmas, cash, food… nothing of use until I found a piece of paper in the small front pocket that reads:
Hero,
Seek the whispers where truth once echoed but now lies buried.
Begin your journey where the gods’ reflections shimmer in stone,
And the lion roars not in the wild, but in iron and steel.
Three truths will guide you:
-The path is not seen but heard.
-The past holds the key, locked in its stories.
-Beware the mirror that speaks without a face.
When you stand where the river weeps for memory,
Call her name with a heart unguarded.
Now, I don’t know if Hera wrote this or someone else, but now I have a clue to help me get started. Unfortunately, that means I need to decipher this paper. ‘Begin your journey where the gods’ reflections shimmer in stone’ Well that’s unclear. ‘And the lion roars not in the wild, but in iron and steel.’ So, not a real lion? Iron and steel lion… I think I’ve seen one before… I don’t know… my memory’s all hazy. Maybe if I leave this place, then maybe I could figure this out.