WIP - A little writing

Right.

Christmas brain. That's why this is a day late.


In the past few weeks I've been working a few different things. Mostly an original little piece based around the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice.

I used a few characters of my own, and incorporated music into it. (Hmmm....I might post links to the actual songs as we go along.....or not.)

So - here you have it. It's a little Greek Mythology, a little Broadway, and a lot of me.

(Note: Not a self-insert.)


The Story Draft One:

10 Years.

That was a large number to think about. She'd been in the ghost realm that long - her body in a coma, more death like than sleeping. The Hat-Box Ghost had left her there, with a darkness deeper than him. Through the years they has successfully broken her memory - erasing all those she once knew and loved.

Erin moved out of the spotlight position of his company. Losing her had been unacceptable. He spent 10 years trying to find a way to bring her back. Some of the dwarves had made her a glass casket; holes near the bottom and sides to keep out the elements. Part of this curse was that she wouldn't age while asleep. For her time had all but  ceased moving. He would visit her every week. The place on the mountain offered a stunning view of the land still untouched by the hands of industry.

"Erin, this idea is mad." The voice behind him was one of reason, one of her older, well younger brothers. "Even if you succeed, what's to say she'll be the same?"

He had a plan now. He knew how to save her. The answer had been staring him in the face. It was as much of history as He, but it had worked. It would work again.

"Jack's right, Erin, don't think -"

"I have thought, I've been thinking of nothing else for the past ten years," his own voice, mangled. "It's the only thing I haven't tried yet. It has to work!"

Erin straightened. Placing the flowers on the top of the glass he watched her. If you paid close attention you could see her slight intake of breath every few minutes. If you weren't looking for it you'd miss the sign of life altogether.

"Think of the risks man."

"Jack, I appreciate the concern, but this is my fault. I'm going to do it."

He stepped around the two. After the years of research he'd done, all the planning, everything was set. If Orpheus could do it to save Eurydice, surely he could do it to save Mira.

"Do you know what you're going to sing to lure her back," provided this half-brained dream works, the third man thought, yet didn't say.

Erin glanced back at the century (well older) old musician. They were on the campus now.

"Yes, Erik. I have a playlist all set," he strode into the apartment complex. As per usual the elevator was on the rocks again. "I put it together last week."

On the eighth floor he went down to the last door on the left. He could have afforded a nice house in any part of the world: instead he'd contended himself to this old building. It was close to where she was. He could have stayed at her house out in the woods, but it felt hollow.

"Right, so we're doing this. What can I do to help?"

Erik shook his head, "I've got everything I need. Just keep an eye on the entrance while I'm down there."

A few weeks ago one of the archaeology students had uncovered, well discovered by sheer accident a tunnel in the mountain. A spirit had emerged with it, claiming it was a portal to the ghost realm. After cooler heads had come and a few Demigods confirmed, it was confirmed as a route down to where the spirits were kept. The idea to go down and bring her back had slowly stemmed from that. He would do whatever it takes.

A half hour later he came to the cave entrance. Only Jack had come with him. No one else believed it would work. It was odd to think of this youth as an adult now. Ten years had gentled aged him well.

As they approached the Gate Keeper slowly looked up. It was a dark cloth over the frame of a corpse. There was no smell to it, no scent. It was a thing that always stood, patiently waiting for someone to come and pass through.

"What is your purpose?"

"I'm here to bring back the soul of Mira Penumbra."

For a moment the ravaged visage seemed to grin. Then it stepped back, waving its arm  toward the opening of the cave in a showmen's gesture. From the depth a set of stone steps appeared. There was only one direction to go: down.

"You know the rules Jason of the Argonauts. Break them and she is lost for eternity."

"I understand."

Erik took a breath and stepped inside.

He'd read, studied, been told the tale, yet finally going down seemed surreal. There was no echo of his step on the stores, no lingering echo to fade into the encroaching black. The light was dim, coming from sources he could not place. As he made his way down and further down still he began to see the signs of a vast dwelling. He knew that was where her soul, her spirit would be. Leveling out on the ground he looked behind him - there was no trace of the entrance. High above him the world lay, full of light. He was in the pit of night.

"What is your purpose here, mortal?"

Turning back to the path leading to the underground castle he saw a guard.

"I've come to free the soul of Mira Penumbra."

He didn't know if he imagined it, but the guard seemed to grin.

"Right this way."

Through a door of black granite was an outdoor throne room. Upon a throne of pure obsidian sat a figure framed in shadows. Erin couldn't make out any details about the form. Around him in the courtyard were the souls of those who had dearly departed their mortal coil. These spirits were grey, hazy as though they might vanish forever. When he looked near a broken and barren willow tree he saw a spirit that appeared brighter than the rest. He knew it was her.

"What is your purpose here, demigod?"

He faced the throne, stepping before it.

"I am Jason, leader of the Argonauts. I have come here to return the soul and spirit of Mira Penumbra, who is not fully deceased. I am here to bring her back."

The mass of shadows moved, swirling and slithering like snakes.

"Come forward."

Erin watched as a spirit, brighter than the others, stepped up next to the throne. He withheld a gasp as he recognized her. She hadn't aged a day in ten years, still wearing the dress she'd been in. Everything about her was the same, except the gleam in her eye was gone. Instead she appeared lost.

"You know the rules Argonaut: you will walk forward, she will follow. If you look back once, she remains here. Forever." There was a grin in the shadows voice, "You are free to persuade her however you choose."





Tune in next week - when I'll finally be back on track!