I couldn't help but feel amused as I look at the list, and then I glance back at Lachesis.
A powerful goddess, is using such an ordinary thing that humans devised to make grocery shopping easier. Except instead of food, they want me to gather the remains of a charred parasitic Hellworm, condensed Asphodel essence, and an oka of Elysian Heroes' tears.
... That's... quite the errand that I have here. If only I could pick these up in an actual grocery store, though.
I end up letting out a small laugh, earning an odd stare or two from Lachesis.
I quickly try to clear things up, "Oof. I just thought it would've been funny if I could've just picked these up at a grocery store, heh."
"Then we wouldn't have needed you in the first place now, would we?" Atropos teases.
I crack a playful grin, and answer jovially, "Yes. You definitely wouldn't."
Feeling pumped up, I immediately want to get this over with, so I can get to the meat of things. I cheerfully tell them, "Now, time's a-wastin'! I'll get off all your hairs and get right on this so we can get started."
I hear Clotho breathe out 'finally', and Atropos says nothing like usual. Lachesis wishes me good luck, and I set off in a hurry.
Nearing the same entrance I stroll into earlier; I activate a bottle to gain access to my powers. I take my wings out in a hurry; morph my hands while turning the tips of my fingers into claws; then enable healing for any damages I'll incur, as I start to alternate between scaling the side of the mountain and flying back up.
[...]
Without too much difficulty, I arrive at the cliff I jumped off earlier to get to the cave's entrance.
I mumble out the spell to call Rem back. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought, and I can let him rest again.
While waiting for Rem's return, I go over the grocery checklist again. It's when I take off my rucksack to tuck it inside for safekeeping when my ears pick up the rhythmic sounds of wings being flapped from a distance.
Rem lets out a neigh or two in happiness as he sees me safe and sound. I wave and smile as I flap my wings to meet my most trusted buddy-in-arms halfway.
I immediately hop on him as soon as I got close enough and get myself comfortable on the saddle.
"Alright, Rem! I've got a LOT of work to do! How about you help your dear friend, and take me to the ends of the earth? We need to go through the underworld to get to Tartarus!" I lightly nudge Rem's underside with the back of my foot and take the reins.
Woo! Adventure time, here we goooo...!!!
I shout inwardly, feeling excited for the trials that await us. I can already tell that it's going to be very fun as there'll be a lot of strategizing involved.
[...]
As we soar through the skies outside the underworld, we're in search of its entrance.
The land beneath us, that once was covered in lush trees, slowly turn scarce.
Rem snorts and shakes his head as we begin to smell something peculiar. The smells of sulfur, burnt vegetation, and a mix of excrements invade our nostrils to an atrocious degree.
It's so disgusting that I had to use a spell to dull my sense of smell for a little bit.
A roar from an agitated centaur startles me.
My eyes are immediately drawn to what's happening below, thanks to that.
I see a few centaurs, who most likely belong to a small tribe, attack a flock of harpies.
The sight of so many monsters on the ground makes me feel at home, but I've to keep my mind elsewhere for now.
I need to keep my eyes on the prize and focus on getting there. I'll get all these three tasks done in no time flat.
After a few more minutes of travel time, we finally get across this blasted river that separates the mortal world from the dead.
The entrance is not too far off now, just a little bit more.
We start to prepare for our descent.
I pull on the reins and keep Rem steady. We don't want to get too close to the guard that's been faithfully securing the gates to Hell.
I'd hate to get into a fight and accidentally hurt it. I know he'll never admit it, but Hades will be devastated to see his beloved gatekeeper injured.
Not too far from the entrance, there's a small never-withering forest that has different shades of purple, grey, red, and brown. It's a sight for sore eyes when everything else looks so grey and murky.
Perhaps, it might even be a bit too striking for a place like this, but it would serve us well if I leave Rem here for now until I get the doorways open.
We finally go into the forest and set on the ground. Rem neighs in satisfaction as his hooves finally touch the gravelly surface. I stand on the stirrups, swing my leg over, and hop right off.
I land with a thud on the ground.
My long platinum locks swishes gently from side to side as I begin pulling on my rucksack. Whilst doing all this, I start to make my way towards the very spot we avoided landing on earlier at all costs.
A humongous creature stands before me. A frolicsome glint dances across the parts of his soft fur that isn't already laden with soot.
Every time it breathes, sparks of embers start to generate small clouds of smoke. A combination of fiery smog and ashes are being spewed from the depths of its stomach.
The beast slowly rolls its tongue out, along with some salivae with it.
The dripping viscous fluid is laced with lava. It slowly seeps through the cracks of its well-sharpened fangs. A single drop hits the ground, and all I could hear was a loud hiss as it melts through the earth.
"Heeeyyy, Cerbie! Long time no see. What a GOOOOOD boy you are!" I cheerfully greet the three-headed hound of hell, Cerberus, as he pants while continuing to sit on the ground, feeling relaxed in the meantime.
Humans would have a reason to be instinctively scared, but, even the gods are not an exception when it comes to fearing the infamous gatekeeper.
No one knew, but this reliable defender can be very laid back. I noticed it, even during my first visit to the underworld.
Cerberus wouldn't try anything as long as you don't startle him or have my malicious intent of any kind.
Though, even if they were told, it might not have made much of a difference. It's just next to impossible when you see the sheer size of it, along with its monstrous appearance.
Also, anyone who isn't confident in taking him down by themselves would have quite a tough time keeping calm. I look over at his sharp teeth that could most likely rip almost anything to shreds if they were unlucky enough.
After some extensive thinking, I go back to what I was doing earlier. Good thing that I've also come prepared just in case. I've got a surprise for Cerberus, which I'm sure he'd love.
Though I know he's already used to me; I wanted to do this in any case. I'm a bit biased when it comes to this precious hell hound. Not much I can say I guess, except that he deserves to be spoiled!~ hehe~
After reaching into my satchel, I pull it out again and produce a small pouch.
Inside, it contains a delicacy that only this baby boy would appreciate.
The treat I speak of is the raw flesh of an Empousa. I captured one myself some time ago and, of course, used a spell to maintain its freshness. I've virtually suspended it in 'time'. It's not a spell I can use willy nilly, of course, and it does have limited uses.
It would have been a dangerous spell if it worked on living things, for example. I also made it much easier to keep by decreasing its size.
As soon as I start to remove its protective seal, some smell may have begun to waft as the keen canine's ears perked up all of a sudden.
Standing on all fours, his interest is piqued as he tilts his head. Out of too much excitement and his sudden movements, Cerberus accidentally flings some of his salivae towards my direction.
I quickly jump to the side, making sure I avoid some splashes of molten lava.
After some of his drool has wreaked havoc when it hit the ground, the only thing I could see from the aftermath is a vast and deep crater.
Well, just because he's not rabid right now, doesn't mean it'd be safe around this big lug, heh. Even I need to be extra vigilant at times.
Cerberus focuses all of his attention on the luscious piece of glistening red meat, that's currently resting on my palm.
Hmph. You don't think this is all I have up my sleeve, do you? You've got another thing coming!
Smirking like a mischievous kid, I quickly cast a sort of dispel magic to get it ready to use as a bribe for entry.
Encased in bright red light, I throw it high up the air. Fully expecting this dog's reaction, I already readied myself to react as soon as he makes any attempts to eat it.
I give the oversized dog an order, "Cerberus, SIT! ... Wait."
Finally, after a few more seconds, the seal is fully removed, and it immediately transforms back to its original size.
Alright. Now that's done, I better let him eat it immediately while it's at peak condition. I place two fingers in my mouth and wolf-whistle as loud as I can.
"Okay, Cerbie! Go!" I scream out as I encourage the dog to let him know that he can finally have his bribe.
Without missing a beat, he suddenly launches forward, digging right in, to feast on the flesh of an Empousa.
I cross my arms, looking quite satisfied at how much he's enjoying my gift.
Just when I'm about to head off towards the entrance, out of nowhere, I feel a tap on my shoulder.
The sudden action scared me so much; that out of reflex, I immediately swing my elbow backward; so I can grab the part of the handle that's closest to the blade of the Halberd.
I spin around to go behind whoever touched my shoulder. Putting one arm around their neck, I tilt their head sideways and point the sharp edge of the weapon up to the stranger's jugular.