The Gates of Atlantis

The Hora at the bow beckoned Baldur to lower the ship to the waters at the entrance of Atlantis. The three Horae on either side escorted the ship down, whilst the final one stayed at the stern. With the ship stopped in the water, the seven Gods and Goddesses made their way to the deck. Aphrodite’s strength returning now that her travel sickness had eased. On the deck, they found it had been scattered in rose petals, which were still falling all around them.

“Greetings!” One of the Horae said. “I am Thallo, and I am here to welcome you to Atlantis.”

“Does that mean we can go in?” Diana asked.

“Oh no,” another Horae answered, the one from the bow. “We welcome all before deciding if you should enter. Firstly, state your business here.”

“We are here to see Jupiter.” Athena answered. “He is meeting Poseidon on the Island of Atlantis, but we must speak to him regarding a matter of great urgency.”

“Why could you not wait for his return to Olympus?” A third Horae asked.

“Good question, Auxo!” Smiled the bow Horae.

“Thank you, Carpo.” Auxo looked back at the gathered deities.

“This is a matter of the utmost urgency. A shift has occurred. Diana shouldn’t be here.” Athena replied.

“Then why bring her?” Auxo looked at Diana, and then Baldur. “Are you twins? The likeness is remarkable!”

“We are brother and sister, yes.” Baldur looked deeply into Auxo’s eyes, who looked away.

“No, not that she shouldn’t be here,” Athena continued, “She shouldn’t be here.”

“You are making no sense, my dear.” Auxo was puzzled. “You bring somebody to the Gates of Atlantis who shouldn’t be here twice, yet you request we allow you access?”

“Very good point, Auxo.” Carpo gushed. “Please, state clearly Athena what you actually mean.”

“Something isn’t right. That’s all I can say. Diana doesn’t feel right. Neither does Baldur, now I come to think of it.”

“Oi!” Baldur said indignantly. “What do you mean by that?”

“I’ve been getting it all morning, Apollo.” Diana stopped Athena from answering.

“There you go again with Apollo. Who’s Apollo?” Baldur began to feel confused.

“You are, my brother, but you seem not to know it.” Diana stood beside her brother. “But what seems to be affecting us, also seems to be affecting the others. We are bickering amongst ourselves, which we only do during war. I too recognise that some things feel off.”

“So you aren’t even Baldur, Baldur?” Adonis laughed.

“Not helping.” Amunet said sternly, holding Adonis back.

A fourth Horae joined the group. Thallo, Auxo and Carpo stood back to allow her to speak. “I am Eunomia, and I am here to look after good order. I sense the order has been shifted slightly, but even I cannot see what, and why it has happened. Although I feel Jupiter will be unable to assist you with this problem, there may be something within Atlantis that can help. For this reason, I grant you all passage through the Gates and into Atlantis for as long as your stay is necessary. I will also assign Carpo to travel with you as guide and assistant. She can contact the Valkyries if needed through her amulet.”

With that, eight winged horses arrived to carry seven of the Horae away, leaving the group of eight now to continue the journey into Atlantis on foot.

This is the fifth part to the ‘new’ Legendary Circles story. The previous parts are on the Storylines page.