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best we simply press on.”
    The bridge is beautiful. It illuminates the entire space. I believe this is the source of light for the golden glow.
    The steaming rocks near the walkway are also magnificent. Dangerous, but that’s how I like them.
    In the center of the bridge, my right leg gives way. Though I want to continue and get away from the unbearable heat, I can hardly move. Blue-Skin turns around and sits on his knees. He doesn’t say a word. Once I stand up, he continues leading again.
    I drag my legs over the last half of the bridge with Blue-Skin occasionally looking over his shoulder. We exit the area of the boiling rivers and enter a dark blue and purple room. The walls are still made of stone, but everything is neatly shaped.
    The area stretches for at least a mile, but I can’t hear far enough to recognize an end.
    “Hey guy. I’m sick of walking.”
    “No worries. We’re here.”
    “You brought me to your infinitely stretching office with nothing in it. Give me a break.”
    “Actually, this is the door. We’re only allowed to talk about the Cavern of Youth in this place.”
    My eyes leap from my head, “The Cavern of Youth? Are you serious?” I grab the little man by the shoulders. “Do you know how long we spent looking for this last year, and it was here all this time?” My excitement quickly fades. “This isn’t how I imagined it.”
    “Keep walking. You’re currently standing on the river, and we must continue to the shore. Once we’ve passed, you’ll see what’s actually in front of you. You can only enter with someone that has seen the cavern before. Otherwise, you’ll roam this room endlessly.”
    Blue-Skin leads the way and I follow. Though he said “we’re here,” there’s still quite a bit of walking to do. Nearly a quarter mile later, I feel myself getting restless.
    My chest expands and contracts rapidly, and I can hardly control my body. A dark presence that reminds me of Tartarus surrounds me. Death. I haven’t seen her in some time.
    Logically speaking, I should take a break. I would, but something strange happens: the ground grabs my left heel.
    Suddenly, the world changes. Blue-Skin steps onto the shore of the cavern. We’re no longer in the infinite room.
    We’re surrounded by waterfalls and a ceiling almost a mile high. Here, the rocks are organized as well, but like an underground cathedral. There aren’t any sharp stones threatening to crush me in case of an earthquake. This beautiful world reminds me of an underground garden.
    Rocks are covered with greenery. It’s not mold or limestone. There are actual plants and flowers. Trees without leaves have broken through walls and the ground to reach around corners.
    Cracks in the ceiling shine with small rays of what looks like sunlight, but I know it’s the golden glow of the bridge making its way down here.
    The fluid I’m standing on is solid enough to support me, and even stranger, it’s creeping up my leg. The water pierces my skin like a burning dagger. I try yanking my leg away. “I can’t move my foot.”
    “That, I cannot help you with. I’ve never seen the water do such a thing. I can try running through the shadows to find someone who may be able to assist you.”
    “You do that. I’ll be here. Dying.”
    “But he doesn’t know of your new appearance. If Hades sees you—”
    “I’ll shoot him. Go!”
    Blue-Skin flinches and immediately disappears.
    I close my eyes just in case someone sneaks up on me. I don’t want that secret out of the box while I’m in this predicament.
    The water makes its way up my leg and seeks my testicles. Though I’ve remained calm up until this point, I doubt I could withstand that pain, so I blare, “Help!”
    While still carrying the vowel in my plea, I hear thunderous stomps marching my way. A large shadow zips towards me. When it’s only several feet away, a hand stretches out of the darkness. The callouses on the mysterious palm scratch my neck as the hand