Upon seeing Cerberus charging toward him, Crab halted and stood his ground. He seemed to know exactly how to handle a stray dog. Cerberus slowed its pace, approaching Crab cautiously. Its six blazing red eyes locked onto him, unblinking. The three heads sniffed along Crab's flickering blue body, seemingly uncertain whether he was dead or alive.
The central head growled menacingly, baring its fangs as if preparing to bite. My heart skipped a beat. But just as it lunged, the left head snapped at the central one, stopping it mid-motion, as if to say, "You can't eat this one." The right head remained still, its gaze fixed on Crab, unreadable.
I could only hope this was a good sign.
Finally, all three heads barked in unison. It seemed they had reached a consensus on whether Crab was among the living or the dead. I prayed that Crab had secured a two-to-one vote.
My prayers were answered. The massive hound turned away from Crab, returning to its post as if nothing had happened.
This meant we were truly dead—and we could pass through the gate of Erebus.
I emerged from hiding and rushed to Crab, who was now kneeling weakly on the ground. I helped him to his feet.
"You did it... You're amazing, Kinos."
Crab grinned. "I'm awesome, aren't I, Sept?"
I gave him a thumbs-up, acknowledging his bravery. I hadn't expected Crab to risk so much for me. It seemed his fate—to aid his companions even unto death—still lingered. Just like when he aided the Hydra against Heracles, knowing he couldn't win, yet still fighting until the end.
Crab tested the gate, walking through it without incident. Cerberus remained lying down, yawning in boredom. This confirmed our status as the dead.
With that assurance, I headed straight for the gate of Erebus. Our next destination: King Sisyphus, our hope for escaping this maddening place.
As I approached the gate, Cerberus sprang up and inspected me, just as it had with Crab. I stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Even though I knew the hound wouldn't eat me, fear still gripped me.
But things didn't go as I had hoped. Cerberus growled at me with all three heads, its eyes glaring as if ready to tear me apart. Thick drool dripped from its gaping mouths.
Then I realized: Cerberus saw Crab as dead, but me as still alive. It wouldn't let me pass—and worse, I was about to become its next meal.
All three massive jaws lunged at me. Fortunately, I reacted just in time, dodging the attack by a hair's breadth. The jaws snapped shut where I had just stood, tearing into the ground. It must have thought it had caught me. It seemed famished.
Thanks to my lightning-fast reflexes, I escaped becoming dog food.
At that moment, only one thought raced through my mind:
Run! Now!