I dashed away from Cerberus at full speed. The giant hound chased after me relentlessly. Although I was faster, I couldn't put much distance between us. If I slowed down even a little, that hellhound would catch up for sure.
All I could do now was run in circles around the gates of Erebus while trying to think of a plan to get through them. But every time I got near, Cerberus instinctively moved to block the way. There was only one method that could work—someone had to lure him away from the gate.
But we hadn't been able to follow through with that plan.
"Hey, pooch! I'm over here!" Crab shouted, trying to get its attention.
He emerged from beyond the gate of Erebus to help me, but Cerberus, relying on its natural instinct, immediately turned its attention toward him. The massive jaws lunged toward Crab's small body. Luckily, he transformed into a crab and retreated back inside just in time—barely avoiding becoming a seafood snack.
Since Crab had already crossed the gate as a soul of the dead, Cerberus would not allow the dead to exit. That meant he couldn't step back out. Our plan was completely ruined.
This little game of tag between me and Cerberus was starting to get exhausting (not that it was ever fun). My legs were starting to give out, my pace slowing down. If I didn't come up with something fast, I'd end up dog food.
"Kinos! Got another plan?" I yelled toward the gate while running in circles.
"I'm thinking! Don't rush me!" came his panicked reply. "Wait… I think I remember hearing about a human who passed through the gate without getting eaten by that mutt. Maybe we can do what they did!"
That's right. There were a few heroes who had passed through the gate of Erebus unscathed. From what I remembered, there were three: first, the mighty son of Zeus—Heracles. Second, the famed musician—Orpheus. And third, the beloved of the god of love—Psyche.
But the question was—could we do what they did?
Heracles had made it through using brute strength. He punched Cerberus so hard that the beast whimpered and backed off. After that, Cerberus didn't dare mess with him again.
"Kinos! Do you think we could fight Cerberus like Heracles did?" I asked as I ran past the gate once more.
"Are you insane?! You trying to die or something?" Crab shouted back.
Okay, Heracles' method was a no-go. How about Orpheus then? His music was said to be so beautiful that even Apollo couldn't rival it. His melodies soothed Cerberus into a calm, docile puppy.
"Kinos! Can you play music?"
"Nope," he replied with zero hesitation.
"Okay… can you at least sing? Maybe that'll calm him down."
"Sing, huh..." Crab hesitated. "Alright, I'll try. This is one of my favorites."
He opened his mouth and began to sing. The first note made me gape in horror.
"Okay! That's enough, Kinos!"
His singing was terrible. Instead of calming Cerberus, it might've just made the beast even angrier.
Nope. That wasn't going to work either. We weren't musical prodigies like Orpheus. That left us with one final option—Psyche. But how did she get through the gate again? I was too exhausted to think clearly.
"Huff... Huff... Kinos! Do you know Psyche?" I shouted, panic rising in my chest.
"Wait… let me think. That name sounds familiar," he said, deep in thought.
"Hurry up! I don't have time!"
"Psyche… the one who was Cupid's lover, right?"
"Yes, that one!" I panted, still running for my life.
"I think she got through the gate because of… um…" He hesitated, struggling to remember. "Something about sweets?"
"Sweets? What for?"
"If I remember right, Psyche used sweets to distract him. Cerberus has a sweet tooth."
Hearing that, I glanced over my shoulder at Cerberus. Really? A face like that—and he liked candy? I almost wanted to laugh. Hellhound with a sugar craving.
Too bad we didn't have any sweets. Even if we wanted to make some, there was no way Cerberus would wait politely for dessert.
"Kinos! You think he likes eating crabs?" I joked as I ran past the gate again.
"That's not funny, Sept," Crab grumbled.
So much for Psyche's trick. We didn't have any candy, and our plans were all bust. None of the legendary methods worked for us.
So...
"Kinos!" I shouted. "Get ready! Next time I pass the gate, jump on me in crab form!"
"What are you planning, Sept?"
"I'm making history," I said through gritted teeth. "We're going to be the fourth and fifth mortals to pass through the gate of Erebus unscathed. Mark my words—we'll be remembered in Greek mythology forever."