- Hades -
Processing had never been so exciting as when Kore stepped into the Hall.
It was like her soul called to mine- I knew she was behind the door before she stepped through. I suddenly found myself wondering why I had ever found Aphrodite's blonde hair the most appealing as Kore's dark hair framed her face, or why I had never realized until now how much I really loved the color blue.
"Kore," I greeted with a smile as I hurriedly stood, stretching my arm out. "It's good to see you."
Looking closer, it was easy to see she was more than nervous. Mumbling and whispers broke out amongst the crowd as Kore made her way across the hall, everyone splitting like the Red Sea as she made her approach.
My heart thudded. She looked more regal now than I had seen her.
Her face relaxed a bit when I gently tugged her beside me, her eyes looking up in relief. "That's a long walk," she whispered. I let out a chuckle, bringing her hand to my lips. "It gets shorter with time," I noted dryly, softly kissing her hand. A blush broke out across Kore's cheeks as she gave a small smile in return. "I'm sorry for interrupting," She replied hurriedly. "Hecate brought me, and, well.."
I shook his head dismissively. "You could never be interrupting me, Kore. I promise that."
I turned, guiding the goddess to the identical seat beside my own- a bold move on my part, although Kore may not understand the implication.
The whispers growing as she hesitantly sat. Kore looked up uneasily. "Hades," She started, her eyes flickering towards the crowd and then to me. "I'm no fool. This throne is meant for the Queen of this realm. I don't want to break any rules or-"
"I make the rules," I reassured hastily. I probably shouldn't have sat her in the Queen's throne..it had sat vacant for longer than most shades could remember. "It's fine!"
"What are we doing?" She whispered back after a moment, trying to ignore the eyes on her.
I leaned towards her over the arm of my chair, my eyes flickering on the soul approaching. "Judgement. It's been a rather nasty day- I'd much rather give pleasure than pain."
I grimaced. It was also a day that would probably prove to be too much for Kore. What was Hecate thinking of bringing her today of all days?
Souls came and went, and Kore started to put all the pieces together of what was happening before her. It was thrilling to see her catch on so quickly. There was a small lull when she leaned over. "This will sound silly, but remind me where these souls can go?"
I leaned back in my chair. Honestly, there were few things I enjoyed more than talking about how smoothly my kingdom ran- it was my pride. "Well..first off, there is no one-size-fits-all punishment. Each is unique for each sin and soul. The same went for rewards; each soul, depending on their good deeds, would be rewarded with their idea of heaven. For some, that was to be rich and alone, except for the cocasional company. For others, it was going back to their childhood home with their family all around. For others, it was being lost in the wilderness, a wilderness were only good resided. Some were granted magical powers in their heavens, others long-lost loves they had pined for."
Kore took it all in, nodding as I tried to give a condensed version. "So today is punishment..how does that work?"
"There are three levels," I explained, turning to look at the beautiful girl beside me. I still can't believe she was here- and how much I liked how she looked in the Queen's throne, like it was designed specifically for her.
"The Elysian Fields, where heros, heroines, and all virtuous and good people go. They are the ones granted their own kind of heaven that I told you about earlier. Then," I continued, leaning back in his chair, "We have the Asphodel Meadows. These are those in the gray area, where the scales remained balanced. It is a kind of limbo, neither pain nor pleasure. Those who I feel are good, however, are given a chance to work here in the palace. Many choose that route, but there are those who prefer the quiet nothing of Asphodel."
"Finally," I grimaced, glancing at the approaching shade as he confirmed his name with the guard. "Tarturus. Those who were evil in life, who have no good about them or extremely little are sent here. Within Tarturus, there are levels, according to your sins."
"Levels?" Kore asked, her tone confused. "I guess I don't remember learning that part.."
I nodded. "The lowest level is where the Titans are imprisoned. It graduates up from there. The next lowest level is where those who have destroyed and harmed innocence go. Rapists, those who abuse children, murderers of innocents, and pedophiles all go there. Next is those who murdered for personal gain- money, or power. Politicians typically go there, along with many a ruler. Then are those who may not have stolen innocence or life, but those who stole for greed or lust. They may seem broad,"
I continued, shrugging my shoulders. "But that's the basics of it. Naturally things go into more detail- I'll take you there someday, and show you."
It may be a surprise that I would take Kore somewhere so awful...but I knew it was inevitable if she really did want to stay. I hoped she wanted to stay, at least. For her to be his Queen, she needed to know every corner of this realm- including the darkness.
Kore's next question was cut off as a soul was shoved forward, his hands over his head.
Kore tilted her head to one side as the man approached. Almost instantly, the scale pulled down sharply to one side- Evil.
I glanced at the man, my powers taking a look at his soul. Black and filthy. "Thaddeus Daulson," I acknowledged coldly. "You have been brought here for the judgement of your eternity." I held a hand out to the scales that showed their findings. "Thanatos, please read the sins."
Thaddeus' face grew pale as the winged god stepped forward, his voice deep and like gravel. "This soul is guilty of theft, speaking lies, and abuse towards his fellow man. His greatest sin that has tipped the scale so quickly is the carnal sins against the young mortals of his village."
Kore covered her mouth in shock, her eyes wide with horror as she realized what was being said. My own blood started to boil- of all sins that passed through here, nothing was more distasteful to me.
"Surely no one would intentionally brutalize a child in such a horrific way?" She whispered so quietly I almost didn't catch it.
I cringed, knowing after a look into this man's soul that this was not a case of misjudgment.
Kore's horror somehow made my anger burn even more. "You have touched and abused children," I spat out, the soul's knees suddenly buckling under him. "You deserve the worst punishment I could give. I-"
"Please my lord, I didn't know, I-"
"Soul, I am not finished," I growled before the soul cut me off once more.
"They tempted me, my lord, I couldn't help but-"
"SILENCE!"
The hall grew deathly quiet as all eyes flickered to Kore, who was now on her feet. I glanced over in surprise, only to be floored. The sweet goddess of spring had disappeared- this woman was someone different. Kore stood up tall, her eyes seeming to glow, her anger radiating off her in waves. Honestly, she looked like a Queen- no, an avenging angel.
Aphrodite who?
"Not only do you commit the worst sins of mankind," She finally spoke, her voice soft and dangerous. It sent a chill down everyone's spine- even mine. "But you do not show regret, nor do you acknowledge how you have destroyed innocence and youth."
She took a step forward, the soul flinching away as her hatred and anger became palpable. "No mercy shall be shown," she seethed. Her eyes flickered to mine, as if silently asking for permission. I nodded hastily, quick to give it as I was curious as to how this would play out.
"Take him to Tarturus. The spirits of those you have harmed will haunt you and torment you for eternity, doling out the pain you have given a hundred times over. You will never know satisfaction, and will spend your days in agony, starving, and dying of thirst. Now," she concluded, lifting her chin as she delivered a scathing glare. "Get out of my sight."
"Mark me down as terrified AND aroused," Thanatos whispered behind me. I whipped my head around, sending the iciest glare I could his way. The god shirked back, shrugging his shoulders sheepishly. "Don't say you didn't think it.." he muttered.
I turned back with a growl to look at the Goddess beside me. I felt like I was in the presence of a warrior, or an avenging angel.
"You're in the presence of a true Queen," my thoughts niggled.
Kore was no simple goddess that was content with flowers and the silly games of Olympus. Her punishment was harsh, but fair.
It was in that moment that I knew she had to become my Queen, no matter the cost. I would win that competition if it cost me absolutely everything, because my heart was completely hers now.
"And," I thought with some pride as I looked over the shades and spirits staring at Kore with the same awe I did, "That was the moment that the Underworld fell utterly in love with her as well."