FIFTEEN

She had no idea where her notion of the underworld came from. The world of gods was something she regarded as superstition simply because she doesn’t believe in them. It was one of the reasons why she found it really hard to believe that she was in the underworld and the actual god of the underworld was the one who took her to make his subject. Before, she could imagine the underworld to be dark and scary and not…livable.

But nothing really prepared her for what the actual underworld looked like. The surrounding was not what she expected. Instead of flowing lava and volcanoes constantly spewing fireballs, she could see lush mountains. She found herself standing at the edge of the cliff and when she looked down, she let out a gasp as she realized how high she is from the sea.

“Where…Where are we? Is this the underworld?” she asked as she looked at Hades who was standing beside her.

“Not yet, darling,” he said. “This is the last thing every soul sees before going to the actual underworld.”

It made sense when he explained it. This couldn’t be the underworld. She wanted to ask him why it looked like paradise but she stopped herself before Hades could think she was starting to get interested. But she didn’t need to ask the question. It was probably already so visible on her face because Hades started talking.

“This is the last place they see because the next destination is not going to be worse than their nightmares.”

She swallowed hard. “Who comes down here?”

Hades’ smile tells her she shouldn’t have asked the question but it was too late now.

“Souls of the damned, Guinevere. Those who have been so, so bad in their life as humans. They come down here when they die.”

Another question threatened to come out of her mouth but she stopped herself. But as usual, Hades seems to have this extraordinary talent of reading her mind. Then again, he’s someone powerful. Reading somebody’s mind should be easy for him.

“If you want to know if your parents are here, it’s hard to know.”

She furrowed her brows as she looked at him. “Why?”

“Their faces aren’t really as remarkable—“

“But surely, you remembered them, right? You remembered they were the ones who bargained their own daughter?”

“Bargained you for your own life,” he said, as though correcting her. But she doesn’t stand corrected.

“A life I did not ask for. A life they wanted to have because…I don’t know, maybe they thought one day they were lonely so they decided to ask me from you.”

Hades did not say a word for a while and she was grateful for the silence.

Then he said, “They’re not here.”

She scoffed. “Where could they be? Is bargaining their own daughter too bad they’re not qualified to be in the underworld?”

“There’s the heavens, the midland, and the underworld. Your parents are not here so that only leaves two choices.”

The heavens and the midland. She’s heard of them and never believed them, of course. If only she paid attention before, she wouldn’t have been too surprised when this happened to her. But even a devoted believer would flip if they too realize that the thing they believe in is happening right in front of their faces. Do those people who believe in gods actually believe they’re real? Or are they just trying to hold on to it just so it could give them comfort that there is more for them in the afterlife? She guessed she would never have the chance to ask especially since she was going to be stuck in this place for as long as her mortal life could muster.

But then it begs another question.

“Will I die here?” she asked. She didn’t dare look at Hades again as she was scared he’ll whatever was plastered on her face.

“It depends,” he said. This time, she looked at him, somehow scared of what he had to say. “You will have the choice to become immortal, Guinevere. But that is a story for another time.” He extended a hand and she looked at him questioningly.

“We have other places to visit,” is all he said as if it was enough explanation as to why she would take his hand. She isn’t inclined to find out what would happen if she doesn’t follow so she took a step forward and took his hand. Before she could even ask where exactly they were going, a sudden pull made her yelp and in an instant, she was standing in a completely different place.

Earlier it looked peaceful and serene. The next place looked exactly the opposite. Darkness seems to creep into the farthest corners of the place. She held her breath as she let her eyes roam on a tall castle. It wasn’t like the ones people see in fairytales. The castle in front of her came straight out of a nightmare. The spires were tall and save for the torchlight that hung on the wall, there was no other source of light to lighten the place. It was as though it was made for darkness or perhaps it was the other way around. Perhaps the darkness she could almost taste in this place was emitted by the gloomy castle.

“Welcome to the underworld, Guinevere,” Hades said beside her. She couldn’t even bring to twist her head to look at him. Her eyes remained fixed on the castle in front of her. Somehow, despite the darkness, she found herself seeing beauty in it. She had always admired the night, the peace and quiet it offers. Looking at the gloomy castle makes her feel like she was looking at a stormy night, on the verge of wreaking havoc. It fits hell.

Then she heard screams which made her inch closer to Hades. She prayed the man hadn’t noticed her flinching but she doubts it. Her eyes roamed around the area to look for the source of the voice. There was nothing but darkness that seem to creep in.

“Damned souls,” he said and she doesn’t want to know what it meant and why they were screaming. But Hades went on anyway. “They’re being tortured in their own version of hell.”

She swallowed hard and she willed herself not to look too long in the darkness. “Why…What kind of torture?”

“Not physically if that’s what you’re worried about,” he answered and then started walking toward the gate. She immediately followed.

“What exactly is then, then?”

The rusty gates creaked open. The sound was sharp and loud she could have sworn the darkness took a step back. It looked like it was welcoming its master home.

Hades gave her a sideways glance. “They’re living in their own kind of hell—worst memory of their lives and it’s on repeat. That kind of torture.”

Instantly, she thought of what was the worst day of her life and she bristled at the fact that there were too many of them.

The gates stopped opening and they walked inside. But she was stopped on her tracks when she saw a dog. Not just an ordinary dog but a huge one. And it has three heads!

She didn’t want to seem like she was scared but since when did dogs have three heads? Unconsciously, she found herself hiding behind Hades and peeked at the huge dog in front of them.

One word she could think of to describe the animal was that it was majestic. It’s silky, black fur gleamed in the dark as though it was absorbing all the darkness in the surroundings. And its eyes were a bright shade of blue—almost the same hue as Cerberus—

Her train of thought was stopped.

“You can stop scaring her, Seb. She knows.”

No, she didn’t know. She was just suspecting but Hades called the dog Seb, which only means that the dog in front of them is…

“Cerberus,” she muttered. As if on cue, a short, blinding light came from him. She covered her eyes and by the time she opened them, there was no dog in front of them anymore. Instead, it was Cerberus, grinning as though he had just made the greatest achievement in his life.

The mocking smile on his face did not escape her eyes. He then bowed to his waist before he looked up and said, “Welcome home.” His voice sounded like a sweet temptation and she knew he wasn’t welcoming Hades. She knew he was welcoming her because it was going to be her home forever.

She swallowed hard as his eyes went to her. He then stood straight and gestured for them inside. He was mocking and scaring her. She figured he takes delight in seeing fear on her face and she had decided she will not give him an ounce of satisfaction.

She grinned back and the faltering smile on his face was enough to make her night.

“I don’t intend to stay long,” she said and then walked ahead.