“You need to see what I know to be true. Mortals plead for either eternal freedom in Elysium or mercy in condemnation. Watch the next Final Judgment. See for yourself what simple creatures mortals are. Maybe then you will stop creating stories.” Mother brushed past her sister and disappeared down the hall.
Maiden crossed her arms and lowered her green eyes to the crisscrossed pattern of shadows. “There is nothing wrong in thinking there is more to them. Besides, are not all stories based in truths?” Maiden said, sliding her bare feet across the smooth floor.
The narrow hall felt smaller as she approached the grand gate. The stench of decay wafted from the Acheron River, and Maiden covered her nose to keep from gagging.
“Charon, bring us the next soul for Final Judgment,” a voice thundered from one of the three high-backed platinum chairs at the mouth of the Acheron.
Although their seats hid the figures, she recognized the voice. “Aeacus,” she whispered, quickening her pace. She reached the gate and stood on her tiptoes to see over its filigree designs.
Charon’s skiff drunkenly bobbed along the waters of the Acheron. Its lone passenger held his arms out to steady himself as Charon guided the boat to shore.
“Your time has come.” Charon’s bony arm pointed to the chairs. “Go, face your judgment, but do not forget to leave my payment.” His long beard seemed to pull him down; a small hump formed between his shoulder blades.
The soul stood and dropped his fare by Charon’s feet. It hit the vessel with a hollow thud. “Your coin, Charon,” he said, bowing low before he disembarked.
“Galen Argyris, your life in the Mortal Realm has ended. Your soul now faces Final Judgment. Only two choices remain, Elysium or the Underworld. How do you believe your soul has been colored?” Aeacus thundered.
“I am innocent.” He stood tall before the panel, too proud to bend to the river’s stench. “But I am not deserving of a place in Elysium. I made a deal in the Mortal Realm to trade my soul for that of my son.”
“You wish to relinquish your soul’s right to Elysium to spare your son?” A second voice reverberated through the chamber.
“I do, Rhadamanthus. The seer assured me the pact we made would be accepted,” Galen said.
“And it will, unless you change your fate. The agreement you reached in the Mortal Realm can be quickly overturned,” Aeacus said.
Rhadamanthus leaned forward. “Your son lit fire to a villa, causing the death of four mortals. Condemnation for taking life is severe. It will feel even more so as it has been earned by another.”
“Those lives were not taken on purpose.” Sorrow touched Galen’s voice. “My son deserves a second chance. I will not go back on my word. I accept whatever may come with the fate I have chosen.”
Maiden’s calves ached, and she squeezed the gate’s swirling bars to steady herself.
“Galen Argyris, the Underworld will be your home. You will be trapped for eternity within its gates, and it will drain you of all happiness and hope. Do you understand?” the third voice boomed.
Galen nodded. “Yes, Minos.”
Minos continued, “Your fate has been decided. Enter Tartarus and await your warden. You cannot escape or change this judgment. It is final and binding.”
The gate vibrated and Maiden ducked into the shadows. It clattered open and Galen’s footsteps brought him closer to her. His shoulders slumped slightly as he walked past her, and Maiden couldn’t resist the urge to call out to him.
“Galen!” Startled, he turned and Maiden stepped into the light. “Why did you do such a thing?” she blurted out.
Shock painted his face. “I did not imagine someone so beautiful would not be pure enough to enter Elysium.”
Maiden blushed. “You think I am beautiful?”
“More than any creature in the Mortal Realm.”
“But I am not of your realm. I am Maiden, sister to Mother and Crone.”
“You are one of the Furies?” Embarrassment seeped into his voice, and he bowed respectfully. “My apologies. I was taken aback by your presence. It is an honor to be in your company.”
She stepped closer to him and placed her hand on his back. “Please, do not apologize. I am the one who is honored.”
His bright gray eyes reflected the shimmering light of Tartarus. “There is no reason you have to feel honored. I am awaiting condemnation.”
“I watched and know what occurred.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “I wish my sisters could have also seen your judgment.”
He smiled and shook his head. “I don’t know that I would have been as brave with all three Furies as witnesses.”
“I am certain nothing would have changed your mind. However, seeing you would have strengthened my argument and proven their belief erroneous.”
“What belief is that?”
“They think there are only two paths mortals choose while in the Mortal Realm. The path of good, which leads to Elysium, or that of damnation, which has its beginnings here. For them, there is no other route.”