A Hall of Mirrors

A Light of Silver

Kath was right and wrong at the same time about the Underworld. Once she thought that it simply was a barren waste of land with acres of souls wandering around and living their Afterlives quietly. Well, whatever preconceived notions she had about Hades’ domain were effectively extinguished.

First and foremost, Kath had only been right about one thing; it was dark in the Underworld, but it surprisingly wasn’t the kind of darkness that didn’t let light through. For one, bright silvery glowing lamps aided the dirt path to the docks. Beyond the dreadful River Styx were more of the same lamps but Kath was more or less fixated on the enormous, black castle that glinted ominously in the distance, the countless windows all emitting light behind them.

She didn’t have to ask Thanatos who still gripped her hand tightly as if he were afraid she would go wandering on her own. Hades was home, and he no doubt already knew she was in his domain.

Their previous conversation comes forth unbidden in her mind, prompted by the sight of Hades’ palace alone. She knew she told Thanatos that she would handle the God of the Underworld all on her own but it was starting to sound like an awful idea. 

Truth be told, Kath did not have a clue how she’d be able to face him because of two things: first, she was certain that the line drawn between them in the proverbial sand was clear not only to her but to Hades as well, and when she had done so, he was quick to take a step back albeit with the threat of him not answering even if she begged. Secondly, and perhaps most disturbing of all, she was fairly sure that another encounter with him would end up with her begging him in one or another.

For short, Kath was being a coward and she was ashamed to be in the presence of the brave mortal soul who saved her.

Thanatos turned to Enrico, a warm smile still on his lips. “You haven’t been given the burial rites yet but Charon will accept a gold coin for your passage, pending the burial.”

Enrico nodded thoughtfully, pulling a coin from his pocket and turning it over and over in his hand. He grinned at Kath. “My Grandma Leona gave each of us a gold coin from Lord Apollo’s gift. She ordered us to keep it with us all the time. I think she has a gift.”

Kath shook her head, tears starting anew. “I’m sorry for this, Enrico. This is all my fault.”

But Enrico’s ghost drifted towards her and ducked so she could look into his hazy eyes. It made Kath sad that the happy brown of his eyes had gone translucent.

“Lady Kath, it was my honor too—well, ‘defend’ is a lousy word but—”

“No, no. It is what you did.” Kath put her hand over her heart and deeply curtsied. “I will forever remember your sacrifice. Enrico, I am indebted to your blood.”

Enrico bowed his head before he turned to the docks, waiting as the old man on a rickety boat pushed for where we were. Kath glanced at the dark-winged god as he made for the docks, his hand still clasping hers.

“I won’t run.”

Thanatos looked over his shoulder with a small sheepish grin before he let go. “I am trusting you won’t. Otherwise, this would be a very long and harrowing first visit for you in the Underworld.”

Kath didn’t doubt that for a second. Enrico was already getting on Charon’s ferry, however, and she pointed towards them. “Should we go on the boat?”

He shook his head. “That mode of transportation is only for departed souls. You can choose if you want me to fly you over the river or simply bridge.” Then his eyes twinkled, head tilting in assessment of her. “But you’re too intrigued by how it might feel to fly, am I correct?”

She grinned. “I think I like you, Thanatos. You get me.”

Death surprised her by rolling his eyes. “Are you telling me people have a hard time reading you when everything is clearly printed across your forehead?”

Kath scowled but stepped into his arms when he opened them, his wings unfurling behind him with a mighty, booming sound that echoed across the Underworld.

“People have a tendency of assuming everything about me and they think it doesn’t matter anyway because I wear my emotions plainly, that is what I’m telling you. It might be nice to be asked every now and again, but I would not know, would I?”

Thanatos picked her up, the ferry a couple of yards into the river now. Green eyes met silver. “I apologize. From now on, I’ll ask you instead of assuming. Okay?”

Kath smiled. “Thank you, Than.”

“Than?”

“Yes,” she simply said. “A nickname for a friend because that is what we are now.”

Thanatos laughed, a deep and merry sound that Kath found she liked. “Alright, friend. Let’s go and bring your hero to his final resting place.”

With one mighty beat of his wings, they were airborne and Kath was seeing almost the entirety of the Underworld. Flying was incredible. She might have been in the Underworld but she was up in the air and feeling the wind like she wasn’t In fact, the smell of the Underworld wasn’t terrible and instead, its scent was pleasantly distinct. Rich and earthy tones mixed with the aroma of the woods.

Thanatos pointed out the Fields of Asphodel to her, the souls pale and translucent like Enrico’s own form. But music floated up to her from Asphodel, and distantly she could see the souls talking to one another, laughing and singing and dancing. Beyond were groves of trees with leaves like sparkling onyxes but it was far from the path lit by the lamps, making it seem like it shouldn’t be visited by anyone, dead or alive. A mountainous backdrop stood behind it, the Rivers of the Underworld all snaking around and underneath it to three golden gates.

They flew close enough to Hades’ home, the high towers jutting upwards and the material… It wasn’t like the pearly sheen of Olympus’ own walls, but something like it was made out of night itself. A garden filled with white flowers Kath couldn’t figure out what kind stood just behind the western section of the palace and she could not shake the urge to be there.

But soon they were banking to land, Thanatos gripped her middle and the back of her knees tightly, her arms loosely around his neck as they landed right near the banks of the Styx.

Thanatos flicked a thick brow up at her as he set her down on the grassy ground. “You good?”

Kath nodded, her eyes already on Enrico as he disembarked on the ferry. She whispered, “He’ll go to Elysium?”

Death’s answering nod comforted her. “Then he’ll choose if he wants to go for rebirth or to stay.”

“And if he stays?”

Thanatos put a hand over her shoulder. “Elysium is a good place, Kath. Come, Enrico. We’ll walk with you.”

They stayed the path, Thanatos walking leisurely beside the both of them in silence. Kath took everything in, even saying hello to a handful of souls who greeted the God of Death as they passed. It was a long walk and they passed the palace eventually. But when they hit Elysium, the white marble arc a distant thing standing in front of them, Thanatos swore.

“Why, what is it?” Enrico asked worriedly.

Kath squinted, staring at the black figure leaning casually on the base of the arc and echoed his sentiment.

They continued walking, the sight of the God of the Underworld waiting for them becoming clearer and clearer with every step forward. Kath felt like she was walking to her doom instead of approaching the land where heroic and distinguished souls went to in death.

“No matter what happens,” Thanatos murmured to her, “remember that you promised to take the fall. The story: you bullied me.”

Kath gaped at him as Enrico frowned. “We’re lying to the Lord of this realm? I don’t know if I can do that.”

Thanatos shook his head. “You stay quiet and you won’t have to.”

Their small party of three stopped just underneath the archway. Hades pushed himself off from the carved stone and tucked both hands into his dark trousers.

Black eyes flecked with gold bore into Kath’s own but he does not address her.

“I heard a mortal saved a goddess’s life today,” he murmured, eyes never leaving hers. “Tell me, will you be reborn or will you stay in Elysium?”

Kath swallowed, her feet shifting uncontrollably underneath her. Thanatos poked Enrico’s side.

“Oh! Um, I’d like to er, stay, Lord Hades.”

A perfectly shaped brow flicked up. “You don’t want to try for the Isle of the Blessed?”

Kath saw Enrico shake his head from her periphery. “Yes, Lord Hades,” and that was all he said on the matter.

“Thanatos, take this wise mortal into Elysium and get him situated. Lady Kath.” He held out an arm. “Please come with me to the palace.”

He said it so nicely but Kath knew it wasn’t a request. If she did not willingly go, he would no doubt find a way to drag her there unwillingly.

“I want to see that Enrico is well,” she mumbled to Hades. “Please.”

Hades’ lips thinned. “I will take you to him myself later. Thanatos still has to help him readjust to his Afterlife.”

She searched his eyes but she knew she did not have to. Kath got a feeling that Hades would never willingly lie to her and that already made him a lot better than some people in her life.

Kath took his proffered arm, her throat tightening at the smooth material of his black sleeves and the strong muscles underneath it. Hades, for once going so long without her seeing him smirking, only arched a brow in question.

“I’m okay,” she assured him. “You can bridge.”

The light of amusement flicked on behind his eyes but his mouth remained resolutely set. “You think I’m bridging you to my home?” He shook his head. “No, little kitty. We are walking and you and I? We are going to have a nice and long chat.”