Ch. 6 - The Underworld

The plush Damien got during the Harvest Festival was of Cerberus. It was a mythical creature said to have guarded the Underworld so that the dead wouldn't escape.

Although, like the tales of the Forgotten Tribe, a lot of the lore that surrounded the Underworld were slowly forgotten. Most people just knew Cerberus as some three-headed dog.

Naomi was lucky to have been educated over the forgotten history of the world, and based on how Damien responded in class it seems like he had been educated as well.

If Damien liked the lore that surrounded the Underworld, then Naomi decided to sew a small plush of a grim reaper, at least what she had thought a grim reaper would look like. It would have a tiny skull dressed in a black hooded cape.

Naomi stayed up all night sewing the grim reaper. Lenz helped get her materials, and he would have stayed over for emotional support if it weren't for the strict dorm rules.

Naomi had never failed to accomplish anything she set her mind to, and sewing that plushie was no exception.

As soon as she was done, early in the morning, she ran out to see Lenz.

"I need reassurance." She dug through her bag and pulled out the small plush she spent all night working on.

Lenz inspected it with a deadpan expression, "Objectively, I think you do a whole lot better than the ones sold in the market."

"Really?"

"I don't compliment lightly."

Naomi dug deeper into her bag and pulled out a neatly folded card.

"I've also written a letter to express my gratitude."

Lenz chuckled at her sincerity.

"All that's left is to give it to him."

"I'll need to gather my courage then."

"You have plenty. I know."

"If you say so, then it must be so."

----

As promised Damien made his way to the Underworld in order to speak in Death's defense. It was a long trip back to Forsythia, even harsher to the Underworld, but nevertheless, it was a familiar venture.

Death welcomed him at the Gates of Styx, the only entry point to the Underworld. Death wailed and circled around him, a warmer welcome than the usual.

"I've come to announce my arrival." He waved Death away, making the entity deflate into itself.

Damien bowed at the gate, and the red glowing cracks within the walls pulsed brighter.

"State the reason for your attendance!" A voice bellowed. It was the familiar bellow of the Underworld, a voice he often missed when he was away. It boomed across the expanse, enough to make Death deflate further into itself, but it filled Damien with a sense of pride, a comforting pride.

"Brother knows why I've come. I don't plan on making my stay longer than a day, if that's what he wanted."

The Underworld replied in silence before the gate creaked open.

Death wailed again, leading the way into the hall.

"I presume that the reason he caused this commotion was so that I could pay him a visit."

Silence.

"Death isn't even in distress, like I thought it would."

Silence.

Death stopped in its tracks. Damien passed it.

"I don't fare well with lies."

Silence.

The halls rumbled, and Death wailed behind him,

When Damien reached the end of the hall, he stopped before a deep abyss. He closed his eyes, before conjuring a surge of energy that traveled from his core to his finger tips, and in one fell swoop a bridge materialized before him.

He marched across with purpose in his stride. The metallic sound of his shoes against the ground echoed out into the empty.

"Brother." He stopped at the end of the bridge, "I've arrived."

The walls rumbled again reforming into the throne room, and out of the walls came a taut figure dressed in black robes.

"Damien! My dear brother!"

"Allister."

Death joined in on their greetings as he flew above Damien. He wailed before settling next to Allister, the current Lord of the Underworld, Damien's older brother.

"We can skip the pleasantries. Why was I summoned?"

Allister sighed. His already gaunt figure sank lower, "I swear on Death that it wasn't me this time. Death should have told you."

Damien looked at Death, "Is it true? What you said?"

Death nodded, "The Underworld asks for the girl. Though it is not her time."

The room grumbled along with Death's cry. It confirmed Damien's question, but it only raised more questions for him—questions he'd prefer unanswered.

"Perhaps, you should convene with the Underworld while you're here." Allister sent him off.

----

Since leaving for the academy, Damien's meetings with the Underworld lessened. What was once a daily practice became a monthly appointment. Damien had gotten the permission to lessen their meetings, so it never crossed his mind that the change would ever affect the Underworld's sentiments towards him.

But had Damien gotten insensitive over the years?

Damien locked himself in his room, clearing the cobwebs from his floor. He set his shoes aside, and loosened his uniform. Then he closed his eyes, as he sat himself on the cold ground.

As soon as he set his whole body down, the ground began to rumble again, and the warmth of the Underworld seeped into him

The cries of the dead, the whispers of the demons, the hollow call of Death and Life consumed his entire being.

"Why do you ask for a mortal? What is her importance?"

Damien waited for an answer, before a distant voice replied to him.

"That girl is not written in the Book of Life and Death. Whether or not it is her time, it is imperative we bring her to our side."

"She resides in the Living World. The Fates will not allow it."

"The Fates will allow her to reside here. We will not take her life if that's what matters to you."

Damien grew more confused.

"Reside here?"

"Her very existence is a threat to the Underworld. As long as she is here, peace remains."

"You expect her to agree?"

"Damien, you and I were once one of mind. Do you not understand that what must be done, must be done? The Book of Life and Death is a law that transcends all worlds. Agreement is out of the question. You have gone soft."

"You have gone mad! I will not allow it. As the future Lord, I object, and I will take responsibility over whatever happens to the Underworld!"

Before the Underworld could refute, Damien stormed out of the room. Death who had been eavesdropping from the other side panicked when Damien passed through him. Allister from afar shook his head, coughing weakly into his robe.

"Do not summon me for any reason related to that mortal, or we may never speak again."

The ground began rumbling, rising up in all sorts of odd shapes, but Damien was too quick.

He jumped into the abyss and grew his wings, and with sharp direction he flew out, back into the living world.