The Verdict

One moment Emilios was in his bathrobe in his study within his mansion, in the Rioan Kingdom.. however now Emilios found himself above a lifeless city made as shades 'lived'. For a moment he thought he was falling however this wasn't the case as he looked down he could see bright golden celestial like chains binging him as a figure chucked above him, "You mortals always make me laugh.." this was the person who called themselves Aster.

They were beautiful however Emilios was unable to tell if this person or being was man or woman, their body was slender their face was beautiful, their hair not too long yet not too short it was golden with pink highlights, their eyes silver like a pair of moons. Emilios was a straight man who found homosexual relationships disgraceful and disgusting yet in his thoughts he would be able to be attracted to this person regardless of their sex.

After frowned when they saw Emilios' lusting eyes, "Look forward.. feeling your gaze upon me.. makes me want to puke.. I only have eyes for one and it isn't you.." Aster spat.

Aster's tone shifted as they continued, "Ah~ but to be so close to the prince.. it's a real shame.. he couldn't see my true self.. right now.. no matter how much.. mhmm~ I wanted to just through myself at him.. I unfortunately have to deal with you.. instead."

Both Emilios and Aster were both quiet as they traveled over the vast city of the dead.

Eventually Aster landed and made Emilios land on his face with a thump, "Oops~" they said clearly sarcasticly.

Waving their hand Aster summoned one of the chains and pulled Emilios on his stomach through this massive castle of black stone and silver inlay, "Where am i?" He asked guessing the answer to his question.

A melodic voice spoke, "You are in the city of Tartarus within Master Hades' realm, seldom do living walk these hallowed walls.." as a man with curly black hair approached.

"Orpheus.. how's unlife? Still seeing that Nymph? What was her name again..?" Said Aster cocking their head to the side.

"You damn well know her name.. Aster... anyways.. Eurydice is well."

Aster just playfully pointed their tongue at Orpheus.

Emilios spoke up, "What.. no way.. you are.. Orpheus the bard of legends... wha.." before Emilios could continue speaking Orpheus plucked a note on his lyre as he did Emilios' mouth sowed itself shut.

Orpheus glared at at the panicking mortal, "You will only speak when spoken to.. we all watched as you broke the pact... I know from experience.. mortals can never be trusted.."

A chilling cold swept through the halls.

"We'd better move on Aster.." Orpheus said as he turned his lyre floating next to him as he went.

Aster spoke no more as the just continued to drag Emilios through the vacant halls.

Eventually the trio reached a set of doors, playing a turn Orpheus opened the doors. Inside was a massive court room with several different figures within some Emilios recognized, some heroic people from legends looked to him with distain.. he saw a few friends of his that died in battle still clad in their armor and weapons, within the crowd Emilios spotted a very familiar person none other than his father Alexandros still wielding a shade of his former weapon Varatha a spear that was passed down through generations of his family, when their eyes met Alexandros turned away in shame.

Emilios laid eyes upon several other beings one that immediately caught his attention was a massive 3 headed dog, one head asleep, one chewing on something and the other staring daggers into Emilios which caused him to nearly piss himself. Turing from the mythical dog, a trio for women who all wore similar clothing, all of them wielding whips, took turns glaring at him, many of the dead quietly talked to each other and stealing glances at Emilios until four figures descended into the room the figures of a man and a woman who came to Emilios in a vision 15 years ago.. this he knew in his heart of hearts was Hades and Persephone both looked like someone kicked their dog.. glaring and frowning as they took their seats looking down from above.

Orpheus approached the center of the floor and spoke his voice deep and infused with power, "We have all gathered here today to witness a pact breaker.. this mortal made a pact against his name and his blood that he would care for the Prince as if the Prince was his own child.. however moments ago.. many of us... Lord Hades and Lady Persephone themselves witnessed the scum disowning Prince Zagreus and in turn shattering the pact."

The dead in the stands erupted into chatter, "Emilios broke a pact with Lord Hades?! Is he insane" one said

Another one spoke, "No he's probably just that stupid.."

"SILENCE.." Hades said. As he did the chatter ceased.

Nodding to Orpheus to continued turinf to the dead relatives and old war buddies of Emilios, "This isn't the only offense you should think of.. while it is the one that has garnered much hate toward this mortal.. from the gods and rest of us... watch the scrying pool of the past."

I circular pool of water forms within the space infront of the dead, as it shows images of Emilios in the recent years, everyone watches as the ripples fade....

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...

"My love... they did awful things.. to me.. one of them forced himself on me.. this morning I found out.. I'm.. I'm pregnant..." Rhea cried both tears of sadness and hurt but of happiness.

"Don't worry we will get rid of that abomination soon my dear.." Emilios said hugging Rhea.

However Rhea pushed out of the hug, "No.. I.. I'm keeping the child... I refuse to do something so.. barbaric.. just because the baby's father.. was a monster doesn't mean this child will be... I won't let this blessing turn into even more of a tragedy..." Rhea said standing tall.

"How dare you carry someone else's basterd babe!? I have already told you to get rid of it!" Emilios spat.

Slightly backing away Rhea cried, "I will not!"

As soon as the words left her lips Emilios slapped Rhea so hard her lip started bleeding.

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...

The scrying pool rippled and faded and the chatter of the dead picked up again, many of the gods glared at Emilios.

Hades was about to silence them when I commanding voice among the dead spoke, "Lord Hades my I step forward to speak my liege?" Alexandros, Emilios' deceased father stepped from the crowd.

A moment of silence passed before Hades spoke, "Proceed."

Stepping from the crowd of the dead a tall muscular man wearing black armor with red and gold tread, carring a shade of the great spear in his grasp took the center floor staring down at his son for a moment then facing the gods, "Lord Hades, Lady Persephone, i bow to the house of Hades.. my clan has long since served you my king.. you graciously gifted my Great grandfather the infernal spear Varatha..my son.. he disgraced our lords family.. I Alexandros Varathyn in death hearby with your permission.. disowning my son Emilios.. for breaking your pact.. and for failing as a husband and father.. please my lord punish me as well.. for failing Emilios." Alexandros kneels in the center of the court room.

Silence befalls the chamber, the gods and the dead alike stunned from this great warrior's words.

Only a few of the beings within this court room could see the smile play upon Hades face seeing this Aster being one of them. The eryines sisters could see this too and all nodded.

Hades stood up and began as if walking down a set of invisible stairs to the center of this chamber before stopping infront of Alexandros, "Rise Alexandros son of Nikolai you are not attracted fault here.. however I do accept your terms and the terms of your son. Emilios I asked you to raise my son as if he was your own flesh.. you failed, however you gave Zagreus one year and a day to unlock his birthright... so I will give you the same amount of time.. to regain his love for you.. as his foster father.. should you fail you will be condemned to the fields of punishment, stripped off your name for eternity.. this is my verdict... Aster show him his future should he fail.. then return him home.. and continue your watch over Zagreus... you are permitted to introduce yourself and become friends if you like.."

Aster quickly pulled on the golden chains linking to Emilios who was crying staring at his father who ignored him.

"Yay! I get to see the Prince more! Come on you big oaf!" As Aster pulled his body through the halls of the castle, flew him over the suffering souls, Emilios witnessed souls being crushed, burned, frozen, stabbed, torn apart, devoured by monstrous creatures and so much more before returning him to the mortal realm.