Domonicai, the captain of the Immortal Guard of Hades, had been summoned by none other than Death herself. This concerned the man as no one who had been summoned by Death came out... Ever. Approaching and never breaking his stride, he entered what could only be described as a goddess's study.
It was spacious and luxurious, the walls covered in dark trimmed tapestries with images portraying brighter days when Death was not so... frightening in a sense. On her floor was a beautiful throw rug with a crimson and black filigree design.
Death was standing before a fireplace, the dancing embers casting her silhouette on the floor behind her. Not even turning to face him, her voice cold as ice welcomed him.
"Greetings, Captain. I see that you answered my summons." Even in a voice of ice, there was a slight hint of humor to it. "Now come closer. You have no need to be afraid."
There were rumors that she was able to smell the fear of those around her and it frightened the Guard. Not many were bold enough to approach the goddess, even outside of her chambers.
Domonicai, not wishing to upset her when he was here on her accord, approached and stood before her. Only then did she turn around.
Death was a rather small woman who appeared only twenty or so, with the coldest eyes one could possibly imagine. In those eyes, the pain and suffering of all humanity was reflected. She had been charged with this position from the very beginning of time. She wore a black gown and a crimson cloak around her shoulders, already giving the woman an air of superiority. Furthermore, she typically walked as if all were beneath her.
"What do you require of me, my goddess?" He inquired, dipping into a deep bow.
Her eyes, death iced over, met his own brimstone colored ones. "You seem to have been lacking in your responsibilities as of late, Domonicai." There was blatant disapproval tinting her words.
He was taken back at hearing these words. His mind froze up and he squared his shoulders.
"I beg your pardon, Goddess? Punish me for speaking out of turn if you will, but how have I been 'lacking in my responsibilities' as you have put it?" He replied in a semi-cross tone.
His words made her give a gentle laugh then she sobered and spoke once more.
"You have lost your purpose, my child. No longer do you deliver just punishment to those deserving of it. You simply punish all, giving no care as to whether they are deserving or not."
This stunned the warrior as he met her eyes with a questioning look. He knew that he should watch his tongue around Death, but her accusations were unfounded in his eyes.
"What proof do you have of this, Goddess? I have done my tasks as I should. I have remained forever loyal to you. And still you accuse me of having lost my purpose? What gives you the right?" With every statement, his voice had raised in volume by a minor degree.
The goddess was highly offended by his words and growled, retorting with a fierce slap across the warrior's face. He felt the sting of her small yet infinitely strong hand as the nails clawed his cheek. His head whipped back as he stumbled away from her a few feet. Regaining his balance, he placed a hand to his injured cheek and understood he had deserved such a response.
"Domonicai, I was going to give you a chance to find your place once more. However with the disrespect that you have shown me, Goddess of Death, I now strip you of your title and the perks that come with it. You are now banished to the Realm of the Living. Only when you have rediscovered your purpose and how to respect those higher than you will you be permitted to return." Her voice had a devastatingly final tone to it.
A portal appeared behind the once great warrior of Death and he was sucked into it, feeling a sharp and fierce burning along his side. After what had seemed an agonizing eternity, he realized that he was now in the Realm of the Living with no possible way of returning to what he had called home.
