The Day Death Died

The Day Death Died - Chapter 23

Edwin's arm lifted, and with a simple gesture, the air before us twisted violently, forming a swirling vortex. A pull of energy coursed through me as the portal yawned open, a silent invitation to an ominous destination. Without hesitation, Edwin stepped into its depths, his stride confident. I followed closely behind, my heart racing as the edges of reality blurred and twisted around us.

As I glanced back, the entrance we had passed through vanished—sealed as if it had never existed. There would be no retreat. We were committed now.

"Where are we?" I asked, my voice small in the face of the vast unknown.

Edwin glanced around, his brow furrowed. "We've entered the Underworld."

I looked around, my unease deepening. "This doesn't look like the Underworld I remember."

"We're on the far side of Hades' palace," he explained. "This is... the backyard, so to speak."

"Of course. The backyard of a death god. How quaint," I muttered, taking in the eerie landscape around us. The usual sprawling halls and grand chambers were nowhere to be seen. Instead, the ground was uneven, barren, and misted over, like a forgotten hinterland.

Edwin's lips twitched in a rare smile. "The palace is quite beautiful on the other side, I'll give you that."

"That's Persephone's doing," I said, remembering the light and warmth of the palace gardens. "She makes the place feel alive, even down here."

"Indeed. She's the soul of this realm. And her cookies are exceptional."

The mist gradually lifted, revealing the enormous dark fortress of Hades' palace looming in the distance. On one of the lower terraces near the back entrance, Persephone stood waiting for us, a solemn figure against the bleak backdrop. Her beauty, usually radiant with warmth, was tinged with melancholy today.

As we approached, her expression tightened. "This was a reckless decision," she admonished gently.

I blinked, surprised by the reprimand. "You knew what we were doing?"

Persephone nodded, her dark eyes serious. "It's not every day two reapers set off on a mission to speak with Nyx and Chaos, let alone acquire a map to Tartarus. Word has spread. You are being watched."

"By whom?" I asked, feeling an unexpected knot of fear tighten in my stomach.

"Everyone," she said softly. "This isn't a secret anymore. The denizens of the Underworld are whispering about it."

I swallowed hard. "Everyone knows?"

Persephone gave a grave nod. "Hades is inside. He will guide you to the entrance beneath the palace. But I must warn you... what lies beyond that door is not something I can help you with."

"No company for the trip?" I asked, half-joking, though I felt the weight of what was ahead pressing on me.

Her gaze softened with sympathy. "I'm afraid not. I won't follow you there." She stepped forward, and in an unexpected gesture, pulled me into a warm embrace. "Please be careful, Maddison. Tartarus is not for the faint-hearted. You are walking into danger."

I returned the embrace, grateful but anxious. "Thank you," I whispered, stepping back. Her words lingered, making me feel as if I were about to cross a line I couldn't uncross.

Taking Edwin's hand, I followed him down a narrow stone staircase that spiraled deeper into the earth. The further we descended, the more oppressive the air became. Torches flickered weakly along the walls, casting long, eerie shadows that danced with each gust of cold wind.