Hope for the Underworld

30

'... Inspector...'

Christopoulos looked around, not understanding what was happening.

What, in heaven's name, was he doing here?

He couldn't remember going down to the cave... Then, his eyes stopped on a shadow appearing as if from nothingness. A few more seconds and he was able to distinguish a shape of a body. A woman's body.

'What?...' A question froze on his lips.

'Inspector,' the woman spoke in a familiar accent, and he realised he knew that voice. 'Inspector,' she repeated. 'Please, do not be alarmed.'

A few more steps and he could see her better. It was her! 'Miss Lancaster!' he exclaimed with elation. 'What are you doing here?'

'Inspector, I am not really here. You are dreaming,' she spoke with kindness; she was aware how difficult the truth was.

He was about to respond, to ask her questions, when he became aware of another shadow materialising just behind her.

'We are not really in the cave,' Cora explained. 'But I thought it might be easier if we met in familiar surroundings.'

'What the hell is going on?!' he exploded, unable to control himself any longer. 'Who's that behind you?'

'Inspector, I know it is difficult to accept, but please, trust me.' She stepped closer and took his hand.

It felt real enough to him. 'How can this be a dream?' he demanded. 'I can feel your touch!'

'That is thanks to the extraordinary powers of my companion.' She indicated the man, standing motionless behind her.

For the first time Christopoulos took notice of her outfit and he realised it somehow matched that of the man next to her; they both wore very elaborate clothes, with matching embroidery along the cuffs and cuts. When the man stepped forward to stand by her side, the Inspector recognised instantly the mystery stranger who had brought her to the clinic all that time ago.

She saw his confusion and hastened to explain. 'Inspector, please, allow me to introduce you to Lord Hades, Ruler of the Underworld...'

Christopoulos snorted with indignant laughter, cutting her off. 'Do you really expect me to believe that?!'

'Yes.' Her unflinching gaze told him she, at least, believed that.

'Hades? As in mythology?'

'Yes.' It was the man's turn to speak. His voice was calm and full of dignified confidence. 'I am aware that mortals stopped believing in the ancient gods a very long time ago. But it doesn't mean we ceased to exist. My function of passing judgement on the deceased remains as vital now as it was a thousand years ago.'

'What?' The Inspector shook his head as if he tried to wake up.

'What would convince you to the truth?' Hades' gaze was unflinching.

'I'm obviously dreaming, so nothing I will witness could be considered as evidence.' The Inspector tried to retain a cool head.

'That is the reason we do not often reveal ourselves to mortals,' spoke Hades again. 'But my love convinced me this is necessary.'

'Necessary?'

'You have been searching for me,' she explained patiently. 'But you must stop. You will not succeed, because I am not in the mortal realm anymore...'

'You are dead?!' he interrupted; his voice rising in panic.

'No.' She smiled and took her companion's hand; instantly, the air around them shimmered and crackled with static. 'I am in the Underworld, that's true, but I'm alive. Let us sit down.' She looked to Hades; he waved his hand and the scene around them changed; they were now in the library. 'Inspector, please, allow me to explain.'