Hope for the Underworld

35

As they waited for the fruits of their labour to appear, they both attended their duties as Lord Receiver and Lady Justice. They did not preside over as many sessions as they had been at the beginning, but they turned at the Great Hall from time to time, and on each occasion, it caused a significant stir, as many souls still hoped to be judged by Cora.

She engaged the departed only occasionally, and only when they resonated with her in some way, but she accepted her duty as the Lord Receiver's Betrothed and the future Queen of the Underworld.

This day did not seem to be any different from countless others they had spent passing judgement on departed souls. As always, they sat side by side, occasionally placing a hand on the other's arm, to share their strength.

Then, the huge doors swung silently open, and a new arrival walked towards the raised platform, where their thrones were situated.

Cora instantly felt some disturbance, as if someone who was not supposed to be there had snuck in. The expression on Hades' face told her he had felt it too. She then looked towards the approaching soul and... shuddered; she was forced to blink several times to reassure herself she wasn't imagining it.

In front of them was... Barry.

Without realising who was standing before them, Hades asked his eternal question. 'What is your crime?'

'I... betrayed someone. The most wonderful person I had ever met,' he was compelled by the rules of the Underworld to answer truthfully.

Before Hades was able to ask another question, he registered with surprise that Cora rose off her seat and glowered angrily at the soul facing them; the shadows swirling around her, somehow blurring the contours of her body.

The Lord of the Underworld looked from her to the departed in front of them without understanding. 'Who are you?' he demanded of him.

'My name is Barry... I was her fiancé...'

Hades watched with growing alarm Cora's shadows swirling even faster; her eyes darkened, and her fists clenched spasmodically, while her whole body seemed to be consumed by dark flames, dancing spontaneously all over her.

Barry finally raised his eyes to them and gasped, seeing Cora's transformation. He fell to his knees and started sobbing miserably.

'Why did you do it?' The menacing sound that escaped her throat was nothing like her usual voice and Hades shuddered, for the first time seeing the dark side of her personality.

'I was afraid,' wailed the soul. 'I was scared you would see me for who I really was... Not worthy... So, I forced your hand... to save my pride...'

'You...' Cora growled, tethering on the verge of loosing control over herself. But then, she raised her head, sensing there was someone there who wanted her to lose that control. Her searching gaze fell on... Eris, standing towards the back of the Hall, smirking with menace. Their eyes met briefly, and Cora noticed with satisfaction a small imperfection on the goddess' nose, where her fist had made a dent... But then, that satisfaction was replaced by all-consuming anger... It was Eris who brought Barry here, for Cora to see... to judge...

The shadows swirled around her in a frightening frenzy and Cora suddenly felt queasy. She closed her eyes to stop the feeling of the world spinning around her, but to no avail. She felt bile rising in her throat and was forced to step quickly behind her throne, where she was violently sick.

Hades was by her side in an instant and transported them back to their apartment, where Cora collapsed against him. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

'What has just happened?' he asked breathlessly, but she wouldn't respond. Leaving her under the care of the shadows, he returned to the Great Hall, where Barry was still kneeling in front of their thrones. 'Rise!' Hades ordered; his tone as hard as a flint. Unable to resist his power, the soul complied. 'Tell me the truth! Why are you here?'

'After I broke her heart, I couldn't really live with myself... I started drinking and taking drugs... They told me Cora went away and was kidnapped... I couldn't...' he sobbed. 'I felt responsible...'

'And?' Hades leant forward; his eyes glowing fiery red with anger.

'I had a car crash... Now I'm dead...'

'But why would you want her to pronounce judgement on you?'

'She is... Lady Hope...' Barry's voice trailed away under the hard stare Hades gave him.

'I feel it right that Lady Justice should decide on your punishment,' announced Lord Receiver, stressing the name. 'Until that time, you are to roam the Underworld without respite or any comfort!' He rose from his throne and gave a sign for the guards to take Barry away.

This done, he returned to the palace. 'How is she?' he asked of the shadows.

'Quite unwell, Lord.' The voice was concerned. 'And quite heartbroken...'

When Hades entered their bedroom, he found Cora on the bed, rolled in a tight ball; in the same position he had left her a few minutes ago. 'My love, what has happened?' he asked gently, stroking her back. But she scoffed at him; that was her only response. 'Darling, please, tell me.' His tone implored. Yet, he received no reply. 'You will answer me!' he spoke eventually, with force and authority that compelled her to react.

Cora rose and looked at him; her face was puffy and swollen, her eyes red and teary. 'I...' she stammered. 'I wanted to... punish him!' She gritted her teeth.

'Punish him?'

'And her... Eris.'

'Eris?' He clearly didn't understand.

'It was Eris who brought him before us! She wanted to provoke me... to watch me lose control...'

'I will deal with her later,' he promised. 'But now, I am more concerned about you. I saw how you reacted... Are you alright?'

'No...' Cora sobbed, suddenly contrite. 'I can't... be trusted any more... I really wanted him to suffer...' She was crying.

'Do not worry, my love.' He stroked her hair. 'We'll deal with it later. Now, you must get some rest.' Although his tone was reassuring, he couldn't stop thinking about the dark flames that had consumed her in the Great Hall. And what they might signify.

But Cora didn't feel any better the next morning. Every time she thought of Barry and of Eris, uncontrolled anger rolled over her in relentless waves, bringing with it the feeling of nausea. She felt exhausted and sick, which only deepened her misery. She refused to eat and seemed to oscillate between anger and despondency. Hades watched with growing alarm her transformations from a sobbing wreck to a murderous embodiment of vengeance. Once again, he was at a loss of what to do.

Eventually, Cora managed to pull herself together somehow. 'I need to see the Oracle,' she announced one morning. Hades noticed her pale face and dark shadows encircling her eyes. 'This cannot continue!'

'I will...' he started, but she stopped him with a gesture.

'Alone,' she said; her tone suggesting it was beyond discussion. 'I must face this alone.'

'Why?' Hurt flashed briefly in his eyes, but he suppressed his disappointment; this was about her and for her he would do anything. 'But how will you get there?'

'We could ask Hermes.'

'Of course.' He rose to his feet. 'But you must have some sustenance.' He clicked his fingers and a goblet appeared in his hand. 'Please, drink this.' He asked before leaving.

'Thank you.'

She was afraid it would make her sick again, but, surprisingly, the ambrosia made her feel slightly better; she felt stronger, and her mood lifted significantly. So, she drained the cup and asked the servants for another one. Feeling sufficiently restored, she took a shower and dressed appropriately.