Bows and Eros

Chapter 15: The Trial

                There are three things to know about the underworld, if you ever end up unlucky enough to visit. Number one: it has a lot of fire and brimstone, and it resembled the inside of a volcano. Except of course, there is a giant river of red liquid, which I am pretending isn’t blood, streaming down the center of the underworld. Ships carrying passengers of shackled souls down the river went by every so often, and I thought I saw the distinct trace of a monster’s tail peeking out of the murky waters. Zed scolded me for looking at the river, which I guess is a good way to get sucked into the pit of the underworld for all of eternity. Secondly, there is a steady stream of screams and moans, the constant soundtrack of anguish and suffering, unrelenting in it’s reminder of exactly where you are. Thirdly, even though it looks like a giant black cave of fire and doom, it actually has several compartments. We walked through a door, which shocked me because I didn’t think the underworld had rooms.

                Behind that door was a room, much like a courtroom, only it was much more sinister. I was taken to the defendants seat, and I felt my stomach lurch. God damn oracles and their inability to be wrong. Evan and Zed were in the audience, nervously waiting. Suddenly, an array of beings entered, all looking larger than life and very perfect. A woman with long curly brown hair and eyes that looked a lot like Eros’ eyes glanced at me. If looks could kill, then I was about to become spiritual road kill because of her bitter eyes. Hello, Aphrodite, I thought. An older, but not truly old, looking woman followed behind her, shaking her head slightly. She had red hair, and she looked like she owned the place. A man with a suit of armor and an expansive chest and shoulder width followed behind. I didn’t know much about mythology, but I swallowed hard as I guessed he was Ares, the god of War. Lastly, a dark eyed, dark haired man with a pensive frown, an expansive beard, and overall broodiness walked in. He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, and put it to his mouth. He flicked his fingers and a bright flame burst forth, lighting his cigarette. That was Hades, I am sure.  In the audience a small man with a stone tablet sat down, and he looked nervous. I turned to see a familiar face sitting beside me.

“Eros,” I whispered. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be up there, condemning me?”

“Well, I am one of the lesser Gods, technically,” Eros said. “But I am here just to help. My mother said she’d allow me to speak on your behalf.”

“I see,” I said. “I guess we can say goodbye later; I’m going to the underworld Eros.”

“Not if I can stop it, dear.”

                “Silence,” The wise looking redhead said. “We must begin. This trail will be transcribed by my servant, so everyone, state your name clearly. I am Hera, queen of the gods. Zues is preoccupied with other affairs, and I am here on his behalf.”

“Other affairs,” Aphrodite scoffed. “We all know he is off with some woman. Who is it this time? Demeter, or maybe a human this time? What’s Kate Middleton doing right now?”

“Enough,” Hera scolded. “There are other matters at hand.”

“Right, my son’s newest whore broke destiny. Yawn.”

“Mother!” Eros said, rising from his seat. “Please, control yourself.”

“I have control dear, do you?” 

“I am Ares,” The man said, his voice pounding. “And I don’t have time for this nonsense. We need to move forward, now.”

“Agreed,” Hades said. “I, of course, am god of the underworld. And yes, we must move quickly.”