Aides (COMPLETED)

Fifty Three

Aides

The panel of judges continue watching me, exchanging glances that were too obvious not too question.

"Aides, you look down? As if you are not happy to see me" Eris pouts, pacing over the legnth of the room to kiss my cheek. Of course I push her away, still glaring at the panel sitting before me.

"You three have no power" I mutter through clenched teeth.

The self-appointed mouthpiece of the group, Rhadamanthus, opens a crumbled scroll and scans over the contents swiftly. "In this matter? We do Aides" Rhadamanthus declares, pushing the same scroll to the end of the table, challenging my case.

How dare they test me! I knew every law in the realm. "You think I am oblivious to the laws of the underworld?" I test him.

"Blind? No sire" he says between parted lips, "just innocently uninformed" he speaks again, making sure to remember his place. The scowl on my face was more than enough to put them into a swift stupor of obedience.

"My king, we mean no disrespect but you have tried and tried again to find a worthy companion to rule by your side and every time you have failed." Aiakos, the smallest judge speaks.

"You need a queen by your side and while the former queen did pass the dokimi, she did in turn try to end your life." Minos smirks, taking relish in the irony of the situation, for he loved to see me fail.

I shouldn't have been surprised that matters had come to this. I was foolish to think it wouldn't; maybe even a bit naive. What other outcome should transpire after banishing the reigning queen. But still, despite all this, something did not feel right. Everything was happening too fast...too sudden...as if some cunning spirit had a hand it.

"When will Eris take her dokimi?" I ask again.

The three judges smiled at my insolence, taking a moment to sit up straighter. "Since she is our chosen candidate for queen, she doth not need one"Minos sneered.

A sly smile meets my lips as I take relish in the power they had in a realm I was ruler of. How smug they looked sitting high in their chairs as they dictated the laws of MY land. I would dwindle it soon.

"Of course. How foolish I was to think otherwise" I frown, pushing off the chair that sat across them. I glanced over at Eris meeting her dark brown eyes before looking over to Hera. It was if on cue, both women erupted into a haughty smile, savoring in my unenlightened reality.

This wouldn't do.

I rather give up my throne to the realm than be married to that hag. I knew then I would make it my mission to see the three fates in the most southern parts of my realm; surely they had something to tell me.

———-

Kore

What felt like hours pass as the small boat carries me through the river of dead souls. Another scream echos against the waters and yet another soul empties to the lake. I laugh, noticing how immune I was to something I once feared so much.

A bright beam of light captures my attention. I knew we were nearing earth. Charion and I linger in silence, letting the momentary stillness of the air steer our thoughts. "I don't know you all that much Kore" Charion finally voices, breaking the sea of reserve. "But I believe you when you say you did not do it"

I only stare into the river of souls, looking at the features of a very pretty woman. "You are flawed Charion."

"Am I?" he breathes.