His voice resonated through the empty halls, "Wouldn't you like to hear it?"
A shiver ran through my spine as I stared into his glowing red eyes.
The Progenitor clapped his hands together. "Good, let's get into business."
I stared helplessly, realising just how weak I was in the face of true power.
Charon, the being I had forgotten existed, spoke up, finally spoke up, "My Lord. A deal like this will incur-"
"Charon." The Progenitor called out, "The next time you speak without permission will be your last."
Thunder cackled in the distance.
"Forgive me, My Lord."
The Progenitor's eyes gleamed a bright red. Brighter than I had ever seen,
"You cling desperately to life, Human. I suppose I could help you."
"-Only on one condition. Rona Reid, Are you willing?"
My answer came out raspy, unsure.
I was being reckless, I knew. But this was my only chance. "I'm willing."
The Progenitor smiled, one that didn't quite reach his eyes.
I just made a deal with the devil.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Charon walked beside me, deathly silent.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" I asked shakily.
His stopped, head snapping in my direction. "You've gotten your second chance. I hope you don't regret it."
"I won't. It's all I've been asking for since I was dragged into this godforsaken place."
Charon took a step closer, his gait threatening. "Your desire goes against everything the fates stand for. I fear you will incur their wrath."
I took a step back, placing reasonable distance between the both of us, "I don't care about what the fates stand for. All I want is to get out of her."
He grabbed my hand, eyes flaring, "What did I expect from a mortal? Selfish. Greedy. Wanton fools."
"Call me whatever you want, I don't fucking care." I pulled my hand from his iron grip, shooting daggers from the corner of my eyes.
'How can he be so strong? Is he made of stone?!'
Charon spun on his heels, striding down the halls.
I matched his pace as we passed by series of identical looking doors, with frames so high you'd think they were made for giants.
"They're impure creatures. They can't live in a god's home." His words cut through my thoughts.
I snapped my neck in his direction abruptly, "How'd you know what I was thinking?"
"Nothing is hidden in the land of the dead." He snorted, tracing his fingers across the engravings on the walls. "And to answer your question, gods have certain preferences, one of which includes large doors."
I was more terrified that he could read my mind if he tried than I was of the preferences of his 'gods'
Charon stopped, he rested the palm of his hand against the door and it glowed. A faint iridescent purple. "This is where you'll be staying, Assistant."
I took a slow step forward in front of the door. Charon lifted my hands, placing it on the spot his had just been. It glowed, paler but present.
Warmth pulsed through my veins as the door whirred open. Charon stood by the side, watching.
I raised my brow, gesturing towards the room.
"We might as well go in."
"I can't." He whispered, "It won't let me in."
I rolled my eyes and pulled his arm as I stepped past the threshold.
'What a load of bull, like a room could stop me from entering."
A faint hum rang in my ears as I stood on the other side.
My hand was... empty.
Hanging in the air, 'What the actual hell.'
Charon stood on the other side of the threshold, his hands folded behind his back.
The doors whirred to life again, shutting him out.
"Be careful, Human." He whispered as it slammed in his face.
I turned back, staring into the darkness. "Underworld, grim reapers, God of death, a haunted room." I shuffled in the dark, taking à slow step forward, "Is there anything that I'm missing?"
I heard a faint giggle in the darkness, the hairs on my arm stood on end.
"Ghosts do not exist." I chanted as I took another step.
'But gods and grims and decayed souls do.'
"I can't do this." I turned around, slamming the door with full force. "Charon!! Let me out of this place."
The faint giggle behind me drew closer till it seemed to caress my skin.
And from the corner of my eyes, I caught a faint flash of light.
"What's the worst that could happen?" I whispered under my breath, taking a step towards the light. "It's not like I have anything else to lose."
With each step, it grew brighter and brighter.
I reached out. It almost seemed... Real. Like something I could touch.
It dimmed as soon as I reached out, disappearing like it never existed.
I stood in front of a large room, straight out Victorian fantasy... No. The view before me was even better than what I could've ever imagined.
"This.. is."
A faint voice flickered in the distance, "Welcome."