A Grave Mistake

I stand before the Empress of the Underworld and the Deity. Neither seeming pleased with me.

"You've made a grave mistake," I say, "bring her back and take me instead."

The Empress looks me over before turning to the Deity, "you've never died for me."

"Haven't I?" he tilts his head, "I thought I had."

"When?"

I don't recall, but I'm certain I have."

"Fie, I think I would remember that."

"Enough!" they look at me as if I'd lost my mind and perhaps, I have for who in their right mind would challenge a deity. Especially the deity of Death, "Will you bring her back?"

"No," they say in unison, "but you can join her."

The chains that bind me dissipate as the gate to the Underworld opens before me.

"Go on then," the Empress says, "go find her."

The gate pulls me in as realization hits me, this is another trial. I fall through the gateway I mistook for the entrance to the Underworld and past the Bridge of Eternity. Gateway after, gateway, world after, world. I feel like I'm on fire the hotter I feel the faster I go. I catch a glimpse of a world entirely submerged undersea, one made of Starlight another shrouded in Shadows. Many others spiral past me, as I start to slow the last world, I catch a glimpse of has tall snowy mountains.

###

"Do you think he'll find her?" Ryan asks.

"Only time will tell," I say sealing the Gate of Destiny, "did you take his memories?"

"I thought you did."

"Ryan!"

"Celeste," he calls me by my first name. Eternity ago I was a daughter of the Celestial Realm. I wonder if they ever thought I 'd end up choosing the Underworld over all the stars.

"I think it's time we rest."

"I think you're right."