Where the Wicked go after Death

[stealth_andsecrets]

Purple leans against a wall, inside the back-room of the Caritas. For the last hour or so, she has watched Winston (War) tend carefully to the ailing Lorne. Many of her siblings were around the bar, as one of Lorne's requests was for them to get acquainted with the business (so they could run it once he was gone from this world.).

It was almost too much to bear at times, to watch Lorne get sicker and sicker... and feel so helpless to help him. There were so many times when she was so close to tears... sick to her stomach with the thought of losing him.

Winston came to sit beside her. He smiled softly, looking at his younger sister. "Where is your boyfriend today?"

"You need to speak to him?"

"Yes. I do."

Purple pulled out her PINpoint, sending Niverian a message, asking him to come to the Caritas as soon as he was available.

Comments

[stealth_andsecrets]

"It is claimed he made an escape attempt, and had to be punished for it."

[nonvillainouscipher]

He frowns in suspicion. "Somehow, I doubt that," he replies. "He believes he belongs in Tartarus, because he failed two women he loved. I did promise I'd try to find them, so he can ask their forgiveness and, hopefully, forgive himself, but as far as I know, neither has been located yet."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"One was found, by your parents. She was in Limbo, based on how she died."

"Did Lindsay try to go to Eve when she was found?" Purple asks.

"No. I do not believe he did."

[nonvillainouscipher]

"It seems he's been falsely imprisoned, then," Niverian replies quietly. "...Something about this has the feel of vendetta to me... I think we may be due for another trip to the Underworld. I need to get to the bottom of this. Plus, Mum and Dad have found Eve, so we should try to bring her to see Lindsay."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"If I remember correctly, our options were to find another Persephone Seed, or get as close to death as possible -- without even dying."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian grimaces a little. "I'd still prefer to avoid trying the 'get as close to death as possible' option. But I'm also not too keen to see Persephone again." He tilts his head to one side slightly. "I'm having a difficult time deciding which would be worse, actually," he adds, a note of dark humour to his voice.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Have you accepted your Guardian position? Because you could visit freely, if you had..." Winston asked.

[nonvillainouscipher]

He immediately nods. "Yes. A few weeks ago." He glances over at Purple for a moment. "Would Ana be able to visit freely as well when she's with me, or will she still need to use another method?"

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Then all you need is a messenger who is connected to death to ferry you to the Underworld."

Winston paused, considering the question. "Guardians are always permitted to travel with their loves. Their escorts. A case could be made."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian smiles a little. "Which would be you, I hope?"

He nods, taking Purple's hand and lacing their fingers, almost without thinking about it. "Then I'll make a case for allowing her to come and go freely as well."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Yes, I can ferry Guardians and the dead." Winston was trying not to think about his duties, with Lorne being so sick right now.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Another smile, with a slightly apologetic touch. He recognizes that Winston doesn't especially wish to linger on his abilities right now. "Thank you. We should probably get this done soonest."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Let me make sure Lorne is comfortable, and then we will depart." Winston pauses, then adds another thought. "A Ferryman takes all his passengers right to the Throne Room of Hades himself."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian nods. "Go ahead." He frowns a little at the information about where Winston will be taking them. "Meaning there's a chance Persephone will be there too," he sighs.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"You can only avoid seeing her for so long," Purple whispers softly.

[nonvillainouscipher]

He sighs quietly again. "I know, dearest. I just... don't like being around her. Not after what happened the first time."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"She can't win you. So I am not afraid of her."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian grins at Purple. "No, she can't," he agrees, squeezing her hand gently and leaning over to steal a kiss.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"So screw her... we won't let her control our life. Or endanger our friends."

[nonvillainouscipher]

"Well said, dearheart," he replies, chuckling quietly.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"I am ready. Are you both?" Winston returned to the couple.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian nods, still holding Purple's hand. "I'm ready," he answers.

[stealth_andsecrets]

Winston guides the two of them to a dark corner, where he is able to summon forth his Demon abilities. The shadows in the corner seem to get darker and darker... until they are swallowed by darkness.

They have a sensation of being in a boat, but it is still far too dark to actually see anything.

When there is finally light, they are standing in the throne room of Hades himself. The Death Lord sits on his throne, going over the Book of the Dead, checking on his appointments for the day. There is no sign of Persephone.

[nonvillainouscipher]

The trip itself is a bit unnerving; boats are something Niverian doesn't really encounter very much. And when they get to Hades' throne room, he can't help but feel relieved that Persephone isn't present.

He also hates to interrupt the king of the underworld while he's working, but he doesn't want to leave Lindsay to suffer any longer than is strictly necessary, and Hades might know more about why Lindsay was moved. So, he lets out a quiet, polite cough to let Hades know that he's got company.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"You are on my books, Guardian. Come forth." Hades replies to the polite cough. He closed the book to give Cipher Nine and Purple his full attention.