I know my lovelies that it has been months. My senior year in college is no joke. The classwork is hard and has me stressed but I was able to give you a new chapter.

Enjoy!


BPOV

As the morning meal began to commence Alice grabbed my hand and and asked what I had planned for the day. I was honest and said that I did not have much to do.

"Would you like to see the Judgement Room with me?'She asked with a smile on her face. Her smile seemed innocent but her eyes held an impish mood.

"I'm sorry Alice but I do not know what that room is?" As long as I have been living here I had never heard of such a room. How many rooms did exist in this place?

"It is simple. I will explain once we get there. Join me?" She asked as she gestured towards the doors. My curiosity got the best of me as I followed her. I knew if I said no then I'd be wondering forever. We walked for what seemed like forever until she came across a single door that held a stone stairway that went up. Alice grabbed a lit torch from Tula as she led us up the dark path. It was small and damp. The darkness did not help either. I could feel my heart begin to pound harder in my chest as I felt the walls close in on me. I focused my eyes to stay on the fire. Trying to calm my nerves.

After a couple of minutes, I could see an open entrance above us. Every step closer only helped to light our path. Once we stepped through the entrance It led us to a row of seats. We were in a very large room, about three stories high. We were at the highest point of the room. The floor was filled with people lined up in a single file line that circulated the rook but it left the middle of the room open. There was a single throne situated against the far wall. It was donned with black and red fabric with two guards on each side. Alice lead me to a pair of seats located directly on the left side of the room. On par with the throne. Guards kept the line of people in check and we could hear the people. Some were yelling while others cried. Some just stood silently with solemn faces.

"Alice," I said unable to look away from the scene in front of me., "What is this place?"

"This Isabella, is the Judgement Room." Alice said so calm. The exact opposite of the people's emotions right now. "This is where the dead come to get judged."

"The dead?" I could feel my eyes almost pop out of my head as I looked back towards the people. I didn't notice it before but their skin was gray and pale. Not exactly like Hades and Alice's but as if they were dead for years. "How can their bodies be here if they are dead?" I couldn't look away as Alice spoke again.

"Those are not their bodies. It's their souls. Their bodies are back on earth, while their souls come straight to the Underworld. Man, woman, and child it does not matter. Every person must come to the Underworld for judgement."

"But you are here and so am I. How come we did not have to go through this judgement?"

"Well the townspeople and I, as well as yourself Isabella are not dead. We are cursed. Well you are not but everyone else is. The Gods were displeased with us so we were sent here. We never died. But we must live in the Underworld for eternity." She looked away from me but I noticed a hint of sadness grow on her features. I had never seen her this way. This small woman was fierce and so outspoken but for once I could see her vulnerability. My hand inched towards her but I stopped myself. Not knowing how to proceed or if she would welcome the gesture. My mind thought back to what Rosalie told me beforehand.

"How..how did you come to be here?" I asked. She slowed her steps a bit and I wished I had kept silent.

"One day I will tell you my story ...but not today." She said with a finality in her voice but the smile did not leave her face. I nodded my head and decided to leave the topic. I would not push my new friend.

If being cursed by the Gods was the only way to come down here, then what did Rosalie or Alice do that was so horrible that they deserved this type of punishment?

"What about those souls down there? What happens to them?" I spoke softly as my gaze returned to them.

"It's funny Isabella. Everyone thinks the Underworld is a place to be feared. That we just torture those who die and seek nothing but death and despair. But that is not the case. This place is created to judge those who die so they can spend eternity in the right place."

"I'm not sure I understand." I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion.

"The Underworld is not the final place for those who have passed on. There are two places souls pass on to. Paradise and Torment. If you recall, Carmenia is the Keeper of Paradise. It is a beautiful place filled with sunshine. It never rains, snows, or is grey. There is plenty of food to eat and water to drink. A wonderful place to spend eternity. And the other is Torment. A place no one wants to go. Let's just say that the myths and rumors about the Underworld may be untrue but they are a perfect description of Torment. Maybe even worse."

I swallowed as I remembered the tales my mother used to tell me. Sometimes even Angela did as well. They were not beautiful and mostly gave me nightmares. I straightened my shoulders as I pushed those thoughts away.

"Who judges the people?" I asked quietly. A smile appeared on her face as she looked back at me.

"You will know soon enough. But I must first warn you that once this process can begin no one can talk. This is a very difficult process and silence is very important to concentrate. Do you understand me?" She asked in a way that held no room for argument.

I nodded my head in agreement.

"Good. Now arise. It is time." She said as she stood up.

I looked at her for confirmation until I heard a loud noise behind me. I turned to see a set of large doors open wide as Hades himself walked into the room. He didn't glace at the people surrounding the room as he walked towards the throne. Once the people recognized who he was they began to cower in fear or cry. Others just stood staring. Whether in awe or fear I'll never know. He continued on his way to the throne and sat just staring at the people. His face was hard and emotionless as he stared at the fearful crowd.

"It is time for your judgement." He spoke so loud and clear. It was as if I was standing in front of him and not stories above him. His voice commanded attention. Although I would never openly admit it, he had grabbed mine.

I saw a solider come forward with a man who looked no older than his mid-thirties. He was short with a bulging stomach and balding. He wore no shoes, however, his clothing were bright and fine. Probably from a wealthy status. He seemed frightened of the god sitting across from him and repeatedly cleared his throat.

"Defend yourself mortal. What kind of life did you live and how did you come to die?" Hades commanded. There was such a finality in his voice that it left no room for arguing.

"Please, dear lord. I have lead a good life. Born to a poor weaver, I am one of ten children. However, my parents were killed by an illness as were many of my siblings. I alone apart from my four younger sisters were left alive. I helped my father's business to grow very successful and even married. I have helped the poor and needy by giving my money and bread. I have done no wrong. I may have lied but they were small. I am truly an honest man. I am for the people." The man stated while his voice cracked every now and then. His faced seemed sorrowful but something there was a feeling within the pit of my stomach told me not to trust him. His story seemed too good to be true.

"Is what you told me true?" Hades questioned as he rubbed his chin. His eyes were close, concentrating on something so hard that a wrinkle formed in between. My heart went out to him.

"I swear." He said with a small smile.

It was so quiet, I feared to breath too loud. Hades had not moved neither did the man.

"You say what you say is the truth but you lie." Hades said calmly as he opened his eyes and stared at the man.

"N-no my lord." The man bean to stammer as his face grew pale, "I-I would ne-"

"You say you are form a poor family, however, you were not. Your father was one of the leading merchants in Mesopotamia. Your family were not killed by an illness but by poison. How ironic your parents along with all five of your brothers were to perish but you and your sisters lived?" Hades voice began to climb in volume as my eyes danced across each man. Every word Hades spoke made the man more nervous. "Furthermore, you were not the eldest child. The business would have gone to the eldest. Micah, I presume. You were the youngest of the males in your family which meant you would have never inherited the business. So you killed them all."

"N-No sir! That is not true. I don-"

"What an interesting twist though. You went beyond that." The man quieted at this point as Hades softly answered. "You say you married but failed to mention the identity of your wife." Hades then snapped his fingers and a solider came forward. "Bring forth a young woman named Isla."

I looked behind the man to see a young girl about my age placed next to the man but not close enough for him to touch her. She had matted golden curly hair but kept her head down. "This woman is Isla. Do you know her?" Hades asked the man. He didn't look at her but nodded his head. "Of course you do. For she is your wife."

This...child is his wife? How can this be?

"You coveted this child for so long. You longed for her flesh as a man thirsts for water. Am I correct?" Hades asked the man. I could see the girl's head drop further as her shoulders shuddered.

Was she crying?

"However, what you failed to mention was how you obtained her. Despite the age difference and the ties that bind you two, you did whatever you could to have her as your bride. You locked up her sisters in a separate room as you forced this girl to marry you. You forced her hand in marriage and then forced yourself upon her. Your youngest sister, Isla."

A sob escaped me as I stood. That monster of a man had forced himself on his sister? A barbarian in every way. My heart broke for the young girl who she herself was hardly standing.

By my outburst, Hades turned his head my way and his angry red eyes pierced mine. Despite how I felt towards the man facing judgement, in that moment I realized my mistake. I was supposed to be quiet and I had broken that rule. However, once Hades saw me his eyes softened. His gaze did not linger on me as he turned his attention back towards the tragic pair. Our interaction was probably only five seconds but it felt so much longer. I felt a hand yank me back down in my seat. I turned towards Alice to see her eyes ablaze with anger. I could feel a chill shoot up my spine. She would reprimand me latter for that I was certain.

"I know enough." Hades continued. He stood from his seat but did not move nay closer. "You are to be judged on your crimes. The crimes of murder, conspiracy, rape, and incest. You are banned to Torment for all of eternity." He sat back down and looked away from him. "Be gone." He said as he gestured for the man to be removed. The man began to scream and be and two guards came forward and dragged him away. Hades did not look towards the crowd until the man disappeared from sight along with his pleas.

Once all was quiet Hades turned his attention to the small girl. "Isla, you have suffered much in your short life. I understand that you took your own life, is that correct?"

With her head still bent low she nodded. A soft voice, almost like a strangled whispered sounded from her. "I could not live any more. My parents were gone and my sisters were ripped from me. When my broth-husband" the young girl spat out with such venom I flinched, "when he told me what he had done so we could be together I cried and begged to let them go. B-But he wouldn't! He...he..." She bean to cry harder as she hugged herself tightly.

"Be calm, Isla" Hades spoke softly. The young girl lifted her head to look at him. She was adorable. Rosy cheeks with big grey eyes. She was at the stage between child and womanhood. My heart broke further for her. So young to have suffered at the hands of that man. "You shall suffer no more. Carmenia?"The beautiful woman came forward and softly grabbed the girl's hands. She relaxed a little realizing a woman was near her. "You are not to blame for what has happened to you. Go now, child. Live the rest of your days in peace."

Carmenia guided the girl away as she spoke to lowly for me to hear. They both disappeared but this time there were no screams.

This cycle continued for minutes, hours maybe. It could have been days but I could have stayed forever. Each person's story was different and had done different things. Hades carried out each judgement and explained their lives to them if someone had lied. As heartbreaking as most of the tales were, I was intrigued. I didn't know how or when, but I needed to speak to Hades when this was over. I had to know everything about this system. Just the thought of being near him made me blush but I had too. I don't know why but I did.


I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It took me a few weeks to think of this scene but I hope I did it justice.

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