Kore was tempted to turn back. She had heard stories of Minos; a powerful and great leader, but temperamental and vengeful. In all honesty, Minos frightened Kore to the bone. Even as a spirit, he still had that cruel smile and that glint in his eye that sent shivers down her spine. She knew he had little power down here in the underworld, but she couldn't help but to be uneasy around him.

"Here is what I shall do," Minos explained, "I will give you a choice. No trickery behind it, I swear. Just a simple choice."

"What are my options?" Kore asked with confidence. Sure she was terrified, but there was no use letting the spirit before her know that.

"I can judge you here and now, as I would any dead soul. If I find you worthy of Elysium, I'll let you through to Hades's residence. Aeacus will hand over the keys and you will be on your way. If I find you worthy of the Fields of Asphodel, you turn right around and leave this place."

"And if you find me worthy of the Fields of Punishment?" Kore queried.

Minos's laugh echoed throughout the empty room. "No god is perfect, my dear, but you are still young. Nothing you have done thus far has made you worthy of such a torture. Even Zeus himself, despite all he has done, has no place in the fields of punishment."

Kore let out a relieved sigh. It was either Asphodel or Elysium. She wanted to believe she deserved Elysium, for she had done no wrong, but Elysium was for heroes. She had never been heroic. Thinking back, though, her whole life had been spent in selfish bliss. She was kind, sure, but she did very little for others, never thinking anyone could be less happy that she. And she was rarely unhappy.

"And my other option?" Kore was uncertain of her odds if she were to be judged. She had very little to lose, but she didn't want to be sent back. He journey seemed to have only begun. And she had made it so far already, surely she could make it to the palace. It was pure curiosity that kept her determined to travel on ahead.

Minos smiled his cold smile again. He was enjoying toying with her, that much was for certain.

"You choose the Fields of Asphodel right now, save us all some trouble. I let you on through, but believe me, there is no easy way through those fields. You would tire before walking even a fraction of the distance from here to the palace. You would be forced to stay there until Hades happens to find you. And that, dear, is very unlikely."

Kore thought for a moment, unsure of what to do. She wished she were as cunning as Hermes, then she may be able to talk her way through, steal the key, and be done with this. She didn't want to walk through the Fields of Asphodel, but then again, she didn't want to head back either. She thought on the matter for a good while, noticing how Minos grew more and more impatient by the minute. He said nothing, but his facial expression gave it away. Finally, Kore thought of a solution. Perhaps she could talk her way out of this after all.

"I've decided," she announced.

Minos seemed relieved that she had finally come to a decision.

"I've decided to be judged," she stated, "Before all three judges. After all, is that not how the souls of the dead are judged?"

Minos scowled. He had not expected a goddess of the earth to know the rules of the Underworld. He had also not expect a young goddess such as herself to be so clever. Either way, Minos had told Kore she would be judged as any dead soul would be, so he had little choice but to allow her o be in the presence of the rest of the court.

Suddenly, two more spirits appeared before Kore. On Minos's left, a man who resembled Minos, dressed in the royal garments of the kings of Crete. This man, no doubt, was Minos's brother, Rhadamanthus. On Minos's right, a kinder looking man dressed in robes from Aegina. He was the King Aeacus and the gatekeeper himself. He was the one who held the keys to the Underworld. He was the judge Kore was hoping she could appeal to the most. Hermes had told her of these three judges and how they looked over the order of the Underworld.

"My lords," Kore said as she bowed, "I wish not to be a burden upon you, but Minos has made it very clear that I may not pass without first being judged."

"And why is it that you wish to pass?" Rhadamanthus asked.

"I know not," Kore replied, "I was brought here by some strange force and I have no reason other than pure curiosity for why I wish to proceed."

"It is not often one of the gods stands before us," Rhadamanthus said.

"Strange indeed, though Hades may be glad for the company," Aeacus replied.

"Perhaps it is not you we should judge, but the matter of the situation itself."

"Indeed."

Kore looked up to the three judges. Minos had been silent as Aeacus and Rhadamanthus discussed the matter at hand.

"Let her pass," Rhadamanthus said at last.

"I agree. Perhaps some good will come of her presence here," Aeacus agreed. "Though, Minos has the final say in the matter."

Minos stared at Kore for a long time. For some strange reason, Kore got the feeling that Minos disliked her. He finally nodded his head and mumbled a swift "agreed." A set of keys were thrust into Kore's hands by Aeacus, and the three spirits were gone.

A path opened up before Kore, lit by lanterns and heading straight to the palace of Hades.

As Kore walked along the path, she could feel herself tire more and more. It seemed as though the path continued to get longer the farther she walked. Eventually, she stopped thinking of the distance she had yet to travel and just walked. She could hardly focus on anything any more, and soon, she felt herself begin to sway. She knew she would collapse of exhaustion soon, but she was determined to make it to the palace. If she were to pass out, she was afraid she may wake up and find all of this was a dream. And if that were the case, not only would she be disappointed, but she would search everywhere for the entrance of the Underworld. She didn't care how impossible that task may be, if this all was a dream, she knew she would become obsessed with finding the real thing.

Continuing to get lost in her thoughts, Kore walked on, ignoring her exhaustion and focusing on nothing. She hoped to all the gods that she was not dreaming right now. She wanted so badly for this adventure to be real. She had never had adventures of her own. Everyday on the earth seemed to be the same. The days were lovely, sure, but after a while they became routine and boring. This was the first time Kore had ever had anything exciting happen to her.

Just as she was about to give up and give in to her weariness, she bumped into something large and solid. She looked up and noticed the large, black, wooden doors before her. She had arrived at Hades's palace. With excitement, Kore began fumbling with the keys in her hands. Just as she was about to unlock the door, she remembered her manners. Her mother always told her to respect the privacy of others, so Kore knocked on the door. After waiting a few moments, she knocked once again. The weariness came creeping back as she waited for an answer. After deciding that none would come, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.

Kore could not believe the sight before her. She was almost correct in her assumption of the place. Everything was dark and cold, but it was well kept, making it look marvelous. The ceilings were high and the hallways so long she almost couldn't see the end. The walls were lined with beautiful corinthian columns with flower like sculptures decorating the tops.

Kore took a few steps into the palace, before feeling herself fall forward. The exhaustion had finally caught up with her, and with the basket of hyacinths scattered beside her, she was passed out on the floor.