Killian woke with a gasp the pain instantly vibrating through his body causing him to wince. The last couple of hours permanent edged into his brain and body along with all the scars from throughout the years. He slowly sat up turning his face away from the bloody mess spread out on the floor from the wounds. Screams and scared pleading could be heard echoing down the long draughty corridors.
Killian closed his bruised eyes for a couple of minutes trying to block out all the noise. The only thought in his mind was Emma and all the events leading up to this very moment. Instead of dying he had come back in this hell for all of his sins centuries ago back in the Enchanted forest and Neverland. Killian took a deep shallow breath the pain reappearing with every breath, willing himself not to cry out and let them know the true extent.
He carefully shifted across the concrete floor only using his good hand the hook removed from the brace. The sound of keys jingling and sand led feet on the hard ground caught his attention. Killian lay his head back against the wall waiting until the person passed by or maybe change their mind.
There was no such luck in this situation in his horror the key was pushed into the lock and the door creaked open. Well, at least it was him being tortured and not some other poor helpless soul. The person was bathed in bright light only being able to see a dark silhouette.
"The master wants to see you". They had a perky voice filled with excitement and prospect. A small heavyset man appeared by the other man with a flickering torch in his hand.
"Tell me why has he so much interested in me?" The taller thin man strode forward across the floor grabbing hold of his good arm abruptly.
"You play a big part in his plan". He laughed dragging the pirate to his feet and pulling him towards the door. Killian huffed stumbling and falling through the door into the corridor.
"Oh, this is going to be fun". The plump man clapped his chubby hands together half skipping back down the corridor. "We are going to get rewarded for this". Pain sang yanking the chains and continuing to walk unfazed by the pain Killian was in.
"A big reward". Panic added closing the cell doors as they passed through making sure to lock. For Killian, the walk seemed to go on for ages and the pain was unbearable even if he didn't show it. A little while later they enter a large circular room with columns surrounding.
A man stood near a circular column in the middle of the room swiftly turned towards the guest. "You made it". He had a thin long face with a pointed nose and cruel dark eyes that held no emotion. His hair that stood on end was fiery red and looked very much like the flames of a burning fire constantly alight. He was average height with wide shoulders the rest of his body hidden underneath a long black tunic.
"Welcome!" The man spun around holding both of his hands up in the air like greeting an old friend. Pain and Panic grinned widely knowing they would surely be rewarded for following orders instead of torture that usually hung over their heads.
"Master where would you like the prisoner?" Panic dared to inquire keeping a tight hold on the ex-pirate just in case of any funny business. The god waved his hands through the air sending an orange light towards his two accomplices sending them both backwards onto the ground. Killian stumbled forwards quickly trying to regain his balance but finding it hard with a sore leg.
"How rude of me not to introduce myself". The man strode forward an eerie grin plastered across his face as he came to a stop in front of him. "Hades lord of the underworld". Pain and Panic quickly scampered off out of sight glad to have some time where they're not needed. Killian glanced up into the dark pits of the lord of the underworld's black eyes.
"Pleasure". He spoke sarcastically bowing his head the former pirate cockiness coming through. Hades clicked his thin fingers and a glass appeared a second later.
"You would think stuck down here that I don't hear about the things that go on up there". Hades took a long swig of the amber coloured liquid raising one of his fingers upwards. "You thought wrong I hear about it all every little detail from the good deeds people do to try and stop themselves coming here. To the people who no matter what just can't be saved". He clicked his fingers and minutes later the glass disappeared. "I'm aware we got off on the wrong foot but I do always give people a chance when they come down here. You can either cooperate or….". He trails off dramatically and wanders over to one of the large stone columns surrounding the edge of the circular room.
"You could be my equal I could give you everything". Killian thought about it for a couple of minutes mulling it over in his head. There had to be a way to get a message to Emma on how the crocodile had betrayed them all.
"And if I don't comply?" He inquired feeling braver than ever now. Hades leant against the stone column unfazed by the question having answered it a many of times.
"Then you will become my slave like the rest of them". He glanced out over the city of the undead and all the souls that were in his service one more wouldn't be any problems. It was the fact that this very pirate might hold the key to him becoming free of this miserable lonely life.
Killian reached inside the pocket of his jacket searching for his trusty flask that had been with him for centuries, never leaving his side. He frowned when he felt that his pockets were, in fact, empty of all trinkets and flask. "So what do you say? A life filled with accomplishment and prospect or fulfilling the rest of your days as a simple slave?" Killian shook his head knowing very well that it was impossible for him to go back to his old ways.
The love of Emma had shown him the right path to doing right and actually being a hero. There was no way he could step off that path even now when it wasn't possible he would see her again.
"I can't". He clenched his fists and glared at the god of the underworld refusing to bow down to him and his ways.
"You have made your choice one that cannot be reconsidered". Hades spun around on the heels of his sandaled feet a wide smirk stretching across his face. "Pain! Panic!". He screeched walking towards the middle of the room and leaning on the stone well staring into the murky water.
Pain and Panic scurried into the room eager to serve their master well chains appeared in their hands. "Our guest has chosen to not comply so I want you to take him to the chamber of pain". The two men grinned bowing their heads and rushing across the room to the ex-pirate.
"I don't give second chances but the time will come when you wished I did". Pain clamped the iron chains on the good hand of the pirate and dragged him away without any more words said. Hades waved his hand over the murky water seeing the face of an upset blonde woman appear.
"Very soon my lord". A voice whispered around the room in the blowing wind.
