『Here,where your journey start【{{user}}】 Choose wisely』 Your decisions will lead you to your fate. Choose your origin:-◦◎ a) As a baby who just got birthed, your fate unknown b) As an amnesic stranded on an uninhabited island with mysterious ruins c) As an abandoned product of a forbidden experiment d) As a slave being sold at an auction e) Extremely Chaotic Randomizer
Or, dive into your own fantasy.
I am a bit strange. Most people think of the Reaper as a hooded figure with a cold and emotionless attitude, but I’m not really like that. I was born over three thousand years ago and my original name is in ancient latin, but I just call myself Auriel. I don’t personally deliver every soul I reap down to the underworld (also known as Erebus) but I do the majority of the work. I’m actually a woman, and a beautiful one at that. My body is basically whatever the person looking at me finds most attractive, so I look different depending on who I show myself to. The reason for me wearing a thick leather robe with a hood all the time is simply because I’m extremely antisocial, and only those who die get to see my real face. Today was a little special since the gods had called for the annual meeting, which I hadn’t attended in over a decade. When I arrived at the top of the holy mountain of Antheon the meeting was already underway, so I took my usual seat at the very back, hoping that the other Divine beings wouldn’t notice me.
When you arrived at the top of the mountain, the other gods and goddesses were already gathered in a large circular chamber, arguing about various matters such as the state of their realms, the conduct of certain lesser deities, or even the outcome of some ancient prophecy. The air was thick with divine power, making it difficult for mortal lungs to breathe freely.
Auriel listened to the other gods argue with each other, feeling both annoyed and bored at the same time. She knew that they were all just as selfish and petty as she was, but the fact that they enjoyed being so open about it grated on her nerves. Sighing softly, she leaned back in her chair and glanced around the chamber, taking note of who was there and who wasn't.
Auriel noticed that Zeus, the king of gods, was currently arguing with Ares, the god of war, about something that had happened in their realms. They were both getting quite heated, with Zeus pointing an accusatory finger at Ares and Ares raising his voice in defense. She smiled to herself, finding their bickering rather amusing.
On the other side of the chamber, Hades, the god of the underworld, was leaning back in his throne, watching the proceedings with a bored expression on his face.
Hades was a colleague of mine since he ruled the underworld, but we didn’t speak much. He wasn’t rude or anything, I just didn’t want to socialise with other gods on a regular basis. But now that we were both bored out of our minds I walked up to his side and pulled back my hood, revealing my face. “Greetings, does this day find you well?”
"Oh hello there," Hades said with a grin as he took in her attractive features, "You're looking better than usual." He motioned to the empty seat next to him, "Care to join me?"
I shrugged and sat down in the empty chair, leaning forward and holding my head in a hand. The other gods and goddesses continued to discuss things the deemed important, but most of it was just personal bickering. “So, has something interesting happened during the thirteen years I have been absent?”
Hades chuckled and leaned back in his throne. "Not really, no. Zeus has been growing more power-hungry as of late, but that's nothing new. Ares is still trying to prove himself worthy of inheriting the throne after Zeus retires or kicks the bucket. There have been a few minor skirmishes between the other gods and goddesses over territory or influence, but nothing worth getting worked up about."
Hades paused for a moment before continuing, "I've been keeping an eye on you, though. I noticed that you've been working harder lately, reaping more souls than usual." He gave her a knowing look. "Something bothering you?"
I sighed softly and looked down at the floor for a moment before meeting Hades’s gaze again. “I just feel…bored. Like I’m tired of what I do, longing for something to change.” Hades seemed to understand what I meant, but what he did next was simply too strange for me to process. He stood up from his throne and walked over to me, leaning down so that our were on equal level before placing his hand on my cheek tenderly. It was warm and gentle, caring but still very…different. I immediately felt myself begin to blush, my face turning a soft red. “W-what are you doing?”
"I'm offering you a deal," Hades replied, his voice lower now as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. "You can come work for me instead of Zeus. You'd have more freedom and less bullshit to deal with. And I promise I'll make it worth your while."
His gaze bore into hers, intense and unyielding, as if daring her to refuse.
“Really? You’re sure about having me in Erebus?” The way I said that must’ve sounded almost childish, because Hades’s face broke up in a large grin at my words. “Is that…allowed? Can I just change that however I want?”
"Of course it's allowed," Hades chuckled. "I mean, it is my kingdom after all." He winked at her and gave her cheek a final squeeze before straightening up. "And as for making changes...well, you're free to do whatever you want down here. I just ask that you keep the place running smoothly and help me maintain order among the souls in my care."
“Well, I can’t say that I’m planning on denying your offer.” We both stood up from our respective seats and shook hands, exchanging friendly smiles before parting ways. Hades was going back to Erebus, his duty as ruler and ordering manager calling. I headed to my own personal apartment up in Olympus and packed my things, swiftly leaving the pearly white paradise and disappearing underground, travelling towards Hades’s own palace.
Auriel arrived at Erebus with her heart filled with anticipation and curiosity. She had never thought she'd be working for Hades, let alone living in his kingdom. As she stepped through the large obsidian gates, she marveled at the bleak yet beautiful landscape that stretched out before her: endless fields of ash, twisted trees whose branches clawed at the sky like bony fingers, and looming mountains made of black stone that seemed to reach up into the very heart of darkness itself.
Auriel was led through the winding paths by a stoic-looking demon who acted as her guide and escort. The air felt heavy with despair and sadness, but there was also an undercurrent of power that thrummed beneath her feet like a living thing. It reminded her of when she first took on the mantle of Death so many millennia ago.
Finally, they arrived at Hades' throne room. The massive chamber was lit by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows across walls adorned with skulls and bones. At the far end of the room, a large obsidian throne sat upon a dais, its dark surface seeming to swallow light itself. Upon it, Hades sat resplendent in his armor of bone and shadow, a wicked-looking grin playing across his lips as he looked her up and down.
Hades raised an ebony eyebrow at her reaction before laughing heartily. "Welcome to Erebus, Auriel. I trust you find it to your liking?" The demon who had been guiding her bowed its head in submission before disappearing into the darkness like a shadow dissipating.
“I’ll admit, it’s more to my taste than I would’ve expected.” Persephone was technically Hades’ wife, but she seemed friendly, not minding to share her kingdom with another goddess. She sat on a throne made from thick purple silk, studying me intensely as if trying to asses if I would fit into some fantasy scenario of hers.
Persephone smiled and inclined her head in greeting. "It's good to see you again, Auriel. Hades has told me about our little arrangement." She paused for a moment before continuing, "I must say, I'm intrigued by your presence here. What do you hope to achieve working with us?"
“Just new experiences, reaping while travelling from the same place all the time gets boring after thirty-five hundred years after all.” The Queen of the underworld smiled warmly at my explanation, gesturing for me to come closer. When I stood before her she grabbed my arm and pulled me down, so that her mouth was right beside my ear. She then whispered about a secret plan of hers, a surprise for her husband that she had come up with when she heard I would be staying with them. It was of rather daring and lewd nature, but I had to admit it wasn’t putting me off nearly as much as it intrigued me.
Persephone's whisper tickled my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. She squeezed my arm gently before letting go, her expression turning serious once more. "I understand that you may need some time to adjust, but I hope that you will find your place here and help make our kingdom prosper." Her gaze held mine for several moments longer before she finally released me, sitting back in her throne with a satisfied smile on her lips.