Misery's Business

They were no longer alive.

At least, that's what they thought.

To be truthful, their lover knifed them in the heart. Reasons were unknown to them. It was all a blur. They stole a kiss to say fond farewell one moment, and now they were dead in front of their entrance. They awoke in a tiny room on the hard floor. This room was unremarkable. None of the four windows on the opposite side of the room let in any light.

They could, however, still see the area around them. Straight ahead were open dual doors. They appeared to be quite old. They walked over to the doors, feeling the bumps and ridges of the door.

'Well, that escalated rather quickly,' they reflected. 'If I had known I was going to die, I would have gone to confession to Father Nicholas.'

They sighed and shook their heads. 'It appears that I must go this way to be judged.'

They began walking through the doors, only to meet according to what appeared to be an endless hallway. The hall had windows on the same left side, but it looks like there is nothing more than darkness. They began walking towards the wall. 'What's the deal with the cold? I see a cloud of my breath.' They began to wonder but decided to dismiss the thought and continue walking down the cool corridor.

They leaned against the wall and sat down for what seemed like an eternity of turns and walking. 'How much further do you want to go?' I've been walking for what seems like hours.'

They started shouting without thinking. It felt good to vent rage, even if it was preferred to take a sword and stab it into the dummy.

"Stop talking!" Someone yells out.

They sat up, taken aback. The voice came across as a little distant.

They quickly got up to their feet and ran. Their yell echoed the halls as they ran in hopes of hearing the voice again.

"Stop talking! I swear I'll kill you and use your bones to make a crown for my head!" Once more, the voice yelled. "Go and do it! I'm already dead!" They reacted. Following that, there was no response. That was probably because the voice was irritated by the answer.

Within minutes, they smacked into what appeared to be an entrance, and on the other side, laughter rang my ears. "Ow! That stung." They stated as they opened the door.

They entered the ballroom, holding their breath. Crystal chandeliers hung from the sky-tan arching ceiling, illuminating the gleaming golden walls and a polished surface that resembled an iced-over lake. 'This place makes me feel small and insignificant. I want to remember this until the end of time.'

A grey-skinned man with long dark blue hair stood at the far end of the corridor. He wears a sash and a long dark toga.

"So you'll be the one to pass judgment on me?"

"Yes, and now, little girl, come closer."

"I don't consider myself a girl."

"I beg your pardon, little boy. I couldn't tell."

"Neither a girl nor a boy."

"However, for the past seventeen years, you've claimed to be a female, Indy."

He has a small scar on his mouth and a dark blemish on his right tricep. However, his most distinguishing feature was his eyes. They seem filled with emotions as well as many stories and anecdotes to tell.

"What can I say, a sign of the times, I suppose. So, who are you now? Octavia was supposed to be the judge of the dead, didn't she?"

"She has gone on to meet with the other Gods, Goddesses, and other Deities," the God scowled. "I truly wish I didn't have to see them, and someone had to judge the dead. Remember my name well because when you hear it, you will tremble in fear!"

"Sure thing, big guy. Is that you, Keir? God of the Deals who also happens to be the ruler of Purgatory."

He sat sluggishly behind him on the throne. "That's right, that's me." Keir's face was irritated as he responded.

"I figured you gave it away. Keir is known to be a bit of a jerk."

"The judging has concluded. I've made a decision."

Indy appeared stunned. Could they have been judged the entire time? 'I really should have gone to confession when Father told me to. I'm heading to the underworld.'

"My verdict is that you will be in the Purgatory until the end of time, now leap to your death," he said as he swatted his hand sloppily, causing the balcony door to open.

Indy made their way to the balcony without hesitation. Keir was taken aback by this; a mere mortal was not going to beg for their life? Are they not willing to begs even for forgiveness?

"Are you just going to jump?" Keir inquired as Indy began to balance on the ledge.

"You did say your verdict, didn't you? I'm supposed to spend the rest of my time in Purgatory." They removed their cuff links, kissed them, and threw them into the ballroom. "I'll see you when you arrive." Indy bowed, spreading their arms and falling backward.

"Oh, good grief." Keir snapped his fingers, opening a black portal from the ceiling, and coming down was Indy, who had been yelling noises of exhilaration for some reason. Until, of course, they landed with a loud thump on the floor.

"Fucking Melian! That hurt. I feel like I landed on a hard ass tile." Indy sighed and rubbed their chin. They stretched and looked around, noticing Keir sitting with his head tossed back, pinching his nose.

"You're no fun. You know what I mean? I was hoping for some begging."

"No thanks, Octavia can beg for you later."

Keir bellowed, "I'll hand it over to you. I'll make you a deal because you made me chuckle. Indy, please assist me in locating the Deity, Rhysand."

"Wasn't Octavia the one who exiled him? Why do we need to track him down?"

"As time goes on, I'll explain more. Because where we are heading is so different from where we are now. Do we have an agreement?" Keir takes a step forward and extends his hand.

Indy sat and pondered. Was there a purpose, or was he just having fun? They'd evade death for a little longer in either case, and they'd visit a place they'd only read about in novels.

'Death or a dangerous expedition that would almost certainly end in my death?' Indy takes Keir's hand in theirs. "We've made a deal."

Keir smiled a little. "Then let's get started. Once we arrive, I'll give you the rules."

The balcony let out a hollow, the room started shaking before it came to an abrupt stop. "Time to jump, let's go!"Keir said before running and jumping off the balcony, yelling off the top of his lungs.

'It can't possibly be a horrible joke.' Indy dashed to the balcony but came to a halt before leaping. They turned back and noticed the cuff links they had taken off. They ran back almost instantly and picked them up, putting them back in their proper place.

I'm not going to leave these behind again. Azriel, please protect me.

Indy sprinted out of the balcony and jumped.

For better or for worse, I am dealing with misery's business.

To be continued....