¤¤¤
Her hair was not really in the shade of red.
It was long, black, and wavy. Her lips back then was in a darker shade of red, something like wine--bold and intimidating yet inviting at the same time.
She got that long layered burgundy skirt she used to wear, something that matches her black embroidered sheer top. And on her favorite boots, she always goes for a walk along the paths of skulls, glowing in the hue of blue to light up the place covered with thick fog, almost suffocating as it is being forced inside her lungs. There's no trace of daylight in her realm, just plain darkness.
She knows she shouldn't be complaining anymore, for sure this is way better than what she's gone through back when she was in hell. Fucking hell, that place toasted her from head to toe. She had to go through that blazing heat for nine centuries that even here she still have that smoky smell.
She doesn't deny her sin though. She knew that it would cost her her future for escaping that lovely garden --and to think she even brought two of the gods residing there. The chaos was tripled when they got caught. But then she was young, and stupid, and perhaps too ambitious. She thought she had already reached the peak of her power when she reached a millennium, a time she thought that was perfect to go on a journey of becoming someone greater than the almighty, the highest of them all. The one who created the universe and all the realms designated for the appointed gods.
She had such great and grand plan of defiance.
And she failed.
She fucked up the moment she told the head mistress of the garden that she don't mind leaving one of her sisters behind if she won't stop being such a killjoy.
Because the ones she brought out with her were the same ones who surrendered her to the lord justice. And with that, the other two had their wishes granted for their acts of loyalty while she was thrown in the fiery pits of hell, all powers she possessed were stripped off her.
fucking treachery.
It bounced back to her when she didn't even have the chance to do it herself.
Well, at least she got good news just when she thought she's gonna spend her tenth century in hell. She was relocated at the river of death, catering souls who's having a hard time crossing the afterlife.
The lord justice told her, 'You did a good job convincing your sisters to escape the garden, right? Now, let's put your skills into good use.'
And that's how she ended up sitting at the edge of the dock, clowning these annoying lost souls to ride the darn boat for fuck's sake.
"I promised that I'd wait for her so we could cross the afterlife together!" The man cried out.
"Yeah but you've been staying here too long, haven't you told her to follow you right away?" She shot back, not even looking at him.
"That would be selfish of me! I wanted her to live her life happily until she's ready to face death--"
"Yikes." She spat out, finally looking at the poor soul. "To think that she's living her life for a little too long...doesn't that make her the selfish one instead?" She said, her lips forming into a smirk. The man's eyes went wide, trying to process that ridiculous thought.
"You see, love makes humans go through such extent that one couldn't fathom... if she loves you so dear, she couldn't live another day without you. She could've died in so much pain y'know?"
The man couldn't help but cry in frustration.
"See? You're the only one suffering here." She tried to sound sympathetic as possible. She stared straight into his eyes.
"Now, why don't you cross that river and become someone more powerful than ever on your next life? And when you meet her, she'd probably be the one chasing you!" She suggested.
"I-I can be l-like that?" He asked, still having second thoughts but from the look in his eyes, he seemed to be positive about it.
"Yeah... that's right... you can be whatever the fuck you want to be." She put on the most reassuring smile on her face. And now, the man subconsciously started to walk towards the boat that's been waiting for ages.
"Now go. And make the best of yourself on another chance of life. Go for greater heights... go for greater power..." She continued guiding him til he finally get on the boat. He was just looking at her in a daze, as if he was hypnotized.
Then the boat finally left, making her sigh as she turned back to roll her eyes.
"Pathetic fuck--"
"I see that you're getting used to spitting crude language." She almost tripped down when she heard a familiar voice.
"Haseul." She called, smiling awkwardly in embarrassment.
"Yves."
So, she does have a name huh.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah, like you haven't been here literally just two days ago."
"days don't exist in this place, so do nights."
"blah blah, whatever." Yves shrugged and walked back to the dead forest. "get straight to the point, you got a busy woman here." She bluntly said, knowing that the lord justice won't go all the way here just to catch up with a powerless god.
"The almighty has called for you." Haseul spoke, making Yves stop on her track.
"Seems like someone's sentence will finally be lifted." Haseul chimed, making the other girl scoff.
"For sure it requires something in return." She mumbles as they head to the elevator.
"You got that right, wise girl." Haseul winked when the elevator door closes. The audacity of this woman. How dare her act like she's not the one who threw Yves to hell?
...
"The God of Mischief has arrived." Haseul announced when the doors opened. Yves firmly shut her eyes upon seeing the harsh lights. She's been in the dark for so long after all.
Her eyes fluttered open, trying to adjust her sight as they started walking on the long bridge that connects the elevator and the wide marble floors of the grand hall. She can feel her heart pounding harder in each golden pillars they pass through. She feel like she could scratch some and make some gold dust pendant. You know--something like a souvenir.
She snapped back to reality when Haseul stopped in front of a grand staircase that leads to an empty throne.
"Greetings of peace." Haseul bowed, making Yves furrow her eyebrows in confusion.
"There's no one up there--"
"You are in the presence of the highest among all beings, show some respect." Haseul whispered. Yves scoffed and bowed down beside her.
"Aren't you being a little too rough to your sister, Haseul?" A deep and thick voice echoed around the hall, sending goosebumps to Yves. "How are you doing, my child?"
"Kinda fine, but it's getting boring down there, y'know." Yves replied, and now she could feel Haseul's gaze burning a hole on her. The almighty just chuckled in amusement.
"Perhaps it's time for you to bring the fun back." The almighty replied. "Do you recall who put you to hell?"
Yves automatically turned her head to Haseul. "No, I don't mean Haseul. Think of it very well." The almighty said, making Yves light up a bulb in her head.
"Chuu." she utter, gritting her teeth.
"Very well." The almighty complimented. "It has come to my attention that the god of love has been doing something unloving."
Woah, what a twist.
Haseul waved her hand, and an image of Chuu flashed through the lights of blazing fire. She appears to be living in the world of mortals.
"She hasn't come back since the day of your judgement." Haseul informed.
"She's got the nerve to spend her years lavishly there." Yves mumbled. Maybe that was her granted wish. But at some point things still don't make sense.
"What do you want me to do? Send her back?" She asked.
"Execute her." The almighty answered, something that Yves didn't expect.
"I'm sorry, what?" She said, unsure.
"Kill her, get rid of her. Do it however you want. You can even have her heart for dinner." Haseul bluntly said.
"No, I don't understand." Yves shook her head, walking back and forth. "You sent me to hell for escaping the garden and you let her reside at the mortal world as her reward, and now you're asking me to kill her just for staying too long? What's with the change of heart?"
"You'll figure it out." The almighty said, and Yves knew that doesn't answer her question at all.
She just stared at Chuu's image, seeing how happy she is with a young woman as they feed each other strawberries at their picnic. Yves might be cringing at the sight, but part of her feels sorry for what the future has in store for the both of them.
...