Chapter 3
Elysium truly was amazing. It was a series of streets lined with beautiful houses, for the heroic and those who led a life good enough to land them here. Children that had, tragically, died young played in the streets while parents and loved ones watched from their porches.
I wasn't stopped by the guard at the gate, for he knew who I was. "Good morning, my lady." He said, tilting his hat.
"And a good morning to you as well." I said nodding my head. Being a resident of the palace for so long gave me a high title here in the Underworld. If we were anywhere else, I would surely have an armed escort. But because this was the Underworld, no one dared lay a hand on me for fear of what Hades would do to them if they did.
As I walked through the streets, I got a series of "good days" and "good mornings". I loved all of these spirits, but having to say "and to you as well" can easily grow annoying.
"Lady Crystal! Lady Crystal!" I spun around to see two little girls I knew as Olivia and Cassie running up to me. "Can you play with us today?" They asked.
There mom came running down from the porch. "I'm so sorry, Milady. I told them it was impolite to ask such a thing but they wouldn't listen." She said, grabbing their hands.
I smiled. "It's no problem. Really, I don't mind." I crouched down as best I could in a dress so I could be there size. "Unfortunately though, I can't play today. I have to visit some friends of mine and talk about important things. Maybe tomorrow at my ball we can play a little. Sound good?"
"Oh, Milady, you are too kind. What do you say girls?" The mother said.
The children broke free of their mothers grasp and tackled me with a hug. "Thank you! Thank you!" They squealed.
I laughed and they climbed off me. "Of course. I have to go now, but I'll see you later." I said standing up and brushing off the dirt.
Waving goodbye, I continued on towards my closest friends' home. She was a demigod who, in a way, lived together with her boyfriend. The two of them were inseparable- except whenever I came to visit.
I arrived at her home to find my friend knitting a new outfit on the porch. When she looked up and saw me, she smiled.
"Charlie! Get out here!" She said from the porch. Silena Beauragaurd made her way down the porch steps. "It's been too long, girl!" She said, wrapping me in a hug. She suddenly stepped back. "Oh, uh, sorry. I always forget." She curtsied.
I rolled my eyes and pushed her shoulder. "Please." I said, but I couldn't help smiling.
Charlie Beckendorf stepped out of the house. "Well if it isn't the Lady of the land." He said grinning.
"Hey, Charlie." I said, giving him a side-hug. "How's it going?"
He shrugged. "The usual. Everything's great here in paradise."
I nodded. "I hope that's a good thing." I said and then pulled Silena to the side. "Can we ditch and go to the fields?" I whispered. "I need to get a few things off my chest."
Silena locked eyes. "Sure." She whispered.
When she turned to Charlie to explain, he held up a hand. "I know. Lady Crystal usually comes for you." He put his hand down. "Don't be gone too long." He said. Silena gave him a kiss on the cheek and then grabbed my hand and led me towards the fields.