I look at the long lines of souls before me. The underworld drifts before me with it's hard floors of rock and a stream of flames beside it. I sigh to myself as my duties are awaiting before me. Seems it will be a very long day here in my kingdom. The guards bring a soul of a formerly wealthy man; he grins at me nervously then takes a knee. I put my finger under my chin and move it, feeling the bristles of a shadow of whiskers. "Approach before your god and King of the underworld I say sharply." I look at him sizing him up and seeing him cower slightly under my gaze. "Speak soul, what are your deeds, what was your legacy and be weary of your words." I say with authority as I motion towards the scales next to my throne. The Man speaks nervously " King I have attempted to be generous in my life. I took care of my family and worked very hard." I listen to him intently sizing him up with a slight glare. " King, I've done a lot of good works and my company has done much good in the world." the Man rambles. " Has it ?, " I say, acting intrigued. The Man smiles and says, " Oh yes we even used proceeds to help build houses for the poor." I look at my nails and stretch my fingers listening to him. "What of the widow that lived down the road?" I say with slight amusement. " Pardon king?" he says, slightly bewildered. I smile softly and glare at him " Yes the elderly widow that lived near you made you pay for trees that you owned after a storm." He looks at me with slight fear. I laugh softly" Yes I do know about your deeds in life. I also noticed how you didn't mention your wife." " My wife sir?" He replies almost choking on the words. "Yes your wife, the one you left and abandoned without a dime to care for your children that you don't see either." He looks away from my gaze in fear. I hold up my hand and say sharply" You may have done some good things but you tried to lie to me and to hide the evil you did in life. For that reason you will not enter Elysium for you have caused hardship for others and aren't willing to admit that." I point to the scale and the man's soul is weighed as condemned to the cave of the underworld. He screams in terror as the guards take him away. I close my eyes as the next soul is brought before me tapping my fingers on the arms of the cold hard throne chair. An old woman stands before me slightly confused then slowly bows. " Approach"I say gently
looking at the scales. " Hello King. I'm Myrtle." I chuckle softly " So Myrtle, tell me of your deeds and life." She looks at me slightly confused " I don't remember much but I was a teacher. I wasn't perfect but I worked hard and tried to show my students love as well as work with them. I never married but I did love my cats. I made mistakes when I was young many of them I lied to my parents I stole a few times I lost my temper." Slightly amused, I listen to Myrtle. " Yes you made many mistakes but you were sorry for them, asked for forgiveness and gave back to others, even your parents. Myrtle you weren't perfect but you are honest." I point to the scales and the scales judge her soul. Myrtle smiles. " I look at her and say enter Elysium." The guards walk off with her as she smiles. The day drags but finally closes to an end. I walk wearily to my room. I get a book on philosophy to thumb through as I sit in my chair next to the fire. For a moment I stare as the flames dance. I miss her as much as I remember her. Persephone left me a long time ago and the few times she came back she had distanced herself from me further,...