Return to hell

The boat journey was quiet and Athena hood removed, slept peacefully in his arms, her head leaning against his shoulder as she breathed in time with the calm waves brushing against the boat and from the distance the outline of Helheim grew nearer and nearer, “Do you want me to come with you both?” Charon asked but shaking his head Tristhet replied, “This is our battle and my punishment. If I am to be locked in there at least we have each other but if they “lock me away” then they have already lost!” “You’re right, maybe it will all work out...” “I doubt it, nice try.” Tristhet remarked and laughing he pointed to the sleeping figure in his arms, “Well even if it doesn’t, you got the reward for your trials and tribulations. Enjoy it and name a kid or two after me!” “We are a long way of that but, when we do, I promise!”

As the boat lightly touched the shore Athena’s eyes shot open to see the complex in front of her, “Wow it’s...” “Yes I know; hideous, vile and messy!” “No I was going to say big. I understand the purpose already, it’s meant to look menacing. This is where the bad people go like Tartarus, right?” “Not exactly... things work differently here, I’ll explain later. For now let’s see the damage!” they walked over the bridge with the hole from Senua’s entanglement there as a reminder to Hela how close she was from succeeding and as they walked up to the big reinforced iron doors Tristhet looked back to Athena and warned, “As soon as we go through these doors you will witness and experience such horror and torment. It may be unbearable and can having lasting effects. Are you sure that you are ready?” “Yes. I have you here to protect me; as long as you are here I know no harm will fall upon me!” “Then stay close and follow me. Charon the door if you would!” Charon obliged and stepping on in Athena asked but it trailed off as she felt the heavy sadness upon her, the pain and images of torment, “He is fine. He was created not a true organic form; it’s almost an glitch in Helheim that we haven’t bothered to fix, he was an made dead, not became dead so since he gets on well with us both we haven’t bothered to fix it” “Do the others know?” “Odin knows; he sort of is the equivalent of Zeus in his authority with your intelligence, oh he also has a beard” she chuckled trying to adjust to the images she now saw as she asked, “So... these images are they actually here; my mind playing tricks on me or the building?” “It’s a very long story which I will explain later. Let’s just say this: this place exposes your deepest sins, regrets and pain and exploits them; it projects the images into your mind where bo matter what you say, assume or try to do it feels realistic and traps your senses in them. The aim is I would come and either punish that person for what they did, free them from the torment or help that person cope” “Sort of like the father who checks there isn’t a monster under their children’s bed?” “Almost. In this case the boogeyman is He...la” he stuttered as they were confronted by the consequences of their and Hela’s actions.

“Tristhet?” Athena asked seeing him stiffen up as he looked in to see the damage furniture and equipment over the floor and tables, creatures occupied the room some too twisted to stand, others wailing whilst some just either cried or looked at him dejected, “What are they?” “The souls of the lost!” he looked down before nodding walked to the a panel and watching as it lit up to his touch he simply twisted an dial to pull the block out and twisting it a further ninety degrees pushed it back in providing an massive blast of flames from the floors, walls and ceiling to engulf the room and burn the twisted figures until nothing was left and now looking at the empty room Tristhet spoke, “I. HAVE. LOST. EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE THAT I HAVE SAVED IS GONE FOR ONE PERSON!” “Was it worth it?” the bearded man asked joining the two of them in the abandoned room, “Athena this is Odin. The... well you know!” Tristhet introduced disheartened by his situation, “I know!” Athena stated looking down not being able to look at Tristhet’s face, feeling both the sadness in him and her guilt, “Lucky for you Hela confessed to what happened and has begged for any punishment to be brought upon herself! I thought I would just inform you” “No!” “What?!” “They already don’t worship me. There’s no point in losing faith in both. It’s my fault for leaving this area insecure, my fault for not returning earlier or when the situation grew dire and it’s my fault for abandoning those who needed me most... it’s me to be blamed!” Athena pushed him to gain his attention before looking at Odin stated plainly, “It’s mine; because of me he was there and because of his grandparents he was kept there; it’s my blame” “I know who is to blame but I alas can’t do it without starting an war. Tristhet are you confessing that you were to blame for this mess?” “Yes!” Tristhet spoke lowering his head, “Then with my fellow monarchs have decided that the safest thing for our people and those who would be in under your attention that you should be relieved of all duties and under watch until you are proven to be capable to fulfil your role. It includes no free movement, no involvement in activities and not using your abilities for any reason other than yourself. You will not be worshipped by the humans, not supported by other Isu and furthermore lose any rights to oppose and decision or make an suggestion!” he nodded before asking, “Can we at least get everything ready for when I am able to return to my role?” he nodded before leaning in whispered, “I actually appreciate the work you do. Most of us do, we have everything ready. I also want you to work with the children and special cases but the others don’t like it!” “What about the other lost/damage souls who may have made it outside my area?” “It will be your job to clear it out, you know stretch your legs...” “Thank you Odin!” he nodded as he left hearing the door lock after he left and sitting against the wall with Athena joining his side he spoke, “This is going to hurt!” “We will get through this...” “I... everyone I fail to save hurts me a little bit more. It eats away at me or is like a kick in a gut to me” she nodded wrapping her arm him feeling his head lower to her lap and reassuring him she stated confidently, “I already have an plan!”