As I come to, I find myself in a simple boat, alongside a multitude of other people. Considering I’m pretty sure I just died, Hades does exist. And at the helm of the boat stands Charon. Fishing my pockets, I find only a few silvers. It’s known that depending on your place in life, you’re expected to deposit a certain amount of money to Charon. Nobles are expected to pay in gold. Sadly, given the way I went out, I seem to lack the proper compensation.

Nonetheless, I walk up to him hesitantly, and offer the silvers I have. “My apologies, I do not have enough to pay you.” I say as I give him the silvers and an apologetic look. Charon looks at me, and the cloaked figure turns to me and greets me with a gaunt yet young face. “Apology accepted Earl. Considering how you died, I’m willing to accept your fare. Besides, someone’s waiting for you.

Charon turns, leaving me with the curiosity about who could be waiting for me. I choose to sit down with the rest of the people, who seem rather uncomfortable. Makes sense, I’m more comfortable with death than others. Besides, we’re heading to Hades, where we will be judged and assigned to our afterlife. Their eternity will be determined here.

I sat quietly and awkwardly with the rest before finally arriving at the gates, as they loomed over us. I was glad to finally get off the boat, as the rest were just too quiet. Not a peep out of them.

The gates were huge, and frankly he’d say overwhelmingly huge. Frankly speaking, as a noble, he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen gates this big save the one at the imperial palace. On one hand, this was the underworld, on the other hand, this was the underworld.

Before I knew it, I was sitting in a seat before a rather familiar face. I’d seen it every single time I’d visited the temple of death. Everyone went to the temple of Hades; who didn’t want to pray to the lord of the Underworld and riches? Say what you will of Ausir Hades, but he ruled the spirit world, arguably more important than Poseidon and second only to Jorvus Mars.

I didn’t go to the temples to pray for riches or to appease the lord of the next world. I went there for peace. For quiet I could not receive at the mansion, with the bustling people, the nonstop flow of papers, the constant dangers, I found my peace and quiet at the temple. I found it ironic of course; people always did their best to appeal to the emperor of the afterlife, but none went to visit the palace of the judge. Perhaps they felt an unconditional fear, for he was never easily bribed; perhaps the nobles hoped they could appeal to the lord of riches to give them leniency. I however, always welcomed the sight of Anubis.

…

It is said there are two guard dogs one must pass through before reaching the underworld. One must pass Cerberus, the three headed guard dog. It was easy going in; it was getting out that was the hard part. Cerebus never let anyone leave without the permission of Hades, and only those who could beat him in warfare may leave.

The other guard dog was the jackal-headed god Anubis. Judge of the dead, Anubis determined who went to the great halls of Elysium, who continued to live their daily lives in the farm field of reeds, and who was cast out to Tartarus for their actions. Not only was Anubis said to be strong, but it was known that he had a beast, Ammit, who was just as feared as Cerebus. Ammit was even said to be stronger than Cerebus, only stayed by Anubis’ hand.

And here I was, face to face with Anubis. Anubis was both exactly like I imagined him, and both very far from what I had expected. He was very much the jackal headed god, his headwear the same as it had always been, finely forged gold and embedded with beautiful jewelry, said to be a gift from his partner in management Hades. Ammit itself slumbered in the background, and it may not even be wrong to attribute a fourth of the wall being Ammit’s back. Which led to a very fashionable lion fur wall, if I do say so myself. I was told I had horrible fashion taste though, so who knows how reliable that was.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

His aura was a powerful yet quiet aura, like a predator at rest. Despite it being at ease at the moment, you could feel the power and regal feel behind the being. It was not to be underestimated. It reminded me of the former duke Rasta (bless his heart that solemn yet good man), who was quiet yet overbearing.

The rest of it though, was far different from what he imagined. He wore a suit, not different from what the chancellor himself dressed as, far different from the tunics or cloaks that Anubis was typically depicted as. He had the good old flannel and suit set up, and even a decorative scarf wrapped around his body. There was a scale on the table, though it looked dusty and unused. Funnily enough, I’d always wondered what it was for. Every statue of Anubis had one, but no priest had ever been able to tell me why he had it. Oh well.

His desk was messy, with plenty of papers stacked up and strewn across the desk. God I don’t miss those, why I’m almost glad I died. Almost. I could see the stress on Anubis’ face as he worked on filling papers. I also saw his monocle, which I had not noticed earlier. Huh.

Anubis looked up and his face softened up. He got up and I discovered that when standing up he was a foot or two taller than I am, which was definitely an interesting experience. I was known for nothing if not my great height of 7 feet, hypothesized to be the result of giant ancestry.

And hugged me. What?

As I stood there, wondering what was going on, the lord before me smiled and spoke. “Little Earl,” he rumbled, his voice a smooth baritone voice. “I’ve looked forward to meeting you for a long time. I have seen you, every single time you visited my temple, and every single time you’ve confided in me. I have heard you.”

I trembled as something broke within me, and in spite of myself, I couldn’t help but shed a small tear, knowing that Anubis was listening. Someone whom I could unbottle my emotions and share them with. I’d gone to the temple to pray and complain, believing no one was listening. Even if I was in the temple of Anubis, I thought myself alone.

The smile on Anubis’ face seemed comforting as he sat me down on the (surprisingly) comfy wooden chair before himself sitting before his desk. Clearing his throat, Anubis said simply: “Shall we begin?”

…

The next few moments were a breeze, with Anubis speaking to me about my life, from the smallest of things to the most pointless of things. “You really were paying attention,” I say as I find myself astonished by this fact. Did a God have this much time. Anubis coughed awkwardly. “Well,” he said. “So few ever come to me save my very own priests, so a child like you, who has attended so diligently, is special in my eyes.”

Since Anubis was willing to entertain me, I decided to ask something that was bothering me. As a noble, I had responsibilities. “May I inquire,” I begin my question “About the status of my servants? Are they doing well?”

I might be overstepping my boundaries, and I know this, but that doesn’t matter to me. No, what matters is that I try. For the maids who cleaned my house day in and day out, for Sir Tobias, my loyal butler who’d not only raised me in my parent’s place, but also helped me hold my position even as I was attacked by nobles on all sides. Chef Bourgeis, Head maid Lilian. The stableboys, the maids, the butlers, everyone. It was my job to see to their wellbeing, even in death.

Anubis smiled, and seemed proud. “Even in death, you put your people before yourself Earl. It’s always been one of your best qualities you know.” He sorted through the papers before throwing a bunch onto the table, and I recognized at least three of them. “They went to Folkvangr. You had a loyal household. There’s a reason Dillucius decided to kill you instead of ousting you out of the house. He couldn’t get or make any dirt on you. They all fought till their last breath, and Bourgeis managed to take 2 assassins down with his frying pan.” Anubis seemed amused by that and I couldn’t help but chuckle in spite of the situation, but relief flooded me. My people would go to Folkvangr, one of the better realms of Hades, managed by a Goddess of nature.

Now that I knew my people were safe, I was ready for my fate. Noticing the change in my aura, Anubis became serious. And gave me a look that made me sit up straighter than before. It wasn’t killing intent (he’d gotten that enough), but rather the dignity of a God, that made you want to do your very best.

“Are you ready to hear the verdict” his voice echoed, vibrating throughout the whole room, far different from the previous disposition. I nodded firmly, prepared for my judgement.

“You will join your servants in Folkvangr once your life is done (huh?) but first you will be reborn as a turtle.”

Despite the volume of his voice, I was unsure if I heard him correctly. “I’m sorry, did you just say turtle?”

Anubis went back to appearing more informal and grinned. “Of course, unless you prefer jackal?” Joked the god.