Across the globe, you'll hear stories about Gods and Goddesses, no matter the culture or language. They exist in one way or another. Alessia grew accustomed to reading about them as she studied the demons and beasts of the world. One thing she found during her research was where monsters come from. There are many different names for it, a place where the bad go to live once they have sinned. Some call it hell, purgatory, but the name the demons whispered they called it 'The Underworld.'
Hearing this term often while fighting against the evil beings that sneak through portals, she had no choice but to study everything she could about the underworld. It's not easy since most books and knowledge about the underworld are passed down as stories and myths.
One thing Alessia recalls the most is that living beings, such as humans, are not allowed in the world of the dead. If they accidentally go though, their souls will become contaminated.
If Alessia is in the underworld, is her soul no longer pure?
As she watches Donn, she is at a loss for what to say or what to believe. How did they do it if they brought her here, and who are they?
Most importantly, why did they bring her here?
Alessia's head hurt with so many questions and thoughts. She scans the room again. The walls are made of stone, and they show signs of age. The paintings covering the walls are unlike what she would expect in the underworld. They are plants, flowers, and buildings that resemble places on Earth.
She returns her gaze to Donn. Alessia studies him more, "Prove to me this is the underworld."Alessia says to him. Watching him closely, Donn shifts uncomfortably and glances at Zagreus. He does seem nervous, or he is hiding something.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. We placed a barrier around this room so the toxic air won't hurt you. If we show you around, you'll become ill. Or rather, we are not sure how the air will affect you." Donn finally says. He plays with the long braid and twirls it around his finger.
"If you want me to trust you, believe you, or whatever it is you want from me. Please prove it to me. If you can't do that much, I will ask nicely to be returned to where you found me." Alessia crosses her arms. What he says about the toxic air is what she has read about, but it doesn't prove anything.
A groan comes across the room. Both Alessia and Donn look at Zagreus, who looks bored and less angry now. He looks at them both, and he goes towards the wall across the room, and he waves his hands, and the wall opens up.
As Alessia gazes at the opening, she is taken aback, as the space looks similar to a TV or large window. As she looks at the opening, her legs walk without her command. She finds herself inches away from where the wall once stood. She sticks an arm outside the giant hole and can feel cold air surrounding her.
Looking out towards what they call the underworld. It reminds her of the medieval days. The houses or buildings are old and worn down. The people or demons are dressed in clothes that are stained and dirty. They look like what Alessia would assume the sin would look like.
Enslaved people.
Alessia turns to look back at Donn and Zagreus. Seeing this is unbelievable, yet the question remains, why is she here? Unless she died, this is some weird way to stall time for her soul.
Ruffing up her hair, she will have to grill them until they spill their guts. "I'll go along with what you are saying. This place is the underworld. But what am I doing here?"
Zagreus walks away from Alessia and ignores her question. However, she wasn't expecting much from him.
Focusing all her attention on Donn, she can at least hope he will shed some light. He walks over to the hole in the wall, looks out towards the vast village, and makes eye contact with Alessia.
"We need your powers, Alessia." His voice was soft, with an air of sadness to it.
"Why?" Her powers are unique, this much she knows, when she woke up in the hospital. Alessia knew that her life wasn't ever going to be the same. The doctors thought she had lost her mind and had her stay in the psych ward.
Alessia even believed that she was crazy till she saw a demon kill a woman. That was when she knew that the demons or monsters she saw were not hallucinations but honesty. When she touched the little ones, they quickly turned to smoke and left a pile of ash. This was the turning point for her. The world wasn't what the average human eyes could see, but a veil covered the vision of the mortals.
Her vision was clear as day, and Alessia traveled around the states and visited places in different countries. Whether it was a myth, a legend, or a joke, she studied whatever she could get her hands on.
She understands how to use her powers but still has a long way to go. But to be in the underworld means only one thing. The mortal world is in danger.
She balls her hands into a fist, and Alessia changes her expression. "Let me rephrase this, how do you know about me and my name? I want to know everything, Including who the hell both of you are." Glaring over at Zagreus, Alessia can feel herself getting fed up.
Donn lets out a breath and crosses his arms. He knew this wouldn't be easy, but he might as well get it over with. Whether Zagreus likes it or not, they need this human.
"Alessia, we know every human's name. That comes as part of the job. You were supposed to die. But you didn't cross over the river. But it seems that someone gave you a second chance at life, and the powers you hold resemble that person or goddess, to be exact." Donn pauses as he can feel the air turn dark and murderous. He glances toward Zagreus, who looks like he may lounge toward him or Alessia at any moment.
Zagreus, the hot-blooded fool. Donn knows he will have to ignore him for now. "Mania, she was a goddess of the underworld and was going to be queen once she married either me or Zagreus. As immortals, we can't die, yet Mania's life force is gone, and her soul is no longer a part of our world or any realm. What little bit remains of her is somehow in you." A loud crash echoes around the room as the words come out of Donn's mouth.
Zagreus cut the teapot and glasses with his sword. He understands his brother's anger, but it's not the fault of this human unless she summed Mania and forced her to give her powers. It seems rather unlikely.
"I know her."
Donn whips his head back toward Alessia, and Zagreus holds his sword, ready to finish her off.
"How do you know her, Alessia?" Donn's voice was nervous because her fate would drastically change if she summoned her.
"When I died, I saw a woman in black. She didn't say anything but looked despondent and went to my body. That is the last thing I remember." Alessia's voice was shaky as she absorbed everything she is being told.
"She would never do that!" Zagreus yells.
"Why would she leave me." The flash of sadness reaches Zagreus's eyes and the emotion Alessia never expected to see.
He loved her.