Goddess Of The Underworld. Chapter 56

My hound is fast. Gods, it feels so fucking good to run. We dodge through the trees and jump over rocks, running wildly through the distance as I inspect the land that is now apparently mine. I’ve never had much that I’ve considered mine before, and it might be the underworld, but it is beautiful in its own way. I’m quite surprised when I come upon what looks to be a village of sorts. There are buildings made out of tree’s and mud, little fires lighting up the area around and…creatures of all sorts that stop what they’re doing to gawk at us. One by one they start falling to their knees, heads bowed deeply out of respect…or maybe that’s fear. I shift back to my human form as a green scaly looking woman drops the pot of food she was placing over the fire and send out my mist to catch it before it spills. She doesn’t look up from the ground as I approach her. “Stand, please.” I say softly and she does but keeps her head low. I hold out the bowl in her line of view, but she doesn’t take it. “Please.” I push it a little more forward and her hands shake as they rise slowly to take it.

“Thank you, my Queen.”

“I didn’t mean to disturb you all.” I say softly, still trying to get her to look at me. “I was just out for a run when I noticed this place. I didn’t know there was life outside of the castle.”

“We are the forgotten, My Queen. We have served our punishments and were granted the freedom to live out here.”

I look around the makeshift village once again. Other creatures still stay on their knees, not daring to move. It really doesn’t look like much, and I can’t imagine there would be many resources out here to survive with. I know that it is hell and all, but if they’ve done their time…

“What’s you name?” I ask.

“Eleeba Toranik, My Queen.” She says softly. I quickly materialise my tablet and search for her name. She lived in the mortal realm over 3000 years ago. Lived for 23 years and died by asphyxiation at the hands of her husband after she killed his mistress. She served 2500 years in the basement before being released out here, becoming part of the forgotten. This new revelation updates in the system and I can see a section full of creatures that are in the forgotten now.

“Where do you live, Eleeba? Can you show me?”

This makes her look up, finally. Her green eyes shocked as she looks at me with her mouth open. I give her a friendly smile.

“You want to see my home?”

“Yes, please.” I see a few others raise their heads slightly but I don’t make a show of knowing.

“Oh, okay, of course, My Queen.” She places the bowl on the ground and I follow her through a few rows and stick and mud houses before she reaches one and gestures for me to enter. When I do I’m shocked.

“Do they all look like this?” I ask, looking around the tiny space.

“Mostly, yes.” There’s a bed made of old, dead leaves on the floor, a small fire in the corner, a few items that must have been scavenged from somewhere like bowls and clothes. “Where does the stuff come from?” I point to the little collection of things.

Eleeba pales, shaking violently as she covers her head and cowers down onto her knees.

“I am so sorry My Queen! We stole from the palace when the last King and Queen were ill! We were desperate for just a few things! I am sorry!” She wails.

“Hey, woah, woah, hey, calm down. Shhh” I get down to her level and take her hands from her face holding them in my own. “I’m not going to hurt you, okay?”

“W-why?” She stutters.

“Because, like you said, you served your punishment. I can not fault you for wanting to survive out here. In fact…” I turn around and make her leaf bed disappear, replacing it with a real bed, a simple single bed with a frame, sheets, a comforter and a pillow. Eleeba gasps loudly and I smile. I put little glass windows in the holes that were carved out and a door as well. I finish it off with a little table and a chair put her fire in a small brick fireplace with a chimney.

“Much better.” I say clapping my hands and turning back around to her. She’s still crying, but this time, I think, or I hope they’re happy tears.

“Come on.” I say, holding out my hand for her. “I think it’s time we made some changes around here.”

When we exit the house, creatures begin to scatter from where they were clearly crowding around the small hut.

“Wait!” I yell and everyone freezes, dropping to their knees again. “Oh my gods.” I run my hand along my face. “Okay, everyone with me.” I order and lead them back through the huts towards the centre of the village where there’s an open space. I make a little stage and step onto it. “Is this the only village of forgotten people?” I ask no one in general, but stare into the small crowd.

“No, my Queen, there are many.” Eleeba speaks.

“Hmm, okay then, we will just start with this one. We’re making some changes around here and I don’t want to regret this, okay? I’m going to give you all some things that might make surviving out here a little bit more manageable. In turn, one of you can report to me weekly about any issues that might have risen or if you need more supplies or anything really. Think of it like a little government. Do you have a leader of some sort here already?” One guy steps forward, he looks to be a vampire.

“What is your name?”

“I am Silas Decallory.” I quickly search up his information and when I’m satisfied with what I’ve ready I motion for him to come up with me.

"Does anyone object to Silas being your appointed leader and Eleeba as his second?" When no one objects I quickly make a note of the group, the location and the appoited leaders. "Okay, Silas, here's what I'm going to do. You will each get your huts upgraded to the basics as I have done with Eleeba's. Windows, doors, beds, fire places and such. If there is no reported issues within the week, then I'll continue to supply things that your village might need. To start with, what would make living here easier for the group?"

He looks at me warily before replying. "We could use some fresh water and livestock."

"Done." I make a series of taps that will supply endless fresh water and a fenced area behind with a group of chickens.

"What else?"