Inferno !.lDAnTEi7o 2012/10/29 (Mon) 11:50 No. 10827 [Reply] ▼
Because /underground/ could use some stories actually focusing on the SA characters.
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“The flames of Old Hell sear body and soul alike.”
The green-haired judge proclaims this with a solemn expression, an alarming postscript to my life’s verdict. Beside her, a buxom redhead, the one who brought me here, shifts uncomfortably. The enormous scythe she wields bounces from one shoulder to the other.
“...Is that supposed to reassure me, Your Honor?” I manage to respond, sardonic tone a poor mask for the cold wash of daunting fear I feel. “That’s a little harsh, isn’t it? I might have committed some sins in my life, I admit that; but were they bad enough to warrant burning my soul into a metaphysical crisp?”
My voice cracks on the last word, surprisingly- I’d never been one to care about the state of my soul before, but I guess some shift in priorities would be warranted.
The soul’s all that’s left of me now, after all.
“It was intended as a forewarning,” the judge says, eyebrows furrowing in a frown. “So that you would not be wholly unprepared for your next place of spiritual residence.”
“Next and last, you mean?”
“Not so; or, not necessarily, at least. There are many like you who will be bound eternally to the world by their malice, forgoing the cycle of reincarnation and remaining trapped eternally. However, some less malicious souls consigned there can come to terms with their actions, letting their souls be scoured clean by the flames and eventually reincarnating. Considering the state of your soul, I am nearly certain you would fall under the latter category; indeed, a normal human in your position would receive a far lesser punishment.”
“Then why do I need to go through this?” I growl, because it’s less demeaning than a wail. “I
am a normal human!”
In response, the judge merely looks to her redheaded employee, who winces and shakes her head.
“That’s the thing, though. You’re not, not anymore at least; it’s because of what happened after your death. It’s my job to ferry the dead across th
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