Amazel and Judora knelt before the crown. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Have you found a way to stabilize the chaotic energy of the dragon egg?"
Both glanced at each other, hesitation clear in their faces. Then Amazel stepped forward. "Please forgive us, my Lord… primordial energy is beyond our ability. We c-an't—"
"Leave."
The order cut her off. They did not dare to talk back; they simply walked out of the throne room.
As they left, Dire and the three candidates entered. As instructed, they kept their steps short and their heads bowed, not attempting to meet the eyes of the thrones.
They stopped before the dais and knelt. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Stand up."
They all stood. Then Dire stepped forward. "My Lord, as you ordered, these are all the candidates suitable for the role of judge."
The three glanced at him. Judge?
Hades said, "It seems you are all unaware of the reason for your presence here. Let me explain."
"To find the best judge among the best, we gave you trials that tested your mind, will, and character. You all succeeded—"
A nobleman interrupted, "Was our life merely a game to you, something you could play with as you pleased?" His voice was loud, but held a hint of sadness—the sadness of losing something.
"Heuk!"
Suddenly, an intense pressure pressed him down. Breathing became impossible. The owl and Pharon shook, gulping as they understood the consequence of disobedience.
"Hecate. Calm down."
The pressure released. The nobleman stood up, but his whole body trembled with fear.
His knees buckled, but his eyes still searched the throne—as if hoping the answer would change.
"I understand how you feel. But the truth is we never manipulated anyone in your life. Not even you."
"We gave you power, removed your excuses, and observed what you chose to become. But even if your choices or actions had been different, the result would have been the same."
The nobleman bowed deeply. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty, for my discourtesy." His face contorted as if bitten by an insect. Tears flowed from his eyes.
Pharon understood something profound from Hades' explanation. He whispered, only loud enough for himself to hear, "Fate is cruel and inevitable at the same time. It gives power. Opportunity. Hope. To change the result. But still, what it desires comes to pass."
Hecate and Hades smiled and exchanged a glance.
Then Hecate said, "If you do not wish to take on such responsibility, you may return to your world. But you will lose all memory of this place."
"Please—"
Hecate waved her hand. The nobleman disappeared in a blink. Then she stared at the remaining two. "What about you?"
"We would be most grateful for such an important position, Your Holiness." Both of them bowed deeply.
"Dire. This question is also for you."
Dire was stunned. He stammered, "M-Me?"
"Yes, you were also on the list of candidates. Your trial was how you acted and how you judged them. And you passed with flying colors."
He stood motionless, mouth parted, as awe washed over him like a silent tide. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will never betray your expectations."
Hades nodded. He lifted his hand. "Judgement divinity—manifest." Divine energy and nether essence arose from his palm and swirled together.
The nether essence and divine energy were drawn into three foci, creating three gray orbs.
These orbs radiated immense power. Then they floated toward the three. "If your soul is compatible with Judgement divinity, you will be able to absorb it. If not, the divinity will destroy your soul."
"This is your last chance. Choose wisely."
Dire did not hesitate for a moment. He grabbed the floating orb. It disintegrated into small particles and entered his skin. His eyes went blank and his body froze as if he were a statue.
The owl and Pharon stared at him, then exchanged a glance. They extended their trembling hands. Upon contact, the orbs disintegrated into particles and pierced through their skin.
The particles bypassed the physical body and traveled to the core of their souls. There, in the center of the void, they coalesced into a gray orb.
As the orb fully formed and settled into place, it released immense energy and essence in all directions. This wave created fractures in the void.
But as time passed, the fractures healed on their own, the soul resonating with the core. The wave was no longer destructive; instead, it nourished the soul.
Suddenly, they opened their eyes wide and took a deep breath, as if breathing for the first time in years.
They were not as they had been before. They now radiated an aura of new power and authority.
In unison, they knelt.
"Very well. From now on, the three of you shall be judges of the Underworld. You have only one duty: to judge souls according to their virtues and sins."
"Go and take your positions."
"As per your order, Your Majesty." They gave one final bow and left.
The door closed. Hades and Hecate remained alone in the majestic throne room.
Hades leaned back and sighed. "Finally, one burden is relieved. Now I can focus more on those bastards."
Hecate held his hand and said with a warm smile, "But do not forget about me and our child."
"Never." Hades kissed her hand.
---
While Hades and Hecate awaited the arrival of their child into the world, the most ominous of prophecies was fulfilled—the same prophecy that had haunted generation after generation.
"One of Hades' children will claim the crown of the Underworld."