Seekers of the Stone Maker
The Curator

They were transported to a long hallway made of brick, with many dark wooden doors that lined both sides. At the end of the hallway, Leaf could only see a bright light, making it difficult to see much of the hallway. In front of them, Alyk walked quickly down the hall, with the rest of the group following slowly. Mr. Muffins appeared behind him, a flicker of blue flame dissipating towards his back.

Leaf walked forward, trying to take in the area he was in, but there were no symbols, sigils, or signs that would give him a clue to their new destination. At the front, Alyk was jabbering.

“It’s not the nicest place I own, but it’s one of the most useful. I think you all will be able to get plenty of rest, if you need it, here. I have spare rooms, drinks, food, and an entire library available here. I think you all will like it compared to where we were!”

At the end of the hallway, Leaf could see what was emitting such a bright light. Above a large table that fit at least thirty people was a blackened sky with a multitude of stars. Each one in various heights, shapes, and distances from each other, and a large chandelier hung down from it, sending light in every direction. Looking to the left, two hallways branched out and turned in various designs. He wasn’t sure how far it went as they turned before ending. To the right was a staircase that led to an enormous library. Leaf tried to count how many shelves he saw but could barely see the wall at the other end. Across the table were twenty- or thirty-foot windows overlooking a river. In the distance of a barren, dry expanse, Leaf noticed red clouds that pulsed with electricity throughout the entirety of the sky, sending lightning down every so often. Alyk walked to another small table with ten seats and sat down at the end, laying his robe before him. Leaf followed his friends to the other side of the table.

“I imagine you have many questions, but let me start with some information that might move this forward quicker. My name is Alyk Tennison. Helena asked me to get you. Thank you for removing the favor I owe here, yet I’m unsure why. I am a member of a group called Augur’s Trust. They call me The Curator, which you can imagine why.”

Alyk gestured over to the library on the other side of the room.

“I was born before the first century of Odin’s creation of Midgard. I was human. I was mortal, like you all. I’m unsure why you’re deciding to defeat the Hounds of War alone, but I’m glad to see I have allies in this.”

Alyk turned his gaze to the twins.

“I also want to thank whichever of you held onto my book. It has been a long time since it’s been in my possession, and I know the monasteries do well at keeping to their tenets against the Hounds of War. If Zarin had found it that night, this meeting would have never happened. There would have never been hope.”

Leaf looked over to Mr. Muffins, who was looking back at him.

“Helena? Did she speak to you again?”

“Things were getting bad, and she offered a solution. I didn’t want to take it, but something had to be done with Ana dying and more possible. I’m sorry that I didn’t say anything sooner. We’ve not had the time.”

“And the book?” Lyla asked quietly.

“It will return to my collection of notes and journals I have created over the centuries. There is little need for it anymore.”

“But what about the last page? The part about impending doom?” Myla asked.

“That, I admit, was a little dramatic on my part,” Alyk stated. “You’ve already stopped one Hound of War, made allies with a second, and killed the aspect of another. Plus, with plans already in motion, I think it’s safe to say that, even if he came back, Asmodeus would not be at full power if he somehow returned.”

“What now?” Rhokhishi asked.

“That is a great question, and I guess I should keep explaining. I’m sure you all know of the Nine Hells?”

Leaf nodded. It was basic information that most know of, even if religion wasn’t of someone’s interest. The Nine Hells were a series of layers. Of the Nine Realms, Niflheim and Helheim were two that were regularly talked about. The rest were talked about plenty with the Duodenary. Deities who came to power through their labors moved through Midgard and the other layers of the Nine Hells.

“It’s a lot to explain if you didn’t, but since you all seem to know a decent amount of it, you are currently with me in Avernus, the first layer. This is one of my homes.”

“What? We’re in the Hells?” Leaf questioned.

“Yes. Please understand that you are safe here. No demon, devil, or infernal creature can enter, and none of Augur’s Trust, the Duodenary, Vanir, or the Allfather’s Aesir comes here without my permission or knowledge.”

“So, you know Helena, multiple deities, and the Hounds of War. Just who the hell are you?” Mr. Muffins interrogated.

“Ah… I hadn’t got there yet, but we can skip the spectacle of it.”

Blue flame wreathed from his hands, wrapping like snakes around his arms until it rose behind his ears into a crown above his head. His eyes turned silver completely, and golden symbols appeared like tattoos on his arms.

“I’m Hades. God of the Underworld and Keeper of Souls.”