"What is this place?" Dyrroth questioned as he kicked a random rock from the dark earth. It was very cold and foggy giving him minimal vision of what dwells ahead and behind.

Through the thick mist, he could see torches that lit the way of a path leading to a grand palace up ahead. Around them, there are mansions and houses erected over the snowy hills with red lights glowing through the window. He could imagine hearths blazing to warm the inhabitants of those mansions and felt envious of that. He had to hike through the snow and ice to reach the top of the mountain they are ascending. A steed would be ideal but he dared not ask his companion for a ride.

"This is Helheim, the land of the dead." Fenrir answered as he led Dyrroth through the solemn and misty place. The demon shivered while the wolf remained nonchalant to the cold. Lucky for him, he has fur while Dyrroth endured the damning temperature.

There was no denying that his words are true due to the striking lifelessness of their surroundings and the wraiths that wander through the vast misty land. There was neither hope nor despair, no joy or regret, there was only meaningless apathy from the inhabitants of this freezing realm.

"This place is awfully boring and cold. But what the fuck, I thought you wouldn't let me die? What's the meaning of this." complained Dyrroth, glaring at the wolf.

"I'm not here to deliver you to your final destination, I'm here to revive you. We can say that you're dying because of the curse on your wound and not the actual battle wound. That technicality could deliver you to Helheim instead of Valhalla or the Inferno. With a little help from the goddess of death, we could revive you. You see, the ruler of this place, Hela, is my sister and we're not really on the best of terms so a simply pretty please won't cut it for you. If you really want something from her, then you wager something sufficient to pique her interest. As you've said, it's awfully boring here so she'll be willing to entertain something even a little bit exciting."

"Oh, great. Another one of your schemes. How can I make sure that you're not lying?"

"Because of the rune on your chest." The wolf answered and just as he said there is indeed a bright green rune that burns on his chest.

"What is this thing? It's been there for quite a while but I didn't really bother to think about it that much."

"That is a protection rune. I just taught Ruby how to use it to keep you from dying. She inscribed it a while ago to help heal your wounds. That's the only thing keeping you from walking the path of the damned. It's your only ticket out of here."

"So she does love me. I knew it. Hey, how do I get back? I'm gonna go and give her a big kiss and then some."

"You can't. Your body is still in no condition to function as it was. Plus, you're stuck in limbo unless you get the blessing of Hela to bring you back to life."

"And how are we gonna do that? I doubt that the goddess of death would be merciful enough to just poof me back to life. As far as I heard, she's a cruel cold bitch."

"Ah, that she is. But as cruel as she is, she is also bored. She'll require something to entertain herself and that's when you come in. Hela is always fond of bloodshed and violence but since Niflheim is the land of the dishonorable dead, she doesn't really get any of the great fighter souls the Valhalla receives daily."

"What are you implying?"

"I'm suggesting that you are going to sign up for a gladiatorial bout. You don't just fight but you should also entertain."

"I'm not some street performer. I'm a prince and a warrior. I do not stoop down to the level of a mere gladiator." Dyrroth scoffed clearly hating the idea.

"I'm just saying that you should fight with more flourishes, fancy moves, and bravado. Your fighting style is already great as it is but if you really want to impress the goddess of death then you should prepare something more than just pure violence."

"Meaning?"

"Well, that's something for you to figure out. We're here."

"Hello, father. It's been a while since you visited." greeted a large black hound guarding the entrance to the palace. He was massive like a hill and his fur was stained with blood. His four crimson eyes stared down at them with apathy.

"Hello, Garm. Yes, it's been a while. How have you been?"

"My queen, Hel, cares for me so I am always well. Unlike you, father. You couldn't even bring yourself to visit from time to time."

Fenrir obviously stiffened up, not used to being cornered and guilt-tripped by his own offspring. Dyrroth stared at him judgingly.

"You know that I am trapped on an island somewhere out there. I couldn't possibly go out and about."

"And yet you're here to bother, my goddess. I shall not let you see her." declared the hellhound firmly.

"I brought a cake for you."

"You may enter but don't annoy, my queen Hel."

"Thank you, son." Fenrir placed the cake in front of the hound who ignored them in favor of devouring the sweet treat. The two rushed into the slightly opened gates before Garm changes his mind.

"Where did you get that cake? I'm starving and you didn't even offer me some."

"I appeared in Ruby's dream and told her to offer cake to me and she did. Offering cakes is the only way to appease hellhounds. The same works for Cerberus but not Anubis. That jackal cannot be bribed, he is too stern with his job. Now, put up a brave face because what you see inside might make you faint."

A dark heavy arch loomed above them like a slumbering titan. Far ahead columns carved with wicked and twisted faces grimaced at them as they passed. It was horrendous and intimidating but the entrance is the least of his worries for what awaited them inside.

"Ruby?" Dyrroth gaped in wonder as he saw his favorite maiden sitting casually on the throne up on the high dais with at least thirty steps. Fenrir had brought him to the throne room of Hela and what surprised him the most wasn't the fact that Ruby is here but the fact that she seems to be the one running this place.

All the dead bowed in her presence, and the black dogs and the vicious snakes that guard her throne stared at her with fear. Dyrroth didn't fail to note the concubines, both male and female, that ogle upon her while sitting below her feet. They were stationed on the steps of her dais occasionally licking and kissing her feet. This version of Ruby seems quite lewd and doesn't have a single care about what others might think of her. He saw her kick a male concubine who licked her thighs but the bastard only seems to gain pleasure from the maltreatment. The display somehow made him envious. He wanted to try that with his Ruby too. To feel her bare dainty feet kicking whatever part of his body.

"What are you doing here, Ruby? Did-- did you die?" he asked to the maiden who stared at him with boredom and apathy.

This girl held no warmth nor joy in her body, just cold nothingness. It was uncharacteristic but he wouldn't mistake that face for anyone else in the entire universe even though some of her features look different. Her sun-gold hair is silver like a spider's intricate web bathing in the moonlight while her vibrant green eyes had turned red like pools of blood. Even the way with which she carried herself is also different. She's regal and imposing, criticizing and judgmental. Plus her choice of wardrobe is more revealing and sexy, a grave contrast to her more modest taste.

"What is this 'thing' that you bring to me, brother?" Hela demanded, rolling her eyes at the demon ogling her. Her bold-red lips pursed in a line as she stared at her brother distastefully.

"Queen Hela, my sister. I bring to you my champion, Prince Dyrroth of the Abyss, Lord of a thousand legions of demons. He is the fiercest, most vicious, bloodthirsty fighter the dark chasm has ever born. We have come here to challenge your best soldiers to win the right to return his soul to the land of the living and prolong his earthly existence." Fenrir declared which caught the attention of the little goddess who smirked as she placed her chin over her hand.

"And if you lose?"

"You get to have his soul in your tomb forever."

"Wait, what?!" Dyrroth protested at the betrayal of the wolf.

"Hmm, he is indeed tempting and might entertain me well in my bed but I want something more."

"As ambitious as always, Hela. Then what is it that you desire?"

"I want the location of your true body. As it is, I believe that your head would make a fine decoration on my throne room. Plus, I'm sure that your snow-white hide would make for an excellent fur coat." The queen smiled sardonically while Fenrir kept quiet, contemplating her offer.

"It's a deal." Dyrroth answered without waiting for Fenrir's reply, making the wolf glare at him ferociously.

"What? If you're sacrificing my soul for your little game then you should sacrifice something for the team."

"We do not belong to the same team. Where do you get such a notion?"

"Well, aren't you part of team Ruby?"

"I... Well, I am. Stop making it a big deal."

"Good, then we'll do this together, not just some dog and an extremely handsome prince, but as a team. And even though this chick is really hot, since she looks like an evil version of Ruby or something, I still don't want to end up here earlier than planned. Actually, I don't plan on dying at all."

"Ara ara~ If you do lose, which I'm sure you will, then you don't have to worry too much since I'll have you warming up my bed for the rest of eternity. I'll even let you use the back door." The goddess smiled and licked her lips.

"That's so hot. I wish Ruby would tell that to me." sighed the prince as he imagined the same words escaping his beloved's lips.

"Better get your head out of the clouds. Challenging my sister is not an easy feat." Fenrir warned as he saw the queen waving for her servants.

"Ganglati, tell the others to prepare the area. Its soil must be thirsty for some fresh blood, as do I. And invite my friends to watch this bout. I would like to humiliate my brother publicly and this is the finest opportunity for it." Hela ordered to her troll servant who grunted before going to the back room.

"Fenrir, I have one question: why does your sister look like Ruby? Is it just my imagination or do they really look the same?" Dyrroth whispered to the wolf while the queen frolicked with her slaves.

"I have no idea why, but Hela really admires Althreya, Ruby's mother, so she went and copied her face in a way that would suit her. In this case, it reassembled Ruby but more cruel and edgy. Just look at how red her lipstick is, it's like saying that she's a slutty tyrant."

"Why thank you, I was actually going for that look." intervened Hela as she stepped down from her throne to get a better look at Dyrroth.

"I must say you are really handsome. You even look like my husband." Hela said as she placed a hand on his cheek, tracing the line of his jaw with her cold slender fingers. Dyrroth gulped due to how dangerously close she was and tried his best to step away without offending her but she was simply fabulously evil. He can't take his eyes off her even if he wanted to.

"Uhh..."

"What the Hel?! Who is this vermin? Are you cheating on me with some purple bumpkin?" exclaimed an unfamiliar voice from the entrance.

If he wasn't already surprised by how strikingly similar-looking Hela is to Ruby, now he was shell-shocked to see his own face glaring down at him.

"Anubis, my sweet! You are finally back!" Hela exclaimed in delight as she threw herself into the arms of the tall tan man.

Dyrroth was astounded. He couldn't find any words to describe the confusion and surprise he felt at the moment. Seeing your likeness in a person is one thing but seeing your exact semblance is another, especially if it's the God of Death of Egypt. Anubis' features are a bit sharper than Dyrroth's and more angular but the general shapes and proportions were the same. His hair, eyes, and complexion were the only difference. Anubis had dark hair and a pair of striking amethyst eyes. He was 8 feet tall and robust much taller than Dyrroth. He wore a distinct headdress called nemes and had kohl around his eyes. He had grand accessories such as the intricate collar necklace resting over his chest while his wrists had shiny golden cuffs. He was barefooted and the only clothing he had at present was the kilt wrapped around his waist. His torso was bare and the goddess enjoyed herself by running her fingers through his packed abs.

Dyrroth realized that aside from the difference in color scheme, this Anubis guy looks exactly like him and acts exactly like him with his wife. He is protective and territorial. He reacts immediately after detecting a threat to his love. Dyrroth didn't find him unpleasant despite his hostility. In fact, he quite like Anubis for some reason.

Fenrir exchanged pleasantries and remarks with Anubis. It didn't seem like he was being sarcastic or mean so perhaps the two were good friends. They talked quietly about a girl named Nefer with Anubis asking how the girl was and Fenrir replying that the girl is well and married now. The news shocked Anubis and he asked if the man Nefer married was a decent person. Fenrir evaded the question and his eyes briefly met Dyrroth's. The demon mouthed the words "What about the bet?" but Fenrir ignored him and turned to his sister.

"I never knew that you have a taste for jackals, sister. Last time I checked you were mere "colleagues". So pray tell, how did you manage to swing the Egyptian God of Death to your bed chambers? It must be a riveting story if you would so willingly let go of your obsession with Balder." Fenrir mused with a sardonic edge making the goddess glare at him fiercely.

"If you must know, it was him who pursued me first. My friends and I had a bet; if I could deceive Anubis and make him do my bidding then I get to take one thing from each of them. It was an opportunity I would not pass up so I agreed wholeheartedly. My plan to win the bet was to tell him that he has mistakenly taken a soul meant for Valhalla and so he must appease me. I dressed like a Valkyrie to deceive him. We stumbled upon him doing his work. He was weighing a human heart against some feather to judge where humans go and I thought: 'What a stupid bimbo who can't do his own desk work and figure his shit out on his own.'"

"Your deception was ineffective and futile. I am not as vapid as Thanatos to be swayed so easily, my love." Anubis rebutted.

"Ah, yes. You are also the patron deity of judgmental mean bitches, sister." snorted Fenrir which earned a glare from the goddess who ignored his comment to proceed with her story.

"Of course, I offended him and we fought for 69 days and nights. He was really hot-headed and I was prideful and of course, prejudiced. But then we had sex afterward. It was cool though, we're good now. Right, baby?" Hela finished, stoking Anubis's well-built chest who obviously softened to her touch until he remembers his earlier issues.

"Yes, sweetie but now tell me who this guy is and why he looks like me? Is this some sort of cruel joke? You want another threesome?" Anubis said as he wrapped an arm around Hela's waist while glaringly at Dyrroth.

"I have the same sort of question but... This could only mean one thing." Dyrroth mumbled as he looked at the couple. Hela was flirting with Anubis who has a frown on his face to try and hide his blush while occasionally glaring at Dyrroth.

"And what might that be?" Fenrir questioned raising a brow at him.

"Martis can go fuck himself because I'm surely the one going to end up with Ruby. If this isn't foreshadowing or something then I don't know what it is." The celebration soon died from his lips as the troll servant returned.

"My lady, the arena is set." informed Ganglati making the queen brighten with excitement.

"Well, then brother, are you prepared to lose?"

"Right after you, dear sister."