In the end, everyone dies, nobody lives. The souls of the good, the souls of the damned. They meet the same fate. We all fall into the darkest depths of Hades walking forever. It doesn’t matter where you come from, you will die.

“Wow, depressing. Don’t you have a better one?” I asked the woman, she stared at me and showed a disapproving look.
“The future is the future” She said collecting my coins.
“What do you mean- the future is what us heroes make it” I answered, it was true. Here the heroes always changed the future. A hero with the gift of the gods and a sword, willing to take out all who oppose him is much more powerful than a hag in a cave.
“You heroes, so selfish and full of yourself, you will cause the destruction I have predicted” She snorted, “you may take your leave now, hero” spitting out the word like poison.
I got up and unsheathed my sword “What makes you think I want to leave just jet, hag” I threatened, standing to full size. She sat cross legged on a poorly woven rug, surrounded by incense slowly burning out.
“I would prefer mam’, rude child. You are all the same threatening my life because the gods look poorly upon you” She sighed reaching for a quill “However, If you think I’m wrong I will do another attempt?” I smiled; we were finally on the same page.
“I would, this time tell me where I’m mean to go. The monsters I will face. The weapon I must seek. The power I must overcome. The people I must bring. The money that will rain down upon me. The princess-“
“-I think that’s enough fantasying.” She said bitterly. Almost like the old hag had never seen a hero of my status, and she probably hadn’t. She spilled ink on my palm, speaking in another language. The language was pure and was so unearthly, it must be the gods. She spoke in a beautiful and alluring tone I almost fell for her. Then I remembered this was the same crass old hag who had predicted everyone’s death. Obviously wrong and the gods love me so much she had to change. She stood silent. Three minutes. Nothing. Four. Nothing. Five. Nothing. She screamed
“You. You. You. You will cause us all to fall into Hades. On your own selfish desires” She screamed at me in both pain, sadness and raw anger.
I stood, stunned by the revelation. “What? I’m a great hero, this will not happen”
Her eyes were fixated on my soul. Deep red with pure anger. “Go. Die. Save everyone but yourself.”

She couldn’t be serious, I am a great hero, and the greatest ever lived. I refuse to die. No one will accept this. Although, as I opened my mouth I couldn’t speak my thoughts or even insult her. Was she right? Should I kill myself in hope that everyone else lives. On the other hand it was just a vision. Could I single handily kill the human race. No. No. No. She’s an old hag, she probably told many people to do the same thing and they weren’t stupid enough to believe her. Yeah. She’s some sick freak. Plus if she’s wrong she’ll be denying the world the great hero which is me. She was obviously lying.
“Look, I’m not interested in your games. Just because you don’t like heroes doesn’t mean you conspire to kill them, stupid hag” I said gathering my things intent to leave.
“What?! Is your ego so great you have doomed us all to Hades?! Have you no soul?! How can you let the world shrivel and die?! Because almighty hero it will be at your feet, for in the end Hades will not take us, you will” She turned around, as she turned to face me she held a large knife at her throat. “I have lived a good life, not a hero. No. I have helped many and because you refuse to listen does not mean I will suffer”. She pressed it harder into her neck. I stood. My mouth. I was unable to speak.  I knew not what to say. “Good bye hero of the damned” she said and cut her throat. The pure nerve it took. I just stood there. I had somehow stood up through all of this. To check to see if she was surely dead I reached out, placing my hands inside the wound. She was not breathing, her body felt warm. Horror came over me. My eyes opened. I had witnessed a woman kill herself. I felt her blood on my hands. Warm and full of life. She had another few years left in her. I left her cave.

As I left the musty and sweet smelling cave I felt the fresh salty sea air on my face. I took a large breathe in. I felt the almost cleansing touch of the tangy air. I walked closer the mouth of her home. I heard the soothing ocean. I knew I had found the answer to my unasked question. I shall go to sea, seek comrades and monsters, and maybe even a god. I remember when I last saw a god, she gave me her hand in marriage- I refused of course, she was already married. However we had a wonderful night before she left, leaving behind treasures from all of the Earth. I ran my fingers through the sea, washing off the deep red blood which was beginning to dry on my hands. I kept my hands in the sea for what must have been forever. The deepest and enchanting red would not leave my skin. I felt my actions close in. The clear waters became a monstrous red. I ran. Speeding along the beach, as fast as my legs would take me. Something. Was. Coming. I tried to make my way up the steep cliffs. The blue sky, which was almost heavily became my mistake. As I reached for it. The red on my hands dyed it. I stood, the world became dark and the only colours which I could see, black and red. I felt breathing down my neck. I slowly turned around and there stood a centurion. But he was different. He had the menacing and penetrating eyes of a snake. And the fangs of a wolf. The skin around it’s chest was missing and I was able to see the ribs of the beast. I reached out towards my sword. It’s colour bright gold and full with every detail. I almost felt I was fouling it, but as my hands touched it they became normal, no blood. I raised in. Protector of the holy. Hero. With one slash of the mighty sword I opened the beast. I thought it would be harder. It did not defend it’s self, raise one arm, run away. This struck me as odd. Then I remember I must check the beast is dead- with one swoop that was unlikely. I felt the beast. He felt life the woman. Silent, but warm. So silent. I felt myself being tugged away, the whole universe was spinning. I cried.

I awoke next to the mangled body of a young boy. He was only young- late teens. Shocked I asked the gods what had done such as act. I made my vow to hunt it and kill it. His body had been cut open. With. One. Swoop.  I had not killed this young man. I am a hero, I must find his killer. Something had spilt his organs on the ground. I had only just realized what I was using as comfort. A lifeless body and lifeless organs. I felt the sickness inside me growing. I stopped. Calm. You didn’t do this, our lands are full of monsters. In my heart I knew. The beast was this boy. Too young to defend himself and too stupid to fight back. No. No. No. No. No! This is not your doing! The gods would not send you into such madness. You. Are. A. Hero.
“I will have to find your family, young one” I said holding the boys hand. I looked down from the cliff side. The Ocean shunned me. I felt it. The sound of the waves. I felt their disappointment. I felt everything. I felt the boy. I felt the woman. I heard their voices. I thought about my fate. Die or let everyone else die. The cliff, the height. I heard someone behind me.
“Mister!” it was a young female voice “Why are you standing there” she came towards me “You might fall off”.
I turned to face her, forcing a smile “I am sorry young one. The view, it is so pretty.” I put on the happiest voice I could.
“Oh my. Gods of the grace. You are the great hero! The one they talk about. A golden sword with sliver roses. A sword to match the heart. Pure of heart and mind” I smiled. She had heard the stories.
“That I am little girl! I have defeat monsters and saved princesses and damsels! I have treasures   and jewels. Gifts from gods and kings. I have defended from both magic and mortals.” I could see the wonder in her eyes. “How brave are you little one?” I asked.
“I am brave!” she claimed.
“Oh really? You want to help on a monster hunt?” I asked challenging her. I needed her help, she was a local. I decided to take her to the body and see if she knew the young boy the monster has killed.


She screamed. She rolled into a ball. Her whole heart cracked in two. She looked at me. The same hate overcame her as the woman.
“You killed. My! Husband!” She screamed. The illusion faded. The same child I saw was a woman. The boy a man. I ran. The gods would not make someone of my standing suffer.