[text]

[unpocoloco]

Hola, Haven. I'm Héctor. Adding myself to the list of those asking strangers some even stranger questions, but after talking with some people, I'm wondering how many here are familiar with their world's afterlives. Who's been there and can you tell me what it was like for you?

With no connection to the other thing, I've also heard that the gods here sometimes give people powers. Whoever's willing to share that, what did you end up getting? Do you have any guesses why?

Comments

[wakemelater]

[A few times...]

I'm sorry. I can see where that would be troublesome.

[To put it lightly.]

I spent a long time trying to find my past, to figure out where I came from and what I'd forgotten. [Mama.] I've regained a few of my memories, but nothing substantial.

[And all they really did was remind him that he was from a different era.]

I understand where you're coming from. But I would rather the pain stop.

[unpocoloco]

[Troublesome is an understatement. Twice it was a nightmare.]

I know pain doesn't care, but you're far too young to have to say something like that.

But I can't really judge if forgetting makes that all go away.

[wakemelater]

[There's a bitter laugh on his end, though Hector can't see it. If only the gods felt the same.]

Honestly...

I can't say that it would. Not if things remain as they are.

[Forgetting everything, but still getting wrapped up in prophecies and wars wouldn't improve anything.]

[unpocoloco]

Then I'll keep insisting, to forget and still hurt anyway, it's a really, really bad deal.

What would have to change, do you think? Though, that's pretty personal. You don't have to answer that.

But do I wonder, as far as the underworld, do you'll think you'll be able to change anything there? Or would it still be down to your father's whims?

[wakemelater]

I'll think about it.

It's okay. [Though there's a bit of pause before he actually answers.] Peace. No fighting, no battles, no monsters, no quests. [No more burying my friends, but he can't bring himself to send that part.]

My father can be persuaded, if you have a strong enough argument.

[He convinced the god to fight in a war he was adamantly against fighting in. He wasn't immoveable.]

[unpocoloco]

I've never known wars to go on forever, even when people thought they would, but, I can also only speak for mortal humans. It's a reasonable thing to want, regardless.

[But getting it can be another story.] I hope you find that.

So, he's not completely without reason, but still stubborn. I guess it's something. Better than some I've known.

[wakemelater]

I've already fought in two. Wars end, but there's always another one gearing up.

I know he's often painted as evil but

Okay, he's not great. He's done some awful things. [Most gods were awful. Must be a side-effect to being powerful and thirty feet tall.]

But he's not entirely evil.

[unpocoloco]

Hard to argue with that. But, you can't forget about the times in the middle. If you look over those, you'll miss them.

[He laughs softly to himself at that next bit.]

You know, the old gods I heard stories of had worse tales. I didn't hear the bad news of Hades until Red, the Cerebus I told you of, and you. My impression is entirely off that and the unfortunate godly fathers I knew of, not a thing to do with fear of death as I expect the impression comes from for others. But you know, even the devil gets his due. If evil were pure, no one would fall for it.

[He'd know too well. He's made a friend of the devil and made friends who were devils.]

[wakemelater]

[.....]

Hard to argue with that.

[Forgetting everything would also mean forgetting Will and all his siblings, who were practically a second family, his sister Hazel, Reyna and Hedge...]

I don't know about other worlds, but in my experience, gods just make for a bad parents. Even the supposedly good ones.

He's made some attempts to be better.

[Though an undead chauffer and a ring hardly made up for years of being left to fend for himself or being told the wrong child died.]

[unpocoloco]

I think the nice ones can be the most disappointing. You actually expect better from them.

An attempt is better than nothing, I suppose. Doesn't make him a good one but at least he won't be the worst.

[wakemelater]

It really is.

I have low expectations.

[After all, he'll be stuck in his father's realm for all of eternity. He'll need to make the best of it.]

[unpocoloco]

That sounds awful. But also, for best.

I'll wish you the best. Easier to accept wishes than hold it yourself, I imagine.