Inside the Gate of Erebos was a massive tunnel—a long, winding path. Along the tunnel walls were corpses, standing upright with their arms crossed, hanging in rows like morbid decorations. Their hollow eye sockets stared at anyone passing through, never blinking. Torches made from skulls lit the way in the suffocating darkness, guiding the wandering souls forward.
Crab and I kept walking until we reached the end of the tunnel. Beyond the Gate of Erebos lay a vast field that stretched as far as the eye could see. The sight before us left us both speechless.
Honestly… I didn't know how to describe it. The flowers and grass of the Asphodel Meadows displayed a neutral tone—neither beautiful nor ugly. There was nothing to admire, but also nothing to condemn. It was emotionless.
And that made perfect sense.
This was the Asphodel Meadows—the land of neither joy nor sorrow.
"So… where do we even begin looking for Sisyphus? This place is huge," I asked Crab.
He showed no expression. Silently, he pointed at a mountain in the distance.
"The mountain… Of course! Sisyphus was cursed to roll a boulder uphill for eternity… He must be up there. You're a genius, Kinos!"
"…Mhm," Crab replied blankly, his face still devoid of emotion.
Wait a second… Something wasn't right.
Normally, this was the part where Crab would flash a smug grin or throw a sarcastic remark at me—but now? Nothing. He looked like a lifeless log, drained of spirit and soul.
"Kinos! What's wrong with you?" I shook him.
He stared at me with vacant eyes. After a brief pause, he simply shook his head and muttered, "I don't know."
No way… He's fallen under the influence of the Asphodel Meadows.
This place was where souls that couldn't be judged good or evil ended up. Souls that died unjustly, souls still awaiting judgment, even those who died too young. I'd completely forgotten that Crab was technically dead.
That must be why he was acting like this—numb, indifferent.
Crab trudged forward slowly, all signs of eagerness to find Sisyphus completely gone. I tried snapping him out of it, but he barely responded.
"Kinos, don't you want to find Sisyphus anymore?" I asked while shaking his shoulder.
"I don't know," he said again, as if those were the only words he'd ever learned—Mhm and I don't know.
I grabbed his hand and tried dragging him along. He followed obediently but moved sluggishly. The moment I let go, he'd stop in place and stare blankly ahead. Left with no choice, I hoisted him onto my back and carried him.
Maybe it wasn't all bad… At least he wasn't being annoying for once.
Or so I thought.
Souls began slowly gathering around me. I didn't know what they wanted. Their faces were expressionless—completely void of emotion. Carrying Crab slowed me down, and I soon found myself surrounded by an overwhelming number of spirits, blocking every path out.
Then, out of nowhere—Crab bit my shoulder, hard enough to draw blood. Shocked, I threw him off my back.
"Ow! What the hell are you doing, Kinos?!"
The crimson blood from my shoulder dripped onto the ground. As soon as the spirits saw it, they rushed forward, licking and drinking every drop. It was horrifying.
Now I understood what they were after.
Fresh blood.
That's what they wanted all along.
And now, Crab… had become one of them.
The influence of the Asphodel Meadows had corrupted him. I found myself wishing for the old annoying, sarcastic, insufferable Crab to come back.
No. I had to get out of here—
But…
Why didn't I feel like doing anything?
Why did I want to…
Just sit here…
Quietly…
Mhm…
...
..
.