The Hand of the Underworld

The Hand of the Underworld
Tariq had done many things in his long life, riding the back of a gigantic lion was not one of them. Especially as the cat was swimming through basically a river of fire. He felt something like relief when they approached the shore, even as the people around the shore turned around their eyes sharp as they surveyed him. 
They were soldiers like him. 

All of them different forms of Naga like him. 

Except for one.

Yama’s most prized soldier, his most ferocious warrior. The Demon Warlock Thaddeus stood among the other men his feet bare on the soil, his bare chest glistening with sweat. His eyes glittering as he looked straight at Tariq. 

Tariq threw himself off the lion and stepped forward, the men that were at the shore pulled out weapons that glistened in the light of the fire before one by one they yelled out a war-cry and barged towards him. Tariq bent and ran to the first man, catching him in surprise, relieving him of his weapon as he shoved him into the sand, bending over his back to avoid the next sword shoved at him, before he flung himself in the fray, swords clanging, and blood flying. 

Yama sighed, watching the mayhem for a minute before glancing at his lions as they laid down on the shore cleaning their fur, before he shimmered and then appeared at Thaddeus’s side. “You cursed his wife?” he asked quietly. 

Thaddeus crossed his arms. “He would not return.” 

“He still didn’t.” 

“And yet he is here now.” 

Yama sighed heavily. “Why do you always make things so difficult.” 

“It is the only way through.” Thaddeus murmured, as he watched Tariq move ever closer to them. 

“Would it be hard to return her back to how she was?”  

“As simple as breathing.” Thaddeus murmured. “That doesn’t mean I should.” Thaddeus eyed Yama for a moment before he continued. “I’m rather surprised that you want me to.” 

“As the Judge of Punishment, or his former Master?” Yama asked dryly. 

“Both, either?” Thaddeus replied, as Tariq banged the butt of his sword on the last soldier and stood up surrounded by bloodied bodies. 

“So, it’s you then.” Tariq stated as he walked straight to Thaddeus who stood watching him disdainfully. 

“It’s me.” 

Yama took a step back as he watched them facing off each other. “I’m going to say this once, I did not order Thaddeus to curse your beloved,” he stated clearly, eyeing down Tariq before returning his gaze to Thaddeus, “That being said, you are my punisher. So do what you believe is right.” 

Thaddeus turned a cold gaze to Tariq, walking in a circle on the right, as Tariq circled him from the left his hands out and open two broadswords glistening with violet blood dripping on the sand. “Punisher.” Tariq murmured, his hands gripping the swords tightly. “How is it a punishment for Yama to hurt someone outside his purview?” 

“You brought it upon her, by ever turning your gaze upon her.” Thaddeus snapped. “There are no innocent people in our work.” 

“And yet our job is to ferry the souls to their particular punishments.” 

“A task you have failed!” Thaddeus shouted leaving his circle to launch a dark black sword against Tariq who threw up his own swords in an x to block the attack. He pushed forward before slashing right and left against Thaddeus who met each sword with barely distinguishable rage. 

Yama rolled his eyes, before collapsing in a throne that materialized behind him. This throne unlike the one in the great hall was an onyx throne, with silver accents. Agni appeared behind the throne leaning against one of its edges, watching the fight. “Did I make a mistake bringing them here?” 

“They are the ones that delved into my waters.” Yama murmured leaning his head on his fist as he watched them fight. 

“You and I both know that it was destiny that brought them to our shores.” Agni murmured watching them fight back and forth, violet, and black blood flying off their bodies with the strength of blows. “Untapped Destiny.” 

“Tariq has long paid the price of abandonment of duty if what Tariq claims has happened to his wife. Can you confirm?” Yama asked. 

“At once, your highness.” Agni bowed. 

“What of the others?” Yama snapped.

“They will be taken to their ship and back to their journey to the Dragon Horde.” Agni replied before she vanished in a puff of smoke. 

Yama’s gaze returned to the fight his eyes narrowed. As they exchanged blows, they were still cursing at each other, both believing themselves to be right.
“You. Cursed. An. Innocent. Woman. Not. Just. From. Me. But. From. Any. That. Would. Touch. Her!” Tariq slammed a sword with every word he spoke. 

Thaddeus burned with each blow, somehow already knowing that Yama had already made his judgement. “I cursed her, hoping you would return to receive your true punishment. You made her suffer for over a hundred years!” 

“HOW IN HADES WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT ???” 

“NOT MY FAULT YOU ARE A BRAINDEAD MORON!” 

“You’re both being Morons!” Yama shouted back, scowling as they ignored him and continued to fight each other. 

Agni appeared before him, bowing low her hands laid against each other before straightening. “What Tariq, claims are true. I could sense traces of Thaddeus’s magic within her curse as well.” 

Yama struck a handout, and a violent thunderbolt appeared between the two fighters making both of them fall back, dropping their weapons as they did so. 
“ENOUGH.” Yama’s voice boomed in the courtyard.