Aniya tried to apologize, but Ella cut her off, her voice sharp and biting. "This is all your fault, Aniya. If you had just kept your mouth shut, we wouldn't be here."
Aniya protested, her voice shaking. "I didn't kill anyone, Ella. I didn't deserve to end up here."
Ella scoffed. "No, but your inability to keep quiet was the reason we were both stabbed and left to bleed out. If you had just kept your nose out of other people's business, we would still be alive."
Persephone watched the sisters' dynamic with fascination. She couldn't help but be drawn into their conversation, despite the grim surroundings. She turned to the god next to her and whispered, "I can't believe they're still fighting. They're dead, for gods' sake!"
The god chuckled. "Ah, the joys of sisterhood. Even in death, they can't seem to get along."
Ella continued to berate Aniya, calling her out for her inability to keep her opinions to herself. Aniya rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed but still trying to maintain some level of respect for her sister. Persephone couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Aniya. She knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of Ella's wrath.
Persephone leaned forward, her voice clear and confident. "Excuse me, Ella. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I have to say, I agree with Aniya. You can be quite the gossip."
Ella turned to Persephone, clearly surprised by her interjection. "And who are you to judge me, goddess of spring and death?"
Persephone smiled. "Just someone who's tired of listening to your constant chatter. Maybe if you focused on the important things, you wouldn't be in this situation."
Ella scoffed. "And what would you know about important things? You're the one who fell in love with a mortal and brought death upon us all."
Persephone's smile faded, replaced by a steely gaze. "I may have made a mistake, but at least I own up to it. Unlike some people, I don't blame others for my own actions."
Ella glared at Persephone, but Persephone didn't back down. She held Ella's gaze, refusing to let her intimidate her. The boat continued to glide through the River Styx, the tension between the sisters and Persephone palpable. But Persephone didn't care. She was tired of the petty drama and was ready to move on to more important things.
End of Chapter One.
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