Introduction: The Untold Stories of the Good Ghouls

It was a dark and stormy night at the gates of Hades. Beasts, ghouls, beasts, and demons all alike were gathered for the annual reaping of the Hell Games. Four characters stood at the gates with minds broken and lost for their unjust crime and unfair punishment. Those beasts are Grendel, Humbaba, Celaeno, and Polyphemus. They stood waiting for their eternal punishment for the debt they did not owe on Earth. One would say Grendal was a murderer, Humbaba a deforester, Celaeno a thief, and Polyphemus a cruel shepherd, but few know their real stories, their real struggles, and their real motives. One by one each beast was asked to speak at the fury gates of the Underworld. There are their stories...

Grendel's Story

First up to the fury gates of condemnation was a beast known for his claws, pouch, and power.... Grendel! The man-killing, mead-drinking, kingdom intruder whom slayed 30 men with a swipe of his arm. It was out of anger, bitterness, and hate toward the people of Herot, but not for the reasons you would expect. As he stood there, Grendel testified these matters, "People of the depth. You have me mistaken. Those humans up there are nothing but the real problem. They are the real issue and have taken my kingdom.  Long ago, my great-grandfather formed time at the snap of his fingers. He could control, manipulate, and change time as he saw fit. Yet, humans were jealous of his power and his possessions." Grendel continued his account until the wasted time clock ticked away for evil. The grandfather of Grendel had been forgotten and by his sacrifice no human could harm Grendel with a crafted weapon. 

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This sacrifice was to Grendel's advantage, or so he thought. Grendel lived in a hidden, tree-covered location with his mother and saw the cruelties of humans to other beasts and other humans. Grendel thought of introducing his kind to the people of Herot, but he was not thinking of the eternal consequences. For his foolishness of blind introduction, the people of Herot battled Grendel for no wrongdoing he had committed. They lunged on his body and by the strength of a man named Beowulf, they managed to rip off the arm of Grendel. Grendel was left hopeless and only by the grace of the gods, managed to walk back to the puddle by the entrance of his house. All of these was recounted to the citizens of the underworld by Grendel's mouth. He felt hopeless and lost for being punished for a crime he had not committed and yet his soul was stained. 

Humbaba's Story

After the tale of Grendel and his tragic, unfair ending, it was Humbaba's turn. He stood as quickly as he could to speak directly to the council of hell's gates. He was yet another soul lost in the depths of eternal flames due to the false claims of privileged kings and queens that came to conquer. Humbaba was of simple taste and extremely settled responsibilities. He was the guardian of the sacred garden and forest. When asked about his testimony, this is what was recorded from that day at he stood at trial in front of millions of billions of lost souls.. "Gilgamesh and Enkidu! Gilgamesh and Enkidu! Gilgamesh and Enkidu! How could I have forgotten the honor they laid upon my death?! Those warriors were out for blood and glory and just so happened to get me at my worst moment. They were both extraordinary fighters and I will remember their names in Hades where I will be bound forever."

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Although many souls had dispersed at the sound of Humbaba's story, he continues to share it. As said before, the clever and crafty warriors, Enkidu and Gilgamesh headed straight toward the innocent Humbaba as he was completing his daily tasks. Humbaba was not sure if he was in deep trouble or not so he continued to walk in his own ways that day. But it was too late. The greed for money, urge for power, and motivation of their names to be remembered gave the warriors enough strength to slaughter the great, innocent, shepherd Humbaba. Humbaba had done nothing to deserve such treatment in the hell courts and it was this far-fetched tale that stood empty almost as much as the forest he was supposed to guard. Humbaba walks off the path he is on while speaking and could only wish people would understand the unfairness of his death on Earth.

Celaeno's Story

Celaeno was next up to speak to the council of the dead. She was the most guilty of the beasts for the 'crimes' she had committed but was justifiably right in doing so. To the sailors of Aeneas's ship, Celaeno was a demonic-looking woman creature with wings who spoke harshly to those men. Celaeno and the other harpies had a tendency to take the men's food without asking while at the same time dripping their waste over the men's tables. Celaeno was also a messenger for the gods and she was given the responsibility to report the horrific news of a curse to the men on deck. That's what one could believe like the rest of the readers, or choose to believe the truth. Celaeno was not only the leader of the Harpies but she was more innocent than some choose to believe.