The Vala of The Underworld
Summary: This is the tale of a Vala, who was the quietest of the Ainur, yet given the most important task.
Warnings: reader and the demons having a bad rep, Melkor, mentions of corruptions, infections, some inaccuracies, passing judgment on sinners, and a disappearance.
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There are many stories about the Ainur.
Angelic beings born from the thoughts of Ilúvatar, who in the shaping of the world became known as the Valar and the Maiar. Their deeds are remembered in countless songs and tales, and their names are spoken wherever the lore of Arda is preserved.
The stories tell of Manwë, dearest to Ilúvatar, the lord of the winds and the airs above the world. The chosen High King of the Valar.
They tell of Varda, Manwë's spouse, the Star-Kindler, who set the lights of heaven in their courses and whose name is beloved among Elves and Men.
They tell of Aulë the Smith, master of crafts and stones of the earth, and of Yavanna Kementári, giver of fruits and maker of all things that grow and root in the soil of Arda.
They tell of the Fëanturi, Námo, Irmo, and their sister Nienna, masters of spirits and dreams, whose halls lie in the far West.
They tell of Ulmo, lord of the seas, whose voice is in all waters that move through the world.
They tell of Oromë the Hunter and Tulkas the Champion, whose strength and laughter once drove the darkness from the young earth.
And the stories tell of Melkor— the mightiest of the Ainur—whose pride grew beyond the music of Ilúvatar, and who sought dominion over all Arda, desiring to make himself its sole ruler.
These are the tales most often remembered.
Yet among the Ainur, there was one of whom little is told about…
There was a vala, who ruled over a world beneath Arda’s crust, appointed as an overseer of a task given by Ilúvatar himself.
This vala is known as the Vala of the Underworld.
The Underworld was a realm where the souls of sinners were taken to face judgment and be purified in its flames. Its denizens were called demons, creatures that were not born from Ilúvatar’s thoughts, but from his sibling, the void. They, along with the fire that also acted as the heart of the realm, swore their allegiance to the realm's ruler.
Little is known about the Vala of the Underworld. The rumors say that they were an Ainu, chosen by the children of the void, and acted as the head judge of the trials that took place in the realm’s court.
There is no clear description of their appearance as they do not reside on Arda's earth, allowing them to be depicted in many terrifying forms. Even the Valar themselves have claimed the Underworld's ruler does not reside in a singular form, most likely having adopted the shapeless way of life of their subjects. And does not often appear in the Valar's halls despite the invitations.
Though the ruler of the underworld has done no evil to the world or the children of Ilúvatar, their existence sparked fear and the birth of many rumors. The rumors even depict the Vala of the Underworld possessing a nature of cruelty. That their heart was dark and cold like the dark lord's. And the tales of the demons have given fear to those who wander alone in the night.
However, those stories are far from the actual tale. To truly understand the Vala of the Underworld is to go back to the very beginning, back to the timeless halls and way before the song that brought Arda into existence.
The story begins with you.
You are an Ainu like the rest of your kind, quiet in nature and satisfied with existing in the background. You sang with the others whenever your father asked, your voice harmonious but not too loud to overpower the others. You are younger than those who came before you, but older than those who came after.
You got along fine with your kin but often had difficulty connecting with them, finding more delight in your own thoughts and wandering. You were, what mortals would have called, a ‘Wallflower’ among your kin.
This didn’t bother you. You felt satisfied with what you already had, though curiosity often left you wandering to places you shouldn’t venture to.
You loved your father as the rest of the Ainur did. You often wandered to his side whenever his thoughts brought forth something new, curiously watching and asking about creation. Your father never minded your curious nature, letting you observe and learn.
The rebellious nature of Melkor was not unknown to you. You were there to witness his many rebellious acts, even though his reasons for them eluded you.
From what you have seen, Melkor used to get along wonderfully with your father and Manwë, but then his nature suddenly changed, gaining an odd desire to become the loudest voice in your choir. His voice was filled with strength that dominated all the other voices and silenced many, leaving you feeling unpleasant emotions.
You did not understand those emotions back then. All you knew was that Melkor was the cause and that you didn’t like them.
You were also aware that Melkor often wandered to a place called the void, somewhere your father had forbade you from going without permission.
Despite your willingness to follow rules. The void piqued your curiosity, which then eventually got the best of you, taking you there. Though you made sure to only go when Melkor himself had returned, wanting to avoid his presence.
The void was dark and absent of any light. But then, you found creatures without shape or soul. Bearing light only in their eyes through the lightless darkness. Their forms should have terrified you, but oddly enough, you didn’t find yourself scared. On the contrary, you found them fascinating.
They introduced themselves as the children of the void, your father’s sibling, and welcomed you to their realm. You even had the chance to meet the void itself. They caused you no fear, as you had learned from your father that everything had an opposite. Even though their domain was in the absence of light, your father’s sibling bore no ill will to him or you, his creations. From them, you heard many intriguing stories and learned to understand the negative emotions Melkor's discord sometimes caused you.
There, you also learned more about Melkor’s visit and how he had unintentionally infected some of the children of the void. Apparently, he was looking for the flame imperishable, the same power that allowed your father to bring forth creation. The eldest of your kin felt great anger, greed, envy, and things that were the opposite of good emotions.
The children of the voids felt emotions differently and had a nature to adopt things they came across. Melkor's darker emotions blinded them with hatred toward the light and hunger that caused them a great deal of pain. This had forced the embodiment of the void to contain them so they would not try to enter your father’s realm and possibly hurt you.
You felt great pity for them. Though you did not possess the power to cure them, you comforted them with your singing. It was something you did on your own for the first time.
Your singing seemed to ease their ailment, so you began visiting them in secret, as your father and kin would likely prevent you if they knew. In the void, you sang to them and listened to their stories. Your father’s sibling approved your visits because your gentle nature allowed the children to adopt more positive emotions and resist Melkor’s infection. Some of the children of the void even began waiting for you at the border of the void, waiting patiently.
Perhaps for the first time, you found it easy to connect with someone, and even began to prefer their company over your own kind.
However, as time passed, your kin suddenly became divided. Some have decided to take Melkor’s side, while most have decided to keep their loyalty to your father. Watching from the sidelines and listening to the rumors that passed through among your kin, you knew that Melkor was responsible and was inciting unnecessary discord.
But it seems he had also become aware of your wanderings into the void. Because on one of your visits to see your friends, Melkor made himself known and began talking to you, something you preferred not to do.
You answered his questions about your friendship with the children of the void, though telling him little, as you did not intend to tell him everything.
You then decided to ask why he was so keen to acquire the same power to create like your father. What is it he desires so much to create?
His answer to your question left you baffled. He said strange words and claimed your father was purposely keeping the Flame imperishable to himself, restricting you all from making things of your own. But his answer on what he wanted to create was nothing compared to the creations your father taught you about.
The creations Melkor spoke about did not sound like creations at all, but puppets that extended his will and mind.
He then said how you and the children of the void could join his side. He spoke about how they trusted you and how you would no longer be overlooked or be the quiet one.
You countered this by telling him that you felt no negative emotions about being the quiet one, as it was your nature. And if he wanted the children of the void to stand by his side, then he should ask them himself instead of assuming you had some strange control over them.
But then Melkor told you about gaining control over beings and said how some beings should be tied to a will. You are not sure how, but this caused you to feel angry for the first time in your life.
Though you preferred to keep your distance and avoid confrontations, you decided to speak up to him. You told him how his intended creations were not true beings as they lacked free will, a fundamental part of being alive. And how he has pushed everyone aside for his own pursuit, even infecting the children of the void, who had nothing to do with his goals.
You pointed out how he desires to create something where no one else's ideas are allowed to flourish, and that he feels threatened by anyone else having their own free will.
Perhaps the only reason he wanted the Flame Imperisable was that he was afraid of what your father could do. Your father could easily reshape him to be something else, but has not, despite his many rebellious acts. That this should be proof enough of your father's love for you all.
Melkor seemed angered by your response.
The darkness around him grew great, and for a moment, you felt afraid that you would face his famous wrath. But then you decided not to fear and stand your ground, even if you were no match for his power.
This seemed to surprise him. The others of your kind were accustomed to turning away from what they did not understand, letting his discord pass rather than confronting it. You had done it too. But this time, you chose not to do such a thing and look him in the eyes despite what he could do to you.
And you were not alone.
One of your friends watched intensely from the other side of the border, waiting.
Melkor backed away, though with a sneer. Before leaving, he stated how all things will bend in the end. Even you.
You felt relieved after he left. Relieved that nothing happened, and a little proud of yourself for standing up to him.
Your friend spoke to you proudly and appreciated you for defending their honor. You appreciated the gesture, though it left you worried about what Melkor might try next.
Time passed.
Then your father called you all forth, showing the vision of Arda, a realm created by your unified song. He told you about the children who will inhabit it and the songs that will be sung. You all will act as its caretakers. Your brethren were eager to go, and once it was brought to existence, they all departed the timeless halls, even Melkor, though you suspect his intentions for Arda were less than good.
However, you decided to stay. You had no desire to create, and you did not wish to leave your friends in the void.
Your father then called you forth.
“My quiet one. Though you often stay behind among your kin, never ask for much, and wander on your own. I have seen you accept those who are not like you and defend them without asking anything in return,” he spoke, letting you know he had been aware of your wanderings to the void.
You apologized for breaking the rules and explained that the children of the void were not evil at heart. You couldn’t look away from their pain, and it was not in your nature to reject those different from you.
Your father only looked at you softly, seemingly happy with your answer. “For that, I wish to give you an important task,” he then said.
You listened as he spoke.
“You know Melkor’s nature… He desires to make things in his own designs. He believes he’s going against my visions and thoughts, even though the truth is far from it. He will cause great harm and turn things to be the opposite of what they are. This will result in something he does not understand the full consequence off,” your father explained.
Your father then told you of the evil Melkor will bring to Arda. How the eldest of your kin will waste his powers and soul in domination, and how it will become a type of taint. A taint of power that will materialize and become an uncontrollable force of its own, devouring and corrupting everything on its path. How it will devour Arda before it could sing its last song.
Your father then looked at you.
“There is a way to contain this taint. I wish you to become a ruler of a realm. This realm will be known as the Underworld. It will be a place where this taint can be leashed and burned, along with souls who carry it and follow Melkor’s doing,” he revealed.
“I have spoken to my opposite. The Void has agreed to let their children become your followers. They will take forms and become known as Demons, who will follow you and help you maintain this realm. This also prevents the rest of the children from being corrupted with hate and hunger due to Melkor's nature,” he continued.
“This will be a difficult task, my child. You will see evil unlike any other, and your will will be tested,” he said, looking at you softly. “But by doing so, you will prevent Arda from being consumed by Melkor’s pride. Will you accept this task?”
Understanding the vision, you gave your answer.
“I accept this task. But how will I contain this taint? I am not as powerful as Melkor and the rest of my kin,” you asked.
“To fight and contain this taint, I will give you something akin to my flame.” Your father spoke and brought forth a flame.
You watched the flame in wonder after your father placed it into your hands. It's light, bright, and warm against your palms.
“With this flame, you will be able to purify the taint and all the souls that carry it. I will appoint you as its ruler,” your father spoke.
“I have faith that you will do your task faithfully, my child, but never speak of this flame's origin to anyone. Should Melkor mistake it as a fragment of the Flame Imperisable and attempt to use it for his own designs," he warned.
Curious, you asked what might happen if that came to pass.
"Should anything happen, it will unleash a catastrophe that could bring an end to Arda," your father answered.
You swore your word.
Accepting the task, many of your friends from the void entered through the boundary between the timeless hall and the void. A legion of them. As they had heard of your confrontation with Melkor and how you had defended their honor, they swore themselves to you. Together, you entered Arda and began creating the realm of the Underworld.
You shaped your form similar to the taken forms of your kin, but shared features among your demonic followers. Together, you shaped the Underworld to suit the needs of your given task. And the flame you placed in its heart, serving to purify and warm the earth of Arda above. You defined the rules of the realm, and your demons were set in a hierarchy.
Like you swore, you never spoke about the flame's origin to your kin or to your followers, knowing it might spread to Melkor’s ears and attract his attention to you.
Soon, the sinful souls your father told you about arrived, and you passed judgments, letting them serve their punishment. Your demons were allowed to enter Arda to collect souls who refused to come when summoned. As Namo ruled souls of those of the slain and those who did not commit grave sins, you ruled over the sinners and those corrupted by the taint. Namo's call was optional, while yours was not.
Some ages later, the first elven sinners came, though considered most beloved. Their sentence was no lighter to the humans or dwarves who followed. Even souls of orcs and tainted creatures that fell came to you.
For years, you did your duty. But then came a day when everything changed and all fell into silent chaos.
Upon the soils of Valinor, the blessed realm of the Valar. A feast was held in honor of a season. The elves sang and celebrated, unaware of what was to come. Then, there was a change in the air, and the lights flickered. A rip was opened between realities, frightening the elves and making the Valar cautious. Through the rip, fell a figure, one of your demons. The creature’s appearance frightened the elves, but then the demon shared something that shared more dread than ever.
“Our sovereign… the ruler of the underworld… has gone missing.”