The Last Coin

The deceased man, Elias, woke up on the cold and silent river of the afterlife. This was a world of death, composed of grey cement pebbles, windless thick fog, and a river that flowed smoothly like black velvet. Here, the tall and gaunt ferryman stands guard over the sole wooden boat, enforcing the absolutely ruthless "eternal law of the Underworld": Only by handing over "three shining coins" can the soul cross the river and board the boat, heading to the other side.