I
The god of the dead sat upon his throne made of carved black stone .Hades was a fearsome God. He was tall and thin. His skin whiter then marble, his hair the color of ash and his eyes darker than the abyss in which there is no bottom.
His face was expressionless, carved in solid stone.
his robes were made of living souls, the creatures swirled around his form in long tendrils.
The Lord of the Underworld stared at me before saying. "You ask quite a lot from me."
He stood up from his lavish throne. His footsteps echoed at each step he took.
"I will do anything if you grant me my wish"I said as he circled me. He looked me up and down. Soaking me in with his colorless eyes.
I suddenly heard a WHOOSH as I realized my red cloak was gone.
I stared at this awful man as he smirked.
"Ah. Why do you hide yourself from me? Are you afraid?.", His eyes were full of mischief as I felt the blood rush to my face. I raised my chin to try to hide the embarrassment on my face.
I tried my hardest to keep my voice steady but I couldn't hide the fear in my voice.
"No, my Lord."
The air around me was cold and damp. I had crossed the river of Styx expecting to find a palace made of diamond. But to my surprise, The Lord of the Underworld was sitting in a dark, damp cave doing absolutely nothing.
His ghostly white face peered before me.
Hades lifted one of my brown curls to his nose.
"Tell me, how did you get past my dog Cerberus?" he asked his voice filled with fascination.
I thought back before answering.
It had actually been quite easy getting past the humongous three headed dog.
"I had extra food from my journey. He was quite hungry I suppose. I threw my apple for him to fetch." I said staring at his dark eyes I had always done the same with my beloved pet from home.
"Hmm. My ferocious beast was bested by a tiny princess and an apple."he said with a deep chuckle.
"My lord," i said cautiously trying to get his attention back on the subject at hand. He looked back at me. "We were speaking of giving my father back his soul."
He sighed.
"Why do you want me to do such a wasted deed? He'll just die again."
"A strong army from the west has attacked our city. My brother cannot run a country. My father is powerful and can save my beloved home."
I felt pride knowing I was the daughter of such a great ruler.
My brother knew nothing of ruling. He was no warrior, no scholar, no gentile man. The only thing he seemed to excell at was drinking and whoring.
"Very well. Your wish shall be granted." He said with an exasperated sigh.
I whipped my head towards his direction. "You will bring my father back?!"
My heart was beating with excitement. I didn't actually think my plan with bargaining with the king of the underworld would work.
"On one condition...".
The look of mischief was back in his face.
Of course. Hades would never grant a wish without a price, especially a wish as dangerous as mine. No one messed with fate without caution, not even a god as powerful as Hades.
"And what condition is that my lord?"
He walked away from me to sit back on his throne.
"As you know my dear wife, Persephone, hates me and wishes me to rot in hell." he chuckled at his own joke.
I glanced at the abandoned throne next to his. That must've been where the queen of the underworld sat.
"I have certain needs like every man or god" he said with a smile.
"Persephone refuses to fulfill any of her wifely duties.And you are beautiful and young."
He paused. He lifted.a finger to the corner of his mouth.
"Say... how old are you dear?"
"I am twenty years of age my lord."
He smiled a wicked grin. "You don't look that old. Absolutely perfect. And you' said you'd do anything to get your father sitting back in his throne wearing his shiny, jeweled crown again?"
I nodded.
His wicked grin grew wider and more evil looking.
"Congrats. You are now The Lord Hades first and only consort. You should be honored my love."
I gasped. I was a princess of a powerful and wealthy city, not anyone's love slave!
Anger bowled inside me.
I open my mouth to argue.
"Ah ah ah." The god said waving a pale finger at me.
"Do you want your beloved city crumble to dust just because your too selfish to hold your end of the bargain?".
I thought about all the people of my beloved kingdom. All the innocent women and children. How many fathers, sons, and brothers would be slaughter if my brother led them? I wouldn't risk finding out. I could never let them suffer for my pride.
"Fine. I'll do it. Just let me see my father."
I dropped my head in despair and humiliation.
Hades gave me a wicked grin and snapped his fingers.
All of a sudden the room was was filled with a brilliant light.
I raised my hands to my face to shield the light. Heat radiated everywhere. Finally when the light dimmed, I looked over at the man I loved so much.
I stared at my father. He looked exactly as I remembered. The same kind, green eyes stared back. I had never seen them so full of sadness. Tears ran down my face. I had longed for the day to be in my fathers strong arms again.
I ran into his arms expecting to be embraced, expecting to feel his arms around me. Instead I felt a chill and nothing but air. I stepped back confused. I looked up to see his image flicker.
"Why did you give yourself to him Selene? do you realize you'll be stuck here forever?" He reached out to try to touch me but failed.
I straightened my back trying to hide my fear.
"Athene's will never survive without you papa." My voice cracked.
"Don't you ever think for yourself?"
"Papa let me do this. Odysius has his mind, Achilles his sword. I have nothing but I won't let millions die!"
"but this is your life! Life is precious. It's not something you can just throw away!!"
I turned away. I was second guessing my decision. I couldn't back down now.
"You're right Papa. Life is precious. What's my happiness against the happiness of millions."
I felt a presence behind me. It had to be Hades. He took a hold of my shoulder seeming to comfort me but I knew that couldn't be.
My father looked at him to argue.
"Hades! You can't d-"
With a wave of a hand my father was gone and the cave turned black again.
I was then left alone with the man who I now called master.
