(A/N): Welcome to my obsession with mythology. I still haven't decided whether I want to make this a series of different mythologies, or have this as a stand-alone short story. I estimate that this one will be around 3-4 chapters, but I've been known to write more than I anticipate depending on how well it's received.

Disclaimer: Quote is from Game of Thrones, and characters are from the TVD/TO Universe, neither in which I own.

- Based loosely on Hades/Persephone -

To Bargain with Death

"The gods have no mercy, that's why they're gods" That was, until he met her.

- part i -

Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to blend into the crowds up above. To leave the sanctuary that was his palace and into the civilisation he watched build from nothing. Whilst this thought did not come across him often, in these moments of solitude, he allowed his mind to wander.

He had lived for thousands, if not millions of years. Somewhere along the way, he stopped counting, for what was the point? He was indestructible and the oldest being in the world, save for his brothers and sister, and it didn't take long for him to realise that he also had the power to choose who lived and who died, and he made sure that every creature on earth had an expiry date. He, who controlled life, he decided, was the true power.

And in this power, he relished.

His siblings did not agree with his ways and for the better part of his life, he had sent himself into self-imposed exile in the Underworld, where no one can enter without his permission, and where no one can threaten his power.

In here, endless souls of the dead pass through his gates, as he watched from his throne room. Old or young. Diseased or accidental. They all entered his Kingdom the same way: through the gates, await for trial, and sent to Elysium or one of the nine circles of Hell where they will live out the rest of eternity.

For every moment in his immortal life, he could hear the screams and cries of the souls trapped in an eternal torture, but there was no mercy in the Underworld. There was no repentance of sins, no way to right your wrongs, it is what it is. Mercy was not how he became the most powerful God there is. That was, until he met her.

"May the Gods have mercy on me," he heard a whisper in the distance. It was clear, crisp and angelic, the kind of voice that contrasted the mutterings and groans of the dead.

It piqued his interest as he hadn't heard such a lively voice since his time in the Underworld, but at the same time, he was angered at the thought that a living soul had dared enter his domain.

Swiftly, he used his powers of apparition to appear by the doorway that separated the living and the dead. Two tall structures made of onyx and gold, and a veil of mist were the only physical things to come between the two. Yet, every living soul feared it, as there was only one way in and no way out.

He appeared behind her, and the first thing that caught his eye was her bright blonde, wavy hair that dangled to her waist, and the small flowers interwoven into her half-braid. He scrunched up his nose as he found the smell of nature all too offending and unfamiliar, and he was about to call upon his army of the dead to take her to a prison cell for her audaciousness when she turned around.

A Goddess, that was his first thought when she looked at him with her electric blue eyes. But from the way he heard her heart pound at the sight of him, it was clear that she was merely a human. A mortal human, weak and unimaginably insignificant to the vast Universe. But God, was she beautiful.

He must have stared for moments too long, as she began to back away from him, growing weary of the cosmic power radiating from his body, as his bident glowed in his hand.

"Stop," his command echoed within the endless abyss of darkness, "Who dares to trespass my territory?"

He would've thought her defiant from the slight upward tilt of her head if not for the fear in her eyes, as she responded with a steady voice, "My name is Caroline, maiden of the Goddess Rebekah, and I'm here to seek for my mother's soul. She was taken from me unfairly and I am here to beg for mercy from you, Lord Niklaus"

"My sister would never take a human as a maiden in court," he scoffed incredulously.

"That is true, I am her only human subject in court, but I have been blessed with the honour when she saw the rose garden that I had built with my mother during one of her outings"

"She always had been easily distracted by pretty, little things," he commented whilst his eyes settled on her.

"I will not speak ill of Lady Rebekah and I will not hear for it. She has always praised you for being a caring brother in your earlier years, and she was the one who permitted me to enter the Underworld to seek for your mercy"

"If she knew me at all, she would know that mercy is not in my character"

"She suspected so, but she hoped that you would remember the person you were before you became the God of Death"

"If you truly believe that, you must be a fool"

"Perhaps I may be a fool, but I am a desperate one. Please, at least allow me to say goodbye to my mother. She was taken from me so suddenly that I was not able to return in time to say my last words," Caroline confessed, recalling the story of how a gang of thieves had robbed her poor mother in the marketplace and left her for dead.

"There is only one way," he said ominously.

"I will do anything," she pleaded.

"The only way you will pass these gates is death"

She gasped at the thought of never returning to the world she loved and cherished. Her mother had always reminded her of the gift of life and how she should never let it go to waste. It felt as though she was dishonouring her memory by giving into death, but at the same time, she missed her so much and what wouldn't she give to see her one last time?

She could barely register that her eyes were glistening with unshed tears as she approached the ultimatum.

"If I die," she whispered, "Would you trade my soul for hers?"

He looked at her in shock as no one had dared bargain with Death before.

"A soul for a soul," he pondered, "You would do that for her?"

"I would do anything," she repeated, with more confidence in her tone than she felt in reality.

"Very well, I shall consider your offer," he said, intrigued by her proposal, but yet, he knew he couldn't make such hasty decisions, no matter how much she enraptured him, "For now, come with me"

Cautiously, she followed his lead, her eyes maintaining on her feet as she avoided the pits and cracks of the rocks that made up the ground. When they reached a certain point where they stood at the edge of a cliff that descended into nothingness, he gripped her hand tightly and she felt gravity leave her for a moment before they landed on their feet once more. This time, when she looked up, she stood in front of a black mansion that glistened from the fire that surrounded them.

He wasn't sure why he brought her to his palace, but he had always trusted his instinct. He didn't want to leave her amongst the endless dead souls awaiting trial, nor did she belong in any other place in his Kingdom. He felt the need to keep her safe from the monsters that lurked in the Underworld and though she did not appear to be a warrior even in her own world, she was utterly defenceless down here.

"What is this place?" She marvelled at the sheer grandeur of the palace. Though it was dark, there was a certain beauty about it.

"This," he replied, stepping into the fortress "is my home"

(A/N) I'm keeping this short to test the water. If it's not enjoyable, this could also work as a one-shot (i think), but if you liked it and would want me to continue, please let me know and I'll start working on it asap.

I mean, if you loved it or hated it, let me know either way!

Or if there are any other mythologies you would like me to explore, I'm open to suggestions (no promises, because I'm more comfortable and familiar with Greek mythology than others)