Hades knew he was not welcome anywhere outside of his realm. He also knew the consequences. He didn't care.

Breathing in the sweet scent of a warm summer day, hearing the song of the birds, and seeing the buds blossom into flowers, his heart began to ache. He didn't have this back home. He didn't know what it felt to have the sun bathe you with warmth, nor did he know what it felt to see light without the assistance of a candle. He didn't even know what grass felt like between your toes.

This is not to say he hated the Underworld.

On the contrary; he loved the Underworld. He loved giving justice to the good and to the wicked. On earth, everyone was divided by wealth, power, and beauty. In his realm, people were divided by the contents of their hearts. The Underworld was, perhaps, the only place that justice never wavered. Unlike the mortal judges and politicians, one could not simply bribe Hades. You could not simply win his affection, for affection is not something to be won; it's something to be earned.

Being the Lord of the Dead also had its perks. His initial job in the Underworld was to serve justice and in order to do such an impossible feat, the Fates had graciously bestowed upon him the power to perceive the heart and soul. Whenever a soul entered the Underworld, Hades had only to look at it and would know everything. The shame, the pain, the love, the sins. Everything that had happened during its life—with only one glance. No conversation was need, no prying, and no court system. Just one look from Hades.

However, while the world was corrupt it was still beautiful. And while the Underworld was just, it was ugly—almost vulgar. It wasn't his fault that the Underworld had grown rather distasteful in the past millennia. Evil simply outweighed good. While Tartarus was overflowing with countless souls being forever tortured for their crimes on Earth, the Fields of Elysium were close to empty. Having to constantly expand his domain to suit the purpose of more torture chambers did not reflect Hades personality—it reflected the mortals'.

Hades drew a painful sigh. The mortals (and even the gods who should know better) all mocked him and went as far as to say that he was the most cold and evil of all the gods, who delighted in giving pain and seeing others suffer.

But Hades was not a god to wallow in self pity. Leaning against a nearby tree, he made himself become invisible and tried his best to absorb the moment, for he knew he could not stay here long.

Just then, Persephone, daughter of the mighty Zeus and the fair Demeter, came frolicking through the waist-high flowers, dressed in her most radiant white robe with a smile on her child-like face. She could not see Hades, for he was under his helmet of invincibility. She had always been under the ever carful watch of her mother, Demeter, and though she loved her mother dearly, having freedom and a moment to herself was just as glorious as being with her. Her mother was now restoring a part of Greece that had been a waste land so that the mortals could finally use the soil for agriculture. Persephone had taken advantage of the few moments to come to her favorite spot in the whole world—a secret meadow that her mother had made just for her.

Cupid had been waiting for this moment. Crouched in his rather awkward and painful position in a high tree branch, he notched one of his golden tipped arrows into the string of his bow, took aim, and released. The Arrow of Cupid sailed so quickly through the air that it was impossible to see it without his trained eyes. The young god watched with growing anxiety as the arrow made its way right into Hades' heart.

Eros smiled when he saw Hades' eyes suddenly fill with an unquestionable look of love. His work here was done. Gathering up his remaining arrows and trusty bow, he flew away, content with himself that he had finally given Hades a woman worthy of his heart.

Meanwhile, completely unaware of why his heart suddenly felt tight, Hades gazed at the maiden with golden hair and realized at that moment he didn't care that the gods hated him. He didn't care that he was mocked and considered evil. All he was suddenly aware of was his sudden desire to be near this stranger. His heart began to ache with the growing need to the point he thought he was suffocating.

Hades, who was one of the few gifted to perceive the contents of the heart, had looked into the soul of the maiden dancing within only a arms reach away from where he stood. He could see instantly that she had a good soul. A clean, pure soul. Innocent of all evil. She had a tremendous sense of humility, obedience, and most of all (something he hadn't seen in centuries) kindness.

And so, the Supreme Lord of the Dead fell in love with the Goddess of Spring.