Amari412 - Thank you very much for the review, I am thrilled that you are enjoying the story, hope you enjoy this chapter just as much.


Dreams:

Another portal to a new world

"No. I wont let you kill him!" The bellow from his brother was enough to cause Hades to looked shocked he turned his head staring at the god, who though younger than himself looked ten thousand years older his lips pulled down the shape of a frown he pushed himself up with a force, that made him want to fall upon his knees his body was weak the blow to his head should be nothing more than a pat on the back but with Tartarus falling around him the life of his brother in the balance, it had become more serious.

"Brother... Brother." A voice caused Hades to be pulled from the memory that allowed him to hold onto his god pride something that been drifting away from him, he turned himself around the walls of his domain cracked falling around him leaving him in an empty world with nothing but a burning heat bearing down his shoulders, with a volcano in front of him that began to rock with a hidden rage causing him to step back out of fright this was the very same land, that he and his two brothers put their father away, but why was he here now? "Brother." The sharp voice made Hades turn himself around sharply he came face to face with his younger brother looking just as young as he had done when they put their father away, he looked at him his own face was empty with no meaning only a hint of confusion was seen. "Why have you brought me here?" Zeus stepped forward the limp that came from using his powers to protect his older brother long gone he walked with pride, his head held high his burnet beard seemed to shine like it had been dipped in gloss. "There is trouble brewing brother, don't think it wont effect you now that your mortal it seeks you out it needs you, you're in danger Hades you must stop it. You must." Hades had never felt so confused before never had his brother visited him in his dreams his mouth opened wanting to demand his brother about what it was that he was going on about, only to have a blinding light cover his eyes followed by a continuous pain in his head.


He shot up panting for air his forehead creased he could feel a thin trail of sweat trickle down his forehead he rose his hand dragging it down his face never had a dream like that plagued him, it left him with an empty feeling making him see the world in a different light almost expecting something to jump out at him, that shouldn't be seen unless it was expressed through a book.

Unaware to Hades who pondered while forcing himself not to pant like an over worked dog the door creaked open, the shadow of the young maiden who had helped him and taken his cloak to fix it for him she walked towards the ladder climbing it without fear though her heat, beat with a fierce force that made her fear it would burst through her chest, she climbed up with care making sure that the cloak wouldn't tear her eyes enlarged at the sight of the male laying before her. His hair was longer than any males she had seen before it reminded her of the night sky just after a passing storm a few silver streaks highlighted his hair, she didn't think this from age more from a magical force she had heard about humans who were able to command, the sky's and waters to do their bidding maybe he had been blessed to do such things, his eyes were clouded like a rain cloud ready to burst his clothing was strange a mixture of a cape with old armour.

"Excuse me...?"

Her voice came out in a hushed whisper her throat had become so dry that not even swallowing could sooth it, Hades grew tense his blood turned cold while his arms felt like jelly he scolded himself for being so pathetic he shouldn't worry about a mortal such as the young one before him, he forced himself to look at her she was just like he remembered back at the market stall but there was a different sense around her. He didn't need to inhale his nostrils to pick up the scent he could see it in her eyes they didn't hold the same spark as before when she stood her ground, they seemed dull only her pupil held the spark she wasn't afraid of him more nervous he couldn't blame her anyone who meet a stranger, knew that it was another step in their life possibly one of terror if you were unlucky but Hades wouldn't harm her, slowly he pushed himself in a sitting position some grains of hay remained stuck in his hair but he didn't bother to pull them out.

"I see you have fixed my cloak, you have a talented hand."

He didn't bother to deal with an awkward introduction nor did he make a comment about her music box, doing such a thing seemed to brighten young Persephone as she climbed up the last steps she pulled the cloak off from her shoulder, handing it to him a bright smile playing across her lips watching as Hades stretched his hands taking the cloak from her he didn't slip it on, instead he placed it beside him the sleeve had slipped so that it rested against his lap he didn't check the cloak clearly putting his trust in her that she had done a good job.

Persephone didn't know why she felt nervous this was her father's land the man before her was the guest not her, she was sure that he had read her mind there upon his lips was a smile that to most would seem like a torment though to her, it gave her warmth inside making her sit down upon the hay bale that was opposite from where he sat. Her arms wound around her legs pressing them against her chest her chin pressed against her knee, she could feel the bone pushing through her dress she wore the same one as before it was the last dress that her mother brought her, before she passed away many would assume that this would only bring her grief but it made her be brave and gave her the feeling that her mother was always there with her.


They talked for a while neither of them seemed to become bored in front of the others presence Persephone found herself opening up to the man who she had no name to put against his face, he knew her name she didn't question this assuming that he must have gotten it from the man at the market stall it never occurred to her that he was standing outside of the barn during her regular fight with her father. Hades listened to what Persephone had to say to him he learnt that her father was scheduled to leave the city to show off his new invention, Persephone wasn't ashamed to say that she didn't think her fathers invention would have much of a move on the judges. Hades couldn't help but see the sadness that was in her eyes as she admitted this to him it was clear that she loved her father like any child should, though it was hard when you knew they were failing but couldn't bring yourself to say anything, rubbing at his upper lip with the side of his hand he moved himself around to get comfortable resting his head back just a few centimeters away from where he had placed her music box.

"Would you like something to eat? I'm sure I can bring some food in from the house without my father noticing, he's busy with his invention."

Hades nodded his head.

Persephone smiled moving herself away from the male feeling a pang of guilt as she did so even though she would only be gone a few moments, she climbed down the ladder making sure to keep out of her fathers way if he had come up from inventing she didn't need to be bombed with questions, on why she was bringing food for two people out of the home.


"You look ten thousand years younger." His voice was rasped it croaked as he spoke he stumbled backwards his knees buckling under him, the feeling of a strong hand against his shoulder was the only thing preventing him from falling down he turned his head tired eyes looking towards, the eyes of his brother he allowed a small smile to be seen, that was hidden underneath his many layers of his beard. "Death was circling you I co-"

"Brother why are you still here?" Hades once again felt himself being pulled away his body no longer feeling as heavy he could stand up straight without needing someone else there, he turned his head his eyes narrowed as he noticed his brother standing looking non to pleased himself, he turned his head looking away from him not wanting to have to deal with him again. "The power is being summoned now brother. You won't have much time to stop it." Hades waved his hand he wasn't going to listen to this he even turned his back to his brother which made Zeus erupt a low growl, he moved sharply grabbing Hades harshly by the shoulder spinning him around so that they were eye to eye Hades showed no sign of weakening or fear, this seemed to fuel Zeus's anger he hated how stubborn that his older brother could be. "Hades please you must listen to reason." Hades gripped onto his younger brothers wrists tugging at them harshly trying to pull him away he wasn't a thousand years old anymore.

"Sir...? Sir...?"

Both brothers stopped their squabble Hades shifted himself around expecting to see Persephone standing there but all he heard was her voice, he blinked looking towards his brother who also starred back at him something in his eyes told Hades that this wasn't a good thing, nothing came good when his brother heard a woman's voice dead or alive. "The power will get her to Hades, you can't protect her unless you go it alone." Hades gritted his teeth uncertain on why such a threat against someone he just meet was giving him this much anger, he moved his hand sharply to punch his brother only to have the same blinding light in his line of vision once again.


His eyes shot wide open his mouth agape as he began to pant his chest was heaving his heart trembled within his rib cage, above him Persephone was found crouched next to him food placed on the floor beside her:

Bread, cheese even some fruit.

Pushing himself up with the caring eyes of Persephone looking down on him making sure that he was alright smoothing his hair down with the palm of his hand, Persephone brought him over some bread and cheese as she set herself down next to him she had brought enough food for the both of them, Hades picked up the bread eating it with ease it was better than what had been left over in his cloak pocket due to the rain. The cheese was strong in taste not to strong that it over powered his senses as he ate in peace he glanced towards Persephone watching the way, that she took delicate nibbles it seemed to suit her considering that her flesh was fair in colour her body also look so delicate that just a simple breeze could break her, though Hades knew that she was stronger than people gave her credit she was a sheep in wolf's clothing.

"I hope you like pomegranate, that's the only fruit with have at the moment."

Hades smiled as he nodded his head the fruit was one of his favourites back in his land though he made sure to keep such knowledge to himself.

"I think its perfect."

His voice was deep as he spoke taking one of the pomegranates from the ground he took a small bite but even such a bite caused the juices to run down his chin, into the darkness of his beard the flesh was tough but he seemed to like it Persephone watched him with fascination many people would slice the fruit in half to the savour the sweet juices, smiling gently she looked away from him not wanting to see rude that she was staring at him. Hades found that he didn't mind it was an odd comfort that seemed to wash over him she wasn't like the other poor dullards who would stare at him, out of fear maybe even pity (he considered pity to be one the most foulest things that any man mortal or cursed with immortality could bring upon his own kind) he focused on eating the food that had been brought to him, it felt strange hos his stomach could feel so empty then so full on such little substance that was here.

"I'm sorry its not much, I will bring you some more soon."

Hades meekly shook his head putting aside her worrying thoughts by explaining that the food was plenty, he assumed that he had done the right thing as he noticed the smile on her lips that warmed his heart giving him a joy he couldn't explain. However the dreams that had plagued him in less than a day were enough to make him pull away from such childish thoughts, a new breed of anger flowed through him he thought that after saving his brother's life he would give him a break now that he was dead it seemed however that this wasn't the case he could feel his fingers, closing in on the palm of his hand cutting through the flesh the slight pain that caused him to hiss through his teeth but that wasn't what made him stop, it was the gentle touch of Persephone's hand against his own which made him look into her eyes seeing the worries that swam around her pupils, it made him force a positive smile as he tried to sooth her worries he soon focused back on the fruit as he spat out the seeds in the palm of his hand not wishing to choke on them.


Hope you enjoyed the chapter & the little mention of the fruit that can be found in the original version of Hades & Persephone. Please review.

Signed - The Broken Ghost.