HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL - quantum witch © 1998
(see Chapter 1 for rating, warnings, and summary)
In which Hades convenes a task force, Persephone discovers an important new power, and the imps laugh themselves sick over Hades' dinner-and-a-(not)-movie date plans. (contains singing)
CHAPTER 10 : AFTERLIFE, THE UNDERWORLD & EVERYTHING
Παντα και Περισς
- o - ONE - o -
Hades called up an elite task force to handle the duties of rebuilding the Underworld. Well, it wasn't that elite. It was basically whomever he could cobble together. The group consisted of himself, Persephone, Pain and Panic, the Furies, Nyx and Erebos and, on a spur of the moment decision, the two dead kings Aiakos and Rhadamanthys. They gathered in a room adjoining the throne chamber, one which he had equipped with a long table and several chairs, converting it into a conference area.
It was Persephone's first sight of the Furies and she was amazed yet again. Hades had created them to help him punish human souls inside Pyriphlegethon, and they were pretty frightening to look at. Identical triplets with corpse-white skin and bloody red eyes. Their hair too was the color of fresh wet blood, and it coiled and writhed almost snakelike on their heads. Each had huge bat wings of translucent gray. But it was their costumes that were the most alarming, like nothing she'd ever seen. One wore leather and metal spikes everywhere, a scourge in hand. A second wore a peculiar officer's uniform with spit-shined boots and jaunty cap, twirling a branding iron. And the last, oddest of all, wore a long black robe with head and neck covered by a white cowl, gripping a long sharp-edged measuring stick. For some reason, the outfits were more frightening than the creatures who wore them. Especially since they sat around, giggling to each other like perfectly ordinary schoolgirls instead of demonic beasts.
Everyone got settled into their chairs and Hades cleared his throat to get their attention. He stood at the head of the table, arms behind his back. A huge map hung behind him on the wall showing a complete layout of his kingdom.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and indefinable others," he began, "I've asked you all here for your invaluable input. It's come to my vivid attention that the Underworld is suffering as much as the souls who reside here. And that is something I no longer want. It is within my power to change many things here, and I do have a working plan for most of that, but I need further aid. That's where you all come in."
He approached the map, taking up a pointer and indicating the purple river circling the entire kingdom. "Styx, as we know, is giving up the ghosts. Ha," he chuckled, and at least seven or eight groans followed his pun. "That is her prerogative whether I like it or not. And I don't especially. According to my faithful minions there are now at least a gazillion souls wandering aimlessly around the Underworld." He angled his eyes toward Pain and Panic who were clearly pleased as punch that he'd called them faithful. "Although that is a gross exaggeration of numbers, the fact remains there are far too many of them. They're all dressed up, no place to go. While Acheron," he pointed to the black river, "has long been a favorite dumping ground, I don't wish to use it any more than necessary. Plus let's face it, there are far faaar more souls coming out of Styx than will fit in Acheron and Pyriphlegethon combined. And I absolutely refuse to give the Vortex more fuel to feed its fire."
He looked toward the Furies. "Alykto, Tisiphone, and Megeara, you three will begin pulling souls out of the Vortex as soon as possible. Most of them don't belong there. Sorry, girls."
The three huffed indignantly and pouted because they rather enjoyed their jobs. When they went on sulking, loudly, Hades caved a little bit. "All right, all right! As soon as you finish the task you can all go on a shopping spree with Eris, okay?" This made them squeal with delight, and they batted their eyes engagingly at him. "No, you cannot have my credit cards. If you didn't save up your allowances that's tough luck, babes." They promptly went back to pouting, but not quite as noisily because now Hades ignored them.
Instead he looked to the dead kings. "Aiakos and Rhadamanthys. I'm doing something here that I never thought I would. I'm asking humans for help. You're not my minions to command but I'd like to negotiate a deal. Would you be interested in a permanent full-time job judging incoming souls? I'll throw in a benefits package, vacation, sick leave... oh, wait you won't be needing that. Ha! But, hey, we'll even dig up a third guy, kinda get the old Grecian democratic ideal thing going, whaddaya say?"
The kings regarded each other thoughtfully. They really did miss having some command over their fellow humans, and frankly eternity was getting boring. They smiled with great dignity and bowed their heads to Hades.
"My Lord," Aiakos said, "we are flattered that you would consider us for such an esteemed position. I, for one, accept."
Rhadamanthys nodded. "As do I. For a third judge... well, I do have a brother lying around someplace who might fit the bill. Haven't seen him as of yet."
"Probably floating in Acheron. Which is the next step," Hades assured the king. Then he turned back to his imps. "Pain and Panic, you two are in charge of that. Take the Furies' extra nets and start sweeping the river. Everyone comes out."
The imps' eyes bulged nearly out of the sockets. "All of them?" Panic squawked. "We can't do it all by ourselves!"
Pain agreed vigorously. "We have our limits, your Presumptuousness. We're gonna need help!"
"Well, unfortunately Styx has given us a strict deadline and we're counting down to doomsday as we speak. I could make more demons to assist but that takes time we don't have. Now, you two don't remember your early days but you were little more than helpless, brainless infants the first few weeks..." He looked back at them, skeptically. "...Eh, never mind, you're the same as always."
Nyx and Erebos consulted silently with each other. Then Erebos spoke, carefully so that he didn't affect Persephone who was not yet immune to their speech. Perhaps you should call in already-formed demons to aid you... There are many contracted out to sorcerers, called up to do their bidding in ways that are not necessarily enjoyable… I know of several lamiae who would gladly trade in their current masters for a chance to serve their ultimate master...
Nodding, Nyx continued the thought. A demon's life force comes from a pool of energy that is natural only to your kingdom, drawn forth by the will of the magician... That person's life is what sustains them and so demons die when their mortal masters die... But if they were contracted to a god, they would have a sort of immortality... I'm sure that alone would persuade them to join up... All their contracts are forfeit to you anyway, should you choose...
Hades was impressed with the logic. "Excellent. I'd appreciate it if the two of you could get in touch with these lamiae, see what their thoughts are on returning to the Underworld. I'll draw up new contracts for them sometime in the next couple days. Thanks, guys."
"Now," he continued, moving the pointer to a huge bright gold spot on the map, "the Elysian Fields. This is the one area I cannot affect or I would have done so long ago. Persephone however, has been able to enter the Fields. So this area falls to her. Since we don't know why only heroes have entered so far, I'd like you to see if other types of souls can actually get through the shield. Maybe we can sublet part of the Fields or something. I'm sure you can convince the heroes to cooperate with you." He grinned, remembering how she'd handled the rude dead guy earlier. "Other than that, I'll leave it up to you to decide what else needs doing in there."
Panic – occasionally eyeing the goddess sourly, wondering why in the world she was still even here – frowned at this announcement. Why was the Boss giving her a job too? And a cushy one at that? Since when was she part of the team?
Hades, his eyes still focused solely on a shyly smiling Persephone, was unaware that his own expression softened to true tenderness. He murmured, "If it wasn't for you, Seph, I wouldn't have had the inspiration to start this whole project."
Several eyes glanced toward each other around the long table, and knowing smiles teased at the corners of several lips. Mm-HMMmm... So THAT'S what was going on...
However, Panic clenched his jaw with anger. This girl was trying to bamboozle the Boss with her pretty face and seemingly innocent demeanor! He wished Hades would wake up and see what a gold digger she was. She was no good for him, that much was obvious. Since she'd arrived, Hades had only gotten worse. He was quiet and thoughtful, and hadn't raised his voice even once, nor threatened to incinerate them for their bumbling failures. And they were certainly as pathetic as ever so he should have been furious with them. But noooo, they just smiled at each other like total dorks, looking like they were in love...
Panic panicked. He refused to believe it! Hades wasn't capable of it! ...Was he? And even if by some miracle he was, somebody that perfect couldn't love him too! ...Could she?
Hades was just about to adjourn the meeting when Rhadamanthys spoke up. "My Lord, I approve of all you have planned but I'm afraid it's still not enough. You can remove souls from the rivers and try to put them in the Elysian Fields, but all that will accomplish is rearranging the overstock."
Aiakos added, "Indeed, it appears you don't have enough room for such countless multitudes without making use of the rivers. And you've vetoed that option."
"Yes, and I plan to keep it that way," Hades said firmly. "We'll just have to figure out other options. Any ideas you all might have for improvement or renovation, new methods for soul containment, whatever, are appreciated. I'll do my best to accommodate anything that seems reasonable." He looked toward the young goddess again, a soft smile on his face. "We, Persephone and I, know what really needs to be done though we haven't quite hammered out the details of how to accomplish it. But I'm sure inspiration will strike us soon."
Aiakos nodded with a little grin. "Of course, my Lord. If this much change can be wrought merely by the presence of such loveliness, then I'm sure putting your heads together will bring about the final answers to the conundrum."
Hades raised an eyebrow. What did he think he was getting at? "Okaaay, enough chit-chat people. Let's get to work."
- o -TWO - o -
The Fates in their lair chortled over how pathetically obvious the two gods were becoming, and how the leading man still fought his feelings. Well, they would sure put a crimp in his chiton very shortly.
Atropos held what looked like nothing more than a 'cat's cradle' between her bony fingers. Lachesis nudged a few more strands into place in the small web, and Clotho wove them together skillfully. Then all three sat back and watched the action.
- o - THREE - o -
Persephone wondered what to do about Hades. She was pretty darn sure of her feelings for him now, knew that she desired more with him and that she truly cared for him. It was something she'd never experienced but it was so strong she had no doubts about it at all. She was sure he felt something for her as well. But still he held back. How could she get him to face it, to express it?
The others had gone to attend to their individual tasks as best they could. Hades was supervising the Furies at the moment, as he considered the suffering of souls in Pyriphlegethon to be the issue most in need of immediate resolution. He had told Persephone that he trusted her to do wonderfully on her own. What a pleasant feeling it was, being allowed freedom to roam and do as she pleased. Very different from being in her mother's domain.
Still contemplating the riddle of their mutual emotions, she reached the Elysian Fields and stepped through the force-field that barred the way for everyone but herself and dead heroes. This time however she noticed something she hadn't before. The first time she had fallen through in surprise and had only been aware of trying to break her fall. But now she felt a tingling. Curious, she put her hand back into the field. Yes, there was definitely something, some kind of tangible energy.
Stepping completely inside the golden-white light, she felt it radiating over her skin, warm and cool at once. It felt familiar... like the sensation that came over her whenever she used her powers of creation. Unhesitating, she closed her eyes and let the tingling pass over her skin... and then slowly inside... It flowed, pulsing, into her body. She began to shake though she barely noticed. Inhaling deeply, she deliberately drew upon the power. And suddenly it burst inward.
and her soul was filled with the brightness...
blinding her inner eyes... caressing her skin from within...
sinking into her bones with a fiery brilliance...
greater than the sun, the stars, all the light in the universe...
Life... Love... Home...
She knew everything...
She gasped and staggered, falling to her knees. Opening her eyes, she saw that her aura was paler, the same white-gold as the force-field, making her skin seem lighter as well. The spot where she sat had become true living grass just like before. Then she saw the most incredible sight of all – the force-field had become transparent like a dome of pure water. The golden-white light within it... She had absorbed into herself.
Rising, she took a step. Flowers sprang from beneath her feet. She took another step. More flowers. Laughing softly, she ran across the field, leaving a wake of fresh living things in her path as the Elysian Fields bloomed into glorious radiant life.
The dead heroes who saw her quickly got out of her way.
- o - FOUR - o -
Half a day passed and Hades kindly declared a work break, then went down to the Lethe Pool for a tall cool glass of nectar. Things were progressing well enough though he still hadn't a clue how to handle the souls after they were separated and cataloged. He imagined he'd wind up having to do exactly what he'd jokingly declared to Styx and build condos. At least some kind of subsidized housing or something.
The irony of his current plans was not lost on him. He was finally focusing on his kingdom, just his alone. Days ago the strange dark witch Hecate had suggested he do just that, although her ideal of quintessential evil was a bit much for him anymore. He'd lost his taste for the bitterness of vengeance, and now that he'd had a sample of something else he found he had a bit of a sweet tooth after all. Another was guiding him now, toward the same goal, following a brighter path that promised to lead the entire Underworld somewhere he'd never imagined. The fact that two such diverse sources, in such a short time, could propose such similar advice... had to be the work of the Fates. Annoying as their schemes were he had to admit they were right. This time.
Thinking about Persephone, he closed his eyes and sighed. How he wished she were older, more experienced and worldly, less pure and innocent. How he wished he could get over this pathetic feeling that she was too sacred for his foul hand to touch. And the thought of touching her was preying on his mind almost constantly. (Actually, it was more like a trio of karmic old buzzards waiting to swoop down on him the minute his mind tried moving another direction.) Looking at her was nearly as personal as a touch now, his eyes taking the place of his fingertips. He knew from the few instances he'd connected with her skin just how heavenly soft she was. And her scent was divine, like wildflowers and pure water, fresh air and sunshine. Normally not things he liked but on her, it became addictive. His nose had brushed her hair as he'd kissed her forehead last night. It was soft and fragrant like a sweet pillow to bury his face in forever. Everything about her seemed soft and supple except her mind. And that was as sharp and steel-hard as his own, uh, mind...
Opening his eyes and sipping his drink, he wondered if he should have included more ice because he was definitely gonna need some down his chiton if this train of thought continued. Damn, she was distracting, but in such a good way.
Before he could decide whether to pour the drink in his lap, the distraction herself came toward him. Smiling and carrying the narcissus he'd given her days ago, which she had retrieved from the Elysian Fields. She was glowing brightly, brighter than before it seemed, but that could have been his imagination.
He swallowed the mouthful of cool liquid quickly before he choked on it, and said with a smile, "Hey, babe, how's it going? I was hoping you'd drop by. Everyone's on break for a while. Here, sit down, have a drink." He waved toward the chair next to his and poured her a glassful from the pitcher he'd brought along.
She sat and drank, still smiling silently. Her gaze was faraway for a moment as she idly sniffed the immortal flower, then she returned and focused upon him. The lambent blue glow in her eyes was like a lagoon of the purest water, and it made his heart swell like a blazing tidal wave.
"Hades, I want to thank you for letting me stay here. It's been the most incredible experience of my life. And I know my mother is probably going nuts right now..."
He held his breath, anxious. Was she getting ready to say goodbye? He wished he had the right to insist she stay.
"...But I don't care," she continued, grinning broadly. "I'm not leaving until we finish this date properly."
Somewhat blankly, he just blinked at first. Then his mind kick-started again and the words made it from his disbelieving ears up to his brain. "Date," he said flatly. "Finish this date?" Now that the thought had finally gone from his mind to his mouth, he couldn't stop repeating himself for some inane reason. "You're considering this a date?"
"Well, I know it's a bit unorthodox, dragging it on for almost four days. And I'm not exactly the world's expert on the subject, but I always thought a date was about spending time with someone you really like, going someplace interesting, holding hands, maybe a nice dinner for two... So far, to me, this has been perfect."
"A date?" he continued unabated, every word halfway between statement and query. "You seriously want to call this a date. Like a date-date? An honest-to-whoever date? With me?"
Reaching out to tap him on the nose with the flower, she teased, "You sound like you're objecting to the idea."
"No! No! Absolutely not!" he hastened to assure her. Holy moly, she liked him! She was interested in him! She wanted to date him! HIM! His stupid brain finally grabbed his tongue and snapped it into shape, making him say what he needed to, though he nearly choked on the rest of his words. "I would love to consider it a date! Gladly!"
"Well, then," she said with a pleased smile, "all we're missing is the final component to make it official."
His brain spun backward, trying to recall what that was. Oh, yeah. Food. "I've got it!" he snapped his fingers triumphantly, "a picnic by the pool! Wait here five minutes, you'll have a meal fit for a goddess! Which is, of course, what you are and what you deserve... Eh, I'll be right back." Sputtering like a fool, he dissolved into smoke and vanished.
She voiced to herself, with tender amusement, "Hmm, he's kinda cute when he's flustered."
And he was bound to be even more amazed when she showed him what she'd done to the Fields. Rubbing the flower's petals against her cheek then trailing it slowly down her neck and over her pulsing breast, Persephone sighed happily. Soon, she felt sure, he would face his feelings and 'fess up to them.
- o - FIVE - o -
In hell's kitchen (yes, literally) Pain and Panic were making the most of their break. They perched on a counter top, rummaging noisily through the shelves. Pain produced various boxes and vases with painted labels, seeking Panic's approval for their snack.
At the dining table, Aiakos and Rhadamanthys sat playing a card game they'd just invented to relax on their break. Since they didn't need food, mental stimulation fed them just fine.
Aiakos picked up a card, and sighed with content. "Isn't it grand to have something useful to do in the Afterlife? Aiding a god truly is an honor."
"Indeed," Rhadamanthys nodded. "And as soon as we locate my brother Minos, things will progress more smoothly." He then slapped a card down on the table, declaring with a grin, "Go fish."
Meanwhile, across the room, Pain held up a container and read the label to Panic. "Eye of Newt?"
"Nah," Panic droned.
Pain replaced it and grabbed another. "Toe of Frog?"
"Boring," was the drawling response.
"Wool of Bat?"
"Had it yesterday."
"Tongue of Dog?"
"Aw, forget it, there's never anything good to eat," Panic groused. He wasn't happy all around and now every petty little trouble irked him further.
Pain was getting sick of listening to him, and almost ready to tell him to find his own damned snack and then shove it, when he suddenly located something odd. "Hey, what's this one? The label's gone." He popped open the top, and a slimy tentacle crept out. He yelped, popped the top closed again hurriedly and shoved the container far back into the recesses of the shelf.
"Past the expiration date," Panic declared.
"Ah! Look at this!" Pain held up a strange cylinder of metal. "Spaghetti-Omegas? Bleeeech!"
Panic's face twisted in disgust. "Ew! Who'd ever eat those? Gross!"
Just as the offending item was being stowed away, Hades appeared in their midst in a cloud of smoke. Pain and Panic jumped in alarm, clinging to the counter.
"Boss!" Panic simpered. "We're weren't getting crumbs on the floor, promise!"
Pain nodded vigorously. "Yeah, we were eating over the sink like respectable bachelors!"
Hades paid them no heed and merely muttered, "That's nice," as he began to hum a little tune. He tied on his favorite apron with the slogan 'Kill the Cook' (so tasteful and witty) on the front. Spotting the dead kings at the table, he cheerily greeted them. "Aiaky! Rhad-man! What's shakin', bros?"
The kings arched their brows at one another, smirking privately. Well, wasn't he jaunty all of a sudden? Interesting...
Hades searched the shelves above Pain's head, talking to himself, "Let's see what we got here..." All the atrocities the imps loved he kept almost strictly for their use. Only occasionally did he indulge in those, mostly out of curiosity or boredom. Not for his guest those nasty imp-treats though. Still, he was a god,and therefore his true source of sustenance would always be...
"Ah," he declared, "Instant Ambrosia, just add water and bake." Okay, so he usually added a few fresh ingredients. He was actually a bit of a chef, having had so many centuries alone to hone his culinary skills. Using a decent packaged food didn't detract from the final product. He snapped his fingers and manifested a bowl, water and spoon out of thin air, and set it to work stirring up the mixture by itself. Then he returned to the shelves, locating other items and tossing them into the bowl. At last he searched the highest shelves, muttering, "Now where'd I hide that bottle of spiced nectar I was saving for a special occasion...? Been here for about three centuries, so it should be nice and smooth..."
Pain and Panic watched this display curiously. They'd never seen anything like it, and weren't sure if it was better or worse than his recent attitude. It was both amusing and unsettling.
Pain inquired, "Uh, what's going on, your Improbable Sanguinity?"
With an eye roll, Panic added, "Yeah, you'd almost think you had a date or something."
Still humming, Hades located the nectar and a picnic basket, then wrapped the ambrosia mixture in phyllo, put it in a pan and lit a flame underneath to cook it. He responded to the imps' statements with a pleasantly distracted smile. "I do, actually."
For about half a second, a pin dropping on the floor would have sounded like a cannon going off. Then the imps literally fell off the counter, laughing until they nearly threw up.
Hades flared at the insulting behavior. "What's so goddamned funny about that?"
Wiping tears from his eyes, Pain snickered, "We just can't imagine anyone wanting to date you!"
Flaming now, Hades flexed his fingers dangerously. "Well, I am on a date! With Persephone, as if you didn't damn well know that!"
Panic seethed inside, but he smirked outside. "Yeah, riiight. As if!"
Even Pain, who thought Persephone was gorgeous and didn't mind her presence the way his partner did, was giggling at the idea. "C'mon, ya gotta admit, it's pretty funny!"
"Did you tie her up in magic chains to get her to agree to a date?" Panic inquired almost innocently, though his grin was arch and bitter.
"Yeah, or maybe she signed a contract in blood?" Pain chortled, joining in the fun.
Hades was completely aflame now, bristling and crackling, and clutching a frying pan like the deadly blunt weapon it was about to become if they didn't shut-the-fucking-hell-up. He spoke through teeth so clenched they'd nearly fused together. "WHY... should it be SO HARD to accept... that a beautiful young GODDESS... would WANT... to DATE... ME?"
Delighted that he'd gotten a rise out of the Boss for the first time in weeks, Panic decided to go for the gold. He snorted derisively, "Oh, puh-leeze! Just think about! Do we have to spell it out?" And then he did, bursting into song.
It's a weird combination
I can't see it at all
She looks just like an angel
who's not ready to fall
Panic morphed himself to wear an angel's robe, halo and innocent face. Catching the rhythm, Pain joined in the amusement, morphing to replicate Hades' clothes and hair.
You're the devil himself
a real piece of work
How could she be attracted
to such a primo jerk?
Quickly, they changed to resemble a freakish Dali-esque painting, and (ironically) a chubby cherub aiming a flaming arrow straight at Hades, who swatted it aside with annoyance.
It's a study in opposites
a surreal work of art
Did you think fire and brimstone
were the way to her heart?
It's the villain and the ingénue
a match made in... well, here
A nightmare vs. a dream-come-true
never in a million years
They had by then taken the form of the classic wide-eyed girl and dark man in cape and curling mustache. And then became like paintings again, a pale twisted screaming face and Aphrodite on the half-shell. After that, they morphed steadily to their beat, becoming storybook characters they sang of.
The very idea is like some
fairy tale gone awry
the Big Bad Wolf puts a twinkle
in Red Riding Hood's eye
the Miller's Daughter and Rumpelstilskin
spinning golden hours alone
Goldilocks packs up and moves in
to the Three Bears home
Good and evil, light and dark
they say opposites attract
but if you think the feeling's mutual
we know you're really whacked!
Hades had listened, livid at first, then gradually seeing the reasoning they presented. Persephone was kind and sweet, and probably was only being nice to thank him for taking her away from her mother and an unwanted date with Apollo. All his self-doubt and fears resurfaced with a vengeance. He hung his head, continuing the refrain in a sonorous tone.
You're right, it's insane
how could I stand a chance
the Lord of the Dead
wasn't meant for romance
Opposites can attract
but this example's extreme
how could such a perfect goddess
feel anything for me
Hades turned away from the others in the room, feeling deeply sorry for himself…
...Persephone waiting by Lethe, smiling and sure of her feelings, finally was able to put them into her own words...
There's something about him
that compels me to his side
some mystical attraction
some little voice inside
Some magnetic force
like we're meant to be joined
like we're just two sides
of the very same coin
Back in the kitchen, the two kings turned to Hades. They had seen earlier at the meeting, the obvious looks of love that passed between the two gods. Hades seemed to need reassurance though. So they sang a more hopeful message, all the while pushing and prodding the two still-morphed imps in their silly costumes.
My Lord this fairy tale need not
be so dire and grim
Perhaps the Miller's girl has
a thing for shorter men
There could be hope for Red and Wolfie
maybe Goldie likes bear hugs
and it's not so far-fetched
for even you to find true love
Knocking the imps aside, the kings continued, their faces very sincere and even a little fatherly toward the ancient god.
Life and death, day and night
we know opposites attract
just stop trying to read her mind
go find out how she'll react
Hearing their words of encouragement, Hades reopened his mind, realizing that he hadn't imagined it all. Persephone herself had called this a 'date', using that word exactly. She wanted to be with him. She wanted to stay. Even if she decided to leave afterward, he truly wished to spend some quality time alone with her on an actual real date. Anything more... Well, they had eternity to consider that.
"Yeah," he said softly, "you're right." He looked at the kings, saying something he'd never said to any mortal before. "Thanks, guys. I owe ya one."
Gathering the food and drink into the basket, he left the kitchen, unaware of the heated stares of one of his imps, and not hearing snide comments said imp made to the kings for their interference.
Hades went down toward the pool, still singing to himself. Persephone sang as well, though neither of them saw or heard each other yet, making and unknown duet...
Even if I get hurt
Even if I fall
It could be the real thing
It would be worth it all
Though there'll be hell to pay
from this choice I make
I know in the end
it's a risk I'm dying to take
Hades reached the bottom of the stairs, humming happily. Persephone sat by the pool, bright and beautiful and smiling at his approach, and his heart leaped. Perhaps his fate wasn't so dreadfully drastic after all.
see author's research notes in chapter 20