Heracles calmly followed the pale being in front of him. He looked around the candle-lit hallways that he walked in, noticing how the candles casted eerie glows around him.

Suddenly, the man stops in front of two mahogany doors and pushes them open. He enters, and so does Heracles.

He looks around the room that it was now in. It was relatively big, with ash-grey marble floors and tall black walls. There was one single blood red carpet that leads to a platform which held two thrones. And on those two thrones, were the King and Queen of the Underworld.

He studied Hades, who looked at him with a stony gaze and a slight frown as he stayed seated on his black and gold throne. He looked every bit the God of the Dead as Heracles envisioned him to be; black hair, which was short and messy, black eyes that were as dark as a moonless midnight and were as hard as stone and alabaster skin that signified the minimum time he spent in the sun. Though the only thing that Heracles did not imagine him to have was a smooth face, instead of a flowing beard like his father's.

Then he directed his eyes to the woman that was seated on a similar throne beside Hades, though hers had bits of jewel decorated on it. She had wavy dark brown hair that flowed elegantly to her waist, amber eyes, though they could have been gold, and skin the colour of peaches. She wore a lavender chiton that contrasted greatly from her husband's black clothing and brought a bit of colour to the dark room.

Heracles knew her well-enough to be Persephone, the Goddess of Spring. She was very beautiful. She had a sweet innocent face that fitted perfectly with her slender figure. Heracles could now understand why that Pirithous had wanted her in the first place.

The pale man in front of him then bowed before them and said loudly, "My lord, I have sought out Heracles as you wished."

Heracles watches as Hades jerked a firm nods and then say, "You are dismissed, Thanatos."

The pale man, Thanatos, then straightens up, turns around and exits the room, leaving Heracles with the god and goddess.

Hades suddenly stands up from his throne, his eyes never leaving Heracles. Heracles could now see that he was tall and had a lean and muscular figure. Although Heracles' figure was deemed far superior than his, he knew better that he could never outmatch the strength of a god.

Hades suddenly speaks.

"What business that you have which required you to journey to my Underworld?"

Heracles bows and states his case.

"Great lord of the Underworld, I have come here to ask you for a favour, which will then complete the twelve labours that have been assigned to me by my cousin, King Eurystheus of Tiryns."

Hades crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow.

"And what would this favour be?" he asked.

Heracles straightens up and clears his throat, before saying, "I wish to bring your hellhound, Cerberus, to the land above, with the promise that I will return him to you safely."

Hades rubs his chin as he thinks about it thoroughly.

"That is a big favour to ask, Heracles. Furthermore, I have been the only one to be able to tame Cerberus," he states.

Daringly, Heracles takes a few steps forward, begging, "Please, great lord. I only wish to complete my labours as a way of seeking repentance for a mistake I have committed long time ago…. I beg of you to allow me this."

It was then Persephone spoke up.

"Hades, I beg you to reconsider," she tells him gently, her eyes looking at Heracles sympathetically.

Hades looks at his wife, who looks at him back with pleading eyes. He sighs and begins to contemplate his decision.

Finally, he speaks.

"I have agreed to give you this favour, Heracles. But, there is something you must do to attain it."

Heracles, feeling his hopes soar, asks, "What would that be? I am more than willing to accomplish it."

Hades walks down a few steps before coming to a stop halfway. Without looking away from him, he answers, "You must tame Cerberus without the use of weapons and without getting him hurt. If I even hear a single yelp of pain coming from the mouth of my hellhound, then you can very well leave my world empty-handed and never return here."

Heracles eyes widen in shock. He thinks hard to himself; would he be able to accomplish it? He has been up against other fearsome creatures before, such as the Nemean Lion and the Cretan Bull, but without the use of weapons made it seem too difficult.

Difficult, but not impossible.

"I accept this challenge, Lord Hades," he proclaims.

Hades nods, seemingly pleased.

Just then, Heracles suddenly remembers Theseus.

"My lord? There is one more favour that I wish to ask."

Hades looks at him sceptically and asks, "And would that be this time?"

Heracles takes a deep breath, and answers, "I have entered a room which held two prisoners by the names of Theseus and Pirithous. I have heard their stories, and I now know the reason of their imprisonment. I only ask that I bring only the son of Poseidon back with me to the land above after I have completed my twelfth labour."

Hades' eyes widen and he turns to look at Persephone, whose eyes were as wide as his.

"Remember your oath to your brother Poseidon, Hades. Do not forget it," she reminds him.

With those words, he turns back to look at Heracles, who stands there waiting for an answer.

"Very well. You may only bring back Theseus, only if you complete the task I have given you."

Without further questions, Heracles nods.

Author's Note:

In the original Greek myth, Heracles was driven mad by Hera and killed his own children and his wife. When he had finally regained sanity, he regretted his actions and sought a way to repent for them. As a result, he was assigned the famous twelve labours.

The twelfth labour required him to capture Cerberus and bring him to the land above. So he traveled to the Underworld to ask Hades for permission. In the Underworld, it was there he met Theseus and Pirithous, and only brought Theseus back with him.

Anyway, this story is turning out to be longer than I expected. Looks like my new story has to be put on hold for a while. Anyway, I would really love it if I can get more reviews :) Pretty please? I love to read comments!

Muse of Fanfiction