Thank you for all of your support on the last chapters, even though it had been so long between postings. I hope you continue to read and enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY-The Underworld

The air rushed around them as they made their descent. Colette, despite being completely disgusted with him, clung to Hades' robes out of sheer fear for her life. She had to pull back a little, however, when the shadows in his robe started to cling to her as well. She cowered, and closed her eyes until the chariot suddenly stopped.

She looked up. The skeletons had disappeared, and they were at the bank of a glowing chartreuse river with mist swirling over the murky surface. She realized she was still clinging to Hades, and quickly stepped away and wiped her hands on her dress. Hades looked smug, and said "Jeez, I realize I'm a god n' all, but please lady, restrain yourself."

Colette only glared at him, knowing full well he was enjoying himself. She looked out across the river, what she assumed was the River Styx, and saw a barge coming towards them rather quickly out of the mist. A skeletal man dressed in a tattered black cloak steered the barge and stopped it at the bank.

Hades stepped on and slapped the bargeman on the back, saying "Charon, my man, how've ya been? How's the newly dead?"

Charon only nodded, then turned his hooded gaze upon Colette. She shrank back, inching herself away from the barge. When Hades saw this, he grabbed her arm and pulled her up onto the boat, putting an arm over her shoulders. He turned back to Charon, and said "Easy man, the lady's with me, so she gets in free this time. Next time round she'll be sure to pay you double or something, 'kay?"

The bargeman nodded again, and the barge started to make its way along the River Styx. Colette gulped as she saw the souls floating in the churning river reach out to pull on her dress and Hades' robe. He kicked them away, as if they were nothing. Her opinion of him lowered further, but as he was her only companion right now, she decided she may as well try small talk.

She swallowed a few times before saying "S-so, what do you mean, pay him double?"

Hades glanced down incredulously, and said "What do they teach mortals these days? You gotta pay Charon to cross the River, or you'll just spend eons wandering the shores. And doesn't that just sound like a party." She nodded, noting his sarcasm. He continued, saying "Used to be that everyone was buried with some money on them, now we just get the oddballs that happen to have some extra change in their pockets. Hey, do you think you could spread the word after I destroy your town? Start some sort of 'Give Money to the Dead' campaign." He looked at her expectantly.

She just stared at him. She was trying to deduce his sarcasm and sass as best she could, but it entirely eluded her. She remembered nothing in Greek Mythology saying that Hades was the god of Sarcasm, but he seemed to be the master of it. She just shrugged her shoulders in response.

He huffed, and remained silent for the rest of the ride. Colette was very thankful for the anthology of Greek Mythology her mother had brought with her for Colette to read. There was Cerberus, the three headed dog that guarded the gates to the Underworld. He was as vicious as she imagined, but Hades just casually threw a rather large steak at them, and they passed the beast unharmed. A giant skull shaped structure lay before them. The barge stopped in front of this place, and Hades gestured her forward.

"After you, m'lady."

Colette glanced at him, and seeing no other option, started up the stairs to Hades' Underworld Palace.

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