Hades yelled his rage through hell proper as we entered into it. What did he expect? If he'd just let Peter and me be together this wouldn't have happened. It was like dealing with our brother Ares; he started the fight and I finished it. Hades started this and I would finish it. I didn't want this ridiculous fighting to go on any longer though. Thor and Strange had risked much to come here with me. It was something I would never forget. It was a debt that I would ever owe them; and never fully repay.
Blessed Athena - reach out to Queen Persephone if you can... She is the key to getting Peter back!
My prayer was swiftly answered; but not in words. Prayer was the one thing that even Hades could not cut off even in his own hell domain. The will of almighty Zeus forbade it. I could feel Athena's consoling warmth sweep over me as she answered my prayer. She often did so in this way.
The hell domain became a black cube of a room around us. Then, she appeared. "Your majesty," I said; taking a knee and bowing my head. Thor/Strange reluctantly did the same. Queen Persephone stood before us. She too was another bastard of Zeus; but her mother was also blessed Demeter. "You've come far, and boldly so, chosen one of our father..." she said. "I had to, highness...and you know why." "I do." She sighed and motioned for us to stand. "I have yet to speak to my husband about the god of spiders - your beloved - but I will. Sister Athena has made a very...persuasive case on your behalf." "Majesty, with respect and reverence, you understand how it is to be taken against your will..." She turned off to the side and looked away from us. "Yes; I do." "And while your husband's dishonorable actions were ultimately permitted by our father to satisfy his greater will for the underworld and creation it does not change the initial act of the crime itself." "You are most correct, chosen of our father. Hades exercised his freewill in my abduction and rape..." she bowed her head/closed her eyes "but here I am still. And that too is of my own freewill." She faced me. "Sister Diana; I will intervene on your behalf to have our new brother god Peter freed at once." "Will your husband agree?" "You were correct in coming to me. Beyond our father or brother Ares through force use I am the only one that can reach our brother, and my husband, through dialogue." She was indeed right. "Majesty, whatever you can do will be most appreciated..."
She nodded slowly. "Please wait here." She vanished. If she failed this torment could go on indefinitely in some ways. But I wouldn't accept that; and I would use my power - my truest power - if I had to. But a cessation of violence here was ideal and would benefit all; and would right the wrongs of War yet again.
Persephone appeared again moments later. "My husband will release the spider god; but as you've surmised - you must marry him to prevent such things from happening again. Only if he totally shares in your higher level of divine essence through holy matrimony will he be truly safe. And that can only come through Hera's blessing; which won't be easy to obtain..." "I understand majesty. That is something I'll have to tackle as I go." "Very well then sister. In the name of our almighty father I free him..."
Peter appeared; he fell to his knees. We were quick to his side. I took him tearfully into my arms. He was spent. "Diana...?" Legs folded under me I cradled him in my arms. I touched his face. "Yes love; I'm here." Strange/Thor were protectively around us. I looked into his eyes; War's madness was gone from them. "Am I free?" "Yes; you are." He sighed with great relief. "Peter; do you understand the situation now?" "Yeah. The dead queen lady explained it." "It's what I want..." "Let's get married," he said. "Are you sure?" "I love you; and this is the only way to protect us both - and creation by extension from your brother; right?" "Yes." "We'll deal with the wicked stepmother; don't worry..." He zonked out. I stood with him in my arms.
"Now what?" said Strange. I nodded at the gateway that had appeared. "We leave hell and get back to our reality." "No argument here." Thor was more cautious. "Is this really it Diana?" "For now. Hera will be another fight for another day." "Fair enough. Let us leave this wretched place and never return." "I couldn't agree more Odinson; lead the way."