PART II

-prologue-

She looked behind for the last time before pulling the hood over smooth autumn curls. This wasn't the first she had felt the bittersweet sensation settle in her belly. But this time something was amiss…

"My Queen?"

Persephone turned to the pale, almost greying girls gathered before her. Chthonic nymphs. Pretty creatures… at least upon the standard of the Erebus, carrying around the common features of platinum to silver shades of hair and lacy veils over their faces. Their eyes were indigo, oft near purplish, and near pointy teeth. But their skin was absent glow, necrotic and pockmarked, depressing to the sight.

Grim as they may look, Persephone had grown fond of their company. They were bright contrasts of their physique, robust with laughter, childish and giddy. And not once had Persephone heard any speak of longing to step out the gates to Gaia even if she had invited.

"My Queen, Queen, Queen…"

"I heard you, Nisha, Lila," Even their names meant terrible things, though sweet to the ears. Yes. Aides was always of bittersweet things. She heard them scuffle in laughter. Heading to the dock of mist where Charon awaits, she felt a coarse mat of damp fur skim against her palm.

Persephone looked down, though not with effort. The huge meaty creature was level below her chest. "Oh Orthrus…" she beamed, threading her fingers around each thick neck of the two-headed dog, "I had to wait for Cerberus to fall into a nap before slipping past. I hope I do not need to wait for your eyes to droop either."

Speaking of Orthrus' brother, Cerberus would be upset to find her gone. How many souls must suffer his sour mood before getting into the realm? Her ears pricked with guilt.

Orthrus whined. Its drool thickly smeared across her dress. She would smell of rotten flesh later.

"What? You'll see me out to Hermes?" Persephone raised a brow, "Of course you won't. I have spared Thanatos the burden of having to accompany me – "

The whining grew loud and reckless. Orthrus gently pressed a forehead on her stomach, forcing out a tickled laughter and Persephone consented with the condition that the beast does not cause Charon any more reason to scowl. The nymphs said their goodbyes, sad at the abruptness, and watched her and the freakish dog wobble at the planks of the creaky boat.

"It's barely a moon's turn before Spring. You're early."

Persephone looked up from about a few passing moments seeing the obsidian castle slowly shrink away from them. The air was getting colder, crisper, and Charon's rough tones was magnifying the spread of ice on her bones.

She cleared her throat. "Yes. I… I had a message. Things are getting out of hand up there. My cousin Hephaestus, he – "

"Yes, yes, I know what had happened up there."

She pressed her lips, politely smiling despite the shame of being hushed in. Orthrus was beginning to growl but Persephone patted his neck, and if not for the gentle face she bore, the beast would not have consented. There was always that magic that surrounds her, an implicit sweetness that seemed to turn black a happy color. With her, even Charon was considered to be at his 'best' mood.

A Queen herself, Persephone was, in effect, the only one who could contest Aphrodite and even the goddess of love and beauty concedes to that. Her eyes were huge jades flecked with hazel, above lightly freckled cheeks and lips that resembled an upturned bow, always in a subtle smile even if she weren't trying. Her voice, though low of pitch, was almost melodic. Her hair was an autumn crown, an ombre of orange and red as fiery contrast to anything that surrounds; she was the greatest irony in the realm of Death. Too pretty. Too happy. Too… out of place.

"Strange times."

This time Persephone did not answer. Charon was feeling a bit chatty, but she thought he should try harder if he really did want to have a conversation that lasted at least a minute.

"Strange times…"

"They certainly are, Charon," she finally murmured.

"Won't that Hades feel unease? To find you gone before he returns."

"He is… busy. I left a letter."

"Of course."

"Do you…" Persephone halted midway, suddenly burdened. She took back the silence that hung. There were only soft trickles of water wading between Charon's oar, the creaking, the breaking, and scuffling mice that often catches Orthrus' attention.

"Do I what?"

She only hoped he did not stir the subject back. It really was tempting to launch into Hades' business these previous months.

"Do you happen to know where he goes, I mean. He has been… too preoccupied."

"Things happen. I do not know what you speak of but one thing is sure,"

Persephone could almost see the crooked bag of bones smile grimly.

"…if this concerns too much of your husband, then a great amount of death is at hand. I could smell it from here. Even Styx thickens by the day."

She felt her throat hallow, forcing a lump of fear pass down her stomach. Her eyes scanned down the nearly viscous, black brackish liquid that led them. Stolid. Hypnotic. They say silent waters run deep. But Styx was more than silent. She was alive. She had a beating heart. She was looking back at the goddess… watching her… beguiling her with hushed whispers…

"Look further and you'd find yourself plunged in her embrace, Queen,"

Persephone led a silent gasp, immediately snapping back to the air and turning away from the cryptic waters. Even Orthrus resumed his panting after the anxious pause.

"What happens…" Persephone began. The boat faintly rocked at a narrow swerve. "What happens when she does… 'embrace' someone?"

"Depends. Die for the most part I guess."

Like dried oasis, Persephone was lost with words. But Charon seemed a little motivated, "You gods. Always believing the cosmos revolves around your powers. Styx, you foolish girl, is beyond the ordinary. You fear the untouchable Hecate… but Styx… ooh. The bitch hears you. She hears the oaths bound to her. And those who break…"

Persephone could have sworn she thought Charon was falling short of breaths from the wheezing sounds. Only later did she realize he was laughing.

"Did you know why Zeus and Poseidon shunned the underworld?"

Silence.

"Because here lies the realm they could not control. Not fate. Not death. Not the greater gods. Your generation is weak. No wonder someone out there threatens an annihilation." Charon spat. The gurgling sound was rough and horrible. When the view of a much wider wasteland surfaced, the plank beneath her sandals groaned as the boat halted with a shudder. Persephone was washed with relief to finally let go of the morbid script. She made a quick rise out of the boat and Orthrus padded too willingly.

"Thank you, Charon for the… hospitality."

She was talking to the dank air. The abandoned banks of Styx were left to witness the boat hastily vanish into thin vapor. Persephone mulled. After she succeeds experimenting on flowers that could bloom without sunlight, she could perhaps conjure a happy pill for the boatman.

"Always a grumpy ass, that Charon."

Persephone turned to the voice that tilted her thoughts. Orthrus' ears spiked.

"Apollo…" her face lit, "What are you doing here? Weren't you…" Persephone bit her tongue. Apollo was one demise she noted to give honor to when she gets back to the open. But here he was, sitting loosely at the edge of his chariot and playing the buckle of the reigns.

"Dead? Isn't it why I'm here?" The answer was obvious, though absurd. Apollo snorted before stretching to his legs. He walked around to offer the hind seat of his chariot. "Rumors, dear. Hermes is attending the Hermaea. The Queen figures it safer for you not to be fetched by a reckless drunk. So…" he smiled, pointing behind, "Hop in."

Persephone stared at him with a queer disposition. Could it be odder still, that he seems unlikely himself. The once elaborately dressed god in shimmers of gold and ivory was now but cloaked too bleak and tasteless. His vibrant yellow hair was now untrimmed, coarse and dull. And Apollo had never failed to wrap her in his arms in a welcoming embrace… no to mention he once pined to marry her despite the apparent infatuation he nursed for another. This was nothing like Apollo.

If not for the prospect of meeting her mother sooner, she took a step forward but felt a tug in her dress. Orthrus was pulling a chunk of the hem. His eyes were becoming dark and a low growl scratched his throat. Persephone felt a cold bead of sweat run down her temple. Her suspicions were shared by the beast.

"Apollo," she firmed to conceal the shaky voice, "Must we go too soon? I might have just forgotten this perfume mother s – "

"It did say 'emergency' on the parchment, Persephone, have you missed it?" Apollo's voice sent a jolt in her chest.

She took a step back, "There is no need for harsh tones, Apollo. I've had so much of them from the too-happy boatman already." The growl from Orthrus hollered between bared sharp teeth. The god stared at her bewildered for a while before he broke into a snigger.

"I'm sorry. The past days have been… taxing. Slip of manners, that's all. Now if you please," again he offered, though the hint of constricted irritation surfaced in the manner his eyes narrowed.

This time Orthrus padded sinisterly between them, compelling Persephone to step back further. The beast's thick skin was pricked with aggression. Hot foam dribbled from its raging mouth.

Apollo watched warily at the snapping monster. His lips turned in a straight line and for the first time Persephone saw none of the mirthful blue eyes he had. There was only wrath and centuries worth of bitter vile.

"What's happening, Apollo?" Persephone was beginning to choke in a fear she held the first time she was taken to the Underworld. "The message didn't really come from Olympus, did it?"

The answer he gave was clear. Persephone's face drained off color as Apollo held out his hand towards Orthrus and she heard a sudden terrible whine come from the beast that was supposed to defend her. Orthrus began to struggle from within its own flesh, flits of vapor emanated from the holes of his body coupled by distressed wails. Sputters of blood. A strong heat. Veins in the beasts' eyes split and bled in a boiling manner. Persephone's heart was dropping to her belly, witnessing how the heads of the dog lolled and wring. She wailed the beasts' name but her voice ended in a horrible constriction when Orthrus fell in seizures as blood spit from its pores and a few streaks reached her face. The black-red liquid was searing like freshly boiled water. Orthrus regurgitated in strong beats before finally ceasing to breathe. Every opening in its flesh smoked. At that moment, Persephone was living in a nightmare. Apollo had just burnt Orthrus from within.

"Now," with still vaporing blood showered over his body, Apollo stretched a coated hand to the Queen of the Underworld. "Shall we?"

A/N: Hi everyone. Sorry if updates take time, and if it weren't Ares and Athena on the spot. Been just really busy with school work. I decided to keep chapters a bit shorter but at least this makes updates quicker. Thanks for still staying with me. Stay safe! Be getting back to your reviews later (I'm publishing with a baby in one hand lol xD). Also changed the genre. It won't show, but the romance stays implicitly.

As always, please review.