Pyrus: I own nothing but the idea. Welcome to the Underworld!

Chapter 5: Down in the Underworld

As the mounts pulled their burden down toward the castle, Gajeel slowly set Persephone down in front of him in the chariot so she was not in danger of falling off. The small goddess smiled up at him, starting Gajeel for a moment.

"What are their names?" She asked pleasantly, as if they weren't traveling away from her world of light, never to return.

"Mortis, Capisso, Famis, and Violentia." He stated, though he was looking at her in awe as she crinkled her nose.

"Those are not very nice names."

"This is not a happy place, Gihi."

They exited the tunnel and entered a large cavern. They were currently flying over the River Styx, in the distances were the lands of the dead, and in the center looming over all was the Castle of the Dead. The four mounts pounded the stone and Gajeel grabbed Persephone's waist to keep her steady as the chariot clattered and banged to a halt before the large black doors.

Gajeel stepped back and lifted Persephone down gently, while several servants came out of the castle to take control of the four large horses. Gajeel collected his cloak, before presenting Persephone with the same small purple flower. He watched as she offered him a small smile as he tucked the flower behind her ear. He then draped his cloak around her shoulders a smirk spreading across his face.

"Come." He stated, taking her hand in his.

"We haven't even been introduced yet," Persephone whispered softly, as Gajeel lead them up the stairs to the castle.

"That can be easily changed." Gajeel offered, throwing a toothy grin down at her.

Persephone blushed deeply batting her eyes shyly, "I don't think my mother would approve. She's not a fan of dark and mysterious fellows."

"Are you?" Gajeel asked, as he placed a hand on the main doors.

"That's for me to know and you to find out." Persephone stated with a smirk of her own as he lead her into his castle.

Where Mt. Olympus was bright and overwhelming with gold accents and tons of windows, the palace in the Underworld was the total opposite. It had dramatic spiraling black ceilings, with silver and white chandeliers illuminated the room with their bright white light crystals. Gajeel watched as Persephone made her way down the hall to peer into a grand silver framed mirror that hung on the wall.

Her presence alone brought a warmth and a light to the once dank castle, something that Gajeel had never witnessed in his domain of death. He snapped his fingers and a servant appeared at his side.

"Is the anti chamber prepared?" He asked in a soft whisper.

"Yes your majesty." the servant replied.

"Very well then." Gajeel stated, going over to join Persephone by the mirror.

Levy stared in wonder at her own reflection in the silver mirror, she felt rather at home in this dark place with its mysterious crystals. She twirled around fanning the foreign cloak out in front of the mirror, stopping when Hades' looming form appeared behind her.

"If you would follow me, Persephone." He held out his arm for her to take.

"Levy," she whispered, though he didn't seem to hear her as he lead her down the hall.

They passed through the throne room and she spotted several servants bringing in a second throne and placing it beside the older, slightly taller throne. Both thrones were made from obsidian that shone in the crystal light of the room. Hades lead her off into an adjoining room, which made Levy blink in surprise as he pushed aside the large doors.

She was staring at piles upon piles of coins, golden headdresses, large intricate necklaces in every shape and size imaginable, silks of blues, purples, and blacks hung along the wall. She turned to him confused, but all Hades did was walk into the room and hold up an elaborate necklace against her bare neck.

"It's all for you," he explained.

Levy moved away from him, his large cloak still sitting upon her shoulders as she moved around the room surveying everything. Though everything was very shiny and every expensive looking Levy found no comfort here in this room of luxury. She turned back to see Hades watching her, looking ever out of place in this elaborate room as well. Levy let a small smile cross her lips as she approached him, taking his large hand in her smaller one. She felt him stiffen a little, it was the first bold move she had made since their odd courtship had begun.

"Can we go outside?" She questioned wondering if such a place existed in the Underworld.

"How about a tour, my queen." Hades stated before pulling her closer to him and transporting them out of the antechamber.

They appeared by the sleeping form of Cerberus. The large three headed dog opened a yellow eye to survey his master and the petite figure that accompanied him. Levy stared up fascinated by the creature, absentmindedly she took a step toward the beast. Hades released her from his arms, while the heads of Cerberus moved together in unison to inspect the young goddess.

Levy reached out a tiny hand to one of the heads who sniffed her cautiously, causing Levy to release a giggle. One of Cerberus's head looked up from the girl to see Hades shooting them a warning glare. Cerberus gently licked Levy's outstretched hand and in return she reached out and stroked each of their muzzles.

"Amazing," Levy cooed as she scratched the third head under its chin.

"Come." Hades stated, drawing Levy's attention back to him.

She nodded and the pair walked away from the three headed dog and off towards the deeper sections of the Underworld. When the exited the cavern like cave and entered a large expansive meadow like area Levy gasped in surprise.

What she could only describe as sunlight, in truth it was a huge luminescent crystal hanging from the ceiling of the cavern that soaked the meadow in bright light. Trees stood mighty and tall, while tall grass swayed in the gentle breeze, but what caught her eye were the little pale purple flowers with their black tipped petals that dotted the landscape. Levy took off into the meadow, Hades' large cloak falling off of her shoulders.

Gajeel watched his blue haired queen light up with the same excitement he had seen the first time he had laid eyes on her up on Mt. Olympus. He picked up his cloak and sent it away, back to the palace, with a single wave of his hand. He followed behind her, watching her explore the meadow, a content smile on his face. Gajeel was shocked when she turned and bounces up to him showing off the pale purple flowers in her arms. Gajeel snapped his fingers and a servant appeared holding a basket. Persephone grins up at him and quickly deposits her flowers into the basket.

"Thank you," She says to the servant, who smiles and curtsies before vanishing once again.

"This place is amazing," Persephone exclaimed, as she looped her arm with his, "What is it called?"

"Elysium." Gajeel stated, "It's the place I send distinguished souls."

They strolled around the meadow for a long time. Gajeel would point out famous heros or philosophers who passed by them; men like Achilles, Peleus, and Socrates. Persephone would listen intently to Gajeel as he told her their stories, captured by the men and women her mother had never told her about. They continued through Elysium arm in arm until they came upon a large body of water. Persephone gasped and raced toward the rolling blue waves, dropping her basket along the way.

"Where are we now?" She called to him, as she splashed around in the waves.

"We are near the Isles of the Blessed, those are the oceans that surround them. Have you never seen an ocean?"

"No," Persephone beamed up at him, "Mother only kept me in her meadows."

Gajeel summoned up a dark blanket under the shade of a tree before collecting Persephone's basket, while Persephone played among the waves. Gajeel sat in the shade, fascinated by the little goddess as she splashed around in the calm seas of the Underworld. How much she had changed his life without even knowing it.

Soon enough Persephone returned to him and sat with him in the shade. Gajeel watched as she pulled her basket closer to her and began to fashion a new flower wreath for herself. Gajeel leaned with his back against the tree watching as her nimble fingers quickly tied the small purple flowers together. He didn't notice as a content smile bloomed across his face that was until a voice cut through the peaceful air.

"I think that's the first smile I've ever seen." Came Pantherlily's voice.

Persephone looked up curiously as the hellhound approached to sit before Gajeel, who narrowed his eyes at his loyal friend. The two continued their staring contest Persephone noticed the hound was holding a thick book in his long pointed tail. She gasped.

"That's mine," reached out toward her book cautiously. Lily turned and gave her grin before laying the book in her outstretched hands, "One of the stable boys found it left behind in the chariot."

Persephone flipped open her precious book and skimmed the pages quickly. Gajeel leaned over her shoulder, curiously. Persephone noticed and smiled at him catching him off guard.

"Have you ever read some of the mortal myths and stories?" she asked him, excitement spreading across her face as he shook his head no, "Okay then." Persephone flipped back to the beginning of the book and leaning into him so he could read over her shoulder, she began to read, "There once was a son of Zeus, his name was Hercules…"

Gajeel listened and felt surprisingly at ease with Lily laying down on the blanket by his feet and Persephone's voice carrying across the Elysium fields. He noticed her half finished crown of flowers and reached out for them. His hands magically finished the crown, which he set upon Persephone's head making her start a little and look up at him.

"Continue." He stated shifting so he was laying on the blanket, head propped up on one arm. He watched as Persephone reached up to touch the wreath of flowers, a small smile gracing her lips. She glanced down at him before shifting into a more comfortable position and continuing to read all about Hercules' Tasks. Gajeel allowed his eyes to close as he focused on her smooth, even angelic voice allowing her to chase his darkness away leaving only her light to surround the three of them.

R&R

See you all next Monday!