I almost didn't post this chapter on time. It's not very long but it introduces our coldhearted God Hades. The goal is to upload a chapter every two week. I will try my hardest to upload chapters on time, but the holidays are coming up soon and I work at a restaurant so it's going to get very difficult. Finals week is coming up as well so we'll see how this all works out. Anyways thank you so much for the support and let me know what you think. Also, I'm not a fan of togas so I modeled Hades' wardrobe after that of Jareth's from Labyrinth.
Chapter 2: Reunion
Hades
"Hades where are you now?"
Her sweet words reached me while I was resting in my chambers. Why was she thinking about me? I felt something inside of me begin to stir. What was it about this goddess that drove me insane?
I would never forget the first day I had met her. How warm she had felt against my cold body. The way her eyes had lit up when she saw me. Nobody had ever looked at me that way. With such innocence and adoration. In fact, very few Gods showed me any kindness. She did not abhor me as the others did. Never had I felt such love and affection towards anybody as I did with Persephone when I met her as a child.
I watched over her carefully throughout the years. I never made my presence known for fear of Demeter keeping her away from me. Persephone was a breath of fresh air compared to the gloom and bleak Underworld. Being around her made me feel alive. She was a curious child, always looking for adventure. Her energy was intoxicating, I would be lying if I said I didn't secretly help her in her escapades.
As she got older, I became more distant. She no longer required my assistance to escape from Demeter. She began to master her powers and grew into a remarkably beautiful young woman. I made the decision to stay away from her for good. I could not make her mine no matter how much I desired it. She was much too innocent and full of light. A light that I knew would be extinguished if I brought her to the Underworld with me.
My heart yearned desperately for Persephone. She had somehow called out to me, and I could not resist her pull. I got up from my bed and got dressed. I pulled on my helm of invisibility and quietly slipped away from my room. Sneaking out of the Underworld without alerting my subjects was child play. I walked quickly through the halls making no sound. I reached the heavy iron gates that Cerberus guarded. I revealed myself for a brief moment so that he would not cause a commotion. I gave him a quick pat on all three of his heads and he stepped aside, content as a puppy.
Charon, my dearest friend and ferryman of the Underworld, was the only one who knew of my secret meetings with Persephone. He never judged me nor did he ever try to stop me. He merely bid me a safe journey.
"Milord."
"Charon, I need a ride across."
"Of course, Milord." He replied with his head bowed.
Once I was on the other side, I called upon one of my steeds Aethon. Swift as an arrow was Aethon and I found myself at the edge of Demeter's garden in no time. I sent Aethon away to the orchard to graze on luscious red apples and made my way quickly inside. Careful not to alert Demeter of my presence. I waited quietly in the shadows of Persephone's room awaiting her arrival.