The Goddess of Spring could hardly believe what was happening right in front of her face at that very moment. The dream she had lived few hours ago was now passing by before her in a fragmentary fashion, as if she was walking through a puzzle yet to be mounted, pieces scattered all around the ground. She could still feel the anguish and fear in her bones, as those strange arms pulled her from the earth into the coldest darkness, where not a splinter of light could make its way through so much gloom; only two mesmerizing blue lights signalled the way forward.
Few words were exchanged along the way, only whispers between the two black Gods, intelligible to the ears of the young Goddess, who was expectantly waiting for that strange situation to evolve. Persephone couldn't look away, he was so tall, so strong, so dark... so different from her. Confused and reluctant, the blonde Goddess accelerated her pace to not lag behind, a wary eye upon the King of the Underworld's back as they walked.
Once on a calm meadow, Hades advanced few steps ahead, leaving his two companions few yards away. Wide, fresh material covered Hades' chest, alternating between black and a dark navy colour in sections over his large body, freeing his arms, strong and wide, as she reminded them from her dream. A dark long cloak draped about his shoulders, thin black boots were tightly strapped, matching the cloak. Hovering two fingers of his right hand between his slight lips, Hades made a whistle that slid over the entire lawn and mountains. The movement of metal sound echoed coldly off throughout all the place, reaching all the places of the Olymp, flying through the sky and plunging into the deeper lakes.
Suddenly, a familiar sensation ran through Persephone's spine. The ground began to shake, raising small pieces of soil to the heights, the calm meadows immediately turning into a storm of flying birds and trees losing their flower and leaf dresses. After few seconds, the earth subsided, as if nothing had happened. Persephone looked in disbelief at her black-haired friend, expecting her to be startled as she was, but on the contrary, the expression on Hecate's face had not changed, she remained serene and steady. Looking at Hades, he also was still where he was, looking at his right, as if he was waiting for someone.
"There they are." Hecate whispered, looking at her right with and oddly fond and knowing glance.
Slowing her breathing as if the time was slowing down too, the Goddess of Flowers stood there immobilized, looking across the horizon. Before it happened, she already knew what was going on, but the players in that game were not the same. In her dream, Hades abducted her without having exchanged any word with her before, Hecate was not there, the gloomy atmosphere of the nightmare did not exist, the sky was calm and peaceful with no intention to break down, smell of freshly mown grass floated in the air. But there they were.
Hecate was right. Those spectacular animals that witnessed and accomplished her captivity, could be seen at the end of the horizon line, wild beasts running fiercely towards them. Within a moment, the flour black horses stopped in front of their master, faithful to the call of their lord. The four immortal steed that pull Hades' chariot were as elegant and imponent as their master, but none of the other three were as wild as it was the leader one.
Restless and uneasy, Persephone approached without hesitation those creatures she already knew. With Hades next to her, who looked her with an incredulous expression, blue eyes following the blonde Goddess as she walked up to his horse, she slowly stretched her arm out to the horse who lead the pack, carefully running her delicate hand through the animal's torso. Its shinning black fur contrasted with the fine white hand of the Goddess; strong, thick and soft fur that caused a pleasant sensation while being stroked. Following the movement of her curious hand, Persephone wandered all the way to the animal's snout. As if it was a loving dog reselling its master after hours without seeing him, the horse bowed its head with the contact of the Goddess, inviting her to continue with her delicate welcome. A deep, hot breath came out of the animal's mouth, snarling after having crossed what seemed like a long way. Already with both hands, she gently grasped the head of the horse, resting her forehead against the animal's heat, creating a connection perceptible only for the two of them.
Without saying a word, Hades stood slowly, offering his hand to Persephone, inviting her to get on the carriage. Hades' face cast a small smile, only perceptible for those who wanted to see it. Hesitant, the young Goddess accepted the invitation and got into the chariot, her hand slipped slowly out of his, caressing his naked hand, followed by Hecate, who sat next to her.
With a simple movement of reins, the four horses pulled by their dark lord ignited as if they were flames ready to warm the coldest place. As fast as the wind they started galloping and, with a whirlwind, they melted, together with the carriage, to the ground, disappearing from the Olymp.
Suddenly, immense pressure invaded Persephone's entire body, suffocating her brain, blocking any thought. Her breathing was erratic, her limbs searching somewhere to catch up from that unbearable situation, eyes tight closed. Fortunately for her, the pressure didn't last long, allowing the Goddess to recover. She softly opened her eyes to find herself with a cocky smile. "What just had happened?" Persephone asked, panting. "We have left the Olymp, don't we?"
"Indeed. Quite impressing, I might add. I vomit at my first time. You just look like the delicate flower you are." Hecate teased, chuckling to herself.
"I can't imagine why. And what about you?" Persephone quickly responded, taking her comment with good humour. "You look so pale I can't explain you are not throwing up over all the chariot."
"Touché." The dark Goddess added, winking.
Granting a few moments to recover herself, Persephone glanced at the new landscape around them. The light of the sun had vanished, the Goddess of Spring's hair of gold didn't shine, amongst them only lived a silent and lonely dark. Blue eyes turned to look at her, giving her an unexpected comfort between so much darkness, goading her to be calm and safe. Answering him with a shy smile, Persephone focused and began to see in the midst of such darkness.
The four seeds slowed, resting their paws gently on the ground, leaving behind a journey through the darkest heights. The young Goddess would lie if she did not admit that once on the ground she felt better, she had never flown before, feeling the ground beneath her feet made her feel safe. Once landed, the duskiness vanished to gradually transform into a beautiful dark blue; colour that reminded her of the long nights at the Olymp, stars shining for her. Persephone's green eyes glided over every detail, taking it as if it may disappear at any moment, nothing more than a dream. Called by her nature, the first thing Persephone noticed was the asphodel meadows; they stood white and high, dull and unattractive plants on her opinion, but they had an inner strength that the Goddess of Flowers admired, growing in a barren land like that. The Underworld was a pale monochrome landscape that provided a suitable environment for the faded half-life of shadows. There were groves and hills, but the gloomy atmosphere didn't allow to see further more.
Persephone could not tell for sure if the carriage was moving forward, as the landscape was always the same. However, she did notice movement as the animals slowed down. Moving his cloak aside, Hades relinquished his position as a driver and moved nimbly toward them, hauling the Goddesses down the carriage.
"Welcome home, my lord." A husky voice said, while he removed the hood from his head unveiling his face. Beneath the cowl was an old man, bald and bearded. His skin was pale and wrinkled. Under his eyebrows there hidden black eyes like the night; large shadows hovered beneath them, giving him a weary look.
"Greetings, Charon." Hades responded.
"Welcome you too, Hecate." The old man added. "I think introductions are in order, don't you?" Charon asked looking directly to Persephone.
"I am afraid we do not have time for this now." Hades answered. "We have to go to my realm."
"As my lord commands." Charon replied bowing his head and showing the deities where the boat stood.
Pulling back to the side, Hades let the two Goddesses get on the boat first, then board him, followed by the ferryman. It was a small, narrow boat, only for a maximum of five people. It seemed heavy, but the bald man pushed it with apparent ease. As the boat crossed the Styx river, Persephone's gaze grew excited, catching every detail that seemed so strange, breathing deep the mist-like scent of the foreign air. She had heard of the Styx river, a wild and dangerous river that separated the world from the living and the Underworld. Looking deeply into the river, Persephone saw nothing, the strange water flowing in the river didn't allow to see anything, it was dull like rocks, as if the boat was being pulled on a lifeless black land. The young Goddess grew curios and turned her hand away from the boat so she could touch the water.
"Beware, my lady." A rich voice from behind her back warned her. "Do not touch the water. In there they live errant souls and fearful creatures that seek the life they have lost. Yourself, young and sweet as you are, would be a delightful present for them." Hades explained, looking at Persephone, who was now looking him with and odd look. "If you allow me, when we arrive at our destination, and once you rested, that is non-negotiable…" he added with a soft voice, softening his harsh features, "...if you want, I can show you my domains. They are the opposite of yours, but I know for sure that a Goddess like you has the ability to see beauty beyond appearances." She stared at him, not saying a word, her lips parted without articulating any word. "Would you like to?" He offered, not breaking eye contact with her at any moment.
"Oh, it is so kind of you." She responded; her voice awkwardly acute, edgy for the force of those blue electric eyes. "I can't wait to arrive, my lord." She could not recall when was the last time someone gave her an option to choose; always obeying the orders of her mother, always following the protocol for not breaking the formalities that everyone expected of her. It might sound silly, but the simple question waiting for her answer made her feel good.
Feeling full of life like she never felt before, Persephone felt so comfortable at that place that questions popped out of her mouth easily, always answered by extensive words from Hades or his ferryman. Hecate simply remained silent listening, a silent pose unusual in her. Persephone's life had become the contemplation of the passing days, with nothing interesting to comment on or do. Monotone, predictable, boring. The visit to the Underworld was an opportunity to break that dynamic, discover new things far from her comfort zone, and live new experiences that she had been deprived of since childhood. And Persephone was not willing to waste that opportunity.
The Goddess' interrogation continued until the boat slowed its pace as it approached a huge door, a grand marble archway towered over them as they reach their destination. Beside them a huge portal rose before them, guarded by an enormous, fierce creature beside it. Persephone could not believe what her eyes were seeing, a giant three-headed dog staring intently at them, six eyes shining like an intense fire looking for a familiar figure. Before Persephone could talk, mouth opened watching that creature, Hades responded her unarticulated question.
"He is Cerberus, my faithful hound that guards the gates of the Underworld, preventing the dead from leaving and, guarding, the same time, who enters. You must not fear him, you are with me now…" he said without looking at her, "…no harm will come to you since then."
The gates slowly opened as the guard dog began to show its teeth, challenging. The animal's fur began to straighten, warning the boaters that they were not welcome; he almost came on board when suddenly, the dog's numerous eyes were fixed with the two figures arranged round the boat. The animal calmed down, where threatening teeth once showed, now were happy eyes eager to greet their master, the dog's tail dancing with pleasure, producing a non-existent breeze on that river. "Good boy, Cerberus." Hades smiled, with a tenderness Persephone didn't see before in him.
Once the doors closed and leaving behind the imposing Hades' dog, a new scenario appeared before the green eyes of the Goddess of Spring. Finally, after descending down to the deepest darkness, a dim glitter rose above their heads, sunless fields and hills, different rivers crossing the land with many people waiting. The land was poor in colour and spice, only simple plants adorned that place, groves fired all over the landscape. However, black rocks with red and pink details decorated the paths, giving the deserted place a mysterious and exotic look.
Reaching the nearest shore, the three passengers disembarked leaving Charon alone. "If you allow me, sir, I will continue with my duties." Said the bearded man, awaiting his king's response. Hades nodded, and with this simple gesture, Charon set sail for his obligations, carry souls of the newly deceased across the rivers to their new, and everlasting, destinations.
"Hades, I am going to look for the herbs that Zeus has requested for his daughter. I do not think it will take long; I will bring them to you as soon as I have them." She said as she tightened his neatly dressed, wrinkled because the ruffled trip to the Underworld. "And you, my lady, pay attention to what you are told and do not be foolish." She said with a caring smile. "I am glad you are here." And then she made his way up.
With Hecate gone, Hades and Persephone stood alone together for the first time. The young Goddess looked up to his new host, expecting what to say. The place was cold, far colder than the night air of the Olymp, the chill of death soaking into those grounds. Persephone's body was not used to the low temperatures of that sunless world, and unconsciously her body began to tremble slightly in search of body warmth. Hades quickly noticed her condition and, gently, dropping quickly his cloak from his shoulders, leaned it on Persephone's body.
"There is no need." She lied. "I am not used to this cold, that is all."
"Nonsense. And you do not have to worry, I am used to this weather. After all, I have been living here for many years." He said. "The cold lives in me." The King God murmured.
Persephone grew curious and concerned, as she cleared her throat, stirring an enduring look from him. "If you allow me to dare, you do not seem to be like the great Gods I know."
"In my long life I have seen everything, the just being punished and the corrupt and the wicked being crowned with glory. I have been finding treasures in places I did not want to search… or let me correct, I was afraid to search. I have learned so much from the journeys life has given me, and I have seen things I want in my long life and, definitely, things I do not want to become. I think life has blessed me with the gift to see what exists behind the blinds." He said with a fond voice. "And I think you are gifted too, you see the beauty underneath, no matter how hidden it is."
"How can you be so sure?" She asked. "You barely know me. You seem so sure of your words."
"Well. Actions speak for themselves. Most people are horrified to enter my realm, so different from everyone else's home. However, you seem excited, wanting to know more. Am I wrong?"
"Absolutely not." She smirked; her gaze unfaltering.
Placing his heavy hand on Persephone's back, the King of the Underworld invited her to continue with their cruise. Explaining the features of his Underworld with an overflowing passion in his words, her bright green eyes were jotting down with every new Hades explained. The Underworld was full of new items Persephone unknow: dangerous creatures, substances found only in the Underworld, precious minerals and pearls that only the most fortunate could have seen… even types of flowers that could only grow on infertile lands like that, who escaped the knowledge of the Goddess, from her expertise.
She stared at him, sympathizing with every word he said. Persephone smiled lightly to herself. He is such a mystery, isn't he? So regal, so sure, but with deep feelings inside him. Nothing like my father. After a short time together, Persephone began to discover traits of Hades' personality. It was quiet and silent, a fortress that Persephone admired, and few possessed. For the Gods it was much easier to speak and to mock, especially for kings, about their powers and their goals. Staying quiet was a higher level; and Hades was an expert. He only opened his mouth to tell Persephone the news that her bright eyes were jotting down.
"Can you show me the Tartarus, my lord?" She grinned. Persephone' smile always blinded him, warmth captivating by the creases that framed the very corners of his carmine lips.
"I promised to show you all the corners of the Underworld that you would like to see. I promised I would accompany you, and I stand by that promise. But first of all, you need to rest." He stared at her intently, evaluating her.
"That is fair." She stood and looked him in the eye. "Take me to your palace."
