A long time ago, when the world was new, Odin possessed the Earth. Like the demon Khonsus, he had no mortal form and was soon bound within a realm to call his own; the Underworld. Through the years, he created three sons: the eldest, Zeus, was gifted with the power of destruction, Poseidon, destined to one day sire the witches, and lastly Hades, charged with the powers of nature.
Soon came the day when Odin tired of the throne. However, he simply couldn't leave his post. Someone would have to take his place to maintain the boundary between life and death. He had hoped that the eldest would take on the vital role of Death, but Zeus had other ideas.
"Dear brother," He said one day to Hades, "did you know that father has fallen ill?" He sidled up next to his little brother, and put on his theatrically sad face. "It's terrible really, I wish I could go visit him, but I'm too busy with my duties. Mars is on the move again, and villages don't burn themselves to the ground."
"Then why don't you go Poseidon?" Hades said.
"Uhh, I'm busy as well." Poseidon glanced at Zeus for direction. "However, I did scrape together something that will make him feel a great deal better." He held up a polished sulfur box. "I finally trapped that chaotic Jin. If you would deliver this to father, I'm sure he would feel more at ease."
"Of course, you'll have to go on foot." Zeus reminded. "Only mortals can enter the realm of the dead. If you get bored, you can always mess with them on the way."
"And what if I don't want to go at all?" Hades huffed. "I have duties too. Without earthquakes or eruptions, you would be out of a job."
"If no one visits him," Zeus said solemnly, "father will get mad. He'll blame all three of us for his condition."
"Nature can be managed by the Fates while you're away," Poseidon said sagely, "the humans will be in more trouble if you don't go." Hades took the box.
"Alright, but you owe me." Hades hissed.
"We certainly do, dear brother." Zeus grinned.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall,
for a desperate soul I call,
surrounded by a chilling pall.
Let me pull on the strings of fate,
to make her cooperate.
How fun it will be to watch her fall.
As he wandered across Greece, Hades couldn't fathom why his brothers loved playing with mortals. He wouldn't stoop to such a low form of entertainment, but the trek was long and no one was answering his messages from his hand mirror. He knew his brothers too well to believe them at face value. Father was likely already mad, and seeing his face wouldn't make it any better. But, if Zues were to say, misplace the important artifact Hades was supposed to deliver. Then he'd hear from Hades first his brothers were shirking their duties to mess with mortals. He was brought out of his musing by a soft cry.
"~This is all my fault~" a girl cried. He approached the figure collapsed beneath the shade of an old willow tree. He watched the girl with curiosity, then down at the sulfur dibbuk box. The release of madness into the world would provide a life time of trouble and would be the perfect way to get back at his brothers. If a mortal opened the box; Zeus would be in a lot of trouble. In this flash of ingenuity, he decided to appeal to the girls' better nature.
"Such a pretty girl should not be crying in the woods alone." He said, trying his hardest to sound charming. This seemed to be the wrong way about things. For when the girl turned around, she was shocked rather than flattered. Odd, she let her ethereal beauty go to waste.
"W-who are you?" She sniffed. "I've never seen you around here before." How delightfully innocent she was. This was an easy target came.
"My name is Haden." He fibbed.
"Th-that's a s-strange name." She said as she leaned into the protective embrace of the roots. She really had no idea who he was. This was too funny.
"I'm a traveling Lord," he explained, "and couldn't help but see you were crying." He crouched down to look her in the eye. Not once, did the look of mistrust leave her face. "What could have made you so unhappy?"
"My friend went to talk to Lord Death about the safety of our village and I have a sinking feeling that she won't return. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen to me." Tears began to flow down her face again. "I don't have anyone else here." Hades frowned, no one escape the underworld, it was a rule. How else would he maintain order? A brief moment of guilt nibbled at his conscience when he looked at the box. He brushed it off and continued with his plan.
"Do you know what this is?" Of course she didn't, few did, but he could see that she feared his strange gift.
"A box?"
"Not just any box." He thrusted the box into her hands. "This box will grant your deepest desire."
"But I don't have any-"
"It's not really mine to begin with, but you seem to need it more than I." He was about to leave, when he remembered the cardinal rule of altering fate. You had to give the victim fair warning, so the blame couldn't be thrusted on your shoulders. "A word of caution, in order to grant your wish, the box must take something of equal value. It will cost you your soul; so don't open it, unless you are prepared for the consequences."
As soon as he finished his shpeal, he left. Humans were selfish greedy things. He had no doubt that the girl would open the box. It was only a matter of time.
Mirror, Mirror I declare,
this world it isn't fair,
I've traveled far only to be ensnared.
Despite events I have onset,
she hasn't fallen yet.
It couldn't be, have I begun to care?
The entrance to the Land of the Dead was hidden within a pale twisted willow. It was easily spotted by Hades, as this was his father's domain. He paid no head when he entered, nor to the mortal that followed behind him. He walked to the Hall of Bones to meet with his father. The main hall was made of polished ivory, a lone chair sat at the end of the hall. The room was frigid, Hades could see his breath in the shadows; his father was in the room. Hades shadow stretched across the polish floor, yellow irises blinked to life.
"I'm surprised." The shadow rumbled, "I didn't expect you to arrive my son."
"My brothers figured someone had to come." Hades bowed. "I was told you were sick."
"Yes, indeed, I am sick." Odin replied. "Sick of this prison of mine, I am pleased you have risen to the occasion." The yellow eyes softened. "You always were the good child." At this Hades frowned.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand."
"The Underworld has accepted you with open arms. At last the time had come for you to become a full fledged god. It will be your duty to see to the judgment of lost souls." The shadow peeled off the ground and passed through the demi-god. All of the color had been sucked out of Hades, he fell to his knees and looked up. He could hear the voice of every uncollected soul begging to be found. It was deafening.
"Father, there must be a mistake!" But he watched helplessly as his father's entire being faded back into a lifeless shadow.
"May you find solace within these walls where I did not." His father whispered. Hades' hands clenched and he let out a hollow laugh.
"Are you happy brothers? Does it please you to see me chained to the throne of Death?" He stood on shaky limbs. "Well, the jokes on you! I'm the one they'll remember and fear brothers, not you!" This declaration still didn't sooth the uneasiness that had settled within his heart. The office of death was permanent, he couldn't quit. The only way he could even leave was on business through mirrors.
For a brief moment the Hall of Bones was illuminated in red, and then it settled once more to a dull white. At once, Hades stormed past the empty throne toward the lower level of the castle. Underneath the body of the castle nestled a simple, circular room which held an enormous silver mirror. He swiftly pulled his hand across the surface.
"Show me the girl with the dibbuk box." He demanded. Just as he had suspected, Khonsus had once again been released. He saw the town covered in innocent blood and a girl being carted off in tears. Despite being the one who had unleashed Khonsus, she herself didn't radiate madness. He frowned; surely the girl should be a little pleased with the carnage she had produced. However, her face remained fixed in a pretty little frown.
He sighed and rubbed his temples, gods were not supposed find mortals sympathetic; they were a nuisance. At least they were supposed to be. Yet, he couldn't help but find himself fascinated with this girl who seemed so unaffected spiritually by the madness. The other within his study, was not so much focused on Pandora as she was on the carnage of her village.
"So it was true." His 'guest' spoke in awe. Hades turned to see a girl standing in the doorway to the old Death Room.
"Who are you?" He demanded. She backed away quickly and he followed her heatedly.
"Persephone mi' Lord." She stopped cowering and gathered a handful of courage. "What have you done to my village."
"I do not control mortals, I just clean up after them." Hades sighed. "Now I suggest you crawl back to whatever terror that awaits you."
"You can't tell me what to do. I'm not one of your dead." Persephone snipped.
"Then what are you going to do? You can't leave here; the door way only opens from the outside." Hades said. "You're trapped here until you decide to die."
"Then I guess we're trapped together." Persephone stated and wandered off to find a way out of the Underworld. Hades sunk into an armchair and looked back to the mirror. All mortals were like that he reasoned. They were self-centered little things that thought they knew more than the beings that looked after them. Though the longer he stared at the pink haired girl, the less he started to believe it.
Mirror, Mirror at my side,
allow me to abide,
this love affair from only one side.
I stay awake and pray,
she will be mine one day.
Though I know she could never be my bride.
Once it became clear that Persephone was not going to take her own life, Hades stopped hounding her. He wasn't one to deny company, even if it was forced. And he took some comfort in knowing he hadn't been the only one tricked into staying in the Underworld. Others who later entered, would not fall under Hades good humor. Persephone had become a part of his life, whether he liked it or not. Though on several occasions he had threatened to finally reap her soul, he never did act on it. The fates must have pitied him stuck in the underworld, to let her have so much life left in her.
It did become clear over the next two years that he preferred his mirror of the outside world over Persephone's company. She was forbidden to enter the Death Room just as he couldn't enter the East Wing of his own castle.
He had become enthralled with Pandora as she continued to hold back the destructive impulses of the black knight. At first, it was just so he could check to see if she had finally snapped. However, soon Hades found himself watching just to see her. With each day she grew more beautiful to him as madness spread through the world. She didn't know how to handle the sudden positive attention she was receiving. Humble and reserved, she insisted on working with the merchant who had brought her to Italy in order to repay her debt.
It was an amusing escape for him as he came accustomed to watching her. Sometimes, he could almost picture himself there with her, outside again. Free.
"The one on the left is better." He said to the mirror as she shopped one day. Regardless of his remark, she continued to look at the tomatoes on a local cart. He shook his head as she continued to browse. "No, don't talk to him!" He groaned as a man swindled her out of an extra gold coin. "That's the third week he's done that! That's it; I'll cook up something special for you." He sighed. "Don't worry, Carlo won't mind. He never does." She was stopped on the way home by a stray kitten.
"Hades, when are you going to come up for-" Persephone froze in the door way. "What are you doing?" Hades jolted and turned off the mirror.
"Get out!" He shouted and ushered her out the door.
"Was that Pandora?" Persephone gasped. "Why didn't you tell me she was alive?"
"I said get out!" Persephone pushed the Death god off of her.
"You said everyone from Marvo was dead." Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
"It's my business," Hades said, "I don't have to tell you everything." He locked the door to the Death Room, and then stormed off.
"Wait. Come back here!" Persephone demanded, but Hades did not heed her words.
He couldn't really justify the way he acted. It was childish really, but he wanted Pandora to himself. Of course that was completely illogical, especially since he couldn't physically leave the Underworld. But if anyone asked why he was watching over Pandora, he'd lie. The last thing he needed was a fool hardy mortal using her to get to him.
Mirror, Mirror once again,
show me the soul from way back when,
I used to be freer than any man.
If only she could see,
what she has done to me.
I wish what I know now, I knew then.
Hades felt sick to his stomach as the scene unfolded in front of him. He should have known this day would come. The object of his affection walked down the aisle, dressed white, to the merchant from three years earlier. She was the perfect blushing bride. She belonged with someone else. He turned from the mirror in disgust only to periodically glance back up at the wedding.
He could have killed Carlo there on the spot, but what was the point? It'd only make her upset. Besides, it would bring up too many questions if he reaped a soul before it's time. A knock at the door startled him out of his stupor.
"Hades?" It was Persephone. She sounded concern. "May I come down or would you prefer to come upstairs." He gave one last distressed look at the mirror before grumbling.
"I'll be right up." He ascended the staircase to come face to face with the only living being within his home. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. That is, nothing's wrong with me." Persephone sighed. "Look, I'm worried about you O.K. I don't know what you're doing down there, but it's not healthy."
"It doesn't matter, I'm immortal anyway." Hades rolled his eyes. "
"Even so, maybe you should take a break." Persephone chided gently.
"Break? I can't just take a break. I'm working." Hades said.
"And just what is it you're working on?" Persephone demanded. "You're notified when there's a soul in need of your judgment regardless of where you are. What is it that's taken you away from meals and rest?"
"Important stuff, alright." He tried to walk away.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" Persephone pressed. "I've been here long enough to know your job better than you do, apparently."
"I'm doing my best O.K. but it's hard. It's hard to watch people do horrible things and get away with it." He said. "I only can judge the dead. I can't intervene with the living."
"…What kind of bad people?" Persephone asked. Hades froze, he had let his jealousy get ahead of his mental faculty. Now he had to dig himself back out.
"Well… Demons and Witches and such. They suck the souls out of living things and then I have to send Hell Hounds to retrieve them. By the time the hounds get there, a slew of people have died." He slowly pieced together an explanation for his absence. "Since I'm stuck here, I can't stop these people the moment I spot them, I have to wait for Tyche to say it's time to kill them." Persephone looked at him with pity.
"Things don't have to be that way. You're a god right?" She rested a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure if you talk to some of the other gods, you could work something out. Everything's subject to change."
"Yeah, you're right." Hades beamed. "I could change." If he played his cards right he could undo what had been done. Perhaps, even, win over Pandora himself. However when he returned to the Death Room to see Pandora being carried through the thresh hold he agreed that it was time for a rest.
Ten years is a blink of an eye to a god, but those around him tired of the war against the Wicken Queen who stayed tucked away in her palace. Persephone's obvious concern had distracted the shinigami from his unrequited love for a while. But every now and then, when he looked at his son Aeron, he felt a pang of regret.
Mirror, Mirror the time has come,
there's a job that must be done,
the image you display I cannot fathom.
For my angel sweet and shy,
the time has come to die.
You'll never be free from my kingdom.
Hades stared at the mirror in shock. Pandora tore through the mansion, her time coming near. He took a deep breath and stepped through the mirror. He found himself in the master bedroom just as Pandora shattered the box that contained her soul. It gently drifted toward his open palm leaving a trail of poisonous madness behind it.
"Lord Death, thank goodness you've-" She looked up with tear in her eyes. "HADEN!"
"Hmm?" The male Shinigami furrowed his brow, "I'm not-" Suddenly he remembered his use of the false name. "Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Hades, now lord of the underworld." Pandora scooted away from him in fear, much like the first time he had met her.
"B-but when I met you, you said-"
"That I was a traveling lord, which was true. As you can guess my presences wasn't exactly welcomed in the towns that I passed through, so I simply changed one letter of my name while I migrated." Of course he didn't know at the time that he would become trapped in the underworld. Perhaps, if he had been more head strong, things would have been different.
"Then you-"
"Were the one that gave you the box, yes." While he was confused as to why she threw the box, he was certain that she would tell him. He would have to hear once more of how she met her prince charming who swept her away from all the people who hated her, never to hear from them again.
"No. Nononononono!" She cried, "This can't be, I thought that if I- and then you-" Pandora curled into a fetal position and bawled. That couldn't be right, she had gotten what she wanted. Everything the world had denied her was given to her through him. "I thought that if I broke the box I could take back the wish I made and now~ Oh if only I didn't open that stupid box everything would have been fine."
"…you didn't like the gift." This was all wrong. At least one of them should have gotten what they wanted. Now it appeared that the world had cheated them both. He was genuinely sorry, the last thing he wanted was for her to hate him. However, she had made the choice; it wasn't a simple matter of changing her mind after she saw the consequences. To fix everything and make it up to her, she would have to prove that given the circumstances she wouldn't make the same mistake again.
"How could I, because of it, innocent people have died." Being death, he couldn't see how those innocent people dying were any more important than other innocent souls who passed on.
"They died when they were supposed to die." He said. "It takes three fates to agree when someone's time is up, it isn't caused by anything one person does."
"How could you be so cruel?"
"Let's make a deal." Hades said, Pandora looked up from her knees. He held the same mischievous smile she saw when she first met him. "Since you don't like the way your wish turned out I'll give your soul a second chance. If one of your descendants can stand in the face in madness I will give you your soul back and help you undo what has been done. If your family can not break free by the 1,000th year your linage will die and your soul will be mine forever." Pandora thought.
"H-how do I know you won't cheat?" The Shinigami chuckled. "You just have to trust me." There was no way he would lose, he knew her too well. He held out his hand and she took it. "Deal." She held onto his hand tightly, and he could feel blood pump through his body once more. "But you will experience the cruelty of your 'gift' first hand."
"What did you do?"
"The same thing I've done to the other gods." Pandora said. "I gave you the gift of life."
A wager on a god's soul is a tricky thing. For the moment they bet on another's existence, they also bet their own. In that moment, both Hades and Pandora perished. And while either side could try to blame someone, the fact of the matter was that they were gone for good. Only a fragment of themselves was left behind.