Fire was everywhere, outlining the ceiling, the walls, and the ground. It expanded with every step I took…always one step ahead of me, as if it was leading the way. Being one with the fire, I didn’t feel any effects from it. I felt no heat and my breathing was normal.
After walking some distance, the cave opened wider. In front of me were two simple, stone thrones against the darkness, but I couldn’t see anything beyond them. In the center was a huge, unlit fire pit filled with ashes.
“Welcome to my home,” the voice said—the same voice I’d heard not too long ago.
Standing against the wall for support, I had to try to calm my frantic heartbeat. I didn’t want him to hear how scared I was.
“Show yourself,” I commanded with an authoritative tone.
“You can’t see me? What kind of savior are you?”
I hated his mocking tone. He was nowhere to be seen, but the voice was coming from above, and from a position where I could spot him, if he was there at all.
“I’m the saviour that only wants to get rid of evil.” I held my head high as I tried to sound brave.
“You can’t get rid of evil. It will always be there. Don’t you know that? The world is about balance. If there is light, there is darkness. Therefore, if there is good, there must be evil. So, tell me…why are you here?”
“You already know why I’m here.”
“Being a god you’d think I would know, but unfortunately, I don’t know everything. However, I can take a guess. Either you want me to do you a favor, or you want to kill me.”
Feeling a little bolder, I walked toward the pit. It was the only thing standing between the throne and me. “You started this war with your nephew, and now Hephaestus is out for blood from all the gods and their descendants. He wants you dead. You did this.”
“I already know that…just as I want him dead. He has turned against me.”
“Is revenge all you care about?” I raised my tone. “How about all the descendants that have died a tortuous death by the vultures you created with Medusa? How about all the pain you’ve caused from the loss of loved ones?”
“You know nothing of this war. You and everyone else are against me, but you do not know the truth.” The fire burst, then died, mimicking his anger.
I backed away. “Then tell me.”
There was a short pause. For a minute, I thought he wasn’t going to say another word, but he did.
“Do you know what it feels like to be cast as the bad seed? Gods are not perfect. We feel, we hurt, we hunger for passion, and sometimes, we feel the need for revenge. I have a bad temper, but so do my brothers. Unfortunately, mine was worse. Who made Zeus the king? He did, because he claimed he was the first born, when it was really me that was. I was eaten by the Titan first—my father—and because I was first, I was released last. Zeus appointed himself as the king, proclaiming himself as the first-born. Since Poseidon didn’t care, he agreed.”
“So you were mad? That was the reason why?”
“Yes. Zeus wouldn’t hear the things that should have been done. It was his way or no way. I know I had faults, but my brothers tricked me. They said they would send me to a place where I could rule as the king. They failed to mention that I would be underground by myself. Yes, I am the king here, but I rule over the dead and the evil things that roam about. I hated my brothers for treating me like this, so when an opportunity arose, I took it. I thought it was my ticket out of here. Hephaestus came to me with a plan and promised to rescue me from this hellhole, but instead…well, you know the rest.”
“You shouldn’t have done what you did. You have given permission to that monster, and he’s creating more vultures by injecting them with a drop of my blood. When mixed with ambrosia, the humans will become what you’ve created. Humanity will be destroyed, and he will be the king of the place which you once admired from afar.”
“I’m sorry. There is nothing I can do.”
I believed him. His tone was softer and sympathetic, and I was surprised by his words.
“Yes, you can do something about it. Fix your mistake.”
“What is it that you think I should do?”
“Sacrifice yourself and give me the lodestone.”
I jumped back even further when flames blasted out of the fire pit, burning higher until a figure emerged from it. Only having a view of his back, I watched in admiration as he turned to sit on the throne. He was over six feet tall, with muscular arms and broad shoulders, and his body looked masculine and god-like in every way. He looked like the ultimate bad boy, with a devilishly handsome face.
I was surprised to see him in a white, silky robe with a gold slash around his waist; but then again, I should have known he would be dressed like the olden days. Though his sleeveless robe fell the length of his body, I could see the decorated gold sandals showing off his feet. The loose-fitting robe provided me with a glimpse of his ripped chest and sometimes, his strong thighs, depending on the way he moved.
Hades examined me with his stunning, piercing blue eyes. His thick brows arched in amusement and his lips twitched. I knew he was checking out what I was wearing—jeans and a pink sweater. I understood why he would. My clothes probably looked strange to him. As laughter rumbled out of his mouth, his whole body shook. “Sacrifice myself? Is this some kind of joke? And what are you wearing?”
“No. This isn’t a joke,” I stated with conviction, but I was hesitant. It was easier to speak my mind when I was talking to the space instead of to a god sitting in front of me. Feeling intimidated, I changed the subject back to his other question. “This is what humans wear now.”
He shook his head disapprovingly. “You’re dressed like a servant. And what if I don’t sacrifice myself?”
“You’ll leave me no choice. I’ll have to kill you.” I tried to sound confident, but my tone betrayed me.
“Kill me?” He rumbled a laugh again. “How? Gods cannot be killed. We are immortal.” Hades rested his elbow on the arm of the chair and placed his head on his fist, looking bored.
“But…I can.” I peered up, feeling heat vibrating through my muscles, current crackling through my fingers, and water flowing through my veins as I prepared to show Hades exactly what I meant.
That got his attention. Hades sat up, rolled his shoulders back, and took me seriously. “How would you do that? Obviously you are more powerful than any that have come before you. Hephaestus has sent many, and not one has succeeded…thus the reason why you saw all the bones and ashes. And the few that made it to my domain never made it out alive. What gives you the idea you can?”
“By using both the powers of Zeus and Poseidon…and yours.”
Hades eyes grew in anger, turning them from blue to red. Flames shot out from them when he stood up in defense. “You threaten me, little one?” His tone became louder and harsh. “Let’s see if you can even handle my flames.”
I was engulfed in fire. Every part of my body felt it, but I felt no pain, nor was I affected by it. Having had enough, I extended my hand, and not only did I put out the fire, I returned the flames back to Hades. Though I knew it wouldn’t affect him either, what surprised him the most was how I’d imprisoned him. Water swirled around him like a tornado, trapping him.
Every burst of flames Hades retaliated with, I put out. His concerned expression indicated he had finally met his match. When I called upon the lightning over him, he cowered lower, but he continued giving all he could.
“Do you surrender, or must I kill you?” I yelled over the flame, water, and the lightning flashes. Never would I have imagined I would be at this point. I had the power to kill a god. It was surreal and too much to comprehend. Just a little more from me and I knew it would be the end for him.
“You wouldn’t dare kill a god!” Hades had no choice but to get down further. He was almost kneeling.
“Want to see?” I only meant to give him a little bit more dosage, but I got carried away. The water put out the entire fire, then started to
freeze. It covered the floor and moved up to his legs. In just a few seconds, he would turn into an ice sculpture, and with my light, I could destroy him. It happened so fast, I didn’t know if I could stop it until I heard the cry for help; a plea that was not from anger, nor from evil, but from love. And because of that, my heart softened, and I was able to control it. It hadn’t come from Hades; it had come from the woman that stepped in front of him.
“Please, stop! No more.”
“No, Persephone. Go back.” He swatted his hands as if he could push her back.
“Persephone?” I repeated her name louder than I had intended. When I brought my arms down, Hades was released. He managed to settle his stumbling steps and drop to his throne, looking overcome.
Persephone swayed gracefully to the side, evaluating me. “Yes. It is I. It’s winter in your land. Don’t you know your Greek mythology? Where else would I be?” Her tone was sultry and sweet, yet it was meant to belittle me.
From what I remembered, Hades had kidnapped Persephone. He tricked her into eating pomegranate seeds, so that he could ensure her stay based on how many seeds she ate. By the time she figured out what was happening, she had eaten six of them. I also recalled her being blonde and blue-eyed when at home with Demeter, her mother, but when with Hades, she was dark eyed and dark haired. Seeing her this way only confirmed what I was told.
She was as beautiful as her name. With one long braid resting on one side of her shoulder, she wore a long, black gown that formed to her chest and flowed out gracefully.
“How can you stand to be here? How can you love him after all that he has done?” I was judging her, though I knew it wasn’t right to do so. But I was mad at her for making me think about what I was doing. I could have killed Hades and it would have been over and done with. I could have been back with my friends. Now it would be difficult. I would have to worry about Persephone’s persuasion, as she already had done.
Persephone started pacing, seemingly gathering her words, and then circled around the pit. I wished she would stop moving. It was making me nervous.
“Do you even know what love is? Have you ever loved anyone so much that you would do anything for this person?” She questioned finally, stroking her long braid as if it was a pet.
I had, but I didn’t answer. Mason and my parents came to my mind. I could imagine Mason losing his mind from being worried about me. He was waiting for my return.
“Hades had faults,” she resumed. “I’d be the first one to admit that, but he has changed his ways. Being stuck here for who knows how long, he wants to make amends with his brothers.”
“The brothers he has killed?” I snapped.
“No,” Hades retorted. “They’re still alive. I asked Persephone to keep her eye on all of them. They need to be rescued. They are imprisoned by Hephaestus’s iron casts.”
“How do you know this?”
“Hephaestus told me,” Hades confessed. “He told me his plan before—”
“Before you agreed to seek revenge upon your brothers,” I reminded. “You tried to kill us when we tried to reach you. Why should I believe any of this?”
“I didn’t try to kill you.”
“Liar!” I seethed.
“I don’t have control over what is out of my kingdom. Once you enter the underworld, the evil spirits take over. They are the ones that set the rules now. They control the beasts, not me. I gave it all up.”
“He’s telling the truth,” Persephone persisted. “It’s the reason I don’t leave and enter through the front, but rather the back. Hades has turned away from his ways. He’s tired. He’s wants a second chance.”
“I was hoping you would make it.” Hades soothed in his deep, calm voice. “I just want my brothers’ forgiveness. I want us to be family again, but I can’t leave. The ones that can truly set me free are my brothers, or someone like you, but I can’t leave unless I have all three lodestones. I know Hephaestus has imprisoned my brothers. If you get me the other two stones, I’ll help you get rid of Hephaestus and you can help me set my brothers free.”
I laughed aloud and shook my head. “You think I can be tricked by your false intentions? You want out so you can save yourself and rule my world.”
“That would have been me before, but that is not how I am today.”
Persephone settled herself on the throne next to him and tenderly caressed Hades’s dark hair. “I assure you, what he’s saying is true.”
“Show me the lodestone,” I asked, looking direct at Hades.
“He doesn’t have it.” Persephone pulled a string from her neck and placed something on the palm of her hand. It was black and small, the size of my thumb. It looked like the stone I was wearing, only darker. “I have it. Hades gifted it to me. It was to ensure Hephaestus would never find it if he was successful in creating someone powerful, such as yourself. But I know you are good. You could have killed Hades, but you heard my plea. You are compassionate. You have light in your soul. I know you know what love is. That is why you stopped. And it’s the only reason why I’m showing you the stone.”
Though every fiber in my body told me not to believe any of this, my heart told me she was telling me the truth, and looking into Hades’ eyes, I knew there was good in him. Like he’d said, gods were not perfect, but I believed they tried to be, just like us. But what if I was wrong? What if Hephaestus and Hades were working together, and they were tricking me to get what they wanted?
“Where do we go from here?” I decided to go with my gut instincts. They hadn’t led me wrong so far. I hoped this wouldn’t be the first time. “Hephaestus has my parents. If I don’t bring the stone and Hades’s head, they will die.”
“Do you know what will happen when you give Hephaestus the stone?” Hades asked. He didn’t let me answer. “Your world will die. At this point, you have no choice but to accept my help.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Make a fake lodestone and take it to him. Find a way to bring the other two stones. Release me from this place and I will go with you to help free my brothers.”
“Why do you need the other two stones?” I knew the answer, but I wanted to know what he would say.
“Once I leave this place to your world, I’ll need them to heal my body.”
“I want to trust you, but I don’t know if I can.”
“Time is running out. You go with what your heart tells you to do, Skylar,” Persephone reasoned. “That is your name, isn’t it?”
“How do you know my name?”
“I’ve been following Hephaestus the other six months of the year, trying to find his weak spot, and that is how I found you. I know many things about you, Skylar. I’ve watched you since Hephaestus came into your life. You know love. Love is the only thing that feeds hope. Wouldn’t you do anything for Mason?”
“Yes,” I said, hesitantly. Though I didn’t want her to know my weak spot, she knew it anyway. There was no sense in trying to hide it. “But this is different.”
“It isn’t, Skylar.” Persephone took a step toward me. “I didn’t love Hades when he first took me, but I love him now. Not because it’s forced, but because he has changed for the better. What would you do if something were to happen to Mason?”
“Are you threatening me?” I was pretty sure she wasn’t, but when it came to protecting the ones I loved, I would do anything.
“No. I don’t know how else to prove to you, besides letting you know Mason and your friends are safely back home, as Hades promised. They went through the portal.”
“How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”
Hades extended his arm and called upon the fire from the pit. It burst upward, and through the flame, I could see my friends and Mason. Mason was sitting on the sand, staring out into the ocean where the portal was. My heart broke to see him waiting for me. Then I saw his family sitting down next to him, looking utterly exhausted. They were all waiting for me. I was very touched by their gestures. Parts of their cloth
es were torn and etched with burn marks, evidence that they had been to the underworld.
“Why didn’t he let my friends enter with me to see him?” I asked, when the flames died and I couldn’t see them anymore.
“Because you came here for one purpose. I don’t think it would have been a good idea to have that many angry descendants threatening us, do you? I also don’t think we would have enjoyed our chat.” Hades winked.
Smooth move, Hades! He was trying to distract me with his charm. Hades and Persephone were very convincing, and everything they were saying seemed to add up to truth.
“How do I make a fake stone?”
“You can ask the Oracles,” Hades answered.
“How am I supposed to explain how I got your stone, but not your head?”
“You’re a bright girl. You can figure something out. I’ve been stuck here for centuries; I have no idea what the world above is like. And as for my head, Hephaestus was tricking you. If you were to cut off my head, I would surely die, but we don’t leave any part of our body behind. We turn into ashes, including our head.”
“You both better be telling me the truth, or so help me, I will take both of your lives.” I didn’t mean to sound so cruel but I meant it. I had a duty to fulfill, and that was to take care of the ones I loved. And I had no idea if leaving without the stone and Hades’s head would be the worst decision of my life.
“Let me take you back.” Persephone stood before me. “We’ll go out the back gate. It will lead you right to Mason. He’s waiting for you. At least he doesn’t have to wait six months.” With that, she linked her arm around mine and proceeded to take me away from Hades. She seemed very eager to do so.
One by one, we jumped out of the portal. No one could get out of there fast enough, except for me. If I could have had it my way, I would have waited at the spot where Sky had left me…waited for her and gotten us through the portal together.