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Chapter Text

In the depths of the earth where the stench of rotting flesh and rivers of souls in ancient Greece dwelled, Hades, lord of the underworld remained seated on his gloomy stone throne, smoking a cigar lit by his thumb and on his face a look of annoyance. Thinking again of his defeat by Hercules and how much it humiliated him. His leg started to jilt as his anger grew and grew at the thought of having lost the opportunity to secure a place of recognition and power, the heat of his rage burning the cigar slowly. That's when oh so suddenly there was a knock on the door. The sound startling Hades into a jump that almost let his cigar drop out of his lips.

-WHAT?- He shouted from across the room.

-Sir, it is urgent!- It was the voice of one of his minions, Panic. He could recognize their annoying voices from miles and miles away. He grabbed the arms of his throne so firmly he could have easily crushed them, but he stopped himself before doing so, it wasn't worth the effort.

-Go away Panic, I don't care what it is.- He said lifting himself from his throne and walking around the room. There was a moment of silence after he had said that but was once more interrupted by another anxious whining from behind the door.

-...Sir, the soul counter stopped!...-

He raised a brow and decided to take a look. It was a strange occurrence after all.

Hades busted open both doors with a loud bang and directed himself where the counter was and surely enough it was stopped at forty-six million sixty-three thousand nine hundred and forty-two souls. He waited and waited, punched the damn old thing, tried to control it but nothing worked. His flames growing red by the second. After having tried everything he could he decided to pay a visit to the Fates and possibly get a clue on what was going on.

Once there he hurriedly stepped out of Charon's boat, wetting his robes with river Acheron's gooey and filthy water and quickly shaking it away in annoyance. Once composed he was greeted by three hags in their usual black robes and arrogance.

-Ladies!- He exclaimed.

-You are late again!- They blurted out as they hurried out of their hut.

Hades tried his hardest not to combust. You would think after several years of hearing the same things he'd get used to it, but he simply couldn't. Either way there was something more important on his mind and that was to get this counter thing back in order.

-...Good evening ladies. It seems like there was a problem with the soul counter and I was just wondering if you knew--

-We know.- They screeched. Irritating Hades.

-Great! then TELL ME!!- He shouted, flames bursting out of his head like a volcano, but the fates didn't flinch.

Hades was led into the hut by one of the Fates. The house was small, and The Lord of the Underworld had no other option but to duck by the entrance. The other two followed them closely behind. Inside the hut seemed much bigger than it looked at the beginning, as if the room expanded further with each step. The fates and Hades arrived finally to the room where they worked their deeds. They sat him down on the smallest stool in their humble abode and brought him a single delicate and bright piece of uncut thread shining with the intensity of the sun itself.

-An immortal I see.- Hades started. -Well... what's the matter, just keep cutting some other thread, come on.- He said placing his fingers on his temples.

-This immortal soul was not supposed to be immortal. They were supposed to die just like the rest of their lineage. This only means- The Fates paused for a brief second.

-A god has given the blessing of immortality without notice!-

They continued to further complain about the "fate" of the immortal soul for a long while. Hades had enough, he stood up from the chair furious and hit his head on the roof. It took everything in him to keep calm.

-Ouch... Ladies, if there is anything I can do for you to continue your eternal duties I'll GLADLY do it. There are still people out there dying to get to the river and I'm afraid I don't have the time to stay and chat. So, if you'll excuse me...- He said, starting to duck to leave the Fates' house.

-Bring back that soul!- The three hags squealed, Hades shut his eyes in disgust at the annoying sound their mouths just produced.

He was the Lord of the Underworld, realm of death. And yet he still needed the help of the Fates to do tasks he simply could not. As much as he didn't want to, there was no option but to comply and commit to what they proposed.

-If I do so will you, for the love of God, PLEASE continue your duties instead of cackling and chatting like a bunch of chickens?!- He shouted, but then quickly changed his expression to that of an approachable and charming guy. -Please ladies, the Underworld simply isn't the same without your lovely help.-

-Precisely.- They replied swooning over his charms.

Chapter Text

A young god walks along the ruins of a village. A natural disaster that caused the death of most of the people living there. She wore a (Y/F/C) colored draping dress that adorned the top of her head with a hood and hid most of her face.

Her name was Eleos, goddess of tolerance and compassion. Being a minor god, some could say she wasn't a deity at all based on her powers and importance amongst others with such title, but regardless she was. Eleos was the bearer of prayers to the gods, she blessed and took care of those who needed it. Even if people didn't know she existed she took care of every mortal who was looking for forgiveness in a world of pain.

She took a moment to ponder about the tragedy that happened in that place by sitting down on a fallen beam from one of the many houses that now laid on the ground. From her hurt chest a wave of peace emerged and traveled through the village, filling the air of peace and quiet. In her own way, answering to those who wept the death of their loved ones.

The young god saw two doves sitting on a branch cuddling up for the night after a long day. She approached them quietly, petting one of them with soft strokes.

-I hope you have a well-rested night... And your friend as well.-

The doves cooed back at her with delight.

Her vision suddenly became blurry and obscured, the smell of smoke in the air filled her lungs. She turned around bringing her hands to her eyes, rubbing them.

When she regained her vision a dark figure, almost as tall as the cypress tree the doves were dozing off appeared in front of her. It was an elegant yet dreary presence. She could see two yellow orbs for eyes in the midst of the black smoke. The figure spoke approaching from the shadows.

-Let's see, we haven't met before, have we?, I'm Hades, lord of the dead, God of the underworld yada, yada. How you doin’?- The tall dark figure motioned his hands with fluidity like smoke in the air. The voice was soothing and rhythmic and somewhat tired. Eleos stared at the somber figure standing a few meters from where she was. His hand was extended in the expectancy of a handshake or a greeting from her.

She felt charmed by his behavior. Charismatic, yet mysterious. She gently took his hand and introduced herself.

-Hello there, I'm Eleos, goddess of compassion and I believe you are correct;... I don’t think we’ve ever met before…- She said smiling while shaking his hand.

He smiled back at her, feeling the soft skin between his fingers like it was the petals of a flower, a bit distracted. He then paced around the place talking to her while at it.

-I wouldn't blame ya babe. I'm a pretty busy guy; a lot of people die, and they need a "guide" per say... a person to take care of them... in a way- He said stopping in front of her again and stepping closer to face her. -...Which leads me to the reason as to why I'm here. You see, ...-

He took her hand again in elegant fashion. With his other hand explaining the situation.

-There was a little bit of a setback down in the underworld. The fates told me the soul of a mortal is now immortal and sent me on a "marvelous" trip around the entire goddamn PANTHEON knocking on Gods’ doors in the search of this soul, and it just so happens after many, many tries, you're the last one of them. So, honey, sweetie, will you please make my life much less miserable and tell me where the soul is?- He said, smirking and caressing her hand.

During this explanation she noticed that whenever Hades said something that troubled him or angered him, his hair, which by the looks of it was made of fire, would go from a blue to a bright orange.

'That's something I've never seen before' She thought.

Hades stared expectantly. Eleos looked at Hades deep in his eyes. They were black and small. His gaze was intense and anxiety inducing. She felt so captivated she almost forgot he had asked her something.

She turned her gaze and looked around. -No, I won't. I'm very sorry for wasting your time, but I can't give up the soul you are looking for....- She said taking a few steps back and placing her hands on her chest. -I made a promise not to.-

Hades' hair sparked reddish tones for a moment. The audacity to deny the lord of the underworld's petition.

-Alright I see, well...- He began, but suddenly he realized something in her.

Her response, she was fearless. This somehow broke whatever he was thinking at that moment and instead made him focus more on her. The God he’d never met before.

He got closer and held her hand, taking it to his face, inspecting it carefully. Once again distracted by the softness and purity of her skin. He side eyed her for a moment and then let go, taking a step back. He then traveled her body with his eyes, from her hands to her arms, followed by her face and the rest of her body.

Eleos took notice of this and felt her legs tremble, she had never felt admired before by anyone, and nothing like this had happened to her before. Not even looked at in such a way. She thought he was eyeing her like a candy. Her cheeks felt warm. But then she thought maybe she was having a different idea, maybe she wasn’t getting where he was coming from with this “quality inspection” he was doing on her. Maybe it was something else she had nothing to be worried about. The thought of a misunderstanding appeased her.

-...Well, my, ... How wasn't I able to notice sooner babe... Aren't you a beauty...- He said lifting her hand making Eleos do a turnaround, just for him.

-Tell you what, let's talk about this at my place, what do you say?- Hades asked. Eleos was bewildered at this, unsure if this was once again a form of flattery and charm or something else.

She had never been to the underworld before, she wasn't willing to gamble the soul to Hades, but she was interested on going to places she had not visited yet. She didn't take much time to accept his offer. Hades grinned from ear to ear.

Before she could even process what was happening a black smoke filled her vision and she felt a pressure on her waist, a hand grabbing firmly to her side. In seconds time the smoke dissipated, and she was in a world of darkness and decay. Coughing from all the smoke she saw Hades standing in front of her again with a smirk on his face and his hand extended to her. His yellow eyes shining in the darkness that covered him. They were standing on the edge of a large river, in the distance a skeletal figure driving a long boat was approaching them.

-Take my hand babe. Let me show you around...-

Hades took her hand and helped her onto the Charon's boat. The Lord of the Underworld handed him six gold coins and went on their way. Eleos saw the millions and millions of drownings souls, trying everything they could to get out of their situation. Eleos felt bad seeing those people trapped in an eternal limbo with nothing to do and nowhere to go. The goddess decided not to look into the river after that. The God of the underworld seemed pleased with the place and at most uninterested on what the souls had to say to him. Unbothered by it all, used to this life.

After a while, they finally made it to Hades' gloomy palace. A giant rock formation in the shape of a skull, very rustic from the outside but elegantly shaped when inside. To get to his office Eleos was guided by Hades through round stairs and curves around the place. Caves and rooms of different shapes and forms adorned and surrounded the halls everywhere they went. In a couple of minutes they finally arrived at the main office. Once opening the huge iron double doors and going inside, The lord of the underworld gestured her across the room towards one of the chairs along a big rock solid table.

He sat down by her side on a skull adorned throne, or rather a fancier chair than hers.

She looked around the room, she could see through the eyes of the skull building like windows. The river styx shriveled and flowed in a constant motion, the overall view of the environment was washed away a bit by a thick layer of fog which made everything look that much more eerie and strange to her. The room was lit by blue candles, the color of Hades’ hair. There were many gadgets and things he held in his office she didn’t know what they were for, but it was interesting to look at and wonder what their purpose was.

-Well, tell me what you think of the place.- Hades said extending his arms, showing off his gloomy palace.

She looked at him inquisitively. After all they were here to talk about the soul not his realm or anything like that, she assumed. Hades noticed her thoughtful stare.

-Hey look, I'm not really interested in this soul thing anymore. But I do have a couple of workers here in the underworld that are being a pain in the ass about it, and I need some answers, or they won’t do their jobs.- He said as he danced his hands, making two identical glass goblets appear from the smoke on his hands.

Hades slid the glass across the table until it reached her. It was a black liquid and the sweet scent of flowers and berries perfumed it.  She didn’t think something so nice smelling could be so good in such a place. It was irresistible.

-...And I honestly can't have that.- Hades took a sip of his drink as he sat back on his throne.

She took the goblet and put it to her lips, the taste of the drink sunk into every crevice in her mouth in an instant. The taste was luscious, elegant and maddening. Nothing like she had ever tasted before.

-I'll talk to them, I'm sure they'll understand the situation.- She said with a smile on her face.

‘This drink is impossibly delicious’ She thought.

-Does that mean you'll stay longer babe?- The God asked, placing a hand under his chin, placing his arm over the table to get a closer look at her.

The question took her aback. She supposed he was right but, his question had more intentions than just knowing. At least that's what she was getting from it. Instead of answering she brought the drink back to her lips. She felt an intense heatwave as those words left Hades' lips. A fever?

Can Gods get sick?.

The god of the underworld took another sip and looked at her with a cheeky smirk. He then noticed how desperately she was drinking; the liquid pouring from her mouth to her neck in a single streak. He took his finger and wiped it, licking his finger afterwards. She felt his warmth.

Now she knew where the heat was coming, even though it was easy to tell. She wasn't sure if he was always this hot to the touch given he was constantly on fire. Or if it was something else. No matter what it really was, he seemed very comfortable being this close to her...

-I'm sorry, it’s just delicious.- He said, excusing himself. He was so close she could hear him breathe.

She took this time to take a closer look at him.

His eyes were unbelievably tired and sunken, his nose pointy as an arrow and his mouth wide and big. His expression relaxed and sly. He was no Adonis, for sure.

'But' She thought.

But his charms, his flattery, his charisma, his elegance. So unique and unlike the other gods. She felt she wanted more from him, to know more about him. And it seemed to her Hades had the same idea.

‘Is this going too far too quickly?’

‘Is this really where this is going?’

And besides all of it, she could still feel something about the Lord of the Underworld, a spark of some sort. As the goddess of compassion, she could feel the smallest amount of good in everyone, and in him she felt something was deep asleep in him. So difficult to detect but was there, nonetheless. She wanted to find it. She had heard what other gods said about Hades. But she didn't know him well enough yet to judge him, and she wasn't going to.

She lowered her head and directed her eyes away from his, noticing how long she was looking at him. Hades was eyeing her with a confused look. No one had ever looked at him like that or for that long. Only fearful stares from mortals or anger and despise from other gods.

The room was intolerably quiet after that moment.

-Hmm...- He groaned, thinking.

He took her face from the chin and dragged it back to him. He didn't speak, he just looked at her from her forehead to her chin, like looking at the map of a place never found before. Admiring her like a painting.

He then slid his hand to her neck and gently pressed on it, feeling her godly skin. She found herself paralyzed and her breathing was getting harder and harder to keep at a normal pace. He then got even closer to her and brought his nose to her neck, she shuddered at the feeling of his warm breath on her skin, tensing up, unsure of what to do.
The heat of his body now very much present. He smelled her scent like it was a blooming flower in a dark field.

He suddenly stopped to look at her and chuckled.

'Is he mocking me!?' She thought by the tone of his laugh.

He let go and lifted himself from the throne.

-You're gonna need a place to stay then. It is kinda late.- Eleos looked at him completely dazed in what had happened.

'What?...' She thought, all of it happening so fast she wasn't even able to process when he stopped what he was doing. Hades crossed his hands and put a finger to his lip in a thoughtful manner.

-Unless you know, you want to give up the soul right now and you can just go to whatever you were doing back there...- He said approaching her once again.

'How dare he just disregard what happened!?' -Uhm... I suppose I do...- She said quietly and calmly, standing up from the chair she was seated.

Eleos was incapable of stopping Hades from charming her at this point. As the goddess of tolerance and compassion it was difficult for her to judge people too harshly. Difficult to think evil of someone and difficult to not trust in people. But, most importantly she knew it wasn't just that, she was... Falling for him?.

No, she was perhaps, just confused. Her love and care for the ones in need was so big that it must just be a momentary disarrangement. Right?.

At least that's what was going through her head.

Eleos was led by the lord of the underworld to a set of several stairs curling into different directions, it was very much like a maze but to Hades was just a walk in the park. It was dark as charcoal, and his hair was the only thing illuminating the path ahead.

After a few minutes of walking and going up stairs they stopped at a long and tall door adorned with gold and marble. It was a beautiful and strange door, that incredibly enough wasn't too distracting from the rest of the environment. On the middle of it a keyhole of immaculate design.

Hades moved his hand in a circular motion and a golden key solidified on his hand from the smoke. He presented the key to Eleos with a smirk on his face.

She went for the key, but Hades grabbed her hand instead. He pulled it to his mouth where he kissed it and opened the door with his other hand. Once opened he let go of her hand.

Hades walked up to the middle of the massive room.

-Boom! I welcome you to my personal bedroom.-

-...Your bedroom?- Eleos explored the huge room. The color palette was gold, black and grey. Everything looked way neater than in the rest of the underworld, and various gemstones adorned furniture all around. In the middle of the room a big bed with a black velvety cover.

-Am I going to sleep here?- She asked sitting on the bed and feeling the texture of the covers with her fingers.

Hades traveled across the room at a slow pace.

-I do have spare rooms for guests but ehh... Let me be honest. They're more like torture chambers to me, not comfortable at all. No, no...- He said shaking his head.

She suddenly started to get some ideas in her head and flushed. Why was he bringing her here? They just met 20 or so minutes ago and now she turned out to be standing in the middle of Hades’ personal bedroom?. ‘I don’t want to be rude and directly ask what going on… What if I offend him?... It’s not like I can beat him in a fight or even… know where to go from here…’ But the thoughts ran wild on her head for some reason.

'Whats happening to me?, I must be going insane…' She thought.

The tension in the room was dense and unbearable. Something was happening, a connection of sorts that she couldn't deny. And it was all moving so quick she had no time to fully realize her feelings or, what was going on.

Eleos lifted herself from the bed and walked towards the door. -I'm sorry but I simply can't stay here if I'm taking away your personal space. Excuse me if I’m being offensive, but, you look tired as well… Where will you sleep tonight?.- She told him, to Hades' surprise.

He smiled, taking her by the shoulders and guiding her back towards the bed as he spoke. His grip was firm on her.

-Oh, come on... Don't worry about me babe. I can't even remember the last time I slept in this room. It's all yours.- He said, sitting her down and taking a step back from her.

-I’m a very, very busy guy, I don’t really have time for sleeping.-

Eleos continued to rationalize her thoughts, and after hearing what Hades had to say she relaxed herself a little bit.

-...Or perhaps you were thinking you'd sleep with me?...- He asked suddenly, almost under his breath, but in the emptiness of the room it was as clear as day. He sat down on the bed with her and stretched back, his back cracking and making him groan out of comfort. This confirmed to Eleos the claim he previously made. Out of thin air a bunch of cigars appeared by his side, he took one and placed it in his mouth before continuing.

After this there was no rationalizing to do, it was clear as day to Eleos that Hades had the kind of intentions she was thinking on.

-...Did that thought made you uneasy?.- Hades lit the cigar with his thumb, then he took it out of his mouth to look at her, waiting on her response.

She was unable to answer for a moment.

Chapter Text

He laughed almost mockingly to her, then moved as if he was about lift himself from the bed; but then, quickly and suddenly, he turned around in her direction and grabbed her by the neck, pushing her to the bed with a thud. Hades' body now laid on top of her, making sure she wasn't able to move away. All she could express was a squeal.

Hades' nose was now inches away from hers and getting closer by the second. His eyelids calmly rested on his eyes; a grin of mischief formed on his face. The god was seeking her reaction. He started to squeeze her neck a bit.

Being hunted by the god of the dead's eyes, he set off her defense mechanisms. She started to struggle, grabbing his hand and trying to pull away. She then opened her left hand and from it, a (Y/F/C) orb of energy started to weakly take form.

The goddess of compassion was not like the other gods on Mount Olympus. Her powers were very weak and unable to harm others, as she was a peaceful deity. Even knowing her predicament, she tried the first thing that came to mind. The Lord of the Underworld noticed the orb glowing in her hand, growing.

He grabbed her glowing hand where her power emerged and pressed on it until the orb died out as fast as it first took form. He then turned back to her, completely unbothered, and chuckled in a way that sounded almost like a grunt. Hades then let her go of her neck, but he didn't back off entirely. He took the cigar from his lips and began speaking again.

-...That's what I thought.-

Eleos' chest was rising and falling with every breath. She was still shocked and, now more than ever, afraid he knew how vulnerable she really was.

-Oh, I almost forgot...- He said, getting up from the bed and walking towards the giant door. The sound of keys dangled as he walked.

'The key!' Eleos thought.

-I got the entire underworld to attend to. I'd love to... stay longer babe, but you'll have to wait for that.- He stated, turning around to look at her one last time before leaving.

-...I'll see you in the morning...- He said walking outside and taking out the keys.

He was going to lock her in.

She quickly ran to the door just as he closed it. The sound of the lock being turned by him resonated throughout the big bedroom.

'I'm trapped. I fell for it, and now I'm trapped in the Underworld.'

-Goodnight sugar.- He said before walking away.

Eleos fell to her knees in disbelief. The enormity of the room left her feeling desolate.

-Why did I let him get his way!... It was so obvious...- She said, banging her hands on the ground. She was starting to punish herself, but she knew herself very well: her pure thoughts and her pure judgment. Its was next to impossible for her to refuse someone.

-The way he manipulated me... It really was obvious! Eleos, what were you thinking?-

She felt tired. It was pretty late, and her head was spinning.

She raised her body from the floor and went back to the big bed, adorned in black and gold. She took the covers and shielded her body with them. She quickly began to dose off.

The last thing on her mind were those big, dark eyes staring at her.

She dreamt about the two doves sitting on the branch she saw, the morning sun shining on them, warming their cold bodies.

Eleos was awoken by the loud clicking of the door, the sound resonating along the marble walls. She was expecting the tall gloomy figure of the god of the dead to appear, but instead she had to squint to be able to see who, or what, it was. A small demon-like creature slowly opened the door, struggling. A second one ran for Eleos and grabbed her by the arm. Apparently she wasn't trapped after all.

-Come on!! Hurry up!! Hades will kill us if we don't get you there!- The small greenish creature tried with all its strength to lift her arm, but it was simply too weak. It then started to pull on Eleos' clothes instead, tugging from behind over its shoulder, pulling and pulling to no avail. The creature couldn’t move her an inch.

The goddess rubbed her eyes and got up from the bed. The other pink creature waited by the door, also yelling for her to hurry.

-Alright it's fine, I'm up now...- The creatures grabbed her hand, making her hunch down as they guided her outside hurriedly. -Where are we going? Who are you two?- She asked.

-Pain and Panic!- They replied, each one announcing their names to her as they went down the stairs, still holding on to her hands.

-I'm Eleos, nice to meet you. But where are we--

They came to a sudden stop, looking around. The path in front of them split in five different directions. Panic stood there waiting for Pain to keep walking, but he seemed hesitant to take any of the paths.

-That's it! we're so dead.... We're dead Pain!- Panic said, quite literally panicking and shielding himself behind the goddess.

-Shut up! I know the way just... let me think!...- Apparently they weren't very familiar with this particular part of Hades' palace.

-Do you need any help?- She said shyly. She couldn't hold back her generosity.

-How can YOU possibly help us, missy?- Pain stated in a mocking tone. She was, after all, not a regular resident of the Underworld.

Eleos closed her eyes and concentrated. Everything went dark, and in this darkness she could detect the goodness within the creatures standing near her. She looked up and focused even more. In the distance, not too far, she was able to feel another good presence. She walked on slowly with her eyes closed towards this presence.

-Hey! where do you think you're going?- Pain yelled, but she kept going, trusting her instincts. -Wait up!- Pain and Panic exclaimed in unison.

They made sure that the goddess didn't hurt herself going down the stairs by transforming into various animals, filling up gaps in the stairs or blocking sharp edges of the Underworld's walls, at times hurting themselves in the process.

The presence was getting closer and closer, until she was mere meters away from it. She then opened her eyes.

She now found herself at the edge of the river she had taken with the Lord of the Underworld the previous day. Charon and Hades were waiting for her. Seeing his face again made her chest shiver.

-Sir!... We can explain!- The creatures said, taking cover behind her and clawing at the goddess' dress.

-Get. In. The. Boat.- Hades muttered, taking the hand out of his face. Pain and Panic hesitated.

-NOW!!-

A large flame lit his body in anger. After they got in Eleos followed.

Not wanting to bother the god of the underworld she spent the trip towards the fate's avoiding eye contact. But she could feel his gaze upon her still. In no time they were at the fates home.

-You're finally here!- The fates were waiting just outside their house. -We've been awake all night waiting for you!- They pointed their scrawny and weak fingers towards Eleos, she stumbled back for a second but then shook their fingers off her face.

-I would love to help you in this situation but I made a promise I won’t break!- After these few days she became annoyed at the audacity everyone seemed to have against her. Hades made his way between the fates and the goddess. He noticed her slight alteration and politely took her hand.

-May I ask why exactly?- He said as he eyed her with delight.

She scrunched up her nose and raised an eyebrow in a thoughtful manner. The goddess then grabbed her dress and pulled it upwards, her legs partially revealed. Hades opened his eyes wide until he noticed how blatant he was and tried to look away, having a hard time trying to do so. From under her dress the soul of a small (Y/F/AG) appeared. A (Y/F/A).

-Wait, that's not right...- Hades' expression completely switched to that of disbelief, then unfathomable anger ensued. His right eye twitching like the legs of a recently stepped on spider. Pain, Panic and the fates looked all around nervously.

Hades looked towards the ground, lifting his shoulders. His body twitching and his anger a ticking bomb. His skin turning from a ghoulish gray to a bright crimson red in seconds. Everyone took cover form the eruption that was about to come. The air got thick, dry and agonizingly hot.

-So, you're telling me I traveled across ALL of Greece... LOOKING FOR A DAMN VERMIN!!!???- His fire and power damaging around him except for the places everyone took cover.

The lord of the underworld begun to hyperventilate in an effort to calm himself down. He turned around in disgust towards the fates. The fragile ladies cuddled up one another in fear. Hades stomped his way slowly towards them, leaving a black trail behind him.

-It's not a vermin!- Hades' stopped midway and closed his eyes, calming down a bit, he turned around slowly to listen -The soul was a mortal. A human who almost died in a fire that eradicated their entire village. Their mother begged before dying that any god answered her prayers of saving their infant. And so, I listened and promised to her I would take care of them.- Hades rolled his eyes.

-Yeah well, then why such a disgusting thing?- He said, pointing at the immortal soul.

-It was their family's symbol- The goddess replied, taking a medallion with an engraved (Y/F/A).

-I thought it was appropriate to change their form into something more significant- She handed the medallion over to Hades for him to take a closer look. The god being taller than Eleos had to almost kneel in order to get a closer look.

-Hmm.- He muttered, inspecting the object with his eyes. He then straightened up and with a smile turned around to face the fates again.

-So, ladies... What's the plan now?- Slowly but surely they composed themselves and spoke.

-Well, if the soul is immortal and no longer human, there is nothing we can do...-

-Great!, my problems are over now...- Hades announced in a mocking tone. He then switched his attention towards the goddess.

-And Eleos, my compassionate blossom- He said approaching her slowly, his eyes locked on hers. He dissipated into thin air in a cloud of dark smoke and reappeared now behind her and with both hands on her hips.

-There's a few things we need to talk about... in private, hmm?- He said, his face close to hers and his warm body taking a hold of hers.

Pain and Panic looked at each other from a distance and trembled in disgust.

Chapter Text

Eleos turned around to face him and hurriedly stepped away from him.

-There is nothing to talk about. I've been in this place for enough time, I have to go now.-

Everyone looked at one another, surprised the goddess would say such a thing in the realm of Hades, in his precence.

Hades looked at her from afar, his expression dropped and a small burst of orange glowed on is flaming hair.

-I dont think I heard you well... I said we need to talk, nowhere near other people...- He said turning around to face the others; the moirai hurried for their hut, closing the door with a loud bang. Eleos could see from afar that the old ladies had opened a courtain to see what was going to happen.
Pain and Panic could do nothing but remain hidden somewhere nearby.

Eleos felt a fervor she didn't have before. A sort of courage and a will to talk back to him. She was not appreciateive of the way he had been with her so far; his intentions always seemed to change midway and all she wanted was to get out of this wretched place once and for all, before anything else happens.

-I want to go back to the mortal plane, they need me and I can't stand been here with...- To be honest she wasn't really interested in the mortals, any excuse to get out of there will do.

-With who?...- Hades asked. Eleos, just noticing what she had said was left stuttering.

'Did i say that?'

-...I don't know...-

Eleos felt her heart drop, scared she might have lost any credibility or confidence in her speech to get out of the underworld.

-Well that's not possible now babe- Hades said, and as he got closer Eleos stepped back, firmly letting him know she wasn't going to let him try anything funny on her.

Hades stopped, looking at her from a distance. He lowered his head to the floor as he summoned a cigar. -It seems no one told you about that huh...-

-Tell me what exactly?- Eleos asked, worried.

-You cannot leave this place anymore, babe.-

'What?-'

Hades took his time ligthing up the cigar on his mouth, slowly pacing circles around her from a distance. The smoke around him seemed to become denser and darker than before.

-What do you mean?- Eleos grew impatient and anxious, it felt like it was taking forever when finally Hades replied, a mouthful of cigar smoke flowing with each word he said.

-You drank from the underworld.- He said calmly. -Anyone who eats or drinks from the underworld can no longer go back.-

Eleos felt her body getting weaker, she could not believe it.

-You are lying...- She said falling to her knees. Hades got closer, placing his hand on her shoulder but she quickly slapped it away. Hades stepped back with a shocked expression.

-I'm terribly sorry dea- -

-WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?- Eleos screamed, tears running down her eyes. Things got to a boiling point for her; the thoughts in her head finally taking form in the words she shouted at him.

Eleos had never felt this kind of anger before. Her body started to weight on her; she felt like a fool for trusting this god, for feeling somewhat empathetic. She felt like she never should have talked to him to begin with.
Now she was so lost and unsure of what will happen next.

Hades touched her shoulder once again, and just when she opened her eyes he was not there anymore and was once again in Hades' room.

Just her, the room and the smell of smoke.

That night she was unable to sleep. The underworld debilitated her, not the place, but the things that had been happening to her during her stay.
She was also weak from everything happening around her; the confusion when it came to Hades.
She was sure he wanted something more with her, but he was also keeping her 'enslaved' in the underworld.

And the reason she was confused was becasue she also felt something for him, there was no point in hiding it anymore; he was different and charming in a way she had never seen before.

A mysterious stranger in a gloomy place.

A mysterious stranger in a gloomy place who had enslaved her in his lair and will do who knows what to her.
Will she see the mortals again?,
Will she roam Athens or mingle with other gods ever again?...

The night went by with her thoughts running wild until she felt a sudden shift in the bed besides her. It was dark and she couldn't make out anything, half asleep she rubbed her eyes.

Then she saw the two yellow orbs staring right at her, and the light of a cigar not far from them.

She jolted out of the bed and ran for the door, completely forgetting the fact she still didn't even have the key to the room.

-What do you want from me?!- Eleos shouted at him, turning aroud to face him from afar.

Hades, still in shadows, clapped his hands together and the candles of the room lit up. -Tell me!- Eleos shouted again, her legs trembled in fear.

Hades took a breath, long and deep, and letting go he started to walk towards her, slowly and cautious. Eleos felt her back against the doors; she kept herself as straight as possible, wanting to feel some form of authority, though it only looked as if she was a little girl standing on her tippy toes in an effort to seem taller.
In all honesty she knew that at any second The God of the Underworld could do with her as he wished, but she wasn't going to go out without a fight, or at least that's what she thought.
Hades was now inches away from her.

He was so tall her neck would acke everytime she looked up at him, but she was determined to keep eye contact with him to let him know how serious she was.

Hades had looked at her directly in the eyes up until now, he was closer; like how he was in his big room when she drank from his cup. She could again feel his heat, however this time it wasn't as hot as before. His face shifted from her eyes to the floor. He bended forwards towards her face but stopped halfway and directed himself towards her ear.

-I'm sorry..., I don't think I have been a good enough host so far...- He said calmly. His breath was intoxicating, a smell of cigar smoke and something else. His voice was somewhat raspy but quiet, the quietest she had heard from him so far.

Hades then took her hands in his, very cautiously. -I think I owe you an explanation, babe.-

Eleos felt the need to pull away from him, but he had done it again already, he managed to soften her up a little bit.

-At first, I really needed that soul back you know... But then I saw you, and you were just... so wonderful to look at...- Hades said slowing on the last part, his eyes traveled her entire figure, Eleos couldn't help but look away.

-A treat for the eyes... To be honest, I've had a few treats here and there, you know..., nothing major.- Eleos didn't know if Hades was going to eat her or kiss her at this point. He got his body closer, his right arm traveled to her waist, left hand still holding her right hand. In his mouth the cigar dangled from his lips with every word. Eleos could feel the heat from him and the cigar.
Which one is hotter?

'Both are pretty much the same' She thought.

-Nothing quite like you darling...- He said with a smirk, kissing her hand.

Eleos could not fake it, he was incredibly charming. And his face was so unique and handsome to her. The way he moved, the way he walked and talked and told her all these things. She was falling for him. But she was still trapped, she was still weary of him.

He looked into her eyes deeply again, letting go of her waist and hand.

-I see something in you, a decay of sorts, a familiar scent, a feel...- He said, quite serious but only for a moment. -...Aahh maybe i'm just projecting, either way that doesn't take away from the beauty that is you, darling.- He said, pacing in front of her.

She wanted Gaia to swallow her on the spot.

Truth be told, Eleos was pretty sure that the 'dark stuff' Hades was referring to or seeing in her had to do with the fact she was the daughter of darkness and night themselfes; Nyx, goddess of the night, and Erebus, darkness personified were after all, her parents.

But she was unsure if that's what he saw...

Many years ago, the Titans had come back to mount Olympus. Eleos was only a young god back then, and her parents, once they knew what was going on, told her to stay at home as long as the chaos unfolded. Eleos lived with their parents away from mount Olympus in a big cave near the ocean; they were not very popular with their peers.
Eleos ignored what their parents said and rushed towards Athens to help in any way she could, however, things didn't end up the way they were supposed to.

Filled with guilt to the present times, she swore to hide whatever happened back then, she changed her appearance and swore to be good and pure as much as she could, specially after being asssinged as the Goddess of Compassion and Prayers, and now that Hades had mentioned it, she thought maybe he knew about that particular thing she was so horrified about to this day.

-Now it's my turn for questioning...- Hades said, turning around. Eleos felt like she couldn't breathe.

-Do you want me?.-