𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 ➤ 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆

x. a king and a vixen's tale

author's notes: okay, so this chapter is going to be a flashback way before Hades met Persephone, and an additional warning, it also contains mature (not explicit) scenes and sexual trauma.

So, please be kind to yourself.

A century ago ~

If there was any grand palace other than Olympus, Poseidon's underwater kingdom was it.

Built shortly after the creation of the world and was once ruled by the Titan Oceanus, it was as large as the palace of his brother Zeus and made of pearl, sea stone, and abalone shells with wide courtyards and columned pavilions.

The paths were lined with glowing pearls and led to gardens teeming with exotic sea plants, coral colonies, and a plethora of aquatic life.

It was a very special occasion. For it was the
wedding of Poseidon and his fiancée, the sea nymph Amphitrite.

Poseidon had been ruling the seas as its king since the end of the Titanomachy, and was finally to be married to Amphitrite, whom he had set his eyes on during the decade-long war between his siblings and the Titans.

After fifty years of waiting, the seas were to finally have a queen.

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!" chanted the merfolk as the newlywed couple emerged from the palace's balcony (a tradition begun by Zeus and Hera) after the wedding ceremony and kissed. His brothers and sisters-in-law stood beside the bright-looking Poseidon.

Inside the majestic throne room, the newlyweds posed for a portrait, followed by the queen's family, and finally the king's.

Amphitrite sat on a newly fashioned throne embroidered with corals and pearls, just like her husband, who stood beside her and lovingly wrapped his hand around her while holding his trident.

Zeus and Hera were right next to them, and although they didn't show as much affection as Poseidon did, they still stood next to each other at a very close distance. Meanwhile, Hestia and Demeter sat at the bride's feet, and finally, Hades stood alone, holding his bident.

"Well, brother, I suppose this is now a sign it's your turn," Zeus said, shooting their brother a mischievous look.

"My turn?" Hades asked and tried to keep himself still.

"For marriage, obviously. You're the only one of us who hasn't bedded a woman yet." Zeus snorted but squeaked in pain when Hera pinched him.

"We've come here to celebrate Poseidon's wedding, not talk about Hades' romantic status." Hera admonished, nodding towards the slightly uncomfortable look on Amphitrite's soft face.

"No worries, Hera," Poseidon said. "Our brother is too much of an intelligent fellow for married life and attracting the ladies."

Hades' cheeks flushed. A guilty sort of blush.

It was brutally true: he was the only one of his brothers who had never been in a romantic relationship. Zeus and Hera had been married
for fifty years, and now Poseidon, but what of him?

Single left with the responsibility of taking care of more than a million souls.

When he returned to the Underworld, riding his mighty chariot, he saw a scuffle happening as the shoreline of the Underworld came into view.

Craggy rocks and black volcanic sand stretched inland about a hundred yards to the base of a high stone wall. A woman desperately screaming for help as she was being - tormented? By two men, new souls, awaiting by the shore.