Down below

Chapter 62. xx

   Persephone looked like a true warrior, perfectly confident in her body as she was holding the reigns of the golden chariot of Hades with Loki standing by her side. The prince had seen some grim places, but nothing compared to Tartarus. From what he read in the Midgardian myths and legends, it was a deep abyss used as a prison where they exiled the Titans, torturing them for rising up against Zeus and the new generation of gods. The gates were made of bronze and guarded by two Hekatonkheires. They were three times the size of Thor, with hundred-hands and shark like teeth, their eyes pitch black. They immediately kneeled when they saw Persephone and let her pet their heads, letting out a low, eerie purring sound. She greeted them and asked them to rise, introducing Loki. They bowed to him and then grabbed two massive torches to guide them further inside. Persephone conjured light with her right hand and smiled at Loki when he did the same thing. They were standing in a wide ravine with gray, steep walls of rocks on each side, stretching into the hopeless eternal darkness that was almost palpable. Loki sensed the unease of his two Asgardian warriors even though their faces showed no emotion. Persephone was accompanied by three massive demons and Aello who Loki recognized from his last visit. The demons were wearing black and silver armour, their faces nearly invisible covered by their helmets apart from their yellow eyes that were glowing in the dark.

'This is the Path of Despair. You will see dungeons carved into the rock on both sides where Hades used to keep the Titans. These were transformed into accommodations for them when he persuaded them to work for him.'

'Must have been a challenge.'

'Indeed. My husband can be very convincing.' Persephone said curtly and Loki understood she won't give any further details on how Hades managed to pull this off.

   They were walking in silence, led by the Hundred-Handers. Loki could hear the faint sound of screams, screeches and eerie giggles mixed with the noises of blacksmiths hammering on metal that grew louder with every step. The air started to become suffocating and heavy, red and orange light dancing on the black rocks as they were approaching of what Loki assumed to be the forges. The heat was getting heavy and he could feel sweat coating his skin. They reached an arc made of rocks. Persephone let out a beam of light and they all stopped. She walked to the two giants and gave them a silent order. The Hundred-Handers bowed and stepped through the arc as Persephone turned to Loki.

'We have arrived to the forges where the Titans create our weapons and whatever we need. I have asked their leader to join us and give us a little tour.'

   As if on cue, they heard heavy footsteps and saw a tall, bulky figure behind the Hekatonkheires, towering over the giants with several feet. His long beard and hair braided, their colour that of the blazing sun and his eyes the shade of honey with their vertical pupils that lent them a predatory glow. He was wearing a harness made of leather stretching across his chest with different tools attached to them, framing his pecs and biceps along with a skirt, held in place by a thick belt.

'Your Majesty.' the Titan bowed, his voice deep and smooth.

'Hyperion, thank you for meeting us. We have visitors who would like to see the good work that you do. Meet His Royal Highness, Prince Loki of Asgard.'

   The Titan cast his eyes over Loki, something flashing through his face as he bowed to him, Loki nodding his head in return. Suddenly a screech split through the noise coming from the forges and they all looked above. A harpy dressed in the same armour as Persephone's guards circled in the air. The Queen looked at Aello with a frown.

'Take care of it.' she told the spymaster solemnly.

'Yes, my queen.' Aello bowed and rose into the air, following the other harpy towards the palace.