𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 ➤ 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆

xxvi. the lord of the dead's gambit

author's note: this chapter contains a few violent themes. be kind to yourself.

For a fleeting moment, the two men were frozen, as if a hideous monster was about to devour them. However, the figure who arrived at the scene was far more terrifying than any unspeakable horror.

Persephone was adamant about ensuring that the intruders did not escape from the vines and returned her to the upper realm. But she was unaware that help had arrived.

Then a loud thump was heard, and a voice cried out, "Enough!"

Caught off guard, Persephone looked up, and the vines dislodged as Pirithous and Theseus landed on their bumps on the ground.

A god in royal black robes approached, accompanied by his growling three-headed hound and a ferryman.

"Lord Hades!" they exclaimed.

The King of the Dead wore a lethal scowl, his eyes blazing with fierce protectiveness for Persephone.

"You insolent mortals dare to enter my realm?" Hades asked dangerously.

Then, he twisted around to meet Persephone's eyes, his gaze slightly softening. "Are you alright?"

Persephone simply nodded, unable to comprehend what was happening in front of her.

The men quickly drew their weapons.

"We aren't just any mortals," said Theseus courageously. "We are demigods, the sons of Zeus and Poseidon."

"And we were sent on this quest by the revered Lady Demeter to return Lady Persephone to the upper realm," Pirithous explained.

Hades arched a brow. He was not surprised that the pair bore striking resemblances to his brothers.

Yet another member of the family.

Then another cluster of vines appeared, binding the demi-gods once more.

"I won't return," Persephone insisted.

Hades' eyes displayed a sense of repose. "Seph, put them down," he said in an indistinguishable tone, and Persephone looked at him skeptically.

He slightly tilted his head, giving her a sharp Trust-Me-I-Have-This-Under-Control look. She lowered her hand gently, commanding the vines to let Pirithous and Theseus go.

"How brave of you to enter the Underworld," Hades said quietly. "You have no authority here."

His nephews appeared perturbed but did not back down. "We're not afraid of an evil god like you —"

"Me? An evil god?" Hades asked, feigning shock and placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "Calm down, my dear nephews. Evil does not run in this family's ichor."

Persephone's eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement.

"Except for Kronos and his cohorts," Hades hummed. "But my brothers and I overthrew them; they no longer belong to the family."

"But you look exactly like—" Pirithous sneered.

"Oh, come on, let us enjoy the evening!" The Lord of the Underworld made a smooth interruption. "As your uncle, you'll be treated as my guests. You will be joining us for a banquet this evening."