The acrid scent of smoke and the searing heat of flames were the last memories Andre had of his childhood. He was only five years old when the fire claimed his parents, leaving him an orphan in a world that seemed as dark and unforgiving as the night itself. The fire had not only taken his family but also the place he once called home, reducing it to ashes and memories.
The village, nestled on the edge of a sprawling forest, was quick to turn its back on the boy. Whispers of bad omens and curses followed Andre wherever he went. He was passed from one reluctant caretaker to another, each offering him the bare minimum of care and attention. Then he was returned back to the orphanage. Despite the neglect, Andre's spirit remained unbroken. He found solace in the vibrant colors of the world around him, sketching the beauty he saw in the quiet corners of nature.
As the years passed, Andre fell into a life of crime. He would steal to survive. The villagers knew this boy was marked by tragedy and would stay wary of him. Some would even go as far as marking him as a monster who deserves to be put to death. Some would take advantage of him. Some would steal the items he had stolen: his clothes, food, water, and blankets.
In the depths of the Underworld, Hades watched the mortal with growing interest. The god of the dead was captivated by Andre and wanted to protect him at all costs. He has never ever felt this way towards anyone before... He wanted to make Andre his and give him the life he was destined to have. He'd do whatever it takes to protect him.
Hades, ruler of the Underworld, had seen countless souls pass through his realm, but none like Andre. There was something extraordinary about the boy who had faced such loss but kept going. Hades felt a pull towards Andre, a desire to understand the source of his strength and the light that seemed to defy the darkness of the Underworld.
As Andre's life unfolded above, Hades' interest turned into a yearning he could no longer ignore. The god of the dead, who had long resigned himself to the shadows, found himself drawn to the mortal artist. And so, Hades began to weave a plan to bring Andre into his realm, setting in motion a chain of events that would change both their lives forever.
In the mortal world, Andre continued to paint, unaware of the eyes watching him from the depths below. His heart, once scarred by loss, was about to be tested in ways he could never have imagined. The darkness and the light were on a collision course, and the world as he knew it was about to change.
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Whispers Of The Underworld
FantasyThis novel offers a compelling retelling of the myth of Hades, the god of the Underworld, presenting a fresh and innovative twist on the classic tale. Instead of falling in love with Persephone, as tradition dictates, Hades finds himself irresistibl...