Persephone - Spring in The Underworld [ Greek Mythology Series #2 ]

Chapter 5

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The atmosphere in the gloomy palace of Hades was even more tense than usual. Thanatos stood trembling, facing the throne, where the King of the Underworld was at. He even flapped his wings nervously.

"What did you just say?" Hades repeated his question. His voice was cold and low.

Thanatos gulped while bowing his head, avoiding Hades' icy stare, cursing Hypnos and his future children inwardly for giving him this task. He cleared his throat before answering with a timid voice. "We think it is time for the Underworld to have a queen."

Hades squinted. He scrutinized the man standing restlessly facing him. Thanatos' giant wings kept moving like a butterfly caught in a spider's web. "Tell me, Thanatos, what gives you this idea?"

Thanatos cleared his throat for the umpteenth time. This time, he cursed the three Erinya who continuously screamed into his ears in the dream as he tried to refuse to discuss Hades' personal life.

"Zeus has had Hera as a queen. Poseidon even married a nymph. So we thought you also need a companion."

Hades rested his head on his left fist while tapping his fingers on the chair's handle. He suddenly craved to watch the God of Death swim in the Kokitos River, crying out his drowned wings.

"Thanatos, are you a good swimmer?"

Thanatos' pale face was unexpectedly whiter than before. He then screamed in terror. "Hades, this was the idea of the Erinya! Those snake-haired women screamed and shouted continuously in my dreams! Requesting that I speak of this to you!"

"Dreams?" Hades straightened his back, fully alert.

"Hypnos was involved," Thanatos replied resignedly. If he had to swim in one of the rivers, he would drag all the inhabitants of the Underworld along with him.

"Who else?" Hades' body stiffened as he asked angrily, annoyed that his subordinates had plenty of time to gossip about him.

"The three kings of Crete, even Kharon and Ker. They are all involved." Thanatos replied before gulping. Corn-sized beads of cold sweat dripped down his back.

Hades clenched his fists. He stood up and shouted, "What has happened here?!"

Thanatos' giant wings moved faster and faster out of fear. However, he found the courage to answer him. "They're worried about you. You've been going to the Upper World more and more lately, neglecting your responsibilities in the Underworld."

"What did you say?!" Hades' voice echoed through the room.

Thanatos closed his eyes, trembling with fear. He mentally noted, one by one, all the inhabitants of the Underworld who would swim with him.

Hades breathed fast when he saw Thanatos' reaction. He threw himself back on the throne to calm himself before saying with a softer voice. "Leave me."

Thanatos gave Hades a grateful look. He bowed slightly in respect before disappearing from that place.

*****

Hades took his time to ponder. He sighed when he realized that he had neglected his responsibilities. However, he could not control his desire to watch Persephone dance, listen to her beautiful voice, and enjoy her slumbered-innocent expression. His body wanted her, and his soul needed her.

Hades' eyes scanned his gloomy and dark, empty hall. It was so much different from the Upper World, full of color and laughter.

Perhaps their suggestion is for the best. Maybe the presence of a queen could bring a little color to the Underworld. Hades sighed. He rose from his throne, going to Olympus to meet Zeus.