There was only one true way to get in and out of the underworld, and Hades insured it was well guarded. Cerberus, a massive, three headed, black hound sat at the gates to the Hades' realm. He would not allow anyone in... or anyone out.
And he was Hades' most prized possession, so naturally the great hero Heracles was tasked with borrowing the dog to complete one of his great tasks.
He found himself in the underworld, a dark and damp place, and began to make his way to Hades' palace, a great building built out of obsidian, and gilded with gold, in a replica of Olympus.
Heracles stepped into the palace, and made his way to Hades' throne room, a room barren of decoration, aside from a long, tattered rug that lead up to a throne smelted from iron, and inlaid with gold and jewels.
Sitting atop this throne was Hades himself.
The god had a long curtain of black hair that hid half of his face in shadow, and his eyes were the color of pure gold, with a mad light, that seemed to give them an almost red glow. His skin was pale and gaunt, his long black robes shifting, almost as though there were souls trapped into the fabric.
Heracles bent to one knee. "Lord Hades, I request to borrow your great hound, Cerberus, to complete one of the tasks assigned to me."
Hades frowned, considering the request. "All right." He relented. "But on one condition."
Heracles looked up, his eyes glimmering with hope. "Anything."
"You must not use a weapon to capture or subdue Cerberus."
Heracles nodded, and bowed to the god, before rushing out to complete the task assigned.
"Poor boy is going to die" Hades mused to himself.
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Hades' Second Chance
RomanceYou've probably heard the myth of Hades and Persephone before. But perhaps a change is in order? When Hades catches the eye of the young and dashing Apollo, an athletic youth with a penchant for literature and music, after a recent break-up with the...
