At the sight of Charon and Persephone, Cerebus began to bark and whine, thinking new arrivals had come. But the scent must have been different from that of a human shade, for Cerebus ceased barking and began to whine and growl as the three heads fought for attention. They knew their queen had arrived and though Persephone may have been repulsed by his appearance, Cerebus very much desired to meet her. Charon, deaf and mute yet ever obedient and loyal, waited as Persephone disembarked before returning to the opposite shore. Hades watched her approached, dressed in the colors of the noontide of the world. She was beautiful and divine, appearing to him as the epitome of all the flowers and gems of the world combined. He himself was dark and tall, clothed only in black as was his eyes and hair. As she neared, looking as fearful as the day he took her, Hades stepped forward and dipped his head slightly. "Welcome home, dearest wife." He began, his voice smooth and calm. "I've missed you greatly. Did you enjoy yourself on the surface world?" Hades then outstretched his hand to her, taking her by the elbow and leading her away from the river to his chariot.
Hades then led Persephone to his chariot, his golden sides gleaming even though there was no light to shine from and the four horses stamped and neighed in anticipation of activity. Though not the sort of activity that human horses would know. Hades helped Persephone mount the small platform, his hands slightly on her hips before climbing on behind her. He picked up the reins and snapped, and soon after the chariot lurched forward and up, and they were soaring through the air. They passed the gates of the underworld where Cerebus sat guard, forcing a long line of human shades to pass through against the far wall out of the fear of the hound. Beyond the towering cliffs that surrounded Hades's domain lay the underworld. Five rivers lay across the landscape, dividing glorious Elysium from dark Tartarus, with Asphodel and the fields of Punishment between. In the distant was a great Palace, with many spires and towers which extended to the earthen roof above, concealed by distant shadows and darkness. If Olympus was the very top of the world, then this was the very apex of the opposite. The home of Hades, it was enough to rival Olympus in splendour and majesty, had it not been the abode for the King of the Underworld.
"Do you remember what I told you previous?" Hades said as they travelled in the air, the horses galloping silently across the shadows. "You are free to journey anywhere within my, our, realm except to dark Tartarus. You know what evil lurks down there and I remind you once again to stay away from there. Anywhere else, you may travel freely, whether to join the feasts of mighty heroes in Elysium or to walk among the restless in Asphodel." It didn't take long for them to reach the Palace, far beyond the reach of human shades whose curiosity, even in death, seemed to expand greatly. What did they have to lose in seeking out forbidden places, being already dead? The chariot and horses landed without bump or error, a bare ten feet from the great onyx doors of their home. Hades was not only Lord of the Dead but Giver of Wealth as well, for did not all mineral wealth come from his domain? The doors were interlaid with images woven in silver and gold, embedded with gems of many colors, and depicted scenes of the struggle against the Titans. Here, Hades helped Persephone dismount and gave her a brief smile. "Are you still frightened?" He asked, somewhat mockingly but also from genuine concern as he led Persephone into the Palace proper. The floors were covered with rich furs and lush carpets and the walls adorned with the most beautiful tapestries, where the images moved in slow motions and interacted with one another. Veins of silver and gold could be seen in the onyx walls and the furniture was richly clad with jewels. Columns of marbles depicted mythical creatures, though some of them were real and on guard for trespassers. A black owl sat atop a high perch, watching them intently.
