Forever Yours

Chapter Eleven

Smoke billowed out from an open space in the floor, while cries for help could be heard from all around. Fires sparked from underneath, illuminating the darkness briefly before going dark again. The smell of sweat and blood engulfed the senses, leaving a lingering taste in the throat. It was hot, the molten lava that flowed beside it making it so. Tartarus was for the most evil of sins and souls. It was their final resting place, but no resting was to be had.

In the far corners of the realm, beyond the crying and wailing of the lost souls, a cage sat. It was tall, the height of fourteen stories, while the length and width were the size of seven football fields. Golden, it glinted in the darkness, giving off light. It was here that the Titans sat.

Commended to spend eternity in their glided cage, they had once roam the land and ruled over all. Kronos was king, ruthless and cruel. He abused his power, ruling with an iron thumb over all who served under him, until the day he was taken down by his three sons: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. They banished him to the depths of Tartarus, where he waits for someone to release him from his prison.

Rhea, his queen, watched him; her large green eyes troubled. She knew that no good would come from this, knew that none of her sons would release their hated father. Hades visited from time to time, checking to make sure they were still in their cage; while her other two sons never came to see about their well-being. It was for the best, she knew. There was no telling what Kronos would do if he were to see Zeus, it was hard enough to calm him when Hades came.

Clang... clack... clang... thud....

She heard the sound before she saw the figure, the clanging of a sword against the marble floor. Turning her head, Rhea watched as her husband smiled, a feature wicked and unsure on his face. She turned her head back towards the sound, watching as the figure came into view, as it walked steadily alongside the River Phlegethon, the sword they carried dipping into the lava periodically. When the figure was within view, Rhea saw that it was a woman. A long silver gown covered her body, the hem flowing as if it were made of water. The armor that covered her torso moved with her as if it were a second skin, protecting her from any and all attacks; while her silver helmet had been left behind. Hair, long and curly, was the color of amethysts as it flowed freely behind her. She shifted her storm grey eyes from the lava flowing beside her to the large golden cage that sat in the distance. It was this cage for which she was intended.

A movement from within caught the woman's gaze, and she smiled as she approached. Bowing before the titan within, she held out a golden goblet of water. "For you, my master. Water from the River Styx, to aid you in your hated."

"Ah, wise and just Athena," a voice said seductively from within. It echoed off the damp walls, sending shivers up her spine. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" The golden goblet was taken from her hand before she heard gulping and the cup came flying through the bars. "Have you come to release us from our prison, child?"

"Nay. It's not yet time to let you go. There is another matter we must attend to," Athena said as she moved to the side, to avoid being hit with the goblet as she thought of how to break the news to her master. "Persephone is back," she replied cautiously.

"Mmm... so the darling goddess of the dead has return once more to the depths. And will she be joining my son in his kingdom?"

Athena nodded, watching for any sudden movement within. She was a goddess of war, of justice and as such she knew to be wary of her opponent. Kronos was a liar and a cheat, it was how he had come into power. Rhea had used that against him. "She has brought her offspring with her."

"Offspring? Hades has a child?" Rhea asked, suddenly interested in the conversation. She didn't think a creature of night could sire a child. However, if what Athena was saying was true, then his child was of both the dark and the light. "How old is this child?"