"From the Deep" - (Stryker and Zeria only)

Not in one moment Hades took his cold stare from Persephone. He could easily see thought her expression, what were her intentions. Thanatos, who stood silent awaited for orders from his King. The Emperor of the Underworld adressed the God of Death, but still keot looking to his queen.

Thanatos, go back to your tasks. I`m sure many have already died and are waiting for your touch.

Thanatos made a respectful bow to the man before him and left quickly after. That meeting had taken long enough for Thanatos to find himself working during the whole day. Before leaving he quickly glanced towards Persephone and said mentally:

Good luck

After Thanatos left, Hades` expression changed. He looked coldly at the Goddess of Spring but kept a stern face, as if something was preventing him from smiting her that very second. He said, hispid:

Persephone. Come here.

Hades looked puzzled and annoyed at her words. She dared to snap at him. One of the most powerful gods in existance. He was the one that in the past went literally throught hell so they could stay together. She had not right to address him in such disrespectful manner. The Emperor stood up, towering over his wife. His aura was like the cold wind of the night. It was as if he was a walking corpse, like life ran away from him. His onys eyes looked right into Persephone`s very soul. He was still furious, but had made a decision as to how his wife could make up for her betrayal. He said, mustering some lies along with words meant to soft her anger towards him:

I have being thinking lately. And I came to the conclusion that your betrayal was not entirely your fault. For I have put my duty as Judge of Dead over my love for you. With that thought in mind, I decided the best way which both of us can make up for our past mistakes. Are you willing to rekindle our love, my beautiful flower ?

Hades steel cold eyes softened as Persephone threw her arms around him. His eyes were more like polished rock now. For how long he hadn`t felt the warm feeling of her skin. The alluring smell of her hair and the soft sound of her voice. For that single moment, Hades forgot all his revenge all the pain and anguish he felt towards his Olympian family. He embraced his queen. the only woman he had ever loved, his choosen one. It was then that she moved back. Hades heard carefully to her words. This was the moment to save their marriage, the right wrong choice of words would send all Hades hard work down the toilet. He said, in a soft tone, not the cold and sadistic one.

My dearest, if it was my duty which tore us apart, then it is about time I took vacations. I will completely dedicate my time to your hapiness. I will take you to the evergreen Elysium Fields. I have a castle there, it will be like the first century of our marriage. But there is a problem. Winter is almost over, that means you will soon have to leave the Underworld and meet Demeter. That`s why i beg of you to extend your time with me, your foolish husband. Please stay for another season and I promise to make everything right.

Hades saw her expression change to one of pain and indecision. He knew that because of her yearly stays at the Underworld, Persephone didn`t have much time with her kid. The kid that was fruit of her betrayal towards him. That thought slightly angered him, but the anger became compassion as his queen turned away to cry. Apparently the boy didn`t love her as a son should. Hades put his hand below her chin, and turned her around to face him again. He gave her a soft kiss on the lips, attempting to ease her pain. He said in a loving way:

There is nothing I wouldn`t do to see you happy. I could get all the riches below the earth and han them to you. And if it is your son that you want. Then I will bring him to you. Also, I`ve being quite curious about the young god. Demeter blocks my view everytime I tried to see him. I think he would have a good time tending to the Elysium Fields with you.

Hades sat silently on his throne after his queen left to pic her son. Without her presence Hades when back to his icy heart. He wanted to stab himself, how would he leave to Elysium if there were many souls to look after ? He was a very busy god, if he ever hoped to go on a trip with his dear wife he would need help. He thought about it. Thanatos was already on his edge, he wouldn`t stand much more work. It was then that the idea hit him. If he allowed Thanatos` children to look over the Underworld itself rather than it`s boundaries, he wouldn`t have to worry about Asphodel and Tartarus. It was a good plan and he sent it telepathically to his second in command, who approved of it. However he couldn`t leave before checking the 4 Minor Death Gods and adress them properly. He sent a mental message to Persephone, telling her to meet him on her personal garden rather than the throne room. With everything taken care of he vanished among the shadows of his thron and went to the other side of the castle, Persephone`s personal garden, and Hades marriage present to her.

Hades waited at Persephone`s garden with his back turned to the entrance. he found himself very anxious about meeting the boy. He had never seen him and wondered how he would look like. When he heard the voice of the young god it reminded him of Persephone, the very tone of his voice was similar to hers. He was with his back turned to them so he slowly turned around to face them. The Emperor had pale skin, like a corpse. His eyes were light blue and reresembled jewels. He had black, shoulder lenght hair. He wore a black robe detailed in silver, it covered his whole body. That was the Emperor in all his glory. He looked at the boy. Red hair, green eyes, face and clothes dirty with grass and dirt. He was definetly Persephone`s son, yet there was something bugging him, his skin had a stronger tan than persephone`s and that face reminded him of someone else.Finally, he was wearing an eyepatch, something that puzzled Hades greatly. He noticed the boy had stopped a few meters from him, that kind og fear was expected. Hades gave two steps towards him and said in a welcoming tone, what to him was serious and slightly cold:

Welcome to the Underworld,Nikolai.

Hades chuckled a bit at the boy`s nervousness. He knew most feared for their lives when standing before one of the elder gods, specially him. He snapped his fingers and a small throne appeared behind him. As he sat he turned to address the young god:

Boy, you look slightly pale to me.

The almighty Gof of Underworld had just made a joke. A sarcastic remark, yet a joke. He snapped his fingers again and a small, round table came from within the ground along with a pair of metal chairs. He said:

We have things to discuss, boy. About the trip to Elysium and the situation between me, your mother and your Father.

He spat the last word with desdain and anger. All the life in the garden flinched for a moment. That man was fear incarnated, but he kept himself on a tight leash. He couldn`t risk making his queen mad at him.

Hades looked puzzled as Persephone covered Nikolai`s mouth. He knew she probably thought he was trying to get revenge on whoever was the father of the child. He actually craved to make the mansuffer, but not now, in that instant all he wanted was to have his wife back. Revenge could wait a month or two. He reached for Persephone`s face, carressing her cheeks and nuke, playing with her fiery, red hair. It was a simple message "she is mine". He said:

Unfortunately my dear Queen. We will be only going to Elysium in a few days, after winter is over.

An Underworld nymph then appeared, carrying with her a plate with crystal glasses and tea, Persephone`s favorite. The man gestured the nymph to serve them. The nymph looked like one of the medieval elves, with black hair, pale skin and deep ametyst eyes. Hades took a sip and stayed silent.

Hades could see the frustation on Nikolai`s face. But to him, this was the most normal thing of the world. As God of Wealth he had to ensure everything under his domain continued being his. He took another sip of his tea and turned to the boy. He smirked and said:

I`m sure Demeter wouldn`t mind taking care of your garden. Her and that friend of yours can very well do you a favor. Also, I have one last business to fullfill before our trip. In the Winter Solstice I`m going to Olympus in order to meet with my brothers and the others. You two can accompany me if you want.

Hades couldn`t care less about his harvest and his garden. He was only making sure they would accompany him to Olympus. It was good to see Nikolai had will of his own, but what happened next surprised even The Emperor. He could feel the power overflowing from his eye. No wonder he wore the eyepatch, that things was like a seal. As Persephone went after him, Hades stood up and calmly walked by him. He grabbed the eyepatch from the floor, focusing his powers into it, giving it new shape and leather straps instead of strings. He kneeled next to Nikolai and put the new eye patch on the previously covered eye. He hoped it would work. He turned to Persephone:

Calm down Persephone. He is gonna be fine.

Hades was interested on his words. So he had the gift of prophecy. That would reduce Hades` search for the man he so was so angry with. He snapped his fingers, making the table, his throne and the chairs disappear, swallowed by the floor. He walked towards Persephone and helped her raising him to his feet. The interesting fact was that he had no worry for the boys life, he remained calm and controlled the whole time. He was God of Underworld, he had seen worse. He said:

I think it would be better if we took him inside. He can stay on your personal chambers until I set up a room for him.

He looked at the eyepatch, at the eye. How useful could that be once Hades cleansed Nikolai from it`s pain. He said:

I will call Hecate later to take a look on his eye andd see if there is anything we can do about it.