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

Hades went to his chamber where he started pacing from one side to the other. He was thinking about everything that occured so far. In 2 days he would journey to Olympus and face the family which had betrayed him. Another issue on his mind was the mysterious man who Persephone had betrayed him with. He only didn`t connect the dots because his mind focused on other issues. He awaited for his wife to join him after leaving Nikolai to rest. He said to himself:

This is one of the times I wish I was still inside my father`s stomach.

Hades was so worried he didn`t even notice Persephone enetering inside his room. When she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. At first he was surprised but then gave in to her soothing touch. The only woman he would ever allow to do that. He looked down and said:

It`s been too much for me lately, my flower. The yearly reunion with my brothers. The duty as ruler of the underworld, our little problems, the boy, his father. Everything is weightning on my mind.

Hades gave into her warm touch. It was the first time after so long that he felt alive, not like a walking corpse. When his lips met with hers, all of his problems and worries vanished. All that was left were their love. Hades actually gave in . He took off his sash making the sash untighten around his pale skin, he laid on his large bed with the clear white sheets and the deep black pillows. It was then that something fell off Hades` robe like a medallion connect to a chain around his neck. The medallion had greek words on it which translated to "Yours Ever". He said:

Waiting for you. Princess of the garden.

Hades woke up with Persephone`s movements. Last hight Hades felt as if life returned to his body along with the feeling of happiness. He stroked Persephone`s hair, playfully moving them. He said in a much softer tone, which cold be considered lovily or atleast non-cold:

Almighty Tartarus, I missed that.

Hades couldn`t believe what a wild night they just had. He stretched his sore limbs, trying to gain back the mobility of his muscles. As his wife called for him, Hades stood up and went right after her. Knowing exactly what was to come. He just said in a playfull tone:

Just one thing. Don`t expect me to act like an excited pup every morning, I still have some pride.

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The days went by as Hades became overjoyed with the company of his beautiful Queen.But eventually came the day in which he would have to leave the Underworld and visit his family in Olympus. He was still nervous, but his wife managed to take away a great deal of his worry. And who knows, this time he might not end up attempting to choke his younger siblings.

Thanatos was going to take care of his palace during his absence. Him, along with his 4 siblings would watch over Nikolai aswell. Hades ran from one side to the other like a mad man, trying to put on his armor. He cursed:

The only day I have to wear this and it is only to protect myself from my own family.

Finally after 10 minutes of struggle with putting on his own armor. Persephone and Hades had managed to put on his armor. Everything was in place, the sword, the cape. Hades wore on his head the helm of darkness, some kind of helmet forged in black metal, it had the power to bring despair to all those who looked directly to it. The almighty Emperor of the Underworld had finally calmed down. He walked next to his Queen and Said:

Promise to stay by me the whole time ? I really need your presence.

Hades nodded at her. Those seemed like valid points to him. He offered her his arm and snapped his fingers, opening a portal in front of them. Hades now felt prepared for that night of boringness. At least the heated discussions would take away that feeling of monotony Hades hated. He walked with grace and pride, like a true man of royalty. He stepped inside theprotal along with his queen. Going to the place he was forbidden to go, Olympus. He said to himself while stepping thought th black hole:

I wonder if they actually care for my presence.

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Meanwhile, Nikolai was lost inside Hades` castle. There was a reason Hades didn`t like plants inside it, he thought it didn`t fit with the black marble and the silver curtains. He actually had quite a nack for decoration. A figure walked off the shadows right in front of Nikolai. There stood a lean man, wearing a white robe decorated with black furr on the shoulders. His name was Phenton, a child of Thanatos, God of the Unwanted. He said, in a melancholic tone:

You seem lost. Want help ?

Hades nodded at his love. Perhaps his nemesis would be at Olympus, that would make things much easier if he tried to get to Persephone. Now that he remembered Nikolai did try to say his father`s name but only got out an A. Hades shook that thought off, this night had to be perfect, the Olympians wanted to make sure everything was in peace so there would be no confronts. As he and Persephone stepped throught the portal, it took them only a few seconds to arrive at the Heavenly castle of the Olympian Gods, Olympus. It reminded Hades of his castle, but was made of white masble and had poor decoration. His brother, Zeus had the taste of an old man. As they arrived at the throne room, the front doors were opened by his cold aura, darkness surrounded the room where the most powerful beings in existance reunited. Zeus and Hera sat side by side while the other Gods had their thrones in straight lines, each line in the diagonal of the Divine Couple. Hades`s throne was on the other side of the room. It wasn`t made of gold or crystal like theirs. His was made of black marble, decorated with silver. Besides him there was a smaller throne for his Queen. It was made of Polished stone, like Demeter`s, but had flowers decorating it. As Hades walked inside, all the Olympian eyed him. Some with distaste, others with fear, and a small group had a look of worry. Hades sat on his throne and gestured for Persephone to sit aswell. All gods were silent, which soon was broken by the thunderous voice of Zeus, King of Gods. He said:

Now that Hades has made his presence clear. We can now commence our second anual Peace offering.

Poseidon, who was also on his War armor nodded and looked at both Hades and Zeus. These three defined Sibling rivalry, and for two times they had fought against each other. Something the mortals called World Wars. Besides Poseidon there was a smaller throne, much like Hades and Zeus, Poseidon was also married. With the Sea Goddess, Amphitrite. Him and Hades were on good terms, their only problem was Zeus, who was the egocentric of the family.
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Phenton, who had made his presence known to Nikolai syly looked away from the God of Harvest. The boy didn`t know that Lord Hades and Persephone had left for Olympus and would only be back by night. The son of Thanatos said while looking down:

I`m sorry, but Lord Hades and Lady Persephone left for the meeting at Olympus. I was asked to take care of the castle.

Zeus started making a long and boring speech about how the last years had being good. How Olympus evolved and the dreadful results a war would bring to the world. It was all the same old thing to most of the Olympus, specially the elder gods such as Hades, poseidon, Hera and Demeter. they all knew Zeus was a drama queen. Then the Sky Lord explained the importance of tonight`s festivities along with the sacred peace offering amongst the gods and all. Hades thought Zeus would be better as God of the Laywers instead of King of Gods. Finally Zeus finished after long 20 minutes of monologue.

That`s why tonight is important my dear family. We are the ones who maintain ballance on the world. Let`s not destroy what took us so long to build. Now, Me and my brothers will have to leave for a few minutes to rediscuss the share of the world. Until we are back, please be all sure to make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the evening.

Hades and Poseidon stood up from their respective thrones and followed Zeus into the next room. This part was the most important. Whatever happened there would determine the fate of all reality.
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Phenton flinched at Nikolai`s request. If he allowed him to leave, Lord Hades and his father would most likely get upset with him. He had to obey his orders. He looked briefly at Nikolai and said with a soft tone:

I am sorry. No one can leave or enter the castle while Lord Hades is away. Only my father. I`m afraid you will have to wait.

As the events between Persephone and Apollo unfolded and both gods went back to their seats, a slim figure watched them closely. That situation was just perfect for the upcoming events. A woman devided between 2 gods, one of them being Hades. That, along with other factors would soon shake the very foundations of Olympus, but who was the figure and whichwere it`s plans ? That remained a secret.
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Phenton was not in a very suitable situation for his calm and shy demeanor. The young god before him was acting like a spoiled brat. To the point of disrespecting the children of death and the orders of the Supreme Judge of the Underworld. Phenton turned to face Nikolai, this time his eyes were emotionless and had a pale greenish shine. He said with more courage:

A matter of Life or Death ? Don`t say those words so uncarefully. You are nothing better than I am. I`m Phenton, God of the Abbandoned. Son of Thanatos and Hecate. If you wish to speak with the accursed Sun God, be my guest. But you are not leaving this place.

By the time he finished speaking the hall was filled with floating spheres of what seemed to be blue fire. Thoses wereactually souls, souls of the abbandoned. They served Phenton, who was most of time docile and shy. But when provoked, he could be as merciless as death itself.

As Persephone cried in Demeter`s arms, suddendly a thunder echoed through Olympus, this could only mean that the personal meeting between the 3 Elder Gods had ended. Soon after, the huge doors opened as they went back into the Throne room. Hades immediately felt there was something wrong with his queen. He walked past his brothers, going directly where Demeter and Persephone were. He asked in a worried yet stern voice:

What happened ? Demeter, why is she crying ?

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Phenton was getting annoyed at the boy. He decided that it was better to just give what he want, but in a way none of them would get in trouble. He vanished among the shadows, reappearing right in front of Nikolai. He pointed his index finger towards the young god and said:

If you want to see your father so badly. Allow me to show you the way.

He then shot a light beam, that if hit would separate Nikolai`s soul from his body and send it to Olympus, only Apollo would be able to see him, Phenton made sure of it.

Hades found strange Persephone would cry over something like that. He usually trusted Demeter, more than he trusted all his other brothers and sisters. He carressed Persephone`s face and nuke. Giving her a different feeling from his ussual posessiveness. Was he really being caring towards her ? He stroke her hair, attempting to comfort the Goddess of Spring. He said in a soft tone:

You will never have to worry again, my love. Once we have reached Elysium I promise to make you the happiest wife in history.

He approached her and planted a kiss on her lips. He was trying the best he could be a good husband. He still didn`t get how to be caring and lovely all the time, but he was atleast trying. He heard her question and said with distaste:

Same thing. The Sky princess doesn`t know the meaning of share and Poseidon feels like I should "chill". What the hell does that even mean ?