Page 6 of His in the Dark
HADES
M y andron is a massive room made from polished obsidian with high ceilings, every inch of it gleaming and black. We head to it now, and every step draws closer an anxiousness for the night to be done with. The energy is exceptional and the power it gives me is undeniable. It will be empty tonight. It’s nearly always vacant unless there is some cause for festivity, or a pertinent meeting that cannot wait for the courts. It is the part of my home that’s farthest from my rooms and closest to the Underworld, the most public place I can be. It is a place reserved for conversations such as these, which I would rather not hold in my private rooms. I want to be able to leave them behind when they are finished, though I know I cannot really force them out of my thoughts.
I go by way of an outside path, choosing to divide myself from my private spaces with a walk. The path is empty, as the andron will be. The ground beneath my feet gleams with the flash of silver, though not as smoothly as the floor of the andron. There is no sound, other than the air that moves in a mimicry of mortal wind. Through the silence, I can hear all of my realms, and the souls, if only I choose to listen.
Silence is mostly preferred these days, when my thoughts are preoccupied with the image of her .
There is no life in the Underworld apart from the souls. Nothing of new life can be made where the dead linger. In Olympus, at the bottom of the ocean where Poseidon rules and even on Earth where there are only heroes and those sent by the Gods for purposes that vary, life can be made. It can be brought forth from the other realms including the Underworld. But the same is not true here. There is a strict tally of souls who come and go and it is balanced and righteous.
I walk on a path of crushed obsidian that crunches under my boots. My presence breaks the sharp shards as I go, turning it to dust beneath my feet.
“My lord, I will do as you bid,” Minox reminds me in the cold night.
With my throat tightening and the black hooded cloaks we wear fluttering in the bitter wind, I do my best to contain my frustration. It will not be helpful to me to approach this conversation already angry, though I’m not pleased to be summoned by Zeus as if I have the time as he does. It’s irritating that he keeps his reasons from me as if I am some servant to be ordered to do his bidding. There is a chance, however small, that Minox was right, and I am making trouble for myself by refusing to go to him, but I cannot bring myself to care.
I have already found a way for what I desire most and neither Zeus’s approval nor his help is required. Surely his ego will be bruised but I have not time nor energy for consoling such things.
We enter the andron through a side door, foregoing the massive public entrance at the front. The space is empty, as I knew it would be, and cold as the obsidian it’s made from. Any shout here would echo off the ceiling, but I do not shout, or call. There is no one to call for and I have lost that habit long before now.
My reputation is one that denotes I am ice cold, calculated, lacking compassion and empathy at times, but balanced and just. Perhaps my role requires villainy, but I prefer the title of an iron fisted king.
I take a few moments alone in the emptiness, standing still as the wind blows easily from the outside and the draught provides a comfort to soothe the eagerness of what is to come. Patience has long been my friend and yet now in this time of need it seems to betray me. I left Cerberus in my rooms. It is only Minox and I who will hear the conversation tonight.
Minox pauses just inside and inclines his head.
“My lord.”
“Minox. Let us get on with it.” He’s partially aware of what has transpired. He need not know the details. It is only his role to obey. The scar that lines his left cheek flashes with the light that reflects from the obsidian.
He does not say anything further as we walk to the far end of the room. There is a large grate there, taller than I am, and as we draw near I raise my hand to it, commanding the warmth and the flames of divination. A fire springs up in it, the flames flickering orange and black. Smoke gathers above them and floats out toward us and it only takes a moment for the smoke to congregate in the shape of Zeus’s face.
I wave it away with a scowl. It is not the fire I have come here for but the mirror beside the grate. From a distance it appears as black as the walls around us, but when I am close the darkness begins to dissolve, and it takes the appearance of a more common mirror. The edges are etched with a herringbone pattern.
Minox does not stand behind me, so he cannot be seen in the reflection, only I. My reflection is dim. The mirror has gathered its own smoke, and as it drifts away, it reveals a room in Olympus.
Like most places in Olympus, it is stark white with pale blue details. The mirror makes it look darker than it is, which is a pure, blinding white, as if to remind everyone who looks at it that Olympus is closer to the sun and sky. It does not seem to matter to anyone that the Underworld is just as vast. It is not as if the sky and sun would be in balance without the Underworld. It is not as if anything would continue in the ways it should without all realms.
Zeus steps into view and takes his seat on a throne of quartz, looking at me through the mirror. “Hades.” His demeanor lacks warmth and I return the sentiment.
“Zeus.”
He may think of himself as above me. He may be above me, as far as the heavens are concerned. But the two of us are equals. It would be wise of him to remember that.
He toys with his beard as his wrinkled eyes narrow at me. His build is sizable as is his scepter that he taps along the floor. The clang of it echoing slightly in the background. His leather cloak dons the Aegis.
“I hope all is well in the Underworld,” he says in an even tone.
“It is,” I answer simply.
He’s not asking if everything is well in the Underworld. He is asking if I want to provide him with a reason for not rushing off to meet him at his command. I do not give him one. We look at each other through the mirror for several beats.
Eventually, Zeus comes to the conclusion that I will not be indulging his curiosity any further and straightens in his chair.
“What we have discussed prior,” Zeus begins, “it appears time may be on your side.”
My blood runs cold at his admission.
“Is that so?” I ask, adding a feigned curiosity.
“You do still wish for her?” he questions and I nod. The vision of Persephone clearly invading my mind and every thought.
“Is this the reason you summoned me?” I ask.
“It is,” he says, this time a smile carving slightly on his face.
The conversation continues as it has for the last few months, and I lie my way through it. I have found other means to acquire the Goddess. He does not need to know, for if he did, all of my plans would be ruined. He does not know what I’ve done and the depths of my betrayal.
By the time Olympus fades from the mirror, it feels like the fire is no longer in the grate. I burn with anger instead. I stand before the mirror and watch the surface, waiting for my own demeanor to calm.
I am so close to attaining her. So close to a desire I’ve never felt before. So close … and yet Zeus nearly hindered my plans.
Minox moves closer, his concern apparent in his slower-than-usual steps.
“My Lord--”
“Not here.”
Not in this room. I need time to gather myself before I speak. Before my command is given in haste. I lead the way out of the andron. Minox walks by my side on the obsidian path. His footsteps make far less noise than my own, though I am far closer to the edge of madness than he is. Anger does not help me keep my realms in balance, and it does not help me remain fair and just, but denying it is as much of a problem as letting it rule me.
I let my fury simmer on the way back to my private rooms as we walk in silence and the faint screams, cries and prayers are muted in the back of my mind. He strides behind me through the halls, the guards straighten when they see me coming. The servants scatter, making themselves unseen. Most of what I see is shadows disappearing around corners. It is better that they keep their distance, at least for the time being. I imagine the air itself is thick with my rage.
Finally, back in my private rooms, Minox closes the door behind him and I am more at peace with the decision.
“Cerberus.”
My dog’s footsteps pitter on the floor as he comes to me, his tail wagging and the ears on all three of his heads raised in excitement, as if I was gone for days and not less than an hour. I kneel on the floor and pet each of his heads in turn, scratching each of his ears. His breath is warm on my face in contrast to the icy anger I feel, and gradually I regain control of it. Cerberus shakes his body, delighted with getting so much attention, and I rise to my feet.
Cerberus walks at my side to the windows overlooking my realms. He howls for the edge of all things so he may guard the gates as he so loves to do. He sniffs the air and I know all too well he craves a run and to gather the lost souls.
Minox trails behind me, still silent and waiting. He steps to my other side, and we look out at the realms together.
When I speak, it is not out of the anger I felt in the andron, or the desperation that still clings no matter how I try to deny it. It is simply the command needed.
“It is time.”
Minox unfolds his hands and refolds them again. “My Lord?”
He offers me a moment to change my mind or to clarify. But there is nothing that can stop me from what comes next.
“Tonight she will be mine.” I turn to stare into his gaze, “Take her tonight.”
“Lord Hades.” He turns to look at me, his dark eyes large in his pale face. “Do you mean...? We are ignoring what Zeus–”
“Go in the night and stay in the shadows.” I cut him off, unable to dim my rage towards the God of Thunder. Tension grows between us as Minox waits for the inevitable. “Seize her.”
He is silent to a count of five, unfolding and refolding his hands twice in that time.
I add in an easy tone, “It is an act of war, Minox. You will surely be murdered and tortured if caught.”
He looks me directly in the eyes. “I will speak of nothing if I am caught. I will kill myself before such things are possible.”
With our eyes locked, I give him a nod.
“Hell awaits you if you are caught,” I say. “All of the heavens when you return with my Persephone.” I stare off into my realm and whisper, “My soon to be Queen.”