The landscape had changed from being barren to an abundance of natural beauty. Demeter had completed her dream. My information on the upper world came from the dead souls that arrived, Hermes, Zeus and, at times, strange dreams. I knew the state of the earth, but to see it before me was overwhelming to my senses when my eternity was linked to death. After hundreds of years residing in the Underworld, it was unsettling being above ground.
Soft, melodic laughter filled the air, and I frowned at the being who would disturb my uncomfortable peace. I searched for the source only to see a female prancing around in the meadow. Her energy was unlike any other I’d come across. It was as bright as Zeus’s thunderbolt, yet it had a darker, more sinister outline over the edges.
My eyes widened as I watched her spin around; her long hair flowed around her, as did her thin white garment. She wasn't a nymph. I stalked through the grass to stare at her when she suddenly stumbled and dropped out of sight. I swiftly moved closer, drawn to the strange woman. Her arms were stretched out, and vines began to swirl around them.
She was a Goddess.
Her dark hair had lighter shades on each side of her temple. She was a contrast and a contradiction. This was Persephone, Goddess of Spring, daughter to Zeus and Demeter. My eyes dropped to her lips, and an unfamiliar ache burned my insides. Horrified at my reaction, I moved back, but she followed me as she sat up. Her golden eyes reminded me of Cerberus. The vines danced again, but this time, they released her arms. I froze as she glanced around before she stood up.
Impossible.
The Cyclopses had told me that no being could sense me when I wore my Helm of Darkness. I barely managed to escape her path as she jumped up and skipped towards the stream I’d passed. Unable to move, I watched her beautiful form sprint across the meadow.
The shock left me as I deftly chased after her to watch her leap into the air and swing from a long tangled branch from the Weeping Willow tree beside the stream. Something was amiss.
There was a whirlwind of emotions within me that I hadn't felt for aeons. Confusion clouded my thoughts like a tangled web of anger and uncertainty, yet a flicker of desire burned through me beneath the haze—persistent and undeniable.
No.
I was Hades, God of the Underworld. My eternity was mine alone. I would forever be The Unseen One.My dark world was my destiny.
I blinked when I listened to her interaction with the Naiad nymph, reminding me of my previous entanglement with Minthe. The reminder was like a welcomed cold shower. The ambitious young nymph thought me to be a fool. It was time to return to my world. I had no business being on Earth.
It didn't stop me from watching the young Goddess leave with the nymph until they were out of sight.
???
The days passed slowly, but the nights were slower because the thoughts ofherkept me awake. I wandered around my big, empty, grand palace, but it didn't comfort me as it once did. A part of me remained restless with an irritating persistence.
Somehow, I ended up in the Library of Shadows and opened the carnivorous book to listen to the Shades' debates. The book was bound with mortal skin, and if one wasn't careful, it could take a nasty chunk out of you.
I sat in the dim light while half listening to the philosophers. Thoughts of her persisted—her smile, her voice, the way remembrance of her laughter seemed to light up the darkest corners of my world. The intrusion was unbidden and relentless. I clenched my fists, trying to anchor myself to the gravity of my duties—the balance of life and death demanded my unwavering focus.
A movement caught my eye, and I slammed the book shut before the sharp teeth sank into my hand. The satisfying grunts and groans of the shades filled my library. I stood up and placed my hands behind my back while I paced the length of the library.
In the end, I returned to my bedroom and lay in bed. No sooner than I closed my eyes, her vision appeared before me. The scrap of material she’d worn did little to cover her form. The translucent material showed every curve, and my stomach tightened, recalling the faint outline of her nipples. I should have followed them to the waterfalls.
I kept my eyes closed and reached for my manhood. The bittersweet thought of touching her soft, supple skin created a tug-of-war between my desire and my self-proclaimed oath to carry out my responsibilities without any external distractions diligently. It didn't stop me from gripping my hardened staff and rubbing myself shamelessly like a miscreant. The slippery liquid coated my fingertips as I moved my hand up and down my length, wondering what Persephone would taste like.
A taste of the Goddess of Spring.
I gave in to my desire and tightened my grip around my phallus, rapidly moving my hand up and down. The walls seemed to close on, and the air was thick with tension. I recalled seeing her skirt rise above her knees when she swung around.
My breath grew heavier, and my body tensed. I saw the pleasure on her face as I pumped my fist hard and fast. It had been such a long time since I’d felt any desire. The Spring Goddess had infected me.
“Persephone,” I gasped her name as my seed shot out, but I didn't stop pleasuring myself until I drained every last drop I had.
My heavy manhood pulsated beneath my touch as more seed spurt out over my hand, thigh and chiton. I breathed a few heavy breaths, trying to calm the fresh, depraved thoughts of the young Goddess.
When I opened my eyes, I was grateful for the darkness. It hid my shame. With a groan, I relaxed against my pillow, and the tension was gone for now. After a few moments, I got up to wash myself before removing my soiled chiton. The cool water against the heat in my face made me grind my teeth together. Never in my life had I lost control, not in battle or when we drew our lots.
Tomorrow, I would not give her a single thought.
???
The skies were dark but not black. They were tinged in a dark blue colour, but the light radiating from the meadows was confusing. Day and night were merged, and I took a step back to admire the contrast.
Was I on Earth or in the Underworld?
