Name:
Hades
Gender:
Male
Orientation:
Straight
Relationship:
Closed
Friendships:
Closed (For Now)
(If you would like to submit one of your viscets to be an angel of Hades then pm me on chickensmoothie or Discord)
Companions:
Arae- Ramidreju
Tier 1 Custom w/ Roaming Rare Add-on
Artist:
park_eunhuii
Hades
Gender:
Male
Orientation:
Straight
Relationship:
Closed
Friendships:
Closed (For Now)
(If you would like to submit one of your viscets to be an angel of Hades then pm me on chickensmoothie or Discord)
Companions:
Arae- Ramidreju
Tier 1 Custom w/ Roaming Rare Add-on
Artist:
park_eunhuii
Bio:
Hades is the God of Death and Lord of the Underworld but he isn't what people typically think of when they hear that. Many times, people express surprise or laugh when they realize he is the god of death as they usually expect someone cruel and evil. He can be sarcastic and has a pretty big sense of humor for one that works around death all day, but it may be the one thing that really keeps him going. Hades struggles to be the god of death at times as he is caring and kind, but his job puts him in bad situations where he cannot do anything for them. He does care deeply for his Angels, hand picking them from bad situations to live a better life with him, and defending them as much as he can. His time before being Hades is mostly a blur to him but he can remember trying to save a little girl during a flood and drowning before he could get to her. He regrets not being able to help more people and therefore puts up a front of it not affecting him as much as it really does. Girls tend to find Hades attractive, but he hates being the center of attention so he tried to ignore them at all times. He isn't interested in a relationship after the loss of his soul mate, Cel, whose spirit he keeps in a blue glass bead in one of his earrings. His eyes change color based on his emotion (Blue being sad, grey neutral and red anger). Song: Immortals- Fall Out Boy Revolution- The Score |
Traits
Color Changing Eyes - Roaming Rare
Minor Mane - Uncommon
Lynx Ears - Uncommon
Smooth Horns - Uncommon
Minor Mane - Uncommon
Lynx Ears - Uncommon
Smooth Horns - Uncommon
Stories
Background:
No Mercy for the Cruel
Hades glared at the viscet standing opposite him and then let his eyes glance at the slain child nearby.
“You have been found guilty.” He snapped at the viscet he snickered.
“By who? You?” The viscet didn’t seem nervous at this stranger standing before him.
He could feel his fur bristling as his eyes shifted to red and his gaze returned to the murdering viscet. He hovered his paw above his hip and scythe formed from the marking there. He grabbed it, swung it around and then dug it into the earth with a snarl. The viscet took a step back at the shift in eye color and the appearance of the scythe, but then prepared himself for a fight, clutching his sword tightly in his hands.
Hades stepped to the side as the viscet launched himself forward and brought his scythe down on the viscets back. The fight was over and Hades brought out a vial to collect the murderers soul. He would be sure to lock this one away in some sort of eternal punishment. He then took a knee by the poor child and stroked its fur, trying to coax the soul from hiding.
“It’s alright. He is gone.” Hades spoke softly, his eyes dulling back to their normal grey as he saw the small blue whisp of a soul, peeking out from behind the body. Hades smiled at the child’s soul which came closer to him and he stood slowly. He put his scythe back to the marking and it vanished once more into himself. He then stretched out a hand for the child who took it cautiously and accompanied Hades back to the underworld. Hades had no tolerance for those who were cruel, particularly to the innocent.
Hades glared at the viscet standing opposite him and then let his eyes glance at the slain child nearby.
“You have been found guilty.” He snapped at the viscet he snickered.
“By who? You?” The viscet didn’t seem nervous at this stranger standing before him.
He could feel his fur bristling as his eyes shifted to red and his gaze returned to the murdering viscet. He hovered his paw above his hip and scythe formed from the marking there. He grabbed it, swung it around and then dug it into the earth with a snarl. The viscet took a step back at the shift in eye color and the appearance of the scythe, but then prepared himself for a fight, clutching his sword tightly in his hands.
Hades stepped to the side as the viscet launched himself forward and brought his scythe down on the viscets back. The fight was over and Hades brought out a vial to collect the murderers soul. He would be sure to lock this one away in some sort of eternal punishment. He then took a knee by the poor child and stroked its fur, trying to coax the soul from hiding.
“It’s alright. He is gone.” Hades spoke softly, his eyes dulling back to their normal grey as he saw the small blue whisp of a soul, peeking out from behind the body. Hades smiled at the child’s soul which came closer to him and he stood slowly. He put his scythe back to the marking and it vanished once more into himself. He then stretched out a hand for the child who took it cautiously and accompanied Hades back to the underworld. Hades had no tolerance for those who were cruel, particularly to the innocent.
Charon
The Fire
The flames had died off by the time Hades had shown up to view the aftermath. He looked around the ruined building, noticing where the fire had been set and how it had quickly spread to the rest of the wooden structure. He sighed as he moved through the ash when he noticed a small figure lying within the wreckage. He hurried over and frowned at the sight of a badly burned viscling, probably only a few years old. He gazed around, looking for anyone who may be looking for this little one but he saw none.
He turned back to the viscling, laying in the ash all alone and was shocked to see the child still breathing. Hades brushed a hand over their ears and pulled the child onto his lap. This viscling's heart was pure, unlike the monster who had set the flames. Hades bent his head down to the child's and whispered, "Just ask and I can spare you. Become one of my angels and never know this pain again."
The viscling looked up at him and nodded very weakly, "Please..."
Hades watched as the child healed from his wounds and his pelt become the color of the flames themselves. A pattern emerged and the child's eyes regained their glow in the color of oranges. Hades helped them stand and then held a hand out to them.
"Come, let's go home." Hades walked with the newly reborn child, away from the place that he had suffered.
The flames had died off by the time Hades had shown up to view the aftermath. He looked around the ruined building, noticing where the fire had been set and how it had quickly spread to the rest of the wooden structure. He sighed as he moved through the ash when he noticed a small figure lying within the wreckage. He hurried over and frowned at the sight of a badly burned viscling, probably only a few years old. He gazed around, looking for anyone who may be looking for this little one but he saw none.
He turned back to the viscling, laying in the ash all alone and was shocked to see the child still breathing. Hades brushed a hand over their ears and pulled the child onto his lap. This viscling's heart was pure, unlike the monster who had set the flames. Hades bent his head down to the child's and whispered, "Just ask and I can spare you. Become one of my angels and never know this pain again."
The viscling looked up at him and nodded very weakly, "Please..."
Hades watched as the child healed from his wounds and his pelt become the color of the flames themselves. A pattern emerged and the child's eyes regained their glow in the color of oranges. Hades helped them stand and then held a hand out to them.
"Come, let's go home." Hades walked with the newly reborn child, away from the place that he had suffered.
The Ferryman
Charon rubbed the side of his boat down with a rag, Cerebus sound asleep behind him as there had been no visitors yet today. A dark figure appeared at the entrance and all three heads of the massive dog lifted and puffed a cloud of hot air at them. The figure laughed a bit and reached a paw out to the dog, rubbing each snout individually before turning to the boatman.
"Charon, how are you?" The figure bowed his head in respect and Charon got on one knee briefly before standing back up.
"Good my lord. Ready to return to the palace?" Charon motioned to the boat and the viscet nodded before climbing in.
Charon pushed the boat off the shore, briefly stepping into the water which at the moment was glowing with a purple like hue. Charon stepping into the water made the passenger shudder for a moment and Charon swung himself into the boat to continue pushing it down the river. He couldn't help but grin at the expression of the viscet's face.
"You know the water does not affect me Hades, yet you grimace every time." Charon laughed a bit and Hades shook his head.
"I have touched that water and it felt like hundred of fires being lit on my body. How you do not feel that is beyond me."
Charon shrugged, "Perhaps it is because of the reason I am here Hades?"
Hades considered it, it made sense that Charon could not feel the burning water of hate because he had already been burned by actual flames set from hatred. Hades could see Charon's eyes reflecting the flames of his past and reached a paw to rest on his shoulder.
"I gave you this position not because of your past but because I saw you had kindness and a will to continue in your soul. You are an amazing angel Charon." Charon's eyes cleared and he looked at the dark viscet who was smiling down at him.
"Thank you Hades, I do enjoy my role here. It is amazing to see all the visitors coming and going from the underworld." Charon paused a moment, "And to see your face when I touch the water of course."
Charon bent down, dipping his paw into the water and watched as the discomfort spread through Hades body. Hades looked at him with a glare but the viscet's grey eyes held no malice towards the boatman.
Charon straightened up and pushed the boat further through the underworld towards the massive castle ahead.
Charon rubbed the side of his boat down with a rag, Cerebus sound asleep behind him as there had been no visitors yet today. A dark figure appeared at the entrance and all three heads of the massive dog lifted and puffed a cloud of hot air at them. The figure laughed a bit and reached a paw out to the dog, rubbing each snout individually before turning to the boatman.
"Charon, how are you?" The figure bowed his head in respect and Charon got on one knee briefly before standing back up.
"Good my lord. Ready to return to the palace?" Charon motioned to the boat and the viscet nodded before climbing in.
Charon pushed the boat off the shore, briefly stepping into the water which at the moment was glowing with a purple like hue. Charon stepping into the water made the passenger shudder for a moment and Charon swung himself into the boat to continue pushing it down the river. He couldn't help but grin at the expression of the viscet's face.
"You know the water does not affect me Hades, yet you grimace every time." Charon laughed a bit and Hades shook his head.
"I have touched that water and it felt like hundred of fires being lit on my body. How you do not feel that is beyond me."
Charon shrugged, "Perhaps it is because of the reason I am here Hades?"
Hades considered it, it made sense that Charon could not feel the burning water of hate because he had already been burned by actual flames set from hatred. Hades could see Charon's eyes reflecting the flames of his past and reached a paw to rest on his shoulder.
"I gave you this position not because of your past but because I saw you had kindness and a will to continue in your soul. You are an amazing angel Charon." Charon's eyes cleared and he looked at the dark viscet who was smiling down at him.
"Thank you Hades, I do enjoy my role here. It is amazing to see all the visitors coming and going from the underworld." Charon paused a moment, "And to see your face when I touch the water of course."
Charon bent down, dipping his paw into the water and watched as the discomfort spread through Hades body. Hades looked at him with a glare but the viscet's grey eyes held no malice towards the boatman.
Charon straightened up and pushed the boat further through the underworld towards the massive castle ahead.
Hades's Earring
Hades ducked his head a bit and looked back at Charon who was still staring at him intently. He sighed and lifted his head to stare at the bleak stone ceiling of the underworld. Without meaning to, he let his thoughts drift to how different the caves looked on the surface, at least those caves had life in them. Charon cleaned his throat and looked at Hades with narrowed eyes.
“Well? I asked about your earring. Why does it glow like that? It doesn’t feel normal” He crossed his arms in front of him and Hades lifted a paw to touch his little blue bead in his ear.
“That’s because it’s not a normal bead. Inside the little glass sphere is a soul.” Hades spoke quietly, thinking of the soul trapped within.
“A soul? Is it yours?” Charon seemed curious now and Hades took a deep breath.
“No.” His response was short and he avoided Charon’s gaze, trying to hide his blue eyes, “Don’t you have work to do?”
Charon raised an eyebrow at Hades as he changed topics, “Already finished. Now whose soul is it?”
Hades had picked Charon for the job because he knew that he could handle it, but man was he stubborn. He looked down at the dirt ground as he tried to think what to tell the viscet.
“Her name….” Hades fought to control his voice. He took another breath before continuing, “Her name was Cel.”
“And who was she?” Charon asked and Hades looked at him closely.
“She was my life.” Hades almost whispered before walking away. Today was not the day to talk about her. Not yet.
Charon watched him walk away and narrowed his eyes slightly before leaving to go man the front gate.
Hades ducked his head a bit and looked back at Charon who was still staring at him intently. He sighed and lifted his head to stare at the bleak stone ceiling of the underworld. Without meaning to, he let his thoughts drift to how different the caves looked on the surface, at least those caves had life in them. Charon cleaned his throat and looked at Hades with narrowed eyes.
“Well? I asked about your earring. Why does it glow like that? It doesn’t feel normal” He crossed his arms in front of him and Hades lifted a paw to touch his little blue bead in his ear.
“That’s because it’s not a normal bead. Inside the little glass sphere is a soul.” Hades spoke quietly, thinking of the soul trapped within.
“A soul? Is it yours?” Charon seemed curious now and Hades took a deep breath.
“No.” His response was short and he avoided Charon’s gaze, trying to hide his blue eyes, “Don’t you have work to do?”
Charon raised an eyebrow at Hades as he changed topics, “Already finished. Now whose soul is it?”
Hades had picked Charon for the job because he knew that he could handle it, but man was he stubborn. He looked down at the dirt ground as he tried to think what to tell the viscet.
“Her name….” Hades fought to control his voice. He took another breath before continuing, “Her name was Cel.”
“And who was she?” Charon asked and Hades looked at him closely.
“She was my life.” Hades almost whispered before walking away. Today was not the day to talk about her. Not yet.
Charon watched him walk away and narrowed his eyes slightly before leaving to go man the front gate.
Hades's Soul
“Will you tell me now?” Charon asked as Hades scanned his eyes over the group of souls that had just been retrieved.
“Tell you what? Oh, the situation was fine. I just took a detour to check in on the House of Angels and got caught up with Mae. She was actually in a pretty bitter mood and so she snapped at me and ordered me around like a servant. Can you believe that…” Hades started rambling as he had a tendency to do sometimes.
“Not that. The soul in your earring. Why do you have it? Why not just release it down here?”
Hades felt the breath freeze in his throat and Charon watched as his eyes shifted from grey to blue, “Cel was too good to mingle with the souls down here. I didn’t want to lose her.”
“So was she a sibling?” Charon asked, thinking of his own family who had left him for dead.
“No. She was my soul mate. It sounds silly but once I met her I couldn’t think of anything else.” Hades spoke with longing in his voice, “When I met her, I was struggling with my job here and had decided to take a vacation in the mortal realm to escape all the death. She was so full of life that it is no wonder that I fell in love with her. I met her under the guise of a viscet named Walter.”
Charon scoffed, “Walter?”
Hades looked at him with his grey blue eyes and then laughed a little, “Yes Walter. Introducing myself as Hades, Lord of the underworld and God of death doesn’t exactly come across as approachable now does it?”
Charon laughed a little more and then nodded, “Walter isn’t much better though.”
Hades narrowed his eyes at the boy but his eyes didn’t flare red so he wasn’t truly angry, “Fine, the next time I decide to go under cover, you can pick my name.”
“Deal, now you fell in love with this girl Cel?” Charon laughed and then brought the conversation back.
“Yes. Cel was a gardener and I met her when searching for something that I could bring back to the underworld to bring life into the place. She had such a way with plants that even the sickest plants would soon flourish under her care. It was almost like she was a goddess herself.”
“Like Persephone?” Charon asked and Hades looked at him confused.
“I guess. But not as young.”
“Well don’t you marry her or something in the myths?”
“Ew no. I'm not like that. Who do you think I am?” Hades looked at him disgusted and Charon laughed before he motioned for him to continue.
“Anyways, I tried in many ways to woo her and some were successful but most of them were just me making an idiot out of myself.”
“So like usual?” Charon snickered and Hades looked at him with narrow eyes again.
“You know I can fire you, right?” Hades shook his head, “Cel was different than all the other viscets I had met. She saw the good in me immediately and even accepted me when she found out who I really was.” As he said the last portion, his eyes shifted to blue again and Charon had a feeling he knew where this was going.
“She died and then found out who you were?” He asked and Hades didn’t respond for a long time.
“She was killed trying to help someone who was sick. The sickness got to her while I was down here trying to straighten up a mess and I could feel it in my gut when she died. It felt like a piece of me was lost on that day. I searched the fields for hours for her spirit.” He looked out at the fields where glimpses of souls could be seen waiting for their time to be judged.
Charon kept quiet, knowing this was not the time to interrupt and Hades continued, “Once I found her soul, she was confused as to why I was here. She was so scared and I had to tell her. At first she was shocked but then after, she was more concerned about me. Like here she was, learning that the guy she loved was the god of death and that she had just died but she was worried about me. I knew that if I left her there, I might not ever find her again so I took her soul and put it in the little bead in my ear. She sometimes whispers to me but it’s mostly just to keep her close.”
Hades stopped and Charon waited a moment, “That’s why you saved people like me?”
All the pieces fell into place and Charon looked up at his boss, with a newfound respect for him. Hades simply nodded and his eyes shifted back to grey. He shook his fur, the thorny crown falling out of place slightly before he straightened it. Charon noticed his paw brush over the bead as he put his paws back to his side.
Hades merely nodded as he started out through the crowd of souls, to begin the process of judging them.
“Will you tell me now?” Charon asked as Hades scanned his eyes over the group of souls that had just been retrieved.
“Tell you what? Oh, the situation was fine. I just took a detour to check in on the House of Angels and got caught up with Mae. She was actually in a pretty bitter mood and so she snapped at me and ordered me around like a servant. Can you believe that…” Hades started rambling as he had a tendency to do sometimes.
“Not that. The soul in your earring. Why do you have it? Why not just release it down here?”
Hades felt the breath freeze in his throat and Charon watched as his eyes shifted from grey to blue, “Cel was too good to mingle with the souls down here. I didn’t want to lose her.”
“So was she a sibling?” Charon asked, thinking of his own family who had left him for dead.
“No. She was my soul mate. It sounds silly but once I met her I couldn’t think of anything else.” Hades spoke with longing in his voice, “When I met her, I was struggling with my job here and had decided to take a vacation in the mortal realm to escape all the death. She was so full of life that it is no wonder that I fell in love with her. I met her under the guise of a viscet named Walter.”
Charon scoffed, “Walter?”
Hades looked at him with his grey blue eyes and then laughed a little, “Yes Walter. Introducing myself as Hades, Lord of the underworld and God of death doesn’t exactly come across as approachable now does it?”
Charon laughed a little more and then nodded, “Walter isn’t much better though.”
Hades narrowed his eyes at the boy but his eyes didn’t flare red so he wasn’t truly angry, “Fine, the next time I decide to go under cover, you can pick my name.”
“Deal, now you fell in love with this girl Cel?” Charon laughed and then brought the conversation back.
“Yes. Cel was a gardener and I met her when searching for something that I could bring back to the underworld to bring life into the place. She had such a way with plants that even the sickest plants would soon flourish under her care. It was almost like she was a goddess herself.”
“Like Persephone?” Charon asked and Hades looked at him confused.
“I guess. But not as young.”
“Well don’t you marry her or something in the myths?”
“Ew no. I'm not like that. Who do you think I am?” Hades looked at him disgusted and Charon laughed before he motioned for him to continue.
“Anyways, I tried in many ways to woo her and some were successful but most of them were just me making an idiot out of myself.”
“So like usual?” Charon snickered and Hades looked at him with narrow eyes again.
“You know I can fire you, right?” Hades shook his head, “Cel was different than all the other viscets I had met. She saw the good in me immediately and even accepted me when she found out who I really was.” As he said the last portion, his eyes shifted to blue again and Charon had a feeling he knew where this was going.
“She died and then found out who you were?” He asked and Hades didn’t respond for a long time.
“She was killed trying to help someone who was sick. The sickness got to her while I was down here trying to straighten up a mess and I could feel it in my gut when she died. It felt like a piece of me was lost on that day. I searched the fields for hours for her spirit.” He looked out at the fields where glimpses of souls could be seen waiting for their time to be judged.
Charon kept quiet, knowing this was not the time to interrupt and Hades continued, “Once I found her soul, she was confused as to why I was here. She was so scared and I had to tell her. At first she was shocked but then after, she was more concerned about me. Like here she was, learning that the guy she loved was the god of death and that she had just died but she was worried about me. I knew that if I left her there, I might not ever find her again so I took her soul and put it in the little bead in my ear. She sometimes whispers to me but it’s mostly just to keep her close.”
Hades stopped and Charon waited a moment, “That’s why you saved people like me?”
All the pieces fell into place and Charon looked up at his boss, with a newfound respect for him. Hades simply nodded and his eyes shifted back to grey. He shook his fur, the thorny crown falling out of place slightly before he straightened it. Charon noticed his paw brush over the bead as he put his paws back to his side.
Hades merely nodded as he started out through the crowd of souls, to begin the process of judging them.
Hades's Role
"So do you really have brothers like Zeus and Poseidon? What are they like?" Charon asked as he stretched his arms above his head. Hades looked at the viscet who had grown a tendency to ask questions when bored, which who wouldn't blame him, the underworld is pretty boring.
"I don't know." Hades responded quickly as he looked through some papers of recent arrivals.
"You don't know? How can you not know? They are your brothers!" Charon looked at Hades like he was crazy. How could you not know your own family?
"If you want to know then technically no, I do not have any brothers. I do not know if the "Hades" position has brothers such as Zeus or Poseidon. I don't know if any other gods really exist." Hades started and saw Charon about to ask another question, "I was not born in the position of Hades. It was 'gifted' onto me. In other words, I 'inherited' it from the previous Hades."
"What does that mean?" Charon drew closer, suddenly curious to hear more.
"Well it means that the Hades before me, picked me and gave me his power. Usually it is done when they get tired of always being around death as part of our power is us being immortal. So it's not like you pick a successor since you are about to die. You just pick one when you feel like it."
"So why don't you do it?" Charon asked and Hades narrowed his eyes at him, yet they remained grey.
"Great to see you really enjoy my company that much," Hades muttered and then sighed, "its not that simple. There are a lot of pieces that go into transferring your power. I mean sure, you live out your time in the underworld in the isles of elysium but it's not for me."
"Why?" Charon watched the viscet curiously and saw him rub his wing markings a bit.
"For one, I would lose Cel. Without my power over spirits, this bead would turn into just that, an ordinary bead. Her spirit would be lost to wonder the underworld without me. She couldn't join me to the isle as she was just an ordinary soul, nothing amazing in terms of souls. I would also lose my scythe and wing markings as they are a symbol of my power, and therefore lose my actual scythe." He pulled his scythe forward now and studied it intently. "My eyes would just fade to grey, and no longer change with my mood. And I would be just like every other lost soul down here. Plus, I am not cruel enough to trap someone else in this fate."
"What do you mean by that?" Charon asked as he sipped a drink in his hand through a straw. Hades looked at him shocked.
"Where did you get that?" Hades asked and Charon looked at him and shrugged. Hades grabbed the straw from the drink and it burst into flames, "at least think of the environment please..."
Charon had to stifle a laugh at Hades performance and then kept sipping his now strawless drink, "So, what do you mean by you not being cruel enough?"
Hades came back to the issue at hand, "right, well in order to choose your successor, you have to be the one to kill them."
"So the Hades before...."
"Yup. He killed me to transfer his power to me. He sent a bad storm to where I was living and caused a major flood. I tried to save a little girl who had gotten swept up and he was hiding in the water. I had almost reached her when he pulled me down into the water. The little girl and three others died with me that day." Hades eyes faded to blue as he spoke and Charon realized just how cruel life had been to Hades.
"Have you ever thought about transferring your power?" Charon was watching him curiously. "I mean god of death is a pretty heavy burden to bare for so long isn't it?"
"Of course I have. That was the original reason I went up to the surface as Walter," Charon snickered and Hades locked his grey eyes on the angel, "I can still fire you."
"Sorry, continue," Charon waved his hand for Hades to continue talking.
"I went up in my.... Disguise.... to find someone to transfer it to and everything. I even had a soul all lined up and everything but.... just couldn't bring myself to kill them. Then I met Cel and my whole outlook changed. She reminded me of who I was when I died. I couldn't do that to someone else." Charon watched Hades eyes sink back to blue. "When I died, I lost my identity. I don't even know what my name was. But I made sure I found the little girl. I made sure to grant her the gift of living in the isle of elysium since she was so pure and I had failed to save her." He shook his head and sighed, "I'm not heartless."
Charon smiled a bit as he remembered Hades saying that same thing to him before when he started to cry over a small child's soul who was begging for his mother, "No, you are not heartless. You just got stuck in a crappy deal."
Charon patted Hades head in a show of comfort and was met with Hades red eyes, "Did you just pat me on the head?" Charon laughed and retreated as Hades started yelling, "YOU DARE TREAT THE GOD OF DEATH AND LORD OF THE UNDERWORLD LIKE A SAD PUPPY!?"
Charon laughed more as he took off across the fields of souls and Hades chased after him, "Get back here so I can feed you to Cerebus you ungrateful angel!"
"So do you really have brothers like Zeus and Poseidon? What are they like?" Charon asked as he stretched his arms above his head. Hades looked at the viscet who had grown a tendency to ask questions when bored, which who wouldn't blame him, the underworld is pretty boring.
"I don't know." Hades responded quickly as he looked through some papers of recent arrivals.
"You don't know? How can you not know? They are your brothers!" Charon looked at Hades like he was crazy. How could you not know your own family?
"If you want to know then technically no, I do not have any brothers. I do not know if the "Hades" position has brothers such as Zeus or Poseidon. I don't know if any other gods really exist." Hades started and saw Charon about to ask another question, "I was not born in the position of Hades. It was 'gifted' onto me. In other words, I 'inherited' it from the previous Hades."
"What does that mean?" Charon drew closer, suddenly curious to hear more.
"Well it means that the Hades before me, picked me and gave me his power. Usually it is done when they get tired of always being around death as part of our power is us being immortal. So it's not like you pick a successor since you are about to die. You just pick one when you feel like it."
"So why don't you do it?" Charon asked and Hades narrowed his eyes at him, yet they remained grey.
"Great to see you really enjoy my company that much," Hades muttered and then sighed, "its not that simple. There are a lot of pieces that go into transferring your power. I mean sure, you live out your time in the underworld in the isles of elysium but it's not for me."
"Why?" Charon watched the viscet curiously and saw him rub his wing markings a bit.
"For one, I would lose Cel. Without my power over spirits, this bead would turn into just that, an ordinary bead. Her spirit would be lost to wonder the underworld without me. She couldn't join me to the isle as she was just an ordinary soul, nothing amazing in terms of souls. I would also lose my scythe and wing markings as they are a symbol of my power, and therefore lose my actual scythe." He pulled his scythe forward now and studied it intently. "My eyes would just fade to grey, and no longer change with my mood. And I would be just like every other lost soul down here. Plus, I am not cruel enough to trap someone else in this fate."
"What do you mean by that?" Charon asked as he sipped a drink in his hand through a straw. Hades looked at him shocked.
"Where did you get that?" Hades asked and Charon looked at him and shrugged. Hades grabbed the straw from the drink and it burst into flames, "at least think of the environment please..."
Charon had to stifle a laugh at Hades performance and then kept sipping his now strawless drink, "So, what do you mean by you not being cruel enough?"
Hades came back to the issue at hand, "right, well in order to choose your successor, you have to be the one to kill them."
"So the Hades before...."
"Yup. He killed me to transfer his power to me. He sent a bad storm to where I was living and caused a major flood. I tried to save a little girl who had gotten swept up and he was hiding in the water. I had almost reached her when he pulled me down into the water. The little girl and three others died with me that day." Hades eyes faded to blue as he spoke and Charon realized just how cruel life had been to Hades.
"Have you ever thought about transferring your power?" Charon was watching him curiously. "I mean god of death is a pretty heavy burden to bare for so long isn't it?"
"Of course I have. That was the original reason I went up to the surface as Walter," Charon snickered and Hades locked his grey eyes on the angel, "I can still fire you."
"Sorry, continue," Charon waved his hand for Hades to continue talking.
"I went up in my.... Disguise.... to find someone to transfer it to and everything. I even had a soul all lined up and everything but.... just couldn't bring myself to kill them. Then I met Cel and my whole outlook changed. She reminded me of who I was when I died. I couldn't do that to someone else." Charon watched Hades eyes sink back to blue. "When I died, I lost my identity. I don't even know what my name was. But I made sure I found the little girl. I made sure to grant her the gift of living in the isle of elysium since she was so pure and I had failed to save her." He shook his head and sighed, "I'm not heartless."
Charon smiled a bit as he remembered Hades saying that same thing to him before when he started to cry over a small child's soul who was begging for his mother, "No, you are not heartless. You just got stuck in a crappy deal."
Charon patted Hades head in a show of comfort and was met with Hades red eyes, "Did you just pat me on the head?" Charon laughed and retreated as Hades started yelling, "YOU DARE TREAT THE GOD OF DEATH AND LORD OF THE UNDERWORLD LIKE A SAD PUPPY!?"
Charon laughed more as he took off across the fields of souls and Hades chased after him, "Get back here so I can feed you to Cerebus you ungrateful angel!"
Hermes
The Sickness
Firefly watched Miles grow up but something just didn’t seem quite right. Miles was always very sick and weak and so Firefly took him to some nurses who informed him that Miles was suffering from a deadly disease. Firefly was so heartbroken that his little boy would never get to live and have a family of his own. He tried every medication that they could find but there was nothing that helped. By the time Miles had matured, he had lost most mobility and with that, his dreams of traveling. Miles found himself growing distant from everyone, afraid of them getting hurt when he eventually would succumb to his disease, which he was told wouldn’t be too long now. That was when he got a visitor.
A dark viscet walked into his room and looked at him with pity in his eyes, “You never even got a chance to live.”
“Yeah. But I just worry about hurting those I love. I don’t mind that I didn’t get to do anything I had hoped.” Miles responded, only thinking of those who he knew were crying in the hall for him.
“They will live on. They have prepared for this your whole life.” The visitor sat next to his bed and looked at the sickly viscet. “I imagine you would be very handsome if the illness hadn’t made you so frail.”
“Who are you kidding? Even in this state I am handsome.” Miles joked and he saw the viscet crack a smile.
“I like you kid. What’s your biggest dream that you wish you could have fulfilled?”
“Oh, that’s easy. I would have loved to travel. My father and great uncle used to tell me stories of all different places and I wish I could have gone to see them for myself.” Miles looked off distantly as he imagined it.
“Well, how about I make you a deal? You come work for me and you will be able to travel to your hearts delight.” The stranger said and leaned back against the wall to wait for his answer.
“What? How could you do that?”
“I have my ways. Do we have a deal?” The viscet asked.
“Who are you?” Miles asked.
“I am Hades. Now I am asking you to be one of my angels but I would allow you to spend most of your time in the mortal world. I need a messenger anyways as it is getting exhausting trying to keep track of everything in both worlds.” Hades spoke and closed his eyes, resting his head back against the wall looking tired.
“So, you want me to be a messenger for you, god of death, and in return I get to travel?” Miles asked and Hades nodded. “Then it is a deal.”
Hades smiled, “That is amazing Miles. Thank you.”
“Well now that I am the messenger now, may I change my name?” Miles asked, thinking he would rather let Miles die here and give his loved ones peace of mind.
“Of course. What would you like to change it to?” Hades asked, slowly standing and brushing the dirt from his fur.
“Hermes. He is the messenger of the gods isn’t he?” Miles asked and Hades smiled.
“Yes he is. Well I think it fits. Welcome to my staff Hermes.”
Firefly watched Miles grow up but something just didn’t seem quite right. Miles was always very sick and weak and so Firefly took him to some nurses who informed him that Miles was suffering from a deadly disease. Firefly was so heartbroken that his little boy would never get to live and have a family of his own. He tried every medication that they could find but there was nothing that helped. By the time Miles had matured, he had lost most mobility and with that, his dreams of traveling. Miles found himself growing distant from everyone, afraid of them getting hurt when he eventually would succumb to his disease, which he was told wouldn’t be too long now. That was when he got a visitor.
A dark viscet walked into his room and looked at him with pity in his eyes, “You never even got a chance to live.”
“Yeah. But I just worry about hurting those I love. I don’t mind that I didn’t get to do anything I had hoped.” Miles responded, only thinking of those who he knew were crying in the hall for him.
“They will live on. They have prepared for this your whole life.” The visitor sat next to his bed and looked at the sickly viscet. “I imagine you would be very handsome if the illness hadn’t made you so frail.”
“Who are you kidding? Even in this state I am handsome.” Miles joked and he saw the viscet crack a smile.
“I like you kid. What’s your biggest dream that you wish you could have fulfilled?”
“Oh, that’s easy. I would have loved to travel. My father and great uncle used to tell me stories of all different places and I wish I could have gone to see them for myself.” Miles looked off distantly as he imagined it.
“Well, how about I make you a deal? You come work for me and you will be able to travel to your hearts delight.” The stranger said and leaned back against the wall to wait for his answer.
“What? How could you do that?”
“I have my ways. Do we have a deal?” The viscet asked.
“Who are you?” Miles asked.
“I am Hades. Now I am asking you to be one of my angels but I would allow you to spend most of your time in the mortal world. I need a messenger anyways as it is getting exhausting trying to keep track of everything in both worlds.” Hades spoke and closed his eyes, resting his head back against the wall looking tired.
“So, you want me to be a messenger for you, god of death, and in return I get to travel?” Miles asked and Hades nodded. “Then it is a deal.”
Hades smiled, “That is amazing Miles. Thank you.”
“Well now that I am the messenger now, may I change my name?” Miles asked, thinking he would rather let Miles die here and give his loved ones peace of mind.
“Of course. What would you like to change it to?” Hades asked, slowly standing and brushing the dirt from his fur.
“Hermes. He is the messenger of the gods isn’t he?” Miles asked and Hades smiled.
“Yes he is. Well I think it fits. Welcome to my staff Hermes.”
A Companion
Hermes fought to catch his breath after sprinting back to the underworld to inform Hades of a renegade spirit. Hades rushed off with Charon and some of the other spirits to go catch it and Hermes thought there must be a better way to do this. He slipped away to his room and lay across his bed, looking up at the dim ceiling. His walls were covered with maps from all different places and some that he had even made himself. He had little trinkets from each of the locations he visited lined up on shelves along the room and space for more in the future.
Hermes rested a moment and then heard a knock as one of the other angels came to inform him that Hades was back. Hermes went to speak to Hades in the throne room, where he usually was after matters like this. Hades was sitting on his black marble throne, holding his head exhausted from the battle and Hermes approached quietly.
“Hades?” Hermes asked and the viscet nodded as he lifted his head up weakly.
“Yes Hermes?” His voice was tired but he still looked at the messenger curiously.
“There has to be a better way of sending you messages… I am too slow.” Hermes confided in the god and he nodded.
“I see your point. What are you thinking?” Hades asked, curious to see what the viscet was thinking on the matter.
“Allow me to find an animal companion to aid me. An animal that could be used to fly messages back here much faster than I could run.” Hermes bowed his head and Hades thought on it a bit.
Having an animal would mean Hermes could relay messages much faster back to Hades and could even remain on the scene to keep things from getting worse in the meantime. Hades didn’t think it was such a bad idea.
“I think that is a very good idea. Is there an animal you were thinking about in particular?” Hades asked.
Hermes nodded, “I was thinking a bat perhaps”
Hades frowned and shook his head, “no. Bats are frightful creatures and carry diseases. Perhaps a bird of sorts instead?”
“But sir, just listen to my explanation. Bats are quick fliers but would not be afraid to enter the caves like a bird may. A bat would also be able to fly just as quick in the dark maze like system as the underworld entrance, probably to much better precision than any bird could. A bat would be perfect for the job.” Hades just shook his head and Hermes frowned, “Very well. I will find a suitable animal.”
Hades nodded and dismissed himself to go rest and Hermes went back to the surface. Hermes was still set on the idea of a bat and therefore traveled to an area where he had seen a specific kind he was thinking of. He found the cave where they lived and decided to wait for them to return by taking a nap in a nearby tree.
He woke to the sound of wings and was startled to see a little figure perched on the branch above him, looking down. The little bat had a piece of fruit in its mouth, which it offered to the viscet. Hermes took it carefully and watched the little bat begin to groom the sticky juice from it’s fur. Hermes ate the fruit and watched the other bats rejoin the group at the cave, making space for each arrival on the cave ceiling. Hermes waited to see if this little bat would join the others on the cave ceiling but it remained on the branch above him.
It was now dawn and almost all the bats had gone to the cave to sleep for the day, all but the little one who had chosen to keep Hermes company in the tree. Hermes reached up with his paw and the little bat took hold on his claw and then his horns when given the opportunity. Hermes smiled, with the little bat dangling gracefully off his horn and began to make his way back to the underworld.
When entering the castle, Hermes chose to hold the little bat in his paws and Hades turned to look at him curiously.
“You find a suitable animal already? That was fast.” Hades began to approach Hermes to see what Hermes had in his paws before backtracking quickly, “What…”
“Now wait just a second Hades. Look at this little guy. He wouldn’t harm a fly.” Hermes spoke and Hades looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“They eat flies, buddy. Flies and any other insect they can find.”
“Not this one. This type eats fruit. He actually offered me some.” Hermes beamed at Hades with a grin and could see the thoughts running through Hades mind. Sharing fruit with a bat? Diseases.
Hades approached with a scowl until he looked upon the little bat in Hermes paws. His expression melted into a smile at the little figure who picked that exact moment to yawn and curl up on Hermes fingers. Hades tried to regain a stoic expression but Hermes knew he had won.
“So?” Hermes asked with a smile and Hades shrugged.
“I guess he will work for the job.” Hades spoke and Hermes grinned wide.
Hermes fought to catch his breath after sprinting back to the underworld to inform Hades of a renegade spirit. Hades rushed off with Charon and some of the other spirits to go catch it and Hermes thought there must be a better way to do this. He slipped away to his room and lay across his bed, looking up at the dim ceiling. His walls were covered with maps from all different places and some that he had even made himself. He had little trinkets from each of the locations he visited lined up on shelves along the room and space for more in the future.
Hermes rested a moment and then heard a knock as one of the other angels came to inform him that Hades was back. Hermes went to speak to Hades in the throne room, where he usually was after matters like this. Hades was sitting on his black marble throne, holding his head exhausted from the battle and Hermes approached quietly.
“Hades?” Hermes asked and the viscet nodded as he lifted his head up weakly.
“Yes Hermes?” His voice was tired but he still looked at the messenger curiously.
“There has to be a better way of sending you messages… I am too slow.” Hermes confided in the god and he nodded.
“I see your point. What are you thinking?” Hades asked, curious to see what the viscet was thinking on the matter.
“Allow me to find an animal companion to aid me. An animal that could be used to fly messages back here much faster than I could run.” Hermes bowed his head and Hades thought on it a bit.
Having an animal would mean Hermes could relay messages much faster back to Hades and could even remain on the scene to keep things from getting worse in the meantime. Hades didn’t think it was such a bad idea.
“I think that is a very good idea. Is there an animal you were thinking about in particular?” Hades asked.
Hermes nodded, “I was thinking a bat perhaps”
Hades frowned and shook his head, “no. Bats are frightful creatures and carry diseases. Perhaps a bird of sorts instead?”
“But sir, just listen to my explanation. Bats are quick fliers but would not be afraid to enter the caves like a bird may. A bat would also be able to fly just as quick in the dark maze like system as the underworld entrance, probably to much better precision than any bird could. A bat would be perfect for the job.” Hades just shook his head and Hermes frowned, “Very well. I will find a suitable animal.”
Hades nodded and dismissed himself to go rest and Hermes went back to the surface. Hermes was still set on the idea of a bat and therefore traveled to an area where he had seen a specific kind he was thinking of. He found the cave where they lived and decided to wait for them to return by taking a nap in a nearby tree.
He woke to the sound of wings and was startled to see a little figure perched on the branch above him, looking down. The little bat had a piece of fruit in its mouth, which it offered to the viscet. Hermes took it carefully and watched the little bat begin to groom the sticky juice from it’s fur. Hermes ate the fruit and watched the other bats rejoin the group at the cave, making space for each arrival on the cave ceiling. Hermes waited to see if this little bat would join the others on the cave ceiling but it remained on the branch above him.
It was now dawn and almost all the bats had gone to the cave to sleep for the day, all but the little one who had chosen to keep Hermes company in the tree. Hermes reached up with his paw and the little bat took hold on his claw and then his horns when given the opportunity. Hermes smiled, with the little bat dangling gracefully off his horn and began to make his way back to the underworld.
When entering the castle, Hermes chose to hold the little bat in his paws and Hades turned to look at him curiously.
“You find a suitable animal already? That was fast.” Hades began to approach Hermes to see what Hermes had in his paws before backtracking quickly, “What…”
“Now wait just a second Hades. Look at this little guy. He wouldn’t harm a fly.” Hermes spoke and Hades looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“They eat flies, buddy. Flies and any other insect they can find.”
“Not this one. This type eats fruit. He actually offered me some.” Hermes beamed at Hades with a grin and could see the thoughts running through Hades mind. Sharing fruit with a bat? Diseases.
Hades approached with a scowl until he looked upon the little bat in Hermes paws. His expression melted into a smile at the little figure who picked that exact moment to yawn and curl up on Hermes fingers. Hades tried to regain a stoic expression but Hermes knew he had won.
“So?” Hermes asked with a smile and Hades shrugged.
“I guess he will work for the job.” Hades spoke and Hermes grinned wide.
A Little Treat
Hades smiled as the little bat swirled above his head before coming to land on his outstretched paw. He held out a little piece of fruit to the bat who eagerly started munching away on it.
“You should stop doing that.” Hermes frowned as he walked into the throne room, catching Hades in the act of spoiling his companion.
“How come? It is just a little treat!” Hades spoke and Hermes swore he saw the little bat smirk at Hades’s response.
“Cause you are going to make him fat! Everytime you see him, you give him pieces of fruit!” Hermes laughed a bit and Hades shrugged.
“Well what’s wrong with that?” Hades gave the little bat another piece of fruit, ignoring Hermes’s protests.
“Cause he will become too fat to fly soon!” Hermes scolded, stepping forward to take the little bat away. The bat whimpered softly in protest but then climbed up Hermes to his usual resting place on his horns.
“Pfft. Then we just get another bat to do the work and he can stay here with me!” Hades smirked and Hermes rolled his eyes before walking away. He sometimes wondered if Hades became lonesome in the underworld all this time.
Hades smiled as the little bat swirled above his head before coming to land on his outstretched paw. He held out a little piece of fruit to the bat who eagerly started munching away on it.
“You should stop doing that.” Hermes frowned as he walked into the throne room, catching Hades in the act of spoiling his companion.
“How come? It is just a little treat!” Hades spoke and Hermes swore he saw the little bat smirk at Hades’s response.
“Cause you are going to make him fat! Everytime you see him, you give him pieces of fruit!” Hermes laughed a bit and Hades shrugged.
“Well what’s wrong with that?” Hades gave the little bat another piece of fruit, ignoring Hermes’s protests.
“Cause he will become too fat to fly soon!” Hermes scolded, stepping forward to take the little bat away. The bat whimpered softly in protest but then climbed up Hermes to his usual resting place on his horns.
“Pfft. Then we just get another bat to do the work and he can stay here with me!” Hades smirked and Hermes rolled his eyes before walking away. He sometimes wondered if Hades became lonesome in the underworld all this time.
A Cloak
Hermes stepped through the dead leaves and looked around. It was getting colder now as winter approached and he knew he should ask Hades for something to help keep Chirp from becoming cold. He walked into the cave entrance and shook himself off a bit. He began his descent through the maze like cavern system until he reached the opening crevice. This crevice was the start of the River Styx and ahead was Cerberus and Charon awaiting next to his boat. He looked up at Hermes and began to get the boat ready to ferry him to the castle like usual.
Hermes waved him off and approached Cerebus, stroking his middle head gently.
“Could you help me cross buddy?”
The formal way to get across the river was by allowing Charon to ferry you across but many of Hades’s angels got across by Cerberus lifting them up and placing them on the other side. Particularly if they were not heading directly to the castle or if they desired to walk the fields instead.
Cerebus rested his right head down and Hermes carefully climb onto his forehead before it was lifted up and over the river. Once he was across, Hermes leapt off and waved to the two figures. Hermes made a mental note to bring Cerebus a steak from the castle for being good the next time he came through.
Hermes walked through the fields, noting all the spirits gathered around waiting for their chance to be judged and for the opportunity to move to better areas of the underworld. Most of these spirits however would remain in this field as they had not been extraordinary. Spirits that were special were usually brought directly to the castle by Charon to either become angels or to be granted permission to live on the isle of elysium, or even the isle of blessed if they had been that amazing. Those who were to be placed in punishment were collected by the angels and Hades himself, they were usually not going to come here willingly.
A few spirits reached out to him, mistified to see a viscet who was still alive down here and he did his best to calm them. He shivered a bit as he reached the castle, still feeling the cold damp feeling of the spirits touching his fur. He didn’t think he would ever get used to that feeling, no matter how long he was down here.
He entered the castle and went to his room to place a few things down before his meeting with Hades. He went to join Hades for dinner and nodded a greeting to some of the other angels that he saw moving towards dinner as well.
Hermes stepped into the dining hall and made his way over to Hades who was talking to a few of the other angels. Hades smiled at the messenger and then sat near some empty seats to speak with him.
“Hello Hades, How is everything down here?” Hermes asked, taking a seat himself.
“All fine at the moment. But you know how things go, you never know when something is about to go wrong.” Hades laughed a bit and a few of the nearby angels laughed and nodded.
“Of course. It would be too dull down here otherwise.” Hermes laughed and then smiled at his boss. “I actually wanted to ask you for a favor. It is starting to get cold in the mortal realm and I am worried about Chirp. Could I have something to protect him from the cold?”
Hades looked worried and then began to think. He puzzled over it a bit and then nodded, “Of course. I will figure something out for you tonight so you can have it before you venture back up to the mortal realm in the morning.”
“Thank you Hades.” No sooner had he said that before an alarm went off and a group of angels, led by Abaddon, hurried from the dining hall.
Hades groaned and let his head fall back, “Why can’t that blasted demon stay in Tartarus?”
Hermes laughed a bit and then began to eat as Hades quickly stood and went to catch up to the group of angels.
By morning, a small servant knocked on the door to Hermes’s room. The servants were usually the souls of past servants who chose to continue their work for Hades and had a semi alive form meaning they could hold objects and open doors but did not require any nourishment. Hades liked to joke that they were stuck somewhere between him and his angels and the actual spirits. Not dead nor alive nor immortal.
Hermes answered the door and found the servant holding a box out for him, “From the master.”
Hermes cringed slightly as their voice was very metallic in sound and hurt his ears usually.
“Thank you.” He took the box and let the door swing closed before opening it. Inside was a thick black cloak made of cloth and a type of black fur that wasn’t very long but incredibly warm. He swung it on and noticed a small pouch on the shoulder just on the crease of the hood. He reached in and felt a nice warm compartment where Chirp could snuggle in. In the box was something else, and it made Hermes smile. Enclosed was a small piece of fruit wrapped in wax, a gift for Chirp, along with a very small bat sized sweater to keep Chirp warm as he flew back with messages.
Hermes laughed as sometimes Hades went very overboard with his gifts and stepped to the small miniature cave built up against the back of his room, summoning Chirp down with the promise of fruit and unwrapped the fruit from the wax. Chirp ate it gratefully, acting like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. Hermes rolled his eyes at the little bats dramatics and slipped the cloak on.
Now Hermes noticed a symbol on the back and turned it to see the image of a scythe on the back, not just any scythe but the same as Hades’s marking. Hermes smiled at the detail and straightened the cloak on himself.
Hermes stepped through the dead leaves and looked around. It was getting colder now as winter approached and he knew he should ask Hades for something to help keep Chirp from becoming cold. He walked into the cave entrance and shook himself off a bit. He began his descent through the maze like cavern system until he reached the opening crevice. This crevice was the start of the River Styx and ahead was Cerberus and Charon awaiting next to his boat. He looked up at Hermes and began to get the boat ready to ferry him to the castle like usual.
Hermes waved him off and approached Cerebus, stroking his middle head gently.
“Could you help me cross buddy?”
The formal way to get across the river was by allowing Charon to ferry you across but many of Hades’s angels got across by Cerberus lifting them up and placing them on the other side. Particularly if they were not heading directly to the castle or if they desired to walk the fields instead.
Cerebus rested his right head down and Hermes carefully climb onto his forehead before it was lifted up and over the river. Once he was across, Hermes leapt off and waved to the two figures. Hermes made a mental note to bring Cerebus a steak from the castle for being good the next time he came through.
Hermes walked through the fields, noting all the spirits gathered around waiting for their chance to be judged and for the opportunity to move to better areas of the underworld. Most of these spirits however would remain in this field as they had not been extraordinary. Spirits that were special were usually brought directly to the castle by Charon to either become angels or to be granted permission to live on the isle of elysium, or even the isle of blessed if they had been that amazing. Those who were to be placed in punishment were collected by the angels and Hades himself, they were usually not going to come here willingly.
A few spirits reached out to him, mistified to see a viscet who was still alive down here and he did his best to calm them. He shivered a bit as he reached the castle, still feeling the cold damp feeling of the spirits touching his fur. He didn’t think he would ever get used to that feeling, no matter how long he was down here.
He entered the castle and went to his room to place a few things down before his meeting with Hades. He went to join Hades for dinner and nodded a greeting to some of the other angels that he saw moving towards dinner as well.
Hermes stepped into the dining hall and made his way over to Hades who was talking to a few of the other angels. Hades smiled at the messenger and then sat near some empty seats to speak with him.
“Hello Hades, How is everything down here?” Hermes asked, taking a seat himself.
“All fine at the moment. But you know how things go, you never know when something is about to go wrong.” Hades laughed a bit and a few of the nearby angels laughed and nodded.
“Of course. It would be too dull down here otherwise.” Hermes laughed and then smiled at his boss. “I actually wanted to ask you for a favor. It is starting to get cold in the mortal realm and I am worried about Chirp. Could I have something to protect him from the cold?”
Hades looked worried and then began to think. He puzzled over it a bit and then nodded, “Of course. I will figure something out for you tonight so you can have it before you venture back up to the mortal realm in the morning.”
“Thank you Hades.” No sooner had he said that before an alarm went off and a group of angels, led by Abaddon, hurried from the dining hall.
Hades groaned and let his head fall back, “Why can’t that blasted demon stay in Tartarus?”
Hermes laughed a bit and then began to eat as Hades quickly stood and went to catch up to the group of angels.
By morning, a small servant knocked on the door to Hermes’s room. The servants were usually the souls of past servants who chose to continue their work for Hades and had a semi alive form meaning they could hold objects and open doors but did not require any nourishment. Hades liked to joke that they were stuck somewhere between him and his angels and the actual spirits. Not dead nor alive nor immortal.
Hermes answered the door and found the servant holding a box out for him, “From the master.”
Hermes cringed slightly as their voice was very metallic in sound and hurt his ears usually.
“Thank you.” He took the box and let the door swing closed before opening it. Inside was a thick black cloak made of cloth and a type of black fur that wasn’t very long but incredibly warm. He swung it on and noticed a small pouch on the shoulder just on the crease of the hood. He reached in and felt a nice warm compartment where Chirp could snuggle in. In the box was something else, and it made Hermes smile. Enclosed was a small piece of fruit wrapped in wax, a gift for Chirp, along with a very small bat sized sweater to keep Chirp warm as he flew back with messages.
Hermes laughed as sometimes Hades went very overboard with his gifts and stepped to the small miniature cave built up against the back of his room, summoning Chirp down with the promise of fruit and unwrapped the fruit from the wax. Chirp ate it gratefully, acting like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. Hermes rolled his eyes at the little bats dramatics and slipped the cloak on.
Now Hermes noticed a symbol on the back and turned it to see the image of a scythe on the back, not just any scythe but the same as Hades’s marking. Hermes smiled at the detail and straightened the cloak on himself.
Aiakos
A Child Found
“You thought childproofing a house was difficult, try childproofing the underworld. No, Don’t touch the river of death, please stop poking the bloodthirsty demon that just wants to eat you, and has anyone seen my scythe?”
Cel formed outside the earring, looking in all directions. Hades watched her puzzled as she hardly ever materialized without his permission and waited to see what she was doing.
“Cel? Love? What is it?” Hades asked as he stepped towards her and she darted to the door and out into the hall. Hades followed quickly behind her as she sped through the castle and out into the fields.
Hades stumbled down the stairs, trying to keep her in sights as Hermes called out confused, “My lord?”
“Go to the bowl! Tell me if there is anything happening on the surface!” Hades commanded and Hermes sprinted into the castle to check their Soul Bowl.
Hades sprinted through the fields of souls, watching Cel’s light enter the crevice that marked the entrance to the entrance. He whistled and Cerberus made a bridge over the river for him using one of his massive paws. Hades bounded across his paw and startled Charon who was watching him concerned, “My lord, what is happening?”
“I do not know, be prepared if something tries to enter!” Hades commanded as he vanished down into the caves. Charon summoned his armor and stood ready to stop anything that tried to enter the underworld.
Hades struggled to follow Cel’s light as she sped through the cave and into the mortal realm. He found her by the cave entrance, staring off into the distance where there was a great pillar of smoke. He saw it and the felt the wind of Hermes’s bat as he clung to one of his horns. It chirped at him and he pulled the message off its leg.
“A great storm just demolished a town and we are getting a massive influx of souls. Would you like for me to remain here to handle them, my lord?” Hades nodded, wrote a simple message of ‘yes’ and sent the bat back to his master.
“Cel? Stay close to me.” Hades commanded as they began their trek to the demolished town. Hades couldn’t sense anything but death and motioned for Cel to go ahead and check the town. She whisked through and sent up a burst of light near one of the houses.
Hades followed her call and found a tiny viscet child wrapped in a ragged blanket. He reached out to console Cel on her finding but she glowed brightly at him and glared. He looked again and realized that the child’s soul still remained, although weak.
“Cel… We cannot keep him. Come, we will find a home nearby for him. Surely someone must have survived with him.” Hades spoke softly as he turned away from the child. Cel appeared in front of him, her arms crossed as she glared at him and motioned to the child again.
“Cel, we cannot bring him back to the underworld. Who would ever raise a child in a place like that?”
“And leaving him here to starve alone is any better. You know well enough that no one else survived. And the nearest town is a wretched place. He is an orphan now.” Cel hissed and locked her eyes on Hades.
Hades sighed and rubbed his head, thinking, “Fine. Have it your way.”
Hades knelt beside the child, gazing over his injuries and slowly wrapping the blanket around him tighter. He lifted the child in his arms and Cel watched from over his shoulder, a feeling of joy and love radiating from her. The child opened his eyes and looked up at the lord of death with a smile and giggled softly. Cel melted away back into Hades earring, leaving him and the child alone during the journey. With the brisk wind beating at Hades, he pulled the cloak tighter around the little bundle to keep the child from feeling even the slightest breeze of the cold. Once in the caves, Cel glowed in the earring just a bit brighter, to light the cave for the pair as they returned to the underworld.
Charon was handling the mass wave of souls, guiding each to their respective areas when Hades returned. Charon ushered the last group across the river to where they were to wait for judging and returned for Hades.
“Hades? What do you have?” Charon asked, pushing his cloak cowl back and trying to see what Hades held in his arms.
“A child. The only survivor from the village.” Hades unwrapped the child a bit and Charon looked at him shocked.
“But that’s crazy.” Charon spoke and Hades looked up at him in agreement.
“I completely agree, however try telling her that.” At his mention, Cel appeared and gave Charon a look of determination causing him to chuckle.
“I see. Well let me bring you to the castle then my lord.” Charon waved his hand to his boat and Hades nodded, climbing aboard with the child.
As they drifted down the river, the child fell fast asleep, rocked by the motion of the river and boat. Hades watched the child and then looked over the underworld. [i]What was he thinking?[/i]
“You thought childproofing a house was difficult, try childproofing the underworld. No, Don’t touch the river of death, please stop poking the bloodthirsty demon that just wants to eat you, and has anyone seen my scythe?”
Cel formed outside the earring, looking in all directions. Hades watched her puzzled as she hardly ever materialized without his permission and waited to see what she was doing.
“Cel? Love? What is it?” Hades asked as he stepped towards her and she darted to the door and out into the hall. Hades followed quickly behind her as she sped through the castle and out into the fields.
Hades stumbled down the stairs, trying to keep her in sights as Hermes called out confused, “My lord?”
“Go to the bowl! Tell me if there is anything happening on the surface!” Hades commanded and Hermes sprinted into the castle to check their Soul Bowl.
Hades sprinted through the fields of souls, watching Cel’s light enter the crevice that marked the entrance to the entrance. He whistled and Cerberus made a bridge over the river for him using one of his massive paws. Hades bounded across his paw and startled Charon who was watching him concerned, “My lord, what is happening?”
“I do not know, be prepared if something tries to enter!” Hades commanded as he vanished down into the caves. Charon summoned his armor and stood ready to stop anything that tried to enter the underworld.
Hades struggled to follow Cel’s light as she sped through the cave and into the mortal realm. He found her by the cave entrance, staring off into the distance where there was a great pillar of smoke. He saw it and the felt the wind of Hermes’s bat as he clung to one of his horns. It chirped at him and he pulled the message off its leg.
“A great storm just demolished a town and we are getting a massive influx of souls. Would you like for me to remain here to handle them, my lord?” Hades nodded, wrote a simple message of ‘yes’ and sent the bat back to his master.
“Cel? Stay close to me.” Hades commanded as they began their trek to the demolished town. Hades couldn’t sense anything but death and motioned for Cel to go ahead and check the town. She whisked through and sent up a burst of light near one of the houses.
Hades followed her call and found a tiny viscet child wrapped in a ragged blanket. He reached out to console Cel on her finding but she glowed brightly at him and glared. He looked again and realized that the child’s soul still remained, although weak.
“Cel… We cannot keep him. Come, we will find a home nearby for him. Surely someone must have survived with him.” Hades spoke softly as he turned away from the child. Cel appeared in front of him, her arms crossed as she glared at him and motioned to the child again.
“Cel, we cannot bring him back to the underworld. Who would ever raise a child in a place like that?”
“And leaving him here to starve alone is any better. You know well enough that no one else survived. And the nearest town is a wretched place. He is an orphan now.” Cel hissed and locked her eyes on Hades.
Hades sighed and rubbed his head, thinking, “Fine. Have it your way.”
Hades knelt beside the child, gazing over his injuries and slowly wrapping the blanket around him tighter. He lifted the child in his arms and Cel watched from over his shoulder, a feeling of joy and love radiating from her. The child opened his eyes and looked up at the lord of death with a smile and giggled softly. Cel melted away back into Hades earring, leaving him and the child alone during the journey. With the brisk wind beating at Hades, he pulled the cloak tighter around the little bundle to keep the child from feeling even the slightest breeze of the cold. Once in the caves, Cel glowed in the earring just a bit brighter, to light the cave for the pair as they returned to the underworld.
Charon was handling the mass wave of souls, guiding each to their respective areas when Hades returned. Charon ushered the last group across the river to where they were to wait for judging and returned for Hades.
“Hades? What do you have?” Charon asked, pushing his cloak cowl back and trying to see what Hades held in his arms.
“A child. The only survivor from the village.” Hades unwrapped the child a bit and Charon looked at him shocked.
“But that’s crazy.” Charon spoke and Hades looked up at him in agreement.
“I completely agree, however try telling her that.” At his mention, Cel appeared and gave Charon a look of determination causing him to chuckle.
“I see. Well let me bring you to the castle then my lord.” Charon waved his hand to his boat and Hades nodded, climbing aboard with the child.
As they drifted down the river, the child fell fast asleep, rocked by the motion of the river and boat. Hades watched the child and then looked over the underworld. [i]What was he thinking?[/i]
A Lost Boy
“Hermes, have you seen Aiakos?” Hades asked as he saw Hermes passing through the castle.
“Aiakos? No my lord. When did you last see him?” Hermes asked, a wave of concern crossing his face.
“This morning at breakfast. Send a message to Charon, perhaps the boy went there.”
“Of course, Aiakos does enjoy playing with Cerberus.” Hermes scribbled a message to Charon and sent Chirp off with it, “Have you asked the spirits in the kitchen if they have seen him? He often likes to sneak sweets from them when bored.”
“Good idea Hermes, Thank you. Might you go ask the guards out front if they have seen him? I already sent Arae to ask some of the souls in the fields.”
Hermes nodded and rushed to the front of the castle to ask the guards as Hades made his way to the kitchen. None of those spirits had seen him and Hades began to feel anxiety gnawing at his stomach. He searched the rest of the castle, questioning every servant spirit he found and knocking on all the angels’ doors. Still no sign of the child and he raced to the highest tower. He summoned demons to help Arae and the angels search the fields and saw Charon riding Cerberus as they searched the banks of the river. Hades sunk to the ground, holding his head with worry when he heard someone call out.
“MY LORD!” Hades bolted to his feet and looked for the voice, finding it to be Hermes with Arae on his shoulder. Hades raced to join them and found Hermes pointing to the entrance to Tartarus, where one of the more mild demons stood, holding a young viscet in his arms. Hades rushed forward, grabbing the boy and looking for any signs of injuries on him. There were just a few scrapes and Hades heaved a sigh of relief.
The demon bowed its head to the lord of death, “I found him playing on the shores of the river and one of the demons coaxed him to enter Tartarus. I was able to grab him before he entered too far my lord.”
Hades looked at the demon, “Thank you. You will be rewarded for your bravery.”
Hades brushed hair from the boy’s face and looked into his eyes which were full of fear, “Father?”
“Please do not ever do that again. You may be safe among the demons in the underworld but there are many in Tartarus that would enjoy hurting you. Please stay away from there.” Hades asked as he held the boy close.
“Of course father. I am sorry.” Hades carried the boy back to the castle, meeting up with the panicked Hermes, Charon, Arae and Cerberus on the way.
“Hermes, have you seen Aiakos?” Hades asked as he saw Hermes passing through the castle.
“Aiakos? No my lord. When did you last see him?” Hermes asked, a wave of concern crossing his face.
“This morning at breakfast. Send a message to Charon, perhaps the boy went there.”
“Of course, Aiakos does enjoy playing with Cerberus.” Hermes scribbled a message to Charon and sent Chirp off with it, “Have you asked the spirits in the kitchen if they have seen him? He often likes to sneak sweets from them when bored.”
“Good idea Hermes, Thank you. Might you go ask the guards out front if they have seen him? I already sent Arae to ask some of the souls in the fields.”
Hermes nodded and rushed to the front of the castle to ask the guards as Hades made his way to the kitchen. None of those spirits had seen him and Hades began to feel anxiety gnawing at his stomach. He searched the rest of the castle, questioning every servant spirit he found and knocking on all the angels’ doors. Still no sign of the child and he raced to the highest tower. He summoned demons to help Arae and the angels search the fields and saw Charon riding Cerberus as they searched the banks of the river. Hades sunk to the ground, holding his head with worry when he heard someone call out.
“MY LORD!” Hades bolted to his feet and looked for the voice, finding it to be Hermes with Arae on his shoulder. Hades raced to join them and found Hermes pointing to the entrance to Tartarus, where one of the more mild demons stood, holding a young viscet in his arms. Hades rushed forward, grabbing the boy and looking for any signs of injuries on him. There were just a few scrapes and Hades heaved a sigh of relief.
The demon bowed its head to the lord of death, “I found him playing on the shores of the river and one of the demons coaxed him to enter Tartarus. I was able to grab him before he entered too far my lord.”
Hades looked at the demon, “Thank you. You will be rewarded for your bravery.”
Hades brushed hair from the boy’s face and looked into his eyes which were full of fear, “Father?”
“Please do not ever do that again. You may be safe among the demons in the underworld but there are many in Tartarus that would enjoy hurting you. Please stay away from there.” Hades asked as he held the boy close.
“Of course father. I am sorry.” Hades carried the boy back to the castle, meeting up with the panicked Hermes, Charon, Arae and Cerberus on the way.
Halloween
“Father? What is Halloween?” Aiakos asked as he followed his father to the throne room.
“Halloween? Where did you hear of it child?” Hades asked, looking down at the boy.
“Well Hermes was talking about it because he said he loved going into the mortal realm for it. He made it sound like a lot of fun.” Aiakos spoke and Hades smiled at the young face.
“Halloween is a time for spirits to visit from the dead. It was originally called All Hallows Eve and was a time for spirits and demons to return to the mortal realm. Often, children will dress up and go from door to door to collect candy from the mortals. It is a time of tricks and treats and people will carve pumpkins into funny faces to decorate their houses.” Hades explained and saw Aiakos break into a massive smile.
“May I celebrate Halloween too father?” Aiakos asked, looking up at him with a grin.
“I suppose you could.” Hades smiled back, “Me and Hermes could bring you to the nearest mortal village to collect candy if you like.”
“Could we celebrate it here too?” Aiakos laughed widely and Hades smiled.
“Sure. Why don’t you go ask Uncle Hermes to help you with that?” Hades tapped Aiakos’s back and he ran off to find Hermes.
“Uncle Hermes! Father said we could celebrate Halloween here too! He sent me to have you help me!” Aiakos found the viscet with a grin.
“He did? That’s awesome! Come, let’s go and get some of the supplies. First we would need pumpkins, and then perhaps some spider webs, and lights of course! And you will need a costume! And the feast of course!” Hermes began to think.
“Well you can send for Charon to fetch pumpkins and we can carve them once he gets back. The bats and spiders could probably help us decorate the castle and oh, maybe fireflies could be the lights!” Aiakos suggested.
Hermes smiled at the child, “That sounds perfect. Why don’t you run along and tell the kitchen spirits your plans for a Halloween feast while I inform Charon?”
Aiakos did as he asked before meeting up with him on the front steps of the castle where he was guiding the bats and spiders to help with decorations. Aiakos watched with a smile when they created webs and hung black and orange banners through the castle. A whistle drew Aiakos to look at the river where Charon guided a boat filled with pumpkins, Cerebus followed on the bank pulling a massive sled piled high with even more. Aiakos bounced with excitement and rushed to help the servants unload the boat and sled, bringing the pumpkins to the dining hall to be carved later on. As he brought the last pumpkin in, he saw hordes of fireflies being directed into the castle and soon it was flooded with the orange glow of fireflies.
Aiakos called for the angels and servants to gather in the dining hall and each of them was given a pumpkin to carve to their enjoyment. Some of them created carvings so intricate that Aiakos was thrilled, and others just carved a simple jack-o-lantern face. Having gotten inspired by others, Aiakos picked his own pumpkin and began his carving. He picked to carve a jack-o-lantern face and laughed as Charon accidentally broke part of his pumpkin as he attempted to carve his own.
Hermes decided to do a representation of a bat in his pumpkin and Charon had tried to create a scene of a boat on a river, but broke off part of the boat so it was a little misshapen. Even Hades made an appearance to see how things were going and carved a scythe into a pumpkin of his own, mostly to see Aiakos smile at the slightly distorted carving.
Aiakos helped decorate the castle with the pumpkins and then found Hermes, “Uncle Hermes, What should I dress up as?”
Hermes considered it for a minute and then shrugged, “Well the kids on the surface usually dress up as their favorite character or person from a book or movie. Or they could be something generic like a devil, angel or animal.”
Aiakos thought about it for a moment, “Do you think I could dress up as one of you?”
“One of us?” Hermes asked curiously.
“Yes, you, Uncle Charon or father.” Aiakos asked and Hermes smiled at the boy.
“Why don’t you dress up as your father? I can help you make the costume if you would like. I am sure Charon would too.” Hermes looked at the boy who had excitement all over his face.
They went to Charon together and worked on the costume using spare fabric and occasionally some parts from the surface. Hermes was able to collect some leather from a local town and helped dye it black and form it into pieces of armor for the child to wear that would be much lighter than the dark metal it was actually made of. The cloak was made of some scrap fabric that was layered over the armor and then came the scythe. Charon wrapped a stick with some of the black leather to make the handle and then found some white cord to wrap on it as well, trying to match Hades’s actual scythe as closely as he could. For the blade, he formed it from a piece of slate so that it was lighter in weight, and of course not as sharp, as the real thing. He then set to carving the stick into the proper shape of the scythe’s handle. Once it was finished, Aiakos held it tightly and looked at the armor and cloak. He looked up at the pair with a smile and they both smiled back at him.
He then frowned, “what about Dad’s earring?”
The pair laughed a bit and then Charon set to work making little stone replicas of Hades's earrings. Hermes found an old vine and wove it into the shape of Hades crown for the child. Once finished, they styled his hair using some black grease and helped him into the armor and cloak. Hermes pulled on his own “costume” of the messenger god, and Charon pulled on his own cloak to become the ferryman. They then went to find Hades to see if he was ready to venture up to the surface and to surprise him with Aiakos’s costume.
Hades smiled at the trio and then realized what Aiakos was dressed as and blushed, “Oh you look amazing. I am honored my son.”
Hades scooped Aiakos up in a hug and then handed him a bag to collect candy in. Hades changed into his own “costume” and walked out of the underworld with Charon and Hermes to take Aiakos trick-or-treating.
Watching Aiakos mingle with other kids as his bag became heavy with candy as he rushed from door to door to trick-or-treat made Hades smile happily. Once he was done, the trio brought him back to the underworld, carrying heavy bags of candy to return back to the underworld. Once there, Aiakos proceeded to knock on each of the angel’s doors to offer them candy in a reverse trick-or-treating method. He spread out most of his candy among the angels and then everyone went to come together in the dining hall for the feast.
“Father? What is Halloween?” Aiakos asked as he followed his father to the throne room.
“Halloween? Where did you hear of it child?” Hades asked, looking down at the boy.
“Well Hermes was talking about it because he said he loved going into the mortal realm for it. He made it sound like a lot of fun.” Aiakos spoke and Hades smiled at the young face.
“Halloween is a time for spirits to visit from the dead. It was originally called All Hallows Eve and was a time for spirits and demons to return to the mortal realm. Often, children will dress up and go from door to door to collect candy from the mortals. It is a time of tricks and treats and people will carve pumpkins into funny faces to decorate their houses.” Hades explained and saw Aiakos break into a massive smile.
“May I celebrate Halloween too father?” Aiakos asked, looking up at him with a grin.
“I suppose you could.” Hades smiled back, “Me and Hermes could bring you to the nearest mortal village to collect candy if you like.”
“Could we celebrate it here too?” Aiakos laughed widely and Hades smiled.
“Sure. Why don’t you go ask Uncle Hermes to help you with that?” Hades tapped Aiakos’s back and he ran off to find Hermes.
“Uncle Hermes! Father said we could celebrate Halloween here too! He sent me to have you help me!” Aiakos found the viscet with a grin.
“He did? That’s awesome! Come, let’s go and get some of the supplies. First we would need pumpkins, and then perhaps some spider webs, and lights of course! And you will need a costume! And the feast of course!” Hermes began to think.
“Well you can send for Charon to fetch pumpkins and we can carve them once he gets back. The bats and spiders could probably help us decorate the castle and oh, maybe fireflies could be the lights!” Aiakos suggested.
Hermes smiled at the child, “That sounds perfect. Why don’t you run along and tell the kitchen spirits your plans for a Halloween feast while I inform Charon?”
Aiakos did as he asked before meeting up with him on the front steps of the castle where he was guiding the bats and spiders to help with decorations. Aiakos watched with a smile when they created webs and hung black and orange banners through the castle. A whistle drew Aiakos to look at the river where Charon guided a boat filled with pumpkins, Cerebus followed on the bank pulling a massive sled piled high with even more. Aiakos bounced with excitement and rushed to help the servants unload the boat and sled, bringing the pumpkins to the dining hall to be carved later on. As he brought the last pumpkin in, he saw hordes of fireflies being directed into the castle and soon it was flooded with the orange glow of fireflies.
Aiakos called for the angels and servants to gather in the dining hall and each of them was given a pumpkin to carve to their enjoyment. Some of them created carvings so intricate that Aiakos was thrilled, and others just carved a simple jack-o-lantern face. Having gotten inspired by others, Aiakos picked his own pumpkin and began his carving. He picked to carve a jack-o-lantern face and laughed as Charon accidentally broke part of his pumpkin as he attempted to carve his own.
Hermes decided to do a representation of a bat in his pumpkin and Charon had tried to create a scene of a boat on a river, but broke off part of the boat so it was a little misshapen. Even Hades made an appearance to see how things were going and carved a scythe into a pumpkin of his own, mostly to see Aiakos smile at the slightly distorted carving.
Aiakos helped decorate the castle with the pumpkins and then found Hermes, “Uncle Hermes, What should I dress up as?”
Hermes considered it for a minute and then shrugged, “Well the kids on the surface usually dress up as their favorite character or person from a book or movie. Or they could be something generic like a devil, angel or animal.”
Aiakos thought about it for a moment, “Do you think I could dress up as one of you?”
“One of us?” Hermes asked curiously.
“Yes, you, Uncle Charon or father.” Aiakos asked and Hermes smiled at the boy.
“Why don’t you dress up as your father? I can help you make the costume if you would like. I am sure Charon would too.” Hermes looked at the boy who had excitement all over his face.
They went to Charon together and worked on the costume using spare fabric and occasionally some parts from the surface. Hermes was able to collect some leather from a local town and helped dye it black and form it into pieces of armor for the child to wear that would be much lighter than the dark metal it was actually made of. The cloak was made of some scrap fabric that was layered over the armor and then came the scythe. Charon wrapped a stick with some of the black leather to make the handle and then found some white cord to wrap on it as well, trying to match Hades’s actual scythe as closely as he could. For the blade, he formed it from a piece of slate so that it was lighter in weight, and of course not as sharp, as the real thing. He then set to carving the stick into the proper shape of the scythe’s handle. Once it was finished, Aiakos held it tightly and looked at the armor and cloak. He looked up at the pair with a smile and they both smiled back at him.
He then frowned, “what about Dad’s earring?”
The pair laughed a bit and then Charon set to work making little stone replicas of Hades's earrings. Hermes found an old vine and wove it into the shape of Hades crown for the child. Once finished, they styled his hair using some black grease and helped him into the armor and cloak. Hermes pulled on his own “costume” of the messenger god, and Charon pulled on his own cloak to become the ferryman. They then went to find Hades to see if he was ready to venture up to the surface and to surprise him with Aiakos’s costume.
Hades smiled at the trio and then realized what Aiakos was dressed as and blushed, “Oh you look amazing. I am honored my son.”
Hades scooped Aiakos up in a hug and then handed him a bag to collect candy in. Hades changed into his own “costume” and walked out of the underworld with Charon and Hermes to take Aiakos trick-or-treating.
Watching Aiakos mingle with other kids as his bag became heavy with candy as he rushed from door to door to trick-or-treat made Hades smile happily. Once he was done, the trio brought him back to the underworld, carrying heavy bags of candy to return back to the underworld. Once there, Aiakos proceeded to knock on each of the angel’s doors to offer them candy in a reverse trick-or-treating method. He spread out most of his candy among the angels and then everyone went to come together in the dining hall for the feast.
Mae
The Grave Keeper
Hades spent all day traveling to Cel’s hometown and then found the graveyard. It wasn’t hard to find as most of these small towns had the graveyard in the south corner. Why? Who knows but being the god of death, Hades somehow knew that. Welcome to random death trivia! Hades shook his head, clearing it of thoughts and prepared himself to walk the rows of headstones. The first few rows were full of viscets most likely from his time, which he could only imagine was decades ago now. He read the names and then moved to the next section. These viscets were closer to Cel’s time and so he paid more attention to them. As he walked among the rows his eyes were drawn to a headstone that, while all these were fairly old, this one was well cared for and had fresh flowers.
Hades stepped up to it and was shocked to see Cel’s name and an engraving of her. How could this be Cel’s? It looked brand new besides the thick layer of grass growing over the surface. Hades fell to his knees and picked up the flowers, they couldn’t have been there for more than a few days and Hades looked up around the headstones. Cel’s was one of the few that seemed to be cared for but even among those, hers was the most pristine. Someone obviously was dedicating hours to taking care of the headstone. Hades felt tears welling up in his eyes and he looked once more at the engraving, letting his paw run over all the details etched into the rock before he stood.
He had forgotten flowers. How could he have forgotten flowers to bring to her grave? He turned in the direction of the exit and started making his way there when a small noise caught his attention. Cel’s spirit made a soft chime from his earring and he turned to see a viscet come from the woods, heading down the row to Cel’s headstone. The viscet wore a deep purple cloak and knelt by her headstone to replace the flowers with fresh ones.
Hades watched them for a moment as she brushed some leaves off the headstone and straightened the flowers. He felt his legs moving by themselves as he approached the viscet to ask them who they were. The cloaked viscet stood and started to make their way back to the woods the same way they came. Hades followed.
The viscet kept walking and Hades found the woods looking familiar, well as familiar as you could with woods anyways. This distraction caused him to catch up to the viscet who had now stopped walking to look back at Hades. He was too busy studying the trees to notice, well that is until he was punched in the jaw.
“Hey! What the he….” Hades looked at the viscet with red eyes and saw them standing there, ready with another punch if he did anything.
Hades took a step forward, growling softly when he felt Cel’s spirit moving within the earring. She rushed out and materialized between the two viscets. The cloaked viscet froze and then pushed back their cloak hood, revealing a viscet with purple flowing hair. Hades thought she looked familiar and Cel embraced her, whispering to her as the viscet cried.
“Oh master… I can’t believe I can see you again. I cannot believe you came back… I have missed you so…” The cloaked viscet whispered back to Cel and Hades stood there awkwardly.
Cel whispered something else and turned to look at Hades, who now blushed at the two ladies looking at him, “Walter? It can’t be. You don’t look a day different than you did then.” The cloaked viscet looked shocked and waved for them.
“Come on. Lets get inside before we get rained on.” She motioned down the path and Hades nodded, still confused but his eyes had faded to grey again. Cel remained out of the earring and Hades followed the two down the path. He only stopped when he saw why this place seemed familiar. The viscet had led them back to a small hut, surrounded by garden beds and trees protecting it from harsh weather. Hades felt tears form in his eyes and knew they must had shifted to blue at the memories. It was Cel’s house.
The viscet noticed his pause and turned to look at him, “I have kept good care of it. I couldn’t imagine this place falling to ruin once the master passed away.”
“Thank you…” Hades spoke, his voice breaking, “Thank you for taking care of her more than I could…”
“Hey, Walter. It’s alright. I was already here so it wasn’t any problem.” The viscet approached and looked into his eyes and that was when recognition kicked in.
“Mae?” Hades asked and she giggled a bit.
“Took you long enough Walter! Not all of us stay the same like you!” The viscet laughed and Hades was reminded of the small child the Cel had as an apprentice. Hades could see the child playing among the garden beds, left here when she was young as her parents had gone missing. That small child was now a full grown viscet and Hades hadn’t even remembered her in his grief. Hades hung his head and Mae looked at Cel confused.
“Come Walter, we have much to talk about.” Mae grabbed his arm and pulled him into the house.
...
“So, you are Hades? God of the Underworld?” Mae seemed shocked and leaned back in her chair as she considered the thought. Cel was hovering nearby, examining the house, overjoyed to be able to see it again.
Hades let Mae process it for a moment and then nodded, “I am Mae. That is why Cel can remain where I go. Her soul is captured in the bead on my ear and I keep her safe with me.”
Mae nodded a bit more and looked out the window as the rain battered the windowsill. Mae watched the rain for a bit and then turned back to Hades and Cel, “Well, I imagine you are tired.”
Hades looked at her puzzled, “You just learned I am the god of death and lord of the underworld yet you only ask if we are tired?”
“Yes, Wal… I mean Hades. I know you. If you tell me you are a god of death then I believe you. Plus you do have some pretty strong proof with Cel being here.” Mae looked at him, “I’m not a child anymore Hades.”
Hades nodded, “I suppose you have grown in these years.”
Mae rolled her eyes and gave him a grin, “I hope so. How terrifying would it be to find me still as a child!” She stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled a bit.
Hades spent all day traveling to Cel’s hometown and then found the graveyard. It wasn’t hard to find as most of these small towns had the graveyard in the south corner. Why? Who knows but being the god of death, Hades somehow knew that. Welcome to random death trivia! Hades shook his head, clearing it of thoughts and prepared himself to walk the rows of headstones. The first few rows were full of viscets most likely from his time, which he could only imagine was decades ago now. He read the names and then moved to the next section. These viscets were closer to Cel’s time and so he paid more attention to them. As he walked among the rows his eyes were drawn to a headstone that, while all these were fairly old, this one was well cared for and had fresh flowers.
Hades stepped up to it and was shocked to see Cel’s name and an engraving of her. How could this be Cel’s? It looked brand new besides the thick layer of grass growing over the surface. Hades fell to his knees and picked up the flowers, they couldn’t have been there for more than a few days and Hades looked up around the headstones. Cel’s was one of the few that seemed to be cared for but even among those, hers was the most pristine. Someone obviously was dedicating hours to taking care of the headstone. Hades felt tears welling up in his eyes and he looked once more at the engraving, letting his paw run over all the details etched into the rock before he stood.
He had forgotten flowers. How could he have forgotten flowers to bring to her grave? He turned in the direction of the exit and started making his way there when a small noise caught his attention. Cel’s spirit made a soft chime from his earring and he turned to see a viscet come from the woods, heading down the row to Cel’s headstone. The viscet wore a deep purple cloak and knelt by her headstone to replace the flowers with fresh ones.
Hades watched them for a moment as she brushed some leaves off the headstone and straightened the flowers. He felt his legs moving by themselves as he approached the viscet to ask them who they were. The cloaked viscet stood and started to make their way back to the woods the same way they came. Hades followed.
The viscet kept walking and Hades found the woods looking familiar, well as familiar as you could with woods anyways. This distraction caused him to catch up to the viscet who had now stopped walking to look back at Hades. He was too busy studying the trees to notice, well that is until he was punched in the jaw.
“Hey! What the he….” Hades looked at the viscet with red eyes and saw them standing there, ready with another punch if he did anything.
Hades took a step forward, growling softly when he felt Cel’s spirit moving within the earring. She rushed out and materialized between the two viscets. The cloaked viscet froze and then pushed back their cloak hood, revealing a viscet with purple flowing hair. Hades thought she looked familiar and Cel embraced her, whispering to her as the viscet cried.
“Oh master… I can’t believe I can see you again. I cannot believe you came back… I have missed you so…” The cloaked viscet whispered back to Cel and Hades stood there awkwardly.
Cel whispered something else and turned to look at Hades, who now blushed at the two ladies looking at him, “Walter? It can’t be. You don’t look a day different than you did then.” The cloaked viscet looked shocked and waved for them.
“Come on. Lets get inside before we get rained on.” She motioned down the path and Hades nodded, still confused but his eyes had faded to grey again. Cel remained out of the earring and Hades followed the two down the path. He only stopped when he saw why this place seemed familiar. The viscet had led them back to a small hut, surrounded by garden beds and trees protecting it from harsh weather. Hades felt tears form in his eyes and knew they must had shifted to blue at the memories. It was Cel’s house.
The viscet noticed his pause and turned to look at him, “I have kept good care of it. I couldn’t imagine this place falling to ruin once the master passed away.”
“Thank you…” Hades spoke, his voice breaking, “Thank you for taking care of her more than I could…”
“Hey, Walter. It’s alright. I was already here so it wasn’t any problem.” The viscet approached and looked into his eyes and that was when recognition kicked in.
“Mae?” Hades asked and she giggled a bit.
“Took you long enough Walter! Not all of us stay the same like you!” The viscet laughed and Hades was reminded of the small child the Cel had as an apprentice. Hades could see the child playing among the garden beds, left here when she was young as her parents had gone missing. That small child was now a full grown viscet and Hades hadn’t even remembered her in his grief. Hades hung his head and Mae looked at Cel confused.
“Come Walter, we have much to talk about.” Mae grabbed his arm and pulled him into the house.
...
“So, you are Hades? God of the Underworld?” Mae seemed shocked and leaned back in her chair as she considered the thought. Cel was hovering nearby, examining the house, overjoyed to be able to see it again.
Hades let Mae process it for a moment and then nodded, “I am Mae. That is why Cel can remain where I go. Her soul is captured in the bead on my ear and I keep her safe with me.”
Mae nodded a bit more and looked out the window as the rain battered the windowsill. Mae watched the rain for a bit and then turned back to Hades and Cel, “Well, I imagine you are tired.”
Hades looked at her puzzled, “You just learned I am the god of death and lord of the underworld yet you only ask if we are tired?”
“Yes, Wal… I mean Hades. I know you. If you tell me you are a god of death then I believe you. Plus you do have some pretty strong proof with Cel being here.” Mae looked at him, “I’m not a child anymore Hades.”
Hades nodded, “I suppose you have grown in these years.”
Mae rolled her eyes and gave him a grin, “I hope so. How terrifying would it be to find me still as a child!” She stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled a bit.
The House of Angels
Mae tucked the chair into the table and spotted Hades coming up the road with a viscet besides him. Mae went to greet him at the door and saw that it was a fairly young male viscet who was studying the area intently.
“Hades, How are you?” Mae called to him and he waved a greeting to her in return.
“Ah Mae, I miss that beautiful face when I am in the underworld.” Hades leaned on the fence to the garden and Mae began to walk down the path towards the pair. The male viscet hung back a bit and Mae looked at him.
“Hello Stranger, may I ask your name?” Mae questioned and turned her gaze to Hades who shook his head with a grin.
“Oh, uh, me?” The viscet stuttered and Mae chuckled a bit.
“I don’t see anyone else there,” She joked and he turned bright red.
“Oh, of course Miss.” He ducked his head in a bow, partially to hide his blushing and muttered a word that Mae struggled to hear. She looked at Hades again who mouthed it to her, Hermes.
“Ah, Hermes. You must have taken the name of the messenger god.” Mae asked and Hermes nodded quickly causing her to giggle more. “Well come on in you two! I will start a pot of tea for us.”
Mae led the pair into the house and went into the kitchen to start a kettle. Hermes sank into a chair and Hades stood before him, motioning for him to move. Hermes sprang up and hovered nearby awkwardly as Hades sat in the chair and chuckled.
“I only wanted you out of my seat Hermes, You can settle down and sit in any of the other chairs.” Hades laughed and Mae smiled at the exchange from in the kitchen.
She heard the squeak of Hermes sitting in another chair and came out with some tea cups. She handed each of the boys a cup and then frowned playfully at Hermes, “Oh, my apologies, but that is my chair.”
She burst into laughter as Hermes jumped to his feet, bowing his head in apology to Mae. Hermes looked at Hades confused to find him laughing as well. Realizing it was a joke, Hermes sat back down, blushing even more than before.
“Please relax Hermes, we are all friends here.” Mae spoke as she sat in a chair herself. She crossed her legs and sipped her tea gently, “So Hermes, you must be new.”
Hermes nodded and she motioned for him to go on, “Oh, well. Hades found me… Well picked me I should say, cause I was very sick ever since I was a child. He granted me this second life and now I will be able to travel like I always wanted to.”
Mae nodded slowly and Hades sipped his tea, listening to the pair speak. Mae followed Hades’s eyes to a painting of Cel and smiled before turning back to Hermes, “So you like to travel?”
Hermes nodded, “I never got to when I was sick so it would be amazing to be able to travel the world all I want.”
Mae smiled and sat forward on her seat, “Promise me you will bring me all sorts of plants from your travels?”
Hermes looked at her and saw the excitement in her eyes, “Oh, of course.”
She grinned happily and Hades smiled as well, “Well Mae, I will have to ask for a few things from your stores if you do not mind.”
Mae looked at Hades, “Oh of course! You are our largest customer afterall!”
Hades chuckled a bit, “Oh only cause I love to viscet the angels that live here.” He smiled at Mae who laughed.
“Don’t you have enough angels down in the underworld?” Mae chuckled and Hades laughed as well.
“Yes, but none as beautiful. Perhaps that is what we should call this garden. The House of Angels. Fits, doesn’t it?” Hades pondered a moment and then heard a chime from his earring as Cel agreed.
Mae nodded, “Very well. The House of Angels. Where the Lord of Death is our best customer.”
The trio laughed softly and Hermes took a sip of his tea, relaxing a bit in the company of the other two viscets.
Mae tucked the chair into the table and spotted Hades coming up the road with a viscet besides him. Mae went to greet him at the door and saw that it was a fairly young male viscet who was studying the area intently.
“Hades, How are you?” Mae called to him and he waved a greeting to her in return.
“Ah Mae, I miss that beautiful face when I am in the underworld.” Hades leaned on the fence to the garden and Mae began to walk down the path towards the pair. The male viscet hung back a bit and Mae looked at him.
“Hello Stranger, may I ask your name?” Mae questioned and turned her gaze to Hades who shook his head with a grin.
“Oh, uh, me?” The viscet stuttered and Mae chuckled a bit.
“I don’t see anyone else there,” She joked and he turned bright red.
“Oh, of course Miss.” He ducked his head in a bow, partially to hide his blushing and muttered a word that Mae struggled to hear. She looked at Hades again who mouthed it to her, Hermes.
“Ah, Hermes. You must have taken the name of the messenger god.” Mae asked and Hermes nodded quickly causing her to giggle more. “Well come on in you two! I will start a pot of tea for us.”
Mae led the pair into the house and went into the kitchen to start a kettle. Hermes sank into a chair and Hades stood before him, motioning for him to move. Hermes sprang up and hovered nearby awkwardly as Hades sat in the chair and chuckled.
“I only wanted you out of my seat Hermes, You can settle down and sit in any of the other chairs.” Hades laughed and Mae smiled at the exchange from in the kitchen.
She heard the squeak of Hermes sitting in another chair and came out with some tea cups. She handed each of the boys a cup and then frowned playfully at Hermes, “Oh, my apologies, but that is my chair.”
She burst into laughter as Hermes jumped to his feet, bowing his head in apology to Mae. Hermes looked at Hades confused to find him laughing as well. Realizing it was a joke, Hermes sat back down, blushing even more than before.
“Please relax Hermes, we are all friends here.” Mae spoke as she sat in a chair herself. She crossed her legs and sipped her tea gently, “So Hermes, you must be new.”
Hermes nodded and she motioned for him to go on, “Oh, well. Hades found me… Well picked me I should say, cause I was very sick ever since I was a child. He granted me this second life and now I will be able to travel like I always wanted to.”
Mae nodded slowly and Hades sipped his tea, listening to the pair speak. Mae followed Hades’s eyes to a painting of Cel and smiled before turning back to Hermes, “So you like to travel?”
Hermes nodded, “I never got to when I was sick so it would be amazing to be able to travel the world all I want.”
Mae smiled and sat forward on her seat, “Promise me you will bring me all sorts of plants from your travels?”
Hermes looked at her and saw the excitement in her eyes, “Oh, of course.”
She grinned happily and Hades smiled as well, “Well Mae, I will have to ask for a few things from your stores if you do not mind.”
Mae looked at Hades, “Oh of course! You are our largest customer afterall!”
Hades chuckled a bit, “Oh only cause I love to viscet the angels that live here.” He smiled at Mae who laughed.
“Don’t you have enough angels down in the underworld?” Mae chuckled and Hades laughed as well.
“Yes, but none as beautiful. Perhaps that is what we should call this garden. The House of Angels. Fits, doesn’t it?” Hades pondered a moment and then heard a chime from his earring as Cel agreed.
Mae nodded, “Very well. The House of Angels. Where the Lord of Death is our best customer.”
The trio laughed softly and Hermes took a sip of his tea, relaxing a bit in the company of the other two viscets.
Fera
A Safe Home
She could hear people breaking down her door and she fled to the edge of town. She looked back with tears in her eyes as she was forced to run from a second home. She ran into the woods, not able to watch another house burn.
Fera made her way to the next town and approached the farmer’s market, her cloak hood up to hide most of her features as she walked between the booths, “Do you know where I may find the House of Angels?”
She asked each of the traders but most shook their head, and those that had heard the name didn’t know where the garden was. Fera traveled to the next town, asking there as well but still no one knew. One the way to the third town, Fera encountered a cemetery and found a viscet kneeling by one of the graves.
“Pardon me, I hate to interrupt your time with your loved one, but I am looking for a place.” Fera spoke quietly, exhausted from her travels.
The stranger stood, looking back at Fera and she realized it was a dark colored male viscet, “No worries my dear lady.” He stood, dusting off his legs from the dust, “How can I help you miss?”
Fera looked at the male and bowed her head in respect, “Oh thank you sir. I am looking for a garden. Perhaps you may know it? I believe it is nearby.”
“What is the name of the garden? I am not from around here but I can try my best to help you.” The male spoke as he approached Fera.
Fera’s hopes sunk as he said he wasn’t from the area but she chanced it anyway, “It is called the House of Angels.”
The male smiled a bit, “Ah. You must know Mae?”
Fera seemed shocked and nodded a bit, “Yes, a met her a week or so ago. She mentioned I would always be welcome with her.”
The male nodded a bit and gave Fera a knowing look, “And now you need a safe place?”
Fera nodded and the male began to move away. She lowered her head, believing him to be leaving her there in the cemetery, “Well come along then. The garden is this way.”
Fera snapped up and looked at him shocked, “oh. Ok sir!”
Fera hurried to catch up the male and followed along with him down a small winding path. Fera followed the male in silence before working up the courage to ask him for more information.
“So you know Mae as well?” Fera asked and she could see the smile grow on his face.
“Yes. She was the apprentice to my mate.” He briefly touched a bright blue earring he was wearing and Fera got the feeling his mate was the grave he had been at.
“Ah, so your mate was a healer as well?” Fera asked and he turned to look at her.
“She was. She couldn’t turn away from anyone who was suffering and was the kindest viscet I had ever met. I see a lot of her in Mae. Mae was certainly the best choice for an apprentice and legacy for the garden.” He replied as he continued to walk.
“Where does the garden get its name? Surely you might have an idea?” Fera asked and caught a smirk crossing his face.
“Oh, the name was my idea.” He said and Fera waited for him to explain, but he never did.
“I am Fera. Might I know your name stranger?” Fera asked and he turned to look at her.
“Oh, do forgive me, I usually make sure to introduce myself to viscets properly. I am Walter.” He stuck out his paw for her to shake and she smiled.
“Thank you for all your help Walter. I really appreciate it.” Fera said and Walter turned to continue down the path. She was still curious about the garden name but was overcome by a brilliant smell that she forgot all about it.
Suddenly in the distance she saw the garden. An archway of various roses and other climbing flowers marked the entrance and she could hear the sound of birds within the garden itself. Once passing through the archway, the garden became clear for Fera to see. Beds of gardens were scattered around a path of paving stones that wound through the opening and each bed had a different name on it. Some were labeled with herbs and healing plants but others were labeled with poisonous plants and had caution marked on their sides. She could see one particular garden bed that had a tall fence around it to keep unwanted guests out and Fera could only imagine what was grown in there. In the center of all the garden beds was a fairly large house that reminded Fera of a fairy tale cottage in the woods. She watched wisps of smoke rise from the chimney and could hear laughter inside the cottage. Walter walked right to the door and knocked once.
The door opened and revealed Mae standing there, “Hades! Oh how are you?” She threw her arms around him and held him close, “Oh, is Cel there too? Oh master I have missed you too!”
Fera watched confused as Mae seemed to almost direct her question to Walter’s earring, and the name she called him wasn’t the one he gave her. She heard Walter clear his throat and saw him motion to her. Mae turned and saw Fera standing there, awkward and nervous at this point.
“Oh Fera! I didn’t expect you to come visit this soon! I hope finding us wasn’t too much trouble.” Mae approached Fera and she shook her head.
“I hope you don’t mind, but this isn’t really much of a visit. This is more of asking for a place to stay. I didn’t know where else to go.” Fera looked at Mae who was looking at her with a worried expression.
“Oh honey. You are always welcome here. Come on inside. You must be starving.” Mae grabbed Fera’s arm and pulled her to the door, grabbing Walter as well, “You too mister.”
Walter flopped into a chair that seemed to be his go to seat and Mae directed Fera towards the fire, “Go ahead and take off your cloak. Warm up by the fire and I will get you some stew from the kitchen!”
As Mae vanished, Fera looked up at Walter and tilted her head a bit, “So, Walter?”
Walter laughed a bit and nodded, “I apologize for deceiving you darling, I just thought you wouldn’t trust me if you knew the truth.”
“The truth?” Fera asked and saw Walter look away a bit.
“I am actually Hades. Lord of death and God of the underworld.” Hades admitted and Fera just stared at him, “That’s why this is called the House of Angels. I live in the underworld with my Angels and so this is a place they can feel welcome, just like all other misfits.”
Fera was just watching Hades when Mae returned, “Here is a bowl of stew for you hun.”
Fera looked at Mae, “Is he really…”
“The god of death? Yes.” Mae responded and handed her the bowl, “I told you we have a specific client who we give the more dangerous potions to. That would be Hades and his angels. They use them in battle and to help those who are suffering.”
Fera considered it all for a moment and nodded slowly, “I see.”
“If you look in the painting behind you, that’s me and my mate with Mae here as a small viscling.” Hades spoke and Fera turned to see a painting of Hades and a much smaller Mae with a third viscet. The viscet was pretty and Fera could see a crown of flowers on her head. Fera turned back to Hades and he waved his hand, summoning shadows around himself to create armor, a thorn crown and a black blade attached to his hip.
“This is what people typically think when they hear I am the God of Death. This is only how I look when I fight,” he wiggled his ears through a metal helmet and suddenly the tips of his horns started to glow with a blue flame. He shook the shadows off and the armor vanished, leaving only the crown of thorns. He lounged on the chair and Fera found herself staring.
This viscet was intriguing to her, she had never met a god before. And his powers were similar to her own, of course much more refined and stronger, but still, there was someone else like her. She looked at Mae who was watching the pair curiously.
“Hades, may I show you something?” Fera asked and Hades looked at her confused.
“Of course you can.” She stood and went outside, prompting him to follow. She found a small section of the garden that was bare and began to draw a symbol in the dirt with her feet. Mae watched from the doorway and Hades approached slowly, watching Fera’s every motion. Fera finished the symbol and drew her sword, thrusting it into the dirt and yelled, “Banf!”
The ground started to break apart and shift in the symbol and Hades grinned as he observed the change. She then ran her hand across the hilt and pointed the sword at a tree, “Shula!”
Thick vine line growths sprang from the blade, wrapping around the tree and then dislodged from the sword, tying up the “attacker” and leaving her blade free to continue to work. She then ran her hand down the blade, muttering, “Give me your strength.”
Hades watched fascinated as the blade burst into its black flame and then he began to clap, “Very impressive! Very impressive! Where did you learn such technique?”
Fera was shocked that he seemed to enjoy her talent, “Uh. I taught myself. I wasn’t welcome in most places if I showed my power. In fact, that’s why I am here. I got chased out of town for using my power to help people.”
Hades shook his head, “Well you don’t need to worry about that anymore. I promise no harm will come to you here.” Hades motioned to the garden and then approached cautiously, “May I?” He asked, gesturing to the sword which was still engulfed in flames.
Fera nodded and he inspected it curiously, “Hmm. I see. That makes sense.”
“What makes sense?” Fera asked as she listened to his mumblings.
“Did you ever meet your father?” Hades questioned and Fera shook her head, “I see. Well I do believe he may have been a nature sprite or nymph. And so you got your power from him.”
“Really?” Fera thought of her father, being able to accept her and teach her how to use the power instead of being taught to hide it.
Hades nodded and smiled at her, “It is an amazing gift you have. And I am sure you will enjoy it here. Of course may put you to work to earn your keep!” Hades chuckled and Mae glared at him.
“I will do no such thing. Everyone is welcome here and can work if they feel like it. I don’t run a sweatshop here.” Mae kept glaring at Hades but Fera couldn’t help but smile at his goofy grin.
“Well ladies, I should get back to work before the underworld falls apart without me. Perhaps next time, I will bring you some more metal flower seeds Mae. I know how you love them.” Hades grinned and Mae’s face lit up.
“Oh, I almost forgot! I grew something for the grave!” Mae ran inside and Hades watched her.
Mae returned with a small poplar sapling and handed it to Hades, “Here, I figured you could plant it behind the grave and it will be grown in no time! I know you have lots of them in the underworld so I figured it would go along with the flowers you have there!”
Hades took the tree and held it close to him with a solemn look on his face. He kissed Mae’s forehead and looked down at her, “Thank you child. I appreciate the gift. Now take care of your guest.”
When Hades turned to say goodbye to Fera she was shocked to see his eyes no longer grey but rather a soft blue. He bowed to her and smiled, “I hope you enjoy it here in the garden. I feel like you will thrive here.”
Fera smiled back, “I believe I will as well.”
Hades turned and walked back down the path, slowly and holding the little sapling close. Fera watched him go and then looked at Mae, “Have you ever gone to the underworld to visit him?”
She shook her head, “Nah, the angels come to us so there has never been a reason to go.”
“I feel like it must be lonely though. I have read the old myths and according to them, hardly anything grows there.”
“Oh, plenty grows there. He has a variety of metal flowers that pretty much only grow there, here and on Cel’s grave. And of course the poplar trees, and he has his own personal garden filled with Cel’s favorite plants. So he makes sure that things grow.” Mae spoke and then looked at Fera with a smile, “Well let’s get you settled into a room.”
She could hear people breaking down her door and she fled to the edge of town. She looked back with tears in her eyes as she was forced to run from a second home. She ran into the woods, not able to watch another house burn.
Fera made her way to the next town and approached the farmer’s market, her cloak hood up to hide most of her features as she walked between the booths, “Do you know where I may find the House of Angels?”
She asked each of the traders but most shook their head, and those that had heard the name didn’t know where the garden was. Fera traveled to the next town, asking there as well but still no one knew. One the way to the third town, Fera encountered a cemetery and found a viscet kneeling by one of the graves.
“Pardon me, I hate to interrupt your time with your loved one, but I am looking for a place.” Fera spoke quietly, exhausted from her travels.
The stranger stood, looking back at Fera and she realized it was a dark colored male viscet, “No worries my dear lady.” He stood, dusting off his legs from the dust, “How can I help you miss?”
Fera looked at the male and bowed her head in respect, “Oh thank you sir. I am looking for a garden. Perhaps you may know it? I believe it is nearby.”
“What is the name of the garden? I am not from around here but I can try my best to help you.” The male spoke as he approached Fera.
Fera’s hopes sunk as he said he wasn’t from the area but she chanced it anyway, “It is called the House of Angels.”
The male smiled a bit, “Ah. You must know Mae?”
Fera seemed shocked and nodded a bit, “Yes, a met her a week or so ago. She mentioned I would always be welcome with her.”
The male nodded a bit and gave Fera a knowing look, “And now you need a safe place?”
Fera nodded and the male began to move away. She lowered her head, believing him to be leaving her there in the cemetery, “Well come along then. The garden is this way.”
Fera snapped up and looked at him shocked, “oh. Ok sir!”
Fera hurried to catch up the male and followed along with him down a small winding path. Fera followed the male in silence before working up the courage to ask him for more information.
“So you know Mae as well?” Fera asked and she could see the smile grow on his face.
“Yes. She was the apprentice to my mate.” He briefly touched a bright blue earring he was wearing and Fera got the feeling his mate was the grave he had been at.
“Ah, so your mate was a healer as well?” Fera asked and he turned to look at her.
“She was. She couldn’t turn away from anyone who was suffering and was the kindest viscet I had ever met. I see a lot of her in Mae. Mae was certainly the best choice for an apprentice and legacy for the garden.” He replied as he continued to walk.
“Where does the garden get its name? Surely you might have an idea?” Fera asked and caught a smirk crossing his face.
“Oh, the name was my idea.” He said and Fera waited for him to explain, but he never did.
“I am Fera. Might I know your name stranger?” Fera asked and he turned to look at her.
“Oh, do forgive me, I usually make sure to introduce myself to viscets properly. I am Walter.” He stuck out his paw for her to shake and she smiled.
“Thank you for all your help Walter. I really appreciate it.” Fera said and Walter turned to continue down the path. She was still curious about the garden name but was overcome by a brilliant smell that she forgot all about it.
Suddenly in the distance she saw the garden. An archway of various roses and other climbing flowers marked the entrance and she could hear the sound of birds within the garden itself. Once passing through the archway, the garden became clear for Fera to see. Beds of gardens were scattered around a path of paving stones that wound through the opening and each bed had a different name on it. Some were labeled with herbs and healing plants but others were labeled with poisonous plants and had caution marked on their sides. She could see one particular garden bed that had a tall fence around it to keep unwanted guests out and Fera could only imagine what was grown in there. In the center of all the garden beds was a fairly large house that reminded Fera of a fairy tale cottage in the woods. She watched wisps of smoke rise from the chimney and could hear laughter inside the cottage. Walter walked right to the door and knocked once.
The door opened and revealed Mae standing there, “Hades! Oh how are you?” She threw her arms around him and held him close, “Oh, is Cel there too? Oh master I have missed you too!”
Fera watched confused as Mae seemed to almost direct her question to Walter’s earring, and the name she called him wasn’t the one he gave her. She heard Walter clear his throat and saw him motion to her. Mae turned and saw Fera standing there, awkward and nervous at this point.
“Oh Fera! I didn’t expect you to come visit this soon! I hope finding us wasn’t too much trouble.” Mae approached Fera and she shook her head.
“I hope you don’t mind, but this isn’t really much of a visit. This is more of asking for a place to stay. I didn’t know where else to go.” Fera looked at Mae who was looking at her with a worried expression.
“Oh honey. You are always welcome here. Come on inside. You must be starving.” Mae grabbed Fera’s arm and pulled her to the door, grabbing Walter as well, “You too mister.”
Walter flopped into a chair that seemed to be his go to seat and Mae directed Fera towards the fire, “Go ahead and take off your cloak. Warm up by the fire and I will get you some stew from the kitchen!”
As Mae vanished, Fera looked up at Walter and tilted her head a bit, “So, Walter?”
Walter laughed a bit and nodded, “I apologize for deceiving you darling, I just thought you wouldn’t trust me if you knew the truth.”
“The truth?” Fera asked and saw Walter look away a bit.
“I am actually Hades. Lord of death and God of the underworld.” Hades admitted and Fera just stared at him, “That’s why this is called the House of Angels. I live in the underworld with my Angels and so this is a place they can feel welcome, just like all other misfits.”
Fera was just watching Hades when Mae returned, “Here is a bowl of stew for you hun.”
Fera looked at Mae, “Is he really…”
“The god of death? Yes.” Mae responded and handed her the bowl, “I told you we have a specific client who we give the more dangerous potions to. That would be Hades and his angels. They use them in battle and to help those who are suffering.”
Fera considered it all for a moment and nodded slowly, “I see.”
“If you look in the painting behind you, that’s me and my mate with Mae here as a small viscling.” Hades spoke and Fera turned to see a painting of Hades and a much smaller Mae with a third viscet. The viscet was pretty and Fera could see a crown of flowers on her head. Fera turned back to Hades and he waved his hand, summoning shadows around himself to create armor, a thorn crown and a black blade attached to his hip.
“This is what people typically think when they hear I am the God of Death. This is only how I look when I fight,” he wiggled his ears through a metal helmet and suddenly the tips of his horns started to glow with a blue flame. He shook the shadows off and the armor vanished, leaving only the crown of thorns. He lounged on the chair and Fera found herself staring.
This viscet was intriguing to her, she had never met a god before. And his powers were similar to her own, of course much more refined and stronger, but still, there was someone else like her. She looked at Mae who was watching the pair curiously.
“Hades, may I show you something?” Fera asked and Hades looked at her confused.
“Of course you can.” She stood and went outside, prompting him to follow. She found a small section of the garden that was bare and began to draw a symbol in the dirt with her feet. Mae watched from the doorway and Hades approached slowly, watching Fera’s every motion. Fera finished the symbol and drew her sword, thrusting it into the dirt and yelled, “Banf!”
The ground started to break apart and shift in the symbol and Hades grinned as he observed the change. She then ran her hand across the hilt and pointed the sword at a tree, “Shula!”
Thick vine line growths sprang from the blade, wrapping around the tree and then dislodged from the sword, tying up the “attacker” and leaving her blade free to continue to work. She then ran her hand down the blade, muttering, “Give me your strength.”
Hades watched fascinated as the blade burst into its black flame and then he began to clap, “Very impressive! Very impressive! Where did you learn such technique?”
Fera was shocked that he seemed to enjoy her talent, “Uh. I taught myself. I wasn’t welcome in most places if I showed my power. In fact, that’s why I am here. I got chased out of town for using my power to help people.”
Hades shook his head, “Well you don’t need to worry about that anymore. I promise no harm will come to you here.” Hades motioned to the garden and then approached cautiously, “May I?” He asked, gesturing to the sword which was still engulfed in flames.
Fera nodded and he inspected it curiously, “Hmm. I see. That makes sense.”
“What makes sense?” Fera asked as she listened to his mumblings.
“Did you ever meet your father?” Hades questioned and Fera shook her head, “I see. Well I do believe he may have been a nature sprite or nymph. And so you got your power from him.”
“Really?” Fera thought of her father, being able to accept her and teach her how to use the power instead of being taught to hide it.
Hades nodded and smiled at her, “It is an amazing gift you have. And I am sure you will enjoy it here. Of course may put you to work to earn your keep!” Hades chuckled and Mae glared at him.
“I will do no such thing. Everyone is welcome here and can work if they feel like it. I don’t run a sweatshop here.” Mae kept glaring at Hades but Fera couldn’t help but smile at his goofy grin.
“Well ladies, I should get back to work before the underworld falls apart without me. Perhaps next time, I will bring you some more metal flower seeds Mae. I know how you love them.” Hades grinned and Mae’s face lit up.
“Oh, I almost forgot! I grew something for the grave!” Mae ran inside and Hades watched her.
Mae returned with a small poplar sapling and handed it to Hades, “Here, I figured you could plant it behind the grave and it will be grown in no time! I know you have lots of them in the underworld so I figured it would go along with the flowers you have there!”
Hades took the tree and held it close to him with a solemn look on his face. He kissed Mae’s forehead and looked down at her, “Thank you child. I appreciate the gift. Now take care of your guest.”
When Hades turned to say goodbye to Fera she was shocked to see his eyes no longer grey but rather a soft blue. He bowed to her and smiled, “I hope you enjoy it here in the garden. I feel like you will thrive here.”
Fera smiled back, “I believe I will as well.”
Hades turned and walked back down the path, slowly and holding the little sapling close. Fera watched him go and then looked at Mae, “Have you ever gone to the underworld to visit him?”
She shook her head, “Nah, the angels come to us so there has never been a reason to go.”
“I feel like it must be lonely though. I have read the old myths and according to them, hardly anything grows there.”
“Oh, plenty grows there. He has a variety of metal flowers that pretty much only grow there, here and on Cel’s grave. And of course the poplar trees, and he has his own personal garden filled with Cel’s favorite plants. So he makes sure that things grow.” Mae spoke and then looked at Fera with a smile, “Well let’s get you settled into a room.”