Forever Yours

Chapter Twenty-Six

Warning: This chapter contains graphic descriptions of cannibalism. Read at your own risk.
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Hades closed the door to his study, wanting to be alone. He'd spent a pleasant afternoon with his daughter, but the fact that it might be the only one nagged at him. Leaning back in his oversized chair, he stared at the rolls of shelves that held books from before the written word was printed to the latest horror novel by the King of Horror himself. Hades found he liked the writing styles of the King of Horror better than anyone else, that is besides Edgar Allen Poe, of course.

Why did Makaria have to die? It took them eons to conceive a child, Persephone becoming more and more depressed as her cycle would begin every month. When she missed a period, he'd never seen his wife so happy. Who knew it would only be a short eighteen years?

He closed his eyes, sighing. He knew life wasn't fair, that much was certain. You don't always get what you want, but you most definitely get what you need. So far, his wife wanted their daughter to stay alive; fate would determine if that was what she needed.

Sighing, he turned the chair so he was looking out over the dissipated wasteland behind him. The strong wind that seemed to always be there continue to blow, causing the dead and tired leaves to fly off into some unknown land. Dirt moved around in funnels, created by the essive wind that blew. This land was his home, one he hadn't wanted.

When they had drew lots so many eons ago, Hades never imagined he'd get the land of the dead. However, that was what Fate had in store for him; to rule all that weren't living but still needed guidance. Thanàtos had greeted him, showing him the lay of the land. If it hadn't been for the God of Death, Hades was certain he'd had lost his way and his mind.

"Still sitting in the dark, thinking over life and death?" a voice commented from within the darkness. Hades turned around in his chair, his eyes searching for the person whose eyes shined brightly in the dimly lit room. "One would think that after so many years of death, you would have it all figured it out by now." A rustle could be heard as the darkness moved about the room, avoiding the light. 

He knew who it was before they took the leap, stepping into the light. There was only one god who could materialize from mist to form. The goddess of the night herself, Nyx*. Hades watched as she became fully formed, her long skirt flowing behind her, the color of the night sky. Small diamonds twinkled on the fabric, making it look as if it held stars instead of jewels. Her bodice was bare, perky breasts hidden under a wave of midnight hair. A crescent moon sat upon her forehead, small golden chains lacing it throughout her hair. Golden eyes stared back at him from under long lashes.

Hades arched an eyebrow, nodding his head lightly towards her. She was older than life and death, the personification of night itself. Her power out ranked even Zeus's and while she resided in Tartarus, in Hades's kingdom; he hadn't seen her for some years. She was mother to Thanàtos and Hypnos, along with many more.

She moved about the large study, gliding across the floor. "It seems that when one problem rights itself, another arises," she said as she went to the large windows, hanging in the air beside him.

"Nyx...," Hades addressed her. "What brings you for a visit?"

Nyx's golden stare moved from the wasteland outside to the man inside. One dark eyebrow arched as she supplied him with an answer. "Hypnos has told me of your dilemma."

"My dilemma? And pray tell, what would that be?"

Her gaze went back to the window, watching as the vultures descended upon a rotted animal carcass. She didn't shift her gaze back to Hades, instead continuing to stare out the window. "The death of you daughter," she finally replied just as Hades had begun to think she wouldn't answer his question.