Chapter 20 Hades
Hades
Not being able to watch Persephone was torture. But even if something terrible did happen, I wouldn't be able to help her, I was bound by the rules of the Trials.
I snarled as I looked out over the rocky landscape to where I knew she was. Perhaps if the chariots got high enough I would be able to see them from here. I knew I was too far away, but I clung to the thought all the same.
Something was going to happen, I was sure. There was no way that whoever was trying to punish her or get to Cronos was going to let their last chance go without trying again.
At the thought of Cronos I looked along the flaming river, flowing into the mouth of the cave that led to Tartarus. Where Persephone had come back, and stopped me walking into Tartarus while the darkness had control of me. Where she had saved me.
Movement caught my eye and I froze, only relaxing when I realized it was the flickering flames of the river Phlegethon against the rock walls.
I was still holding the onyx trident, a relic I rarely used any more. It had been made for me by Hephaestus, to celebrate the three brothers taking their roles in sky, sea and earth.
A trident for each of us. Poseidon hardly went anywhere without his, but I no longer needed the amplification of power it could give me. If anything, I needed less power, not more.
Except today. If anyone was coming for Persephone, they would have to get past me, and I'd take all the strength I could get. I tipped the trident towards the cave mouth.
“You hear that, Cronos? You're not getting your hands on her today, or any other day,” I said, then blew out a frustrated sigh. Being stuck here was 'bullshit', as Persephone had called it.
“Where's the fun in that?” purred a voice.
I had the trident in both hands, pointed directly at the cave mouth in a flash, my form growing fast as a small figure sauntered out of the cave.
Nothing should ever be coming out of Tartarus without my permission. The monster reared up inside me, fear and strength swelling me as my heart began to pound.
Ankhiale stepped fully out of the cave, and gave me a low bow. Her red hair burst into flame as she straightened and smiled at me. My blood ran cold as I stared at her.
“How? How have you escaped?” If she was free, did that mean... “Where is Cronos?”
“King Cronos is safe and sound,” she said. “My friend couldn't break through his bonds. But he didn't have too much trouble with mine.”
Blue light burst to life around me, and the monster crawled higher up my chest. Ankhiale was ancient. She was one of the strongest Titans in Tartarus. Nobody but me should be able to free her from Tartarus.
“Who?” I demanded. “Who freed you?” Even as I barked the words though, I knew. Fear squeezed my chest, the darkness twisting and snarling to be free.
“That's not important, little Hades,” she said, and cackled as she grew, eclipsing my size in an instant. Heat so intense it made me wince slammed into me.
My eyes flicked to the rows and rows of blue soldiers surrounding me, more getting to their feet from the pool of blue light flowing to the ground from my body.
“What is important is that in a few hours, Cronos, the true King of the Gods, will be free and this shit-hole you call home will be obliterated.”
“Never,” I growled. “He will never be free while I live.”
“I'm afraid that's not true,” she said, cocking her head and giving me a mocking smile. “It's your lovely wife who needs to die, not you. You will live on without her, a mindless monster doing your master’s bidding.”
“No!” I roared, rage blinding me, horror at the thought of Persephone's death too much to bear. I couldn't lose her. I would do whatever it took. Ankhiale threw her head back and laughed, as flames burst to life across her skin.
“Yes, little Lord,” she said, and launched herself at me.