They took your city at night.
You knew, from the dreams you had at night, that a great evil would be taking your city. Most would call them "demons" for generations to come, with what they witnessed that night.
You dreamt of the same fires that set your city alight, beneath moonlight and stars that looked like they were falling from the night sky.
There was no way to defeat them. They walked like shadows, disappearing into the night, nooks and crannies of your beloved city. One by one, they set your people's houses on fire, only able to watch those families cry, hopeless for the things trapped inside.
But they didn't take the lives of your people. The armed ones, they did as necessary. But...there was something strange about how they conquered your land. Something...off about the way they rounded up your people like cattle in the town square, each family watching as their houses burned.
Winter was
here.
Your people would
never
survive it, if those supply shacks and cellars were taken and depleted in any way. It had been a rough harvest, anyway; the crops had produced just enough to provide for everyone, but the game had been troublesome.
Because any and all game had already fled. Had they known what was coming?
"My Queen!" Your men said as you attempted to leave the castle, sword in hand. "You
must leave!
" You turn to the man who was now on his knees,
begging
you not to meet the "demon" commander. Your eyes find the tallest person in the middle of your crowded town square, watching as you descended the front steps of the castle.
He
smirked.
Somehow...you knew that smirk. You've seen this all happen before, in only dreams. You could feel the sweat on your brow as your city burned bright around you, feel the cold steel of your sword on your palm as you held it, leather wrapping meticulously fitting like a puzzle piece to your grip.
The letter from a dying soldier was crumpled in your other hand, smeared with their blood.
I will free your city,
And your people.
Then...I will free you.
Come to me,
and your people and your city will be spared.
This I promise you:
You will never see your city again.
Instead, you will be my queen.
Come to me.
You know where to find me.
Signed,
The Darkness Incarnate.
You take the man's hand instead, helping him up. Tears drip down his cheeks as he looks into your eyes, the look in them even more surprised as you sheathe your sword and toss the note to the ground. With both hands free, you take the heavy crown from your head, holding it up to the sky.
"Your new ruler." You say. Your voice doesn't waver as you place it on his head, just as you had in your dreams. Your advisor is in shock as he looks at you, swallowing hard.
"Don't let her go." He said. "Protect the Queen." You smile sadly at him, kissing his forehead.
"Keep our people safe." You said. Then, you pushed him into the arms of your guard, staggering them just enough to put your dagger to your own throat. "This must be done." You say, barely managing to keep your emotions from your voice.
Emotion had no place here. Not now, not when your people needed you.
And you would do
anything
for them.
Your guard watched you as you descended the steps into your city, your dagger at your throat. Your dress billowed around you, white and pure, just as pure as you had kept yourself.
Always for your people.
The man's smile grew wider with every step you took toward him. You stop just shy of where he stood, surrounded by your people as insurance.
You look him in the eye, before you lower the dagger. The crystalline blade fell to the ground with a heavy
clink
, one you would hear on repeat for years to come.
You watch silently as he steps out and away from your people, already knowing what would happen next. The man, who had long, silver hair, wound a circle around you.
Examining his prize.
He stopped in front of you, armor covering every inch of his muscled body. Your eyes lower to see his hand reach out, the same as it always did in every dream you had about this night.
"Persephone." His voice was husky, filled with a sort of warmth that must have inspired many to trust him. You stand tall, your eyes locked with his warm ones, a strange feeling settling in your core.
Like you were...almost complete.
"Hades." You say. He smiles, and you can feel your heart melt immediately. How could such a beautiful man be so dangerous?
"You know what comes next." He said, his tone soft. His gaze still had a sharpness to it, one that promised to fulfil his end of the deal if you did not join him. You nod, before you take off your glove and let it fall to the ground to join your father's dagger.
"Keep your word." You say, your hand hovering inches from his. "And I am yours."
Hades nods, and sighs as your hands touch, his large fingers enveloping yours. You feel it then: that magnetic pull between you.
It takes your breath away, leaving you dizzy and reeling as you try to keep your eyes on his. His other hand comes up to stroke your cheek, steadying you. You gasp as you look into his eyes, feeling the power he emitted sinking into your skin.
"My chariot." He says. "We leave now."
"W-where are we going?" You ask, weakly. Hades let go of your hand and cheek, before he removed his heavy cloak and draped it around your shoulders. You didn't know you had been shivering.
"Your new kingdom." He said, as a great and dark chariot rode out, coming to a stop next to you two. He held his hand out for yours, which you took hesitantly. "You are more than any of these people. You will see."
He helps you into the chariot, climbing in behind you and shutting the door. You could feel his warmth and smell him around you as he arms encircled you so he could reach the reigns.
Loud, horrible horns sounded the retreat as you both rode away, relief surging through your veins. How could it be that your dreams had been so right?
How could you see the future and not react?
You gasped as you saw the ground open up, blue flames engulfing the carriage. You could hear Hades' breathing in your ear, feel how he inhaled the scent of your hair. He pressed himself against your back as he guided the skeletal horses into a place you hadn't even
dreamt
about.
The dreams had always ended with you taking Hades' hand.
"I chose well." Hades said, chuckling. "You
smell
like a warrior."
"And you smell..." You say. "...like blood." You could almost feel the smirk tugging at his lips, his hardness pressing against your back as you rode through darkened caves. Your heart beat faster as he chuckled in your ear, sending chills everywhere but your spine.
You weren't afraid.
You rode through orchards of pomegranates, each tree just ripe enough.
How did they grow beneath the surface, without the sun to love them, nurture them?
"Welcome...to the Underworld." He said. The chariot stilled, just long enough for Hades to help you out. You step onto the dusty, dirty path and look up at the large gates, decorated with engravings you couldn't quite make out.
He led you through a dusky palace, lit with candles and braziers, all emitting blue flame. You felt dizzy again, swaying into the arms of your conqueror. He picked you up bridal-style, walking through the palace until he came upon a large ornate set of doors.
Hades kicked them open.
Inside, there was a pool-sized bath, steam wafting and disappearing into the air. The water was completely transparent, with rose petals being thrown in by the barrel by wispy creatures in robes.
You were doing better than you thought, seeing as you've never seen creatures such as these before.
He put you down on a bench, looking into your eyes as he untied the sash of your robe you had hastily put on. His hands dropped from the untied sash to grab a platter that had been waiting for you, plucking at the opened fruit there.
