© All rights reserved for How to be a Queen. This story is based on Greek Mythology however the plot and some characters are ORIGINAL and all MY OWN WORK. These are the products of my imagination and countless hours spent writing. Please do not copy/ reproduce in any way.

CHAPTER 9- IMMORTAL DANGER

The Throne Room
Hades' Palace
The Underworld

-Hades-

"You have a visitor, my Lord," Leandro said as he appeared beside me. I was in the throne room, overseeing all the changes planned for Aerith's arrival. Her room, which adjoined mine, was just completed and now it's time renovate the rest of the palace.

The usually empty throne room was now filled with shades and it was bustling with activity. The golden statues were being polished, the walls repainted, and more sconces were being installed so that it will not be as dark.

"Who?" I asked, irritated at another intrusion.

"Hermes, my Lord," Leandro replied. I frowned. Hermes only visited when he had news from Zeus or any of the Olympians. Was this another call to battle? Was there another war in the mortal realm?

"Send him in," I ordered.

A few seconds later, Hermes appeared in the throne room.

"Hades, I have a message from Zeus. He requests your presence in Olympus."

I ran my fingers through my hair. "When? As you can see, I'm busy right now."

Hermes looked around and raised an eyebrow. "Now. It's important. It concerns the safety of all immortals," he answered in a grave tone.

My first thought was immediately of my queen. If there was a threat to immortals, what more for mere mortals? They wouldn't stand a chance.

"What about our safety?" I asked. "The oracle had a prophecy. A group of mortals found a way to weaken us. They want to capture us to study us for they believe that the key to immortality is in our blood. Everyone is present in Olympus now to discuss what we are going to do."

At his explanation, my initial apprehension vanished. This was truly a serious matter.

"Alright. Lead the way," I agreed.

-♔-

All eyes were on me as I stepped foot in Zeus' grand white palace. In all of my existence, I can count in my fingers the number of times I've been here. I didn't like the Olympians and their politics. I didn't like meddling with mortals lives which was their favorite way to pass the time. And so I remained in my realm, a hermit and a recluse.

Seeing everything made of white hurt my eyes for I was used to the darkness of the Underworld. My palace was the exact opposite of Zeus' Olympus. Here, almost everything was made of white marble instead of my usual black. The high ceilings were held up by tall pillars inlaid with gold. There were no jewels in sight.

"Welcome, Hades," Zeus greeted as I approached.

"Zeus," I answered in a terse voice.

"Now that everyone is here, let's start this meeting. Oracle, if you could tell us the vision again."

A young girl stepped forward. She had black hair and green eyes just like the Oracles before her. They all looked the same since it's one soul reincarnated over and over again throughout millennia.

She cleared her throat. "I saw blood. The golden blood of immortals shed by mere mortals," she began.

Ares snorted. "How can they hurt us? We're more powerful than them!" he shouted. Other gods laughed in agreement. Fools, all of them. It's been thousands of years and never has an oracle been wrong in her visions. For that long stretch of time, you'd think gods would be much wiser and heed the oracle's words.

The Oracle's eyes flashed with anger. "They've developed weapons that can weaken us. They know we exist and they want to capture us to study everything about us. They want to know where we get our powers. They want our blood," she continued as if Ares didn't speak at all.

"Why?" Athena asked.

"They believe our blood could make them immortals," the Oracle answered.

"This puts all of us in danger. I urge all of you to always be cautious especially if you are alone. We will be making plans of attack soon. We have to find them before they find us. And when we do, we'll destroy them. For now, we need to gather more information," Zeus announced.

"I agree," Athena said.

"Hermes, you and Athena gather information. Apollo and Artemis will go with you to help you," Zeus said.

Athena lifted her chin in defiance. "I don't need help," she spat.

Ah, hubris. That which makes gods fall.

Zeus banged his fist on the armrest of his throne. It was accompanied with a flash of lightning followed by a boom of thunder outside. Almost everyone jumped at the sudden sound.

"There is safety in numbers. If you go alone, they could capture you. Until we get information about these mortals, we won't know where to find you. Do you want to be milked of your blood just so mortals can be like you?" Zeus shouted.

Athena bowed her head in acquiescence.

"This goes for all of you as well. As much as possible, stick together," Zeus ordered.

A murmur of approval was heard around the room. Zeus turned towards me and Poseidon. "If you see anything out of the ordinary from your own realms, report immediately." Poseidon and I both nodded.

Along with the changes happening in the palace, I would also improve on the security of my realm. Several portals and hidden entrances to the Underworld will be closed so that anyone who wishes to gain entry will do so on the heavily guarded entrances. I will also be increasing the shades who are standing guard as well as assign Cerberus to the main entrance.

Whatever it takes, I'll keep Aerith safe. I promised her this. Today, I cannot be with her so I sent the Furies to guard her. And then tomorrow, I'll finally get to meet her in her school. Leandro has arranged everything and I will be a transfer student.

"Again, everyone be vigilant. Report anything out of the ordinary. Stay in groups. Better yet, stay here in Olympus until we've studied and eliminated the threat. Anyone wish to say anything?" Zeus asked.

Everyone either answered no or shook their heads.

"This meeting is adjourned."

Without another word, I teleported back to the Underworld.

-♔-

Hades! We need help! Your queen is in danger!

Alecto's telepathic message made me freeze. And then my heart started beating faster. Immediately, I sprung into action. I put my hands to my lips and whistled. I heard the thunderous sound of hooves from a distance and in a few seconds, my four steeds were standing before me.

I waved my hand and my black chariot appeared.

What is happening? Where are you?

I received a mental image of the place and also what was happening. Fear and exasperation gripped me at the sight. I saw several armed mortals. They were holding crossbows loaded with arrows whose tips were glowing green. My eyes scanned the vision and looked for Aerith. She was down on the ground but unharmed. Alecto stood besider her, protecting her.

Megaera was down on the ground and she was wounded. But it wasn't healing.

Could this be the group of mortals the Oracle told us about? Is this the weapon that could weaken an immortal?

Hold on, I'm coming.

I sent Alecto the telepathic message and jumped inside the chariot. I flicked the reins and the horses started to run at the speed of sound. They were one of the fastest in the immortal world. They could even rival Poseidon's purebred horses. I waved my hand and my black armor appeared as well as my sword which was now strapped to my waist.

When we were close to the surface, I summoned my power and opened a portal. Several cracks appeared on the rocks above which then grew wider and wider. We emerged from the crevice and straight into the scene I saw on Alecto's message.

I unsheathed my sword as I jumped down from the chariot. I raised it high and shouted my cry for battle. Instantly, more cracks appeared on the ground from which my army of shades emerged. The mortals looked on with horror as transparent, silver beings armed with swords, axes, and spears started walking towards them.

Some backed away but several tried shooting them.

Well, they can't die a second time now, can they?

I laughed as I saw several of them run. But they can't escape. I disappeared and reappeared straight before one of the deserters in a cloud of dark smoke. Surprise and fear filled his eyes before I slashed my sword and his head rolled on the ground.

"Let no one escape!" I shouted.

Tisiphone dived and headed straight for the others who were running in the opposite direction. She grabbed two of the men and flew high. Then, she dropped them. They screamed as they fell and there was that satisfying crunch as their bodies met the ground.

I chased after the others, disappearing and reappearing in front of them to thrust my sword into their chests or remove their heads from their bodies. Energy coursed through my entire body as I relished fighting once more. It has been so damned long since I've fought. I didn't have the heart for petty battles but this one is a fight to keep my queen safe. There's no greater reason to fight than this.

"Watch out!" Aerith shouted.

When I heard her voice, I immediately turned towards her. That was when I saw the mortal whose weapon was aimed at me. I disappeared to evade the arrow and reappeared directly in front of the mortal just as he fired his weapon. I caught the arrow with my hand and used it to stab him directly in the heart.

There were only a few men remaining now and they were still locked into battle with the shades who were clearly taunting them. These shades were once great warriors who fought hundreds of battles. In death, I gave them the chance to join my army for the chance of walking the mortal realm again even for a brief period of time and also for their chance at a better afterlife. Most of my soldiers were volunteers. They only wanted the chance to fight again.

"End this. Now!" I ordered.

At once, the taunting stopped and the warriors chased down every last one of those men. With fear all over their faces, they died by the hands of the shades of the greatest warriors in history. And I just can't wait to receive their own shades in my realm. I have a very special place reserved for their likes – after I get more information from them about their group, of course. This was something I'd want to do personally and not delegate to the Furies.

When everything was clear, I raised my hand and the shades vanished. They're headed back to the Underworld where they would await yet another summon for one more chance to fight.

I was about to turn around and go back to my queen when I felt a soft body barrel into my back. I moved just in time to catch my queen falling into my arms.

"Aerith..." I whispered. I helped her up but she groaned in pain. I frowned and panic started to fill me as I searched her for injuries.

Then I saw the arrow sticking out from her back. "No..." I whispered. Shock and anger of a thousand degrees gripped me. I looked around to kill the mortal who did this to her but Tisiphone was already there and the deed was done. The mortal's head was now on the grass, several feet away from its body.

That arrow was clearly meant for me and it would have hit my back and went through my ribcage to pierce my heart. But my queen shielded me...

"Call Apollo!" I ordered Tisiphone. She nodded and quickly vanished in a haze of shadows. Holding Aerith more securely in my arms, I whistled and my horses appeared before me once more.

I stepped into the chariot just as Aerith opened her eyes.

"Everything's going to be alright," I told her. Her eyes were filled with tears and it felt as though my heart was being torn in two when I saw her pain.

I flicked the reins and the horses started galloping back to the Underworld. I closed the portal behind me as we made our way back to the palace.

"Hold on my queen," I whispered. Looking at her like this was breaking my heart. I was the one who should be protecting her and yet she was the one who saved me.

But now she's here in my world; in my realm.

She's where she belongs and here, I can keep her safe.

********************

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