They say the sun makes me, that without the combination of the rain and a sunny day, I simply wouldn’t show up. I’m a messenger, not just a “lucky” chemical reaction. Before when Gods were never doubted, it was so much easier to spread my messages. I still feel obligated to be the messenger I was destined to be, even though most often people don’t listen. Annabell, a beautiful innocent girl, danced gracefully in the moonlight. I have watched her for a year now, ever since the day he showed up in her life. Hades was back. That was my message.
It started in May, the fighting in the underworld. His home could not freeze like the rest of the world’s could, so the broken deal did not faze him. It was the end of winter when Hades decided it was his time to strike on Persephone. By the time the news of Persephone’s brutal murder spread throughout the heavens, my season was long over. He then came to Earth in search of a new bride.
It never occurred to Annabell she was getting married at six o’clock on June 6th to the devil himself. Hades waited patiently for the winter to come to take the honeymoon to his homeland. They reached his home in February; at the same time, the snow, cold and ice were still barreling down on the Earth above. Persephone had been dead for less than a year, yet here he was already holding captive another bride. Unfortunately for me, my powers do not stop in the mortal world. Being a God, I can also see into the underworld. However I cannot show my colors here. I appear as a person which makes me susceptible to death at the hands of Hades.
Hades’ castle was absolutely massive. I chose to arise in a room on the bottom floor only steps away from where he was holding his bride.
“Where are we?” I heard Annabell stammer. You could hear the anguish and fear in her voice. She was beaten and bloodied and still had no idea what she had gotten herself into. I could see her lower torso from around the corner and I watched as her new husband entered the room. He no longer resembled the man she married; he had returned to the disfigured demon he actually was. I watched as her legs retreated up against the wall when she saw the ghastly sight.
“We are home, my bride,” Hades exclaimed with a laugh that sounded more like a growl from Cyprus. Again I watched her body got closer to the wall. “I suppose you have heard of Persephone. After a few hundred years, she became a bore. However, she made a delicious appetizer for Cyprus.” Again, a devilish laugh escaped from him. She began sobbing and for a moment there was a flick of guilt in his eyes. That’s impossible, I thought. He’s manipulating her. It occurred to me in that moment that not all love is healthy. Despite the fact he says he loves her, it is far from a healthy relationship. This was the message I think I was supposed to convince her of, but was it possible?
After he was satisfied with the torment and he could no longer bare the sound of her sobs, he exited the room. I waited for a while to ensure he was gone then I came around the corner to face Annabell. She gasped again; I was far from the human she was used to. My skin was made of my colors when I materialized and I suppose I was an interesting sight.
“You’re so beautiful,” she gulped. That answer certainly took me back for a second. While I was flattered, I was running out of time.
“Thank you, but we must get you out of here. My name is Iris. Your fate and the world’s are in my hands. Persephone’s mother has said if Hades is not stopped the world will pay,” I exclaimed, trying to show the urgency in my voice. At first she was responsive to my urgency. She nodded and I took off her shackles in one swift motion as she followed me back the way I had come. I had planned this escape and ran over it many times in my mind. It was fool proof; however, I soon found out love creates things much worse than fools. We had just reached the last corridor until the exit when I sensed her hesitation.
“Wait, I can’t leave. He’s my husband; you saw for yourself how much he loves me.”
I was beyond confused. I was rescuing her from hell and she wanted to stay. “He says he loves you,” I explained, “but the love he has for you is not healthy. He will abuse you and eventually kill you the way he did to Persephone.” This answer seemed to satisfy her for the time being and the sounds of Cyprus’ howls helped to convince her. We continued the journey down the hall until I could see the portal to escape.
With Annabell in tow, I made a dash for the portal before Hades, who had just figured out his bride was missing, could catch up. Two steps from the portal I heard footsteps behind us. Without turning around I knew who it was, but he was too late. I stepped into the portal only to find I was stepping alone. I turned to grab Annabell and saw a horrific sight. She was wrapped up in Hades’ arms entirely of her own will. The last second they were visible, Hades grinned a devilish grin. He had just recaptured his next victim without any work at all. I returned to the sky to bare the bad news, all the time wondering if my colors would ever have the season to show again. Would spring ever return to Earth?