FanStory.com - Spit-shine on Hellby davisr (Rhonda)

Background
Years after a fire took her parents' lives, Echo worked at a small town newspaper. She was rescued by her old friend, Theo, who took her to live in his world. A world full of its own danger.

End of Last Chapter:

"You really were the only one who got away from the siege, weren't you, Hermes?"

"Yeah, a sad truth, my boy. Pretty ironic, isn't it? The freedom of the world rests in the hands of a group of kids, a girl from the outside, and the most flawed god of all."

"I beg to differ on the last part."

"Yeah, I suppose that honor goes to Uncle Hades. Come on Interim King, we've got to get mounted. I've got miles of rock left to examine."

Beginning of New Chapter:

Echo turned and walked to the bed. Tears trickled down her face as she thought of being alone. She hadn't wanted Adam to risk his life and liberty to come for her, but since he was here, the little girl inside wished he would charge to her rescue.

She felt lonely and wretched, and didn't want to be doing what she was, even if it had been to save Phillip and Hannah. For a moment she allowed herself to wallow in grief and self pity, until she thought of what Hannah had said to her before Phillip carried her out.

From the darkness of a trance, Hannah managed to tell Echo her horse name, Perseverance. A horse name, she reminded herself, was a key to one's strongest personal trait, and became their driving force. She had had no time to discover it for herself through time and trial, as was the tradition of Concordians, but it was gifted to her by a very special child.

Perseverance meant tenacity and determination. It was time she started living up to it. She cast away self pity like a tattered blanket. She could and would persevere. She would fight this battle to its uncertain end.

With resolve born of self-awareness, she headed for the bathroom, which she was surprised to find well furnished. There was a standing shower with both hot and cold running water.

Draped on a metal bar beside it, was a flower scented towel, and in a light pink crystal dish, waited a fragrant bar of soap. It was obvious he had been expecting her all along.

Feeling a little weird, she took a quick shower, and headed back to the bedroom to get dressed. The gown Hades had laid on the bed was not typical Concorde Valley attire, which tended towards comfort and practicality. This one boasted opulence.

Echo ran her hand across the white satin bodice, embossed with intricately woven lace and what looked like real pearls. There were rows of dainty ruffles flowing down a billowing skirt that were so soft they seemed made of rose petals.

It looked, for all the world, like a wedding gown, the thought of which made her shudder. She had gotten the impression he planned a wedding after his war with Theo, not before. She almost declined to put it on, but remembered Hades' threat to dress her personally if she didn't.

As she slipped the dress over her head, the material felt as though it melted into her skin, lending comfort where there had only been despair. The fit was perfect. How could he have known her exact size?

After dressing, she approached an ornate dresser with an attached mirror. She glanced at her image, and was shocked to see an elegant young lady reflected back. The dress not only fit her perfectly, but seemed designed to highlight her most attractive features. Hades might be a bad man, but he was fantastic at picking out clothing.

Just as she started to step away, she noticed a most exquisite emerald necklace hanging on the post of the dresser. It was her favorite stone, and it sparkled in the torch light. It was so beautiful she was tempted to put it on. It would look lovely with the gown she was wearing, and she knew Hades must have meant it for her. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she backed away. She couldn't be bought so easily.

A distinct tapping drew Echo's eyes to the huge stone door holding her captive. She almost messed up and asked if it was Adam, but remembered there was another man she was expecting.

"Echo, are you ready?" The distinctive voice made Echo recoil.

"Yes, Hades," she replied. She inwardly winced at how easily the ghastly name slipped out of her mouth. Careful, she warned herself. Familiarity is the precursor to acceptance and acceptance to embracement.

She listened as he placed a key in the lock and turned it. Then the door scraped open revealing the king of the dead standing before her in a black tuxedo.

Involuntarily, she gasped as she saw him. He was cleaned up, obviously having taken care of the chest wound. His dark curly hair was clean and combed, and the tuxedo he wore was tight enough to show off a muscular body.

Beautiful brown eyes sparkled with excitement and accented an exquisite face. How could one so striking harbor such evil?

He stepped back to allow her to join him, obviously aware of the effect he had on his captive. As she walked past, she intentionally reminded herself he had killed her parents. Perspective trickled back in and replaced schoolgirl foolishness.

Ignoring her reluctance, he took her hand in his and spun her slowly before him.

"You're stunning," he said. His voice was silky and enticing, "but where are the emeralds I gave you? You really must wear them for our special occasion."

"Oh, and what occasion is that?" Echo asked. Her voice and demeanor betrayed concern.

"One I've been waiting on for years," he answered.

"Please tell me you don't mean a wedding, because that's what this dress seems to suggest."

"The gown you have on doesn't compare to what you'll wear on our wedding day. You deserve much better than this simple garment. But, until we wed, this will suffice."

"Why is it wedding white, then?"

"Ah, it reflects your own purity. You're so clean and untouched, like a delicate ivory rose."

Echo stood and blinked, the reporter in her fleeing for cover. She had no response.

"Forgive me, darling. I'm a hopeless romantic."

Echo let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a snort. "If I had to give a list of adjectives for you, romantic wouldn't be anywhere on it." The reporter in her had returned.

Hades flashed a devilish grin. "That's just because you don't know me well enough. As you learn more, you'll fall in love, just like you said someone would if given the chance."

"I wasn't referring to myself. You know perfectly well I already have a boyfriend, and that you're not my type."

"So what is your type? A half-grown god that carves you toy horses and bakes fish in the woods? Or, maybe a creepy guy who stalks you at work, then forces you to crawl through tree tops for miles with gaping wounds on your legs?"

Hades paused to gauge Echo's reaction. He wanted to see either anger or passion, but got nothing more than a raised eyebrow and a blank stare. It was time for her poker face.

"It doesn't matter, you'll forget the boy soon enough. Just wait until you see all I have to offer."

Hades headed back into the room, leaving Echo to ponder his words. She watched as he reappeared in the doorway carrying the emerald necklace.

"Let me put this on you," he said. He leaned in where she could feel his breath on her shoulder.

Echo repressed a shudder, but otherwise didn't resist. It was Hades' game right now.

"There, now that's better. You may accompany me to the dinner table, my dear. You're going to be blown away by its splendor and enamored by its luxuriousness."

Echo followed along, not sure what was ahead, but knowing, somewhere, Theo's younger brother, Adam, was behind her. The thought gave her courage.

It didn't take long before they came to an open space lit with jewel encrusted lanterns. Echo stared at those and many other elaborate furnishings. He was right about her being blown away, but enamored? Not so much.

"You like it, don't you?" Hades asked, "and this is but a shadow of my real home... our home if you play your cards right."

"A wise player can be dealt a weak hand and still win the game*." Echo responded.

Hades narrowed his eyes. "I don't know what you think you're going to win, or even how, but weakness won't prevail, my dove. Take a seat beside me at the table. We'll wait for the servants to bring food. Our other guests will be arriving soon."

"What other guests?"

"My colleagues and allies," he said. "All those who have helped me with my successful assault on my brother's kingdom. They are to be complimented and officially awarded today. You get to witness the extent of my generosity for those who support me."

"Thrilling."

"Oh, and you can eat the food."

"What?"

"The food... It's safe to eat. I know you're probably planning to boycott it."

"Well, I am feeling a little nauseous just now," Echo said. She put one hand on her forehead and the other on her midsection.

"What they say happened with Persephone didn't quite go that way. I didn't curse her to come live with me for six months of the year because she ate something at my house. I compromised when she told me how lonely she was for her mother. I let her go of my own volition."

"If you are such a nice guy, why do you keep her captive at all?"

"Because I'm not that nice, so mind yourself or you won't even get six months. You don't have a mother to visit."

Echo flopped on the chair in anger. "That remark was unnecessary, and I still won't eat anything."

"Suit yourself, but you're going to get hungry sooner or later."

Echo tried to smile, but came off looking more like she was making a face, so gave it up.

True to her word, she rejected all the wonderful food that came her way, especially the pomegranate. As Hades didn't seem to notice anyway, she began to wonder if she was suffering from hunger needlessly.

While he and the others ate, Hades chatted with Echo about his home in the Underworld. He carefully brought out all of the attractions, and went on about how she would be revered as his queen, whether they lived underground, or in the palace on Mount Olympus.

He spoke, as well, about how he would become the head god, but generously allowing all the others to keep their positions as long as they acknowledged him as their true king.

"But what about Zeus?" Echo asked when he paused from his tirade. "What will you do with him?"

"He can take my place in the Underworld if he'll swear allegiance to me. If not, he's free to live wherever he wants, but without authority."

"So, you aren't going to kill him?"

Hades looked appalled. "Of course not, he's my brother. I hold no ill will toward him, personally. I just want his job."

Echo raised her eyes in surprise. He was so detached. "When do you expect your takeover to be complete?"

"Very soon, especially with you at my side. Mount Olympus has fallen, and 9 of the 12 gods are contained in the royal palace. One of the other three is me, and the other two are non-factors. Apollo has been out of circulation for a number of years, and Hermes is rather harmless. He tends to keep to himself so long as he can flit about at will."

"Then what else do you need?"

"Concorde and Karack Valleys. They're extensions of Olympia."

"The only ones on the planet?"

"The only ones that count. The others are pretty small and guarded by weak Immortals. Once Concorde falls, they will go down with it."

Hades wiped his mouth with a starched napkin and replaced it in his lap. He leaned back and sighed as though the conversation was over. He turned to speak to the man on his right, when Echo interrupted. "So, that's why Theo stands in your way."

Hades turned back. "Beg your pardon?"

"That's why you're worried about Theo. He holds the keys to both valleys."

"I'm not worried, just annoyed." Hades leaned on his elbow and looked at Echo. "He's a fly that needs swatting."

"But you can't just do that. There's the Prophecy all of you keep going on about that hinders you."

"You know nothing of the Prophecy," Hades said. Amusement twinkled in his eyes. "And you're in it. Would you like to know what it says? As I told you before, I'm not like the others. I won't keep things from you. True love is that way, you know."

"I know enough not to argue love in the stronghold of my enemy," Echo said.

"I only seem to be your enemy now, Echo, because I'm forced to hold you captive until I can convince you of the strength of my love and the power I possess to make you happy."

"Spare me your meaningless declarations, and, for that matter, keep your family secrets to yourself. Neither interest me."

Hades chuckled. If Echo knew just how attractive her sauciness was to him, she would act more afraid. It also was ineffective against his goals.

"The Prophesy was delivered by Poseidon on the day Theo, who was named Anthos, was presented to the Royal Court," he continued. "It went like this:

'This child carries on his father's quest to protect the people of the earth, and to reduce the effects of evil in the world. There will come a day when all we know will be turned upside down, and evil will try to rule. On that day, this child will arise to take on the threat. Only he and his assistants will be able to turn back the tides of darkness. One of these helpers shall be a human girl from the outside, one who bears the approval of the gods from birth. She will steal his heart, and the hearts of his people, with her gentle yet persistent nature. She will find her place amongst the gods. To Anthos, son of my son, I give the same gift I gave his father. Love's first kiss will make a mortal woman immortal like him. Give the gift carefully, grandson, for you may reward it only once. Be strong, be pure, and look to your own heart and to the counsel of your friends when the world grows dark.'

Echo struggled hard to maintain her composure. Mary had told her what she knew about the contents, but certainly not this much. So that was what everyone had been hinting about since she arrived in the valley. They felt she was the girl in the Prophecy, and, apparently, so did Hades. At first she felt disconcerted, but decided to throw it back at her captor.

"Now I see why you show such interest. You aren't in love with me at all. You just want to remove me from the equation."

"That isn't true," Hades said. He sounded a bit taken aback, which was Echo's intention. "Well, maybe just a little, but not like you're making it seem. I think you're beautiful and would make a wonderful queen."

"But, as we've already discussed, you have a wife," Echo said. She was pleased with the effect she had on his demeanor.

"I can keep you both," Hades said. "As head god, I can change the rules."

"Now that really makes me want you."

"I will still make you head queen. I promise Persephone won't give you any trouble over it."

"Well, don't count on me turning to you. I can be very stubborn."

"Echo, be realistic. You know I'm not just stubborn, but willing to stoop as low as it takes to achieve my goal."

"If that's true," Echo threw back, "why don't you just use your influence to compel Persephone to give herself to you fully?"

"Because she's the daughter of one of the Olympian Twelve, and even I dare not mess with Demeter too much. You, on the other hand, are an orphan with no one to stand up for you."

"Which is your fault," Echo reminded him. "Besides, I have Theo, who, from your own lips, and in keeping with the Prophesy you just quoted, is a realistic threat to your takeover."

"Which he will gladly abandon to save your soul, my dear." Hades glared at her with a sneer on his lips.

Echo gazed down at her hands, which were folded neatly in her lap. He really did have her there and he knew it. She had unsettled the god of the dead but for a moment, but then the moment had passed, and she was back to being a frightened captive. She must fight against those feelings or she would be lost to him forever.

About the time dinner was over, the crowd had grown to a throng. Some had joined them at the table, while others were seated in chairs around the periphery. These people weren't the scraggly type who he had been talking to in the cave earlier. They were well dressed and mannered, seemingly out of place in the underground realm.

Hades stood up and rang a spoon against his wine glass. Everyone stopped talking and looked expectantly.

"I'm so very glad to have all of you as guests in my modest abode," he began. "You've been instrumental in some way to the success of my campaign, and I can't tell you how important that will be to the future of the world."

There was a round of applause, soon followed by lavish gifts handed out to all his supporters. She was shocked at first by his generosity, but figured he would devise ways to get the gifts back from them in the end. When he had finished with all the rewards, he paused and scanned his eyes around the crowd.

"Now we come to the best part of the night." Hades turned to Echo and reached for her hand.

"Please, my dear, would you stand and greet my loyal associates?"

Echo resisted the urge to roll her eyes and puke on the table, a feat that would have been hard to achieve considering she hadn't eaten anything all afternoon. Using her best acting abilities, and leaning on her new found perseverance, she stood with feigned enthusiasm.

"Thank you, my dear," he said, beginning an embarrassing round of applause, "and now for the moment we've been waiting for all night, I shall let you, my loyal friends, become a part of a momentous event. You shall watch as I make the radiant Echo an immortal like myself."