Death. A foreign concept to the living. One can hardly feel death without being at least close to it. Many consider it the end, yet sometimes it is only the beginning.


    Hades, the god of the underworld, knew this very well for his domain was already flush with new souls and today would be the birth of one rather than death. He strolled through his land on his sandals wearing black robes lost in his thoughts. His long black hair and large beard flowed majestically over his tanned muscular visage as a joyous expression adorned his face. "What about Hades junior? No no, a child needs their own identity. I can''t have mine always being in my shadow. And what if it''s a girl? I need the name to be perfect." His deep voice echoed throughout the underworld as he caressed his beard. His face hardened as he continued to think before a whimper brought him out of his trance.


    Hades blinked before he looked to his side to see a three headed hound with black fur rubbing its head on his side. Cerberus, his best friend and gatekeeper of the underworld. Instantly, Hades'' expression softened before his hand moved to pet Cerberus as if on instinct.


    "I''m sorry, Cerberus. I didn''t mean to spook you." He said calmly. "But this is far too important for me to relax." He continued, staring off into the rivers of souls ahead of him. "I''ve heard tales and stories of other gods'' children. The legends they forge. Especially my brothers. How proud they must be of such heroes...except for Pirithous." Suddenly, the chilly air of the underworld became so cold, even the damned souls of tartarus flinched. The king of the underworld was angry and every soul could feel its suffocation.


    A bark broke through the icy atmosphere, snapping Hades out of his anger. The king of the underworld blinked before clearing his throat. "Indeed, I shouldn''t ruin such a joyous day with a frown," he said, a smile overtaking his face. "Today marks the birth of a hero! Today, I become a father! "


    Cerberus barked as its tail wagged vigorously, enlarging Hades'' smile as the god began to sing. "A father. A joy like no other. My flesh and blood, resting in my arms." He said as a pale cloud of mist formed into the shape of a crying baby in his arms. "My love and pride, don''t be alarmed. Your father is here to protect you." He sang, caressing the mist baby''s cheek as it calmed down. "No matter who it be. I''d slay titans for you and I''ll make sure you''re safe with meeee! A father. A joy like no oth-."


    Suddenly, a solemn voice spoke into Hades'' mind. "My King, the baby has been born." Not a moment later, a powerful whirlpool of mist rushed towards the king of the underworld, dragging with it a few misty orbs of cyan light, wisps of souls long forgotten before the king and the wisps disappeared into a new location.


    Upon arriving at the new location, a grandiose bedroom fit for a king and queen with grey walls and red carpet, Hades could see his wife Persephone with her beautiful violet hued skin, sky blue eyes and silver hair laying on a bed next to a sickly old lady in black robes who was the wet-nurse. The god of the underworld couldn''t contain his smile...until he saw the expression on his wife''s face as her slender arms held their child. Tears were falling down her cheeks. "No." He whispered, his heart sinking in his chest. His eyes fell on his child, her body unmoving as she breathed on instinct alone, her eyes devoid of the spark that even the dead souls of the underworld had. Tears fell out of Hades'' eyes as his gaze fell onto the wet nurse. His presence thickened, making the atmosphere suffocating. The wet nurse fell to her knees as the king spoke. "I brought you back from the dead for one purpose. ONE. To bring my child to this world healthy. What do you have to say for yourself?"If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The wet nurse shivered in fear under the gaze of the king. She swallowed her wet saliva and spoke. "This is beyond my power, My King. I''ve assisted the birth of many children, some even of the god king, but I have never seen such a thing before. Her body is healthy, yet she''s missing something. Something one can find in any other living being," she said and Hades frowned, knowing what she was about to say. "a soul."


    The god of the underworld went silent. He gaze alternated between his wife, his child and the wet nurse. "You may go." He said with a sigh.


    "Thank you, lord Hades." The wet nurse said before exiting the room, leaving the royal couple alone.


    "She looks like you." Persephone muttered, caressing the soulless baby''s black hair with a sad expression.


    Hades let out a dry chuckle. "That violet skin is all you, dear." He said feigning a smile as he pulled his wife into a hug. "I''ll fix her. I promise. I could rip apart some of the dea-"


    "Don''t-" Persephone cut her husband off. "Don''t finish that sentence. I don''t want my daughter''s life to be built upon destruction."


    Hades went silent, a deep contemplative look on his face. He wracked his brain for a solution before he felt something bump into his body. He looked to see what it was and found a soul, a mere wisp of what used to be. The king of the underworld hummed before carefully cradling the soul in his hands. His eyes quickly turned a misty color as memories flashed in front of his eyes. The soul wisp''s memories.


    The soul seemed to be directing him to a specific memory. It was odd, he thought, souls that have lost their living forms usually lacked much of their sense of self. Hades didn''t resist and simply heard the soul out. He saw a memory from the underworld of all places. A memory of after their death. They were speaking to another soul. A girl in odd clothing. A teen. She spoke in an unknown tongue. Curiosity grasped Hades like a bite of Cerberus. He let go of the soul and looked around the room only to find the foreign soul floating about aimlessly in the room.


    The king of the underworld floated upwards towards the soul carefully cradled her before checking her memories. A young girl, from a world far different from their own. An orphan who died in flames spurred by negligence. "How about adoption?" Hades asked his wife. Persephone let out a sound of confusion. Hades simply held the soul wisp towards his wife.


    Persephone promptedly checked the soul''s memories and her eyes widened. A child who desired parents and parents with who desired a child, a perfect arrangement. She closed her eyes, contemplating the decision. A few seconds later, she let out a small nod. Hades saw this and took a deep breath. He held the soul above his daughter''s body before lightly pushing it inside.


    The change happened immediately. The baby''s skin transformed from being smooth violet into gray flaky skin. It was as if she had ash for skin. Fitting for someone who died to a fire. Her black hair remained the same but her body finally started to move and the spark of life appeared in her sky blue eyes. "Ash, huh? It fits." Said Persephone with a smile. "I think I''ll name her...Tephra."


    The baby, Tephra, stared at her new parents in confusion. "Oh, I forgot. She doesn''t know our language!" Realized Persephone and Hades placed a hand on his wife''s shoulder with a smile.


    "We''ll teach her, together."


    xxxxxxXxxxxxx


    Atop mount Olympus, a giant of thunder and lightning sat on a couch of clouds as his white hair and giant moustacheless beard flowed majestically around him. It was the god king, Zeus. "Repeat what you said, oracle." He said with a deep frown.


    The oracle, hidden beneath robes of black, sang calmly. "I am an oracle. Flashes of time before my eyes. A future cold and grim for thunder, a future with no lies. I see a foe of fallen ash. I see you and her final clash. I see the Thunnnnder Bringer! Through the wringer! She is your judgment call, the one who makes your kingdom fall-"


    "WHO!" Screamed Zeus furiously, his face twisted with anger. The oracle paused before she sang in a soft tone.


    "The child of one you least expect. A friend who earned your great respect." Zeus''s eyes widened at the Oracle''s song. "It is the king of the dead and curled. The king of the underworld. The one who lives his life with ease. The one whose name''s-"


    "Hades."