The first thing I became aware of was the cold. It seeped into my bones, a chill that was almost unbearable after the warmth I had felt before slipping into unconsciousness. The darkness that had consumed me began to lift, my senses slowly returning, sluggish and heavy as if I were dragging myself out of a deep, bottomless pit.
I opened my eyes, blinking against the dim light that filtered through the shadows. The world around me came into focus in pieces. “fuck” I muttered, putting my head in my palm
I shifted, my body protesting the movement, every muscle aching as though I had been through a grueling battle. The ground beneath me felt hard and cold, and as I forced myself to stand
“Mene?” I called out, my voice echoing through the desolate expanse. I am beginning to feel like. Damsel with how much I fall in and out of consciousness’ thought as i walked out of Hades, no my chambers
I listened for her response, but there was no answer, only the hollow sound of my own voice bouncing back at me.
She was gone. I could feel that her presence was no longer in Hell.
I took a tentative step forward, the silence around me pressing in on all sides.
The warmth of her presence had vanished, leaving only the biting cold in its wake. My hearts beat with a growing sense of dread, a fear that I couldn’t quite name. I called out again, louder this time, desperation creeping into my voice.
“Mene! Where are you?”
But the only response was the distant cries, the restless souls within it whispering secrets and pleas.
I was alone.
The realization struck me like a blow. She had left.
She promised not to leave and then she went around and left me.
A cruel laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.
Again.
I feel again for the stupid words. For the cruelty of those gods. I had once again....
I took in a deep breath. There was no need crying over spilt milk, I had hell to run.
**
I looked to the demons who looked like he was ready to shit his pants and the corrupt soul he held in his hands.
I massaged my head as I looked to the two of them. ‘i did not have time for this’
“take him to Tartarus” I said barely looking at the two.
“No..no please.” The corrupt soul said, falling to its knees as it begged me.
I ruled with an iron fist. Punishments became harsher, swift, and without mercy. Where Hades would listen to pleas, I silenced them with a snarl. I barked out the orders no one dared to defy me.
The underworld had never been so tense. Shadows, usually restless in their flickering dance, now clung to the walls like frightened children.
I could feel the weight of my new authority in every bone. My paws, heavy and resolute, left imprints on the very stone as I prowled the halls of my master’s former palace.
It was mine now. All of it. And they feared me, as they should.
But beneath that power, a restless rage burned. Hades’ departure, his choice to abandon everything—me—and then Mene. She promised.
I shook my head. I was not going to let that bother me today. I told myself even though it never stopped bugging me.
“You’re going to destroy everything, you know.”
I turned, snarling, to face the intruder. Scylla stood before me. She looked at me with a bore on her face, but those eyes. ...
“Scylla,” I growled, “You dare to challenge me?”
“watch your tone with me boy.” She snapped before taking in a deep breath.
“I dare to speak sense, Cerberus,” she replied coolly, her voice a quiet ripple in the stillness. “ If you continue this way, there will be nothing left to rule. The souls will scatter, the spirits will revolt, and the Fates themselves may intervene.”
“I care not for the Fates or the souls,” I snapped, my middle head snapping at the air. “I am their master now. They will obey, or they will suffer.”
“Obedience out of fear is fragile,” Scylla warned, her many eyes narrowing. “It will break, and when it does, you will be alone—truly alone.”
I felt a pang in my heart at her words, but I silenced it with a growl. “They deserve to fear me. Hades was too lenient, too distracted. That’s why he left, why he—”
“Why he chose love?” Scylla interrupted, her tone gentler now. “He did not leave out of weakness, Cerberus. He left because he found something worth sacrificing everything for. Can you not see that?”
“I see betrayal,” I snarled, though the words tasted bitter. “I see abandonment. He chose her over ... over me.”
Scylla sighed, a sound like the distant crash of waves against rocks. “Perhaps he did. But that does not mean you must destroy everything in his absence?”
“maybe if he hears just how ruined hell is, how I have destroyed everything he has worked for. He would be willing to come back.” I muttered.
“you little fool” she said, looking at me with such pity.
“What would you have me do?” I asked, my voice softer, though still laced with bitterness.
“Rule with strength, but not cruelty,” Scylla advised. “Show them that you are not Hades, but that you are not a tyrant either. The underworld needs a leader, not a destroyer.”
I looked at her, all three pairs of eyes meeting her steady gaze. “but he might hear of this and then have no reason to come back.”
“then that is his choice. I cannot understand the bond between you two, nor do I understand the depths of you hurting.” She came closer, rubbing my head like she did when I was a pup. But I do know that you would regret it deeply to burn this place to the ground with how you are acting.” I said nothing. There was nothing I could say what could I say when I knew that she was right?
“please, would you stop this madness now?” she said looking at me with something else in her eyes.
Pity?
Sadness?