“Acheron for sorrow, Cocytus for lamentation, Phlegethon for fire, Lethe for oblivion…”

“And Styx for hate, learned it all,” he interrupted cheerfully.

I gave him a coy smile.

The liveliness of the young Shade was such a contrast to the gloom of underworld.

Hades had failed to cheer me up in the past millions of years. The young man did. I felt strangely comfortable around him.

We were roaming by the banks of the five rivers of the realm of Hades while he was teaching me how to click things called ‘selfies’. It was kind of weird, like we capture our reflection on a mirror.

“So, this is a,” he asked pointing to a small ‘icon’ at the bottom of the ‘screen’.

“A   C-A-M-E-R,” I replied.

“C-A-M-E-R-A,” he corrected.

I nodded.

“What’s your name, Shade,” I finally asked.

“Ryan Monaghan, Madame Persephone,” he gave me one of those smiles which made my heart flutter.

“What does man-woman love mean for you?”

He was taken aback by my question.

“I mean like true love. I saw the way Athena looks at Artemis or Zeus maintains an erotic interest for Ganymede. Though Dionysus supports them, I don’t think really high of girl-girl or boy-boy relationship,” I bit my lips.

“Oh you are against the lesbians and the gays out there? Well your land is full of them anyway, so is our world,” he gave a trilling laugh, “But nowadays people are beginning to accept this fact.”

“Ryan,” I said very carefully, “If you don’t mind my asking, had you ever been in love?”

He stopped in his tracks.

“Y…Yes, her name is Alyssa,” he replied staring at the dark waters, “Why?”

“Just asking, because I am yet to realise what true love is.”

“There is nothing called true love. I don’t believe in soulmates anymore. I was so happy with her. We were supposed to be engaged in a few days. That damned truck came and hit my car.
It’s just fate and those three Moerae sisters, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos. They snatched me away.”

“I am sorry,” I said, “I can’t say anything except it must be painful.”

“I know it’s paranormal, not possible at all, but I kind of saw my own body being taken to the hospital. I saw the doctors declaring me as dead.
The look in the eyes of Alyssa had broken my heart over again. I would never be able to see Alyssa again.
I was offered a choice to stay as a Spirit in that world or come as a Shade to this world.
I loved her so much. I couldn’t just bear to be trapped in that world where she will have no idea of my existence. It’s better to come here and forget, than stay and pine for that one true love.”

“Your love is strong still, even in death. But how will you live without her,” I asked.

He shook his head as tears rolled down his cheeks.

I longed to wipe them off. And also I began to realise something. I was falling for him. I was beginning to understand love at last.

But it was ethereal and forbidden. The Queen of Underworld could never love a Shade.

My reverie was broken by the sound of muffled whispers and strange noises. I could see Ryan frowning.

He placed a finger on his lips and we scrambled behind some rocks.

Hades and Poseidon appeared from behind the hills.

I was going to attract their attention when Ryan gripped my hand in warning.

Just then Hades bent closer to his brother and the scene that unfolded before my eyes was nothing I had ever expected to see.

My knees shook and Ryan caught me before I could fall.

Hades and Poseidon were kissing and making out, with theirs hands roaming all over each other.

656 words.
TO be continued...

A/N Thanks for reading friends... Your votes and comments are what makes my day... Waiting for your constructive criticism. Love you all.