I stayed frozen in place, my (long-dead) nervous system acting up like a frightened mortal. "Kbwuht--buyoo--heerdiz--..."

Hades nodded, somehow understanding. "I'm not what you were expecting, I know. Allow me to explain things to you." He motioned to his throne, "take a seat."

I sood in front of the throne, not wanting to seem disrespectful of his pride and property."Are you sure, my lord?"

"Absolutely. You too area deity that has just as much, if not more, divinity as I. Besides, this might take a while."

Plop.

"Dear Luna, Eros wasn't always God's advisor. I do not deny his old age, but he is not as old as I. For I was originally God's advisor and maintained other positions. Eros came into the picture to lighten my workload--that dirty bastard God sluffing off all the work but still making all the decisions and maintaining all the glory.

"Sometime after Eros came into the scene, no more than 300 years, my views of how things were run started to change; the biggest issue being how humans were not given a second shot at life after death. I saw that not all humans were bad, and many could do with a second life, where things were better, and they could be free. Yet Eros & God believed differently. Thankfully I wasn't alone. Some of the angels' way of thinking started to change towards mine. Soon enough, disputes would break out at random, throwing people off their work. Sometimes disputes would last for the length of a human mortal month, and God no longer could tolerate it. He declared my angels and I satanic, called my followers demons like the human's Bible did, and said we were no longer welcome if we were to be persistent with our views.

 "Now, my followers and I believed that we shouldn't have to leave heaven as we were divinities, nor should we be silent about things that needed to change. So we didn't leave. We didn't stay silent. God then declared war upon my followers and I."

A gasp passed through my lips.

"... we lost the war. Of course, we fought hard, but there were no where near as many of my angels as there were on God and Eros' side. And as we had no where to go, we were given a small portion of Caelum, .001% to be exact. It seems small, but you've seen how big my caelum is.

"It took a while, but my followers and I managed to put together a place that incorporates all cultures for all people, and hopefully anything souls could ever wish for.

"So, welcome to Hades, also known as 'the underworld', where all humans who wish for a second chance or eternal life come. Here, we want for humans to be so comfortable that in some areas the weather is malleable, and once living plants and animals are reborn here. I have some laws of course, but those are more principles to follow than anything else. I'd also like to boast that while it's required between 100-200 years after arrival, we have a strong guard and defense system. That way, if there's ever something to go wrong here--which is extremely rare--or if God and his angels decide they want to do away with the underworld, we are prepared. There are none of my original followers in the 'military', though. They all serve as gates to the underworld on Earth, now."

He clasped his hands in front of him. "You're here to ask why people can't leave, right my Luna?"

I nodded. "Yes, my lord."

He smiled kindly. "No need for formalities, please call me Hades."

A grin spread over my face. "As long as you drop the formalities and just call me Luna/"

Still smiling, he gave a thumbs-up saying "you got it, dude."

... I see that trend transcended into Hades, too.

"Anywho," Hades continued," I would love for people to be able to explore the beauties that lie within space. Alas, I cannot for the same reason that I have such a big guard-and-defence system. I cannot risk God, Eros, or any of God's angels seeing them and getting angered. God has warned me that if my people were to over-step the caelum given to us, he will make sure their soul vanishes, never having a chance at the afterlife ever again," Hades sighed.

"Oh my," I breathed, the brutality of God's actions finally setting in. "I never thought it could be like that. I'm so sorry, Hades. I severely misjudged you and you don't deserve that." You're the reason that my friends are still around and able to be with me today, something I am very grateful for. Maybe I can even see Hortesia, Diana, and Ruth.

Hades was empathetic and bat his hand. "It's okay, Luna. You didn't know." He smacked his hands together. "Well, my dear Luna--"

"Just Luna, Hades,"

"--haha excuse me. I hope that answers your question. Don't hesitate to come back if you have a question. Even if you don't, I'm sure the people would love to see their queen, as would I."

That last sentence made my brain feel fuzzy and embarrassed. "Good love, Hades, you flatter me. I never even became empress of Rome. For I'm only the Moon Goddess, the deity of the moon and love, and of a people whom aren't here."

Hades scoffed. "Never empress of Rome. Babe, that kingdom's long dead, and what you rule over now is much greater. Besides, never say never," he winked.

...what. "I'm not straight, if that's what you're implying, Hades."

"Oh, gosh no. Ew. I'm not either, Luna, rest assured."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Anyway, do be sure to come back to pay me a visit, yeah?" He suggested.

"Good love, Hades, I most certainly will." You know what dumpster fire would ensue if I couldn't see my sister, niece, and lover. If they even want to see me, that is. I opened my arms. "Until a good morrow?"

Hades took the hint and gave me a farewell hug. "Until a good morrow."

This chapter is short, I know, but I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Be sure to comment where ever you like and share your thoughts <3