Her confusion was not the first the god had seen his long existence, nor would it be the last he suspected. But truthfully the disbelief was the most bothersome detail. How could the name of his brothers and sisters fall to ears as tall tales and myths? There was a time the gods walked undaunted amongst me. They were worshipped and feared. Now the disbelief of a woman slipped a sliver of hurt in his heart.<br/><br/>Expression shifting Hades watched Latrice move away. The rain began to touch her slowly drowning her appearance as she struggled to reason all she had been told. Did she not believe him? Or was the magick of divinity too much to process. The Underworld Lord kept his tongue still as he wondered what this girl sought out of her questions. She wanted proof, but would that truly explain anything or provide comfort.<br/><br/>She demanded of him, and he was not one to be demanded from. His brothers knew this when he came for to ferry them on. This world had no place for the great Olympians as they had called themselves. Many of the major gods and goddesses had moved onto their places in Elysium. Now that their temples were gone and in ruin, they had no worship, no reason for being. Even now the twelve seats of Olympus set silent without them. Only the messenger Hermes longing over lost Aphrodite riding his winds and delivering the prayers of the living to the dead.<br/><br/><b> “No.”</b>Was all he answered as the girl asked for proof.<br/><br/>There was frustration in his voice and his face contorted into a soft temper that burned behind his gaze.<b>“In death you take nothing but your secrets and dreams with you, I will not rob your mother of her mystery.”</b>The god explained. It was a manner of honor and respect for the dead, something the others did not possess. They never truly honored the toil and pain of man. And because they knew not how often they suffered they disregarded their prayers. But old Hades never turned away from them because death was humbling to all.<br/><br/><b> “Now girl, I must correct you, for I am not the God of Death, as that is another.”</b>His words were forceful and he moved his hands away letting the rings spin alone in the air without support. Silver and gold turned on axis as Hades cross his hands calmly in front of him. His suit smoothed naturally without crease, the depths of his blacks seemingly darker than eyes could perceive. Hades would explain,<b> “I am the God of the Underworld, the Dead, Wealth and Riches, a gatekeeper to the afterlife. But I am not death. I am not cruel to take your loved ones from you child, but even I cannot deny fate. They sever the silver thread and I must abide, for I am your shepherd when your time comes not your reaper.” </b>Lightning struck the sky as thunder boomed over the valley of tombstones.<br/><br/>The rings moved with him as he stepped forward practically indignant and offended by her request. Was this what it meant to anger a god? Wrath roiled at the tip of his tongue only held back by unknown motivations. Raising his right hand to her cheek Hades cupped her face with paternal grace and comfort letting tension release with a sigh,<b>“Your mother loved both you and your sister dearly, and I can only presume she worried for you most. She felt a silent burden.” </b>With his thumb petting her cheek he gazed deeply as if demanding her full attention,<b>“You were never meant for this world, but she prayed for you. It was the first prayer I’d had known in many years but your family has a long history with mine. Miriam did not fear me or what I was. She did fear to lose you, her first, and the promised child.”</b><br/><br/>Why did they fear him so did they not know he was their God of Mercy? Where Zeus lay with them and used them for his amusement, whilst Poseidon raged in frustration against civilization, it was Hades who pitied them. He shared their burden and sadness.<b>“You were her selfless wish Latrice and the one time I let death’s shadow pass over without victory. Her love so pure led her to seek me as a friend. That is what you must know.”</b>Was all Hades said, practically possessing her with one touch. Latrice would see the hard features of his face soften as the tempest behind his eyes dimmed.