Hades avoided Zeus' meetings as much as possible. He never liked visiting with the other gods. It was too bright in the over world. Plus, being there, seeing Zeus on his throne, always reminded him how he lost the game. How he drew the short end of the stick and ended up with the realm no one wanted. He was the God of the Underworld. Lord of the Dead. A feared god by the mortals. Most didn't dare speak his name. They feared Hades would hear them and bring their deaths sooner. Hades liked it that way. He liked them being afraid of him. They should all be afraid of him.<br/><br/>Although, lately, the humans weren't as afraid. Right now, some were trying to escape the Underworld. Return to the land of the living. That would not do. When Zeus called his meeting, Hades had sent his queen, Persephone, to represent him. He had far more important things to deal with. His subjects were trying to escape. Plus, he didn't like interacting with the others gods for the most part. He preferred to live in his realm, with Persephone and Cerberus by his side.. Besides, he thought his wife would like it. She'd probably get to see her mother. A rarity this time of year, when she was supposed to be with him.<br/><br/>Hades' three headed dog, Cerberus, growled. He found one of the dead who had been trying to escape. The dog had the dead man backed up into a corner. He was growling and snapping at him. Hades petted Cerberus' middle head as he approached.<br/><br/>"Good boy."<br/><br/>He told his pet and turned to the man. An angry expression was on the god's face. His eyes looked almost black.<br/><br/>"I gave you a decent enough afterlife, Alexios. I didn't send you to Tartarus and this is how you repay my kindness to you?!"<br/><br/>Alexios shrank back in fear.<br/><br/>"Lord Hades, I-"<br/><br/>"I did not give you permission to speak!"<br/><br/>Hades hollered at the man, striking him in the face. Cerberus enjoyed it and yipped in excitement. The creature enjoyed it when his master was cruel to the subjects. Hades grabbed Alexios' by the collar of his shirt and pulled up to his face.<br/><br/>"I will make an example of you. You will show all my subjects what happens when you cross me. Show them that there is no escape from my kingdom and my rule! I will-"<br/><br/>Before Hades could continue on with his threats, Persephone's message reached his mind. He had far more important things to do then listen to Zeus rattle on about something. He would have told her that he was too busy to come but there was something in her voice. He knew she wouldn't call him to the meeting unless it was important.<br/><br/>~Very well, my dear. I will come right away.~<br/><br/>Hades turned his attention back to Alexios.<br/><br/>"I will punish you later. You are lucky, my queen has called me and I always honor her wishes. Off to Tartarus with you. Until I have time to properly punish you, enjoy walking a mile back and forth on some hot coals."<br/><br/>"No, please-"<br/><br/>Alexios tried to plead but Hades waved his hand and sent the man to Tartarus. There, until Hades had time to properly punish the man, Alexios would be walking on those hot coals. He scratched his dog's heads behind the ears.<br/><br/>"You are such a good boy, Cerberus. I'll reward you well later."<br/><br/>Cerberus yipped in excitement about a reward and Hades left the Underworld to appear in Zeus' meeting hall. He arrived just in time to hear Hera, the Queen of the Olympians, suggest they just kill all the mortals and start over. His eyes were almost black as his clothing as he said.<br/><br/>"No. I have enough problems right now with out you adding more people to my realm."<br/><br/>He turned to Zeus, their king. Although Hades, being a king himself, hated to acknowledge it.<br/><br/>"What is truly going on, Zeus?"