The Story of Orpheus - (2)
"Just once… please listen to my music."
"What did you say?"
"I promise you, it will be the finest performance, one worthy of moving your heart! I beg you, bring Eurydice back to life!"
I, Hades, looked down at the mortal who dared enter the underworld.
Did he think a close performance would change my mind?
His skill rivaled even Apollo’s seat as the god of music—a truly impressive talent.
But bringing the dead back to life… It wasn’t as though she died unjustly by a god’s malice. Her death was inevitable.
Though I felt a twinge of pity, I couldn’t grant his wish.
Glancing at Persephone, I noticed she hadn’t even thought to pick up the item she’d dropped. She simply clasped her hands, staring at Orpheus in a daze, tears forming in her eyes again. It seed his music had indeed moved her deeply.
But to think I, the god of the underworld, would fall as easily as the goddess of spring…
As soon as I heard that sound up close, old mories surfaced, filling with nostalgia. The lyre’s notes brought back mories of past sorrows, even the anguish of losing a loved one.
In the center of my citadel, that heartrending music spread.
Once more, all within the underworld paused, entranced.
His lyre had subdued storms, defeated Sirens, and even cald the rivers of the underworld. Truly extraordinary.
Even I, for a fleeting mont, felt moved… nearly allowing him to take his wife back.
Yet what moved was not the music itself, but his heart.
Tears streaming, Orpheus played with all his might, each finger moving with fervor. A mortal with no power, no godly backing—nothing.
Here he was, performing the greatest piece of his life to move , the ruler of the underworld, to rcy.
A display of skill far beyond mortal limits.
When the music ceased, Orpheus gasped for breath.
Persephone’s eyes overflowed with tears, and even the souls of the underworld sighed, having paused in their duties. He’d affected nearly the entire underworld, except Tartarus.
"Even so, I cannot allow it."
“…!"
"Your feat is impressive, but that’s all it is. It is no justification, no rightful cause to break the laws of the underworld."
Thud.
At my words, the lyre fell from Orpheus’s hands.
The instrunt, which had just played such heavenly sounds, now lay discarded, stripped of its luster.
Seeing his lowered head, I felt a pang of sorrow… but it couldn’t be helped.
Just as I prepared to send him back to the world of the living, Persephone looked at .
"Lord Hades."
"...?"
"Would you… please grant this man’s request to bring his wife back?"
I nearly refused outright, but her tear-filled eyes stilled my words.
Her voice was trembling, but the plea in her gaze was unmistakable.
The goddess of spring and seeds had a way of softening my resolve.
I had planned to propose to Persephone before this Orpheus arrived, which made it all the more difficult.
Just monts ago, I’d been preparing to propose… I didn’t want her to be disappointed in .
"Persephone…"
"As the ruler of the underworld, if that is your decision, then… wouldn’t your decision as a god of rcy be sowhat different?"
"My priority is the underworld. These are the rules that maintain balance in the world."
"Still… it is such a devoted love, that he would co here with only a lyre…"
"No matter what you say, I cannot…"
Bang!
Our conversation was interrupted as Orpheus struck his head against the ground.
Blood flowed from his brow, staining the earth.
"Lord Pluto! If I cannot take my wife, then let remain here with her!"
"Hah…"
Is this what it ans to be madly in love? To ask for death if he cannot be with her?
At least from what I’ve heard, he has neither taken other lovers nor been unfaithful… I suppose I can overlook this minor breach of decorum.
Though he seems sincere, I might test him a little more.
Show your resolve.
"If you cannot take her, you’re fine with death? Do you take for a fool?"
"…!"
"Did you think that risking death to save your wife would make pity you and grant your wish?"
Persephone opened her mouth, looking shocked.
I finished my statent in a stern tone. Let’s see how he responds.
Lying prostrate, Orpheus whispered faintly.
"Absolutely not. I swear by the River Styx, that was not my intent."
"……"
"I am a sinner for failing to protect my beloved wife. If you will not revive Eurydice, then take my life. I will endure any punishnt."
He fell silent after these words.
"Hah…"
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
Yes, this was exactly the problem.
As the ruler of the underworld, it was these cases that troubled most.
For the wicked deeds done in life, I te out punishnt, and for those who were good, I offer them rest in death.
But when a hero or good person pleads for sothing that bends the rules…
It becos far more challenging to judge impartially.
Even the most powerful gods have emotions, subjectivity, and monts of error.
The fact that I’m swayed by this hero’s plea is proof of that.
"Lord Hades. Please…"
"...Persephone."
I should not set a precedent of allowing such exceptions, but showing myself as a cold god before Kore…
Ah. Fortune is with him today… just this once.
And it has nothing to do with wanting to keep Persephone from disappointnt.
"Very well. Take her."
"...!"
The hero’s face lit up as he raised his head.
"But no one must know you retrieved her from the underworld. Such a precedent cannot exist again; if even a word of today’s event leaks, you will suffer even in death."
"Thank… thank you!! Gracious Pluto! I will change my na and live in seclusion with my wife!"
"Rember that promise well… unless you wish to fall into Tartarus."
And with that, it was done.
After thanking repeatedly with his forehead pressed to the ground, Orpheus took his wife’s spirit and left the underworld.
I crossed my arms, looking at Persephone as she stepped beside .
"Thank you, Lord Hades…"
"I didn’t do it because you asked. It was simply a reward befitting his feat."
"Oh, of course! I understand! Hehe!"
She didn’t look very convinced. No matter…
"Who’s outside? Co in!"
"Yes, my lord. How may I serve?"
The attendant, still affected by Orpheus’s music, entered with tears streaming down his face.
"Deliver a ssage to Olympus. I wish to recomnd a candidate for a minor god of music."
"Understood!"
"That mortal hero who just left will be the candidate. Let it be known that when Orpheus’s life reaches its end, his soul shall ascend to Olympus. Inform Charon that I will see him later as well."
With the hall finally quiet, only the stillness remained after the music that had filled the underworld dissipated.
Many humans risk their lives or face danger for love, but to venture into the underworld to plead with for a dead wife… His bravery and resolve mark him as a true hero.
And yet, of all tis, he had to co now and interrupt…
I’ll be lenient, given the grief of losing his wife and the unfortunate timing with my proposal.
‘Still, it’s vexing. Well, I’ll deal with him in death…’
Even though such matters shouldn’t involve personal feelings…
Once he becos a god, I’ll make sure to put him to use at every occasion. I’ve needed soone for the wedding music, after all.
"Oh! Lord Hades, I almost forgot to ntion… the gift I prepared!"
"The gift you promised ?"
"Yes, here it is!"
Just before Orpheus arrived, Persephone had planned to return to the living realm soon, and she had prepared a gift.
I took the small box she offered, opening it to find sothing entirely unexpected. I had anticipated flowers or so other modest treasure…
"It’s a ‘One Wish Coupon’ from Persephone!"
"……?"
"I’ll grant any wish! You can keep it until you need it!"
Persephone bead, one hand placed jauntily on her hip. I stared at her, completely caught off guard.
The lively spirit of this young goddess, not even five hundred years old…
In her elegant script, the parchnt at the bottom read:
As the goddess of spring and seeds, I vow to fulfill the desire of the holder.
The words glowed faintly in gold, perhaps imbued with divine power.
I chuckled softly, handing the wish coupon back to her.
"Thank you, Persephone. I’ll use this wish right now."
"Right now…? Hm-hm! Alright, anything you want!"
Amused by her confused expression, I took out a box I had prepared and opened it, revealing the contents.
"This is my wish—accept it."
"Huh…?"
"I love you, Kore. Marry ."
"Oh… I… If that was your wish, you wouldn’t have needed the coupon…"
The gift I presented to Kore was a golden apple.
Taken from Gaia’s golden apple tree, the one she gifted to Hera and Zeus when they wed, before she and we fell out.
On the apple, words had been inscribed in dark lettering by the power of the underworld:
To the beautiful goddess of spring and seeds.
"This… isn’t this Lady Hera’s golden apple? Such a precious thing… for !"
"As the god of wealth, rare treasures are within my reach."
Blushing, she accepted the apple, and I leaned over to kiss her forehead.
"So? Your answer?"
"Of course, yes! Oh, and you can’t change your mind later or…!"
"I swear by the River Styx—our bond will be an eternal spring."
"Hmm!"
Sighing softly, Kore pressed her face into my chest, and we held each other in a gentle embrace, until a ssenger arrived to bring Olympus’s response.
Winter would never co.
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