Without taking the chance, Roger dashed toward the corner where his spear laid. Before he reached it, the snake tail swung beneath him, knocking him off his feet.

His back hit the floor and arched his spine. Before he got up, the Chimera landed on top of him and placed her paw on his chest.

Roger struggled, and he smelled the beast’s charcoal sour breath. At any moment, the beast has the chance to rip his face off or burn his skull into a pile of ashes.

I can’t die like this! He thought as he glared into the creature’s eyes, showing no fear. At least that should keep his confidence up before dying.

As the lion growled into his face, something pulled the Chimera off him from behind. A tall gray man in black robes lifted the creature up with his bare hands. He has long white hair, red eyes, and he was very handsome, like a gothic rock star.

Hades? Roger guessed after he noticed the vault was open behind him.

“I hate this monster.” The god of the dead tossed the Chimera into the wall, and then the beast crashed to the floor, knocked out. However, her snake tail hissed angrily at the god.

Hades laughed until his wife jumped into his pale, muscular arms.

“Oh, my love!” While hugging him, she kissed him multiple times. Their lips echoed throughout the chamber.

Roger rose to his feet, glaring at the couple. “Uhhh, hello!”

Hades turned toward him as his wife backed away. “And whooooo are you?”

“Darling, that mortal is Roger Bullet,” Persephone explained. “He is the one who freed me.”

“Oh.” Hades stepped toward Roger. His eyes examined the human. “And how did you manage to come here? I can smell you are not a demi-god, or a monster in human disguise either. Certainly, you couldn't make it here by yourself."

Roger's face cringed. Do all gods doubt humans?

Whatever. Hades needed to know the truth so he can help Roger rescue Katina, Cilla, and Labda.

"Your Cerberus helped me reach here," Roger explained, swallowing down his pride. "It's a long story, but Acrisius captured her and left me here. You need to help me rescue her!"

Hades glared. "Of course I will rescue them, foolish human. They are my Cerberus, and I have a mess to clean up."

With his finger on his lip, Hades looked up and down at Roger. "If you want to join us, you will need a weapon."

Roger picked up the spear. "I have one here."

Hades shook his head. "That will not do. Follow us. I have something better in the armory section."

"But will the guards stop you?"

Hades chuckled. "I'm Hades. If they dare confront me, I will hang their balls on the ceiling. No one defines me!"

Roger shivered.

Hades sounded worse than his wife's angry tone, even if he has a British rock star accent.

"This way." Hades headed toward the other doorway while Roger and Persephone followed him.

"Isn't he excellent?" The goddess asked.

Roger shrugged. "He's….. Alright, I guess."

He wasn't sure how he could be honest to Persephone. But if he wanted Hades to help him, he better not pissed off the god.