The Pomegranate Seeds Prequel

Dark and dreary, the Underworld was not usually considered a place to visit. With its razor-sharp rocks reaching down from the celling, carnivorous caverns captivatingly luring in unsuspecting creatures, and raging rivers wretchedly flowing through the mist, patiently waiting for someone’s memories to wipe or flesh to burn, it practically screamed, “Go away!” Fields of forgotten souls, aimlessly wandering the afterlife, were full to the brim, and the screams of tortured spirits who had been evil in their lives echoed in the distance.

This was the home of Pluto, infamous ruler of the Underworld and god of riches. He kept his domain under strict control, and guarded it well with his giant three-headed mastiff, Cerberus. Guiding souls, protecting his realm, and sitting on his throne were the dull actions he had to perform. Day after day, lonely, he aimlessly wandered through the Underworld, longing for a companion to ease his desire. This feeling grew in him, consuming his heart and mind. It was clear to him then. He needed to find a queen.

Pluto did not know how he would accomplish this, nor even where to look. Disgruntled, he decided to visit Cerberus. As he trudged through the caverns, thoughts of his queen collected in his head. Running a hand through his pitch-black hair, he signed. So distracted by these thoughts, he hardly noticed the woman feeding Cerberus. Startled, Pluto angrily stormed over to her, his dark grey eyes blazing.

“Who are you, and what are you doing in my Underworld?” Pluto cried. The woman ignored him, increasing his frustration, stroking Cerberus’s middle head lovingly. She was short in comparison to Pluto’s impressive height. Her long, deep red hair glistened, and her light pink eyes showed years of experience, though she looked no more than twenty years old. She wore a glittery pink strapless dress that reached her ankles with a long slit in the side, and she was barefoot. 
 “Oh, aren’t you a good boy,” she whispered. Cerberus’s back...