Calvin, Amy, and Freya made their way back through the volcanic passages of the underworld, returning to where they had encountered the monstrous three-headed guardian known as Cerberus. Each member of the group carried one of the items they had quested for in order to appease the beast - a severed salamander tail, a glowing crystalline heartstone, and a chalice brimming with divine firewine.

As they traversed over jagged obsidian, Calvin peered into the distance where plumes of sulfurous smoke and sparks rose from rivers of magma. The intense heat caused beads of sweat to form on his brow. Glancing back, he saw Amy using a scrap of cloth to dab moisture from her flushed cheeks. Her auburn hair was matted from exertion. At her heels padded Freya, tongue lolling happily, seemingly impervious to the sweltering environment.

"Whew, is it just me or did they turn up the heat down here?" Calvin joked.

Amy gave a small smile. "I don't know how much more of this heat I can take. Let's get this over with so we can get out of this furnace."

Freya barked in agreement. Her thick fur showed no signs of distress from the hellish temperatures.

As the trio rounded a curve in the winding corridor, the massive gates came into view up ahead. Flames danced behind the imposing portal that Cerberus guarded. Calvin felt his heart begin to pound. Their last encounter with the vicious three-headed war hound had been brief, but fearsome. Even Freya's hackles had risen when confronted by the creature's blood-curdling growls. They would have to face Cerberus once more to proceed deeper into the dungeon.

When Calvin again beheld the giant canine, an involuntary shiver went through him. Each of Cerberus' three heads were as large as a lion's, with eyes of burning crimson. Matted black fur covered sinewy flesh, muscles rippling beneath. Razor sharp teeth as long as shortswords glinted in the fiery light. All three muzzles peeled back as the trio approached, emitting an ominous rumble like stones grinding beneath the earth.

Stopping several meters away, Calvin raised his hands in a peaceful gesture. Cerberus eyed their offerings greedily but made no move to attack. The middle head stared straight at Calvin while the heads to either side focused on Amy and Freya. Calvin cleared his throat.

"Cerberus! We come bearing tribute so that you might allow us safe passage." Calvin lifted the severed salamander tail, the flesh still oozing glowing ichor. He then produced the divine chalice of firewine and placed it at Cerberus' feet. At his side, Amy held forth the crystalline heartstone pulsing with inner fire.

Cerberus sniffed loudly, the gust from its nostrils nearly blowing them over. Calvin felt his clothes dampen with nervous sweat. He walked forward and held out the salamander tail. The middle head bent down, hot breath washing over Calvin like a sirocco wind as the enormous jaws opened. Calvin averted his gaze as the monster gulped down the offering in one swift bite.

As Cerberus licked its chops, Calvin beckoned Amy forward. "Your turn." Amy seemed to steel herself, then slowly approached the left head of Cerberus clutching the crystalline heartstone. As the jaws parted, she quickly deposited the heartstone on the beast's tongue. The head reared back, the heartstone disappearing down its maw.

The right head eagerly bent down to lap up the divine firewine.

Once finished, the right head gave Freya an affectionate nudge that almost bowled her over. Then all three heads turned their attention back to Calvin and Amy. They held still, hardly daring to breathe. For endless moments the hellhound stared at them with its burning gaze. Then finally, almost reluctantly, Cerberus stepped aside granting them access to the gates.

Freya spun in a circle, and yipped at Cerberus. Her collar glowed and with a slight pop, three large bones appeared hovering in the air. Freya nudged the treats to the feet of Cerberus in an offering. The monster picked up the bones gently in their jaws, chewing happily. Calvin shook his head with a grin.

"I think you just made a friend for life." Calvin said. He reached out to scratch Freya behind her ears.

"FREYA." Boomed the middle head. "YOUR OFFERING HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED."

The right head chimed in "YOU HAVE SHOWN THE PROPER RESPECT."

"AND MORE!" added the left head.

In front of Cerberus a small pendant materialized.

"IN RETURN, THIS IS MY OFFERING TO YOU."

Spatial Storage of the Guardian of the Underworld: This pendant is a limited spatial storage device, presented as a gift from Cerberus, guardian of the underworld. This storage device can store food items. A Percentage of these food items will be lost as an offering to Cerberus. The remainder will be infused with the essence of Cerberus, granting a boost to size, speed, toughness, and power to the one who consumes it.

Wasting no time, Calvin thanked Cerberus and clasped the pendant to Freya's collar. The group hurried toward the now unbarred gates. Just before passing through the portal, Calvin paused to glance back one last time. The guardian had returned to its post, but Calvin could swear he saw its tail wagging.

"Well, that went better than I expected," Amy said with an exhale of relief once they were on the other side.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"No kidding. We make a pretty good team." Calvin gave her shoulder a grateful squeeze. Amy smiled up at him, cheeks still flushed from the heat.

With Freya leading the way, they set forth down a long staircase hewn into volcanic rock. The temperature decreased markedly as they descended into the depths. They passed through a chamber with rows of stone sarcophagi, then an underground lake of blood-red water that made Calvin shudder. Strange whispers and skittering sounds echoed out of side tunnels. Their journey was taking them deep into the bowels of the earth itself.

After what seemed an eternity, they entered a small cave with a smooth floor. Calvin noted that there were no other exits - they had reached the end. Before them stood a waist-high stone pillar. Atop the pillar sat a simple wooden box secured with a rusty iron lock.

As they approached, Calvin held up a hand signaling Amy and Freya to hang back. Reaching out tentatively, he lifted the box, surprised at its lightness. Holding it under one arm, Calvin grasped the cold iron lock. The lock refused to budge.

Furrowing his brow, Calvin studied the box. There must be some way to unlock it without having to return to face Cerberus again. That's when he noticed the keyhole itself seemed to shimmer and move. Leaning closer, Calvin realized this was not a standard lock. Tiny symbols and runes shifted across the surface, constantly changing. It was sealed by magic.

Calvin's eyes widened as a deep, booming voice echoed through the cave.

"The contents of that box shall remain locked away, for only I possess the key required to unlock it."

The air grew heavy with a chill as wisps of shadow gathered and coalesced before them. Gradually they took on the shape of a towering, broad-shouldered man garbed in dark robes. His skin was pale as alabaster, offset by jet black hair and a neatly trimmed beard. Eyes the color of rubies glared out from a stern visage.

It was Hades, Lord of the Underworld.

Calvin stood rooted in place before the imposing god. Freya emitted a low growl while Amy looked on nervously.

Hades spoke, his voice reverberating with ancient power. "I am displeased to find you here, trespassers in my domain."

Regaining his composure, Calvin inclined his head respectfully. "Lord Hades. Please accept my apologies for any offense. We did not intend to trespass but were simply following our quest."

Hades waved a dismissive hand. "Your reasons matter not. What irks me most is the boldness you display in naming your city after the home of the gods. Tell me, mortal - what quality grants you the right to such hubris?"

Calvin felt indignation rising within him but fought to keep his tone even. "Hubris plays no role here. We named our city Olympus because it represents hope. A sanctuary for humankind in the face of annihilation. The name honors the gods and their protection of mortals since the dawn of history."

Hades scoffed. "And am I to simply accept the word of a mere human? One who fancies himself a protector of his people?" The god circled Calvin slowly, dark robes whispering along the smooth floor. "I think not. Your shoulders appear too slender to bear such responsibility."

Anger kindled in Calvin's chest. He stood taller and met the piercing ruby gaze unflinchingly.

"With respect, the burden upon my shoulders matters not. What matters is having the wisdom to accept that burden when it is thrust upon you, for the sake of those who need protecting."

Hades halted his circling, eyebrow raised as if reassessing the mortal before him. In the shadows behind the god, Amy nodded in silent encouragement. At Calvin's side Freya sat calmly, attentive.

"You speak as one who considers himself a leader," Hades mused. "Tell me then, Calvin of Olympus, what constitutes true leadership in your eyes?"

Calvin did not hesitate. "A leader serves those under their protection. They must be willing to sacrifice their own needs and wants, even their life if called for. A leader provides solutions, even when fear whispers none exist. They stand resolute when all seems lost." Calvin locked eyes with the god, unwavering. "A leader does what must be done, what others cannot or will not do themselves."

Silence stretched between them. At last Hades gave a thin smile. "Spoken like a king of old. Perhaps misguided...perhaps not." The god turned his back on Calvin to pace slowly away.

Amy bristled as Hades turned his piercing gaze upon her.

"And what of you, girl?" the god rumbled. "I sense no command in you, no qualities of a ruler. What purpose do you serve beside this would-be king?"

Hades gestured dismissively at Calvin. Amy felt anger kindling within her but fought to keep her tone measured.

"I serve no king. I stand beside Calvin as partner and equal."

"Equal?" Hades chuckled without mirth. "Do not attempt to deceive me, mortal. Your scent is doubt, your eyes uncertain. His passion fuels your steps through fear alone. Without his fire, your feet would fail."

Rage flared in Amy's chest. She stepped forward, hands tightening into fists.

"You know nothing of what fuels my feet. My steps falter but do not fail."

Amy paced before Hades, holding his gaze. "But I have learned fear's antidote. Faith in myself and those you love." Her eyes flicked briefly to Calvin and Freya. "And people who need your protection."

She halted directly before the towering god, craning back her neck to lock eyes. "If my passion burns less bright, it illuminates no less than his. We are bound by oath - to uphold what is right. Does passion alone make a leader? Or wisdom? Mercy?" Amy stepped closer, anger smoldering. "If so you lead naught but ghosts."

Calvin watched Amy, pride kindling even as he tensed for the god's reaction. But Hades merely tilted his head, studying this defiant mortal before him. Behind him Freya gave a low bark of support.

"You dare much, little one," Hades said. "Yet conviction has spine." He leaned down until his nose nearly touched Amy's.

"Know that I lead far more than what you see. My kingdom is vast and my burden heavy." His whispered words held the weight of millennia. "While your words ring bold, life has depth beyond your fathoming."

He straightened again to tower over Amy's slender frame. "Still... even half-lit lanterns cast needed light in darkness. And conviction's flame, however small, may ignite stalled feet to motion."

Hades turned away, causing his robes to billow and swirl. Calvin released an anxious breath he hadn't realized he was holding. As the god regarded Freya, she returned his intense stare, utterly unintimidated.

"As for you, beast..." Hades sniffed, causing Freya to sneeze. "I shall make no judgments upon a creature of simple pleasures."

He waved a dismissive hand.

Hades' expression hardened once more into stern lines. "Despite your impassioned appeals, the fact remains - your presence here constitutes a trespass upon my kingdom."

He paced before them, dark robes whispering.

"The souls in my keeping require careful guardianship. I cannot allow interlopers to disturb their repose."

Hades lifted his hands as motes of shadow swirled out of nothingness. His voice resonated with grim authority.

"For the crime of invading the land of the dead, I hereby sentence you to death."

Swirling pale green energy poured forth from his hands. Skeletons rose up from the ground by the dozens. Ghostly apparitions materialized from the walls. Hades was summoning the dead.