Okay, here's the deal. This story is going to offend someone, I can feel it. So if you are the type that is easily offended or can't handle reading about something that may or may not go against your own personal beliefs, then stop reading. If you continue to read and get offended, don't take it out on me, I warned you.

Characters are my own.except the ones I've taken out of Mythology and the band, Styx. Steal and you go to Tartarus.

Part 1 - Desperation

"So?" Barry said, arms crossed, that look of doom on his face. This was it, either come up with something fast or be fired. I swallowed uncomfortably, racking my brain for something - anything! My job depended on it. Barry's expression started to change, forming the familiar smug look he got whenever he fired someone. Desperate, something clicked in my brain and shoved whatever it had found out through my mouth.

"Hades!" I blurted out, not really knowing what I was saying.

"There's no need for that kind of language in this office." Barry started to say, but my mind moved faster, running with it.

"No!" I cried, "That's it! Hades!" The idea was already forming in my mind. Briefly I wondered if I had gone insane.

"Excuse me?" Barry said, disbelief written all over his face.

"I mean." I said, trying to figure out what I meant. "How about an interview with the Dark Lord himself, you know, the dude that runs the underworld?"

Barry looked skeptical.

"You're telling me you can get an exclusive interview with Satan?

"Hades." I corrected.

"Hades." He said sarcastically. "Like there's a difference."

I bit my tongue, not wanting to get into an argument with the guy who wielded my paycheck. Just do this, get paid and get out of here. I thought to myself, not thinking for a second how I was supposed to get an interview with the King of the Underworld.

"Fine." He said, a wee bit of curiosity finally trickling through his overbearing demeanor. "You get me this interview; I'll pay you double your salary." I stared in shock at this rare moment of generosity, my mouth hanging open. "But if you fail, you're out of here." He said, making a cutting gesture in front of his neck. He chuckled to himself and left the office. Before he was out of hearing distance I heard him mutter "Hades..ha!" Then chuckled again.

"Imbecile!" I thought, not knowing if the insult was directed at him or me. I stomped back to my desk and flopped down in the chair, staring listlessly as the screensaver flashed random images of tropical beaches on my screen.

How the hell am I supposed to.Wait a minute, that's it! I thought suddenly. I have to get to hell. But how does one get to hell anyway? I briefly thought of all the hell-related sayings I've heard. Straight to hell in a hand basket. No, that doesn't sound plausible. Hell hath no fury like.Wait, no, that wasn't right. Think! The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Hmm, getting closer, but still no.

To my great surprise, the computer screen suddenly cleared. Instead of staring at Tahiti I was now left with a grotesque red pattern. Red? Since when is my background red? I took this as a positive thing. Some entity was trying to steer me in the correct direction. Of course! The internet! How could I be so stupid! I brought up my browser and typed "Hell" In the search field. I was immediately directed to another page containing roughly 63 sites containing the word Hell. I was surprised. I thought there would be much more.

Sifting through the uselessness I rapidly discovered that it was all worthless crap and I was wasting my time. I tried typing "Hades" next. This, of course came back with much less information. Damn internet, it's supposed to PROVIDE information! I thought, cursing Bill Gates just one more time.

Ooh, what's this? I had stumbled upon something describing the underworld. This was good. Important facts:

Acheron - a river in hell. Is this important? Styx - not only is it a river, it's a person! Now we're getting somewhere!

I began to get excited. If I could find Styx, I could find the entrance to the underworld!