"I could try to go to him.
Sadly, I am old, weak. I would be but a further burden.
Rough sat at her feet, licked her hand. She reached down
absently, patted his head. Her eyes widened.
"Rough, go to him. What I cannot do, you can. Protect him with
your life. Quickly now! Find your master! Go!"
The dog whined as she opened the door, looked up at her. Then
turning, with a low growl, Rough loped quickly toward the high
mountains.
Whatever danger threatened Demo, he would share. Whatever enemy
imperiled his master, he too would face.
She sighed, whispered, "Perhaps, perhaps . . . "
Misshapen head, twisted body, covered with hide plated with
metallic scales, it stood tall above them.
But he is not the only one to recognize the creature.
Beside him Persephone starts, cries out. "No, let me be free of
you!"
A gasping chortle issued from the swollen lips of the creature.
"Ah, princess, it is fit we meet here by the Tarn of Eternity.
Only its waters can still the fires of Hell. And even they
cannot still my love for you."
The words, meant to express deep feelings, were grotesque when
voiced in a broken, harsh whine by the monstrosity. And yet Demo
noted, the eyes held a devotion that was real.
"Pluto, go back to your world. Leave me to live in peace with
my mother. I will never return to Hades. Better a short life on
earth than eternity in Hades."
"Persephone, I will never release you. My love for you is
without an end.
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