Down the twisting paths of time in a long forgotten village,  there lived a man who was went by the name of Illios. Everyday, as the sun dipped into the horizon, you would see a single figure standing, awaiting the love that will never come. You were living under a rock if you had not heard of him.

Illios’ eyes were the colour of metal which matched his personality perfectly: when cold he’s firm and when warmed he’s soft and whole-hearted. To the locals, he was like a god since this small town had only few resources.

This young hero always shared his findings; no matter what the value may be. To be able to find anything, Illios always prayed to the death masked king: Hades.

For a week he prayed non stop to Hades and on the 7^th day, he discovered something that would cease the village’s poverty: gold. An hour later, he returned with a heavy looking sack in his hand. He used the other to remove the string.

 There was a loud clatter, it was the shiny yellow metal.  A large roar grew around the crowd that had now gathered. The king emerged from the group and exclaimed, “Our hero, our saviour! I have decided who shall be our next king, Illios!”

A smirk spread across Illios’ face, “King aye?” he murmured to himself.

Nine long weeks had passed and the crown was finally on his prideful head. But Illios wanted more, “Servants find me the best min… nevermind,” at that moment, he realised that he was the best minor.

He went far down into the ground wearing the best armour man could make. Bang! Illios had hit his head with his mining tool,

 “Hello?” A familiar yet peculiar voice called, “I said hello!” Illios turned around; a wiry figure stood only a metre away with one withered leg dragging behind him,

“Who are you? Pesents aren’t supposed to talk to kings,” Illios scoffed. The creature’s pressured lips made a slight movement,

“Who are you?”  a smile spread from ear to ear. Illios squinted, he could make out the shape of a man: white hair, wrinkly skin, lop sided face and over-all ugly,

“Eww get away you foul beast,” Illios shrieked, disgusted about what was standing in front of him, a king!

“You abandoned ushh,” the man whispered, “You have forgotten who you are, Illios,”

Illios was shocked, how could he know his name! Immediately, Illios grabbed onto the rope he had left. He began hauling himself with all his strength as light returned.

 2 nights had passed, Illios was now determined to find out what the man was taking about. He travelled back to where the hole was. It was gone.

 Illios had a vision he could see the man limping towards him. Illios began hitting down his equipment in trying to hit the figure. Within a blink he was where he was 2 nights ago, but he wouldn’t quit.

Soon, he was in an almost pitch black room. Laying on a matte black pillow was a shiny bottle it read: death antidote, bringing your loved ones back to live at the drop of a bottle. Greed washed over Illios’ face, “Imagine how much money I could make from this,” he thought to himself he grabbed at the antidote with both hands. As the tip of his hands touched the bottle, a pair of diamond incrusted doors opened.

It was the death god, Hades, “Welcome Illios,” he smiled, trying to save his rage.

Illios darted his eyes around: dead bodies, knives, coffins, prayers to Hades etc. He was in the underworld. “I’ll just go now,” Illios announced, cowardly. He began to heave himself up the wall, “Come a fight like a real man!” Hades shouted, veins bursting from his neck.

Hades reached out towards Illios and pulled at the air, “If you are going to come, come all the way!” immediately, Illios fell to where his death awaited.

Hades picked up the death antidote and mixed a bit with the poison. He added no more than three drops into a silver death mask. Illios scrambled to his feet and tried to make a clean getaway. Hades gestured his hands and Illios, without realising, sat down. Hades forced the mask onto the once noble King’s face,

“Foolish, foolish Illios,” he tutted, “I wish you would learn,”

Regret took over Illios’ body as the mask poisoned him, but he wouldn’t die.