Author's Note: First of all I want to thank my amazing beta Zana Zira who did a wonderful job and helped me with this fic. Then, I would like to thank my readers for their support and reviews, especially those who stayed all the way, until the end and did not abandon reading this story. There were times when I lacked motivation and was seriously considering abandoning writing this story but your reviews and support kept me going.

Due to personal reasons I will be taking a break after this fic and I am not sure when I will return. Though, you can always drop me a PM. I will answer them.

This epilogue actually takes place right after the chapter 5. You know how a film ends and when credits roll there is a little extra scene in there which no one expects. It's something like that because I wanted to show you what happened to these babies :)

Epilogue

A pleasant melody plucked from the strings of a harp fills the chamber, resonating from the tall walls. In the center sits a young woman upon a golden throne. She is beautiful. Ethereal, unearthly. Lean, delicate fingers adorned with exquisite rings pinch fat, juicy grapes between their tips and carry them to her waiting mouth. A scarlet dress with a deep cleavage wraps her slender body perfectly, emphasizing her round, full, snow-white breasts. The cascade of light brown locks that fall on her shoulders and chest moves with every breath she takes. Her blue eyes shimmer with pure joy as she listens to the divine melody. From time to time she looks to the side, where a hound size of an ox is gnawing at something between his paws.

"Who's my good boy?" she murmurs sweetly.

The bark that the hound emits cracks one of the walls and his wagging tail shatters one of the chairs. But she only chuckles and pats the beast.

But the peace and idyll is broken momentarily when there is an enraged shout from the corridor:

"Persephone!"

"Oh, here we go again." The woman purses her full lips in discontent. The hound whines pitifully, dropping the bone and trying to hide under the table.

"Thank you, Elitya. It was beautiful. You are free to go," the woman addresses the musician.

"It was my pleasure, my lady." Elitya bows and leaves the chamber quickly. She knows that it's not wise to encounter the angry master in the depths of the corridor.

"There you are!"

A man with long, curly chestnut hair storms into the chamber. His posture and appearance radiate sheer power and might. Black, fathomless eyes flash thunder and lightning behind them.

"Why did you do it, Persephone?" the man yells, stopping in front of the throne. His chest is heaving behind his folded arms.

Suddenly the left head of the hound lets out a strange sound and a few seconds later it vomits on the floor.

"Oh look what you did now. You scared Cerberus," the young woman reprimands him, frowning.

"I asked you a question! Why did you do it?"

"Do what, Hades?" Persephone feigns innocence, fluttering her eyelashes naively.

"Oh, please." Hades rolls his eyes. "As if you have no idea what I'm talking about."

"Enlighten me," the woman smiles slyly, putting another grape into her mouth.

"Why did you take the piece of that gladiator's soul? We, even the gods do not have a right to break the rules!" Hades slides his hand through his hair nervously, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Why? Because I had to!" Persephone stands up, leaving the throne and walking towards her husband. "I had to because it would be a big mistake and injustice to separate him from that poor boy. Don't act like you do not know what true love means," she murmurs, cupping the man's cheek.

Hypnotized by his wife's warm and loving look Hades sighs defeated.

"Alright, but what happens now?"

"When the time comes for him to be reborn I will send the piece of his soul to the future. He will be born in a different time and world. The memories of his past life will be buried deep inside his subconscious mind and he may recall them unwillingly, or with someone's help." Persephone presses up against her husband, seeking the warmth of the man's body.

"And what about the gladiator and his lover?" Hades wraps his strong arms around her, resting his chin on her head and inhaling the besotting aroma of his wife's hair.

"Why don't we leave it to them?" she asks playfully and plants a short kiss on the man's lips.

"Fair enough," Hades chuckles. "Come with me, I want to show you a beautiful flower I found today."

He does not want to open his eyes. A blissful feeling of warm rays against his skin is too dear to let go. What if he opens them and the ultimate feelings of love and happiness fade away?

His fingers twitch slightly, feeling the dewy grass against his skin. He must be in a meadow then. And as if to confirm this the scent of wild chamomiles suddenly hit his nose. Hmm, how strange. Where did these flowers come from? Wild chamomiles have always been his favorite flowers.

Gingerly, not wanting to scare away the delightful dream, he opens his eyes and gasps softly when the dream does not vanish. On the contrary, it becomes even more realistic and the young man rubs his eyes.

"Where am I?" he asks in awe, looking around and finding himself in a vast, green field full of wild flowers. He looks down at himself. His white tunic glows blindingly under the summer sun and smells of flowers and fresh grass.

The young man laughs heartily kneeling down and caresses the tiny petals of flowers. The touch is soft and loving. And it brings distant memories. And then comes the sadness.

"Quintus," the young man's lips murmur. "I miss you so much."

His eyes begin to fill with tears when there is a slightest movement behind his back and then strong arms encircle him in an embrace and a gentle voice whispers:

"Who said that I don't miss you too?"

The young man lets out a startled yelp but before he does anything else he's turned around and met with a pair of familiar green eyes.

"Quintus…"

"Did you wait for someone else?" Quintus Atticus laughs.

"Oh gods," the young man stops trying to fight against his tears and they flow down freely.

"Now now, Demetrius, stop crying you little fool. I'm here and not going anywhere," Quintus croons, pressing the smaller man against his chest. But the boy still weeps.

"I'm so happy. I'm so happy to see you!" he repeats over and over, clutching at the gladiator.

"Me too, Demetrius, me too." Quintus keeps caressing his lover's soft hair. "And there is one more thing I wanted to tell you. But I never had time before."

"Really?" the young man pulls away, staring at the gladiator curiously. "What is it?"

Quintus smiles affectionately, wiping away the stray tears that roll down the beautiful Greek boy's cheeks.

"I love you."

Demetrius gasps. His trembling fingers touch the Roman's lips.

"Do you really mean it?"

Quintus nods and then leans forward. Their lips meet in a slow but emotional kiss.

After what seems like eternity they pull apart panting, flushed and both hard as rock.

"Where are we?" Demetrius asks, while helping his lover and getting rid of the clothes.

"We're dead and I suppose in Elysium," Quintus mutters, as he keeps nipping at the young man's delicate skin. "But it does not matter."

"Why?" Demetrius whimpers, when he's laid on the ground and soft lips begin to shower his naked body with kisses.

"Because we are together forever and that's what matters."

Demetrius moans his agreement and closes his eyes.

Indeed, nothing else matters.

"Sleep, beloved, and may you dream of the path woven from the dust of stars,

taking us to eternity." © the author of the fic.