I demand entrance! The command echoed through the entire Underworld. Erebos slowly opened his eyes. He had been sleeping, as he often did during the day. He liked to be awake with his wife during the dark of night. Ere was more than a little surprised to hear Zeus’ voice. He didn’t think he came down here very often. Not without an invitation. He should go open the gates before Zeus started blasting things.
Erebos got up from the couch where he had been napping and stretched before going to meet the king. Ere moved to an unlit corner of the room and stepped into the darkness. That was his realm. He could travel through the dark places anywhere. It was always easier and quicker for him to travel that way to places he knew. Places in the Underworld were the ones he knew best.
In less time than it had taken him to stretch, Erebos stepped out of the darkness near the gates. Zeus did not look like he was in a very good mood. Ere decided he had best open the gates before Zeus took out his frustrations on Cerberus. Philotes would not be happy if anything happened to that dog.
“My lord, Zeus,” he said as he went to open the gates. “I’m sure Lord Hades is tied up with business or he would have let you in himself.” Darkness opened the gate and stepped aside for the Olympian king. He wondered what had happened to get Zeus this upset.