DISCLAIMER: I've written this purely for my own and my readers' entertainment. I make no money whatsoever and I don't own anything (apart from the plot and my student debts, and you're more than welcome to take the latter if you so wish).
CHAPTER 2: THE FALL-OUT
ABOVE
A ringing silence fell, with Echo carrying Zeus' voice far off into the darkened corridors. Then even she was overwhelmed as a whole cacophony of noise broke out from the innumerable Immortals. Some, like Poseidon, were arguing in favour of the Flood, as it would grant him greater dominions; whilst others were vehemently against it. Ares, surprisingly enough, was one of these, but instead of being out of pity for Mankind, his reasons stemmed from at there being no new people to instigate wars. Meanwhile, Strife was in her element as she flitted among the arguing deities, spreading discord and enmity. Rumour, too, unleashed her long, winding arms, first targeting the water-nymphs, who were dancing up and down at there being more places to explore. Here, Rumour whispered about the mud, the slime, and the decaying bodies of both Man and beast that would all too soon clog up the water-nymphs' favourite streams. This set the nymphs off shrieking in anger and consternation at their homes being so violated.
Growing tired at the din, Zeus took out one of his hand-held lightning-bolts that he carried upon his belt and released it. All the Immortals stopped and quite a few ducked as the lightning crashed and flashed above them.
"Everyone, control yourselves! This is not a matter for debate. I merely called you all here to inform you of the decision that was attained."
"A decision that effects every single one of us and yet you thought we merited no part in its undertaking?" The anger in Persephone's quiet voice was palpable.
"My child-"
"Don't call me that!"
"I drew the lot of Heaven, the leader of all; therefore, Mankind comes under my domain."
"But you'll be punishing the many for the fault of the few. No one is born evil; it is something people learn; some make a point of avoiding it all together." Zeus made a dismissive gesture with his hand.
"Mankind was created by Prometheus, therefore, they are all inherently evil."
"But wasn't Pandora releasing all the evils of the world enough of a punishment?" Zeus paused for a fraction of a second.
"Like I said, the decision has been taken." He turned back to the group at large. "Now, wh-"
"But it's not right!" In her anger, Persephone had jumped from her throne and stamped her bare, white foot upon the marble floor. Zeus' head pivoted slowly round; eyebrow raised, he stared at his slightly flushed daughter. His voice came out very calm and controlled.
"You ask to be treated as an adult and yet you behave as if you are barely out of swaddling cloths. Do make up your mind, my child."
The barb struck and struck deeply. Persephone flinched, her cheeks aflame. Before anyone, even Hades, could say anything, Persephone had stalked off the platform. She hadn't gone many steps, however, when she thought of something. She turned to face her father. Her voice was just as calm as Zeus' had been.
"Tell me, Father, when is this great Flood to take place?" Zeus' eyes narrowed slightly.
"That point has not been finalised."
"Really – and after all that decision-taking?"
"Why do you ask?" said Helios.
"Because I believe the Festival of the Olympics is to take place this coming year and it's rumoured to be the Greatest Show on Earth. The biggest Panhellenic*(1) festival ever, with competitors coming from all four corners of the world – all in your honour, Father."
In the following silence, all eyes turned toward Zeus, who settled for looking haughtily down upon his daughter. Persephone turned and walked on, only to stop once again in her tracks.
"Be warned, Father, Prometheus may have created an inherently evil and hubris-inclined race, as you say, but do not forget that his prophecy concerning you and your son*(2) has yet to come to pass. My grandfather Cronus thought he was invincible, look where he ended up. The higher you rise, the harder you fall."
The next instant, Persephone had swept from the palace.
XXX
Persephone wandered gloomily through the woods and fields, sadly regarding all the freshly bloomed flowers. She soon came across a stream; holding up her skirt, she dipped her toes into the cool, refreshing water. The sound of children's laughter floated to her upon the breeze. Persephone followed it and soon came to a clearing a little further downstream. There, two young boys were playing with sticks in the place of swords. Ares would be proud, she thought. The boys' nurse was also nearby, holding a small infant and singing softly.
Persephone gazed fondly at the scene for a little while before she was distracted by a large, brown-haired dog bounding up to her, tongue hanging out. Humans could not discern gods, but some animals seemed to have a sort of second sight, which aided them sometimes. Persephone smiled down at the dog, but it whined slightly and backed away. Only then did Persephone notice the faint chill in the air, which could only mean one thing: her husband.
The goddess shivered slightly as Hades wrapped his arms about her chest and brought her back against his muscular body.
"So, I've found you at last," he whispered into her ear before kissing the special spot on her neck. "Shall we?" Hades offered his arm and Persephone took it, allowing him to lead her deeper into the woods.
They talked little, both lost in thought, but it wasn't long before the subject of the Flood came up.
"How could he?" Persephone suddenly raged. "How could my father do something like that... to those children, too?"
"Persephone."
"What right has he? But we can still stop him, can't we?"
"Persephone, there's something-"
"I mean, the Olympics are still a few months away..."
"Agape mou, please."
"... so that gives us about a ye-"
"Persephone!" Hades grabbed Persephone's shoulders to still her, but at that moment, the dog, who had been following them, gave a loud bark. It startled the pair so much that they overbalance and tumbled down the grassy bank.
Persephone landed spread-eagled on top of Hades.
"Are you alright, agape mou?" Hades asked urgently, cradling Persephone's back.
"Yes, I'm fine." She looked about them. They were in a small, secluded glade, nothing and no one else was about, and only the sound of the few birds nesting in the trees could be heard. Persephone looked back down at her husband. The smouldering look she received set her heart aflutter and there was an intake of breath as Hades reached up one large hand to stroke the back of her head.
"Surely you don't mean here?" Persephone's voice quavered slightly, though whether it was from nerves or anticipation, she couldn't tell.
"Of course I do, we're not hurting anyone. Besides, my back aches after all that rolling, so I may need someone to kiss it better." Persephone raised her eyebrow and sat up.
"Really, my Lord?" she said coyly. She wriggled her hips, making Hades groan. "And is there anything else this certain someone could 'kiss better' for you?" Hades pretended to consider.
"Perhaps, but," he paused and a wave of his powers had them both flipped over and naked, "I'm going to be on top this time." Persephone giggled as he lowered his lips to hers.
The kiss started out slow before quickly intensifying into something far more exciting; although, Hades' lips soon broke free in order to begin lavishing at Persephone's neck. The goddess gasped slightly when her husband's head shifted slightly and his teeth sank into her shoulder before hard enamel was replaced with soft lips as he sort to heal the area. The he was nibbling along Persephone's collarbone, ending up at her sternum, and then following his preferred path to the valley between her full breasts. Here, Hades paused, nuzzling at Persephone's soft flesh and delighting in the rapid beating of her heart. He then leaned up and sucked first at one nipple and then the other, nearly losing himself as Persephone bucked and moaned in response. His member, already hardened, was affording him even more discomfort as he strove to ignore the growing pool of longing and heat in his loins. The pleasuring lips moved steadily down. Their frustrated encounter earlier had set Hades on edge and he'd never been used to restraining himself. Plus, making love in the open air was so invigorating and as Hades reached Persephone's cluster of damp curls covering her most feminine area, and her special musky scent filled his nostrils, he found he could not resist any longer.
"Turn over!" he suddenly commanded.
When Persephone was on her front, Hades took hold of her hips and lifted them until she was on all fours. They had never really used this position much, preferring to be able to kiss and cuddle each other, but in this wilderness, Hades found his most primal urges and desires crashing to the fore. The couple groaned in unison as Hades slid inside. These groans became harsher and louder as Hades began to move – not altogether gently – inside his wife. Both god and goddess began to see stars with every thrust; everything felt so different in this position.
Completion soon came, the force of it causing them to collapse as soon as they'd been released from its immediate grip. Exhaustedly removing his member, Hades rolled on to his back. Persephone did the same moments later, her hand moving to clasp his.
"That was a good one," she said, still panting slightly. Hades turned his head and smiled tiredly. He then leaned over took Persephone's lips in a slow kiss that was utterly devoid of any of the previous fiery passion.
A high, indignant shriek rent through the air like a whip-crack.
"You fiends! How dare you perform such acts in my sacred glade?"
Breaking apart, Hades and Persephone looked up to see Artemis rushing towards them as though she too had wings on her feet. Jumping up, Hades swiftly clothed them both and then stepped protectively in front of his wife. Artemis' eyes were blazing with utter fury; she slapped Hades across the face.
"How dare you?" she repeated.
"Artemis, please," Persephone tried, "we meant no harm. We just didn-"
"Meant no harm?" the virgin huntress shrieked. "Do you think that the pollution*(3) caused by your actions is any less than if it came from a Mortal?"
"We'll go, OK?" Persephone took Hades' hand and pulled him away. A very dangerous silence followed them.
"I'm assuming you've told your darling, little wife Hades, and that she's fine with it?"
Hades stopped abruptly and turned. Looking into Artemis' eyes, he felt like prey that had well and truly been caught in a trap. Those same eyes gleamed as Persephone asked:
"Told me what?"
"After your exit earlier, our dear father revealed that your dear husband was in complete acquiescence with his plans."
Persephone's eyes flicked to her husband, the sadness and betrayal in those green depths was hard to ignore.
"Is this true?" she whispered. Hades' guilty silence told her everything. "Why... why didn't you tell me earlier, quietly and in private?"
"I was going to. I-"
"Took advantage of me," Persephone finished sadly.
"No! I would nev-"
"Are my opinions and feelings really so ill-regarded amongst Immortals? Do I really mean so little to you?"
"Agape mou, please." Hades moved to take Persephone's hand but she moved it sharply out the way.
"Go, husband, for t'is spring and you know you are not welcomed here."
Stunned, Hades' gaze shifted from his wife to a triumphant-looking Artemis and back to his wife again, but Persephone had turned her face away. Her eyes had filled. As ever when he was hurt, Hades shielded himself behind his pride. Drawing himself up, he turned on his heel and strode purposefully away before disappearing in a cloud of black smoke, but down in the Underworld, he immediately fell to his knees, roaring in sheer pain, regret, and anger.
TBC
TRANSLATION
Agape mou = my love (Modern Greek)
XXX
*(1) From the words 'pan' (all) and 'Hellenes' (Greeks). Panhellenism denoted that, although all of Ancient Greek City-States were independent of each other, they were all still Greek and would unite when necessary. One example would be during the war against the invading Persia in the 5th century BC; another is during Panhellenic Festivals, most notably that of the Olympics, when all civil war would stop and competitors/spectators would be granted safe passage to Olympia, where the Games were held.
*(2) An ancient oracle predicted that the son of Thetis, a divinity of the sea, would grow up to be more powerful than his father. It is said that both Zeus and Poseidon were vying for her hand and when they heard this, they hastily married her off to Peleus, a mortal. The result of the union was Achilles (Brad Pitt's character in Troy – the film is an historical travesty, but hey, the 'phwoar-factor' is very good.) You really can't tell I'm a Classicist, can you? ;)
*(3) Or miasma – caused by any number of things, the worst being close proximity to a dead body or a woman in labour, as well as suicide, murder, or sexual intercourse within a religious sanctuary. An individual would have to be ritually purified before taking part in any more religious activity.