A.N: Hey guys! Thanks to everyone who reviewed last time! This chapter will be short, like the last one, but the next chapter will be slightly longer, and the one after will be quite long.

The Joys of Parenting

Amaya sighed in her sleep, as she rolled over onto her left side. In her semi-consciousness, the young goddess was becoming uncomfortable with the intense heat of the room. Kicking the large, thick blanket off her legs, the sudden flood of cold air was enough to make the goddess open her dark, coal coloured eyes.

Suddenly, Amaya bolted upright as she remembered something; today was her sixth birthday! The young goddess leapt out of bed excitedly, bursting through the doors of her room, and darting into her parents' room next door. "Dad! Mum!" she yelled enthusiastically, "Wake up! It's my birthday! Remember?" she jumped onto the large double bed, and shook her father's shoulder.

Without opening his eyes, Hades ruffled his daughter's hair, before sitting up, and opening his obsidian eyes. Yawning, the God of the Underworld spoke to his daughter, still half-asleep. "Happy birthday, Amaya." Persephone stirred beside her husband, before sitting up, and smiling at her daughter. "Happy birthday, Amaya!" she greeted, while hugging the goddess. Amaya grinned at her mother, before scampering back to her father's lap.

"Dad, you said you had a surprise for me! What is it? Can you tell me? Pleeease?" Amaya begged. Hades smiled, before speaking, "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" Amaya shrugged, before replying,

"Yeah, I guess not… When do I get to find out?" she questioned. Hades thought for a minute, before replying, "Why don't we go find out now?" Amaya perked up, pulling her father out of bed, and out of the room.

Persephone smiled, before shaking her head jokingly. The Goddess of Spring lay back down, and rolled over, pulling the blankets over her head in hopes of getting another valuable ten minutes of sleep.

Hades led his daughter through the palace, and out of the front gates. He took her around the back, where the spare weapons were kept. "Why are we going into the store-room, Dad?" Amaya asked. Hades just smirked, before walking into the room, leaving his daughter to trail behind him. At the very back of the room was a large box, jet black in colour, with a silver ribbon tied neatly around it. The box was long and thin, but quite heavy, Amaya noticed, as she lifted the box, trying to guess what could possibly be inside.

After a few minutes of guessing, the young girl slipped the ribbon off, and lifted the lid slowly. Her eyes widened in delight as she reached a hand into the box, and pulled out a black staff, as tall as she was. Amaya could only just wrap her small hand around the staff, as she examined it further. At the top was a black orb, with purple smoke swirling wildly around inside it. Holding the orb in place were three claws, made from the same metal as the rest of the staff.

Wordlessly, Amaya threw her arms around her father. "Dad! This is awesome! Now I can learn to fight!" she enthused. Hades chuckled lightly; he knew Amaya would love it. "You see this?" Hades asked, pointing to the orb at the top of the staff, "It channels your energy. So it works long distance as well!" he explained.

"Cool!" Amaya exclaimed, before asking, "Hey dad, what's it made of? I don't think I've ever seen this type of metal before…" she trailed off, running her hand along the smooth surface. "It's Stygian Iron, Amaya." Hades smiled, "Completely indestructible."

"Wow…" Amaya trailed off.

"When will you teach me how to use it, dad?" Amaya asked her father.

"I'll teach you to fight with it when you've learnt to use your powers." He reasoned, making Amaya pout a little. "When do you think I'll learn to use my powers, then?"

Hades grinned, before replying, "Soon… Probably sometime next year."

"I have to wait a whole year until I have my powers?" Amaya asked incredulously. Her father smiled at her, before reasoning, "A year is nothing compared to the existence of a god, Amaya."

Amaya nodded, before beaming at her father. "Can I show mum?" she asked eagerly. Hades nodded in response, watching his daughter darting back inside to show Persephone her new weapon. 'Of course,' Hades smirked, thinking to himself, 'Persephone isn't going to be too pleased with this.'

A.N: Okay, so this was pretty short as well! But next chapter, Amaya will be getting her powers! Any suggestions for what they should be? Leave them in the reviews, or PM me! Remember to review, guys!