IX
Persephone followed Hades through the corridors of the palace in silence and noticed how busy the castle really was. Servants were hustling and bustling in an out of different chambers. Deities consulted with one another and every once in a while one would approach Hades himself. It was obvious to Persephone that he took his job seriously. No matter what the conflict he had final say on everything.
When they finally stepped outside the palace Persephone let out an audible gasp causing Hades to turn around and raise his brows.
"Is something the matter?" He questioned.
Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the Underworld. "It's so dark." He shrugged, "Where's the sun?" She questioned.
Hades furrowed his brows. "This is the Underworld Persephone. The sun doesn't touch here." He said slowly. He noted how horrified her face became and he became confused. "I thought you knew that. The sun didn't appear when you were out yesterday." He added.
Persephone shook her head and scanned the Underworld around her looking for any amount of sunlight. "I thought it was night." She said
Hades sighed. "If you wish to go back now t-"
"No." She said softly cutting him off, "I wanna see your dog." She said with a soft smile. "I've always wanted a pet myself but mother would never agree to one." She explained.
"Sounds like something Demeter would do." He muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." He said clearing his throat.
"Where is your dog? Why don't you keep it inside?" She asked.
"He's too big. And he has an important job to do as well."
"The palace is huge. How big is it?"
"Big." Persephone crossed her arms. Clearly her uncle wasn't much for conversation.
"Well then how are we gonna get to it?" She asked while looking at the rivers surrounding the castle. "Do we have to swim? 'Cause I don't know how to."
Hades shook his head. "We just need to wait for Charon." He said simply.
"Who's that?"
"The ferryman."
Demeter had pulled herself together and stomped out of her cottage in a fit of rage. Ares, that no good son of a bitch. He was a cruel, blood and lust hungry imbecile! How could she have not seen the signs? He had become too hostile and temperamental when Demeter had declined his proposal. It made perfect sense.
Her poor, innocent Kore. . .
She didn't want to think about what that horrid beast may have done to her precious daughter. No matter, she would have her back and give Ares a lesson he wouldn't forget.
As she stomped outside of her cottage she was greeted with a chilling breeze of wind. It was odd. The weather here was always warm, even when it rained the air never became too chilly. As she walked through the grass she noted how cold it was at the touch as the plants grazed her ankles. Unconsciously she began to warm herself up by rubbing her hands over her arms.
This was something Demeter had never seen before. In fact, when she looked upon the plants in Kore's garden she noticed that they looked dull. The colors in their leaves and petals looked as if they had been drained. It was as if life itself was draining out from the plants.
No matter. Demeter shook away all nasty thoughts. Everything would be back to normal once she got her daughter back.
"Mi'Lady!" She heard Althea call from behind her. Demeter was too determined to get Kore back and she didn't look back once or even give a gesture in reply. "Lady Demeter please, let me come with you!" She pleaded. Demeter turned around and Althea noticed how dark and cold Demeter really looked.
"No." She said sternly, almost as a growl. She clenched her jaw and turned back around.
"Please Mi'Lady!" She called again. But, Demeter wouldn't have it.
Once she got Kore back she decided that the safest thing to do for the both of them was to leave their home without telling a soul. The farther away they were from peering eyes the better things would be for the both of them.
Althea watched Demeter leave on her stark white chariot. Never before had she seen her look so bloodthirsty. Althea bit her bottom lip and sighed. Perhaps telling Demeter about Ares wasn't the smartest thing to do. She could only imagine the fiasco that would descend on Mount Olympus if she and Ares got into such a disastrous argument.
Persephone waited patiently beside Hades for the ferryman to show up. She was relieved that she didn't have to swim across the river to transport herself from one place to the next. She glanced to her right and noted the stiff, emotionless face that Hades adorned.
He was odd. Persephone considered her Uncle to be a rather moody person. One moment he would smile and seconds later he would become his usual, stiff self. She didn't consider him to have temperament issues. But, she still could not get over how fumed he became last night when she had called him "Uncle". It was their true relation after all.
Soon she noticed the silhouette of a figure hidden behind the fog. She couldn't make out a body or a face, rather just a baggy figure with a staff rowing a boat. It surfaced next to the palace grounds and all Persephone could see were two piercing blue eyes. The rest of the mans face was hidden behind the hood of his grey cloak.
"Hello Lord Hades." She heard a rather raspy voice greet. Oddly enough, she loved the way the man sounded.
"Hello Charon." Hades greeted as he helped Persephone onto the boat. She turned back to the hooded Charon and her eyes immediately locked with his. Truth be told, she found him to be more intimidating than Lord Hades himself.
"Off to feed Cerberus, I assume?" He remarked noticing the stack of meats placed on the plate Hades carried.
"Yes." He replied. Persephone crossed her arms over her chest and walked towards the back of the boat while Hades and Charon started talking.
She took in the scenic atmosphere of the Underworld. Despite it being dark and dreary she found it to be beautiful in its own way. While growing up she always saw the world for what it seemed to be, light. This, in turn made things beautiful. Her mother never allowed her to leave the cottage after sunset,which meant that she had never experienced beauty this dark and enchanting.
What she loved the most was the river they were crossing over. It was vaguely transparent, yet it radiated a beautiful teal glow. Persephone crouched down inside the boat and peered intensely into the water. She could not see her reflection in the waters which was odd.
Slowly, she pulled up the courage to graze her fingers inside the river. . .
But, alas. She felt a strong hand grip on her wrist so tightly it made her cringe.
"Do not touch the river, Persephone." She heard Hades say sternly. He sighed and pulled her hand back and ran a hand through his thick locks. "I don't understand why you feel the need to touch everything." He muttered.
Persephone crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes. "Mother says I'm curious. And, Athena says there's no harm in it." She retorted.
Hades shook his head. "One of these days your curiosity will get the best of you." He said.
Persephone shrugged and leaned her back against the boards of the boat and pulled her knees up to chest. Hades had gone back to talk with Charon and every once in a while he would glance over at Persephone, making sure she wasn't about to dip her toes into the water anytime soon.
"Who is the girl Lord Hades?" Charon whispered. Hades sighed and pinched the bridge of nose before rolling his eyes.
"She's no one Charon. A guest." He replied.
"What is she doing down here?" He pressed further.
Hades shrugged. "I don't mind telling you Charon. But I'd rather not tell you while she's around." He muttered.
"That confidential huh?" He said.
"See the thing i—"
"Nymphs!" Hades and Charon turned to see Persephone practically leaning over the boat while pointing her finger at a clan of Nymphs who were relaxing in the waters of another river— Acheron. "Nymphs! In the water! Lord Hades, you never told me there were Nymphs in the Underworld." She said enthusiastically.
"I— I didn't think it was important." He muttered.
"After I meet with your dog Lord Hades, I wish to go see the Nymphs!" She pleaded.
"No." He said simply causing the smile on Persephone's face to drop.
"Why not?" She questioned.
"Because I said so." He said.
"That's not a valid reason." She retorted. "They're just Nymphs Lord Hades! I play with them all the time."
Hades rolled his eyes once again and shook his head. "The Nymphs in the Underworld are nothing like the Nymphs you play with on Earth Persephone." He tried to explain calmly, but Persephone wasn't buying it.
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" She questioned raising her brow.
"It means they are mischievous and cause nothing but trouble."
"Mother says the same thing about the Nymphs above. But, I've been playing with them for years! Nothing's happened." She whined.
"No Persephone. You just don't understand." He said. "You're too young."
She 'humphed' and crossed her arms over her chest once again before turning her back to Hades.
Gods was she stubborn.
The Nymphs had heard bickering from afar and soon, one of them and decided to go and see what all the fuss was about. She had traveled down from the cave and headed towards the lake of Acheron and watched Charon transporting Hades and another across the river.
It wasn't unusual for them to see their King here. This was usually when he would bring breakfast to Cerberus, his dog who guarded the gates of the Underworld.
Yet, the closer the Nymph looked, she noticed that the other being on the boat was a girl. A young girl who she had not seen before. Both she and Lord Hades were arguing about something— she just wasn't quite sure what it was.
"Minthe!" She heard another Nymph call her from behind.
"Yes?"
"What is it?" The other Nymph questioned.
Minthe smirked and gave a sinister smile. "Lord Hades has a guest."
"So?" She questioned flipping her mulberry locks over her shoulder. But, Minthe ignored her question and quickly ran off before anyone could figure out what she was up to.
Demeter arrived at Olympus and was greeted by Hestia who was sitting in the lush gardens surrounding the Mountain. She was surprised to see her sister here since Demeter preferred to stay away from Olympus any chance she got. Hestia and most of the other Gods were able to understand why, as some of Demeter's most horrid memories took place here.
"Demeter!" Hestia greeted with a smile. She ran towards her sister and gave her a small hug, but frowned when she realized her sister hadn't returned the gesture. When she pulled away she was able to see how distant and cold her sister looked.
"Demeter," Hestia said slowly as she furrowed her brows, "Demeter what's the matter?" She questioned. Demeter pushed her sister away and walked towards Zeus' palace, knowing full well that Hestia was following her.
"Demeter!" Hestia yelled sternly. Demeter stood her stance and slowly turned around to face a fuming Hestia. Hestia's eyes softened when she realized how lost Demeter looked. Almost as if she was on the verge of a breakdown. "Demeter what's wrong?"
"Nothing." She said coldly.
"Demeter. You and I both know this isn't true." Hestia said.
"Nothing is the matter. Everything will be fine soon." Demeter said, almost as if she were in a hazy state.
"Demeter, what are you doing here?" Hestia questioned.
"I'm here to see Zeus and Hera." She said coldly again before continuing down her path.
Hestia narrowed her eyes and pulled at Demeter's dress, trying to slow her down. She didn't say anything but was bewildered about why Demeter would voluntarily pay Zeus a visit. She loathed her brother, him and Poseidon after they had both violated Demeter. It was one of the reasons why she never even told Persephone who her biological father was. Demeter's own personal struggles were the reasons why she kept her daughter so sheltered.
The two of them walked side by side, and eventually Hestia felt Demeter's fingers lace together with hers. Whatever Demeter's reasoning for her arrival was, Hestia knew that she needed someone to be there with her.
When the two of them arrived inside Zeus' palace they requested to meet with him, though Demeter herself would much have preferred to meet with Hera. But, this was a matter regarding Persephone, one of many of Zeus' bastard children. She knew that while Hera didn't blame Demeter for what happened, she still resented Persephone since she and many of other Zeus' offspring were all a reminder to her of how unfaithful her husband really was.
Much to Demeter's own surprise she waited anxiously for Zeus to arrive. She had pictured herself full of rage, but she realized that there was no use in being angry. She knew where her daughter was. If anyone kept her away from Persephone, then Demeter promised herself to create such a havoc, Tartarus would become as tranquil to others as the Elysian Fields.
"Demeter?" Zeus questioned as he arrived in his office. He was just as confused as to why Demeter was here out of her own accord as Hestia was.
"I wish to speak with Ares." She said coldly. Hestia raised her brow and Zeus stared at his older sister in slight shock.
"W-why do you want to see him?" He questioned.
"I don't see how that's any of your concern." She snapped.
"Demeter," He raised his voice, "This is my son we're talking about. I have every right as a father to know." He growled.
Demeter scoffed, "Very well. He has something of mine I want returned."
Zeus laughed. "What could he possibly want from you Demeter?"
"You'd be surprised." She muttered.
"No matter," Zeus said shrugging as he poured himself a glass of wine. "He's out on the battle fields with the Phoenicians. He's due back in a few weeks." He said smugly, "You can talk with him then." He added slyly.
Demeter gritted her teeth and balled her hands into fists so tightly she could feel her nails digging into her palms. "And how long has it been since he left?"
"He left two weeks ago Demeter." Zeus said. "What is it that you want?" He asked raising his brow.
Demeter cleared her throat. "Nothing. I'll meet with him when I see fit." She said coolly before talking Hestia's hand and leaving.
"What has Ares taken from you Demeter?" Hestia asked.
"No matter. I'll have it back with me soon." She said. "I need to get to Phoenicia." She said quickly as she raced back to her chariot. But, Hestia pulled her back.
"Demeter slow down! Why such haste?" Hestia sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Very well. If you won't tell me why you're going, At least allow me to look after Persephone." Hestia said.
Demeter almost choked on her words and wearily she let go of the reins on her horses. Hestia narrowed her eyes as she watched the rim of her sisters eyes turn red as she held back tears.
"Demet—"Hestia was cut off by Demeter's soft sobs. She looked at her sister with wide eyes and cupped her face in her hands. "Demeter! What on Earth?"
"She's gone!" Demeter cried.
Hestia furrowed her brows, "Wh—who?"
"He took her!"
"Who did he take?"
Demeter couldn't take it anymore. She was exhausted, numb, alone, and so terribly worried.
"Ares took my Kore!"
Hestia narrowed her eyes sharply tilted Demeter's head towards her, "What do you mean Demeter?" She asked skeptically. Demeter sniffed back her tears and wiped her cheeks.
"K—Kore's b—been mis—missing for t—two d—days." She stuttered as Hestia's eyes widened.
"What makes you think Ares took her?" While she knew how bloodthirsty and lust hungry her nephew was, she didn't expect such a move to be carried out by him.
"The Ny—nymphs s—seem to think so." She began before taking in a huge breath trying to calm herself, "It makes sense Hestia! He was so enraged when I shooed him away from Kore." She sighed and shook her head. "And I bet Zeus is on it too! Phoenicia? What business does Ares have in Phoenicia?" She scoffed.
"Demeter." Hestia said softly trying to calm her sister down, "Demeter I don't think Ares your daughter." She said.
Demeter narrowed her eyes, "Why do you think that?" She snapped.
"He has women from all over bowing on his feet. He's been having an affair with Aphrodite for years. Whatever rage he felt from rejection wouldn't have lasted so long! He doesn't care about this Demeter." Hestia said trying to reason with her.
"Well then. What do you suppose happened?"
Hestia shrugged, "I'm not sure. I mean—I don't suppose she could have left?" Demeter caught her breath.
"Why on Earth would she do that? She knows better!"
"You smother her, Demeter."
Demeter crossed her arms over chest and narrowed her eyes. "I do not smother her. I protect her. You wouldn't understand Hestia. You're not a mother." She said coldly. "I don't care what you think. I'm going to find her."
"Wait." Hestia said reaching for Demeter's dress. "Don't leave. We can gather a few people to look for her."
"I don't need anyone's help." She said stubbornly causing Hestia to sigh.
"Demeter. Just—Just think for a moment. It may take you years to find Persephone. If you get help, It won't take as long." She assured. "We all care deeply for her and for you." She said.
"Well clearly someone doesn't." She muttered.
"What makes you say that?"
"It's obvious that whoever took her doesn't give a damn about either of us."
"How do you know she was taken?"
"Mothers intuition."
Persephone followed Hades through the rocky terrain. It was hard for her to keep up because she had never been on such a rigorous walk, but she liked it. It was different. Hades had to stop a few times and wait for her to follow in pace with him, but to his surprise they got there faster than he had expected.
"Where is it?" She asked. She didn't see any dog. Rather, all she saw was a large, diamond crusted gate that glistened against some of the gleam that radiated off of the rivers nearby.
"He." Hades corrected causing Persephone to cock her head.
"Sorry?"
"He. Not an 'It'. My dog is a 'he'." He stated causing Persephone to flush a light shade of pink which caused a small smile to tug at his lips.
"Why are you smiling?" She asked narrowing her eyes. Hades snapped back from his gaze and shook his head.
"N—No reason." He said clearing his throat. Persephone was about to question him again but was cut off by a loud whistle.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling him." Seconds later she felt the ground shake from beneath her and quickly she latched onto Hades's arm, while staring at the rumbling ground beneath her.
"What's happening?" She asked and Hades noted that her voice was higher than normal.
"Cerberus is coming." He said, "Are you scared?" He teased while raising a brow while Persephone looked at him in shock.
"The ground is shaking!" She shrieked. Hades let out a small chuckle.
Soon she felt the ground settle down from beneath her and she let herself relax. She pulled away from Hade's arm—much to his displeasure and sighed.
"What wa—" She cut herself off with a loud shriek once she saw the creature in front of her.
She saw a large beast with thick, coarse dark brown fur. What left her horrified was the fact that the beast in front of her had three heads, with six bright yellow eyes peering at her. She noticed sharp, pointy teeth and there was drool and slobber hanging from all three mouths.
"Persephone, meet Cerberus." Hades said.
Cerberus began to sniff around Persephone causing her to tense up. For the first time since her descend into the Underworld she truly felt scared.
"L—Lord H—ades?" She whimpered.
"Don't be afraid. He's getting to know you."
Cerberus leaned in closer to Persephone and with his middle tongue licked her causing her to shriek. Hades laughed as he saw her covered in dog slobber. But, much to Persephone's horror the beast didn't stop there. He opened his mouth wide and all she could see were his pointy teeth and his drool covered tongue. In one swift motion he picked Persephone up in his mouth.
"Lord Hades!" She shrieked. "Please!"
"Cerberus!" She was alarmed at how loud and stern his voice had become. "Put her down now!" She heard Cerberus whimper and he dropped her from his mouth causing her shriek on her fall down. Luckily for her Hades had caught her just in time.
Persephone was disgusted. She was cold, and she was dirty. She had already bathed not too long ago!
"Ugh." She groaned. "That's your dog?" She questioned.
"Yes." He said as he pet Cerberus behind his ears while throwing some of the meat into his mouth.
"T—That's not a dog! H—He's a beast!" She cried. Hades raised his brow.
"Persephone you're fine." He said.
"He tried to eat me!"
"He was just playing with you. He's a dog it's what they do."
"No dog I know has three heads." She snapped. "I'd much rather have spent my time with the Nymphs." She muttered while giving the dog a glare. "No wonder mother hates them so much." She said storming off.
"Where are you going?" Hades called.
"I'm disgusting. I'm going to take another bath." She yelled.
Hades sighed and continued to pet Cerberus. "Don't worry buddy. She can't hate you if she's not here." He muttered.
Though Persephone was furious at that stupid dog, she still made her way back down to the boat slowly, as she still wasn't used to the Underworlds rigged terrain. And, much like her mother she was quite cautious, though she would never admit it herself.
Persephone hung her head low in embarrassment as she approached the ferryman. She would have loved to hide her face behind her dark locks, but her hair was covered in slobber.
"Could you um- could you please take me back to the palace please?" She asked the ferryman nervously. While all she could see were his vibrant eyes behind his cloak, she was aware that he became slightly suspicious of her.
"That would depend on Lord Hades." He said nonchalantly. Persephone sighed and cleared her throat.
"You don't need to ask him anything. He knows." She said persistently.
Charon narrowed his eyes. "I suppose. . ." he said trailing off.
Quickly Persephone boarded the boat. It appeared as if the ride was slower this time around.
They passed by the nymphs once more. She wanted nothing more than to leave the boat and play with them but she was in no way in presentable state. In fact, if Demeter saw her now she would've been furious.
Oddly enough. Persephone wanted nothing more than for her mother too see her in the state she was in now. It dawned on her that her mother's smothering and over-protective attitude was something she had grown accustomed to. It was weird, being in control for once.
But, even this experience wasn't as feeding as she had thought it would have been. Lord Hades was someone who was also protective. She assumed she didn't miss her mother as much since her uncle was similar in nature.
Not long after the ferry came to stop and quickly Persephone ran inside in a hurry, bumping into Thanatos on the way in.
"Ew." He said scrunching his nose at the stench of Cerberus' breath. "Someone sure likes her." He commented as he approached his brother.
Charon leaned hid arms against his staff and have his brother s quizzical look. "Who is she?"
Thanatos began to laugh hysterically causing Charon to narrow his eyes. "What's so funny?" He asked.
"She's Demeters' daughter. Persephone, Goddess of Spring."
"An Earth Goddess eh? What is she doing down here?" Thanatos began to grin from ear to ear.
"Lord Hades is in looove." He sang causing Charon to choke back his amusement.
"W-what?"
"That's what I said!"
"Who told you?"
"Hades. Hecate's been keeping me updated." He added.
"Why is she here?"
"Lord Hades wishes to bed her." Thanatos snickered.
"No he didn't!" Thanatos turned to find a furious Hecate approaching the two brothers with her eyes narrowed and her hands on her hips. "He wanted to see her Charon." She clarified. "Not bed her."
"It doesn't matter though. He's sending her back!" Thanatos added.
"Why?"
"Cause she thinks of him as an Uncle. It's really put a damper on his ego." Thanatos teased.
"How'd she get down here exactly?" Charon asked. Hecate shrugged.
"Something to do with a flower. The Narcissus down by the fields." She explained.
"Well. It's s good thing she's going back home soon. Imagine how I'll tempered her mother would become." Charon said. He began to set forth to pick up his king when he sensed Hades call to him. "Oh. How exactly did he meet this Goddess?"
"He didn't say." Hecate said shrugging.
"Hm." Charon said.
"Well. Best to keep your voice down about this Charon. Be more sensible than your brother here about this." Hecate said.
"Hey!" Thanatos snapped.
"I'm serious! And keep your voice down. The last thing any of us need is for one of the Nymphs to learn of this. You know them, huge on gossip." Hecate said.
"Ah. Much like you then eh?" Thanatos added.
Unbeknownst to them, neither of them had realized that a mint colored Nymph had heard everything.
Authors Note: Apologies for the wait! I hope you enjoyed.
