Uoooh, getting pumped up just by listening to Wagner! The Ride of the Valkyries is awesome! The violin sheet music is… just wow. It's difficulty level 99.

The other day, I played To Zanark*nd and I cried. Damn, that scene in Macal*nia, that ending… This song is full of memories. Why did I play it in the first place?

Stahp playing it, mah other self! Yer hafta sit tight inside mah mind! Ah ain't lettin' you play it anymore!

~-0o-o0-~

"We certainly hate each other, yet there's this overwhelming desire to beg for a hopeless forgiveness…"

~-0o-o0-~

Chapter 10

~ Him and Her II~

H/P/H/P

You are welcome.

Hades didn't understand why he said such thing. His mind couldn't function properly when she was smiling like that. It seemed that she had broken his ears, too, because her request sounded like a thank you.

Whatever. He didn't care.

She was merely a child, a teenager yet to bloom. But since when did she become this beautiful in his eyes?

"Can I kiss you?" he asked, still averting his gaze.

In the corner of his eyes, Hades saw her biting her lower lip. Hades could clearly see her hesitating. She was considering whether to let him kiss her or not. From the expression she was making, she was afraid of him kissing her like a beast.

"Umm… I want the normal one," she meekly replied. Her face painted in crimson as she fidgeting with her fingers.

Hades looked at her in the eyes and his lips curved upwards. He didn't realize that Kore was in awe seeing him smile. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

This was enough. For now.

This kiss was enough. Hades would restrain his carnal lust until she was old enough to receive it. Four or three years of waiting was easy for an immortal like him. She was his for eternity and he'd savor the delight of seeing her grew up.

Hades lifted her from the ground and put her on his lap. Ignoring her surprise yelp, he encircled his strong arms around her lithe body and collapsed on the sofa, bringing her along with him. It was such an intimate position, with Kore's head on his left arm. They were facing each other, thus there were no secrets for them to hide.

In this position, Hades could see everything she felt. Her crimson-tinted face told him everything and he chuckled, feeling something similar to triumph for making her so embarrassed.

He hugged her tighter, "Sleeping like this is nice."

"…it isn't," came her weak voice. "This sofa is just too small and cramped."

He found it funny and laughed. With his throaty voice, it sounded like a growl of an animal, "That's why it's nice, so that we can warm each other during the cold, harsh night."

She blushed and tried to change the topic, "…your stomach has weird square-shaped things… Are you sure you aren't sick?"

"You idiot. Those are muscles called abs, Kore," he explained, "from strict training."

"Oh…"

As they went into silence, Hades closed his eyes and slept.

~-0o-o0-~

Hades didn't particularly like having breakfast, mainly because he had to see someone he hated. He actually had the very power not to come, though, but it would worsen the impression his subjects had for him. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were some kind of important familial gatherings for the Underworld deities and Hades wanted to respect their purpose.

It wasn't a good thing he arrived early. She was there with her hostile expression. It was nicely masked since she wanted to keep the actual fact of their relationship a secret. Her reserved personality reminded him so much of himself.

Well, he was made from her, in a sense, so it was perfectly natural that they shared the same traits. Oh, no, no. He mentally objected to that fact. She was one of the several reasons why he became so distrustful.

The Underworld had many deities, but little of them arrived early. Thanatos was among them. He respectfully nodded to Hades and he nodded back.

Her blue eyes followed him as he made his way to his chair. Hades glanced at Kore's empty chair and let out a quiet sigh. Kore was still preparing herself and he cursed himself that there wasn't anyone except her to talk to.

Hades really needed Kore for some kind of distraction.

"Good morning," he forced himself to greet her. When she did nothing but cast him a glance, he stopped trying to be more sociable. He reached out and picked an apple from the fruit basket, then bit into it. It was crunchy, but tasted sour.

He wondered if it had something to do with the woman beside him.

"I've heard about it," her suddenly speaking surprised him. She wouldn't speak to him unless it was something really important.

He didn't ask, but merely waiting for her to continue.

"She is Demeter's daughter," she murmured, "it was reckless of you."

Hades stopped eating his apple, "I told you. I'll do anything to keep her by my side."

"She isn't some kind of flower you can just take, Hades," at this, their eyes locked together, "she is a goddess and you must also treat her as one. About the marriage, have you asked Demeter? She has to know about this."

"No."

Her expression hardened then slowly was masked with indifference. Averting her eyes, she spoke with bare emotion, "You will regret it, Hades. You will. There will be a lot to pay when you anger an earth goddess. She'll notice that her daughter has disappeared and then Zeus will surely interfere. This happiness of yours is short-living."

Instead of being angry, Hades smirked, "Not that it mattered because she's mine. If Zeus decided to take her away, I'll find a way to see her."

She snorted, "Quite confident now, aren't you? She doesn't even love you."

"In fact, I'm very confident in my stealth skill. True, she doesn't love me but, at least, my wife isn't eating all of her children, assuming she has any, like a certain someone."

The look on her face instantly changed. No longer was she holding back her intense anger and hate. She had let it all out. "Watch your tongue, Aidoneus."

He chuckled, knowing that he had won, and mockingly bowed his head, "I will, Mother. I will."

Hades savored the fleeting victory before Kore came. She wore a white dress rich in embroidery and a matching pair of sandals. Her auburn hair was left down and some strand framed her face beautifully.

Hades couldn't help but stare.

His mother let out a short sigh when Kore seated herself. The younger goddess tilted her head worriedly, thinking that she had disturbed an important conversation.

"You are cute," he meant it.

Kore folded her hands tightly on her lap and blushed, "Th-Thank you…"

As Hades talked to his wife, he tried not to notice it; he tried not to. However, he couldn't forget the look on his mother's face when Kore smiled at him.

It was the look of hatred.

~-0o-o0-~

Hades didn't understand how he came to hate his mother. He used to love her and treasured her. After that incident, everything turned out upside down. He who once loved her now disappeared completely. The current Hades was so distrustful, merciless, and emotionless.

It was all thanks to her.

Her words still haunt him until now. How could he forget? How did someone expect him to forget those cruel words directed at him? He had saved her but she was… she said…

"S-Stay away from me, you monster! You're no better than your father…! I wish… I wish you weren't born!"

He was labeled as a monster by none other than his own mother. Why should he be kind? Why bother smiling? His own mother had abandoned him and there was no use trying to act like a good kid just to impress her. He was a monster, after all, and a monster didn't act like such.

From what he understood, a mother was full of compassion. She was a loving and warm figure, always supported her children and gave them comfort in desperate times. However, remembering his mother's words brought anger throughout his body. How dare she say such thing after the pain he's gone through to save her? Were such words a mother would say? Were all mothers had the right to label their children as such?

If that was true, then why should he respect her anymore?

If there was any words that could express how Hades saw her mother, that'd be disgust. Her action disgusted him, what she said to him disgusted the shit out of him, and seeing her face made the disgust in his belly boiled.

But still, Hades felt that he should be the one apologizing. He didn't know why, but something inside his mind told him to, and he stupidly obeyed. Sometimes when he felt like it he apologized, but sometimes he stared down at her. He found it enjoyable to make her suffer. He did it not only as revenge, but also as a tool to check her sanity and well being.

He was checking whether Rhea was still thinking about that bastard or not, and whether she still had the will to live despite the traumatic experience she had suffered.

So far she was still full of life. It pleased him, but at the same time irked him. He loved seeing her suffer and it annoyed him greatly that she was still living. He'd love to see her bathed in blood.

But if that indeed happened, then his days wouldn't be fun anymore, would they?

~-0o-o0-~

That afternoon he saw his mother talking to his wife and it alarmed him. That woman must be up to no good and Hades, as her husband, must protect her at all cost.

He quickly strode to the two. His face held no emotions as he spoke, "…I see you two are getting along just fine."

Rhea turned her head to face him. That smile was genuine to some, but what Hades saw was a smile of suppressed hate. Seeing how innocent his wife was, she could've easily fallen into that cheap trick.

"Oh, Lord Hades!" Kore exclaimed, linking her fingers together in front of her face. "I can't believe it you have such a beautiful mother! Why didn't you tell me?"

He grimaced, "I was going to, but works made me forget."

He sneaked a glance to his mother. Wow, she was looking daggers at him and Kore didn't even notice. Anyway, he had to do something to get his wife away from here.

"By the way, Kore, there's something I want to give you. Can you wait in my room? I want to talk to my mother first."

Hearing the words 'give', Kore beamed and nodded happily. She left the two in quick, light steps. After making sure that no one was present, Hades faced his mother and growled, "…what have you been telling her?"

She averted her gaze, "Nothing important."

He closed the distance between them. Cupping her chin with his fingers, he forcibly moved her face towards him, "Aren't you tired of being a liar, dearest Mother?"

A thin smile appeared on her beautiful face, "What a fine words you speak, my beloved son. I wonder who taught you to speak like that. As your mother, I'm quite saddened."

Hades couldn't resist the urge to sneer, "As far as I remember, I have no mother to teach me manners."

Their staring battle was getting pretty intense. Neither backed off nor showed any sign of losing. Rhea's blue eyes met Hades' dark blue. Their apparent hatred was reflected on each other's eyes.

Rhea's face was contorted in an ugly manner, but quickly she recovered and then tugged a sweet smile. Her gentle voice was like angel's trumpet, but her words were not, "Well, I see that you do take after your foul-mouthed father."

Hades' eyes snapped open. Anger rose within his very soul. He did look alike to Cronus, but lumped them together was out of the question. He could feel the urge to snap his mother's neck, but he restrained himself with an outstanding might.

Gritting his teeth, Hades spun on his heels and retreated. He admitted defeat for now, but next time it'd be her lost. He swore to make her cry next time. Hades would have his revenge—triple the pain.

He entered his room only to find Kore sitting on his huge bed. He never showed others his emotions, but he was pretty shocked to see her.

Upon seeing his arrival, Kore jumped on her feet and ran to him. Her enthusiasm poked his curiosity and he asked, "…what?"

She tilted her head, "You told me to wait in your room. Now where is my present?"

He remained impassive, but inside he cursed himself for being such an idiot. He really did say it. In fact, he did say that he'd give her a present. He didn't mean that, but seeing how excited she was, Hades didn't have the heart to tell her the truth.

"Close your eyes," he ordered. He didn't have any present for her. That was why he had no choice but to give her that present.

Kore did as she was told.

Hades arched his brow. Even after closing her eyes, she looked more excited than before. He cursed silently and leaned forward. He angled her head and then kissed her softly on the lips.

Kore, who expected an object as a present, flung her eyes open.

Hades broke the kiss with a small smile. The deep wound his mother had just inflicted upon him was healed by her soft lips. Hades hoped that she'd be there for him when he could no longer be able to bear the sins he had committed.

...and he hoped that she'd help him stay sane.