Hey guys, thank you for your reviews and for reading. It makes me really glad to know that people enjoy this! Also, I have written a draft of a POSSIBLE sequel to this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own the myth of Hades and Persephone
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Chapter 11: Gods, Creatures, and Mortals, Oh My!
A Self-Sufficient Rose
"Prasutugas, what have you come to see me for?" asked Cronus.
"Well, I found some rather amusing information," he answered as he entered into Cronus' place in Tartarus. "I found out that your son, Hades, has taken a bride."
"Ha… Hahaha!" Cronus bellowed loudly while Prasutugas stood there with a smug grin. "That cold boy must have taken her in her sleep," he said trying to hold back a chuckle, "Why should I be concerned with some nymph?"
"He didn't marry a nymph, he married a goddess; Zeus' daughter, Persephone. And now, she's queen of the underworld."
"Ha! What is she good for? What value does she hold to me?" Cronus questioned.
"I don't care if you benefit from her, I do. She is now the co-ruler of the Underworld and when Hades becomes unavailable as king, she will solely inherit that kingdom. For that reason, I want her as my bride," he grinned largely.
Cronus sat there confused and in thought. He cringed at the thought of this creature controlling one of the Gods' realms, but if that is what he must sacrifice to take back his throne, then so be it. "Alright, once Hades is deposed of, you may also have the Underworld and Persephone as your bride."
Prasutugas gave a low bow with a crooked grin on his face, "Thank you, your majesty." With that he left with only his steps echoing through the stone room until they disappeared altogether. As soon as he was gone, Cronus gave an aggravated sigh and rubbed his temples as he sat down.
"Damn bloody, vampires!"
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At Olympus, the gods and goddesses gathered themselves together once more since Persephone's party, which occurred only three days ago. Apollo was busy being congratulated by the male gods and his stroke of luck that he was going to marry one of the most beautiful goddesses since the birth of Aphrodite. Sadly, though, that was the only thing Apollo really knew about Persephone. Sure they talked that night but that was the last time he saw her. Walking past their conversation, Artemis overheard the comments made about her dear friend. She was fuming by the time she had reached Aphrodite.
Artemis was wearing her usual hunting gear and uniform while Aphrodite was also wearing a long dress that was cut on one side that seemed to crawl up her leg with long sleeves that fell to her shoulders; but her face was unusually sad today.
"I cannot believe my idiot of a brother! He does not even know Persephone! He is an arrogant fool that will probably leave her rotting in the coldest part of the Earth once someone new comes," Artemis puffed with her arms and legs crossed, emanating anger.
"Yes, it is probably true…" Aphrodite sighed staring at her wine glass that looked like it hadn't been touched. Artemis softened when she saw Aphrodite acting this way.
"I know I don't do this often, but, what is the matter?" Artemis stared inventively. A sigh came from Aphrodite again when she looked at Artemis. "I cannot see love coming from his heart, just blatant lust; which you know I am usually for. But, I do not believe that Persephone would be happy with him. I remember that night at the gala when she started talking to everyone. Her mindset was clear, but her heart was somewhere else…" she finished.
Artemis nearly had a heart-attack once Aphrodite finished. "Where did that come from?!" she questioned. Aphrodite just shrugged, "I can be deep and emotional when I want to be. Just because I'm blonde does not mean I am ignorant." Artemis rolled her eyes. That's when a loud crash entered the room with the doors nearly broken off. At the source of it with everyone to see was Demeter with her eyes drowning in tears with her hair wild. Zeus sat on his throne and waited for the war.
"HADES HAS STOLEN MY CHILD! HE HAS TAKEN PERSEPHONE TO THE UNDERWORLD!" she screamed. Everyone stood perfectly still, not even breathing. Thunder started to roll in with its partner, lightening, with the raindrops ready to pour. They deities started murmuring to one another as Demeter dragged herself to the throne and fell to her knees.
"Did you know about this?" she asked choking in her sobs as raindrops fell from her eyes. All eyes fell on Zeus as he started chuckling.
"Of course I did," he replied with an obvious tone to his voice. "In fact, I gave Hades my blessing when he asked me," he grinned. That's when Apollo walked over, fuming.
"But she was to be my wife! You knew that!" He exclaimed angrily. "She belongs to me now!" he complained like a child who had his toy taken away. Artemis watched his face and chuckled when he saw him for the first time not get his way.
"I am her father! I decide who her groom should be!" Zeus shouted as he stood up.
"You never wanted anything to do with her! I have more of a right over her than you do! I AM HER MOTHER!" Demeter yelled back.
"And I am my own person!" interrupted a new voice. Everyone turned to face the entrance pillars to find a dark beauty. Persephone stood there with her head held high and direct posture of a queen. Her sun-lit body was drained of all brightness. Her skin was white and her curly red hair was even longer and darker, a blood-red shade with matching lips. Her black dress graced around her like fog with her dress straps falling off her shoulders. Her left hand had a dead, black vine with thorns intertwining between her fingers reaching up to her elbow. On her right wrist was the same silver bracelet that had a timeline style drawn in ink. A small black band encrusted with silver crowned her head. The one thing that stayed the same was her green-brown eyes.
As she walked closer to her mother, all eyes fell upon her with intrigue and confusion as to what had happen. Each step she took was precise and strong with her face revealing a small, triumphant smile. Once Persephone stood before her mother, Demeter quickly got up from her knees placing her hands over her mouth in sadness.
"What has that monster done to you?" Demeter whispered removing her hands from her mouth.
"Mother, do not call my husband a 'monster'," she responded calmly.
"Your husband?! You call that thing your husband?!" Demeter shouted as she grabbed her daughter's arms, but Persephone remained unchanged. "Stop this nonsense and come back home! This creature is nothing but pure evil!" she growled. But still Persephone still did not sway from her posture as her face remained strong and defiant. Gently, Persephone removed Demeter's hands off of her, while taking a step back.
"Mother, there are many things I can tolerate, but you insulting my husband are not one of them." She then held out her hand as fog surrounded it and once it cleared, a pomegranate appeared as she held it out towards Demeter. "This is the fruit of the Underworld," Persephone began, "and now," she turned the fruit to reveal a bite mark, "I am a part of it," she gave a sly grin.
"So anything you say about my husband, is also saying something about me. I am Queen, and I am not afraid to use any of my powers to stop you from taking me away from him; no matter what you or Zeus say," and like that she dropped the fruit in front of her mother and walked back towards the entrance pillars. "Also, Zeus," Persephone said not looking back, "Turns out I can leave the Underworld whenever I please." With her ghostly air, she vanished from sight, leaving everyone in shock.
Artemis still sat in surprise as the deities gathered around the dumbfounded Zeus and the weeping Demeter while Apollo threw hissy fits. "She is in love…" Aphrodite said breaking Artemis' trance. She looked at Aphrodite to see a grin grow on her face. "Really? Could have fooled me," she said sarcastically.
"All in a day's work for the goddess of love, after all. Now I can finally finish my wine," Aphrodite giggled nonchalantly.
"To think I was starting to believe that you did have some aptitude to you…" Artemis spoke as she placed her forefinger and them at the bridge of her nose.
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Sincerely~ Insanity
