Chapter 12. Even in Death

"They took you away from me but now I'm taking you home. I will stay forever here with you, my love. The softly spoken words you gave me, even in death our love goes on".
-Evanescence, "Even in Death"

A year had passed but it felt like eternity for both of them. The timing couldn't be more perfect. The mortals had stopped praying to the gods, even going as far as to declare war against them. Zeus had given Hades full permission to do as he would…at long last…

But time had changed him. He was colder, crueler, the hate in his heart burned like a never ending fire. Nothing could douse it, not until he had his beloved princess again. She was his, always had been and always would be. Hades kept the music box with her song everywhere. It gave him hope, something very hard to find now…

Persephone's life felt empty. The hole hadn't been filled, nothing could. Cepheus and Cassiopeia tried to find a proper suitor for her, but no man, knowing what had happened to her, would take the younger princess, fearing she'd bring rotten luck to their homes and families. So at such a tender age of twenty years, she saw her life passing her by. Andromeda had, of course, many suitors, but she found none of them suitable. In her mind, Persephone knew Andromeda was waiting for her to find her happiness before she could have hers. She cared for her that much.

But now, even as countless men died, her parents and their court celebrated. Supposedly it was for their liberation from the gods, but Persephone found it disgusting and heretic. She still followed the gods, albeit loosely. She still prayed, but sometimes she wondered if they heard her. She hoped Hades did, but then she hadn't been to her altar in a year.

Her family was joyous in their celebration, wearing bright and warm colors. But she dressed in a gown of dark red silk. Her dark black hair was let loose and cascaded down her back. She looked lovely, almost statuesque, even up to her ice blue eyes. For the most part, she stayed out of the ways of the celebratory crowd. This was wrong, and she knew it. Andromeda however, voiced that opinion, only to have their mother more or less strike it down, even going as far as to insult Aphrodite, something Persephone knew was a mistake. Cepheus tried to quiet Cassiopeia, but it was too late.

Darkness fell upon the palace and there was a distinct chill in the air. Fear spread as a fog like shadow formed and there was a small light in Persephone's eyes. She felt his presence like a fire in her blood. When the shadows formed into him, it was like she could breathe for the first time in a year. Her breath came out in a small gasp as she rose and joined her sister in the crowd. Hades didn't look at all pleased. He looked at Cassiopeia darkly.

"You are specks of dust beneath our fingernails. You're very breath is a gift from Olympus. You have insulted powers beyond your comprehension" he told her.
"Who are you?" Cassiopeia demanded.

Persephone rolled her eyes in annoyance. Was her mother really that stupid? Then again, she'd never seen Hades, very few mortals had. She struggled to contain the urge to say his name. Right now, she knew, wouldn't be a good time for a peaceful reunion.

"I am Hades".

Gasps resounded around the room, terrified. But Persephone wasn't anywhere near afraid. Andromeda grabbed her shoulders and bent down to whisper in her ear.

"Reason with him, mother didn't mean it".
"I can't…he doesn't look like he's in a reasonable mood" Persephone looked on with her sister, curious to see what he would do.

"Kneel…" he commanded and the two royals were forced to their knees, "What do you know of beauty? What is more beautiful than death?"
Persephone found her voice at last. "Love".

All eyes turned on the younger princess, whom everyone knew was familiar with this god. Hades himself even turned at the sound of her voice. He looked surprised and then curious.

"Enlighten me, little mortal".
"We die, yes, but real love is forever".
"And what would you know of love?"
"I may be young, but my heart has been broken long enough to know. Love is beautiful, and very much so. It never disappears unlike us. It just…changes. It's like a rose I think".
"Roses die".
"Yes but they always return…just as you have".

Hades turned his attention away from the mortal royals and looked at the younger princess. She looked darker than the others, like she'd been miserable for all this time. Had she been just as alone as he was? Surely they would've found her a suitor by now. But as he moved closer and everyone stepped back, he knew no one would take her. Her blue eyes met the crimson of his.

"You have come back for me?"
"In part" his gaze shifted to Andromeda, "In ten days, when the sun is eclipsed, I will unleash the kraken. Argos will be swept from the earth and all of you with it. Unless you sacrifice the princess you so foolishly compare to the gods. Only her blood will sate the kraken and Zeus, who you have so offended".
"NO!" Persephone yelled, "Not her! Please no!"
"Silence, little one. I know of your fate as well-"
"No one decides it but me! And I wish to be given to the Kraken as a replacement!"

Andromeda took her sister's hand. "Persephone, no. I won't let you".
"Andromeda, they need you. Who am I compared to you?" she looked at Hades, "I'll do anything, but please, spare my sister, my city, everyone. I'll go before Zeus myself and beg his pardon on behalf of all of Argos. Just please…please don't harm my sister. I know you, Hades…and I know this isn't you…Take me instead, and I promise I won't leave. I swear it".

The underworld god looked thoughtful for a moment. He wanted Persephone for himself now for sure, knowing that these mortals didn't care at all for her. He struggled to refrain from vanquishing them all and taking her back to the underworld with him. Looking at her, he saw and felt her determination and courage.

"I am resolved, young one. However, you and I have unfinished business to tend to. I shall gladly take you on your offer to return with me…but your sister must pay the price".
"Then I won't go. You want me, spare her and my city".

Hades was caught slightly off guard. The girl drove a hard bargain. He needed to make it seem like he was loyal to Zeus, but also wanted to take Persephone back. So the decision was a hard one: Ruin his plans and once again receive, possibly, the love of his princess or go through with his plan and pretty much get nothing from her. Wait…maybe there was a way he could get both…He just needed to plan a little more carefully. In this case he needed to figure out which of the two he wanted more: love or vengeance? Like said, hopefully there was a way he could get both…

"You say that love is more beautiful than death. All I have ever seen it do is destroy. If my dear you can prove this point to me in ten days, I will call off the Kraken and your sister, family, city shall all be spared. However if you fail, then you are to stay in the underworld with me forever and everything you love will be destroyed. Do we have a bargain?"
"Persephone" Andromeda took her sister's hand, "You don't have to do this. Please…"
The younger princess turned and embraced her sister. "Yes I do have to. And you have to trust me, Andromeda. I will save us all. I promise" she released her and looked at Hades, "Yes, we have a bargain".
Hades took her hand, smirking just slightly. "In ten days time, you will be mine, Persephone, as you are destined to be".
"Let's go" she said simply.
"Very well. This girl shall ultimately decide your fate, whatever it shall be".

Pulling her close, Hades and Persephone disappeared into the shadows, and into the underworld. Her fate was sealed….