Before the immortals, who would be known as gods by many names, there were the Titans. The Titans were enormous beings of sheer power and light who crafted the universe. Yet the Titans were burdened with one weakness: decay. Just as a star drops from the sky, they were destined to extinguish in a burst of flame when their time was over. Despite all their powers there was nothing they could do to stop the inevitable whose approach grew sooner with each passing day. However, the universe that they created did not share their same fate. Thus, the Titans created a new race of beings whom they called the immortals. Though they lacked the might of their predecessors, the immortals would live forever and govern the universe as their forefathers had intended. And when the Titan's time grew near and the immortals had fully grown, each was blessed with a facet of the Titan's power, ensuring that the universe would always be well cared for and the Titan's greatest creation would go on to defeat the approach of the inevitable.

"It's alright to be nervous." Persephone smiled gently at Hades. "I know I was."

"I have nothing to be nervous about." Hades pushed his hand through his dark brown curls. "The Titans know how strong I am, I bet I'll get control over the water or air!"

"Maybe. You're one of the last ones and I heard Aphrodite say that they saved the most powerful ones for the end."

Persephone tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice. She had been one of the first ones summoned to receive their bestowment.

"Only Zeus, Poseidon and I are left. Since all the other powers have already been taken, I'm sure that each of us will get something good!"

The metal gates in front of them slowly swung open with a shrill creak, signaling that the Titans were ready for Hade's bestowment.

"Good luck." Persephone leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss Hade's cheek. "I'll be waiting out here for you."

"Thanks Seph." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I'll make a riptide for you when I come back."

He walked confidently through the metal gates and up the stone steps to the sprawling estate where the Titans were waiting for him. Persephone watched him until he passed through the marble doorway and into the building. Simultaneously, the metal gates in front of her closed. A small vine had materialized and curled around Persephone's index finger without her realizing. Embarrassed, she brushed it off. She was still getting the hang of her new powers and they often flared up when her emotions ran high. Hade's entrance into the Titan's presence reminded Persephone of her own bestowment which had happened nearly a month before.

She had entered into the estate and was immediately plunged into near darkness illuminated only by fireflies bobbing through the air. Her eyes narrowed to make out the shapes of the Titans who stood in a circle in the center of the room. Each wore a heavy veil and cloak which obscured their identities. Though their faces were a mystery, Persephone recognized Themis's voice inviting her to step into the center of the circle. She obliged out of reverence and outright fear. The shortest among them was seven feet tall! She was a mere dwarf among giants.

"Dearest Persephone," a voice that sounded like Cronus began, "time has come fast upon us and we are waning. But you, glorious one, will never die. To each immortal we bestow a gift so that our power continues long after we have gone. Each individual's inheritance is unique, determined by their personality and talents. To you, sweet Persephone, we bequeath the control of inedible vegetation."

"I, Rhea, am honored to bequeath to you some of my power over the earth. I know that you will protect and nurture it well." The veiled figure to the right of the first speaker said warmly.

Rhea raised her hands so that her palms faced Persephone. The others in the circle did the same. Bright light began to engulf Persephone and she shut her eyes against the harshness. Her body felt warm and charged with energy. Suddenly her sense came alive and all at once she could smell the dark scents of the earth teeming with the intoxicating aroma of spring blossoms and the sharp piercing sensation of pine needles pressed against her skin and the sight of lush verdant hills rolling with green grass and colorful wildflowers. She was filled with determination and raw, unbridled power. She felt a swelling inside her spirit which grew more and more intense until she felt as though she would burst. Finally, the light began to fade and as it dimmed she noticed that her legs were wobbly and her arms tingly. The fireflies drifted over to her and landed on her exposed skin. Each one felt like a raindrop. More and more landed on her until her body shimmered. With each glittering addition her muscles relaxed and solidified. After the last firefly landed they all flew away in a burst, returning to bobbing around the room as they had before. It had been magical and strange, an experience that Persephone would never forget in the entire duration of her eternal lifetime.

Hera was the first to be called to the bestowment. Naturally, she assumed that being first meant she would be awarded one of the most powerful gifts. She had excelled in early training in logics and quick thinking, although athletics had not been her strong suit like Artemis or Athena. She bravely walked through the metal gates leading to the estate where the Titans had summoned her. She had chosen to keep her early bestowment a secret. Hera wanted to reveal her new powers on her own time. She imagined basking in the attention she would receive as she showed off her new powers to the other immortals as they watched in amazement and jealousy.

When Hera entered their sanctuary, she saw that the Titans stood in a circle in a dark room. Enormous crystals glittered in the ceiling above them which cast speckles of rich amber light across the dark veils and cloaks that hid them. Hera stepped into the center without a word. The glints of light caught her tawny colored hair and accentuated its shine. She smiled at her audience. Anticipation frothed just beneath her calm demeanor.

"Dearest Hera," a figure who sounded like Cronus began, "you were selected for the first bestowment because we have a special destiny for you. The other immortals will receive control over an element of nature, yet you cannot be given the same gift. It is in your best interest that your bestowment is not a power, but a prophecy. Time dissolves before my eyes and I can see that time will reveal you to be a powerful wife. You will be worshipped by the mortals as the goddess of queens. That is your destiny. Wear it well."

Hera's anticipation gave way to panic as Cronus finished his speech. She couldn't believe that they would be so cruel! Although the Titans loomed over her she would not leave the bestowment empty handed.

"Are you saying that I won't be given any powers like the other immortals?" She demanded.

"You are not fit to wield such power." Tethys answered. "We understand that this is not what you were expecting and we had a difficult time making this decision. However, we consider each immortal's personality and talents before we bestow their gift and you simply lack too much to be given powers."

"I did exceptionally well in training, there must be some mistake!" Hera argued.

"There is nothing more you can do, Hera," Hyperion said. "We have seen enough to make this judgment."

Tears of anger threatened to spill over her eyelashes but she held them back.

"Do I have to tell the other immortals that I don't have powers?" She asked.

"No." Tethys said. "It can be your secret. We will not tell any of the other immortals. But please, do not think of yourself as powerless. You are still an immortal, after all. There is strength in you."

Hera couldn't bear to stay in their presence any longer.

"Thank you for the prophecy," she said politely, her voice dripping with sweetness,"and I hope you all are able to enjoy the final days you have left. It must be a truly awful thing to live every day knowing that each one brings you closer to death. It must be horrible, even worse than arriving at a bestowment and leaving exactly the same. But at least I have all of eternity to get over it."

She heard audible gasps from their lips but before they could say anything she escorted herself out.

Hera's legs trembled so badly that she could hardly walk as she dragged herself through the metal gates and sat at the bench outside of the estate. She was in shock. How dare the Titans give their power to every one of the other immortals except for her?! She knew that she could never tell any of the others about what had happened. She hung her head in her hands and wondered what she would do. Cronus foretold that she would be a powerful wife and worshipped as the goddess of queens. Perhaps she would be able to acquire power despite not being given any by the Titans. Hera pursed her lips and tried to imagine what this would entail. She would need to be cunning, charming, driven and manipulative. For the first time since the beginning of the bestowment, Hera smiled. Perhaps becoming the most powerful immortal would not be such a challenge after all.

Persephone sat expectantly on the bench outside the metal gates. She recalled how exhausted she had been after her own bestowment: she had collapsed on the same bench, too tired to notice the trail of wildflowers that had bloomed behind her in her wake. She was so drained that she could barely blink and it had taken several minutes before she had the strength to speak. She saw the outline of Hades stumbling down the stone steps towards her. She rushed through the gates to steady him. Together, they trekked down the path and through the metal gates where she sat him down on the bench. His eyes were stormy and unfocused. Persephone held his hand gently, cradling it in her own. After a while, she dared to coax him to share about his experience.

"When you went in were there fireflies?" Persephone asked.

"No, I only saw bats. Hundreds of them flying above me, but after it was over they landed on me. Their wings felt soft and helped me to regain my strength."

"What was the ceremony like?"

Hades closed his eyes as if he was wincing from an injury.

"Do you know what the Underworld is?"

"Where is that?"

"It's where the humans will go eventually, and the Titans too." He encased her hand in both of his. His eyes showed devastation. "Seph, I didn't get control over oceans or skies or hurricanes. The Titans granted me rule over the Underworld."

"So your power is leadership?"

"No. My power is control over death."

Persephone's heart sank in her chest and her blood pumped ice cold.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of this fanfic! As you can see, this fic is loosely inspired by Greek mythology, but it does not exactly follow the traditional stories. Please let me know what you think about the story or my writing, I am always looking to improve! Again, thanks for reading and I hope that you have a fantastic week! Much love, Guardian