Down Once More
I have a lot of emotions about this chapter. This was the very first scene I had written when I began this journey, and admittedly it was when I saw this project as a parody. Maybe I'll post it as a one-shot since it is entirely rewritten here bc that scene was really comical compared to the way this went.
Yes, I admit it, this began as a parody. Whoops… You can tell in the first two to three chapters by the amount of sarcasm I had. Come to my shock and surprise that it was actually well-received, more than I had ever got, so I immediately threw it into high gear and structured what little I had thrown together and made it into a plot chapter 3 onwards.
Why make a parody you say? Well…
I once read a bad fic on this fandom and I may have been a little ticked off and set me on a rampage. I mean I had read the likes of Agent of Teal, Melora Maxwell, and VanillaSiren, wonderful, amazing fics that raised my standards high! BTW Agent of Teal has a new reboot which you should all check out! All of these fics inspired me to try and be a better writer.
But when I searched for another HxP fic on this site it just left a bitter taste in my mouth, and thus Now Hiring was born. It doesn't even have a clever title, I just thought it would be hilarious. I pegged the idea to my sister but she went with it hoping it would end this phase, yeah it didn't lol. I had just graduated HS, and that summer I decided to stop writing the stupidly long series I was planning and do this instead. So I decided to try the formula that others have tried that got them many faves. This was in the time when I was still writing in the Disney fandom where I had written a 233k + fanfic which I put my heart and soul into and it only got 6 faves, two of which were from my dear friends in the real world. I can look back at it now and say, yes, my writing was very, very cringeworthy as I was still learning the basics of grammar and well, how to write.
That my dear readers is the story of now hiring, and why I had to stick with the theme of Persy looking for a job. God, it feels so good off my chest. Sorry for this being really long, those gaps between updates is me just trying to recover and then I just add more plot that I should have, but whatevs. Maybe I'll go back and edit.
Don't expect a sequel, trust me it will end in a way where there won't be more. One possibility of continuation of this universe will go to H'ckaHighwater after she asked for a collaboration with someone with their Hades x Persephone.
Side note how do y'all feel about a 1930's AU? Haha, let me know your opinion in the reviews. I'll finish this first tho.
Disclaimer: Chapter 1
"He met a pilgrim shadow—
'Shadow,' said he,
'Where can it be—
This land of Eldorado?'
'Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,'
The shade replied,—
'If you seek for Eldorado!' "
- El Dorado, by Edgar Allan Poe
The Maiden:
Pass me by! Oh, pass me by!
Go, fierce man of bones!
I am still young! Go, rather,
And do not touch me.
And do not touch me.
Death:
Give me your hand, you beautiful and tender form!
I am a friend, and come not to punish.
Be of good cheer! I am not fierce,
Softly shall you sleep in my arms!
-Translation of Matthias Claudius, Der Tod und das Mädchen, (Death and the Maiden)
Franz Schubert: Op.7 No.3, D. 531
A strange chill greeted Demeter the moment she opened the door of her cottage. A chill the likes of which set her instincts on overdrive, but she knew not why. Her plump lime fingers gripped the edge of the doorframe, pausing as she took in the strong gust of wind that rustled through the forest and into her face.
Taking a long sniff, the goddess of agriculture found the soothing scent of rain being carried along by the gust. With her gaze now resting on the graying dawn; there was no doubt in her mind that there would be a strong storm today.
At least the harvest would be finishing up farther East from here, Demeter reminded herself. If only her daughter wanted to go with her.
Demeter looked back into her cottage, her eyes searching for a trace of Kore, but her daughter was long gone. She barely got more than a word out of Kore this morning as she grabbed a bowl of ambrosia and had slunk back to her room; though she could have sworn she heard the window opening and closing soon after.
What was even going on with her these past few days?
Demeter could never tell if she was on the verge of an emotional relapse or simply trying to work through some things. It was true the last week had been a turbulent one, watching her daughter try her hand at ruling the dead, try to boost her falling numbers in likability, and the sudden deadline for marriage or a life of chastity like Artemis and Athena had done before her.
The latter seemed more likely with it being the last sunset tonight, and no amount of suggestions had worn her down. No, grandkids for me, Demeter mused with a slight sting of sorrow in her heart.
But something other than the prospect of never being a grandmother teased at the back of her head. Persephone was incredibly stressed, and she knew first hand how well stress mixed with her daughter. All her life, she'd been a natural worrywart, constantly stressing over things out of her control, and it didn't help that she was incredibly impulsive when such situations occurred.
Like mother, like daughter.
Demeter sighed.
How she longed for her daughter to talk to her, to tell her what was bothering her so she could help. It hurt not being able to be there and take off the emotional burdens- she was her mother for crying out loud! No mother enjoyed the sight of watching their child suffer, but what could she do to coax her out of her walls?
Demeter's own nature prevented her from confronting her about it though. Their relationship was built upon that trust of being able to communicate with each other openly, but as events had unfolded it proved that they had kept many secrets behind the other's back.
Secrets Kore chose not to divulge.
Demeter shook off the dark thoughts and allowed the door to close behind her. The harvest couldn't finish without her anyway, and though she wished Kore would continue to be her little girl of old, she knew that age was over and done with.
What stage would she walk next?
"Mother, can I ask your opinion?" Persephone emerged from the woods, her arms loaded down with flowers and vines and branches of every sort. Flowers ranging from white to the deepest red or those majestic hues of mauve; all shades could be found in the shrub that Persephone lugged about.
Demeter bit back an amused smile at the sight. "Oh? Of what sort?"
"Wedding flowers for bouquets?" Persephone spat out one leaf that had caught itself in her mouth. "I mentioned I got invited to one, remember?"
Demeter slowly nodded. She didn't think Kore was serious about that. The last and only time she had taken her to a wedding was that of Thetis and Peleus. That was a disaster in itself when Eris showed up and turned the reception on its head when the three most influential goddesses stood up and had a hissing contest for bragging rights. Kore had a blast, giggling at the absurdity of it all, and Demeter never took her to one again in fear that it would turn her daughter off to the idea of it all. Now the irony slapped her hard in the face. "As long as it's not your own, I told you, you could go," Demeter spoke with a tight smile. "Though it might get canceled with the rain coming."
Both Demeter and Persephone eyed the sky with a slight grimace, but each for different reasons.
"It would be rude not to go after I promised," Persephone swiftly replied.
"I suppose so," Demeter muttered absentmindedly as she took stock of the flowers. Never had she regretted teaching her daughter manners then this moment.
"Well, myrtle branches are a must," Demeter gestured to the dark sapphire berries that hung abundantly onto the thin branches with their rich green leaves. "Poppies have no place in a bouquet, maybe the crowns for the couple, or, for you," she raised a single flower to tuck into her daughter's hair, but she thought better of it.
"No, lilies, wear lilies in your hair," Demeter took all of the blooms and with a flick of her wrist the stems began to weave together as one, forming a perfect circlet. "With you choosing the virgin path and all…" she muttered wistfully.
"Mother, I appreciate it but-"
Demeter had already beat her to the punch and nestled it onto her head. "Sweetheart, you have an image to present- the Sicilians love us. We're the only gods who live here, after all," Demeter smiled, as she admired her daughter. "So pretty… You are going to change, right?"
Persephone felt a small snort rise inside of her. What better way to remember her last moment with her mother then by being pestered by her. "Don't worry, I'll change. "
Demeter nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Always remember how you present yourself is a person's first impression of you. Even mortals judge the appearance of gods. It's why those pirates never took Bacchus seriously. They learned their lesson, but fear is not the way to gain the mortal's respect."
Persephone made a mental note about that. She was going to a strange land and if these people were in need of gods she couldn't be dressed like this and continue wearing the short peplos maidens typically wore. What she needed was to present herself as an experienced deity not the maiden everyone saw her as. It was a whole new beginning, and a new look was certainly in order.
"Now, parsley flowers should be used as an accent to the roses you acquired," Demeter grabbed the pale pink roses and matched them with the tiny white parsley flowers.
"Uh-huh," Persephone watched as her mother fashioned the bouquet. How she weaved the roses with a branch of myrtle with her expert hands and bound them together with a white strip of cloth. She didn't know why she decided last second to ask for her mother's help. Persephone knew how to do all of this and was quite an expert at it, but perhaps it was for another reason.
I'm going to miss her, Persephone thought with some dread.
"Mother?" She suddenly heard herself say.
"Yes, sweetheart?" Demeter flashed her a look of concern full of her motherly love.
I'm leaving, was what she wanted to say, but she bit her tongue at the last second. Demeter would stop her endeavor if she knew.
It was better to ask forgiveness than permission.
"What if you put some violets interspersed with the roses?"
Demeter beamed at her. "Oh sweetheart, what an excellent idea." The agriculture goddess took the offered violets and weaved them in between the roses giving it an almost checkerboard look.
"There, the bridal bouquet is finished. Now for the bridegroom-"
"I have an idea for the pattern," Persephone interrupted her. "I just needed some guidance."
"Of course, sweetheart. I should be going anyway," Demeter handed the bouquet to her daughter and kissed her forehead. "Enjoy your-"
Demeter could not muster another word as her daughter embraced her.
"I love you, mother," Persephone whispered into her ear. "And I'm sorry," she said even quieter.
"For what, dear?" Demeter broke off the embrace to look at her daughter in confusion.
Persephone shook her head. "I- just for everything," she lamely explained.
"Well, I'm sorry too," Demeter said with a sorrowful smile, cupping her daughter's chin in her hand. "I'm sorry how this week turned out. Sorry, how you won't ever have such a loving daughter like I did or a family, but you'll always have me. Till the end of time."
"Till the end," Persephone repeated as she removed her mother's hand from her chin and held it tight in her own hold. This was their last meeting for who knows how many days- months- years? Soon, she promised.
Demeter gave her daughter a wink. "See you tonight, dear."
"No promises," Persephone weakly smiled, but the pressuring feel of guilt weighed her spirit down.
And with a flick of Demeter's wrist a ginormous flower arose from the ground and swallowed her whole.
"No promises…"
Persephone found herself gazing at her reflection in the tiny mirror she kept in her room. She never was the vain one, but she needed it at the moment as she tried to arrange her hair up. Usually she let her locks loose and free, but with her long hair coupled with its bright blonde shade she would be easily spotted and it could be a hassle when she ran to Italia.
Twisting her hair into knots and even some locks into simple braids, she formed a chignon that lifted her hair above the nape of her neck. Persephone gave her hair another look, but her attention rested on her pink skin.
Yes, it had paled like dried rose petals, but any eagle-eyed sun god could spot her as she ran. The storms brewing could shield her form, but she couldn't risk that chance if the sun peaked out.
Persephone began to rummage through her closet and was almost surprised when she pulled out the black veil she had worn when she was searching for Hades in Thebes.
No one even recognized her as a god in that veil- perhaps.
Draping the veil over her head, Persephone folded back the veil so her eyes could see without any trouble. The black cloth was long and encapsulating, covering her shoulders and hung past her arms when they laid by her sides. The color was the only thing that made her reconsider, but an idea struck her. With a flick of her wrist, the veil became white, erasing any indication that it was ever an inky color, and it matched with the new white peplos she had conjured for herself.
Before she called it a day, Persephone considered the crown of lilies that lied in front of her. She couldn't not wear it. It was her mother's last gift to her; even if she didn't know that.
A sigh escaped Persephone's mouth as she removed some of the lilies from the circlet. With half the lilies removed, she removed the veil again and placed the circlet on her head and recovered her head. The few lilies she kept were now peeking underneath the veil, and the rest were lying on her desk in disarray.
"There," she heard herself mutter. "Now, I won't feel so bad."
Persephone attempted a smile, but the smile that greeted her was more like a grimace. Something didn't feel right. All her instincts were telling her to stay- to not run away, but her heart yearned for the hope that the grass would be greener on the other side. That Italia would be what Elysium was to mortals- a splendid paradise that promised a happy ending- not that decaying land of purgatory or fiery hell.
Yet that nagging feeling refused to go away, that feeling that kept telling her- kept telling her-
It felt childish to run away.
The small realization made Persephone bury her head into her hands, the helplessness making her loose any and all of her resolve, but she held back any tears, for she had no more to give. "What other option do I have?"
She had nowhere else to go. No arms to run to, no opportunity left in Greece, nothing was left for her here- at least not anymore. Yes she knew her reasons for leaving, but she also had a list of reasons not to leave.
Athena, Hades- her two biggest concerns in terms of the welfare of Greece, and her mother. Her sweet mother who lived all by herself on a lonely island far from where other gods resided.
But she couldn't stay, even if there was a good enough reason to do so, she couldn't tarnish her pride any longer. She was a renowned screw-up in this land, no amount of good deeds, miracles, or gifts could fix her reputation with mortals or gods.
Marriage may have been her last resort, but what kind of goddess would she be if it took a husband to make her somebody? To be like Hera? Never.
And it's not like anyone would have me anyway, Persephone disdainfully reminded herself. Athena had proved that much to her.
She had to do this… or at least try.
If the Fates decreed her life a miserable one, then so be it, but she would fight with tooth and claw to at least give it one last shot. After all being in Italia might help her chances of happiness. The Fates weren't there, they were Greek, through and through, which would make her the first Greek goddess to reside there. That notion meant one very important thing to her.
She'd be completely and utterly alone, and being alone meant nobody could hurt her anymore. No more Athena and certainly no more Hades.
She'd be alone for good.
Persephone peered out her window, inspecting the sky and the thick heavy clouds that were spread out, but small holes of sky were becoming uncovered. A couple of hours had flown by since her mother had gone to finish the Harvest, and it would seem the storm had changed its mind since then.
No more dilly-dallying then, Persephone rose to her feet and collected her sparse collection of things into a straw basket, then she covered them with the bouquet and other essentials for Ascalaphus' uncle and his bride.
It was time.
Daphne held onto Persephone for as long as she could. Standing on her tiptoes, the nymph had to stretch herself as tall as possible to wrap her arms around the goddess even as she bended down to return the embrace.
"Be safe out there," Daphne felt her friend release her. Sinking back to the ground, the nymph couldn't help but take note of the apprehension that was gripping the goddess across all her features from her rigid form to her constantly shifting eyes. "Just follow Anapos' river, and it'll guide you northward."
Persephone nodded once, but her gaze was not on her. Her violet eyes were trained on the woods around them, searching for something- anything out of place. "Thanks, Daph, just make sure all the nymphs aren't anywhere near our usual spot. I don't want this place getting hit by a surprise on the day I leave."
Daphne offered her friend a hopeful smile. "Korey, you told me this yesterday. Just relax and go already, you're stressing me out just looking at you."
"I know, I know, I'm sorry," Persephone put a hand over her face in an attempt to calm herself down.
Daphne internally sighed. She had never in her life seen her friend so stressed. Usually Kore was the brave, impulsive one in their duo. Seeing her like this it was incredibly odd having to be the one with backbone this time around. "Don't apologize for doing nothing wrong. If you want I can walk with you up until the river."
"No, I think it's just better if you stay with the nymphs," Persephone felt her resolve begin to flow back as she reminded herself why she set up all these precautions. "And keep a sharp eye out for Hades- no one else knows about him, so you're going to have to-"
"Korey," Daphne interrupted her, shooting her a stern glare. "Go. I already told Cyane to expect you as you go into her territory. See her job is to make sure you don't back out," the nymph said with a smug grin.
"You told Cyane?" A look of betrayal flashed upon Persephone's face. "All she does is babble nonsense ever since she began dating Anapos."
"So it'll give you a better reason to leave faster. Check and mate."
Persephone released a surprised snort of laughter. "And I thought I was the worst," she exclaimed with some cheer, but one could still hear her fear.
"You are- now go change my mind!" Daphne teasingly pushed Persephone forward.
Persephone's eyes were the only thing that smiled back at her as the goddess waved a final good-bye and descended further into the thick woods.
Daphne did not linger there and made her way to the location Persephone had instructed her to move the nymphs for the day. The spot was unusually far from a neighboring body of water- whether pond or stream, but only because it would be an obvious choice for Hades to seek them if he did.
Here, there were brambles and other such dwellings where small creatures lurked. Many of which the nymphs were trying to find in their little burrows as they tried to coax them out with berries or seeds.
Situating herself on a low tree branch, Daphne's watchful eyes were trained on the gathered crowd of nymphs. Many of them were giggling at the way the critters jumped to get a small morsel of food. She was too enraptured by the sight to even notice the pink obese god that flew over them.
The snap of a branch made her jump into action as she turned around to find the last god she expected to see out here.
She wasn't the only one who noticed the god's presence, though, as many, if not all the nymphs began to cry in delight at the sight of the unlikely visitor.
"Excuse me ladies," Apollo cleared his throat trying to swallow the lust that was building as he took sight of the gorgeous nymphs that were ogling him. The pretty nymphs all in different shades of green and blue shot him flirty smiles or little winks hoping to grab his attention. "But have any of you seen Kore?"
Daphne felt her heart skip a beat.
Spurring herself into action, the small naiad beat her fellow nymphs before they could reach the sun god. Keeping her arms out so her companions couldn't tackle the god, she gave Apollo a venomous stare.
"No, she's not here as you can see," Daphne gestured to the nymphs she was holding back. Using a trick she had learned from her friend, Daphne shot a warning glare at the nymphs making them back off. She almost regretted it as she did so, feeling suddenly all alone with the sun god.
Apollo snorted at the audacity of the little blue naiad. "Is that so?"
"Mhm," Daphne bobbed her head. His dark eggplant colored eyes were making her steadily uncomfortable, but that feeling began to amplify tenfold as she felt something pierce her chest. Feelings of hate and revulsion rocked inside of her, she needed him to leave immediately. "Kore's not here," she attempted to remind him.
Apollo felt something akin to that same pierce as an arrow sunk through his armor; all the way into his heart. Yet unlike Daphne, the sun god felt his former restrained thoughts come rushing back into him like a tidal wave breaking upon the sea. "Well, I don't care much for, Kore, my dear, how 'bout you?"
Daphne couldn't contain the scream as he reached out to grab her wrist.
"Let go!" She cried and as she pulled trying to regain ownership of her arm, her wrist slid out of his vice-like grip.
Apollo blinked in surprise and looked down at his hand. It was covered in some sticky substance, and the only explanation was the naiad that stood before him. "Slimey little thing aren't you?" Apollo coyly grinned as he began to advance on her.
Daphne held her hand close to her chest as she tried to back away ever so slowly. Never had she been more thankful for her aquatic attributes- especially her frog-like skin that made her incredibly slick. "It's not slime…" she heard herself whisper as she peered behind her, hoping for one of her friends to help her, but not one of them remained there.
Daphne gulped as she realized what she had to do.
"It's mucus!" Daphne bolted straight for Apollo, but sidestepped him at the last second as she ran.
She needed a river- a pond- water! Anything to jump in and escape the god chasing after her- swim to the sea if she had to. He couldn't follow her there!
But this posed a problem.
The closest body of water she could think of was Anapos, but that was risky. Persephone would be walking along it, what if Apollo saw her?
Daphne's thoughts vanished as she felt Apollo's hand attempt another grab at her back. A girlish scream tore itself out of her throat, and she didn't even care that she was left even more breathless.
Her lungs hurt and her feet that were built for swimming began to cramp; almost causing her to stumble, but she pushed herself forward. Mentally she knew she couldn't keep this up forever- she wasn't a god!
In that moment, Daphne's feet decided for her as she immediately changed course. Right in the direction she had sent Persephone on.
"Kore! Help me!"
Persephone trudged along the banks of the river, Anapos. One of the many river gods that resided on the island of Sicily. She had tried to make conversation with him and Cyane, the pretty teal naiad that she had known for several centuries, but the two were so enraptured with the other that she decided it was better to split off. It was in this one instance that she wished that they would talk to her to settle down her nerves, but she couldn't blame them.
They had what she didn't and she had to accept that.
With a thankful smile for accompanying her so far, Persephone waved them good-bye and continued on. After a while, the forest was becoming less dense, signaling that she was getting closer to the edge. Yet she couldn't help but notice that something was off about this part of the woods.
It was true she hadn't been this far North in about a decade, but they were so healthy and green the last time she visited. It usually took a while for decay to set in; especially considering how many trees were infected.
All around her the trees were dark and bare, painting a macabre scene, but that was nothing compared to the twisted diabolical shapes that the branches were bent in to. The whole image set her on edge as she looked at the forest floor and found that it was completely gray. As if a cloud of volcanic ash had rained down upon the land, but Mount Etna had not erupted in several centuries. Even curls of what reminded her of smoke arose from the ground, folding itself across the roots of trees and what remained of the dried brambles that dotted the deer trail she was on.
This whole scene reminded her of something, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Thankfully, she began to feel more at ease as every step she took flowers sprang where her footprints were left.
Persephone put a gentle hand on a nearby tree and watched as it began to brighten and regrow its fallen leaves. Deciding to heal more, she began to whisper words of encouragement to the surrounding trees, unawares of how her hair began to softly glow underneath her veil.
Satisfied that the trees were alive once more, Persephone went on her merry way, finally able to spot the edge of the tree line. She couldn't help but stare at the expansive rolling hills that filled her vision. Hills filled with vineyards and wheat fields, and so many other things she wanted to know about. All that land she had never dared to explore.
With her back against the last tree, Persephone lifted her foot ready to take one whole step onto land she had never walked. A soft smile pulled at her lips as her foot sank into the ground.
How many more steps until Italia?
The thought soon perished from her mind as she remembered the other reason she was here. "Hello? Ascalaphus' uncle?" She called out.
Persephone skirted the edge of the forest, hoping to find someone waiting for her, but her path was full of even more diseased trees. Frowning at the sight, she began to press her free hand against the bark of the trees. One by one, Persephone went down the line, hoping to see a living soul out here, but she couldn't find anyone.
Along the edge, Persephone stopped as she stood transfixed underneath a large twisted oak. It too was diseased, but the curious thing about it was that its branches began to curve before her very eyes as if it had only begun to rot.
"Dear Gaia," she heard herself mutter under her breath. Lifting her hand, Persephone prepared to heal the tree like she had done many times before, but nothing happened as she pressed her fingers into its rough bark.
Persephone blinked and tried again several more times, moving around the tree until she stood in the shadow of the great oak. "What's wrong with you?"
"Depends who's asking," a teasing voice from behind her caused every hair on Persephone's neck to rise.
She knew that voice.
Persephone suddenly spun around and nearly jumped out of her skin at the sight of the dread lord of the dead that stood before her.
Hades dressed in his usual finery from his long billowing robes that ended in tendrils of smoke to that proud head crowned with the fiery tongues of blue regarded the goddess with a knowing look.
Persephone felt her back connect with the oak behind her as she stared in horror, immobilized by those enticing golden eyes. Eyes that could hold all the malice in the world, but instead they looked at her hungrily, eyeing her like a fly caught in a spider's web.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice harshly whispered, pulling her gaze away from his.
Hades flashed the goddess his infamous smirk when he caught her looking back at him, causing her to faintly blush. "Sweetness, how long's it been, huh?"
Persephone stumbled upon the roots of the oak as she slowly tried to move away, daring not to remove her eyes from him. "You stay away from me," she warned with her arm raised ready to spring into action.
"See, I tried that," Hades disappeared before her very eyes, and reappeared in such a way that she walked into him.
Persephone flinched but could do nothing as his whole body blocked any chance of escape.
"But, you have made it increasingly difficult for me," he added with a chilling grin.
Persephone stopped her trembling as his hand reached out, but before he could touch her face, he stopped himself. A hair length's away she could feel the tips of his fingers brush against her cheek, sending an unpleasant shiver down her spine.
"What do you even want?" Persephone turned her face away with her eyes downcast, so as not to face him any longer. A difficult feat with him towering over her. "I have places to be, and not one of them is with you," she continued to avert her eyes, but she could still feel his heated gaze on her.
"Hey, don't get me wrong, sweetness but so do I," he lifted her chin with one finger, but she quickly pulled away. "I mean, c'mon, do you even know how tired I am running around, making sure I didn't miss one single itty, bitty, tiny detail? Fortunately, for me, though, I just got two items left on the docket," Hades gestured with two raised fingers, "and I'll be in Elysium's honeymoon suite with the missus by sundown."
"Missus?" Persephone blinked in bemusement. Her mind began to connect the dots between the basket in her hands to the god that was giving her a smug smirk. "You're Ascalaphus' uncle?!" She shouted in scoffing disbelief.
The very thought of it would have tugged at the corner of her lips in a smile had it not been for the notion that being the kid's uncle meant the god in front of her was about to be committed.
Hades snorted, and put some distance between them, much to Persephone's relief. "Well," he stretched out the word as he pondered what he was going to say next, "Considering how many people Zeus has been with, every mortal has got at least a drop of that schmuck's blood. So I think that counts as an uncle… of sorts."
"Then if he called you his uncle," she began slowly as it began to dawn on her. Persephone bit the inside of her cheek as that small feeling of hurt bloomed in her heart. Bitterness, her new best friend, made its presence known, and for once, Persephone let it linger.
Somehow she found her voice, whispering in a small bewildered tone, "You're getting married?"
And you want me to arrange the flowers?! Persephone almost shouted it, but she kept her rage to the bare minimum. She would not give him the satisfaction; not after everything.
Hades mockingly bowed before her, making the act a grand gesture with his constantly moving hands. "Can't believe it myself, my sweet, but you'll love her," he winked. "Hell, I think I do."
Persephone tried not to show the feeling of her heart twisting. "Good for you," she exclaimed apathetically. "Then if you don't mind," she lifted the basket, waiting for him to take it. "I'll be taking my leave."
Hades spouted a dry laugh. "Not so fast sweetness," he wagged a finger in her face, refusing to take the outstretched basket. "But I think you're forgetting I only have one thing in my possession. I'm still waiting for the last thing on my grocery list, but I was hoping," his hand reached out and wrapped it around her own, the one that was holding out the basket. "Just to save time, really, that she'd come willingly."
Persephone yanked her hand and basket back to her, holding it close to her chest. "Not my fault she isn't here yet," she scowled before she spun around to take her leave. Good for him finally finding someone as ruthless and twisted as him. "I wish you luck, really I do," Persephone laughed despite the steady rise in her rage the faster she paced away. "But you are no longer my-"
Hades quickly reappeared in her path wearing an odd grin on his face. "But what if she is? In fact, what if she's standing right in front of me?"
Persephone froze. For a second she had that infantile instinct to check behind her to see if there was someone standing behind her that he was referring to. To check if he was playing his vulgar games, but a nauseating feeling washed over her. A sick twisted feeling that had her heart drop in her stomach. Any ounce of rage that derived from her growing envy died in an instant. She stared wide eyed at the god who was waiting for any sort of reaction.
It was strange sight seeing hopefulness in his eyes. To see him with his hand outstretched, waiting for her to take it just like yesterday. So many times she had taken his hand without a thought, and each time she did, things began to spiral out of what little control she had in her life.
Why she hadn't taken his hand yesterday was obvious. He was exactly as everyone described him, ruthless and conniving. He never did anything without a reason, and as she stared at his waiting hand, she briefly reminisced that threatening warning he gave her. It was slight, but it was there, he had no intentions of going empty-handed.
Whether she wanted to or not that warning was still very real, and that cold feeling refused to back down. Gods, what was she going to do?
"And what if she's not willing?" Persephone felt herself inch back. Every single one of her instincts told her to run, to flee, but she ignored all of them. Call it terror or call it revulsion, but something had her rooted to the ground like the trees that dotted the woods. She needed to know. "What would you do then?" Her violet eyes blazed with an unseen fire.
Hades hesitated.
He had not expected a question such like this. "Persephone," he started but his mind drifted elsewhere. He looked at her, really looked at her and couldn't help but admire her alluring form. He lived in a fast-paced world, and there were times when he felt the world slow down around him, and this was one of those rare moments.
She certainly looked like a bride, dressed all in white and crowned in those precious white lilies hidden under her veil. Yet it were her eyes, her searing, beautiful eyes that were on the cusp of spilling that ruined that image. The last thing he wanted was to see her cry on a day such as this.
He would make sure she never cried again.
"I know you're trying to run away," Hades watched her momentarily stiffen. "You're really not that hard to predict, and do you know why, my sweet?"
Persephone narrowed her eyes, but said nothing.
Hades took this as his cue. "Because I was you. Hard to believe I know, but I was once bright-eyed and full of insipid things like hopes and dreams; an egregious decision, really. So when my idiot of a brother split up the three kingdoms, I got the worst of 'em. The hardest to manage, but I took it as a challenge. Oi vey, I really did," the god regretfully murmured.
"I had my nose close to the grindstone- so close, I missed everything that happened topside, missed birthdays, weddings, baby showers with those free ambrosia salad sandwiches, and you know what hurt the worst? They forgot they had sent me down there," Hades bitterly smiled. "I worked like a dog, and they never even threw me a bone."
"I am nothing like you," Persephone fervently shook her head.
She needed to get outta here.
But as she moved in a different direction, Hades was already there; not even missing a beat,
"See you say that, but you're partly right. You're me two thousand years ago, but with an added twist. You have a mother, you have friends who actually care about you, you've never been a day surrounded by people who didn't love you. You think you know, but you don't," Hades exclaimed matter of factly. "And you couldn't live a day without it. Sure, maybe not the mortal's like you want or the head honchos on Olympus, but I know for damn sure having what little family you got is better than anything mortals could ever offer you."
Persephone felt her heart beat against her chest. It too was trying to break free. "You had your chance to run. You could've stayed in Egypt; don't think I didn't notice how friendly you were with them. You're just too much of a coward to run."
"You're calling me a coward?" Hades quizzically looked at her. "I didn't run, I stayed; which is more than I can say about you."
Persephone bristled. "Because you wanted to see the people who hurt you squirm- wanted to see them writhe like a worm on a hook. You're too stuck on the past; at least I'm actually doing something about it and moving on."
"Well, maybe I want to move on too," Hades began to approach her, closing the distance between them, but every step he took, Persephone took one step back. "Settle down with a wife and take the entirety of the Underworld as should've been my right from the get-go."
"Can't- can't you find some other girl?" Persephone felt that cold feeling wash over her at the way he was looking at her. "I can't even give you Elysium- Athena's the new owner, why- why don't you marry her?" She whimpered.
"Because my dear, sweet Persephone, that was never the deal I made with Zeus. Sure, he can give the deed to any schmo but that doesn't make it their's. You get hitched with me, and it will be yours faster than you can say 'I do.' "
Persephone felt her heart begin to rise in her throat. She blinked away the stinging tears as that same fire began to rise in her. "My father sold me?"
"No-no-no," Hades shot the notion away. "Well, okay, yeah, he did. See that was a mistake on my part. I made sure to add the proviso only if you accepted my proposal. Course that was before Zeusy added the three day deadline for you to decide and when you decided to cut ties with me."
"Then that means you can't force me!" Persephone cheered with unadulterated elation. "You can't! You'd break your own deal!" Her eyes became full of triumph.
"Hate to break it to ya, sweetness, but," Hades paused. His long face split in a wolfish grin. An unpleasant thing that was stretched in triumph but with much more malice.
Persephone felt the world slow around her as she focused her attention onto that dread lord of the dead.
Oh no…
"Zeus never specified which proposal of mine you had to accept," Hades pointed out. "I kept my word," he lifted his right hand as a gesture of honesty. "And you took up the task of bringing flowers for a little boy's uncle. Honestly, how did ya even put up with the little brat, sweetness? He was the worst."
"No…" Persephone felt the world underneath her shake. Perhaps it were knees, or maybe it was the actual earth as it reacted to that helpless feeling that rocked inside of her. "You tricked me…" she breathlessly exclaimed.
Hades was suddenly behind her, she could feel the heat rise inside of her at their close contact. He wrapped his hand around her shoulder and began to whisper in her ear. "Persephone, you forced my hand, what did you expect me to do?"
Persephone swallowed.
She needed to get out of here. All of her instincts were telling her to run especially now that his hands were on her and were steadily moving downwards. "Hades, not like this," she pressed her hands into him, tugging almost childishly onto his toga for him to stop. "Please, listen to me," she begged as he lifted her up.
Not once did he even look into her eyes. It was like the Hades that awaited her at the banks of the Styx all those days earlier. That cold, calculating automaton which held her now was a far reach from the one she had come to adore. It just made her shudder all the more as she tried to squirm out of his hold on her, but she could do nothing as he fastened his arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees.
Holy hell, he was going to spirit her away if she didn't do anything right this second.
"You wanted to run away, right?" Hades was quick to remind her. "Hey, I'm more than happy to suggest my place for the time being- y'know unless you want to get started on the takeover pl-"
Persephone did the only thing she could think of and swung her basket laden with flowers at his face. The blow surprised Hades more than anything, and that millisecond of surprise slackened his grip on her just enough for her to escape.
Her hands wrung out and vines from the neighboring trees latched onto her forearms. Using her godly strength to pull herself out of his grip. Persephone sailed through the air and tumbled onto the ground. She scrambled to her feet, no longer caring that she could hear fabric tearing at the hem of her peplos.
"Thanks, but Italia sounds better," she shouted behind her, taking off back to the fields outside of the woods.
"Persephone," Hades called after her, but she was barely a white speck in the woods. The god's face twisted into an annoyed frown as he gave chase, refusing to give into his usual rages. Fear began to replace that raging inferno in an instant, but he refused to show it.
"Sweetness, wait let's talk about this," Hades appeared by her side in an instant, but she was expecting him and ducked as a barrage of branches grew out of nowhere.
Hades snorted as he phased through them. "Hey, so how about we talk downstairs? I got a feeling you're mad about something."
"Take a wild guess," Persephone quickened her gait at the sight of the open field.
Yes, she only had to keep this up until she made it to Italia. Not true, just by the time the sun fell. He wouldn't mess with her anymore once sunset came. She just had to evade him for the next five hours. Easy, she forced herself to be optimistic and not listen to that loud screaming voice inside of her saying she was screwed.
Barely a step before she made it to the field, Hades was already in her path and Persephone was barely a hair away as he tried to snatch her again. If it wasn't for her godly instincts she would have been caught, but her feet were quick and her mind was already whirring with a plan.
"Babe, c'mon, don't make this harder than it has to be!" Hades shouted from the edge of the woods, but still she ran as her heart had mini jumps each time he appeared in her path. Each time closer than before. She couldn't trust the shadows anymore.
He wasn't going to stop; that much was for certain. She couldn't fight him, he was physically much stronger than her. On top of that he could teleport at the slightest snap, and he could very easily burn down this whole forest if he wanted to, but he wasn't that desperate yet.
All she had to do was run in an unpredictable path. Some place where he couldn't snap and carry her off. He had to predict where she would move to get to a specific spot. It could be done, though, she was born and bred in these woods. She knew every secret trail, every tree, every branch, every root, every step, and he barely knew how to tell two trees apart.
And he wouldn't follow her into a river, her mind reminded her as her desperation increased.
If she made it to the sea, Poseidon could send her straight to Italia. He may be questionable, but at least he was friendly to her before. Hades would never have the gall to go into water be it river or sea. Not when she knew he was still terrified by the notion of moving water. She remembered that when they were in Egypt, he had his fears too and she was going to make sure she'd pull every dirty move to stay out of his arms.
Even if the thought of it was once her secret wish, she would not put her trust in him. Never again. One way or another, she was not going to be a pawn in someone else's game, anymore. Not when she could be a queen in her own.
Athena stared at the sea in front of her. Many a time she had a certain distaste for the sea and its inhabitants, but she had made it her priority to use it to her advantage. It was why she helped Man construct the first boat when she noticed how long it took for wars to take place. Her and Ares had long bickered about how far away their two opposing sides were that there certainly needed to be a way to expedite the process. So to get troops moving from one island to the next- to be faster- to speed up the process of war, she invented the ship and sent Man moving faster than ever before and with more mass.
Now as she looked at the landscape that she had made into her own, she couldn't help but ponder why the land opposite of the small strait fascinated her pupil. Sicily was a large land mass when compared to most islands of the Mediterranean, but a small stretch of water- not even a full league by her calculations separated the land which Kore longed to breach.
A land riddled with barbaric tribes, some set up by refugees of the Trojan War, well at least according to Aphrodite they were. That goddess was Hades-bent on getting her son to this mystical land and claiming it for his own, but he was still on a lengthy journey riddled with trials and temptations.
He'd never make it. No one could top her champion Odysseus. He took ten years to return home. Aeneas would never reach this golden land of promise. Not while he was enraptured by the arms of a beautiful Carthaginian queen. Love- Eros, how it confounded the true purpose of a man.
And she'd make sure Kore didn't reach this 'golden' land either.
Hermes really was a gossiper, and as the saying goes: "Loose lips sink ships."
It was why he flew beside her as they waited for the arrival of Kore. They were going to put a stop to it even if they had to drag her home kicking and screaming. Well, at least one of them was.
Hermes nervously floated beside Athena. He was holding onto his caduceus like one would a scrap of wood in the middle of the sea. "She's not coming, babe. I told you she was too nervous."
"You hush," Athena ordered. "I'll not have you attempt to spin anymore dulcet lies in my ears till she arrives."
Hermes felt himself deflate, sinking him down to the hill Athena was looking down from. He silently cursed his nature of gossiping to pretty nymphs while he was out on the job. He loved to spin tales, and there were some things that were too good not to discuss. Living in a world constantly on the go, he often forgot small little things like the dates and the passage of time. It was much to his chagrin that he realized too late Kore's intended date of leaving was a couple hours too early.
Oops.
"I'm not, babe, she's just not coming," Hermes refused to submit in his stance, despite knowing first hand how desperate Kore was. Which posed another question- where was she? Did she not find a way to avoid her mother after all?
"Hm, the only thing that could stop that girl is her mother, and I doubt Demeter even knows," Athena mused. "It's the last day of Harvest, she'd never even notice…" She continued to strain her piercing gray eyes, hoping to see even a speck of Kore, but the rolling hills prevented her from doing so.
Hermes inwardly frowned. Yes, see that's what he thought too. Kore was clever enough to get out of her mother's reach, so what was going on? Did she know that Athena was planning to stop her quest?
Maybe she had sent a bird to scout the area? Hermes thought, but he briefly remembered the last time he was in the woods of Enna there had not been one single bird, nor anywhere else in Greece for a couple of days now. What on Gaia's green earth was going on?
No, Kore was positive no one would see her plan coming, she claimed she would only tell Daphne, so her list of allies was dwindled. What then could be stopping her? She was a fast runner, and could easily get from Enna to the Strait of Messina in an hour flat.
Not unless she ran into trouble, a wayward thought reminded him.
Hermes felt a cold sheen of sweat appear on his brow. The god peered at Athena before quickly looking away. His winged sandals reacted to his sudden change in mood. No, Kore wouldn't experience any trouble on the road. Few dangers existed on the island, and even though they were present none of them were powerful enough to take on a goddess.
But a god could.
What little moisture he had in his mouth was soon dried up like the desert Phaeton had inadvertently created in Africa.
Fates, would he?!
Athena was curiously fixated on Hermes all throughout his sudden change in mood. It was odd not having his lackadaisical voice present for several minutes. Yes, far too odd, and it was not something she was going to take lightly- not when it came to Kore.
"Something's wrong isn't it?"
Hermes fidgeted with his caduceus at Athena's question. A little quirk he did when he was nervous, but all it did was remove any doubt for Athena's suspicions.
"You think something's happened to her, don't you." Athena lightly said; it wasn't a question.
Hermes' lips became thin as he slowly nodded his head in defeat, "Yeah."
"You trust her far more than you should have," Athena whistled her team to her. Her elephants hitched to her chariot came rolling up beside her ready to take off in flight at their mistress' command.
"Babe, she's never been the problem," Hermes disdainfully shook his head as he jumped into the air.
Athena dryly huffed. "Then who, Hermes? We raised her, guided her, we're her friends for Zeus' sake."
"Friends don't do what we did," Hermes commented, but Athena was on a roll.
"The minute she got to choose, she chose Hades over me! And now that choice has led us to here!" Athena mounted onto her chariot and took the reins into her hands. She was ready to snap the reins and set her team into action, but she stopped. Her face was a stoic mask, and her gaze was firm. "If I'm too late, you get Hercules. He should be returned beforehand if Hades is planning what I think he's planning. It's a distraction for Zeus and the other gods; it has to be."
Hermes nodded, tipping his helmet. Though, they had many differences when it came to Kore, they both at least could agree on her safety. "Gone, babe," he exclaimed and took to the skies as did Athena.
Each in their own separate directions; one to Thebes, and the other to Sicily. One to fetch a hero and the other to rescue a damsel in distress.
It would seem everyone was heading to Sicily, the Fates cackled to each other. Their mangled fingers twisting the many loose threads together into one single form. Each of their empty sockets stared at their shared eye as it floated in midair, showing what was happening at the present time.
Thanatos was hiding in the shadow of a column as he watched Hercules and Meg embrace each other. They were reunited at last, but quickly the image in the eye changed to a much different, more green setting than the sprawling villa.
"Hades our ravishing groom," Clotho gleefully twittered as the scene changed to the brooding god still giving chase to the pale rose goddess. Her veil was gone and her hair had come undone from its updo only for it to be filled with stray branches and leaves.
"And Persephone our vanishing bride," Atropos maliciously grinned.**
"Oh hush you two," Lachesis silenced her sisters, but a grin just as wicked as them soon spread across her face. "He's catching up."
The three of them began to release a high-pitched cackle. Their unsettling, ancient voices carried across the echoing caverns of their new lair.
Yes, destiny was awaiting everyone in Sicily it seemed.
Or rather a little more down under Sicily.
Six feet under.
Persephone spared a quick glance over her shoulder before her gaze returned on her path. Her heart hammered in her chest faster than Hephaestus working at his forge as her feet nimbly jumped over passing roots and uneven ground. The long peplos she wore was beginning to become a nuisance as they wrapped themselves around her legs, sticking to them in an uncomfortable fashion. Still she ran, with her eyes wide and searching, straining to find any sign of him.
The very forest she considered her home was now being used against her in a way she never considered possible. He wasn't anywhere. No matter where she looked be it in sunshine or in shadow, hiding behind a tree or out in the open there was not a single sign of that blue flame.
For the past minute he had disappeared and each second that passed it left her more on edge. He never gave her a moment's rest appearing at random and in every direction. Persephone had gotten quite good at predicting him the first few times, but as the god's desperation grew so did his actions.
The last time he tried to grab her, he had taken hold of her veil. She was still tense and far more alert because of the incident when his hand wrenched out trying to grab anything he could.
Persephone couldn't help the scream that had torn out of her throat, but the second she released it, her veil disappeared and Hades with it. She didn't care that her hair was falling loosely behind her, nor for the many twigs and leaves that were haphazardly being weaved throughout in her attempt to avoid the chasing god. All she knew was to keep her feet on the ground and head for the river.
Yes, the river, it was the only coherent thought she could make in her haste.
She could see its foaming white froth as it traveled across the rocks and onwards to forever. Its powerful current that came from the sea and returned to it once more. She could still remember when it was a tiny little stream, and today it was a full blown river that had made its own path in the forest.
Now it was her only hope.
"Anapos! Cyane!" Persephone heard herself call out to the inhabitants of the river.
For that brief second, Persephone paused along the banks of the river and looked into the rushing waters that spelled her freedom. How ironic that a river of water would be the very thing that would save her when it was a river of fire that doomed her in the first place.
"Persephone, jump!" Cyane's teal face erupted from the surface of the water, her hands extended ready to welcome her in.
Needing no other motivation, Persephone jumped into the river. Water enveloped her, welcoming her into its cool watery environment as the liquid sunk into her skin and her peplos, causing her to sink further into its depths. She did not care though, she was an expert swimmer and allowed the underwater world to soothe her beating heart and calm her rising anxiety. Persephone waited with her eyes closed shut for her feet to hit the river bottom, but the second she made contact, she propelled herself back to the surface and began to tread water.
"Cyane! We have to move now!" Persephone shouted with a strange level of calmness despite the fear that was evident in her face.
"Everything's fine, hun," Cyane winked. "Honestly, you really don't need to worry, he's a fire god, not a water-"
"Get down!" Persephone hissed, grabbing Cyane's arm and pulled her down into the water, narrowly missing the fire ball that was aimed at her head. "Hey, that was uncalled for!" She shouted at the god that stood at the top of the embankment.
"I call it getting your attention," Hades deadpanned.
"Then what the hell was that?!" Persephone splashed water in the direction of the god.
Hades backed out of the splash zone and shot her an annoyed glare. "Y'know I always heard about the groom getting cold feet, but I never hear it from the bride's side."
"That's because I'm not consenting to some stupid scheme you concocted all for a stupid strip of land," Persephone yelled.
"C'mon, babe, do you really think I'd do all this just for Elysium?"
Persephone shot him a deadpan look. "Yeah, actually."
Hades momentarily turned a deep shade of red, but he composed himself quickly. "I didn't want to do this either, okay? Maybe a couple more dates, sowing general havoc and mayhem- you know screwing with people and rearranging the cosmos- fun dates, but when Zeus deals the cards, he sets the rules. Elysium was just an added bonus to the deal we made."
"So I'm a prize for tricking Hercules?" Persephone became livid and the water around her began to boil, but she stopped after seeing Cyane's face under the water begin to twist. "Good for you, you f-"
"Whoa- hey, we both know that is not why I'm putting this much effort in keeping you here," Hades snapped.
Persephone's eyes were daggers, steely and unfeeling at they cut into his own. "Then say something that will make me stay, or you better come in here to get me because I am not coming with you."
"Not here, my sweet, too many ears, and sunset is coming a little too fast for my comfort," Hades dodged the question with a seedy grin.
Persephone blinked.
A part of her was unsurprised, but that majority of her heart felt something akin to a slap on the face. "I always knew you were a coward," her voice was unusually soft, but the undertones were riddled with sorrow as she stopped her fluid strokes. "I just hoped you wouldn't be one for me," she allowed herself to sink and be carried away by the water, following her naiad friend as she swam away.
"I never said I'd move heaven and earth for you," Hades snapped his fingers and the world began to shake. "But I guess I can try one."
Down in the water, Persephone snapped her head down to the river bed as she heard a very distinctive crack echo throughout the water. The sound began to multiply, but since she was in the underwater world, the noise was coming from all around her.
Cyane tugged at her sleeve and pointed at the bottom of the river where a rather noticeable rift appeared at the bottom of the river bed. At first it was merely a sliver, but it soon began to grow in size in all directions.
The water around her began to violently shake as waves were throwing her and Cyane around like minnows. Even all the aquatic animals began to frantically swim further down river, away from the expanding crack, but they were soon swallowed as the chasm sucked them down to whatever was below them.
Persephone shot her friend a What's going on look, but Cyane was just as confused as her. If it wasn't for their strength they would have been swallowed immediately, but they were next if they didn't do something quick.
The naiad pointed to the river's edge indicating to some roots they could potentially use to hold onto, but the water was getting steadily more murky as the river bed became disturbed from whatever was tearing the earth in two.
Persephone followed her friend's lead to the edge and grabbed onto a tree root that had made its home on the river embankment. She briefly stuck her head out of the water for a breath of air, and stayed there holding on for dear life.
The earth was trembling and tearing itself apart right underneath her, and the water level was rapidly diminishing as it was now below her waistline. The goddess looked around, hoping that Cyane was still alright, but she was nowhere to be found.
In fact, there wasn't even any earth underneath her. Peering down below her, Persephone gasped at the abyss of darkness that was beneath her. No longer was she surrounded by water, no, it was something deeper, darker, ancient…
The Underworld.
Hades didn't need to abduct her at all. Once she was in his domain there would be no place left for her to run.
"No, no, no," Persephone began to frantically climb up the roots, but that was becoming increasingly difficult with no ground beneath her to help hoist her up. The only thing that kept her from falling in was the roots she was holding on to so desperately. Because of the rift in the east, the many roots of the tree were much more visible and she had descended downward a couple more feet now that they were free of the earth.
Persephone silently prayed that the missing sections of earth underneath the tree would not cause it to fall, or she'd go with it. Still, she kept her climbing, pushing herself ever closer, but the sound of something snapping caused her to stop. "Oh gods, no, no, no…" she drifted off, but that was when her fear-addled brain reminded her of her powers.
Reaching out a single glowing hand, Persephone called vines from the earth to her. "Little faster, please!" She cried.
But all of her attention was soon rocked as she heard the sounds of someone approaching. Hope swelled inside of Persephone's chest as she called out, "Hello? Ss somebody there?!"
Bursting from the woods, Daphne came barreling out, half-stumbling, half-running. She was much worse for wear the last time she had seen her earlier, but her eyes, gods, her eyes were with with terror.
"Kore?!"
If it wasn't for her own desperation, Persephone would have noticed that her friend was in the same state of fear as she was. "Get me out of here! Please, he's coming!"
"You know Apollo's here?!" Daphne shouted in surprise, sparing a quick glance behind her shoulder as she heard the god coming ever closer.
"What?! I was talking about-"
Persephone stopped mid-sentence as she looked on in horror as Apollo burst from the woods. His helmet was gone and his eyes were livid with a fire she had never seen in a god.
"Oh gods, behind-"
Persephone released a timid scream as the root in her hand began to tear away. It could not handle her weight alone, and was going to break any second.
Up above her she could hear her friend screaming. Persephone looked between the vines that were inches from where her free hand could reach, and to where she saw the baby blue curls of Daphne sprawled on the edge of the earth.
She could hear the naiad crying, a painful sound that made her shed out a tear.
"Mother, I'm sorry," Persephone heard herself whisper as a flash of light shot out of her hand and straight at her best friend.
What she heard next she could not completely decipher herself. Many sounds echoed in the chasm as she descended into the earth, the sound of a god yelling in frustration, the peaceful hum of a naiad that accepted her fate, a serene goddess yell out a war cry as she spurred her chariot team, and the sound of the earth reuniting as it began to mesh back together.
Persephone did not scream.
Even as the darkness enveloped her whole, her hand was reaching out to Athena's- to any plants that could reach her, but she was falling too fast. A thick layer of earth soon separated the sisters and the few remnants of the world up above. All of it was gone as the crack in the earth closed tight and the sun rays disappeared fully from her sight. She was the only source of light as she fell ever faster down to Hades; down into that valley of shadows.
Yet a single solitary flame could be seen in that eternal darkness, and the god that it belonged to had his arms extended out wide, ready to catch the goddess on his chariot as they flew underneath her. In a single swoop, Hades caught the falling goddess and held her tightly against his chest with one arm and in his other held onto the reins.
The goddess made no struggle and accepted the awkward embrace, allowing what few tears she had to fall freely.
It was done.
Persephone would fall no more, but at a cost the two of them never foresaw.
All we can say is that summer was over and done with, and the first autumn in Greece was about to take place.
Whether it wanted to or not.
~End of Act II~
*Many statues I see of Persephone when she's represented as an underworld goddess, she's depicted wearing a veil over a crown; a look that is common among Greek queens or high class women. I was saving it for awhile and though I did hint at it much much earlier, I'm happy I could use it now.
**I love Phantom Manor, of course I had to use the ravishing bride and vanishing groom, course, it doesn't work here, so I had to mix it up. And Clotho has a big crush on Hades, soooo… Oh and chapter title is totally a POTO reference.
A couple interpretations of the myth involve a river deity power couple telling Hades off for trying to kidnap Persephone, but he was like Blocked, and apparently straight up killed Cyane and made the earth swallow Anapos. So of course I had to include it.
But reviews are nice too! And much more appreciated! I want to hear y'alls thoughts I really do! Y'all helped me make this into a real story and I can't thank y'all enough for giving me so confidence in my own writing!
Angel of H-d out!