Chapter One
Many believe they know the tale of Hades and Persephone, an ancient and desolate myth. But few know how the King and Queen of the Underworld were linked not only by destiny, but with violence, betrayal, and death. The true story, is more bitter than it is sweet, like the famous pomegranate itself.
This story actually began, in the royal chambers of Olympus. Hera, Queen of all the Gods and Goddesses, nearly destroyed the palace in sheer and utter rage.
Hera flung statues and ancient hand made pottery to the floor, her wrath overcoming her sense as tears poured down her cheeks freely. The great columns of the chamber themselves began to shake as Hera continued destroying whatever her hands could touch. The crashes made loud sounds and her sister Hestia, Goddess of the hearth, was more afraid than ever before. The fire burnt out as Hestia covered her head to broken shards flying towards her from the crashing violence. She had never seen Hera like this, and even her power was being diminished by Heras bearing. It was only until Hera reached for a mirror did Hestia finally find her breath to speak out against this shock.
"Hera please!" Hestia begged, her dirty blonde hair a bit unhinged from dodging and ducking. "I am here because I love you." Hestia stated as soon as she could, doing everything she could to calm her sister.
Hera had long wavy hair of deep dark brown cascading all over her curvature. Her bright purple eyes, were filled with watery sadness, you could not view their beauty clearly in this state. She paused in the middle of the room. Her beautiful lilac draped dress, sat upon her outstanding curvature almost perfectly, had she not just been destroying the ancient collections of this room only moments ago.
Hera turned to Hestia, overwhelmed now with sadness. Her lip quivered as her face got red, and Hestia quickly walked towards her to cradle her head into her neck.
Hera closed her eyes, resting herself into Hestia and finally sobbed loudly, her shoulders even shaking as she let go.
"The Goddess of Marriage!" Hera sobbed, referring to herself as all feelings of betrayal and humiliation came from her beautiful eyes. "I knew Zeus would lay with another…..but not this Hestia," she sobbed now looking to Hestia as helpless as she'd ever seen her in their many centuries together, "not this."
Hestia could not believe this either, and a tear welled up in her eye too. Hera coughed uncontrollably then, completely and utterly broken from sobbing. Even amongst the Gods, our connections are almost always kin, but no one had ever thought Zeus would betray Hera for another one of us sisters…..
No one saw this coming or even consulted with the oracles. Even Hades and Posiden when they heard of this news were was no nymph in the woods Zeus had slept with and fathered a child, this was our righteous, supposedly unobtainable sister Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest. Hera and Zeus were still married, not one of us ever thought this would happen. Hera and Zeus's attraction towards each other was fatal, and ruthless. There was no telling what would become of their union. But this, this was different, because our sister Demeter had nearly sworn on the river styx to be a virgin for all time and eternity. She was so formidable, and secluded, it was a wonder in itself that Zeus found an interest in her in the first place.
"How could she have done this to me Hestia? How?" She said softly, which pained Hestia even more than had she picked up another item to destroy. There was no one left on earth that Zeus could sleep with, that would ever hurt Hera more than this. Not only us siblings knew this, but the rest of the Gods and Goddesses on Olympus knew this too, and remained secluded for Queen Hera to go through this in privacy.
"I don't know my sister." She answered honestly. Hestia was still concerned for Demeter too, having never birthed a child, but would not dare reveal this to Hera now.
"I have not only been betrayed but robbed Hestia, robbed. This is Zeus's first born child, and it should have come from me." She stated so quiet her voice broke, a tear slowly ran down her face. "She is no longer my sister, it will never be the same." She said evenly, which made Hestia put her hand over her heart in instinct, knowing Hera was not saying this out of rage but because it was true. Hera and Demeters relationship would never heal from this, breaking something that was once whole in our family. In the time we were trapped in Cronos, we were close. But this, this changed things.
This child is the first born child of all the Olympian Gods, there was no question that her place would have to be among us.
Hera stood upright and her pale face flushed red. She walked quietly to the balcony of her chambers, and let the wind lightly pick up her long hair to cool her down. Although the wind was cool, just watching Hera stand there alone with her thoughts, made it seem like a miracle the wind did not spark into flames.
It wasn't until Hera laughed silently to herself, that Hestias hair stood upright on her arms and legs.
Hestias brows furrowed in concern and an ounce of fear…."What is it sister.." She asked carefully, fearful about how this was going to turn out now that Hera was laughing. It was fatal to fall into bed with Zeus, but not because of him…
Hera had done unspeakable things to many lovers of Zeus. Some of which would never see the light of day again.
Hera turned slowly then to Hestia, and her eyes dried almost too quickly as a small smile etched across her face.
"Tell me, how does our sister fare with her new baby?" Hera asked, no concern was embedded in her voice whatsoever, but carnage lay hidden underneath.
Hestia shuffled about nervously, and answered honestly although frightened Hera might harm the child.
"You know our sister," Hestia replied, "Not a soul enters her domain without invitation. Barely anyone is allowed to even look at the child, including Zeus." She stated flatly. "A stray wolf was said to have wondered onto her land by accident after she gave birth, and she ordered it ruthlessly killed thinking it was Zeus." She added calmly. This was Demeters only child, and every God knew control and piety, were the makings of Demeter.
Hera did not move, and listened to every word of how overprotective and secluded Demeter was over the baby. "And what has she named, this new goddess of Olympus?" Hera asked finally, behind her eccentric purple eyes something turned over inside her head.
"Her name is Kore." Hestia replied softly, stepping closer to her sister carefully.
Hera nodded her head taking in the information, and turned back to the balcony.
"Kore,' Hera scoffed inside her head. "Of course, their prude overprotective sister would name her child the very meaning of purity."
Hera almost did not notice her beautiful sister Hestia had made her way to the balcony to stand with her.
"Zeus has called for a celebration of the child on Olympus in a few days time, they are expected to come." Hestia told her quietly, the wind picking up her dirty blonde hair as she looked to her sister with concern.
Hera looked over her vast kingdom but saw nothing at all, the blood beneath her skin searing with raw boiling anger.
She turned to Hestia slowly, after many moments had gone by. "I am glad they will be here soon, and all of the Gods of Olympus too." Hera stated purposefully. "For the greatness of my vengeance, will, be viewed by all."
The servants spent days adorning the great sky castle of Olympus in flowered vines and rich tapestries. Olympus was covered in the rarest and most beautiful flowers of the world, as the oracles announced the new goddess Kore was the goddess of flowers, youth, and springtime.
All the Gods and Goddesses of the world filled into the open fore. The room was surrounded by white columns and the sky was completely open in the center. On the sides were the rooftops, underneath adorned with foods from all over the world and gifts of all kinds for the dear little child.
Zeus had even demanded, the flowers be re-arranged once again before his daughters arrival. Demeter would sooner hide the both of them away forever, if Zeus were not King of all the Gods. This celebration would not be overlooked by Zeus, of his first-born child.
Hera and Zeus took their seats on their thrones at the head of the great circular open room. The clouds above were in full view, as bright as anyone could imagine. With all the Gods and even Nymphs still arriving, there was a buzz throughout the room. Wine and food began to be consumed quickly, and one by one each of the Gods made their way to bow before the King and Queen within this time.
Apollo upon speaking with Zeus briefly made him laugh boldly and loudly, which annoyed Hera extremely. She sat there waiting for her vile sister and the infant to arrive, as she smiled and nodded her head in greeting to those who bowed before her too. Artemis, a great friend to Demeter, bowed deeply before Hera. If there was one thing Hera could forgive, it was the respect that all the Gods managed to show her in regards to her status.
It was nearly time now, any moment they would be arriving, and Hera had spent days heightening all her power. She had traveled to all her temples, and consumed the prayers offered up to her. When it was time to return to Olympus, she surrounded herself in every symbol of her power. She stayed silent, and thought deeply over her revenge that would be viewed by all.
Demeter finally arrived, as all heads began to turn towards an open sky pillar. She wore a peach draped dress with gold accents to accentuate her light brown hair. It was long and curled down to her hips, with gold leaf clips holding up both sides of her volumous hair. Her blue eyes looked down to her arms, where she held a small pale baby wrapped carefully in golden silk.
The crowd in Olympus cheered without hesitation, clapping and hollering in pure joy to have the first Olympian be born. Demeter's smile was faint, and it was only when she looked down to her baby that her smile grew evermore.
Demeter avoided Heras eyes completely who sat upon the throne. Zeus however joined the crowed, as he clapped his hands together along with the others and hollered in joy as well. The nymphs threw flower pedals as Demeter walked slowly forward to close the gap between herself and the King and Queen, holding Kore tightly to her chest. Without meeting either of their eyes she bowed deeply, and rose again to look at her baby.
Zeus smiled easily at the small child in Demeter's arms, one would think he could completely forget how Demeter thought to kill him so recently as his smile grew so large. Not only was this his first child, but he had yet to see his child.
Zeus raised his hand in a gesture for the loud horras and hollering to die down, though it was hard. All the Gods were excited, for no one had born a pure blood God in centuries.
"It is an honor, to welcome Demeter and her newborn daughter Kore to Mount Olympus." Zeus announced loudly, the eager voices in the room began to settle down. "Not only do we celebrate the arrival of the new Goddess Kore, and are here to bestow upon her gifts and love today; but we also pay tribute to Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest, for the exceptional gift she has also given to us." Zeus raised his goblet high and the rest of the room did as well, "To Demeter, and Kore." He toasted, drinking a delicious gulp of wine as the room copied his salute and cheered loudly after again.
Demeter took that moment to set Kore in an elaborate baston beside her father Zeus, then sat comfortably in a lower seat opposite to accept gifts from all who had gathered.
Narcissis walked forward and presented the most beautiful mirror in existence. It was large and elaborate, finery that could only be found on Olympus. Demeter thanked Narcissis as others stepped forward with enthusiasm. Others gave Kore blessings, and other small gifts. Aphrodite cood at the sweet child, and with a wave of her hand summoned her gift to float before Kore. A priceless jewlery box made of shells and gems shinned bright for all to see.
Hera made her way off her throne to stretch her legs and find some wine. Zeus for the first time watched her go, and repositioned himself in his throne nervously after.
A few other Gods and Goddesses finished with their blessings and gifts, and finally, after another good taste of wine, Hera made her way to the baston. The room parted for her, and as she walked up the steps, everyone held their breath.
Demeters eyes were wide but her mouth was stern. She stayed completely still by the baston and Zeus raised his eyebrows in serious concern. He knew what she did to his lovers. He would never see them again.
Hera looked down at the child, her eyes were a bright mixture of green and blue, her hair was deep crimson. Her little fists went up and down, but it did not phase Hera in the least. She had heightened her powers for days, and thought over the rumor of Demeter being so obsessed with her newborn…Demeter had thought seriously of turning her into a tree to keep her always on her land to herself.
"Kore, Goddess of Youth and Spring," Heras voice echoed, her powerful blessing heightening as she focused with all her might, "you shall have, the most successful marriage of all the Gods." She concluded with all heart.
The crowd behind her seemed to relax and cheered, but as Hera turned her eyes and smiled to Demeter she knew this was not a blessing, but a curse.
Demeters eyes widened in sheer and utter rage, hateful tears welled up in her eyes but they refused to pour over as she shook slightly.
Zeus clapped as well, feeling relieved, but Hera knew she had done the worst she could to Demeter.
Heras gift would take Kore away from her forever.
"Go….to hell." Demeter whispered, for only Heras ears.