In the morning, Demeter woke Persephone up early for her meeting with Hestia. The young girl dreaded it every minute while getting ready, imagining the horrible consequences Aunt Hestia could have in store for her. Mother dressed her in the most 'serious' clothes she had. Perse looked like she was going to a meeting. So boring! But, finally it was her birthday week so at least she had that to look forward to when she was done with Aunt Hestia. Demeter made Persephone have a good breakfast that morning so the girl would have good energy for the day. After breakfast, Demeter put her daughter in the carriage herself, making sure the driver would take her straight to Hestia.

The carriage drove out of the palace to the outskirts of Olympus. Even Demeter's gardens were in the mainland, and Persephone had never really had the reason to be out here before. She eagerly peered out the window, enjoying the wild, uninhabited nature. Soon they were finally on Hestia's land, marked with posts and fences. The house was definitely-hers. Not glamorous like the palace, but big and splendid. The carriage stopped at the front door and the footsman helped her out. Persephone fixed her dress and took a large breath before waving the carriage away.

The servant opened the door on the third knock and welcomed her in with a smile.

"Welcome, lady Persephone. Lady Hestia has been anticipating your arrival today."

"Well, I didn't wish to keep her waiting." Perse answered as she stepped into the house.

"You'll find her in the office. Second door to your left ahead."

Persephone followed the given instructions and found the door right where it was said. Not like doors moved on their own! Silly Percy! You got this!Persephone knocked on the door and a voice called her in.

"Good morning Persephone Kore. How are you doing today?"

"Well thank you. And yourself?"

"Oh, just busy as always but fine, thank you. You're probably wondering why you are here?"

Persephone laughed a second. "All morning, actually."

Hestia laughed.

"Oh don't worry yourself. Have a seat." She waved her arm towards one of the sofa chairs and got a box from her desk. "Cookie?"

"Yes thank you," she said as she took one.

"So, something interesting happened on Family dinner night." Hestia began as she took the seat across. "Your mother thanked me for taking care of you in her absence."

The cookie suddenly became too dry and Persephone swallowed hard.

"Of course, I played along. But now that I have you here, why don't you let me know the truth."

Persephone sighed. "I probably have no right to ask you to not be mad, but here goes. After homecoming, I followed father into this room with a blue fire."

Hestia instantly knew what room her niece was talking about.

"After father left, I tried it out on my own and... he came. He animated my toy for me."

Hestia smiled. "And then your tried it again when your mother was gone?"

"Sort of. I... I took the fire home." She looked ashamed.

Hestia was surprised. "H-how did you manage that?!"

"I got Thalia to bring me one of her father's chalices. She doesn't know what I used it for! It was only me." Persephone defended her friend.

"So I'm guessing you managed to summon Hades considering you're standing here good and well?"

"Yes. He fixed the roof and let me keep the portal if I promised to use it sparingly. Then mother came home and she saw the fire and I said it was from you. I supposed it'd be the least trouble considering the others aren't so accustomed with lord Hades."

Hestia smiled again.

"Well if Hades let you have it and you're responsible with it..."

"I swear! I haven't even used it since that one time."

"Then I suppose we don't have a problem. Thank you for telling me the truth."

"So... I'm not in trouble?" Persephone sheepishly wrung her fingers.

"Not at all!" Hestia laughed. "I just wanted to be informed. You're free to go."

"Thank you." Persephone stood and curtseyed. She almost turned to leave before she halted, curious. "While I'm here, may I ask why you're so close to Hades and the others aren't?"

Hestia looked to the roof in thought. "Well to put it simply, Hades took care of me, of all of us when our father hurt us. The others are just so, enamored by Zeus and their new life that they've forgotten Hades."

Persephone frowned. "That's sad. He was so nice to me! I hope I get to see more of him this week. Thank you for having me, Aunt Hestia."

"It was a pleasure having you my darling. See you on your birthday."

Percy took her leave and the carriage was waiting for her at the door. The footsman helped her in and they were off. This time, she faced the other side, and noticed a house in another land near Hestia's. As they drove past it, Persephone saw a jet black chariot parked around the side. That had to be Hades' place on Olympus! She made plans for the rest of the day and directed her driver to head straight to Aphrodite's home.

Hestia peered out the window, watching her niece leave in her carriage. She smiled and went to sit on her desk, intent on getting back to work, but her mind was distracted. Finally, she threw down the quill and dared to remember her horrible past.

Little Hestia, her mother's spark, now sat all alone, surrounded by jet black darkness on all sides. She had her knees pulled up to her chest as she hugged them and dug her head in, crying her heart out. What she had done to deserve this she did not know, but now Kronos was officially the worst father in the universe. She could've been sitting there for eternity for all she knew, but then she heard the echoes of ascending scream. The way she had screamed as she fell down the dark hole. She looked up to see a blue light coming closer, and with an awful thump, the kid landed in front of her. The kid groaned as he lay there for a long minute, then got up and fixed his clothing, and after wiping his eyes, looked up to her. He smiled.

"You're Heshia!" He excitedly mispronounced.

"It's Hestia." She corrected him. "What's your name?"

"Ainodeus. But mama calls me Aidy."

Hestia heard herself giggle for the first time. "I think you mean Aidoneus."

"Yes. That." He wiggled his back in discomfort and went to sit next to her. "How long h-h-have you been here?"

"I'm not sure. I was just sitting here alone in the dark. Crying. The dark scares me."

"Well, you don't need to b-b-be scared! I'm h-here now! Mama said I s-s-should take care of you. So I'm gonna d-d-do that. Look at th-th-this!"

The boy concentrated hard, staring at his hand as if willing it to do something. Hestia watched in wonder as slowly, blue sparks flickered to life on his hand.

"Wow! How did you do that?!"

"M-m-mama taught me how. You can do it too."

"I'm not so sure I can."

"Mama said we all can do it."

Aidoneus spent some time training his sister how to find her aura till they both got tired and rested. Hestia noticed her little brother picking his back.

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Scratch your back."

"Oh." He paused a while, thinking if he should lie, but then thought against it.

"I had w-w-wings." He mournfully replied.

"Had them?! How does one lose wings?"

"F-f-father. He r-r-ripped them off." His eyes watered. "It stings."

"Let me see."

Aidy sniffed and turned his back to his elder sister. Hestia slowly pulled his garment down and gasped at the ghastly sight she saw.

"Is it, is it, is it bad?"

Hestia cried as she drew her hand down his bleeding scars.

"How does this not pain you? I would die if this happened to me."

Aidoneus cried. "It hurts so much!" He broke down.

Hestia pulled him into her lap and cradled him.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Cebause I'm your brozer. Mama said I had to t-t-take care of y-y-you!"

"Oh Aidy! You'll be okay now. I won't let him hurt you and you won't let him hurt me. Deal?"

"Deal."