Chapter - Two.
The hopes of Nyx and Hecate and the wish of Demeter proved to be true. Things did change for the better after the birth of Persephone.
Demeter sent the message of the birth of first born of the next generation of Olympians to Zeus through Hecate. He was overwhelmed to hear about the news. Hera, however was not very enthusiastic about her birth as she wanted that the firstborn of the next generation of Olympians to be from her womb. Zeus excused himself from Olympus and went directly to the Underworld. He took the baby in his arms and for a second felt love rekindled for Demeter. He had brought Ambrosia with him for the baby Kore, as mama Demeter liked to call her. Demeter was impressed by his thoughtfulness. Zeus told Demeter that she had been included into the Olympian council and that she would be one of the twelve Olympians(other seats were yet to be filled). He could not include Persephone because she belonged to the Underworld. Demeter told him that she would not neglect her duties as an Olympian and would regularly attend the council meeting. He left with a promise that he come and visit Kore quite often. Somehow, this gesture of Zeus healed her broken heart and Demeter found herself content in this.
On his next visit, he informed Demeter that he had arranged the marriage of Aphrodite with Hera's son Hephaestus.
Demeter was shocked at this, and protested, "They both don't love each other, how can you get them married ?"
Zeus helplessly answered, " We have already lived through a horrible war, and I want peace among the Gods as much as possible. All are fighting over her. Everybody wants her. Even I went after her for a while but she spurned my advances." He added in a frustrated tone.
"I cannot afford to have one more war, this time just for a woman. I have made my decision. After all, when Gods will know she is married, they will stop fighting over her and peace shall prevail once more on Olympus." he declared.
Demeter, first giggled inwardly when he spoke his failed attempt to have Aphrodite (by now she knew he was not faithful to anyone) and let out a loud sigh and just shrugged her shoulders, "I don't live in Olympus, so I do not know what is happening there. But this deed of yours will definitely have consequences. You cannot ignore them."
Zeus confirmed, "That we shall wait and see. For now this marriage is inevitable."
He invited both the mother and daughter, though She declined saying she is busy with Kore and that the baby is too small to travel such distances. In reality, Demeter wanted to keep Kore and herself away, from such false and politically correct vows.
Baby Kore quickly became the beloved of the Gods, Goddesses and residents of the Underworld. The Underworld, however was not an easy place to live and grow as a child. There were unimaginable dangers at every corner of its vast realm. But this, did not stop the young queen to explore the dark and mysterious place which she was destined to rule.
When Kore was five years old, she wandered around the Underworld fearlessly and found the cave of Moirai. The three wise sisters, Clotho (spinner), Lachesis (allotter) and Atropos (unturnable) welcomed the young ruler of Chthonia warmly and gave her fruit of the Underworld - a 'Pomegranate', to eat.
"Here, eat this fruit child, it will change your fate and will come to your aid in future." They said and offered the fruit to the child.
Kore happily took it from eldest one's hand and took a bit into her small mouth. She really liked its unique taste and quickly devoured the whole fruit. The sisters smiled knowingly and sent her back safely to her palace, built by the residents of her world for her.
Nyx and Hecate were her principle teachers. Sometimes Erebus kept watch on her for her safety, as she ran alone into the dark unknown zones of the underworld. She was naturally interested in her kingdom. She learnt many things about it. The rivers -
The Styx - the most prominent and central rivers of the Underworld. The gods were bound by the Styx and swore oaths on it. Also known as the river of hatred.
The Acheron - the river of pain.
The Lethe - the river of oblivion.
The Phlegethon - the river of fire.
The Cocytus - the river of wailing.
On her seventh birthday, Hecate gifted her Cerberus. The mere sight of three-headed puppy filled her with greatest joy Kore had ever known, and soon She and Cerberus became best friends. Zeus came to meet her whenever he got time from his hectic schedule as the King of Gods or when he was not having any affairs, he was famous for.
The Olympus was increasing in size, with many new members added like Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Ares. Meanwhile, the Chthonia was increasing too, with many new additions, like the conflicting Eris, the dreamy Morpheus, and the adorable twins Hypnos and Thanatos. Kore found in them, playmates, friends and reliable companions.
Kore became accustomed to the cold and difficult environment of her kingdom. She saw many shades entering her realm, all sad to leave the living world behind and afraid to face what lied before them. She did not see living mortals in her land except for Gods and Goddesses. She knew how humans looked like, but never came face to face with any of them. She was comfortable living among shades and shadows. And she did not travel in the aboveworld as the young Queen refused to leave her Underworld. This was her domain, this was her destiny.
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