Time cut- Kuro has been helping Persephone for awhile, helping her gain strength so she can keep the Underworld in balance.
Kuro set the bag of hearts down on the pedestal. He opened it, backed off, and watched the hearts lift off. Flashes of silver magic attracted his attention, and he watched as Persephone worked on her castle. She wanted a place for the souls to come, to house the orchards. She had ideas for a soul-based militia to help Kuro keep the fiends under control, made of volunteers that would cycle out. After all, to hoard souls for something so base as a militia was wasteful. But they too would be staying there.
She'd even offered Kuro a base, to rival Pit's.
And he was thinking of accepting.
It was odd how comfortable he felt with the idea. He wasn't one to take orders from anybody, but Persephone had a relevant cause- keeping the world in balance- and she wasn't really his commander so much as his guide.
He sailed up to her. Soon they'd need to move the offering. The castle was nearing completion. And it was nice, he had to admit. The tall spires had an ethereal quality. Despite its pale beauty, it was a coolly lit place, melding seamlessly with its surroundings in a misty, easy light. Persephone insisted on using silvers and blues rather than the garish, rotten colors associated with Hades and his troops. The Underworld was about souls, she said. Not death.
Persephone, the goddess of the dead. She was clad in a glittering silver dress that dragged behind her when she walked. Her slender arms were exposed, and a humble silver veil fell over the back over her tumbling brown hair. All this she wore because she liked it. Because it made her feel beautiful, and Kuro had convinced her that if she wanted, she should wear it.
Compare that to Hades, the god of death. Wearing who knows what of ugly, clashing colors. Full of arrogance and pride and a sick, twisted nature.
Kuro thought Persephone was much better.
Already the faint twisting mist of souls lit the silver-blue halls of the castle. They scattered as he came in to land beside Persephone. "Thank you for the hearts, Kuro," she said, turning to him and beaming. He liked the way she said his name. Others hesitated, as if not sure of it- of him. When she called him, it was eager and unhesitant.
"There are lots of fiends," he said. "How's the power level?"
She glanced at the castle. "It's coming along. I can accomplish things. Making my own tools is next. Affecting things, making a difference- that's after even that. That's when I can see if some souls will help you, Kuro. That's when I can hold the Underworld together. That's when I can guide the souls to their next life."
She looked excited, but tears were gathering in her eyes. Kuro folded his arms, uncertain of what to do. She wiped her eyes. "Sorry. I just never thought I'd actually be able to help. And- I'm just a little scared." Seeing his look, she quickly added, "I don't want to become like Hades. What if the power-"
"You like Hades? I don't think so," said Kuro. "Hades was missing a few screws."
That made her laugh. "You're always so stern, Kuro. Thank you."
He couldn't help sneaking a smile when she turned back. "I have all of it except the library tower built," she said. "Kuro, here. I want you to see this."
She floated up, came around to the grand gates leading to the courtyard. A silver disk formed the platform for it. Inside was the courtyard- swirling dimly with souls. Through the castle's gate was the foyer. "Up here," she said, lifting up and darting through a circular hole in the ceiling. He followed.
Inside was a calmly lit room, completely clear of souls. The floor was cool blue, the walls a dull silver. It was a suite of some kind. There was a chest, a cauldron, side rooms. "This way," said Persephone proudly. She let him enter.
It contained a plush bed, piled with a nest of soft blankets. There was a chest and weapon rack. The whole room was softly lit with a glowing orb at the top of the roomm.
Kuro approached the bed, turned to look back at her. Persephone swayed back and forth, biting her lip nervously. "Do you like it?" she asked. "I thought you preferred a messier bed, for your wings, right? I can change it to a more traditional one, if you like..."
"What are the other rooms?" he asked.
"A gear room, for you to mix your weapons- when I get that power. You can store your weapons there, for now. A training room, once I can figure that out... and the central room has what will be the difficulty cauldron and memory sphere." Again the nervous look. "Do you like it? Maybe you'd prefer to stay where you are now. That's okay. I know how much you like living on your own. I just thought that I could give you some support here."
"I can hunt fiends better from here," he muttered. "But back home, I..."
Kuro raised his head and stared at the ceiling.
"Back home you're on your own. You don't rely on anybody. Everything you do yourself. It's very satisfying for you," she said. "I understand."
"This is a nice place," he said. "I might use it. But I have to..."
She smiled. "I get it. I'm just glad you'll use it."
"I will," he said.