I've never much cared for sunlight; even walking under its slanted evening rays is a struggle for me. I had spent the better part of that day scouring the surface world for fissures and cracks. Typhon, the might storm giant with many heads and great beating wings had been raging against the bonds of his prison in Tartarus. His horrible cries and pounding limbs had begun to make the earth tremble; hard enough I feared, that it would break open and allow sunlight into my kingdom below. As darkness settled upon the land I prepared myself to retire to my domain, however from where I walked across the grassy slopes, I made out the flickering fires of a nearby village. I could see that the main street still was packed with people; it would seem that in that moment curiously had me in its claws. Quite a long time had passed since I had walked among the people and so I wondered on toward the glowing lanterns and bustling crowd, cloaked in the guise of an ordinary man.

Strolling among the villagers, I found many vendors set up along the streets, selling all varieties of wares. Though the new innovations and fashions of clothes where interesting, nothing truly held my attention. I made my way through in a haze, hearing droning voices all round, blending together. Only one voice could pierce that chaotic cacophony; her voice, calling to me.

"Buy a flower for a special lady?" I turned to her, prepared to decline her offer, but her smile struck me, I knew in that moment that I adored her. Her earthly disguise was easy enough for me to see through; I knew she was none other than the daughter of Demeter, the spring goddess hidden away from all, Kore. She sat cross ledged in the middle of a blanket, flowers surrounding her in beautiful arrangements. There were a great variety of blossoms in vivid colors, yet none compared to the radiance of her eyes, they were spellbinding orbs that shone like brilliant emeralds.

"I am afraid that I have no one special to give flowers." I confessed, drawing closer to her before I even realized it. Her scent was intoxicating, light and sweet like lilies, but also something sensually roses perhaps. I couldn't place the feeling she gave me as she leaned in, it was so unfamiliar.

"That is difficult to believe, one as handsome as you." She looked up at me as she rose; standing only as tall as my shoulder. That night she wore a short white dress that fell just past her knees; it had no straps, but was tied around her slender waist with red cord.

"Many prefer to call me dreaded, but I am sure you are well aware of that Kore." Her smile only grew wider,

"It's surprising that you've actually heard of me, I thought that my mother had kept my name a secret." She tossed her honey touched auburn hair over her bare shoulders; it fell in long thick curls nearly to her hips.

"She has, however as you know, rumors spread amounts our kind like wild fire. Word has it your unlike any goddess who's come before you, that you're an untamed beauty, roaming freely as you will. Though I never suspected I would run into you here."

"I could say the same to you, from what I heard you stay in your kingdom most of the time, what brings you to such an ordinary place?" she inquired.

"Boredom I suppose."

"As chance would have it, I'm here for the same reason; I grew bored of roaming fields and tending gardens." She drew even closer, laying her hand on my arm; her skin was so warm and supple, "Seeing as we've nothing better to do, we could take this chance to learn about one another." I took a step back, growing ridged. I knew this advance all too well, having turned down many before her.

"Do not fall for me, fair Kore." It's destroying me inside to see her face fall in despair, she is so beautiful; I felt my heart begin to ache. "I have been hardened by war and the tribulation of the realm that lays below, I am a being of darkness; holding no promise but coldness and death. You are better off seeking someone who can walk in the light with you."

"Don't think of me as so delicate," she challenged, arms crossed over her chest. "Should you find me again, I can show you that there is more to me than what you have heard."

"Where shall I find you then?"

"The fields near my mother's home."

"I will make no guarantee."

"I don't need you too," she flashed me a coy smirk; "I'll see you there."

Returning to the underworld wasn't the same, not after her radiance had captivated me, her eyes had entranced me. I told myself she'd never be mine, that all of this must be some spiteful trick or deception meant to humiliate me. I stopped to pet Cerberus, the echoes of Typhon still resonating though the underworld.

"Your daddy is being quite the thorn in my side." I complained to him, he began to swing his immense tail side to side, tongues lolling out from each huge head as I scratched one of his pointed ears. Cerberus was one of many creatures born from Echidna and Typhon; the day that Echidna was slain and Typhon imprisoned, Hecate had brought a small injured puppy to me, his black fur matted with blood, but his crimson eyes wide with innocence. She told me he was trying to protect his mother when he was thrown aside, nearly killed as well. She trained him, and bestowed him upon me as my guard dog, he's been my best friend ever since. Back when I first had him, I could hold him with one arm, now he stands over one hundred feet tall, a fearsome sight to most, with his massive teeth and three great heads, but to me he will always be my puppy.

Home at last in my castle, alone in my chambers, I turned over and over in my mind this peculiar meeting with Kore, telling myself that this couldn't be real, she couldn't be drawn to me. As I drifted off these lingering thoughts came to mind, ones I shouldn't dare to envision; touching her, embracing her. The images keep creeping up on me; her sleeping next to me, her by my side on the throne, dancing with her on our wedding day, the children we would have together… I laughed at myself for imagining such ridiculous things...