In the fields where she walked, she knew that she was never alone, even when darkness fell and her friends left her on her own. Even in the windy afternoons, when she basked in sunlight and dreamed of solitude, something was there, watching her, owning her. Kore was guarded by her mother so protectively, too intensely – but even she could not match this need for possession, this mysterious thing that seemed so close to her.

Kore fell on her knees in her field of flowers. Poppies for Hermes, and fresh wild blooms for her mother. They would be waiting at Olympus, and she would play the part of the adult that they had never expected her to be. Perhaps they had not realized that she no longer wished to be the little girl that played in the fields like her mother's shadow; perhaps she only wanted to prove to them that they could be wrong, gods or not. The reason did not matter. She was no longer a child.

She wanted something more.

Hermes knew that something was off the moment that he entered the throne room. The silence of it cut through him as it never had; never in his lifetime had he felt something so solemn. The room was crowded as always, with every god present to present their causes to Zeus – why then was there no noise? He turned to face the thrones and caught sight of it.

He was pale, lighter than the marble that decorated the thrones he stood next to. The light tone of his skin was disturbing, unnatural; yet his cloak and hair were black, ivory against alabaster. What struck Hermes most were his eyes, gray and empty, staring back at him. This god he had never seen; perhaps he had never so much as seen the light of day before his journey to Olympus. There was still something strangely familiar about him, as if Hermes had seen the god's face carved in stone and painted in the temples.

"My lord Hades." Hermes' unspoken question was answered as Zeus spoke the god's name for the first time. The lord of the underworld had returned, then. The rumors were true. "It's been such a long time since you last visited us."

"Longer than time itself, I assure you." Hades extended a bow to his brother, sweeping his cloak to the side as he did.

"What do I owe this pleasure?"

Why would the god of the underworld come to this meeting alone and none of the other hundreds of meetings that have been held all of these years?

A peculiar smile spread across the god's face. There was something sinister about it. "I come to ask something of you, my brother, and hope that you will grant it to me."

There was some silent understanding between the brothers in that moment; Hermes was sure that the offer was being made silently to block a secret from intruding ears like his. Zeus nodded. "Very well. I offer you this on the condition that you treat this gift with dignity."

Hades grew solemn. "My lord, I assure you that I ask this of you with the highest level of reverence. I have never asked anything of you in all of these years – now would not be the time to defy what is sacred. May I take my leave now?"

"I suggest that you stay. There may be something in it for you if you can find the time for this celebration."

With a bow Hades retreated to the corner of the room, and only did Hermes notice that the typical noise of the room had resumed some time ago. Hades was said to be defiant; he was feared by those who had never seen him, and those who had found it best to keep their distance. He was something to be observed, but not taken lightly.

"What are you doing, Lord Hermes?" Zeus' voice thundered above the others.

"I only wondered why Lord Hades has joined us today of all days."

"Perhaps you should show less concern for Lord Hades and prepare for Kore's arrival; she would be disappointed to see anything beyond her grandest imaginings."

She knew that something grand was waiting for her; she could feel it anticipating her. It was the moment that she had been waiting for since she had heard the human tales of Olympus. One day, she would be remembered; one day she would have a purpose beyond her mother's watchful eyes.

Hermes would be waiting for her there.

She inhaled the sweet scent of her flowers as she found herself outside of the throne room; perhaps the smell would reassure her that she was ready to face the gods as an equal. She was the daughter of Zeus; what did she have to fear?

The gods did not notice as she slipped into the room.

She scanned the room for any sight of Hermes, but he was nowhere to be found. She was alone – completely alone. No one she knew was in the crowded room, not even her mother.

"What are you doing standing in the doorway?"

She glanced up to meet the man's empty gaze. There was something frightening about this man, something dangerous that told her to keep her distance. Despite his empty gray eyes and skin lighter than death, there was something familiar about him. "My lord?"

"You should not stand in the doorway as if you don't belong here. Hold your head high as if you were born to stand among the gods, Kore."

"How do you know my name? Forgive me, but I don't remember meeting you."

He smiled. There was no joy in it. "I never forget a face. Your mother was sure that everyone once knew who you were, even if she kept you away from what is rightfully yours. Forgive an old man's musings. I am Hades, lord of the underworld."

Hades. Someone to be feared – someone to be avoided at any cost.

"They fear you, down there."

"I realize that," he answered. There was bitterness in his tone. "They are not like us, Kore. Their days are limited, and the end of anything with limits is a terrifying thing. I promise you that I am not as fearsome as I am said to be."

She could feel his eyes on her delicate features, and she shuddered under his stare. "Do you… do you kill them?" Her voice was just louder than a whisper.

"No. I simply keep them one they die. I treasure life and all it… brings to me."

He outstretched his hand, and in an instant a single white flower appeared above it. It was beautiful in its simplicity, unlike any living flower she had ever seen. "What is it?"

"My gift to you. Remember me, Kore. There will be a time when we shall meet again."

He left her alone to wonder, flower in hand, what was waiting in her future.