The Dread of Spring

by emkyrialynch

The love story of Hades and Persephone is overlooked and this fic will be retelling the beautiful tale...but there's gonna be important themes-such as self identity and entering adulthood-tied in with the fic's mature content. Give it a shot-it's worth a try.

7. Chapter 7

Athena was not one who took disobedience lightly. This being said, Athena, who was carrying the limp Kore in her arms, decided to dump the child into the nearest source of water.

Walking closer to the secluded wing of the palace, the humble-sized garden came into sight. Athena's face possessed a cat-like grin, as she surveyed the colorful area of nature. At the center of the garden-that once was Demeter's most prized possession-was the glistening waters from Poseidon's freshest domain. Similar to a public bath, but with water cascading down the layers of marble placed in the center of the pool.

I suppose the fountain will do, Athena snickered to herself.

Approaching the edge of the fountain, Athena threw her snoring sister into the cold with a loud plop. As soon as Kore's body was encased in water, Athena chose to laugh aloud. The drenched goddess, sat wide eyed in the fountain.

"Athena! So good it is to see you!" Kore gasped, throwing her arms up, pulling the goddess of wisdom into the pool. Athena let out a yell before her body hit the water, splashing everything in sight. Kore's giggling seemed to rejuvenate the flowers surrounding them.

"Why you little-" Athena's sentence was cut off by the shrieking of Demeter located inside the palace.

Kore and Athena paled with recognition. Knowing what would come of next, the two girls exited the pool, looking as if the air had been sucked out of the garden. Kore walked with her head down, her long, golden waves shielded her like a satin curtain. Before exiting the garden, Kore placed her hand on a dying rose and whispered softly to it. Blooming close by the rose, a white flower with numerous long bulbed leaves. An eerie sensation washed over both women, causing Kore to flinch.

The roars of Kore's parents echoed the halls, taking Athena and her out of their strange thoughts, and forcing them back to themselves.

Before Athena could move, Kore burst with tears. Falling to her knees abruptly, the young goddess vanished into air-leaving nothing but a wilting white bulbed flower in her place.