Hello, faithful readers. Here we have the chapter you've been waiting for so long, the one that reveals it all. Or well, almost it all. This chapter's completely different from anything I've ever written, so I'm a little unsure about it. I hope you're able to understand the story well. After all, greek mythology is no easy subject. I had to to a lot of research, though I didn't go too deep.
Let's get on with the shoutouts:
Windrea: Yep, Hades has finally appeared. Here we have his backstory and I hope you won't think I'm pushing too hard with how I tried to redeem him in this chapter. I also hope you'll enjoy the twists I have put in the story of the gods. Thanks for the tip about the game!
winxkate: Yeah, her death was one of the details that are crucial for the story. You'll see about Helia in a few chapters. You're on the right track there, keep up this great ideas that soon you'll see how everything unfolds.
knight7572: I'm afraid I must tell you that she really is dead, it's no trick. She won't stay for long, though. You'll see.
SweetyChou: Her death was necessary, unfortunately. It's one of the crucial points of the story, as you'll see in later chapters. I tried to make it as heartbreaking as possible because it really is too much to take, learning that you are dead as well as your parents and the man you love is missing.
Guest: I'm glad you did! I thought it was worth mentioning the incident, as a way to connect the story with the series. You can expect mostly romance from these two, they will be the most stable couple in the story. There won't be any Brella scenes in the next three chapters, but we'll have some nice ones in chapter 11.
CherryMusser: Yep, this chapter's all about mythology. No problem, I get excited too about things I love.
Thanks everyone for your lovely reviews. I am so glad you're excited for the mythology part because that's an important theme, though the rest of the story will focus mostly on Winx. I hope you have fun reading this chapter and any doubts feel free to PM me or ask me in your reviews.
2000 years before...
The ancient Magic Dimension was a much different world, more open and united. The planets had long lasting friendships that couldn't be broken so easily and the people were mostly happy. That doesn't mean that there wasn't war, no conflicts were very common despite the deep connection between the leaders of the planets.
Amongst fairies, witches, wizards and all the magical creatures that lived in the Magic Dimension, there were also the ones that were more powerful and ancient: the Gods. They had been there since the creation of everything and they had what many people desired above anything: immortality. Time didn't affect these gods, they remained there through all the wars, destructions and centuries that passed.
The most important and powerful of all was Gaia, goddess of life. She was the creator of everything and everyone, she was the one who came first and so she gave life to the planets, she was responsible for the existence of the first magical creatures. She was also responsible for the existence of the first gods, powerful ones that she created with her powers and that would become legends for eons to come. The three famous brothers that affected the Magic Dimension in ways humans would see as impossible.
Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. Three men who had the ability to chose the fate of nations, who could do anything they wanted because they were more powerful than anyone else. Zeus was given the power to control the sky, whereas Poseidon was master of the seas. They lived in harmony, always respecting each other and the human world for they knew that if they were to harm the creatures that Gaia so lovingly created, the punishment would be great. After all, she was not only their mother and creator, someone they cared about, but she was also the supreme goddess. And they knew that she could take their powers just as she had given them.
Hades, on the other hand, was more of a rebellious child. He wanted to be more powerful than his brothers, more admired and more loved. Gaia saw the the propension for darkness in him and she feared what he might do, so she presented him with an even more powerful gift. Being the goddess of life, she had control over both life and death, so she was able to take someone's life if she found them unworthy of living. In order to appease her youngest son's hunger for power and affection, she made him master of death and she created a place where he could be the most powerful of all. The Underworld.
Initially, Gaia created two paths that a person could follow after their deaths, two different kingdoms that were ruled by trustworthy guardians: heaven and hell. Themis, another one of Gaia's creations, was appointed the goddess of justice and the supreme master of both kingdoms. She was the one who chose who would suffer for all of eternity in an attempt to compensate their sins and who would forever find peace. Themis was clever and so she would make both heaven and hell her resting spots in order to show the mortals that she truly desired to give justice. She would live for a few centuries in each place before alternating, the only being who ever resided in both Heaven and Hell.
After Gaia created the Underworld, she also created a place that would hold many of the dead who found themselves lost in the Magic Dimension, wandering around endlessly without any clue on where to go. They were what human called ghosts. The Underworld was supposed to be their place to rest and try to figure out why they hadn't moved on yet, but Hades made sure that the ones he chose as his servants never moved on. Many of them were trapped with him for centuries after making agreements with the god of death. Gaia knew this, but still she feared the repercussions on upsetting Hades because of the secret they shared, a powerful and deadly secret.
There were times when he would complain to her that Themis was an obstacle because she made sure that many of the lost souls moved on and he requested that Gaia give him her powers as well, but the goddess of life never agreed to it. She told him that he was powerful enough while choosing who would die and if he desired to have more servants, he could kill more humans. Of course, Gaia didn't like when mortals died before their time only to become Hades' servants, so she made sure that only those who had done mostly bad, who would surely follow to hell, were killed. In a way, she was saving them from a most horrible fate, so her conscience was eased.
Due to Hades becoming extremely powerful, fights with his brother became constant and there wasn't much that Gaia could do. Poseidon and Zeus complained many times about her apparent favoritism of Hades, but she always reinforced how she loved all of her sons equally. As a way to appease their own jealously and anger, she gave them gifts to show how much she cared.
For Zeus she created his first wife, Metis, goddess of wisdom. It didn't take long for them to fall in love and later get married. For 50 years they lived together and with their daughter, Athena, who became the goddess of wisdom as well. Though her knowledge was mostly about war and battles, while Metis specialized in leadership. She helped many leaders of the Magic Dimension keep their reigns and improve their ruling.
Back then gods lived amongst the mortal creatures in the Magic Dimension, though they did have their own realm. The Golden Kingdom, another one of Gaia's creation, was the home for most of the gods. After Zeus was appointed as its ruler, being the oldest of all gods except for Gaia, Hades decided to live only in the Underworld and rarely visited them there. Poseidon, on the other hand, content with the great sea that his mother had created in the Golden Kingdom, happily lived alongside his older brother.
As the centuries went by, more gods were created as well as more humans in an endless cycle provided by Gaia. The goddess of life ensured that peace ruled the Magic Dimension, though sometimes war was inevitable. She cared for all the creatures she had created, making sure that there was no hunger, no poverty and no unfairness in the planets. Of course, that didn't mean that those things didn't exist, because even someone as powerful as Gaia couldn't control everything. Some things were left to the humans and their choices.
Speaking of choices, the gods were able to make a choice that most humans would most likely love to. Since they were immortal, gods would never grow old or look old. Until they reached the age of 20, Gaia made it so that they would grow like mortals, going through childhood and adolescence normally. After that, their appearances would be left to them. They would have the power to change it as they desired. Zeus, for example, chose to look older than his two brothers because he believed that the older look transmitted wiseness and power.
On the other hand, Hades chose to look like a young man in his early 40s and Gaia chose the image of youth as well. Her appearance included golden curly hair that went to her feet, blue eyes that her sons shared, and creamy white skin. Many humans would say that she looked like more like a young princess than an ancient goddess, but it was what she chose to look like. They never forgot about her power, tough, and never stopped worshipping her. Gaia was loved by all humans.
One person that wasn't loved at all was Hades, since he used his powers to kill people and trap them as his servants. Too bad no one knew the reason behind his actions, the secret Gaia shared with him that not even his brothers knew. The humans called him cruel because he stopped the lost souls who still wandered in the Magic Dimension after their deaths from moving on. Even Themis complained to the goddess of life how wrong it was to prevent someone from following their fate, but Gaia always argued against stripping Hades of his power.
She knew that her son was, unfortunately, taken by the darkness just as Zeus had been taken by the light. And she also knew that she couldn't do anything about it, because the darkness was something more ancient and powerful than her. It was all that existed before Gaia herself came to be and she had made an agreement with the darkness so that she could create all the lives she wanted and bring the light. So she had no choice but to let this evil force chose someone to control, someone it could use as a life force. Because the darkness wasn't able to live on its own, it needed a living being to be its holder. Gaia was the first being there was, but she was able to break free. The light inside of her was too powerful for the darkness to control any longer, so it seeked another host.
Gaia often wondered why it was that Hades had been chosen by the darkness, but an answer never came. She couldn't control everything, she couldn't make all the choices just because she had created all the living creatures in the Magic Dimension. After all, she was only able to do so because o the deal. Gaia also knew that the best to do about Hades was to keep him happy and satisfied, for she worried what might happen if he were to lose control.
Unknown to her, Hades' connection to the darkness grew stronger over the centuries and he wasn't having an easy time controlling it. He didn't want to become a servant to the darkness, but only someone who was filled with light could keep the darkness at bay for long. And Hades was far from being a light being, despite his mother's attempts to fill him with hope and love. Due to the place he lived and the horrible things he did, his heart grew darker and he was close to losing control.
Desperate for something to free him from this exhausting fight against the darkness, Hades left the Underworld after 5000 years of living there. He went to the Golden Kingdom, where his brothers lived, and tried to make amends. Zeus and Poseidon embraced him with open arms, after Gaia requested that they forgive their younger brother. They were unaware of the truth behind Hades' cold hearted and evil attitude. They invited the god of death to live in the Golden Kingdom with them and he eagerly accepted it. For a few weeks, everything was fine. Until it was not.
By then, Zeus had long since left Metis and had just gotten married to Hera, who was already pregnant with their first born child, a boy they desired to name Ares. Despite their marriage, Hera suspected that he still held feelings for his 2nd wife, Leto. She had been the love of his life, as Hera had been told by Poseidon, and the children he and Leto had, twin siblings Artemis and Apollo, were very important to Zeus and he favored them. Jealous and afraid, Hera had demanded that Leto be kicked out of the Golden Kingdom. Her plan had failed, though, and in the end she was the one who had to leave her home.
Outraged by her assumptions that he still loved Leto and was cheating on Hera with her, Zeus told Hera to leave the kingdom of gods and spend some time on Earth, the planet he knew she adored above any others. Hera had no choice and she was living there while awaiting for the birth of her children. She wasn't the only one who would have to leave the Golden Kingdom, though.
As Hades stayed there, he soon found himself falling in love with none other than Leto. The goddess of childbirth was known for her beauty that almost rivaled Aphrodite, another daughter of Zeus. She had curly reddish brown hair that she kept in a proud bun and green eyes like the forests. She kept her appearance even younger than her daughter's. Her beauty and light spirit were what made her appealing to Hades.
So he tried to charm her, but she knew exactly who he was and what he did to men and women in the Magic Dimension. She couldn't forgive his ruthless actions, so she wanted nothing to do with him. But she was afraid of turning him down for she feared what Hades might do to her. So she had an idea. She told Zeus that Hades had attacked her, knowing that the god of the sky was sure to side with her over his brother.
"You can't be telling the truth?" Poseidon inquired shockingly as him and Zeus discussed the situation after the latter's conversation with Leto.
"I didn't want to believe it either, dear brother." Zeus replied before he sat down on his golden throne. They were currently in his chambers in the Golden Kingdom, a place where he lived with his children. There was a huge mirror behind the throne and huge bed in the corner. Gods didn't need to sleep, but Zeus had always been fascinated with the human world and the objects that they created.
"I always knew Hades had a darker side, but to attack a goddess, someone he knows you care about, is just stupid." Poseidon replied before he used his powers to conjure a throne of water where he soon sat. Just as Hades, he had the appearance of a man in his 40s, with short silver hair and the same blue eyes the three of them shared. His physique was just as muscular as Zeus and instead of an outfit similar to that of mortal kings, Poseidon wore a swimsuit in blue. It was richly decorated with silver dolphins and other watery creatures.
"Maybe he's trying to anger me." Zeus suggested and Poseidon widened his eyes even more.
"Why would he try to anger you when you so kindly invited him to stay with us?" Poseidon inquired confusingly and Zeus' response was interrupted by the arrival of their mother. Gaia wore a beautiful long dress made of leaves with roses embroidering it.
"Mother, I'm glad you have come here. We need to discuss..." Zeus started and Gaia put a finger in the air to silence him.
"I know. I have heard of what Leto has claimed about your brother." She replied calmly and Poseidon smiled at her.
"As usual, mother, you're one step ahead of us." He joked and she smiled kindly at him before approaching him and hugging him.
"My dear Poseidon, I am glad that you have decided to join us today instead of spending all day in the sea." She told him afterwards.
"Zeus called me for an urgency, so I had to come." The god of the sea replied.
"Do you really believe what Leto is telling you, dear?" Gaia then turned to her oldest son.
"She has no reason to lie, mother. I am sure that Hades has tried to attack her." Zeus replied simply and Gaia sighed.
"Then you only know one side of the story. I talked to him and he told me that he's in love with her." The two gods looked at her incredulously.
"Hades? In love? Is he even capable of that?" Zeus asked, regretting his words as soon as they were spoken when he saw the hard look on her face.
"Of course he's capable of love, he just hadn't found someone yet since he spent all his time in the Underworld." She told him firmly.
"In love or not, that doesn't change the fact that he's broken our most sacred rule." Poseidon argued, siding with Zeus as usual.
"You know how your brother is, he sometimes can't control himself. I'm sure that he didn't mean to attack Leto." The goddess of life defended her youngest son.
"I see the point you're trying to make, but I still can't just let this go. He needs to be punished for his actions." Zeus said determinately and Gaia sighed.
"I understand. Just don't be too hard on him." She advised and Zeus nodded, already having an idea for a punishment.
"I won't, after all, he's my brother. In fact, I have already come up with a punishment for him." The god of the sky said and both looked anxiously at him. "For attacking a goddess, he'll be expelled from the Golden Kingdom for the next 2 centuries." He stated and Gaia looked lost in thought.
"That's not such a horrible punishment. But you have to promise me that you'll both visit him from time to time. After all, he's your brother and he deserves to know that you're not giving up on him." She looked at her sons with raised eyebrows and they knew she meant it.
"Of course I'll visit him." Poseidon was quick to say and Zeus only nodded his head. Gaia cast them both a proud smile.
"That's good to hear. Now if you'll excuse me, I must pay a visit to Limphea. It seems as if someone's threatening the forests there." She told them before she left the room. Unknown to them, she went to another room in the chambers, where her most trusted ally resided. The only person that Gaia knew was 100% loyal to her and would always try to help her. And also the only person who could keep her most precious secret.
"They kicked me out for something I didn't even do!" Hades screamed as he returned to the Underworld. He was furious at Leto for lying and at his brothers for not believing him. Sure, it might be hard to considering his history, but he was being honest. He never had any intentions of hurting her.
"Not even mother believed me." The thought of Gaia brought him immense pain for she had always been the only person who believed him, who cared for him even if no one else would. She was the only thing keeping him from losing control. "But after this betrayal, I don't know if I even want to control it." He whispered to himself as his heart was filled with anger and sadness.
For centuries he had tried to hold off the darkness and control it, knowing the consequences of letting it free, but now he saw no reason to do it. So he let down his barriers for the first time and let the darkness take control and do as they pleased. He didn't even worry enough to find out what it wanted or who might get hurt. He just gave up on trying to be good when it hadn't worked out at all. After all, what was the point of trying when no one would believe him?
So, what are your thoughts? Did you like my take on the gods, their characteristics and relations to the humans? Were you able to understand the dynamic between Zeus and Hades, and Zeus and Gaia? I'll remind you that most of the facts here have come from a research. Though since this is a fictional story, I took the liberty of altering a few details of their stories. I also made up most of the stuff regarding Gaia.
What will happen now that Hades lost control of the darkness? What will he do? And what is the connection between him, Bloom and Flora? Next chapter will follow this one and soon we'll get back to the present. If we reach over 5 reviews to this one I'll try to post it this weekend.
Lastly, we have a list of the most important gods that appeared in this chapter. Others who might not not appear won't be a big part of the story, I'm just mentioning them so that you know who they are. Soon I'll be posting a picture of how I imagine their appearances in my tumblr page, so be sure to check it out.
Gaia: supreme goddess of life, creator of everything.
Zeus: OLDEST BROTHER ,of the sky, ruler of the Golden Kingdom. Currently married to Hera and father of Athena, Apollo, Artemis and Ares.
Hades: YOUNGEST BROTHER, god of death and ruler of the Underworld. Chosen by the darkness to be its host.
Poseidon: MIDDLE BROTHER, god of the seas, not too important to the story. Good friends with his older brother, Zeus.
Leto: Zeus' ex-wife and mother of Artemis and Apollo, two very important characters.
Artemis: goddess of hunt and the forest, daughter of Zeus and Leto.
Apollo: god of the light, son of daughter of Zeus and Leto.
Hera: Zeus's current wife and mother of soon to be born Ares.
VERY VERY IMPORTANT: I hope that you have realized that the real villain in this story is "the darkness." It's an unstable and powerful force that once ruled over the Magic Dimension. It's as Tecna mentioned in S7Ep4 (I think): the Universe was originally immersed in darkness. But it couldn't live on its own, so it created Gaia to be its host. She then was able to break free from its control since she was filled with light (another powerful force that had been almost extinguished by the darkness).
The darkness then made an agreement with Gaia that she could do what she wanted with the Universe, as long as she allowed it to choose someone else to be its holder. Gaia agreed, since she wanted to bring life to the Magic Dimension and so Hades was later chosen. I'm not saying that he had no control over his actions, but the fact that he was constantly battling for control with the darkness is what made him so cruel and ruthless. Keep in mind that Zeus and Poseidon didn't treat him well and the only person who truly showed him love and support was Gaia. So he had his reasons to be angry and resentful. HOPE EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.