The Original Curse
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time.
Summary: They disdained that which they did not understand, and feared it even more. And so they cast it away, banishing it to the deepest depths they knew, far away from Olympus. There was only one problem: there was no one to guard it and all the souls that entered it.
Chapter 5
Following Apollo's advice, Hades had decided to pay a call to another deity.
However, visiting the temples of two gods with whom he rarely associated, both within a week of one another, threatened to attract the attention of people he would rather remained unawares. That was why he was not on Olympus for this visit, but at a temple erected to the deity by mortal worshippers.
The white structure before him was just as large as Apollo's, except in place of regular pillars, the building's roof was held up by caryatids of the goddess to whom the temple was dedicated. Careful attention had been paid to each sculpture, with great detail in the renderings of the goddess' features. The entrance was a trellised archway of wood, with vines of roses that entwined the structure. As Hades stepped across the threshold, something tugged at his arm. Looking down, he saw that the sleeve of his shirt had been caught on the thorns that also sprouted from the vines, hidden beneath the rose petals and woodwork. Lifting the cloth from the thorn, he idly wondered how many people had been pricked as they passed through.
A minute later, he stood before the entrance to the temple's central room. It was covered with silver gauze-like material, thin and translucent. As he pushed aside the cloth and stepped through to the other side, he was met with a room that featured the same material, in various shades of silver and blue, hanging from all four walls. Glowing orbs hung suspended in the air around the room, casting a soft white light over the space and setting the veils shimmering.
He was pleased to note that the goddess of the temple was already present, no doubt because she had felt his presence here. She leaned on the armrest of a plush chaise lounge set in the center of the room, watching him as he moved forward. Her features didn't quite match the pillars outside, but it was to be expected. After all, it was widely known that the goddess of love's appearance was as inconstant as the identities of her many lovers.
"No longer blonde, I see," he commented.
"I think black hair works well for me," Aphrodite responded, fluffing the thick curls that framed her face.
"Indeed it does," he agreed.
Considering Aphrodite's occupation, Hades would be surprised if anything didn't work for her. She didn't just set the standard for beauty, she was the standard. There were countless realms in the world, and even within one single realm there existed numerous standards of beauty, but every one of them was based on Aphrodite. Thin, heavy, small, ample, short, tall—regardless of the realm, every feature was combined flawlessly in the goddess, with certain traits dominating depending on her mood. But regardless of her appearance, it always attracted. That was just a natural part of her magic.
Aphrodite quirked an eyebrow.
"What is it you hide behind your back, Hades?" she asked, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Hades smiled. "Can't put anything past you, can I?"
Apollo was an arrogant prat, and had skin as thick as a rhinoceros. No matter how Hades criticized the god, the man's ego would bounce back every time, so he didn't have to worry about being indelicate. Aphrodite, however, required a different approach. Luckily, he had learned his lesson from his encounter with the oracular god, and this time came prepared.
He brought his arm out from behind his back. Aphrodite leaned forward, and he held up his gift for examination. In his hand hung a fine gold chain comprised of small, intricate links. From the links hung drops of jade set in gold, their color a dark emerald, with soft lines of milky white running across the surface. Ten stones ran the length of the chain, leading to the center, where there hung a piece of white jade that had been carved into the form of a dove in flight, suspended by its wingtips.
"A hand-crafted jade necklace I found during one of my visits to a nation in the east." It had worked the first time, why not again? "When I saw it, I knew that I had to acquire it for you."
There was a tinkling laughter at the comment. Hades heard a little voice in his mind, quietly suggesting that perhaps he would like to hear her laugh more, and what better way than with the necklace?
"Aphrodite," he chided. "You needn't use your magic on me. I'm already giving you the necklace."
"Then you won't mind helping me put it on."
Aphrodite turned her back, using one hand to lift her curls. He stepped up, put the necklace in place and closed the clasp.
"How do I look?" she asked, facing him once more.
He noticed that her eyes, previously a dark brown, had changed to a deep emerald to match the gemstone's hue.
"It brings out the color in your eyes," he said, smirking.
She swatted him on the arm for his cheek, causing him to stumble back a step before he quickly regained his balance. Gentle and disarming though Aphrodite may have appeared, she still possessed the strength of a god; he needed to remember not to underestimate her. Nonetheless, he could tell she was pleased with the gift.
"Now, why have you really come?" she demanded.
"Astute as always."
"You were never terribly social, Hades. If you're putting effort into being charming and spending the precious time you have away from your realm in my temple, then it must be important."
"Indeed," Hades admitted. "I was told that you may have the solution to my particular problem."
He then launched into an account of the events that had transpired between himself, Zeus and Poseidon. He couldn't be sure how much the general populace knew, but whatever knowledge they possessed was likely just propaganda devised by Zeus to make himself look good while demonizing Hades—Apollo had said as much. Hades also told her about his meeting with Apollo, and the advice the other god had given him, which had then led him to her.
Aphrodite listened to his tale quietly, her features betraying nothing. When Hades finished speaking, he felt a mounting trepidation. What if he had been wrong in coming here? He wasn't some lovesick puppy who wanted to get the girl. What could the goddess of love even do to help him? Already doubtful of success, what she said next caused an even greater weight of disappointment to fall over him.
"Apollo was right. What you need is true love's kiss; it can break any curse, including yours."
"I'm not even sure I'm capable of love," he reluctantly confessed.
"Oh sweetie, don't be absurd! Everyone is capable of love. And not to brag, but love is a quintessential part of life. If it weren't for me, the world might as well stop spinning."
"That's not what I mean." Hades sighed before continuing, "You know what Zeus did to me."
"Ah…" Aphrodite said delicately, comprehension dawning.
"My heart no longer beats within my breast, and I fear that I am dead inside figuratively as well as literally. I feel less and less as the centuries pass, and I know with certainty that this will continue until I am devoid of all empathy. Tell me, Aphrodite. How would I even know if I had found true love? How will I know love when even simple joy is but the ghost of a memory?" Belatedly, Hades realized that he had said too much, revealed too much. Balefully, he glared at the goddess for her magic's effect on him. Why else would he confide his thoughts to her?
Aphrodite, seemingly unaware of this, had placed the tip of a perfectly manicured nail to her chin, appearing deep in contemplation. Hades noticed when an idea hit her. It was difficult not to; her entire face had lit up, and the room seemed a shade brighter for it. She was clearly pleased with whatever it was.
"How about this, Hades? I shall bestow upon you a gift—a spell that shall tell you when you have met the right one."
"What will it do?" he asked, wary about having another spell cast on his person after Zeus' duplicity.
"You'll know when the time comes," she replied, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Hades could feel the nature of her magic like tugs on his consciousness, inviting him to share in her secret. He shook it off, and concentrated on other matters.
"Why would you help me?" he asked, suspicious.
"I'm the goddess of love. Need I say more?"
While the spell—whatever it was—sounded useful, Hades certainly didn't want to sit around for who knows how many millennia waiting for it to finally kick in. He wanted the curse ended now.
"Couldn't you simply use your magic to restart my heart?"
"I'm afraid that is beyond my powers."
"I don't believe that. You tell me that only love can break my curse, and you're the goddess of love. Logically, you are the best person for the job."
"You men and your logic!" Aphrodite said, throwing up her hands in exasperation. "Love isn't about logic—it's about emotion, about something precious shared between two individuals, something fundamental and essential. We both know that magic is only as strong as its intent. Something fabricated from a spell just wouldn't be true—wouldn't be powerful enough to do what you want. You need the real thing."
She seemed fervent in her belief, but Hades wasn't entirely convinced. Aphrodite always had been quite dramatic. He knew he shouldn't have let his frustration get the better of him, but before he had fully considered the consequences, Hades snapped at the goddess.
"I don't know why I'm taking love advice from you, of all people. You're just as bad as Zeus when it comes to infidelity."
"How dare you!" Aphrodite's face had gone red with anger. A small part of him felt a tinge of regret, but that didn't stop him.
"Who are you to speak of true love, when you cheat on your husband at every opportunity?"
"That marriage was a result of Hera's machinations and you know it! Hephaestus is not my true love."
"He loves you," Hades shot back. "Even a blind man could see it." Aphrodite's glower lessened in intensity at his words.
"I know," she said softly. "Believe me, I know. But Hades, what I'm talking about is a different beast altogether. It needs to be reciprocated."
Hades deflated somewhat upon hearing that. He supposed that was also why Aphrodite couldn't be the one to relieve him of his burden. Even if she was perfectly capable of manufacturing love between individuals if it suited her, he'd never heard any stories about curses being broken as a result.
"So, are we decided then? It's not every day that someone is fortunate enough to receive a gift from the goddess of love," she said.
Hades was fairly certain that gifts from Aphrodite were quotidian occurrences, nowhere near the rarity she made them out to be. The snide thought had crossed his mind without much prompting. He shook his head to clear his mind of these uncharitable thoughts. They had been occurring more frequently of late, and it disturbed him.
Realizing Aphrodite was still waiting for his response, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Her skin was soft and it exuded a subtle scent, meant to allure.
"Yes, thank you, Aphrodite. You truly are as beautiful within as you are without."
"Such a gentleman," she teased. "Zeus could learn a thing or two from you." Hades met her eyes.
"Will you tell him I was here today?"
"Oh, he's too wrapped up in his own little world to care about what the rest of us get up to."
"Will you tell him?" he asked again, more insistently this time.
"No, dear. In fact, I'm rooting for you and your love-to-be," she confided with a wink.
Hades was about to ask why, but thought better of it. Aphrodite's mind worked in strange ways, and he didn't really care anyway, as long as the curse was lifted. Squaring himself, he nodded to her, signaling he was ready.
She stood from her seat and stepped in close, leaving barely an inch between them.
He tensed as her palm was placed against his chest right above his heart. Automatically, he recalled how his brother had magically plunged his own hand into that very spot. But Aphrodite seemed to have no intention of doing such a thing. He felt her magic surge through her palm into his body. He became distracted from the process as once again, he caught her scent and felt the by now familiar magic that tried to pull him in. Idly, he noted that she just couldn't help herself trying to sway the wills of others.
He was brought out of his thoughts as the pressure on his chest disappeared.
"It is done," she announced grandly.
Hades attuned his senses to his body. He felt no different, save for the trace amounts of her magic within him, but even those were fading fast. Being without any other choice, he supposed he would just have to trust her on this.
Hades bowed to the goddess and thanked her once more from the heart—or whatever was left of it anyway. Then doubt assailed him anew. Could he trust her to keep her word? What if Zeus wasn't nearly as preoccupied as she thought? The god had gone to a lot of trouble enacting this curse. It only made sense that he would do his best to ensure it wasn't broken; that's what Hades would have done.
Perhaps he should make a preemptive move. A single drop from the river Lethe and even a god would lose a day's worth of memories… No. Hades brought a hand to his eyes, trying to rub away the image of himself slipping water from the Lethe into Apollo's drink; and he definitely couldn't do that to Aphrodite, not after all her help.
What was happening to him? When had everyone become disposable? He should go before he did something he would regret.
"Thank you again, Aphrodite. If you don't mind, I'll take my leave now."
He turned to go, but she stopped him with a hand on his arm. Her expression was serious as he turned to face her.
"I'll give you one last piece of advice, Hades. Like all magic, love is comprised of many facets—light and dark amongst them. It is capable of making a person both incredibly happy as well as unbearably miserable. It can be the start of something beautiful, or lead one to desolation and ruination. I know you think being under Zeus' curse is unbearable, but what frees you from it could be just as bad, maybe even worse."
Hades dismissed her words with a wave of his hand. "You're wrong, Aphrodite. Nothing could be worse than this half-life to which he has condemned me."
He began walking away. As he was about to exit the temple, Aphrodite's final words caught up to him.
"I hope you're right."
He knew he was.