"Mother!" A shrill cry made the fun of the nymphs die; frightened faces looking for the origin of that terrifying scream. Vacillating, the nymphs quickly left the lake and kneel down before the detached Goddess. Looking at each other, the nymphs seemed astonished in fear of vocalizing any word.

Finally, the youngest of the group found her voice. "Kore! What's wrong? Are you alright?" She asked, resting on her knees, bowing her head low, while the other nymphs shared a silent panic expression on their faces. They stood before her, eyes tracing the Goddesses' face and taking note of her emotions.

Breathing agitated and fast, Persephone wasn't able to articulate any word. Her eyes were lost, eyes ripped wild fixed at an imprecise point of the landscape. Her expression was absolutely unmoving and motionless. Upon no response, a soft hand came to grip her shoulder. "Kore… breath slowly. We are here. Nothing happens." A concerned voice called out while her other hand picked up a strand of golden hair behind Persephone's ear.

With that simple contact, the Goddesses' body responded, revived for that touch. Fingers trembling, unfurled from her companion's hand, Persephone grasped her as if she was clinging to the last rock before falling into the void. "Kore. It's me. Do you recognize me?" The nymph said, trying to escape from the lace between their hands. Green eyes flicked upon her attendants with horror. Persephone turned, surprised, and almost chocked when she saw her companions once more, holding her hands. Her heart raced and she blinked while she looked around, making sure she was at home, and not in the arms of that dangerous man.

"Can you go and find my mother for me, please?" Persephone asked looking at the horizon. Her vivid eyes were now like cold stones, with no expression in them. The nymphs looked at each other with a puzzled look. "Yes… of course Kore. I will go…" she whispered while she looked at the rest of the nymphs "…the rest will stay with you."

"No." Persephone simply replied. "I want to be alone". She added slowly, her voice calm and considerate.

"But Kore…" a subtle voice intended to argument with the shocked Goddess, failing instantly in her attempt. "I said NO." Her smooth voice now transformed in a harsh one. "I don't want to repeat myself. Go. Now." She spat without bothering to look at them. The nymphs were perplexed, they had never seen Persephone talk in such a rude way. Not wanting to disobey the Goddesses' will, they doubtfully left to find the only person who could solve that situation.

With the nymphs gone, Persephone's mind left to turn over what happened again. And without discussion you will surrender… Words running through her mind again and again like a melody embedded in her brain, a deep and tempting voice was invading her thoughts. She had never had a dream that looked so real, as real as she was now immobilized, perspiration drops descending through her spine. She hustled to find some meaning from that nightmare, though she didn't want to remember it at all.

Tired eyes looked at her hands; they were tense as if they were still clinging to the neck of her assailant. She would venture to say that she could still feel his skin, cold and hard as if he was an ice sculpture, but she did not know why, he also made her feel at home, comfortable and safe. Her entire body trembled with that inexplicable thought, the darkness she had seen, her captor's face was the only sane thing she could recall, blue eyes who were so familiar with that darkness.

In her life she had never seen anything like that, she imagined it was like the last view mortals have after their end. But above all, from all the thoughts that that nightmare bent over her, she could not forget the deep gaze of that man. Whoever he was, no one in her entire life had never defied elementary logic in such way, she had never been such confused about what was magical and what was real. She was exhausted because of that inexplicable feeling; her young brain was going over all the options, her eyes tired of searching everywhere. But the truth was that when she thought about that man, she could not say if that nightmare was glory or misery.

Clenching her teeth in discomfort, Persephone shifted and rose up on her bare feet. Tired of waiting, the girl went her way to the Olymp in search of her mother, without daring to look back on the fear of finding her face against those black horses. As fast as the wind, the Goddess arrived to her harbour within a minute, although for her it felt like an eternity. During the course of the route, Persephone had the sensation that in any moment the clear sky would be transformed into corrupted skies, and that wonderful flower would emerge in front of her, causing what she frightened the most.

The bustling place was alive and joyous. Beneath the clear blue sky, the voices lilted high and loud. Within the colourful crowd, The Goddess of Spring stood watching the display with a bemused scowl. She found herself with many faces, but none were the one she was looking for. The wheat's crown characteristic of her mother was not there, making Persephone move restlessly among Gods and deities. For once I am looking for her, she is gone. She thought bitterly, looking now for anyone who knew where her mother could be hidden. After a while dodging glances and trying to prevent her anguish from being felt, she turned away from the crowd to find a higher place to see the cramped area. How she hated the bitterness of the Olymp, false laughter and critical glimpses were ordinary on that place. She had learned to detest that atmosphere, full of super-frailty and without any noble feeling inside.

More calmed, Persephone composed herself and closed her eyes. The air was fresh, warm upon her lungs and soft moving her golden hair. "Persephone, what a nice coincidence!" A sweet voice made Persephone's eyes open. "What are you doing here, you precious thing?"

Persephone couldn't help but draw a true and beautiful smile. A black-haired woman stood in front of her, with a cocky smile. The Goddess of flowers could not remember when was the last time she had seen that characteristic smile. Hecate has changed since their last meeting; her hair was now long and straight, her skin had become even more white, and she would swear that she was taller than before. Her beauty was exotic, it was not common in those fields, which made Hecate still more attractive and mysterious. The only thing that remained the same was her gaze, she always showed a dreadful look, but a fair and tender personality was hiding beside those black eyes, only able to see for those who wanted truly to see her insides. She wore a long black dress with a golden belt around her small waist, raising even more her stylized figure.

Without saying a word, Persephone hugged her with all her strength. "Oh Hecate, it is so nice to see you again!" she exclaimed with her eyes closed and her face resting on Hecate's breasts. The Dark Goddess was the only divinity, leaving aside her mother, she trusted; she was surely not a daily friend, but the time they shared together was precious for Persephone. Hecate was firm but gentle, she supported her in her hard times and she showed her how to improve her skills. Hecate and Persephone shared a really important thing, they detested the way of life of the Olymp, the perverted and arrogant ways of most of the Gods and Goddesses of that place.

"Oh, come on child, get off of me! If someone sees us, you will ruin my reputation." She mumbled, smirking. Persephone broke the hug and looked those dark eyes. "Oh Hecate, you can't imagine how I missed you." She replied while the other Goddess surrounded her with her large arm.

Walking and talking with her friend, Persephone forgot what was doing there, she forgot about finding her mother, about her nightmare, about everything as she submerged herself into their conversation. On their way down on a solitary path, the two Goddesses enjoyed their mutual company, the sweet breeze was the only sound that lived in that place. Golden and black hair dancing with the air. The two Goddesses were the two sides of a coin, day and night, brightness and darkness, candidness and wildness.

"You have become a beautiful little woman, Persephone. More than Demeter herself, I dare to say…" A rich confident voice said. "…and even more than me." She added winking at the young Goddess.

"You are very kind, Hecate. But let me warn you that if my mother hears you saying this, you migh…" Persephone's voice suddenly died letting her sentence unfinished. At the end of the path, unnoticed hidden behind some tall columns, there were three men talking quietly. Three men of similar stature and complexion, but very different at the same time; one of them clearly stood up, or at least for Persephone. There, at a short distance from her, was the man who could not get out of her mind.

Waiting for what was next, Hecate looked at Persephone with an expectant look. "You might have what?" The black-haired Goddess asked looking at Persephone. Not understanding the silence of her friend, Hecate followed the girl's gaze to find out what had stopped her. "What's wrong, child? You have never seen your father?" She said teasing.

Persephone, finally overcoming the shock and finding herself able to move, grabbed Hecate's hand with anxiety. "Who is that man?" She asked while her heart was beating like a drum's army. "The tallest one, next to Zeus." She said without breaking eye contact with those men.

"Who? Poseidon? Hades?" She asked, arching a brow.

"No, no. Not Poseidon." Persephone's quickly replied with a notorious anxious tone in her voice. "Hades." She said like if saying his name made him real. "Hades…" She added now as if it was a poetic word.

"You don't know him? He is Hades, the King of the Underworld, brother of your father and mother, one of the greatest Gods." Hecate explained as if she was reading an interesting book to a kid. "He is the ruler of the Death. I don't know what is he doing here…" She stopped for a moment, with a thoughtful look. "Like me, Hades avoids coming here, he prefers to enjoy the calm and serenity that reigns in his realm, rather than being here with all these petulant Gods…"

"The King of the Underworld?" The Spring's Goddesses cut her out. "He looks so threatening…"

"Indeed. He is direful, serious, dreary. Yes, terrible, but not evil. He is severely fair and inexorably in the performance of his duties. He is a formidable king, let me tell you." Hecate added with admiration in her words.

Persephone said no word, she was enchanted looking at that man. There were so many feelings flowing inside her, she had never felt that way, excited but scared at the same time. Was all that real? Or was she still dreaming? If that was the reality, what did her dream meant?

Quick steps appeared at the end of the horizon line, moving speedily towards the Goddesses, breaking the silent scene. "Kore! Kore!" a hectic scream emerged, echo rolling against every mountain, making Demeter's voice higher; reverberations awaking the birds dozing on the trees. Glossy eyes looked at Demeter, a silhouette traced by the sun moving anxious and capriciously in her direction, walking fast, almost running.

Realizing the excessive chatter that her mother was causing, Persephone turned her head abruptly looking back to those men. Crimson lips quivering slightly; green eyes widened with recognition. Persephone stood there for a moment, Hades' eyes meeting hers like the first time they met; the same sensation travelled through the whole body of the girl taking her again to her dream. Staring at Hades like if he was the very first dark angel she had ever seen, distraught for those blue eyes that she already knew, her legs were becoming to fail her. Whatever it was happening inside her, maybe shock, or disbelief, or fear... were too many things. He was an unexpected despair of the spirit, the scent in the air, an awkward atmosphere. But even though she did not understand it, she was paralyzed. He was a howl that freezed her blood. Now she could affirm, without any doubt, one thing. He was clearly not a dream.


Notes:

Okay guys, you can relax, the abduction was not real, not yet at least :3

Sorry for the massive eye contact description, but I found it so important between these two lovers.

Thanks for reading!