Chapter 20: The Legacy of Persephone

"Are you cold, Persephone?" he asked. Persephone, her eyes closed, simply smiled and snuggled further up to Hades. The day had passed wonderfully, and the hour had grown late; there was little sunlight about, and the air had long since begun to cool as twilight's cameo started to fade away. The two had left the shade of the willow long ago and were now lying out on the grass in the clearing near the stream. As the night began to take hold, little pinpoints of light began to show themselves in the sky along with the full moon.

Persephone smiled to herself and propped herself on her elbow as she turned her head to Hades. He was looking up at her, curiously and inquiringly, as he stroked her hair. "No, actually I'm not, Hades." She bent down, laying her head on his chest and wrapping her arm around his waist. "Can we stay like this?" Persephone heard herself ask softly. "Just for a while longer?"

"Of course," Hades said, draping his own arms around Persephone's body.

She looked up at the sky, now taking on a deep navy color. "The stars are so lovely. The night sky was one of the things I missed while I was in the Underworld." Persephone felt Hades' head above her shift as he turned his own gaze to the sky.

"They're beautiful, yes," Hades said casually.

"So nonchalant," Persephone mocked.

"But of course," he responded in the same tone. "I'd say that their radiance dims in your presence."

"Oh, you," Persephone responded, squeezing his abdomen. Just as she did so, though, Persephone sensed that something was amiss. She glanced down at Hades, who also appeared to have had a similar sensation.

"What was that?" he asked. Persephone rolled off of Hades and carefully picked herself up to her feet.

"I think my mother is back," she whispered, as her heart began to pound in fear. "That, or she is close. I only ever get that sensation just before she arrives. What should we do? I don't believe you can get out in time before she catches you…"

Hades calmly got to his own feet and took Persephone's cheeks in his hands. "Shh… relax, Persephone." Persephone could only stare back in surprise, wondering how he could be so calm. "No, I can't leave in time, but I do have a rather pleasing alternative. Observe." Persephone watched him reach out and gently graze his finger across her necklace. It vanished, almost on contact. "Now there's no trace that I was here…" Hades turned his gaze back to her own and felt him pull her close. He landed a few soft and sweet kisses on her lips and cheeks before pulling away.

Hades took a few steps backward as a rustling came from the other side of the willow tree. Persephone felt her breathing quicken with panic as they both turned their heads toward the sound. After a moment passed, they glanced back at each other. In the short amount of time, Persephone watched Hades grin at her as he dissolved into a column of black mist that swiftly fell into the ground. At this, her eyes widened in shock and she glanced around the clearing for any sign of Hades.

"Hades…" she whispered in confusion. "…Where did you go?" she cautiously took a few steps forward, when a movement out of the corner of her eye grabbed her attention. Persephone slowly turned her line of sight downward and took a sharp inhale at what she saw next.

Out of the darkness of the head of her shadow swirled two, dark red eye shapes and a toothless, grinning mouth illuminated by the bright moonlight. The mouth moved as she heard a voice.

"Did you think I'd actually left you? I hardly think that could have been considered even a halfway-decent goodbye."

Persephone's jaw dropped as her eyebrows furrowed together. She wearily bent over slightly, looking around her surroundings as she did so. "Wait, what? …You can do that?" she whispered surprise. "That is so… brilliant!" The grin in the shadow widened before it spoke once more.

"Compose yourself!"

Persephone, taken aback at the sudden command, did as she was told by doing her best to dull her expression. The face in the shadow disappeared, leaving Persephone staring at her own shape that looked nothing out of the ordinary. Not a moment later, she heard more rustling coming from the tree. She turned to the tree just in time to see her mother emerging from the tree's long branches.

"Oh! I had assumed you would be sleeping," Demeter commented. "It's late."

"I know," Persephone responded. "I couldn't fall asleep, though."

Demeter said nothing else as she moved past Persephone to set her bag and new findings down. As she did so, Persephone stole another glance at her shadow. There were two, very dark red spots that appeared to be looking in Demeter's direction. Persephone tore her eyes away and followed suit.

Hades waited in silence as quite literally sat in the shadows. He could see everything relatively clearly, though Demeter's and Persephone's voices sounded slightly muffled. Hades turned his attention towards Demeter, who was now unloading her arms of the plants that she had brought back with her.

I can't believe she would treat Persephone like she did… I admit I have been angry with Persephone, and for that, I am at fault. But never have I physically struck out at her… not to mention I at least apologize for what I may have done…

Hades felt himself seething at the thought of Demeter's actions, but kept himself silent. He gave the goddess his full attention as she finally began to speak.

"How is your foot? I can see that you can stand," Demeter said in an uninterested tone.

Hades felt a slight tug as Persephone's shadow mirrored her own movements. She lifted her injured foot to give it a brief look as she spoke. "I can stand only a little. It's still pretty bad, see?"

"Yes," Demeter responded immediately, not turning around to look at the foot.

Hades looked up at Persephone who had now lowered her foot and looked hurt. She quickly glanced down at Hades, her eyes filled with sadness. He could feel the tension rising as the two women remained quiet with each other.

Persephone bit her lip as she clearly hesitated to speak her mind. She closed her eyes as she forced out her thought. "Mother… are you still angry with me…?" she asked.

Demeter gave a long sigh before turning around. Her warm-colored eyes were filled with cold as she looked at Persephone forlornly. She stood from where she was crouched and approached Persephone. "I wouldn't say angry, Persephone. But I am still disappointed in you, yes."

"Why?" Persephone whispered.

Demeter's face contorted. "Why? Your actions disgust me, Persephone. I don't have the slightest clue as why you would want any relation to that thing!" Demeter threw her hands up in the air and walked away in frustration.

"I don't want to get you worked up, mother. But I can't help myself but wonder why you also have such a distaste for Hades," Persephone replied calmly, though fear was still lingering on her face. Hades silently scoffed at Persephone's inquiry.

She could always just ask me that question… I have the answers. The answers from my side, at least.

Demeter was silent for a moment as she stared into the trees away from them. Finally, she turned her head back to Persephone, her eyes now ablaze with rageless fire. "…I don't think you would understand, Persephone. Not now, at least." Hades paused in his thoughts, contemplating Demeter's response.

She may have a point, there. I'll give her that, at least.

"What do you mean?" Persephone asked, shifting uncomfortably.

"Exactly what I just said; it would be difficult for you to understand," Demeter said. "But aside from that…" her face contorted again. "I have disappointment mainly for your own personal actions in this situation; why are you so selfish?"

Persephone's reeled backward in shock at the question, her eyes widening. Hades even felt himself taken aback.

"I'm being selfish?" Persephone shot back, her anger clearly rising. "You're the one locking me in an impenetrable dome all the while insisting I stay here on earth—"

"Wow, Persephone. Is that really all you think there is to this?" Demeter said in a low voice, cutting her daughter off. "Do you really think I am that selfish of a creature?" Hades watched as Persephone stood in shock and silence. Demeter sighed and continued. "You're missing the big idea! You still have much to learn, Persephone. You think you're suddenly this mature woman now that you've crossed so many boundaries with that husband of yours. But you're wrong!" Demeter took a few steps forward and bored intently into Persephone's eyes.

"What could you possibly talking about?" Persephone asked, confused.

"Your duties! Have you no regard for your purpose here?" Demeter shot back. When Persephone said nothing and only looked more confused, Demeter continued. "The lifeline of this world is tied to you, as well; not just me. Any time you leave the earth's reach, not to mention leaving for the Underworld, you begin to kill off this world!"

Hades felt himself stiffen. He couldn't believe he was admitting it, but Demeter's reasoning was suddenly making some sense to him.

"But what about you and your duties?" Persephone argued defensively.

"It was different before you were born… there's only so much that I can do now that you exist; it was as if the ability I possessed was transferred to you to carry."

"What do you mean?"

Demeter gave a long sigh. "Rather, I can only go so far in nourishing life without your presence. You, on the other hand, provide the driving force."

Hades watched as Persephone's jaw dropped in shock at Demeter's statement. He turned his gaze away and grimaced in disgust at the weight of the words.

"Yes, I admit that all that set aside, I would rather you stay here on earth with me as oppose to the Underworld… but this isn't about any of us; you do realize how vital it is that we provide the mortals with life, right?" Demeter asked seriously.

Persephone looked away sheepishly as she gave her response. "Yes, I do know…"

"I thought so. Do you now understand why I so selfishly insisted that you return to the earth regularly? I apologize that it has to be this way, but it's necessary. I'm also quite shocked that none of the other gods realized this, particularly… Hades." She grimaced as she spoke his name, causing Hades to roll his eyes. "I know how unconditionally loving those arrows make the people they shoot. Not to mention how mad they can go from it. But the way I see it, if he truly loved you, he would have thought about what was best for you instead of making such a rash decision. I have no reason to think that I'm the selfish antagonist here, as you make me out to be. You both need to look at your own actions for a change."

Persephone stiffened at the comment, and Hades felt himself taken off guard at the words, as well.

"And with that knowledge," Demeter continued. "it should be obvious why I have even more distain for that creature than I did prior to this incident." Demeter shook her head and turned away, now seemingly speaking to herself. "He still hasn't learned… never thinking things through…!" Finally, she simply walked away into the bushes, calling over her shoulder. "I need some sleep, Persephone. I suggest you do the same very soon."

Persephone stood rigid, still reeling as she absorbed her mother's input. Hades also remained still in her shadow, not sure how to process things, either. A moment later, though, Persephone turned her head down to where Hades awaited.

"Hades… will you come out…?" she asked tentatively.

Hades complied, feeling darkness wrap around him briefly. When it settled, he was staring directly into Persephone's face with all the sights and sounds around him crystal-clear again. Persephone said nothing as she looked at him.

"Persephone…" Hades began. Persephone closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Is what she said true? I mean, did that really just happen?" Persephone asked. She opened her eyes, which were now full of distress. "She made it sound like I'm turning my back on my duties… I mean, I kind of am, though I didn't realize it…"

Hades reached out and grasped Persephone's shoulder, but she ignored it and instead pressed herself up against him. Hades moved his hand to her head once more and began stroking her hair. He gave a quiet exhale before speaking. "It was, in essence, my fault at binding you to the Underworld. But I had no idea that separating you from the earth would have made for such a cataclysmic event." He suddenly chuckled as a thought crossed his mind.

"What's so funny?" Persephone asked sharply.

"It almost makes you that much more fitting as my queen; you leave death in your wake when you leave," Hades stated.

"That's not funny," Persephone said, her voice muffled in Hades' robes. She was clearly fighting herself from chuckling back.

"Anyway," Hades continued. "I have to admit, her reasoning makes sense. I never knew her to be selfish, now that I think about it."

"What did she mean about you never thinking things through?" Persephone inquired.

Hades stiffened as she asked the question; he was not willing to share everything right now. "I guess that I don't think everything through, even though I'm repeatedly told so… just ask Charon," he replied, chuckling. Though he sidestepped the question, Persephone didn't seem to notice.

"Hades?" Persephone asked.

"Yes, dearest?"

"Should I feel regret when I leave to see you again?" Persephone asked seriously. She lifted her head and looked directly into Hades' eyes with an intensity he had never seen in her before.

Hades suddenly flashed back on his meeting with the Moirae as he heard Atropos' voice echoing in his head.

"Of course we have a motive. However, whether that motive is of some great significance to you or merely to entertain our boredom is something that you will discover on your own. In time, of course."

"I don't think you should," Hades replied. "There's a purpose as to why things are the way they are."

"You'd rather me just take things as they come?" Persephone asked.

"I think that would be for the best. There's nothing we can do to change the situation, anyhow. Besides, I don't think you want to abandon either Demeter or myself entirely, as you seem to be thinking you should," Hades said earnestly.

Persephone bit her lip again at the response. "I was thinking that would be better, but you're right." She forced a weak smile. "All will reveal itself in time, then."

"For better or for worse," Hades said. "Regardless of which it is, though, I will still be here for you whenever you need it."

Persephone snuggled herself up against Hades' chest once more and mumbled. "I think you should probably get going now, as much as I'd like otherwise." Hades nodded silently. "When will we see each other again?"

"…I'm not sure, in light of the current events," Hades replied. "I believe I'll have Hermes get back on you with this one."

Persephone sighed. "In other words, not for a while."

Hades tightened his arms around the girl before him sadly. "Perhaps. I'm not even supposed to be seeing you right now, as it is." Persephone nodded her head into Hades' chest before she pulled away. As she looked up at him, her face was relatively blank, save for the faint streaks of sadness.

"Okay."

Hades took Persephone's cheek in his hand. "Don't be so sad, please," he said reassuringly. When Persephone's expression did not change, he smiled. "Close your eyes; let me kiss you."

Persephone gave a small, genuine smile and did as she was told. Hades brought his face to hers and kissed her full on the mouth as Persephone wrapped her arms around him, savoring each kiss. When they finally broke apart, Hades held his face near Persephone's.

"I love you," he whispered with a smile.

Persephone glanced away, clearly wondering how to respond. When she looked back, she also had a tiny smile on her lips. "I like you," she said.

Hades grinned as she said it. "So cute," he said. He pulled Persephone closer for one last, quick kiss and an embrace.

"Can you get out of here quickly and silently, by chance?" Persephone asked.

"Of course, and without leaving a trace. I already told you; it's how I first brought you to the Underworld," Hades said. He pulled away and smiled at her one last time before walking over to the widest spot in the clearing. He turned around to face Persephone and spoke once more. "Goodbye, Persephone."

She smiled weakly. "Goodbye, Hades." She paused before speaking a new thought. "I'll miss you…"

Hades grinned back. "I'll miss you, too, dearest. Until then…" he trailed off and let the sentence hang briefly before allowing the darkness to close over him and pull him back to the realm of the dead.

Author's Notes!

Jul. 2, 2011-

Firstly, I want to inquire about something; I need to make a correction to this story's genre, don't you think? It's currently romance/general, but I need something else in place of "general" that is not "romance" again... this story is not hard-core, 100% romance. Could you guys give a suggestion (if you can think of one) and why? That would be helpful. I'm thinking "mystery", perhaps with the way I'm leaving you all in the dark :P but perhaps not.

Anyway, do you guys like the new direction I'm going with? So, Demeter isn't a complete antagonizing bitch after all! Yes, she went a little overboard with Persephone's burns. But, her words and rage seem just a little more justified now. Persephone certainly has a duty to the earth; she is the Goddess of Spring, after all.

But also note this: if Persephone takes life away by leaving, doesn't that mean that she takes it with her to wherever she goes? I have previously demonstrated a result of this, though it was only a few brief descriptions. What sort of consequences do you think that could possibly bring about later on? The Fates have certainly got a very intriguing plan set out, don't they?