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Saginévo

Summary: Hades has spent his immortality in solitude, avoiding the other Gods. Until he heard rumors of Demeter's hidden daughter in a secretive Oasis and found himself curious enough to find out himself. The King of the Underworld was infatuated with the stowed away daughter, he won't allow anything to stop him from getting what he wants.

Previous Chapter

Chapter Two

🕊

Kore felt nothing but excitement as she held her mother’s hand, walking home as Demeter spoke calmly of her travels. She loved to hear about all the adventures her mother goes on when she helps the Earth. She wanted to help so badly but Mother tells her she has to stay to help keep the Oasis flourishing. She knew it was important, but she missed her mother so when she left. The nymphs were kind and played with her plenty- but they weren’t her mother.

As they left the small grove Kore adored, the two came to the sight of their house. She looked back to the older woman, grinning wide as Demeter smiled back with a softer, more collected smile. She gave her child’s hand a soft squeeze, Kore bouncing in her grasp, only growing more excited the closer to the home they got.

The young God had only known one home her entire life, built just beside the lakes she loves to play in. The walls of her home were beige yellow, with a bright orange clay roof she could see far from her home in the forest. The walk home was full of laughter and conversation. Kore wanted to cherish the moments, the harvest would begin soon, and she would have to share her mother for even longer periods as the God would prepare to allow mortals to harvest. Kore wished she didn’t have to share her mother, she could simply exist alongside her mother, without the fear or dread of her being gone so much for her duties.

Stepping through the wooden pane, they walked across the courtyard before they could get to the kitchen. When Kore was a child, she used to spend every day in the courtyard, cluttered with toys, and Demeter watched from the kitchen window. The yard of the home was surrounded by the walls of the rest of the house, and the kitchen’s entrance was on the right. She nearly dragged her mother in before she hurried to the wine glasses and a loaf of bread and set both on the wooden table.

This was her favorite part of her mother’s homecoming.

She sat quickly on her chair, as Demeter took the bottle from the table’s surface. Kore swung her legs, gleaming bright as the wine sat at the table. The wine wasn’t what she enjoyed- she found it bitter, instead, it was what her mother would pour inside it. She still remembered the burning taste of alcohol on her tongue the time she had sneaked the bottle away during one of her mother’s absences. She nearly cried for how it tasted without Demeter’s ingredient.

Demeter pulls the cork out effortlessly, before pouring two full glasses of the wine, she always poured just a bit more for herself- Kore never minded. From the bosom of her robe, she pulled the glass vial, popping it open with her thumb and pouring an equal amount of the shining, pink liquid. Kore couldn’t help but lick her lips. Demeter handed her the glass, and Kore forced herself to be calm as she took the glass between her two hands.

Sitting the glass at her side, she hastily ripped a piece of bread and began to soak it in the wine, looking at her mother. “Thank you, Mama.”

Demeter hums, “You’re welcome, Moráki mou.” She sipped on her wine, “I know that’s why you’re excited to see me.” She teased, but Kore frowned when she said it.

“No Mama, I really missed you.” She told her, “I miss you so much.”

“I missed you too.” She assured.

The older God shook her head, lifting herself from the seat, she reached over the small wooden table towards Kore. She was careful to not knock the wine glasses over as she plucked her daughter up. Demeter brought the girl to her embrace, pressed against her chest as Kore happily cuddled into her neck. Her child was light in her arms, quickly grabbing the wine cup from Kore’s side over to hers. Yet, Kore’s mind had left the drinks, focusing on the warm form of her mother and worrying the fabric of Demeter’s robe between her fingers.

The elder God had missed this terribly, she missed the young girl whenever she was gone. She knew Kore adored her, and nothing would change that- she would always be safe in her Oasis. Demeter pressed her forehead against the daughter’s, the faint smell of lavender from her brown hair filling her nose. Kore was lax in her touch, giggling as she leaned into her mother.

Demeter pulled back, going to sit back on her chair. Kore was perfectly shaped to be on her lap, a comforting weight that burrowed into her form, she was made for this- and Demeter couldn’t imagine returning home without being so loved.

She would miss this when the harvest months came in full swing.

🕊

Hades knew little of his sister, he often avoided family matters altogether and Demeter was never one to build strong bonds. He did know one thing about his sibling; Demeter spent the harvest season mostly with the humans to help prepare for the crops. The vague knowledge was enough to assure him the Oasis was going to be easily accessible for at least the months following.

The time window he had to visit was limited, he was the king of the Underworld and there never was a moment without death. His court would need him, the Judges could handle plenty, but he was still expected to be present. Leaving to go play like a child in the flowers was something he couldn’t excuse himself with. He stayed perched in his throne room, mind elsewhere for days before he found a moment of peace to finally escape with.

When he did return to Demeter’s Oasis, he was greeted with the flourishing gardens he had pictured while laying in his silken bed for sleep. He lurked in the shadows, the nymphs unaware of their gilded paradise being invaded by just the sort Demeter wanted to hide away from. They never had a clue Kore was being beckoned away from their herd by him, so he could be entertained. Kore was unassuming to the tricks he played, the way he could wave her over and hide away in a different field to avoid them, or how he kept his ears perked for the slightest change so he may disappear before being discovered.

The first few visits he found it almost too easy, Kore was a funny creature- she showed him how to braid flower crowns and tried too many times to teach him how to make a flower from a blade of grass; he had been the first she met who could not, of course, it was surprising.

It seemed the universe knew he was getting cocky- after the first few visits, the visits were becoming a challenge he had to overcome.

Going to the Oasis was growing more difficult, the politics in the Underworld couldn’t be slipped past him, and during the times he was in the Oasis the nymphs seemed to somehow notice. He hid in the shadows, watching as the nymphs romped with Kore. The group of girls frolicking in the beautiful forest of Demeter’s creation. When Kore did part from them, the time he had was short visits, blurts of conversation before a nymph or Demeter herself came looking for Kore.

The times he got to see Kore were times of bliss. It was an odd thing, to feel calm because of another. It could be for the calming environment of the Oasis, or how Kore had no social ladder, no reason to impress or keep Hades at bay- for whatever reason there had been, he looked forward to the time.

“Why haven’t the others met you?” She asked, after the first few times Hades hid away once another came to accompany Kore. She laid on her back, her hands laying on her stomach as she stared at the leaves. The roof of the forest was covered in a thick layering of leaves, not allowing the sun ahead to pierce through. The gaps in the leaves allowed a filtered, green light to shine. The rays landed on her, causing the silver leaves in her hair to glimmer.

He lay on his side, propped on his lower arm as his cheek rested in his hand. He was quiet for a moment, he would have to consider his words. He couldn’t allow her to think of his visits as something taboo, or make her afraid by telling her anything close to the truth. His fingers grazed the dirt beyond the grass, as the other still held his head.

“Do they need to meet me?”

“Well-..” She seems stumped, looking off to the side then. “I don’t think they believe me when I tell them about you.” She glanced back at him. “I used to make people up when I was littler- tell stories like my Mama’s stories about her travels..”

She turned her head back to the sky, “I didn’t know I was lying- I was just, telling stories, and now Mama doesn’t believe me.”

Hades watched her, her fingers gently scrunching the middle part of her robe against her torso, unknowingly hiking up the skirt of it. He chose to ignore it, to the best of his ability. “I’m real.” He told her, hoping to ease her mind in some way.

“I’m real, and it doesn’t matter if your mother believes you- or those nymphs.” He looked at her then, she was still staring upward to the sky, her fragile hands still dancing over her stomach. So much of her looked fragile, she did turn towards him, after a moment and just smiled. Perhaps the assurance was all she needed

The conversation was cut short, once more by the shrill shout of some nymph looking for Kore.

He should have been worried Kore was telling the others about him- but he didn't feel concerned. No one would believe her, as long as no one saw him.

No matter how many times he came in contact with Kore- he could never be satisfied. He found himself still attracted to the green gardens and the warm air when he was in his dreary palace. It perplexes him, the court was of his design, and he created his home with precious metals and gemstones natural to his realm. He crafted the walls himself but he still found himself awaiting to step from his home and bring himself to Demeter’s Oasis.

Hades was fully aware it was Kore he came for, but he wasn’t sure what attracted him to her. Perhaps it was the innocence. Hades and his other siblings didn’t have a moment of innocence. The moment they left their mother’s arms, all but Zeus were consumed by their father for power. It was as if they were comatose, all that saved them from being digested alive was their immortality.

It was a suffocating death, forced to suffer years of torture in a prison he could not escape.

When he was saved from the gut of his father, the siblings were thrust into a war to assure they never faced the idea of death again. The siblings did not know peace at the beginning of their life, like Kore's experiences. She knows nothing of the world around her, she is blissful in the tragedies her mother faced or who she was connected to.

And he found himself a leech to such innocence, to such kindness that comes from the ignorance of sin. She fears nothing because she never learned to fear.

It was a moment of peace between his times of chaos; her childlike nature brought him a piece of what life could have been. If he had been given a childhood, to know a moment before he was taught the cruelest lesson to learn in his life; that anyone would destroy him for power.

Perhaps if he had a mother who would lose everything for his well-being.

His palace became a place of isolation. He found himself bored as the Judges of the Dead spoke of the rulings of their days, more often coming to his courtyard to focus on Cerberus on the days he could not sneak away to see the young God hidden away in the gardens.

It wasn’t a flood all at once, it was a soft trickle that soon engulfed him. It would have been so much more noticeable if had been a sudden need or want, he had thought of it as simple curiosity, how she responded to him- but then he found himself laying in his bed, thinking of her face and form.

The trickle became a flood during one of the last visits he made to the garden- the harvest month's end was fastly approaching, and he found himself taking any opportunity to escape from his throne hall.

Slipping from his court, he returned to the oasis he had made his play place. He felt tense muscles lax against his flesh when he felt the heat of the sun- his realm carried a constant chill, no sun or heat came to his realm. That would be life, and nothing alive came to his domain. He found Kore easily detached from the others, lying in the grove he had first seen her in. She detached herself from the others of the garden more and more, he had to be the reason, he wondered if she even realized how enthralled he had become, or if the concept of infatuation was something she knew nothing of.

She had been surrounded by nothing but women, with platonic intentions for their relationship. He was a new experience, Hades felt a certain power to that. He would be the first and last to experience Kore like this. The man came to lay beside her in the grass, a hand confident enough to come and lay on her torso as she stirs back to consciousness. She smiles and then, sitting up greets him.

She smiled, wide and showed her teeth. She leaned on her hip, her elbow keeping her posed upward. Just as he does. He finds she was a sponge to certain behaviors she would watch him do, blindly absorbing and beginning to copy him. “You’re back.”

“I’ve missed you as well.” He said because he knew that was what she meant. She sat up then, pushing his hand off absent-minded as she grabbed a pile of flowers she had scattered beside her.

“I knew you would come back soon. I wanted to make you a necklace.” She said, grabbing the piles of flowers from around the grove. He leaned on his side, propped by his forearm as he watched. Kore had offered him plenty of gifts, flower bracelets, and crowns- the original crown she braided for him was still atop his head, now metal and gems replaced the delicate floral from before.

He supposed there wasn't much else to her vivarium, there was only so much sunny, cool forest and groves and hills to explore, the lake was shallow, and the land could only stretch so far. How long could she live here, before eternity felt like a prison?

His brain was far too busy to ever feel the restlessness of his limited realm, they truly were the same. His eyes flick back to her expression and found her brows furrowed in a frustrated stare at the braided flowers in her lap. He cocked his head slightly, looking at the flowers being woven by her fingers and then at her eyes.

Narrowed and focused, the graze of her fingers made the stems thicker, longer, and better for braiding into a necklace but she seemed to struggle with the shape. He had noticed some time ago she had similar, but weaker, powers as her mother. He wondered how far her powers could go, Demeter was one of the more powerful siblings of Zeus, but Kore spent her day playing with flowers and nymphs, so he had no true way of ever knowing.

Her breath hitches, softly, before he was snapped from his thoughts. The back of her left hand was rubbing softly at her eye, soft orbs of tears formed in her eyes as she stared at the crown. Taken aback, he watched her cry gently as the other hand held the flower necklace, rubbing a delicate petal.

“Are you hurt?” Hades lifted himself from the relaxed position. His hand reached out and landed on her soft, wettened cheek. Kore laid her hands atop her thighs, looking down now. She shook her head.

“I can’t make it right.” She sniffles before her cheek leaned into the rough palm of his hand. He stiffened, how she willingly curled herself into his touch. Her cheek was warm- flushed against his chilled skin.

“You can cry over that?” He had to stop himself from scoffing, at the idea of crying over something trivial. It was childish. Her light green eyes look up at him quietly.

“It was a gift for you,” She whispers, “It has to be perfect.”

“You barely play with me, it has to be perfect when you do.”

Hades sat up right onto the grass, pulling her to his side. In an awkward motion, he cupped her face, his thumbs wiping the forming tears from her eyes. He hadn’t comforted someone like Kore crying before, he was unsure of his actions. In war, the wails of fellow soldiers were common, but he was so inexperienced in this sort of tears.

He was not meant to be gentle or kind, he looked down at her, the delicate creature that cried over flowers, and knew he was in the wrong position, he shouldn't be the one to calm her.

“No more tears.” He mumbled, her eyes swiftly meeting his. Discarding the flowers, her hands came and hung onto his wrists. “I love your gifts.”

“Then why don’t you stay with me?” She demands, sniffling pathetically. Her fingers danced over his skin, the touch was so gentle- he was unused to it. Hands had grabbed and attacked him plenty in his life, but he couldn't remember the last time being touched softly. He was hunched over, watching her face, the way her brows were knitted, the way her cheeks glimmer in the sunlight from the tears.

“Because I can’t.”

“But I want you to, I want you here.” She protests, leaning forward, getting on her knees, and sitting up further, attempting to meet his eye level. Even crying, he found her beautiful. The pale skin mixed with blotched red, lips parted as she softly cried against his palms.

Admiring her, he leaned further down, planting a kiss on her lips. It was a thoughtless action, he had been so close. He had been touching her more, and she never seemed to notice. He broke the chaste kiss, watching the reaction of the girl. She simply stared up at him, with no new tears or hiccups of breath, but she stared, almost studying him after the kiss. She had certainly been kissed before, Demeter must have been affectionate to her daughter- but had anyone but her mother ever given her such attention?

He leaned again, faster this time, and planted kisses on her lips. She didn’t kiss back, but didn’t move away, she had not flinched when he tilted his head. His hands still held her face in place, her fingers holding onto his arms. She wasn’t pulling away, it was all he knew, he wasn��t scaring her, she didn’t want to fight him. He kissed her again, breathing heavily, he held her face- he had hardly noticed he was squeezing her head, the way he was lost in the kiss.

He moaned quietly against her lips, she tried to lift her head upward, to break away. He pulled her closer before he noticed the feeble hitting against his wrists as he attempted to open her confused lips before a boom of a shout stilled him.

Pulling back, glancing behind him as a trail of saliva connected their lips. She was gasping for breath, hands still gripping his wrists.

When Kore blinked, the clearing of the forest was empty. She could still taste the man in her mouth as Demeter came, presenting desserts for them to enjoy with each other- and she was able to forget about the encounter for now.

Hades sat on his knees on the palance floor, before he stood, and staggered off to his duties.

His brain surged through his day, he couldn’t keep his attention flowing. the swirling thoughts thicken and took his focus, he lingered in his schedule until he found himself in the bed, the thoughts didn’t leave him of Kore. The pitiful words, the way she wanted him to stay- he laid in his silken bed that night, fantasizing if Demeter had not intercepted once again.

He imagined he was back in that grove, his hands leaving her head, to grasp her shoulders. Laying her gently on the grass, he turned his head, deepening the kiss. He would lead, hands leaving her face to touch her body- her skin was soft and her body looked plush. Her skin was soft, he wondered how the flesh of her neck would feel against his lips. She would smell faint floral and earthy tones- he could pull the robe off her easily. He would do it gently, of course, he could never brutalize her.

She wouldn’t be afraid, no, her arms would loop around his neck as he lost himself in her chest, the lift of her collarbone as she breathed harder, whimpering his name. Lifting his robe, he would release a hand from her body and position himself to her entrance.

She wouldn’t be scared, he’d whisper in her ear and caress her soft, rounded face, she would be moaning, begging him- he’d be the first to ever give her pleasure like this, and the inside of her body would be like silk, tight against him. He could only imagine how she would scream his name-

His eyes shot open, gasping loudly as his muscles tensed, painfully as he came against pumping his fist against his cock. His wrist shook as he finishes against the sheet of his bed. He leaned his head back on the pillow, grunting softly.

He had hoped he got it out of his system.

Yet, it hadn't. It couldn’t leave his mind, swirling uselessly in his brain as he tried desperately to focus on work.

Hades grew so restless he found himself with the desire to find counsel with his youngest brother. Zeus’ words held little weight in his mind, he was reckless and brash, and many of his actions were considered vile by him. He found himself hiding in the Underworld to stray further from the family, from the man who had even saved him from his fate with their father.

Mount Olympus was everything inaccessible to him, sealed away by a wall. It was not if he truly wanted to live on Mount Olympus, he heard enough of the aging tragedy from the gossip. He could never live within a cesspool of trivial drama; his short visits left him exhausted and with the need to isolate himself from any contact for so long after. The idea of daily life with family theater gave him a headache.

It was just what he needed, to avoid visiting Demeter’s Oasis. He was getting far too attached and feared the day he would be caught by the nymphs or Demeter herself. He wondered if Zeus would have to choose a side, that he would take. Zeus was no stranger to sneaking around to get a man or woman he wanted- but he still needed Demeter to do her duties to continue his play.

He hoped he would never find the answer.

Transporting atop the cloudy summit, the pearling-white citadel stood strong, rays of sunlight fell on glimmering the jewels carved into the walls. The front gates were bustling with Gods, minor deities, and even a few select mortals- often just a toy of the Gods for their strength or mind- were found near the entrance.

The gold accents of the white palace had always caught his attention as he walked through the halls. Zeus had little attention for finer things; he was far too busy indulging in physical pleasures. Hera had most likely been the one to decorate. He shook his head mid-step, in an attempt to rid his other sister from his mind.

As he stepped inside the throne room, the room itself was just like any portion of the Mountain, busy with life. Nymphs prancing, the cupbearers sat alongside Gods to fill the glasses of the Gods. Conversation chattered on in all directions as the room was flush with life. He stood gracelessly in the doorway for mere moments before his eyes caught his brother.

Zeus had been leaning on his throne, speaking to another god Hades didn’t directly recognize. Hera sat gracefully on her throne, looking off into the distance with pursed lips. He took a breath, going towards his brother with his chin raised. When the vivid blue of Zeus’ eyes grazes on his form, the man instantly springs from his throne. “Brother!”

The boom of his voice turned the heads of those inside the hall, the room was now silent as Zeus walked down the steps of his platform. Hades continued to keep his head high, walking in the direction of his brother. The God held his arms out, waiting for Hades to get close enough. Hades didn’t allow his hesitation to show. Raising his arms in the air, he allowed his younger brother to grab him in a strong embrace.

The tight grip on his form quickly subsided, the taller God now looking down at Hades with a gleeful expression. Zeus has always been what Hades was not, with chiseled muscles, glowing, nearly yellow skin, and shining white curls of hair that almost floated whenever he stepped. He seemed metaphysical by even the Gods' standards. He grins wide, teeth on full display as he held his arms open.

“What brings you to my home?”

“I wished for your counsel.” He explained the taller brother’s eyebrows rose in surprise. In their many years of life, he hadn’t come to Zeus for advice in such a way, but he knew his mind was far too foggy with emotion to decide, and he knew Zeus was not one for gossip, he was also not one to have a moral high ground.

“I could never turn away a brother in need.” Wrapping a muscular arm around Hades’ neck, he glanced back to the audience of the throne room. “I shall return!” He bellows, dragging Hades off. Hades could only swallow his pride- he could not bite the hand that fed him or allowed him to rule over his realm.

The short walk brought Hades to Zeus’ bedroom- he would presume, the bedroom itself was elegant. The marbling floor swirled with gold, the bed dressed in red silks with a canopy, and a large bathtub on the far side wall with a small table beside its wines. Zeus came to the wide spread of wines and glasses table beside the door, pouring them both a drink.

“You never come to me for what troubles you.” Zeus began, handing his brother the glass. “I am interested in what brought you from your little underground hole.”

Taking the glass, Hade swirled the drink mindlessly before taking a sip- it was harsh on his tongue, too much like the primitive human wine to be truly enjoyed. His favorite part of his visits to the Mountain was Ambrosia. He was surprised Zeus didn’t offer him the beverage.

“There’s a God.” He struggled for the correct words, the last thing he wanted was to give the wrong idea to Zeus. Hardship follows quickly after misunderstandings with Zeus are involved.

“If it's a rivalry, I cannot get involved, breeds far too much infighting.”

Hades had to hold back a dry chuckle. That was rich from Zeus, the God at the head of nearly every familial drama.

“No; no rivalry, I can fight my own battles, Brother. I promise you.” He glanced off, "It's complicated. This God captivates me. I find myself sneaking away just to be near- neglecting my duties to do so." He tapped at the cup, as Zeus placed the glass bottle on the dresser nearest to them.

"Dear Hades, you come to me with a simple crush?" He sneered and Hades nearly lost his temper there. The older brother refused to give a reaction, only exhaling before he spoke.

"Perhaps this was a mistake."

"Oh, Brother!" Zeus bellowed in laughter, grabbing ahold of Hade's arm once more and crashing his body against his chest in an attempt for an awkward hug. "Give me a moment to collect myself!" He swung Hades from his body again.

Hades is reminded why he loathed the events held here, Zeus swinging and pulling him about as if a doll.

"Through our lives, you have always been so independent, Brother. But you come to me with advice for romantic troubles, excuse me, please." He wiped at his mouth with that same grin that Hades always wants to smack from his face. "I do wish to help- tell me, how long have you known this God?"

"Six months." He spoke honestly. It almost sounded silly when he said it, how little time it took for him to develop these feelings.

"And why must you sneak around in this little relationship?"

His cheeks burn, and he felt like a child being questioned about a crush by a parent. He nearly wanted to bite Zeus's head off for it, but he only took another gulp of the bitter wine. "Her mother keeps her in a vice grip, I fear her retaliation when she finds us."

It would not be an if, but when. He knew his sneaking around he would be discovered, and he feared being unprepared.

Zeus lifted his head slightly, tilting it to the side as he stared Hades down from the bridge of his nose. He took another drink. "How much do you value that God? That girl?"

"I have never felt this way." He confessed, and Zeus only hummed in response, before he turned his head to look him fully in the eye.

"Then take her." The air in the room shifts and Hades could only stare at the taller brother. His heart flopped in his gut, nearly losing balance at such a thing. He swallows thickly, mulling over the words. The look on Zeus’ face was intense, Hades fingers grip harder on the cup in his grasp to steady his hand. He knew of Zeus' actions and the sort of man he was. He knew his brother's advice would be some version of this; had he come for the validation, the permission?

The same man he regarded as horrid for these stunts would give him the allowance for such a thing. He tightens his jaw, what was he doing here, if not to allow himself to do the very thing he has judged Zeus for throughout centuries?

"Mm." Zeus interrupts his internal battle, shaking his head side to side gently as he takes a sip of wine. "Do I know this mother?"

His mouth dries, he could not lie to Zeus, he was not foolish enough for such a move- but he knew once he told his brother Demeter has a secret daughter neither he nor Demeter could protect her. This was a mistake, he had been far too careless in his actions.

"Of course." He sputters.

"Does this mother live on Olympus?"

"No. She doesn't." He did not have to go deeper than that to be truthful, he would dance around the truth- he knew far too many Gods did for their own personal gain. He was protecting Kore, from someone who was not like him, who would not be simply curious.

"Then she's too minor to create waves." Zeus snorted, he placed the cup on the dresser with a loud thud and walks towards the double-door entrance. "Dear Brother, whatever aids you in focusing on your duties and doesn't affect me is permitted.”

Dismissively waving his hand, he began towards the entrance of the room, swinging open the double doors to reveal the long corridor the two had come from. He then looked over his toned shoulder, looking towards Hades.

"You're my favorite brother, do what you must."

Stepping through, Zeus turned the corner, leaving Hade's line of sight. He released the deep exhale he had been holding in his chest, he had deluded himself into believing any part of this was a good plan- he nearly ruined the safety Demeter had created. Hardly given a moment to breathe, Zeus quickly backtracked at the door frame.

"This daughter is no child of Triton, I presume?"

"No," Hades spoke quickly before Zeus simply smacked his lips, his smile returning easily to his face.

"Then my words still ring true."

Hades left with a heavier heart than he arrived. When he returned home, he slouched on his throne for days mulling his choices. He could delude himself into believing he had come to Zeus simply because he won't repeat his words, or he would not judge Hades simply for the want- but he knew better. He had always thought he and Zeus were so far apart, so unlike in all they do- perhaps they were just different faces of the same coin.

That thought nauseated him, he had judged Zeus harshly in the centuries together, but he was no better. He just hasn't had the chance to do so without consequences.

Yet, that wouldn't be true either. Zeus played with other living beings, often leaving scars both physical and emotional. He forced Hera into marriage and if Demeter had been any more weak-willed she would share this fate. Hera lived an angry life and was unappreciated, she was discarded so quickly and Zeus used her to keep Olympus stable. That would not be Kore's life. What sort of life was living eternally in some garden?

A good life, where her flower crown not having enough of the same color left her crying. He still could feel her form when he pulled her to her side and let her calm.

His fingers drum against the armrests of his throne, nails long and black as claws- no, he was different from Zeus. Kore was not a passing plaything- she would be treated as royalty. She was Demeter's daughter, she should be queen. He could provide plenty, more than simply a garden, he could suffer his realm and the power with it.

His decision would have to be made soon, for the harvest months are coming to a close and Demeter fully intends to stay at Kore's side until the next. He would wait another year, barely seeing her until the harvest came again. He was brought back from the all-absorbing thoughts when he was called to his Court. Standing from his throne, he walks towards the gate of death to judge those freshly unliving.

He had been sure he would provide her with a life better than being hidden away from the world. He felt confident in that.

His decision had already been made before he ever stepped off his throne.

#hades/persephone #greek mythology hades #greek mythology fanfiction #Greek Mythology #Persephone

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bejeweledangelwings · 2 years

Text

Saginévo

Summary: A retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth. Hades has spent his immortality in solitude, avoiding the other Gods. Until he heard rumors of Demeter's hidden daughter in a secretive Oasis and found himself curious enough to find out himself. The King of the Underworld was infatuated with the stowed away daughter, he won't allow anything to stop him from getting what he wants.

Next Chapter

Saginévo

Meaning

To captivate, fascinate, or to allure

Chapter One

🕊

The desert surrounded him. Nothing else could exist in the inhuman conditions of this maze. The chariot flew across the sky, the horses galloping hard as a steady breeze from their speed helped keep him cool.

The never-ending desert, a place, seeming far from the touch of both men and Gods. The desert was considered a death trap to those dumb enough to adventure inside. He only needed to see a specific landmark before he could finally stop his searching- what else could exist in such a place? Hades would have simply emerged to where he had wanted to appear; if he knew where it was. He suffered in the blistering heat of the sun, not a single cloud to shield him from the beating rays as he tried to focus on finding the rumored Oasis.

Sweat formed on his brow, dripping from his chin. The heat was nearly unbearable, he lived in a chilled, drab environment and the shock of the new climate made him dizzy. He liked the cool of the underworld- this was a torture he couldn't ignore. The constant beam of sweltering warmth seemed to take every thought. His clammy hands grip the leather reins of his chariot, if those nymphs had sent him on an empty trail. He would personally assure their afterlife is their own personal hell.

The nymphs in her court whispered and the whispers traveled to Mount Olympus. He had overheard it, straying from the bustling feast to stand in the corner and sip on ambrosia from his glass as the servant nymphs chirped and chatted. Assuming he had not been listening. He didn’t often go to the feasts Zeus held, but whenever he did- he always somehow regretted it. He had little to do, and he tried to listen to the gossip- and instantly became interested.

He had cornered the nymphs in Zeus' court, hounding them for answers once the coast was clear for him to do so. He couldn’t return home with only half words and gentle whispers not meant for him. His brain waltzed with thoughts after he overheard the lingering words, the echoes over the sound of Zeus feast, and the guests’ rowdy behavior.

They spun a tale against his sister. Demeter, the great God of fertility and agriculture, had lied to the faces of her community and stowed away a God. A god crafted by Demeter's own hands. Tucked far away with a few forest nymphs in a place no one expected Demeter to run to. Demeter had crafted a small world for the nymphs and the divine creature she had created. It was what fascinated him, creating a demi-god from her design.

His sister had encased her in a bubble far from prying eyes, hidden from the other Gods and her existence had been unknown for nearly twenty years, but the word of nymphs travel, even if it is slow.

The nymphs told the God had dug into the ground, a hole full of buds of flowers and a strand of hair from her head. She blew into her palm, before a mist of soft green formed, using a portion of her powers and giving it to the new entity, the mist to fall over the hole, then it formed.

A perfect daughter, to contrast the son who abandoned her.

A God, one such as Demeter creating a god from soil and her elements: It made sense, similar to himself and Zeus, Demeter was one of the children of Cronus and Rhea, making her one of the twelve Gods. A sister of the God of Gods and held the powers of creating flora with only touch. He had never truly considered her powers or the extent of what she may hold. She may be his sister; but once they were released from the gut of their fathers, they had all gone their separate ways. He only truly saw her at the gatherings Zeus invited him to, and even then she seemed in a completely different social circle than him- that was when she would attend.

Demeter had not been like his other siblings, she didn’t care for feasts and partying, instead, she enjoyed the solitude.

She didn’t stay in Mount Olympus long, she spent her days on the Earth, creating life and helping the humans survive. The strength she showed in her power was often unrecognized. She captivated life across the Earth below just as second nature as taking a breath.

Demeter created herself a small sanctuary far into a never-ending desert shortly after she abandoned Mount Olympus. He had not been there the day she left Olympus, but he had heard tale of the day. When Zeus attempted to force her into a marriage, she spat at him, calling him a slew of insults before she stormed from the Mountain. She refused to play any game of the powerful beings.

Yet, Zeus allowed her to walk that day. He still invited her to the feasts and permitted her to dance alongside the other Gods. She did a service, a way for him to continue to have fun with the mortals who did little to stop him. Demeter played a large role in the humans’ survival, and Zeus was clever enough to know Demeter was a needed part of his entertainment.

She lived a mild life, so her freedom was spent to herself in the oasis she had created, or with the mortals who adored her. She often left her oasis, to help the humans with harvest or to help captivate produce and livestock. She brought fertility, life, and joy where her path took her and the mortals praised the dirt she stood on.

Since that day, she rarely visited Mount Olympus and didn’t seem to have any companions.

With her life so shrouded in mystery, it wasn’t surprising she kept a homebrewed demiGod under wraps for so long. Whatever lay beyond those trees, a glorified nymph or otherwise, he knew it was better off without the Olympians knowing of their existence. But he had to see for himself, he had to travel to Demeter's oasis.

The nymphs speak of Demeter's home- a hidden Oasis within a ring of thick, unnatural trees with a wall of floral to act as a barricade. Demeter filled it with natural, beautiful sights. A clear lake that the nymphs seem to laugh and splash in, a winding grove lush with flowers and life; a soft, sweet-smelling breeze that kept the small forest at a cool temperature.

As if the universe knew, he saw a small, emerald green orb within the sea of sand and rot. Using the reins to steer, he plunged towards the only thing in that desert that did not belong. He dives through the arid sky, feeling the speed of his horses bringing him so close to the ground, and just before they hit the ground, he yanks the reins upward, allowing the steeds to move upward to land on their hooves on the sandy floor. As the chariot drove into the sand, a cascade of dust rolled against the side of his transport.

He stepped from the chariot, walking towards Demeter’s dwelling. The rumors spoke the truth of the barrier. His hand reached, touching the bark of the impenetrable, towering tree trunks. He glanced upward, before allowing himself to sink into a portal of his creation, and emerging on the other side of the barrier. The inside of his portals are abyss, cold and dark before he resurfaced to where he desired, he was numb to the affects, it felt as if blinking to him after using the portals for so long.

The air around him immediately cooled, the shade of the trees shielding him from the blistering sun. The humidity had made it hard to breathe dissolved once he escaped the desert. The inside of the barrier was a cool paradise, a place where nymphs and Gods alike could survive. Hades was no fool, he knew whatever Demeter had created should stay unknown, undiscovered by the Twelve Gods, but he couldn’t leave well enough alone. If Demeter truly made a god by herself; she could be a formidable God among them.

While conceiving a deity between two gods was common, to create a demigod with only the powers of her fingertips was a huge task he hadn't expected from anyone but the most powerful Gods.

While he respected she had a good heart, one of caring for the mortals, she left her make-shifted daughter alone for periods of time.

And he was so very curious.

Stepping past the barrier, he found himself in Demeter’s getaway. Beyond the trees was a place truly worthy of the term, Oasis, the grass was flourishing and deep green, the air tasted fresh, and the lake displayed his clear reflection. Though the small piece of world amazed him, he was forced to make himself scarce; he couldn’t be caught by the forest nymphs of Demeter’s gardens.

While most of the nymphs are carefree, young in spirit, and driven by pleasures, Demeter has brought these nymphs to her paradise for a purpose. While it was clear they were to foster her gardens while she was not there, they were also there to be guidance for her daughter.

If one saw him, he knew they would hide away the spectacle he came to gawk at. He hid in the tall trees, and thick bushes to muddle his appearance. Though the nymphs were meant to guard her, they did a poor job of it.

The nymphs pranced; playing in the lake, braiding the other minor deities’ hair, others creating flower crowns. The girls busied themselves enough for him to slip past, and continue in the Demeter’s Oasis.

It was nothing more than a forest, spanning over miles of the otherwise never-ending desert. No wonder she had used this place, no God would have a reason to come here. Even if they did know, he doubted any would survive. Demeter was known for both her wit and rage. If he had not been one of the Twelve, he wouldn’t have come here.

So lost in thought, he almost missed the figure in the clearing far before him. The grove was full of white, blossomed flowers that surrounded her body, almost making her look angelic. He couldn’t make most of her features but he knew she had not been a nymph.

Nymphs were the base of what they were formed by, the forest nymphs had a soft hue of an Earthy color, the markings of leaves across their flesh with long, flowing hair.

But the figure’s skin was pale, so different from Demeter with her deeply tanned complexion. Had she not made her daughter in her image? Perhaps she couldn’t, the nymphs had been so vague with explaining how she conceived a child.

Trudging forward, the figure grew more detailed and he nearly found himself halting in his steps as he drew closer. The daughter seemed to be half asleep, and he found himself staring at her form. She was incredibly mortal in appearance. The only way he knew she was the child of Demeter was the silver leaves that form a nearly perfect crown in the thick mop of her hickory brown hair. Demeter had naturally growing flowers that form in her hair; surely, this must be the crafted child.

She was short, she only looked to meet his hips in height. He was taller than most Gods, only Zeus being taller than him. Often mortals and Gods reach his chest, and he expected a creature that lived for twenty years to do the same.

They were no mere child, despite their height; their body was portioned more mature. She had a small waist with a soft, budding chest. However, they still carried childlike features, a rounded face. She was almost ambiguous with her age. They were chubby, a thickness in their thighs, hips, and a small pool of a stomach.

Demeter was unmistakably a woman, her body was fit and her face matured like someone who works in the fields. Toned arms escape her golden chiton robe that hugs the curves of her body. Why had Demeter created a child so unlike her? To deny their relationship if found out? Or was she based on someone Hades was not aware of? Perhaps he was too conceited, wanting to create a child to suit his appearance.

He crept closer, the steps softer, more hesitant before he stood before the deity. His shadow casts over the form before the mint-green eyes flicker towards him. His chin rose slightly, staring down the barrel of his sight at the naïve woman.

She was unafraid as she propped herself up on her elbows, head tilting slightly to look at him. Her eyes wander his frame as if he was an exotic animal rather than a God above her in the hierarchy. A hierarchy she was not aware of, Hades supposed; sheltered away in her bubble of reality. How could a small pond fish understand the significance of the fisher?

The two stared at the other, a silence suspended in the air before she spoke up. “You don’t look like a nymph.” She bluntly commented, her voice was smooth, still high pitched compared to other Gods and humans her age.

"What makes you say that?" He asked, the tone of someone speaking to a far too inquisitive child. As she stared him down, trying to scrounge up the correct words, her stare of curiosity never wavered.

"You're different." She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You don't look like any other nymph.”

"Maybe I'm only an ugly one."

She thinned her lips at his remark. "Mama says nothing from nature is ugly."

That bemused him, how Demeter had such an optimistic attitude on the Earth when she seemingly loathed all who created it. Suppose since she had a hand in the creation she would enjoy the bearing of its fruits.

He knelt then, beside the girl as he took an in-depth look at her features. "So I'm not ugly to you?"

She sat up then, she brought her bent legs to her chest, resting her cheek on her knees. She blinked softly, watching his face. The man’s flash was pale, edging on gray, his pitch black hair framed his face and fell to his shoulder blades. His bread was thick, long enough to reach his chest.

He was a burly man, so much taller than she was. She has never seen a being like him before and she found herself curious about the new stranger.

"You're different." She said without thought, "Doesn't make you ugly." She added, she looked to him, going to pluck the white flowers and placing them in her lap.

She began to braid the stems, creating a crown as he watched. The nymphs must have taught her, seems all she has ever known was the nymphs and her mother.

"What's your name?" She asked, and Hades paused at the question. If she ever repeats his name, Demeter would know and throw a horrible fit in his realm. He couldn't think of a nymph name- nymphs wouldn't come willingly to the underworld so he had little knowledge.

"What do you think my name should be?"

"Soot." She answered instantly.

"Interesting." He replied. Just as he considered the name on his tongue, she lifted the flower crown and gently decorated his head with her craft. The crown hung on his head and curled horns easily. He reached up, mortals and Gods alike were respectful of his status, and would never touch him without some sort of fear. Zeus had no sense of boundaries- but he was the highest of them all. He had to figure she wouldn't be taught to be polite to the higher gods when that didn't exist in her mind.

"I'm Kore." She smiled, "It's nice to meet you."

Kore was a funny little creature. He wondered briefly if she would die one day, and what sort of afterlife he would provide to someone such as her. He raised his hand, beginning to reach for her head. He wondered how the leaves on her head felt, they were shiny and appeared hard as silver but he was unsure if they felt as sturdy.

He was halted in his steps by the booming shout, the faint words of Kore's name echoed in the forest. He knew the brash voice of Demeter and knew he would be caught if he didn't act.

Demeter came to Kore quickly, despite the miles of the forest she could always know where her daughter was in the Oasis. She was tethered to her and all the nymphs who exist here. As she stepped through the brush, she found her daughter sitting in the blooming white carnations. A smile crept on her face as she looked upon her.

“Kore!” She shouted again, watching the demiGod snap to look in her direction and gasping when she caught sight of her mother. Without notice, she simply jumped up and ran towards Demeter.

She crashed into the waiting arms of the God, being lifted from the ground. She was being squeezed tight and swung around as she squealed and laughed.

“Mama!” She cried, “I missed you!” She pressed her head into the collar bones of her mother after being lifted. The affection lasted only a short moment, despite how long it felt for them before Demeter allowed the girl back down, the daughter turned to find the field empty. She frowns.

“I made a friend…” She said, at a loss of words, “But they’re not here anymore.” She scanned her surroundings, seeming more confused.

Demeter chuckled, taking her chubby hand. “Enough games, I’m starving. Aren’t you?”

The strange interaction was wiped from her mind, the smile returning to her face as she went to look up at her. “Yes.” She laughed, nodding her head. She held the hand of the God, returning to their cottage without another thought.

🕊

He had allowed himself to plummet back to the underworld; he would have to return to the Oasis, he knew of the location now and could emerge whenever he felt like it. The chariot would return to the underbelly of hell soon enough and allow the steeds to cool in the chilled air of his palace.

The portal disappears, revealing the main room of his palace. He stood, lifting his knees off the hard marble floors. He stood in the center of the room, taking a deep sigh before heading to the halls. The corridor of his palace was lit by the blue fire torches, perched on the columns. The walls were open and expanding, he could see the servants, long past mortals. The servants of his palace were those punished in their living life- often the rich who were too cruel to their own servants or were too full of themselves.

Walking through the halls, he went directly to his private clambers. Those who exist in his palace barely bothered him with trivial matters, but they knew once he entered his room no else could enter.

As he stood in his room, he bolted the golden framed doors behind him, beginning towards the vanity mirror. The black oxy mirror that stood near the long windows, displaying the rivers past the diamond-encrusted gates. Sometimes he would stand there for what felt to be an eternity, watching the souls swirl within the waves.

He didn’t pay any attention to the world outside today; instead, he stepped to the reflective surface of the vanity. The white flowers were still atop his head, contrasting the rest of his dark room. He held a single petal between his fingers, gentle in his touch as he concentrated on the crown.

The once soft material sprouted a precious metal where his fingers were pressed, before prickling over the entire floral, transforming the entire crown with silver. It felt heavy against his head now, weighted with the solid metal. He tapped on it once to hear the soft ding.

The silver reminded him of the deity’s leaves, and he found himself thinking of Kore all over again. There was nothing special about the child-like God, other than being connected to his sister. It could all be because she had no understanding of how Hades was or his role in the world he had been given, treating him differently than he has in eons.

Kore was also a mystery, she couldn’t have been mortal, the natural sprouting of silver leaves and appearance was proof of it. If the nymphs' tales were true, Demeter had created a God on her own- a rare power he knew none of his siblings had.

In any case, it did not matter, he found himself interested in a new deity that only he knew of. Trapped in a terrarium, he was assured access to her as long as Demeter was not present, and he planned to enjoy the interest until he grew bored. No one could truly stop him.

It was a secret, only him and Demeter knew of.

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