Darkness Becomes Her

Chapter VI

Finally... the moment y'all have been waiting for! Persephone comes face-to-face with Hades for the first time! Please enjoy and review!

o0o0o

Kora let out a loud giggle before she stifled herself, darting between the rows of wheat that her father had planted, hiding from Phemos. The soft rustle of an eleven-year-old boy making his way through the veritable jungle of thick stalks and leaves met her ears, and she darted back when a tanned hand suddenly reached through a verdant wall of growth, barely missing her arm. She shrieked in delight and darted through the thin path that the neatly-planted rows afforded, hearing her cousin behind her, off to her left in the next row.

When she broke free of the thick leaves, Phemos grabbed her from behind, his slender but strong arms wrapping around her wrist before she found herself spun through the air. She kicked her lightly-tanned legs and laughed as she tried to reach behind, swatting him around his head. He grinned, his thick black curls glistening in the sun as he shot her a toothy grin, a gap in the upper row showing where he had lost a tooth a couple of days ago.

“You should know you can't hide from me, Kora.” he said as he set her down.

“You're the one who keeps chasing after me!” she laughed. Growing up, he had always been her closest playmate, even when she had plenty of other boys and girls to play with.

“You're fun to chase.” he shot back. She smirked back and pushed him away playfully.

“Aren't you supposed to be at home taking care of your brother?” she asked. She had seen Grandmother, Ptheia, and Ptheia's seven-year-old daughter, Alestis, head off to the village to visit some of their friends, leaving Phemos behind to take care of his younger sibling while his father worked outside. Little Eraphus was a handful, and would inevitably stir some kind of trouble if there wasn't someone to keep an eye on him.

“Oh, I told him that if he didn't behave himself, the Furies would get him.” Phemos replied offhandedly while Kora gaped at him. Mother didn't talk much about her family, but she had learned of the Furies from the tales Demeter shared with Iasion and the rest of his family.

Sure, Eraphus was a high-spirited child who was constantly stirring things up due to his own insatiable curiosity, but nothing he had ever done was done out of malice,and she knew that the dread Kindly Ones wouldn't bother themselves with a little boy when there were wicked mortals like Sisyphus or Tantalus.

“You shouldn't have said that.” she murmured. Being the daughter of a goddess and seeing her mother use her powers gave her a healthy respect for the supernatural, and she didn't want brass-winged goddesses descending onto a little four-year-old boy.

Before her cousin could retort, both of them heard a high wail come from Hyalos' house, and Kora narrowed her eyes at her cousin.

“I told you.” she chastised him as she wiggled under the fence that separated her uncle's field from her father's own, and ran towards the house, fearing the worst. She didn't see her uncle anywhere, and figured he might be up in the hills, where the vineyards were. Before she or Phemos could reach the door, a dark-haired little boy – a smaller version of his older brother – came out crying, covered in something wet and sticky that was in a moment revealed to be honey. It took several minutes to get him sufficiently calmed down enough to speak coherently.

“I.... I was hungry.” he sniffled, his hair matted with the sticky golden substance, a good amount of it making its slow way down his tunic. Kora could easily guess what had happened, he had probably tried to get something off a shelf and had tipped over a jar of honey. A peek through the door revealed shards of the jar scattered along the floor, along with a ever-widening puddle of honey. It was fascinating to see the thick liquid slowly creep along the floor.

“Mom's gonna be mad.” Phemos murmured, scolding his brother. Kora raised a eyebrow.

“Look who's talking.” Kora interjected. “Your dad is working in the field all day, and all that is asked of you is to look after a little boy!” She turned to her younger cousin. “Better get that honey off you before you attract the ants. And the floor has to be cleaned up too.”

“You clean it.” Phemos declared.

“Me? Why?”

“You're a girl. Girls cook and clean and the men work outside, doing manly work.”

“And you wouldn't be able to eat, or have clothes if your mom didn't know how to cook or sew.” Kora snapped back. Ptheia was a good wife and mother, but having two boys could be a handful, especially because her belly had started to swell a couple of months ago.

“See, girls keep things clean and the men keep them safe.” Phemos placed his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest in a way that struck Kora as comical.

“You're not my husband, and it was you who failed in your duty.” she reminded him.

“Come on. For me?” He grinned, showing a dimple in his left cheek, the same dimple that Iasion and his brothers shared. She had no dimple of her own.

“No.” The girl shook her head, her thick braid swinging back and forth. She looked at Eraphus and held out her hand, holding back a soft sigh.

“I'll take Eraphus to the well and get him cleaned up.” she offered. Before Phemos could argue, she had the hand of the younger child, leading him outside.

“Oh, why can't you stay out of trouble?” she scolded him gently as she stripped him of his tunic, leaving him naked under the sun as she threw it in the bucket of water she had drawn up.

“I was hungry.”

“I know, but couldn't you have gotten something else? Something more within your reach?” she asked, shaking her head lightly. Once the garment had been swished around and wrung out, she concentrated on the warmth within her. With care and concentration, she directed the energy at the damp fabric, and the water rose from it in a gentle steam. The child received several bucketfuls of water over his head amidst his protests at the almost-frigid temperature of his shower, instructed by his cousin to run his fingers through his thick curls and work out the honey. The result was a happy and mostly dry child.

“Next time you decide to try something, think before you do it!” she chided. “Your mother works so hard around here, and if you would settle and behave, she would be happy.”

“I know.” Eraphus pouted a little. “But I get bored and I want to do things and then people tell me I'm too little.” He crossed his arms, and Kora found herself being struck with a small burst of compassion and understanding, remembering when she had been this child's age, and how protective her parents were of her – still were.

“I was little too once. Everyone was little. But if you're a good boy, you'll grow up into a strong man!”

“Promise?” he asked as he looked up at her with big dark eyes. She laughed and nodded.

“Of course.”

“Kora!” She heard her mother's voice across the fields, and looked in Demeter's direction, barely seeing her above the rows of wheat. “Come here now!”

“Go back in the house. Help your brother clean up. And this time, please try to not get anything off the shelves!” she wagged her fingers at him before she bounded along the ground, her slim little legs bringing here over to Demeter within moments. Her mother did not dress to catch attention, and was comfortable in the same garb that her neighbors wore.

But the gown she now wore was of a fine material that Kora had never seen, fresh and clean, a vibrant shade of green that matched the rolling waves of grass in the uncultivated areas of the valley. Her hair was pinned up, looking almost like a crown, the golden-brown tresses glinting in the sun. Around her waist was the girdle that Hephaestus had made for her years ago. Once, when Kora had been admiring that girdle, Demeter had told her that Hephaestus made it for her so she would have something pretty to wear for Iasion. Of course, her lover wasn't as concerned about appearances as some other men might be, and considered her beautiful whether she was wearing it or not.

She had never seen her mother dressed like this, so... Goddess-like. Even at the festivals, where Demeter let the people acknowledge her as a Goddess, she had never appeared like this. There even seemed to be a soft glow around her – Demeter had thrown off every bit of her guise of mortality – and this vision of her mother was foreign to the young goddess.

“Mother.” Kora tilted her head to one side. Despite Demeter's radiance, her mother was unhappy. “What's wrong?”

“The King of the Gods wishes to see us.” Demeter murmured. Commanded, was more of the truth. But she knew that if she did not honor her brother's message, Zeus would come down here.

“... Oh.” Kora had never met any other god or goddess, though she knew of them through the stories shared amongst the village. But her knowledge of the divine side of her family was no greater than that of anyone else in the village, because Demeter didn't like to talk about her family. But mighty Zeus himself! What was Mount Olympus like?

Demeter glanced at her daughter, seeing the loose wisps of hair around her face and the calf-length light green chiton she wore, embroidered with green leaves and bright red poppies along the hem, courtesy of her loving grandmother. After the land had become good and Eurycleia's hands didn't hurt so much, she discovered a new passion, and could sit for hours, chatting with others or merely sitting by herself in the sun, and sew or weave, ensuring that her family and grandchildren had no end of nice clothing or blankets. It was almost hard to believe that over a decade ago, her hands had been too twisted and arthritic to even consider doing fine work like this.

“Go put on that green tunic you wear when you help us in the fields.” Demeter commanded. Kora frowned slightly but went to do as her mother asked, exchanging her chiton for the plainer outfit. There was nothing wrong with it, the light green fabric was comfortable and recently-washed, so there was no dirt on it. But it was lacking in embroidery and was rather plain and a little baggy. Why was Mother dressed so nicely when she had to wear something drab?

Kora came out in her changed outfit, and Demeter nodded approvingly. Clean and plain, just the way she wanted. She wasn't trying to make her daughter look plain out of any spite or jealousy, but there was no denying that Kora was a pretty child, and she wanted to downplay that, drawing Zeus' attention to herself. The less interest Zeus took in his daughter, the better.

o0o0o

Kora had spent her entire life on the earth, and the only water she had ever seen were the ponds and streams that ran freely through the valley. The openness of the domain of the gods overwhelmed her, especially with the silence that pervaded the place. Why were there no other gods here? Wasn't Olympus the home for many gods, and the meeting-place for all of them? She glanced around at the buildings and pavilions, at the white and sometimes pastel-rainbow hued marble as her mother led her along, a firm grip on her right hand. The bushes and gardens were immaculately kept, the fountains and pools clean and pristine. There was no time for sight-seeing, as it was clear to Kora that her mother wanted to get this over with. Despite her daughter's questions, Demeter was very mum about the entire affair. Was Mother angry with the other gods?

Kora almost stumbled when they climbed the high steps to their destination due to her mother's brisk pace, and it was clear from the mosaic-work on the floor within the building – clouds and lightning against a light blue background – that this place belonged to Zeus.

And then there he was – the ruler of Olympus himself on a grand throne of carved white marble. Sky-blue fabric covered his body, gathered at one shoulder with a golden pin in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings. He was a impressive sight, tall even when seated, his skin a radiant and healthy tan in sharp contrast with his pale hair and beard. His eyes were the color of a bright afternoon sky, attentive and piercing as he gazed at his former lover and daughter.

Kora's mother regarded Zeus with stony silence while the girl gazed at him for a moment before lowering her eyes.

“Thank you for coming.” she heard Zeus say. His voice was deep and strong, undeniably masculine, the tones filled with strength.

“You've seen Kora. Are you satisfied?” Demeter asked. Kora's suspicions of her mother not getting along with her family was confirmed by the tension she felt in the air.

“There's no need to be worried. I told you years ago that I didn't want any trouble. I just wished to see how she'd grown.” Zeus sounded so kind and concerned that she couldn't imagine why her mother might be angry at all. His attention turned to her, and he gave her a warm smile.

“Come here, will you let me have a closer look at you?” He offered her his hand, and suddenly she felt her mother's hand grip her shoulder fiercely. She was sure her mother didn't mean it, but the grip hurt a little.

“Demeter.” Zeus' voice was now stern, even angry-sounding. Kora broke free of her mother and approached the seated god, even more in awe of him now that she could see him up close. She placed her small hand in his proffered one, instantly feeling his strength as his fingers formed a gentle grip. His hand was warm, and she offered him a small smile.

“How has life been treating you?” he asked.

“Very good, sir.” she replied, feeling a bit intimidated by his presence.

“There's no need to call me sir, Kora. We're alone. You may call me Zeus, if you like.”

“Okay, Zeus.” She felt a bit more at ease. He squeezed her hand gently.

“Are you happy?” he asked. She thought of the warmth of her father and family, of the happiness of the valley she lived in – she almost didn't believe the stories that the valley had once been a wretched and miserable place – the food that was plenty, the places to romp around and explore with her playmates, planting seeds in the fields with her father and the excitement of watching them grow, the stories told around the table or fire, the festivals...

“Indeed I am. Everything is wonderful. Thank you for asking.”

“What a polite young lady you are.” Zeus' eyes twinkled as he released his grip on her hand, only to place it on her shoulder. “Your mother certainly raised you well, didn't she?”

Demeter merely stared at Zeus, her jaw set tight. “Her father had a good part in it too.”

Of course, Kora was not to know the irony in her mother's comment. The younger goddess saw the smile on Zeus' face freeze, but it became warm again when he looked back at her.

“And your father, you're happy with him?” he asked. She grinned.

“He's the best daddy ever.” she replied with all the frankness of a child who adores her parents. And indeed, Iasion could not be faulted as a father at all. He lavished her with attention, and taught her things that men usually reserved for their sons. He taught her how to plant seeds and how to harvest what came from them, and how to ride a goat – a sport that all the children enjoyed before they grew too big – and she enjoyed her trips with him to the marketplace. He encouraged her to play outside, telling her that she looked better outside than shut away inside. Infact, due to Demeter's own actions and example, the women in the village saw her as a role-model, and the men did not stop them. The women of this certain valley enjoyed considerably more freedom than women in many other parts of Hellas. It was said here in Enna that a woman was most beautiful with a healthy flush on her cheeks, and like the girls in Sparta, were encouraged to spend at least some time outside and exercising.

Kora wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she saw a flicker of sadness in Zeus' eyes when she spoke so lovingly of Iasion.

“I'm pleased that you're so happy. Every child deserves a good childhood. Tell me, is there anything you want or need?”

“She just told you that she was happy, and you're asking her if she needs anything?” Demeter asked as she approached the throne, clearly intent on pulling her daughter back. Zeus raised his other hand to stop her.

“I merely thought she'd like a gift. She is my niece, after all.” He glanced back at her. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. What could she need? What did she want? Oh. There was one thing she wanted to know.

“I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

“Why is my mother so angry with you?” she asked. The silence in the hall was so thick that it was practically palpable.

“Aha.” Zeus chuckled softly. “I did say you could ask of anything. Well...” he kept his hand up, silencing Demeter. “I did something a long time ago to make her angry. I played a trick on her. I thought it would be funny, but I did not realize how much it would hurt her. So yes, she is angry with me. It is my fault, and I regret that.”

Zeus had played a trick on her mother? This nice, kind god?

“What kind of trick?” she asked. Zeus stroked his beard.

“I pretended to be someone I wasn't. But that's in the past. You don't need to concern yourself with what happened between your mother and myself. It is not something that needs to be discussed anymore. Now tell me, is there something you'd like for yourself?” he asked, quickly changing the subject/ Demeter hated to admit it to herself, but Zeus had handled that question well.

“I can't think of anything I could need right now.” Kora tilted her head. “Could I save that for later?”

Zeus let out a booming laugh.

“Intelligent as well as pretty. Certainly! Now, I need to talk with your mother for a bit. Look.” he pointed to a side entrance. “Through that doorway is my private garden. Would you like to explore it while I have a private talk with your mother?”

“Thank you, Zeus!” She shot him a brilliant smile as she climbed down the steps and made her way outside.

o0o0o

“Offering her gifts! You had no place!”

“I do.” Zeus replied somberly. “I understand your anger, but I have not interfered at all for the past decade. Besides, I am her father, and it is my pleasure to give to my children. I cleared out Olympus so that the three of us would be alone.”

“You couldn't have come down to Enna.” Demeter replied with a sneer.

“I felt that Kora had the right to see Olympus. Do you truly intend to deny her her heritage?”

“She is denied nothing. She has a happy home, and a family who loves her.”

“She certainly seems happy, and I won't stand in the way of that.” Zeus raised his hands, and shrugged. “But she is a Goddess. What is her gift?”

“Same as mine.” Demeter replied. How overjoyed she was when her daughter hadn't gained Zeus' powers, or something else entirely. She didn't think that Kora had any other abilities, for the child hadn't displayed anything else.

“Really? Interesting.” he nodded slowly. It was rare that a young god had the same powers as his or her parents. The children that Zeus fathered had a fascinating myriad of abilities, from Apollo's generation and manipulation of light to Hermes' quicksilver speed, from Aphrodite's almost-magical charm and beautiful voice to Artemis' ability to communicate with any animals. And of course, there was the richly varied abilities to be seen in himself and his siblings.

“When will you introduce Kora to Olympus?” Zeus asked. A few of his children – such as Apollo and Artemis or Hephaestus – did not officially become part of the Olympians until they reached adulthood, so such a thing wasn't unheard of.

“... Who said I would?” Demeter asked in a deadpan tone. Zeus' eyes widened.

“Demeter, I gave you leave to raise Kora in a quiet and safe place. But she is a goddess. She will not remain a child forever. Already she nears the changes that will enable her to blossom into womanhood.”

“She is happy down there. She will remain so. And what place is there for her up here, anyway?”

At first, there was just the six siblings, as well as the Titans who had joined their side. But as the gods settled down, they inevitably found lovers and mates, producing the next generation of gods. As more gods were born, it was harder to find positions for them to fill, especially for the gods of the third and fourth generation. Demeter would not see Kora become the goddess of something minor or insignificant.

“I have already thought of that.” Zeus replied smoothly. “You are the Goddess of the Harvest, are you not? And she shares your gifts. Kora will be the Goddess of Spring.”

Well. Goddess of Spring was hardly a unfitting position for her daughter. But she didn't want Kora caught up in the ennui that mired most of the other gods.

“I removed myself from Olympus because of the hubris I see here. I will not have Kora be part of it.”

“Come now...” Zeus coaxed. “We're gods, we need pleasure and amusement to fill our long loves.”

“My daughter and I are happy on earth. And have you forgotten the Fates' prophecy?”

Zeus swallowed and shook his head.

“What the Fates predict always comes true.” Zeus responded placidly. It didn't mean that he did not care about what happened to Kora, but when and if it happened, he was determined to be there for her if something bad happened to her. But the Fates never spoke directly, and Kora's prediction – though it sounded dire to Demeter – did not mean that Kora would meet a sad fate. The words uttered down in Hades could mean something else entirely, who knew?

“Why are you being so careless about this, damnit!” Demeter had to restrain herself from yelling.

“I'm not being careless. I'm being pragmatic. I want the best for Kora, but I also believe she should be given opportunities. The Fates' words have many meanings.”

“I am taking Kora with me now. Do not bother me again.”

Zeus was about to protest, but he bit back his words. Demeter had her mind made up, and his daughter was still young. The glint of curiosity in the girl's eyes was undeniable, and it was clear that she was also thoughtful. A rather good combination, and one that not even the mighty Demeter herself could hide from her daughter. Let Kora spend a few more years under her mother's wing – Demeter was a good mother, after all. And things would happen as they would.

o0o0o

The garden was nothing like the ones at home. The foliage was neatly trimmed and shaped, taking the form of different monsters and animals – a few of them she recognized from stories told around the fire. The fountain had several pastel rainbow-veined white marble statues of shapely – and rather naked – nymphs in the middle on a dais, all of them with pitchers or other containers from which water issued into the pool beneath them. There were very few flowers, seemingly put there as a compliment to the nymph statues and the bushes, though the roses were a pretty sight. She had seen wild roses around in the forests, but not such big and well-maintained roses like these, pale-white and creamy in color, along with vibrant yellow ones. And such a heavenly scent!

As her parents discussed her fate, Kora turned around, stricken with a sensation of being watched. She slowly turned around, gasping softly as she saw a dark-garbed figure leaned against one of the pillars that enclosed the garden.

His long black hair was loose, flowing down his shoulders and back, standing out in sharp contrast with his pale skin. The circle-beard on his face was neatly-trimmed and suited him rather well. He was clad in a blood-red tunic and black trousers, with boots of black leather on his feet. Draped across his shoulders was a plain black cloak of a material that she didn't know the name of since she had never seen it before – velvet – held up with a plain silver pin.

Kora stood stock-still as she stared at the intruder – was it really an intruder – as he stared back at her silently, his dark eyes unfathomable as he studied her.

“Good afternoon.” the stranger said, inclining his head in a slight bow.

“... Hello.” Kora managed to say, her heart pounding.

“Forgive me for startling you, please. I was merely going to meet with my brother when I saw that he was already occupied with you and Demeter. I am Hades. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

Hades? This was Hades? Though Demeter did not like to speak of her family, Kora was not ignorant of the tales and common knowledge that most mortals had of their deities. Hades was supposed to be the oldest of the three brothers, but he actually looked younger than Zeus! How curious.

“May I assume that Demeter is your mother?” he asked solicitously. She nodded.

“And what is your name?”

“Kora. It's a pleasure to meet you too.” She dropped into a slight curtsey, and she was pleased to notice a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The mortals were so afraid of him, but look. Despite his dark appearance, he was a kind man with a warm twinkle in his dark eyes.

“What brings you here?' he asked. He did not miss the silence on Olympus.

Kora frowned a bit. “Zeus summoned Mother here and asked her to bring me.” Hades did not miss her slight frown.

“Is something the matter?”

“Mother didn't seem happy about it. And she's angry with Zeus, though neither of them will tell me exactly why.”

“... Ah.” Hades nodded, already guessing at what it could be. He did not miss the way that Zeus had looked at his sister all these years ago.

“Well, the gods often argue amongst themselves. I can honestly tell you that it's not worth worrying about.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” He smiled at her warmly. “It's much better to focus on the world around you, rather than the bickering of others. I find it far more interesting anyway.”

She considered his words, nodding as she saw the wisdom in them. When he reached down to place a hand on her shoulder, she did not flinch. His hand was surprisingly warm – everyone expected Hades to be as cold as his realm, and this warmth comforted her.

“Kora!” she heard her mother yell. She turned her head in the direction of the door she had come through. In a moment, Demeter appeared through the doorway, a hand on her hip. When Kora looked back, Hades was nowhere to be seen.

“Kora, we're leaving now.” Demeter stated as her daughter made her way down the marble-lined path and up the steps. When the younger goddess turned around, still nobody was to be seen there, though she could almost swear she was being watched still.

“Goodbye, Kora. Thank you for coming.” Zeus said, raising his hand. Demeter quickly tugged her along, though not before she returned Zeus' farewell.

That night, as she lay in her small bed under a light blanket listening to the crickets outside, the little goddess thought about everything she had seen and heard before the oblivion of sleep claimed her.

o0o0o

Hades had been in a contemplative mood ever since he had returned from Olympus. Even though he had known the young goddess but for a few minutes, he was captivated by her. He was no stranger to the pleasures of the female body – having had the nymphs Minthe and Leuce as lovers – but never had he been stirred so powerfully as when he had gazed into her eyes. She had been a bit afraid of him at first, but that had quickly changed, and her smile had brought to him a certain light that not even Apollo's most radiant brilliance was lacking in.

These feelings startled him. They were completely foreign to him, for he honestly had never felt such a way about anybody or anything, nor did he think or imagine that he'd ever be capable or aware of such emotion.

When Hades received a summons from Minos to aid in the judgment of a particularly wicked mortal, he was glad for this distraction from his thoughts.