He chopped them away with his sword and snarled at Hades, "Between you and I? Your bitch is interfering.” Hades punched him hard in the face and Ares fell back, slicing at Hades stomach as he collapsed to the ground. The sword just cut the edge of his skin, but the pain was like nothing he had ever felt, the burning and ripping of flesh so powerful that his sight was temporarily obscured. Suddenly he felt claws tearing at his back; the birds of Stymphalian flew down from the skies gashing his arms and face with their metal beaks and claws, tearing relentlessly at this skin. He pushed them away with a bolt of light, wiping the blood from his eyes.They began to pour from the skies in thousands and Hades turned to look at them when a giant burst of ice and snow hit the creatures. Hades looked briefly towards the meadows below and saw Demeter. He knew who the voice had been that whispered to him as he ascended the mountain. He watched as she froze the troops on the mountains and blasted the birds back with a second, arctic wind. The snow drifted down to Earth covering the land and the temperatures dropped to a deadly degree. Thorny vines were twisting over the mountain and covering everything in their path. Climbing roses pulled the troops to the ground, blanketing them until they suffocated beneath their weight. The vines leapt into the air, dragging the birds to the ground. Tiny spores opened at the end of each vine putting them into a deep slumber. He knew it was Persephone. He had been right, even a Stymphalian she would not kill.
More vines burst from the ground, stronger and thicker than before as they wrapped around Ares, and he realized Demeter and Persephone were working together, the creeping plants frozen solid as they erupted from the soil. Hades leapt forward, ripping the breastplate from Ares' chest, tearing apart the metal, but a shoulder shield was still covering his heart. Hades grabbed at his arm and tore the armor off of it, breaking nerve, sinew and bone as he ripped it from the War God. Ares let out an agonized scream and stabbed Hades in the leg with his blade. Hades swung the arrow but Ares knocked it from his hand and it tumbled down the mountain.
"One of us dies tonight," Ares cried, spittle dribbling from his lips. He yanked his arm and snapped the bone back in place. “No more games.”
They ran towards each other, clashing swords again. Yellow met blue and an explosion from the blades flung both weapons out of their hands, driving the swords over the mountain side. The Gods circled each other.
“I am going to enjoy killing you,” Ares taunted. “Perhaps I will fuck Persephone one last time. See if you taught her anything worthwhile.”
Hades flung himself towards him, plummeting him with his fists. “You fucking rapist,” he spat, knocking him to the ground. He beat him over and over and watched with pleasure as his perfect nose shattered beneath his fists, blood splattering Ares’ beautiful face, and still it was not enough. He would not be satisfied until he felt his brain in his hands. Ares grabbed his fists suddenly and sparks began to wrap around his hands, traveling up Hades’ arms.
Hades drew back slowly, his eyes narrowed as he looked at his nephew. “Careful,” Hades whispered, “your Zeus is starting to show." With a mighty blast, Hades blew them both to the ground. Both of them landed hard on the snow covered ground below and Hades realized too late that Ares lay right next to the silver blade. He gave another war cry, lifting it off the ground as he stood with unsteady legs. Ares stumbled towards the God of Death with a gleam of madness in his bulging eyes, the sword dragging against the snow covered ground.
“How ironic that you will die by the blade that you killed Rhea with.”
Hades crawled back towards the edge of the cliff. “You know many secrets, Ares,” Hades said in a quiet voice.
Ares laughed gleefully. “Do you want to know a secret? After I kill you, I will obliterate her. First I will fuck her and then I will destroy her. Maybe I will do the same with Demeter too, just for good measure.” He snickered again. “You think this ends here? ” A voice penetrated Hades mind, I will take everything from you.
Hades placed his hands against the rocks at his back, preparing to bring down the mountain over both of them as Ares lifted the sword high above his head, strange lights of madness dancing in his eyes. Something sped past him, a small golden light and Hades watched in shock as a golden arrow flew into the War God’s heart, plunging deep in his chest. Ares eyes widened in disbelief, looking down at his chest as he fell to his knees, dropping his weapon. Hades flew to his side and pushed the arrow deeper, making sure to pierce his heart. As he did so, both men cried out in concert and Hades clutched at his heart in pain. He stumbled slightly and saw the small golden tip protruding from Ares’ back. Perhaps Hades had pushed it too far, he thought with satisfaction. He began to move away when Ares’ hand snatched out, grasping him.
“Hades,” he whispered, his blue eyes hazed with pain. Hades shook him off impatiently. They both turned at a small sound, invisible footsteps in the deep snow.
Persephone removed the helmet, her long, dark hair tumbling over her shoulders. She held a beautiful mahogany bow embellished with exotic red flowers; the flowers of the pomegranate tree. The golden chain at her neck had the jewels torn out of it and he knew what she had done. Her lips were stained with the seeds of the pomegranate. Ares watched her with stunned eyes, his hand grasping the arrow as blood pooled around his fingers.
“It began with an arrow and it ends with an arrow.” Her voice was strange in the frozen air, and the wind crackled around her as she stepped forward, her emerald eyes glowing in the darkness.
“Persephone,” Hades whispered.
The wind moved lovingly over her and she looked like a huntress, like a ferocious, conquering Queen with the Gods of War and Death bowed at her feet.
“I told you, I will not be separated from you,” she said softly. She lifted the bow and raised her face to the heavens -- to Mount Olympus, to Zeus. Her voice echoed eerily in the snow filled meadow.
“This bow shows the world that I am part of the Underworld.” Lightning flashed across the sky, the Earth trembling as it arced above them. “I am the Queen of Shades, the Queen of Death, and I rule the Kingdom of the Damned.” She turned back to Hades, her voice quiet once more and he knew he did not imagine the red flame in her gaze. “This bow shows I am part of you.”
Demeter had reached the valley where they stood and she gasped as she saw the bow held in her daughter's hands. “Oh, Persephone,” she cried, “what have you done?”
Persephone took a step towards her mother, the red gleam fading from her eyes as she dropped her bow. Hades wrapped his arms around her and they both vanished from view.
Chapter 27 - Parted
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They knelt in the water of the Styx and Hades pulled her towards him, the gentle waves pulsing around them. “Persephone,” he cried. “I told you, do not eat the seeds of the pomegranate. Those seeds are cursed, there is no way to reverse this. It cannot be undone. You are a prisoner here. You belong to this dark world now.”
She pulled back, her green eyes flashing. “I do not want to undo it. You think that I would let them take me from you? You are mine and I am yours. Zeus would remove me from this Kingdom and I would be unable to protect it, and I promised you I would. I am bound now -- irrevocably; bound to the Underworld, and to you. Whatever perils you face, I face them with you, whatever sorrows you have are mine too.” She pressed her lips against his. “You sing the song of my soul; you have seen my darkness and I have seen yours. I am as much a part of the shadows as I am of the light.”
He cradled her against his chest, letting the water wash away the blood, cleansing them of the putrid stench of death. “How many seeds did you eat?” he asked in a rough voice.
"Six. All six seeds on the necklace and I would have eaten more if I could have."
“Six,” he echoed in horror. “You will not be allowed on Earth for six months of the year. You are entombed here. A prisoner.”
“Hades,” she said with a smile, “this is my home. Wherever you are is my home. Come, let us go to your room.”
She helped him as he limped from the river, down the quiet hallways of his palace. He collapsed on the rug near the fire, as Olive nudged the door open. For a quiet moment, they sat before the hot flames, a small, broken family. Hades watched his wife carefully, seeing the red lights that danced occasionally within the emerald depths, like fire spreading over a forest.
“Persephone, the Olympians-- they will still be coming for you.” He shivered and she frowned as she looked up at him.
“What is wrong?”
“Ares scratched me.” He touched the small wound at her neck, closing the skin the rest of the way with the healing warmth of his fingertips. “You do not seem to be suffering any ill effects.”
“Mine was barely a scratch.” She began pulling at his wet robes. “Take them off! Let me see.”
He laughed unsteadily. “You always seem to be undressing me these days.”
“Hmph,” she murmured, bending over to inspect the long gashes over his thigh and abdomen. “They look like they are festering already. I need to clean them. Can you tolerate the pain?” She asked, raising her eyes to his. He nodded and she grabbed a poker from the hearth, holding it over the flame. She raised her hand over the glowing rod and whispered, “Tui gratia Iovis gratia sit cures.” He stiffened at her words, and she moved to stand over him, her eyes crimson in the shadows as she lowered the poker. His flesh sizzled as she cauterized the wound and Hades breathed in sharply, sweat covering his body, but he did not utter a word of protest. She eyed him and he nodded; she placed the rod into the flame again and came back, repeating the incantation as she held it over the gaping flesh of his stomach.
“Where did you learn that spell?” he breathed, as his flesh sizzled once more when she lowered the poker.
She hesitated only briefly, then lifted her hand with a small smile, an aloe plant held in her palm. “One cannot ingest the seeds of the tree of the Underworld without being imparted some dark knowledge.” She carefully broke a leaf from the plant, rubbing the soothing, cool juices against his burnt, pink flesh.
His brows drew together, but he was silent as he reached for her. “Your turn,” he whispered. Hades leaned forward kissing her, taking his time to remove her wet, bloodied clothing. After he washed every part of her skin, he pulled her against him and they lay before the fire, waiting. The time for goodbye was coming soon. Hades could hear the footsteps echoing down the halls and when the knock came on the door he was already standing. Persephone grasped for him, but he took her hand gently into his, pulling her to her feet.
“Come, my love. There is no preventing what is to come.”
“I do not want to go!” she cried, dragging her feet. “Do not let them take me.”
“I know.” He quickly wrapped a robe over himself then pulled one of her own dressing gowns from his closet. “But this is only temporary, you ensured that you will come back to me.” He brushed his hands over her face, then taking her hand, opened the door. Charon stood before them and he silently lead them towards the throne room.
The doors were open and Hermes stood with his back to them, his caduceus held firmly in one hand. He turned suddenly, and his eyes moved over Persephone as he bowed to them both. “I am sorry, Hades,” his voice was soft, appealing, as he continued, “but I must take her back. Zeus is -- enraged. He seems to have weakened with the fall of Ares.” Hermes twisted his staff thoughtfully between his hands. “He lays in his chambers, ill, but his fury is strong. He says you kidnapped Persephone. You brought your seal above ground. You climbed up one of the peaks of Olympus and almost killed his son. No no, you have broken too many rules, Hades. You flaunted the laws of Olympus and for that you must be punished. Persephone must be returned to her mother.”
“My brother heard the Queen’s words,” Hades replied coolly. “Persephone partook of the pomegranate. Six seeds were ingested and by Zeus’ own curse she must remain within my world for sixth months. No matter how many tantrums he throws within his bed chambers, it does not negate this truth.”
Hermes’ blue eyes flashed and he stepped closer to them. “You both play a dangerous game, Dispater.”
“This is no game,” Hades said softly.
Hermes gaze flickered over Persephone again. “Did you ingest these seeds of your own free will, Persephone?”
Flames flared in her eyes and Hermes took a wary step back, and Hades could not help his smile. “They do not call me Persephone here, messenger.” Her voice was low and she advanced closer to the God. “I freely ingested the fruit of the Underworld, but my husband already told you this.”
“I see,” he replied slowly, he cocked his head to one side, studying her face. “I had heard you were changed, Queen, but I did not know how much. Nevertheless, six months from this day I will bring you back to your husband. Tonight, I am afraid you must leave with me.”
“One more night,” Persephone demanded, her voice cold.
Hermes looked at them exasperated. “I cannot. Zeus will tear out my heart. You must come with me.”
“You are lucky I do not tear it out and eat it,” Persephone hissed. She pointed to the door. “Leave, messenger, so that I may say goodbye to my husband.”
As soon as the door closed on Hermes’ rigid back, Persephone collapsed against Hades, tears pouring from her eyes. He held her shivering form tightly against him, stroking back her hair. “Do not cry, sweet one, we will see each other again. Six months is not long and Olive and I will be waiting for you.” He brushed his lips over her face, her eyelids, her nose.
“Olive!” she cried. “My father, I cannot--” her voice cracked and Hades pulled her closer.
“Hush, I will take care of them in your absence. They will, like I, wait for you to return. Such a short time means nothing for those who love.”
“The Fates were right,” she whispered. “I wasted so much time, hating you, fighting you.”
“No, no Persephone,” he whispered fiercely. “No time was wasted between us, I would do nothing to change how I feel for you in this moment. Nothing,” he breathed against her lips.
A knock on the door echoed in the chambers. He kissed the tears away from her face. “Do not let them see your sorrow, my Persephone. They do not deserve those parts of you. Are you ready?” He looked down at her, her face pale, and she bit her trembling lip, but nodded. “Enter,” Hades called.
By the time Hermes returned, her cold mask was back in place and Hades struggled to ensure his own was, as well. They stopped by his chambers, bringing Olive with them, and Persephone held the deer tightly against her chest. Hades held Persephone's hand, and they walked from the castle down the long path toward the entrance of the Underworld, Hermes walking behind them. Her eyes kept filling with tears which she wiped away on Olive’s fur, and she pressed her hand tightly against his.
“Be a formidable Queen,” he whispered, and she shot him a half-smile that broke his heart. As they approached midway to the gate, he lifted his left hand and a blinding blue light came through the gates as an eclipsed crescent moon formed over the exit.
A choked cry escaped her lips, “I do not like goodbyes.”
The large gates echoed in the vast cavern as they unlocked. “Go wander, Hermes,” Hades hissed at the messenger,
and with a small salute the God moved passed the gates and they were alone.
They turned to face each other, Olive pressed tightly between their bodies. “How will I live without you?” she whispered.
“You will never be without me. Even if my soul was ripped from me, I would find my way back to you.” Something flickered in his dark eyes. “No matter what is to come, I will always find you.” He twisted his fingers and murmured, “Olympus.” The light of the crescent moon burned black. “You know,” he continued, “I never thought I would find you. That I could find a reflection of my own soul, all the parts of me that were good; I find them in you. You are--everything, Persephone.”
As they came to the gate, she pressed her face against Olive, pl
anting a soft kiss between his eyes before setting him on the ground. Hades gently took her hand and led her to the opposite side but did not cross the threshold. The gates closed and locked and Persephone gave a small cry, reaching her hands through the bars. He grasped her hands.
“It feels like a prison,” she cried.
“For me or you?” he whispered.
“For us both.”
“Do not forget my love, that a part of you still belongs to the world above,” he said, stroking her fingers. “Selfish as I am, I cannot deny this. You are half lightness, half darkness. Part rebirth, and part death. They need you -- as I do. And when the first snowflakes fall across the meadows, I will come for you. Do not doubt it.”
“I may belong to both worlds, but my soul is yours, as is my heart.”
“As is mine, to you,” he replied.
“Do not forget me,” she whispered.
He wiped the tears from her eyes, “Never.”
Hermes appeared behind her. “Come, Queen,” he said quietly. “It is time to leave.”She did not turn, letting her eyes drift over Hades. With one last look, she moved from the gates. Hermes moved closer to her, about to take her hand when she shook her head. “I have no need of your touch, Hermes.”
Hermes gave a gentle nod of the head. “As you wish, your majesty.” A beacon of light shone down on them and they began to move upwards, ascending into the shining whiteness. Persephone turned her back to Hermes and kept her eyes locked on her husband. They moved further away and Hades stood still at the gates, watching until she disappeared into the light and was gone.
He did not move from the gates, but stood staring into the darkness, his hands wrapped tightly around the iron bars. A prison. Olive’s soft head pressed against his leg and he bent to pick up the deer. He began to retrace his steps to the palace, not even aware of the direction he headed. He stopped at Persephone’s door, noticing that the room was still in disarray, the message of blood still covering the wall. Had such a short time passed that no one had touched it? It would have to be cleaned when the servants came to the palace. He moved to his rooms, settling the deer on his bed, then wandered aimlessly around his lonely, empty palace. His feet took him to the room made of ruby. It held all the weapons of the Underworld, including the pitchfork, gifted by the cyclops. Hades held up his hand, and the blue sword appeared. With a wave of his hand he unlocked a secret chamber within the wall and stashed the sword away. He held up his hand again and Persephone’s mahogany bow materialized in his grasp, while his helmet appeared in his other. He sat the helmet against the floor then brought the bow closer to his face. His touch was loving as he inspected the beauty of the bow, the delicate engravings of pomegranates carved into the weapon. With this she had given her freedom, sacrificed her fate to protect him, to protect this beautiful, dark world. He reverently hung it onto the wall.
Hades And Persephone: Curse Of The Golden Arrow Page 32
