by M. M. Kin
The ferryman kept his head bowed, pushing his oar through the water as his passengers gazed back at the fuming woman with curiosity. Even though the souls no longer had any flesh to connect them to the physical realm, they could feel the heat of Demeter's anger. As Kharon continued his ferry, Demeter let out an angry shriek, directing her wrath at the insolent boatman with a blast of heat.
Suddenly, there was a bubbling, churning sound, much like one might hear from the ocean, but far more terrifying, echoing against the cavern walls. The waters of the Styx rippled violently with a dull roar, and the souls who had lingered along the edge suddenly pulled back as the river overflowed its banks, sending ice-cold water splashing around her ankles.
A form rose from the churning surface, its body made entirely of the inky water and reflected in flashes against the lamps that stood near the docks, the water gushing and towering over the goddess as the fluid coalesced into a more solid shape.
The form did not limit itself to life-size, and instead assumed Titanic proportions as it grew and molded itself into the upper half of a shapely woman, her long obsidian tresses flowing from the top of her head like a waterfall.
“You would dare harass the Ferryman of Souls?” Styx's voice came from the deep abyss of the river, reverberating off the walls with a frightening cadence in such a profound and terrible tone that it would stop the heart of a mortal as she spoke. The voice washed over Demeter, wrapping her in a sensation that could only be described as cold as if merely listening to it would pull her into the fathomless abyss that lingered just below the river's surface.
However, Demeter refused to be fazed. She had gone against her own sire and his brothers, and would not be cowed by Styx, especially when she had come down here to rescue her child!
“Hades has my daughter, and I will not stand for it!”
“Be as it may, he has ordered that you not be allowed into his realm. You will gain no aid from me or Kharon.”
“You would separate a mother from her child?” The heat of her anger rose, but Styx seemed unconcerned.
“Your anger is useless here,” she responded calmly, staring down at the Harvest Goddess.
“You will rue the day you defied me!” Demeter responded, though inside Styx's presence and words caused a deep chill to pass through her. On the surface world, she was entirely confident in her power and abilities. Down here, her power was useless. Styx would never allow her to swim across.
“I will have no part in this quarrel. Leave now.” Her tone brooked no argument and promised swift retribution for any further attempt on Demeter's part to lash out against the Underworld deities. The air became filled with cold, becoming thick and heavy almost as if it had turned to liquid, and the frigidity seeped into Demeter's veins, filling up her lungs as she tried to breathe.
o0o
Demeter strode through the grand hall of the Palace where the Gods held their meetings, her chin raised and shoulders pushed back. She was an imposing sight in her stately garb, her hair braided into a crown around her scalp and held together with golden pins. Her white and green clothing caught the air and billowed around her, adding dimension to her already impressive appearance.
Around the grand marble table were the eleven other gods that made up the ruling council of the Olympians. She did not take the twelfth seat, preferring to remain standing so she could look down at all the others. Her gaze was openly hostile as she fixed them at the head of the table, where the King of the Gods sat.
“Demeter, sit down,” Zeus stated calmly, waving his hand as if placating a child.
“Like hell I will.” The heat of her gaze could be felt by everyone within the room, and the other gods glanced away, shifting in their seats uncomfortably. Good, Demeter thought to herself.
“Sister, be reasonable. Only this morning I have heard the cries and prayers from Olympia. I know you are angry with me, but do not take it out on them. Restore the bounty that you are known for.”
“Restore my daughter to me,” she retorted evenly.
“We have already discussed this.” Zeus said, and she sensed his effort to maintain a calm and commanding tone, “What is done is done. Kora is in good hands.”
“Hades refuses to admit me to his realm,” she snarled.
“Oh? Well, I will simply have to speak to him about it...”
“Wait, wait.” Hermes turned towards his father. “That is where Kora is? In the Underworld?”
“And he has known all along, yet he told you to search for her and wasted your time in doing so,” the Harvest Goddess said as she stared at her nephew. His lips formed a frown as he glanced at her for a moment before turning back to Zeus.
“You told me to help Demeter search for her daughter, knowing where she was?”
“Well, you needed a distraction, and...”
“Do be quiet, Zeus! I tire of your excuses. You want your people in Olympia fed? Then return Kora to me!” she snarled.
“Father, you had this knowledge all this time? Why would you not tell Demeter?” This came from Artemis, seated near where her aunt was standing.
“Hades wanted Kora as his bride. Demeter would have no husband for her, so Hades was compelled to act-”
“Why do you continue getting in these disasters, dear husband?” Hera spoke up, her voice filled with disdain for her husband's weak defense of his actions. “What gave you the right to do that?”
“I am King of the Gods, and responsible for the welfare of the Olympians. Hades promised to be a good husband, and we all know he is a man of his word.”
“I never thought Hades would have a bride!” Poseidon stated, flashing his brother a grin. “Oh ho ho!” His laughter boomed through the hall. The silence of Demeter, Hera, and several other gods provided a stark contrast to his mirth. However, a few of the gods – more notably, those of the male sex – joined in the laughter, but were quickly silenced by Demeter's hostile glare.
“You find this amusing? That my only child has been kidnapped and taken to the Underworld as a captive bride, and Zeus knew of this, even gave permission for it, and kept this a secret from me?”
“Father, I am very disappointed with you,” Artemis said sourly.
“I have to say that I agree with Artemis,” Hephaistos spoke up, glancing at his aunt. “Demeter is a mighty goddess, and it is very clear that she loves and cares for her daughter. I have no child of my own...” this was interrupted by a soft, disdainful snort from Aphrodite, “but I can see the pain and anger in her eyes. No mother should be parted from her child, especially in such a fashion as what happened.”
“I have met Kora. She is a sweet person and I bear her no malice. It does not seem proper that she has been snatched to the Underworld. That place makes me... ill at ease.” Hermes glanced at Demeter. “If you like, I can go down to Hades and relay a message to him. I am happy to offer my services.”
Her expression softened a bit as she studied her nephew and regarded him with an approving nod. “I would appreciate that.”
“No, wait...” Zeus said, raising his hand to stay his son, who was already scrambling out of his seat.
“Wait?” Hera asked incredulously. “Let him go, by all means!”
“Hades has made it clear that he will not give up Kora. Hermes will have no more effect on him than a decree from me would.”
“So what do you suggest? That I sit around and wait?” Demeter demanded, flinging up her arms in frustration.
“Yes. Calm down. Restore Olympia, and enjoy the fact that your daughter is well-cared for. I do not doubt you will see her soon enough.”
“No! Can you not even acknowledge that you have wronged me?”
“Wronged?” Apollo spoke. “A girl has been given to a man of great wealth and respect. Few parents could complain of such a prospect for their child, and Zeus has given his approval.” He glanced around the table with warm blue eyes, seeing assenting nods from the majority of the council.
“It would not be the first time a
man has kidnapped a woman out of passion,” Aphrodite shrugged, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “At least we now know that Hades is not devoid of desire.” She let out an airy laugh. Next to her, Ares was silent.
“Passion leads people to do foolish things,” Athene tartly reminded her sister, studying the goddess who represented the antithesis of herself as she regarded the Goddess of Love with cool gray eyes.
“Oh, but passion makes life enjoyable,” Aphrodite replied coquettishly, batting her eyes at her sister.
“We have all seen the consequences of unrestrained passion enough times, I am certain.” This jab was directed at Aphrodite and Zeus both, reminding them of all the situations they had found themselves in due to their inability to remain faithful to one lover. “And I would not say that not consulting her mother was an intelligent decision, either.”
“Athene...” Zeus sighed. Demeter bit back a smile. It was almost too bad that the eldest child of Zeus did not sit on the High Throne herself.
“Do not tell her to hush,” Demeter snapped, cutting Zeus off, “Unlike you, she actually thinks before she acts. You – and many others – really should try to emulate her more.”
Athene was now smirking openly, and Poseidon frowned. "Now, my brother is a fine King and has served Olympus well. He is such a kind man that not only does he look out for his own daughters, he also cares for his nieces and granddaughters. Demeter, there is no reason to be so upset. Hades is not a bad man. As Zeus said, you will probably be seeing her soon enough. Let us all relax."
“I will not!” Demeter glared at Zeus, “I will not rest until I have my daughter back!”
“What is done is done. Now, restore the crops of Olympia.” Zeus sat straight, looking as imperious and commanding as he could. Demeter saw right through this facade, and regarded her brother with a stony frown.
“No.”
“There will be consequences.”
“Like what? My daughter has already been taken from me!”
“If you insist on behaving so rashly, I will have no choice but to remove you from the Dodekatheon.”
“Ha!” Demeter sneered at him contemptuously. “Do it. See if I care.”
“Now, now.” Poseidon shook his head, stroking his thick beard. “I certainly would not want such a thing to happen. Be reasonable.”
“Yes. Be reasonable,” Apollo piped in, using his voice to its most soothing extent. Not for nothing was he known for being a patron of music. It had the opposite effect, driving the Harvest Goddess' ire further.
“If you are so lonely, why not have another child?” This was put in by Aphrodite, and Artemis stared at her with shock and disgust.
“Let us not quarrel,” Hera said with consternation as she regarded her flighty stepdaughter, “Surely we can come to a solution.” She looked at her husband, clearly expecting him to agree with his wife, at the very least.
“The only solution is having my daughter back,” Demeter growled.
“That cannot be done,” Zeus replied. “I am sorry, but I can not take back my blessing, not from Hades.”
“Let us have some wine and ambrosia. Surely it will put everybody in a better mood.” Dionysus smiled cheerfully, but that smile was quick to wilt under Demeter’s angry stare.
“Sounds like a marvelous idea!” Poseidon clapped his hands. Artemis and Athene shared sideways glances. Hera clenched her jaw.
“Is that how you want it, Zeus? Then your people will go hungry,” Demeter reminded him.
“My threat to remove you from the Council is not an idle one,” Zeus warned.
“Go ahead. If you truly think so little of me, I have no desire to associate with you, or any god who would disdain me for the pain I feel, or the egregious manner in which I have been wronged.” Her hard gaze moved around the table, staring pointedly at the ones who would make light of her predicament. “Hear me, since what is rightfully mine was taken away from me without a second thought, so I will give no more until it is given back.”
Before anyone could say anything, she whipped around, stalking out of the room.
o0o
Sparta boasted of the mightiest warriors in all of Hellas. Unlike so many other cities and villages, the girls of Sparta were encouraged to play and exercise, and work outside. Many of the girls might even engage in play combat with their fathers, brothers, or cousins, for there was no shame in having a strong woman at your side, and the contributions of women were valued; if not intellectually, then physically.
From the time they could walk, the sons of Sparta were taught how to fight. They started off with wooden swords, and sometimes a child might get hurt, but it would teach them how to deal with the pain and further refine them into warriors. Nobody could deny the fact that the Spartan lifestyle did breed warriors with prowess that was rarely rivaled by any others.
But no matter how strong, fast, intelligent, or seasoned a warrior might be, one basic fact remained. Warriors needed sustenance.
Demeter did not have a very high opinion of Sparta. She had seen the ravages of war too many times, but she had not taken any action against her nephew's favored city. Until now.
Around Sparta were farms, many of which were run by retired warriors or women whose husbands were on active duty in the army. When not training for battles, warriors often pitched in as well, for farm work was no easy task. While not as glorious as war, it put food in their bellies and built their body and muscles. Spartans had large appetites to match the energy they burned, and the dearth of food would hit them especially hard.
She would never forget Ares's action towards Kora or his attitude in the meeting. He was next on what would become infamously known in a future era as a shit-list.
o0o
Kalia was a young Spartan girl in her prime, having just celebrated her seventeenth birthday. Her father had married late in life, and spent his golden years on his farm, raising his sons and daughter. She was the middle child, with two older brothers and two younger. She had spent much of her childhood playing with her brothers, and though she was not an expert warrior, she was competent enough with the wooden swords her brothers used for practice. Her muscled, wiry body showed others that should it come down to a fight, she would not go down easily. Her older brothers had already joined the ranks of warriors in the city, but her younger brothers still remained, waiting for their turn to prove themselves as mighty warriors that Ares would be proud of.
Sometimes though, she wished for a different life. There had to be more to life than just fighting, and supporting the men who fought, wasn't there? After all, Ares was known as the lover of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty. And there was Apollo, the God of Music, and Athene, who rewarded wisdom. And weapons were crafted in the forge, which was Hephaistos's domain. The production and crafting of cloth was also a vital part of their lives, so Hera, Demeter, and Hestia were to be thanked for their part in domesticity. Yet none of the other gods had any grand temples of their own in Sparta and were confined to mere shrines within homes and fields.
Kalia was a comely maiden, and already several young warriors came to her father, seeking permission to court her. However, she didn't find herself attracted to them. She wanted more in her future husband than just strength. She wanted someone she could talk to, someone to share her thoughts and observations with. Her father wasn't the talkative type, and he often grunted in response to questions or comments and would look impatient when she tried to share her musings. Her mother wasn't much better, and would sometimes humor her daughter, but Kalia could tell that her mother wasn't really listening. It was not that they were cruel, which she understood, but Kalia could not help but wish things were different.
She gave out an annoyed grumble as she went into the chicken pen, scattering some of their old grain stores to the hens before checking their nests for eggs. She was able and willing to do chores, but the monotony of a Spartan existence was already wearing on her. She had entertained thoughts of running away, but where would she run to
, and what could she do? She did not have the talent for dance or song or anything else that might earn her money or a living elsewhere, unless there was someone out there looking for a farmhand or a cook or weaver.
Gods, lead me on a path to a different and more interesting life, she thought as she filled her basket with eggs. The screams of her younger brothers emanated from the other side of the pen, and she saw them wrestling. They were close in age, so one brother did not have an undue advantage over the other, and she stopped to watch, grateful for this momentary amusement. Suddenly, she felt an odd tingle on the back of her neck, a rare occurrence. She had gotten it only a couple of times in the past, such as when her grandfather was about to die. Her heart started pounding. Was someone else in her family about to die? She was about to rush back to the house to warn her parents when her eyes caught a faint wavering on the horizon, almost like a heat-shimmer that she saw only in the hottest days of summer.
The air was mild and crisp, comfortable enough for anyone to work up a sweat and not feel hot, conflicting sharply with whatever it was she was seeing. As she focused on the horizon, she saw an alarming change. The green seemed to be disappearing, and even the vibrant reds and golds that were appearing on the trees around this time also faded away to a dull brown, and a... bleakness crept towards them.
“Jason! Ecleus! Get Mother and Father! Now!” Kalia screamed at her brothers. They stopped and looked up at her with curiosity, not comprehending the seriousness of the situation. When their eyes followed her pointed finger, they caught sight of this baffling phenomenon and did as she said. She took a step back as the thing approached their farm, oozing over and under the fence and devouring their crops in its fashion, leaving withered growth in its wake.
o0o
