Hades
A novella
Svetlana Ivanova
Copyright © 2012 Svetlana Ivanova
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 1537467743
ISBN-13: 978-1537467740
DEDICATION
To all the LGBTQ+ readers who deserve a story about two goddesses in love.
CHAPTER one: favorite daughter
“O Mother look! The fields seem so scorched and sad," a young girl groaned, her face marred with distress. "They need more tending and growing, please allow me, mother; I promise I will be swift."
The older woman sitting behind her shook her head and sighed softly. She leaned forward and whispered into that small delicate ear.
"My sweet child, not today," she said. Her hands were still busy braiding the girl's beautiful golden lock. "You will tend to your fields after we come back from the council."
The woman whose blonde head crowned with chaplets of corn was Demeter, goddess of the cornfield, mistress of planting and harvesting, lady of the fertile earth. With only a wave of her hands, the fruit sprung forth from the bearing trees, the grapes swelled along the vines of the arbor, and the wheat ripened like a golden sea.
She was adored and worshiped by the people of Greece. They would bow down at her temples, praying, "O, Demeter, Mother of fertility, bless us with a bounty harvest this year." They would toss flowers at the feet of her statue and sacred groves were offered on her altar.
The lovely girl on her lap was Persephone—the maiden of the beautiful ankles. Demeter loved this daughter above all else. Persephone was raised among flowers and looked like a flower herself. Her body was as lithe as a stem, her skin soft as petals, and she had pansy bright green eyes. The young maiden took charge of flowers for her mother. She was adept at making up new kinds and naming them.
Persephone was growing fast and strong, always running beneath the golden sunshine and the great azure skies. Her glowing sublime form was so ravishing it attracted all sort of gentle creatures wherever she went. She loved capering with the wild fawns and little curious animals from the grotto of her favorite cousin Pan, god of the wild. Now the girl was on the edge of womanhood, being pampered even more so by the Barley-Mother herself.
The two goddesses were resting under a fragrant green bower, listening to the hums of the earthsong through the vines. Demeter then reached her hand over and plucked a newly-formed bud on the ground. The bud quickly blossomed into a beautiful white flower, a narcissus. Its golden pollen emitted the pleasant smell.
Demeter smiled kindly as she placed the flower into her daughter's silken hair, which she had done braiding and oiling. Normally, this was the task of the Seirenes, the nymphs who had been Persephone's handmaidens since childhood.
But that day was a special day. The earth goddess turned her child around and admired that sweet innocent beauty that the girl possessed. Demeter smiled fondly at her beloved daughter.
"In due time, you will sit on my throne among the gods and take over my work," Demeter said. "Now we must not let them waiting."
Persephone nodded though she had been dreading this meeting for quite some times. The young goddess mostly wanted to be left alone with her flowers. She would rather wander about in her mother's wood while listening to the songs of birds, or play with the river nymphs. Or she could stay in their perfect luminous gardens.
But not today.
They were readying themselves to meet the other Olympians. It was her first time entering the Pantheon of the Gods. Demeter shall present her to the King of Heaven — her father.
Zeus, the youngest son of the Titan Cronos and Rhea, was her sire. He was the King of Gods. The other gods in the Pantheon were also his children. After the defeat of the Titans, the twelve chief gods, including Demeter had reigned the universe for some three thousand years.
The young goddess had never seen the Sky Lord in person, let alone the rest. But she had heard tales of the king through the gossiping birds. Zeus would come down to earth in pursuit of some wood nymphs. His queen, Hera, was known for her vicious jealousy. Now the thought of going to Olympus awoke a deep anxiety within her heart.
Her mother, the tall green-clad goddess, rose from the bower and gazed at the brilliant blue sky.
"It's time to go, Persephone," she said. Persephone was dressed in her most beautiful white tunic. She wore a gold circlet gleaming in her hair and a woven gold belt around her dainty waist. There were also bracelets around her lovely ankles.
"I don’t want to go, mother, I want to stay home," the girl spoke at last. Her hands fumbled over the edge of her flowing silk, shifting herself in nervousness. Demeter turned to her daughter and cupped her soft rosy cheeks in her hands.
"Don't be ridiculous," she said gently, "Olympus is our home, too."
"But I don't know anyone," Persephone said.
Her mother stroke her head.
"They are your kith and kins. Don’t worry, my girl. You shall meet them, and they shall welcome you as a true Olympian," Demeter said and then embraced her in her arms. The young goddess felt the golden warmth and smelled the green earthy scent of her mother. She was somehow able to calm her anxious mind.
"Come now, sweet child. We’re running late."
They walked to the field together. The Seirenes awaited them beside a light wicker chariot, which was drawn by a swift pair of winged serpents called ‘drakones’. Demeter asked the nymphs to look after the forest during their absence.
"Do not let any mortal wander in," she said to them. "If I catch you trysting with one of the demigods, I will turn you all into slugs."
The nymphs lowered their heads in respect. Then Demeter and Persephone mounted their chariot. With a sharp sound of the flicking rein, the drakones snarled and flapped their mighty wings. The creatures raced through the field then flew skyward, soaring over the clouds and heading towards the snow-peaked Olympus.
The earth goddess steered their chariot towards the gigantic golden door. After they landed on the grand causeway, Demeter put an encouraging hand on the small of Persephone's back, coaxing her along.
They walked through the courtyards and manicured gardens together. The minor gods and celestial nymphs, and satyrs, who lingered around the palace, saw Demeter and her gallant daughter, and they came bowing and welcoming them.
The majestic buildings were so contrasted to where Persephone was used to. Marble columns rose high and disappeared into the drifting clouds. The ever-changing ceiling above displayed the unending myriads of constellations.
They went into the boisterous hall where the gods were drinking nectar and feasting on ambrosia, laughing and singing uproariously amongst themselves. Their powerful voices blended with the praising songs and lyre music.
Then a disembodied voice proclaimed so loudly, piercing through every ear.
"Here come Goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone!"
The music stopped playing and the silence reigned. Persephone could hear her own heart pounding along with the echoes of their footsteps.
Once inside the courtroom, she saw the chief gods already assembled on their throne. All pairs of jewel-like eyes turned to her and her mother. Persephone looked back in awe of their perfect golden faces. Their powerful ethereal brightness made her feel as if she was shrinking smaller and smaller. It felt so particularly strange to think that they were her family.
Persephone willed her hands to stop trembling and raised her head high as befitting the daughter of an elder goddess, Demeter.
To her amazement, the other gods sent her their gleaming smiles, and soon they began to gather around the two goddesse
s, greeting them with warm words.
"Demeter, sister, on behalf of the gods, may I welcome you to our home," one of the goddesses spoke. Her mother bowed to her. Persephone recognized the kind-looking woman as Hestia, the oldest sister of the Olympians. She was dressed in a simple white tunic and her throne was a plain wooden throne.
Although there were supposedly twelve gods, Persephone noticed there were eleven seats in the room.
Zeus rose from his majestic throne and came towards her. His wide smile was dazzling. His eyes were the color of the clear blue sky. The god took her delicate hand in his and kissed it. Persephone greeted her father back with a bow in return.
"Daughter of mine," he said, "You are as lovely as your mother had informed me. Come forth and meet your family."
He introduced her first to his queen, Hera, who acknowledged her with a soft grunt. Her long-bearded uncle, Poseidon. The sea god also took her hand and kissed it gently.
"You're even lovelier than your mother, dear child," he complimented her. Demeter gave him a sharp look, which made Poseidon retreated into his silence again.
Her father introduced her to Athena, the armor-clad goddess. She had piercing dark eyes, a shiny helmet over her head, attired with an aegis, and an extremely long spear. Her crystal shield was crested with the head of the Gorgon. Persephone had never seen the war-goddess before. Now, she realized how insignificant she was compared to her fierce half-sister. Yet, Athena looked at the young maiden with a soft gleam in her eyes though she said nothing.
"Demeter, your child is a true blessing. She is more beautiful than I had imagined," another goddess’s voice came to her. Persephone turned to a dazzling woman, who stepped forward to envelop Persephone in her arms. "She looks like she is destined for greatness. I believe one day, she will be just as important."
The goddess wore a long white tunic. It was woven of a gauzy stuff, dyed with the colors of the sunset. It was Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty and passion. Persephone could smell her rosy perfume and almost felt enchanted by it. Though the young girl was dazzled by Aphrodite's peerless charm, she could almost see the look of subtle envy in the goddess's eyes.
Then she was greeted by Hermes, the messenger of the gods, lord of thieves and travelers, master of moving between the worlds of the mortal and divine. He kissed her swiftly on the cheek, causing her face to form a maiden's blush.
"It is only fitting that father should keep you among us," he said. "You belong here on the Great Olympus."
Hermes smiled an easy smile, which instantly put Persephone at ease.
"Thank you, but I would rather be with my mother on earth," Persephone replied coyly.
"Ah, what a shame," Hermes sighed. “Being stuck in one world would be a terrible bore, wouldn’t it?”
The girl only lowered her gaze for she didn’t know how to respond.
Everyone took turn welcoming the young maiden. After a while, Persephone was somewhat pleased to see that the gods had accepted her wholeheartedly. But she still preferred the calm and sophisticated existence over this glorious life in heaven.
It was in that moment that the celestial brightness in the room suddenly dimmed. Then then burning torches upon the marble columns burst into frenzy green flames. The silence fell on the gods like a heavy cloak.
No more laughter and chattering. There was not even a clink of goblets or a twang of the lyre. The hall grew dark as a long shadow loomed inside. Everywhere, everyone fell under a mute spell when black mist crawled through the palace’s sparkling floor. The young maiden felt the chill creeping up her spine while she witnessed the strange happening.
Demeter came to her daughter’s side quickly. Persephone noticed mother’s back stiffened and her face turned a shade paler. As the darkness drew like a curtain in the throne hall, Persephone could see the shudder in the minor gods. They seemed to hold their breath.
After three prolonged heartbeats, they heard the sound of footsteps upon the sleek marble floor, and the light was replaced by the greenish gloom.
"Hades has arrived!"
As soon as she heard the name, Persephone thought back to the tale her mother told her of the three powerful siblings. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, the fiercest of all the gods, slew their father Cronos with his own scythe and destroyed the Titans. Then they shared the domain, dividing the sky and the sea and the dark realm below. The other two brothers chose the better ones, leaving Hades no choice but to reign over a barren kingdom of the dead.
Because the desolate underworld was opposed to the bright heavenly Olympus, Hades was not accepted as an Olympian and was never invited to supper at Zeus's grandiose abode. And hardly anyone spoke of the name.
Persephone saw Artemis and Apollo, the twin gods, appeared by their father's side, whispering to each other behind their hands.
Then a tall shadowy figure floated into the room.
Everything stopped on its track.
Persephone gripped her mother's arm in fear. Demeter comforted her young daughter with a soft pat on her hand. But once the girl looked up again, she saw, to the astonishment of her mind, a tall lean woman standing in the midst of sprawling dark mist.
The woman's eyes were pitch-black like obsidian gems. Her pale cream-colored skin shone in contrast to the long flowing black cloak. Those immaculate raven strands of silky hair cascaded down her straight back.
The lines of her narrow jaw, her high shapely nose, and proud cheekbones mesmerized Persephone the way the black starless sky mesmerized her at night.
Demeter’s daughter couldn't decide whether the goddess was beautiful or frightening. Her heart skipped unevenly while she was lost in those black stirring eyes. She had always thought of Hades as a man, a gruesome monarch of the Underworld, but now she was confused and intrigued by what she saw.
Zeus resumed the role of a cordial host and came forward.
"Sister," he said to the goddess. "I did not know you would grace us with your presence tonight."
The dark goddess merely nodded.
"I thought you all had forgotten about me," the black-robbed woman spoke. "So I decided to come and see what kind of a special occasion you are celebrating."
Her voice was like cold liquid, soft and melodious, yet also like haunting sad music.
"It's Demeter's daughter coming out of age," Poseidon answered. "We knew you wouldn't care to join since you might prefer the company of the dead."
There was a snickering among the gods. But Hades's enigmatic face remained stoic as if she was wearing a mask.
"Persephone," Demeter whispered to her daughter. The girl had to tear her gaze away from the mysterious deity.
"Yes, mother?" She said. But at the same time, she did not see Hades's head tilted at the sound of her bell-chiming voice. The dark goddess turned to her direction and her eyes lit up like a morning star. Hades thus began to stare the young goddess, so intensely that it caused a stir of murmurs in the hall.
"We shall leave now," Demeter whispered and hastily pulled her young daughter along by the elbow. Persephone didn't have the time to ask for more clarity and simply followed her mother. However, as they turned and started to leave, Hades was suddenly standing before them, graceful and majestic and intimidating.
"Demeter, my sister, why are you leaving so soon?” Hades asked in a tender tone.
“I have other important tasks to attend to,” the goddess of grain replied curtly.
“Then before you leave, may I ask who is this beautiful child?"
Persephone's mother frowned in depreciation, but she could not refuse to answer Hades.
"She is mine," Demeter said.
Then in a floaty motion, Hades took Persephone's delicate hand in hers, gently turning it over like it was something precious before she kissed it with her soft chilling lips. Persephone felt her heart jump all the way to her throat. Hades's kiss left behind a tingling sensation that mingled with the faintest dusting of gold there. It was a different feeling unlike when the other gods h
ad kissed her. Her body shivered with something else. It was sweet and warm, and yet terrifying.
"What is your name, lovely one?" Hades asked the demure girl.
"Persephone," the young goddess murmured back.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful maiden," Hades said.
Demeter was not at all pleased with her sister's shameless flirtation.
"Excuse us, Hades, but we are leaving," she said and quickly steered her daughter away from the goddess.
Hades's dark piercing eyes followed them as they walked away from the hall.
But the dark goddess knew deep in her cold grim heart that this was not the last time she and Persephone would cross paths.
CHAPTER Two:
The underworld
Beyond the grave and funeral pyre lay a land of shadows and eternal gloom, the Underworld. Dead souls taken by the messenger of the gods, Hermes, were brought down through dark gloomy caves and long, winding, underground paths until they came to five rivers.
Charon, the ferryman, waited across the black shore of Styx. By the Gates of Hades, the three-headed hound Cerberus, who had an appetite for live flesh, would attack everyone but spirits. There lived the dead — heroes and cowards, shepherds, priests, and minstrels. They wandered back and forth aimlessly, waiting for their turn to be ferried by Charon.
Once they had crossed the ink-black river, the souls must wait again for the trail with the three judges — Minos, Rhadamanthys, and Aeacus, the netherworld demigods.
Brave heroes might find themselves assigned to the blissful Elysian Fields, the Isles of the Blessed, where they can relive the joys of life. Those whose crimes warrant a sentence to eternal punishment were sent to the darkest regions of Erebus or down the pit of Tartarus.
There lay a great palace made of black rock and crystal, the abode of a tall slender goddess Hades. Her majestic black robe and puissant look made those around her cower in fear. From the solemn grace and unpitying nature that were woven to her dread majesty, the mortals were afraid to even mention her name. Very few knew her as Áïda. Perhaps for fear of pronouncing it, they started calling her Hades.
Hades: Goddess of the Underworld (Lesbian Version) Page 1
