Megan…the name sent another shard of pain through my head.
My past and my present overlapped in nauseating contrast.
“Persephone,” Thanatos yelled. “Remember why you are here.”
His words echoed in my mind, stirring more memories.
Broken, I walked the halls of Mount Olympus, leaving a bloody trail for all the gods and goddesses to witness. Each angry step echoed on the smooth stone beneath my bare feet. Yet again, I’d earned my freedom at a price, but I’d bargained well this time.
The halls rumbled with Hades’ anguish at my continued suffering, and I smiled as I made my way to my mother’s rooms. Hades deserved every measure of torment he endured and more. Fisting my hands, I entered the outer chamber of my mother’s verdant Mount Olympus paradise. One I once called home over a millennia ago. My heart ached for all that I lost.
The low rumble of Zeus’ voice reached my ears when I entered her inner chamber but quickly quieted at my approach. The pair turned to greet me, but my mother’s welcoming smile turned to a cry at the sight of my blood-soaked skirt. I didn’t look at her. I focused on Zeus, the god who had condemned me to my hell.
“Where is my greeting, oh mighty Zeus, beloved god of all?”
His expression clouded for a moment then cleared. He turned and kissed Mother’s temple.
“I will leave you to visit.”
He walked past me, and the cursed god dared heal what I’d bargained to maintain.
Free of the pain, I spun and called a blade to my hand. My mother caught my wrist when I was about to throw it at his retreating back.
“Daughter, hold your temper, and hear this good news. Your freedom is within reach.”
I turned toward her.
“How?”
“Zeus tires of this existence. He seeks an end that will protect his precious humans. To do so, he needs support. I’ve promised mine in exchange for your release from Hell.”
My breath caught on a sob, and I threw my arms around my mother.
“I can finally return to you?” I asked through my tears.
When she said nothing, I pulled back to look at her.
“Can I not return to you?”
The vines in her room moved to cover the entrance to her inner chamber as she led me to a cushion.
“True freedom comes at a price. I will need to give all that I am, and Zeus will give all that he is, to set all the gods free to be added into the mortal pools controlled by the fates. We will be reborn to atone for the offenses of our immortal lives.”
While I did not want to be parted from my mother again, the idea that I would be forever removed from Hades’ presence made me want to laugh and spin with joy.
Mother’s happiness did not match mine.
“Two gods will be spared,” she said.
“Who?”
“Thanatos, the God of Death, to ensure the spell’s completion, and Hades.”
“Why Hades?”
“Hades never tormented mankind but sought to shelter and care for their souls until the fates sent them back to the mortal plane. He created the furies to protect the humans from those corrupted by the other gods’ children. And although he had the power to rule Mount Olympus, he never sought to overthrow his brother. Zeus believes Hades has already suffered as much as any mortal and does not see a reason to cast him into the mortal pool when his absence in Hell would only create more mortal suffering.”
“Hades has suffered?” I asked in disbelief. “What of my suffering?”
