Hope for the Underworld

5

As soon as they stepped outside the gate, Cora started pacing angrily. Hades observed her with an expression of sadness but remained silent.

'So, what does it mean?' she demanded eventually, pausing in front of him.

'I have been told exactly as much as you.' His response was calm and measured; he couldn't even imagine what she was feeling. 'I do not hold all the answers.'

'So, what's the point of being a god, if you're as clueless as the rest of us, lower beings?!' she exploded angrily.

He flinched, and an expression of pain flashed in his grey eyes, but he composed himself instantly. 'We should return to the palace,' he said, offering her his arm. 'I have my duties to perform.'

'Maybe if we asked her specific questions...' started Cora, but he stopped her by gently placing his hand on her shoulder.

'I'm afraid, we have learned all that was to be learned here. She is bound by the ancient rules and not allowed to reveal things that may influence our future choices.'

'But gods play with humans' destinies all the time!' She was clearly dissatisfied, not really taking in what he was saying.

'Not all...'

'So, you think it was Zeus?' she interrupted him, too wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice his discomfort. 'Why don't you speak to him? Ask him to send me back!' she demanded with a renewed hope.

'We...' he hesitated. 'We do not see eye to eye. Even if I was to ask, he would refuse, just to spite me.' A grimace fleeted briefly on his face, but he regained control instantly.

'So, am I really stuck here?' All her anger evaporated and she felt suddenly deflated.

'For the moment, yes,' he was forced to admit. 'But I promise you, we will keep searching for a way.' Once more he offered her his hand and she gripped it, grateful for his kind words. She leant into him, and the shadows enveloped them once again, transporting them back to her rooms at the palace. 'Please, rest now,' he spoke gently. 'I must go, but will return later, if you permit.' He looked at her expectantly, waiting for a reply.

'Of course.' She attempted a smile, but it looked a little pale.

He only bowed and walked away.

She watched his receding figure for a few moments, then turned away and slowly entered her room. For a time, she just stood there without movement, but then she fell into a chair and covered her face in her hands. Tears, unbidden, fell from her eyes, dropping soundlessly onto the marble floor.

'Lady... You are sad,' came in a whispery voice. 'What can we do?'

This unexpected kindness seemed to tip over the balance and Cora wept; hot tears streaming freely from her eyes. She had to finally let it all out. She had not shed a single tear since the day of Barry's betrayal, bottling it all up inside. Everyone had commented on her strength and the speed of her recovery, but now it felt as if her heart was breaking again into a thousand tiny pieces. And it hurt... The Oracle said there would be still pain in her future and Cora wasn't sure if she could take any more.

The shadows scrambled hurriedly out of the way, as Hades materialised unexpectedly in the middle of the room. 'What has happened?' he asked breathlessly, stepping closer.

'Nothing.' Cora tried to turn away from him; she knew well she wasn't a pretty crier.

'This is not nothing.' He knelt in front of her and gently forced her to face him. 'You are in so much pain.'

'How did you know?' She looked at him with incomprehension.

'Your pain was very loud.' The corners of his full lips twitched slightly. He rose to his feet and sat opposite.