In the Cold, I'm Warmest With You

Never Going Back

Spending what seemed to be a painful eternity in the dark Underworld had made Kayre lose track of day and night. Due to the revelation of the actual cause of her presence in the realm, she had been trapped in her thoughts, struggling to think about and notice anything else. In the prison that was her mind, she couldn't feel cold and hungry, unsure whether it was due to her needs constantly being attended to as a guest or complete ennui. The hot ambrosia left beside her would always turn cold. She didn't bother to touch her meals as she spent most of her time lying on the guest bed, either trying to sleep the hours away or staring listlessly at the ceiling and walls. Whenever she had to take care of herself, it only was because members of the estate dragged her out of bed, and only then would she finally take notice of them, albeit for a moment. Sometimes, she would wander around the house, trying to take her mind off Aidamien's words. Yet she would often fail to escape them. Other times, she would walk outside the mansion, passing by Cerberus, who didn't lay a paw on her, and look up and beyond forlornly to see the Mortal Realm far away.

    'If Lord Loudovikos was in on this, does that mean it's fate for me to be here?' she wondered, watching the green and light beyond the cold dark from where she stood. She hadn't eaten food in a long time, so she didn't have her usual strength. Therefore, she couldn't simply return home alone. 'The will of the heavens is absolute, they say. Maybe I should stop moping and go along with Lord Aidamien, after all...'

    Meanwhile, Aidamien had locked himself in his room and office just like the goddess he was interested in, except it was due to deep guilt for her having unwillingly participated in this ordeal from the moment the King of the Gods allowed him to pursue her. Although he had stopped daring to see her face to face, he still saw that her needs were fulfilled through household members even as he buried himself in work and hobby deeply. Despite doing his best to care for her, the God of the Dead felt himself a coward for not doing it more by himself. All that occupied him was the state of her well-being and the fact that he was ready to let her go, not knowing when he shall ever see her again, being a realm apart, and having duties that could shape the entire universe to perform.

    As for members of the House of Hades, all they could do was try to bridge the two together gently and give them advice. They look out for them, ensuring they don't wallow in negative emotions for too long. Solal often went back and forth between the office and the guest room, becoming a self-appointed mediator to quell the awkward tension. Thanatos Triskaideka, the only feminine member of the estate, tried multiple times to get the Maiden out of bed and cheer her up, only after being prodded by Solal. Seeing how despondent Kayre was frustrated her, yet out of curiosity over what it feels to have a fellow goddess as a friend, she persevered in her efforts.

    On the ninth day of the terrible famine, Hermon rapidly descended upon the Underworld to retrieve the Goddess of Verdure, so he brought neither the souls of the departed nor physical correspondence to the realm. Kayre and Aidamien were made aware of his presence, so they went to see him. Vigor returned to the goddess's spirit, excited to meet an Upperworld god after a long time, yet the Hidden One felt deja vu, wondering if the Messenger of the Gods had come to borrow some of his riches again. Seeing each other again made it awkward, but they shook it off, preferring to focus on the current matter.

    "Lord Hermon!" Kayre gasped, seeing her close acquaintance disheveled. He seemed more untidy than usual. "I assume you're here not for work reasons?"

    The God of Speed panted as if he had run at the speed of light yet quickly shucked off his sweat, trying to look cool in the eyes of his two juniors.

    "That I am!" He ran his fingers through his messy white-as-clouds hair and gave a grand bow. "The Great Hermon has come to rescue you!"

    The Maiden could only giggle at his gesture.