The Lost Child

Truths and Lies

Hades just stares at me. Him and Persephone are both completely still. Pure shock in their faces as their mouths hang open and eyes wide. Finally, Hades speaks up. Stuttering at first.

"Y-you....you're Cereza Lightning? You're the lost child?" Hades is practically out of breath when he finishes.

"I don't know. I need answers, Hades, and you are the only one who can help me."

Hades takes a moment to think of whether or not I'm telling the truth. Why would someone lie about this?

"Prove it." Hades suddenly demands.

"What?"

"The Lightning's all had a gift I blessed them with. If you are really the lost child, you would have the same gifts." Hades explains. Obviously he has doubts.

"All right, try to hit me." I tell him.

Hades looks at me at little confused, "I would never...." he starts but I interrupt him, "no, Hades. Seriously try to hit me. It is the only way I can show you I am not lying."

"I could never lay a hand on you." He pleas.

"I know, that's why I'm asking you to try."

I know this won't work, he has this gentlemen like personality. Maybe I could get Persephone to try it? No, she is too nice. Oh, I know something that would work.

"Alright fine, if you won't hit me then...." I look around the room, not sure what I'm looking for until I see it. There is a bowl of apples sitting on the coffee table. "Toss an apple at me, it's not harmful."

Hades seems to be more willing as he relaxes. "Okay, I'll do that then." He stands and walks to the coffee table, bends down to grab an apple and then walks to me. In order to keep looking at his face as he approaches me, I'm am forced to look up, and up, and up. Goodness he is tall. He stops, and then tosses the apple to me.

I wait for the apple till it is just about to hit and move out of the way. Literally avoiding it at the last second. Now everything is a dark shade of blue. Everything is moving slow. This is what he wanted, proof. And I just gave it to him.

I grab the apple that was still falling and make my way behind Hades. I put the apple above his and let it go, as I do everything returns to normal speed and I see and hear the apple hit the top of Hades' head.

"How did you...?" Hades starts.

"I already told you. Now can you please tell me what happened to my family?"

"Oh by the gods of course, you must feel so lost now."

Hades tells me everything. Twenty-four years ago, my family was attacked, and so was Olympus. I already knew that part but when I asked who the attackers were, Hades' answer had me outraged.

"The titans had attacked us both that night. Pallas led the assault on Olympus while his brother...."

"Astraeus...." I mutter.

"You know them?" Hades asks, a little surprised.

"I thought I did. They raised me and told me the complete opposite. They said while my family was being attacked, the gods just stood idly by."

"I assure you, I am telling you the truth. I am the one who remembers. If you wish, I can prove it too you." He sounds sincere.

"How?"

"Your mother can tell you exactly what happened"

"But....she is dead."

Hades just laughs. "Did you forget you are talking to the god of the Underworld? I can bring you to her, unfortunately though she cannot leave. But you can still see her and communicate with her."

I am in absolute shock. Hades can take me to see my mother. I remember very little of her. I was only three. Now all I can do is....

"Please! Hades, take me to her!" I am begging at this point.

"As you wish."

With that we set off, leaving Persephone at the estate. I can not believe this, I am finally going to see my mother. Who knows if she would even recognize me.