Persephone's Daughter

Prologue

"Kirin, please."
"Sister, I can't. It will ruin the gods. A war will wage."
The small pink bundle shrieks beneath the arguing, but is ignored under the two women.
"I can't care for her. That would mean admitting to what I did. I can't do that."
"Your actions aren't mine! You cannot just give me your daughter because I'm a mortal!"
The bundle shrieks.
"Please Kirin. I... I was foolish. It was a mistake. I do care for her- but the risk is too great. You must understand."
"So you'll abandon your daughter because of your mistakes? I don't think you do care. And now I'm paying for it."
The woman growls.
"Never accuse me of that! I'm giving away my child because I know she'll be in danger if.. if they ever finds out."
It's silent, and the nighttime wind blows between the sisters.
"Fine. But she won't be raised as a daughter, she'll be raised as a niece. To ensure that when you are prepared to step up to the plate you will."
She scoffs, then meets her sisters eyes with a look of hate.
"I should not suffer for your foolishness, sister."
Kirin picks up the small pink bundle in her arms, shielding her from the harsh cold that comes with the darkness.
"Her name is Ianthe." Is the last thing the woman says quietly, before she disappears into the night.
"Come along, little one." Kirin whispers, before opening the door to the small, shielded house, covered by the trees.

———

Olympus, 16 years later.
"The prophecy depicts a war, father."
Zeus glances down at Apollo, disregarding him.
"Prophecy's have been interpreted wrong before. Recite it again." Zeus orders. The gods sit in the throne room, a semi circle.
Apollo kneels, his head of golden hair bowed. He stands, the bow on his back clattering as he starts to recite the fate of Olympus.

"A flower is tucked in a meadow,
Another tainted by the touch of man.
The sky and the ground will collide,
A promise centuries long is broken.
Foolishness will blind,
Missing the threat looming.
The secret is the answer."

Silence overcomes the room, and many glance at the wisdom goddess, Athena.
She doesn't say anything, but she almost seem to glance in someone's direction. Her eyes are to fast to get a placement, but enough to reveal she suspects... something.
"I could begin to try and decode it, but I am afraid the Oracle knows something we don't. Maybe one of us in this rooms knows something we don't." She grows silent, and a look of intense thought crosses her face, her stormy grey eyes glazing over. Many of the gods know that she herself probably has a different plan and a theory, but not one she will ever reveal until she goes through with it. She is smart, but she works by herself.
Zeus simply nods, his white beard flowing over his simple tunic that's held together with gold.
He looks around at his fellow gods and goddesses, before speaking out in a booming voice.
"If any of you have anything to confess, now is the time."
No one moves. No one breathes. The tension in the air is thick enough to be sliced with a knife.
"Alright then. Meeting adjourned. But if any of you need to confess, I need you to understand this is on your shoulders. Be aware as you take your time to tell me though, that we might not have time left."
With that, many of the gods stand to go talk to one another, but one is frozen in place.
"Darling, are you alright?"
The goddess looks up, her beautiful hazel eyes strewn with green and gold against his eyes of charcoal.
The goddess nods, and her beautiful golden brown curls move with her. The tiara of black crystals glimmer upon her head, but she seems shaken.
"Of course, husband. I'll be fine."
Hades smiles, putting a light hand on her fair, smooth arm.
"Don't worry. The prophecy doesn't affect us, they never do. We're fine, my queen."
Persephone stares wide eyed at him, but manages a thin smile.

"Yes, of course."