Hades

answers

Hades

I looked at her. It had been forever since someone was in as critical a condition as Stella. "So, it will be in your sleep. That much I do know. Some people fall asleep and then disappear in front of our very eyes, other people go to bed as if nothing is happening and they're gone by morning. As far as I'm concerned, there will be no pain or discomfort. Just, fatigue."

She nodded and looked at her fingers. "Will you explain to me about your children?" I looked at him, a bit uncertain.

I hesitated. "I have six children."

"Six?!" she asked. "Who are the rest?"

I looked at her, willing her to be silent.

"Sorry," she said. For once it looked as if she actually meant it.

"The first child I had was Zagreus, with Persephone. The next, Macaria, also with Persephone. We had a few years of celibacy before we had Melinoë. Then, way before this, when Kronos castrated Uranus, and I became their guardian, and they perceive me as their father, to Alecto, Magaera and Tisiphone. I was there, Uranus and Kronos never were."

Stella had eyes as wide as saucers.

"And who are they?" she asked.

"Known by men as the Erinyes or, by some, the Furies."

Stella bit her lip. "And what do all your children do, then?" she asked, her voice timid and nervous.

"Zagreus is the God of hunting and rebirth. Macaria is the Goddess of the blessed Death. Melinoë is the bringer of nightmares and madness. It is the Underworld after all. The Furies are deities of vengeance. You don't want to cross them."

Stella swallowed. "Where do your children live?" she whispered.

I grabbed her hand. "Zagreus sometimes comes by here, though he has his own place in the woods. He enjoys hunting. Macaria has been in Olympus for a while now, but I expect her to come back. She helps me do my job, though she is better at helping those who are deserving of a peaceful death."

Stella nodded.

"Melinoë is someplace. Usually she is in Erebos, the deeper level of the Underworld, from where she finds the stuff nightmares are made from and inflict these upon humans." I shook my head. "We've had discussions about it, but she won't hear."

"What about the Furies?" Stella whispered.

"The Furies is also in Erebos. They serve as punishment for the humans who has done crimes beyond comprehension."

Stella nodded and snuggled into my side.

I smiled. "They don't come near the castle. They don't like it. It's too civilized. At least for the Furies and most of the time for Melinoë too."

Stella nodded and leaned into me. "I don't understand the relationship you have with Persephone."

"Neither do I," I admitted and leaned my cheek against the top of her head. "How much have you read?" I couldn't retract the information, and that even though I wanted to. I would much prefer I was the one to tell her, instead of her snooping around.

"I read that you helped her away from Demeter, but I don't understand the depths of your relationship."

"Do you even want to know?" I asked.

"No," she said. "But then again, yes."

"Make up your mind." I muttered.

She pulled back and looked at me. "Since you're talking, for once, I'll take advantage of it."