The Crowns of the Gods.

Persephone's revenge

It's a hard lesson to learn when you are seen as a goddess of softness. One thing Persephone never thought she would be going through yet again. She stood in her private garden, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers that seemed to mock her sorrow with their beauty. Her husband, who she loved more than anything, was once more unfaithful. How many more times would she have to go through this with him? The weight of her pain was almost unbearable, like the heavy stone columns of her palace pressing down on her heart.

Just because she was tenderhearted did not mean the man could prey upon her goodwill. She gently touched the delicate petals of a rose, their softness reminding her of her own fragile heart. Her willingness to overlook his first infidelity was done more for her children than for him. Macaria and Ananke were the only ones who mattered to her at the time. She recalled their innocent faces, their laughter that used to fill the palace halls, and the way they clung to her skirts, seeking comfort.

Besides, she had gotten back at him by sleeping with his brothers. A faint, bitter smile crossed her lips. It was a small, hollow victory that did little to heal her wounds. She was faithful; why was it so hard for him to do the same? His infidelities were like a knife to her fragile heart, each betrayal cutting deeper than the last. She believed that helping Abi and Amanda was changing him, but maybe she was wrong. She had hoped that by bringing them into their lives, he would see the light and mend his ways.

Abi was Erebus's to look after; she was his daughter, after all. Persephone sighed deeply, the sound mingling with the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. She had wanted so desperately to believe in his redemption, to see the good in him for the sake of their family. But now, standing amidst the serene beauty of her garden, she felt the weight of disillusionment settle over her like a dark cloud.

The palace, with its grandiose architecture and opulent decorations, felt empty and cold. Persephone wrapped her arms around herself, drawing strength from the earth beneath her feet. She knew she had to be strong, not just for herself, but for her children and those she had taken under her wing. With a determined look in her eyes, she turned away from the garden, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead, even if it meant confronting the man she once thought she could trust with her heart.

The more Persephone worried about her relationship with Hades, the angrier she became. Anger was not a well-known emotion to her; she mostly felt calm and happy. Now, angrier than ever, she decided to find out exactly how many times Hades had been unfaithful. The usually serene goddess felt a storm brewing within her, a tempest of emotions that threatened to consume her tranquil nature. She stood next to her desk in the garden, the gentle hum of bees and the sweet scent of blooming flowers offering a stark contrast to her turbulent thoughts.

Her eyes turned to the climbing rose vines that Hades was chained to, their thorny tendrils intertwining around his wrists and ankles. The once-powerful god of the underworld now looked pitiful, his defiant gaze meeting hers with a mix of fear and defiance. Her girls had given her three days to deal with him for his treachery to her and their sister, and she was determined to use them wisely. The garden, usually a place of peace and reflection, now served as the stage for her righteous fury.

Hades screamed as Lex, Persephone's human servant, slashed him with a dull knife. Each scream echoed through the garden, mingling with the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds, creating an eerie symphony of suffering and nature. Not one to torture, she left it to her human. She didn't want to taint her own soul. Lex, a stoic figure with a resolute expression, carried out the task with a grim sense of duty. He was to give Hades two slashes every hour for the two infidelities she knew about. Blood trickled down Hades' pale skin, mingling with the earth below, as Persephone watched with a cold, detached resolve.