No matter when or where, feelings are the purest and most intoxicating—family affection, friendship, love—and among them, love is the most completely intoxicating. The two old people who passed away from old age had reached the extremes of life, losing all vitality as the sun set.
A gentle breeze blew through the black-painted divine robe, and at some point, Hades appeared in the distance, looking down upon the vast tribe before him. In his black eyes, there was a hint of nostalgia, a calmness that felt different from his usual demeanor as he reflected on something profound.
"Hades"
A voice as soft as water floated from behind him. It belonged to Persephone, with her long black hair cascading down, a serene and beautiful face adorned in a flowing white dress. She approached him step by step.
As the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, Persephone was the goddess of spring. Her beauty rivaled that of even the most celebrated goddesses—Aphrodite, Artemis, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. No goddess stood above her in allure; even Zeus himself found himself captivated by her.
However, from the moment she was born, Persephone understood her identity and what it entailed. This awareness kept her from becoming too entangled in the affairs of the gods, choosing instead to distance herself from Olympus and live among mortals.
"Persephone."
"Let's go."
Hades smiled at her, a fleeting expression that held deep meaning. He extended his hand, and Persephone placed her slender fingers in his. Together, they stepped forward.
As they walked, their steps were slow and deliberate, as if they sought to absorb every moment before departing. The figures of the two gods gradually faded, making their way back to the Underworld.
"Persephone..."
Demeter finally spoke, her voice laden with unspoken emotions. She hesitated, unsure of how to articulate her feelings.
Persephone turned slightly and whispered, "Mother, I'm sorry. This is my choice. I will follow Hades to the Underworld."
In an instant, bright light enveloped her, transforming her long black hair into a deep purple hue. Her red lips morphed into a soft lavender, complementing her striking beauty and the black gown she wore—an embodiment of her new identity. In her hand, she held the scepter of the Underworld.
Without hesitation, Persephone accepted her role as the queen of the Underworld. From the moment of her birth, she was destined for this, so why should she hesitate? The lives of Aaron and Haru, devoid of the memories of the gods, were a testament to pure human love, something she had walked away from.
"Well..."
Demeter sighed silently. She recognized her daughter's decision. With a bittersweet smile, she chose to remain silent, watching as Persephone followed Hades into the Underworld.
From the moment her daughter was born, Demeter had sensed an aura of the Underworld surrounding her. Initially puzzled by it, she now understood it represented Persephone's identity as the destined queen of the Underworld, a role even the mighty Yan Mo, king of Hell, had to respect.
"Never mind..."
With another sigh, Demeter turned away. She didn't want to dwell on the subject. With Persephone's descent into the Underworld, the world transformed; the beauty of spring gave way to the cold grip of winter, as snowflakes began to fall, heralding the season's arrival.
On Mount Olympus:
"A**hole!"
Zeus's eyes blazed with fury, resentment boiling within him. He felt a deep sense of injustice! Regarding his daughter, he refused to relinquish her to anyone, least of all Hades.
Yet, despite his frustration, he slowly unclenched his fists, allowing the furious thunder to dissipate.
He knew he was no match for Hades. In a fit of irrationality, he had expelled Prometheus, a decision that now left him without the resources or the knowledge to elevate his power further. Prometheus understood the legacy of the gods, but Zeus had been blinded by his pride.
The realization gnawed at him: engaging in a direct confrontation with the Underworld would be madness! Moreover, he was left in the dark about Metis's whereabouts and the birth of her child—information that further fueled his frustration.
Ultimately, Zeus had no choice but to swallow this bitter defeat. Hera entered the temple, her voice calm, "Your Majesty, you could imprison Demeter and summon Persephone back. Imprison her in Olympus."
"It's useless!" Demeter interjected, walking into the temple with poise. "Persephone has forsaken other connections; she has completely transformed from the goddess of spring into the queen of the Underworld. Though she is my daughter, she cannot return to Olympus because of me. And Hera, you must realize—Olympus is not the Underworld's equal."
Hera remained silent, recognizing the complexity of the situation. She noted Zeus's fondness for Demeter's daughter, but now was not the time for her to feel triumphant. As for Hestia? She had no interest in this matter, leaving the position of Queen of Heaven to Hera.
After a prolonged silence, Zeus finally waved his hand dismissively. "Alright! These matters do not concern you. I will handle this myself."
"Yes!" Demeter, Hera, and Eris departed.
Seated on his throne, Zeus seethed with anger, the storm brewing in his eyes. "Hades! This is only the beginning. I will show you the terrible price you will pay for what you've done!"
As thunder roared, it echoed the fury of a god whose desires had been thwarted. The opportunity he had long coveted had slipped through his fingers, and the loss only deepened his possessive nature.