Kore's days in the Underworld continued much as they had before, punctuated by the occasional visits from Hermes bearing messages from Olympus. Initially, she dutifully replied to each missive, expressing her gratitude and assuring Zeus and Demeter of her well-being. However, as the messages increased in frequency, she began to feel overwhelmed by their persistence.
One evening, as she sat with Hades in the garden she had lovingly created, Kore sighed, setting aside yet another scroll from Zeus. "The messages never seem to cease," she remarked wearily, her brow furrowed with concern.
Hades, sensing her distress, placed a comforting hand on hers. "You do not have to respond to each one, darling," he reassured her gently. "Let Hermes convey your contentment with our life here."
Kore nodded, grateful for his understanding. "You are right," she conceded, offering him a small smile. "I shall do just that."
Their days together passed in a gentle rhythm of companionship and affection. They would often stroll through the garden, hand in hand, reveling in the beauty of the world Kore had created. Amidst the vibrant blooms and tranquil waters, they found solace from the demands of the world above.
But one day, as they wandered through the garden, Kore felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over her. She stumbled, her vision blurring as she clutched onto Hades for support.
"Kore, what's wrong?" Hades' voice was filled with concern as he held her steady, his eyes searching hers for any sign of distress.
Kore tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat as darkness crept in at the edges of her vision. She felt herself slipping away, Hades' voice fading into the distance as the world around her dissolved into blackness.
As Kore's consciousness faded, she felt a sense of panic gripping her heart. She clung to the sound of Hades' voice, the warmth of his touch, desperately trying to anchor herself in the midst of the invading darkness.
Hades' concern deepened as he watched Kore's condition worsen. "Stay with me, Kore," he pleaded, his voice filled with fear and anguish. He cradled her gently in his arms, searching for any sign of what might be afflicting her.
But as Kore slipped further into unconsciousness, Hades felt a surge of helplessness wash over him. He had always been the lord of the Underworld, wielding a great power, but in this moment, he felt utterly powerless to save the woman he loved.
Hades carried Kore to her chambers, laying her gently on the bed. He hovered anxiously by her side, watching over her with a mixture of fear and determination.
Desperate to help her, he called for Hecate, knowing that her wisdom and knowledge surpassed all others in the Underworld.
When Hecate arrived, her brow furrowed with concern at the sight of Kore's pale, sweating form. She wasted no time in examining her, her keen eyes scanning for any indication of the source of her distress.
"This is troubling," Hecate murmured, her voice laced with concern. "We must ensure she stays hydrated. Please, fetch some nectar immediately."
Hades nodded, his heart pounding with fear as he hastened to comply with Hecate's instructions. He returned moments later with a goblet of nectar, which Hecate carefully administered to Kore.
As Kore drank, Hecate studied her closely, her mind whirring with possibilities. "I suspect something more than mere illness is at play here," she said finally, her tone grave. "But I must be certain. I will consult the archives in the palace library."
With a sense of urgency, Hecate departed, leaving Hades alone with Kore once more. He watched over her anxiously, hoping for her swift recovery and dreading what Hecate's investigation might reveal.
Hours passed in agonizing silence as Hades waited for any sign of improvement, his heart heavy with worry. Each passing minute felt like a weight upon his shoulders, a relentless reminder of his powerlessness in the face of Kore's suffering. Though every instinct urged him to call upon Hermes, to seek aid from the other gods, he hesitated, fearing what their involvement might bring. He knew all too well the volatility of Olympus and the politics that governed the divine realm. Any interference from the gods could spell disaster.
Yet, as the time passed, his resolve wavered. Desperation gnawed at his soul, urging him to cast aside his fears and seek help for his beloved. But each time he reached for the scroll that would summon Hermes, he hesitated, torn between his love for Kore and his duty to protect the Underworld and maintain balance in the realms.
There must be another way, he thought.
In the dim light of the chamber, Hades bowed his head, his thoughts consumed by the weight of his decision. Kore remained unconscious, her breathing shallow and labored. Hades sat vigil at her bedside, anxiousness eating at him. He finally decided to call Hermes, willing to make any sacrifice to see Kore restored to health.
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And then, just as he reached for the scroll, Kore stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she gazed up at Hades with confusion and exhaustion etched on her face.
"Hades... what happened?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Relief flooded through Hades at the sound of her voice. He took her hand in his, his grip tight with emotion. "You collapsed in the garden," he explained, his voice trembling with emotion. "I was so afraid... I thought I had lost you."
Kore squeezed his hand gently, her eyes filled with gratitude and love. "I'm here, Hades," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "And I'm not going anywhere."
Hecate's gentle knock echoed through the chamber, and as she entered, Hades turned to her with a mixture of anticipation and dread.
"What have you found, Hecate?" Hades asked, his voice tight with apprehension.
Hecate's expression was grave as she met Hades's gaze. "I believe my suspicions were correct," she began, her tone measured. "The books in the library confirmed it. We all know that Kore is not a being of the Underworld. She is the goddess of spring, the embodiment of life itself."
A heavy silence descended upon the room as Hecate's words hung in the air, the weight of their implications settling heavily upon them all.
"She is life, and here is death," Hecate continued, her voice tinged with urgency. "The Underworld is absorbing her essence to maintain the balance between life and death. If she remains here much longer, she will wither away and die."
As Hades's heart sank at Hecate's revelation, he felt a wave of despair flood through him. The thought of losing Kore, or being forced to part with her, was unbearable. Yet, he knew he could not bear to see her suffer in the Underworld any longer.
"Then she will leave, I will send her back," Hades declared with determination, his voice heavy with grief. He would rather endure the agony of separation than witness Kore's slow demise in the realm of the dead.
Tears welled in Kore's eyes as she heard Hades's words, the weight of their impending separation crushing her spirit. She reached out to him, her hand trembling as she grasped his tightly, unwilling to let go.
But just as despair threatened to consume them both, Hecate spoke up once more, her voice cutting through the suffocating silence like a beacon of hope in the darkness.
"There is… a way," Hecate said, hesitation clear in her tone as she turned to face Hades and Kore. "But it will require great sacrifice."
Hades's attention snapped to Hecate, his eyes wide with hope as he awaited her words. "Tell us what we must do," he implored, his voice trembling with anticipation.
Hecate took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to propose. "Kore must eat the fruit of the Underworld," she explained, her gaze unwavering as she met the eyes of both gods. "By consuming the pomegranate, she will become bound to the realm of the dead, ensuring her connection to the Underworld without affecting its balance."
Kore's heart clenched at Hecate's words, the weight of the decision bearing down upon her like a leaden weight. To become a permanent resident of the Underworld meant sacrificing her ties to the world above, to the sunlit realm she had once called home. Yet, the alternative was even more unthinkable – to wither away and fade into nothingness within the confines of the Underworld.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Kore turned to Hades, her gaze pleading for his understanding and acceptance. "I will do it," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.
The weight of condemning her to an eternity in the Underworld filled him with sorrow. He longed for her presence beside him, yet the thought of her demise weighed heavily on his heart. If it meant her death, he was prepared to let her go, for he could not bear to see her suffer. However, if Kore is prepared to eat the fruit, he needed assurance that she was truly certain of her decision and that she would not come to regret it.
"Are you sure, my dear?" Hades asked gently, his voice laced with concern. "This decision carries weighty consequences."
Kore's gaze met his, her eyes shimmering with determination. "I am sure," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the soft rustle of their breath. "If it means I can stay with you, I will do anything."
Hades's heart clenched at Kore's words, the depth of her love for him shining brightly in her tear-filled eyes. He felt a pang of anguish at her words, knowing the sacrifice she was willing to make for their love.
"Then it shall be done," Hades said, his voice heavy with emotion as he reached out to cup Kore's face in his hands. "I would do anything to keep you safe, my love."
And with that, the decision was made – Kore would eat the fruit of the Underworld, binding her to the realm of the dead for all eternity, yet ensuring her survival and the preservation of the balance in the Underworld.
As Hades and Hecate left Kore to rest, they walked in silence in the corridor. Hecate waited until they were far from Kore's chambers before broaching the delicate topic that lingered between them.
"I didn't want to ask in front of Kore," Hecate began, her voice soft but resolute, "to spare her unnecessary worry. And I knew you wouldn't want her to know."
Hades nodded in understanding, grateful for Hecate's discretion. He knew the gravity of the situation and appreciated her sensitivity to Kore's emotions.
Then, Hecate posed the question that had been weighing on her mind. "Are you willing to risk your life going to Tartarus to get the fruit? What if something happens to you? You are our king!" she inquired, her tone serious.
Hades didn't hesitate in his response. "I will do anything for Kore," he affirmed, his voice steady despite the weight of his words.
She sighed, knowing that she can’t change her stubborn king’s mind. "We have three days until the fruit appears, and only one day before it vanishes," Hecate reminded him, her tone tinged with concern. "Considering the pomegranate only appears once a month, we're fortunate it aligns with our timeline. But we must ensure Kore's safety and well-being during this time. She may not be able to wait much longer."
Hades nodded in agreement, his mind already racing with plans to protect his beloved Kore. "I will take every precaution necessary to keep her safe," he vowed, determination shining in his eyes.