Chapter 3

I didn't know exactly what I was looking for. I was sure that once I found it I would know, but as for now, I was just exploring the empty hallways that smelled vaguely of soot. The hallway matched the party room, the only difference being the lack of lights.

Moonlight shone into the hallway illuminating it just a bit. I haven't seen any rooms yet, or any people, really I haven't seen anything but bare walls and floors.

Kore!

The voice was now the loudest it had ever been. There was a sense of pulling, something was pulling me down the halls.

Like a hunter luring their prey.

The pull leads me to a glass window that was large, it showed the pomegranate tree. Expect now it seemed larger and grander.

Eat me!

As I got closer to the window I realized the tree was talking to me. If it wasn't for the fact that I lived in a world of mystical things I would have freaked.

Koooreee, come feast!

Perhaps one bite wouldn't hurt.

In a daze I pressed my hand against the window, essentially shattering it.

It was in my way.

Once I was out I looked around for my mom and when I was reassured she wasn't near I proceeded to the pomegranate tree. Luscious red fruit hung from the tree branches, they almost looked like little jewels.

I walked around the base of the tree admiring the roots, branches, and fruits that tree had. I peered upward at the 'night sky' that had more stars than the night sky back above. It was a deep blueish purple, a deeper blue than the real night sky.

It was beautiful.

COME CLOSER! The voice was practically screeching now.

Maybe it was a demon, I was in the underworld after all.

This tree was beautiful, the fruit on it looked enticing. My stomach grumbled and my mouth water at the imaginary taste that filled my mouth at the thought of the pomegranate.

Eat me! The tree hissed, its voice was like a drug. Luring me in and entrapping me in its effect, Eat me!

Perhaps having one wouldn't affect anything. From the looks of it, there's plenty growing, I doubt anything would happen.

FEAST! EAT! YES!

I reached up, hands trembling and grabbed one of the fruits, plucking it off the tree with ease. I held the fruit in my hand, no longer concerned about the fact that someone might see me.

I didn't care.

The fruit seemed to be glowing, weighing heavier than the simple few ounces a normal pomegranate.

Eat me! Take a bite! Yes yes!

I tore open the fruit, the red juice mixing with the gold of my blood.

Huh. Funny I didn't even realize was bleeding till now. What the hell happened to my hand?

Eh oh well.

The sweet aroma dragged me in and I found myself picking out the fruit and eating it. The tart taste of the pomegranate hit my tongue and left me craving more.

I was too busy stuffing my face I didn't hear the sound of glass crunching under the weight of a person.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks and all the thoughts in my head leave. It felt like I was floating on a cloud—almost if I was weightless.

Everything inside of my body felt warm and fuzzy, I couldn't process things properly. All I knew was that I needed to keep eating the seeds, the seeds made me happy.

"SHIT!" I heard someone curse from behind me. Ignoring them like I ignored my mom when she was telling me to do chores, I continued diving into the pomegranate.

A rough cold hand grabbed my wrist and yanked it up, forcing me to drop the pomegranate.

I looked up and snarled angrily, "HEY YOU CACTUS! MY FRUIT!"

Hades stared down at me, a look of pure anger in his amber colored eyes, "For fuck sakes! Didn't your mother warn you about the food?"

I giggled, paying no mind to his outburst, "You're so pretty!"

"You foolish girl! Don't you know what you just did?" Hades snapped.

"Relax it's just pomegranate, the worst thing that could happen is I start growing a pomegranate tree in my body." I yanked my wrist free from him and reached next to him plucking another fruit off the tree.

"No! Damnit!" Hades slapped the pomegranate out of my hand making it hit the ground and crack open. "Its not just a pomegranate its-" he got caught off by a shrill voice that I only recognize as my mother.

"Kore! Oh, there you are I-" she stopped dead in her tracks as she took in my stained hands, face, and dress. Her brown eyes zeroed in on the God behind me who tensed at the sight of her. She slowly progressed forward like a predator stalking its prey.

"Mommy! Look at this pretty man!" I said giggling. "He's being a big grumpy pants right now."

I squatted down and grab the broken pomegranate. I was just about to start eating more but got disturbed by the grumpy man.

"Stop eating the fruit!" He hissed. He snatched the pomegranate out of my hand and threw it to the ground again.

Asshole.

"Stop eating the fruit!" I mocked, I stuck my tongue out at him and reached down to grab the fruit once more.

My mommy looked at Hades, a hateful look in her eyes, "How much did she eat Hades?"

"Aloooooootttt!" I slurred, I held the fruit up to her lips, causing the juice to touch her lip, "Mommy it tastes so good! Try some!"

She scowled, not amused by my antics. With anger, she grabbed the pomegranate and chucked it so far it disappeared from view.

"That was rude, mommy." I pouted.

Thunder cracked overhead causing me to scream and leap onto my mother who held me.

I don't like thunder.

Thunder bad.

"You trapped my daughter here." Mommy's voice was as calm as it was lethal, her brown eyes harden and she stared at Hades.

"I did no such thing. She did everything herself." Hades sneered back, "Perhaps you should watch your child instead of fucking."

I giggled and pointed a shaking finger at Hades, "You said a bad word! Oooooo!"

"Kore hush," Mommy said sternly. She paused and looked at the sky a look of anger on her face. With the shout of an army commander, she screamed, "ZEUS!"

"No! Why are you summoning that bastard!" Hades snarled, "He can't save her, and neither can you! Her soul is the underworlds now, you know that Demeter."

"I don't care! He can do something about you!"

"Like what? Dethrone me? I will kick his puny ass all the way back to-" Hades started but was interrupted by the person who I hated most.

"Back to where brother?" Zeus chilling voice said as he walked up, his blue eyes landed on me and a stomach-churning smile appeared on his face, "Hello Kore."