Dungeon Lessons

"Freedom."

"You call that freedom?

Your contracts are the opposite of freedom."

"How do you know?"

"Oh, I know, Zeus. I know what kind of man you are.

A disgusting despicable man."

"Oh come on Demy, don't be like that. I'm still a person you know. Words hurt my feelings."

"Anyways, I gave her favorable conditions.

They're better than the usual contracts, so you should be glad that your daughter can be happy for once."

"You know nothing about her."

"Oh, Demy. I might not know about her, but she's just a mere child, much like any other filial god. Their wants always go first before their needs you know.

It's obvious how desperate she is to escape that prison of a home. And you know it."

Demeter was speechless. She knew how much her daughter despised the way she was living.

But what else is she supposed to do?

What can she do?

Persephone is 500 years old now and all she ever wanted was to live her own life.

Her sneaking out is only the beginning.

What if she goes out more?

What if she goes out even further?

What if she never comes back?

And if anyway, shape, or form, does Persephone ever align with her fate, not only will the death of many gods be at stake, but her daughter's life as well.

Demeter feeling defeated, gripped her hand, and faced the God-king with conviction.

"Zeus, if anything were to happen to my daughter, regardless of the prophecy or not.

I will bring the death of every Olympian.

Dare to do anything; your head will decorate the stake in my home.

And know this.

My vengeance will come true, no matter what it takes."

Demeter turned around and left as quickly as she arrived.

The Olympians came belatedly from the encounter, but as they watched the ancient goddess leave without anything being destroyed.

They sighed in relief as Zeus walked toward them with a grin.

Zeus watched the goddess disappear and said.

"Prophecy or not Demeter your daughter will be mine.

Helios, Hermes. Prepare for departure. Pick up Persephone and tell her the details of her new 'job'."

The gods looked at their father with judging eyes, as they kneeled before flying to their destination.

Appearing around the corner, Hera overheard the conversation between the two and her husband's words, and a burning rage of betrayal and absolute wrath of anger welled up inside her.

But as years of her husband's debauchery continued despite the many painful warnings she gave him.

She had enough.

As she left the the room, she began concocting a plan, to take revenge for her husband's profane actions, no matter how long it takes, she too will have her revenge.

Meanwhile, Persephone paced around her room her mind at a crossroads.

At first, she was mad at her mother for always leaving her alone, but she couldn't help but worry about her, especially how she looked when she left.

Never in her life had she seen her mother look so mad before.

No matter how much trouble she caused in the past, her mother always showed a benevolent exterior.

But seeing her face contort to such a degree, she couldn't help but feel regret about the things she did.

Especially today.

But as she continued to worry, a voice called out from behind.

Standing in the garden, a tall figure of a man with reddish brown hair wearing a red robe with a leather skirt.

Next to him was another man, a tad shorter with blonde hair and blue eyes, with tight-fitting clothes.

"Persephone! We're here about your job. Don't worry, your mother already knows about us!"

"Yeah! And we got something for ya."

Intrigued Persephone leaned her head outside of the window.

She watched them wander around aimlessly while shouting her name.

Since her mother covered the entire island with magic, the island itself was a camouflage.

The bottom is a veil of clouds and within a maze of a forest.

Placed right in the center was a cottage, fully hidden using enchantments.

Persephone continued to watch the two gods as they moved closer to her.

'Wait how did they know where we are? Did Mother tell them? Did she really approve?'

Her mind raced once again, but as she continued to think, a person appeared right behind her.

"Persephone."

"Kyaa!"

Persephone yelped in surprise and jumped out the window without thinking.

"Ahhh!"

"What the fuck!"

The gods screamed while the blonde one jumped on the other.

"Hahh."

Demeter sighed as she flew past the wall, the materials coming apart as she walked through, then mended itself when she was on the other side.

The two gods quickly relegated themselves and bowed to the goddess.

"Helios. Hermes."

"M-Madam Spring."

"Evening Madam."

Demeter looked at the two with neutral eyes as she set her gaze on her daughter slumped on the ground.

"Seph."

"Y-Yes, mother?"

"These two will explain to you what your job is, so listen well.

And you two."

"Y-Yes!"X2

"If so lie or mislead her, I will kill you both first. Understand."

"Yes, Madam."

"Yes, Lady Spring."

"Good. Persephone, you and I will have a serious talk later."

Demeter left immediately before Persephone could say anything.

The man with reddish hair stepped up and bowed his head followed by the blonde man fumbling on his feet before doing the same.

"Umm excuse us, young Madam. My name is Helios."

"Ehem* I-I am Hermes. It is a pleasure to meet you, young madam."

"Um hi."

"Shall we begin, Lady Persephone?"

"Uh, sure. And Persephone is fine."

"Yes, La-, ehem* Persephone."

Persephone looked at the two people in front of her a feeling of excitement rising as she listened to their words.

But as she recalled what her mother said, her face paled as she gulped the last tenants of saliva in her mouth.

"Um, Persephone, are you okay?"

"A-Ah yes. Please continue… um Hermes right?."

"Yes, Madam. Ehem* As I said, the Dungeon masters essentially recruit other-worlders to join pantheons.

As for you, you have the Greek pantheon."

Helios stepped up and snapped his fingers and a screen appeared before them.

"Here's an example of a status screen. If you find any recruits with stats like this, make sure to keep them in mind and do your best to recruit them on our side."

[Level: 1]

[Stats

[Strength: 45]

[Stamina: 30]

[Agility: 35]

[Intelligence: 40]

[Dexterity: 30]

[Dominance: 1]

[Status effects: Normal]

Persephone looked at the screen and surprisingly she recognized it.

She remembered her dream, a dream about the black-haired man using the same screen in front of her.

And at the top of the screen.

"L-Luke?"