Demeter's gown fluttered behind her as she rushed up the marble stairs into Hecate's temple.

"Hecate," called out Demeter. Her panicked voice echoed in the dark black halls made of marble and gold. "Where are you?"

"Stop shouting," a husky voice echoed through the chamber and Demeter's old friend appeared with a frown.

Demeter rolled her eyes. "Hurry up, Hecate," she rebuked, "and tell me what the letter said?"

Hecate pushed her silver hair over her shoulder. "Sit down and let me get some wine first," she said and did exactly that.

Demeter tapped her fingers on her knees as she waited impatiently. She took a seat on the black cushion seat that matched everything else in this temple. The floor glistened like the night sky and was black as the feathers of a crow. The massive room had long gold columns which supported the structure to be sturdy and undeniably magnificent. Demeter had to give it to Hecate, even if Hecate was banished for practicing black magic, she had built herself quite a beautiful temple.

Hecate appeared with two goblets of wine. "Now, where were we?" she asked as she settled across Demeter. She crossed her long legs at the knee, her black gown glistened like black waters under the flickering light of the torches.

"The letter," urged Demeter.

Hecate took a sip of her wine. "Right," she said before she waved her hand in the air and a piece of parchment appeared in her pale hand- that was adorned by metal claws on each finger. "Hades asked me to come down to the Underworld because apparently your daughter requires my help."

Demeter raised a brow. "What does that even mean?"

"How should I know," said Hecate. "I just thought I should let you know, since it's your daughter that needs my help."

"Will you go to her?" asked Demeter.

Hecate sighed heavily. "I'm not so fond of helping others," she said. "But I am curious for why they need me in particular."

"If I ask you will you go to my daughter and see if she's alright?" asked Demeter.

Hecate frowned. "You think your daughter's in danger?"

"No," answered Demeter. "I just need to know if she's there willingly."

"Just ask her yourself," suggested Hecate.

"I lost the privilege to do that," said Demeter grimly.

Hecate twirled the blood red wine in the silver goblet. "Who told you to hold onto your daughter so tightly that it suffocated her," said Hecate bitterly. "You were too harsh on the child, Demeter."

Demeter rubbed the ache at her temples. "I know I made a mistake," she said.

"There's no point now," said Hecate. "And stop sulking so much, the flowers might just die because of your sad eyes."

"I can't help it," retorted Demeter.

Hecate sighed. "I will visit your daughter and see how she's doing for you," she told Demeter. "But helping them... that's entirely up to me."

Demeter nodded. "Thank you," she said. "Don't tell Persephone that we met and that I know about all of this."

Hecate was surprised. "What did Persephone say that you're so timid now?"

"She changed, Hecate," Demeter shared with her friend. "My daughter isn't mine anymore."

Hecate rolled her eyes. "Children leave the nest one day," she reminded Demeter. "There's no need to get emotional about it every single time."

"You wouldn't understand," said Demeter.

Hecate tapped the metal claw on the arm of the chair. "You're right, I don't understand," she said. "I never understood why people got married and have kids. It all seems like such a bore to me."

Demeter finally cracked a smile. "It's nice to know you haven't changed."

Hecate grinned. "I wouldn't change for any soul on this damned planet."

Demeter got out of her seat. "Thank you for letting me know about the letter."

Hecate stood up and towered over Demeter. "Anytime," she hugged her friend and Demeter left the temple to return to the home Hecate was once banished from. Hecate sat alone in her temple contemplating what she should do next. She grabbed the letter and assessed the small invitation to join Hades and his wife in the Underworld. Hecate was not going to deny that it seemed interesting, and it's not like she had anything important on her agenda. Hecate wrote her reply on the same parchment and sent it straight away to Hades.

The note flew back in her hand moments later with a simple answer. 'Well, see you soon- Hades'

Persephone sat on the chair as Hades paced in front of her. "Stop pacing, you're making me dizzy," she scolded her husband.

"This is a bad idea," he said for the umpteenth time.

She rolled her eyes. "Hecate agreed to meet with us, so the hard parts already done," she explained to Hades.

"The hard part is convincing her," retorted Hades.

The air in the room grew thick. Abruptly, black smoke festered in a quick cyclone that warned Persephone and Hades that their visitor has arrived. The cyclone slowed and vanished like it was carried away by a quick gust of wind. A strict woman stood tall and proud in front of them. She had a black gown on that was made of silk and shined like liquid. Her pale hair that was pin straight reflected the light of the moon and her skin was glistening like white diamonds. Her sharp silver eyes landed on Persephone when an eerie chill crawled down her back. This goddess was indeed powerful and undeniably dangerous; but why did she feel so familiar? wondered Persephone.

"Goddess Hecate, welcome to the Underworld," said Persephone.

Hecate's blood red lips lifted into a cool grin. "You've grown," were her first words.

Persephone was out of her seat and in front of Hecate in moments. "Have we met before?" she asked.

"You were only an infant," said Hecate. "Your mother brought you to my temple for my blessing."

Persephone beamed a smile. "That's so fascinating," she said and looked at Hades who was less excited. "Then I guess I should call you aunt Hecate."

"Hecate is fine," said the goddess of magic before her silver gaze hardened. "Won't you greet me, Hades?"

Hades didn't hide his smug expression from anyone. It didn't matter who came to his domain, he stayed as himself.

"Hades," murmured Persephone.

Hades rolled his eyes. "Welcome, Hecate."

She pressed her red lips together. "At least you don't hold pretenses like your brothers when talking to guests," she remarked. "But I do wonder, if you hate me so openly, why'd you invite me?"

"He didn't invite you," Persephone intervened. "I did."

"And why does the child of Zeus need me?" asked Hecate.

"I heard that you are great friends with my mom," said Persephone.

"So, what does that have anything to do with this?" Hecate asked.

Persephone smiled. "Nothing, only that it should earn me some trust," she told Hecate. "Will you please sit and hear me out?"

Hecate was caught off guard by Persephone's honesty. "Oh," she fumbled and composed herself. "I did come here to hear you out."

Persephone motioned towards the empty seats. "Hades will get us some tea," said Persephone.

"Some wine would do better," instructed Hecate.

Hades scowl deepened and he looked furious. But for his wife, he turned on his feet and saw to it that wine was sent to Persephone's private chambers.

As Hecate tasted the rich wine she realized it was from the human realm. She knew from the fragrance that this was made from the soil on Earth that produced grapevines. She began to wonder why the reason the wine wasn't from this realm. And then it clicked, Hades must not want to bind Persephone here. Well, that changed everything in Hecate's mind concerning this couple's unusual relationship.

"I invited you here because I had a project and I was wondering if you could help me," said Persephone.

"Yes, Hades informed me of such project," said Hecate.

"I want to build a realm inside of the Underworld," Persephone expressed chirpily. "A realm for good souls to live in peace."

"Why?" asked Hecate.

"I want this to be my first creation as queen of the Underworld," said Persephone.

Hecate crossed her legs and tapped her metal claws together, which sounded like small swords clashing. "You are serious about being queen here," alleged Hecate.

"Of course," laughed Persephone. "This is my home, my people and my family."

"I don't know if I want to help the daughter of Zeus," said Hecate.

"You didn't think twice before blessing the same daughter of Zeus," rebuked Persephone.

Hecate sipped her wine. "There are a lot of witches you could turn towards to help you with this," said Hecate. "Why do you bother yourself with an old immortal soul like myself?"

"Because you surpass the limits made by this world," said Persephone. "You reached such a pristine level of magic that Zeus had to come down and stop you. That tells me that you will stop at nothing to make sure that my realm is also perfect."

Although Hecate was a strict woman who detested pretty much everything, she couldn't help but smile at that. "Zeus might intervene again if I attempt that type of magic again," said Hecate.

Persephone waved her hand. "Don't worry about him," she said. "No one involves themselves with the Underworld. Anyone here can practice whatever they like, with safety of course,"

Hecate was intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"Underworld is free for witches, mages and any sorcerers to practice their art," said Persephone proudly. "We guarantee that no one will obstruct your art, and that you are permitted to practice whatever you like."

"I find that hard to believe," said Hecate.

"Really," Persephone chuckled. "This is the Underworld, we're all known for breaking rules and being sent to hell for it."

Hecate laughed. She actually laughed. This little goddess was surprise for Hecate.

Suddenly, the door burst open and a wild three-headed hound bolted inside. Persephone got to her feet to grab the vicious hound before it could reach Hecate.

"Sit boy!" ordered Persephone and the hound obliged. His tongues were out and his tail was flapping excitedly on the floor. Persephone rubbed his thick black coat. "This is goddess Hecate, Cerberus," said Persephone, "she's a guest and we don't slobber all over our guests."

"Let him come to me," said Hecate.

Persephone froze and realized there was no threat between the two. She moved to the side and nudged Cerberus to go to Hecate. "This is Cerberus," she said.

"The gate keeper," said Hecate as Cerberus settled between her legs. She adored dogs and couldn't help but fawn over this hound. "He's beautiful."

"He got hurt just a while ago," said Persephone as she settled back in her seat and Cerberus returned to her side.

"How?" asked Hecate sternly.

"My mom sent a wild spirit who attacked Cerberus when he was escaping," said Persephone. "It was terrible."

"That is devastating," mumbled Hecate. "Does your mom know about this?"

"Why do you think I broke it off with her," said Persephone sourly. "She went too far by hurting an innocent animal."

Hecate nodded and wondered what she should do with this proposition. "How many sorcerers did you go to before me?" she asked.

"You were the first and last," said Persephone.

"How do you know I'll agree?" she remarked.

Persephone smirked. "Because no one can say 'no' once they see this cutie," she patted Cerberus's three heads. "He was my hidden card, and I think it worked."

Hecate laughed again. "Hades has a bad influence on you."

"Oh, this wasn't my husband's idea," she said mischievously, "this was all me."

Hecate raised a brow. "Alright," she said. "I'll help you with this project of yours."

Persephone bit back her excitement. "Thank you, Hecate," she said politely.

"We'll get started tomorrow at noon," instructed Hecate as she got out of her seat.

"Why noon?" asked Persephone.

"No particular reason," shrugged Hecate, "I just wake up at that time."

Persephone laughed openly. "Got it," she said. "Don't disturb you before noon."

Hecate grinned and then portaled back to her temple.

"You can come in now," shouted Persephone and instantly Hades walked inside with a deep frown.

"I'm still mad that you didn't let me join you," he grumbled.

"I had it handled," she patted his arm. "Besides, she trusts me way more than you."

Hades growled a nasty curse under his breath. "That woman better remember whose house she's walking into," he bit out. "And if she tries anything funny, I'll destroy her."

Persephone reached for Cerberus. "Let's go for a walk," she told the hound.

"Are you even listening to me?" asked Hades furiously.

"I am," said Persephone calmly.

"That woman could be trouble," he warned grimly.

"Trust me, she's harmless," said Persephone as she walked Cerberus and her husband who was fuming like the fires of Tartarus.