[Greek mythology] Queen of the Underworld

Chapter 46 The Cause of Laurel's Death

It is not easy for either Persephone or Demeter to enter the dark underworld. Demeter forcibly left Olympus, and Persephone was out of place with everything around him. No matter who it was, they didn't say anything about it. For them, being able to see Meros was more important than anything else.

What's more, they all know the crisis facing Melos.

And Melos has sealed all his power, and the current divine power cannot help Persephone.

He looked to Hades for help.

Hades and Demeter's compatriots have experienced the Titan War together, and they have a certain understanding of each other's abilities. He knows that he must find some way to help Demeter, otherwise, it won't take long, Demeter Ter had to return to Olympus.

But when he put his hand on Demeter's forehead, he frowned slightly: "Zeus should have tried to trap you, but it didn't work. I just discovered that you have another power. "

Demeter nodded silently: "At that time, the goddess of the earth appeared once."

And why Gaia appeared in front of Demeter, she didn't know herself.

Since the end of the Titan War, not many people have seen her. Many people think that Gaia disappeared in Olympus after the Titan War. Only Demeter herself saw her before she was about to leave. The first time she met, Gaia helped Demeter.

"She protected you." Hades said, "otherwise you would not be able to step out of the Olympus Sanctuary."

He said and nodded Demeter's forehead: "Zeus probably doesn't know about this, I can only help you postpone it for a while."

If the confinement in Demeter's body is moved rashly, Zeus will definitely be alarmed. Judging from Demeter's situation at this time, Gaia should have known Zeus' plan at the beginning, and she did not show up to stop Zeus' actions, but But came to Demeter and set up a certain protection in her body.

Zeus must not have known about this, and probably just thought that they came from the same mother, so they resolved part of each other's strength.

Hades was swallowed into his father's womb when he was born, and then Zeus opened the curtain of the Titan War before he was able to appear in the world. He only saw Gaia twice, but it was also because of Gaia's acting style those two times. , Let Hades believe that since Gaia helped Demeter at the beginning, the power left in Demeter's body should not be as simple as helping her relieve Zeus's imprisonment.

Demeter nodded.

At the same time, Hades helped Persephone relieve her discomfort from the underworld.

But this is only temporary, after all, Persephone is not suitable to live here, she should go among the animals and plants full of vitality, instead of staying in the lifeless underworld.

Melos helped her dress herself up and told her many of her behavior habits in the underworld. He used vines to create a fake "scepter of the queen of the dead", and Persephone turned it into an anklet and brought it to her feet. superior.

In order to avoid accidents, Meros took off the bells from his anklet and put them on Demeter's feet to help her conceal the fake scepter.

It just so happened that Akarali came in to tell Zeus and the others that they had "settled down", and was taken aback seeing Persephone who hadn't seen him for a long time.

It really did not occur to her that she would see Persephone again.

But before she could say anything, Persephone turned coldly and asked without emotion: "Is it all right, Akarari?" From the moment she stepped into the underworld, she had to act She just heard a lot about the identity of the Empress of the Underworld from her younger brother. She needs to learn to adapt before going to see Zeus and others.

Akarali looked at Persephone, then at Meros standing behind Persephone, seemed to think of something, and then bowed down: "Yes, Your Highness."

Persephone took a deep breath, and she held her brother's hand nervously. Even though she had heard many things from Meros, she was still a little scared.

Not only is she afraid of the underworld environment, but also worried that if she doesn't do well, something will happen to both her and her younger brother.

Melos held her hand, walked to her side, looked at Akarali, acting as a waiter: "His Royal Highness means to settle the matter of Tartarus as soon as possible, and she does not want the matter to remain unsolved." progress."

"Follow your Highness's order." Akarali said, "I have sent people to the sea to deliver the message again."

"Go down," said Persephone.

Akarali got up and glanced at Hades and Meros before leaving.

Hades didn't respond much, while Melos nodded at her to signal her not to worry.

When Akarali left, Meros supported Persephone: "You are doing well, sister." He said to his sister, "When I first came here, I did not do better than you. "

Persephone nodded.

Melos pushed his own strength into her body: "It may be uncomfortable, but please bear with it."

The gods who came here are not fools, especially Hera. She regards Persephone as a thorn in her side. Melos put his power into Persephone's body, and Persephone can use this Power and the fake scepter that Melos helped her make to temporarily create the appearance of having obtained the godhead of Hades. Such an illusion can only confuse people, but it will not work for Persephone to use her power. When the time comes, Hardy Si follows Persephone's side, and with Demeter around, Hera will not embarrass Persephone too much.

Since the last farewell, Persephone has become much stronger. At least with the help of Hades and Melos, she will not be easily affected by the environment here, so as long as she is careful, she will not be found to have a godhead. The possibility is not high.

Melos told in detail several things she had dealt with that had attracted the attention of Olympus, such as what happened to Niobe, or the last time Zeus broke into the underworld with his heart, and the accident of Artemis , as long as it has something to do with people from Olympus, Persephone needs to know.

Not long after, Akarali came to report that the King of the Sea and the Queen of the Sea had arrived.

Melos patted Persephone's hand, signaling her not to be nervous.

Originally, Melos could act as the queen's attendant and follow them out, but after several people considered it again and again, they finally decided to let Melos stay here.

Akarali left at the end. Before she left, she wanted to say something to Melos, but Melos just waved at her: "It's okay, you go, help me take care of my sister."

Akarali lowered his head to show that he accepted the order, and then left.

By the time Persephone, Demeter, and Hades appeared in the front hall, the Neptune couple and Zeus couple had already arrived.

Hermes followed behind Zeus, but Apollo disappeared.

When she saw Persephone, the sea queen Amphitrite raised her eyebrows, but she didn't say anything, she remained silent as always, and she had already remembered the last time she wanted to kiss Persephone Nirvana's chest only touched Zeus, who was plain and suspicious. The moment he saw the other party's cold face, the suspicion gradually disappeared.

Hera looked at Persephone. Compared with the expressionless "Queen of the Underworld", Hera looked noble and elegant at this time, with a very gentle smile.

She felt that she should say something to "catch up", but in the end she didn't say anything.

Speaking of which, the cause of the incident was Zeus's own lust. There was nothing wrong with Persephone, but just in case, she still made a move. After all, she didn't do it kindly enough.

Hermes watched Hades and Persephone sit down one after another, his brows twitched, and there seemed to be something in his throat, but no one heard it.

Persephone tensed her body, dutifully playing the role of Queen of Hades, her face was expressionless, cold and gloomy.

When the Zeus brothers were talking, even the quiet Queen Hai would say a few words, but she was the only one who was silent.

"This is the queen of the underworld," Poseidon smiled heartily. He said that as long as he doesn't get angry and doesn't go to the battlefield, his personality is still pleasing, just like as long as Zeus doesn't fall into the "old troubles", he will be happy. It will look much better, "Why didn't you talk, or are you upset that we are late?"

Persephone looked at him for a moment, remembering what Melos told her, then raised her head slightly, as if she wanted to say something to Hades.

Although Hades didn't look at her, he lowered his head slightly in a tacit understanding.

In the eyes of others, it was just an intimate conversation between the two, tacit understanding and warmth. It is true that although the Queen Hades is cold and ruthless, the news that she is deeply loved by Hades is not false.

And there are rumors that Persephone's personality has changed drastically since entering the underworld, and now it seems to be true.

Persephone seemed to say something, Hades nodded and looked at Poseidon: "Since you know that you are late, don't let me send someone over to call you twice next time."

Compared to his indifference towards Zeus, it was obvious that Hades had a closer relationship with Poseidon. At least in front of Poseidon, he was not so taciturn, and his words revealed some concerns.

Poseidon smiled and nodded, but he just stopped and didn't say anything.

These three people tacitly did not mention the matter of Tartarus, which can be regarded as a "tradition" in the past. They will not take any action until the people from the bottom of the sea and Olympus come to report that the matter is arranged.

Especially Zeus.

He left in a hurry, and Olympus had to make arrangements. Once the three brothers worked together to strengthen the seal, the three of them would have to rest for a while. If Poseidon stayed behind, then Zeus would not know where to cry .

He knew very well that if his mother could help him, he would naturally help Poseidon. Although Poseidon might have more promises than himself, for Poseidon, there shouldn't be any problems at all.

The three brothers had their own thoughts in the hall. Akarali looked at the situation in the hall and returned to Melos.

"Your Highness."

Melos shook his head at her: "Akarali, Her Highness the Empress of Hades is with Hades, don't forget."

Akarali nodded.

"Is the hall all right?"

"Nothing, please rest assured."

"That's good... who is it!" Melos was keenly aware of someone approaching here, and suddenly became vigilant in his heart.

There was a sound at the door, and someone immediately knelt down to express that he had no malice: "Please appease Your Highness."

Melos looked at each other in surprise: "Daphne?"

The person who came was Daphne who was arranged by Hades to go to Akarali. Ever since she came to the underworld, the shock of Tartarus and the arrival of her mother made Melos almost forget that she was temporarily sent to Akara by Hades. The thing about Karali's residence.

"Please calm down." Kneeling in a hurry was not because Daphne was timid, but to show that she was not the one who came to spy.

It is a serious crime to trespass into the inner palace of the queen of the underworld, and it is very likely that she will be thrown to the bottom of the river Styx.

"Why did you come here?" Melos sat on the chair and looked at her.

Daphne thought for a while and said, "Please forgive me for entering here without authorization."

"Come here and talk." Melos pointed to the position next to his pillow.

Daphne sat down in front of him graciously.

"Your Majesty's order is that she will return to the River Styx after resting with me for a period of time." Akarali said, returning to the River Styx means that she has officially become a member of the Wandering Soul. What will happen to them is beyond their control.

"Did you come to me for this?" Melos asked knowingly.

Daphne nodded: "I heard that Apollo is coming too."

"If you want to see him, it's not impossible. I can ask Akarali to take you there." It was inconvenient for him to go out.

"No." Daphne bit her lower lip, "I hope you will allow me to stay in Akarali for a while longer, until they return to the Olympus location."

It's clear she doesn't want to meet Apollo.

Melos was not surprised by this. The reason why Daphne turned into a laurel tree was because of Apollo's overzealous pursuit, so that she had no way out and could only call out to her father for help.

It's just that Melos didn't want Daphne to die, and he didn't want to see Apollo again after becoming a dead soul. But after thinking about it, everyone insisted on everyone. Daphne's insistence was not incomprehensible to him, so he nodded: "If that's the case, then Akarali, let Daphne stay with you for a while, wait until Apollo leaves, but after that, I can't help you any more."

The decision made by Hades is to make Daphne a wandering spirit of the underworld, that is to say, no matter what happens in the future, Daphne's fate can only depend on her own. What Melos can do is to help her as much as possible. busy.

Akarali nodded.

"You take Daphne back," Melos said.

Knowing that Melos was worrying about the things in the hall, and he was not in a good mood at the moment, Akarali said something to Daphne in a low voice, asking her to come with him.

Daphne looked worried, but still followed Akarali with her head down.

Melos was a bit bored staying alone in the inner temple, but he was more worried.

Although he could use vines to connect with Demeter, but there are so many people in the hall, all of them are one of the best gods in Olympus, and he does not intend to do this for the sake of caution.

After waiting for a while, he didn't see Hades come back. At this moment, he began to wonder what Hades and the others were doing.

Also at this time, Daphne ran back in a hurry.

"What's the matter?" Melos stood up and looked at Daphne who was crying after closing the door of the temple, and then realized that someone—not a dead soul, but a person— seemed to be planning to enter here, a trace of cruelty flashed in his eyes, the scepter of the queen of the underworld Appearing in the hand, a darkness blocked the outside of the hall in an instant, preventing others from entering.

"Have you met Apollo?" The person who will make Daphne panic, think of nothing but Apollo.

Akarali then walked in—the power of Melos blocks people, but it doesn't block people living in the underworld.

Daphne nodded, her tears were still flowing, but she looked calmer.

Melos looked at her, and suddenly felt that something was wrong. She didn't look like she was running away because she didn't like Apollo, but more like the feeling that she liked Apollo and couldn't be together.

……

So what the hell is going on here?

Could it be that there is something inside it?

But... Melos touched his nose. He didn't have much interest in these things. The most important thing now should be to settle Apollo first.

"Akarali, you go out." Melos said to Akarali, "tell Apollo, Pluto is not here, no one can enter here." Akarali got the permission of Hades, and Daphne slipped in by herself Yes, as usual, if someone dared to break into this place, Hades would definitely not be polite.

"Then..." Akarali looked at Daphne with some hesitation, and then at Melos.

"Tell him to wait until His Majesty Pluto returns." Melos said, "You know, there is no one who can make decisions here." At least on the surface, both Pluto and Pluto are in the hall, so this time At that time, there was no one who could call the shots.

"Yes." Akarali nodded.

After Akarali went out, only Melos and Daphne remained here.

It was only a moment to meet Apollo, but her heart was not so easy to calm down.

Melos looked at her distraught expression, and sighed, "You don't look like you are worrying about how to get rid of Apollo's pursuit, but you seem to be restraining yourself, you like him but you can't be with him."

Daphne showed a weak smile: "I used to dislike him."

once...

Melos suddenly thought of the arrow that Eros shot, two arrows of different colors, which caused a tragedy that shocked many gods. If such a long time has passed, many things must have changed, right?

"What about now? Do you like him?" Melos pointed to the cup on the table, indicating that she could drink something.

"After I...became a laurel tree, it's not like I don't know anything..."

It was an embarrassing follow-up, Daphne who became a laurel tree, because of getting along day and night, the feelings that sprouted in her heart gradually offset the power of Eros' arrow.

Daphne really yearned for freedom, so she was unwilling to agree to Apollo's pursuit, but Apollo was very sad after she turned into a laurel tree, so he moved the laurel tree transformed into Daphne to his palace, and told her intimately that he loved her forever.

He did indeed love Daphne all the time. He used laurel branches to decorate his laurel wreath, and the wood was used to make his own zither.

Daphne didn't know how much deep love would be needed to counteract the supernatural arrow, but she knew very well that after turning into a laurel tree, she fell in love with Apollo after all.

The love produced without the intervention of Eros is not stable. Some people will fall in love halfway and fall in love with another person, while others will love so hard that they will fall into madness, and Daphne belongs to the latter.

There is no need for Eros to shoot a golden arrow at her transformed into a laurel tree, because of Apollo's behavior, she is in love with Apollo.

It's just that she couldn't speak at that time.

and after?

Later, Apollo fell in love with someone else, he pursued that person passionately, and then had a child of his own, Daphne just watched him being with someone else, and soon after, he fell in love with another person again.

But no matter who Apollo falls in love with, he will personally take care of the laurel tree transformed by Daphne. No one knows whether it is because the golden arrow shot into his body by Eros still continues to work, or because of other reasons.

But it was such a day that made Daphne fall into despair.

Even if she was pursued by Apollo all over the world and she had nowhere to go, she only asked her father for help, but now, after many considerations, she finally chose to die.

It's not that she has no chance to change back. Although it will be very troublesome and costly if she chooses to change back, her father will help if she wants to, and Apollo will not sit idly by.

But she chose death after all.

Even if she lingers on the edge of the Styx forever, she will never turn back.

She counteracted the power of the arrow with her own love, and finally fell in love with Apollo, but it was also this love that made her, who advocated freedom, finally enter the Hades.

She doesn't want to see Apollo again, even if she still loves him.

"Let him think that I really hate him so I don't want to show up." Daphne sighed, and after all, she still concealed all her embarrassment, "He...hasn't he had a new object of pursuit recently?"

Melos sat beside her, looked at her, and didn't speak.

Daphne talked to herself for a while, and the content of her words was intermittent. She knew what Apollo did after she became a laurel tree, but it was a pity that she could not accept the love of Apollo.

Everyone has their own love, just like Amphitrite used the Styx to offset her negative emotions, just like Hera chose to deal with every woman around Zeus cruelly.

Daphne just chose to leave Apollo, that's all.