Destroyer of Light

by Rachel Alexander

“Is it to be that every woman who refuses to marry, or who wishes to learn, who has the sight, who has a free spirit and a free heart should be put to death?

“Can the sun find its match in anything but the moon? Can the heavens lose interest in the earth?” Hades pulled away from her and stroked her cheek. “Can death exist without life?”

Persephone swallowed. “Aidon…” “Yes, my love?” “I need to speak to you, privately.” “Of course.” He smiled at her, then leaned in close to her ear. “I’ve been waiting for three months to speak to you in private.”

It’s been here since Chaos gave the cosmos form from the void. It is the mother of all waters above and below the earth. Persephone understood, her skin turning to gooseflesh when she realized where she was. This inconsequential trickle of water was the mighty River Styx.

Time— the past and the future— was unknown here. She stood in a space beyond all concept of time, perhaps before Chaos, perhaps after the death of the Deathless Ones.

“Words are words. Threads are threads. And those threads can spoil to felt once more to spin again.”

“One, who is twice woven, cannot remain your own.” “Two, the ether bound, who shines the torch in darkness.” “Three, the blessed harbinger, who reaps the reaper’s heart.” “All at last aeon’s end,” they said together, “And all to end the aeon.”

He wasn’t a very intimidating guard dog, at first—” “Obviously,” she guffawed. “It’s too bad he outgrew his spots…” “Is that why you named him Cerberus? I’d wondered…” “Yes,” Aidoneus said. “Not very creative, I know.” “At least you didn’t name him ‘Three Heads’!”

“An island for a goddess queen’s bride gift? You merit nothing less than a continent.”

“Do not be afraid of hope, Persephone. Hope is a hard-forged blade, keen and shining. Used recklessly, it will maim and scar; but wielded with finesse, it will give you the power to carve a destiny of unsurpassed glory.”

Hades and Persephone. Names, an unending chain of what that duality of creation represented to all mortals coursed through them. Chaos and Void. Gaia and Ouranos. Anu and Ki. Shiva and Shakti. Ku and Hina. He and She. They were a thousand other names, to a thousand other peoples, with the power and responsibility of all creation at their fingertips. Their own private wishes seemed small and petty compared to this great expanse of Everything. Totality. Conjunction.