The Immortal Heart

Chapter 11

Now that Hades was a god again, he felt much more alive than he had been before the first transformation itself. He could merely presume that this was because his relationship with Zeus had also become much closer and much more comfortable. And with Zeus becoming so attached to his older brother, he felt he could invited Hades to more activities, perhaps not hunting, but for outings he had never realized could be done with the elder Olympian’s accompaniment.

Weeks after returning to his original male form, Hades was asked to join his brothers out on the ocean. Though Poseidon always caught the most fish with the greatest of ease, he appreciated the company, and Zeus often accompanied him on their trips to do so.

“Besides…” Zeus said to Hades before they joined their brother. “It is a courteous gesture to pretend that we’re helping him.”

“What was that, brother?” Poseidon addressed him as he came within earshot.

“Nothing, brother,” Zeus replied mischievously. Hades giggled.

As the three gods began the walk down to the shore where their boat lay tied, Zeus busied himself by explaining the basics of fishing to his oldest brother, who had no previous experience of being out on the open sea.

“I have caught fish before, Zeus,” Hades said a smidgen tersely, irritated that he was being treated like a child.

“Have you now? Where?”

“By the riverbank. With a rod and line.”

A small chuckle escaped the leader’s mouth before he could stop himself. “Well, aren’t you sweet, brother… What happened with your prey? Did you bring them home to be cooked?”

“I did not,” Hades admitted. “They were unfortunately too small to be used as food, so I let them back into the river.”

“As you already may have realized, we do things quite differently,” Zeus continued to explain. “We use a net, not a rod, and this allows us to capture multiple prey at one take. This is our brother’s field rather than mine, but…”

“We are here,” Poseidon announced and nodded toward a rather small fishing boat floating tied to a wooden dock a short distance into the water. He waited for his two brothers to walk up alongside him and then turned to Hades, regarding him with serious eyes. “You do know how to swim, do you not, brother?”

“Uhmm…” Hades blushed a little, hoping he would not have to prove himself. Ocean waters were not quite the same manner as river water and he was uncertain he would fare as well on the surface of the sea without help. “I can remain afloat,” he finally said, which for the most part was truth.

“Splendid,” Zeus said with a slightly too hard clap on his eldest brother’s back.

The waters were calm as the three gods floated along, searching for the right place to throw out their nets. Poseidon, with his eyes peering intently over the skiff, dove into the sea in a mere second, and immediately Zeus ordered Hades to help him throw out their net.

“The very moment he sees our prospective catch,” the youngest god explained, watching the net drift through the blue, “he takes off. And the moment he takes off, we are to cast the net.”

Poseidon remained submerged longer than Hades expected anyone to stay underwater. How could his younger brother survive for so long without coming up for air, he wondered.

“Should we worry?” he asked Zeus, who only shook his head.

“Our brother has a gift in the water,” the youngest Olympian replied calmly. “Either way… he wants to make sure our quarry is successfully captured.”

Sure enough, Poseidon’s head broke the surface, and he took a deep breath as he shook his mess of curly hair behind his shoulders. He beamed as he looked up at his brothers, and they quickly lifted the net, gathered up and holding fish like writhing pieces of silver.

“This is amazing,” Hades said, awestruck at the amount of fish that had come up trapped in the net. “How did you do this, brother?”

“Oh, I have my methods of persuasion,” Poseidon replied coyly as he began to climb back up into the boat. Zeus offered him his hand, and the curly-haired god tied his unruly mess of drenched hair back with a leather thong as soon as he stood safely on deck.

“Most impressive, my brother,” Zeus offered, by now used to the other’s talents with water and everything that swam in it. Together with Hades, he started the task of prying the fish loose from the net and storing them in large baskets.

Hades did not like the feel of the cold, scaly bodies, some still wriggling, against his hand, and most of all he did not like the smell of them, but he steadfastly endured, not wanting his brothers to think it was a mistake bringing him along.

“Well, that seems to be all of it for now,” the youngest god announced, spreading out a now empty net. “If you feel like it, brother,” he continued, addressing Poseidon, “we could stay for a while longer and hope our luck stays. The sea is placid, and there are yet many hours until sunset. I will leave the decision to you.”

“I don’t mind staying,” Poseidon replied. “Since there are now three of us, we get things done faster.”

Hades smiled, proud of himself for actually being able to help. When Zeus stood up, still holding the net, the older god’s smile was quickly erased. A strand of his long hair had gotten entangled in the knots and the movement caused a painful jerk on his scalp, making Hades cry out sharply.

His back turned, Zeus did not realize the reason behind his brother’s discomfort. Poseidon rushed forth and grabbed the lock of entwined hair, yanking it out of the netting with speed in mind rather than care for the hair itself.

“Thank you,” Hades said, rubbing the sore spot on his scalp. Poseidon removed another bit of leather and gathered his older brother’s hair behind his neck.

“This should help,” the younger god stated, tying Hades’ hair back. Hades smiled and thanked the other god again.

“I could have done that, Hades,” they both heard from Zeus, who was standing over them with his hands on his hips. He looked displeased, and Poseidon had a feeling they were being eyed with a hint of jealousy.

“You only need ask me,” Zeus continued, trying to smile as though he could not be bothered.

“It is fine, brother,” Poseidon said. “Your hands were full.”

Hades looked up at Zeus, scrutinizing the look on the youngest Olympian’s face. Cocking an eyebrow, Zeus finally resumed his work, asking Poseidon to help secure the catch.

The boat rocked lazily on the ocean surface for half an hour after the fruitful capture of fish, where the three gods simply enjoyed the peace of their surroundings. Zeus had brought Hades to recline next to him on the deck, watching the cloud pass in the sky.

“Brother…?” Hades addressed Zeus, who made a noise of recognition. “I do not wish to be a problem.”

“You have been anything but a problem,” Zeus replied with a smile. “And it brings me joy to know you have taken pleasure in our outing.”

“Oh, I have, but… Have I been useful?”

“Like our brother said, three can work much faster than just two,” Zeus replied earnestly. “If you enjoyed this trip, you are welcome to come with us more often.”

“I think I would like that.” Hades smiled at his brother, who responded by giving a chuckle of his own and kissing Hades’ crown.

Unlike his two brothers, Poseidon was not reclining or even relaxing. He stood by the railing, gazing out over the waters with attentive eyes, ready to spot the smallest sign of a shoal of fish, or anything else that was edible passing by.

The other two gods had neither heard nor sensed anything when Poseidon suddenly discarded his clothing and dove into the depths. Zeus was instantly on his feet and Hades followed his youngest brother’s example, knowing what was expected of them once their fellow Olympian had gone under. The net was once again thrown out and the two brothers could only wait for a sign from Poseidon, who would show up once his part of the assignment had been completed.

“Zeus?” Hades asked while they waited, having remembered something.

“Hmmm?”

“Many months ago, during the last fall, you and our brother once returned home with a large sea turtle. Did you capture it, or was it our brother?”

Zeus gave a proud smile at the memory of said event. “That one I did catch myself,” he said. “It surprised even me, brother. Turtles are a rare find, and they never stick to our net. I saw how it swam by us, and I leapt at the opportunity. You liked the meat it provided, did you not?”

Hades nodded his approval, but before he could continue the conversation, Poseidon’s curly head broke the surface, announcing that the net was ready to be hauled up. The amount of fish was roughly equal to their previous catch, but this time there was also a strange-looking creature amongst them; something slithering with eight limbs and a large, bulbous head.

Hades had never seen anything like it before, but Zeus instantly broke into a bellowing laughter upon seeing it and joyously shouted down to let Poseidon know that they had caught an octopus.

“I’ve never seen the like,” Hades said, gazing in awe at the writhing creature. Its deep bruise colored skin set together like a gelatinous blob once it was completely emerged from the water, its muscle useless without the current to guide it.

“We are in for a real treat,” Zeus announced gleefully as he lifted a tentacle, exposing the underside where the animal’s limbs radiated from it like slick flower petals. “Their flesh is different from other fish. We should dine on it tonight.”

Hades smiled at the thought. Though the creature looked incredibly odd, he looked forward to exploring what obviously had to be an unusual taste in the octopus’ meat.

“Mind the beak,” Poseidon said as he climbed back onto the boat and helped restrain their catch. Indeed, Hades looked closer and saw a white beak, curved like a carrion bird, retracting within a puckered, dripping maw.

Once complete, Poseidon decided to finally relax, and he reclined on the deck completely naked, allowed the sunlight to dry his body. Though not attracted to him, Hades still glanced his brother’s way, admiring his form. Poseidon had a pleasing body, not quite as attractive as that of Zeus, but pleasant nonetheless.

However, when Zeus turned and saw Hades looking at the other, his jealousy flared like a fire again. “Poseidon, put on some clothes if you’re not going to catch any more fish,” he demanded.

The other looked back at him with utter confusion written all over his face. “Zeus, if you do not mind, I would like to dry before dressing myself.”

Hades, realizing what had instigated the vehement response in Zeus, instantly lowered his eyes, ashamed to have been caught looking at their brother. A blush crept over his face, and he threw a careful glance at Zeus, fearing the outcome but nonetheless wanting to know his youngest brother’s emotional state.

A thick wrinkle had formed between the Olympian leader’s eyebrows, and his face wore a look of general displeasure. Hades was about to reach out to him and gently assure him that he had no such interest whatsoever in Poseidon, but before he got a chance, Zeus stood up, snatching Poseidon’s tunic and walking over to the other god.

“You are dry enough, brother. Dress now,” he snapped, unceremoniously dumping the garment in the other’s lap.

Staring up at Zeus as though the youngest god had gone mad, but not one to disobey a direct order, Poseidon did as told and pulled the tunic on, still puzzled at his brother’s strange behavior. Modesty had never been an issue during their previous trips, when both Poseidon and Zeus himself would lie side by side on the deck after a swim while letting the sun dry their nude bodies.

Then Poseidon happened to gaze at a now rather troubled-looking Hades, who had begun the task of emptying the net of their latest quarry, his face flushed and his eyes intently focused on the movements of his hands.

“Zeus, I have no interest in our brother,” Poseidon argued. “There is no need to feel threatened…”

“I do not feel threatened!” Zeus snapped at him, now becoming quite angry.

Hades winced at the raised voice but was desperate to remain as invisible as possible between his brothers. This was his fault, of course. His eyes had strayed and now he had caused discord between two gods who had only minutes before trusted one another with their lives.

“You do seem to appear so,” Poseidon said to Zeus, glaring. “Your jealousy is all but written on your skin.”

“How DARE you”— Zeus went no further, because just as he was about to truly express his anger, Hades threw up. Both gods came to a complete halt, staring in befuddlement at the sight, their argument forgotten. Hades had managed to lurch himself forward so that most of his vomiting went into the sea and not onto the deck. Shaking themselves from their stunned silence, the two younger gods hurried to their sick brother, but Zeus made sure he got to Hades first.

“Are you alright, brother?” he asked, arm around the elder god. Hades could barely move his head to answer yes or no, and could hardly even form a full thought in his head, but he did manage to realize he was grateful that Poseidon had tied his hair back.

“I am alright, Zeus, I assure you…” Hades managed to say, cursing himself for his weakness but still relieved that his brothers had at least momentarily forgotten their argument. “Must be… that I am not used to being out on open waters… or something of the like…”

Zeus frowned upon regarding his older brother’s face, now an unsettling shade of pallor. Zeus knew that the movement caused by raging waters could make a god nauseated, but the ocean was calm, with hardly any waves to rock their boat. Then again, Hades was not like Poseidon and Zeus himself. He was weak, and what affected him might pass unnoticed by his two brothers.

“Sit down and take it easy,” the leader instructed, restraining Hades when the elder god tried to rise. The last thing they needed was Hades losing his balance and going overboard.

“Here, drink some water,” Poseidon suggested, offering Hades his water sack. “At least it will wash the sour taste from your mouth.”

Hades gratefully accepted the fluid and almost emptied the sack in greedy gulps. Zeus kept his features neutral, but he internally berated himself for not thinking about giving Hades water before his brother.

“I believe we are done here,” he said, looking at the curly-haired god while his arm remained wrapped around Hades’ shoulders. “We will head home now.”

Poseidon nodded and stood up, wondering if Zeus’ recent animosity toward him would sustain itself even after they returned ashore.

*

Hades felt his sickness ebb away once he was on land, though he was still nauseated. He had vomited at least once more on the boat ride back and was gagging without result on his third attempt. He thanked Poseidon before retiring to his living quarters once they were home, but only discreetly, as the help provided by Poseidon had clearly caused anger in their youngest sibling. Unable to bear the thought of eating dinner, Hades retired early, allowed such by Zeus, who would not admit it aloud, but secretly worried for his brother.

After supper, Demeter paid her brother a visit. She did not knock, only because she did not wish to rouse her brother were he asleep. Instead she tiptoed into the room and peered through the darkness at where Hades lay.

“I am awake,” she heard the motionless figure mutter from under the sheets.

Sighing, Demeter lit a small lamp and sat at her brother’s bedside, hand on his shoulder. “How fares my brother?” she asked sweetly.

“Quite taken,” he replied. “But presently not as bad as he has been.”

Perhaps Hades was right, but to Demeter, her brother looked bad enough. His complexion had become dull with his sickness and his eyes were red from the force of vomiting. The goddess rubbed his shoulder in gentle encouragement.

“This was your first fishing outing,” she suggested. “Perhaps you were not made for the sea.”

The god sighed, depressed at the sound of her claim. “Then what am I made for? This is one of very few occasions I’ve been allowed to join in on with my brothers,” he said. “And then my body betrays me. Zeus is right. I am useless.” Hades turned his face away from his sister, not wanting her to see the wetness forming around his eyes.

“Oh Hades…” Demeter truly did not know what do to in order to raise her brother’s spirits. “At least your outing was a successful one,” she said, struggling to sound cheerful. “We have fish to last for a month, and that creature you caught amongst them was delicious. It is a shame you were too sick to sample it.”

“Poseidon caught the fish, not I,” Hades replied glumly. “I mostly just stood there and watched it happen.”

Demeter did not know how to counter that statement, so she decided to switch topics. “You look unwell, dearest,” she said. “Perhaps you shouldn’t be alone tonight. Do you wish me to stay here with you in case the nausea returns?”

“There is no need, sister.”

“I do not mind,” Demeter insisted. “If you start feeling worse, you’ll have to let me know at once.”

“Alright,” Hades finally said, hardly in any mood to argue. “Perhaps we should leave out a pot within my reach… in case…?”

“Of course,” Demeter replied, reaching beneath her brother’s bed and finding his chamber pot. Hades would do better with something he could simply reach down and grab instead of stumbling through the dark and soiling his floor.

“I hope your health improves soon, dear,” the goddess said. “It pains me to see you in such a state.” Supplying a friendly little scratch to her brother’s back, she leaned forward and kissed his brow. Hades stiffened slightly at the contact.

“What if I am sick with something that may spread?” he asked, a little annoyed that his sister could be so careless.

“Then we will be ill together,” Demeter answered with a smile. “But even if I do not fall ill, you will not have to go through this alone, brother.”

The promise did not bring a smile to Hades’ face, but it did allow him some peace in his sickness. When Demeter finally joined him in the bed, cuddling up against him to provide warmth, he felt he could easily be lulled into sleep from their close proximity to each other alone. Releasing a sigh of calm, he was about to fall asleep on his own when a rather dismaying thought entered his mind. The memory of his brothers’ argument from the fishing outing made him wonder if Zeus knew about the close relationship between Hades and Demeter. If not, would the youngest god become just as jealous?

*

When Hades woke up the following morning, Demeter had already left, presumably to do her chores, which often included preparing Zeus’ breakfast. The god admitted to have felt better, but at least he did not feel the urge to throw up.

Then again, I have nothing in my stomach to regurgitate, do I? he thought morosely. Perhaps I will have to vomit when I try to eat something.

Hades remained in bed, twisting and turning, not feeling whatsoever like getting up to face the day. The sickness he had contracted added to the possibility that Zeus might be upset with him made the god want to isolate himself again. Why did he cause problems no matter how hard he tried to avoid doing exactly that? Having caused a rift between Zeus and Poseidon with a mere glance was a devastating thought; one which Hades did not want to be responsible for.

He was temporarily pulled from his inner world of depressing thoughts and scenarios by a knock to his bedroom door. Guessing that his visitor was likely Demeter or Zeus, the two siblings who regularly saw him in various states of health and undress, Hades made no attempts to make himself look presentable before bidding his visitor welcome.

The door opened, and the god went into a state of minor shock when he saw that the Olympian knocking on his door was neither Zeus nor Demeter, but Hera.

The goddess entered, looking around haughtily before fixing her gaze on Hades. “Still sick from yesterday, are you?” she asked. “You are even weaker than I thought.”

Already Hades was displeased to see his oldest sister. She had been practically glaring daggers at him ever since Zeus had developed an interest in the eldest god. Clearly her greeting when she entered his bedchambers meant she was still in that same mood.

“What do you want, Hera?” he asked, sitting up to regard her properly.

“Oh, I’m hurt,” the goddess said, feigning an upset expression as she took a seat near the bed. “Can a well-meaning sister not visit loved ones who are ill?”

“You do not mean well,” Hades said with a sneer. “I’ve seen you glare at me with hatred for a long time now. Why do you treat me with such malice?”

“You mistake my intent,” Hera replied. “I am merely concerned for Zeus. For his future, or lack thereof…”

Hades brow furrowed, annoyed with the cryptic nature of his sister’s words. “He loves me,” the god argued. “And if you are displeased with the lack of attention he gives you, then perhaps you should realize he has no interest in you.”

For a moment, Hades thought his sibling might strike him. She suddenly leant in so that their faces were inches from one another, but Hades managed not to flinch at her advance.

“Zeus is misunderstood. He cannot help it, he is confused. I feel it my duty to steer him to the proper path.”

“Away from me?”

“Away from someone who cannot fulfill his every need,” Hera replied with a sinister smile. “He needs someone intelligent, someone who can produce him an heir… not someone whose only shining attribute is a pair of easily spread legs.” Hera knew that her words had struck a chord within her brother when she saw Hades’ face assume an expression that signaled a need both to strike her and start weeping.

“So you admit that I am right?” she continued, smiling malevolently. “Perhaps Zeus can satisfy his carnal needs with you, but eventually that will not be enough, and you know it.”

“Leave!” Hades growled at the goddess, rising from bed despite suffering from lightheadedness, most likely caused by his not eating for nearly a day. “At once!”

Hera stood up as well, and it aggravated Hades further that his sister, who was indeed a tall goddess, was able to look down at him.

“Or what?” Hera sneered, a hand pressed to Hades’ chest. “What will you do? Vomit on me?”

“What do you want from me, Hera? Did you come simply to insult me?”

“I came to leave you a message,” Hera said nonchalantly. Hades grasped her wrist to remove her hand from his skin, but his sister was stronger and shoved him backwards instead. “Leave Zeus alone, Hades. For everyone’s best.”

Not one to miss the underlying threat, Hades narrowed his eyes, wondering if she was serious about what she said. Surely even Hera could not be so stupid as to believe Zeus would let someone else make his choices for him?

“Sister…” he said slowly, “you should know that there is not really anything I could do about Zeus’ interest in me even if I wanted to. He is our leader, and I must bow to his every whim. If he prefers me over you, there is nothing either of us can do to change it.”

Hera snorted. “So you are saying that you do not even appreciate his attention?”

“Quite the contrary. I would do anything for Zeus, and making him happy is my main concern. As it should be yours.”

“He will never find happiness with you!” Hera spat out, and immediately afterwards she spun on her heel and left her brother’s quarters, leaving Hades standing on the cold floor, hugging himself and dreading how the rest of the day would turn out.


TBC...