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Far below Olympus, the mortal plane was unrecognizable.

The lush fields and golden meadows that had once been the heart of Demeter's domain were now buried under a thick layer of snow and ice. The air was sharp, the wind howling through the barren trees, carrying a bitter chill that seemed to seep into the bones of anyone who dared venture there.

The sky above churned with ominous, dark clouds, thunder rumbling faintly as the blizzard raged. Snow whipped through the air in blinding sheets, obscuring the horizon.

As Persephone and Demeter arrived at the edge of the storm, Persephone gasped, her breath forming small clouds in the freezing air. She'd felt the icy touch of the Underworld before, the coldness that lingered in its shadows, but this—this was different. The snow, sharp and cold, stung her skin. Her hair whipped around her face as she struggled to shield her eyes from the onslaught.

Demeter, her golden robes dulled by frost, pointed ahead. Her voice was steady, though her expression was tight with concern. "Look."

Through the haze of snow, a single shape stood out in the distance—your tree.

"Is that...?" Persephone's voice trailed off, her words lost in the howl of the wind.

It looked different now, its spiraling trunk twisting higher into the sky than ever before. Thunderous clouds swirled directly above it, the storm concentrating its fury around the area.

But beneath the tree, the scene was different. The storm seemed to calm at its base, the wind softening into a gentle breeze within a small, protected radius. The ground beneath the tree was bare, untouched by frost or snow, as if it were the eye of the storm.

Persephone swallowed hard, her green eyes wide as she took in the sight. "What's happening to him?"

Demeter didn't answer, her lips pressed into a thin line as she began trudging through the snow toward the tree. Persephone followed, the icy wind biting at her skin as they pushed forward.

When they finally reached your tree, Demeter reached out, her fingers brushing against one of the lower branches as if to climb.

The ground trembled.

Suddenly, icy vines shot up from the dirt, moving with a speed and precision that no natural force should possess. They wrapped around Demeter's arm, another set coiling around Persephone's legs, pulling her down to the ground.

"Mother!" Persephone cried, struggling against the freezing tendrils that gripped her tightly. The frost seared against her skin, biting into her as she tried to twist free.

Demeter pulled against the vines, her divine strength snapping one of them, but more rose to take its place. "Persephone, be careful!" she called, her golden eyes blazing with determination.

The vines tightened, their icy tips glinting in the dim light. Demeter gritted her teeth, summoning her power as she slammed her free hand against the frozen ground. Green energy rippled outward, and for a moment, the vines recoiled, releasing their grip.

"Go!" Demeter shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Climb the tree! Find ____! I'll hold them off!"

Persephone hesitated, her gaze flickering between her mother and the hollow above.

"Now, Persephone!"

Nodding, Persephone turned and began to climb, her hands gripping the smooth bark as she pulled herself upward. The icy vines tried to follow, but Demeter summoned another burst of energy, forcing them back.

When Persephone finally reached the hollow at the center of your tree, she paused, her breath catching in her throat.

The space was small but vibrant, an eerie contradiction to the storm outside. The air inside shimmered faintly, filled with an impossible mix of seasons. Spring flowers bloomed alongside summer grasses, patches of ice clung to the walls, and fallen autumn leaves crunched softly beneath her feet.

And there, in the center of it all, you lay curled up on your side.

Your form was small against the vibrant chaos around you, your body trembling slightly as soft sniffles escaped your lips.

"____," Persephone whispered, her voice breaking.

You didn't respond, your face buried in your arms. The faint sound of your sobbing filled the space, your shoulders shaking as you curled further into yourself.

"_-____," Persephone called again, louder this time, her voice trembling with both worry and urgency.

Your sobbing faltered, the sound cutting off abruptly. Slowly, hesitantly, you looked up, your tear-streaked face turning toward her.

The sight of you nearly stole her breath.

Persephone fought back a gasp, her green eyes widening as she took in the changes that had overtaken you. Your skin, once tinged with the warm, rich hues of autumn, now carried a sickly pale undertone. The soft glow that had always clung to you was gone, replaced by a dim, dull sheen that made you look more shadow than substance.

The flowers woven through your hair—those ever-present signs of life—were no longer vibrant and full. Some had wilted, their petals curling inward like they were retreating from the world. Others were mere buds, stunted and lifeless, as if they had stopped growing entirely.

But what truly struck Persephone were your eyes.

They were empty, void of the light she had always associated with you. They reminded her of Hades' eyes—dark, heavy with an otherworldly depth that spoke of things no mortal or god should ever endure. And yet, they weren't entirely the same. There was something in your gaze that echoed the quiet, endless pull of the Underworld's power, but it was not Hades. It was something else.

Something entirely you.

A quiet sniffle from you broke her out of her thoughts. She blinked, forcing herself to focus, and she offered you a soft, tentative smile.

"Hey," she said gently, her voice like a soothing balm. She took a cautious step closer, then another, until she was kneeling beside you.

She reached out slowly, her movements deliberate, as though afraid to startle you. "It's just me," she murmured. "You're safe, ____. I promise."

You didn't pull away, but your body remained tense, your hands curling tightly against your knees. For a long moment, you said nothing, your gaze dropping to the ground.

"What's wrong?" Persephone asked softly, her tone patient. "Talk to me."

At first, you didn't respond. Your lips parted slightly, but no sound came out. Your gaze stayed fixed on the hollow floor, your hands clutching your knees like they were the only things anchoring you to the world.

She waited, her presence steady, her warmth brushing against the icy air that filled the space. Slowly, your shoulders trembled, and in a voice barely above a whisper, you finally spoke.

"Am I... real?"

The words were quiet, fragile, but they carried the weight of your entire existence. Persephone's breath hitched, her heart breaking at the sheer pain behind them.

"___..." she murmured, her voice trembling. She inched closer, her hands reaching out but hesitating, unsure if you would let her near. "Of course you're real."

You shook your head, fresh tears spilling down your cheeks. "But... I wasn't born. Not like you. Not like the others. I... I wasn't supposed to be here."

Her heart clenched, and she moved closer, her knees brushing against the fallen leaves on the hollow floor. "That's not true," she said firmly, her hands finally cupping your face. Her thumbs gently wiped away your tears as her green eyes locked onto yours, full of unwavering determination.

"You were born, ____. You came into this world from something rare, something so powerful." She paused, her voice softening. "You were born from love."

Her words made you flinch, your eyes squeezing shut as if you were trying to block them out. You shook your head, pulling away slightly, your hands moving to cover your face. "It's not fair," you whispered, your voice cracking. "I feel like I shouldn't even exist. Like I was never meant to be here."

Her hands moved to gently hold your wrists, pulling them away from your face. "____, look at me," she said, her voice steady but thick with emotion. When you didn't, she tilted her head, her own eyes misting. "Please. Look at me."

Slowly, reluctantly, you met her gaze, your tears pooling in your eyes.

"You are meant to be here," she said firmly, her voice breaking slightly as she continued. "Even if you don't feel like it right now, you are. You were born because of the love between my mother and me—because of what we share, and because I wanted her to have someone by her side when I couldn't be there."

She looked away for a moment, her green eyes flickering with a quiet sorrow. Her voice softened, almost as if she were speaking to herself. "Maybe... maybe I wanted you more than I realized. I didn't know it then, but maybe your tree grew because I needed it to. I needed to know she'd have someone when I was gone."

She looked back at you, her hands cradling your face again, her tears glistening as they fell. "But that doesn't make you any less real. By the gods, ____, you are real. You are here. And you are so, so important."

You stared at her, your breath hitching as her words pressed against the cracks in your heart.

"I'm not like you," you whispered, your voice trembling.

"No, you're not," she agreed, her tone gentle. "You're not like me, or the spirits, or even the other gods. You're something else entirely. But that doesn't mean you don't belong. Helios carries the sun, Selene the moon, Iris the rainbow... They're all embodiments of something greater. And so are you."

Her words lingered in the air, wrapping around you like a soft, warm blanket.

For the first time in weeks, the ache in your chest began to ease. It didn't disappear completely, but it lessened, like a storm breaking into a quiet drizzle.

You took a shaky breath, your tears slowing as her hands stayed firm on your face. "I'm real," you whispered, testing the words.

Persephone smiled through her own tears, her thumbs brushing over your cheeks one last time. "Yes, ____. You're real. You're here. And you matter."

Her words settled into you, filling the cracks with something that felt almost like hope. For the first time, you let yourself believe her. "Okay."

Persephone's smile grew warmer, her green eyes bright with relief. "Good," she said softly.

She rose to her feet, brushing a stray curl from her face, and extended her hand toward you. For a moment, you hesitated, your gaze flickering between her hand and the hollow around you. Then, slowly, you reached out, your fingers trembling slightly as they curled around hers.

Her grip was steady, grounding, as she gently helped you to your feet. "Come on," she said, her tone light but reassuring. "Let's go."

She led you toward the edge of the hollow, her hand never leaving yours. The moment you stepped out onto the spiraling branches, the air felt different. The storm, which had raged for so long, was gone.

The world below was still.

The snow no longer whipped through the air, the wind no longer howled. The ground was blanketed in a thick, undisturbed layer of white, the trees standing silent and unmoving. The sky was a pale grey, heavy with the remnants of the storm, but the oppressive weight that had clung to the air was gone.

Persephone helped you climb down, her movements careful as she ensured you didn't lose your footing. When the two of you finally reached the ground, Demeter was waiting.

The goddess didn't hesitate. She surged forward, wrapping you in a tight embrace, her arms strong and warm as they enveloped you completely.

"Oh, my little one," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Her golden hair brushed against your cheek, her presence overwhelming as she held you close. "I was so worried."

She pulled back just enough to look you over, her hands cupping your face as her golden eyes searched yours, taking in every detail with a mother's concern. "Are you hurt? Are you cold? What were you thinking—"

"Mother, he's fine," Persephone interjected with a soft laugh, stepping closer. "You're going to smother him if you're not careful."

Demeter let out a huff, though her hands lingered for a moment longer before she finally pulled back.

You took the chance to glance around, your eyes widening as you took in the aftermath of the storm. The stillness of the world, the heavy snow blanketing every surface—it felt both beautiful and haunting.

"Did I... do this?" you asked hesitantly, your voice barely above a whisper.

It was Persephone who answered. "Yes," she said gently. "You did."

You looked away, guilt flashing across your face as the ache in your chest returned, small and sharp. Look at what I did.

A warm hand slipped into yours, cutting off the spiral of your thoughts. You glanced up to see Persephone smiling at you, her expression soft and reassuring.

"Don't worry," she said firmly. "We'll fix it. Together."

Her smile faltered slightly as she turned to Demeter, then back to you. Her voice grew quieter, more serious. "But there's something you need to know. We have to take you to Olympus."

Your eyes widened, shock rippling through you. "Olympus?"

Demeter nodded, her expression somber. "Zeus has summoned you. What happened here...what you caused...it must be explained."

You swallowed hard, the weight of their words settling over you. Slowly, you nodded, the truth of the situation undeniable. "I understand," you said quietly.

The three of you began to move, the snow crunching softly beneath your feet. But after a few steps, you suddenly stopped, a memory surfacing in your mind.

It was something Demeter had said long ago, a moment you hadn't thought about in weeks.

"Persephone always talks about the snow, you know...She's never experienced it, but she would often stand in the fields, arms open as dandelion pappus kissed her skin, imagining them as snowflakes."

The memory made your heart ache, but it also sparked something inside you.

"Wait," you said, your voice breaking the quiet.

Both Demeter and Persephone turned to you, the latter tilting her head in confusion. "What is it?"she asked.

You shook your head quickly, a small, almost nervous smile forming on your lips. "Nothing'[s wrong. I just... I want Persephone to experience winter. The right way."

Persephone blinked, her confusion deepening, but she didn't question you further.

You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath as you reached out, not to the storm, but to the calm stillness that lingered in its wake. Please, you thought, your heart quietly pleading. Let this work.

A few seconds passed in silence.

Then, gently, softly, snow began to fall.

Persephone gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she stared upward. The flakes were small and delicate, drifting down like tiny stars, their cold touch brushing against her skin.

She held out her hands, her eyes wide with wonder as the snowflakes melted against her palms. Tiny pieces stuck to her golden hair, glinting like frost, while others clung to her eyelashes, shimmering faintly in the light.

Demeter stood still, her gaze moving from the snow to Persephone. Her usually tense expression softened, her golden eyes warm as they lingered on her daughter.

Finally, her gaze shifted to you.

You hesitated, but when you saw the faint smile tugging at her lips, you felt a spark of warmth bloom in your chest.

Persephone turned to you, her smile bright and genuine. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.

You smiled back, the ache in your heart easing just a little more. The peace, however fleeting, was enough to steady you for what was to come.

Persephone gave your hand a soft squeeze, her warmth grounding you as she exchanged a brief glance with Demeter. The older goddess nodded, her expression more composed now, though the lines of worry had yet to fade from her face.

"We should go," Demeter said softly, her voice carrying an edge of urgency. She turned, her golden robes trailing in the snow, her figure moving a few paces ahead. "Hurry, both of you. We can't keep them waiting."

You hesitated, your feet frozen in place as your gaze flickered between the swirling clouds overhead and the path ahead.

Persephone's hand tugged at yours gently, her voice soothing. "Come on, ____. It's just Olympus. They'll be stern, but... you'll be okay."

The reassurance was thin, but it was enough. You nodded, clutching onto her hand tightly as the two of you followed Demeter.