Girl, Goddess, Queen

When they asked me what I wanted, I said: ‘The world.

Gone is little girl. Kore. I am chaos bringer. Persephone.

There's nothing wrong with being a little girl, love. Little girls are fearless.

Fine, then I’ll hold your flowers while you tear the world apart,’ he says.

You shouldn't be trying to survive this world; you should be trying to destroy it.' 'That's not quite something I can achieve in an afternoon.

Too many stories start with gods making promises they can't keep.

When her friends told me to sit up straight, I jolted. When they said I was a ‘growing girl’ in that tone, I thrust my plate away. When they said I would be prettier if I smiled, I beamed. I was good. I was obedient. I was fucking perfect. So when I finally snapped, I snapped hard. When I finally said no, I screamed it from the mountaintops. Or from the Underworld, as the case may be.

This is just the beginning. I have gods to dethrone. I have chaos to bring.

Every love someone can have for another being, I have them all for you.

I was pretty, always pretty. It’s what they told me again and again until the very word came to mean pain. And still I went on, tearing and pulling and hurting until I was prettier still.

You once asked for the world, Persephone. Congratulations, you just created one.

An artist raised to slaughter. I want to hurt everyone involved in that decision. I would too, I think, if I could. Maybe I am too vengeful. But then I look at him laughing and I don't care. I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I'll promise you no battlegrounds. But there are other ways to fight a war, and I refuse to promise to ever stop fighting for you.

My hair is a mess, my dress is worse, I have creases and bags round my eyes, and my fingernails are gnawed and covered in ink. What a relief it is, to be hideous without consequence.

I can't tell you how good it is to see you so happy.' Hades' voice is suddenly serious, his eyes focused intently on mine. They're so close, so captivating. I could waste an eternity looking into the. 'I'd marry you a thousand times if it let you, the real you, find happiness like that.

Persephone. I'd do anything you asked of me.

My secrets for your peace, that feels a worthy trade.

I know my mother will never understand because what it comes down to is this: safety isn’t enough for me. I’d rather perish, rather be another tragic tale for a mother to use in warning, than become a long, drawn-out sigh in a hymn, an immortal life spent in misery.

They never asked you the important question, girl. You wanted the world - but what would you give for it?

I do so many things to make Mother happy. How have I failed without even noticing?

What makes you think you chose me?' ... 'Perhaps all this while I was busy choosing you?

I can hardly remember a life without you.