Episode 196: Katabasis
Editor: Bre BoswellMusic by: Tahni MarieReleased: 28 May 2022Zeus remembers the process of Hera falling ill with the sleeping sickness, how she bled ichor from her stomach and would fall over unexpectedly. He wonders if he isn’t “the worst thing” that ever happened to her as he remembers her happy and running with a lion in her youth. Amphitrite calls him and they discuss how Poseidon is also “in a coma.” She seems disappointed when he lies and says the mortal realm is a mess and urges him to resolve his issues with Hades. Just then, Athena rushes in, distressed, and wants to talk.
“It’s bold of me to assume we’ll still have a spark.”
Persephone
Meanwhile, Persephone wanders around inside a volcano on her way to the Underworld and imagines that Hades has moved on with someone. Even so, she resolves to tell him her feelings and investigate what is going wrong in the Underworld. She has a memory of her hands turning green, roots growing from her back as she weeps, and a bald person holding a bowl clearly shaken. She reminds herself that she did what she could do about this mysterious flashback. She continues her journey, hopping over stones, as she worries how everyone, especially Eris, will do without her. She remembers when Eris first appeared in the mortal realm, skewered by a giant, poisoned arrow. She reveals it was Pharmakei’s work and instructs nymphs to bring her home so she can heal her.
“I said stop, spy!”
A large figure with a snake helm and red clothing tackles Persephone to the ground. When they see her fully, they say her name in recognition, “P-Persephone?”
WHAT WE LEARNED
OTHER EPISODES
The Dread Queen has arrived, and Kronos is not prepared.