Flash Fiction: Home for the Holidays

Hades hated Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, Winter — whatever mortals call the holiday nowadays. For him, it was torture season. The one time of year his mother-in-law visited. She claimed his throne and openly questioned his judgement over the dead. The goddess stole his remote and dictated the viewing. His favourite station being Tartarus. 

“How can you watch all this maiming?”

“I find it pleasurable. That man did… indecent actions to children… and his mother-in-law.”

Not a bad idea, but Hades could never kill his mother-in-law, he’d wind up suffering eternity with her… 

“See you next year, Demeter.”

Hades cranked up the music — the new season was a time to celebrate. 

Happy festive season all!

Note:
This week’s story featured the Greek deities Hades and Demeter. In short, Hades ruled the underworld, including the hellish Tartarus. Demeter was the goddess of crops. Life was hunky-dory until Hades decided to kidnap Demeter’s daughter because that’s what Greek gods do. Demeter threw a tantrum and punished the innocent because that’s what all gods do. There was a world famine and Zeus had a hissy fit because humans stopped worshipping him and his ego was wounded. Zeus used his king-like powers and drew up a custody agreement for Hades and Demeter because Persephone was mentally challenged and unable to make her own decisions like a grown woman?, just because. Anyway, Persephone married Hades but split her time between her mother and husband. Demeter attended to crops again and goes on strike whenever her daughter is with Hades. Hence we have seasons. More can be read here. I may have used a bit of creative license but you get the point.