A few minutes had passed since her first encounter with the Polymorph. Persephone was still shaken: the creature had taken on her appearance, reproducing even her most intimate features with unsettling perfection. But the worst was not this obscene imitation. The true discomfort came from the fact that Hypnos and Thanatos had witnessed the scene. They had sworn they looked away when the goddess's naked form appeared… Yet Persephone knew they had lied, if only a little. She could not truly blame them, but it made the humiliation all the harder to endure.
Still, Persephone remained upright, dignified. She was accustomed to hiding her emotions behind a mask of iron. She had now been placed in a secluded chamber, deeper still within the bowels of Purgatory. Seated upon a stone chair, she waited for her beloved Hades to bring the Polymorph into this more intimate room, far from prying eyes.
When the door opened, she let the Polymorph enter, clad in a simple cloth. As troubled as Persephone, the creature seemed confused, nervous, almost humiliated. Its anxious eyes swept across the room, and its trembling body betrayed the fear that inhabited it.
Despite the strangeness of the situation, Persephone remained impassive. Her voice, firm and commanding, broke the silence.
- Sit down. We must speak.
The Polymorph obeyed, awkwardly clutching the cloth in its hands to hide its private parts. Persephone observed this gesture carefully: was it a reflex of genuine modesty, or mere pretense? This hesitation only deepened her unease. Still, she took the time to calmly analyze this new creature.
When the Polymorph was seated, she spoke again, this time in a calmer tone.
- You may stop hiding your body if you wish. For now, we have the same one.
But the creature tightened the cloth around itself and replied in a hesitant voice:
- I would prefer to keep it… out of respect for you, Lady Persephone. And also… for a more personal reason.
A crease formed on Persephone's brow.
- A more personal reason?
The Polymorph lowered her eyes, her voice growing clearer.
- To you, I am nothing but a mere creature… But before all these abominations were inflicted upon me, I was a woman. I was broken, forced to endure things I will never forget. Then, overnight, my body developed this ability to change appearance. So when I saw you… I took yours. I did not believe I could succeed, and yet I did. But I beg your forgiveness… I never wished to humiliate you.
- I would like to believe you… but this is not your first change of skin. I cannot rely on your word. How do I know you are not simply acting a part?
The goddess exclaimed, crossing her arms, her sharp gaze studying the creature. It answered at once.
- I understand your doubts… but allow me to prove my worth to you.
- And what would you be willing to do to earn my trust?
- Anything you desire.
- So… you would be ready to obey each of my orders, without asking a single question?
- Yes, my lady.
Persephone took a few moments to reflect on the trial she was about to impose. She wanted something harsh, something unforgettable, that would show her whether this creature could endure more than mere words.
- Stand up, facing the wall… and drop the cloth.
The Polymorph obeyed without a word. Her silhouette, tense yet docile, pressed against the cold stone. Persephone approached with measured steps. Her fingers brushed the creature's back, then slowly slid over her skin. The sensation was strange, almost unbearable: it was her own body she was touching… and yet a grotesque imitation.
- Your imitation is perfect, she whispered. But let us see if it withstands pain.
With a sudden motion, she tore at the skin, ripping away a strip of flesh. The Polymorph screamed, her legs trembling, yet she remained standing.
- Yes… it hurts! she whimpered.
Persephone watched as the torn flesh instantly decayed upon the ground, releasing a nauseating stench of rot. Her eyes darkened, but a faint smile curved her lips.
- You suffer… yet aside from crying out, you offer no resistance. Tell me, why do you not defend yourself?
The Polymorph, panting, replied in a broken yet steady voice.
- Because… if I defended myself, it would be like contradicting your order.
Satisfied with this answer, Persephone tore away another piece of flesh. The creature screamed again, her cry echoing through the small chamber. The goddess added in an icy tone:
- You know… you are very ugly without this skin. So the next time you take my appearance, I will not hesitate to tear away every strip myself. But… I see that you can set aside pain. For this time, I forgive you. And better still… I shall grant you my trust. I have a proposal to make.
She stepped back, crossed her arms, and fixed the creature with her gaze, waiting for her reaction.
- I understand… But what is your proposal? the Polymorph asked, her voice trembling, while slightly bowing her head.
Persephone lifted her own with cold authority and replied sharply:
- Look at the wall.
The Polymorph obeyed without question, turning her eyes once more toward the icy stone. Then Persephone's voice rose, clear and cutting.
- I propose that you become my spy. You will be my eyes and my ears. And you will change your appearance whenever I command you to. Do you feel capable of assuming such a role?
The Polymorph remained silent for a moment, then answered in a hesitant yet sincere breath:
- To be your spy… yes. But to change appearance at will, every time you demand it… that I cannot yet promise. This power is still new to me. I am only beginning to discover its strengths… and its weaknesses. But I can tell you one thing: when I take someone's appearance, their memories sometimes merge with mine.
A glint shone in Persephone's eyes.
- Most interesting… You may be even more useful than I had thought.
Without another word, she approached the door and knocked in a precise sequence, forming a code. With a low rumble, the mechanisms activated, and the door opened. Hades appeared, his grave expression softened by a trace of concern for his beloved.
- Is everything all right? he asked.
- Everything is perfectly fine. We now have our spy. But I would like to keep this chamber a little longer, Persephone said in a measured tone. However, I will need you to do me a favor.
- I am listening, my love.
- Bring me a female soul… I refuse to let this creature continue to walk around with my appearance.
- Very well. I will go at once.
She traced a cruel smile.
- Oh, and Hades… before I forget: find her something more suitable to wear as well.
- Yes, of course. I will take care of it.
Hades closed the door behind him, and Persephone returned to the Polymorph. The creature had not moved an inch, still standing against the wall, eyes lowered. She approached slowly and whispered a few words in her ear.
- Perhaps we should give you a name.
- I already have a name… the creature murmured.
Persephone immediately raised her hand to silence her, her tone striking like a slap.
- Hush… Silence. You can no longer bear your mortal name. That one died with your former life. You must be reborn under a new identity. You are capable of taking many forms… so we shall call your kind Polymorph. And you… you shall be Evadne. That shall now be your name. What do you say?
A slight tremor ran through the creature, then her voice rose, obedient.
- If you wish to call me so… then I accept. I shall be Evadne.
- Very well… let us wait a moment longer. I have a surprise for you.
Silence weighed upon the chamber for several minutes. Then the door opened once more: Hades entered, pushing before him a weeping woman, chains still clinking around her wrists. He threw some clothes onto the ground before closing the door behind him.
Persephone welcomed the unfortunate soul with calm coldness. She slipped an arm around her shoulders, as if to comfort her… then whispered in an icy voice:
- Evadne… look closely. Here is your first gift.
Evadne turned her head. Her eyes gleamed with a strange light as she stared at the trembling woman of Purgatory, tears running down her cheeks.
Then Persephone commanded, mercilessly:
- Evadne… kill this woman. And take her appearance.
At these words, she shoved the captive to the ground. The poor soul did not even have time to beg: Evadne leapt upon her with newfound speed, tearing the life from her in a single breath. The body collapsed, lifeless… and already, the metamorphosis began.
Panting, Evadne felt a new power surge through her body. Her skin twisted and tore, her bones cracked with sharp sounds, shattered and hastily reformed. Her guttural cries echoed, mingled with the sounds of ripping flesh, until her appearance slowly molded itself into that of her first victim.
When the transformation was complete, Persephone stepped forward, her eyes shining with cold determination. She handed her the clothes Hades had left behind.
- This shall be your new face… and these shall be your garments. Until I decide otherwise.
Evadne dressed slowly, hiding the monstrosity of her nature beneath her new appearance. Persephone, for her part, once again tapped the code upon the door. With a metallic groan, it opened. The two women left the chamber together, leaving behind them the lifeless body of the unfortunate lost soul of Purgatory.