"I'll see you next spring," her mother says and Persephone's smile turns a little wry and wistful under her veil.

Her mother is still hopeful, still dreaming that humanity will come back to them. But Persephone knows the truth; Mother Gaea is tired beneath them and no seed will ever take root in her soil again.

Persephone turns and enters the Underworld, knowing that she will never return, but that is alright--it's finally time for her to stay at her post, on her throne, from here until darkness ever after.