DEATH AND NIGHT

“In the name of Hades ...”

He certainly received the message. Demeter’s voice rings loud and clear in his ears. He was close to where his father awaited, and a boon from his grandmother would help in that bout. The two weren’t fighting to the death, of course. The truth was out. This was just for fun, really. Still, more ways to kick his father’s arse never hurt. 

“I thank you for your help, Grandmother.”

As was typical in the life of Zagreus, he’d died yet again. He arose from the blood-soaked Pool of Styx, having died in a bout against Megaera. He was still new to this escape thing, and, boy, did she revel in killing him for it. Damned Fury. 

“Yes, yes, hello to you, too,” he said, scowling as he noted Hypnos’s wide, insipid smile. 

Huh. Zagreus hadn’t run into this particular Shade before. She was dressed as a sorceress of sorts, although he can’t be certain. He wasn’t much of a mage himself. Still, it never hurt to talk to the Shades. If she’d wanted to kill him, she’d already be trying to. Shades weren’t known for their subtlety, after all. 

“You’re a new face. Might I ask how you ended up here?”

[ so, not only she was stuck waiting for this hellish tempest to end, but the prince-of-hell-or-something guy over there had no intention to collaborate? GREAT, just great. elodie could understand why everyone here was so intent to bring him down. finally, she decided to turn on her heel and face him, perhaps the intense frown which supposedly was there to show off her sheer determination would sway his cold, presumably dead heart. ]

“ well !  i’ll let you know that i, too, have my very good reasons to be here. which may or may not involve my father, as well. ” [ but as much as she’d like to end her awesomely cryptic reply right there, curiosity did kill the cat. ] “ uhm. you seem to … be quite close with yours. your dad, i mean. if you know he holds grudges and all … ” 

“Oh? You’re interested in hearing about my father, are you?”

Curiosity killed the cat, indeed. Zagreus wondered why she’d want to hear about an old fool like Father. Then again, she was a mortal, and mortals spoke of dear Cerberus like he was a terrifying monster. Who knew how many misconceptions they had about the Underworld and its ruler? 

If their roles were switched, Zagreus knew he’d ask her an endless amount of questions. Both to understand, and to annoy her. His penchant for irritating others would always be there, regardless of whether he was god or mortal. That, he would say with a smile, was part of the package. 

“To make it clear, he’s Hades. God of the Underworld, the dead, and the like.”

“I do not fear you,” he retorts. Though perhaps his ire toward her is undeserved, he cannot be weak before a God. He refuses to be.

“it is simply that Gods care nothing for the living, let alone the dead. So what reason is there for us to speak?”

“I will not deny this. The mortals are made to suffer the gods’ whims, and the gods do not care to be kind to them.”

Coin, was it? Well, he’d been stocking up on it, so why not? It wasn’t like he had much use of it as of late.

“I’ve quite a large sum. I’ll give it to you should you manage to not yield under his pressure.”

Well, then! That certainly made things easier. Rewards were always a good motivator, and the promise of coin is alluring. Charon’s prices were becoming unreasonable. 

“I hope you’re prepared to part with it.”

                    a smile that is naught if not polite spreads across the princess’ lips, and she nods her head in agreement. “ forgive me if i am intruding your rest, mother night. “ she speaks softly, truly unlike her brother had been when her age, “ but yes, there seems to be fewer shades around than usual… is there any reason for that? “

“You’ve no need to apologize, child.”

Despite radiating with power, Nyx’s voice is utterly calm. Her stance was not guarded, either. In this odd quiet, she was at peace. 

“I expect that some Shades left to do Hades’ bidding.”

“Aside from the bragging rights? My, greedy one, aren’t you? Think about what you want of me. If it’s within my power, perhaps I’ll allow it.”

“Can you blame me for my greed? When you’re up against Hell itself, you want as much help as you can get.”

Achilles couldn’t help but chuckle at Zagreus’ words.

“No need, Lad. What is done is done, I have Pat now so there’s nothing I want more than this. Apollo however, if I ever do get to see him, I’d keep it civil.”

The intensity on Zagreus’s face falls away as he sees his mentor chuckle. It’s replaced with a small hint of a smile.

“I see. That’s good of you, sir.”

“I see no reason why not.”