#zashta

ANOTHER CROSSOVER SHIP, YES SIR! I really love Hades Game and I had to draw the Zagreus and Rashta pairing because I think they're one of the purest and cutest things I've ever created.

In this universe, Rashta is still a runaway slave who, after thinking her first child had died, ended up fleeing far away, falling into the clutches of a king obsessed with her beauty. He planned to take her daughter away when she was born (and probably kill Rashta afterward, once he had his heir and no longer needed a concubine). Rashta discovered this and fled again.

In her second escape, Rashta managed to reach one of the rivers of Greece, where she stumbled upon Persephone's house. While Persephone was surprised by her presence, she could also sense that the girl was in dire straits. So, after sharing some food with Rashta and hearing her explanation of how she arrived at her house, they agreed that Rashta could stay as her gardening assistant. After all, Rashta needed a safe home to raise her daughter, and Persephone appreciated the company.

That's how Rashta ended up living with Persephone, who also knew the pain of losing a child and helped Rashta have her daughter. By the time of the game's events, Rashta has been living with Persephone for a year or two, and, of course, during the game's events, Rashta meets Zagreus.

After Persephone decides to return to the underworld, Rashta will likely decide to go with her, because she truly cares for Persephone. However, there's also the possibility that Rashta will decide to stay on the surface to care for Persephone's plants, even if only until Rashta has a reason to leave (for example, the king she fled is searching for her, or her former masters learn she's still alive and want to find her). So, in both scenarios, Rashta will probably end up accompanying Persephone to the underworld.

I imagine Rashta as a love interest being very similar to Dusa; that is, it's clear from the beginning that she has feelings for Zagreus, that she admires him greatly, and that she wants to get to know him better. But she probably fears that he will see her as "dirty" or unworthy of being with a god because she's human, especially considering she was a slave with an illegitimate daughter.

But as we know, Zagreus doesn't care about those things (did the gods even have slaves? I know there were Greek heroes who had slaves, but I don't know if the gods did too), and he truly admires Rashta's resilience. He wants her to recognize that she deserves love and security, that she will never be treated like property in Hades' house, and that she is even more than free to reject him if her attraction isn't reciprocated, because her voice and opinion matter to him. And honestly, I can see Rashta getting quite emotional about it.

Moving on to the relationship, it's honestly super sweet! Zagreus is always spoiling Rashta and Glorym with gifts. We know Rashta likes jewelry, dresses, and desserts, so I can see Zagreus getting her many of these things or having them made for her and her daughter.

Rashta never thought someone could shower her with gifts without expecting anything in return other than her happiness, and Zagreus is the ultimate proof that it's possible. Rashta is probably affectionate and clingy all the time, and Zagreus loves it.

They're both so affectionate that it makes others a little embarrassed for them 😅 but you can see from a mile away that they love each other very much.

Glorym, as I said, is very spoiled by Zagreus too! At first, Zagreus was afraid he wouldn't be able to handle a baby (especially knowing how fragile they are), but I think he'll become more playful with her over time. He's a present and loving father (the complete opposite of his own father) who wants his daughter to grow up knowing healthy and lasting love.