*I forgot to correct the pre-chapter. It's changed at the end.*
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"Why have you trespassed into my realm, mortal?" Hades asked lazily.
"Charon is responsible for my brother's death. I came to avenge him," I replied.
"Hm? An original way to seek justice," Hades murmured, raising his hand slightly. Shadows swirled and danced, and before us, a boat slowly emerged at the dock. Charon was clearly visible, chained to the helm.
"This is his punishment for what he has done," I added firmly.
"The Underworld is bleak and dull. And, by ancient pact between me and Zeus, I must remain here, in the realm of darkness. You've amused me enough that I now ponder should I destroy you for your insolence, or reward you for breaking the monotony? You've done no harm to my domain… though Cerberus is chained and not fulfilling his duties," Hades mused aloud.
"Charon said you covet a place on Olympus. That you're just as guilty as he is. Tell me is it true?" I demanded.
"Bold words," Hades said, tapping his bident lightly on the floor.
In that instant, a terrible darkness engulfed me. It was as if I had seen my worst nightmare. My soul froze, gripped by dread. But then, my will flared like a fire, banishing the shadows and leaving behind a steely mind.
"I'm tired of being forgotten, scorned like some banished outsider," Hades rumbled, rising from his throne and slowly approaching me. "Was I not the first of the gods? The oldest and most powerful? Was it not I who helped free the world from the Titans? And what was my reward? Eternal imprisonment here, in silence and shadow?"
He stepped closer, looming over me.
"I will answer your question. I will tell you all I know. But in return, you must do me one favor."
"No," I replied, staring straight into his eyes.
"You'll change your mind soon," he smirked and struck.
In an instant, I was hurled across the chamber. I raised my weapon and looked at him. Hades gripped his bident tighter and beckoned with his hand, provoking me.
I didn't wait. Gathering my will, I felt forgotten powers awaken within me. I charged. My spear lunged forward, but he dodged with grace and stomped it into the ground, pinning it.
Hades attacked from above, but I managed to raise my Spark Shield. The bident's prongs struck, sending out a cascade of sparks. Pressing forward, I ripped the spear free and launched a flurry of swift strikes. But he parried them all with ease.
His counterattack came like lightning. Darkness coiled around his bident. He drove it into the floor, sending out a shockwave of shadow. My shield flared with glyphs and formed a half-dome, absorbing the wave completely.
"Not bad… for a mortal," Hades said and in a blink, he was right in front of me.
His longer weapon gave him the edge blow after blow rained down, too fast for me to answer. Only my shield kept me alive, withstanding the divine pressure of his strikes. I had to will it stronger just to keep it from shattering.
Finding a gap between his attacks, I dashed to the side and struck. The spear landed against his bident but my strength broke through his defense. The tip slid off and slashed open his abdomen.
Hades staggered back a few steps.
"It's been so long… since I've seen my own blood," he muttered, touching the wound. "So long, I'd nearly forgotten what pain feels like."
He cast off his cloak it vanished like a shadow, dissolving into air. His form began to change.
He grew taller. Broader. Massive. Muscles bulged across his frame. A burning helmet formed atop his head, its eye slits pitch black. His bident warped into black talons, chained at the base. He became the very embodiment of underworld terror like the Hades of legend… or something straight out of God of War.
[image]
"I'll show you the difference between a true god and a mortal," Hades declared. His weapon slammed to the ground, the echo ringing through the chamber. Sparks raced along the chains and soon ignited into a dim, violet flame. "You will know true terror."
Perhaps I had spoken too boldly. But there was no turning back now. I wasn't about to make deals with him or anyone else. If I'm to fall, then let it be in a glorious battle.
Hades swung his infernal weapon; one of the claws scraped against my shield. But the strike wasn't merely physical. I felt something pierce not the shield, but my soul as if the claws had scratched the very core of my being. For a moment, I lost control of my body. It felt like he was pulling me toward him, tearing my connection to reality. Summoning the last of my will, I broke free, regaining control. This weapon was dangerous.
I broke into a sprint, closing the distance between us. Hades swept his chains horizontally. I managed to slide beneath them the claws passed just above me, the heat brushing my skin.
Without slowing, I continued my advance. When he struck from above, I dodged, rolling to the side. Hades reeled in the chains and spread his claws wide, lashing out in a frenzy of chaotic, furious blows. I barely avoided the first, parried the second but after that, I couldn't keep up. I was forced into a tight defense.
My shield shuddered under the blows, sparks flying with each strike. I reinforced it with my will, turning it into an unbreakable wall, and step by step, I pushed forward against his onslaught. My strength was draining fast. And then, suddenly, he stopped attacking.
He leapt high into the air and came crashing down on me, landing a brutal kick. The impact shattered my guard in an instant. I couldn't hold it he sent me flying. I hit the ground hard, barely holding onto my spear, driving it into the stone floor to keep from collapsing completely.
The day had been too long. Too heavy. My will cracked, my body betrayed me I was drained to the last drop. Hades had ripped nearly all my strength from me when he tore at my soul. I could no longer maintain my power at its peak.
I needed one final blow. One that would decide the outcome of this battle.
For a brief moment, my entire body surged with new energy. I poured everything I had left into it. As if the wrath of the heavens themselves lifted me up and in that second, the darkness faltered.
I gathered a torrent of energy and drove my spear straight at his heart. Hades raised his claws, countering with a strike of his own.
We clashed in a final, blinding flash of battle.
His blades raked across my body, slicing flesh, leaving a searing trail of pain… But the spear had already found its mark. It pierced his chest, tearing through and exiting the other side, leaving a gaping wound.
I gasped, falling to my knees. With every drop of blood, my strength ebbed away.
"You fought well," Hades said, standing tall with a massive hole in his chest. His voice was calm.
"I… haven't given up yet," I rasped, as if I were once again that child who had to fight those stronger than him. When retreat was never an option. Never.
Leaning on trembling legs, I forced myself upright, lifting my spear. Blood streamed from my wounds, staining the floor crimson. The world darkened before me, my vision blurred, black spots dancing in my sight.
Hades stepped closer, assuming once more his earlier form clad in black robes. The fury in his gaze was gone.
"Rest now, Damocles," he said softly. "I acknowledge your strength. You'll be of more use among the living than the dead. It has been ages since I've had such a worthy fight."
I tried to stay conscious, to speak, but the strength was gone. Darkness pulled me under.
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