The God & The Shadow

Chapter 5

"Fucking hell, you're early brother." Alec announced as he entered the throne room. There, right next to the throne, stood the man.

He held his gaze at the floor. A voice inside him had asked a question just a few seconds ago, and it was definitely not his own. Fear didn't inspire inside him. No, he was never frightened. But he saw his eyes shift colors awhile ago, his blues dancing with the color of shadows, until it faded away and went back to normal.

Something's happening, something even he couldn't explain.

"Are you too much in love with yourself that you couldn't even look at me?"

He finally lifted his eyes to look at Alec. He had his hands on his waist, foot tapping on the floor that the cavernous room echoed its sound.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"Heavens below, have you slept at all? You look like shit."

"I did not ask nor do I need your opinions, Ealdread. You reek of mortal women." He said as he descended the stairs to come face to face with his brother.

"Oh, so we're bringing up our old names now? Shouldn't you be preparing for the festivities, Hades?"

"I didn't even know there was going to be a fucking party in the palace until I caught Hermes. He planned the whole thing, handed out invitations to people I barely knew, then refused to cancel it. I should be preparing his stay at Tartarus."

Ealdread laughed, a sound that summoned the god himself, Hermes. He walked in as if he owned the place, smiling at Ealdread and Hades.

"Gentlemen, good to see you both. Come to help with the party?" Hermes queries with a knowing tone.

Ealdread laughed once more at Hades' blank face at Hermes' nonchalant attitude. It was as if he never angered the god that could easily condemn him to the underworld forever.

"Excuse my brother, Hermes. It's just so rare to see him defeated and cornered. You must teach me your methods soon," Ealdread whispered loudly to Hermes for Hades to hear.

Hades put his hands in his pockets and smiled.

Dread quickly pooled in Hermes' stomach. He knew that smile. He definitely knew what exactly that smile meant.

"I- uh, gotta go. Party City's not gonna shop itself." Hermes said before he dashed out of the room, disappearing from view to set foot on the mortal world.

Hades knew Hermes could simply snap his fingers and fill the entire palace with whatever golden extravaganza he wanted. Hermes' excuses are beginning to become dumber, he thought.

"Is something troubling you, brother?" Ealdread quietly asked.

Hades redirected his gaze at his brother. There was something like concern written all over, but he ignored it.

"Not at all. See you at the party." He said before walking off on to the castle grounds, intent on forgetting the mysterious voice he had heard.

《♤》

Hermes was in Hades' room in the palace. Asking him if he preferred a gold, green, or white suit. Gold for his golden personality, green for his wealth, and white for the light he is when he joins the party.