DESCENT

XXIV-Beginning of an End

He was known by many names.

Hades. God of the Underworld, King of Hell, Lord of the Dead. The adjudicator of souls, father of shadows and the wealthiest of all the gods... he was the firstborn son of Chronos. He had lived since the fall of the elder gods, the Titans, since the dawn of humanity and he does not take surprises lightly.

Not many may have known but the eldest Olympian god actually possessed the rare gift of foresight regarding the fates of those who are about to be brought forth to his realm, those who are already dying, how and when will they die.

And thus, there were few, precious things left in all existence which possessed any ghost of a chance to actually surprise him.

Hades took great pride in that fact... and an even greater care to maintain this serviceable ability a secret from everything and everyone else. Except for, maybe his wife, he suspects she knows of this power.

No matter. He trusts her well enough.

And so, it came to be, that even before the messenger of the gods, Hermes had crossed the river of Styx to waste his time, a concerned look on the other god's deceptively youthful face as he came forth to the court of Hades.

But the lord of the dead had already felt the not-so-subtle sway in the ever-flowing strings that the Fates so meticulously weave in their tireless hands.

He had also formed a reasonably accurate idea about its cause by now. No doubt, such a thing is because of his only daughter... most possibly, his most troublesome child: the goddess of shadows. Hades tried not to sigh at the thought, Prinkípissa mou, what are you doing?

"My lord," began Hermes with a deep bow, "I believe there is news you should be made aware of... it concerns your daughter," the younger god lifted his head slightly, as if seeking permission to continue speaking so unannounced.

The God of the Underworld had previously glimpsed bits and pieces of what had transpired over the last few nights Proserpina's presence had been restrained in the living realm by a... vampire, was it?

That could be a problem.

And his daughter had suffered from her curse once again it seems, but he felt her safe and sound nonetheless... yet something was terribly amiss.

He waved at Hermes to continue.

"Apollo has claimed that a werewolf from the North had forcefully coerced your daughter to become his mate, Your Highness. Although, there are rumors that this particular werewolf is none other than the same being who took down a Cyclopes to aid her and one of her esteemed mercenaries, William Veil, and even within our midst, there are whispers of this very same werewolf called Alastor Nyx is currently in her custody. And the speculations are getting out of hand. Apollo and the nymphs are spreading stories like wildfire..."

...Unsurprising.

Hermes paused, almost embarrassed, sheepish, and then hurriedly added, managing to look both hesitant and worried at once, "Perhaps... you should pay the princess a visit?"

The lord of the dead's eyes narrowed.

Hermes winced, waving a hand immediately, "Apologies milord, I do not mean to pry but... I believe you should consider reaching out to the girl for yourself, see if she is truly unharmed?"

Hades languidly brought up a hand to his face and stroked his chin for a heartbeat or two while Hermes shifted uneasily... "I see, so that is how it is going to be," the older god drawled out, "Do not trouble yourself any more in this matter Hermes, I shall personally speak to her myself. Soon... yes, real soon."