SON OF HADES: The Army of Hypnos

4. CRUEL CHASE

Rupert Blood peeked up at me. "Oh King of darkness, might your faithful servant ask why you graced us with this human form now of all times? Forgive me if my question is unwarranted."

I instantly regretted the next words that flew out of my mouth. "I am searching for a way to the Underworld."

Maybe I blurted that because it was my subconscious desire or maybe the pressure of impersonating someone who's probably watching was overwhelming.

The cultists shot suspicious looks my way. There was only one thing left to do, run.

Queen clasped my shoulder. "Lord Hades had a fallout with Zeus on Mount Olympus. Zeus cursed him to be mortal and made him forget how to get to the Underworld. So now he's in search."

Thanks for the save.

The room exploded into muttering.

"The king of the Underworld," Rupert scrutinized me. "Under a curse from Zeus..."

I gulped. "My big brother is King of Olympus."

"That makes sense." Someone muttered.

"What do we know about Zeus' power?" Said another person.

Rupert Blood spoke up. "How may we avenge you, Lord Hades?!"

Queen feigned shock. "Mortals avenge a god? Is this insult to injury?"

Dexter arched a brow at her. "And if Lord Hades permits, may I ask who these two are?"

Queen puffed her chest. "We are his lordship's mortal servants. He handpicked us to help him navigate the modern world."

"Yes!" I concurred. "So treat them as fellow members for they offer their services to me."

Bryce shuddered. Sweat was dotting his face as he kept his eyes on the floor.

'Don't worry buddy, if we play our cards right we'll be out of here in no time.'

I tightened my grip on the scepter. "Now, since you guys know a lot about me, would any of you happen to know a route to the Underworld? I need to get to my domain, it's the only way to break Zeus' curse."

Rupert scratched his hair. "Unfortunately, it is our...greatest unsolved mystery."

Looks like we'll have to find our own way to Hypnos.

He snapped his fingers. "Wait, I remember! Our spy in the cult of Zeus gave us some intel this morning. Apparently, they recovered a map thought to be drawn by Leonardo Da Vinci."

"What?" Bryce muttered.

"They say it's a map to a doorway to the underworld."

"Can you get me the map?"

"I've already told our spy to send a picture of it. But the cult of Zeus keeps it under lock and key so it might prove difficult. Our spy will send us feedback by tomorrow morning."

If this man was telling the truth, that meant we just got one step closer to stopping the night waves of violent sleepwalkers.

We could try and head back to my family mansion. Tomorrow we would return for the map.

"You all are indeed faithful servants." I dared make my way to the door---boldly like I wasn't trying to escape. "We shall return tomorrow."

Queen, Bryce, (and to my dread,)Rupert Blood followed me. The rest stayed.

Outside was a broad hallway, classy like a mansion's. Chandeliers with scarce candles dimly lit our path.

Fortunately for us, Rupert played tour guide, leading us through twists and turns and stairways.