A New Order of Chaos

Split Mind

To be honest with himself, Hades didn't know whom to side with.

Should he side with the Olympians, his family, his 'flesh and bone', to put on a title, or should he side with his son and the demigods, which are also his family (in a way)? Hades seriously didn't know what to think. And, it wasn't as he could ask for advice.

Thanatos would not care, because it'd interfere with his work. Melinoe wouldn't either, unless there's something for her in all this mess. Demeter would look it as a way to keep pestering Persephone about how she should had chosen someone better than the God of the Underworld. And Hades didn't want to give her the satisfaction. Persephone... well, Hades wasn't sure which side would she take, but he wasn't very eager to find out either.

The doors of his Throne Room opened up and Hades had to stop his internal debate, because of Hermes' presence. It was obvious that, if Hermes was here, his baby brother Zeus wanted him to do something for him.

"Uncle Hades!" Hermes greeted him, with a large smirk on his face. But Jades detected some kind of fear behind it. It couldn't be to him, because Hermes had been doing travels into the Underworld for eons and never been scared. It must be against someone or something else...

"Nephew..." Hades acknowledged him, nodding his head. Thanks to the gesture, Hermes took the liberty of walking closer to his Uncle "To what do I own this visit?"

"Apollo asked me to ask you for a favor, Uncle" That information surprised Hades. Apollo never asked for a favor and, if he does, it must meant that something was not right.

"I'm listening" he allowed Hermes to continue.

"Well, we haven't told Zeus yet-" Hades couldn't hide the smirk off his face and Hermes noticed "-but he believes that some members of the Guards of Chaos are souls from your realm" This got Hades' curiosity.

"Souls from my realm?" he repeated, to be sure. Hermes nodded and Hades adopted a thinking posture, Hermes watching him closely "It can't mean... Thanatos!!" The God of the Underworld called the God of Death. Though Thanatos is a god with great power, he's a subordinated of Hades and no one wants to see their bosses angry, right? "Had you made recounts of the souls lately?" Hades questioned him once Thanatos crossed the doors.

"I'm doing a recount as we speak, Lord Hades" Thanatos replied, bowing his head. His wings were slightly opened, the silhouette copying a vulture. Hades nodded at this information. Just as he decided to do another question, a long noise was heard "Excuse me" Thanatos apologized, pulling out his tablet and checking the recounts of souls. And the pale face that form on him gave Hades the answers he needed.

"How many, Thanatos?" Hades didn't fool around.

"Since technically we don't quantify when the souls of Elysium chose rebirth without our permission..." Thanatos made a quick calculation "We lost... one"

"One soul? From where?" Hades was intrigued. It wasn't usual the the numbers from Elysium would drop one or two a day. Heroes that had won Paradise and decided to go back to the land of the living.

"The Fields of Asphodel, MyLord" Thanatos answered, lowering his head. Hades frowned. The last time someone had gone rouge from the Fields of Asphodel was when Nico decided to pull Hazel out of it. Now, the question remains... who is powerful enough not to get lost in the sea of souls and not lose their identity at the same time?

"Can you tell me which soul it was?" Thanatos denied with his head.

"To verified it, I'd have to check one by one..."

"And that would literally take forever" Hades completed for him, sighing "Why would Apollo wanted to know if souls escape my realm?" Hermes shrugged.

"Beats me" he admitted "I'm just the messenger, but... Should we tell Zeus?" Hermes' concern was valid because, if Zeus found out someone hid information from him, especially in his actual mood, heads would roll.

"Give me a couple of hours, Hermes" Hades decided, not entirely convinced "If I decide to do so, I'll tell him personally" Hermes bowed and disappeared from the Underworld, leaving Thanatos with Hades "You know who the soul is, don't you Thanatos?"

"I'm afraid so, MyLord" Thanatos confessed, bowing again "How did you pick up on that one?"

"Because you'd never verified the Fields of Asphodel, since you know the name and year of death of every single soul there... I'm not that stupid, Thanatos" Thanatos shut his mouth and looked at his boss "Would it be dangerous?"

"I have the feeling Lord Chaos knows what he's doing" Thanatos expressed his opinion.

"And, I have the feeling that those poor souls that Chaos tricked won't be so benevolent with him when they find out the truth..." Hades predicted, rubbing his temple.

"So... what position do we stand here, sire?" Hades contemplated behind Thanatos, his eyes making holes on the front door. Hades didn't know how this was gonna end, but he was sure what was gonna happen, once the Guards of the Void found out about the truth. The truth about their master.

"We'll remain neutral" Hades finally stated "If we're called to defend Olympus, be ready. If we're called to march against the demigods, stand down" Thanatos bowed a final time and walked away from the room, leaving Hades with his thoughts. Many doubts were inside his mind.

Who were those Guards of the Void?

Which side would they really in?

How would they help them win this war Chaos prevented them about?

What would they do when they discovered the truth?

Hades didn't know the answer to any of this questions. But, of one thing, he was absolutely sure. That, if he stood besides them, he'll find himself in victory. But would he follow that victory when the lives of his both families could be in danger?