Whispers Of The Underworld

💀🌹Chapter 22🌹💀

Hades had finally moved from his spot, feeling the crushing weight of grief slowly shift to a determination to honor Andre's memory. He forced himself up from the chair, every muscle protesting from days of neglect. He staggered to the closet and opened it, his eyes immediately landing on a familiar bandana. It was Andre's favorite, one he wore all the time.

Hades reached for it, his fingers trembling as he held the soft fabric close to his chest. He could almost feel Andre's presence, his warmth and spirit wrapped within the bandana. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he wiped them away with a resolute hand. He wrapped the bandana around his arm, securing it tightly as if it were a talisman of strength.

He moved to look at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes red and puffy, but filled with a new sense of purpose. "I... I have to live... for Andre... He'd want me to move on," he whispered to himself, the words a fragile promise.

With a deep breath, Hades left the room and made his way to Nyx's quarters. The hallways seemed emptier than usual, the silence amplifying his footsteps. When he arrived, Nyx looked up from her work, a mix of concern and hesitation in her eyes.

"Nyx," Hades began, his voice still raw. "I need to see Andre."

Nyx bit her lip, clearly torn. "Hades... you can't see Andre."

Hades frowned, his confusion turning into a simmering anger. "Why not?"

Nyx took a deep breath, bracing herself for his reaction. "His body isn't here anymore. Apollo and Artemis came and took him."

The words hit Hades like a physical blow. His mind raced with questions and his heart pounded with anger and confusion. "Why would they take him? What are they planning to do?" he demanded.

Nyx bit her lip. "I think that's something you should ask them yourself. They're on Mount Olympus."

Hades nodded slowly, though his anger was still simmering beneath the surface. Without another word, he turned and left, his determination solidifying with each step. He exited the Underworld, feeling the familiar chill of the surface world as he made his way to Mount Olympus.

The journey was a blur of emotions and thoughts, but his resolve never wavered. As he approached the grand gates of Mount Olympus, the majestic columns and gleaming marble reflecting the sunlight, Hades felt a sense of foreboding mixed with hope. He took a deep breath and crossed the threshold, ready to confront Apollo and Artemis and find out what they had done with Andre and why.

Andre had woken up again, feeling a strange heaviness in his head and a gnawing emptiness in his chest. He sat up in Apollo's bed, looking around the unfamiliar room with wide, confused eyes. He had no memory of who he was, where he was, or why he felt so lost.

Apollo and Artemis were standing just outside the room, their voices low and filled with worry. "This situation is worse than we thought," Apollo murmured, glancing over his shoulder at the door. "Hades is bound to ask about Andre's body. When he finds out it's not there, he might react badly."

Artemis nodded, her face etched with concern. "We need to be honest with him. He deserves to know the truth, but we have to be prepared for his reaction."

As they spoke, they noticed Hades approaching, his figure a dark silhouette against the bright light of Mount Olympus. Despite the anger evident in his stride, Hades remained outwardly calm. His eyes, however, betrayed the storm of emotions churning within him.

Apollo and Artemis exchanged a worried glance as Hades reached them. "Hades," Apollo began, his voice steady but cautious.

"Why did you take Andre's body?" Hades asked, his voice tense with barely controlled emotion.