I screamed as my wings hit the hard ground, crushed beneath my body. I rolled over instantly and slowly hauled myself up. My pained frown deepened as I saw that I was in the Underworld. The journey to Hades's palace was slow and, thankfully, uneventful. "Father," I called after reaching the throne room, "why have you brought me here?" I was answered by Persephone. "He didn't. I did. He was so miserable after you disappeared, always worrying. I couldn't stand to see my husband so sad, so I asked my zombie gardener to find out if you had summoned anything and if so, where. Then I used their memories to locate you. I was unsure whether or not you could be found." I smiled at her. "Where is father?" I asked and she rose before leading me to my room. "He is in your chambers. I don't know why."
"Father." I said. "Nico! You're alright!" Hades rushed up to me and pulled me into a tight hug. I shrieked as he crushed my wings and he quickly pulled away, looking concerned. "I'm not injured!" I rushed out, trying to reassure him. "It's just that, well, I have wings now." I said stretching them out and fluttering my feathers. Hades stood there bemused for a moment. "Oh. Have you learnt to fly yet?" I shook my head, slightly embarrassed. "I have new powers now. Mamma's alive! She's an" I stopped, uncertain about whether or not I was allowed to tell anyone. I heard Halo's voice in my head, giving me permission to tell Hades. "Mamma's an Angel. I am as well. There are nine other Angels as well. Crimson, Hope, Dawn, Dusk, Silver, Gold, Luna, Stella and Halo. Halo is the Elder Angel and she made me the Guardian of the Angels." He gasped as I told him. "The Angels are real? They actually exist? I never knew that the legends were true!" I nodded. "Umm, father? Why are you being so informal? And fatherly? Not that I'm complaining! I mean it's nice, I like having a father that cares, I just, well you're acting so strange." Hades smiled a moment before answering. "Well I never had a caring father. I feel that I need to stray from my old, uncaring ways. I need to start loving, being a good, loving husband and a good, loving father. Now, let's teach you how to fly."
I stared at the cliff in trepidation. "Don't worry Nico, I'll be at the bottom to catch you if you don't manage to fly. Now go!" Hades said. He pushed me off the cliff and shadow travelled to the bottom. I screamed and my wings unfurled. I began beating them and my fall slowed. I found a rhythm and my beats became less erratic. I soared over father's head and he cheered for me. After half an hour of flying, I landed in front of him. At some point, Persephone had joined him and her cheers intertwined with his. I hugged them both and they hugged back, wary of my wings. I pulled away and folded away my wings. "Father, can I go to camp? I don't want anyone to worry. I mean I was taken by a dragon and I don't want anyone to think I was eaten." He nodded. "Just be back soon. I want some time with you before you go back to wherever you were." "Of course. And umm, can, can I call you dad?" He grinned and said I could before pulling me into a final embrace. "Nico, you might want to change your shirt before seeing your friends." Hades said. I looked down at my shirt. It was completely shredded and was coated in muck. I blushed and shadow travelled to my cabin at camp.
⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️
I know that Hades would never act this way but let's just say that this is a side of him reserved for people who manage to worm their way into his icy, almost nonexistent heart. Also, this will make some of the moments I have planned out even more emotional.
~singingsandwich👻
