Magyk

xi

deteriorate

to become progressively worse

~~~

"Father?"

Faerie's gentle voice rang through the walls of the Underworld as she slowly made her way to the throne room. A rustling of footsteps and a quiet flutter of cloth alerted her that her father was indeed here and she peeked into the throne room, a slight grin on her face.

"How are you?" she asked quietly, and the mean, old God of the Dead rushed forward to meet her, beaming.

"Faerie, my favorite daughter!"

Faerie laughed weakly as he pulled her into a tight hug, his chin resting on top of her head before he placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

"I'm your only daughter, father," she said, shoving him away gently while rubbing her forehead. The man only grinned.

"Yes, therefore you are my favorite and least favorite simultaneously," he teased and Faerie put her hands on her hips in indignance.

"Father!" she protested. Hades laughed heartily and Faerie couldn't help the bright smile that lifted the edges of her lips.

"You are certainly in a good mood. Do you have good news?" she asked, watching his expression fondly.

"Yes! You are here, my love," he said, both teasing and serious. He missed his daughter's company greatly whenever she was absent. She let out a huff of laughter at his enthusiasm and they walked together to the dining room.

"So father, how is the Underworld?" she asked. "I was hoping to speak with Charon as I came in but he seemed to be preoccupied."

"Charon has been rather busy lately." The pair sat down across from each other at the small table, before a maid came by with tea. Momentarily forgetting about the dreadful day from a while before, Faerie quirked a perfectly arched brow and looked at Hades questioningly.

"Why? I do not recall any recent mass mortalities."

"Recently, in Nigeria, there was a mercenary who exploded into a building," her father reported. Faerie tensed and her face hardened at the memory. Hades noticed and looked at her questioningly. "What is wrong?"

When she remained silent, he grew worried and leaned forward, his eyebrows furrowed as Faerie avoided his gaze.

"You didn't have anything to do with it, did you?" She opened her mouth to defend herself but closed it when she realized there was no way to justify what had happened. "Oh Faerie, my sweet, darling daughter."

He stood and walked over to her, kneeling in front of her seat. She bit her lip as she looked away.

"It was my f-"

"It would have happened anyway," Hades cut Faerie off, looking at her sternly. She turned to him, an inquisitive look on her face.

"What do you mean?" she asked quietly.

"You know the girl? Wanda?"

"Yes."

"She has very similar powers as you, correct?" he asked, holding her hands firmly in his. Ever since she was young, Faerie had a tendency to self-destruct despite any logic laid out before her.