II. Gods and Monsters

New Target

"Funny, only a few hours ago it was you tending to my wounds, my lord," Amadeus chuckled.

"The fact you find humour in this astounds me," replied Hades, "However, you did insist that I allow you to assess me. I maintain my judgement that I am in perfect condition."

"My lord; you have a fractured jaw, three broken ribs and a dislodged vertebra."

"As I told you, perfectly well. You should be the one resting and undergoing treatment."

Amadeus shook his head, amused, before returning to his work. For a creature that combusted itself and others on a regular basis, Hades certainly had an impressive capacity for compassion.

"My wounds are healing. Yours are not. Therefore, you take priority," the man informed his master.

Amadeus drove the palm of his hand into Hades' back, causing an audible cracking sound to echo around the room. Hades grunted, hiding as much of his pain as possible.

"That should solve your back problem at least. I am afraid that I have done all I can with your jaw and ribs."

Hades rose, nodding his gratitude to Amadeus before striding towards the baths once more.

"The waters should be able to finish your work, my friend. You have done a splendid job as always. Now I order you to rest."

"As you wish my lord. Should you need my assistance, I shall be in the next room."

"Amadeus, one more thing," Hades called, stopping his manservant, "I am aware that my armour is in that room and is in need of some minor repairs, I am not a fool. I forbid you to work on it until you are healed."

"Yes my lord," Amadeus smiled. His friend knew him all too well.

Hades returned his smile before retreating into the baths, allowing Amadeus to retire himself. Checking to see his master wasn't looking, Amadeus inspected the armour, noting down the necessary repairs for later completion. Hades had forbidden him from working on the armour, but he had not forbidden observing it.

Hades himself knew fine well Amadeus would be finding some loophole in his order, he knew him far too well to expect anything less, he just hoped Amadeus would find the sense to rest soon. He lowered himself into the waters, the cool liquid starting to glow slightly as its properties took effect. He sighed in relief as the water soothed his aching body, his ribs already feeling stronger than they had ten seconds ago. But a worry plagued his mind.

The Rider.

His enemy had managed to battle off both himself and his brother. He'd somehow gained a second wave of strength after being overwhelmingly beaten. Where had it come from? A small smile spread across his lips as the realisation struck him. It was the girl. His love for her drove him forward. The answer had been right in front of him all this time. If he was to take everything his enemy held dear, all he needed to do was take the girl from him. Everything else paled into significance in the eyes of The Rider. It seemed so simple now: to destroy this aberration, he must break him from the inside.

For his quest to survive, the girl must die.