Bane La Mortis, The Son of Hades

First Impressions

When the shadows shrank away, Bane found himself standing in a corridor of dark stone bricks, a red carpet on the floor and torches on the walls that burned with a flame that changed colour every few seconds.

"What just happened?" Bane asked, staring with wonder at his new surroundings.

"That, and much more will be explained when you meet your father," Thanatos smiled, turning to open a large pair of wooden doors that Bane had failed to notice.

"Wait!" Bane said quickly, "Can you tell me what my father his like?".

Thanatos turned and smiled at Bane, "He is strong, powerful and kind," he said, "Your father is the kind of man who doesn't suffer fools but is forgiving at the same time. He is wealthy and busy, but always finds the time for those he loves. He is loyal and keeps his promises and is the one who gave me a job where none existed. I owe him a lot".

Bane just stayed silent, nodding while taking it all in. Makes time for those he loves? Then why didn't he even visit me? And if he's so wealthy and powerful, why couldn't he look after me himself?

But the answers didn't come before Thanatos pushed open the doors and led Bane into a huge chamber with a throne at the far end. On it, sat a man who held the air of a man who demanded respect, but not needlessly. His black hair hung just to the tips of his ears but no more as if it was part of a plan.

Thanatos, who reached the foot of the throne first, knelt with his head bowed, "My Lord," he said. Bane followed his lead, kneeling next to him with his head bowed but remaining silent.

"I am sure that this must be much to comprehend," the man on the throne said, "But know that I formally claim you as my son, Bane La Mortis".

Bane looked up into the face of his father, a tear running down his cheek.

Bane's father sighed, "You may go now Thanatos, and thank you for bringing him here". Thanatos stood up, nodding before leaving, shooting Bane another smile. Bane watched the doors close behind him before returning his gaze to his father. "Come here," he said, "Let me have a proper look at you".

Bane walked towards his father, who waved his hand and another, smaller throne appeared out of the floor, making Bane hesitate.

"It's fine. Please, sit".

Bane sat.

"Ah, look at you. How you have grown from that small boy in your mother's arms. I'm sorry, I didn't come for you because I wanted to see if you were strong enough to deal with that woman at the orphanage".

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Hades, King of the Underworld, Lord of the Dead and God of Wealth...among other things," his father replied.

"Wha...?" Bane asked, completely confused.

"I am a Greek God," the man claiming to be both his father and Hades explained, "I am the eldest son of Kronos, Titan of Devastating Time and the Titaness Rhea. My brothers are Zeus and Poseidon, and my sisters are Hestia, Demeter and Hera. And this," he gestured to the chamber, "Is my palace in the Underworld".

"And...my mother?" Bane asked, unsure.

"Was a woman who brought life into this dull world," Hades sighed.

"Was?" Bane asked.

"She died giving birth to you," Hades said sadly.

So this is why he didn't want to meet me, Bane thought bitterly, He blames me for her death.

Hades must of read his mind because he looked worried for a second, "No no," he said quickly, "You misunderstand. I didn't want to bring you here because I didn't want you to live the kind of life that I do. You see, Zeus is King of the Gods as well as Olympus so he is my...boss...but I am not an Olympian as Zeus won't allow me to join the Olympian Council".

"But why?" Bane asked.

"It's not my place to ask, so I don't. But it may be due to my Helm of Darkness. With it, I radiate a fear so intense that it stops Mortal hearts. I'm invisible and I can pass through solid objects. But enough of that, it is late".

Hades clicked his fingers and a pale shape floated out of the floor.

"Follow the Shade," he said, "It will lead you to your bedroom. I will see you in the morning".

Bane bid his father goodnight and followed the Shade, thinking about how his life had changed in such a small amount of time.