Empthy

Nothing is like the mortal realm's moonlight, stars, and breezy spring air. Alessia misses that the most right now, looking out towards the underworld. It's filled with pain, sadness, and regret. It's not a place for a human like her to be at.

"Human."

Alessia squeezes the pearl color of the railing on the balcony. The anger she feels towards Zagreus is still present. She rather not deal with him right now.

"I want to apologize for my lewd behavior. I talked with my brother about what you have told us–" Zagreus stops talking and stares at Alessia's small body. She was a tiny human. Her black hair hangs just around her shoulders, she is dressed in jeans with a black t-shirt, and she seems fragile.

When it comes to emotions, Zagreus holds a lot of them. For a God like himself, he doesn't know how to control his temper. Mania vanishing, dug a dagger into his heart. The last thing he even remotely thought about was his father, using his sons, Mania, as scarfies to avoid Cronus.

The very idea still seems far fetch for Zagreus, yet deep down, he knows it's true. Facing his father after all these years is a battle he will have to face. The one thing he does know is that he doesn't want this human girl to come with him.

Clenching his fist, he walks closer to her. She holds the power of a Goddess. It's swarming in her. Her life will be in danger from now on. Whoever is helping bring Cronus back must realize that her body is filled with Mania's power and is now targeting Alessia.

Zagreus now knows that he must fulfill his duty as the God of the underworld and protect his people and the affected humans.

Clearing his throat, he is now standing next to Alessia. He hasn't spent much time looking at her. The fragile body that is holding a tremendous power shouldn't be in a middle of a fight with Gods.

"Listen, Alessia.--"

"Zagreus, it's fine. I plan on returning to the mortal realm. It's not that I'm scared. This isn't my fight. My fight is with those who are hurting the innocent. I should go back till you and Donn figure out what's going on with Cronus and Hades." Alessia finally faces Zagreous. His deep blue eyes were staring right at her.

"You know Zagreous. Mania did love you. If you saw the sadness in her eyes before she left, you would understand the painful choice she had to make. I could tell how much she cared about you. I wish to find whoever is trying to bring back that Titan. But I'm still human and far weaker than a Goddess who has lived for thousands of years." Alessia closes her eyes for a moment. She can feel the rush of tears trying to break free again.

"It's okay. I will figure this out, but human, I mean Alessia. Your life is also in danger." Zagreus reaches for her face and wipes a tear that snuck out of her closed eyes. He was part of the pain-running rampage in her head.

"What do you mean my life is in danger?" Her eyes open, and she flinches at his touch.

"The day you passed out, it was due to poison. I didn't think much of it, rather just a God who hates humans trying to hurt you. There seems to be someone out to take advantage of the remaining powers of Mania by killing you. This is not something I can allow to happen."

Alessia blinks up at Zagreus. She shakes her head. "No, I'm not the one they want. They want you."

She remembers Mania asking her to protect Zagreus. Whatever Mania's power is, that power is a threat to whoever is killing these Gods for Cronus.

Zagreus is the son of Hades, one of the titan Gods, who can't be touched. Yet, Zagreous is a walking buffet of power, unaware of a threat.

Weirdly, Alessia's mind is putting pieces together. Slowly, the puzzle is coming together.

Zagreus smiles at Alessia. It was the first genuine smile that he showed her.

"If I am the one they want, they can try. My emotions tend to rule my thinking, but they don't rule my strength, dear human. I'm more worried about you." Zagreus brush some of her hair away from her face and drops a hand on the back of her neck.

"I'm going to leave this with you."

Alessia touches her neck. There is a gold necklace that Zagreus put on her.

"What is it?" Alessia ask. There was a black stone that hung as a pendant.

"This is called a shadow necklace. You will still be a target when you return to the mortal realm. I cannot protect you when you go if you hold this necklace and say my name out loud. I will be by your side instantly. I don't know what powers Mania truly had. She was a Goddess that had parents that were also Titans like myself. That is why I am also leaving you with this." Zagreus touches Alessia hip.

A sword is on her side now. Alessia looks up with surprise.

"This is a shadow sword. Only you can wield and see it, besides Gods and anything supernatural. When you go back home, these two things will protect you. I wish I could train you longer, but for now. Please focus on controlling your powers" Zagreus steps back from Alessia and looks her up and down.

"What?" Alessia asks suspiciously.

"Thank you for telling me about my Mania. I couldn't protect my Goddess. But I will protect you, Alessia. I know I harmed, attacked, and tried to kill you. I hope you can look past that if you can. I know Mania is gone. I have to accept that. I will be who I must be to face my father and Cronus. I need to be the king of the underworld.." Zagreous moves closer to Alessia again.

"I'm going to send you back now. Goodbye, Alessia." He kisses her forehead, leaving her speechless.

Zagreous is left alone in the room. His fist clenched as Alessia goes. He can feel his heart beating uncontrollably. There is a mix of anger, regret, and pain. Maybe this human wouldn't have died if he were a better God, yet she would have known peace and lived a normal life. Mania would be by his side, and they could face Cronus together while ruling the underworld.

Yet, he is left alone to fight. Zagreous couldn't bring himself to have this human fight with him. It doesn't feel right.

Since she carries the powers of his lost love, he will protect Mania's remaining memory, ensuring that the human woman doesn't get caught in a fight that doesn't concern her.

Zagreus will protect her.