Hades

Throwing open the door, Zagreus sees something holding Alessia's lifeless body.

He lunges forward and throws a dagger.

The dagger flew through the air, slicing through the darkness as it hurtled toward the figure. But just as it was about to strike its target, the figure disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving Zagreus to curse loudly in frustration.

He quickly scanned the room, searching for clues about where the mysterious figure had gone. His eyes landed on a small, black feather on the ground. He picked it up, examining its intricate design. It was a feather from Raven's wing, a creature known for its connection to the underworld.

Zagreus knew precisely where the figure had gone. He rushed out of the room, sprinting down the dark, winding hallways of the underworld palace. The only thoughts in his mind were of Alessia's safety and the punishment he would deliver to the figure who dared to take her.

Finally, he approached a large, ornate door guarded by two massive Cerberus hounds. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, brandishing his sword, and demanded entrance.

The hounds growled menacingly, their eyes glowing red in the dim light. Zagreus stood his ground, his eyes locked on theirs. After a tense moment, the hounds parted their jaws, allowing him to pass.

Zagreus entered the chamber, his sword at the ready. The figure stood in the center of the room, its back to him. They turned slowly, revealing a face that made Zagreus's blood cold.

It was Hades, the lord of the underworld himself.

Zagreus felt a surge of anger.

"Why have you taken Alessia?" he demanded.

Hades chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Why, Zagreus, I'm hurt that you would think I would stoop to such a lowly act."

Zagreus didn't believe him for a moment. His father was the king and one of the most powerful gods. He has left his little domain and returned to the underworld. "What do you want, then?" Zagreus asked, his grip on his sword tightening.

Hades strolled towards him, a sly smirk on his face.

"I simply wanted to chat with my dear son," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Zagreus felt his anger boiling inside him. He had no time for his father's games.

"I don't have time for this," he said, stepping forward. "Where is Alessia?"

Hades chuckled again, waving a hand dismissively.

"Oh, she's safe enough," he said. "For now."

Zagreus felt his blood run cold at the implications of those words.

"What have you done to her?" he demanded, his voice rising.

Hades's expression turned serious.

"Nothing that can't be undone," he said. "But I wanted to make a point, Zagreus. You are not invincible. You are not all-powerful. And you can't protect that human." Zagreus felt the rage burn hotter within him, his grip on his sword now white-knuckled. His father may be a god, but he had crossed a line that could not be ignored.

"I will not allow you to harm Alessia," Zagreus bellowed, lunging forward with his sword. Hades sidestepped the attack with ease, his smirk growing wider.

"Ah, so the boy has some fight in him," he said, twirling a finger lazily. "But do you think you can beat me?"

Zagreus didn't answer, instead launching attack after attack. Hades gracefully dodged each one, moving with an otherworldly grace that made Zagreus dizzy. But Zagreus was not one to be underestimated. He continued fighting, his movements becoming more desperate and fierce with each passing moment.

Finally, he saw an opening. Hades had left himself momentarily open, and Zagreus took full advantage of it. He swung his sword with a mighty arc, aiming for Hades's neck. But the lord of the underworld was quicker than Zagreus anticipated. He grabbed Zagreus's wrist, stopping the blow with ease.

"You still have much to learn, my boy," Hades said, his grip tightening around Zagreus's wrist. "But I admire your determination. You remind me of myself at your age."

Zagreus struggled against his father's hold, but it was futile. Hades was too strong.

"Release me," Zagreus growled through gritted teeth.

Hades chuckled, his grip finally loosening. He stepped back, eyeing Zagreus with a mix of amusement and pride.

"You have much potential, Zagreus," he said. "But you must learn to control your emotions. They will be your undoing."

Zagreus took a deep breath, trying to rein in his anger. He knew his father was right.

"Why did you return, Father? What are you up to?" Zagreus demands.

Hades leaned against the wall, his arms folded across his chest.

"I have no doubt, Zagreus, that you could defeat Cronus. But I decided to come out of hiding." Hade's eyes flash with fire.

"The other gods have grown complacent. They have forgotten what it means to be a god, to hold power and dominion over all. I will remind them." Hades says with a growl. Hades knew for some time now that the Gods are ignoring Cronus and letting that beast of a god loose. Suppose they don't care for the life of those in the underworld. Hades will remind them what true power feels like.

Zeus is worthless in the fight against their father. The reason for so many Goddess' powers being stolen is his brother's fault. Zeus turned a blind eye.

Hades went into a place to think and plan. To believe his sons won't hesitate to fight Cronus, yet the Gods on Mount Olympos won't bother to fight. Though Apollo did step up, he could be a spy for Zeus.

His son Zagreus has a lot to learn. Starting with not letting his emotions get to him.

"What do you mean?" Zagreus asks Hades, bringing him out of his thought.

Hades turned to him, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

"They are the reason for Cronus being close to being released."

This much Zagreus knew, but why is his father coming out of hiding for that reason?

Zagreus clenches his fist, forgetting briefly that Alessia is still in danger. "What does Alessia have anything to do with this?"

Hades's expression softened slightly.

"Nothing directly," he said. "But you care for her, making her a potential weakness. You must learn to put aside your attachments to succeed."

Zagreus stared at his father, trying to make sense of his words.

"What do you want from me?" he asked.

Hades smiled a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"I want you to join me, Zagreus," he said. "Together, we can show the other gods what true power looks like. We can rule the universe as father and son, as gods should. We can defeat Cronus and take over what is rightfully ours. Mount Olympus."

Zagreus felt a wave of shock and disbelief wash over him. He could never imagine betraying the other gods, let alone siding with his father.

"That shouldn't be our focus, Father. We should be focusing on Cronus only," he said, his voice cold and firm.

Hades shrugged, unfazed.

"The perfect opporintutiy comes at a price of confusion." Zagreus narrowed his eyes, not fully understanding his father's words.

"What price?" he asked.

Hades stepped forward, his voice becoming more urgent.

"The price of power, Zagreus," he said. "The price of true greatness. You have the potential to be the greatest god of them all, but you can't do it alone. You need me, and I need you. Together, we can make the universe tremble."

Zagreus took a step back. He could feel the temptation of power calling to him, but he knew it was a trap. He could never betray the other gods, especially not like this.

"I won't do it," he said, his voice firm. "I won't betray my friends and allies for the sake of power."

Hades's expression darkened. "You have grown weak being around that human woman."

Zagreus's eyes narrowed at his father's words. "Alessia has nothing to do with this," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Hades let out a laugh, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, but she does," he said. "She has clouded your judgment, made you soft. You must learn to put aside your emotions to succeed in this world, especially if you want to defeat Cronus."

Zagreus felt angry, but he forced himself to stay calm. He knew that his father was trying to provoke him.

"I won't let you use Alessia against me," he said, his voice steady.

Hades shrugged, his eyes still flashing with malice. "That is your choice, Zagreus," he said. "But remember, power is everything in this world. Without it, you are nothing."

Zagreus watched as his father disappeared in a swirl of black smoke, leaving a lifeless body on the ground.

Alessia.