Mania's True Power

The air in the underworld is heavier than the first time Alessia came. It feels different and more threatening. The palace that stood before them had more royal guards than she remembered.

Alessia shuddered at the sight of the palace guards. Their dark armor and fierce expressions seemed to warn her of the dangers within the palace walls. Even though she has been here before, was it because Zagreus was ruling then?

Is this the difference between the two Gods?

Her mind has been lost in thought since Zagreus immediately came here. She doesn't recall meeting Gabriel. She has taken many jobs since she received these powers, and she can't remember meeting him. He does seem familiar. Alessia will have to put him on the back burner for now.

She wants to find a chance to learn more about Mania right now. What Alessia knows isn't what it seems. She wants to know the truth.

Alessia follows Zagreus through the palace maze while watching for Donn or Apollo. She wonders what happened to the Gods that came here to help with the looming battle. As they walked deeper into the palace, Alessia couldn't help but notice the strange energy that seemed to hang in the air. It was as if the walls were pulsing with dark, evil power.

Zagreus leads her down a long hallway, and at the end, they came to a set of massive, ornate doors. The guards stationed outside the doors eyed them warily as they approached.

"Open the doors," Zagreus commands.

The guards hesitated momentarily, then reluctantly stepped aside to let them pass. As they entered the room beyond, Alessia felt a wave of unease wash over her.

The room was dimly lit, with tall, dark pillars lining the walls. At the center of the room, seated on a throne of obsidian, was a figure shrouded in shadows. Alessia couldn't make out any details of their appearance, but the feeling of danger emanating from them was palpable.

Zagreus stepped forward.

"Father," he said, his voice echoing in the room.

At the sound of Zagreus' voice, the figure on the throne stirred.

Hades stood up from his throne and stepped down to greet them both. He was a tall figure wearing black armor that glinted in the dim light of the chamber. His deep blue eyes seemed to glow as he looked upon them both, taking in every detail before speaking again. He had a ruggedly handsome face with a long beard and mustache that framed his features nicely. On top of his head, he wore an ornate silver crown lined with intricate engravings, which shone brightly in the room's soft light.

"Welcome, Zagreus," he said in a deep, powerful voice that seemed to shake the palace walls. He looked at Alessia, and she felt all the hairs on her body stand up as Hades let out a burst of evil laughter that echoed throughout the room.

Alessia realized why they called him 'the Lord of the Dead.'

His aura is on a whole new level. It's nothing like what she felt when she first met Zagreus.

"What is it that you seek, my son?" Hades asked. His voice was heavy with malice and anger.

Zagreus stepped forward, standing confidently in front of his father. He looked straight into Hades' eyes and demanded the truth about Mania.

Hades laughed again, a grating sound that made Alessia's skin crawl. "You wish to know the truth? Very well, I shall tell you what I know." He paused for a moment to let out a low growl before continuing.

"Mania is an old goddess who mortals have forgotten for centuries," he began. "It is said to have immense power over life and death, but none can say what this power entails or how it is used. Even my brother Zeus was unsure how to handle Mania. But she didn't utilize her powers for evil, so we let her be."

He took a deep breath before continuing. "I brought her to the underworld to force you into marriage with her and make her your queen. It was the only way to ensure that my realm would remain safe from external forces and that my control over it would remain absolute."

Hades looked at Zagreus expectantly as if waiting for him to respond. Alessia was speechless at what she had heard, but Zagreus seemed determined to get more answers.

"Why did you do this? What part does Mania have in all this?" He asked his father.

Hades let out another low growl before responding. "Mania is capable of enormous power, and I feared someone would discover it and use it against me," he said slowly, each word dripping with contempt. "That is why I took such measures to ensure she remained under my control."

He looked at Zagreus with a stern expression. "You must understand, my son, that I did what I did to protect us all and ensure this realm's safety."

Alessia was stunned by Hades' words and was unsure how to respond. She glanced towards Zagreus, who seemed to be processing everything he had just heard. He looked thoughtful as he mulled over his father's words before speaking again.

"I understand your decision," he said solemnly. "But it is difficult to accept that you sacrificed Mania to keep everyone safe."

Hades nodded slowly, his face showing no emotion. "It was a hard choice, but one that needed to be made," he said quietly before turning away from them both.

Alessia watched as Zagreus stood there momentarily, looking back at his father with an unreadable expression.

"Did I love Mania?" Zagreus finally asked, his voice a barely audible whisper. "What about my memories? I was told you messed with them."

Hades sighed heavily before turning back to face Zagreus. "That is true," he said reluctantly. "I used a spell to alter your memories of Mania and ensure you completely forget her. You were not only becoming obsessed with her, but you were also hoping to use her power."

Alessia could feel her heart breaking for Zagreus as she watched him process this new information. He seemed so lost and alone at that moment but also unusually determined. He looked around the room before finally speaking again.

"What do you mean to use? I wanted to use her powers?" he asked, his voice suddenly strong and steady.

Hades answered without hesitation. "Your desire to use Mania's power was so great that it could have potentially endangered the entire realm," he said gravely. "It was for everyone's safety that your memories were altered so you wouldn't try anything rash or foolish."

With a pause, Hades looks over at Alessia.

"Now Mania gave her power to this human, Alessia. That should tell you how powerful Mania was." Hades says.

The room falls silent.

Alessia feels a shiver run down her spine as Hades looks at her with piercing blue eyes. She had been so focused on Zagreus and his story that she had forgotten where they were and who stood before her.

Hades turn his gaze back to Zagreus. "You must understand, my son, that Mania's power was not something to be taken lightly," he says sternly. "And it should not be used without proper caution and respect."

"Why did you treat her like a puppet, not a living Goddess! Even if my memories were altered. I know I felt love, and she meant a lot to me!" Zagreus snaps.

Hades' eyes narrow as he takes a step closer to Zagreus. "Watch your tongue, boy," he growls. "You forget your place. Mania is no longer a goddess. She was a pawn in my game. She was to be used as I see it, and don't dare use your ton. You used her as well, Zagreus!"

Zagreus bristles at his father's words, his fists clenching at his sides. "I will not stand by and watch as you use her powers for your selfish purposes anymore," he snarls. "She deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, not like a mere object to be used at your whim."

Hades' expression darkens, his eyes flashing with anger. "You forget yourself, Zagreus," he says coldly. "I am your father and the Lord of the Dead. You will do as I say or face the consequences."

For a moment, the two gods stand there, staring each other down, their tension almost palpable.

Alessia didn't realize, but she was holding her breath. Not only does she now have Mania's power, but this changes everything for her. She looks down at her hands. They are shaking.

Zagreus steps forward, his gaze still locked on his father.

"I will not obey you blindly anymore," he declares. "I will find a way to restore Mania's power in Alessia and give her the respect she deserves."

Hades' expression softens slightly as he looks at his son. "You are still young and foolish, my son," he says, his voice gentle but firm. "But I cannot deny that you have a point. Perhaps it is time for a change."

Alessia watches in amazement as Hades turns to her, a glimmer of something like respect in his eyes. "You have shown yourself to be a worthy wielder of Mania's power," he says. "It is time for you to have a say on how to use it."

She looks up at Hades, surprised by his words. "What do you mean?" she asks.

Hades stepped closer to her, his eyes still fixed on her. "I can remove your seal now if you tell me who gave you a tip about Zagreus's memories."