9 | Funeral Games
Hades stood silently in the castle's grand hall, his gaze locked on the tall entryway where Seraphim stood, his impatience seeping into every muscle of his stance. Hades made no effort to explain why they were waiting, but his eyes occasionally flickered toward the shadows beyond the doorway.
"How long are we just going to stand here?" he finally muttered, unable to bear the uncomfortable silence and tension that stretched between them.
"Patience, Seraphim," Hades replied smoothly, his gaze fixed ahead. "Our... company is on her way."
Before Seraphim could press him further, the echo of soft footsteps reached them, and Zorya emerged from a shadowed hallway, looking faintly amused, her gaze flickering between Seraphim and Hades as she approached.
"You called me back early," the nymph remarked, a hint of irritation masked by her calm tone as she crossed her arms, looking at the god with a raised brow. "I was in the middle of something, you know."
Hades gave her a slight nod, entirely undeterred. By now, he was used to her attitude, even enjoyed it. She was possibly the only person, besides his wife and children, who talked to him in such manner.
"Your sisters will manage without you for a short while, I'm sure," he said smoothly, his tone dismissive but focused.
Without further explanation, he gestured for them to follow him. She caught Seraphim's eye, the demon watching the exchange with a raised brow, and gave him a sly smirk.
Hades led them through the maze of dark corridors, his footsteps echoing against the stone. Zorya lingered back slightly, hands clasped behind her back.
As they walked, Seraphim's frustration simmered, but Zorya followed in her usual unhurried manner, her gaze drifting to the rooms they passed.
In one of them, she noticed a familiar pair—Zagreus and Melinoe, engaged in some kind of game, their voices low but animated. Both children stopped when they spotted her, their eyes narrowing with curiosity as they took in the small entourage.
Zorya lifted her shoulders in a subtle shrug, mouthing, I have no idea. She thought about staying to see what they were doing, but Hades' summons were not to be ignored and the task at hand drew her back.
She continued along, falling in line with Seraphim and Hades as they came to a large wall adorned with rows of bidents. The god stopped, his gaze settling on one particular bident, golden, with dark substance, with something red spreading over it, looking like veins. It looked similar to Seraphim's skin.
"I've always preferred the bident over the sword. It's faster than the wind, sharper than any blade, and more aggressive than fire."
He gestured for Seraphim to call the bident. The weapon shook for a second, before flying right into the demon's hands. As soon as he caught it, he gave it a few experimental twirls, before gripping it firmly once again. A small hint of smile tugged at his lips at the familiar weight.
"Show-off," Zorya coughed, quickly looking away when the demon turned to glare at her.
"But the best part is, it's an extension of your will. The greater the will, the greater the strike."
Hades made a small pause, as he reached into his robe and retrieved a small vial filled with a shimmering, dark liquid, holding it up to catch the faint light.
"Here," he said, passing the vial to Seraphim, "So that you may go unnoticed."
Seraphim took the vial, eyeing it warily. Hades gave him a nod, signalising for the demon to drink it, but Seraphim still didn't look convinced. But what other choice did he have?
With a final glance at Zorya, the demon drank the potion.
Instantly, a strange warmth spread through his body, his vision blurring as he felt his form shifting. Soon enough, the warmth turned into a burning sensation, making him groan and fall to his knees, as strange sensation overtook him.
His skin softened, the fiery glow in his eyes dimmed, and his height diminished. Long, black hair fell to his shoulders, his tanned skin marked with the scars of past battles. His eyes, now a dark brown with one scarred, pale pupil, slowly looked up at the two beings watching him carefully.
Zorya raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly as she took him in. He looked almost exactly the same as he did the first time she saw him, all those years ago. He gained a few more scars, but other than that, the man she saw now matched perfectly with the image she had of him in her memory.
"You still have your demonic strength," Hades assured him, when he saw the panicked look in the man's eye. "And can call upon it. Just picture it in your mind's eye. And you'll become Seraphim again."
Next, the god called the bident into his hand. Glancing down at it, he used his powers to burn away the dark substance, restoring the weapon to its former, golden glory. Once it was done, he held it out for the man.
"There is another exit from the Underworld. One less travelled, with fewer eyes upon it," Hades said, exchanging a look with Zorya.
She knew exactly where that entrance was. She used it only a few times, as it was not only less known, but also harder to reach and more dangerous. It was the one Cerberus often guarded. He didn't let anyone, but Hades get past. Not even Zorya or Persephone.
With that, Hades led them to his chariot, where they climbed aboard. Zorya climbed in, folding her arms as she stood beside Seraphim. The moment the god took the reins, the horses sprang forward, and the chariot hurtled through the Underworld .
The journey up to the surface was swift and silent. They emerged beneath the starlit sky, surrounded by towering trees in the dense forest. Almost as soon as they touched down, Seraphim jumped down from the chariot and started off into the woods.
Zorya, suppressing a sigh, went to follow him, but Hades' grip on her arm stopped her. She turned to him, questioning spark in her eyes, but he merely reached into the folds of his dark cloak, producing a pair of sleek daggers.
They were long and narrow, with blades that gleamed even under the faint starlight. Ornate engravings curled along the hilts, intricate but understated, designed with elegance rather than flash.
"Take these," he said, holding them out to her.
Zorya blinked, surprised, though she took the daggers, feeling their weight settle comfortably in her grip. They were balanced, practical, yet undeniably beautiful in their design.
"Since when do you hand out weapons?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she inspected the blades.
"Consider it a precaution," Hades replied, his tone neutral. "If you're to shadow him, you may as well be prepared."
"Thank you," slipping one of the daggers into the sheath on her belt while keeping the other in hand.
"Just remember, Zorya," he continued, his gaze cool and unreadable, "don't intervene unless it's necessary. I want to see how he handles things on his own."
She gave a small nod, letting his words sink in before pulling her arm free. She glanced up at him, her eyes catching the hint of something in his expression—a flicker of intensity or anticipation, she couldn't quite tell. It vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"I'll do what's necessary," she replied quietly, the second dagger now sheathed beside the first.
She had her orders, and as indifferent as she might try to seem, she intended to see them through.
She caught up with the demon in no time, and after a short while, they came upon a small clearing where a cluster of monstrous figures loomed in the dark.
Seraphim's eyes gleamed as he took in the creatures—all of them massive mixtures of animals. Zorya hesitated, casting a wary glance at them. But Seraphim, on the other hand, he approached the largest one, steady and sure, gripping his bident with a sense of old confidence.
The beast's eyes locked on him, filled with a feral challenge, and a low growl rumbled from its throat as it sized him up.
Zorya tensed, seeing the other two chimeras circle them, their movements slow but deadly. She took a cautious step forward, ready to intervene, but Seraphim shot her a sidelong glare.
"I don't need help," he muttered, tightening his grip on the bident.
She raised an eyebrow, not sure if she heard correctly. He was surrounded by three grown beasts, all of them ready to pounce, and he was telling her he didn't need help. He might have his demon's strength, but she doubted it would be enough if all of the creatures decided to attack.
But she let him have it, as she stepped back.
Seraphim lunged at the lion-headed beast. It roared, baring fangs as long as his forearm, then charged, swiping its massive paw at him. He barely dodged, rolling to the side and striking out with his bident, landing a blow against its scaled hide.
The creature roared, enraged, as its serpent-tail lashed at him from behind, forcing him to duck as it narrowly missed his head.
One of the smaller chimeras lunged at the man's side, snapping at him with sharp, eagle-like beak. Seraphim stumbled, deflecting the beast with his bident, but the third chimera seized the moment to attack, launching itself at him with a lion's roar.
The man was almost knocked off his feet, only managing to hold his ground by jamming the bident into the ground as an anchor.
Zorya couldn't stay back any longer. After all, she was tasked with keeping this idiot out of the Underworld, until Hades called them back. She couldn't let him die again.
With a snap of her fingers, she summoned tendrils of shadow that coiled around the beasts' legs, momentarily slowing them down. She slipped a dagger from her belt and threw it, aiming for the beast's flank.
The dagger struck true, embedding itself just behind the chimera's shoulder. It shrieked, staggering, and Seraphim whipped his head toward her, throwing her a look of annoyance.
"What part of 'I don't need help' did you miss?" he growled, twisting his bident to block another swipe from the first chimera's claws.
She shrugged, deflecting the lashing tail of one of the creatures.
"Just the bit where you actually looked like you didn't need it," she shot back, retrieving another dagger.
She darted in, slipping between the creatures with a practiced ease and quick strikes that forced the smaller chimeras to falter.
One of them quickly recovered and crept in from behind, snapping its jaws at Zorya, who ducked low, rolling to the side. As she came up, she kicked dirt in the beast's face, momentarily blinding it, then twisted around to avoid the second chimera's charge.
Meanwhile, with a sharp cry, Seraphim raised his bident and drove it forward, striking at the chimera's shoulder. The beast roared in defiance, its claws digging into the ground as it pushed back, refusing to yield. But Seraphim held his ground, meeting its eyes with an intensity that was almost a challenge.
"Stand down," he growled, voice low but commanding.
The chimera snarled, baring its teeth, but the man didn't flinch. Slowly, deliberately, he raised the bident, pointing it just between the lion's eyes.
His stance radiated confidence and authority, his focus unbreakable. For a long moment, the two locked eyes, a silent battle of wills.
Behind him, Zorya kept the other two chimeras at bay, fending off their attacks with quick, well-timed dodges and a few more strikes of her dagger. But her gaze kept flicking back to Seraphim, wondering if he could actually pull it off.
The massive chimera huffed, its hot breath billowing over Seraphim as it stilled, its eyes never leaving his. Slowly, almost reluctantly, it lowered itself onto its front paws, its lion head dipping in a sign of submission.
Seraphim let out a slow breath, lowering his bident and stepping forward. He reached a hand out and placed it on the creature's head, the powerful chimera now under his control.
"See? Didn't need help," he said, though a hint of gratitude softened his tone.
She gave him a look, unimpressed but slightly amused, as she collected her daggers.
"Sure, because you were doing just fine on your own. Next time, I'll sit back and watch you get eaten."
He looked back at her, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his mouth, but stayed silent as he moved around the chimera.
"You're just... going to ride on this thing?" Zorya asked, raising a sceptical eyebrow as she watched him move closer to the creature.
"Used to ride one like this, before... a manticore," he added, voice low as he patted the creature's neck. "That one was better. This one's... enough."
Then, in one swift motion, he swung himself up onto the beast's back, taking a moment to adjust before steadying his grip. He glanced down at her.
"You've seen I can handle this. You can go back to Hades now," he said, tightening his grip, clearly intent on leaving her behind.
"Actually, that's not your call," Zorya crossed her arms, undeterred. "Hades ordered that I go with you—whether you like it or not."
"I'm more than capable of handling a simple mission. I don't need a... babysitter," Seraphim gave a scoff, shifting his bident in his grip.
"Glad to hear it," Zorya said, undeterred as she stepped forward scowled slightly as she glanced at the beast. "But it's not up for debate, so let's not waste any more time."
He tensed slightly, as if contemplating how he might argue her off the creature.
"If you slow me down—"
"Relax," she cut him off, rolling her eyes. "I'm not happy about it either. But an order is an order. I'm not about to disobey my King's direct command. That's one way to end up on his bad side."
He growled under his breath, before taking a deep breath and reluctantly held out his hand. Zorya hesitated, glancing between him and the creature.
"You want me to just... get on?"
"Afraid?" he smirked, his eyes glinting with a challenge.
Zorya narrowed her gaze, stepping forward.
"Not afraid," she replied, swinging herself up behind him. "But if you throw me off this thing, I'll make sure Hades hears about it."
Seraphim gave a dismissive grunt, nudging the chimera forward with a subtle shift of his weight.
"Hold on, then," he said, his voice even, barely masking a faint hint of amusement.
Zorya rolled her eyes but tightened her grip on his shoulders, steadying herself as the chimera shifted beneath them. With a soft growl, the creature bounded forward, before taking off into the air.
*****
As they soared through the cold night air on the back of the chimera, the world below fading into a blur of dark shadows and distant glimmers, the silence between Seraphim and Zorya grew dense, pressing in on both of them.
Hours passed with only the rush of wind and the occasional growl from the chimera, its muscles tense beneath them as it carried them forward with powerful beats of its wings.
Zorya glanced over at Seraphim, who sat stiffly before her, his gaze set on the horizon as if he could see all the way to the end of his path.
The silence was beginning to get to her. She waited for a break, a moment where he might loosen his guard enough to say something—anything. But Seraphim's jaw remained clenched, his posture rigid.
Finally, unable to contain herself any longer, Zorya broke the silence.
"So, Seraphim," she started, leaning in a little. "Are you going to be this much fun the whole way there?"
His eyes flickered in her direction, but he didn't respond.
"Oh, come on," she prodded, the hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "Is it all doom and gloom in that head of yours? Or do you know how to make decent conversation?"
Still nothing. Seraphim's stoicism could rival that of Hades, and that only spurred her on. She was tired of this oppressive silence.
She gave an exaggerated sigh.
"Alright, well, since you don't seem to have anything interesting to say, maybe you'd like a story to pass the time? I've got plenty. I could tell you about the time Theia tried to charm a river spirit and ended up with a mouthful of mud. It was quite the embarrassing moment, really."
Nothing. Just silence and the relentless rush of air.
"Or how about the time Cyrene dared Maia to seduce a warlock, and she ended up almost getting turned into a frog?" she chuckled, picturing the absurdity of it. "That would have made for quite the story, don't you think?"
"No," he grunted, his tone flat.
"No?" She widened her eyes in mock surprise. "Now that's the first word I've heard from you in hours. You're practically a chatterbox, aren't you?"
Seraphim's grip on the chimera's mane tightened, but he said nothing more. He looked forward, jaw still set. The tension radiating off him was almost tangible.
She leaned back slightly, regarding him.
"Look, we're stuck with each other for this mission, and I don't think either of us is getting off this thing anytime soon. You could at least pretend to enjoy the company."
"Enjoy?" he scoffed, the word heavy with disdain. "Enjoying your company isn't exactly high on my list of priorities right now."
Zorya raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Touchy, are we?" she replied, undeterred. "Did Hades recruit you specifically for your charming personality, or is that just a perk?"
He clenched his jaw, taking a slow breath before he spoke, each word clipped and precise.
"I don't need to charm anyone. I'm here to get this done, and that's it. Your constant talking? Not helping," he snapped, the bite in his tone cutting through the wind like a knife.
She feigned a look of offense.
"Oh, so serious," she said, placing a hand dramatically over her heart. "But hey, I get it. You're used to running solo. You don't exactly seem like the type who enjoys the whole 'teamwork' concept."
"I don't," he replied shortly, his voice cold.
"Right, and it shows," she said dryly. "Frankly, neither am I. But here we are, forced into teamwork, so maybe you could stop trying to pretend I'm not here and... I don't know, act like a normal person?"
"I'm not interested in playing nice," he replied, his voice edged with bitterness. "And I don't need your help."
"Really?" she shot back, rolling her eyes. "Because last I checked, Hades seemed to think otherwise. So whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me."
She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a taunting tone.
"And if you ask me, it seems like maybe you're just a little afraid you might actually enjoy having someone around."
Seraphim stiffened, turning to her with a glare.
"Enjoy this?" he spat, a surge of anger breaking through his stoic mask. "I don't enjoy any of this. Being dragged into this damn mission, forced to rely on someone like you—it's the last thing I wanted."
"Someone like me?" she tilted her head, folding her arms across her chest. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
He gritted his teeth, turning away. The tension crackled in the air, thick and suffocating.
"Just... nothing," he muttered, his tone filled with irritation. "Forget it."
"Forget it?" she laughed, the sound sharp. "Sorry, but you're going to have to do better than that. I'm not one of those souls drifting down there in Styx, and I'm not about to just let you stew in silence the whole way."
She paused, then added.
"Unless, of course, that's all you know how to do."
He shot her a look, his gaze dark and resentful.
"What do you know about it, huh? You, with your stories and your sisters and your carefree life."
"Carefree?" she echoed, her voice hardening. "You think I'm here for fun? Believe it or not, I chose to be here, and not just because it's some 'adventure.'"
"Oh, how noble of you," he replied, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Volunteering for a mission with Hades, helping a demon you don't even care about. Must be nice, choosing your battles."
"You're right," she said coolly. "I don't know what you've gone through, and I'm not pretending to. But you're acting like I'm some obstacle instead of someone trying to help."
She paused, leaning back slightly.
"I was ordered to see this mission through, no matter what. I've been working on it, before you were even considered as a part of it. Don't think you're irreplaceable. If you don't want my help, fine. But don't expect me to just sit back and let you wallow in your own misery."
A bitter chuckle escaped his lips.
"Help? You're only here because Hades told you to be, as you've just said."
"And you're only here because Hades left you no choice," she shot back. "So maybe we're not so different, after all."
He was silent for a moment, her words settling in.
"Do you always have to be this insufferable?" he finally muttered.
"Only when I'm paired with a grump," she shot back. "But I guess I'll have to settle for a miserable one."
"I'm sure that's a comfort," he replied dryly.
After that, they both fell into silence once again, the weight of his words lingering between them.
Hours had passed, the chimera's wings now moving with a slightly laboured rhythm, and it began to dip lower in the sky, angling toward a narrow cliffside.
Seraphim's brow furrowed as he noticed the descent.
"What are you doing?" he asked sharply, as he tried to get to beast to fly up again.
"I think it's getting tired," she replied calmly. "It's time to let it rest."
"We're wasting time," he scoffed, shaking his head.
"It's been flying for hours. If we don't let it rest, it'll just get us both killed," she replied, stepping off the chimera onto the cliff as they touched down. "Or would you prefer that?"
He crossed his arms, staying on the creature's back.
"I prefer to keep moving. We don't need to stop."
The chimera let out a low whine, and Zorya could see its wings faltering even more. She felt a pang of sympathy for the creature; it had carried them through the skies for hours. She let out an exasperated sigh, turning to face Seraphim fully.
"Look, I don't know what kind of pace you're used to, but if we push it any further, this creature is going to collapse. And then what? You going to carry both of us?"
"We could find another way," he glared down at her, unwilling to concede.
"Really? Where, exactly? This is our best shot, and you know it," she gestured to the cliff, her expression challenging. "Come on, Seraphim. Get off the high horse—literally, in this case—and let the creature rest."
He scowled but finally slid down from the chimera's back, his reluctance obvious as he joined her on the rocky edge of the cliff.
"Thank you," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "See? That wasn't so hard."
He turned away from her, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "I don't need you telling me what's necessary."
"No, you just need me to point out the obvious," she retorted, sitting down a few feet away from him. "I get it, you're used to calling the shots. But sometimes survival takes a little... patience."
"Patience?" he scoffed, barely looking at her. "We're not here to wait things out, Zorya."
"And I didn't suggest we were," she replied. "But maybe if you weren't so bent on rushing, you'd see that a moment's pause won't ruin everything."
He clenched his fists, biting back a retort. They sat in silence for a while, the tension between them simmering.
"You talk as if you know everything," he muttered.
"Maybe I don't. But I know that neither of us will get far if we're tearing each other apart along the way," she raised an eyebrow, studying him.
He didn't respond, his gaze focused on the ground. She took a deep breath, softening her tone.
"Look, Seraphim... whatever grudge you have with Hades, I'm not part of it. I don't know what he's done to make you hate him that much, but I'm here to help. That's it."
After a long pause, he looked up, his eyes dark and weary.
"We'll rest here," he muttered, crossing his arms. "But don't expect me to be idle for long."
"Wouldn't dream of it," she replied, her tone still light. She cast him a sidelong glance. "But hey, at least now you have a little more time to brood."
Seraphim sighed, looking at her with an unreadable expression before turning his attention back to the chimera, and for the moment, an uneasy silence fell over them once more.
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