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~There is no one a bigger competition, than yourself.~

The maids were scary alright. I couldn't understand how Hades lived seeing so many skeletons in one building alone. Maybe he was used to it but I definitely wasn't.

They helped me dress and gather a few bags. I couldn't really escape their sight even if I wanted to, and that meant that I had to take a bath practically in front of them. I hope they weren't as scared as I was with what they saw..

So finally, I was bathed, dressed and even fed - yes I'm surprised because I thought Devils did not eat, but it appears they did.

I took quick steps down the stairs, the ones that first caught my attention when I got in Hell.

"We are taking off in five minutes. Say your goodbyes." Hades addressed looking at the broken wrist watch on his arm. Did he not notice it was completely malfunctioning?

"Goodbyes to who?" I breathed causing the devil suddenly look up with a deadly glint in his dark eyes - nothing friendly about it.

A pair of shoes clicked across the floor and a strangled noise left my mouth. I spotted Gabriella marching from the doorframe to our left.
We collided too quickly, embracing each other like we were lost forgotten friends that haven't seen each other in years.

"You're alive? But how!?" I yelled, my voice echoed into the surroundings making me shut up fast. Gabriella was smiling with tears gathering in her eyes. I embraced her tighter because I predicted she needed this just like me.

"I owe him big time." She nudged her head to Hades who had a weirdly curious expression on his face - it was almost like he was spying on our little interaction. He wasn't entirely watching, his eyes were focused on something dusty on the wall but he easy surely listening in.

"Is your child.." I started and Gabriella patted her stomach nodding her head in a very caring way.

"She's very good." The blonde smiled and then continued to rub her belly. She was dressed in soft warm clothes involving a sweater and a pair of grey sweatpants.

"Alexia, we must leave now." Hades called out and I nodded my head before averting my eyes back to Gabriella. She just grinned with so much happiness, I was glad she was okay.

"I will see you down on earth. Get your mother and then we're going baby clothes shopping." Hades then flicked his fingers over Gabriella's head and she faded from the surroundings leaving an empty space.

"Ready?" Hades questioned making my smile fall.

"Are you sure they won't know who I am?" I quivered, trying to calm my unsettling nerves. It was just me and my luck today. If Hades was claiming to be one hundred percent positive then I could do nothing else but rely on him. But that didn't mean I would trust him - my promise was still in the game.

"Your hair is a different colour and length. Gaia doesn't know the sound of your voice. It will go exactly as planned if you listen to every instruction of mine." The devil proposed lifting his sinister cloak from the chair and draping it over his shoulders.
I sighed staring at my now blonde ends of hair which were so much shorter than they used to. The troops cut it off!

"Rule number one." Hades took a significant step forwards, his fingers molding perfectly around my wrist.

"Stay by my side at all times, and don't speak unless told by me." He flipped my hand over his index finger brushing against the mark of his knife.

I lifted my eyes meeting his, "Rule number two." The devil smirked before our surroundings faded, we landed solid on the ground, I had to grab onto his shoulder for support.

"Don't look at anyone but me." I quickly dragged my gaze towards the floor and away from the many people who were openly staring at us in shock.

So that's how Hades arrived? In the middle of a crowd full of Greek Gods dressed in the gowns that reflected the Heaven itself. There was a throne in the middle of the room, it was pure gold, much purer than they would ever sell at the jewelry store.

"Hades, brother!" A male voice rang before it was literally by us. I felt the hand on my back, pushing me closer to the devil.

I watched from the corner of my eyes as a man dressed in white practically embraced Hades like a letter hugging an envelope.

"Let go of me, Zeus!" The devil grunted annoyed before the other Greek God pulled away with a bright smile.

"And who's this you've got on your shoulder?" The mature man questioned leaning closer to my face. Maybe his intentions were good but I didn't think so. I shifted closer to Hades, as far as I can from this Zeus dude. The firm hand on my waist tightened knowingly - the Devil knew of my discomfort.

"She's my maid." Hades spoke slowly, to which Zeus retracted, scratching his head. He gathered his hands behind his back and stood staring more collected. I thought it were the devil's words that had Zeus so alert but it was in fact another presence.

"Hades, my son! You came!" A familiar voice sounded before a female enveloped the dark clothed in an embrace. Gaia was inches away from me, her long golden blonde hair was shining so brightly it was making me blind. I closed my eyes briefly clenching my fists together. Thankfully she didn't even register my presence and talked to her son like she did so everyday.

"The competition starts tomorrow, I have several contestants already aligned on the boards." Gaia intoned with a blissful smile before slowly fading into a regular conversation about their days. From the little minutes that were spent I learned a lot. Gaia was a VERY demanding leader, she touched up on how she threw three servants into the fire in a span of an hour - and that number kept rising. I also discovered that Gaia was always in need of a company she bounced from one leg to another bringing about discussions she had with the other Greek Gods. Or maybe she was bragging about it.

"I will see you later!" Mother Nature grinned disappearing in the crowd of people that without doubt adored her. She stole the spotlight and many breaths - literally.

"Hades." Called a very intricate sweet female. I fluttered my eyes open with a persistent urge to look up at the young woman that stood just a little bit further away.

"Persephone." The devil breathed, I was glued to his size, it allowed me to feel his racing pulse which I didn't know he had. There was a silence between the duo before someone else joined our very talkative group.

"Hades, didn't think I'd see you here." It was another female, this one was much older than Persephone - well at least she sounded much older. Again, no one started a word. It was becoming too awkward.

"Why so silent? Snake got your tongue?" The second female muttered with a chuckle that gave me shivers down the spine. I didn't see what she looked like but I could tell how much stressed Hades was growing.

"Hades come on, speak to your Fiancé." This woman suggested and I felt my eyes widen. Persephone was his future wife? I was struggling to comprehend the info when Hades released me and made a daring step towards the woman.
Instantly I looked up, and I recognized her. In fact both of them. There was a painting of the three goddesses in the Devil's lair. On this painting were Selene, Persephone and Hera. The two from the canvas were standing before us.

"Don't get yourself involved in the matters of mine. I can deal with them without your input." Hades was containing himself to lowering his voice down to a hiss.

"Hera, darling, you're getting yourself in trouble again?" Zeus joined us again with a brightly lit smile. I forced my eyes down as the two locked lips.
I noticed that at this point Persephone was no longer here, she must have left the instant Zeus decided to barge in.

"We're leaving." Said a dark voice.
I was pulled to his chest, not even pulled, thrown. Hades wasn't giving me time to ask questions or stop to catch my breath - just kept dragging me through corridors like rag doll.

"HEY! Can you stop for one second!?" I demanded as the Devil halted in his tracks. We now stood in front of a soft brown door. Hades forced it open as aggressive as one can do, and pushed me into the empty bedroom with a rough shove. I stumbled through, my back colliding with the floor. He switched on the lights and proposed one more last command.

"Refrain yourself from leaving until I return." With that he slammed the door shut, I rolled my eyes when the sounds of a clicking lock followed. I waited a few minutes before taking action. Hades might be a Devil and all but I was here for a reason, and that to find my mother and get the hell out of here. This was something I couldn't do whilst being locked away - so I had to simply escape this room and explore on my own.

I wiggled my wrists in front of the door, trying to get the energy flowing in my veins. Sparks of light began to ignite from my hands, I directed them towards the barrier that prevented my getaway. I managed to concentrate on bundling the energy together until a solid base formed. Releasing the ball of moonlight was harder this time, it was as if it was stuck to my fingers and no matter how much I shook my hand it just remained stuck to my skin.

"Well isn't this lovely." I groaned waddling my hands around the room with great force. The ball came undone and flung itself against the door. However, this procedure wasn't a successful one - there was a problem in my weapon. A cloud of destruction catapulted backwards using the surface of the door as a trampoline. I ducked to the floor with a screech as the energy began destroying everything in the room. It set the king sized bed on flames, completely melted the glass vase chilling on the desk, which by the way got away with being covered in a deep layer of coal.

I dashed towards the bathroom which I've spotted moments after. Filling a laundry bucket with water I poured without mercy, ultimately killing the flames.
Fifteen minutes later I sat sweaty on the half decomposed carpet with a stench of burnt plastic making my eyes water. I opened a window letting fresh air enter, and as I did, I looked down to examine my whereabouts. At that moment I realized luck was on my side this time. There was a balcony beneath my window. One that lead to an exit.

So I grabbed several torn blankets from the bed and tied the ends into secure knots. I swung the self crafted rope over the window sill before I could actually commit to pushing my whole body out too. My heart picked up its pace when I started to climb down the wall, sticking my feet straight out to walk it like a spiderman.

You see, luck is never on my side. For some reason, it always holds a grudge against me. First of all, I didn't predict the strength of my 'rope' and also my weight - the sucker started to rip when I was halfway there.

Second of all, I also couldn't forsee the fact that there was another floor level beneath mine, so I had to climb two floors not just one. Oh and the window of that second floor just happened to be pried open at that exact time.

Listen, it was never in my intentions to slide through the tight gap and collide with the occupant in that room.

But oh boy, I have.

I stumbled into a young female with light blonde hair and she groaned rubbing her head.

"I don't know about you, but I prefer not to get hit in the face!" She exclaimed pressing a hand to her cheek. "With a foot!" The blonde added angrily. She was dressed in a light yellow satin down with hair pulled up into a bun.

"Hey my foot suffered worse than your face did, you bun-head!" I argued painfully, jumping on the spot to ease the nasty feeling.

"Just who are you?!" The bun-head replied crossing her arms over her chest. I noticed how a certain spot on her cheek went red emerging into purple - the power of a foot y'all. I was ready for her to scream bloody murder at the sight of my burnt outfit.

"I go by Alexi..Alex." I stuttered, and she girl nodded her head with an earnest glare.

"And who are you, bun-head?" I quizzed, the female pursed her lips in offense before adjusting her hair.

"I'm Aurora."

A/N - omg what! I hope this ending of the chapter surprises most of you :D

And guess what! I'm back! I took a break and was focused on writing my other story ice queen, but at some point it gets frustrating and you just wanna get back to your old stuff - so here I am with another chapter for you :)

I really really hope you like this one!

Please vote and comment if you did!

And thank you so much on 51k reads on the first book of the series and 6k on this one! You people are amaze-balls!

All the best,

~Marina~

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