Pact of Darkness
Kratos stands before the altar of Hades the God of the dead. He has traveled far through the underworld to find Hades. After being betrayed by the Gods of Mount Olympus, Kratos knows that only Hades, he who hates the Gods almost as much as Kratos himself, is the only one that can help him. "HADES!! SHOW YOURSELF!!" Kratos bellows. A dark cloud appears before Hades's throne. The cloud takes shape and forms the God Hades. "What is it you seek Kratos?"Hades asks, his voice sounding metal scraping on metal.
"I seek a weapon to kill the Gods of Mount Olympus. Tell me where it is Hades or I shall make you!" Kratos says menacingly. Hades throws back his head and laughs. Hades is cloaked in black robes, whose edges end in a shroud of obsidian smoke. His skin is as pale as kratos's own, with scars all over his body. He has no skin upon his head, only a pitch black skull, burnt obsidian by flames roiling over his head. His eyes are human but burn with demonic rage. "In case you haven't noticed, I am a god just like those you wish to slay. But do not fear Kratos. I shall help you for the Gods have betrayed me as well." Hades says to Kratos. He flicks his hand left hand outwards and flame appears, hovering inches from his hand. " there are many weapons that can kill Gods, but if you wish to kill them all you will need them all. There are three weapons that combine to form the weapon capable of slaying Zeus and his accomplices, and there are a special set of gauntlets that will allow you to wield that sword. The first weapon is the Hammer of Cerberus. It is located here in the underworld. But to get at it you must slay the guardian of the weapon." The flame shows the Hammer in its core. "And who is the guardian of this weapon?" Kratos asks Hades, growing impatient of his lecturing. "Him."Hades says as he points behind Kratos. Kratos turns to look and finds the hellhound Cerberus staring at him with all three pairs of eyes. "Let us begin! I will slaughter your pet and claim my first prize." Kratos says as he draws his swords. Cerberus begins to change form, shrinking to Kratos's height. The two heads on the left and right become shoulder plates. Its fur becomes armor. It stands on to feet instead of four. Its front paws become clawed hands. "I am CERBERUS!!" the demon roars.
Cerberus lunges for Kratos' throat, intent on ripping it off and wolfing it down. Kratos sidesteps and throws a sword at its exposed back. The sword pierces through the devil hound's stomach, sending black blood spewing out both sides of the hole. Kratos grabs the chain and pulls hard, yanking his foe back towards him. He catches the handle of his sword, pulling it free of the demon's hide. Cerberus staggers backwards clutching its stomach. Kratos takes advantage of the monster's pain and shoves his sword through its mouth. Before Cerberus can take it from its mouth, Kratos runs up and kicks the base of the handle, pushing it through the demon's neck, severing its spinal cord. Kratos pulls the chain, freeing the gore drenched blade free of the mangled demon and swings the chain in a wide arc, scraping a channel in the ground. The blade connects with the beast's neck. With a sickening crack Kratos's sword comes out the other side and lands in his hand. Cerberus's head drops from its shoulders. Blood explodes from its neck, making an obsidian fountain of gore. Cerberus remains standing as its black life source drains away. Kratos runs forward, and with a fierce roar jumps forward and kicks the blood spewing corpse in the chest, sending it flying deep down to the innermost pits of hell. Kratos turns to face Hades but finds he is gone. The hammer of Cerberus floats above Hades's throne. Kratos picks it up and finds an inscription on the side. He reads it and sets out for his next destination and his next weapon, the Sword of Despair.
"Now you must do one more thing for me Kratos." Hades's voice echoes through the cavern. "And what is that?" Kratos yells. "You must swear your allegiance to me." Kratos sheaths his swords, puts away the hammer and says "I accept this pact."