Hours after Bo Bo's departure had left Perseus to himself in the Underworld. No other souls came to the river after the young child. Perseus could not understand why that was. People die daily, yet no souls came to the Underworld.

Then, Perseus caught sight of a glisten of gold in the darkness. He rose from the ground and watched for the glisten once more. As he watched, the glisten became stronger, brighter as it grew closer to him. Bo Bo had returned. Bo Bo flapped his metal wings, occasionally stumbling through the air. As he grew closer to the bank, Perseus could make out something in the owl's mouth, a rope of some kind.

Bo Bo fell from the sky exhausted. Perseus reached out and caught the owl and smiled. "Easy Bo."

Perseus took the rope from Bo Bo and set him down. Perseus pulled the rope, drawing in a boat to the bank. Perseus pulled the boat up to them and held it steady. Perseus loaded Bo Bo into the boat along with his shield. Perseus stepped into the boat and pushed off from the bank.

"How far is it to the other side?" Perseus asked.

"A day's drift." Bo Bo answered tiredly.

Perseus nodded. "Take a rest, Bo Bo. You earned it."

Bo Bo whistled and closed his eyes.

Perseus looked to the river once more. He watched the faces of the dead float by him. They were all unfamiliar to him. Yet each one pained him. They were all lives that were down damned to Hades realm. Damned to be tormented for all eternity. And Io would share the same fate if Perseus failed her.

"Be strong, Io. I'm coming for you." Perseus whispered.

A gentle nudge woke Perseus from his slumber. He raised his head from his knees to look. The boat had reached the other bank, stopped by the edge. Perseus rose from the boat and stepped on the land. Bo Bo opened his eyes and flapped his wings. Perseus took his shield and sword from within the boat. His shoulder seared with greater pan than he had felt previously. Perseus bit back his agony and secured his shield behind his back. Perseus turned from the boat, toward the sight of Hades lair.

He stood at the base of a small mountain. The path that lay before him led up the mountain, towards only two destinations. Both were small temples, built upon the mountain top. The temples were cracked, and decrepit. Pillar had fallen from their position and lay uselessly against its brother.

"What is wrong?" Bo Bo twittered beside him.

"There should be some sign of Hades, but there hasn't been a single sign." Perseus explained.

"Hades power has been reduces because of Demeter. She had starved him of the fear of the mortals. He hold little power left, but he is still very powerful." Bo Bo twittered again.

"So even the Goddess feel the pain of loss." Perseus said. He took a step up the path. He grabbed a nearby rock above his head and began to climb up the path.

The path was treacherous. The jagged ground was uneven and steep. Perseus forced himself to focus on his balance. One slip of the foot could send him tumbling to his death. The ground cut into his hands, but Perseus bit back the pain and climbed on.

Bo Bo flapped above him, staying near Perseus.

Perseus reached to the side, grabbing the neck rock to gain distance up the path. Suddenly his foot slipped beneath him. He gasped, but held on tight. Bo Bo flapped above him, twittering worriedly. Perseus grunted as he regained his footing and pushed himself higher up the path.

Sweat, soot, and blood coated Perseus' hands giving him a more difficult time to climb the path. Sweat rolled down his face and neck. Perseus felt his muscles trembled as he pulled himself up. But still he pressed on. Blood rolled down his hand and up his arm as he climbed.

Perseus finally reached the top of the path. He rose to his feet, clenching his fist. The blood pooled in his hand and rolled down the side of his fist. Perseus exhaled slowly and relaxed his fists. He drew his sword from his makeshift sheath.

Perseus ran along the smaller path, toward the further temple. Bo Bo flew behind him. The path turned into a small set of stairs. Perseus followed the stairs up to the temples archway. He stood beneath the arch and looked into the temple. It was then Perseus realized it was no temple but bedchamber.

In the center of the chamber was an altar, raised several feet. On the altar was a form of bed, where a figure lay motionless. Perseus entered the chamber. He moved swiftly to the bed. Io lay motionless. Her pale skin had been overthrown by Hades venom, surging darkness through her veins. Beads of sweat rolled down her skin. Her chest barely rose.

Perseus gently touched her forehead. "Io."

Perseus reached behind her head and slowly lifted her up. He reached beneath his armor and retrieved the vial. Perseus removed the chain from around his neck and touched the vial to Io's lips. The water emerged from the vial into Io's mouth. Once the vial was emptied, Perseus set the vial beside Io.

Suddenly Io's face became flush. Her chest rose as she inhaled deeply. Her breathing steadied out within minutes. The surge of blackness faded from her skin as the water expelled the venom from her body. Io opened her eyes slowly. Her deep eyes gazed upon Perseus, leaning over her. Her lips curved into a smile.

"Perseus." She whispered.

Perseus smiled. "I'm here."

Io sat up slowly. She looked about the chamber. "Where is Hades?"

"I'm not sure. But I think we should leave before he returns." Perseus said. He rose from the bed.

Io nodded. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and rose to her feet. Perseus' hand held hers firmly. Io looked at his beaten hands, worn with blood and sweat. She looked Perseus over from head to toe. He was beaten, covered in soot and sweat. The journey had not been easy or gentle, but Perseus said noting.

Bo Bo bobbed up over Perseus' shoulder, twittering excitingly.

Io smiled. "Who's this?"

Perseus looked to Bo Bo. "Just another gift from the Gods."

"Something's coming." Bo Bo's twittering suddenly changed.

"What's coming?" Io asked.

Perseus turned toward the archway. His grip on his sword tightened. "Get behind me."

Perseus walked toward the archway slowly. Io and Bo Bo remained behind him, but at a distance. Perseus walked through the archway and looked around. He could see nothing. Perseus slowly lowered his sword and began to turned toward the archway, when he heard a deep growl. Perseus brought his sword up swiftly as Cerberus entered his sight.

"Perseus." Io called.

Perseus stood his ground as Cerberus bared down upon him. The hound towered over him, growling. Perseus waited for the hound to make its move. But Cerberus did not attack Perseus. Instead, the beast dropped onto its belly in front of Perseus. Cerberus lay in front of Perseus, like a dog kneeling to its master. Perseus slowly reached out to Cerberus. He placed his hand on the one of the heads nose. He patted the beast slowly, receiving a sigh from the beast. Perseus turned back to Io and motion for her to leave.

Io emerged from the chamber. Cerberus looked to her but did not growl. He took in her scent and lowered its heads. Io gasped in astonishment. Never had anyone heard of Hades guard to take to trespassers.

"We should leave." Bo Bo twittered.

Perseus nodded. He drew from Cerberus and reached out for Io's hand. Cerberus rose to his feet and watched as Perseus and Io began their descent down the steep path. Cerberus leapt to the base of the path, maintaining his height over them.

"I think he wants us to get on him." Perseus said. He released Io's hand. He moved onto a small rock and leapt onto the beast back.

Perseus looked to Io and nodded for her to join. Io leapt toward Cerberus, but leapt short. Perseus reached out and grabbed her arm. He slowly pulled Io up behind him as his shoulder burned. Io's arm wrapped around his waist. Perseus held onto Io's arm with one hand and held onto the beast's fur with the other. Bo Bo settled behind Io.

"Let's go." Perseus said. He kicked the dog's side.

Cerberus leapt into the river. The dive sent waves of blood rippling around them. Cerberus easily moved through the river. The souls parted, leaving a path of clear blood for Cerberus to pass through. Cerberus moved faster than the boat had, much faster. The beast seemed to soar through the river like it was nothing.

The bank appeared in a matter of moments. Cerberus climbed out of the river and dropped onto the ground. Perseus and Io slid off its back. Bo Bo fell off its back and crashed to the ground. Io smiled and knelt down. She lifted Bo Bo upright. Bo Bo twittered and spun his head around. Perseus smirked. He firmly patted Cerberus' center head.

Suddenly his shoulder erupted in pain. The fire surged down his arm and down his back. His body seized in pain. His vision began to blur into nothing. Perseus barely managed a short gasp before his body gave out and collapsed. He felt the ground collide with his body. The fire engulfed his body, ceasing his movements, and nearly his breath. Perseus felt a light touch on his shoulder.

"Perseus!" Io cried. Her hand reached for his wound. Pain coursed through her fingertips, causing her to cry out in shock and pain. Io drew back a section of Perseus' armor. Her breath was caught in her chest.

Perseus' shoulder held a stream of marks running across his skin. The marks were dark, black colored. From the wound, through his veins, the blackness had spread through Perseus' back and arms.

"Hades venom." Io said. "How long have you suffered this?"

Perseus cringed. "Since…since Hades…took you."

"Four days." Io whispered. Four days the venom had burned through his bloodstream, poisoning his body. Io looked around. The only way to purge the venom from Perseus was the fountain.

Io moved from Perseus toward the fountain. She reached into the water. As her hand touched down, the water parted from her hand. Io moved her hand, trying to catch some water, but it parted from her touch. Io was unable to gather water for Perseus.

Cerberus and Bo Bo were by his side, almost as if they were protecting him while Io was away.

"The vial." Io said. She turned and moved back to Perseus' side.

"Perseus where is the vial?" Io asked.

"Back…in the chambers." Perseus managed.

Io looked back to the river. "Can you make it back on Cerberus?"

Perseus shook his head.

"Bo Bo, how fast can you fly to the other side?" Io asked.

Bo Bo twittered sadly.

Io shook her head. "The venom could kill you by then."

"Io…you…have to…go." Perseus managed.

"I'm not leaving you." Io said.

"It…it'll take…Bo…a day to…to get there…and back." Perseus struggled.

Io shook her head. Perseus didn't have another day left in him. But she couldn't leave him in the Underworld to die. Either way, Perseus didn't much time left. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision. She didn't have many options.

"I don't know what to do." Io said.

"Take…take Cerberus." Perseus stammered.

"What?" Io asked.

"Go…on Cerberus." Perseus said.

"What about you?" Io asked.

"I'll be…here." Perseus answered.

Io bit her lip. She looked back toward the river. His only chance was the vial. Io looked back at the fountain. The vial was the only way to draw up the water. But if she left, Perseus would be defenseless in the Underworld, and there was no way of telling where Hades was. But Io had no choice.

"Alright." Io agreed. "But first, we have to move you out of the open."

Io took Perseus arm and began lifting him up. Perseus winced as he slowly sat up. Cerberus came up behind him, keeping him upright. Io slipped his arm around her neck and held him rise. Cerberus remained behind them. Io and Perseus slowly made their way to the fountain. Io gently lowered Perseus to the ground beside the fountain. She knelt down in front of Perseus.

"I'll be back soon." Io said.

"I'll be here." Perseus replied.

Io smiled sadly and gently kissed Perseus. She rose and walked to the middle head of Cerberus. Io climbed up the head and looked down at Perseus. Then she directed Cerberus back toward the river.

Perseus could hardly make out Io's retreating figure. The darkness was enwrapping him, but he remained conscious. As Io vanished, so did everything around him. Bo Bo's gold wings had melted into the blackness around him. The only sound he could hear was the running fountain by his side. Perseus could feel the venom surging through his body more vividly than he'd allow himself to feel. His chest heaved heavily with every breath.

"I am able to produce another vial, but the poison's spread too far through your body for the water to heal you." Bo Bo twittered beside him.

"I know it won't. But Io doesn't." Perseus said.

"Then why send her away?" Bo Bo twittered again.

"So Hades can't hurt her." Perseus answered. He turned his head.

A deep chuckled echoed from behind him. Perseus turned his head slightly. He could hear the footsteps slowly descending into the Underworld.

"A caring decision, Perseus, but a failed one." Hades hissed.

"If it failed, then why are you still here?" Perseus asked.

"Perhaps I wish young Io to see your decaying body before I make her mine once more." Hades said.

Perseus shook his head. "If you had the power to kill me, you would have done so already."

"Do not underestimate me, Perseus. I have powers beyond your comprehension." Hades said.

"I'm aware of your powers, Hades, but I also know of your limitations. I know of the curse Demeter placed upon man. I know how they starve without food but never die. I know their fears of dying have vanished, and with no fear, your power has been depleted." Perseus explained.

"Yet here you are, Perseus, dying in the pit of the Underworld." Hades said.

Perseus chuckled. "All that power and without it, you can't seem to focus. You've forgotten that the only part of me that's dying is my mortal half. By the time your venoms finished, I won't be a mortal, I'll be a god."

Even without seeing Hades, Perseus could sense the fury of Hades. He could feel the heat of Hades anger grow stronger around him. "A problem I shall remedy right now."

Perseus reached for his sword despite the pain coursing through his body. He grabbed his sword and opened his eyes. His vision was gone, but he could still hear Hades near him.

"You've made your last mistake, Perseus." Hades said.

"You made the first mistake, Hades. Not me." Perseus replied. He gripped the hilt of his sword.

Bo Bo screeched beside Perseus. He felt something tap his arm. Perseus had little time to grab what was beside him. It was small, glass. A vial!

Hades yelled in fury, most likely charging for Perseus.

Perseus dove to the ground, rolling beneath Hades strike. Perseus pulled the cork from the vial and quickly drank the contents. The liquid scorched through his veins, enveloping the venom. Perseus exhaled deeply, freed from Hades power. His strength returned within moments, but more than he'd ever had before. Perseus turned quickly just as Hades brought his pronged spear upon Perseus. Perseus opened his eyes and caught Hades spear. His heart beat fiercely.

Hades eyes grew wide. "Impossible."

Perseus smirked and pushed Hades back. Even with Hades strength diminished, Perseus' strength was still limited in the Underworld. But this battle had been forthcoming for years. Too long had Hades tested the limits of Perseus. Too long has he continued without the consequences of his actions. Perseus had waited years for this moment, and he would not let it pass.

Hades stalked toward Perseus, but he was ready. Hades swung his spear at Perseus, but Perseus easily defended himself. He knocked Hades spear aside with ease. Hades struck again, his aim was god, but his strength was failing. Perseus easily avoided the spear and ran his blade across Hades back.

The god cried out in pain, facing Perseus again. Perseus swung his sword quickly. His blade connected with Hades spear. Hades held firm against Perseus, but Perseus kept pushing. He could give up. Hades had taken his father, mother, and sister from him. He had tried to take Io from him. He could not be allowed to take again.

Perseus pushed the spear aside and ran his sword through Hades. Hades gasped in shock. He met Perseus eyes for a moment. Then a fierce power over came Perseus, pushing him from Hades. Perseus was thrown from Hades was tremendous force and speed. Perseus had but seconds before he was enveloped into blackness.