Chapter 13

Hemera had been collected by Thanatos a while ago leaving the son of Ares alone with his thoughts, the goddess didn't get a moment to say anything about his punishment before Thanatos's footsteps reached her ears and she moved away from Markos. But he had seen the sadness in her eyes, heard the words she had spoken 'this is not justice'

He sat alone in the darkness, waiting for her to return, he wanted to speak to her. He felt everything when she wasn't there, he started to feel the pain more in his body, the darkness encroached his weary mind. It was so dark in his cell, he forgot how dark it was without Hemera's godly glow to illuminate the small space.

He heard footsteps coming down the corridor, he hoped for a moment that Hemera was returning but it was too early, Markos backed slowly into the corner of his cell, casting himself in shadows. A shadowy figure appeared at his cell door, the stench of death filled Markos's nostrils, even before the black dressed man spoke Markos knew who glared at him

"Hope you are finding your accommodations acceptable" sneered the voice, Markos could hear the smile on his lips

"I have to say not the five star I was expecting" Markos bit back, there was a deep menacing chuckle which sent a chill down Markos's spine, not that he would ever give the shadowy figure the satisfaction of knowing it

"Sarcasm, it's a good defence but it's also a common one" Hades grinned at the young demigod "I know your fears son of Ares, I've seen what makes your soul crumble and have no doubt Markos Duncan Lutz I will crush your soul before your heart gives out"

Markos anger started to bubble, his fists curling into balls, his breath was ragged. Even without his curse to take over he wanted to pummel the dark lords face, to make him stop sneering.

"How is Annabeth, can't wait for her to rejoin us here in the underworld, her soul lost in the fields of Asphodel" his dark eyes gleamed dangerously "She might even meet the lovely Cassie, so young, so beautiful"

Markos roared to life and launched himself at the rusted iron bars, his body smashed into the hard metal as his arm reached through and grabbed the god who stood in front of him. Markos's hands gripped the satin black material of Hades three piece suit

"You dare touch her" he yelled at the un-amused Hades

Hades looked down at the demigods dirty hands on his perfect jacket, ignoring the threats of Markos Hades reached up taking the bare wrist in his own hand, his grip tightened. He looked back up at the son of Ares seeing him grimace at the discomfort of the pressure that the god inflicted on him. then without warning

CRACK

Markos flew back away from the bars clasping his arm tightly to his chest, he bit his tongue so he wouldn't make a sound, not giving Hades the satisfaction of hearing out much pain he had caused, so he just sat there shaking, glaring at the god who stood there as if nothing had happened

"Hasn't history taught you yet boy? You cannot kill me, you may ruin my plan but you will never defeat me, I am immortal and long after you and your pathetic demigod friends are gone, I will still be here, I will remain" his voice was calm but his words shook the small space "And since you keep insist on being a thorn in my side, I will make sure that before your death here, you will feel all the pain and misery you have inflicted in you pitiable existence"

Markos wanted to fight back to snap back at the lord of the underworld, but he kept his mouth firmly shut, fearful his voice would betray the pain he was trying to hide.

"And I will make you watch as the furies have their fun with Miss Chase" Hades waved his hand and a mist vision appeared next to him

Markos heart beated a little quicker, there sitting in the fire light was Annabeth, her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, her eyes heavy with sleep. Markos watched almost in awe as she stared into the flickering flames, her grey eyes illuminated, water in them which she blinked away. Then like it appeared it vanished just as fast, Markos yearned to see her face for a moment longer

"I have a feeling we will be seeing her very soon" Hades said smiling to himself

"I know I can't kill you, I know that the gods need you for balance, but I swear on the river Styx that if you harm her I will do everything in my power to make your existence as difficult as possible" Markos spat at him "Do whatever you want to me, I don't care, but leave her out of this"

"BUT THAT" Hades roared "IS THE POINT!"

He smoothed his hair back taking a breath

"You don't care about yourself, you care about her, to hurt you Markos I must take what you care about, I must use what you love against you" his voice was filled with darkness "Then and only then when you are truly broken, when you are beyond help, that is when I will be satisfied"

Hades's eyes turned suddenly to look down the hallway, his black eyes glowering

"Having fun my lord?"

Thanatos glided into view followed by the goddess in white, she did not meet Hades gaze, but as she past him, her godly glow dimmed as though his darkness affected her.

"Not yet but soon" said Hades "But for now I have other business to attend to"

The lord of the underworld stalked back along the corridor, the flames extinguishing as he walked by them, leaving them in darkness, the only light coming from Hemera. Markos clung to his wrist, looking down he could see something hard poking out of his skin at the wrong angle, Hades had broken his wrist.