ShadowZone85 - 'Hades strip tease' what a brilliant way to explain Hades innocent bath, it certainly made me laugh. Thank you for the review.
Amari412 - Cliffhangers aren't my favourite thing either but it seems that sometimes they're needed. Thank you for the review.
Spells and Shadows
Hades left the room feeling triumphant he had agreed to help Thanatos in exchange for his powers. He found himself walking down a familiar corridor within his mind was a number of many sentences and schemes he couldn't belive that someone like Thanatos could have thought something up, he clearly hadn't thought it up on the spot. The conversation had been long there was much information to take in one sitting. Thanatos had advice that he get some rest before the ritual began to make sure that his body was ready. It was a grueling task that no meer mortal had gone through before but Hades was strong in the mind and in his option it was good enough to see him through.
Entering his room he was impressed to find that nothing changed. The bed looked like no one had slept in it since he left. Of course he would rarely use such an invention it made him feel to like a mortal but after his steaming hot bath and the deal he made with Thanatos, laying down upon the overly soft mattress seemed like the perfect thing to do.
Placing himself on the edge of the bed he slowly moved himself backwards. A sheepish smile grazed his lips. Turning himself over upon his side he pulled the large quilt over his body hiding himself away from any night chill. Sleep didn't take long to take over his body. His mind was at peace, but his heart seemed to be beating in a way most unpleasant. Rising his head he smoothed his pillow down thinking this would sooth the guilt which made his heart shatter with each beat.
Dreams didn't plague him. His brother was silent. Sighing he turned himself over upon his back his arm laying across his chest, mouth open to create a small 'o' allowing snores to echo around the enclosed room.
A sharp inpatient ringing was the first thing Hades heard signalling the end of his sleeping hours.
He couldn't have slept that long. His body felt like a boulder had fallen upon him. Everything ached. Gripping hold of the edge of left side of the bed he pushed himself up the sheet pooled around his waist, the creases resembling ripples. His bare chest stared up at him. Looking to the side he noticed his clothing in a heap on the floor, he must have taken them off in the night. Running his fingers through his hair he swung his legs out from under the covers setting to work on getting dressed.
It didn't take long.
Though Thanatos left him no clue on his whereabouts Hades walked down the corridor in his prime knowing when to turn and even which door to open.
The room was large. A single table which stretched across half of the room situated in the center. The black work top coated in a large light grey cloth holding heated plates and bowls covered enough food for a mortal to survive during the winter months and still have enough for spring. Hades couldn't remember the last time he had dined in such luxury. Walking towards the table he found a note.
Hades. I trust your sleep was peaceful. Please enjoy your breakfast, when you're done meet me in the room two corridors down from this one. Signed Thanatos.
Arching a brow at the sincerity of the note Hades placed it down taking a seat he served himself up a hefty portion of food: A large slice of cheese filled pastire, heated olive bread, three boiled eggs and a goblet of steaming hot coffee.
The feta cheese burned his tongue. He didn't react instead he savoured the feeling as his taste buds began to grow. Flakes of pastrie stuck to his beard giving him a comical look. The coffee flowed down his gaping through feeling his belly with a heated satisfaction.
Hades wasn't a god who was known for his hearty appetite, even so he was able to down three portions of breakfast.
Feeling satisfied he wiped away any excess crumbs from his beard before taking his leave to rejoin Thanatos.
The greeting was friendly, warm. It made Hades feel on edge. Though the voice in his head told him that Thanatos was just being cheerful because of the pain Hades would have to go through, something wasn't adding up. Keeping his thoughts to himself he forced himself to stand strong not about to back down.
Thanatos guided Hades towards the center of the room where Hades stood in a large circle. Hades didn't allow himself to look around the room he focused all of his attention on Thanatos who acted like a shadow, gliding around the room like a proud owner. Hades could feel the ego flowing from Thanatos it made his chest feel heavy. If Hades had all of his powers no one would dare to feel any emotion around him. As his eyebrows began to knot together he was calmed by Thanatos clearing his throat exposing his arms allowing his cloak to fall behind him instead of circling him like a pair of wings.
Hades braced himself.
"You have nothing to fear from me."
The words were spoken to mock more to comfort. Stepping forward Thanatos allowed his eyes to glow.
"I need you to remove your clothing apart from under garments."
Hades didn't argue nor did he question the meaning of the given order. Unclipping every buckle and strap which held his clothing together he soon formed a pile behind him before he stood shivering, the under clothing wasn't protective against chills. Thanatos set to work quickly.
He set familar looking objects down on the ground: A lock of dark brown hair, three dust-covered jars and a torn finger nail.
"Πάρτε αυτές τις ταπεινές προσφορές, δώστε μου τη δύναμη της αθανασίας."
Hades could feel his body heat up. It started from the tips of his toes making its way towards his stomach, a sensation in which many mortals would claim as 'butterflies'. Turning his head he looked down at his hands. They started to tremble not by his own intention. Turning he looked up towards Thanatos. However his uncertain look when unnoticed Thanatos had his eyes closed, his arms stretched out by his side.
The words turned to white noise. Pain over took all of his senses.
Knees began to knock. Forehead creased as sweat trickled down his face. He wanted to fall down on his knees plead with Thanatos to stop this. His pride wouldn't allow this.
Thanatos opened his eyes. The words continued to spill from his mouth walking into the circle he held up a large dagger it shined showing the fear in Hades blood-shot eyes. Grasping hold of Hades wrist not surprised to notice how tense it was he pushed the tip of the blade creating a deep slice, the rosy beads of blood trailed down the extended fingers falling onto the blade before landing inside the circle. Quickly Thanatos stepped out of the circle the next part of the spell relied on Hades alone.
The blood sizzled. It popped.
Smoke surrounded the circle blocking Hades from Thanatos view. Speaking the words started to become harder the smell became over bearing but this wasn't the only thing which made him sick to the stomach, Hades could die during this procedure.
Inside of the smoke hidden circle tears trickled down Hades face his lower jaw quivered his throat tightened. Thanatos didn't explain everything Hades would have to go through in order to gain his powers.
The smoke began to take shape. It formed into something which enraged Hades while at the same time striked fear into his heart.
Persephone
Everything resembled the one woman who managed to grab his heart: Her long hair, eyes which shone despite a cloud covered sky, even the small mole upon her wrist. Hades forced himself to look away he wouldn't stare at anything resembling the woman who tried to make him into a human. It went against everything his whole life drew him towards in order to gain the respect and power he deserved. Bracing himself the first blow was the hardest. It didn't punch him in the gutt nor did it bring out a weapon with the flick of a wrist, it spoke to him the voice copied directly from Persephone's vocal cords.
"Lykaios, please help me."
She, it stretched a hand forward attempting to cup Hades cheek to bring him towards her to pull him out of the circle. No. He wouldn't listen. Gritting his teeth sending pulsing pain through his lower jaw he punched at the head. His fist went straight through the shaped smoke, the creature didn't cry out in pain only morphed its self back to normal circling Hades slowly allowing the ex god to follow with a simple twist of a head. The shadowed hand grabbed hold of his wrist, spinning himself around almost falling over his own two feet he turned his head just managing to see the engraved circle he pulled himself forward with seconds to spare.
He panted. A pained cry passed his lips. What ever Thanatos was saying outside of the circle it wasn't helping his current position. The shadow sensed the pain and stepped forward. Seeing this movement Hades forced himself to move out of the way his legs felt like jelly, falling down the ground would give him some form of an attempt to keep on breathing without hyperventilating.
"Lykaios..."
The mortal name hit him like a kick in the gutt. Turning himself around he faced the shadow creation opening his mouth causing drool to hang from the curve of his canine tooth. His hair a mess. Under clothing sticking to him like a second skin. The blood from his wound creating a path from his movements continued to hiss and spit causing the smoke to become thicker, allowing the figure of Persephone to look more human. This meant one thing: It would become more vulnerable.
Now Hades found himself circling the shadow form watching as it attempted to get used to feet which had five toes instead of none. The urge to chuckle fulled him. As the strange off-key note sprang from his lips he found himself forgetting about the pain. Almost as if he was in control of it. With this new piece of information he conned his body into allowing himself to take steps without falling into a pit of agony. Hades was waiting. Luckily for him he didn't have to wait long. The smoke figure opened its mouth to speak, lunging forward Hades grabbed the neck feeling all the muscles even the feminine adams apple.
The shadowed Persephone gasped in pain. The hands moved grasping hold of Hades wrists attempting to pull the hands away. It amused Hades to think the smoke fied death. It wasn't even alive.
Ebony coloured smoke began to circle Hades it wasn't a threat it was in fact Hades powers. He could feel it seeping out of his body. The hairs on the back of his neck his body reacting the feeling he once took for granted. Shaking his head sharply he forced the smoke to remain with him, if he attempted to reject it then he would be no better than a mortal.
Hades could feel the shadow formation relax in his hold at first he thought he was wining, it was the look on the expressive features which made him realise his mistake. The shadow was attempting to attack at his heart make him admit feelings he wouldn't bring to the surface. The hands moved from Hades wrist to touch his cheek, for a moment Hades allowed the comforting hold his fingers started to uncoil around her neck sending a chill through his arms as he had started to sweat.
The shadow started to smile. The ebony smoke Hades controled became weak mixing in with the shadow surrounding the circle.
"Lykaios, look at me. This isn't the real you, please come back to me."
A lump formed in Hades throat. Leaning himself forward his nose bumping against the solid smoke nose he closed his eyes, lips puckered to kiss the perfectly shaped lips. Persephone allowed herself to lean against the quivering body holding her. In turn her lips copied his.
"Never."
Snarling those words he grabbed hold of the neck tighter yanking it to the side. Hades heard the shadow bones cracking he pushed the body aside, causing the shadow to no longer be solid as it disappeared in front of him. Hades had won. He had proved his loyalty.
Falling to his knees he grabbed the side of his head in each hand as he opened his mouth screaming in agony. His under clothing started to glow as strange thick heavy clothing shimmered around him flakes of gold fell onto the ground. Heaving loudly he looked down at his body his body quivered the ebony smoke returned circling him, he could feel the pain becoming numb though it didn't complety leave him. Rolling his head he looked around only now noticing that the grey smoke started to leave he glanced towards Thanatos seeing his head still lifted towards the ceiling, rolling his eyes as his eyes fluttered closed he fell down on his stomach hitting his head hard.
Lowering his arms by his side Thanatos opened his eyes his mouth had become dry. He noticed Hades laying unconscious on the ground. Thanatos had no idea what had happened in the circle it wasn't his place to know but with the clothing upon Hades back he knew that Hades had won. Walking forward he carefully picked up Hades not surprised on how light he was.
"Everything is coming into play."
Thanatos purred as he walked out of the room cradling Hades grinning from ear to ear.
Who said that becoming a god even a half one would be painless? Please review when you read.
- Signed The Broken Ghost
