Alex straightened up once he recovered from his sickness. A bead of sweat dripped from his face and he reached up to wipe it off.
The ground beneath them was made of hard black rock. There wasn't much ground where they were standing because it expanded for another few feet before sharply dropping off. Alex looked off in the distance and saw hideous orange fires that ravaged the areas around them. He could hear the screams of both men and women alike as they were subjected to unknown forms of torture.
There were a few areas that stood apart from the bleakness of it. The first thing he saw was a shimmering grassy area that vibrated like a mirage, full of warm light and beauty. He then saw two lakes that cut through the harsh terrain below their platform, flowing blue despite their surroundings. On the other side of the lakes was a forest of dead gray trees with blurry figures obscuring most of it from his view.
When he turned around to see if Zeke was as enthralled as he was, he caught sight of a magnificent gate. It towered at least two stories high. It was breathtaking, with a silver structure overlayed by gold details of flowers and ribbons. In the middle of the gate sat a bronze three-headed dog. Its eyes glowed red as the group approached them.
Edmund spoke a word in a language Alex didn't know. The gate responded by parting down the middle of the second dog and swinging inward.
In front of them was a lively garden filled with brightly colored mushrooms, shrubs with dark leaves and bright flowers, and plants that seemed to give off a light of their own. The beauty of the garden sharply contrasted with the looming obsidian palace which stood in the near distance.
Alex felt a cool breeze pass over him as they passed through the gate. With it came the scent of plants, including the sickly-sweet smell of pomegranates that made his mouth water. A strong desire to go bite into one took over him, but he was forced to continue walking by Zeke pushing him along the gravel path that wound through the garden.
He saw that the palace was a lot closer than it had appeared outside of the gate. The front was more apparent now, and Alex saw that the entrance had a tall portico made from black marble. It was shaped similarly to a castle, with towers rising from both the front and back. Torches were placed seemingly at random along the exterior of the building, intrinsically giving portions of it an eerie glow.
A loud flapping sound filled Alex's ears. He looked up to see where it originated but found nothing other than the empty cave above him. A warm feeling began to spread through his veins, replacing the chill that seemed to permanently reside there. He felt the presence of an old, powerful being, but he saw nothing.
"Edmund?" He asked. His voice was small, a reflection of the fear he felt. What if the daemon was coming back to get his revenge?
Edmund turned around to look at him and his eyes widened. "By the gods," he whispered.
Alex looked up again, desperate to catch a glimpse of the creature that tormented him. Instead, a claw darker than shadows gripped his shoulder. He felt the pressure from it but there was no pain.
Just as soon as the strangeness began, it disappeared. The three sat in stunned silence.
It was Edmund who spoke first. "You have been claimed, Alexander."
"Claimed? What do you mean?" Alex felt the tension leave his body. He breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't being attacked.
"By your godly parent. It appears you are a son of Erebus, the Primordial god of darkness. He's more powerful than even Hades."
Alex looked to Zeke, who gave him a grin and a thumbs up. Edmund ushered them to continue through the garden, claiming that it wasn't quite safe enough for them yet.
Both Alex and Zeke craned their necks at odd angles to take in the splendor of the garden. Who could blame them? It was massive and decorated with statues of both people and animals. All around them were heaps of jewels such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Alex had never seen so much wealth in his life.
In the middle of the garden stood two statues: a man, and a woman, surrounded by trees that bore bright orange pomegranate blooms. The man was tall and muscular, with a long beard of curly hair that was matched on top of his head, where a pointed crown sat. What Alex would later learn to be called a chiton was draped over one of the statue's arms and around his waist. In his right hand, he held a bident and his left, a leash that connected with the spiked collars of a three-headed dog that matched the one on the gate.
The woman next to him wore a peplos that left both arms bare. Only a few curls framed her face, as her hair was pulled back in a stylized fashion. Her head was turned to the right, facing the statue of the man, and her right hand cupped an empty space over her chest.
Although they were positioned next to each other, there was at least a foot of space between them. They also seemed different than the rest of the statues; less detailed, especially around their faces. Alex hadn't realized he'd stopped until Zeke ran into him.
"Oof," they both said at the same time. Zeke opened his mouth, probably to explain who the statues were, but Edmund was looking at them impatiently. It seemed to Alex that the man's skin was a few shades paler than it had been before their arrival.
"You will have plenty of time to frolic later." He stared at Zeke as he spoke. "My father doesn't like to be kept waiting, and he is anxious to meet our newest camper." Edmund continued down the gravel path that led to the palace.
The rest of the trip was spent in awed silence. The palace was even more dazzling up close, with two columns made from the same black marble of the portico they supported. An entry hall made from the same silver bronze as the front gate.
Zeke nudged Alex as they walked through the entry hall, and they both looked up. He expected to see a ceiling made of jewels, but instead, he only saw what looked like the roof of a cavern that must have been hundreds of feet up in the air.
"I guess it's too dark to need a ceiling," Alex muttered, uncertainty creeping into his veins. Was it just his imagination, or did he see large bats flying around up there?
They passed multiple doorways, guarded by skeletons that wore what appeared to be military gear. Alex recognized the American flag patched onto a torn-up camouflage jacket but failed to place the armor that another guard adorned. A few of them held old-style guns, swords, and even spears.
Down the hallway, Alex saw two skeletons that must have also been in the United States military. They guarded two large doors encrusted with the same jewels found in the garden. In fact, it reminded Alex of the commercials he had seen where girls bedazzled everything they owned, such as their diaries or their clothes.
The two soldiers looked down at them as they approached. They appeared to be holding - Alex did a double-take - were those grenade launchers?
At Edmund's presence, the doors blew open, and the guards stepped aside. Their eye sockets seemed to follow them as they passed. As soon as the group crossed the threshold, the doors closed behind them. Alex felt relieved the guards stayed outside the room; they gave him the creeps.
The room they entered was exceedingly dark, which took even Alex's trained eyes a second to adjust to. When he could see clearly again, he saw columns like those outside the palace encircling the room. The floor was made of polished bronze that gave off a light of its own. On the opposite side of the room was a circular platform with a throne positioned in the middle.
The throne was made from the fused bones of human skeletons. Multiple skulls faced outwards, all of them missing their lower jaw. Alex suppressed a shudder. He couldn't tell if it was from the black eye sockets that seemed to stare into his soul, or because the room was ten degrees colder than the rest of the palace.
A man stood up from the throne and walked toward them. It didn't take Alex long to realize that there was something off about him. He stood at least eight feet tall, and his skin was so pale it was nearly translucent. His shoulder-length oily black hair reminded Alex of a particular wizard professor in a well-known media franchise. He wore a suit so dark it seemed to absorb any light that touched it. He shrunk down a couple of feet as he crossed the room to meet them.
"Well done, son." The man's voice filled the room, despite him speaking quietly. Alex glanced over at Edmund, who seemed to be on the verge of passing out but holding his composure.
"Thank you, father," said Edmund.
Alex's face must have mimicked his confusion. He remembered Edmund saying that his father was Hades, but this man looked nothing like Alex pictured. He seemed intrinsically human but gave off powerful energy much more intense than Alex ever felt from Edmund. Perhaps Hades was the source where Edmund's power originated from.
"I am sure Edmund explained some of this to you. My name is Hades, God of the Underworld." Alex's mouth went dry. His suspicions were confirmed, and he was staring directly at a god. He wasn't sure if he should bow or kneel, and his body made a jerking motion trying to incorporate both.
Hades chuckled, a sharp sound that sent shivers down the boy's back. "There will be no need for that here. You are a guest at this camp."
Alex hesitantly straightened and met the god's eyes. They were black like Edmunds, yet infinitely deeper.
"How long can I stay?" He asked, finally finding his voice.
"As long as you need, my dear boy. I am in no shortage of space here in the Underworld." This seemed to amuse him because he once again chuckled. His laughter stopped abruptly when he caught sight of the figure standing partially behind Alex.
"I thought I smelled something foul when you walked in. Edmund, why is there a satyr standing in the middle of my throne room?" Hades made no attempt to hide the disdain in his voice. Before Edmund could answer, Zeke spoke up.
"I was chosen by Edmund to guide this boy to a half-blood camp." Zeke bowed his head ever so slightly.
Hades sneered. Once again, he addressed Edmund. "That is why you are so weak from your travels. You are lucky your indiscretion did not kill you."
Hades turned to Zeke and said, "perhaps you will find a good home in the pits of Tartarus." Alex recognized that name from a long-ago discussion with his friend. It was the name of the prison where Zeus locked away the Titans.
"No!" He shouted without warning, causing the room to fall silent. All eyes fell on him, and he felt his face heating up. "I mean, can't Zeke stay here with me?"
The god studied Alex, and he got the faintest sense that his soul was being searched by those endless black eyes. "My camp was not made to house creatures such as him. The satyr will find his own way above ground."
Alex opened his mouth to argue, but Hades held up a bony finger to stop him. "There is no room for discussion. He has crossed you through the boundary of the camp, therefore fulfilling his duties as your protector."
"Alex," Zeke turned to face him. "Hades is right. The Underworld is no place for a satyr. Don't worry, I'll be okay," he added after seeing the look of anguish on Alex's face.
They embraced each other, and it was all Alex could do to keep himself from crying. As they pulled apart, he caught a glimpse of two small nubs on top of Zeke's head, mostly hidden by his shaggy blond hair. Zeke smiled when he noticed Alex staring at them. "They'll grow, I promise."
Hades clapped his hands together and exhaled loudly. "Was that sentimental or what?" He looked to Edmund, who didn't seem to be paying attention. "Of course, of course. Zeke, one of my guards will escort you to Charon's ferry. I am sure he will be most delighted to oversee your safe departure."
At his command, one of the armor-clad guards popped up from the floor beside Zeke. Hades tossed a gold coin to him with a mischievous smile on his face. "I expect you will pay me back."
Zeke didn't respond. He gave Alex one final goodbye before he turned to follow the guard through the doors.
"As for you two," Hades waved his hand and Edmund disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Alex took a hasty step backward, wondering what horrible torture he was about to be put through now that both of his protectors were gone.
Hades scoffed like he could read the boy's mind. "I can manipulate shadows. I've just sent Edmund off to bed is all. Now, if you let me, I will graciously do the same for you. Our second in command, Viviana should find you in the morning. Edmund needs some time to rest. Shadow travel is no easy task, especially with a group."
Hades was about to wave his hand but stopped the motion mid-air. "Do tell me, boy, who is your Godly parent?"
"Erebus claimed me as I entered the garden," Alex said quietly.
The god gave him a thoughtful look. They stared at one another long enough that Alex began to grow uncomfortable. The presence of the being in front of him didn't give him the same sinister feeling that Ceuthonymus had the night before, but it wasn't pleasant.
"You will do well to aid this camp, then. Take a shower and get some sleep. You look like you need both." Hades once again waved his hand. Alex felt his body jerk up off the ground and he tumbled through a sticky black substance.
Alex landed on a solid floor. When he brought himself to open his eyes, he found that he was in a room twice as big as the orphanage. The floor, the walls, and the ceiling were all made from a glistening black marble flecked with streaks of amber and white.
He pushed himself to his feet and wiped away tendrils of darkness that stuck to him. He crinkled his nose at their slimy texture. To his left sat a twin-size bed, fitted with black silk sheets and a black down comforter. It beckoned to him, and he went. He fell into a deep slumber the minute his head touched the pillow.