This chapter, while not super long, is the product of the ideas of my brain and fulfilling the better side of a God that needed a better rep.
This is a profoundly awesome chapter, I hope you love it.
Hades had first found Aaron interesting when he invoked the presence of Hecate, not many mortals could do that. Hecate chose only those worthy of magic, of the power of thought and choice. He had known the Goddess for eons and trusted her judgment beyond most, even now that she had defected. His love for her, as a friend, had never faded.
He found himself amazed when the boy defended him from the biases of Chiron and Grover, something that only his children had ever done. Even Hestia who claimed to love him never did that. The boy, who had so newly come into their world and lives, risked a great deal to sate and defend his honor.
Hades first found himself caring for Aaron, admiring him, when he saved the souls of those destroyed by Medusa's broken mind. His challenging of the abuses of mortals and immortals alike. Hades rarely acted callously, only in rage had he allowed himself to do so as he had done to Percy Jackson and his Mother.
He found himself desiring the boy when he managed to mitigate the evil of Zeus' Werewolf curse, through sheer will and power. Zeus was the strongest of the gods, Hades' included in that, with a powerful mind even for a god. To do that, to even attempt it, Aaron had to have the most powerful of minds and strongest of souls.
So, through and because of all of that, Hades felt no shame or discomfort in granting Aaron's most simple and deepest of wishes...
He was going to help the boy summon and cure Medusa.
It wasn't a random idea, Hades had heard the boy think it once he saved her victims. He knew it was something the boy desired and so as a gift he summoned his beloved mortal to the Depths of the Underworld, to the entrance of the Pit itself, and watched as he excitedly started to draw the runic formation needed to summon Medusa's essence. Well after teaching the boy said runic formation, one so rare and valuable that no demigod he knew of knew. Zeus, in an act of rare intelligence, banned it from being taught in case Demigods went about raising monsters from Tartarus. He trusted Aaron though, who had already helped so many gods, demigods and other beings.
"Almost done... are you sure this will work, Hades?" Aaron asked, looking as excited as he was nervous. " Magic like this would be terribly draining, an anchoring spell like this requires tremendous power."
Smiling warmly at the boy he loved, Hades waved his hand, causing a sliver of his dark power to flood his lover's body making him sigh. "I will be allowing you to tap into my powers, you will simply be the anchor. Oh and keep in mind, you can look at her. Binding her to you with this magic makes you immune to her curse. However until I break it, she cannot leave the circle less you become petrified."
"Alrighty... you ready? I just finished."
"Naturally."
No more words were exchanged as Aaron stepped out of the circle and raised his hands skyward, breathing and tapping into the power of the Underworld and the Earth, molding the magics of life and death expertly. Then, without words, he tossed the power into the circle. Hades knew he was focusing on the image, story and name of Medusa. That alone would act as a lifeline to the immortal monster, dragging her kicking and screaming into the mortal world.
Hades felt a drain on his power, a noticeable one given Medusa was not only a monster but used to be a Nymph of two moderately powerful gods. Her essence was more complex than typical monsters.
Power swirled around the circle, black and green, and within moments it collected until a slimy, broken from fell from it's center. Medusa rose from the ground, shimmery and wet and smoky. "Who summons me?" She asked, her tone light and wrathful.
Aaron stepped forward. "One who wishes to help and heal you, to unwind the burden of misery and an undue curse. One who wishes to grant you freedom and happiness unfairly robbed from you."
"I recognize that voice... Aaron, one of my destroyers." The Gorgon glared, wrathful and insane. Hades seeing this waved his hand at her, and with great power, rewound her mental energies allowing her break free from the insanity of loneliness and despair. Medusa gasped and collapsed again, tears falling down her face. " What have I become? I didn't use to lure people into my home, they attacked me due to the bitch Athena sending them after me."
Hades sighed. "Humans and Gods alike are social creatures, without the ability to see or communicate with others for so long, your mind fractured. It happens to those in solitary confinement in the mortal world... it is not your fault, and it is why you are being helped."
The woman sniffed. " Thank you, Lord Hades,.. but how? I used to serve Athena, I know you can only help me in return for something else."
Hades smiled. "Naturally you are right. Aaron had wanted to heal you for so long, so I assisted but I need something in return. So, here is my proposal. I will heal you entirely, returning you to your old immortal nymph state. In return you will serve me, in the same capacity as Charon. So many have died, mortals so many, that there is a lot of congestion there. Your powers over water, as a child of the sea, will allow you to safely work in this capacity and in fact are needed for this. I will allow you to connect to the Underworld, to draw power from it. I also, through a suggestion of Aaron's brilliant mind since you were a High Priestess and are accustomed to having people work under you, grant you command of fifty spirits that will serve you in any capacity that you wish however I would suggest that you allow them to clean the River Styx while they are doing nothing. They are all criminals seeking a chance at rebirth, this is their punishment until they can be forgiven and allowed to be reborn. The river is terribly polluted... and technically, since you are still a nymph in your previous state, you need to bond with Styx. That will allow to you help undo the effects of pollution that has been so hard to combat over the eons. As a spirits of water, I am sure you can appreciate that."
Medusa's eyes were wide, even in the soupy mix of dark magic, she shone bright as did her happiness. "What of my sisters?"
"It will take time, but I can as the Lord of the Underworld... revive them. I need an anchor, and Aaron needs more skill. However, in maybe a decade they can come and serve alongside you."
That broke the woman. "Thank you... so much..."
"Never a problem... now, do you swear by Styx to serve me, to never attack without purpose and to obey by my laws?"
She nodded. " I swear it."
"Then by the powers of the Underworld, you are free from Athena's vile curse."
The curse shattered, the scream of an owl filled the Underworld as his far greater power unwove Athena's curse. Medusa collapsed and he saw her as she truly was. Tall and broad shouldered, with a strong athletic form. She had perfect black tresses that fell in curls around her shoulders. Her eyes glowed emerald and she oozed power, the power of an immortal nymph born to two ancient gods. She was crying, looking at her beautiful dark skin with happiness and shock.
"I am free!" She cried out, the hugged Aaron sobbing. "Thank you both."
"Never an issue." Aaron said, tears in his voice.
Hades smiled. "Let us go to the River Styx. She is waiting for you."
As a happy group, after vanishing the runic spell at the entrance to the Pit so it could not be used by others, they made it to the River where the barge of Charon was waiting as was the Goddess Sty and her husband Perses the Titan of Warfare. Styx was a petite creature with dark green skin and a dress made of smoke, she oozed hate and power as the strongest child of Oceanus
"Hello, my old friend." Styx hugged Medusa close, smiling into her shoulder. "I missed you, as have so many in my father's court. We petitioned for eons to have you freed, to have Poseidon punished for his part in this... it never happened. Thankfully my Lord Hades is of better stock than the rest of the arrogant Olympians."
Medusa sniffled. " Thank you... it means the world."
"Now, I do believe it is time for you to bind your lifeforce to my river."
"I cannot wait." And then Styx kissed her friend on the forehead, and their powers blended together.
Styx and Medusa both cried out, Medusa's form solidifying as she took on some of Styx's powers and burden. Styx's energy expanded as the power of Medusa's lifeforce flowed into her river, allowing her greater strength and expression.
Perses laughed, happily and deeply. Well armored in leather, the handsome Titan hugged his wife. "Now your river will be cleaned and you have a wonderful friend at her side. I am so happy for you, my love."
Styx nodded, pleased. "As am I..."
Hades stepped forward. "I have another present for you... for Perses that is." The Titan looked curiously at Hades. "Aaron already suggested the Leto work for me, and she has as you know. She has helped hundreds of children of Asphodel gain peace and move on to rebirth, she still helps those children have a happier afterlife rather then merely exist in a state of purgatory. Medusa will help those stuck in limbo pass onto my realm and help heal Styx's river. This inspired me. Perses, a war is brewing and so I ask you to serve me as a lieutenant. To mold my forces into something to be feared and, since we will not always be at war, to act as father and lord to those that died in battle. You will help those soldiers that need to be reborn or seek peace. Asphodel should not be a place to put people because I lack resources, this has always been a shame of mine, with your help I can better serve my citizens with your aid.
What say you?"
Perses beamed. "You have always been good to us Hades, and you care for your people. I know you have been seeking a way to help Asphodel... you loathed how countless people were essentially punished for simply living their lives. I would be happy to serve you."
A new oath was formed and the powers of the Underworld surged into Perses, turning an already potent Titan into a force almost comparable to an Olympian.
"I now pronounce you Perses, Titan of Warfare, Liutenetn of Hades and Guardian of the souls of Soldiers."
Hades felt Aaron's arms wrap around him and he felt a surge of love from him. "This is why I agreed to date you, this is the man I saw beyond the brooding,"
It was hard for Hades not to laugh. "I am glad you could see this side of me... I hope this helps in the wars to come." He said then, sighing.
"It will... you are making amends and helping to heal wounds eons old. This can only help... even if your idiot brother sees a problem with it."
They shared a look, a kiss and then they just relished in the happiness to come knowing it might become a small resource in the future.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a really fun chapter and a long time coming. I never liked that they ignored the retired gods... I have so many ideas to help Hades. Gods can be in more than one place at once, so hiring Perses is like hiring at least ten people...
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.