Chapter 16:

Your time is running out, Aidoneous. Do you feel yourself cracking? The god of madness even refused to help you…why don't you just… give in? I know you want this power – I can see it in your heart. You crave it. So why not give in and take it? Play the villain they all believe you to be… DESTROY THEM.

Hades has his jaw set and his hand is clenched, white-knuckled on his pitchfork. He's in Tartarus, and even though he knows he's dreaming, he feels a great pressure against his chest.

"Show yourself!" he growls, completely and utterly tired of the games Cronus plays in his sleep. A loud chuckle reverberates around him, and he grips his weapon tighter. He feels the black voice slither across his neck. After all this, you're still quite assertive. I like that, son. I really do. Does your whore like that too? Do you imagine punishing her-

"Enough!"

A loud laugh, and Cronus continues, Come, now, Aidoneous – we both know you lust after her. I could feel your heart racing and pumping like a human's when she kissed you. I could feel your desire for her sear through your veins…so why didn't you just take her?

Locking his eyes ground and clenching his fist, Hades doesn't reply to Cronus's question. He's so tired. Tired of his sleepless nights, tired of his pain, tired of his family's loathing of him – everything. Honestly, he just wants to give in, surrender to his father and let the responsibilities and consequences wash over him like his brethren do every day.

Moreover, Cronus is right. About everything. He knows he doesn't love Persephone, per se – he knows he likes her, at least, and her presence does manage to soothe him and give him comfort in his dreams and… even in his waking hours – but he doesn't know the girl. I don't know her, but…She gives me peace… Hades feels himself relax until a cold shiver runs through his body. Your lust burns in you like your curse. Cronus gives a low chuckle, and the sound sends a chill down Hades' back. When's the last time you were with a woman? Was it that whore – ah, what was her name…Calypso? No, that's not it…Katro-

"Calliope," Hades says through a harsh whisper. "Her name was Calliope."

Ah, yes…Calliope. That…mortal woman. You fell in love with her and Zeus took her from you – he even made you send her soul to the pits of Tartarus when he was done. And then he casted you out when you rebelled… Do you really think you still owe him your loyalty?

Hadessnarls, "I've already tried to rebel, and I failed! What would you have me do?" Silence. "Answer me!" he growls, green flames erupting on his staff. More silence. "SHOW YOURSELF AND ANSWER ME!"

A man walks out of the shadows, his body forming itself with each step forward. When the man finally comes fully into the green-tinted light cast by the flames, Hades takes a step back.

Cronus smiles coldly, golden eyes flickering in the light. "Hello, son. You look surprised – have you forgotten what I've looked like after all these years?"

Hades frowns. "How could I forget when I see your face every time I look into a mirror?"

Cronus gives another cold smile and walks forward, dark blue robes billowing behind his feet. "I can't deny that you are my son. Though, I don't know where you got those eyes from," Cronus makes a disgusted noise at the back of his throat, "Probably Ouranos."

Cronus walks closer and Hades readies his staff, tongues of green fire coursing down the length of the shaft. Cronus doesn't seem to notice and continues his walk, moving in a circle around Hades.

"You know, Aidoneous," he starts, an amused tone to his voice, "I've always wondered why you never brought her back. You know you could do it." He continues to work his way around Hades.

"I am responsible for keeping the balance of life and death," Hades says through gritted teeth, his heading turning to follow Cronus's path around him. "Bringing her back would be unnatural."

"Ah, but the gods do many things that are unnatural…Like… Falling in love with mortal whores, for instance."

The flames around Hades' staff grow larger. "You have no right-"

Before Hades can do anything, Cronus rushes up towards him from behind, catching him off-guard and seizing an iron-grip on his right side. "Don't I?" Cronus asks, and Hades lets out a strangled hiss as Cronus squeezes his side. "I have every right, boy." Another squeeze, and Hades is on the verge of crumpling to his knees and passing out. "I saw that whore of yours suffer everyday here. She pleaded for you, boy. And you kept her here for years."

"I…had no choice. I – argh!" Hades sputters out. He's starting to see white bursts in front of his eyes. "I put her in Elysium after the war."

"After you failed." Cronus squeezes Hades' side again, and for a moment he feels like he's blacked out, but instead he's fallen to his knees; his staff dropped and forgotten at his side. His head falls forward. "…What would you have me do?"

"Give in," Cronus whispers in his ear, and for one quick, fleeting moment, the voice almost sounds kind. Hades knows it's an illusion, but he feels himself start to nod.

"Give in," Cronus says again, his voice coming in waves across the back of Hades' neck.

"Give in," Hades repeats. As Hades continues to nod, he feels his side begin to go numb. He distantly hears a curse behind him.

"Damn that blasted girl!" Cronus says, and his body begins to disintegrate around Hades. "We'll meet again, son-" Cronus's last words are lost as he fully evaporates into shadows, leaving Hades entirely alone to mouth the words "give in" over and over again.

A/N: Well, this was a rather short chapter, but it was important. I hoped you guys enjoyed it. :D More to come soon. Leave comments as always! :D