The Domos Haidou was the land of the dead—the final resting place for departed souls. It was a dark and dismal realm where bodiless ghosts flitted across the grey fields of asphodel. The land of the dead was enclosed by the Akherousian Lake and three rivers—the Styx, Kokytos (Cocytus) and Pyriphlegethon. The realm is a damp and mouldy place hidden inside the hollows of the earth. The dead crossed a river, passed through gates guarded by the Hound, and presented themselves before the king and queen of the underworld, Hades and Persephone. At least that was what Homer believed.
(It was weird to remember they were living in the time of the Poet sovereign.)
Alas, his account was both right and wrong.
Nico had never understood why people claimed that the Netherworld was too depressing. Though, it may have something to do with not wanting to think about dying or die hard faux flawless Christians shoving the idea of ascending to the heavens or being thrown in the fiery pits of hell.
(His step-mother loved to punish those. She might not care about what religion people worship, but she drew the line at trying to force people to claim a religion they do not care for.)
Maybe it wasn't as lively (Ha!) as Olympos. Maybe it wasn't as otherworldly like Atlantis. It had a simplicity that just called out to people.
Simple yet elegant.
It wasn't as grand as it was in the future. The first time he ventured to the Underworld; he had thought he'd gotten lost until he heard the familiar screeching of the Erinyes and howling of Kerberos. He had then known he was home.
(He had to hide within the shadows a lot since some of the pathways that he used in the future were not open yet.)
The White Island or as they were eventually taught The Island of the Blessed was nowhere near as grand as it was in the future. And Elysium was just as sparse.
His stepmother had not been carted off to the Underworld yet… though he sensed his Father's trips to the surface land each day. It would not be long. He took the moment to breathe in the misty air where there was thankfully less floral. (He had allergies!)
Hecate's cave was unoccupied, so that meant that the Soul Shed wasn't there. (Even with Daedalus' help in the future, there were still too many souls. Hekate and Thanatos eventually created a crystal that sucked up souls in Asphodel fields that had been there for millennia.
Even the dorms were gone.
The myths had it all wrong. Though Haidês may have rarely interacted with mortals, it didn't mean he didn't have affairs before marrying Persephonê (Or was she Kore now?) The dorms were where he sent his children to be educated as time moved further and further along. [And where they all learned to lead the kingdom in case he ever fades.]
(He remembered the quest Ariadne went on that led her to Apollo's library. She had emerged with smoke coming out of her ears while muttering that the god was an arrogant asshole and that she should shove a bookcase up his ass. When she saw him outside studying, she willingly went back inside with him and stayed until he finished his homework.) [It was also when Nico realized that the god may actually have feelings for his cousin since he didn't stop glaring at him until they left. Most would find it strange how he battled with his feelings for Percy yet only saw Ariadne as another nagging older sister.]
The Styx waters were cleaner. He could see his reflection in it. He still carried some of the sand dollars with him sneaking and dropping it into her depths whenever he could.
That was what made it the strangest thing of all.
He had to sneak around his home. He couldn't just pop in for a quick visit with a bag of unhealthy food that would no doubt get him lectured. [Father may try to deny it, but he was just as bad as Demeter when it came to proper nourishment.]
He couldn't go on rides on Alekto or Thanatos' back. [He'd deny it completely if anyone asked.] He couldn't curl up in Kerberos' pin and know for certain that nothing would ever touch him. He couldn't go to Elysium and get advice from the first Perseus (which mainly happened during weapon training. The man was a slave driver.)
The flames of the Greek fire bounced off the various gems scattered across the kingdom. So maybe it did have an otherworldly glow, but it was still much simpler and more sensible than Olympos or Atlantis.
Nico couldn't even go to the hellhound pins! How was Nico supposed to survive without seeing one of the hell pups learn how to shadow travel? It's where he and his stepmother bonded the most.
Nico supposed it didn't matter now. He was going to see his father. A little less bitter, and a lot lonelier version of his father. If it weren't for the fact that Kore/Persephone whatever… made his father incredibly happy, he would warn the man to cut his losses. She wasn't worth the nagging from Demeter. But still, she did make him happy and she ruled over the Underworld with an iron fist. Most people thought she soothed Father's rage. Silly interpreters, he soothed hers.
He could feel the eyes of the residents focusing on him as he made his way to the palace. He could hear the whispers of the dead echoing around the open space.
…Young Master…
…Little Lord…
…Prince…
Gods above, he didn't see how Ariadne and Percy dealt with that all day. He knew that while Percy had been gearing up to be the child of the prophecy… Ariadne had fled to the sea or hid in the stables. She learned how to be a princess.
With an ambro-pop in her mouth, Ariadne was sat beside him quietly as she gaze up at the sky. Her feet trailed gently across the water of the river. The various wounds on her body from the acid of the monsters were healing. The sun dragons of Medea had been set loose. With Apollo's essence running through her, she and a few of his kids had been the only ones equipped to handle them. All the while she was dodging the other monsters and the demigods that were fighting them.
"When we were younger, our mom used to always call us her little prince and princess. She used to say that our dad had gotten lost at sea because he was finding the perfect place to build our kingdom. We'd rule side by side even if one of us found someone to marry. She made us promise to give everything our all and that if all else fails, to remember that we always had each other."
She pulled her legs up to her chest before staring down at the river. "I am scared that I will soon lose my brother. I-I don't know how to live without Percy, and I'm scared that I might have to learn. Mom used to call me a princess. I thought it was time to learn how to be one before I— "
And Nico understood immediately, "You don't plan on living if Percy was to die. This whole time… learning how to speak the language of the sea, helping Hermês with deliveries, spending more time hanging out with your friends… you even tried to be cordial with Apollo and Annabeth! You've been saying your goodbyes!"
Ariadne didn't say anything. She didn't deny his accusations.
"That isn't fair to them."
Her lips twisted into a wry smile, "Life isn't fair, and neither is death. Percy and I's life strings are intertwined. Will you visit me in the Netherworld, cousin?"
"No," he snapped. "Because you're not dying, and neither is Percy."
He stormed off leaving her there smiling softly at the sea.
[Nico couldn't lose his cousins. Just like they couldn't lose each other.]
Nico made it to the palace doors before he knew it. There were less prophecies that had come to pass engraved into the stone and more gruesome deaths. Father did, oh so, like attempting to scare away visitors.
Flicking his finger, the doors of the castle opened. Nico took a quick glance around before making his way to the throne. His father wasn't there at the moment. He was probably too busy above ground stalking after his soon-to-be stepmother.
Nico scowled when he saw one of Eros' arrows lying on the ground. He knew that the story of how the two fell in "love" happened. Eros was too busy playing his games and nearly brought forth the end of the world itself. At least, that was the version of Rome. Though, it was hinted at in the Orphic Hymn 18 to Pluton.
["[Háidēs] with Dēmḗtēr's girl [Persephónē] captive, through grassy plains, drawn in a four-yoked car with loosened reins, rapt over the deep, impelled by love, you flew till Eleusinia's city rose to view: there, in a wondrous cave obscure and deep, the sacred maid secure from search you keep, the cave of Atthis, whose wide gates display an entrance to the kingdoms void of day."]
He'd never think any unpleasant things about Aphroditê. Not only does she scare him but if Ariadne had any say, then she'd beat Eros up if only to keep Apollo from falling in love with Daphne.
Being the past was not doing any favors to her jealousy, self-esteem, and abandonment issues. [He didn't want to be the one to tell her that Apollo was going to have to have lovers if they wanted any of their friends to be born.]
Nico's eyes were drawn to the shadows of the throne as they swirled to form his father. Skin as white as snow, hair dark as night, lips red as a rose… his name is Hades. Looking at his father was like looking at an older and paler version of himself. The build of a panther. He lounged in his chair as looked over Nico curiously.
"I sense my power in you, boy," the god stated. It was a familiar comfort. It was like the world's comfiest blanket being placed over him. He feared his father once before, but now he could only find comfort in him. Hades had been harsh on him because the world above would grant him no favor. But that didn't mean his father hadn't cared. He just showed it differently. "But I do not recall lying with anyone for the past years. Your soul speaks of an age that your body does not possess."
Nico raised his head slowly to look his father directly in the eye before switching to the language of the dead, "I am not from this time, Father. Many suns will come to pass before the day of my conception. I am your son from the future. The Moirai have granted my companions and I a chance to save us all."
Hades' raised a brow before replying in the same tongue, "A child of mine that knows our realms language? Even my other children aren't granted the permission to learn. You claim that the Moirai have brought you back? Here in front of my throne, no lies can be spoken. The dead tell no lies. I shall believe you, my son. That doesn't mean I understand what is it that you want from me?"
"My adopted sister I guess you can say. She's technically my cousin. She alongside her brother came up with the idea to start our own kingdom. She wants me to be king. She wants you, Father, to be its patron."
Hades looked as stunned as he felt when Ariadne first proposed that. He blinked once then twice before scowling, "And what does this cousin of yours want from me?"
"We want nothing malicious," he replied strongly. "Your power is grand, father. You're one of the first six. You deserve more respect and we want to help you gain it. The underworld… Death is not something to fear, but something to embrace. Castellan will quite literally be a ghost country. Horrible things are to come to pass in the future, Father. Castellan can be that safe place for others that are half-divine. I've already flooded the lands with the power of the Underworld. Three souls from the future help hold it together. Will you be our patron, Father, or shall the Moirai wipe this conversation from your mind? My cousin has also been eyeing Uncle Poseidón, Lord Apóllōn, and Lord Hermês for favor."
Hades was quiet for a long time as he looked over Nico. The demigod honestly didn't know what he was looking for before the god slowly nodded his head. "My children have never had favor with the other gods. It's why I keep them a secret and under close watch. They have never had respect. I sense that you are telling the truth, and yet I see that there is a strong bond between you and this cousin of yours. My child as a king? Oh, that'll turn heads for sure. I will accept your offer of patronage on one condition..."
Nico inwardly cheered, "Name it and if it's within my power, I will accept it."
Hades frowned slightly, "Never make it an oath that is not bound by the River Styx. Either way, in exchange for my patronage, I wish to know the full truth of your future."
And a small smile grew on Nico's face, "I can definitely agree to that. Follow me to the Surface Land, father. It is time you meet my family."
Ariadne had just casually pushed Connor into the river when Nico and Lord Háidēs emerged from the shadows of the temples. She was smirking as she leaned on one of the trees outside of the grove. She raised her eyes slowly to look up at them, and Háidēs gasped lightly.
"Mother?" he whispered. Ariadne raised a brow as it was not the first time she had heard that comment. She did have dark curly hair that swept her shoulders and a smile that was brighter than the sun. While she did not have eyes as green as meadows, her eyes were as bright as the blue sky. Connor jumped out of the water and tackled her to the ground with a shriek.
"Wait, Nico's back," she laughed, trying to push him away as his fingers attacked her sides in tickles. Connor looked up with a pleased smile on his face, "Nico's back!"
The words echoed as the others emerged from the trees. A small almost unseen smile crossed the ghost king's face at the excitement for his return. That was until Will and Ariadnê both approached him with scowls on their faces. Gods above, Will even had his thermometer.
"Get over here pipsqueak," Ariadne demanded. "It's time for your checkup." Just how did she managed to make a popsicle look threatening?
Nico pouted, "I'm fine. If anything, I feel energized." Ariadne rolled her eyes before waving Will forward. "Either you do the checkup or… or no more of Katie's blueberry pie."
The gasp he let out was more terrified than it should be. It had been a challenge for everyone to learn how to cook on an open flame and not magical dishes or a modem stove. Only the twins had been spared due to being slightly resistant to the heat, but that still didn't stop the angrier muttering.
If it weren't for Lady Hestia's cooking and teaching, they probably would've starved to death a long time ago.
While Nico was getting checked over, Ariadne looked her Uncle up and down; sizing him up. Unlike her dear brother, she had never had the pleasure of fighting her dear uncle. Now her Aunt Demeter on the other hand… well Ariadne had never underestimated the Cabin 4 to begin with… fighting her aunt while she was in Grainzilla mode made her appreciate how strong they were all over again.
[She felt guilty over how jealous she was that her kids weren't candidates for the great prophecy. Why did it come down to the ones who didn't even want it?]
"Uncle, to what do we owe the pleasure," she drawled. Háidēs looked over the small girl that couldn't have been any older than his apparent son. She wore dual buns atop of her head with the rest hanging down her back. Her hair was the color of a squid's ink. It was long and curly as it framed her face delicately. It was as if the ocean itself had been poured into her eyes and her teeth were slightly elongated as if she was some kind of predator like a shark flashed every time she opened her mouth. There was a very light dusting of freckles dancing across her nose as if she had spent much time near the sun.
Háidēs looked over at her and the other children as they lined in front of him. There was something almost familiar about the way that they held themselves. As if they had seen the worst that the world had to offer and yet kept fighting for a change anyway.
He didn't pay attention to it down in his realm. All his children had a darkness to them after being turned away and shunned by those above in the surface world. But this? This was something different. Their souls were childlike as if they were still toddlers, yet they also held the rawness of the deathless.
It felt like looking in the mirror after battling Father and the other titans.
Wait.
That was not possible. He and his siblings slew their father. Ζεύς, himself, cut him into pieces as Háidēs made the final strike. He was engaging in paranoia for no reason at all.
…
No. No. All those that opposed Olympos were cast anyway. Árkē was still in Tartarus as her wings had been gifted to Thetis who would ensure that her prophesized son, Ahkilles, would be swift-footed in all battles. He had nothing to worry about.
…
It was Impossible. But why could he feel echoes of his father's powers surrounding this girl that bore features to his mother? Why did he feel an echo so similar to the curse his youngest brother bore surrounding the boy that was born of his middle brother?
…
NO! No. This was— no. It cannot be.
"What happened to you," Háidēs demanded, his brows furrowed. Looking over his son carefully, his unbeaten heart stuttered. They were just mere mortals but to face Father and live? He comes back?! Háidēs obviously needed to up the security around the pit. "How did we fail you?"
The foreign looking boy that could only be a son of the divine trickster looked him boldly in the eye. Háidēs startled. He could see flashes of guilt, bitterness, and determination in that gaze. "Come inside, Lord Haidês. Let us tell you a story."
Following them past the tree line, the breath was stolen from the god at the beauty of the grove. It was obviously where the children had built a home and felt safe. There was a small training area off to the side and strange clothing near the river stream as if someone had stopped in the middle of washing. Ambrosia and nectar were being molded into small rectangular and circular shapes on sticks. Fruits and herbs were lying on a table alongside a knife as if someone started to fix a meal then paused. A half-finished painting was tucked away into a corner.
In the center of it all was his eldest sister, Hestia attending to the hearth. The children barely even paused at the sight of her instead moving to sit in the various thrones. Half of them slumped over in relief as soon as they were sitting.
His mother's clone turned to look at the boy beside her who in turn looked at Háidēs, "Hello, Uncle. My name is Percy. And look, I didn't want to be a half-blood."
Word Count: 3372
Words to Know:
The Domos Haidou - Dwellings of Háidēs
Comments from the Author:
1) I had a comment from the original version that stated that it didn't make sense for Háidēs to immediately connect their situation to Krónos so here, I tried to flesh out his thought process.
2) As you can see, here I am not going with the Hesiod or Homer's version where Háidēs takes Persephónē's as his bride with the permission of Ζεύς because he loved her. In this verse, I will be going alongside later myths were he was hit by one of Érōs' arrows at the behest of Aphrodítē.
3) In the PJO-verse, all of Rheia's kids were stated to have inherited something from her. Poseidón in particular inherited her brilliant green eyes. And that's the main point that I went with Percy and Ari being fraternal. In my head, Ariadne has her face, but Percy has her eyes. Ariadne has Krónos' eyes (before they turned gold) and Percy has Krónos' face.
So, Poseidón has Krónos' face, but Rheia's eyes.
Ζεύς has Rheia's face but Krónos' eyes. Thalia (and Jason) are the same.
Háidēs is a mixture of his parents. He has dark eyes, but when he is really happy then his eyes are a bit kaleidoscope. They shift between gold and green and blue.
In the myths, Hḗrē was suppose to be considered the one that looked the most like her mother so she has her mother's face and also dark eyes that "one could get lost in".
Dēmḗtēr has Krónos' face and a mixture of their eyes. Like a light green or teal. Yeah, a teal.
And Hestia looks like a mixture of them both.
