Revenge.
"They say there are five stages of grief. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Well, I'd like to add one more. Revenge." - Cruella (2021)
Cronus was right in front of him.
It was their usual fights and trying to stop him from taking over the world, but this time, Neil had him.
And Cronus was going to pay for taking Belle away.
"There seems to be one less of you," mocked the Titan. "Back to seven now, aren't we?"
Jay, Archie, and Herry were definitely better on the battlefield. There was a reason he and Odie were on the side, though at this moment, he could take on an entire army.
Cronus was going to pay for a lot of things, especially for that remark.
A direct attack while yelling at your enemy was unwise, though from the bags under Neil's eyes, he was blinded by rage.
Cronus grabbed Neil's wrist. "Don't tell me."
He moved to Neil's ear. "You had a soft spot for her, didn't you?"
Neil flew a long away, crashing onto the ground.
A maniacal laugh echoed. "You, a descendant of Narcissus, were in love with someone?" He laughed some more. "How is that even possible. You're too wrapped up in yourself to care about anyone that way. Is that why she didn't want to be with you?"
It was one insult after the other, and Neil had it. He didn't care if he didn't win. Maybe if he died in battle right now, he'd be granted Godhood too and be with Belle.
He felt his arms were being held back by something.
"Neil, dude, chill…" Herry's voice behind him. "It's what he wants you to do, fight him over and over again. Belle wouldn't want you to be like this."
Herry wasn't the brightest person he knew, but he was right.
"Getting back at him won't bring her back."
They walked him back to Pegasus, though his eyes were on Cronus the whole time.
"It may not be today, but you're gonna pay one day for what you did, Cronus. You're gonna pay…!"
Prayer.
When Bellerophon learnt of his descendant's demise, he was saddened of the news.
Where he succeeded, she failed when she faced Cronus's chimera.
But the one moment she did succeeded, he failed.
Not only was she rewarded after death, she was rewarded Godhood and became a Goddess.
If this were any of his earlier descendants and a few thousands of years ago, he'd be beyond jealous. He tried to get to Mount Olympus to become a god, but was struck down by Zeus while he flew on Pegasus and fell thousands of feet from the air.
Though perhaps he was too ardent to become a God on Mount Olympus. Belle earned it with her reluctance and humility.
Something he had to learn the hard way after his death.
Narcissus walked up to him. Someone else who could use a humility lesson.
"Bellerophon, I have heard of Belle's passing. My condolences are with you."
Other passed heroes have come to offer up their thoughts and sorrows. His half-brother, Theseus offered his condolences as well. They were both glad Belle and Theresa got along.
The original Rider nodded. "Thank you, Narcissus. Even though she can't be here with us in Elysian Fields, it comforts me to know that she has become a Goddess on Mount Olympus."
"It has affected my own descendant as well, Neil," the hunter continued. "They had feelings for each other, but never were a couple."
Bellerophon nodded. "Surprised that he could see beyond his own reflection."
Narcissus looked away. "I know my descendants are shallow and self-absorbed, and I can't speak for Neil, but I can't blame Belle. She was only trying to protect herself. In those days, times were harsh. We always had to be on our guard from predators, invaders, thieves. But it wasn't also enemies from the outside, there was no peace in our cities and villages at all either. I got so caught up within myself, I couldn't get out of it. Pretty soon, I drove everyone away from me and didn't know how to get along with others."
He turned to look at Bellerophon. "If only I tried to let someone in, a friend, even someone to love, maybe Neil and Belle would have been together."
Bellerophon looked away. He remembered how hard the Age of the Gods could be. If he were pushed around any further, perhaps he'd ended up where Narcissus was.
Perhaps Narcissus was protecting himself as well.
"I know we had our differences, but even though Neil's a bit of a nuisance, he's a great kid. I'd approve of them being together."
Narcissus nodded. "And I would have approved, too. She helped Neil to be more brave. She was a great warrior."
Absolution.
"If she didn't become a Goddess, she'd be here… but then I'd just come down here all the time, and it would have been too inconvenient."
And he wouldn't be with the living.
No one knew what to say to him at school, so Neil thought he'd took a visit to the Underworld to see Narcissus.
Even Charon felt bad for him and offered one free ride, but it would have disrupted the natural order, so he paid the regular fare. One inconvenience if Belle were sent to the Underworld was he'd had to pay Charon every time to see her.
But it would have been worth it to see her. Mount Olympus was too high to get to.
"She brought out the best in you, and she's not with you anymore, though I know she's always going to watch over you," said Narcissus.
Neil nodded. His ancestor invented narcissism and they were caught up in themselves, though ever since Narcissus's passing, he may have gotten some perspective. Perhaps that's what being a spirit does to you.
Bellerophon walked by.
"Neil," the Rider greeted. "Visiting here by yourself?"
"Yeah, I am." Bellerophon had the same dark brown locks like Belle. "I'm sorry I couldn't have saved Belle in time."
"It's fine, Neil," Bellerophon began. "She was rewarded as a Goddess and has a place on Mount Olympus now. There was nothing more you could have done."
But he could have done more.
"I loved her," Neil got up. "I loved her so much, I tried to be more selfless for her, but we never were. And she loved me, Bellerophon. She loved me back, but we never were."
He looked away. "I would have done anything to bring her back. Anything."
Talking to Bellerophon was like talking to Belle herself.
The Rider's hand was on his shoulder. "I'm glad you cared about her that much."