UNDERWORLD, HOUSE OF NYX, ONE DAY TO ESCAPE

As Melinoe walked onto the training yard her trainer Geto wasn't in his usual area lounging around as he usually does, it didn't take long to find him as he sat down by the ledge to the west of the training yard. He had with him a bottle of Ambrosia Melinoe gifted to him not too long ago as a thank you gift for taking her under his wing. As Melinoe approached him he turned his head slightly, without even looking at her he could already tell something was up. "Sit with me princess." Geto scooted over and patted the spot next to him as the Princess of the Underworld sat down beside him, he looked over at her and could immediately see the difference in her appearance, the clock shaped pupils that let off a light ticking noise if you listened real closely. "What happened to you princess? I doubt this new look in your eyes is the prospect of your cursed technique."

Melinoe let out a sigh and rubbed her arm "Geto… I made a deal with Chronos… I'm now his vessel…"

"Your his vessel…? I've heard of curses being able to inhabit humans but I never could have suspected gods to be able to do the same thing. What were his terms?"

"That I have to kill a friend of mine, the current host of Ryomen Sukuna."

Geto spat out a swig of ambrosia he had in his mouth and began to cough hearing that news "RYOMEN SUKUNA HAS A VESSEL?!"

"He's of course, it's actually kinda his fault I even ended up down here… but it's not his fault, he was just trying to save me and two other friends of mine… and now I'm stuck in this prophecy to stop the end of mankind. If I fail to escape again then I lose the bet and the blood of everyone will be on my hands…" Melinoe gripped her head as her eyes began to well up, there was so much riding on her to succeed and the composure she had tried so hard to keep was reaching its breaking point.

Geto could tell she was not in the slightest bit okay, no one person or deity should hold this much of a burden so the best he could do was try to comfort her. Geto wrapped his arms around Melinoe and patted her back "Melinoe, when tears well up. Let them spill forth, they are not so precious that they need to be contained."

Geto couldn't see but his student began to let out sobs and he could faintly feel the tears coming from her eyes fall onto his robes. The two stayed like this for a few minutes with Melinoe crying her heart out, never in his li- well afterlife did he expect to me comforting the Princess of the Underworld of all people. But hell after meeting her Geto now knows that even the divinity need to let out their emotions from time to time, gods know that he could have used a shoulder to cry on when he was a student all those years ago. After a bit more crying Melinoe let go of Geto as she seemed to be feeling a tiny bit better after her teacher was here to comfort her. "Melinoe… did I ever tell you why I got sent to Tartarus?"

Melinoe wiped away the tears from her eyes with her arm and looked at Geto and weakly said "N-No you haven't…"

"Well believe it or not Satoru and I used to be fellow sorcerers in training back when we were teenagers. There were only five sorcerers in our year which surprisingly is a record high for Jujutsu Tech. It was me, Satoru, Shoko, Nemesis, and the love of my life, Eris."

Melinoe's eyes widened in shock hearing the names of Nyx's lost children "Wait a minute you knew Nemesis and Eris?!"

"Retribution and Strife incarnate."

"W-what but how?! Nyx says they disappeared before Chronos was defeated!"

"They sort of just showed up one day falling out of the sky, Shoko had us bring them into the infirmary as they were knocked out cold but didn't seem to be too badly injured. Well they weren't until they woke up and began fighting with each other which resulted in the whole morgue being destroyed along with me and Satoru having to fight them so they would calm down. Eris told us that they came from some far off island and we presumed they were brought to us via a cursed spirit, so we offered them a home and the rest is history. I eventually learned that Eris lied about where they came from but I'll get to that later. Our first and second years together I'll never forget… even through all the life threatening missions we went on we always had each other's backs, I wouldn't trade those memories for anything…" Geto formed a soft smile reminiscing on the times they had while being a sorcerer in training.

"What were Nemesis and Eris like? I have known Nemesis my whole life and she's never been close to anyone really, always so caught up in her duties and opposing me, trying to prove she was better for the task of stopping Chronos. And the Eris I knew would never think about being close with anyone, she's probably the biggest nuisance in the world. What sort of miracle did you pull off to charm her?"

"Honestly not too far off from the Nemesis and Eris I knew back then. Nemesis absolutely despised Satoru, to have been blessed with strength meant Satoru had a very large ego and to be frank he was such a little shit head. He pissed off Nemesis to no end with his apathetic nature and his belief that he was invincible, Nemesis is probably the hardest working person I knew in her efforts to surpass Satoru. Eris on the other hand was not committed to anything at all, no drive at all to be a sorcerer and half the time me, Satoru, or Nemesis had to go complete her missions because she thought it would be funny to go mess with non-sorcerers instead of doing her missions. The other half of the time it was messing with everyone, especially Nemesis, she somehow even got on Satoru's nerves, not many people can do that. Even with Nemesis' hot blooded nature and Eris' destructive tendencies, we all seemed to warm up to each other over time and we were all good friends. That was until… April of 2006."

Geto's smile turned to a frown as he now had to retell the turning point of his life, the escort of the Star Plasma Vessel. "The mission was simple, escort the Star plasma vessel Riko Amanai back to Jujutsu Tech, originally it was just supposed to be Gojo, Nemesis, and I since we were considered the strongest but Eris butted in halfway through the mission. The whole trip people were after Riko but the four of us were able to handle it, Satoru had to go overtime using his six eyes. On the trip she looked so happy that it felt wrong that we were sending her to her death, she had so many years left of life in her, Nemesis suggested first that we shouldn't go through with this and despite the consequences we all agreed. As long as we were together we could handle anything, that was until we met him… Toji Fushiguro the Sorcerer Killer…"

it didn't take a genius to connect the dots relating to the name Fushiguro, she didn't want to make assumptions yet but Melinoe would need to ask Megumi once she sees him again. If she ever does again…

"Toji was a special individual, he had absolutely no cursed energy. See most humans have at least a tiny bit of cursed energy within them even though they may not be sorcerers, he was born with a heavenly restriction so at the cost of his cursed energy, his body was superhuman along with the added effect of being able to bypass certain techniques. He was able to fatally wound Satoru and Nemesis as Eris and I escorted Riko to Tengen, we believed that those two would be able to handle them. I still remember the moment when Eris and I asked Riko if she would like to return home with us, the tears of joy she had on her face as told us how she still wanted to live and see what the world had to offer. Then bang… she was shot dead right in front of us…"

Melinoe's eyes widened from the dramatic shift Geto took, she didn't know what to say as the two sat in silence for a moment with only the ambiance of the house being the only thing between them that was heard. Geto continued with his story "Eris and I attempted to fight him but we failed to avenge Riko Amanai, all the while he taunted us saying that we loss to a 'monkey' who can't even use Jujutsu… Shoko healed us all except for Satoru. His near death experience allowed him to figure out Reverse Curse Technique and he went back for revenge, I don't know much about what happened during that fight but Satoru was able to defeat him. One week later we found Riko's body, as Satoru took her to the cult members who put out the hit on Riko's life… they began to clap, clap over the death of an innocent young woman…" Geto began to grip his knee as he was angered just by the thought of what he had to witness that day.

"Satoru asked me if we should have killed them all… but I said there was no point because there always needed to be a reason for a sorcerer to take a life. After that everyone sort of just grew apart, Satoru and Nemesis made strides with their powers and were strong enough to handle most high grade missions on their own. Shoko never went on any dangerous missions and Eris rarely ever completed hers. So that left me to handle all that was left, forced into an endless cycle of exorcism and consumption, I found myself becoming more and more isolated as I got closer and closer to the breaking point, I couldn't even see non sorcerers as people anymore…"

"It was one day when Eris and a late friend of mine Yu Haibara came by to ask how I was doing when we were visited by the special grade sorcerer Yuki Tsukumo. Me and her talked about how we wanted to be rid of curses completely, her suggestions were to get rid of cursed energy entirely or teach non sorcerers Jujutsu. I had a different plan in mind, why don't we just kill every non sorcerer."

Melinoe looked at him in disbelief at the idea, she was in such shock that anyone would even suggest such an idea. "Kill… all non sorcerers…?"

"Tsukumo told me it was the easiest option and that I needed to decide my feelings if I wanted to look down on non sorcerers or follow my duty as a Jujutsu sorcerer. Then the final nail in the coffin struck, Haibara died on a mission with Kento Nanami and Eris, Eris came up to me for the first time ever crying her heart out. I learned that she held the same feelings as I did. We were questioning what was even the point of protecting non sorcerers if it meant leaving a mountain of corpses of our fellow sorcerers… The final straw was September 2007, Eris and I were sent to a village, we exorcized the curse but these two little girls with cursed energy were being held in cages as the village folk thought they were responsible for the incidents. At that point I snapped, Eris took the kids away from them and I took the couple outside. I slaughtered everyone in that village that day…"

"Geto, no… you can't be serious…" Melinoe said in utter disbelief as she wanted this to be a joke but knowing where he ended up, there was no doubt he was telling the truth.

"I wouldn't lie to you princess. I despise all non sorcerers, they are nothing but monkeys and I made it my goal to put an end to the era of monkeys… but my ideals would die with me as one of Satoru's students would be the one to over power me in the end. Eris tried to save me but it was all in vain as Satoru found us, I used a curse to save my love. Next thing I know I'm set to be tormented for the rest of my days down in Tartarus."

"By all means you deserve to be down here." Melinoe told him with anger in her voice as it took resilience to not beat him to a pulp for what he's done. "Why bother telling me this? I could cancel our contract right now if I so desire, so why?"

"The same reason you continue to keep fighting, you and I want those you care about to live in peace. Why else would you fight Chronos if it wasn't to save your family, why else would you defy Nyx and attempt to escape the Underworld? I've had time to think about it being dead and all, in all honesty I regret declaring war on all non sorcerers. I wanted a world where I wouldn't have to fear for my friends' lives on a daily basis in a thankless job of exorcism and consumption. Mentoring you has been one of the few good decisions I've made in my existence, I believe in you that you can escape and save everyone no matter how many times you lie to yourself and call yourself weak when you have the potential to be one of the strongest sorcerers in existence. I don't care about what happens to our contract but take my words to heart." Geto stood up and looked Melinoe directly in the eyes.

"It's up to you to find your reason to keep going. Whether it's good, evil, selfish, or altruistic, listen to yourself and decide your own path in life."

Melinoe stood up soon after, her tears were gone and she had a look of determination in her face which made Geto smirk. "I'm going to save everyone, Geto. As much as you deserve to be tormented down here in Tartarus you are the sole reason I've been able to get this far which means I'm in your debt, I won't end our contract but only on one condition."

"What might that be, princess?"

"You and Eris won't kill any non sorcerers anymore, if I receive any information about you killing innocents I will personally hunt you and Eris down and I'll make sure you are sent to the lowest depths of Tartarus."

"You have yourself a deal princess, oh and take this as gratitude for listening to my life story." Geto tossed Melinoe a small plush of a white dragon with bulging yellow eyes. "His name is Niji, may he keep you safe princess."

"Thank you Geto, it means a lot." Melinoe smiled at him as she walked towards the exit to the training yard getting ready to make her final escape attempt.

"Melinoe, if we ever meet again let's share a bottle of Ambrosia together!"

"May we share one indeed, Geto. May moonlight guide us, teacher." Melinoe told Geto as she dropped down to Tartarus and once again cracked the stone below her feet as she ran to fight her way out of the Underworld, one last time.

…

Tartarus was never really a challenge ever since Melinoe could defeat Megaera, but even when Megaera began to bring the rest of the furies Alecto and Tisiphone along to help stop her, it was never enough to make the goddess fall. Even as the three furies unleash their might, Melinoe's proved to be much greater as the power infusing her Sister Blades with cursed energy and adding onto it with the speed of Hermes. Melinoe slashed through Megaera and left a large wound on her chest as she fell to the floor but this time she found the strength to resist sinking into the pool of blood back to the house to say a few words to the Princess. "Hah… hah… Mel, I know I'm- ack! Not in… the position to request… anything… but if you see Zag…. Tell him to come visit… Hrgh!"

Megaera used the last of her strength and fell back as blood spilled from her wounds causing her to sink into the pool of her own blood where she will inevitably end back at the House of Nyx. Melinoe didn't even look back at Megaera as she had hoped that the fury did not witness her change in appearance during that fight. But just as Megaera was sinking into the pool of her own blood Melinoe said to her "I will… I promise…"

With that Melinoe ran to the exit gate and began her journey through Asphodel. Her skeletal opponents didn't last much longer than those in Tartarus, as the heavenly might that replicated the power of the once mighty Zeus struck down upon the wretches with the Blitz status effect making quick work of them. Lernie, apparently it had a name go figure, did not fare better than Megaera even with the change in arena. Thanks to the replicated power of Hera, Lernie's other heads were inflicted with Hitch, causing them to share each other's pain and were slain as fast as possible. Melinoe did notice how one of the heads never seemed to return ever since her first clear in Asphodel, most likely due to Geto's cursed technique she had to assume.

Finally came the part she dreaded most of all, Elysium. Even as strong as her new powers were, the enemies in this region of the Underworld were just so resilient. Being burdened with a time limit made going through this area even more aggravating. But really those were minor complaints compared to the real reason she dreaded this part of the journey, The Champion of Elysium, Hajime Kashimo. The crowd cheered for the champion and the challenger as Melinoe took a deep breath readying herself for what felt like the deciding factor if she'll escape or stay in the underworld waiting for the inevitable end. Kashimo looked as cocky as ever with this time he was brandishing his staff right off the bat, right off the bat he could tell something was up with Melinoe as not only did her cursed energy feel different than before but also the fact her eyes looked like clocks. "What's with the new eyes princess? This mean you developed a new technique or something? Doubt it will be enough to bring me down."

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention my new appearance Kashimo… I feel disgusted just thinking about it…"

"Pfft whatever you say princess. Say, isn't this your final day to escape the underworld? I hope that doesn't mean it will be the end of our engagements, in all honesty princess you have been the most fun I've ever had in ages!" Kashimo twirled his staff above his head and got into a fighting stance.

"I'm not here for your entertainment Kashimo, I promise you that I will achieve victory this day for the sake of the underworld and all of the living." Melinoe summoned forth the Sister Blades Lim and Oros then activated her cursed technique. Above her head displayed golden tongs symbolizing the power of the forge god Hephaestus.

Kashimo chuckled as cursed energy began to flow through his system and electricity began to radiate from his body. "Okay princess, give it all you got!"

Kashimo dashed towards the princess of the underworld in less than a split second as he swung his staff aiming for a headshot. He was surprised when a crystal like force stopped his attack and caused his staff to bounce off of Melinoe, the goddess used this moment to counter attack and with one stab it felt like two forces struck him at one, Melinoe's stab and a giant hammer to his soul. Kashimo was staggered and the goddess caught him in an omega cast ring where the goddess tossed her dagger and once again Kashimo was struck by that same blast to his soul which he couldn't doubt that it hurt like hell. He wasn't ready for the three blasts that hit him inside the cast ring and the explosion from the omega attack.

Upon being granted the replicated power of Hephaestus Melinoe is granted invincibility for 8 seconds upon activation thanks to Mint Condition. Both Volcanic Strike and Volcanic Flourish create blasts that deal heavy damage to the opponent's soul, add that on top of Grand Caldera which causes any blasts to become stronger and have a wider range of effect. Then just as Kashimo might think Melinoe's burst was over, Furnace Blast afflicts Vent on foes causing a burst of damage a few seconds later to anyone afflicted.

As Kashimo was going to strike Melinoe once more Vent had activated and Kashimo spat out blood and let out grunts of pain conforming to the goddess that it had taken effect. She went in on the Champion of Elysium sending him to the floor with a teleporting backstab, planting her flaming foot down on his back and burning his clothes, Melinoe landed various slices and flurries of stabs towards Kashimo's back and eventually hitting him with a blast to his soul, applying vent. But even in pain he noticed something, that blast she uses activates when she can get an attack in, but with the flurry of attacks to his back she performed, that blast only happened once. That means it has to recharge.

Kashimo's cursed energy radiated from his body and shocking the goddess, he used this moment to break away from Melinoe and move a safe distance from her. He wiped the blood from his mouth with his thumb as even with Vent hitting him he grew a big smile on his face, she got lucky this time but he won't give her another chance to breathe. Kashimo moved like lightning and thrusted his staff towards Melinoe intending to hit her liver and electrocute her. But Melinoe simply moved out of the way with his staff barely touching her as he looked up to see a blank stare on her face, almost like nobody was home. He continued with a lightning fast assault but the goddess moved around, since when did she get so fast? Every time he'd think he hit her dead on it was almost like she blinked away but she wasn't counter attacking at all. He let up his assault and stepped back letting himself breathe for a moment, but for some reason the lights came back on in the goddess as she looked around as if she had gotten lost or something. 'What's the deal with her?' Kashimo thought to himself.

Melinoe didn't know what just happened, one second Kashimo came at her thrusting his staff at her liver and the next he was standing back catching his breath. Kashimo took advantage of her moment of confusion and from his fingertips he'd discharge lightning towards Melinoe's head. It was faster than anything she could react to but Melinoe didn't stagger or get hurt from the lightning, she just looked surprised that he even used it.

Melinoe was brought back to reality with that attack as she could feel the armor granted by the replicated boons of Hephaestus breaking as the defense the boons gave her was gone. She could swap to something that could help her be more offensive but there's also a chance she could land on Zeus which would practically render her offensive worthless due to Kashimo's resistance to electricity which she had to learn the hard way.

The crowd of shades cheered for them as the two sorcerers clashed through the arena the mixture of Kashimo's Taijutsu combined with polearm attacks vs the hit and run style of fighting Melinoe uses with Hephaestus' replicated boons. But without any speed enhancing boons Melinoe was not going to be able to keep distance for long, Melinoe combat training had a hard time matching Kashimo's experience as even with Melinoe being seemingly faster, Kashimo could still see right through her. Close range combat was his bread and butter so he read her like a book as Melinoe was losing her cool. He had her back against the wall and his cursed energy output was leaving any and all resistance futile. This fight was over.

Kashimo struck Melinoe with a flurry of blows and left a visible crater in the side of the arena wall where she was beaten. She fell to the floor and seemingly fell unconscious as for a few moments she didn't move. Kashimo could tell she wasn't dead because she would have been sinking in her own blood but she wasn't really bleeding all too much. His suspicions about an unsatisfying end were shoved to the back of his mind when the goddess began to stand up but something was wrong with her. Her sister blades Lim and Oros disappeared from her hands, golden scars began to appear on her skin with the most notable being the large one going diagonally across her face. Sand came from arena and formed a golden cane in her hand that with a click formed into a large scythe.

Melinoe looked up at Kashimo and once again hit him with lifeless eyes, but this time she had a wide smile which sent a shiver through Kashimo's system. A feeling he had never once felt in life and in death.

Melinoe's voice grew distorted as if there were two people speaking at once.

"Three… two… ONE."

…

Melinoe woke up to find herself in the adjoining chambers in between the regions of the underworld, wasn't she just fighting Kashimo? Did… she win? She should feel overjoyed but this felt wrong… how did she-

"You're welcome granddaughter. Don't expect me to clean up your mess again."

The voice of Chronos through her mind as she was once again reminded of the Titan's influence over her body. "Chronos what did you do?!"

"..."

No response from the Titan of Time. She likely wasn't going to get any answers from him, it's not like she'd want to converse with him anymore than necessary. She just needs to continue forth, as the last area is just up the stairway. And so the goddess ventured forth.

…

At last Melinoe has reached the final region of the Underworld, The Temple of Styx. Once a place of worship for the deities of the Underworld is now lost to time as the earth seemed to have taken its course upon the temple with vegetation overtaking the temple. It is clear that no one has entered these chambers in centuries. Melinoe ran through the temple as she was still on a time limit but she was forced to stop in her tracks as she came face to faces with the vicious hellhound and guardian of the Underworld, Cerberus.

How could she forget, Cerberus is the one who prevents anyone from leaving the underworld but he strangely didn't seem as if he wanted to rip the goddess to shreds. He looked demotivated, depressed, exhausted. Nyx had most likely made him come here unwillingly as another test for Melinoe but he clearly didn't want anything to do with the wager going on between the two goddesses. She may be able to find a way to get past him without needing to resort to violence, scrounging through her magic sack she pulled out a Witch's Delight. The snack made the three headed hound begin to sniff the air and come closer to Melinoe as the sorcerer goddess held her hand out so Cerberus may be able to eat the small treat. He licked her hand and consumed the snack as the left head seemed to have enjoyed the magical treat and as a result Cerberus' left head began to rub his head against her and lick the goddess.

Melinoe couldn't help but giggle as the hound of hell was treated to the best of pets Melinoe could muster. She was not familiar with petting giant three headed dogs as opposed to frogs or cats. But Cerberus seemed to be happy enough in her presence so she began to talk to him. "I'm sorry you were put up to this boy. You had nothing to do with this but I would rather see you happy then depressed. Let's make a deal Cerberus."

The hound's six ears perked up to listen to what the princess had to offer.

"I know you miss father, mother, and my brother. I miss them too, if you let me pass then I promise you I'll find them and bring them home. How does that sound, boy?"

The three heads simultaneously woofed in agreement causing the goddess to smile. "Good boy, you deserve another treat."

The goddess fed the three headed hound all the Witch's Delights she had on hand and Cerberus feld back to the House of Nyx.

CERBERUS VANQUISHED

(Not really he just went home)

Waving the hound of hell goodbye Melinoe stared towards the giant gate acting as the exit to the Underworld. At long last… she could finally leave, her departure was bitter sweet and she wished that she could have came here on better terms. And that she didn't have to leave with her sworn enemy resting inside her, but it's her sworn duty and she won't be away forever. Once she finds Hecate maybe they can work together and find a way to separate Itadori from Sukuna, maybe find a way to remove the Titan from her body while they're at it. Then she can go find her family, Nyx said they left the underworld so they shouldn't be that hard to find. Once she finds them and brings them back home, Melinoe will have tied up all her loose ends and be able to accept her role as lord of the dead. She really does have her work cut out for her but it'll all be worth it.

Melinoe placed her hand on the gates of the Underworld and on her authority they opened for her, Melinoe saw a starry night sky ahead of her with a full moon out in the sky. She hopes her fellow silver sister Selene could see her now as she steps onto the grass with her scorched feet burning the ground below her. Melinoe only took a few steps towards freedom before she noticed something standing at the end of the path and by a small pond gazing upwards towards the moon above.

It was Nyx.

Instead of the business suit she always wore around the house, instead she is dressed in graceful robes of purple and gray fabrics with gold accents. Her waist-length hair was elaborately fashioned with a braid on either side and a high bun held up in part by a golden crown and the stars of the night sky can be seen on the undersides of her beautifully stylised hair. Melinoe couldn't see it but she could hear it in her voice, disappointment. "Melinoe… how could you…"

"Nyx, what are you doing here? I won our wager now let me go."

"Consider our wager null and void Melinoe, you allowed yourself to become a vessel for Chronos. I would have never suspected you of stooping to the degree to have the Titan of Time inhabit your body just to escape…"

Melinoe's eyes widened at the declaration Nyx made, but seeing her disappointment only made Melinoe feel shame for what she's done. "I'm… sorry Nyx… but I had to. The fates left one final prophecy that will mean the end for mankind-"

Nyx interrupted Melinoe "I am aware of my daughters final prophecy, it directly states that one of red blood will free the Titan of Time and bring about the age of curses. I have been preparing for this since the prophecy was woven, but I never would have expected it to be Hades and Persephone's own daughter. So for that I can't allow you to leave, nor take up the role as lord of the dead… please return home Melinoe."

"No. I can't, not when I've worked so hard. Nyx, I will never forgive myself for becoming Chronos' vessel, not for the rest of eternity… but I can fix this, I'll find Hecate and she'll know what to do, I promise."

"I should have never made that wager with you, how could I not foresee this outcome… I must correct my mistakes… Melinoe, for treason against the House of Nyx I sentence you to an eternal imprisonment in Tartarus, effective immediately. "

Nyx turned around as her hair spread wide with her hair matching the night sky. She brought her hand forth and from the underworld came to her the legendary bident of Hades as Mother Night brandished the ancient weapon which once belonged to the previous lord of the dead.

"I'll never go back, not on your life." Melinoe summoned forth Lim and Oros to her hands as she activated her cursed technique, above her head a neon green arrow was displayed and granted her the replicated boons of Artemis. Nyx was first to approach as her body turned to a purple smoke with stars that traveled along the smoke. Nyx performed a wide spin attack that had the range of the whole arena, Melinoe was able to use her brief intangibility to phase through as the surrounding trees that hid their battle were chopped clean down. Melinoe struck Nyx with precision as the replicated boons of artemis allowed Melinoe to have a better grasp of weak points to land critical hits. With Melinoe circling the goddess of night Nyx matched pace with her, the clashes of their weapons created blue sparks that to those not accustomed to the night were the only sources of illumination throughout the battlefield. Melinoe was forced to back away from a spin attack which gave Nyx the time to call out. "Selene, Starfall!"

"Selene?" The night grew brighter as Melinoe looked up to see shooting stars raining down from the sky and targeting the sorcerer goddess who was forced to run for her survival. Nyx aimed the bident of Hades at Melinoe and began to fire skulls surrounded in purple flames at the vessel of time. Melinoe did her best to run but she was cornered by the falling stars and the skull casts which forced her to have a skull lodged in her and gave her the status effect of Boiling Blood. Starfall stopped as Nyx took the opportunity to chuck the spear towards Melinoe and successfully stabbing her, Nyx followed up and dashed over to her spear in the purple starry smoke and performed a spin attack she was able to avoid in the nick of time.

Melinoe struck the goddess of night after her onslaught but all these thoughts running through her head telling her how this felt wrong, she wanted to be mad at Nyx but Melinoe just felt more angry at herself for causing this conflict in the first place. Gods does she ruin everything she touches, she didn't have the drive to put her all into this because of the doubt clouding her mind that she doesn't deserve freedom. She is responsible for all of this and wishes to fix this broken future but what if she just allowed herself to die here, save everyone the trouble of ruining everything once more.

Melinoe blocked two swipes of a combo but failed to block the third attack that sent her tumbling back. Melinoe's body told her to get back up but her will was in shambles at this point and she ignored her body's pleas to get off the ground, Nyx dashed towards her with the bident of Hades coming down to strike Melinoe's head. But the second the Bident was supposed to come down on Melinoe, she disappeared as Nyx's eyes widened in surprise. Mother Night turned around to see where Melinoe went but she was nowhere to be found, as the night itself Nyx can see all but Melinoe has completely disappeared.

But Nyx was soon greeted by a sharp pain protruding from her stomach, the incarnation of night looked down at her stomach to see an ichor stained scythe stabbing right through Nyx's abdomen. That ticking sound… Nyx remembers it vividly, she turned to smoke and dashed away to bear witness to her worst fears come to life. Chronos had taken control of Melinoe's body with the scars of where the Olympians severed the Titan of Time appearing on Melinoe's body and a sinister smile forming across Melinoe's face. Melinoe's possessed voice began to taunt Nyx "A pleasure to meet once again Nyx, how have you fared taking a hold of my domain? I would kindly request you entrust it back to its rightful owner."

"If anyone is to be entrusted with the Underworld it would be Hades or Melinoe. My power may be fleeting but I will use all of it to ensure you are kept in the lowest depths of Tartarus where you belong, even if it must mean imprisoning Melinoe I will never allow you to bring upon the age of curses."

"Touching. I must admit I'm underwhelmed with my vessel's body so maybe you do have a slither of a chance against my power. But you cannot stop time, even with our primordial power."

The Vessel of Time and Nyx began to clash with Chronos' golden scythe swinging against Hades' bident as the Vessel and Night Incarnate seemed to be at an equal level of power.

…

JAPAN, JUJUTSU TECH, ESCAPE NULL AND VOID

Nobara's cell phone alarm began to ring with one of her favorite songs acting as her alarm to wake her up to a brand new day of the second year dragging them through training hell. Well the song she had on used to be one of her favorites until said training began, everytime she hears it now she just wants to smash her phone. She tried feeling around for her phone but accidentally dropped it to the floor and made her groan out of frustration now having to move from the comfort of her bed to reach her dropped phone. She picked it up and turned off her alarm but she noticed something weird.

It was still as dark as the night outside, she looked at her phone as it read 7am. That can't be right, it might be September but the sun should be coming out during this time of da- er night whatever it's supposed to be. Maybe it's something with that weird barrier stuff that keeps normal folks from wandering into Jujutsu Tech. Fushiguro's been here longer than her so maybe he knows what's going on, because this is just weirding her out. The redhead walked up to Fushiguro's door and knocked on it a couple of times with her fist as Megumi in a groggy 'I just woke up' voice asked "What do you want…?"

"Fushiguro get out here!" Nobara yelled to him behind the door.

Megumi was not in a good mood after such a rude awakening as he shuffled out of his bed, he wasn't able to look at his phone so he just assumed Nobara was just waking him up for something stupid in the middle of the night. He opened his door and rubbed his eyes as he whispered aggressively to Nobara "Kugisaki it's the middle of the night, what could possibly be so important?"

Nobara pulled out her phone to show the time of 7am "Except that it's not supposed to be the middle of the night, the sun is supposed to be out at this time and it's pitch black out there?"

The brightness from her phone hurt his eyes as he shielded his so he may go into his pocket and pull out his phone. Likewise it read 7 am which weirded him out as well. "That's strange…"

Both him and Nobara stepped outside of the student dorms to find the second years outside talking about the long lasting night sky.

"Hey Maki!" Nobara called out as the second year turned her head towards the two approaching sorcerers in training. "What's the deal with the sky right now, is something going on?"

"Not a clue." Maki replied. "I thought it was a veil but even Okkotsu who is all the way out in Africa sees this night sky and they are 6 hours ahead of us in terms of time zones. So whatever it is, at least it's not an attack on us hopefully."

Inumaki pointed to the sky and said "Starfruit." As multiple shooting stars could be visible in the night sky.

"Hey check it out! Make a wish!" Panda said excited to see some for the first time in person.

"I wish training would be canceled today." Nobara playfully says.

"Not gonna happen you two, go get yourself some breakfast. I don't care what color the sky is, you two are still training with us today so get your asses moving." Maki told Nobara and Fushiguro almost acted like a drill sergeant of sorts.

…

UNDERWORLD, BEYOND THE STYX, ESCAPE NULL AND VOID

"Selene, Starfall."

Nyx commanded her foster daughter as she blocked the on coming assault from the Chronos possessed Melinoe. The Vessel of Time saw the incoming stars and summoned forth a Z-Sand barrier that absorbed all the stars coming down onto them. The Chronos possessed Melinoe snapped their fingers and the barrier was gone along with the stars, they next threw their scythe almost like a boomerang towards Nyx who attempted to dash out of the way but was too late from being cut by the scythe as ichor began to stain her clothing. Chronos' vessel closed the distance with a blink and appeared above Mother Night. Their Scythe swung down and was mere inches away from Nyx's head as the lord of the dead was forced to the ground as she blocked with the hilt of Hades' bident. Nyx struggled to keep the Scythe from reaching her head as it inched ever closer, the smile that the Chronos possessed Melinoe had was nearly ear to ear as the distorted chuckles coming from her haunting. The Scythe's tip began to pierce into her forehead as it began to bleed ichor but Nyx found the strength to push the Vessel of Time away from her as they landed on their feet and burnt the grass they slid back on. The Chronos possessed Melinoe was about to come back in to continue the attack on Nyx their body came to a halt with their expression turning into shock, the scars on Chronos' vessel began to fade which confused Nyx.

"Stop it!" Melinoe's undistorted voice yelled out as she clutched her head and dropping the scythe as it turned to sand.

The scars began to come back as the Vessel of Time yelled "You dare defy me?! I'm the only chance you have at victory!"

"I DON'T CARE, YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY OVER MY BODY AND I WILL NEVER LET YOU HARM MY FAMILY EVER AGAIN!" Melinoe yelled out with the scars fading once again.

"Foolish girl…" The distorted voice said as the scars on her body completely faded away and Melinoe fell to one knee as she began to catch her breath.

Nyx didn't know what to make of this scene, before it seemed that she willingly let Chronos take hold of her body to save herself. But after the scene she made Nyx didn't know what to think as she lowered her Bident. "What was that child…?"

"I… understand… he preys on my weakness to take hold of me…" Melinoe stood with her taking a slouched stance, almost one similar to Kashimo. Lim and Oros came to her hands as the cursed energy inside her slowly began to well up. "I think way too lowly of myself…"

That was when the words of her teacher came back into her mind. 'It's up to you to find your reason to keep going.'

Find her reason…

She wants to be reunited with her family.

She wants to find Hecate.

She wants to fix her mistakes.

She wants to be strong enough to protect everyone she loves.

These are her reasons to continue to push herself, even when she tells herself how weak she is or how everything is her fault. Melinoe will always continue forward for the sake of others.

But now it's time for her to continue for the sake of herself.

Pure unfiltered power surged from Melinoe's body as the cursed energy output she was putting out could practically choke anyone who got too close. Nyx stared in awe of the sorcerer goddess who once came to her house as a weak little girl lacking any confidence in herself now disappearing into the night as what now stood in front of her was everything Hecate led her to believe about Melinoe, she had become a true Jujutsu Sorcerer.

Melinoe held her blades up ready to once again fight Night Incarnate, her stance showed no signs of weakness or doubt in herself as she looked up at Nyx with her clock-like eyes staring directly into her immortal soul and telling her 'I WILL defeat you.'

Nyx felt proud of Melinoe's growth and she wanted to let her go right here. Nyx never wanted to harm Melinoe in any way but she cannot excuse her actions against the House. Melinoe may have the power to suppress Chronos but she is too much of a liability to let out into the world shall the Titan of Time manage to influence her to his will. Maybe in another lifetime things could have been different, but alas the Lord of the Dead must ensure that those sent to Hades, stay in Hades.

"You've grown child… even as we are now opposing one another, let it be known that I'm proud of all that you have accomplished. But my duty is to this house." Nyx spun the Bident of Hades and pointed it at Melinoe "I'm sending you home child."

"Out of my way Nyx." Above Melinoe's head was the symbol of a yellow sun as she was granted the replicated light of Apollo. Melinoe began to shine with his replicated light, Nyx tapped the bottom of the Bident against the ground twice as a large wave came from her location and spread throughout the whole arena . Melinoe dashed through the wave and with the speed of Blinding Sprint she was in Nyx's face in no time flat and caused her to be dazed from the blinding light that was ever brighter in the darkness of night. Melinoe's blades were coated in light and were visibly larger as Nova Strike increased both their size and damage, adding that on with Back Burner and Extra Dose for extra damage. Melinoe was able to overwhelm Nyx's senses with her speed and blinding light of the replicated power of Apollo, Nyx swiped and spun her spear towards the sorcerer goddess but with Daze and Melinoe's improved speed she was unable to land more than one or two blows.

Nyx dashed away from the girl in a purple smoke and reached the middle of the arena as the crystal-like force granting her brief invulnerability surrounded her. Her yell could be heard all the way down to the House of Hades as she commanded "THANATOS!"

"Of course mother." Said the death god who floated above the arena, out of reach from Melinoe. Large purple rings formed under Melinoe's feet as a loud ding was heard in her ears, Melinoe didn't need to think too hard that she should run for her life as any attack from the god of death more than likely spelled the end. Even with the death defiance she rather not risk losing them, she left a trail of light behind her as she ran from the purple rings forming beneath her feet as she loss track of Nyx's position for the sake of running.

Nyx appeared right in front of her and swung her bident into Melinoe as even with Melinoe's reflexes coming in clutch to block her swing, Nyx's intention was to push Melinoe back into the ring and it worked. Melinoe only had a split second to realize before the god of death detonated his ring and dealt a killing blow to Melinoe causing her to use her death defiance.

"I'm sorry princess…" Thanatos left the battlefield in a cloud of smoke.

Melinoe recovered back to her feet after using her death defiance, her will was still strong as ever as she came back running towards Nyx as if nothing happened. As Nyx fired skull casts towards the sorcerer goddess, Melinoe weaved through her shots as when she got in close she jumped over one of the approaching swipes of her bident so she may use her burning feet to kick her in the jaw with her scorched feet. A mixture of daze and burning came over Nyx as Melinoe unleashed a flurry of strikes with all her might. Nyx could figure out that this was a losing battle, Melinoe would not let up for even a second and she was fearing the worst that she would lose this fight.

But there was one last resort.

Something granted to her by her parent Chaos.

Her widdling power over the years likely won't do her any favors of keeping it up for long, after all Chronos was giving her a tough time even without full control over Melinoe's body. But she can't let Melinoe escape, Chronos cannot be released onto the world and by any means necessary Melinoe will not escape the Underworld.

Nyx's wrists came together as her hands spread apart from each other, both hands replicated each other with her fingers tight together and bent to form that of a crescent moon.

Nyx's and Melinoe's eyes met as the sorcerer goddess' eyes turned to the size of pindrops.

Nyx spoke the words to activate her trump card.

"DOMAIN EXPANSION: DARKNESS OF EREBUS."

A darkness darker than shadows sprouted from Nyx as she soon became encased in the endless darkness that came from her domain. Melinoe's adaptiveness to the darkness proved nothing but useless here as her sight could not help her inside of Nyx's domain. Even with the light of Apollo, the darkness overpowered the source of light as Melinoe still felt her Sister Blades in her hands but she couldn't see them at all.

Melinoe was suddenly hit by a skull cast out of nowhere as she could not discern where the attack came from due to the endless darkness clouding her vision. She was assaulted by attacks from Nyx but she could not discern where they began or where they ended. Enough damage was dealt to Melinoe to where she once again had to use her death defiance as she was now on her last legs.

…

UNDERWORLD, HOUSE OF NYX, 14 DAYS TILL ESCAPE

Melinoe was tripped to the floor by Suguru Geto in one of their frequent sparring matches. She landed on her but and rubbed her head from the pain she felt during their training sessions.

"Melinoe." Geto spoke "Did Satoru ever teach you about a certain trick called Domain Expansion?" Geto held out a hand to help the goddess up.

"No, I don't believe so." Melinoe took his hand as Geto pulled her back up.

"Better to learn it now than never knowing how much he hasn't teached you." He cleared his throat and began his lesson.

"A Domain Expansion is an advanced barrier technique and is possibly the most powerful technique any sorcerer can learn. A sorcerer's innate domain and technique into one, once inside the domain any of the user's cursed techniques will become a guaranteed hit, you add that along with the domain's effects and the art of the Domain Expansion is rivaled by none and is almost always a guaranteed victory for whoever casts it first. But there's some downsides to this technique, not only does it require a lot of experience, but it requires a lot of cursed energy to use and more likely than not after using a Domain Expansion you'll be unable to use cursed techniques due to its high cost. Along with that a domain of equal or greater strength can cancel the effects of a domain or with a little technique known as Simple Domain."

"I understand." Melinoe said nodding her head "Will you be teaching me how to use a Domain Expansion."

Geto snickered and began to laugh "Princess you barely have a grasp on cursed energy! There's no way we could possibly learn it within 14 days."

"Blast, but I have a question. How can one escape these domains?"

Geto put a finger to his chin "Well the only one I'm aware of is to kill or incapacitate the user inside the domain which is very difficult in of itself. A domain is meant to keep others inside, but that in turn leaves the outside completely open. Which means that someone stronger may be able to enter and turn the tides inside a domain. But in my opinion the best method is to wait out the domain if you aren't able to use Simple Domain.

…

The outside of the domain is open so if someone stronger were to come in and help…

Niji!

The companion that Geto gave her came into her mind as in this endless void of darkness Melinoe called out.

"GETO!"

"As you wish Melinoe."

From Nyx's point of view she was able to see in this endless darkness from her domain but she was flabbergasted to see one of the heads of the Lernaean Hydra ram in her with the sorcerer Suguru Geto riding on top of it, Geto used the power of simple domain to bypass the effects of the domain to cloud anyone's vision in complete darkness. Geto was the only thing Melinoe could see in the domain and judging by where he attacked and the grunts from Nyx, she was able to find her way through the darkness. Melinoe ran as fast as she could, relying solely on her intuition on where Nyx was.

Time felt as if it slowed down but it was not from Chronos' influence.

Melinoe felt her blades strike flesh and pierce right through. The only thing heard were the sudden gasps of Nyx. Melinoe's vision suddenly returned to her and she could bear witness to the sight of ichor running down her arms as both Lim and Oros stabbed right into Nyx's chest with the dagger hitting her heart. Nyx's expression was still, in disbelief, pain, and sorrow. A tear ran down Nyx's face and ichor flowed from her mouth as Melinoe pulled her weapons from Nyx's body.

Nyx began to feel weak, her body no longer responding to her and the will to fight any longer left her body. She couldn't keep herself up any longer and began to fall forward, Melinoe caught Mother night in her arms. Nyx coughed forth ichor from her mouth uncontrollably as her vision began to grow blurry, it's now just setting in that she failed to save humanity and the remaining gods and that the era of man will soon come to an end along with herself and her children.

"Nyx… thank you…" Melinoe whispered to the goddess of night.

"W-what…" Nyx said weakly in confusion.

"I know I haven't been the best guest to have but my time in the underworld made me realize my own strength. I realize how much I held myself back and in turn found new power, I even was able to defeat you… I can never apologize enough for becoming Chronos' vessel but I promise you that I won't let him control me, I'll find a way to separate from Chronos. I promise." Melinoe said to Nyx with sincerity.

Nyx could only muster a soft smile hearing her words. It made her realize how much of a fool she was for not trusting Melinoe, though the danger of her being released into the world may prove severe. Nyx has faith, faith that she will be true to her words, true to her reason, true to herself. Nyx could not be more proud of Melinoe in this current moment and she's happy to have witnessed her growth. Nyx coughed once more and Melinoe placed her down softly as her body began to grow cold as the Styx proceeded to take hold of her. Her body began to sink into the pool of ichor that leaked from her body and with the last of her strength said a few words to Melinoe. "Congratulations… goddess… of the dead…"

Nyx disappeared before her eyes.

NYX VANQUISHED

Melinoe had won.

She had completed a seemingly impossible task and freedom was now hers as she was now left all alone in the battlefield where she fought Nyx for said freedom.

Geto was nowhere to be found which was strange, he should have been resurrected by now since she has acquired her freedom. Maybe he just left on his own, it was rude to leave without saying goodbye but it didn't matter to her at this moment, she was finally free.

…

?, MELINOE ESCAPED

After the goddess of night was vanquished Geto's vision instantly turned to black, he lost control of his shade body and felt as if he were formless like water. He could see anything, feel anything, hear anything, where was he? Did the goddess trick him? No, Melinoe would never do such a thing.

"Suguuuuuu… Suguuuuu… Suguru!" A familiar voice rang through Geto's mind as suddenly Geto began to see again.

Why was he at the beach?

He saw his hand move to cover his eyes but he had no control over it.

Geto tried to take control of his body, he wanted to move but his arms wouldn't respond. It's almost like he's watching a projection of his body as it moves on its own. Why can't he move? What's going on? Where is-

"Wake up sleepy head! You've been out cold all day you lazy butt!"

Geto's head turned toward the person speaking to him as time stopped around him. It was her… at long last… the love of his life and the goddess of discord herself… Eris.

She almost looked the exact same way as the day he left her, her fair skin, her cute buzz cut hair, her purple colored eyes that enticed him whenever they had conversations together, the thick black makeup and lipstick she wore that suited her perfectly, and her iconic black wings that she used to wrap around him whenever they fell asleep together so he'd wouldn't leave her.

"Eris, my darling how I missed you so-"

"Oh, how long was I asleep for?" Geto's body asked Eris.

That's when it finally set for Geto.

Something was inside his body controlling him…

His body was no longer his.

She was right there…

She was so close…

So why…

WHY CAN'T HE STILL BE WITH HIS BELOVED?!

"Sugu… what's wrong? Why are you crying, did I say something…?" Eris asked concerned over her husband's well being.

Geto's body felt tears rolling down his cheeks that weren't his own as he stared in confusion. "No no Eris, you didn't do anything. Must be seasonal allergies or something."

"Sugu it's september and we are in Red Lobster's domain, what allergies could you possibly have you dumbass!" Eris playfully punched Geto's body in the shoulder causing the two of them to laugh together. "Make some room Sugu."

Eris began to sit on Geto's lap as the tears continued to flow from his face."Listen babe if anything is wrong you can tell me okay? Is something up?"

"I'm just as confused as you are, I have no control over my tears at this current moment."

"Alright Sugu I believe you but remember, if you ever want to tell me something just say it okay?"

Geto's soul weeps as he wants to scream for her to help him.

But no matter how much he screamed or how much he cried, Eris will never be able to hear his voice…

…

AUTHORS NOTES

AND WITH THAT THE UNDERWORLD ARC IS OFFICIALLY OVER!

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO

FINALLY

Honestly I'm not all too proud of my writing skills during this arc as a bunch of this was making shit up. But hey at least I'm finally done and I can continue to move on towards the rest of Jujutsu Kaisen.

I felt like I could have written this ending better as it always was in the back of my mind having Geto be resurrected but due to Kenjaku controlling his body he's unable to do much of anything.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you soon during the Mahito arc.

Leave a comment because I love reading them, but don't suggest for me to write fics for you on series' I'm not knowledgeable of.

Bye bye you weezos.