MENDING THE HEART

Several days had passed since the forest incident, and the residents of the underworld knew that the mortal was not well. Although she smiled and joked with everyone, they noticed that the light she usually radiated had dimmed. But the one who truly noticed the change was none other than the god of the dead himself.

Since that night, when Erianthe opened up and told him what had happened to her years ago, she completely avoided the topic, as if it had never existed. And that annoyed Hades. He knew how much Eri was burdened by the loss of her grandparents and that boy, but he had no idea how to lift her spirits, how to bring back the glow that captivated everyone, including himself—though he wouldn't admit it.

During their sessions in the library, Eri showed him an idea she had come up with about adding some elements of nature into certain areas of the palace.

"What do you think?" Eri asked the god as he looked over her designs. She really was a genius; she had come up with an incredible design for the throne room.

"Hmm, I like the design. I have to admit, sculpting these columns would give the room an imposing touch. But sculpting vines—won't that be a bit too much?"

"I don't think so. It would be a nice detail that could help contrast with the current lines; it would help balance the gloomy atmosphere in here. Plus, we could add some color. It would be nice to use autumn colors—golds, browns, reds…"

"Why autumn colors?"

"Well, while I was up there, I thought about how autumn leads into winter, a cold season where nature 'sleeps.' It almost seems like everything is dead. So, I believe the palace and the areas where souls arrive could reflect that transition between life and death. I don't know—it sounded good in my head."

"That's very clever! I like it. I had my doubts when I saw the nature-inspired designs—I'm not a big fan of 'living' things—but with that explanation and the context you've given, I think it could work. You have my permission to start the work on the throne room."

"Really? Amazing! You'll see—it'll be majestic. You're going to love it!" Erianthe was thrilled. Hades was glad to see her so cheerful, but he still couldn't see that glow in her eyes. What else can I do? He thought, frustrated.

To deal with his frustration, he spent time in a certain area of the underworld no one dared even mention: the Tartarus. He wasn't fond of the place either, but that's where he kept them—the three who had nearly raped Eri and beaten her repeatedly. He had them locked up, begging for their lives, and to him, that was music to his ears. Not only that, but he had to admit, he missed that satisfaction. He unleashed his anger on them over and over, fueled by the rage and fury that overtook him whenever he thought about what they had done to her.

He knew she wouldn't approve of what he was doing, but those three deserved it.

While there, he realized a few things: one, he was growing fond of Erianthe; two, something strange was happening to his powers; and three, something was wrong in Tartarus.

The god had to admit that spending time with the daughter of his nemesis was very enjoyable. Being with her and talking to her was something he looked forward to every day since she had saved him from falling into the vortex. She was like a breath of fresh air in the decaying gloom of the underworld. But he also noticed something wasn't right with his powers.

While Eri read a philosophy manuscript that Hades had recommended, he was poring over information about the vortex of souls. He needed to find out if those waters could drain divine powers, but he found nothing, and that unsettled him. Each time, it was becoming harder and harder to recover his strength after using his powers. And, of course, there was the issue of Tartarus: some of its residents were missing.

He had been trapped in the vortex for 17 years, and while Pain and Panic had managed some tasks in his absence, other responsibilities—like keeping Tartarus in check—had been neglected. The creatures that lived there could unleash chaos, though fortunately, the most dangerous ones were still confined. But some of them had simply vanished.

"Just what I needed—more problems," the god thought, feeling a massive headache coming on. He leaned against one of the shelves and glanced toward the table where Eri sat. Watching her made him feel calmer. He remembered the moment she had called out to him for help—almost no one ever called for him. "Wait, I've got it!"

Then it hit him: gods received part of their power from mortal offerings and prayers.

Of course, he wasn't exactly a popular god, and he had long learned that his powers couldn't be strengthened through offerings or prayers but through other means: maintaining the balance between the living and the dead and recruiting loyal subordinates to pledge their support to him. And that's when he realized he had an issue… It was most likely that the balance between the living and the dead had been affected by the ongoing war. But even more alarming was the sharp decline in the number of his subordinates.

"It can't be—the number of monsters in the underworld!" the god thought, exasperated. Seventeen years ago, his power had been at its peak, thanks to the alliances he had forged and the steady flow of loyal members provided by Echidna, the mother of all monsters. And now he had nothing. Or did he?

He still had Echidna's favor. He could meet with her and gather a considerable number of monsters as his allies again, restoring a significant portion of his power.

"Power? For what? To take Olympus again?" He thought about it. "It wouldn't be easy this time, but…" To protect her.

There it was again—that damned voice. You want to protect her; don't deny it.

"I'm not denying it. I want to protect her." Hades laughed. When had that become a priority for him? But it was true. The Lord of the Dead wanted to protect her. And why not? He could even think about taking Mount Olympus again.

Erianthe began work on the throne room renovations. She did after her cleaning duties, which meant the project would progress slowly. The few remaining subordinates in the underworld were recruited to carve the columns from stone, and later, Eri herself would sculpt the intricate designs. After lunch, she spent her time in the library. Her days were completely occupied, but even so, it wasn't enough to keep the memories of that night in the forest at bay. They haunted her every night in the form of nightmares.

"I have to do something; I can't go on like this," Eri thought. She knew perfectly well that those memories—the ones from the forest, as well as the deaths of her grandparents and Lisander—were consuming her. Little by little, they were devouring her, and if she didn't act soon, she would lose her mind. Every night, she woke up drenched in sweat, followed by a wave of anxiety. She had already relieved part of that guilt by opening up to Hades, but she needed to do more.

One night, she woke up and sat on the edge of her bed, her heart racing. "The same nightmare again." Erianthe didn't know what time it was, but it was still dark. She got up and sat at her vanity. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she saw the dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. Her complexion was pale, and she felt cold. She had noticed how the underworld had been getting chillier—a change the imps attributed to the approach of winter. "Already? How much time has passed down here?" Better not to dwell on it.

"I want to get rid of this weight, but how?" Erianthe murmured.

And like a divine revelation, she knew the answer. She had to return to where it all began. "I have to do it," she thought, and only one person could help her.

Knock, knock…

"Hades?"

The god thought he heard Erianthe's voice. Was he dreaming?

Knock, knock…

"Hades? Are you awake?"

Definitely not a dream. The god opened his eyes. What time was it? He got up and went to the door of his chambers. When he opened it, there she was—the girl who had been giving him so many headaches lately.

"This better be urgent, kid," Hades muttered, but then he noticed her face—or more precisely, her expression. Something seemed to be troubling her. "What's going on?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

"What?" The god was completely confused.

"I need you to take me somewhere. Please." The girl looked at him seriously.

"Alright. Tell me, where do you want to go?"

They appeared near a path in the forest—a path all too familiar to Erianthe.

"Are you sure about this?" Hades asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Y-yes," Eri murmured. The god could see she was trembling, and not because of the cold. "This is the path."

"Which path?"

"The one I escaped on." She stepped into the middle of the trail as a gentle sea breeze swept over her. She could almost imagine herself running through it, fleeing the fire from five years ago.

Likewise, she looked toward the direction of her old home, but before she could move forward, a sound caught her attention. Both the god and the mortal tensed, Hades readying himself to strike. But out of a bush came… a sheep?

"A sheep?" Hades muttered in disbelief.

And it wasn't just one sheep; several were grazing nearby.

"My grandfather's sheep?" Hercules' daughter was startled. There had been a stable, but she doubted the animals could have survived—or could they? Could it be possible? For a moment, she felt a flicker of hope.

"Eri? What's happening?" Hades asked, noticing the sudden shift in her demeanor. "This isn't going to end well," he thought, worried.

"My grandparents. Could my grandparents still be alive?" Her voice trembled, and tears began to well up in her eyes. "Grandpa! Grandma! I'm here!" Erianthe suddenly bolted down the path toward what had once been her home.

"Wait, Erianthe!" Hades shouted. "Damn it," he cursed under his breath, taking off after her.

In her mind, Erianthe clung to the hope that her grandparents might have survived all those years ago. She imagined running to her house and finding them there, starting their morning as always. Her grandfather tending to the sheep, her grandmother preparing breakfast.

But deep down, she knew these thoughts were irrational. She was lying to herself. Still, that glimmer of hope gave her strength—it kept her moving, right until she slammed headfirst into reality.

She emerged from the forest into a meadow. It was still dark, but dawn was not far off. She stood in the field of flowers her father had loved so much—the ones she had been named after—and there, in the distance, lay what remained of her home.

"How foolish I am." Eri whispered. She went back to her old home for the first time and saw what was left: ruins.

Hades arrived moments later. "For a mortal, she runs fast," he thought, though her youth likely played a part in that. He stopped beside Erianthe, who was completely frozen in place, staring at what was before them: a house reduced to rubble.

The only structure still standing was part of a stone wall and a heavily rusted metal gate. Behind the wall, the house was destroyed. All that remained were a few scattered stones and the lintel of a doorway—nothing else of the villa of the famous hero.

"I must be the most pathetic person in all of Greece," Eri spat out bitterly.

"Why would you say—"

"Because, for one second, I actually thought they were STILL alive! I'm an idiot, stupid, and pathetic! I heard them screaming in pain as the flames consumed them!" Erianthe shouted and collapsed to her knees. She wept uncontrollably. "I shouldn't be here."

Hades stood there, watching the girl break down on the ground, crying out all the pain and suffering she carried inside. "And to think I wanted to make her suffer more. She's already completely shattered on the inside," he thought. This kind of grief—he had seen it before. He had lived it. And, truthfully, he had no idea how to help someone in that state. No one had ever helped him.

Finally, the god kneeled beside her. She kept saying the same thing over and over: "I'm not good enough; I should die."He couldn't stand listening to it any longer.

"STOP IT!" Hades shouted.

Erianthe looked up at him, startled. She had completely forgotten he was even there. He looked furious, though she couldn't tell why.

"Listen, Erianthe," he said firmly. "I know you've been through hell. You've experienced terrible things at an age when no one should have to, but you're still here. If you weren't meant to be, those three witches would've cut your thread of life long ago. Stop tormenting yourself over the past—it can't be changed. So get up and face your destiny."

"But I'm weak… I…"

"Weak?" Hades' voice was tinged with disbelief. "You don't actually believe that, do you? Because I don't. You're not like that."

"And how would you know what I'm like?" she snapped back.

"You're strong and brave, Erianthe," he said firmly. "But you can't keep blaming yourself for things beyond your control. Your grandparents' deaths were inevitable. So was that boy's. You told me yourself—he sacrificed himself for you. Honor that sacrifice."

Erianthe stared at him. His face was still set in frustration, though she could see how much this situation bothered him. It clearly made him uncomfortable, yet there he was, staying by her side, tolerating her tears, and speaking the harsh truth she needed to hear.

On the horizon, the sun was beginning to rise. A soft breeze enveloped them, stirring the flowers and filling the air with a gentle fragrance. The Lord of the Dead was right. Suddenly, on impulse, Erianthe rushed forward and hugged him.

Hades froze. It wasn't the first time she had hugged him—she'd done so by the lake that night—but he hadn't expected this. He didn't like being touched, yet somehow, with her, it was different. It was… pleasant. Warm. He sighed and awkwardly returned the hug. "I could get used to this," he thought.

"You know these flowers are called cornflowers?" Erianthe said after a moment. "My father loved them for their fragrance. He said it was soft and sweet. And he loved this shade of blue—it was one of his favorite colors. When he found out my mother was pregnant, these flowers inspired my name."

"Really? I have to admit, they're pretty," Hades replied, smirking, "but I hate flowers."

"You hate flowers?"

"Long story. Ages ago, they tried to arrange a marriage for me. With Persephone. We had some things in common, but then there was the whole issue with her mother and the fact that she hated the Underworld. It didn't work out. Since then, flowers have never been my thing. But I'll make an exception for these." He smiled faintly, but there was sadness and melancholy in his eyes.

At that moment, Erianthe realized that the god carried a heavy burden of his own.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For bringing me here, for staying with me, and for putting up with me." She felt a bit embarrassed that Hades had seen her in this state, but at the same time, she was glad he was there. It was strange—she felt increasingly comfortable around him, and she didn't know why. Yet with him, she could open up in a way she hadn't with anyone else.

"What choice do I have? I don't want you wandering around the Underworld like a lost soul. You're enough trouble as it is, kid." Hades teased her, though his tone carried a touch of irony.

"Ha! You're starting to sound like one of those motivational scrolls," she said with a laugh.

They were still hugging, but Eri was the first to pull away. An idea had struck her.

"What are you doing?" Hades asked as she began picking some flowers.

"You'll see." She didn't stop until she'd gathered a decent bouquet. "Come on. I'll show you my house."

Hades followed her to the gate. For a moment, Erianthe hesitated, as if she didn't dare open it. But there was no turning back now. She pushed the gate, but it didn't budge.

"Damn it, it's stuck." She rattled the gate in frustration, trying in vain to open it.

After a few minutes of cursing and hitting the gate, Hades stepped in to help. With a single hand, he swung it open effortlessly. One of the perks of being a god was having more strength than a mortal.

The girl looked at him with a face that clearly said, "You could have helped earlier, couldn't you?" To which Hades burst into laughter. He had been holding it in for a while.

They entered the courtyard and stood in front of the house. It was destroyed and burned, but strangely, the lintel of the main door was still standing. Eri smiled. She couldn't believe that part of it had survived. She approached it and touched it. There were the marks her mother used to make for her and her brother when they were younger, tracking their growth over the years.

"Look, Hades! This was my height when I was ten years old," she pointed, showing him one of the marks on the wood.

Hades found it amusing that such a small detail made her so happy.

"You were such a tiny thing. Still are," he teased.

"Hey! What are you talking about? I'm average height for my age!" Eri puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. "She's adorable and so easy to tease," thought the god.

"When you were ten, you barely came up to my hip. Now, if you're lucky, you might reach my stomach."

"Very funny…"

"Ha! I am funny! You should have seen the face you just made." Hades was laughing at Eri, but he managed to make her smile. He observed the piece of wood with the height marks and had an idea for later.

Erianthe stepped back, kneeled, and placed the bouquet in front of the house.

"Do you mind if I say a prayer?" Eri asked the god.

"Not at all. Does this mean you're going to dedicate a prayer to me?" Hades looked at her curiously.

Erianthe's eyes widened—she hadn't realized that she was about to pray to the god of the dead standing right next to her. A little embarrassed, she began,

"Oh, Hades, Lord of the Dead. Hear the prayer of this humble mortal. Please let the souls of Alcmena, Amphitryon, and Lysander rest in peace in your realm. I offer this bouquet of flowers to honor their deaths."

Hades looked at her fondly. "How could she be so sweet? Whom did she take after? Meg wasn't like this when I recruited her." But he was glad this girl respected him. It had been centuries since anyone had prayed to him, much less offered him something. He felt a faint increase in his power and was reminded of the problem he needed to deal with. He would have to go see Echidna.

"Hades? Are you okay?" The Lord of the Dead snapped out of his thoughts. The girl was looking at him with slight concern.

"I'm fine, don't worry," Hades quickly responded.

He stood up and gazed at the horizon. The sunlight reflected off the sea, creating a breathtaking view. Turning around, he saw the girl still by his side. She motioned for him to follow.

They exited through the gate again and walked along the edge of the cliffs until they reached some rocks. There, they sat down.

"This is where I used to sit and watch the sea every day, waiting to see the warships return."

"Every day?"

"Yes, every day, until we had to leave. If you look closely at your rock, I started making marks to count the days as they passed. And see those stairs over there? They lead down to the beach—that's where my mom, Zenos, and the other prince escaped." As Erianthe explained, her gaze never left the ocean.

"I have to admit, these views are stunning," the god remarked. Even he had to acknowledge the beauty of this place. Hercules and Meg had chosen a great spot to build a home.

"Close your eyes," the girl suddenly said.

"Hm?"

"Close your eyes for a moment, please."

"What for?"

"Just close them. Trust me," she smiled at him.

Not wanting to argue, Hades closed his eyes.

"Okay, now stretch out your arms."

"What on earth are you doing, Eri?" he asked as he stretched them out.

"Just wait and see."

The god felt something on his right arm, specifically around his wrist.

"You can open your eyes now," the girl said softly.

When he opened them, he saw a bracelet made of the blue flowers from the field wrapped around his wrist.

"I used to make flower crowns, but I didn't think that would work too well." She gestured toward his flaming hair, indicating the flowers would likely burn. "I know it's super cheesy, but this way, you can take a part of the offering with you. It's also my way of saying thank you." Erianthe's cheeks were slightly flushed

Hades looked at the bracelet and smiled.

"Offering accepted."

They sat there in silence for a while, unsure of what to say. Erianthe was beginning to see Hades as a friend she could trust, despite him being her master. "I must be losing my mind," she thought. But there was something else—every time she was near him, her pulse quickened. Yet, she couldn't deny how happy she felt spending time with him.

On the other hand, the lord of the dead watched as the light returned to Erianthe's eyes. Perhaps this little outing had been worth it. The girl stood up, still holding a few flowers in her hands, but instead of saving them, she tossed them into the sea.

"For Dad, Phil, and Pegasus," she whispered.

They stayed there for a while longer until Hades reminded her they needed to head back, as Pain and Panic would start asking questions about their absence.

That night, upon returning to her room, Erianthe saw the wooden door frame with the markings of her and her brother's heights. She realized Hades had gone out of his way to do one of the kindest gestures she'd ever received. Her heart no longer only raced when she was near him—it now quickened even when she simply thought of him.

The underworld had regained its light. Erianthe was returning to whom she used to be. It seemed she had found peace with what had been tormenting her. And it was true—she had finally made peace with herself. Though her heart bore scars, it was no longer broken.

Now, however, it seemed the one who was troubled was none other than the Lord of the Dead himself. Erianthe noticed the change in his behavior: he was more reserved, more irritable. He was worried about something, and the girl knew something was wrong.

"What's wrong, Hades?" Eri asked as they sat in the library.

"It's nothing," the god tried to deflect.

"Hades, I know something's bothering you. You can tell me."

"I said it's nothing!" he snapped. He turned to see the sadness in her expression and sighed. "I overreacted."

"Look, Eri, don't worry, but… I think I'm losing my powers."

"WHAT?"

"Don't worry. I already have a possible solut—"

"That's serious, Hades! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Erianthe interrupted.

"Because there's nothing you can do about it, Eri!"

"I know that, but you don't have to carry this burden alone. Besides, I could've helped you come up with a solution," she said softly, feeling hurt.

"Hey, really, it's fine. I'm planning to go tomorrow to the land of the monsters, where Echidna lives."

"The mother of all monsters? How is she going to help you recover your power?"

"Seventeen years ago, I had many allies and subordinates—mostly monsters. Your mother helped me recruit them, but your father made sure to defeat them."

"Then I'll help you get those allies back," Erianthe said resolutely.

"It's not that easy! First, I have to meet with Echidna. I need to regain the support of the monsters, and from there, we'll consider the recruitment strategy."

Hades was surprised by Eri's determination. Truthfully, she had become a good friend. "Friend? I mean… subordinate," he corrected himself.

"So, tomorrow we're going to the land of the monsters?"

"We?" Hades raised an eyebrow. There was no way Eri was setting foot in that place.

"Of course. I'll go with you—it'll be better if—"

"You're staying here, Erianthe. The land of the monsters is no place for a mortal. Or… do you not know what monsters do to mortals?"

"Well…"

"They eat them! I'm not about to let a pack of disgusting monsters devour you!" the god said irritably. "I think I'm being a bit too overprotective."

Erianthe laughed. Hades had his moments, but she knew he really cared about her.

"Alright, if that's what you want, I'll stay here."

The god nodded, relieved. "It's for the best. It's better if I go alone." Nothing bad was going to happen, right?

The next day, Hades left for the land of the monsters.

Pain and Panic assured him they'd take care of everything in his absence. Erianthe watched him go, worried, but he was Hades, the Lord of the Dead. The feared god of the Underworld, for heaven's sake—of course, nothing was going to happen to him!

"I hope the meeting with Echidna goes well, Hades," Eri said. She didn't know why, but she had a bad feeling.

"Sweetheart, everything's going to be fine. I'll be back in no time—don't make that face," Hades reassured her with a smile. He was convinced everything would go smoothly.

"Do you promise?"

"What?"

"Promise me everything will go well," she repeated, more seriously this time.

"Eri, don't tell me you believe in that kind of thing."

"Of course I do. It's what frie—I mean, whatever. Do what you want, but you'd better be back in time for this afternoon's lesson. We stopped at the most interesting part of the Battle of Thermopylae."

Eri quickly corrected herself, but not quickly enough to prevent a certain god from catching what she meant to say: friends.

"Is that it? Friends? Is that what this feeling is?" Hades' pulse quickened, but he couldn't afford to dwell on it now. He had a mission to complete. They could talk about it later.

"I promise. I'll be back before the lesson," he said, and the smile from Hercules' daughter was the most dazzling thing he'd seen in a long time.

Before vanishing, he looked at Erianthe one more time. And for the first time, he had a reason to return to the Underworld.

The land of the monsters was a place no one in their right mind would dare to set foot in. It was a volcanic region filled with toxic gases, where the sun never shone. The skies were perpetually overcast.

In the middle of that desolate wasteland lay a large cave—the entrance to the monsters' lair.

Hades had been there several times to strike deals with Echidna and her offspring. He was aware that she held him in high esteem, given that he had not lost his charm.

He approached the entrance and knocked.

"How does Erianthe see me? What does she think of me? Does she find me charming?" thought the god. Lately, most of his thoughts ended up revolving around her, and that feeling he had whenever he thought of her was so pleasant. His thoughts were interrupted by an enthusiastic hug from Echidna.

"Hades! It's been so long! Come in, come in."

"Hello, Echidna! How are you? How have you been?"

"Oh, I can't complain. The war has left many villages and mortals unprotected. They've turned into marvelous buffets—no heroes around!"

"I'm glad to hear that! So, your children are doing well?"

"Well, unfortunately, many of them were killed by that hero, Hercules. But ever since he went off to war, my children have been safe again," Echidna replied cheerfully. "Oh! Do you remember Cyclops? Sweetheart, bring a drink for the Lord of the Dead!"

"Oh, Echidna, don't trouble yourself." Hades didn't want anything, but Echidna could be very insistent.

"Nonsense! It's been such a long time since you were my guest. When was the last time? Eighteen, no, seventeen years ago?"

"Yes, it's been a while. And that's why I'm here to talk business. I can still count on you as an ally, right?"

"Well, Hades, actually… no. A few years ago, someone came to me with a much better plan, and I've pledged my loyalty to that person."

"What?" The god hadn't expected this turn of events. "What are you saying, Echidna? Who could have possibly offered you a better deal than mine?"

"Well, Hades, I can't tell you that. However, they did say that if you ever showed up here… I was to make sure you NEVER left," she said, her tone suddenly turning menacing.

The god rose from his chair but felt dizzy. "Damn it, what's happening to me?" He glanced at his cup. She'd put something in his drink—how could he have been so careless? He tried to use his powers, but nothing happened.

"I see the potion they gave me works perfectly. Sweet dreams, Hades. Don't worry; from now on, we'll take good care of you."

The last thing the god thought of before losing consciousness was the image of a certain orange-haired girl smiling.

Erianthe.

Well, well, things are getting interesting! Did you expect this ending? What's going to happen to Hades?

I hope you're liking the story and Erianthe's path to healing. I think I've done it justice.

And, sorry to no update any sooner.

Thanks for reading on! And you know, feel free to leave a review. I'd love to know what you think of the story.