RUNNING AWAY FROM MONSTERS

Erianthe was afraid. The gorgon was staring at them with a psychotic look on her face, but what really grabbed her attention was how she was dragging Euryale's bloodied body like she'd beaten her to death.

"Did you think I wouldn't smell you, human? You reek far too much to go unnoticed. But the bigger disgrace is that this useless one tried to sneak you in." With that, she hit the unconscious gorgon again. "Get ready because you're next."

"Come on, Pain, set me free!" Hades exclaimed nervously. That lunatic was going to kill Eri, and the Lord of the Dead was filled with anguish.

Hades felt the girl tighten her embrace around him, clinging closer. He wanted to hold her in his arms, to protect her. However, something had changed. He noticed she was trembling, but not from terror—she was angry. He could tell by how her expression had shifted, from astonishment at the maniac's entrance to pure fury as soon as the gorgon began beating the other one she was dragging.

Something the Lord of the Dead didn't expect was for Hercules' daughter to pull a coin from her clothes. She flipped the coin, and although she fumbled a bit, she managed to catch it midair and check the result— "heads." She stood up and said decisively:

"Panic, I want you to conjure a chain." The little demon gawked at her. "Quickly!"

Panic hurried to produce the chain, while Pain began removing one of the shackles binding the god to the wall.

"Come on, little sister! I thought you would fight harder, but you're just like everyone else: weak and fragile." At that moment, Euryale opened her eyes, pain shooting through her as her elder sister kicked her in the stomach, causing her to vomit blood. Gasping, she looked at her sister, who returned the gaze—but unlike her, she was looking with disgust, as she always did.

It hurt her that Stheno constantly pressured her to be a warrior, to fight, something she had never enjoyed. That was why they had never bonded and had never treated each other as sisters. Even when Medusa's head was severed, she never saw Stheno shed a single tear for their sibling's death. So, it was no surprise that her sister was now mercilessly beating her.

She saw Stheno ready to strike again, this time aiming to drive one of her infamous bronze claws into her. Euryale closed her eyes, bracing for impact, but it never came. When she opened her eyes, she saw that a chain had caught the arm, preventing the blow.

Shocked, the gorgon lying on the ground looked toward the source of the chain. She saw her. The mortal, Erianthe, had thrown the chain and was holding Stheno's right arm back. The girl glared at the standing gorgon angrily, while the latter couldn't believe what was happening—the mortal was challenging her. "Insolent!"

The demons and Hades couldn't believe what Erianthe was doing. For the first time in his life, the god felt despair. He was still chained, and his foolish subordinate was facing a monster—a particularly dangerous one, the deadliest of the three gorgons.

"Why are you so slow, Pain? Stop getting distracted and free me!" He wasn't going to lose Eri; he didn't want to lose her.

"I'm working on it, Your Highness!" Pain was growing increasingly nervous.

"Hahahaha, this must be a joke. You? A puny mortal, daring to challenge me? Don't you know who I am?" Stheno shouted as she grabbed the chain, pulling it to drag the girl closer and strike her. What she didn't expect was for the girl to counteract. Eri jumped and landed a solid kick to her face.

Erianthe knocked the gorgon to the ground with the kick. She didn't back down, even though she was panting from the effort. Her body was tense, and her gaze burned with rage. Both demons, Hades and Euryale were stunned by what had just happened.

"Don't underestimate me, gorgon. You're the one who doesn't know who I am, but I'm not going to let you be a bully," she replied firmly, even though inside she felt her strength wavering.

From his position, Hades watched in disbelief. It was the first time he had seen Erianthe like this—defiant and full of fury. The demons, for their part, were dumbstruck. "Memo to self: never make Erianthe angry," thought the god as he clenched his fists while Pain and Panic struggled to remove his shackles.

Eri turned briefly to Euryale, who was still on the ground, injured but conscious.

"Are you okay?" she asked, though her voice betrayed a faint groan. The girl clutched her leg, noticing the blood streaming from a deep cut. She had barely managed to dodge one of Stheno's attacks.

"Eri! You're bleeding," Euryale exclaimed worriedly.

"Don't worry about me." Eri forced a smile to reassure her, even as a sharp pain shot through her leg. She could endure it for a while, but the gorgon was a skilled and swift fighter. She hadn't even seen the claw attack coming and barely evaded it. "We need to get out of here," she thought. They were disadvantaged.

"Guys, how's it going?" she called out.

"We're almost there,"Pain replied. The imps were doing everything they could, but the last shackle resisted their efforts, leaving Hades on the verge of exploding from sheer frustration.

Suddenly, Stheno got up with a roar and lunged at Erianthe. This time, the gorgon was faster. The mortal didn't have time to dodge and took a punch that made her stumble. However, instead of backing away, Erianthe wiped the blood from her mouth, smirked confidently, and struck back with a punch carrying all the strength she had left.

The sound of the impact echoed through the corridor. They began fighting hand-to-hand, with Stheno unleashing brutal attacks while Erianthe barely managed to block them. The gorgon was enjoying herself—no one had given her a good fight in a long time, and this brat was tough, but she had no intention of losing.

"I didn't think I'd have so much fun with you, kid!" the gorgon exclaimed, her sinister smile widening. But as Erianthe began to falter, Stheno saw her chance. "Now or never," she thought as she noticed the mortal slowing down, and drew a sword from her belt.

Erianthe was at her limit. She had thought she could handle it, but she hadn't anticipated the gorgon being so strong and fast. Luckily, her armor had absorbed some blows. Still, it was clear she was disadvantaged. Exhaustion had taken over, and she didn't notice when Stheno drew her sword. Her reflexes weren't quick enough to dodge the attack, but it never landed.

A powerful hand stopped the gorgon's arm in its tracks.

There, standing between the gorgon and the mortal, was the god of the dead, gripping Stheno's arm. His furious gaze was fixed on the monster, and although his powers were still suppressed, his superhuman strength remained intact. He began squeezing the arm, forcing the gorgon to writhe in pain.

"Did you think I'd sit idly by while you tried to kill her?" His voice, cold and commanding, made the gorgon hesitate for the first time. "Eri, get out of here," Hades ordered, his tone now calmer.

"But Hades…" She didn't want to leave the god behind now that he was free.

"Do as I say!" With a swift move, Hades twisted Stheno's arm, forcing her to drop the sword, which clattered to the ground with a metallic echo that reverberated throughout the chamber. The gorgon let out a scream of pain as the deity threw her against the wall, leaving her dazed.

Hades was panting from the exhaustion; the chains had drained his power, but his fury was palpable. Hercules' daughter stood awed by his strength. Even without his powers, he was formidable. "He's so strong," she thought, the only other person she'd seen with such strength being her father. But it made sense—a god like Hades would naturally possess superhuman might.

Erianthe shook the thought from her head and quickly approached Euryale, helping her to her feet with the support of the imps. Although her injured leg stung, she gritted her teeth and began moving forward.

"We're not leaving you here, Hades!" Erianthe exclaimed, her voice firm but tinged with worry.

"Erianthe! Don't be stubborn!" the god roared, his gaze never leaving Stheno. "Go! Now!"

Reluctantly, Erianthe obeyed, helping Euryale walk while the imps led them down the corridor they had come from. But just as they were leaving, Stheno's voice rang out once more.

"Wait! You're not getting away!" she shouted, directing her words at Erianthe. She still wanted to fight the mortal.

"Hello? Don't drop your guard—I'm your opponent!" Hades intercepted the gorgon with a direct blow that sent her crashing to the ground again. But it was clear the battle was far from over. "Keep going! I'll catch up with you," Hades said with a confident smile, even as sweat dripped from his brow.

For a second, Erianthe looked him in the eyes and nodded.

"Be careful," she whispered.

"Babe, are you worried about me?" the god teased, secretly enjoying the fact that the girl cared about him.

Eri couldn't help but smile before turning away and pushing forward with all her strength. Hades could really act like a big kid occasionally.

As the group made their escape, the shouts, and the sounds of the fight between Hades and Stheno echoed behind them. Each step they took felt heavier, but Erianthe knew they couldn't stop. Not now. Not when they were so close to making it out alive.

"Euryale, where are we going?" Eri asked.

"We'll hide in my workshop for now. I can tend to your wounds there," the gorgon murmured weakly; it was clear she was struggling to walk.

"I'm fine, really. Just tell us where the exit is."

"That's the problem. Because of Chimera's birthday, the place will be full of monsters. Also, your human scent is too obvious. You'll need something stronger to cover it up, and a disguise too. Right now, you look like a hero, no offense."

"Why does everyone think I'm a hero?" Eri responded, slightly irritated.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, the god of the dead was battling the gorgon, who continued to take his blows without stopping. Hades felt truly weak, but he had to fight and endure—if he didn't, that psychopath would go after Erianthe. Yet, it seemed Stheno didn't care about the beating she was taking; if anything, she seemed to enjoy it.

Stheno was euphoric—ecstatic, even. She had always sought fights, training herself to become a warrior. And now, at last, she was facing someone truly worth her time—a god, no less. Hades, lord of the dead. But what fascinated her most wasn't the god—it was the mortal.

That mortal's gaze was a mix of fear, determination, and fury, but she also caught a glimmer of satisfaction in it. That human was enjoying the fight, too, and that was something rare to find. Finally, Esteno had found a worthy opponent. And although the god was giving her a hard time, she wanted to go after that brat and claim her victory.

"I don't like using this trick, but I need to get out of here, and Hades is in my way." She always carried a small pouch at her belt, and from it, she pulled out a few orbs.

She looked at the god, and he stared back at her, trying to predict her next move so he could counter it. Truth be told, Hades fought well; the years of battling titans in his youth were evident. Rumor had it that among his siblings, he was the best strategist, the one who could analyze a situation most effectively.

"What a pain. I need reinforcements, but first, I'll go after 'your little friend.'" With a mocking smile, she threw the orbs to the ground. "It's been a pleasure fighting you, Lord of the Dead."

Suddenly, the entire chamber filled with smoke, and the god couldn't see anything. "What the hell! That lunatic tricked me," he thought, trying to sense if he could intercept the gorgon, but there was nothing. His mind drifted to a certain orange-haired girl. "Eri."

The girls, along with the imps, were still navigating the network of tunnels until they reached a part of the cavern with precarious cliffs—a single misstep could send them falling into the abyss.

"You live around here?" Erianthe asked the gorgon.

"It's the most remote area. Besides, no one bothers me here, and I can do whatever I want."

"But… you must be lonely."

"Sometimes, it's better to be alone," Euryale replied with a melancholy tone that didn't go unnoticed by the mortal.

"Ah! It stings," the pain in her leg was worsening. She turned and saw she'd left a trail of blood—a very obvious one. "At this rate, I'm going to bleed out."

"Eri!" the imps shouted. Pain conjured up a cloth to wrap around the girl's wound. She was getting paler by the second.

"Hang in there, Erianthe. We'll get there soon. I have an ointment that will help with that cut," the gorgon assured her.

They were so distracted, they didn't notice Stheno charging toward them at full speed.

"Miss me, losers?" the gorgon's voice echoed through the cavern. When they turned, the group saw the monster's sadistic smile and how her gaze was fixed on Erianthe. "You, mortal. I'm not done with you."

"Stheno, stop! Don't hurt them," Euryale pleaded desperately.

"Shut up, Euryale! You're a disgrace and a useless fool."

"Don't talk to her like that! She's your sister, isn't she? Show some respect!" Erianthe's anger flared at the gorgon's attitude. How could she treat her family that way?

"I don't care if she's my sister. That means nothing to me. Family doesn't make you stronger or give you more power. They're useless—especially her, who has no interest in fighting or hunting. All she likes to do is sew!"

"By the way, what did you do to Hades?"

"Don't worry about him right now. Your god is in one piece." The gorgon grabbed the girl by her tunic. "Shall we pick up where we left off?"

"I'm ready," Eri said, pushing the gorgon to create some distance and gain an advantage.

Euryale, along with Pain and Panic, watched the scene with worry. Erianthe didn't stand a chance, especially with her injury.

Stheno was the first to attack, throwing a kick at Eri, who managed to block it and counter with a kick of her own. Hand-to-hand combat was her forte. Agile and quick, she usually relied on her speed. But with this opponent, she couldn't find any weakness in her defense. Stheno easily blocked her attacks without breaking a sweat. Clearly, the gorgon outmatched her in every way.

A punch sent Eri to the ground. Stunned, she fell to her knees, and the gorgon took the opportunity to grab her by the hair and deliver another punch. The pain Erianthe felt was as if she'd crashed headfirst into a wall at full speed.

"Ah!" she cried out, writhing in pain on the ground.

"What's the matter, weakling? Is that it? Did I ruin your pretty little face, and now you're done? What a disappointment. I thought you'd put up more of a fight!" the monster sneered, preparing to kick her in the stomach. But the imps and Euryale threw themselves at her to stop her.

"Leave her alone!" shouted Stheno's younger sister.

"You're such a bully!" yelled Pain.

"Don't hurt our friend anymore!" added Panic.

Annoyed, the gorgon easily shrugged off her sister and the imps.

"You're all trash! Stay out of our fight," Stheno snarled, visibly unhinged.

But Erianthe took advantage of the distraction to kick her, knocking her unbalanced.

They were at the edge of the precipice, and with the dim light, the bottom of the abyss was invisible. The gorgon slipped and fell, but as she tumbled, she managed to grab the mortal's arm. "If I fall, she's coming with me," she thought.

"You're coming with me, mortal! Let's go to Tartarus together!" Stheno screamed.

Erianthe didn't have time to react. She couldn't grab onto anything and watched as Stheno vanished into the darkness, dragging her down with her.

Time seemed too slow. She held her breath, her stomach churning. She felt like vomiting. Her pulse raced faster and faster. Gradually, the imps and Euryale disappeared from her view, as they screamed her name in horror, unable to do anything to save her.

Hercules' daughter accepted the fact that her time had come. But she didn't want to die—not now, not after making it this far. There was so much left to experience; this couldn't be the end. Tears streamed down her cheek.

"I don't want to die," she murmured, closing her eyes as if this were a nightmare she could wake up from. So distressed was she that she didn't notice her fall had come to an abrupt stop.

"You're not going to die, Eri," a familiar voice said.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a blue flame at the edge of the abyss. "Hades?" she thought, unable to comprehend why she was floating. She felt something around her waist—a black chain. Hades had transfigured one of his arms into a smoky chain to catch her.

Her lungs reminded her that she had been holding her breath, and she gasped for air irregularly, still in the midst of a panic attack. The god hurried to pull her back to solid ground.

Hades took in all the cuts and bruises she'd gotten during her fight with the crazed gorgon, and the terror was still etched on her face. He couldn't help himself—instead of setting her down, he hugged her. She returned the gesture.

This was becoming a habit—a very pleasant one.

"Thank you, Hades," murmured Erianthe.

"I've told you a thousand times, Eri. Don't be so impulsive." Hades said, "Someday you're going to get killed, and I won't be there to save you."

His tone was stern, but it carried the concern and distress he had felt just minutes earlier when he saw her falling into the abyss.

"Sorry, I didn't think this would happen."

She knew her plan to get him out of there had been improvised and that she hadn't thought through the risk it posed, not only to herself but to everyone. Hades was right—she was too impulsive. Her friends always told her the same thing: she acted more with her heart than her head, and one day, it was bound to cause problems.

"You can put me down now, Hades. Euryale was going to take us to her workshop to hide."

"Now that I've got you in my arms, I'm not going to let you go," the god teased. The moment he said it, Erianthe's heart started racing again, and this time, it wasn't because she had been falling into the void moments before.

"Ahem." The moment was broken when they heard someone clearing their throat behind them.

Turning around, they saw the little imps looking annoyed and Euryale blushing as though she had stumbled upon something very intimate.

"Boss, not to interrupt your little moment, but we need to get going. We don't want another crazy monster trying to fight or, worse, eat Eri," Pena remarked.

"He's right," Eri added. "We need to leave. Euryale, we'll follow you. Lead the way to your workshop."

The gorgon snapped out of her daze and led them down the path to her quarters. It was a secluded area, and, like much of the surrounding terrain, it was dark. There weren't any lava streams nearby—or at least, there were very few, as evident by the lack of intense heat and the absence of that sulfuric smell.

Euryale opened the doors to her workshop, simple pinewood doors. She explained that none of her family shared her passion for sewing, so she had to move away from the other monsters' residence to have a space like this.

When they entered, they were surprised to see such a colorful space, full of fabrics in various hues and even accessories like helmets, jewelry, boots, and sandals. Everything was unique and eye-catching, yet stunning.

"Well, welcome to my workshop. You can sit over there. I'll grab a first-aid kit for your wounds, Eri," Euryale said.

"Wow, it's like a rainbow slapped us in the face. So much color," Hades commented.

"Well, I like it. I think it's pretty,"Eri retorted. "Some of these fabrics are gorgeous."

"Of course you would like them; you're into all colors," the god teased.

"Ha! That's not true. For example, I don't like yellow. I think it doesn't suit me."

"Didn't know you were so vain."

"Believe it or not, I like fashion, but, you know, there are more important things than staying trendy, doing fancy hairstyles, or wearing makeup."

Hades looked at her thoughtfully. To be fair, he had never seen Erianthe waste time on those things. She always kept it simple, but she didn't need anything else; she was already stunning as she was. "How would she look if she dressed up or styled her hair?" the god wondered, his mind wandering to visions of the young woman dressed like a goddess. "Stop it, Hades!"

"Hey, Eri," Panic asked. "What was that about flipping the coin? We've never seen you do that before."

"Well, it was my first time fighting someone in front of you. It's a tradition: if it lands heads, luck is on my side; tails means leaving it to the gods." Erianthe explained.

"Really? That's interesting. In Thebes, they say it's pretty common, especially since the Sons of the Revolution started doing it. Their leader did it first, and now all his followers do it too. Honestly, they're admirable, fighting against that shady king," Euryale said.

"How do you know about the Children of the Revolution?" Eri asked cautiously. Hades noticed her sudden tension.

"Oh! Well, I'm a big fan of theirs, actually. They fight against adversity and the system. I wish I could do the same here, but it's just me. Anyway, enough about me. So, are you from Thebes? Have you ever seen any of their founding members?"

"Haha, yeah, I'm from Thebes. And no, I don't know them, but I've seen them a few times," the girl lied. Even though Euryale didn't seem like a threat, Eri knew better than to reveal certain things for safety's sake.

The gorgon approached Eri and Hades with a jar of ointment for her wounds.

"What's that?" Hades asked suspiciously.

"It's an ointment made from my blood," Euryale explained.

"WHAT? Your blood?" Eri exclaimed.

"Gorgon blood has various properties. If it's drawn from the right side of my body, it's healing. From the left, it's a potent poison that kills instantly."

"And how do I know this is the good blood, and you're not trying to kill her?" Hades said, mistrustful.

"Look, I get that you don't trust me, Hades, but Erianthe saved me several times today. This is the least I can do. You can even test it on yourself. For a god, poisonous blood would just irritate the skin." The gorgon's gaze was sincere. Even so, Hades took a bit of the ointment and applied it to his arm to ensure it was safe; he wasn't about to let anything happen to Erianthe.

Seeing no reaction, he nodded for Euryale to proceed.

"But Euryale, use it on yourself first. I can wait, really," the girl insisted.

"Me? I don't have any wounds anymore, see?" The gorgon showed her unblemished skin.

"But how? You were covered in bruises and blood!" Hercules' daughter exclaimed, astonished.

"Haha! My regeneration is quick. Perks of having gorgon blood."

"So, your older sister?"

"You think that fall would have killed her? She'll be out of commission for a good while, but she's not dead."

The group fell silent, worried about whether that lunatic might reappear. Noticing their reaction, the gorgon reassured them that the place was secret. Her sister had never bothered to learn where her workshop was.

"And my scent?" Eri asked.

"Don't worry. This place reeks of pigments and other things I use for bleaching; your scent blends in. I doubt anyone can track you here. Besides, everyone is busy with the party."

As the gorgon spoke, she applied the ointment to the girl, who occasionally winced at the stinging sensation. "As I mentioned earlier, we'll need to get you a disguise."

"A disguise? The god asked."

"We'll have to sneak into the party to leave Mother's lair, and the best way to do that is by blending in and using one of the exits," Euryale explained.

"And expose ourselves to the monsters? I barely have any powers right now; my subordinates can only shape-shift, and she's human! They'll devour her!" Hades was getting irritated.

"And what's your suggestion?"The gorgon asked.

"Well, I, uh…, leave tomorrow?"

"By then, they'll know you're unchained, and the surveillance will be extreme. It would be much harder to get out." She made him see the gravity of the situation and that this was their only option. Eri looked up at her from her lap. She trusted the gorgon.

"Fine, fine! You're right. You win."

"Yeah, if Erianthe looks at me like that, I can't say no," the god thought. In the end, he had to agree to this absurd plan.

"Alright, it's done. You should feel as good as new in no time. Can you stand up?" Euryale smiled at the girl, who had regained some color and looked healthier.

Hades was reluctant to let her go, but the girl looked at him and gave him a tender smile. That gesture alone was enough for the god to let her stand on her own.

"Okay, where do we start? Let's find something for you to wear so you can leave without raising suspicion," said Euryale.

"Did you make all this? I mean, it's fascinating." Eri said, "You're excellent at making leather things!" as she looked at the gorgon's bracelet and belt.

"Thank you! The armor, not so much. I'm not great with metalwork."

"I could teach you a thing or two. I'm not the best, but my friend Patroclus is amazing at forging," Erianthe said, her tone tinged with sadness.

The majority of those present did not take notice; however, the Lord of the Dead did. He was slowly learning more about the girl, and from her expression, he could tell something made her sad. Still, it annoyed him that it had to do with that brat from Thebes.

"I have an idea! Seeing this armor gave me a thought: you two could wear disguises. Hades, you could wear one of these suits, and Erianthe, you could dress as an Empusa."

"An Empusa? I don't know what that is."

Euryale laughed.

"You're going to make her dress up as a demon woman? She looks like such a sweet girl!" the god mocked, joined by his imps.

"What? Do you think I can't pull off a badass look?" Eri retorted, offended.

"Don't take it personally, kid. But you don't strike me as the seductive woman type who lures men in just to devour them," Hades replied seriously, a bit annoyed. "How is she going to pull that off? Erianthe just doesn't fit that kind of look."

"I'm clearly not that kind of woman, but if it's necessary, I'll become an Empusa to get us out of here—all of us. So don't tell me what I can't do, Hades," Erianthe said defiantly.

There was a silent confrontation between the mortal and the god. Eri was upset that he doubted her, but deep down, she was angrier that he didn't see her as a woman. "He'll see. He'll see what I'm capable of." On the other hand, Hades was frustrated about exposing her in front of so many monsters. Though he couldn't deny it, a part of him was terrified something might happen to the brat.

"Are they always like this?" Euryale asked the imps. "Alright, calm down, you two. Eri, I'll need to take some measurements to adjust the clothes, and you, too, Lord of the Dead. You'll need to wear some armor from my collection to avoid being recognized instantly."

"Fine. Where should I go?" the daughter of Hercules asked the gorgon.

"Behind that curtain. You'll have to undress."At that, everyone turned red. Seeing their reaction, Euryale laughed. "Just as I thought. Better find a more private spot for this."

"Yes, that's better," Erianthe said in a small voice, glancing at the god, who was blushing and looking a bit uneasy. When the gorgon mentioned undressing, he couldn't help but think back to the time he saw her in the baths.

Behind the curtain, Euryale hurriedly took Eri's measurements to craft her disguise. She was impressed by the girl's figure, which wasn't evident under the armor.

"Wow, Erianthe! You have an amazing body. Now, I really think you can pass as an Empusa," the gorgon said teasingly. "But we'll need to address your scent and skin tone…"

"My skin?" the mortal asked, puzzled.

"Of course. Your skin looks too human. We should cover it with pigment… Oh, I know! I have plenty of greenish pigment. That shade might work well. We'll also give you a wig, some horns, and sharper fangs."

"That much?"

"Of course, Erianthe! You'll look like a terrifying, sexy woman. Hades won't know what hit him. What do you think?"The gorgon's mischievous smile was hard to resist.

"Let's do it!" Erianthe was now excited about the idea of dressing up.

Meanwhile, the imps struggled to take the Lord of the Dead's measurements without much success. They could hear laughter and whispers from behind the curtain.

"What are they whispering about?" moaned Pain.

"Girl stuff?" Panic suggested.

Hades was uneasy, unable to picture the sweet-looking girl dressed as a creature straight out of Tartarus. Then Erianthe stepped out from behind the curtain, wearing a thin robe—and green? Her skin was now a greenish hue, and her hair was more… fiery red?

"What on earth did that gorgon do to you?!" the god exclaimed in shock.

"It's part of the disguise. Don't worry. A shower will wash the pigment off," the young woman smiled, only to freeze when she noticed Hades wasn't wearing his chiton. His toga had been loosened, revealing his bare torso down to his waist. "What are you doing?" she asked the imps, visibly flustered by the sight of the god partially undressed. "By the gods, those biceps, and pectorals—he's so muscular!" she thought.

"We're taking his measurements," said Pain.

Seeing how poorly they were doing, the girl intervened.

"Let me do it."Big mistake. As she measured his back, her fingers brushed his warm, smooth skin, sending a shiver through her that she couldn't hide.

"Your hands are trembling, kid," Hades teased, a hint of softness in his voice.

Erianthe tried to play it cool, gripping the measuring tape tightly.

"What? Me? Not at all. You must be imagining things."

But the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. From a corner, the imps snickered.

"Look how red she is! She's as red as her wig," said Pain.

"And Hades isn't far behind!" added Panic, pointing out the god's faintly reddened ears.

"Shut it, you two, or I'll roast you where you stand," growled Hades, glaring at them, though his ears still had that reddish tinge.

Erianthe cleared her throat and continued, avoiding his eyes at all costs. But when her fingers accidentally brushed his skin again, the air seemed to thicken.

"Are you always this meticulous?" Hades asked, his tone low and unreadable.

"Of course! It's important to get a proper fit for the armor," Eri replied, though her shaky voice did little to convince anyone.

Euryale, finishing up adjustments to the girl's disguise, decided to step in, chuckling at the scene.

"Thanks for saving me some work, Eri. I didn't know this had turned into a contest of who can blush faster."

"Euryale!" Erianthe exclaimed, a mix of embarrassment and frustration evident.

The gorgon approached, grinning widely.

"Relax, Eri. I'm just saying you're being very… cute. Now, let's get to the important stuff." She turned toward Hades, crossing her arms. "I've already got Erianthe's costume ready, but you, oh mighty god of the Underworld, you still need something more convincing if you want to blend in with a crowd of monsters."

Hades snorted, grabbing the armor Euryale handed him. It was black, with dark red and silver details; that was radiating authority and power.

"Perfect. Now put it on, and we'll find you a pair of sandals. You can't walk around with that cloud of black smoke for feet."

"Excuse me?" Hades asked, raising an eyebrow.

Erianthe couldn't help but laugh, momentarily forgetting her nerves.

"She's right, Hades. If we're going to infiltrate, you'll need to look a little less… well, like yourself."

Hades gave her a look somewhere between annoyance and amusement.

"Less like me? And who exactly should I be then?"

"I don't know…" Erianthe replied, leaning toward him with a mischievous smile. "Maybe someone who doesn't look like they want to incinerate everyone with a single glance."

The imps burst out laughing, and even Euryale had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing too loudly.

Hades let out a heavy sigh, though his lips twitched into the faintest of smiles.

"Fine, sweetheart. But if this fails, I'll personally see to it… that you get sent straight to Tartarus."

Erianthe met his gaze defiantly, a spark of humor in her eyes.

"I'll take that as a 'thanks for coming to save me.'"

Euryale shook her head in amusement as she finished adjusting the final details.

"Alright, you two, enough. We've got a plan to execute, and no time to waste. Erianthe, get behind the curtain so I can help you with your outfit—I've got a couple of surprises for you. And Hades, head to the other corner, put on the armor, and we'll find you a helmet and sandals to match."

The two of them sighed, then went where they were directed. Behind the curtain, Erianthe caught sight of her costume and nearly had a heart attack—it was incredibly revealing.

"Euryale, I'm practically naked!" she exclaimed.

"Empusas wear very little; they're highly seductive. If you want them to believe you're one of them, you'll have to dress the part."

The gorgon helped her put on a black top with gold details and a pattern that barely covered her chest, leaving her entire abdomen exposed. Then, she fitted her with a long skirt of the same color that only covered the front and back, leaving her legs fully visible.

"Isn't this a little long?" Eri asked.

"Don't worry. You'll be wearing platform boots. Normally, Empusas wear bronze boots—one of which looks like a donkey's hoof. It's all standard for them. Plus, I'm going to sew a pair of bat wings onto the top."

"Wings and platform boots? Isn't that a bit much?"

"Not at all! I also need to give you horns and fangs, and let's not forget the makeup. It won't take long, but get comfortable."

Erianthe didn't dare argue with the gorgon and let her work. Meanwhile, Hades had already changed. It had been a long time since he'd worn armor—possibly since the battle against the Titans? Most likely. Seeing his reflection in a silver breastplate, he admitted he looked good. Imposing, even. "I should wear armor more often," he thought.

Fifteen minutes passed, and the girls still hadn't come out from behind the curtain. The god was growing impatient, standing barefoot and missing the helmet he needed. The imps, meanwhile, were debating what they could transform into.

"Got it! What if we become a centaur?" said Pain.

"Oh, yes! But this time, I'm not being the rear end—you take that part, Pain." Panic retorted.

"What's taking so long?" Hades exclaimed irritably.

"What's the matter, boss?"

"Those two! They're taking forever!" snapped the Lord of the Dead, clearly displeased at being made to wait.

As if on cue, the gorgon emerged from behind the curtain, followed by Erianthe.

Everyone present was stunned. Was that really Erianthe? She looked spectacular and incredibly seductive in those bronze boots and that top with wings. What struck them most was her makeup: dark eyeliner and shadow that accentuated her gaze and the color of her eyes.

"Erianthe, you look amazing!" Panic exclaimed.

"By the gods, you really do look like a flirty woman!" Pain added.

The Lord of the Dead was speechless. He had misjudged the mortal—now she didn't look sweet or innocent at all. She looked like a true demon, a breathtaking Empusa. He had always known she was beautiful, but now, for some reason, he couldn't take his eyes off her. It was as if nothing else existed in the universe. "I'm losing my mind," he thought.

"Well, you sure took your time. I must admit, gorgon, you've done an impressive job. My compliments! She looks just like an Empusa," Hades exclaimed, trying to hide how much he loved the mortal's transformation into a monster.

"Doesn't she? She's stunning; she could be a model. Anyway, let's stay focused. Now it's your turn. Let's find you some sandals and a helmet," said Euryale with a wide smile.

Erianthe, for her part, was stunned to see the god in armor. The change made him seem even more powerful than he already was, and the way he looked at her so intently left her speechless. She was afraid that if she spoke, her voice would tremble—or worse, that everyone would hear the pounding of her racing heart.

She didn't move an inch, but from her spot, she saw Euryale handing Hades a pair of dark sandals and a black helmet with red and silver accents that matched perfectly with his armor. The gorgon also gave him a pair of black leather braces that accentuated his forearms.

"Alright, I think we're ready! I'm going to change into a new tunic, and you two, get ready quickly. We leave in five minutes," Euryale instructed.

"Are you okay?" Hades asked Hercules' daughter.

"Me? Oh, yes… I'm fine. Just nervous; I won't deny it," Eri replied.

"We'll get through this. You'll see. This stupid plan will work, and we'll escape from here," the god assured her with a smile.

"Thanks, Hades. You know, with that armor and helmet, you're even more intimidating. You should consider wearing them more often," Erianthe said, giving him a tender smile.

They looked at each other for a moment until the imps appeared, transformed into a scrawny green centaur. Euryale also returned, dressed in a dark, elegant tunic that accentuated her figure.

"Ready! Let's head to the party in the main hall. It connects to the cave entrance. There's another hallway that leads back to where we entered today, and the stage they've set up connects to the hallway. So, we only have two exits," the gorgon explained.

"Stage?" Eri asked.

"Of course, Echidna probably set it up for a band. Some monsters can play instruments or even sing. But that's not relevant. Let's go. Oh, wait, Eri!" The gorgon grabbed a bottle and sprayed her with a lilac-scented liquid. "This is to mask your human scent."

"Thanks, Euryale!"

"Great. Now let's head to the party. Act natural and find an escape route as soon as possible. Let's go!"

The group left the workshop and headed toward the noisiest part of the monsters' lair. The sound grew louder and louder with every step. Erianthe felt increasingly nervous, and moreover, she was struggling with the platform shoes, which made her look taller and more graceful, now reaching the shoulder of the god of the dead.

"You're walking in such a funny way," Hades teased.

"These platforms are killing me. My feet are in agony," she replied.

"Take my hand; hold on to me. I'll help you walk," the god offered. Without hesitation, Erianthe took his hand, and sure enough, she could walk a bit better. From then on, they walked hand in hand.

Euryale smiled. "By the gods, these two are so obvious," thought the gorgon. But she quickly pushed aside any thoughts about the god and the mortal ahead of her and focused entirely on the party they were approaching.

"Beyond this gate lies the party hall. Above all, try to go unnoticed—or at least don't cause trouble. We need to figure out which of the three exits we can use to escape."

"Y-yes, understood," Erianthe stammered, her nerves clearly visible to the god, who noticed the tremor in her voice and her hand. He even felt the sweat in her palm—or was it his own? To calm her, he gave her hand a light squeeze. Eri glanced at him, smiled, and returned the gesture.

"Let's go," said Hades, to which the girl nodded.

The noise of the party intensified as they crossed the gate into the main hall. The space was packed with monsters of every shape and size: harpies fluttered over the tables, cyclopes roared with laughter while holding enormous mugs of thick liquor, and satyrs played a chaotic melody on out-of-tune flutes. The atmosphere was oppressive, heavy with smoke and dark magic that seemed to pulse with the beat of a drum, marking the rhythm of the celebration.

Still holding Hades' hand, Erianthe felt her nerves spike. But she remembered Euryale's words: "Act natural. You're an Empusa, not a human." She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and walked with more confidence—though the cursed platforms remained a challenge.

"Everyone is staring at us," Erianthe whispered. The monsters in the hall were indeed turning to look at them—or rather, at her.

"Relax. They're staring because you're doing a good job, not because they've figured you out," murmured Hades, leaning toward her. His voice was low and soothing, but his closeness sent a shiver down her spine.

"I'm not sure if that reassures me or makes me more nervous," she muttered with a faint smile, though her eyes remained sharp, scanning the monsters who turned to watch them pass.

Their attention didn't go unnoticed. A few monsters approached them, including a harpy, a cyclops, and a Minotaur.

"Hey there, gorgeous. Must've been painful," the Minotaur said.

"Painful? What do you mean?" the girl asked, confused.

"Falling from Olympus, doll," replied the creature in a suggestive and lewd tone.

The bystanders went silent. First, because they didn't know how Erianthe would react, given how nervous and naive she seemed. And second, because the line the Minotaur had dropped was nauseatingly cheesy. If he could, Hades would have incinerated the monster on the spot.

"Well, you're wrong because I came straight out of Tartarus," Eri shot back with a seductive tone.

"WHAT?" everyone thought. "Erianthe… flirting?" Hades had to admit that she was indeed Megara's daughter—such audacity and charm. And if seeing her in that outfit had already made his heart race, her sultry tone and wit were the perfect icing on the cake to drive him over the edge.

"Gorgeous, where have you been all night? Let me buy you a drink… somewhere private," the Minotaur pressed.

"Hey! I saw her first," the cyclops shouted.

"Sorry, boys. But I already have company," she said, lifting her hand to show it was entwined with Hades'. "Maybe next time."

The monsters walked away disgruntled, not before shooting death glares at the god of the dead. The harpy, however, continued to scrutinize Erianthe intently.

"How strange. I haven't seen you before, Empusa," the harpy said, fiddling with a piece of raw meat in her claws.

Erianthe swallowed hard but tried to answer with as much confidence as she could muster. "I'm new. Echidna invited me personally," she said with an air of arrogance, as if she didn't need to justify her presence.

The harpy studied her a moment longer, but seemingly satisfied, let out a screech and flew off, disappearing into the crowd.

Hades raised an eyebrow, visibly impressed. "Not bad. Your performance would rival the finest theaters in Athens," he whispered with a faint smile, though he couldn't deny feeling a twinge of jealousy at the attention she was receiving.

Before she could respond, Euryale, who had moved ahead, hurried back.

"Try not to cause a scene! The hostess is on the other side of the hall. If we're discovered, we're in deep trouble."

"Echidna is here?" Erianthe asked, alarmed.

"Of course. Who do you think throws these parties? But don't worry—with those horns and your pigment, she won't recognize you… as long as you don't talk to her too much," the gorgon replied.

As they made their way through the crowd, something caught Erianthe's attention. In a corner of the hall, a group of monsters was gathered around a small, makeshift stage. A trio of satyrs played a frenzied melody while a sphinx recited riddles that drew laughter from the audience.

"That's the stage I mentioned. Of the two exits, it's the least guarded. We could use it to slip out through the back door," said Euryale, discreetly pointing toward the area.

"And how do you plan to get us past all these people unnoticed?" Hades asked, crossing his arms.

Euryale grinned mischievously. "Simple. We'll need a distraction, and I think our dear Empusa is perfect for the job."

"What?" Erianthe and Hades said in unison.

"Think about it. You look stunning in that disguise. If you go up on stage and do… something"—the gorgon made a vague gesture with her hands—"you'll capture everyone's attention. It'll be the perfect moment to escape."

"And what exactly do you expect me to do? Sing?" Erianthe protested.

"You sing beautifully, Erianthe," said Pain—or rather, his voice was heard coming from the centaur's rear.

"We can go ahead to fetch the chariot," suggested Panic.

"This is ridiculous. We're not putting her on display like that. We'll find another way to distract them," Hades interjected, frowning.

Euryale, already aware of the god's feelings for the girl, smirked and said, "Oh, come on, Hades! If you're so worried, go up there with her. Relax. She just needs to be up there for a couple of minutes. With that outfit and a bit of attitude, no one will be thinking about anything else."

Erianthe, though nervous, knew the gorgon was right. If she wanted to help them escape, she needed to play a more active role. She took a deep breath and looked at Hades with determination.

"I'll do it."

Hades glared, visibly irritated, but he couldn't argue when he saw the resolve in her eyes.

"Fine. But if anything goes wrong, it's your fault, Euryale."

"Deal!" the gorgon replied, clearly enjoying the tension between them.

Minutes later, Erianthe stepped onto the stage. Euryale convinced the satyrs that the girl would be performing a musical number with them; she barely needed to persuade them—one look at her, and they eagerly agreed. Under the flickering light of a magical lamp, murmurs began to spread through the hall. All eyes were on her.

"Who's that?"

"An Empusa? I've never seen her before…"

"She looks like she stepped out of a dream… or a nightmare."

Erianthe swallowed hard but reminded herself to act like a powerful, deadly creature. She allowed herself a mysterious smile and began to move slowly, walking from one side of the stage to the other as if assessing the audience.

The satyrs' music shifted, becoming more seductive, almost hypnotic. Without thinking too much, Erianthe let the rhythm guide her movements. And then she began to sing:

I knew you were coming for me.

And here you are.

The monsters began to cheer. The little imps seized the moment to sneak away, while Euryale and Hades slipped behind the stage. However, the god couldn't tear his gaze away from Hercules' daughter.

Choose wisely.

Because I'm capable of anything.

And everything.

Make me your Aphrodite.

Make me your one and only.

But darling,

Don't you dare to make me your enemy,

your enemy.

Do you really want to play with fire?

Baby, you should know what you're falling for.

Are you ready?

Because I'm coming at you like a lightning bolt.

Are you ready? I'm ready.

For this storm of emotions.

Because once you're mine,

There's no turning back.

Hades watched with a furrowed brow, visibly tense. On one hand, he admired how well Erianthe was playing her role, but on the other, he couldn't help feeling uneasy as the monsters stared at her with lustful, predatory eyes. He had to admit, though—she was playing the perfect Empusa.

Remember my words;

this love will make you levitate.

You're in the palm of my hand now, baby.

So make sure you give it all.

Give me everything to me.

Do you really want to play with fire?

Baby, you should know what you're falling for.

Are you ready?

Hades was captivated by the girl's movements; they were seductive, and her voice held him spellbound, growing stronger with every note. Suddenly, he strode onto the stage, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her close, possessively.

Erianthe hadn't expected him to join her, but she seized the moment, dancing with him to the rhythm of the music.

Because I'm coming at you like a lightning bolt.

Are you ready? I'm ready.

For this storm of emotions.

The two were looking at each other in the eyes as they danced, unable to look away from one another.

Because once you're mine,

There's no turning back.

The god twirled her, spinning her gracefully, only to bring her back into his arms, his hands firmly holding her waist. The entire hall erupted into deafening cheers and applause, but for Erianthe and Hades, the noise seemed to fade into the background. It felt as though only the two of them existed at that moment.

Erianthe's eyes were locked on Hades'. His gaze was intense, filled with something she couldn't quite identify, something that made her heart race uncontrollably. The feel of his hands on her waist sent shivers through her—not just from her nerves, but from something else. She had never felt this way before.

"You're playing with fire," murmured the god, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

Erianthe smiled, a smile she had perfected to seem like a lethal creature, though inside her heart was pounding so hard she was certain he could feel it.

"I thought you were the fire, Hades," she replied, surprised at her boldness. She wasn't usually like this.

Hades raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, though his expression remained serious.

"Careful what you say, Eri. You might get burned."

As the monsters continued to cheer and clap, the two made a small bow and slipped away behind the stage without raising suspicion. Behind a curtain, Euryale was waiting for them, visibly impressed.

"Wow, that was incredible! You were amazing, Eri. You sing wonderfully. But next time, maybe tone it down a bit? A little more of that, and the entire den would've been dancing around you two!" whispered the gorgon with a sharp tone, though she couldn't hide the grin on her face at the obvious tension between them.

"It worked, didn't it?" replied Hades without looking at her, striding ahead with long, purposeful steps as Erianthe struggled to keep up in her cursed platform shoes.

The gorgon rolled her eyes but held her tongue.

"Come on, this way," she said. They could now see the corridor and the exit, the cool air from outside the cave brushing against their faces.

Suddenly, in the distance, a roar was heard—it was Echidna's voice.

"What a performance! It was marvelous! Where's that Empusa and her companion?" demanded the mother of all monsters.

"They stepped off the stage, but I don't see them anymore," replied the harpy.

"Mom, I love that Empusa, I think I've fallen for her," said the Cyclops.

"No, I like her better!" the Minotaur interjected.

"Enough! Let's find them! Don't let them leave the party!" Echidna ordered.

Meanwhile, Hades, Euryale, and Erianthe had already exited through a crack in the cave.

"Finally! We're free!" shouted Erianthe.

"Don't celebrate just yet. We still need to reach the chariot," Euryale reminded her.

"Let's not waste time, let's go," ordered the god.

They began walking toward where they had left the chariot, expecting the imps to show up with it at any moment. But soon, the sounds of the party grew louder, as if the crowd were right behind them.

Turning around, they saw Echidna and her brood charging toward them.

"Run!" shouted Euryale.

The three of them broke into a sprint. Erianthe ran as fast as her platform shoes allowed, tripping a couple of times, but either Hades or Euryale would catch her before she fell. The roars of the crowd behind them grew deafening, and the ground shook as massive creatures joined the chase.

"Leave me here! I can't keep up!" cried Erianthe, gasping for air and feeling her legs about to give out.

"Not a chance!" snapped Hades, not even glancing at her as he grabbed her wrist to keep her moving. His tone was firm, but there was a trace of concern that pushed her to keep going.

Euryale glanced quickly over her shoulder and cursed under her breath.

"This isn't working! They'll catch up to us in minutes. We need a distraction or something to slow them down."

Hades frowned and, without letting go of Erianthe, raised his free hand to summon a curtain of dark smoke. It rose from the ground, spreading like a dense cloud and obscuring the path behind them.

"That should buy us some time," he said with satisfaction.

"What the—?" the monsters exclaimed.

"That power—it's Hades! He's escaping!" roared Echidna.

But the growls and roars didn't diminish. Echidna and her monsters were too persistent. Even with the smoke, their footsteps drew closer, as if they were tracking Erianthe's scent.

"Oh no, Erianthe, they're tracking your scent! The effect of the drops has worn off!" exclaimed the gorgon.

"What do we do?" Erianthe asked worriedly, looking to the god of the dead. Before he could answer, the imps arrived with the chariot.

"We're here!" yelled Pain.

"Want us to take you for a ride?" Panic said mockingly.

"Very funny. Come on, let's go. We don't have time," Erianthe told them.

"Guys, I'll stay behind..." Euryale said in a faint voice.

"No way! You're coming with us! You're part of the team now, so get in. If you stay, they'll kill you for sure," Erianthe's tone left no room for argument, prompting the gorgon to climb into the chariot without hesitation.

"Since when do you make these decisions?" Hades asked her.

"Oh, come on, Hades! She helped us escape, and we make a good team. Besides, you need to recruit people for the Underworld. You need more power, remember?"

The god of the dead couldn't argue with that. Once everyone was in, the chariot took off into the skies. But they hadn't counted on some monsters being able to fly.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Erianthe screamed in horror as a swarm of flying monsters, led by Echidna, pursued them through the air.

"Boss! They're catching up!" the imps cried, clinging to each other in fear.

"I'm trying to gather enough power to transport us to the Underworld. Damn, I'm still weak," cursed the god.

"Guys, summon a bow with some arrows," Eri ordered, her demeanor now serious. She had the coin she had before in her hand. The imps exchanged puzzled looks but did as she asked.

Erianthe took the bow with determination and tested the arrows. Though it had been a while since she'd last used one, she remembered her training with Patroclus and Phil's advice. Taking a deep breath, she fixed her gaze on the flying monsters, particularly Echidna.

"Do you even know how to use that?" Euryale asked skeptically, gripping the edge of the chariot to avoid being thrown out by the jerky movements.

"Enough to buy us some time," Erianthe replied, her tone cold to mask her nerves.

Hades, busy gathering enough energy to open a portal, glanced at the daughter of Hercules out of the corner of his eye. For a moment, a faint smile crossed his face, though his focus remained unbroken.

"If you fail, I'll remember you as a fool," he muttered with a hint of sarcasm.

"I won't fail. Watch me."

"Hades! You won't escape!" roared the mother of all monsters. "Don't make me laugh. That human thinks she can take us on? Who does she think she is? Do you even know who I am, girl?" Echidna's fury was palpable as she closed in, but Erianthe stood firm.

"Who am I?" Eri shouted, aiming the bow at Echidna. "Don't underestimate me, monster. I am Erianthe, daughter of Hercules and Megara!" She released the arrow, which struck Echidna directly in one of her eyes.

The chariot's occupants were stunned by her accuracy, but Hades was even more impressed by her determination and how boldly she proclaimed her heritage—one of Greece's most celebrated heroes, feared and hated by monsters.

"Wow! Sorry for doubting you, Eri," Euryale admitted.

Erianthe kept firing arrows, taking down several monsters.

"Sir! Hurry up!" Panic shouted, seeing some monsters get dangerously close.

"Do you think it's easy to channel power with all of you screaming like crazed fans at a concert? A little patience!" the god barked, closing his eyes to concentrate.

Lightning began striking near the chariot.

"Hades! At this rate, we'll get hit by a bolt!" Euryale yelled.

Opening his eyes, Hades raised a hand. His voice thundered with authority:

"You're so annoying! I've got it!"

A dark circle formed beneath the chariot, swirling like a vortex. The air grew icy and charged as the portal to the Underworld began to open.

"Hold on tight! I don't want anyone falling off!" Hades shouted.

The imps clung to each other, and Erianthe and Euryale held onto the sides of the chariot. With one final push, the chariot dove into the vortex just as Echidna roared in frustration.

"This isn't over, Hades! I'll come for you eventually!"

The chariot emerged in a forest near the entrance to the Underworld. "Damn, I miscalculated," Hades thought. The chariot overturned, flinging its passengers out.

"Eri!" Hades shouted, alarmed as he saw the girl being thrown from the chariot. She wasn't immortal, and her injuries could be severe. Without hesitation, he leapt to catch her, wrapping her in his arms to shield her from the impact.

Erianthe clung to the god, but as they hit the ground, she saw he wasn't moving. Blood seeped from his side.

"Hades!" Her panicked voice was the last thing he heard before losing consciousness.

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the delay, but between the fact that I haven't had time and I got stuck a bit in this chapter, in the end it took me longer than expected, although you can't complain that I'm leaving you a long chapter full of action, emotion, and interaction between Erianthe and Hades.

I don't know if I'll be able to upload another chapter before Christmas; if not, I won't be able to update again until January. We'll see how I'm doing in terms of time.

I hope you like it a lot! The song of this chapter is inspired by Dark Horse by Katy Perry.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to leave a review.