The Abyss of Perseus 2
Two days of construction ended, and I dove headfirst into playtime with Hades. This single day had granted every dead soul a full holiday from their usual labor—pool and bath alike—turning the entire Underworld into one massive amusement park. Charon, the ferryman, showed up with a bewildered expression just to check on Hades out of sheer concern.
The bathhouse was, of course, strictly for the somber gods of the Underworld. I left the safety inspection of the slides and other water-park gear to the dead, then tried them out myself. At first I figured the ancient setting would never have anything this polished, but a few days later—after Hades heard my pitch and we sourced the right ores—modern amusement-ride technology was completely outclassed. The water slide we built sent me and Hades both flying into fits of uncontrollable laughter.
It could have been deadly if I hadn’t nudged the safety rails a bit farther, but with a few extra tweaks we called it perfect. Especially the spinning section that made you scream in the best way. Hades immediately declared the whole thing Hades Bodynos, the Abyss, and in one stroke this became a historic moment for more than one reason.
The diving cliffs we carved for the plunge were just as impressive, and when we brainstormed punishments for the really bad souls—making the waves crash with the force of a tidal wave—Hades’ laughter never once faltered. I was convinced he might actually die laughing. I’d never even thought of that kind of penalty before, but the idea was genius, so I eagerly adopted it. After the bathhouse the water had turned cold, yet the heat that rushed through my body afterward was pure bliss, and fatigue slammed into me so hard I passed out right there on the floor.
Up until now, everything had gone perfectly.
Yes, perfectly.
The problem started here.
Somehow, one night I’d meant to be back in five days. Instead we stayed seven, all because I’d spent the first two days playing in the pool like a complete idiot. I’d brought food from the surface, and luckily we still had bread. The moment Hades woke up he offered me a meal again.
“Rest assured. This meal is made entirely from surface-world ingredients.”
He was telling the truth—Persephone had specifically requested the same spread. I could swear on the River Styx, so I believed him. I was genuinely happy to finally eat something decent, but that happiness was about to trigger the first and last trial of this entire adventure.
A trap, really.
If I hadn’t been prepared, I would have fallen for it instantly.
“Hm…”
After the meal he led me back to the room with the throne. Hades scratched his forehead, clearly puzzled that I hadn’t sat in the seat he’d offered.
“Perseus, why didn’t you take the seat I offered?”
“I’m sorry to say I still don’t want to become a flat-bottomed Theseus.”
“Interesting. Then why did you keep your hands out of the water?”
“I’m too young to forget my parents’ faces yet.”
“…Tsk.”
Hades burst out laughing when he realized he’d been had. He’d tried to trick me with the Forgetfulness Chair and Lethe water, but instead he’d overplayed his hand. Swearing on the River Styx was something even the gods feared, and the fact that he’d done it so casually only made me more suspicious.
“I won, I won! I really wanted to keep you, but my scheme backfired and now I have to let you go.”
He was chuckling, but the disappointment was clear. We had actually had a blast yesterday—nestled together the whole afternoon. He felt lonely about me leaving, especially since my features reminded him of Zagreus.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Guess I misjudged. I thought the charm would work, but apparently not.”
He had probably asked Hermes for advice. The messenger god slipped out from behind the throne with a mischievous grin.
“Looking for me!”
He came running over. I knew he’d been sent to steal me, yet here he was, still shamelessly smiling. No point in yelling now that he’d already appeared.
“May I ask one last thing?” I said. “Do you have any intention of staying here?”
“I like your company and I’ve had a wonderful time, but I belong on the surface. My family is there. I’m deeply grateful for everything you’ve done, but that would cost me my life. I still have to refuse.”
“Indeed…”
Hades looked crestfallen. Hermes was watching from the side, barely able to contain his giggles, but the goodbye already felt heavy.
“However… would it be rude if I asked one more thing?”
“Rude?”
“I’ve been agonizing over this and decided it was wrong, but I can’t hold it back any longer.”
“Speak.”
“Yes.”
Hades kept nodding, completely curious. I took a deep breath.
“These past days have been so wonderful, and I’m truly grateful to you. I can’t stop myself from saying it. Suddenly, but it’s true: just as you lost young Zagreus early, I lost my father young too. Being with you has felt exactly like spending time with a father I never got to keep. It has been unbearably moving.”
“Haha, is that so?”
“Yes. But… do you even understand how rude this is? The orphan that I am is asking this… could I perhaps call you my stepfather?”
“Step… father? Step… father…?”
“*gulp*!”
Hermes, standing right beside me, nearly choked on his own spit.
“What on earth are you talking about right now?!”
“I have a motto of saying flattering things while never hiding the truth. These days in the Underworld have been worth every word. I said it with sincere gratitude. Even if you punish me for being rude and kill me, I won’t regret a single syllable.”
“You… you… you little brat?! Brave for your age—?!”
“Bullshit.”
Getting killed was terrifying.
Actually terrifying.
I’d wanted to let it slide, and the words I’d just spoken to Hermes had only been meant to cheer Hades up anyway.
“Is… is that okay?”
Luckily Hades took the bait. I sighed in relief and kept laying it on thick. We’d come this far—there was no turning back now.
“I swear on the River Styx: these days have been truly wonderful and happy.”
“───?!”
Light flared around us, but nothing bad happened. Of course it didn’t—the words were true. Especially the new bathhouse and the hot-spring soak.
“You’re bold. You even proved your words were true. I am the king of the Underworld and I would normally guard my divine dignity, but your sincere request has left me no choice but to let my true feelings show.”
“Eh…? …Huh?”
Hermes looked startled, but Hades rose from the throne and walked straight to me. He took my hand in his cold, rough grip and nodded firmly.
“Someone who looks like us, with your brains and courage, makes me think of that child. Perhaps this, too, was fate. As long as you need my strength, you may call yourself Zagreus 2.”
“Stepfather…”
“My son who shares no blood with me, my confidant. Thinking that I won’t see you again after today hurts my heart.”
Hermes, still beside me, was hopping around muttering, “What is this nonsense?” while we two exchanged vows. I kept thanking Hades and brought up Persephone. We made an agreement mirroring the one I’d already spoken to her.
“Whenever I have time I’ll come down. When Persephone is with you, you’ll be happy. When she’s not, I’ll be the one here. Our time together will make it easier for you to be alone.”
“You really understand me and take care of my feelings so kindly. Making books was for my sake, so I won’t stop you.”
Hades was clearly pleased. He opened his arms and pulled me close. The embrace felt so warm my back tingled again.
*Flash!*
The light blinded me. I had definitely received a new power.
“What is this?”
Hades smiled. “I lent you part of my power so you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable coming to the Underworld. Use it well.”
I turned to look at my back. A dead soul appeared with a bronze mirror and held it up. I gasped at the sight—something I’d never seen before. An owl emblem gleamed clearly on the metal.
“What power is this?”
“When you step onto the surface, things you normally can’t see will become visible. Sounds you shouldn’t hear will reach your ears. At first it might be uncomfortable, but you’ll get used to it. The dead will never harm you, and they can never refuse your orders. You can make the ground vanish and drop anyone into the Abyss anywhere, anytime. It’s not a grand power, but carrying it will be useful to you.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve given me something far too wonderful.”
“I am grateful to hear you say so.”
“No, no, no, no—really?”
This wasn’t grand? What kind of nonsense was that?
With this I could become the Shaman King.
“Do you need anything else? Speak freely.”
I worried he was giving too much, but Hades seemed to feel an endless warmth toward anyone who had come to the Underworld. Even after the rules, he had granted Orpheus a chance and sent Persephone to the surface for the one she loved. Maybe he was simply weak to pleas from the start.
…Too generous.
I decided to be careful next time. I spoke my honest opinion.
“Before I leave, I ask that you prepare water from both the River Lethe and the River Styx. Lethe water will be used when I worry that something bad might happen. Styx water will be used when I need to expose lies among wicked people on the surface and punish them.”
“Are you going to bathe like my predecessor Achilles?”
“I know there will be no bathing, but if I ever accidentally gain immortality, your feelings would be hurt. I won’t disrespect the three Fates either. I simply want to live, so I’ll only use it in necessary places. I hope you’ll forgive me for taking a firm body because of it.”
“If your body were cut open by sword or spear and blood spilled, my heart would ache too. Losing a second son would tear me apart. All right, all right. I forgive your selfishness. You didn’t insult the River Styx by throwing yourself in, and you handled everything in order. How could I refuse?”
“Thank you. This is all I need.”
“Hm.”
Hades kept nodding and saw me off with a gentle smile.
“I hope your name spreads far enough that even here in the Underworld it will be heard.”
He wanted me to succeed, so he already knew how well these five days had gone. Blood or no blood, he had accepted me truly. The first thing that came to mind was to build a proper offering altar for Hades.
‘At first I wondered how this would turn out… But I got the cheat item and everything worked out perfectly… I’m so glad…’
My eagle claw dangled an enormous jar and swung wildly.
Inside it were the Lethe water and the Styx water.
I had finally, finally managed to obtain both.