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Perhaps not even the King of The Underworld, The Dark Master of Shades knew all the secrets of the Underworld. 

It belonged to itself wholeheartedly in ways not even gods or titans can claim, try as they might. 

Despite the so-called security checks of the infernal Prince of the Underworld,  deadly secrets remained hidden among Ebreus’ darkness and the endless, shifting pathways.

Somewhere in Elysium, a creature lurked.

Wilted poppies scattered over the cave floor, the peacefulness turned to the horrid  silence of something hunting. Something hungry.

Repulsively long and pale fingers danced over the cool, still waters of the Lethe.

A golden power, a star born from a deep void danced in her chest, fluttering like a trapped bird. It felt petal soft and lingering as a goodnight kiss from a lover. Like a newborn lamb curled in its mother's warmth. 

Her fingers spread out like the fates’ countless threads before she shot her arm in deep, deep into the heart of the lethe, her jagged nails digging into divine flesh. She grinned when she heard a pained scream.

Gentleness grew into a honey golden glow then almost died in her throat, blacken into rot.

A final lullaby, something that should have felt like love and safety, twisted until it became something worse than nightmares.

She sang.

~

(Past)

Once during one of Hypnos’ attempts to restore his powers, he had slumped against the mountains of colorful pillows, staring ruefully at his own hands. You sat on the ground across from him, waiting patiently for him to speak.

You saw how exhausted he was, the quiet desperation to be made whole. The sight of him like this broke your heart, more fine line cracks of guilt, of self hate forming inside of you. 

“Have there ever been anything you couldn’t do?” Hypnos sighed, dropping his hands down to stare at you.

There were plenty of things beyond you but you knew that wasn't what he was really asking. 

“No. I’m perfect.” You intoned, smirking at his glare. 

“I’m supposed to be the funny one.” Hypnos grabbed a pillow and threw it at your head. You caught it easily, placing it in your lap. 

“I got sick once. As a kid. I got a high fever and a horrible cough. I sounded like one of those seals.” You shrugged, meeting his curious gaze.“I couldn’t breathe right for weeks afterward. I wouldn’t stop complaining. Loudly.”

With a grin, you continued. “Then Father tried to get me back to training when the fever broke, telling me to walk it off but I passed out immediately.”

”Patroclus must have lost his mind.” Hypnos teased with a faint smile and you returned it. It warmed your heart that Hypnos already knew your Pa so well.

You chuckled, “You have no idea. For a while if Father tried to disagree with him or if he was complaining, Pa brought it up. One time, my father was whining about a stomach ache and Pa told him to walk it off.”

That got a full laugh from Hypnos, his cheeks flushing from his enjoyment. The sound was pure music to your ears. You knew you were staring at him like a fool but couldn’t stop yourself. Didn’t want to stop yourself.

“The great Achilles brought down by a tummy ache.” Hypnos chucked, sinking into the pillows, closing his eyes with a sigh.

“Don’t tell Zagreus. My Father has a reputation he would like to maintain.” You said lightly, leaning back on your hands. 

Hypnos cracked open an eyelid. “You don’t seem to resent him for pushing you so much.”

You considered his words, “I was mad at him for a little bit, not as long as Pa was, but it wasn’t because he was being cruel or anything. It's just how he learned to be a father, his father did the same to him so he would stay alive in fights.”

That made Hypnos sit up, leaning toward you as he bit on his lip nervously, his hands twisting in his chiton “When… when it happened, I didn’t move fast enough. Several times, in fact. I thought fighting would be so much easier.” 

Hypnos laughed bitterly, “No wonder Zagreus just dies all the time.”

You swallowed, moving forward to match his lean, your arms on the pillow. He just was slightly above you, his curls falling forward in the dreamy gold of his irises. 

It felt good. You just wished you could make Hypnos understand how much you adored him, that you would do anything for little moments like these. 

“Pyrrhus is a different matter. He was the only person I knew that could fight almost like Father.” It was a pathetic way to describe the unusual battle powerness of Achilles’ firstborn. 

It was in Pyrrhus’ blood to fight, it was a shame he was an abomination of a human being.

“Oh.” Hypnos was quiet, with a faraway look in those eyes. You knew that look, knew the weight bearing down on Hypnos’ soul. You wanted to take that weight from him, to carry it for him, no matter how long you may have to.

“Most warriors wouldn’t have been able to fight him, I still don’t know how that priest got that lucky.” You said, reaching to take Hypnos’ hand, curling your fingers around him protectively.

“If I remember correctly, the guy used a chamber pot as a weapon.” Hypnos whispered, a devilish gleam in his eyes.

”I heard it was full.” You whispered back, your expression matching his. Hypnos’ lips twitched, obviously trying to fight down his grin. Then he broke, his cheerful smile returning and he laughed once more. 

Not hiding your own smile, you kissed his knuckles, an adoring worshiper to his god, to his everything.

~

(Current)

“Sir! Master Hades! Sir!” Dore, an overworked administrator for Elysium, called out in the chaotic house as they scampered behind the pacing God who was completely ignoring them.  

“Master, please!”

Hades twisted around, muttering to himself about who he was going to strangle first, nearly stepping on the tiny shade who saw their life flashed before their eyes once more.

”Master!” They yelped, ducking again from Hades’ large steps as they tried not to die again.

”What?” Hades roared, turning his flashing red eyes on the hapless shade. “What is it now? Did my son get stuck in a well again? Did my baby brother call upon me to whine about his many, many problems? What? What is it!”

The shade gasped out the words, their eyes wide in their fear. “Sir! I bring news from Elysium. It is the River Lethe. A flash flood began about half an hour ago and it is believed that it will reach Asphodel in less than five minutes.”

Dore took another breath. “Master, we believe it will likely make its way to Tartarus as well.”

Hades inhaled sharply, processing the words for a singular moment. Nyx glanced over to him, her eyes hard as stone as she regarded him. Without a single word exchange between them, she nodded.

The Queen must be protected at all cost.

Then he roared, shaking the house to its foundations. “Start the mandatory evacuation now! Where is that blasted son of mine?” 

~

The peaceful noise of Orpheus’ playing with the lyre, his fingers dancing over strings filled their home. 

The thoughtful furrow of his brow made Eurydice smile as she listened along idly, working on repairing a rip in of her tunics, embroidering deep green vines into the fabric.

Odd how even in the blistering heat of Asphodel, she still found ways to bring plants, to bring life back to herself. It was in the colors of her skirts, in her hair, in the sweetness of the pomegranates.

In Orpheus’ noises, in his kisses, in those earthly green eyes of his.

He muttered a curse, stretching his fingers out as he peered at the music sheet once more. He was working on a new song, one about change or something like that. It had been driving him up a wall and Eurydice only eyed him in fond amusement.

She hummed slowly, feeling how each note filled the air, imagining the vivid colors in her mind.

“Hum for me again.” He requested, his slender fingers paused on the strings. His green eyes on hers, and Eurydice quirked her lips in a playful smile, arching an eyebrow at him.

”Please.” He added quietly, his own smile growing as he shifted his body to face her, his foot brushing against hers. Her eyes flickered down, marveling at the difference between them.

Her smaller and darker foot against his pale, larger one. Different but the same.

Setting aside her repair job, she closed her eyes to focus. The first hum came softly, the next rising in tone then falling like a bird in flight. Orpheus’ lyre joined her, following each of her notes like a lovesick suitor.

Two sparrows in everlasting flight, warm golden sunlight and the taste of red berries...

Eurydice opened her eyes, meeting Orpheus’. He kept her gaze lock in his and her lips parted as the song began to grow in her chest.

Then screams. Dozens of them.

The song popped like a bubble as she and Orpheus blinked at each other in muted surprise. She stood up, rushing over to the pier to find sources of the noise. Orpheus joined her, his hands cupping the side of his eyes like it would help.

Everything looked normal, the lava still bubbling dangerously close and there were no battles as far as she could tell.

”You’re taller, can you see anything?” Eurydice asked as the noise came closer.  

Before Orpheus could say anything, countless little baby Hyras appeared in the lava, all rushing past the couple. Then more and more monsters, some Eurydice knew were only supposed to exist in Elysium, were fleeing along the same path as well in a mad stampede.

Then in a booming rumble, the bone Hyra swept passed them, knocking the rocks out the way as waves of lava moved and landscape shook from the sheer power of the beast. 

“Does this happen regularly?” Orpheus curled his hand on her elbow as he pulled her from the pier, lava splashing on the wood as the chaos got worse. 

“No.” Eurydice shook her head, feeling sweat bead her forehead. Was it her or was it getting warmer now?

“You need to get higher ground!” A voice called out. Both of them looked up, and saw there were shades of morals climbing up high as the cliffs would take them. 

Others were yelling out in encouragement to the terrified crowds, the more braver ones staying low to help whoever needed it. Voices blurring together in desperate cries.

“Keep climbing! Don’t stop!”

“Help! Why won’t the gods listen?!”

“Go! Go! Go!” 

Eurydice felt her face go numb in horror. “What in the world-”

Orpheus grabbed her hand, pulling her into a run. “I’m taking you to the house. I know a shortcut.”

”But- Your lyre!” Eurydice turned around to go back for it but he kept moving, his eyes scanning the area before he turned around to look at her. It was just like before. Her breath hitched in her chest.

His beautiful eyes were wide in fear with a painfully familiar and determined glint in them. “Damn the lyre, I can replace it. I can’t replace you. Now come on!”

Moments before they made it out, Eurydice glanced over her shoulders, gasping in horror at the sight.

In the far distance, she saw the gleaming doors of Elysium, the gentle lights were gone. Then it crashed open in a deafening boom as powerful water rushed down in a titanic waterfall, the sheer power of it dimming what little lights Asphodel had left.

When the Lethe’ cool waters met River Phlegethon’s hot lava, it created something far more deadly, the once gentle mist turned monstrous.

It was a rushing solid wall of boiling steam.

~

Zagreus stepped into the room filled with prisoners, rolling his eyes at the dramatic sound of the door closing behind him. It wasn’t like he hadn't been here hundreds of times before. 

Shades in chains gave him wary glances, their shoulders relaxing when they saw it was only him. Zagreus bobbed his head in friendly greetings as he hurried past. 

The hulking figure of Sisyphus was a welcoming sight, his expression far away as he stared at the rock. There was something different about him, his hand curled over his mouth as if thinking.

”Sisyphus, mate. I don’t think Bouldy appreciates you making eyes at him.” Zagreus teased, rocking on his heels as he came to a stop. Sisyphus gave him a surprise glance, then tossed in his head back in a boastful laugh. 

When he was done, he pushed the dirty locks of hair off his face with a grin, looking down at Zagreus. “No, I suppose not. What brings you back here so soon, your highness?”

“Afraid it isn’t for a chat.” Zagreus sighed, lifting his hand over his head to y/n’s height, or close to it he hoped. “You wouldn’t happen to have seen a chatty guy in bright red with a scary shadow? One who looks like he wouldn’t know what to do if someone told him to have a nice day?”

Sisyphus lifted a blonde eyebrow at the rather interesting description. “I actually did. The Fury Megaera found them and they took off together. I don't know where they all went, however.”

“Did they seem okay? Unharm?” Zagreus dropped his arm, his frown thoughtful as he peered at the next door. 

“Yes or as far as I can tell anyway.” Sisyphus pointed toward a different direction from the door, his chains rattling as he did so. 

It was a hallway Zagreus never took before since it only led deeper into Tartarus. The hallway was dark, the candle barely able to reveal the numerous doors. “I would advise you to be careful. Souls even I wouldn’t dare speak of lurk there.” 

When the prince took off with a cheerful wave, Sisyphus watched until even the Prince’s divine light was swallowed by the darkness.

Only then did he turn back to his faithful burden and companion. He brushed off a bit of moss from the top with a sigh. “I don’t like this.”

Then he heard a new noise. One from above and he noticed that several other shades had also taken notice. One of the shade, a nice lady even though she had murdered her husband, pointed upward.

“Is that… water?” 

When a drop landed, Sisyphus watched in confusion as it went up in a puff, mist like. He watched a few more drops fall down, all becoming a gentle mist. Then the sound grew louder, like a rushing river was nearly upon them.

He inhaled sharply in horror as he realized what was about to happen. 

With a booming yell, he slammed his fists into Bouldy’s eyes. The sound caught the attention of the prisoners, their eyes going wide since usually he was one of the quietest ones. 

“Follow me!” He commanded, his kingly authority returning to him like a well worn tool. “Now!”

As more of the lethe water began to flow downward on to the hapless shades, they rushed to follow the fallen king up the hill.

Sisyphus peered over his shoulders to where the Prince had gone. “Stay safe, your highness. This is not going to end well.”

~

(Minutes before the Lethe river began overflowing)

At first, no one moved. 

Hypnos was in the safe circle of your arms, his hand gripping tightly onto your forearms if he needed something to hold on to. Meg glared down at the shade, her body tensed for the next move.

The animal that once had been Pyrrhus slumped against his chains, his matted hair hiding his despairing expression. 

Then Hypnos patted your chest, a silent signal for you to let him go. 

You resisted his command, still not trusting Pyrrhus would try again. Hypnos lifted his eyebrows, frowning up at you and you shook your head in response. 

You didn’t like how swiftly Pyrrhus was capable of moving, even though you knew he wouldn’t be able to gravely hurt Hypnos, not with you and Megaera both here. It still wasn’t a chance you wanted to take.

Hypnos sighed, peering at the fallen shade. 

“Pyrrhus.” Hypnos called out, ignoring how your hand tightened on his shoulder. “Can you speak? Say ‘hello’? Make a comment about the dirty floors? Anything?”

”Hello.” His voice was raw as he shifted toward Hypnos, his ruined hands on the floor. It looked like they were covered in soot, grayness marking his once golden skin. 

“Hello, Lord Hypnos.” Pyrrhus sighed heavily, like even Hypnos’ name was cool water to a parched throat. You wanted to rip his tongue out for daring to utter Hypnos’ name in such a way. “I see you brought your attack dog.”

“Well, if you didn’t attack me, he wouldn’t have to be one.” Hypnos quipped, patting your chest once more. You shifted, letting him step out but kept yourself close, ready to move between him and Pyrrhus if needed.

His gleaming blue eyes darted between all three, before settling on again on Hypnos. “Once a mutt, always a mutt, my lord. Come closer, please. I just want to speak to you alone. I must tell you how sorry I am.”

“No.” You growled, stepping in front of Hypnos in a single step, baring your teeth at Pyrrhus. If he wanted to call you a mutt, so be it. You would show him what a mutt could do. 

Pyrrhus shrunk back, lifting his hands up as if asking for peace but the hard glint in those eyes reminded you of a snake pulling back to strike with their fangs. 

Quick as lighting, you grabbed his dirty hair and forced his head upwards, causing him to yelp in pain. “Enough.” You snarled. “I am already sick of this little game.” 

You glanced back at a surprised Hypnos, his hand curled loosely against his stomach. “Ask your questions.”  

He shot Megarea a glance but she kept her eyes on Pyrrhus, looking down at him as if he was a rat. He looked back at you, not with disgust or disappointment but with complete trust.

Then he met your eyes with uncertainty. He looked like a soft painting, wholly soft and unreal. The only bright one in the pit.

At your nod, Hypnos stepped closer, his chin held high as he looked at Pyrrhus. You saw a flash of pity in those honey gold irises. If it was just you and him, you would have told Hypnos not to use a drop of compassion on someone like Pyrrhus.

“Those chains, the ones you used on me, who gave you those?” Hypnos asked, crossing his arms over his chest, his fingers drumming against his arm. It was a clear sign to you how uncomfortable he was. 

At that Pyrrhus opened his mouth, then he paused with a confused expression, frowning. Then his eyes went dull again, the gleaming blues darken to ashes as Pyrrhus opened his mouth then closed it again silently.

You pulled. Hard.

Pyrrhus snarled, the white of his eyes bloodshot from exhaustion and fury, staring up at you. You met his eyes with your dark glare.

“Answer him.” You warned quietly. “Or else.”

”Or what?” Pyrrhus laughed breathlessly, almost as if still in the grip of madness, but there was a sharp awareness back in his eyes as he smirked. For that you gave him a swift, deep kick into his gut. He retched, bending over with drool spilling from his lips. 

With a guttural moan, he spat at your feet, clearly expecting you to respond with his teeth bared at you. 

You were about to slam a foot to his teeth when Hypnos placed a hand on your bicep and shook his head. His mouth pitched with stress, the soft lines of his face tight with something you couldn’t read. 

Hypnos gave you a smile then he stepped out of Pyrrhus’ reach, “Fine. If you don’t remember anything about the chains, then what happened after you kidnapped me? Why did you take me to Elysium? Why not the doors at the temple of Styx?”

You blinked in realization of the last question. It didn’t make sense for Pyrrhus to commit his sins in Elysium. If he had tried it in the Temple of Styx, with the endless rooms, he might have been successful before anyone would have found them.

That made your gut sour at thought and if Hypnos hadn't been so close, you might have punched Pyrrhus’ teeth out and made him count each one as you did it. 

“I- I don’t remember.” Pyrrhus tried to shake his head but your tight fist on his hair stopped him. “I swear to you. You don’t think I haven't thought about that day over and over? I don’t remember. I was in a whore house then I woke up in Elysium…”

With a weary noise, Pyrrhus’ hands curled then loosen in his frustration. “I know I wanted to hurt you but only so this worthless fool would suffer.” He sneered up at you but you kept your expression cool. 

Then with a low grunt, he glanced back at Hypnos. “But I don't know where I got the chains- or the dagger. I just remember this voice, sweet as honey.”

Perhaps, you had forgotten what a snake Pyrrhus was but it sounded like Pyrrhus was speaking the truth. But this was the first time you were hearing about a voice of honey. 

Hypnos frowned, titling his head in confusion, biting his lower lip in thought.

You caught how Pyrrhus’ eyes caught on the movement and cramped down his hair even harder, causing him to hiss in pain. 

Hypnos’ golden irises flickered toward you, unspoken questions in them. He was asking if he should believe Pyrrhus, what to do next. If this was a mistake. His hand went to his chest, rubbing over his heart once more.

Before you could respond, Megaera’s head snapped toward the ceiling with an uncertain scowl. It was such a rare expression on the Fury that you felt your hackles went up. 

“I’m being summoned by my sisters.” Megaera pointed at you, her eyes narrowed. “Don’t do anything stupid. I will be right back.” 

You resisted making a smart comment and nodded. 

In a flash Megaera was gone. 

Hypnos sighed, cupping his cheeks in frustration before dropping his hands. “You were talking about Mania before, surely you remember meeting her? She isn’t easily forgotten.”

Pyrrhus swallowed, his face twisted in pain. “I don’t. I just remembered her voice, sweet as honey.”

At that Hypnos chuckled, sounding bitter. “That couldn’t be her. She had a voice like nails on a chalkboard. It hurts just to hear her speak.”

You growled, aggravated beyond measure. They were getting nowhere with this.

So you crouched down next to Pyrrhus, tightened your fist in a warning as you met his eyes. They were dull but mostly sane, not like the shining madness you remembered from before.

”Then what do you remember?” You said lowly, watching the way his face shifted to a blank mask. 

“Why should I say anything? I don’t want to help you.” Pyrrhus scoffed, holding your glare with one of his own. You inhaled sharply, trying to keep the boiling rage in your chest down.

“Then help me.” Hypnos’ soft voice broke the heavy air, looking down at Pyrrhus. Both of you and him looked Hypnos in genuine shock.

He offered up a weak smile, pointing at the torture device. “That bed over there really doesn’t look that comfortable. Tell us what you do know. And I will see what I can do about that.”

”Hypnos-“ you stood, letting go of Pyrrhus’ hair. But Hypnos only held up a slender hand and you went silent, glaring down at the monster. 

Pyrrhus was staring at Hypnos, as if he had forgotten you were even there.

“Pyrrhus.” Hypnos stated quietly. His godly powers may be gone but this was something else, a gentle mercy that no one else would offer Pyrrhus.

And Pyrrhus knew that.

You saw the fight die in him and Pyrrhus slumped back against the wall, closing his eyes for a moment then opened them again. 

“I don’t know when I began hearing her voice, I don’t know how the chain worked or where it came from but I remember that she wanted us in Elysium.”  Pyrrhus frowned, shifting his hands, causing his chains to rattle. “For some reason, she was utterly obsessed with you.”

Hypnos covered his face with his hands, groaning in frustration as he began pacing. The sound of his steps quiet in the room.“Seriously? All this work for nothing?” 

You watched Hypnos, torn between beating Pyrrhus to whatever world that existed under Tartarus or going to Hypnos.

Hypnos took a sharp breath, like he was fighting off tears as he paced. “I don’t understand. You were saying all this crazy stuff! Like becoming a god or- or.”

You went to him without sparing Pyrrhus a single glance, stopping Hypnos in his pacing with a gentle hand on his shoulder. You turned his back to Pyrrhus, keeping a careful ear for any movement from the prisoner.

”Hypnos.” You kept your voice low, you wanted this comfort to be for his ears only but he twisted around to Pyrrhus before you could say anything, his hands dropping down limply. 

There was a growing horror in his expressions and instinctively, you drew him closer to you. 

“You said you killed a god before.”

The words dropped like iron against bone, the damnation of them life shattering. 

Your grip tightened on Hypnos’ shoulder, staring down at him with widened eyes. The air was a grim, heavy weight upon those words.

It shouldn’t be possible.

It shouldn't be possible. How did Pyrrhus kill a god without anyone noticing? Maybe it was a madman’s rambling but…

You somehow found the willpower and spoke.“You didn’t say anything like that when you spoke to Hades.”

Hypnos glanced up at you, his mouth tight. “I- i know. There was so much happening and I haven’t even woken for an hour. I thought he was just making up nonsense.”

Then his eyes went toward Pyrrhus. 

Pyrrhus shook his head, his red locks falling forward. He looked just as shocked as you and Hypnos did. You didn’t trust it.

”Who did you kill?” You asked darkly, your fear becoming hot anger in your chest. 

”No gods.” Pyrrhus replied, his blue eyes on Hypnos. “The only moral I knew to come close to killing one was my Father when he fought that river god.” 

Blood in the water, screaming- you shook your head, not willing to let the past steal you now.

“Mania then.” You snapped and Pyrrhus only shrugged a limp shoulder, useless as always.

You growled in frustration and parted your lips to ask more questions when a flash appeared behind you and Hypnos. 

Megaera looked… it took you a moment to realize what you were seeing, she looked worried. Her pink lips in a grim line. “We need to leave. Now.” 

“We are just getting somewhere-” Hypnos protested.

“Now!” she barked, pushing the door open wide.

You knew she wouldn’t be acting like this for something small so you tighten your hands on Hypnos’ shoulders and begin marching him out. He tried to fight for a moment, digging his heels in but you were stronger. 

You tossed one last glance at Pyrrhus, glad to get Hypnos away from him. 

He kept his eyes on Hypnos, his expression hard as he called out. “Don’t forget your promise to me, lord Hypnos.”

You grabbed the door panel before it closed, your fingers becoming claws as you glared at the loathsome creature that was Pyrrhus. You knew he saw every drop of burning hatred you had for him.

“Be grateful.” You hissed, your stare unwavering. You wanted- no, you prayed that your hate would be the last thing he ever saw. “That he even thought to speak to an unworthy swine like you. He owes you nothing.”

When the door slammed close, the sound was loud in the darkness, like a final note in a war song. Hypnos gave you a weak smile, his hand rubbing that spot on his chest again.

Megaera gestured for you to follow her and you did, with Hypnos by your side.

”What is going on?” You asked her, easily keeping up with her fast pace, placing a hand on Hypnos’ back to keep him from falling behind. Megaera shook her head, her ponytail flickering as they hurried through the dimness. 

“It is the Lethe river, somehow it began overflowing with no warning. All are under mandatory evacuation to higher ground.” Megaera repiled, lifting hand to Alecto and Tisiphone. 

The group moved past the hellish landscape as Meg gave Alecto to help evacuate Asphodel, Tisiphone to stay in Tartarus to help the shades there. 

“What about Elysium? Have you heard from my parents?” You asked. Your parents’ home was right on the river, a mere stone toss away. If the river was acting up, they would be right in the frontline of it.

Megaera gave you a hard look over her shoulder, a flicker of concern in her own yellow eyes. “No, I haven't. I will be going up there. I can keep an eye out for them.”

You muttered a low swear as the two sisters took off. You bit your cheek in thought, debating rushing toward Elysium to help or get Hypnos to the house. Would he even be safe there?

A quick glance toward Hypnos and his nervous smile made the decision for you. If there was bad as you feared it might be, you didn’t want Hypnos to be caught in that madness.

Hades wouldn’t let the House go down, no matter what, not without trying to get people out first. That much you knew.

You turned back to Megaera.  “Let me get Hypnos back to the house and I will join you.”

Hypnos panted as he tried to regain his breath, slapping your back lightly. “Um, nope. You are taking me with you.”

You wanted to laugh despite the seriousness of the situation, “No, it will be safer this way.” 

“I might be able to help. I mean, I am supposed to be the keeper of that annoying river anyway.” Hypnos wheezed, poking you in the arm. You and Meg exchanged a glance. 

“Fine.” You scowled down at him, scanning his face for any signs you should take him back home. He jutted his chin out stubbornly. “But you will go back to the house if it gets too dangerous.” 

Hypnos rubbed his chest, right over his heart as he nodded. Your stomach twisted at the sight. You really didn't like how often he was doing that. “Yeah. You do not have to tell me twice.” 

Megaera grabbed you and Hypnos’ arm. “Enough chit chat. Let's go.”

~ 

The misty waters swirled around her arm in despair, fingers digging uselessly in her flesh. It fought even as she sang the lullaby of gentle sleep. The faint screams of pain made her heart race in savage pleasure.  The Lethe was still fighting for itself, the waters rising in a roar.

She wanted it to suffer like she had. 

Every single shade will drown, erased and forgotten from the world like she had been. 

The gods would lose their followers, their powers useless in the face of nothing. 

Nyx’s darling little children will weep on their knees before her, their golden blood gleaming like a million stars from their torn flesh.

That fool Hades had no idea what was coming for him most of all. Her crown as the underworld’s master will rest upon her once more and the howls of the doom would fill the underworld once more.

Eventually the fingers slipped off, the screams gone. 

Pure gold emerged from the river, thin rivets forming with the mist softened to a heavenly gold. Blessed Ichor, the blood of the gods.

The pain. The suffering. The righteous of it all. 

It was beautiful.

~

(Past.)

He was beautiful. 

Hypnos were obvious to your staring, the fan of his eyelashes flushed against his cheeks. His breathing had evened out, his body curled against your side, his moonlight curls brushing your shoulder.

Countless times, you and him have ended up like this. It would happen over and over; and you knew you would never tire of it. 

You reached over, grabbed your cloak and placed it over him like a blanket. You tucked it around his shoulders before settling back down. You pressed a lingering kiss on top of his head, feeling so very soft.

Hypnos sighed heavily, cuddling deeper into you as he tossed an arm over your stomach. 

“Don’t leave.” He murmured, still asleep. His brow furrowed. “Don’t….” 

“I won’t.” You promised quietly, even though you knew he wasn’t speaking to you. 

You kissed his head again, holding him close and spoke in a quiet fierce whisper.

“I will never leave you.”

~

(Current)

It sounded like an ocean even as your feet landed on solid ground. 

Then your eyes snapped open even as a wave of dizziness made you want to keep them close. You scanned the area, placing a protective hand on Hypnos’ back before you could even make sense of what you were seeing.

A fog so thick, you almost couldn’t see the rushing water underneath, thick waves crashing against stone, white foam flying high into the air. The gentle lights of Elysium were nearly gone.

Your body felt like it was dipped in ice when you looked out, and saw that the water had reached so high that you could only see the top row of the colosseum.

“This isn’t possible.” Hypnos whispered, taking a single step forward before you stopped him. His lovely eyes were wild in horror, in despair. “Maybe- maybe everyone made it out before it got this bad? Your parents are fine. I mean Achilles is part fish or something, right?”

You shook your head, right now you couldn’t think about what could have happened to your parents even as the dread and guilt dug daggers into your heart at the thought of them gone. 

Forever. 

Wailing, heartbreaking screams as Achilles clung to Patroclus, snarling like an animal even to you. The gentle touch of Pa’s hand in your hair, Achilles’ warm voice as he showed off your first successful hunt-

What was the last conversation-

Hypnos whispered your name, his hand on yours. It was enough to bring you back, your head throbbing.

You forced yourself to breathe through the pain. Right now, you couldn’t help them and this situation threatened the underworld itself. Hypnos came first. 

You could still keep Hypnos safe.

Megaera swore, prowling the edge of the misty water as she tried to work out what to do. “I have never seen this before. Not even the river Phlegethon flooded this badly. And I don’t see anyone. This place looks empty.”

You looked down at Hypnos, the only thing keeping you sane right now. He tried to give you a comforting smile. “Hypnos, you said you’re the keeper, can you communicate with it or something?” 

Hypnos bit on his thumbnail as he replied, pointing with his other hand at the passages. “I don’t know. I never bother with it since it seems fine on its own. Maybe if we can get to the beginning of the river but all the doors look broken.”

You had to agree. None of the doors looked functional, where the symbols normally were, it was filled with more water. You eyed one on the far right, not liking that you can see water steeping through the cracks. 

“And I don’t want to risk teleporting us into the middle of the river.” Megaera ran a hand down her brow, her cool composure rattled like yours. “I wouldn’t have risked the first time if I knew how bad it was.”

All three stood in a heavy silence, staring out at the devastating ocean that was then anything possible in Tartarus itself. Hypnos gave your hand a squeeze and you returned it before dropping his hand, trying to come up with something.

Hypnos stiffened up, then you did the same, feeling the cool brush of Death at your back before the flash of green followed.

“There you are!” Thanatos sighed, rushing toward them. He looked like a mess, his normally neat hair was mussed, his cheeks flushed. His eyes flickered between all three of them, before locking onto Hypnos.

“Do you have any idea what you did to the surface- what happened here?” He stopped completely and stared over them in horror at the chaotic waters. There was debris, all rushing toward Asphodel as far as you could tell. 

For a moment, you thought you saw a gleam of gold in the waters, simmering brightly then it was gone.

Hypnos rushed to explain, nearly stumbling over some of his words, turning some of them into nonsense but Thanatos nodded as if he understood perfectly. His mouth pitched as he listened.

When Hypnos paused to take a breath, Megarea took the moment. “What is going on the surface?” 

“Morals are dropping dead from the lack of sleep. Literally.” Thanatos’ blunt words made Hypnos freeze, staring at his twin in bafflement. Thanatos ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Everything is dying, plants and animals as well.”

You and Megaera were too shunned to speak, both looking down at a terrified Hypnos.

”I don’t understand.” Hypnos whispered. “You are joking right? Hahah? Funny joke. Really. But not really. Actually, i should have given a class on how to make funny jokes because you are not good at it-”

Thanatos came closer, grabbing Hypnos’ shoulders. “Hypnos, do you know what is going on?”

“I-no. What? I didn’t know what was happening on the suface! I don’t know what is happening here! I just wanted- this river started going crazy and-” Hypnos wheezed, his hand over his chest, grabbing the fabric in a tight fist as he stepped away. 

He shook his head wildly. “I don’t know anything! Why is this happening now? - I meant -I-i-i-”

”Hypnos, breathe.” You commanded, grabbing him and took over to a nearby rock to sit. He resisted sitting down but with a gentle pressure on his shoulders, he sat. He was still fighting for air, his eyes shining with tears. “Breathe.” 

Megarea looked away, her discomfort clear in the way she crossed her arms. Thanatos kept his eyes on Hypnos for long moments, saying nothing as you tried to help Hypnos.

“Copy my breathing. Come on.” You murmured, rubbing his back “In… Out.”

“Hypnos.”Thanatos said with gritted teeth, his voice rising into a yell. “We don’t have time for this, we need to work out what is going on. This is unlike anything I have seen before.”

“Not helping. ” You snarled at Thanatos, ready to tear him a new one. Hypnos placed a hand on yours, giving you pause.

“No. No, my brother is right.” Hypnos’ tone was shaky as he fought to calm down. Taking a few more deep inhales, he tried to smile as he moved back onto his feet. His hands were quivering so much that you feared he was going to break apart.

No one said anything as Hypnos fought for his words. The River Lethe so loud in your ears, it nearly downed everything else.

“We need to go to the beginning of the river.” Hypnos fought for each syllable, his hand still clinging on to his chest in a death grip. “I think. I don’t know where else to go.” 

Thanatos sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I think you are right.”

“Than, do you remember where it is?”

”Yes, I believe so.”  Thanatos exchanged a glance with Megarea. She gave a sharp shake of her head, ponytail flickering as she straightened her back.

“I need to search for survivors.” Megarea grimaced, before she looked over to you, a flash of pity in her eyes. “I will keep an eye out for your parents.”

“Thanks.” You replied, a knot suddenly forming your throat. A desperate part of you wanted to search with her, to make sure that your parents were safe. The idea of them gone, beyond the reaches of even the gods was unfathomable.

But… Hypnos needed you more and you will not leave him to fight this battle on his own.