*In Dynodes*
The air felt weird, moist, smelling of sandalwood and strangely something else. But air, real fresh air doesn't have a smell, it's just air so it made Xanthippeia realize that she was inside somewhere.
Hopefully home, she thought as she struggled with her own consciousness. She felt somewhat trapped inside her brain, literally trying to wake up and open her eyes but her mind was not allowing her any control whatsoever. The only senses she had use of was her sense of smell and touch. She could feel the condensation of sweat coating her body and making the clothes she wore stick to her. It was warm wherever she was but that was not the primary concern here.
Xanthippeia had once read something about sleep paralysis a couple of years ago while sitting in her mother's at the hospital while Stella was finishing up an appointment with a patient. She remembered some things about it but from what she knows about herself she can clearly categorise this as an isolated incident since she had no history of sleep atonia or even sleep apnea.
Since she was playing a game of elimination then a lot of the other causes of sleep paralysis did not apply to her. All except one, the idea that for the past few days since waking up on that beach she starting exhibiting signs of disassociating with reality. Her hallucinations or whatever she thought she was doing with the water. It had to have all been in her head then it would all make sense.
But just as soon as she was feeling solid in her theory and ready to help her brain wake up by wiggling a toe or finger, a figurative shuddering realization flooded through her.
The car wash, the four men and…a fight ensuing. That really did happened didn't it?
If her mind wasn't in an involuntary hibernation right this second she would be having a panic attack because it all came back to her. Maybe not all that occurred in the middle of the fight but she could recall the verbal altercation before things got violent and strange. And she could recall for that split second when her mind was her own and they took her down and did something to her make her sleep.
Xanthippeia had been kidnapped which meant she had failed herself at the moment of truth. She wanted to cry and scream but her body was paralysed by such heaviness of her morbid situation she could barely breathe.
Most people in this situation would have woken and immediately start looking for a way out and find out what happened. But what does one do when they are betrayed by their own body? Xanthippeia felt anger and wanted to express it like she did before and burn this wherever she was down to the ground but in her comatose state, it was like trying to light a fire underwater.
Useless.
*In the Underworld*
Leodocus was tense, his jaw and fists clenched, shoulders braced and his alexandrite eyes completely focused ahead.
It was certainly different from the first time he had killed someone. That time he had spiralled into a deep dark hole, hating himself for what he had done. He had only reacted badly because unlike his brothers he had murdered an innocent man, a man Zeus had manipulated him into believing he was a killer and deserved to die. Of course, he found out after the deed was done and his hands covered in the mans' blood that he had done such a horrid thing.
Fucking Zeus.
Over the years even with the countless lives, he'd taken that one would always be ingrained in his memory. It was a test from his sadist father to test his strength and that the day Leodocus had stopped seeing him as a father but what he is, the Allfather and a king first and foremost.
Now he had killed a man who thought he could get away with infanticide. It was one of the worst crimes mortals can commit. His worthless life, Leodocus had been all to glad to take, he only wished he could have made it hurt instead of the quick action of decapitating the vile monstrosity. He had been lucky that Pythia had reached out to the god of death, Thanatos before he came to claim his soul and they met him so they could be taken to the Underworld.
He looked over his shoulder to see Pythia and Thanatos in a hushed conversation on the other side of the boat. Since leaving her realm a day ago Leodocus still could not put his finger on why she was interested in this. All he had initially hoped from her was the incantation but it seemed she was seeing this through with him side by side. Perhaps she was truly bored and either way, this endeavour pans out she will be entertained.
"This is a fool's mission." Leodocus heard a deep voice say beside him. Thanatos had barely said two words to him when they met so he was surprised he was striking up a conversation with him.
"It is the only solution I can see."
"You put way too much value on living in that shit heap in the sky young one." Thanatos is the deity of death of course had a bad reputation for being deplorable. Leodocus had only ever met a handful of members of the old family including Nyx, the goddess of night and Erebus the god of darkness, Thanatos' parents.
Thanatos was living up to his reputation of being an extremely intimidating figure. He was the personification of death after all and Leodocus knew he was not one deity he could get on his bad side.
"It's our home."
"At some point, you have to man up and fly the nest, though I suppose you were shoved off. Nevertheless, you should use your freedom."
"I do not expect you to understand."
"No, I suppose not. But how can you be sure he will speak with you?" he asked curiously. Thanatos knew Hades well, he did work for him after all and he was by far the most unrelentingly sombre person he knew and that including himself and his entire family.
"I know I can convince him," Leodocus said with conviction.
"If you say so young one, just won't be surprised I don't shed tears when he sicks Cerberus on you." He slapped Leodocus on the back just as the boat finally reached the docks.
One does not just pop into the Hades palace, from the Underworld entry point it is a boat ride on the river Styx that would take them to the Asphodel Meadows. This is where Leodocus would have disembarked to discard the man's soul that he murdered but thankfully Thanatos was compliant in his request to take them straight to the palace. Hades' palace was at the centre of everything and heavily guarded. Just like how he had arrived at Pythias' realm Leodocus did not want to give the notice to eliminate the possibility of his father intercepting him. As far as he knew his uncle wasn't such a stickler for rules as much as other gods.
When they landed Thanatos opened a portal to the gate of the palace and all three of them climbed in without question. Leodocus was about to step up to the guards to announce himself but he was held back but a large pale hand.
"Let me handle this young one." Thanatos stepped in front and walked to the guards. He did not appreciate being told what to do but Leodocus had to keep a level head in this most precarious situation, especially since he could see Cerberus in the distance sleeping by the palace doors. In the few times, he's visited his uncle Leodocus had only travelled by direct portal from Olympus so he had never had to encounter the gargantuan three-headed dog. He watched Thanatos work his dark and admittedly enigmatic magic talking to the guards and the sound of the old but equally beautiful gates opening made him breathe easier.
The three were lead up the long path by a small squadron of guards. Leodocus couldn't help but take notice of the soft albeit melodious voice in the distance. It could only be one person, Persephone and she was most probably tending to her garden like she's known to do in this dreary place, he was excited to see her later on. The palace was intimidating as it was enormous, though what else can be expected from the ruler of this domain?
Arriving at the steps all of Cerberus' six ears and three noses perked up at the scent and sound of guests. The monstrous canine slowly rose from his sleeping position into his fully grown and towering form. Leodocus took a large gulp at the fact that the dogs' main point of focus was him as every single person around him seemed completely unbothered, even Pythia who was virtually a stranger to the creature as he was. He turned to her and she just shrugged. Of course, a goddess of snatching souls would not even break a sweat.
Leodocus remained perfectly statuesque as Cerberus walked closer to him, he could smell its putrid heavy breath on his face as the animal draw nearer and nearer loudly sniffing at him. He looked up into his six pairs of eyes just as the beast gnashed its ferocious teeth, he closed his eyes preparing for getting his head separated from his shoulders but Cerberus stopped himself just when he had one of its mouths hovering the circumference of Leodocus' head.
He reared back, rubbed its left-most head against the young prince and trotted out into the open field. It took a few seconds for Leodocus to regain his normal breathing back. He was relieved to still possess his head and felt a small fraction of flattery that the beast had regarded him in an almost friendly manner. He just hoped its attitude didn't change when it was time to leave.
"Welcome to Lord Hades' palace Leodocus, son of Zeus. Lady Pythia and Lord Thanato—"
"Much you insist on introducing me each time as if I don't frequent this place?" Thanatos glared at the guard that stood by the door.
"Apologies my lord."
"Get me a glass of wine from his private collection and I'll consider you forgiven. I will give the pup here a tour, meet us in the great hall." The god of death smirked and the servant nodded.
Leodocus was shocked to see how at home Thanatos made himself here as he walked off expecting them to follow him. Pythia rolled her fiery eyes letting Thanatos lead them and he followed.
Strolling through these halls, memories of his childhood floated in as he felt like he was walking into a museum. Many hours were spent in these halls and rooms for months at a time when he was studying dark magic and the histories of death and the Underworld. His mother thought it would be beneficial for him to learn from a master and even though his uncle was busy, you know tending to the affairs of the dead, he still managed to carve out time to teach him all he could.
The last time he was here was about seventy years ago, ten years before their exile. He did frequently come here, only for his studies and for short visits with his favourite uncle. Leodocus always felt more connected to Hade more than Poseidon or even Zeus. It was not as if they were the best of friends but they understood each other in a way Leodocus didn't feel anyone else did.
He was glad to be seeing his uncle again after so long but he was apprehensive still. Perhaps it was all the doubt Pythia had put in his mind that Hades would not grant him an audience let alone go along with his plan. Or perhaps it was the fact that the last time they were face to face was when Leodocus was begging him to change Zeus' mind about sending him and his brothers away. For years Leodocus had been exceptionally angry at his uncle but over time he understood the position he was in. To speak out against his big brother, his king would've been disastrous and decided to forgive him. That did not mean he would forget all the faces of his family that did nothing to stick up for them and top of that list was his mother Hera.
Leodocus could feel the good memories wash away like a tide as soon as the thought of his mother popped up. It instantly made him sour but walking into the grand hall and the vision of Hades standing by the full wall of windows seeming staring at the sunless sky outside gave him a renewed sense of self.
Hades' cloak dragged onto the floor, a dark grey embellished with what looked like black shiny metal scales. It made him look like he was dressed in the skin of a snake. His long dark brown hair reached the top of his bottom. It was longer than Leodocus remembered since Hades had made jokes about his own long curly black hair once, the only time he'd heard the brooding man being humorous.
Hades' head slowly turned at the sound of his uninvited guest faced them but his stoic expression faltered for a millisecond at the sight of Leodocus. He knew when he arrived in the Underworld but seeing him in the flesh was a different story.
"Welcome back nephew."