*In Dynodes*
This was a risk. Not only was the four brothers travelling to earth and Leo skipping between worlds to get to the underworld but the daring act of bringing two gods and one of them being Zeus' own brother was going a bridge too far. Even the ever cool and level-headed lord of the underworld could admit to himself that there was a small amount of trepidation in him that his brother would somehow find out about this. Dynodes was Zeus' creation, he designed this personal prison and he had to be able to feel the atmospherical changes when anyone besides his sons entered the realm. But Hades was smart and using his invisibility he was able to cloak himself and his companions as they travelled by portal back to Dynodes.
He could see the tension on Leodocus' shoulders melt when they came to the edge of the border, he was excited to see his siblings. Some part of him was curious about the strong relationship between them as he had never been particularly close with his very own many siblings. He tolerated them sure and even very rarely participated in gatherings but other than that he never felt inclined to build a stronger bond.
"They are alright, Leo if something would have happened you surely would've felt it by now." Hades tried to reassure him because he could tell he was slightly worried about his brothers.
"You were right uncle. We know nothing of this…girl and she could be stronger than we expected."
"But you are prepared, you have learned and practized and I whole-heartedly believe you can do this." This was the most Hades had ever spent coddling an individual in ages and it was making him uncomfortable but this was one of his favourite nephews and he could take a little discomfort for him.
The world of Dynodes was still a relatively new world, the air was as crisp as was the early days of the Earth. Its two moons were as opulent as they were large and looking around now Leodocus started to realise that some part of him had missed this place. Its beauty was unparalleled and as Leo looked up at the mountains, he held fond memories of the many many nights he needed clarity and trying and failing to put Mount Olympus behind him.
It all just came back to him and the decision to perform this ritual was all the more important. It was the right thing to do no matter how much harder it will get. He was fully convinced that this will be successful and all involved will come out on the other side with a better life. Optimism was something rare for him but he needed all the help he could get.
Leodocus, Hades and Pythia walked in the direction of the brother's temporary home, the compound but he stopped short as if a force field was held in front of him. This was something he had never felt before, the energy surrounding the area felt different and as soon as he realized what this meant he made eye contact with Hades and he was just as tense.
"She is strong." That is all Hades said as his expression became hardened. An aura is a powerful thing and it is an energy that transcends time and space, Leodocus knew this would be possible when he was able to connect with her through the Nexus from the Underworld. But still, it was a far-fetched thought that she could be much stronger than any of them anticipated since she has been in the mortal world for all of her life.
After he gathered himself once again as they strolled to the large structure that was sectioned off into five living quarters connected by endless hallways and open-air common areas. Before he could even think further, a small smile stretched onto his stoic face as he felt his brother Athenios swiftly descend from the sky and land behind them.
"Well well well, the prodigal brother has finally returned." The deep voice of the eldest of the brothers said with a megawatt smile on his bronze face. Leodocus spun around and walked towards him.
"I am pleased to see you are still well and breathing brother." He voiced as he was immediately pulled into an extremely tight embrace. Athenios was completely overjoyed but he and Leo shared the common trait of never showing too much emotion so he just settled with only showcasing the relief he felt that his beloved brother was safe and home. When they separated they shared a look of brotherly admiration, Athenios looked over Leo's shoulder to see his uncle standing there. In all honesty, there were many mixed feelings circulating through his mind at seeing the god.
This was the first time he was seeing a member of his vast family in decades and he knew that Leo must have felt the same way but different because he knew they always had a better relationship than he did. Athenios was angry and disappointed in his uncle but he could not help but feel a tinge of joy at being face to face with him again.
"Uncle Hades, it has been…some years." He said as he reached over to shake his hand. Their relationship was not that close enough that he felt comfortable hugging or embracing the man.
"It is good to see you too Athenios, you've grown strong." Hades gestured to his tall and build physique.
"And getting stronger every day, courtesy of all this alone time," Athenios said with a tight-lipped smile then his attention turned to the cloaked figure next to his uncle.
"Leo, you brought one more guest?" he turned to his brother and for the first time, he felt sheepish because he did not want to be forced to admit to Athenios that there was a small possibility that he needed more assistance than anticipated.
"Well yes…I supposed lady Pythia was unexpected but her assistance to me—to our cause has been invaluable thus far." He explained avoiding direct eye contact and Athenios looked at him with confusion for a brief moment before deciding to let it go and bowed respectively.
"It is a true pleasure to be acquainted with you, my lady." He smiled politely at her not sure if she could see it, he had very limited knowledge about the goddess but he knew enough to not look her directly in the eyes.
"A pleasure indeed." Her eery voice said as her shielded eyes took in the larger version of Leodocus and she was quite pleased with the handsome sight even though he is young.
"Very good then Leo, are you ready to meet the descendent?"
"That would depend on if you have made all preparations for her and the ceremony?" he inquired.
"Of course we did, we expected you back a while ago Leo but we realized a lot of things needed to be done on your end. Arcus was the only one anxious that something horrible had happened since we lost the link." Athenios said and on his side, Hades scoffed.
"What is it uncle?" he asked not taking kindly to the god condescending expression.
"I am quite surprised both of you did not remember your lessons. My domain, the underworld is where all things go to die including your little Nexus. Besides you should've been refraining from using it so much in case my brother is monitoring it from Mount Olympus." Hades explained nonchalantly and both brothers looked at each anxiously at not having considered that aspect of using the link to get in touch with each other.
As if this entire mission could not get any riskier now there was a big uncertainty hanging over them.
"Don't fret so much, if he did suspect anything Zeus would have done something by now. You have more things to be concerned with. I want to meet this mortal girl." Hades simply walked ahead as they reached the doors of the compound.
They all made it in and immediately Leo was greeted with the smell of blood and searing meat. No doubt Methios had been butchering a few animals for the event coming later.
"LEO YOU'RE BACK!" He was attacked from the side with a strong embrace from his little brother Arcus who was beaming with excitement pouring out his every pore. Leo squeezed him tight because he knew Arcus needed the affection no matter if it made him slightly uncomfortable but he was happy to see him as well.
"Good to see you too brother." He pulled back but as he did he notice Arcus' expression changed as Athenios came up behind them closing the door. He had been around his brothers long enough to know something had happened to cause Athenios to be upset at Arcus, normally he would not get himself involved but having energy like that on this day was not favourable.
"What has happened now?" he asked with a bored expression.
"Nothing! Uncle good to see you." The youngest tried to brush off and went to greet his uncle. He looked around and briefly heard the conversation before Arcus took Hades and Pythia away to where the rest of his brothers were gathered.
Leo turned to Athenios expectedly.
"He spoke to the girl."
"He did?" he was confused at that because earlier when they were making these plans and it was decided the girl would be kept here for them to watch over, Arcus had firmly expressed he would not want any contact more than necessary because he felt strange forming any kind of bond with someone they could potentially kill later. Leodocus loved his soft nature and was probably the only one of his brothers that did not find that as a weakness in him.
"Methios told her what she was and since then she had been in a state of panic, questioning her reality but it was manageable. Then most recently the fool that is our little brother had a lengthy conversation with her and he won't say specifics but it resulted in the girl being sullen and refusing to talk."
"Is she well at least?"
"Yes, she is fed, bathed and clothed. It is her silence that concerns me."
"What, you think she is planning an attack?" Leo scoffed and Athenios rolled his eyes.
"You were not there Leo, she's strong." He said and Leo looked around the temporary home and leaned against a column.
"The compound is still standing." He looked at his brother and nodded his head to follow him to see the girl.
"It is still standing because she was asleep for most of the time and now she is being kept in an energy dampening chamber as requested."
Leo was very impressed to see that his brother had seemed to follow through with his plan perfectly even though he knew Athenios and Methios might still have their reservations.
They walked down the long halls leading all the way downstairs and deeper still. The chamber was the only structure down here because there was no need for anything else. It was not too cold or too airy, just the right temperature to keep their prisoner comfortable. That was strange to think of her like that, simply a prison that could face her last moments of life in this chamber with strange people performing a ritual on her. He wondered as they approached, would she cry? Would she beg to be let go and reunited with her family? In the end that was the goal for all of them to reunite with their families and what comes before and after the fact was simply semantics.
"Her name is Xanthippeia."
"I know." He said but Athenios stopped short at the bend and turned to scrutinize his brother.
"How could you possibly know her name? You left before we made it to earth and we only heard her name from the mortal friend she was with."
"I don't know."
"Perhaps you found it out when you first began having your visions about her." Athenios was trying to make sense of it and this was the explanation he was comfortable with. But Leodocus knew there was more to it. Those first visions were random and sporadical and revealed nothing to her name but only her aura. The one he had in the underworld did little to give anything away either other than her state of mind and even that shouldn't have been possible with their unfamiliarity and lack of proximity.
"I cannot explain but I just know it somehow but at least she is not that much of a stranger to me anymore," Leo said as they carried on walking. Coming around the bend there in the chamber lay Xanthippeia on the bed made for her, her entire body facing the walls so all Leodocus could see was her back and her long cascading curls almost touching the ground.
Suddenly the temperature in the chamber shifted, what was cool and balanced air turned into a chill and when Leo looked to his brother to see he was completely unaffected the closer they came to the door of the chamber he knew something was not right. It was the feeling of being pulled and yet keeping him grounded on the spot. As he and Athenios uncharmed the door and ventured inside the feeling settled and grew like wild vines in his body. He was frozen and rigid as the girl was startled awake by the presence of other people. She jumped up into a sitting position and even though she had just been asleep her very pale grey eyes were wide as saucers when they settled on the new man in front of her.
"Leo, meet Xanthippeia. Xanthippeia this is my brother Leodocus, you should be thrilled he's arrived so we can get all this unpleasantness over and done with." Athenios tried to sound collected and polite but you could tell how impatient he was. None of that mattered though because his words fell on deaf ears as the two of them could not break eye contact.
Xanthippeia got off the bed and with careful steps toward Leo, it was like her body had temporarily ignored the fear she was supposed to have the second she stepped in front of him and their shared gaze was positively electric.
"Some—something's not right…who are you? Why do I feel like I've already met you?" Xanthippeia's small voice broke out as her hand unconsciously reached out to touch his face but his expression changed to something unrecognizable when their skin made contact.
He knew it or at least he should have known that there was a reason besides being a seer that he was having these visions of her. It was the only other thing that offered any kind of explanation and his jaw clenched with anger and dread that this, all of it had been merely a puppet show for the Fates. He was meant to find Xan, she was meant to be something to him that he still couldn't figure out to but the uncertainty he was now facing was, she meant to die by his hand?