Three years ago.
Mania props her head on Zagreus's chest. Her long black hair falls around her like a waterfall. He smiles down at the beautiful Goddess that she is. Her scent is that of Mongolian flowers. It brings a warmth that the underworld lacks. He was lucky enough that he didn't have to fight for her love, as his brother had his heart on another. Their marriage will bring the strength and unity that the underworld needs.
Zagreus kisses her forehead and plays with her hair. "I love you, Mania." He whispers under his breath.
She shifts slightly and rests her hands on his bare chest. "Zagreus, do you foresee the future?" Tracing her fingers up and down his chest while lost in thought.
Zagreus looks up at the ceiling, "The future that I see is with you by my side, governing this forsaken kingdom, my beautiful flower."
Mania climbs on one elbow and looks into Zagreus's eyes, "And what would you do if I am no longer here?"
"Where would you go, my love?" A chuckle rumbles in his chest, and he meets Mania's gaze.
* * *
Present day.
Zagreus's chest burns at the thought that this human before him holds a bit of Mania in her. The last night they spent together, Mania talked about the future, and Zagreus didn't think much of it, as she was one to ponder. Now that this human has come into his life, he won't trust her. Not when she holds such a power in that little body of hers.
The petite human was nothing like his Mania. He will keep this woman around until he finds out the truth. It's been three years since Mania vanished, and the thought of her leaving him and bestowing her Goddess power into a mere mortal makes him want to laugh.
He left the room that Donn placed the human in to rest. Zagreus could no longer be around her. The rage that took over him and wanting to slash her throat is too much to control.
Walking to the castle courtyard, he often would find Mania's resting on one of the stone benches. There is no sunlight in the underworld, but when she stepped outside. Her radiance would bring light upon the shadows.
The day she vanished was the done his heart turned ice cold. Zagreus sent his army to find her and spent the last two years combing the earth and heavens for her. Yet, the place he didn't expect was seeing parts of her soul in the woman named Alessia.
The truth will unveil itself, and he will discover what happened to his flower, Mania.
* * *
Alessia sits on the bed, unsure how to wrap her head around everything that has occurred in the last 24 hours. Looking down at the palm of her hands, the soul of a Goddess or parts of her are in Alessia's body.
It sounds crazy, or maybe she is the crazy one.
The past few years, she learned a lot about demons, monsters, and spirits; what she didn't do was the rulers of the heavens and the underworld. It didn't occur to Alessia that she would run into the princes or Gods.
She knew that she needed to study everything that would help her eliminate the evil but to fight alongside those who rule over the undead. Just feels surreal to her.
The logical part tells her to get out of there, but the nagging voice in her head tells her to stay. Find out why the portals back home are popping up and why isn't the ones who control the demons doing anything about it.
Letting out a long sigh, Alessia knew this wouldn't be easy once she accepted that she was no longer an average human. Will she ever get to enjoy the life that she once had? Granted, her life wasn't great, but at least she didn't have to deal with demons or a murderous prince.
Thinking about Zagreus, the look in his eyes when Donn brought of the Goddess Mania, she did feel for him. The pain he held was deep and raw, showing that not just humans can feel emotions or love, but any being can too.
Alessia had never felt love or been loved before. Her parents abandoning her at a local church was just the beginning of how love in Alessia's life was a sad, miserable emotion.
A light tap on the door brings Alessia out of her thoughts. It must be Donn; he said he would return after Zagreus stormed out of the room.
Donn steps into the room, and he smiles lightly at Alessia. "I'm sorry about Zagreus. I know my brother can be a handful." Donn tries to hide the sadness that briefly crosses his eyes.
Alessia wonders what happened to her and why she brought her back to life.
Donn sits across from her, running his fingers through his apple-red hair.
"Listen, I know things seem weird or crazy. But I want to get to the point of why you are here. Now that Zagreus is out of the room, it might be easier to explain things to you."
"Okay, then go for it," Alessia tells him she wants to know everything.
Donn gives her a look that turns into a crooked smile. He does remind Alessia of a golden retriever.
"Long ago, the underworld was ruled by Hades, which I'm sure you have heard of. He went into a place of isolation to live out the rest of his life and wanted to pass the throne to either Zagreus or me. To be the ruler, he wanted us to take on a bride. That was Mania. I wanted nothing to do with the crown or the love of Mania." Donn pauses and awkwardly shifts on the chair.
"Zargues fall head over heels for Mania. Their love was something that other Gods and Goddess envied. It was pure, and I expected them to be happy, well as happy as they could get ruling over the underworld. One day, she vanished. The day she disappeared rocked the underworld and your world Alessia. Portals started opening up, and the gate between the worlds slowly melted away. I don't know if it was a coincidence with her being gone or if she was the cause. But what I do know is that Mania's power. She was the one that controls how demons leave and go."
Alessia's face goes pale. Maybe it was something Donn said, or maybe being in the underworld is stirring Mania's soul that is in her. But a memory just flashed in Alessia's mind. It was brief, but she latched onto it.
Mania did talk to Alessia on the day she died. The words that are floating in her head right now.
"Protect Zagreus."