[Third Person's PoV]
It wasn't long after the banquet of the gods that their short field trip came to an end. As everyone was preparing to leave, Hades turned towards Annabeth and Thalia.
"So, did Chiron give you permission?"
Annabeth and Thalia both nodded excitedly. "But wait, we don't have any clothes for our stay," Thalia said.
Lucian turned towards Hades. "I'll shadow travel us quickly to the camp. We'll pack up and meet you back here. What do you say?"
Hades nodded. "Sure, but don't take too long."
"Yes, sir," Lucian nodded, placing a hand behind Annabeth and Thalia's backs before disappearing into his shadow with both of them.
As they left, Hades narrowed his eyes, his expression tightening. "Now then… who took my helm…" he muttered, his eyes gaining a dangerous look.
'I know it wasn't Lucian,' Hades thought. 'As childish and immature as he might be, one thing he is not is foolish. Although it was never said, he knows he would be seriously punished if he ever messed with my symbol of power. And it couldn't have been Zeus' child. I had my eye on her the entire time; there was just no way she would have gotten it.'
Hades pondered multiple possibilities. 'Was it Zeus? Or perhaps Poseidon? Zeus has a lot to gain if I lost my symbol, but Poseidon doesn't—well, not that I'm aware of. Where I stand, they're all suspicious.'
"So, what are you thinking about?"
Hades turned and saw Lucian with both Thalia and Annabeth, all three wearing backpacks that were too big for their bodies. They all held onto their straps and looked up towards Hades, waiting.
Hades scoffed in amusement before shaking his head. "You guys sure got ready quickly."
"Quickly? We were gone for 10 minutes…"
"Really? Hmm, time moves differently for immortals."
"You still haven't answered—what was on your mind?" Lucian asked, tilting his head in confusion.
Hades shook his head. "Nothing, I was just a bit absent-minded waiting for you guys." 'I can't let him know I lost the helm. It would destroy my image in his eyes.'
"Now then, do you have everything you need?" Hades asked.
They all nodded. Seeing them nod, Hades nodded back before facing the road. The area around them began to shake, and the ground started to split open.
From underground, there was the sound of galloping followed by a loud horse neigh. A row of skeletal horses with manes made out of black flames appeared, pulling what looked like a mixture between a carriage and a chariot.
"This won't go away when it strikes midnight, right?" Lucian said teasingly.
Hades simply scoffed at his statement. "Just get on."
And so they did. Hades was pulling the reins while Thalia and Annabeth sat at the back. Lucian put his bag in the back and went to sit next to Hades.
When Hades looked towards him, he saw Lucian looking down, embarrassed. This caused Hades to silently chuckle to himself.
Hades snapped the reins, causing the horses to neigh and make a U-turn. The horses began galloping downwards. All three of them grew a bit nervous and frightened.
Their surroundings started to become pitch black, with the way behind them slowly closing up and fixing itself.
After a minute of rough terrain, they were met with an aerial view of the entire underworld. There was a road made from the dirt leading down towards a large castle in the far distance.
Lucian turned towards Hades and shyly asked, "Can I drive?"
Hades looked amused. "Do you know how to?"
"I was kinda hoping you would teach me?" Lucian squeaked, his ears turning bright red.
Hades laughed. "Sure, here." He handed him the reins. Lucian smirked as he held them in his hand.
Hades began instructing him on how to maneuver. Meanwhile, Thalia and Annabeth just gave each other a look and didn't say anything else.
Lucian nodded along as Hades kept guiding him. Hades ruffled his hair. "You're a natural. I barely had to say much and you already knew what to do."
"Well, I'm great at everything I do, so it wasn't much of a challenge."
"Just take the damn compliment."
Lucian chuckled. "Never."
As they kept going down the road, it disappeared behind them. It wasn't long before they arrived at the front of the huge castle. By the entrance of the castle was a ginormous three-headed Cerberus, sleeping and keeping guard.
They all began to dismount, and as Lucian jumped down to the ground, he froze and slowly closed his eyes.
Annabeth and Thalia looked at Lucian worriedly. "What's going on with him?" they whispered.
"Hmm, interesting," Hades muttered as he saw what was happening.
A dark red aura slowly seeped out from Lucian as he spread his arms to the side and began looking up.
Cerberus slowly woke up from his sleep, shaking all three heads awake. He walked up towards Lucian and bowed his head towards him. Although the others couldn't see it, other beings were also bowing in his direction.
"The Underworld… It's accepting him as its prince… It's deeming him worthy…" Hades said in a hushed but proud tone. Annabeth and Thalia's eyes widened as their mouths hung open in surprise.
Lucian took a deep breath before sharply exhaling. He reached out his hand and began petting the middle Cerberus on the snout.
He opened his eyes back up again. They were glowing bright red, but now instead of simply glowing, they were as beautiful as rubies.
"This is trippy, man. I don't know how to really describe it… I feel like I'm finally home after being away for years on vacation," Lucian muttered. "Not to mention, I feel like I just received partial access to this place."
The other two heads of Cerberus started licking him, asking for his attention, causing him to giggle and start patting all of them. "Who's a good boy?" he said as he scratched all their chins, causing their tails to wag happily.
Hades gained a serious expression as he looked towards him. "Lucian Blackheart," he called out.
Lucian stiffened as he looked towards Hades. "Yeah?"
Hades put a hand on his shoulder. "You can now officially and proudly call yourself: Lucian Blackheart, the Son of Hades: The Prince of the Underworld… Welcome home, son."
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