Chapter 16: Brother Against Brother
Damon's footsteps echoed through the dark corridors of the underworld palace as Nyx guided him back to his chamber. The gravity of Persephone's challenge weighed heavily on his mind. He had barely recovered from his battle with Cerberus, and now he was expected to face Zagreus, a true god and his own half-brother.
Nyx sensed his turmoil and paused outside his door. "Rest now, Damon," she said softly. "You will need all your strength for the challenge ahead."
Damon nodded, his thoughts still racing. "Thank you, Nyx."
She gave him a reassuring smile before turning to leave. "Remember, you are not alone in this. We are all counting on you."
As she disappeared down the corridor, Damon entered his chamber. The bed looked inviting, but his mind was too restless to consider sleep. He sat by the window, staring out at the desolate landscape of the underworld. Rivers of lava flowed through the blackened terrain, casting an eerie glow that danced across the obsidian walls. The faint cries of lost souls echoed in the distance, a constant reminder of where he was.
Damon tried to calm his racing thoughts. He needed a plan, a strategy to face Zagreus. But how could he prepare for a fight against a god? His previous battles had been against monsters and mortal foes, but this was different. Zagreus was a force of nature, a living embodiment of both life and death.
Exhaustion finally overcame him, and Damon drifted into a fitful sleep. His dreams were a chaotic swirl of memories and fears, images of Cerberus's snarling faces blending with the piercing gaze of Zagreus. He woke with a start, heart pounding, as the first light of dawn began to creep into the room.
Nyx was waiting for him when he stepped out. She led him to a secluded courtyard, a training ground hidden within the palace walls. The air was cool and still, a stark contrast to the fiery landscape beyond.
"Focus, Damon," Nyx instructed. "Clear your mind of doubt and fear. You are stronger than you realize."
Damon nodded, taking a deep breath. He practised his swordplay, each swing of his blade a release of tension and uncertainty. Nyx watched silently, her presence a calming force.
As the dark sun of the underworld began to rise, casting long shadows across the courtyard, a figure approached. It was Zagreus, his expression calm and composed. He wore a simple chiton, the red scarf still tied around his neck. The Stygian Blade was strapped to his back, its dark metal glinting in the morning light.
"Are you ready, brother?" Zagreus asked, his voice steady.
Damon took a deep breath, nodding. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Nyx stepped back, giving them space. Unsure of what the outcome of this fight would be."The challenge begins now."
Zagreus drew his blade, its crimson glow pulsing with power. Damon mirrored his actions, gripping his sword tightly. They circled each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
Zagreus struck first with a smile, his movements swift and precise. Damon parried, feeling the force of the blow reverberate through his arms. They exchanged a flurry of strikes, the clash of their swords echoing through the courtyard creating sparks from the clashing metal.
Zagreus's attacks were relentless, his strikes coming faster and harder with each passing moment causing Damon to struggle to keep up, his arms growing tired under the onslaught. Despite his best efforts, he could feel himself being pushed back, and forced onto the defensive.
"You'll need to do better than that," Zagreus taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Is this really the best you can do, brother?"
Damon gritted his teeth, refusing to give in. He focused on his system's powers, drawing on every ability he had unlocked.
"Let's try this!" Damon said, activating his enhanced strength boost in exchange for souls.
Damon could feel his muscles surge with newfound power. With a swift motion, he parried Zagreus's next strike and countered with a powerful blow of his own, slamming his fist into Zagreus's face and knocking him back.
For a moment, Zagreus seemed taken aback, but his surprise quickly turned to amusement. "Impressive," he said, his smile widening. "But it's still not enough."
Zagreus's speed increased, his blade becoming a blur as he pressed his attack. This time Damon activated his enhanced reflexes, boosting his movements becoming faster, and more fluid. He dodged and parried, his sword dancing in his hands as he met Zagreus's strikes with a flurry of his own.
Hades and the other gods watched the battle unfold in the throne room. Persephone's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as Damon struggled. "Look at him," she sneered. "He is no match for Zagreus. How could he ever be the chosen one?"
Hades's expression was unreadable, but a flicker of concern crossed his eyes as he watched Damon fight. The other gods murmured amongst themselves, their scepticism growing with each passing moment.
Damon's breaths came in ragged gasps, his body aching from the relentless assault. He summoned all the power he could, unleashing a barrage of attacks that forced Zagreus to take a step back. For a brief moment, hope flared in Damon's chest.
"I can do this!" He roared, rushing forward to press his advantage.
However, Zagreus's smile only widened. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted. "I expected more from a son of Hades."
With a burst of speed, Zagreus closed the distance between them, his blade cutting through the air with lethal precision. Damon barely managed to block the first strike, but the force of the blow sent him staggering. Zagreus followed up with a powerful kick that sent Damon sprawling to the ground where he rolled like a ragdoll.
Gasping for breath, Damon struggled to rise. He could feel the blood trickling from his wounds, his vision blurring from the pain. Zagreus stood over him, his expression cold and merciless.
"This is the end, Damon," Zagreus said, lifting his blade. "You are not the chosen one. You never were."
Damon's mind raced, desperation clawing at his thoughts. He had to find a way to fight back, to prove himself. He activated his regeneration ability, feeling his wounds begin to close, his strength returning. With a defiant roar, he surged to his feet, his sword swinging in a wide arc.
Zagreus parried the blow with ease, his expression bored. "You really don't know when to give up, do you?"
Damon activated his final power, the ability to manipulate shadows. He summoned the darkness around him, the shadows coiling around his body like a living armour. With a burst of speed, he launched himself at Zagreus, his blade striking with a force born of desperation from the depths of the underworld itself.
For a moment, Zagreus seemed genuinely surprised, his eyes widening as Damon's sword connected with his side, cutting deep and drawing blood.
"I got him!" Damon said, commanding the shadows to latch onto Zagreus and hold him in place before Damon thrust his sword into his brother's chest.
Hades and the others watched in surprise, all except for Persephone, who simply crossed her arms with a smirk.
Zagreus looked down at Damon's sword that was sticking through his chest before he looked into Damon's eyes.
Damon was now sure of his victory, letting his guard down.
The look of surprise quickly faded, replaced by a cold, calculating anger on Zagreus's face, surprising Damon.
"You'll regret that," Zagreus hissed, his voice low and dangerous.
Suddenly the shadows that bound Zagreus released him, seeming to turn on Damon instead as they bound and held his body and limbs in place.
"W-What is this!" Damon yelled, unsure of what was happening.
Zagreus smiled as he pulled Damon's sword from his chest, dropping it onto the ground before the wound closed up and healed without a scratch.
"Did you really think the shadows of the underworld would serve you over me?" Zagreus said, causing a look of worry and dismay to flash on Damon's face.
With a blur of motion, Zagreus launched forward and his blade found its mark, slicing through Damon's defences with ruthless precision. Damon felt the cold steel pierce his chest, the pain searing through his body. He gasped, his vision darkening as the life drained from him, feeling the blade suck it from his very soul.
Zagreus leaned down, his face inches from Damon's as he looked into his half-brother's eyes. "Enjoy your time in Tartarus," he whispered. "I will take great pleasure in watching you suffer."
With that, Zagreus twisted the blade, the pain overwhelming Damon's senses. He let out a final, agonized cry as darkness consumed him, his last thoughts a desperate plea for strength that never came.
As Damon's body lay lifeless on the cold stone, Hades rose from his throne, his expression sombre. "It appears Persephone was right," he said quietly. "He was not the one."
Persephone's smile was cold and victorious. "Let this be a lesson to all who dare to challenge us," she declared. "The underworld will not be swayed by false hopes."
Hades looked down at his fallen son, a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "False hope or not. Only a demi-god can take part in the tournament... May the Fates be merciful," he murmured, turning away from the scene.
The gods dispersed, leaving Damon's body to be claimed by the shadows of Tartarus. His journey had ended in failure, his hopes dashed by the cruel reality of his own limitations. As his soul descended into the depths of the underworld, Damon knew he faced an eternity of torment, his dreams of proving himself shattered forever.