After Emilios experienced the horrors of the fields of punishment himself his sanity frayed and his consciousness faded as he lulled in behind Aster coming in and out, the speed at which they moved didn't help Emilios in the slightest.
Eventually Aster arrived at the mouth of the river Styx usually Charon would be here ferrying souls to the rightful resting or everlasting torture however he was nowhere to be seen.
That being said Aster frowned seeing two very familiar figures, slowing down Aster landed infront of the pair, "Mum.. Dad.. what do i owe this... pleasure?" Aster said slightly sarcasticly.
Aster's mother a beautiful woman with cascading platinum blonde hair, golden jewelry, her ample bosom under her crossed arms as she frowns, "Don't take that tone with us child." She said.
Aster's father looked to his child lovingly that countered his lover's annoyed expression, "Its good to see you my child." He said.
"So.. I'll just be going then..." Aster started but their mother cut them off.
"Then you will come back home with us." She said as she crossed her arms.
"No mother.. I will not be coming home.. I have decided.. and with Hades blessing to be with Zagreus.. even if my feelings not reciprocated.. I don't care.. ever since i saw him I felt my heart tremble..you mother.. should not be so hypocritical.. the goddess of love wishes to deny her own child a chance at true love.. shame mother.." Aster said as they walked past Aphrodite towards their father.
Aphrodite was speechless but turned from her daughter.
Aster strode past the goddess of love dragging the unconscious mortal, "Father, are you going to try and stop me too?"
Aster's father had golden celestial hair, and amber eyes, his white robes and winged boots fluttered, "No.. I will not stop you Aster.. you are free to walk your own path, i look forward to see what God you become and i hope Zagreus will see you for who you are, you know I delivered him to the Varathyn's.. I wasn't sure of this choice, nor if Hades had gone insane or not.. but as i flew with the baby godling in my arms I realized he has great potential to rise.. you Aster.. if you stay in the mortal realm your divine essence will fade.. until you yourself revert to a demigod..." Hermes said.
Aster smiled with tears in their eyes, "Yes I know.. but as long as I can be with him i don't care.. I only wish mother could see my love."
Hermes hugged his child, "Your mother.. she and Hades a rift tore between them long ago.. she is just taking her hate out on his son... I believe she will come around in time my comet.." Hermes hugged Aster tight and continued, "Now go.. my dearest spark go find your own way forward."
Aster wiped away their tears and continued the journey out of Hades.
Back in the grand duke's office, "What the fuck just happened..." I mumbled to myself.
"At least he's gone.. that's good.. the manor will be in disarray soon.." Standing up i decided to leave after grabbing the circular case.
'Many things were going through my mind, I was adopted.. that means that peice of shit isn't my true father.. in turn it means my mother isn't my mother.. but she has always loved me like she was.. Stella too.. she went from a half sister to one of no relation.. but she too still has a place in my heart.. maybe is should just leave and take mother and Stella with me.. '
As I was thinking this nearing the atrium I heard mumbling voices many familiar ones.
Turning the corner, Ophelia Llyne and her father Duke Solas Llyne stood conversing with my mother and Bertrand.
Ophelia was a beauty herself brilliant crimson hair cascaded down her slender body, she wore a dark red dress with black clasps, her eyes were a light shade of pink. Her father similarly dressed.
"Ah Young master Zagreus it is always a pleasure to see you, I have much to discuss with your father is he available?"
He was spirited away by some messenger
"Unfortunately he is unwell at this present moment Duke Llyne... Bertrand make a few rooms for our guests." I said with little to no emotion.
Bertrand nodded.
Duke Llyne frowned then nodded as well, "I see.. well I hope he feels better soon.. in that case may I take some of your time Master Zagreus?"
Cocking my head to the side, "Hmm? You wish to speak to me? What about?" I ask plainly.
Ophelia's face became rosy before Solas responded, "If you don't mind in would tell you in a more.. private setting."
Locking eyes with Ophelia, "Are you alright? Your cheeks are red.. if you are feeling unwell then feel free to rest."
However she pouted muttering, "Idiot..." before passing me following Bertrand and the other maids.
"Did.. I say something wrong Duke Llyne?" Utterly confused.
"Ah.. no no she.. is probably just a bit tired from our journey.." Duke Solas said as he was rubbing his hands together.
"As for our talk.. I'll have to postpone until later.. I have a lot on my mind right now and I need to clear my thoughts.. perhaps train for a bit, Unless its something urgent...?" I said to Duke Llyne.
The Duke seemed to be slightly stunned at something.
"Um.. Duke Llyne?" I asked
"Ah my apologies Young master Zagreus.. your candor stunned me for a moment.. I had momentarily forgot your age.. you surely inherited your father's wisdom."
Duke Llyne's comment made me remember how 'my father' spoke to me moments ago.. which caused me to frown.
Seeing the frown on my face then Duke coughed, "Mm well.. I will retire to my room until later.. perhaps it is when I can be permitted to speak with you and your father." Bowing to me Duke Llyne left the Atrium.
Looking in the mirror to the right hand side of the room, i didn't look my age really.. I'm 15 but I'm nearly 6ft tall, my body is rather lean, my muscles are already showing definition, I have short black hair, my skin without blemishes and fair a little on the paler side though and finally my brilliant crimson eyes.
Master said he would help me realize my magical affinity when I turned 16 however I already know.
Waving my hand i conjure three smaller wisps in my palm one burns a blue flame, one is a frozen flame and last is this black flame of Darkness.
Hearing some maids around the corner chatting i quickly extinguish the 3 wisps in my closed fist.
Other than that I have managed to easily gain proficiency with a myriad of weapons.. thought I prefer the sword or dagger. As long as it's not too bulky I can wield it.
Deciding to drop off the circular case Emilios left me, I headed to my room upon arriving a particular Young maid stood nervously outside my door, she had long blonde hair and brown eyes, this is the woman who rushed out of my father's study.
"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly.
"Ah... young master... I.. I.." she tried to speak.
"Spit it out... you've probably had some practice spitting recently huh? Or does good ole dad make you swallow?" A chilled aura filled the hallway.
The maid's face grew very red as she broke eye contact with me and stared at the ground tears welling in her eyes.
"Young master please! Don't tell your mother about this! I swear not to do it again!"
"Huh that's a great idea.. perhaps it should go tell her now.." I smiled wickedly before turning from her.
The maid lunged at me and fell to the floor trying to hold onto my legs, "Please! Have mercy! I am the Lady's personal maid.. if she knew i.... then I would be kicked out... I have to support my family.. please Young master.." she pleaded.
"You.. are married yes? I noticed you weren't wearing your ring earlier.. does it make you feel less guilty if you don't see a ring on your finger while you let another man use you? To be honest I couldn't care less if you wanted to cheat on your husband.. or even if you wanted to mount The Grand Duke.. I do care about such a slut being within my mother's presence.. I have an idea.. I've always wanted to try this.."
"Wha..." she tried to say though the tears.
I spun around summoning my strength i grabed the maid by the neck, lifting her up of the ground.. the maid made attempts to grasp at my arm and even face however her attempts were in vain. Then I leaned In to her hear and whisper, "have a nice trip to hell.." I summoned all of my magic from within. All three of them wisps move through my veins as in a split moment her eyes went wide as her body and cloths disintegrated to ash.
'Huh.. the first time I've taken a life.. and i feel no guilt.. no regret I actually feel.. happiness.. not specifically because I ended her.. but something more, like something stired from within.. a comfortable something...'
I was awakened from my thoughts as I heard a metal clinking sound, following the noise I saw as the maid's ring fell to the floor, picking up the ring I decided to slide it into my pocket then continue into my room.
Sometime later I heard people rushing around in a panic, opening my door I stopped a guard, "What is wrong?" I asked him.
The guard stopped and bowed, "Young master, The Grand Duke is missing."
Nodding I returned to my room and layed down on my bed tossing the maid's ring in the air over and over.