The mirror had never been kind to me. Now, it was downright cruel. I sat on the edge of my bed, my reflection staring back from across the room. A pale imitation of what I once was. My once-proud form, exuding divine authority, now seemed—for lack of a better word—human. Stripped of everything that had made me into the God that I once was. Yeah I bet nobody really liked that this is the result of everything that has happened.
I ran a hand through my hair, as I couldn't but feel some regret for everything. God my eyes looked so tired of everything. I couldn't even sleep at all, my future it was so uncertain. I didn't know what world I was going to go to next, what person I would become, hell I was not even Hades anymore. I didn't even have my own name anymore, I was just some guy.
A knock at the door distracted me from my thinking.
"Come in," I called, as I stood up as Chaos entered, she was back to her other form, looking just like I had meet her.
"It's time," she said, "I hope that you are ready."
I nodded, rising from the bed. My fingers lingered on the edge of the bedpost for a moment before I followed her out. Each step felt heavier than the last, as though the marble halls themselves sought to remind me of what I was leaving behind.
The throne room loomed ahead, its golden doors swinging open silently at Chaos's touch. Ravanna awaited us within, seated upon one of the marble throne, she looked so normal, so human... oh wait never mind her she still had her horns and her eyes were glowing golden.
"Hades," Ravanna greeted, her voice both a whisper and a roar. "Have you rested?"
"As much as one can after leaving everything behind," I replied, the faintest trace of bitterness coloring my tone. "I am not Hades anymore, I don't think you should be calling me that."
"Oh please, it is just a name and you have earned it. Although you are going to live so many lives and gain so many names, it doesn't mean that when you leave you lose who you are. You are still Hades, don't overthink it to much." Chaos laughed as she joined her mother and sat on her throne.
Ravanna smiled, a gesture that seemed to be neither reassuring nor condescending, but something uniquely hers. "Let us discuss the choices before you."
I moved to the seat that had been prepared for me, a simple chair compared to the grand thrones.
"Your next life," Ravanna began, gesturing, and the air between us shimmered as two holographic planets appeared. Chaos pointed to one of the right planets as several photos of different men appeared.
"Your first choice is the Wizarding World," Chaos said, her voice cutting through the silence. "This is a magic based world, your mission is to stop the Muggle/Wizard War that will lead to the destruction of the world. We have selected the six best choices for you to be reborn as. Sirius Black, Severus Snape. Tom Riddle, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, and Ronald Weasley."
"Each were selected as after running several tests they stand as the best options, we decided the best age for you to start will be around 12 years old giving you ample time to grow and adapt to this world and it's magic." Ravanna continued, "Now the second world available at this moment is the PJO Universe, in this world you will have to win two wars and the Primordial War."
Chaos pointed to the second planet and only three choices appeared. "In this world your choices are between Perseus Jackson, Nico Di Angelo, or Luke Castellan."
"So if I pick to save one now, is there no chance to save the other later?" I asked, my voice steady despite the storm within me.
"Yes the option will always be availiable," Ravanna explained. "I am the Creator, I can sent you whatever planet you want, whatever time I want. There is literally no stress, it is just your choice in what powers you will get first. Will you become a demigod or a magician first?"
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "I want to ask again, what of my family? My kingdom? You said my body would remain, but what does that truly mean?"
Ravanna's golden eyes softened. "Your body will persist in your world. Your people, your family, will not know you have left. To them, it will be like you have never left."
"Convenient," I muttered, though I couldn't deny the relief that seeped into me. At least they wouldn't suffer for my absence.
"You've built a world that no longer needs you, Hades," Chaos said gently. "Your followers, the Aidonians, will carry your teachings. Your pantheon will continue to grow stronger under your family."
I looked between them, my gaze hard. "And you're telling me I have no choice but to leave?"
Ravanna stepped closer, her form towering over me. "You always have a choice. But staying would mean stagnation, trust be when I tell you that you will become bored, tired of your own life. Moving forward is the natural order of things."
I let out a long breath, the weight of her words sinking in. "If I go, will I remember who I am?"
"Well, duh," Ravanna snorted. "You think we will just purge your memories? Use your brain, you were the god of Wisdom and Divination, why would we do that when we need you to complete these very important tasks?"
"How long do I have to decide?"
"We will give you an hour to decide," Ravanna said. "We will meet back here then and send you to whatever world, into whatever body you want."
I stood, as I headed for the door. "Very well. I'll think it over."
As I left the throne room, Chaos's voice followed me. "So, do you have any idea yet?"
"Is this what you meant during the convergence? That I would have many lovers? Because I was going to end up traveling to all these worlds and saving them?"
"Uh.. yeah, that was the plan all along, though we always assumed that this wouldn't have happened for another couple centuries. Ravanna had planned to just test you by sending you a varient of your world and take over the body of that worlds Hades and just go full God of War there. She thought it would make your life interesting to see you become a primordial.... in the end, we realized it would have been stupid."
"Yeah... that does sound stupid." I snorted. "Hey, do you have a library here? There are some things that I want to look up."
"I'll take you there, though you only have an hour to decide."
"An hour here or an hour on earth?"
"I'll get you when the time is up." Chaos laughed and I couldn't help but curse under my breath and hope that it was not the last.