Chapter 82
Present
"If you're asking about who is Hades's reincarnation, I can't tell you. But I'll tell you one thing—he's here, in the Underworld. Although he doesn't remember anything about the past," Drake said. Natasha's fist clenched at his words, frustration swirling inside her. She still had so many questions, so much she needed to know.
"Don't you think it's time to tell me? How Drogen ended up cursed," Natasha pressed, her eyes locking onto Drake's, her eyes begging him to speak.
Drake exhaled deeply, his gaze faltering as if he was deciding wether to tell her or not. The silence stretched between them, Finally, he spoke, his voice lower than before.
"You remember what happened after you killed Drogen, right?"
Natasha nodded, though the memory made her chest tighten painfully. The image of Drogen, killed by her hand, was one she could never forget.
"To save you from being killed, Drogen made a deal with us," Drake began.
Natasha's brows furrowed in confusion. "What kind of deal?"
Drake's lips thinned as he glanced away, avoiding her gaze. "He offered his soul to the Underworld to ensure your survival. He knew the cost but did it anyway."
Natasha froze, her breath hitching.
"In exchange for sparing your life and altering your fate," Drake continued, "Drogen willingly accepted a curse. He was bound to the Underworld as its enforcer, a grim reaper tasked with collecting the souls of sinners, and he lost the chance to ever be reborn. The curse stripped him of his humanity, emotions, and memories... including his memories of you."
Natasha's eyes widened, her heart pounding in disbelief. "That explains why he doesn't remember me"
Drake shook his head. "Not consciously though. But deep down, there are fragments—echoes that even the curse can't erase entirely. It's why he's drawn to you, why he protects you despite not knowing why. It's also why you feel the connection. The curse was meant to sever everything, but the bond between you two is too strong, too deeply rooted."
Natasha's fists trembled, a mixture of anger and sorrow welling inside her. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" she demanded, her voice breaking.
"Because you weren't ready," Drake replied, his tone firm. "Knowing the truth changes everything, Natasha. And if you want to save him, you'll have to be prepared to face the full force of the Underworld."
Tears blurred her vision, but Natasha quickly wiped them away. She had made a vow—a vow never to abandon him. And now that she knew the truth, she was more determined than ever to find a way to break the curse.
"Can you at least tell me how to end his curse without him dying? There should be a way, right?" Natasha asked, her voice trembling slightly, as if clinging to the hope that there might be a solution.
Drake hesitated, his expression darkening. "Natasha, I didn't want to tell you this. I hoped it would never come to this, but after what Bruce told me, you need to know."
Natasha felt her heart hammering in her chest, her breath caught in her throat. "What is it?"
Drake's voice was quiet but firm, every word striking her like a dagger. "If Drogen falls in love with you... he will die. Not just with anyone, Natasha. Only with you."
The air seemed to leave her lungs. "But... but he can't feel emotions, right? He can't fall in love. He said so himself. Whatever he's feeling now... it's just my emotions affecting him, isn't it?"
Drake shook his head slowly. "That's just part of the truth. when it comes to the curse, It suppresses his emotions, but it doesn't erase his capacity to love. His connection to you transcends the curse—it's tied to the bond you two shared before his sacrifice. But love... love is the one thing the curse won't allow. If it senses he's fallen for you, it will destroy him. Natasha, you really don't know what he's sacrificed for you huh?"
Natasha's eyes burned with unshed tears, her chest tightening painfully. "So if he loves me, he dies. And if he doesn't... he's doomed to remain cursed forever."
Drake nodded solemnly. "That's the cruel truth of it."
Natasha turned away, her thoughts spiraling. She had promised herself she would save him, no matter what. But now, the realization of what it might cost him hit her harder than anything she'd faced before.
"I'll need some time to think, but tell me, is there even a chance that he'll survive this even though he loves me?" She asked, desperately hopping for a way out, she loved Drogen, more that she ever believed was possible, and her whole being wished for him to love her too, but if that'll only lead to his destruction, wouldn't it be better to just leave.
"If you can awaken his emotions without triggering the full force of the curse—if you can help him reclaim his humanity without crossing the line into love—it might be enough to weaken the curse and free him." Drake replied calmly.
"what does that even mean? Is that even possible?" She asked, feeling completely at a loss
"That's left for you to find out." Drake shrugged "but I'll tell you this, I don't want Drogen to die, I want him Alive more than anyone, so if you decide to remain with him for your selfish reasons, i can't guarantee that I'll let you live." Drake said, the calmness in his voice now replaced with chilling coldness.
"I'll leave once the blood pact is broken. I'm sure he won't be bothered, I don't deserve him. I know that, I don't deserve to love him after what I have done to him. He would have never ended up getting cursed if it wasn't for me" Natasha said, feeling her heart clenching with every word. She had never felt this way towards anyone before, Drogen was the first, and he'll possibly be the last man that'll ever move her heart.
"Natasha, I have a question for you" Drake said, his voice slightly hesitant.
"What is it?"
"Has Drogen ever fainted while he was with you?"