Two weeks had passed since Landon's transformation into a phoenix, courtesy of Hades. They stood in the quiet hallway of Salvatore Boarding School, the air thick with tension. Landon's fiery phoenix eyes blazed with anger as he stared at Hope.
"Landon, stop yelling," Hope pleaded, her hands on her hips.
"You lied to me, Hope. My mom... you knew she was erased, didn't you?" Landon's deep voice cracked with emotion.
Hope shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his accusing gaze. "I was trying to protect you, Landon. I didn't want you to remember the pain of losing her."
"Pain of losing her?" Landon's phoenix roared, his fiery feathers ruffling in agitation. "You took that pain away from me, but you left a lie in its place. You made me think I was fine, that everything was okay."
"I thought it was the right decision," Hope whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
"The right decision?" Landon's voice dripped with bitterness. "You call manipulating me, the right decision? You call being dishonest with me the right decision?"
"Stop it, Landon. You're not listening," Hope snapped, but Landon just kept going.
"You know what? I'm listening now. And I'm done listening. I'm done with you, Hope. We're done."
With those words, Landon spun around and stormed into Hope's room, slamming the door behind him. Hope let out a sob, her hands covering her mouth. She slumped to the floor, the sound of her sobs echoing through the hallway.
Hope suddenly hears a deep voice from behind her. "That was quicker than I expected," it said, the words laced with a sinister amusement.
Startled, Hope turns around, her heart racing, and finds Hades leaning against the wall in the shadows, his arms crossed. The dim light casts an eerie glow on his features, emphasizing the smirk playing on his lips.
"What are you doing here? What do you want?" Hope snaps, her voice a mixture of confusion and anger.
Hades pushes himself off the wall, stepping closer, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief. "I'm here so you can fulfill your part of the deal," he replies coolly, an air of authority in his tone. "I've come to collect my payment for reviving Landon."
Hope's brow furrows. "What payment?" she demands, her fists clenching at her sides.
Hades raises an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Oh, come now, Hope. Didn't you say you didn't care what it cost you when I brought him back?" His voice drips with mockery. "I took that sentiment to heart, and I've decided that my payment will be you."
Hope's expression hardens as anger wells within her. "You can't be serious," she retorts, her voice steady despite the fear creeping in.
Hades chuckles, a low rumble that sends shivers down her spine. "Deadly serious, my dear. A deal is a deal, after all."
Hope stood with her arms crossed, gazing sternly at Hades. 'Not possible, I'm not some slave,' she said firmly. 'I don't know what kind of game you thought we were playing, but I'm not some willing participant in your twisted world. I'm not your Hades.'
Hades smirked, unfazed by her defiance. ' you have to be, if you aren't already. It's a soul deal, Hope. When I proposed it and told you it came at a cost, your response was all that was needed. You said you didn't care what it cost you. That sealed it.'
Hope's eyes widened in shock, understanding creeping in. 'So, you're saying that when you revived Landon, I was already bound to this deal? I didn't even know—'
'Yes, precisely,' Hades interrupted. 'That's the magic of a soul deal. No elaborate rituals, no special spells, just a promise and a will to see it through. When you agreed, your soul took on the obligation. You are now mine, tied to me through the very fabric of our agreement.'
A glimmer of panic flashed across Hope's face, and she glanced nervously at her hand, then to the dresser where she had hidden Alaric's glass ball.
Hades chuckled, and a wicked grin spread across his face. 'Ah, the little glass ball. You've been holding onto it, thinking it would somehow trap me and save you from our deal. I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. You see, when you agreed to the soul deal, nothing short of your own demise can break it. Not even that pitiful trinket can change the course of events.'
Hope's face went pale as the reality of the situation hit her. She was Hades' bound servant, trapped in this twisted game, and nothing seemed able to save her.
Hope's anger bubbled beneath the surface, her fists clenched tightly. "I will not be your slave!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the dimly lit chamber.
Hades stepped forward, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "You think you have a choice Hope your mi—"
Before he could finish, Hope swung her fist at his face, her fury propelling her forward. But as her fist neared its target, an invisible force yanked her arm back, forcing her to spin almost painfully until her arms were pinned behind her.
"What the—?!" she gasped, casting a bewildered glance over her shoulder. Golden chains materialized, wrapping around her wrists and locking them in place. Panic ignited in her chest as she felt the tug of magic binding her.
Hades regarded her with a mixture of amusement and disdain. "Surprised?" he said coolly, holding up a shimmering chain attached to a collar fastened tightly around her neck.
Hope's breath caught in her throat. "What is this? Why are you doing this to me?" Her eyes darted between Hades and the chains, confusion etching deeper lines across her forehead.
And then, with a mocking tone, Hades replied, "And there's the proof these chains aren't my doing. They're yours. Magic responding to the deal you made to stay alive. Remember? If you had succeeded in striking me, you'd be dead."
Her heart sank at the realization, anger mixing with fear. "This isn't what I wanted! You don't get to control me!" Hope's voice was a mixture of defiance and desperation.
Hades took a step closer, his presence commanding and intimidating. "But I already do," he said, his eyes glittering with dark delight. "Now, are you ready to listen?"
Hope took a deep breath, a mix of frustration and determination coursing through her. "I'm ready to listen," she snapped, her voice strained. "But you have to undo these chains!"
Hades chuckled, a dark amusement lighting up his eyes. "I can't do that, dear Hope. Those chains are of your own making."
She furrowed her brow. "What are you talking about?"
"They only loosen when you stop wanting to harm me," he explained casually, as if discussing the weather. "The more you think about it, the tighter they become."
Hope's heart raced as she struggled against the restraints. Yet, taking a few more deep breaths, she finally focused enough to calm herself down. The chains slowly faded away, leaving her free but still fuming at him. She sat up, an edge of defiance in her voice. "Okay, What now? I'll find a way out of this."
Hades threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing through the room. "You really think you can escape me? There's nothing that will ever free you from my grasp. You're mine forever, little slave."
A surge of anger bubbled up inside her. "I'm not yours!" Hope stood abruptly, her resolve igniting. "I won't be your prisoner!"
But Hades merely smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, but you already are."
Before Hope could respond, she felt a sudden force that yanked her back down onto her bed. The chains reappeared, binding her arms and legs to the posts, stretching her out helplessly.
She glared up at Hades as he approached her, the remnants of her defiance still flickering in her eyes. "What kind of god does this?" she spat, her voice shaking with anger and disbelief.
"The kind that gets what he wants," he replied with a cool tone, leaning down to meet her gaze. "And trust me, dear Hope, you'll learn to embrace your place beside me."
Hades then says, "But for now, what I want is to observe. I want to see how all this will play out—how your school will handle Maivore and keeping all the keys safe from him, as well as all the teenage drama in a supernatural school." He looks at Hope with a hint of amusement. "Honestly, I can't wait for the show."
Hope takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. "So... what am I supposed to do? Just sit back and let you watch?"
"Precisely," Hades replies, a smirk playing on his lips. "And what's going to happen is that you will calm down enough that the chains will release you. Then we will both go down to Alaric's office and inform him of my new... presence. I'll be hanging around the school to observe, of course, and protect what is mine if necessary."
With a resigned sigh, Hope nods, still processing his intentions. "Alright, I'll do it. Just... I need to control myself this time."
"Good girl," Hades says with a flick of his wrist. "Now, let's take this little journey."
As the shadows begin to engulf them, Hope feels a mix of anxiety and excitement. Moments later, when the shadows recede, she finds herself in Alaric's office. She glances around, surprised by the sudden change of scenery.
Alaric, caught off guard, jumps to his feet, crossbow in hand, aimed directly at them. "What the hell?! Who are you and how did you get in here?" His voice is steady, eyes narrowed, ready for a fight.
Hades chuckles, unfazed by the threat. "Alaric, my friend, there's no need for that. Put the crossbow down."
Alaric relaxes slightly but keeps his guard up. "You better have a good explanation for this intrusion."
Hades gestures toward Hope, urging her to speak. "Hope, why don't you explain everything that's happened between us? I believe this will clear things up."
Hope swallows hard, glancing from Hades to Alaric. "Okay, um... well, it's a bit complicated," she starts, fumbling for the right words, "but Hades and I have sort of... formed an alliance. He's going to help me watch over the keys and keep Maivore at bay."
"You expect me to believe that?" Alaric interjects, skepticism dripping from his tone. "A god working with a student? What's in it for him?"
Hades responds calmly, "I assure you, Alaric, my interests align with hers. I have no desire to cause chaos—at least not today." His eyes glint with playful mischief.
"Great," Alaric murmurs under his breath, lowering his crossbow but still looking cautious. "Just what we need—more supernatural drama