The stillness of Chrona Salvàta was broken by a strange ripple, the air shimmering as if reality itself were being bent. Alessandro sat by the now-dying bonfire, the warmth of its embers barely reaching him. Bianca and Nico di Angelo were quiet, their earlier conversation fading into a contemplative silence. Alessandro's senses prickled, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. Something was wrong.
The flames of the bonfire suddenly roared to life, shifting from their natural orange to an eerie green. Bianca and Nico gasped, stumbling back, while Alessandro stood, his hand instinctively gripping the celestial bronze dagger at his waist.
"Be calm, Alessandro," a deep voice echoed from the flames, its tone regal yet foreboding.
The figure of a man emerged, tall and cloaked in shadows that billowed unnaturally. His presence carried a weight that pressed on their chests, a suffocating aura that spoke of death and power. Alessandro's eyes narrowed as he recognized the face within the flames—Hades, Lord of the Underworld.
"Father?" Bianca's voice trembled, a mix of fear and awe lacing her words.
Hades's dark gaze softened as it fell upon his children. "Bianca, Nico, my dear children. Forgive me for appearing in this way, but there is no other choice. Time is against us."
Alessandro stepped forward, his voice steady despite the god's overwhelming presence. "Why are you here, Lord Hades? What do you want from me?"
Hades's gaze shifted to Alessandro, his expression unreadable. "You are clever, son of Kronos. I require your aid, though it is not for me but for them." He gestured toward Bianca and Nico. "Zeus has begun his search for my children. He seeks to eliminate them before they can threaten his fragile throne."
Bianca's hand tightened around Nico's, her knuckles white. "Why would Uncle Zeus care about us? We're just demigods."
Hades's expression darkened, his shadows flickering like flames. "You are more than mere demigods, Bianca. You and Nico carry the blood of the Underworld, a lineage Zeus fears. He believes that one day, you will rise against him."
Alessandro's jaw tightened. "And what do you expect me to do about it? Zeus's wrath is absolute. I can't fight him—not yet."
"I do not ask you to fight," Hades said, his voice grave. "I ask you to protect them. Take them to the Lotus Casino. Its magic will shield them from Zeus's gaze, and they will remain safe until the time is right."
Bianca's brows furrowed. "The Lotus Casino? That place is a prison. We'd be trapped there forever."
"It is a necessary evil," Hades replied, his tone softening. "It is the only place where Zeus's reach cannot extend. Please, my children, trust me. This is for your survival."
Alessandro turned his gaze to the siblings. Bianca's eyes glistened with uncertainty, while Nico clung to her side, his youthful face marked with fear. He clenched his fists, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. "And what happens to me if I help them? Zeus already wants me dead. If he finds out—"
Hades cut him off with a raised hand. "Zeus will not find you, not if you act quickly. But you must be vigilant. There are forces conspiring against you, Alessandro, forces that extend even beyond Zeus."
Before Alessandro could respond, the bonfire flared again, its green flames shifting to a deep crimson. A crackling sound filled the air, followed by an oppressive presence that made even Hades falter. The flames contorted, and a voice thundered through the void.
"Hades."
Alessandro's breath hitched as a second figure emerged from the flames, one he knew all too well. Kronos. His golden eyes burned with an intensity that rivaled the sun, his form both regal and menacing.
"You dare meddle with my domain?" Kronos's voice was a venomous growl, his gaze locking onto Hades. "I warned you not to interfere with the boy."
Hades stood tall, unyielding. "You and Zeus have conspired long enough, Kronos. Alessandro is not your pawn."
A cruel smile twisted Kronos's lips. "And yet, he is my son. His fate is bound to mine, whether he likes it or not." His gaze shifted to Alessandro, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. "You cannot hide forever, Alessandro. Zeus has finally seen reason. He has agreed to my terms."
Alessandro felt a chill run down his spine. "What terms?"
Kronos's smile widened. "A truce. For now. Zeus will use my connection to the domain of time to confirm your existence. If you are alive, he will act, and I will not stop him. In exchange, he will grant me access to powers long denied."
Hades's shadows surged, his fury palpable. "You would sell your own son to feed your ambition?"
Kronos's laughter echoed through the void. "Do not pretend to care, brother. You would do the same if it suited your needs."
Alessandro's heart pounded, his mind racing. The walls of Chrona Salvàta seemed to close in around him. Zeus's search was no longer a distant threat—it was imminent.
"I will not let him take me," Alessandro said, his voice firm despite the storm of emotions raging within him. "I will not let either of you control my fate."
Hades's gaze softened, a rare moment of vulnerability breaking through his stern exterior. "Then you must act swiftly, Alessandro. Protect my children. And remember, you are not alone in this fight."
The flames began to die down, Hades's form fading along with them. Bianca and Nico watched in silence, their faces pale. Kronos lingered a moment longer, his golden eyes piercing.
"Run while you can, boy," he said, his voice low and menacing. "But know this—time always catches up."
With that, the fire extinguished, leaving the three of them in darkness. Alessandro exhaled slowly, his hands trembling as he turned to the siblings. Their expressions mirrored his own—fear, determination, and an unspoken resolve.
"We need to move," Alessandro said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "If we're going to do this, we need to do it now."
Bianca nodded, gripping Nico's hand tightly. "We trust you."
For the first time in years, Alessandro felt the weight of his choices—not just for himself, but for those who now depended on him. The path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, but one thing was clear: he would not bow to fate.
Not to Zeus. Not to Kronos. Not to anyone.