Kael lay on his bed, staring at the empty ceiling above. He tried to sleep, but he couldn't. Every time he closed his eyes, the memories kept replaying, and Kronos' voice haunted him.
He was tired—exhausted.
As he stared at the blank wall above, questions started filling his mind.
Was the life he was living all planned? Was his destiny chosen by the people around him since day one?
It felt like everyone knew what was coming—everyone except him. Like he had been left in the dark while the world pulled the strings, leading him to this exact moment.
He felt like a puppet.
Controlled. Manipulated.
Empty. Unmotivated.
Then, memories of his father's last words popped into his head.
"Whatever happens next, it's your choice. Not mine. Not fate's."
Could that be true? Did he really have a choice?
Thoughts flooded his mind—too much pressure, making it hard to breathe.
The dorm room felt small, tiny. The bed felt like it had shrunk.
His chest felt tight. His body, frozen.
The longer he lay there, the faster his heartbeat raced. But it wasn't fear. It wasn't panic.
It was something else.
Something inside of him was craving something. And the longer he did nothing, the worse it became.
He needed to talk to someone.
He wanted answers.
"Let's go, Cyrus. We're going to have a talk with the principal."
But there was no answer.
Then, he remembered—Cyrus was with his mother.
For the first time ever, Cyrus wasn't with him.
Loneliness crept in, but he shoved it aside and headed for Headmaster Callius's office.
As he walked through the halls, students stared.
Not with disgust.
With curiosity.
They barely recognized him, as if he was someone new. He was completely unfamiliar to them.
Some tried to approach him, but the godly presence radiating off him made them back away.
Then—
"Yo, Kael, wait up."
Kael stopped.
That voice was familiar.
Caius Aetos.
"Kael, what happened to you? Where have you been? Why do you look like that?"
The students around them froze.
"No way… that's him? The cursed child of Hades? The boy they picked up from the street?"
Kael, not in the mood, scoffed.
"You know I can damn hear you all, right?"
Silence.
Caius stared, his eyes narrowing.
"You okay, Kael?"
Kael smirked. "You're being awfully nice to me. Did ya miss me, buddy?"
"You wish. Still hate your face. But I just wanted to thank you for saving us." Caius crossed his arms. "Where have you been? Liz has been going insane looking for you. Not even the headmaster would say anything. All she said was that you had something important to do."
"Oh, you know. Took a vacation. Saw some sights. Fought a huge skeleton warrior and a boatman. Killed a god and a Titan with one strike. You know, normal stuff."
"And I'm the god of Olympus," Caius said, a grin on his face.
Kael laughed.
"So, is the headmaster in her office? I have to get a new uniform and talk to her about some stuff."
"She is."
"Thanks, man. I'll see you later."
Caius smirked. "I'd be careful, though."
Kael raised a brow. "Why?"
"When Liz finds out you're here and didn't go to her first, she's gonna be pissed. Like, really pissed."
Kael frowned. "How will she know?"
Caius grinned. "'Cause I'm about to tell her now."
Kael groaned. "You son of a—"
Caius laughed. "See ya."
Kael sighed, shaking his head, and kept walking.
He stepped into the office.
"Don't people know how to knock?" Callius muttered.
Kael smirked. "You should know by now—that's not how I do things."
Callius leaned back in her chair. "What brings you here, Kael?"
Kael's gaze darkened. "Why must you act like you don't know, Headmaster?"
Then—
"Or should I say… Nyx, the Goddess of the Night?"
A flicker of surprise crossed her face.
She didn't expect him to know.
"Don't act so shocked. That godly aura surrounding you is terrifying."
A brief pause.
"So, I'm guessing Hades is no longer in the Underworld?"
"Yes."
"What do you want from me, then?"
Kael's voice sharpened. "I know you're aware of everything. You kept me secret. You planned my way to this academy. Why are you acting dumb now? I want to know why."
The air tightened.
The power of two divine beings pressed against the room.
"Calm down and sit, Kael."
He sat.
"Talk."
Callius exhaled. "Your father asked me to keep you hidden from the gods, Titans, and everyone else. The Oracle once told your father a prophecy. He tried to prevent it… but it was no use."
Kael's hands clenched. "What's this damn prophecy I keep hearing about?"
Callius hesitated.
"… No one knows but your father and Zeus."
Kael gritted his teeth.
"When you were young, the masked man—their cult—summoned monsters and Titans to attack your city. They tried to kill you. To erase Hades' bloodline. So no one could take over the Underworld. Once that happened, the dead could roam the surface."
Kael's eyes darkened. "I know that much. Keep going."
"Your mother, the Queen of the Underworld, found you before they could reach you. She carried you to me while Hades fought the monsters. I made sure that no one could track you. Until you reached a certain age—that's when I told Orion to get you here."
"And the gods?"
Callius' voice was cold.
"They refused to help. They wanted you dead too. They believed you would bring chaos to Olympus."
Kael's chest tightened.
"So your father fought alone. And in that battle… he was injured. He was never the same."
"… Why was he in Tartarus?"
Callius' expression darkened.
"Because Thanatos was no longer in the Underworld, so your father had to take his place."
"What happened to him? Where did he go?"
"He's gone. When they targeted you, they also targeted him, and Hades didn't know who to save."
Kael's heart pounded. "So they made Hades choose."
"… Yes. And he chose you."
Silence.
Kael's breath hitched. Hades had to choose between him and Thanatos. His father picked him.
His hands curled into fists. Why?
Callius' voice softened. "Hades is wise, Kael. He did what he had to. Because he trusted you to carry the torch."
Kael looked away.
The room felt heavy.
Then—
"… I need time to think."
He stood.
"Until then, keep Hades' death a secret from everyone. Even the gods. Unless they already know."
Callius smirked. Shadows flickered along the walls, bending to her presence. "As you wish. The gods are blind in their arrogance. They will never be threatened by a child."
Kael chuckled. "I don't know if I should feel offended or glad."
She laughed. "Anything else?"
Kael shook his head. "… No. Thank you."
Then—he walked away.