Page 209 of A Touch of Chaos

There was a pause, and then Theseus chuckled. The mortals surrounding him followed until great peals of laughter filled the night. When it ebbed, Theseus spoke.

“That must have been so hard for you to say.”

“It certainly took practice,” said Hades.

“A waste for sure,” said Theseus. “You see, I cannot accept your allegiance when I have accepted your father’s. It would be…unbecoming since you two are enemies.”

Hades stared at Theseus for a few long moments before he said, “If you are going to refuse me, then we should at least make it fun.”

“Oh, I am having a blast,” said Theseus. “But do proceed.”

“A game of your choosing,” said Hades. “If I win, you accept my offer.”

“So eager to join the winning side,” said Theseus. He looked to his left and then to his right. “What do we think? Shall we accept the god’s offer?”

His army cheered, although Hades did not know if it was meant to encourage or dissuade. Though if Hades had to guess, Theseus had already made his decision. He merely enjoyed performing. His intention here was to humiliate—and it was working.

“Well, Hades,” he said. “It looks like you have a deal.”

Despite his acceptance, Hades did not feel any relief. In fact, he only became more anxious as the gates creaked open. He did not immediately cross the threshold.

“What’s wrong, Hades?” asked Theseus. “Are you afraid?”

“You never gave me your terms,” said Hades.

“My terms do not matter,” said Theseus. “Because if I win, you will not live to take your next breath.”

“You expect I will go down without a fight?”

“I hope not,” said the demigod. “That would be very disappointing.”

“Quite,” said Hades, and then he moved forward, through the gates, and into Theseus’s territory. Inside the gates, there were more mortal soldiers.

“I assume your brethren are still on the way?” said Theseus.

“They will fight until the bitter end,” said Hades.

“Bitter indeed,” said Theseus. “Come. Let us play this game.”

The demigod turned, and Hades followed him across the stone courtyard and up the steps, but as he came to the top, he faltered.

“Hera?” Hades whispered.

It was not her, of course, but her soul. She stood trembling, her eyes wide with fear. She muttered things, though Hades could not hear the words.

Theseus stopped too. “Does she linger here?” he asked.

Hades looked at the demigod. “She will until she is laid to rest.”

Not all souls needed funeral rites, but there were some who could not move on until they were performed.

“Oh, well, that will never happen,” said Theseus. “I am afraid she is being fed to her followers at this very moment. Cronos is quite vengeful when it comes to the Olympians.”

Hades could not hide his disgust.

“I would have thought you would consider it a fitting end for her, given your history,” said Theseus.

“I would not wish such an end for anyone,” said Hades. “Not even you.”

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