Page 85 of As Darkness Fall
Our new guide was much more human-looking, though he still had the trio of horns and cloven hooves. He also sported a tail and deep black facial hair that outlined a grinning face set by two yellow eyes.
“This way,” Azazel said, gesturing to the spire.
We walked into the castle, on alert. IntoHades’scastle. No big deal. Azazel took us down stairs that seemed to go on forever, heading deep into the bowels of the castle. I wondered if he was taking us to the dungeons, but neither Aaron nor Vir seemed bothered. They both walked straight-backed, without worry.
Like they’d been here before.
Okay, I thought to myself while my wolf whined with unease.
Something was still very wrong here.
Eventually, the stairs stopped, and we went down a stone corridor, lit only by torchlight. The walls and ceiling abruptly widened outward as we emerged into a room, richly appointed with thick tapestries on the wall, twin long tables running down the room away from us, benches sitting empty on either side.
Candles flickered on top of the tables, and torches echoed the look on the walls. Plates and cups and bowls of pure gold sat on the tables, waiting to be used.
At the far end of the room was an elevated dais. Upon which sat a throne of red steel, occupied by a man. A very normal, human-looking man. Yet, he couldn’t be human. For only one person would sit on a throne like that in the Underworld.
Hades.
“Well, damn,” I whispered. “Now I’ve met two gods.”
Everyone looked at me like I was crazy. I ignored them, my attention focused on Hades.
“Uh, guys,” I said, nodding at our host. “Is it just me, or does he look…not good.”
Hades was leaning heavily on one side of his throne, looking wan and tired. I’d never seen him at full vibrancy, but something told me that this wasn’t it.
“Something is very, very wrong here,” Aaron murmured.
At the same time, Hades lifted a hand and beckoned us closer.
Chapter Forty-Two
As we approached Hades, the tapestries on the wall seemed to come alive at our passing. Scenes of battles played out on some, while images of various beings greeting Hades could be seen on others. On one of them, I swear I saw an image of Vir.
The walls around the tapestries were lined with shelves holding all sorts of items that I didn’t recognize but figured must be important.
“Hades,” Aaron said respectfully, stealing my attention. “What happened? What is going on here?”
The god on the throne smiled, and I stared, stunned by just how weak he looked.
“It is good to see you, old friend,” Hades said, his voice just as tired and weak as the rest of him.
“And you,” Aaron replied. “Though I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“As do I,” Hades replied. His head, resting heavily on the back of his throne, turned slightly. “And you, Champion. It has been many years. I have missed our sparring matches. Though I don’t think, in our present capabilities, that I would be much of a match for you anymore.”
“Perhaps not,” Vir admitted respectfully.
“Ha!” Hades chuckled, the laughter dried and rusty. “So polite.”
We all stood around, unsure of what to say.
“As I said, I apologize for bringing you to this place, but things, as you can see, have changed. I must be closer to the seat of my power,” Hades explained.
Did a god just admit weakness?
“How long have you been like this?” Aaron asked. “I saw you but a few weeks ago. You were okay then.”
