At first, there was nothing—empty, endless space.
Kael floated in the darkness, weightless.
Then, the world began to form.
He saw a burned, broken, and lifeless landscape in front of him. The earth looked like it had been hit by a meteor, leaving behind a damaged wasteland. Trees stood like charred skeletons, and rocks had been left shattered. The sky was a bloody red color, giving the empty land an oppressive, terrifying glow.
Then, two figures emerged from the haze.
He couldn't fully see their faces. Something about their movements sent a shiver down his spine.
The first figure moved forward slowly and carefully. Not rushed. Not hesitant. It was like he had nothing to fear. He moved carefully and precisely, as if he had been down this road before and never stumbled—like a man who knew he had won the fight before it even happened.
In his grip, a large scythe hung, its dark blade catching the low, blood-red light.
Kael tried to move.
He couldn't.
His body refused to listen to him, as if the dream itself had put him in place, holding him captive.
His breath came too fast—short, jagged gasps, panic crawling at his chest.
Then, the second figure stepped forward, appearing between Kael and the scythe-wielder. Taller. His form flickered, changing as if the shadow was struggling to keep him whole.
Kael couldn't see his face.
But he knew him.
The way the darkness moved around him… the way the very air seemed to bow in his presence.
It was Hades.
The scythe swung.
Hades blocked it with his own sword, the clash splitting the air with a deafening CRACK.
Both weapons trembled from the impact.
Then they moved.
Kael tried to talk, but he couldn't make a sound. When he tried to move, his body stayed still.
They fought too fast. Too viciously. The only thing he could follow was the sound of their battle—
Clang! A strike from above.
Clang! A counter from the side.
Each clash rang out like thunder, tearing through the silence. Every impact set sparks ablaze as the intensity of their fight split the very earth under them.
Then—
The scythe-wielder struck, slamming Hades with such force that he crashed into the ground. The impact shook the entire battlefield. Dust billowed up. Kael couldn't see anything. From the smoke, the man with the scythe slowly walked toward him.
Kael flinched. He looked over to Hades.
But Hades didn't move.
The scythe-wielder turned toward him—slowly, as if he had only just remembered Kael was there.
His blade lifted.
Kael couldn't breathe. He couldn't move.
The scythe came down—
A blur.
A rush of movement.
Hades jumped in front of the strike.
Kael tried to scream—tried to do anything—but his mouth wouldn't open.
The world shattered.
Kael Wakes Up
Cold.
Kael gasped, his lungs burning, as if he had been drowning just moments ago.
Voices murmured in the distance.
"You can't eat those, kitty."
A deep growl of disappointment followed.
Kael's vision cleared as he heard the door creak open, and a flat voice cut through the chatter.
"Is he dead?"
"Don't be stupid, Caius. He's still breathing," Liz replied, unimpressed.
"He looks dead to me."
"What brings you here?" Liz asked.
"Well, I came to see if he was okay, at least to thank him for saving us."
"Well, he will probably wake up soon."
"Can't wait. I have class." Caius exited the room.
Kael's fingers twitched slightly. He was awake, but his body still felt heavy. He slowly opened his eyes just enough to see Liz sitting next to him.
Liz noticed immediately.
"Finally, you're awake. You were out for a whole day."
Kael found himself lying in the infirmary. His ribs ached, but other than that, he felt—
Good.
Really good.
"Not yet, but a kiss would totally wake me right up," he mumbled, puckering his lips dramatically.
Lick. Lick.
Kael cracked one eye open—
Liz was holding Cyrus, who was licking him.
"You are a devilish woman, I tell ya," Kael muttered, sitting up with a groan.
Liz giggled. "How are you feeling?"
"Heartbroken."
"I mean really."
Kael grinned. "I'm fine, sunshine. Don't you worry about me."
"That's good."
Kael stretched slightly and winced in pain. "How long have you been here?"
"A few hours."
His grin widened. "Oh, sunshine, you do care. Come on, give me a big smooch."
"Shut up." Liz tossed a snack onto his lap. "Eat that, and quit flirting. I have to get back to class."
"You're leaving me all alone?" Kael gasped in fake betrayal.
"Stop being dramatic. I'll see you after class."
"I shall wait for your return, Milady."
Liz shook her head, amused. "You will never be serious, will you?"
"Never."
She left, and as the door clicked shut, the atmosphere changed.
Kael turned to Cyrus, who immediately understood.
He sat up, testing his limbs—no pain.
"Good. Cyrus, ready?"
"Yes."
He rose, not even bothering to remove the hospital robe he was wearing.
"Let's go. I need to see my mother."
Darkness coiled around the floor, responding to his will. He stepped forward.
Hades' Palace
The enormous black doors of Hades' palace loomed before him, carved from obsidian and iron, glowing symbols pulsing like dying souls. Chains rattled softly, whispering in voices unheard.
"Open."
The undead guards moved without hesitation, pushing the doors apart. Kael entered.
On either side, millions of undead warriors stood in eerie silence. As he passed, they knelt in unison.
It was a welcome fit for a king.
Kael hated it.
He walked past them, his steps carrying him toward the figure waiting in the distance.
She knew he was coming.
Persephone stood at the entrance, watching him.
Still wearing his hospital robe, Kael approached. Cyrus—now in his monstrous form—followed behind him.
"Who hurt you, Kael?" Persephone asked softly.
"I'm fine, Mother. Can we talk?"
"Of course," she smiled, as they walked into the palace.
Kael looked at his mother and said, "Where is Father?"
Hoping that she would be honest with him now.
"Not back yet. He said he was almost done."
Kael clenched his fists. "Mother, I know you are lying. Where is he?"
Her smile faded, she knew there no point of hiding it. She said "You already know, Kael."
Kael knew She was right. He knew where hades were.
"Then why did you let him go alone?"
"Not everyone can change their fate, my son. Your father and I… we both did our best to protect you. We kept our eyes on you since you were a baby. You were our precious child. Your father did everything to protect you from Titans and gods," she broke down, tears running down her face.
Kael just stood there. Words wouldn't come out.
"Your father made sure no gods or Titans couldn't trace you. He made sure you got to the academy, where the principal would keep you safe," she added.
"Move."
"No."
The shadows around him twisted violently, reacting to his emotions.
He understood what his mother was trying to tell him.
Kael finally calmed down. His eyes filled with sadness. "I don't wanna lose anyone. I don't wanna see you sad. I just want a life where everyone around me to be happy."
He looked at his mother "I can't just sit and wait, I have to do something"
Before she could tell him anything, he turned to the balcony and jumped.
Cyrus caught him mid-air.
"Don't worry, Mother. I will bring him back. I promise."