(ACT 05) The beginning of an end

. . .

“And while you are here, you shall rule all that lives and moves and shall have the greatest rights among the deathless: those who defraud you and do not appease your power with offerings, reverently performing rites and paying fit gifts shall be punished forevermore.”

—Hades to Persephone: Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns & Homerica

. . .

He was known by many names.

Hades.

God of the Underworld, King of Hell, Lord of the Dead. The adjudicator of souls, father of shadows and the wealthiest of all the gods… he was the firstborn son of Chronos. He had lived since the fall of the elder gods, the Titans, since the dawn of humanity and he does not take surprises lightly.

Not many may have known but the eldest Olympian god actually possessed the rare gift of foresight regarding the fates of those who are about to be brought forth to his realm, those who are already dying, how and when will they die.