18 Hades' Rightful Anger and Offer.

When Mark, Grimnar, Sirzechs, Grayfia, Annabeth, Percy, and Grover appeared near the domain of Hades, the Devil King turned over to the three campers.

"When we speak to Hades, I wish for the three of you to remain mostly silent. You do not have the strength to speak as an equal to a being like Hades. So, let us do the talking except when spoken to."

Annabeth, Percy, and Grover nodded silently. Sirzechs was the Devil King and according to Mark, he was as strong as Hades which was still a hard pill to swallow for them. To them, the gods were the strongest yet here was a Devil who could face one.

What would they say when they met one already as Runeas could have fought Poseidon? The outcome of the fight was not certain, but she could certainly make the god come out hurt or dead.

They approached the edge of Hades' domain which was a dark place with black metal structures and formless spirits of the dead. Mark looked down at his pet as this was his former home.

He kneeled and ran his hand down the dog's back.

"So?"

Grimnar licked his face as if to tell him his loyalty would not change. Mark smiled as he got up. Before they proceed further Sirzechs spoke out into the dark.

"I wish to speak to Hades."

They did not have to wait long before the shadows and darkness took the shape of a dark-cloaked figure. The figure was hunched over and covered in a black robe. When he raised his head a misty skull looked at them. It had no eyes which were fully black, full of night, death, and despair.

"Come, Lord Hades awaits."

Out of nowhere, the floor began swaying. This went on for a while which made Grover the poor Satyr hold his stomach.

"I think I'm getting seasick."

Mark placed his hand on his back and sent a bit of mana into his body. When this happened Grover suddenly felt like he was better.

"Phew, thank you."

"No problem. Can't have you falling overboard. Look down."

Grover looked and saw they were standing in a wooden barge. Seeing this made Grover stick closer to the middle of the boat. The figure, Charon began poling them across a dark, oily river, swirling with bones, dead fish, and other, stranger things. Plastic dolls, crushed carnations, and soggy diplomas with gilt edges.

Annabeth could not help speaking about it as this was her first time seeing the river outside of books.

"The River Styx It's so-"

Charon instantly answered cutting her off.

"Polluted. For thousands of years, you humans have been throwing in everything you come across-hopes, dreams and wishes that never came true. Irresponsible waste."

Mark looked to Charon with a question.

"What would happen if I just jumped in?"

Charon's hollow sockets looked Mark up and down before he continued along.

"You would experience the worst pain imaginable, but as a Dragon, you would live. And maybe you might gain something out of the experience."

[The River is the same river the old hero Achilles was dipped in as a child. His mother held him by his heal which named his invulnerability except for that one spot.]

Hearing Ddraig made Charon nod.

"Correct Dragon. Though having a weakness for a dragon must not be acceptable, correct?"

Mark did not seem too excited.

"I am good."

[You know you could reject the blessing and just use it to temper your scales. They would come out stronger and more resistant.]

"Then that is what I am doing."

Mark stepped on the edge of the barge and his body began to change. His long-bladed tail extended, his wings unfurled and his curved horns grew from the side of his head. Not to mention all over his body, Red, black and silver scales covered his body.

Once this was done he jumped into the river which shocked Percy. He looked over the edge as steam began to rise from the river where Mark had stepped in.

"Will he be ok?"

Sirzechs nodded.

"I am sure he will."

Suddenly Grimnar dived into the water as well to follow his master. He dived down where he saw his master Mark holding his breath as his body began to corrode. Ddraig had an idea and began to temper Mark's body with the aura from his blood.

This caused the River Styx to boil around Mark and Grimnar who also began to benefit from the aura coming from the Boosted Gear.

[This is a good chance to force your bloodline to mature.]

'I know.'

Mark and Grimnar both began to experience the same corrosion. Though their natural regeneration pushed this damage away, Mark was the one who experience the most changes. The damage caused by the river and the maturing rate of Ddraig's aura worked together.

His scales degraded before healing thicker, and stronger. Inside, Mark's muscles, bones, nerves, and blood began to boil away as his Red Dragon bloodline matured. He pushed his pain away and merely enjoyed the feeling of getting stronger.

After an uncertain amount of time, Ddraig spoke to him.

[It's time to get out.]

Mark reached out grabbed Grimnar and with his two powerful wings blasted out of the murky water. With a wave of his flames, he burned off the water of himself and his pet before landing back on the river.

His body was covered in acid-like wounds, whole chunks of his flesh were gone and from the look of it, Grimnar was no different. Mark stood up straight as his regeneration healed all the damage way faster than before.

He sent some Dragon Mana into his clothes which were repaired as he hid his dragon features.

"That hurt."

Charon huffed as he continued along the river.

"This is why Dragons are no fun."

Mark ingored him as he sat down. Percy walked over to him to check on him.

"Hey, you ok?"

Mark nodded.

"Better than ok, I feel fantastic. Ddraig?"

[29%]

Mark sighed as it was taking forever to mature his bloodline. Even all that he only got it up by 6% Hearing that made Ddraig admonish him.

[You are greedy Mark. Your bloodline will be extremely pure and it is under the guidance of my own. What do you want? To also gain the White One's Powers?]

Hearing that made Mark ponder on it.

"Not a bad idea. Ddraig, how feasible would it be to take the Divine Dividing and absorb it? Becoming the heir to both Heavenly Dragons would make me unrivaled. Albion must have had some unique powers to match yours."

Hearing him made Sirzechs feel that Mark would make not only a great ally to his family but also a good suitor for his sister. Ddraig stopped for a moment and did not deny this idea. Mark was special as his bloodline was not a true Red Dragon.

That strange energy in his soul was fused into his Dragon Heart. His Dragon Mana carried it through his blood and body. His Black and Silver scales stood out in the sea of his red scales.

[Not zero. I and Albion are conflicting existences, but you are special. If you gain both of our abilities and bloodlines you would stand at the top of this world. The power to Double your power and Divide that of your foes. What do you plan to do?]

"Let's keep this plan in the back burned. If we find the current White Dragon Emperor, I plan to defeat them and take their gear to absorb it. What would Albion think of that?"

[Like me, he would most likely not care as we go through many hosts. Gaining one as strong as you who plans to free us one day would make him come around.]

Sirzechs decided to give him some advice.

"Try not to die though and do what you think is needed."

Mark nodded as he sat to meditate for a while. He was still tired from his torture training after all. After a few hours of rest, Mark opened his eyes when he felt that the shore was approaching. He stood up and looked out toward the shore.

It glimmered with greenish light, the color of poison. The shoreline of the Hades territory came into view. Craggy rocks and black volcanic sand stretched inland about a hundred yards to the base of a high stone wall, which marched off in either direction as the eye could see.

A sound came from somewhere nearby in the green gloom, echoing off the walls. The howl of a large animal. Hearing it made Grimnar's tail wag as he recognized it. It was his dad, Cerberus.

"Old Three-Face is hungry. Someone better feed him soon."

The bottom of the boat slid onto the black sand. The dead began to disembark as well as Charon made this trip often. Charon looked toward their group before another black-robed figure appeared from the Dark.

Charon looked at him and explained.

"Pluto, they seek audience with Lord Hades."

The figure, Pluto was dressed in a black robe, but his robe was darker than Charon's. His black robe was decorated with ornaments making him look like a dark Clown, with a Creepy Mask that lay across his face.

Seeing him made Percy, Annabeth, and Grover feel like they would die at any moment. The scythe the figure held caused them pure fear to just look at it. When Sirzechs saw the Reaper he spoke.

"We are meeting with Lord Hades, lead us."

"He awaits us, the abomination of the Devils."

Pluto vanished and appeared in front of Mark. His clown mask looked into Mark's eyes.

"I see a Dragon in the making. I wonder if you will end just like Ddraig. Sealed away and to be used by a human. Want to join Lord Hades? He will treat you with respect and dignity?"

Mark just smiled.

"I seem to be a mercenary for hire, so I would be very willing to work for Hades as long as he pays."

Pluto laughed a hearty laugh.

"Greedy, just like a dragon. Come, he awaits us."

They all followed him as he lead them down a path. There were three separate entrances under one huge black archway that said Erebus. They passed through one of the three gates which caused the howls to become louder. It even shook the very ground they stood on showing the power of the first Cerberus.

Grimnar roared back and grew to his full size, transforming into his real form. The rune on his head burned brighter, his wings spread out and his large tail beat on the ground.

About fifty feet in front of them, the green mist shimmered. Standing just where the path split into three was an enormous shadowy dog. It was a massive three-headed dog which even made the huge Grimnar look smaller.

Cerberus was a huge rottweiler that Hades tamed. Seeing it made Sirzechs explain a bit.

"This is the first Cerberus that gave rise to the race of Cerberus. We Devils use them as attack dogs."

The dead walked right up to him-no without fear. The spirits walked right between his front paws and under his belly, which they could do without even crouching. The dog's middle head craned toward Grimnar. It sniffed the air and growled. Suddenly both huge hounds rushed at each other barking and snarling. Percy looked at Mark worried.

"Can he win?"

Mark was confused.

"Win? Who said they were fighting?"

They saw how when they reached each other the dogs did not start a fight. No, instead they both began to play wrestle with each other. Pluto explained to them what was going on.

"Lord Hades' Cerberus is not just the ancestor of all Cerberus, but also the father of all Hellhounds. This is a father playing with his child, not a battle. So this is what happened to that particular Hellhound? You tamed him. He looks, different?"

Mark nodded.

"Can you tell us who summoned him?"

Pluto nodded.

"Why of course, it was the demigod, Luke. He offered some Drachma and I took the offer."

Pluto reached into his coat and pulled out a big bag of them. He tossed them in the air before catching the bad causing it to jingle with coins.

Hearing that made Percy sigh.

"The friend?"

Mark nodded.

"Yeah, seems like it."

Annabeth began to shake her head not wanting to believe it.

"NO! You lie."

Pluto laughed at her.

"Oh love, what useless emotions. It tricks the mind daughter of Athena. The truth hurts sometimes. I got my money and he got his pet. We all win don't we? Except you, HAHAHAHHAHA."

Pluto's shrill laugh made the Underworld feel even colder. Mark chuckled with him which caused Annabeth to look at the ground. Percy sighed.

'Such a shame.'

Pluto continued their trip as Mark walked over to Grimnar and Cerberus. Currently, Grimnar was on his back as his father had already won the match. When Cerberus saw Mark he let go of Grimnar and walked over to him.

Mark reached out and ran his hand through the heads of Cerberus.

"I swear I will make your son the strongest."

Cerberus' three heads licked Mark before he walked off to do his job. Grimnar shrunk back down to his regular dog form. Pluto, then led them deeper into Erebus for what seemed miles. Though it only took a few moments as that was the trick of the Realm of Hades.

Eventually, they arrived at a massive palace of glittering black obsidian. Above in the air were the Furies. The one Mark had defeated glared at him. She now looked like a young black-haired woman wearing a black dress that seemed to be made of black sludge.

Next to her was a woman in a black blue cloak with a blue bird on her shoulder. And the last one seemed to be a mix of a woman and an insect. Pluto looked up at them and waved his hand.

"This is my task, leave at once."

The three furies did not stick around and obeyed. Mark looked up at the palace mostly at the engravings. He wanted some for his blazing castle, but more draconic as these were scenes of death.

"Come."

They followed Pluto into the palace and passed a garden that grew Multicolored mushrooms, poisonous shrubs, and strange luminous plants that grew without sunlight. Precious jewels made up for the lack of flowers, piles of rubies large enough to fill the hoard of a Dragon.

Mark stared off into the clumps of raw diamonds. He reached out, but Ddraig stopped him.

[I know partner. I know, but this is not the time to Greed.]

Mark forcefully pulled his hand back. Eventually, the garden changed into an orchard of pomegranate trees, their orange blooms neon bright in the dark. Pluto like a tour guide explained.

"The gardens of Lord Hades and his wife Persephone. You can take some on the way back as she does not mind. If anything she loves it when others can enjoy her works."

Mark would take him up on the offer as long as he did not eat them in the Underworld. One rule that was kind of dumb. They walked up the steps of the palace, between black columns, and into the home of Hades. The entry hall had a polished bronze floor, which seemed to boil in the reflected torchlight.

There was no ceiling, just the cavern roof, far above. Every side doorway was guarded by Grim Reapers while others were skeletons in military gear. Pluto walked past them all toward the large door causing the doors to swing wide open.

Pluto walked forward before he turned around. He bowed and pointed inside.

"Enter, he awaits you."

Sirzechs nodded and walked inside followed by everyone else. Mark did not look anywhere else but Hades. One of the Top 10 Strongest Beings in this world was waiting for them.

He was at least ten feet tall, dressed in black silk robes, and wore a crown that was braided in gold. He looked like a skeleton with not a piece of flesh on them as he stared at them all with anger in his eyes.

He leaned forward on his throne of fused human bones.

"Sirzechs? Now, why would you of all people be here when this is a family matter."

Sirzechs answered with a polite yet dagger-like tone.

"Yes, it is, but your family matters will drag everyone with you to Hell. I have come to negotiate for peace. We believe you have stolen the Lightning Bolt of your brother and hope you will return it. Peacefully."

Hades grit his skull teeth and smashed his fist on his throne breaking it.

"Me? Why in the 9 Hells would I bother?"

Mark spoke up as he got the idea.

"Lord Hades, was something from yours also stolen?"

Everyone went silent at the idea.

"Yes. My Helm was also taken by my troublesome nephew. Thought yourself so smart nephew, not only did you steal my Helm but also the lightning. Very brave indeed to come here."

Percy walked forward and fell onto his knees.

"Uncle, I swear I did not steal your helm. I received a prophecy that said we had to face the god in the west and believed it was you. But, if you have also had your Helm stolen, I will retrieve it for you. I swear."

Hearing this made Hades pause as he looked into Percy's eyes. For a moment all the attention of the second strongest Greek God was on Percy. The poor demigod felt as if a mountain of the dead was right on his back.

"You speak true."

Mark walked forward and toward Hades. He bowed as he explained.

"Lord Hades, I belive I know who was responsible. The Demigod son of Hermes is named Luke. Was he on Olympus during your last visit?"

Annabeth wanted to speak up, but Grayfia put her to sleep in an instant. Hades thought back on it before he took pause. '

"He was. HE WAS!!!!"

Hade's full aura was unleashed causing even Mark to shiver. This was a true god, the firstborn son of Kronus. The strongest among his brothers. He pointed at Mark and spoke to him.

"Bring me the traitor and my helm and I will reward you handsomely. If my brother can give you a job so can I. That or I send all my Grim Reapers and my army into the camp to capture Luke not caring if I start a war myself."

Mark nodded and took the knee next to Percy.

"It shall be done."

Hades nodded.

"Good. You can all leave."

Without waiting, Sirzechs teleported them all back to the Gremory Estate. This was a good turn of events as they now knew who was responsible. Now, Mark just had to capture him and find out where the Lightning Bolt and Helm were.