Chapter 56: Hades

Unlike what he thought, the castle was mostly empty aside from the shadowy specters that floated about, clearing a path each time he got close.

Though that part caused a lot of confusion on his part, he had no choice but to continue moving. None of them had answered his attempts at conversation so he settled with silence.

He tried sensing his environment but it was mostly fruitless as the air was filled with ambient mana. The only thing he could tell was that there was a large amount of it in one direction that was stronger than the rest.

Following the direction of the energy, it led him to the door he currently stood in front of. Unlike the other ones, this one didn't open as he got closer.

Taking a moment to feel his reserves, he pushed the doors open. Shockingly, the doors held quite a large amount of weight as he actually had to put effort into opening them.

Walking into the room as he released the doors that slammed shut with a loud sound, he found the room to be empty except for what looked like a throne in the far end of the room.

The large energy he felt was still present but he was the only one in the room as far as he could tell. He looked around, trying to find out why this place had more energy than the others.

As dumb as it sounded, he also checked the ceiling to be sure but found nothing. Just as he turned to the side, he spun around immediately, his hair standing on it's ends.

The formerly empty throne was now occupied by a middle aged man with short brown messy hair and a trimmed goatee.

He donned black robes that looked to be of greek origin. The man on the throne stared in open amusement, seemingly unconcerned about Sora's caution.

"Who are you?" He asked, though he had a sure guess who it was. Still, he used Analyze just to be confirm.

[Name: Hades]

[Race: Elder God]

[Title: God Of The Underworld]

[Fealty: N/A]

[Health: ???%/???%]

[???]

[Emotions: Amusement]

Just seeing the question marks meaning that his skill couldn't see everything about him. He made a mental note to level up the skill later as he dropped out of his fighting stance much to the god's growing amusement.

The being in front of him could kill him should he wish to but that didn't mean he would cower. He stood strong, without a look of worry or fear on his face or mind as he stared at the divine being.

"What's the point of asking what you already know?" The man spoke as the temperature around him seemed to increase slightly.

"The question we should be asking is why a mere mortal has a powerful connection to me. It's nothing too significant but it's strange nonetheless." Hades said as he got up from the throne, slowly walking towards the boy.

"What are you talking about?" Sora asked in confusion.

"I'm not so sure myself. At least I wasn't sure until you bested Cerberus so easily." The man said as he circled Sora who kept his eyes on him.

'What? Is he talking about th-'

"That thing you used, the purple construct as well as those flames have a strong connection to this place. So that raises the question, what are you?" Hades said, his hair now floating as burst into flames.

Despite this happening with the man being directly in front of him, he remained unmoved. Whether it was because of his confidence in himself or Art of the mind, he found himself not intimidated in the least but he still felt the pressure pushing down on his body.

"What kind of question is that? What's the point of asking what you already know?" He asked, repeating the god's earlier question to him.

The temperature suddenly increased around them along with the pressure as the flames burst with increased vigor on the god's head.

Sora's chakra surged, using his own power to actively fight against the pressure. The more he fought against it, the more it increased until his chakra was slowly becoming visible, its purple color flickering around him.

His hand reached back, resting his palm on the grip of his sword as his fingers drummed along the surface.

Just when it seemed like a fight was about to break out, a loud laugh burst out of the man as both the pressure and the temperature went down instantly.

"HAHAHAHAAHAHAA!!!!" The man couldn't seem to be able to control himself as the laughter kept coming much to Sora's growing annoyance.

"What are you laughing about?" Sora asked, his mood leaking into his tone as the lord of the underworld laughed even harder.

"How long has it been since someone had the balls to stand up to me in my own domain? Even fewer have been able to withstand that much pressure." He answered, still laughing but starting to calm down.

Sora stared at him dryly as he continued laughing for a few moments.

"You really are just like him." Hades commented as he finally calmed down.

"Like who?"

"I'm sure you're already aware of your predecessor Aldous." Hade started as Sora let out an exasperated sigh.

'Lately a lot of things I've run into are always connected to him. Just how much trouble can you stir even in death?' He thought tiredly, resisting the urge to facepalm.

"I'm guessing you're also aware how he died?" Hades asked, causing Sora to nod.

He had done some extra research on the apparently great sorcerer and fellow reincarnate.

"He died in a battle between the champions of the gods. Though it never specified which gods, it did say that there was only one survivor of that battle." Sora answered, relaying what he already knew.

"What history refuses to tell you is that the reason he was hunted down by those champions was because he was my champion." Hades said bitterly as Sora's eyes widened.

"They were all wary of the power wielded by a son of Hades. When the other gods noticed his unbelievable strength, they sent their own children and champions to put him down."

"Zeus especially was against him, sending not only his son but his champion as well. Look at how that turned out for them. The only survivor was spared by Aldous in his dying moment."

"Although I don't know his reason for doing so, I respected his request to leave her alive. Hippolyta should be grateful I don't decide to kill her." Hades muttered a bit sourly as Sora tried to comprehend everything he just heard.

'Not only do I have a tiny insignificant amount of demigod blood in me, the queen of themiscyra was the person Aldous chose to spare. He must have done it while remembering that she would be the one to lead themiscyra and create Wonder Woman…' Numerous thoughts went rampant in his head as he felt a slight headache coming on.

Hade simply stood silent, letting the boy process everything. It was honestly a lot to take in at once.

'When you look at it, it's a bit unfair. Had it been a child of Zeus that had such power they wouldn't gang up to kill him.' Sora thought only for the god of death to respond to his thoughts.

"Exactly. They refuse to see how utterly biased they are being." Hades ranted, ignoring Sora's raised eyebrows at his invasion of his thoughts.

"Though it's all important to know about, why bring me here at all?" Sora asked the question that had been on his mind for a while.

"A part of his request was to keep an eye on those who would come after him, namely you, his descendants. I wasn't sure what exactly I was looking out for but he said I'd know it when I saw it." Hades explained solemnly.

"For a brief moment I thought it was your mother he was talking about." He said, causing Sora to gasp a bit.

"What about my mother?" He questioned, remembering Kaito's comment about her being a monster.

"Did you never notice how despite giving birth to two children ten years apart and the second child being twelve already, she still looked no older than twenty four?" Hades asked to which the boy then realized…

'I never really thought about it like that.' He realized.

"Despite her demigod linage being strongly diluted, she was still able to gain a sliver of power. She sucked the life out of a forest once while growing up." Hade revealed, Sora's eyes widening at the implications of such a power.

"She had to learn to control it so she wouldn't hurt anybody and she did. What she didn't realize was that her 'incident' in the forest would have an effect on her. The vitality from the forest…" He trailed off.

"…was absorbed into her own, increasing her lifespan and affecting her aging." Sora finished.

"Exactly. I was saddened when she died. She could have killed those men but she didn't. That's how kind her spirit was." Hades said gently as Sora took a deep breath.

"I-Is it possible to see her?" Sora's voice trembling for the first time since he arrived here.

"I'm sorry but it's not. She asked for the same thing. If you were to see her, you would stop at nothing to bring her back. Knowing you, you find a way." He said as Sora's fist clenched tightly.

"What's to stop me from trying to bring her back either way?" Sora asked, the reanimation jutsu coming to mind.

"Even if you managed to do that, would she be happy with it?" He asked as Sora grit his teeth in frustration at the truth in his words.

"The dead should be allowed to rest. If it's any consolation, she is in the Elysian Field." The god comforted as Sora's confusion grew.

"Isn't that…"

"The paradise of heroes? Yes it is. I'm allowed to be biased once in a while." He said, drawing a smile from Sora.

"So, where does that leave us?" Sora asked the elder god.

"Right. That Aldous is too cryptic even for me but I can recognize when something is right in front of me."

"You're the one I'm supposed to look out for. You've peaked my interest even more than him and for that, I shall grant you a boon." He said as he snapped his fingers.

The familiar screen of the system greeted Sora's sight.

[*Ding!*]

[The Lord of the underworld has displayed interest in you!]

[*Ding!*]

[You have been recognized as a champion of Hades!]

[*Ding!*]

[You have gained Death affinity!]

[*Ding!*]

[You have gained 'Soul Magic'!]

[*Ding!*]

[You are immune to Soul Damage!]

Sora blinked at the numerous screens that flashed in front of his eyes, not knowing what to do or say.

"I believe that is generous enough. I'm interested in how you'll utilize it. The sea of lost souls is available to you for your research." He said with obvious interest and amusement.

"Mortals tend to be more creative than other beings." He said as Sora's attention went to him.

"I appreciate your gift." He said genuinely.

"Don't get so stiff. There may come a time when I will have a request for you. Be ready." The god of death said seriously, Sora nodded in agreement.

"I think it's time you to return to your world otherwise that girl is going to go on a rampage." Hades said as a magical screen appeared in front of them showing Zatanna in their apartment, eyes glowing white as she floated in the room.

The room was in disarray as a white portal was present in front of her with no exact destination.

"She's been attempting to open a portal to you for a while. I've been interfering of course." The man said mischievously as Sora gave him a dry glare.

"How do I get back?" He asked only for the man to laugh.

"You're the champion here. Figure it out." Hades said playfully as he disappeared in a puff of smoke, his laugh sounding in the air.

'Screw you!' Sora thought bitterly, fighting off the headache he knew was coming as he pondered on a way out.